[{"UniqueID":307282,"EventID":"S4W-28109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-22T15:26:30.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-13T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of the nature of reductions in funding for each of the NHS special boards in its 2015-16 budget.","AnswerText":"NHS Special Health Boards received differential funding dependent upon their relationship with directly patient facing services.\r\n\r\nIn terms of efficiency savings, four of the special health boards generated efficiency savings which were returned to the Scottish Government and reinvested in patient facing services in the other health boards. The other special boards retained their efficiency savings for local reinvestment. Savings are agreed with boards as part of their annual financial planning process.\r\nThe following table shows the uplifts(reductions) for Special NHS Boards in 2015-16. Draft Budget figures are also provided for 2016-17.\r\n\r\n2014-15 Baseline\r\nBaseline\r\nEfficiency\r\n2015-16 Baseline\r\n2016-17 Budget\r\n2016-17 Budget\r\nBoard\r\n\r\nUplift 1%\r\nSavings\r\n\r\nUplift\r\nBaseline\r\n\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\nNHS National Waiting Times Centre Board\r\n45,495\r\n455\r\n\r\n45,950\r\n590\r\n46,541\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n209,967\r\n2,100\r\n\r\n212,066\r\n6,475\r\n218,541\r\nNHS National Services Scotland\r\n282,029\r\n2,820\r\n(1,500)\r\n283,349\r\n10,045\r\n293,394\r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland\r\n15,454\r\n155\r\n(450)\r\n15,158\r\n336\r\n15,494\r\nThe State Hospital\r\n33,859\r\n339\r\n\r\n34,197\r\n87\r\n34,284\r\nNHS 24\r\n62,104\r\n621\r\n\r\n62,725\r\n1,891\r\n64,616\r\nNHS National Education Scotland\r\n390,156\r\n3,902\r\n(1,500)\r\n392,557\r\n16,100\r\n408,657\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n18,898\r\n189\r\n(1,050)\r\n18,037\r\n180\r\n18,217","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309141,"EventID":"S4T-01264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T10:10:08.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on reopening the Forth Road Bridge to all vehicles.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309143,"EventID":"S4F-03146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T10:19:46.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-04T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309144,"EventID":"S4F-03149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T10:19:47.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T08:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding the proposed referendum on EU membership.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309145,"EventID":"S4F-03150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T10:19:48.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309146,"EventID":"S4F-03153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T10:19:50.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will conduct a review of flood defences in conjunction with local authorities in light of this winter’s flooding incidents.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309147,"EventID":"S4F-03152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T10:19:49.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how many children receive free school meals. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309148,"EventID":"S4F-03144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T10:19:45.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-04T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what impact the introduction of an upper band of the minimum wage for workers over 25 will have on pay inequality and in-work poverty in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309149,"EventID":"S4T-01262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T10:10:07.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T08:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the recent flooding.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309161,"EventID":"S4W-29119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T13:43:32.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-04T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many nurses employed by each NHS board are from outside of the European Economic Area and what information it has regarding how many are at risk of deportation because of the requirement that from April 2016 they must earn at least £35,000 per annum to qualify for indefinite leave to remain.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309162,"EventID":"S4W-29121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T13:43:32.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-04T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the closure of the A83 at the Rest and be Thankful following a landslide on 30 December 2015; what discussions it has had with (a) businesses and (b) the public regarding the impact of the closure, and whether it will commission research into the economic impact of the road being closed because of landslides.","AnswerText":"Following the landslip on 30 December 2015, existing mitigation measures were effective in ensuring that the majority of the landslip material was prevented from reaching the A83. \r\nExtensive monitoring of the hillside was undertaken and a 150 tonne boulder was identified as a potential risk to the A83 and the Old Military Road. Consequently, the A83 was closed on the evening of the 4 January 2016 and traffic was diverted via Dalmally. For safety reasons, ongoing visual monitoring of the slope was necessary, and the Old Military Road diversion was made available during the daylight hours when this monitoring was possible.\r\nWorks to make safe the boulder took place on 5 and 6 January 2016 and following the geotechnical checks on 7 January 2016, the A83 reopened at the earliest opportunity. Temporary traffic lights were erected to protect staff working to clear the debris nets.\r\nOur operating company, BEAR Scotland, kept stakeholders, local communities and businesses and the print and broadcast media updated throughout this period. They also issued updates via social media and through travel information websites such as Traffic Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government, working closely with our stakeholder partners, has already invested £9 million towards reducing the risk of impacts from landslides at the Rest and Be Thankful and also the establishment of the local diversion route. The taskforce group will reconvene on 25 January 2016.\r\nThe socio-economic impact assessment undertaken as part of the 2013 Route Study assessed the impact of closures at the Rest and Be Thankful due to landslides I can confirm that this was reviewed in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309163,"EventID":"S4W-29122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T13:43:33.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-04T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it would cost to construct a flow-over canopy on the A83 at the Rest and be Thankful to prevent the road being closed due to landslides, and what plans it has to (a) build such a canopy or (b) introduce other measures to permanently resolve the issue.","AnswerText":"The A83 Trunk Road Route Study published in February 2013 considered a series of options with the objective to reduce the impact of the effects of landslides at the Rest and Be Thankful. This transport appraisal was undertaken in accordance with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance and Stage 1 scheme assessment in accordance with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.\r\nSix options were appraised and this is fully discussed in the A83 Trunk Road Route Study, Part A which can be found on the Transport Scotland website at the following link: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/system/files/uploaded_content/documents/projects/A83/a83-rest-and-be-thankful-project-a83-trunk-road-route-study-report-part-a-final.pdf\r\nThe “Brown Option” considered a 1km debris flow shelter. Following the initial sift against the stated criteria, the options for a flow-over canopy was sifted out for further consideration as other options were assessed to perform better against the appraisal criteria. Also similar benefits could be achieved with other options in the study at lower cost and with a lower potential environmental impact.\r\nThe Scottish Government remains committed to working with local communities and businesses to ensure that Argyll remains open for business. This has seen an investment of over £48 million in maintaining the A83 since 2007. This includes £9 million towards reducing the risk of impacts from landslides at the Rest and Be Thankful and the establishment of the local diversion route. The A83 taskforce will reconvene on 25 January 2016, when the continued work of the group and next steps will be discussed.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309164,"EventID":"S4W-29130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T13:43:34.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding devolving all aspects of (a) gaming and betting legislation or (b) the regulation of fixed-odds betting terminals, including curbing the terminals' speed of play and maximum stakes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government argued in the Smith Commission that the power to regulate gambling should be devolved to Scotland. The commission recommended a more limited devolution that would allow the Scottish Parliament to control the proliferation of fixed-odds betting terminals. \r\nThe Scotland Bill does not deliver this recommendation. The provision would only give the Scottish Parliament the power to set the maximum number of fixed-odds betting terminals in new betting premises. This precludes any action in respect of existing machines, new machines in existing premises and those found in premises other than betting shops. The provisions set out in the Scotland Bill would not allow steps such as limiting stakes or prizes, or action to regulate the speed of play.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309165,"EventID":"S4W-29133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T13:43:34.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the impact of problem gambling on health and communities, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding amending the Gambling Act 2005 to allow licensing boards to better regulate betting premises.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government fully supports amending the Gambling Act 2005 to allow licensing boards to better regulate betting premises.\r\nThe Scottish Government first wrote to the UK Government in 2011 to raise this issue.\r\nTo date, the UK Government has not made the necessary amendments to the Gambling Act 2005.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309166,"EventID":"S4W-29134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T13:43:35.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many gambling licences in Scotland have been reviewed each year since the Gambling Act 2005 came into force.","AnswerText":"Annual returns from licensing authorities for 2014-15 collated by the Gambling Commission indicate there were three reviews of premises licences issued under the Gambling Act 2005 across Great Britain during this period, with one of these occurring in Scotland. The Gambling Commission works in partnership with licensing authorities to regulate gambling in Scotland, England and Wales.\r\nA licence review is the last of a range of interventions and sanctions available to licensing authorities in addressing operational problems within a gambling premises.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309167,"EventID":"S4W-29135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T13:43:35.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what services are provided by (a) local authorities, (b) NHS boards and (c) other public bodies to help treat people who have a gambling addiction, and what information it has regarding the contribution by the betting and gaming sector toward such treatment.","AnswerText":"In common with other behaviours that cause difficulties in people’s lives and contribute to their ill health, problem gambling is addressed as part of wider health issues that a person may be experiencing including mental health problems and substance misuse problems. Where a person is referred to a service for treatment, the clinical team will work with the person to identify the issues or problems that are important to support their recovery in a holistic person-centred way. Specialist psychological skills and competencies used in the management of alcohol and drug misuse have some applicability to some problem gamblers as do problem solving counselling skills.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to delivering faster access to psychological therapies for people with mental illness or disorders, including those who have problems with gambling which is recognised as a type of impulse-control disorder. The delivery of psychological therapies is a core part of NHS activity. NHS boards have made good progress in recent years in improving access to many psychological therapies.\r\nThe Responsible Gambling Trust (RGT) is an independent UK wide charity committed to minimising gambling-related harm and is funded by donations (minimum of £5 million per year) from the gambling industry. RGT funds education, prevention and treatment services and commissions research to broaden public understanding of gambling-related harm. The aim is to stop people getting into problems with their gambling, and ensure that those that do develop problems receive fast and effective treatment and support. The RGT website refers to the funding of services such as GamCare and the RCA Trust which both offer counselling services and are available in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309168,"EventID":"S4W-29137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T13:43:36.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the impact of problem gambling on health and communities, whether it will (a) commission independent research on the impact of fixed-odds betting terminals and (b) review the planning regulations regarding the (i) provision and (ii) licensing of betting shops.","AnswerText":"As the Scottish Parliament does not have the power to legislate to regulate gambling or fixed-odds betting terminals in Scotland, the Scottish Government has no current plans to commission specific research on the impact of fixed-odds betting terminals.\r\nIn the absence of appropriate powers to regulate gambling being devolved in the Scotland Bill, it is our intention to amend legislation to extend planning controls on changing premises into betting shops. Planning powers cannot however control betting shop activities to the extent possible under powers to regulate gambling.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309169,"EventID":"S4W-29141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T13:43:37.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers it has to regulate the number of staff employed in betting shops with fixed-odds betting terminals and to ensure that the terminals are placed in sight of staff desks.","AnswerText":"Betting, gaming and lotteries are a reserved matter. While Scottish Ministers do have the power to set conditions on betting premises licences, these must be within their devolved competence.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309170,"EventID":"S4W-29142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T13:43:37.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students qualify for the education maintenance allowance, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Data on the number of students who qualify for the Education Maintenance Allowance are not held centrally.\r\nData on the number of students who received Education Maintenance Allowance is available in the Scottish Government's annual national statistics publication Education Maintenance Allowances 2013-14. Data for local authorities are available from the Scottish Government website: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Lifelong-learning/DataEMA","AnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309171,"EventID":"S4W-29143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T13:43:38.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students who qualify for the education maintenance allowance are studying for (a) one Higher, (b) two Highers, (c) more than two Highers and (d) no Highers, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Data on the number of students who qualify for the Education Maintenance Allowance and the qualifications they are studying for are not held centrally.\r\nData on the number of students who received Education Maintenance Allowance is available in the Scottish Government's annual national statistics publication Education Maintenance Allowances 2013-14. Data for local authorities are available from the Scottish Government website: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Lifelong-learning/DataEMA","AnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309172,"EventID":"S4W-29144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T13:43:38.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students studying for (a) one Higher, (b) two Highers, (c) more than two Highers and (d) no Highers who qualify for the education maintenance allowance receive each of the payment bands.","AnswerText":"Data on the number of students who qualify for the Education Maintenance Allowance and the qualifications they are studying for are not held centrally.\r\nData on the number of students who received Education Maintenance Allowance is available in the Scottish Government's annual national statistics publication Education Maintenance Allowances 2013-14. Data for local authorities are available from the Scottish Government website: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Lifelong-learning/DataEMA","AnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309173,"EventID":"S4W-29158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T15:06:34.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who it engaged with in developing the national improvement framework and whether it will publish the feedback received.","AnswerText":"Since the publication of the draft national improvement framework, we have undertaken extensive consultation, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including over 5,000 teachers, parents, children and young people, local authority representatives, academics, representative groups and other interested stakeholders. Focused events were held for parents and for children and a programme of over 50 meetings and events took place over three months. Responses from an online survey and written submissions were also received. This feedback has shaped the National Improvement Framework, published on 6 January 2016. \r\nA consultation and engagement report was published alongside the National Improvement Framework to enable stakeholders to see how their input has shaped the development of the framework. Additional information for parents and children, based on their feedback has also been produced and is available via the Scottish Government website:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Education/Schools/NationalImprovementFramework.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309177,"EventID":"S4W-29126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T16:41:00.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-04T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many lawyers the Scottish Social Services Council (a) employs and (b) has employed in the last year, broken down by job title. ","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Social Services Council. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309178,"EventID":"S4W-29129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T16:41:00.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-04T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish Social Services Council staff carry out investigations.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Social Services Council. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309179,"EventID":"S4W-29148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T16:41:01.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that it has an obligation to apply legal protection to the European beaver under the terms of the habitats directive.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not believe there is an obligation to apply legal protection to the European beaver under the terms of the habitats directive at present, while beavers are still subject to a ministerial decision on whether they are to be reintroduced to Scotland. In the event that ministers decide that beavers should remain in Scotland it is expected that some form of legal protection will be applied.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309180,"EventID":"S4W-29149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T16:41:01.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many European beaver have been shot in Scotland since 2010 and collected by Scottish Natural Heritage for autopsy.","AnswerText":"Twenty one shot beavers have been surrendered to Scottish Natural Heritage or the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland for post mortem examination.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309181,"EventID":"S4W-29150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T16:41:02.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many European beaver are estimated to have been shot in Scotland since 2010 and not collected for autopsy.","AnswerText":"We do not have any information on which to base an estimate of the numbers of beavers shot in Scotland since 2010 and not collected for autopsy.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309182,"EventID":"S4W-29151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T16:41:02.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates to be the size of the European beaver population in the Tay catchment area.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report Number 540: Distribution, Population Assessment and Activities of Beavers in Tayside reported on a 2012 survey which found 38-39 occupied territories at that time. The authors of the report suggest that this could equate to 106-187 animals. It is assumed that the population will have expanded since 2012, although we have no recent data to confirm the current population. A link to the report is below.\r\nhttp://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/commissioned_reports/540.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309183,"EventID":"S4W-29152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T16:41:03.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many European beaver autopsied in Scotland since 2010 were (a) pregnant and (b) lactating.","AnswerText":"Of the 21 beavers autopsied, (a) four were pregnant; and (b) a further two were lactating.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309184,"EventID":"S4W-29153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T16:41:03.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many European beaver autopsied in Scotland since 2010 were found to have been shot with inappropriate weapons.","AnswerText":"There are no legal restrictions on the types of firearms which may be used in the lethal control of beavers. There is a general prohibition on the use of any bow or cross-bow, or any explosive other than ammunition for a firearm, for the purpose of taking or killing any wild animal, under section 11 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Autopsies revealed that three beavers were shot with inappropriate calibres or ammunition or at a range at which the likelihood of immediate and humane death may be compromised.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309185,"EventID":"S4W-29154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T16:41:04.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice land managers have been given regarding management of European beaver on their land.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Tay Beaver Study Group have advised land managers experiencing impacts from beavers to refrain from the use of lethal control and to seek advice on mitigation methods. The role of the Tay beaver project officer, funded by SNH, included advisory visits for this purpose. SNH staff and contractors have also provided advice on the choice of effective firearms and ammunition, where it was apparent that a land manager was intent on lethal control of beavers. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency have also provided land managers with advice on managing the impacts of European beaver.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309186,"EventID":"S4W-29155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T16:41:04.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legal options land managers have had in dealing with European beaver on their land since 2010.","AnswerText":"Beavers are not currently legally protected in Scotland and lethal control with firearms is not prohibited. Legal options for management include protection and mitigation methods, such as the use of wire netting to protect trees, the installation of “beaver deceiver” flow devices to prevent flooding, as well as lethal control.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309187,"EventID":"S4W-29156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T16:41:05.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has issued to land managers in relation to the shooting of European beaver during the breeding season.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Tay Beaver Study Group have advised land managers experiencing impacts from beavers not to resort to lethal control but to seek advice on mitigation methods. The role of the Tay beaver project officer, funded by SNH, included advisory visits for this purpose. SNH staff and contractors have also provided advice on avoiding leaving dependent young.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309188,"EventID":"S4W-29157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T16:41:05.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers the European beaver population in Scotland to be largely disease free.","AnswerText":"None of the animals which has been trapped, examined and released or subject to post-mortem examination appeared to be carrying any disease of significant concern to public or animal health. As expected, some individuals were found to be carrying diseases or parasites which are normally found in other wild animals in Scotland, as well as some that are unique to beavers.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309191,"EventID":"S4W-29161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T13:38:14.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on each of the Scotland-specific recommendations made by the Arts and Humanities Research Council on Collective Worship in its report, Collective Worship and Religious Observance in Schools: An Evaluation of Law and Policy in the UK.","AnswerText":"The Arts and Humanities Research Council published in November 2015 its report Collective Worship and Religious Observance in Schools: An Evaluation of Law and Policy in the UK. The Scotland-specific recommendations in the report are as follows:\r\n“(a) It is recommended that Education Scotland provide clear guidance as to what constitutes religious observance and where worship is situated within that.\r\n(b) It is recommended, in line with Section 6 of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000, that children are consulted on the day to day running of the school as set out in the school’s development plan and that this should include consultation relating to religious observance.\r\n(c) It is recommended that the term ‘Religious Observance’ be formally changed to ‘Time for Reflection’ in order to be more inclusive.”\r\nIn terms of advice available to schools, Education Scotland already provides clear guidance on religious observance/time for reflection which is the product of collaborative work with stakeholders – including Curriculum for Excellence Briefing Paper 16, which has been endorsed by Humanist Society Scotland. Education Scotland is working to develop exemplification of good practice in religious observance/time for reflection in different contexts. This includes the important principle that young people should be involved in the planning, delivery and evaluation of it. Schools themselves can already decide whether to refer to these experiences as religious observance or time for reflection; no legal change is required to enable this.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309192,"EventID":"S4W-29162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T13:38:15.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recommendation made by the Independent Commission on Religion and Belief in British Public Life in its report, Living with Difference: Community, Diversity and the Common Good, that \"the legal requirement for schools to hold acts of collective worship should be repealed, and replaced by a requirement to hold inclusive times for reflection\".","AnswerText":"The report of the Independent Commission on Religion and Belief in British Public Life, Living with Difference: Community, Diversity and the Common Good, contains 12 recommendations about the place of religion in public life. These include the recommendation that:\r\n\"All pupils in state-funded schools should have a statutory entitlement to a curriculum about religion, philosophy and ethics that is relevant to today's society, and the broad framework of such a curriculum should be nationally agreed. The legal requirement for schools to hold acts of collective worship should be repealed, and replaced by a requirement to hold inclusive times for reflection.\"\r\nThere is no legal requirement in Scotland for schools to ‘hold acts of collective worship’; instead the terms ‘Religious Observance’ or ‘Time for Reflection’ are used in statute and guidance. Education Scotland guidance on religious observance (time for reflection) addresses how effective religious observance may take a variety of forms.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309193,"EventID":"S4W-29164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T13:38:16.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many of the 309 weekdays between 15 December 2014 and 12 December 2015 rail services on the Far North Line achieved 100% reliability.","AnswerText":"Of the 309 weekdays between 15 December 2014 and 12 December 2015, 100 percent reliability (that is, no full cancellations, part-cancellations, or incidents where a train failed to stop where it should have stopped) was achieved on 216 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":309194,"EventID":"S4W-29165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T13:38:16.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T17:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to carry out the (a) electrification of the East Kilbride rail line and (b) delivery of a second platform at East Kilbride station.","AnswerText":"Electrification of the East Kilbride line is one of a number of options being considered as part of the rolling programme of electrification from 2019 onwards. Development work for this, and the potential delivery of a second platform at East Kilbride station, is being taken forward by Network Rail, with the associated cost estimates and supporting business cases expected to be submitted to ministers later in 2016. Future delivery of these projects will be dependent on these business cases, subject to consideration against other rail priorities, and sufficient resources being available.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309199,"EventID":"S4O-05234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:26:58.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in encouraging young people to try golf.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309200,"EventID":"S4O-05235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:26:59.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether e-cigarettes are now available on prescription from the NHS.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309201,"EventID":"S4O-05237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:00.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T17:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what medical staffing challenges it has identified in NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309202,"EventID":"S4O-05238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:00.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309203,"EventID":"S4O-05239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:01.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309204,"EventID":"S4O-05240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:02.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of access to advanced radiotherapy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309205,"EventID":"S4O-05241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:02.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309206,"EventID":"S4O-05242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:03.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it considers supporter involvement in football clubs, including ownership, can make a positive contribution to society.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309207,"EventID":"S4O-05243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:04.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports and promotes participation in Highland sports, including shinty and Highland games' heavy events.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309208,"EventID":"S4O-05244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:04.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the prevalence of smoking among young people.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309209,"EventID":"S4O-05246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:05.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many so-called deep-end GP practices have been taken into NHS board control.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309210,"EventID":"S4O-05247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:06.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase spending on mental health.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309211,"EventID":"S4O-05248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:06.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on the construction of the new intensive psychiatric care unit at Stratheden Hospital.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309212,"EventID":"S4O-05249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:07.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered how it could make it easier for inpatients to participate in NHS consultations.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309213,"EventID":"S4O-05250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:07.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent YouGov survey suggesting that 42% of people in Scotland are unaware of the risk factors of being overweight.","AnswerText":"I am pleased that the survey quoted indicated that nearly 60% of the population are aware of the risk of cancer associated with being overweight. Our own data from the Scottish Health Survey – Knowledge, attitudes and motivations to health (2013) had awareness at 34%. This I think clearly shows awareness among the wider population of the risk of being overweight and the link to cancer is growing. We need to continue to raise this issue so that more of the population are aware that the risk of being overweight brings with it an increased risk of cancer.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309214,"EventID":"S4O-05251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:08.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients' homes have been sold to pay for long-term nursing care since May 2011, and whether any agricultural land has been included.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of properties sold by individuals who enter residential care is not held centrally.\r\nThrough deferred payment of residential care fees, individuals have the option not to sell their homes during their lifetimes to pay for the costs of their care.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309215,"EventID":"S4O-05252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:09.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to tackle the reported increase in the number of people with diabetes.","AnswerText":"Our Diabetes Improvement Plan published in November 2014 sets out key provisions and a range of actions to support NHS boards in delivering person-centred, safe and effective care and treatment for people living with diabetes in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309216,"EventID":"S4O-05253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:10.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to address neglect and abuse in residential care homes for older people.","AnswerText":"No care home resident should ever be subject to any form of harm or abuse, and it should be remembered that the vast majority of residential care homes provide high-quality care. The Care Inspectorate investigates complaints against registered care homes and carries out a rigorous inspection programme. Complaints about registered social service workers are investigated by the Scottish Social Services Council.\r\nThrough the Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Bill, we are legislating to introduce new offences of ill-treatment or wilful neglect. That will improve current powers and complaints procedures, and it will ensure that effective legal action can be taken against a care worker or care provider whenever necessary.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309217,"EventID":"S4O-05254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:11.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the presumption of mainstream education.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309218,"EventID":"S4O-05255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:11.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the implications for Scotland are of the Paris agreement for fossil fuel production and consumption.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309219,"EventID":"S4O-05256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:12.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what socioeconomic impact assessments it has carried out of the new marine protected areas and how many jobs will be lost on shore and at sea in these locations as a result of their designation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309220,"EventID":"S4O-05257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:13.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on calls to revisit its position on the principle of universalism in public service provision.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309221,"EventID":"S4O-05258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:14.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the outcome of its recent meeting with the RMT union. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309222,"EventID":"S4O-05259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:14.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason total expenditure on the Legal Aid Fund in 2014-15 fell by 8% compared with the previous year.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309223,"EventID":"S4O-05260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:15.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Barnett consequentials will arise from the £600 million increase in mental health spending announced in the recent Spending Review, and how the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy plans to allocate this.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309224,"EventID":"S4O-05261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:16.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent closure of the A83 at the Rest and be Thankful.","AnswerText":"Following the landslip on 30 December 2015, existing mitigation measures were effective in ensuring that the majority of the landslip material was prevented from reaching the A83.\r\nExtensive monitoring of the hillside was undertaken and a 150 tonne boulder was identified as a potential risk to the A83 and the Old Military Road. Consequently, the A83 was closed on the evening of 4 January 2016 and traffic was diverted via Dalmally. For safety reasons, ongoing visual monitoring of the slope was necessary, and the Old Military Road diversion was made available during the daylight hours when this monitoring was possible.\r\nWorks to make safe the boulder took place on 5 and 6 January 2016 and following the geotechnical checks on 7 January 2016, the A83 reopened at the earliest opportunity. Temporary traffic lights were erected to protect staff working to clear the debris nets.\r\nI have also arranged for the A83 taskforce to reconvene on 25 January 2016, when the continued work of the group and next steps will be discussed.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309225,"EventID":"S4O-05263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T14:27:17.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Glasgow City Council and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"The First Minister met Councillor McAveety, leader of Glasgow City Council, on 9 December 2015 to discuss matters of mutual interest as part of our commitment to working in partnership with local government to improve outcomes for the people of Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309230,"EventID":"S4W-29166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:40:42.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it provides to local authorities to encourage the use of locally-sourced stone.","AnswerText":"‘Creating Places’, the Scottish Government policy on architecture and place, published in 2013, encourages project clients, commissioners, designers and approvers to take advantage of locally-sourced materials to facilitate sustainable development. The Scottish Government supports Architecture and Design Scotland to provide advice on the use of sustainable materials, including stone.\r\nAn overarching aim of the policy is that design should respond appropriately to context. However, it is recognised that use of specific materials may be subject to EU procurement rules on open and fair competition for the supply of material and provisions in the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, which require contracting authorities to consider, before carrying out a regulated procurement, how it can improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of their area.\r\nOn behalf of Scottish Government, Historic Environment Scotland and the British Geological Survey have worked in partnership with a number of local authorities to identify local natural stone resources for potential use in the conservation, repair and maintenance of traditional buildings; these include Orkney Islands Council, East Ayrshire Council, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Through its education and outreach programme, Historic Environment Scotland continues to raise awareness of the importance of natural stone resources to our sense of place and encourages local authorities to actively investigate local building stone resources and to recognise the sustainable economic development opportunities that an indigenous stone industry can provide through local employment, particularly in rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309231,"EventID":"S4W-29167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:40:43.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action its agencies take to promote the use of locally-sourced stone.","AnswerText":"Historic Environment Scotland, which is a non-departmental public body, is working with the British Geological Survey to develop a natural stone database for Scotland that will enable public access to records and information on building stone types, quarries from which stone has been sourced and buildings in which it has been used. This database, which is due to be launched in 2017, will help the Scottish stone industry promote the historic and future use of stone resources. Historic Environment Scotland is funding the British Geological Survey to identify further opportunities for it to work with the Scottish stone industry to secure resources for the conservation of our historic environment.\r\nHistoric Environment Scotland promotes the use of technically appropriate and locally sourced stone and regularly advises on testing and matching materials. The body encourages local authorities to make this a requirement when approving planning applications for listed building consent for alterations, extensions or demolitions works. It is hoped this will raise awareness of the importance of using the correct stone type and help stimulate supply of an appropriate local material.\r\nHistoric Environment Scotland also promotes the use of traditional Scottish materials through the Engine Shed: Scotland’s Building Conservation Centre, which plans to open in Stirling later in 2016. Historic Environment Scotland is required to operate within public procurement frameworks, which reflect EU procurement rules and require open and fair competition. Within this context, Historic Environment Scotland will work closely with the indigenous building stone industry to promote the use of locally sourced materials.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309232,"EventID":"S4W-29168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:40:44.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to promote the use of locally-sourced stone when work is being carried out on buildings and structures that are considered iconic.","AnswerText":"‘Creating Places’, the Scottish Government policy on architecture and place, published in 2013, encourages project clients, commissioners, designers and approvers to take advantage of locally-sourced materials to facilitate sustainable development.\r\nAn overarching aim of the policy is that design should respond appropriately to context. However, it is recognised that use of specific materials may be subject to EU procurement rules on open and fair competition for the supply of material and provisions in the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, which require contracting authorities to consider, before carrying out a regulated procurement, how it can improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of their area.\r\nThe Scottish Government supports Architecture and Design Scotland to provide advice on the use of sustainable materials, including stone. \r\nOn 1 October 2015 the Scottish Government launched Historic Environment Scotland as a non-departmental public body with a general function of investigating, caring for and promoting Scotland’s historic environment. Historic Environment Scotland’s activities include providing expert advice for the conservation, repair and maintenance of historic buildings and structures, including the use of appropriate materials.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309233,"EventID":"S4W-29169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:40:44.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12861 by Keith Brown on 28 February 2013, when the decision was taken not to include in the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015 the reference to a Scottish section of high speed rail that was contained in the Infrastructure Investment Plan project pipeline update published in January 2013.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29177 on 14 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/29177.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309234,"EventID":"S4W-29170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:40:45.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02112 by Humza Yousaf on 15 May 2013 (Official Report, c. 19792), what work Scottish Development International has undertaken in Iraqi Kurdistan since that date.","AnswerText":"Scottish Development International (SDI) had a staff member assigned to Istanbul between September and December 2014 who, as part of his remit, assessed the suitability of Kurdistan as a potential destination for oil and gas events and trade missions.\r\nSDI has been in contact with the UK Trade and Investment Office in Erbil and the Kurdistan Regional Government representative in London around developing a strategy for the region. Security issues in the area have meant this work is currently being held until the situation improves.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309235,"EventID":"S4W-29171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:40:46.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02112 by Humza Yousaf on 15 May 2013 (Official Report, c. 19792), how many Scottish businesses have been supported by it or Scottish Development International in developing links with Iraqi Kurdistan since that date.","AnswerText":"Scottish Development International (SDI) records assistance given to companies in overseas markets at a national level and does not record specific regions. Between 15 May 2013 and 30 October 2015, SDI helped 10 individual companies or organisations to do business in Iraq.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309236,"EventID":"S4W-29172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:40:48.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02112 by Humza Yousaf on 15 May 2013 (Official Report, c. 19792), which Scottish Government economic development plans have included reference to Iraqi Kurdistan since that date. ","AnswerText":"None of the Scottish Government economic strategies since 2013 have included specific reference to Iraqi Kurdistan.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309237,"EventID":"S4W-29173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:40:49.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance (a) its officials and (b) Scottish Development International provided to the delegation of SNP parliamentarians prior to their visit to Iran in December 2015.","AnswerText":"No assistance was provided to the delegation of SNP parliamentarians prior to their visit to Iran by either the Scottish Government or Scottish Development International.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309238,"EventID":"S4W-29174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:40:50.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what reports (a) its officials and (b) Scottish Development International received from the delegation of SNP parliamentarians who visited Iran in December 2015.","AnswerText":"A report on the visit to Iran has been received by the Deputy First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs. The report has been circulated to relevant officials. Alex Salmond MP MSP has contacted the Scottish Government seeking a meeting to discuss the findings of the visit.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309239,"EventID":"S4W-29175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:40:51.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it, or Scottish Development International, will support any trade mission to Iran following the visit by SNP parliamentarians in December 2015.","AnswerText":"Scottish Development International officials would be happy to receive more information on a proposed trade mission to Iran with regard to dates, companies attending and sectors that it will cover and will take a decision on the level of support it can offer when it has this information.\r\nFollowing a visit to Iran by SDI officials from 7-9 December 2015, an agreement was reached between Scottish Development International and the Iran Ministry of Petroleum to look at a potential joint oil and gas trade mission to Iran in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309240,"EventID":"S4W-29176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:40:53.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which of its economic development plans since 2007-08 have included reference to Iran.","AnswerText":"None of the Scottish Government economic strategies since 2007-08 have included specific reference to Iran.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309241,"EventID":"S4W-29177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:40:55.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12861 by Keith Brown on 28 February 2013, for what reason the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015 does not include reference to a Scottish section of high speed rail between Edinburgh and Glasgow.","AnswerText":"A draft business case considering a high speed rail link between Edinburgh and Glasgow was submitted as advice to ministers in 2014.\r\nIt was clear from this work that what high speed rail is built in Scotland depends on the high speed route coming up from the south. Therefore it is not possible to progress planning for a high speed rail link between Edinburgh and Glasgow any further until a cross-border high speed route is identified.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to work with the UK Government and HS2 Ltd on a broad options study which seeks to identify options for extending high speed rail to the north of England and Scotland. This study is expected to be completed in early 2016 after which the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities will make a joint announcement with the Secretary of State for Transport on the next steps to be taken.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309242,"EventID":"S4W-29178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:40:57.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T13:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much compensation franchise holders will receive due to the closure of the Glasgow Queen Street Station high level tunnel; how this is expected to be spent, and whether affected passengers can expect a reduction in their journey costs.","AnswerText":"Network Rail costs for the works in the tunnel are currently estimated to be in the region of £60 million. This includes an estimated £16 million in lost revenue compensation for train operating companies, based on a 20-week tunnel closure, in accordance with the current rail regulatory regime. Actual levels of compensation to train operators will not be determined until conclusion of the tunnel works and will be dependent on the effectiveness of the amended timetable in encouraging passengers to continue to use rail services during this period.\r\nConsistent with the Winchburgh rail tunnel works which were undertaken as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme, rail season ticket holders will not be offered a discount during the 20 week Queen Street High Level tunnel closure as reasonable rail services will continue.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309243,"EventID":"S4W-29179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:40:58.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T13:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates it expects the closure of the high level tunnel at Glasgow Queen Street Station to (a) start and (b) end; what the reason for the closure is, and whether the work is directly related to the (i) redevelopment of the station or (ii) electrification of the Glasgow to Edinburgh line.","AnswerText":"The tunnel will close from Sunday 20 March to Monday 8 August 2016.\r\nThe station is being closed to enable Network Rail to replace nearly two kilometres of 40 year old concrete slab track within the Queen Street tunnel and supports the introduction of a new generation of faster, greener and quieter electric trains onto routes across the Central Belt in 2017.\r\nNetwork Rail are also using the tunnel closure to accelerate the wider electrification works while minimising passenger disruption. The slab track replacement would be going ahead regardless of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvements Programme electrification programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309244,"EventID":"S4W-29180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:40:59.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T13:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps will be taken to minimise disruption caused by the closure of the high level tunnel at Glasgow Queen Street Station and to what extent services using the low level tunnel will be affected.","AnswerText":"ScotRail following industry processes and consultations has undertaken detailed work to ensure that the temporary timetable in place throughout the duration of the Queen Street High Level tunnel closure allows the vast majority of customers to travel to and from Glasgow by train.\r\nIn addition ScotRail has recently launched a comprehensive publicity campaign to ensure that customers have the information they need to keep moving during the tunnel closure. ScotRail continues to work closely with the commercial bus operators to ensure that customers continue to have choices in how they travel.\r\nNetwork Rail recently commissioned a programme of enhancement works on the Anniesland line enabling the operation of diverted services through Queen Street Low Level station. This ensures that ScotRail have sufficient capacity to operate their temporary timetable during the tunnel closure.\r\nQueen Street Low Level services will have minor timetable adjustments to cater for increased demand with all Airdrie to Bathgate services operating as longer trains.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309245,"EventID":"S4W-29181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:41:00.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T13:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which rail services use the high level tunnel at Glasgow Queen Street Station and what the diversionary routes will be for each service during its closure.","AnswerText":"The following table summarises what rail services use Glasgow Queen Street High Level station and what the diversionary routes will be for the duration of the tunnel closure:\r\nRail Service Group\r\nDiversionary Impact\r\nAberdeen/Dyce/Dundee/Perth\r\nDiverted to Glasgow Central via Rutherglen and Coatbridge lines.\r\nStirling/Alloa/Dunblane\r\nDiverted to Glasgow Queen Street Low Level via Anniesland/Springburn. Some Dunblane services are also extended to Dundee.\r\nAnniesland\r\nOperates as Anniesland to Falkirk Grahamston via Springburn and Cumbernauld.\r\nEdinburgh\r\nDiverted to Glasgow Queen Street Low Level via Anniesland/Springburn.\r\nFalkirk Grahamston\r\nOperates as Anniesland to Falkirk Grahamston via Springburn and Cumbernauld.\r\nInverness\r\nDiverted to Glasgow Central via Rutherglen and Coatbridge lines.\r\nWest Highland\r\nDiverted to Glasgow Queen Street Low Level via Anniesland/Springburn.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309246,"EventID":"S4W-29182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:41:01.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T13:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government to what extent the works on the high level tunnel at Glasgow Queen Street Station will increase average journey times, broken down by affected service.","AnswerText":"The following table summarises the estimated impact that the Glasgow Queen Street High Level tunnel closure will have on affected rail services:\r\nService(s) affected\r\nEstimated impact (average)\r\nEdinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street\r\n20 to 25 minutes longer\r\nDunblane/Alloa \r\n20 to 25 minutes longer\r\nAberdeen or Inverness to Glasgow \r\n30 to 40 minutes longer\r\nWest Highland\r\n20 to 25 minutes longer\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309247,"EventID":"S4W-29183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:41:02.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T13:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which services will be reduced during the works on the high level tunnel at Glasgow Queen Street Station and whether capacity will be fully retained through the use of longer trains.","AnswerText":"The following table summarises the rail services that will have reduced frequency during the Queen Street High Level tunnel closure:\r\nService(s)\r\nExisting\r\nDuring tunnel closure\r\nGlasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk High\r\nFour trains per hour from 0700 to 1930 hours\r\nHalf hourly all day\r\nAshfield to Anniesland via Maryhill \r\nTwo trains per hour all day\r\nHourly all day\r\nCumbernauld to Glasgow \r\nThree trains per hour all day\r\nTwo services per hour all day (one direct and one requiring interchange Springburn)\r\nThe Queen Street High Level tunnel closure will inevitably result in a loss of some capacity. However, ScotRail will ensure that all available rolling stock is used through longer trains and diversions, to enable the vast majority of capacity to be retained during the works.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309248,"EventID":"S4W-29184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:41:04.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T13:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) trains and (b) passengers are carried through the (i) high and (ii) low level tunnel at Glasgow Queen Street Station per hour at peak period.","AnswerText":"The following tables confirm how many trains and passengers travel through Glasgow Queen Street High and Low Level stations per hour at peak period:\r\n\r\nGlasgow Queen Street\r\nHigh Level Station\r\nLow Level Station\r\nTrains\r\nAM peak (0745-0915 hours)\r\n37 trains (20 arrive, 17 depart). Approx. 25 per peak hour.\r\n\r\n56 trains arrive and depart, none terminate or commence there in the peaks. Approx. 37 per peak hour. \r\n\r\nPM peak (1630-1800 hours)\r\n38 trains (17 arrive, 21 depart). Approx. 25 per peak hour.\r\n54 trains arrive and depart. Approx. 37 per peak hour. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGlasgow Queen Street\r\nHigh Level Station\r\nLow Level Station\r\nPassenger flows (estimated via sample surveys of ticket gate entries and exits)\r\nAM peak (0745-0915 hours)\r\nDepart – 1,500\r\nArrive – 4,700\r\nTotal – 6,200\r\nTotal per hour – 4,100\r\nDepart – 500\r\nArrive – 2,200\r\nTotal – 2,700\r\nTotal per hour – 1,800\r\nPM peak (1630-1800 hours)\r\nDepart – 4,300\r\nArrive – 1,800\r\nTotal – 6,100\r\nTotal per hour – 4,000\r\nDepart – 2,180\r\nArrive – 800\r\nTotal – 2,900\r\nTotal per hour – 2,000\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309249,"EventID":"S4W-29185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:41:05.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T13:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many passengers used Glasgow Queen Street Station in 2014-15.","AnswerText":"The Office of Rail and Road has reported that for the 2014-15 year, there were a total of 18,674,245 journeys at Glasgow Queen Street which includes both High and Low Level stations. This can be broken down as 16,959,230 entries and exits, as well as a further 1,715,015 interchange journeys.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309250,"EventID":"S4W-29186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:41:06.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T13:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the outcome of Operation Alexander in December 2015, what plans it has in 2016 to prioritise the targeting of shops that sell new psychoactive substances. ","AnswerText":"Operation Alexander is a co-ordinated enforcement operation by local authority trading standards services against new psychoactive substance suppliers. Further action is a matter for local trading standards authorities.\r\nThe Scottish Government are working closely with the UK Government on the detail of the UK-wide psychoactive substances bill which is due to become law in April 2016. The legislation will make it an offence to produce, supply, offer to supply, possess with intent to supply, import and export psychoactive substances. The Bill will also create an offence for possession of psychoactive substances within a custodial setting.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309251,"EventID":"S4W-29187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:41:06.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T13:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it provided for Operation Alexander in December 2015, which targeted shops selling new psychoactive substances.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government did not directly fund Operation Alexander. The Scottish Government provided funding of £21,450 to Trading Standards Scotland to assist in removing barriers in tackling new psychoactive substances (NPS). This included the development of an operational toolkit and guidance, as recommended by the expert review group. The funding has also been used to build a national intelligence picture of NPS suppliers. In addition, the funding helped meet the costs of the forensic analysis of seized products during Operation Alexander.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309252,"EventID":"S4W-29188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:41:07.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T13:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out the effectiveness of its strategy in dealing with new psychoactive substances.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to engage with the sector to review a range of interventions to tackle new psychoactive substances (NPS) and the dangers they pose. The NPS Evidence Group is comprised of key stakeholders from a range of sectors including health, enforcement, academia, and the third sector, amongst others.\r\nThe Scottish Government established an expert review group in August 2014 to consider the powers available in Scotland to tackle the sale and supply of NPS. The group published its report on 26 February 2015. The report makes six recommendations which we are taking forward. The full report can be accessed via this link: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/02/3802.\r\nThe Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Paul Wheelhouse MSP, led a parliamentary debate on 29 September 2015, where an update was given on progress to implement the NPS Expert Review Group recommendations. Members supported the motion. The Official Report from the debate can be accessed via this link: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10118.\r\nA NPS cross party working group has been established and chaired by Paul Wheelhouse, MSP. The group have been asked to build upon the existing cross party census and to work together to address the challenges NPS present. The group are examining the current work underway and are contributing ideas to a range of themed work on NPS. The group are due to publish a report in February 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309253,"EventID":"S4W-29189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:41:08.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T13:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action NHS boards take to collate data on hospital admissions caused by the ingesting, inhaling or injection of new psychoactive substances and what analysis it has carried out to determine whether this information has been recorded adequately.","AnswerText":"NHS Scotland patient recording systems do not currently include a code to capture new psychoactive substance (NPS) use. Collection of data on NPS prevalence and harms within the NHS, therefore, is limited. These problems are not restricted to Scotland, but are common across Europe and internationally, where the systematic collection of data on NPS in healthcare settings is scarce.\r\nThe NPS Evidence Group have acknowledged the importance of data on NPS use from emergency departments. They are exploring options on how to improve the collection of NPS data within the NHS.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309254,"EventID":"S4W-29190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:41:09.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of attendees at the Health Protection Agency's public health impact assessment workshop for community stakeholders that was held on 23 November 2015 as part of the consultation on unconventional oil and gas.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28714 on 9 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309255,"EventID":"S4W-29191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:41:09.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will conduct the pre-consultation public engagement exercise on unconventional gas and oil.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to engaging widely on the issue of unconventional oil and gas. For example, the research projects that we announced on 8 October 2015 include opportunities for a range of stakeholders to input their views at the outset of the process. This participative approach forms the cornerstone of our plans for engaging with community, industry and environmental stakeholders both in the run up to, and during, the formal consultation.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309256,"EventID":"S4W-29192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:41:10.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) what the timescales are and (b) how many responses it has received for the tender processes for the research projects, (i) Transport Impacts, (ii) Decommissioning and Aftercare and (iii) Seismic Activity and Monitoring, which are part of its consultation on unconventional oil and gas.","AnswerText":"The three research projects are currently out to tender. Responses to the tenders are due on 22 January 2016 for the transport and decommissioning projects and 29January 2016 for the seismic activity project.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309257,"EventID":"S4W-29194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:41:11.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the level of ultrafine nanoparticles in the atmosphere.","AnswerText":"In November 2015 the Scottish Government published Cleaner Air for Scotland – the Road to a Healthier Future, which sets out a strategy to deliver further improvements to air quality over the coming years through implementation of a wide range of actions across policy areas impacting on air quality.\r\nThese actions will contribute to the reduction of fine particulate matter in the atmosphere. To provide a focus for action we are currently in the process of introducing a new objective for PM2.5 into air quality regulations. This is derived from the World Health Organisation's guideline value and will make Scotland the first country in Europe to adopt the guideline value in legislation.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309258,"EventID":"S4W-29195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-06T16:41:11.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on how each NHS board is delivering the plan to increase motor neurone disease specialist nurses.","AnswerText":"Funding to double the number of motor neurone disease clinical nurse specialists (MND CNS) was allocated to those NHS boards who have strong links with Scotland’s neurological centres and who currently employ MND CNS i.e. NHS Grampian, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Highland, NHS Lothian and NHS Tayside.\r\nNHS Grampian will recruit one whole time equivalent (WTE) MND CNS by 31 March 2016. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have appointed two new full time MND CNS who took up post on 18 January 2016. NHS Highland has increased the existing MND CNS’s hours by 0.2WTE. The remaining 0.4WTE post has been advertised with interviews taking place in February 2016. NHS Lothian have increased the capacity of their existing MND CNSs to 1.6WTE and they will recruit an additional 0.25WTE post by March 2016. In addition, NHS Lothian have transferred a proportion of their funding to NHS Forth Valley who will employ one 0.75 WTE MND CNS to support patients with MND in NHS Forth Valley and NHS Fife. NHS Tayside has increased the WTE MND CNS complement to 1.6WTE by increasing the hours of the existing post-holder. Interim arrangements are in place using neurology specialist nurses to provide 2.0WTE specialist nurse support until a substantive appointment to the remaining 0.4WTE post is made.\r\nThe Scottish Government expects NHS boards to ensure that patients with MND have appropriate access to a range of professionals, including specialist nurses and allied health professionals, to ensure optimum management of their condition.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309262,"EventID":"S4W-29160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T13:42:19.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-05T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the ruling by the UK Supreme Court in the case of Shahid v Scottish Ministers of 14 October 2015 and whether it considers that it has implications for how segregation is applied across the prison estate.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“Following receipt of the judgments from the inner and outer houses of the Court of Session in November 2011 and January 2014 respectively, SPS undertook a review of the facts and circumstances of the case and the judgements to identify what lessons might be learned. Action was taken to address the issues identified. This meant that the concerns raised by Supreme Court Justices in their judgement had been identified and actioned. I have detailed below the key concerns raised by Supreme Court Justices in their judgment and the actions already taken by SPS to address them:\r\nTime limits: Failures to apply for authorisation to remove a prisoner from association within the strict time limits prescribed by the prison rules, which rendered the process unlawful.\r\nSPS action: Robust processes and procedures to mitigate against the risks associated with failures to adhere to the strict time limits prescribed by the prison rules have been put in place. The processes which had very much been paper based are being amalgamated into our IT systems (Prisoner Records System). This enables prisons and SPS Headquarters to monitor and manage compliance with the strict time limits.\r\nRole of the Executive Committee for the Management of Difficult Prisoners (ECMDP): The Supreme Court Justices were concerned that ECMDP were taking the decisions to remove prisoners from association, rather than those duly authorised by the prison rules.\r\nSPS action: This issue was addressed by SPS in June 2013, before the appeal to the Inner House in November 2013. Guidance was issued that clarified the role and remit of ECMDP (now known as the Prisoner Monitoring and Assurance Group) to ensure it was operating in compliance with prison rules. This guidance was also incorporated into the SPS policy on removal from association which was revised in July 2013. \r\nManagement plan: Insufficient consideration had been given to a management plan for Mr Shahid.\r\nSPS action: A management plan document has been developed and is currently being piloted across three prison sites. The management plan documentation will be utilised to record and monitor the actions taken by SPS to manage the progression of prisoners removed from association.”","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309263,"EventID":"S4W-29196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T13:42:19.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T17:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many producers have signed up to the Scottish Dairy Brand.","AnswerText":"I can confirm that 11 processors have signed up to the initiative, there will be an annual review in summer 2016 where there could be new entrants and/or exits.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309264,"EventID":"S4W-29197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T13:42:20.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T17:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote the Scottish Dairy Brand (a) at home and (b) abroad.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government are working with Scottish Development International (SDI) who supported the international launch of the Scottish Dairy Brand at Anuga, the world’s largest food and drink trade exhibition, in October 2015 from which significant leads are being followed up in 20 countries worldwide. At the moment the focus is on the international market as we work with SDI supporting the Dairy Growth Board who are currently working with the sector on implementation. \r\nSDI are currently looking at how they can best support a range of planned activities including trade exhibitions, market visits and customer presentations in 2016 which will promote the Scottish Dairy Brand and investigate new trade opportunities also.\r\nSDI are already supporting the Scottish Dairy Brand through the in-market specialists created under the Scotland food and drink export plan and will actively look to promote the Scottish Dairy Brand and seek niche trade opportunities for Scottish dairy products in their broader international trade development activity.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309265,"EventID":"S4W-29198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T13:42:21.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-06T17:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government where it considers the main markets are for the (a) development and (b) expansion of the Scottish Dairy Brand in 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and Scottish Development International (SDI) are working closely with the Dairy Growth Board to support the international activity of the new Scottish Dairy Brand in North America, Asia and Europe.\r\nSDI have already helped with market research to identify the most appropriate markets and are actively helping the Scottish Dairy Brand in Japan and the USA.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309266,"EventID":"S4W-29199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T13:42:21.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what sex and relationship education is provided in (a) schools for (i) disabled children and (ii) children with additional support needs and (b) young offender institutions, and whether this includes information on how to access (A) confidential and sexual and reproductive healthcare services, (B) contraceptives and (C) support in cases of sexual abuse or exploitation.","AnswerText":"All schools under local authority control are expected to teach the experiences and outcomes for relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP) education in Curriculum for Excellence. The statutory responsibility for delivering the curriculum rests with local authorities and schools. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education inspect all schools in Scotland and any shortcomings in educational provision should be reported. All adults in schools have a responsibility to promote healthy, safe, respectful relationships.\r\nCurriculum for Excellence is intended for all children and young people in Scotland, aged 3 to 18, according to their stage of development. This includes those with additional support needs (which includes disabled children and young people) as well as at risk and vulnerable young people who may be looked after and accommodated. The curriculum is intended for all pupils in all educational settings, including special schools. It is recognised that children and young people in school and not in school require initial and on-going high quality RSHP education.\r\nThe guidance Conduct of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood Education in Schools, http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0046/00465948.pdf, states in paragraph 48:\r\n“All children and young people should be encouraged to understand the importance of consent, dignity and respect for themselves and the views of others. They should be encouraged to recognise the risks, the physical, emotional and moral implications of their behaviours, and to accept the need for both partners to behave responsibly. Where appropriate, young people should be made aware of how to access confidential local young people’s sexual health services and additional information about their sexual and reproductive health and rights.”\r\nRSHP education should be delivered within the wider context of wellbeing and child protection. It should be viewed both as part of a proactive approach to keeping children and young people safe from harm as well as part of a child’s education and overall wellbeing. It discusses support in child sexual exploitation (CSE) cases. Paragraphs 12 and 13 of the guidance make clear that \"RSHP education has a crucial role in protecting children and young people from CSE and helping young people to identify abuse. Teachers should therefore consider the use of available and appropriate CSE educational materials as part of RSHP education delivery.\"\r\nSex and relationship education is provided to young people in custody in several different contexts, including at induction, within parenting classes and through specialised programmes. Themes covered include domestic abuse, sexualisation and stereotypes, rape and consent. One-to-one support is offered at the end of the sessions, enabling referral to the Barnardo’s Here and Now service which deals with trauma, loss and bereavement issues, including sexual abuse and exploitation.\r\nParenting programmes aim to support young people to make positive choices around their sexual health and relationships, to be aware of media and societal messages about sex and relationships, coercion and exploitation within relationships. Programmes seek to address sexual health and wellbeing, increase familiarity and confidence in relation to contraception and provide information on where to access services and information.\r\nYoung people who require specialist interventions in relation to sex and relationships undertake group work to increase their knowledge, understanding and awareness of relevant topics and encourage them to take responsibility for their sexual behaviour, including the use of technology. They explore gender roles in society, encouraging group members to think about their personal view of gender roles and how their views and behaviours have been shaped.\r\nIn addition, all young people also have access, directly through NHS, to information on sexual health and referral routes for advice and support.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309267,"EventID":"S4W-29200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T13:42:22.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, Equally Protected? A Review of the evidence on the physical punishment of children, which was commissioned by Barnardo’s Scotland, Children 1st, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner and NSPCC Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the publication of this report. The Scottish Government does not support the physical punishment of children and does not consider that physical punishment of children is effective. The Scottish Government has noted that the report outlines what research says on the consequences of physical punishment for children’s health and development, as well as on their later life health and wellbeing.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309268,"EventID":"S4W-29201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T13:42:22.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether children should have the same level of legal protection from violence as adults, and whether it considers that this is the case.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government considers that in many cases it is necessary to have specific provision to protect children from violence. For example, section 12 of the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 contains a specific criminal offence in relation to cruelty to persons under 16. The Scottish Government will continue to keep all legislation designed to protect children from violence under review.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309269,"EventID":"S4W-29202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T13:42:23.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on removing the defence of reasonable chastisement and prohibiting the physical punishment of children.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that there are differing views on whether to change the law on physical punishment of children. As we would do with any proposal to change the law, we would want to consult widely. The Scottish Government continues to work with Children 1st and other partners on this important issue. We also wish to learn from the experience of other countries that have legislated to prohibit the physical punishment of children, such as Sweden, Ireland and New Zealand.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309270,"EventID":"S4W-29203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T13:42:23.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the physical punishment of children (a) represents a violation of their human rights, (b) damages their wellbeing, (c) risks escalating into physical abuse and other forms of maltreatment and (d) can lead to the development of (i) aggression, (ii) antisocial behaviour, (iii) depression and (iv) anxiety that can have an effect through to adulthood.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government agrees that the physical punishment of children in any form can damage their wellbeing and is likely to be detrimental either physically or emotionally. The Scottish Government has noted that the Equally Protected? report says that “a link between physical punishment and child maltreatment was consistently supported in the reviewed literature”. The Scottish Government has also noted that the report says that there “is strong and consistent evidence from good-quality research that physical punishment is associated with increased childhood aggression and antisocial behaviour”. The report also says that “there is fairly consistent evidence for a link between childhood physical punishment and adult aggression or antisocial behaviour” and “there is good evidence that the experience of physical punishment is related to depressive symptoms and anxiety among children. Links with depressive symptoms and reduced self-esteem in later life were also reported, but were less consistent.” Finally, the Scottish Government has noted that the report says that one of the key messages is that \"physical punishment is not effective in achieving parenting goals\" and that is why the national parenting strategy seeks to ensure that all parents are educated, informed and supported to care for their children using acceptable forms of boundary setting.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309271,"EventID":"S4W-29207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T13:42:24.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what input it had to the 2015 UK state party report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; whether it consulted minority ethnic communities in relation to such input, and whether it will publish its submission.","AnswerText":"The UK Government is responsible for providing the state party report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Scottish Government provided an update to the UK Government in relation to the race equality work being carried out. It did not formally consult on this update. However the input was informed by its on-going work around race equality, including dialogue with communities, and drew on the relevant available data and information. The Scottish Government has no plans to publish its contribution to the UK report.\r\nThe Scottish Government has focused on an extensive programme of engagement throughout 2015 as part of developing a new race equality framework for Scotland. The race equality framework document will be published in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309272,"EventID":"S4W-29210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T13:42:25.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it (a) has had or (b) plans to have with the UK Government on devolving the National Lottery.","AnswerText":"No such discussions have taken place. There are no current plans to change the way in which the National Lottery operates in Scotland. We are committed to ensuring that Scotland’s communities continue to benefit from the good cause funding raised from lottery ticket sales.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309273,"EventID":"S4W-29211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T13:42:26.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T12:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the A9 from Perth to Inverness will be completed.","AnswerText":"It is anticipated that the construction of the new dualling between Perth and Inverness will be completed by 2025 in line with commitments made in the Infrastructure Investment Plan on 6 December 2011.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309274,"EventID":"S4W-29212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T13:42:27.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T12:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many miles of the A9 from Perth to Inverness are (a) dual carriageway, (b) single carriageway, (c) dual carriageway under construction and (d) planned for dual carriageway.","AnswerText":"This government has committed to dual all remaining single carriageway on the A9 between Perth and Inverness. Currently, between Perth and Inverness, the A9 has 30 miles of dual carriageway, 80 miles of single carriageway and 4.7 miles of dual carriageway under construction. This leaves a further 75.3 miles of A9 we plan to upgrade to dual carriageway.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309275,"EventID":"S4W-29213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T13:42:27.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T12:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many alternative budget proposals the Scottish Executive considered between 1999 and 2007 and from which party groups.","AnswerText":"An account of engagement between previous administrations and other party groups around successive budget Bills is available through the Scottish Parliament's Official Report, which documents the discussions that took place during the annual budget Bill process in each year since 1999. The search facility for the Official Report can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/13595.aspx?mode=a.\r\nI have in every year since 2008 met representatives from each political party represented in the Scottish Parliament to discuss their alternative budget proposals. It would be a matter for members of previous administrations to account for their conduct in engagement with other political party groups prior to that.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309279,"EventID":"S4W-29214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T16:33:45.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T14:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether responsibility for paying the fee for the registration of a microchipped dog that is to be rehomed from April 2016 will lie with the former owner, the new owner or the organisation rehoming the dog.","AnswerText":"The person responsible for microchipping/registering a dog given up for rehoming, or updating contact details relating to it, will depend on the age of the dog at the time of transfer.\r\nUnder the Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016, from 6 April 2016 the keeper of a dog that is older than eight weeks will be responsible for ensuring that it is microchipped and that accurate keeper details are registered and maintained on a database. Transferring an un-microchipped dog over eight weeks of age will be an offence. The new keeper, including rehoming charities, is responsible for updating any change in keeper details.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309280,"EventID":"S4W-29215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T16:33:45.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, following publication of the report, Understanding Disabled People’s Housing Pathways: Initial Insights, what financial support it will provide to help disabled people access housing more suitable for their needs.","AnswerText":"In 2016-17 we will increase the capital funding for the affordable housing supply programme by £90 million, to increase the supply of new social and affordable homes, including for disabled people. We are continuing to provide £10 million to Registered Social Landlords to help fund adaptations for their tenants.\r\nThrough the Housing Voluntary Grant Scheme we fund a number of organisations which aim to help disabled people access housing suitable for their needs. This includes Housing Options Scotland, Capability Scotland and Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living who developed Home2Fit, a national register of accessible housing which helps disabled people to more easily find suitably adapted and accessible housing. We also fund Care and Repair Scotland, the national co-ordinating body for care and repair services.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309281,"EventID":"S4W-29216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T16:33:46.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, following publication of the report, Understanding Disabled People’s Housing Pathways: Initial Insights, what plans it has to make more social housing units available to disabled people.","AnswerText":"In 2016-17 we will increase the capital funding for the affordable housing supply programme by £90 million, to increase the supply of new social and affordable homes, including for disabled people. Local authorities are required under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 to produce a local housing strategy setting out its strategy, priorities and plans for the delivery of housing and housing related services in its area. Updated local housing strategy guidance was issued in 2014 and this will inform the forthcoming round of local housing strategies from local authorities due in the next two years. The guidance has been strengthened to provide a strong focus on the role of the authority in the planning and delivery of specialist housing.\r\nSocial housing is allocated in line with a landlord’s allocation policy. People who are disabled and who are in housing need would generally receive priority for housing on the basis of living under unsuitable housing conditions.\r\nAs part of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 the Scottish Government will make it easier for social landlords to recover possession of certain properties designed or adapted for special needs. The provision, which is expected to come into force in autumn 2016, should help ensure that landlords make best use of adapted properties by allocating them to people who can make use of the adaptations.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309282,"EventID":"S4W-29217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T16:33:48.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, following publication of the report, Understanding Disabled People’s Housing Pathways: Initial Insights, what guidelines it has developed for local authorities to make social housing units better equipped for the needs of disabled people.","AnswerText":"Guidance to local authorities on the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) promotes the delivery of flexible housing capable of being adapted to suit peoples’ changing requirements. Therefore, wherever possible, housing projects receiving grant funding through the AHSP should comply with published guidance on the essential aspects of housing for varying needs (HfVN). As well as meeting the HfVN guidance, new social housing must be constructed in accordance with national building regulations which apply to all new-build homes regardless of tenure. In terms of minimum accessibility and energy standards they are the most demanding in the UK. This means occupiers are provided with both a very good basic level of accessibility/adaptability and energy-efficient fabric/heating.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309283,"EventID":"S4W-29218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T16:33:49.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, following publication of the report, Understanding Disabled People’s Housing Pathways: Initial Insights, how it will change its housing strategy to accommodate improved construction of social housing stock to meet the needs of disabled people.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29216 on 19 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309284,"EventID":"S4W-29219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T16:33:50.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28224 by Jamie Hepburn on 13 November 2015, when it will publish the follow-up report, and for what reason it was not published before Christmas 2015.","AnswerText":"We expect to publish the follow-up report commissioned from the Mental Health Foundation and Voices of Experience shortly.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309285,"EventID":"S4W-29220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T16:33:51.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that 2,200 patients received mental health treatment outside their NHS board area in 2014-15.","AnswerText":"On occasion people will be treated outside their board areas where specialist or urgent care is required. Care and support is provided in the most appropriate environment, regardless of board boundaries, and is always dictated by clinical need and benefit to the patient.\r\nInformation Services Division have not yet published data for mental health patients treated outwith their NHS board area in 2014-15.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309286,"EventID":"S4W-29221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-07T16:33:52.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are to develop a mental health strategy to succeed the Mental Health Strategy for Scotland: 2012-2015.","AnswerText":"We have engaged in early dialogue with a number of stakeholders about the next mental health strategy which will be produced in 2016, and informed by further engagement with interested parties.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309292,"EventID":"S4W-29222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-08T15:39:46.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T17:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much regeneration funding has been made available to local authorities in each year since 1999 and what the projected spend for each local authority is for (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of councils and their respective community planning partnerships (CPPs) to support local regeneration activity, based on their understanding of local needs and circumstances, from their local government settlement.\r\nThe Scottish Government has, in addition, established a number of different funds which address specific areas of regeneration activity. Whilst not all regeneration budgets are provided directly to local authorities, all the funding contributes to local regeneration in local authority areas.\r\nFor example, the six Urban Regeneration Companies (URCs) have received in excess of £250 million since their inception. The 2009-10 £60 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund benefited 66 projects in every local authority area with 89 town centres receiving funding for new build and renovation of key building for a variety of business and community uses, cosmetic improvements to high street frontages and walkways as well as other public realm works and the People and Communities Fund has supported more than 350 community projects across Scotland.\r\nBut note, it is not possible to attribute all regeneration spend directly to a specific regeneration budget. Some regeneration occurred due to other policy interventions, whilst others may have occurred due to activities in neighbouring areas. Also, activity that is later identified as a regeneration project may not have been recorded as such initially.\r\nDetailed information is available on a number of regeneration funds with local authority recipients:\r\n1. The Fairer Scotland Fund (FSF) announced by the Scottish Government in January 2008 and worth £145 million per annum over 2008-11. \r\nIt merged the following seven previous funding streams: \r\nCommunity Regeneration Fund\r\nWorking for Families\r\nChanging Children’s Services Fund (“social inclusion” element)\r\nCommunity Voices Fund\r\nFinancial Inclusion Fund\r\nWorkforce Plus (including the New Futures Fund)\r\nMore Choices, More Chances \r\nThe purpose of the fund was to enable local authorities and CPPs to tackle area based disadvantage; individual poverty; and help more people to access and sustain employment opportunities.\r\n\r\nThe FSF was ring fenced for the first two years to allow all community planning partners to play a part in driving strategic investment of this resource. In 2010-11 the ring fencing was removed and resources awarded to local authorities as part of their block allocations in acknowledgement of their responsibility for local economic development and regeneration.\r\n2. The Vacant and Derelict Land Fund, established in 2004 with the aim of tackling long-term vacant and derelict land in Scotland. The fund is one of the few remaining ring-fenced funds in the local government settlement. The objectives of the fund are to tackle long term vacant/derelict land; stimulate economic growth and job creation; develop a diverse sustainable environment with a focus on temporary and permanent greening; support communities to flourish and tackle inequalities.\r\nSpend to date is £130 million, with five local authorities sharing c. £10 million of funding each year, reflecting the extent of vacant and derelict land in these areas and levels of deprivation. Due to re-profiling the fund will be £7.835 million in 2016-17.\r\n3. The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) is a £25 million joint local authority/Scottish Government fund, which was made available to local authorities from 2014-15 onwards (previously used to support Urban Regeneration Companies) and is expected to deliver the holistic outcomes set out in the regeneration strategy.\r\nThe fund supports large scale regeneration projects which have the potential to demonstrate wider impact as well as delivering strong physical, social and economic outcomes; and potentially leverage other funding and investment.\r\nThe fund is open to all 32 local authorities, URCs and other local authority regeneration special purpose vehicles. It is open to both rural as well as urba","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309293,"EventID":"S4W-29223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-08T15:39:47.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T18:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the operation of the (a) West Coast Main Line and (b) Lamington Viaduct was included in its winter resilience planning.","AnswerText":"The West Coast Main Line, including Lamington Viaduct, is included within Network Rail's winter resilience planning. There were no concerns highlighted with this or any other structure prior to storm Frank.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309294,"EventID":"S4W-29224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-08T15:39:48.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T18:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with ScotRail Alliance and Transport Scotland to confirm the structural integrity of bridges on trunk roads and main rail lines as part of winter resilience planning.","AnswerText":"Discussions have taken place with the ScotRail Alliance and Transport Scotland regarding integrity of bridges. The ScotRail Alliance and the road operating companies have both confirmed that their winter resilience plans are in place and these cover bridges on the railways and trunk roads.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309295,"EventID":"S4W-29225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-08T15:39:49.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-08T10:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to update the Town Centre Action Plan and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"We will publish the second update on the Town Centre Action Plan in the spring of 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309296,"EventID":"S4W-29226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-08T15:39:49.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-08T10:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04553 by John Swinney on 9 September 2015 (Official Report, c. 8), what the timescale is for the review of business rates.","AnswerText":"The review of business rates will aim to ensure Scotland’s system minimises the barrier to investment, is responsive to economic conditions and supports long-term economic growth and investment.\r\nFurther details, including timescales, for the review will be confirmed in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309297,"EventID":"S4W-29227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-08T15:39:50.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-08T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the independent review of underground coal gasification (UCG) that is to be conducted by Professor Campbell Gemmell will include (a) public stakeholder workshops and consultation and (b) an assessment of the impact of UCG on (i) public health, (ii) transport, (iii) decommissioning and aftercare, (iv) seismic activity and how this is monitored, (v) the economy and (vi) climate change.","AnswerText":"The independent examination of the issues and evidence surrounding UCG, led by Professor Campbell Gemmell, will draw on published sources of information, expert input and community views to help the Scottish Government formulate future policies or actions. To support the review, Professor Gemmell will establish an advisory group and/or other stakeholder forum(s) to provide expert and stakeholder input on issues such as environmental issues and regulation, public health, spatial planning, climate strategy, community engagement, industry, geosciences, and energy.\r\nInformation on the independent review of UCG can be found on the Scottish Government website at \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/onshoreoilandgas.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309298,"EventID":"S4W-29228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-08T15:39:51.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-08T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the timetable for the (a) moratorium on underground coal gasification (UCG) and (b) independent review of UCG that is to be conducted by Professor Campbell Gemmell.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government announced a moratorium on UCG on 8 October 2015. The moratorium will create the opportunity to take forward a period of evidence-gathering. The independent examination of the issues and evidence surrounding UCG which is being led by Professor Campbell Gemmell will help the Scottish Government formulate future policies or actions. The independent review is expected to report its findings in summer 2016.\r\nInformation on the independent review of UCG can be found on the Scottish Government website at \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/onshoreoilandgas.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309299,"EventID":"S4W-29229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-08T15:39:52.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-08T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reviewing whether the SQA exam timetable should be revised to accommodate Ramadan.","AnswerText":"The SQA exam timetable this year starts on Wednesday 4 May 2016, and concludes on Friday 3 June 2016. It therefore falls outside Ramadan.\r\nThe SQA consults with a representation of stakeholder groups regarding the timing of exams in order to be as sensitive as possible to any issues of this kind.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309300,"EventID":"S4W-29230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-08T15:39:53.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-08T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, following publication of its statistical bulletin, Racist Incidents Recorded by the Police in Scotland, 2013-14, whether it considers the merging of victim and complainer to be the most appropriate way of recording racist incidents and whether it will consider recording them separately in future.","AnswerText":"The Racist Incidents Recorded by the Police in Scotland publication series has always followed the definition outlined by Sir William MacPherson in his 1999 report on the Stephen Lawrence inquiry. This is that a racist incident is any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person. As such, victims/complainers of racist incidents may not necessarily be the person at whom the racially aggravated behaviour was targeted, and as the statistics currently stand the two cannot be distinguished.\r\nThe 2013-14 publication included information for users of these statistics on plans to scope out with Police Scotland the possibility of replacing the Racist Incidents Recorded by the Police in Scotland statistical series with a new and broader statistical product on police recorded hate crime (which would include a race element). This work will include investigation of whether any new product will have the ability to distinguish between victims and complainers of racist incidents (where the two are different people). Statistical users can be kept informed of developments in this area through registering with ScotStat: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/scotstat.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309301,"EventID":"S4W-29234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-08T15:39:54.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-08T15:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of school leavers have gone on to positive destinations in each year since 2006-07.","AnswerText":"The latest published school leaver initial destinations statistics were released by Skills Development Scotland on 16 December 2015 and can be found at the following link:\r\nhttps://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/40707/national-school-leaver-initial-destination-report-2014-15-dec-20152.pdf\r\nTable 1: Proportion of school leavers who are in positive initial destinations up to approximately three months after leaving school \r\nSchool leaver cohort\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nPercentage in positive initial destinations \r\n86.6%\r\n86.4%\r\n85.7%\r\n86.8%\r\n88.9%\r\n89.9%\r\n91.4%\r\n92.3%\r\n92.9%\r\nThe proportion of school leavers going in to initial positive destinations each year since 2006-07 is presented in table 1 above.\r\nThe latest published school leaver follow-up (approximately nine months after leaving school) destinations can be found in the Scottish Government summary statistics for attainment, leaver destinations and healthy living which was published on 17 June 2015 and can be found here:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00479422.pdf\r\nTable 2: Proportion of school leavers who are in positive follow-up destinations approximately nine months after leaving school \r\nSchool leaver cohort\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nPercentage in positive follow-up destinations\r\n84.0%\r\n85.1%\r\n85.2%\r\n87.2%\r\n89.6%\r\n90.4%\r\n91.7%\r\nThe proportion of school leavers going in to follow-up positive destinations each year since 2007-08 is presented in table 2 above (reliable data for the 2006-07 school leaver cohort is not available).\r\nPlease note:\r\nData in table 2 for 2011-12 to 2013-14 has been linked to the pupil census to obtain characteristic information on school leavers using an updated methodology, and supersedes previously published figures for these years. This data is not directly comparable with data prior to 2011-12, and caution should be exercised when making comparisons with data prepared using the previous methodology.\r\n2014-15 school leaver follow-up destinations will be released in June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309302,"EventID":"S4W-29236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T09:39:54.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress regarding the 20-week closure planned for Glasgow Queen Street Station.","AnswerText":"The Parliament is aware that the closure of the Queen Street Station High Level tunnel in March 2016 marks a further significant milestone in our £5 billion programme of investment in Scotland’s railway.\r\nThis major piece of engineering work will renew nearly two kilometres of 40 year old concrete slab track running through the tunnel, which once completed, will support the introduction of a new generation of larger, faster and greener electric trains on routes across Scotland’s Central Belt.\r\nThe tunnel works, being undertaken by Network Rail, require a 20 week programme of diversions for Queen Street High Level rail services between March to August 2016. To accommodate these diversions, services that normally run via Queen Street Low Level are also subject to amended timetables.\r\nThe ScotRail Alliance, drawing on the lessons learned from the successful completion of the Winchburgh Tunnel works earlier this year, has developed a coordinated timetable which will ensure that services are maintained and disruption is kept to a minimum.\r\nI can also confirm that later today (12 January 2016), the ScotRail Alliance together with Transport Scotland are launching a coordinated communications campaign to fully inform passengers well in advance about the tunnel work and what it means for them.\r\nThe key point is that while longer journeys are inevitable, the railway remains open for business. The diversions to either the low level platforms in Queen Street or to Glasgow Central, allow the vast majority of customers to continue to travel to and from Glasgow by train. For Strathclyde area stations, ScotRail is working with commercial bus operators to ensure customers continue to have choices in how they travel.\r\nWe are also engaging with local businesses to make sure that their needs are met during this period. Tomorrow (13 January 2016) I will be meeting with business leaders, listening to their concerns and discussing measures to support them during the temporary timetable changes.\r\nThe temporary timetable is now available and enables customers to check their own journey online by selecting a travel date between 20 March and 8 August 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309312,"EventID":"S4W-29231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T13:42:28.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-08T15:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the types of mental health conditions that are prevalent in each category of the Scottish Government 6-fold Urban Rural Classification.","AnswerText":"Information from various studies into the prevalence of different mental health conditions in the general population is available on the Scottish Public Health Observatory website under the mental health topic (http://www.scotpho.org.uk/health-wellbeing-and-disease/mental-health/key-points).","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309313,"EventID":"S4W-29232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T13:42:30.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-08T15:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many mental health inpatient deaths there have been in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Psychiatric inpatient and day case discharges are recorded in Scottish morbidity record 04 (SMR04). Data on SMR04 is routinely published by financial year and 2013-14 is the latest year for which information is available. Inpatient deaths show a decline of 49.28% between 2006-07 and 2013-14.\r\nTable 1: Number of mental health inpatient1,2 deaths3, 2006-07 to 2013-14.\r\n\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nDeaths\r\n830\r\n801\r\n678\r\n603\r\n560\r\n478\r\n480\r\n421\r\n1. Psychiatric inpatient and day case activity is recorded in Scottish morbidity record 04 (SMR04).\r\n2. Data from the learning disability specialty have been excluded.\r\n3. Patients were identified as having died if the ‘discharge type’ was recorded as ‘death’. This includes patients who died while out on pass.\r\nThe majority of deaths of mental health inpatients occur amongst patients within the sub-specialty of psychiatry of old age. Of the inpatients who died, 85% were aged 70 and over.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309314,"EventID":"S4W-29233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T13:42:32.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-08T15:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the prevalence of mental ill-health broken down by (a) professional group and (b) category of the Scottish Government 6-fold Urban Rural Classification.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29231 on 19 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309315,"EventID":"S4W-29237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T13:42:33.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what companies attended the recent Scottish Enterprise trade mission to Iran and what the cost of the mission was.","AnswerText":"The recent Scottish Development International visit to Iran was not a trade mission. Two officials visited Iran from 7-9 December 2015 to discuss possible future opportunities for Scottish companies in the oil and gas sector.\r\nThe visit to Iran undertaken later in December 2015 by SNP MPs and an MSP was a separate visit with no Scottish Enterprise or Scottish Government involvement. It will be for the delegation to decide whether its report on the visit will be published.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309316,"EventID":"S4W-29238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T13:42:35.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the delegation of MPs and MSPs on the recent Scottish Enterprise trade mission to Iran will report to the Scottish Ministers and whether the report will be published.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29237 on 22 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309317,"EventID":"S4W-29239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T13:42:36.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who invited the delegation of MPs and MSPs on the recent Scottish Enterprise trade mission to Iran; on what basis they were selected, and who paid their expenses.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29237 on 22 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309318,"EventID":"S4W-29240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T13:42:37.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T10:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes in domestic energy efficiency are needed for its climate change reduction targets to be met.","AnswerText":"Scotland is on track to meet its statutory 2020 target of a 42% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act does not set sector specific targets, allowing for abatement to be delivered where it is most cost effective to do so across the Scottish economy. Our plan for meeting the climate change targets is set out in the second report on proposals and policies (RPP2).\r\nIn RPP2 we outlined our ambition to use Scottish Government funding to lever in private investment under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) to create a combined fund of around £200 million per year. We are on track to achieving this ambition and estimate that the combined investment will have exceeded £600 million over the last three years. \r\nHowever, our efforts are being undermined by the UK Government who have reduced the value of ECO by 35% since it was first introduced, and further reductions have been announced reducing it to 50% of its originally intended value. \r\nWe are already making changes to our domestic energy efficiency programmes. Energy efficiency has been designated a national infrastructure priority and we are developing ‘Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme’ which will for the first time integrate action on the domestic and non-domestic sectors and provide an offer of support to buildings across Scotland to improve their energy efficiency over the next 15-20 years.\r\nWe will use the new powers set to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament over energy efficiency to create a programme that is better suited to Scotland’s needs and look to introduce multi-year funding to give our delivery partners the certainty they need to deliver ambitious energy efficiency projects.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309319,"EventID":"S4W-29241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T13:42:38.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T10:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposal in the Draft Budget 2016-17 to reduce the fuel poverty/energy efficiency budget by 13% will have on its ability to meet its statutory fuel poverty and climate change reduction targets.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not proposed to reduce the domestic energy efficiency budget by 13% in 2016-17. In the budgets that we have under our control, we have broadly maintained the expenditure available for fuel poverty and energy efficiency in what is a tough financial climate. £15 million of consequentials from the UK Government’s Green Deal Home Improvement Fund cannot be added to the budget for 2016-17 because this scheme was ended earlier than expected by the UK Government as part of a series of announcements reducing support for energy efficiency.\r\nWe have allocated £103 million to tackle fuel poverty and climate change in 2016-17, which is a significant commitment in light of on-going spending pressures and UK Government cuts. This money will be used to help install energy efficiency measures, including solid wall insulation, in 14,000 homes, building on the more than 900,000 measures delivered since 2008.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s long term commitment of sustained funding over many years has helped to prevent an increase in fuel poverty in Scotland in the latest statistics (for 2014). All of the increase in fuel poverty since the target was introduced can be explained by above-inflation energy price increases. The fuel poverty rate for 2014 would have been around 9.5% instead of 35% if fuel prices had only risen in line with inflation between 2002 and 2014.\r\nOur long-term investment is helping to improve the energy efficiency of Scotland’s homes – the share of homes rated Energy Performance Certificate band C and above has increased by 71% since 2010, and 11% in the last year. This is helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and we are on track to meet our 42% emissions reduction target (by 2020) ahead of schedule. \r\nThe Scottish Government has confirmed energy efficiency is a national infrastructure priority and has a clear commitment to develop ‘Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme’ (SEEP) which will provide an offer of support to buildings across Scotland to improve their energy efficiency over the next 15-20 years. Additionally we will continue to invest over £34 million in 2016-17 in low carbon infrastructure including district heating; heat recovery; non-domestic and industrial energy efficiency which will also support the development of SEEP.\r\nThis demonstrates the Scottish Government’s short, medium and long term commitment to improving energy efficiency in Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309320,"EventID":"S4W-29242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T13:42:38.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are plans to set up specialist services for patients with prescribed drug dependence.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the impact on individuals of developing a dependency of this kind, and shares the desire to see them get the help they need to tackle their individual needs. We support Scotland’s Alcohol and Drug Partnerships to consider the needs of their local area and to ensure that appropriate health care services are provided to meet the needs of their resident populations.\r\nNHS Scotland published guidance in March 2015 on polypharmacy, providing guidance for all clinicians on the need to review the prescribing of long-term medicines and also the impact of withdrawing medicines such as benzodiazepines and addressing prescribing of antipsychotic medication. However, there are currently no plans to set up specialist services for patients with prescribed drug dependence.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309321,"EventID":"S4W-29243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T13:42:39.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received the Barnett consequentials arising from the flood relief funding announced by the UK Government for damage caused by Storm (a) Desmond, (b) Eva and (c) Frank and, if so, how much it has received and when.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government received confirmation of Barnett resource consequentials of £3.94 million in respect of the flood relief funding for damage caused by Storm Desmond on 9 December 2015. Notification of consequentials arising from storms Eva and Frank was received from HM Treasury on 18 January 2016 indicating that the Scottish Government will receive £14.578 million of resource in 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309322,"EventID":"S4W-29246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T13:42:40.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28871 by Fergus Ewing on 7 January 2016, whether it will provide a breakdown of the (a) methods and (b) categories used by Scottish Enterprise to record data with regard to the businesses that it provides grant support to.","AnswerText":"This is an operational issue for Scottish Enterprise. \r\nI have passed your query to Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, who will provide you with a response directly.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309323,"EventID":"S4W-29247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T13:42:41.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many road deaths there were in the 12 months (a) prior to and (b) following the lowering of the legal alcohol limit from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood.","AnswerText":"There were 191 people killed on Scotland's roads in the 12 months prior to the reduction of the drink drive limit on 5 December 2014. However, figures for the 12 month period from 5 December 2014 to 4 December 2015 are still being collected and provisional figures will not be available until June 2016 following the publication of Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309324,"EventID":"S4W-29249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T13:42:42.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much central funding it has provided using the Bellwin formula to assist local authorities in meeting significant unanticipated expenditure in each year since 2007-08; which local authorities received this support and (a) for what purpose and (b) how much was provided on each occasion.","AnswerText":"The information requested is set out below:\r\nFunding paid out under the terms and conditions of the Bellwin scheme.\r\n2009-10 Aberdeenshire Council received £450,999 following severe flooding incidents during October and November 2009.\r\n2009-10 The Moray Council received £281,726 following severe flooding incidents during October and November 2009.\r\n2012-13 Scottish Borders Council received £917,334 following various flooding incidents throughout the year.\r\nFunding paid out to local government for weather-related incidents which replaced the need for Bellwin scheme claims.\r\n2009-10 Aberdeenshire Council received £2 million following a landslip at Bervie Braes caused by heavy rainfall in February 2009.\r\n2010-11 All 32 local authorities received a share of £5 million to repair local roads and potholes following the severe winter weather.\r\n2011-12 All 32 local authorities received a share of £15 million to repair local roads and potholes following the severe winter weather.\r\n2012-13 All 32 local authorities received a share of £2 million to repair local roads and potholes following the severe winter weather.\r\n2014-15 Dumfries and Galloway Council received £0.5 million to repair the river bank, the sea walls and coastal paths.\r\n2015-16 Confirmed funding of £14.74 million support for nine local authorities worst affected following the severe flooding caused by Storms Desmond, Frank and subsequent severe rainfall. In addition this support has been expanded to other affected local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309325,"EventID":"S4T-01266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T12:37:31.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-07T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support those affected by Hawick Knitwear entering administration.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309326,"EventID":"S4T-01269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T12:37:33.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what restrictions it is implementing in response to the suspected case of bird flu in Fife.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309327,"EventID":"S4T-01278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T12:37:40.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers are available to local authorities to carry out roadside emissions testing.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309328,"EventID":"S4F-03159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T12:37:00.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-08T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309329,"EventID":"S4F-03160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T12:37:00.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T07:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309330,"EventID":"S4F-03161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T12:37:01.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T09:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309331,"EventID":"S4F-03162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T12:37:01.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what criteria the Scottish Government is using to allocate funding and teacher support for schools in deprived communities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309332,"EventID":"S4F-03168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T12:37:06.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T11:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government’s target for building affordable homes will resolve the housing crisis that she referred to during First Minister's Questions on 7 January 2016.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309333,"EventID":"S4F-03171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T12:37:08.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what recent discussions the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding the future of renewables.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309334,"EventID":"S4W-29235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T16:45:01.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-08T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comments by Aileen McLeod on 9 June 2015 that “the Cabinet has agreed to embed climate change in this autumn’s budget process” (Official Report, c. 59) and 27 October 2015 that “we will ensure that climate change is a top priority through a Cabinet agreement to embed it in the autumn budget process”, (Official Report, c. 24), which spending commitments in the Draft Budget 2016-17 embed climate change.","AnswerText":"The Draft Budget 2016-17 embeds climate change within relevant portfolios, including support for renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable travel, waste reduction and natural carbon capture. The principal spending commitments were published in Draft Budget 2016-17: Details of funding for climate change mitigation measures, available on the Scottish Government website at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Environment/climatechange/DraftBudget2016-17. In addition, as highlighted in the Infrastructure Investment Plan, we are making significant multi-million pound investments in new and more energy efficient schools, colleges, health centres and hospitals.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309335,"EventID":"S4W-29250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T16:45:01.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T13:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many punishments have been imposed on prisoners in each prison in each year since 1999, also broken down by punishment.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“Tables showing the punishments imposed at orderly rooms broken down by establishment, year and punishment have been lodged with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57641).”","AnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309336,"EventID":"S4W-29254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T16:45:02.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of Scotland is covered by high-definition weather radar; how the coverage in rural areas compares with the rest of the country, and whether it is increasing the coverage in rural areas to assist in flood prevention measures.","AnswerText":"The whole of Scotland, except for Shetland, is covered by a radar network designed to support weather forecasting. Just over 50 per cent of Scotland is covered by rainfall radar that is capable of monitoring high-intensity rainfall events. The entire weather radar network across the UK is undergoing significant upgrading.\r\nIn 2014 the Met Office and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) carried out a study to assess the quality of the radar data across the country and found that the quality of radar data is impacted by several factors including terrain and distance from the radar. SEPA and the Met Office are working with the National Centre for Atmospheric Science to trial the use of a high resolution radar across Moray, Nairn and Inverness. The trial is to assess the potential value of this radar for flood forecasting and warning and runs for six months starting in February 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309337,"EventID":"S4W-29255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-11T16:45:03.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help Scotland play a leading role in ensuring that the EU birds and habitats directives are implemented better, and what the reason is for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"Scotland provides the largest component of the UK’s contribution to the European Union’s Natura 2000 network. The Scottish Government is continuing to participate in the European Commission’s “fitness check” of the EU birds and habitats directives, the conclusions of which have yet to be determined. Like the UK Government (as outlined by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Council of the EU Environment Council meeting on 16 December 2015), we do not wish to seek the renegotiation of the directives.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309346,"EventID":"S4W-29251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T13:43:30.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what penalties will be available if a dog owner (a) fails or (b) refuses to have their dog microchipped after April 2016.","AnswerText":"The Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016 have been considered by both the Delegated and Law Reform Committee, on 15 December 2015, and the Rural Affairs, Climate Change Committee, on 20 January 2015. They will be considered by the Scottish Parliament in due course. If approved, from 6 April 2016 any keeper whose dog is found to be without a microchip may be served with a notice requiring them to have that dog microchipped within 21 days. Failure to comply with such a notice will be an offence, punishable on summary conviction by a fine of up to £500 (level 2 on the standard scale).","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309347,"EventID":"S4W-29252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T13:43:31.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there will be a minimum age for a person to be held responsible for ensuring that a dog is microchipped after April 2016.","AnswerText":"The Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016 have been considered by both the Delegated and Law Reform Committee, on 15 December 2015, and the Rural Affairs, Climate Change Committee, on 20 January 2015. They will be considered by the Scottish Parliament in due course. There is no minimum age for a person to be held responsible for ensuring that a dog is microchipped specified in these regulations. However, the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, under which these Regulations are made, provides that where the keeper of an animal is less than 16 year old, the person caring for the keeper is also considered responsible for the animal in their care.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309348,"EventID":"S4W-29253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T13:43:32.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authority will be responsible for enforcing the regulations regarding the microchipping of dogs after April 2016 in cases where the ownership of the animal changes without it being microchipped and the new and old owners live in different council areas.","AnswerText":"The Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016 have been considered by both the Delegated and Law Reform Committee, on 15 December 2015, and the Rural Affairs, Climate Change Committee, on 20 January 2015. They will be considered by the Scottish Parliament in due course. How enforcement is undertaken across territories will be a matter for local authorities. \r\nHowever, if the regulations are approved, from 6 April 2016 if a dog without a microchip is passed on to a new keeper, the previous keeper will have committed an offence; the local authority in whose territory the previous keeper lives may take forward any action required in this respect. The new keeper would then become responsible for ensuring that the dog is microchipped, including registering it on a compliant database. If this is not undertaken, any local authority finding the dog without a microchip may serve a notice on the new keeper to resolve this.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309349,"EventID":"S4W-29256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T13:43:32.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the average local authority revenue support per capita Aberdeen City Council has received in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"In 2011-12 Aberdeen City Council's per capita revenue grant support from the Scottish Government was 83.4% of the Scottish average figure. Following the introduction of the new funding floor which guarantees all local authorities 85% of the Scottish average revenue funding per capita, Aberdeen City Council's revenue funding has been maintained at 85% of the adjusted Scottish average.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309350,"EventID":"S4W-29257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T13:43:33.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the average local authority revenue support per capita Aberdeen City Council will be given in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"In 2016-17, Aberdeen City Council's per capita revenue grant support from the Scottish Government will be 85% of the adjusted Scottish average figure. ","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309351,"EventID":"S4W-29258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T13:43:33.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to apply a total local authority revenue support funding floor in the review period beginning April 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to remove the total local authority revenue support funding floor, which provides funding protection and stability for all local authorities, from future local government finance settlements.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309352,"EventID":"S4W-29259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T13:43:34.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T17:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in encouraging the use of Scottish produce in schools.","AnswerText":"Following the introduction of Scotland’s first national food and drink policy in 2009, the Scottish Government provided specific guidance, Catering for Change – Buying food sustainably in the public sector, which is now embedded into today’s public procurement practice for food. This clarifies that food procurement can make a significant contribution towards the public sector's economic, environmental, social, and health related objectives, including taking steps to encourage the involvement of smaller suppliers. In addition, the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 places an obligation on those public bodies required to publish a procurement strategy to include a statement of their general policy including involving the provision of food in the context of health, wellbeing and education of communities in the local authority’s area.\r\nIn 2014, the next phase of Scotland’s national food and drink policy, ‘Becoming a Good Food Nation’, was launched and recognises food in the public sector as a key priority area, including specific aims around 'championing fresh, seasonal, local and sustainable produce' and 'celebrating provenance and ethical sourcing'.\r\nAlso in 2014, the Scottish Government launched Better Eating, Better Learning – A New Context for School Food, which asks teachers, caterers, suppliers, parents, pupils and wider community to drive further improvements to school food provision and food education. One of the seven sections is titled ‘Sustainability through food’ and advocates the use of fresh, seasonal and sustainably grown food in the school meal service.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309353,"EventID":"S4W-29260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T13:43:34.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T09:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the recently reported high number of children living in temporary accommodation because their families have been made homeless.","AnswerText":"Homelessness has been falling in Scotland due to a focus on prevention and the Scottish Government is increasing affordable housing supply to expand the accommodation options for families in temporary accommodation.\r\nWe have now met and exceeded the current target to deliver 30,000 affordable homes, and within that the constituent parts – 20,000 social homes including 5,000 council homes. And we have increased the grant funding available for 2016-17 by over £90 million, as the first stage in our determination to boost housing supply still further.\r\nWhilst we do not want to see an increase in families in temporary accommodation and the time spent there should be as short as possible, our actions and strong legal rights for homeless households ensure that families are placed in good quality temporary accommodation until suitable settled accommodation becomes available.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309354,"EventID":"S4W-29261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T13:43:35.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what procedures are in place to assist victims of hate crimes in monitoring the progress of their case.","AnswerText":"All victims have a right to request and be told about progress of a case following the coming into force of the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014. The recently published Victims’ Code for Scotland and Standards of Service for Victims and Witnesses, agreed and published by the agencies involved in the criminal justice system, set out what victims can expect and who to contact for further information about the case. Victims are entitled to information about their case from Police Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service. Information can be requested throughout criminal investigation and proceedings.\r\nIn certain categories of cases the COPFS Victim and Information Advice (VIA) service will proactively keep victims advised without the victim having to request such information. One of these categories is all cases involving hate crime. In addition the COPFS VIA service can facilitate referral to other agencies for specialist support and counselling as required.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309355,"EventID":"S4W-29262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T13:43:35.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to help improve the ethnic diversity of Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"Equality and diversity within Police Scotland is a matter for the Chief Constable and the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309356,"EventID":"S4W-29263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T13:43:36.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to eliminate unconscious bias and institutional racism in Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"Equality and diversity within Police Scotland is a matter for the Chief Constable and the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309357,"EventID":"S4W-29264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T13:43:36.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of the impact of homelessness on the mental health of children who live in temporary accommodation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made no specific assessment of mental health of children in temporary accommodation. The Scottish Government and its partners have put in place a number of measures to ensure that the experience of temporary accommodation is as positive as possible for children before they move to settled accommodation.\r\nThis includes a strengthening of the Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Order 2014, which makes clear a number of standards that need to be met in temporary accommodation for households with children. These standards, including proximity to schools and health services and provision of room to play, all contribute to the mental health of children.\r\nLocal authorities have a legal duty to provide housing support to homeless households with children, where this has been assessed as being required. The Scottish Government has also published guidance on “Meeting the Best Interests of Children Facing Homelessness” which emphasises adopting a corporate approach and multi-agency working and which provides guidance on the particular issues faced by children facing homelessness.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309358,"EventID":"S4W-29265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T13:43:37.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that more than one in four adults in Scotland who are responsible for paying rent or a mortgage are worried about covering the cost of their housing in 2016.","AnswerText":"We have a strong record on housing matters across all tenures from rental to home ownership. Since 2007 we have encouraged housing supply, maintaining higher build rates in both affordable and private housing than the rest of the UK. We have exceeded our target to deliver 30,000 affordable homes in this Parliament, including over 20,000 homes for social rent, through a range of innovative financing mechanisms. We have also maintained price inflation of only 1% since 2008 unlike the average increase of 21% in England. The last published data showed that the average household spent just under 10% of their income on housing costs in Scotland and this has remained constant since 2007.\r\nHowever, despite our strong action on housing supply we know that some households continue to struggle to find affordable housing solutions and we can assure them that we are working hard within our powers to assist them. We have committed to build a further 50,000 affordable homes during the next parliamentary term, if elected, as well as continue with our current initiatives for low cost home ownership such as Help To Buy.\r\nWe are also mitigating against some of the impacts of welfare cuts brought in by the UK Government. For example, we are providing local authorities with £70 million in 2014-15 and 2015-16 to fully mitigate the bedroom tax through discretionary housing payments. This is in addition to £20 million provided in 2013-14.\r\nIn addition, the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill will protect 700,000 people from the prospect of unforeseen and unfair eviction and unpredictability over rent increases, as well as ensuring the sector is attractive to investors, with better management and regulation. The bill forms a key part of the Scottish Government strategy to grow and improve the private rented sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309359,"EventID":"S4W-29266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T13:43:38.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that children in homeless households in Scotland spent one million days in temporary accommodation in 2015.","AnswerText":"This is not a statistic used by the Scottish Government. It appears to be an estimate based on officially published statistics of the numbers of households with children in temporary accommodation over a year.\r\nWe do not want to see an increase in families in temporary accommodation and the time spent there should be as short as possible. Our actions and strong legal rights for homeless households ensure that families are placed in good quality temporary accommodation until suitable settled accommodation becomes available.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309360,"EventID":"S4W-29267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T13:43:39.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the number of days that homeless families with children spend in temporary accommodation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is increasing affordable housing supply to expand the settled accommodation options for families in temporary accommodation. \r\nWe have now met and exceeded the current target to deliver 30,000 affordable homes, and within that the constituent parts – 20,000 social homes including 5,000 council homes. And we have increased the grant funding available for 2016-17 by over £90 million, as the first stage in our determination to boost housing supply still further.\r\nTemporary accommodation is a necessary stage in the delivery of the local authority’s legal duty to provide settled accommodation to families, but the statutory Code of Guidance on Homelessness makes clear that time spent there should be as short as possible. Families should have the widest range of appropriate, sustainable housing options – that may mean a quick solution is not always desirable.\r\nA new mandatory collection of data on time spent in temporary accommodation will begin at the end of March 2016 and help inform the approach of the Scottish Government and our partners on this issue.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309361,"EventID":"S4W-29269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T13:43:40.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the number of GPs being recruited in Aberdeenshire East to address the impact of GPs retiring, and what action it is taking to increase the number of medical graduates taking up these posts.","AnswerText":"Information regarding GP retirals is not published by Information Services Division Scotland or recorded by NHS boards in a standardised way. NHS Grampian is however actively assisting local GP practices to recruit qualified GPs to replace those who are retiring and are undertaking a number of actions to facilitate improved recruitment. This includes a \"career start\" scheme which gives newly qualified GPs the chance to work for one to two years in a practice which continues to provide mentoring and training beyond the mandatory three year training scheme, as well as developing a number of opportunities for GPs to develop their careers through a programme of training GPs with special interests. NHS Grampian is also working to deliver more sustainable services by training advanced nurse practitioners, physicians, assistants and pharmacists to assist GPs in managing the clinical workload in practices.\r\nWhilst the number of GP’s in NHS Grampian has increased by 9.6% between September 2006 and September 2015, in comparison with the 7.4% Scotland wide increase, the Scottish Government is fully aware that there are ongoing challenges around recruiting and retaining GPs. We are undertaking a number of initiatives that aim to make general practice a more attractive career option; this includes ways to support reducing work load; making returning to GP practice easier; a redesign of how community services are delivered; testing mentor support models and considering how we might improve undergraduate medical teaching to provide increased exposure to working experiences and learning opportunities within primary care.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309378,"EventID":"S4W-29270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T16:50:14.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many illegal drug seizures there were in prisons between 1999 and 2015, broken down by drug classification; how many were reported to the police, and how many convictions there were.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The following table illustrates the number of drug finds recorded each financial year from April 2001; suspected substances recovered are believed to include: heroin, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine and miscellaneous tablets. However, all substances recovered within Scottish prisons are transferred to Police Scotland for further investigation or disposal as appropriate; the SPS are seldom made aware of any outcome. The SPS did not hold incident information prior to this date.”\r\nYear\r\nTotal Number of Drug Finds\r\n2001-02\r\n1,043\r\n2002-03\r\n1,109\r\n2003-04\r\n1,278\r\n2004-05\r\n1,520\r\n2005-06\r\n1,987\r\n2006-07\r\n1,768\r\n2007-08\r\n1,729\r\n2008-09\r\n1,814\r\n2009-10\r\n1,865\r\n2010-11\r\n2,062\r\n2011-12\r\n1,755\r\n2012-13\r\n1,702\r\n2013-14\r\n1,943\r\n2014-15\r\n1,784\r\n2015-16\r\n1,584\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309379,"EventID":"S4W-29271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T16:50:14.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T14:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, when awarding the contract for the construction of the bridge, whether it was aware that the steel for the Queensferry Crossing was to be sourced in China. ","AnswerText":"Both bidders for the principal contract for the Forth Replacement Crossing indicated that China was one of several possible sources being considered for the supply of steelwork as part of their bid. Once the principal contract was awarded the Scottish Government had no further involvement in the award of subcontracts by the contractor, Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors, but it is aware that no Scottish or UK based steel fabricators bid for the main cable stayed bridge deck fabrication subcontract. A further subcontract for the fabrication of the approach viaducts was awarded to Cleveland Bridge in Darlington, who indicated that they would use UK manufactured steel.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309380,"EventID":"S4W-29272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T16:50:15.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of households served by the telephone exchange in (a) Falkland, (b) Letham, (c) Newburgh, (d) Gauldry, (e) Balmullo, (f) Tayport, (g) Newport on Tay, (h) Leuchars, (i) Cupar, (j) Ceres, (k) Strathkinness, (l) St Andrews, (m) Peat Inn, (n) Colinsburgh, (o) Elie, (p) St Monans, (q) Anstruther and (r) Crail in Fife is able to connect to fibre broadband.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme is aiming to deliver fibre broadband to 95% of all homes and businesses in Scotland by the end of March 2018.\r\nTo date, over 16,600 homes and businesses in the areas requested have been enabled for fibre broadband.\r\nIn addition there are homes and businesses in these areas enabled for fibre via commercial programmes that are not part of this programme. Detailed information about commercial deployment in Scotland is not available to the Scottish Government.\r\nThe latest available verified figures correct to the end of September 2015 by area are detailed in the following table:\r\nQuestion letter\r\nArea\r\nNumber of homes or businesses enabled\r\na\r\nFalkland\r\n1,225\r\nb\r\nLetham\r\n0\r\nc\r\nNewburgh\r\n350\r\nd\r\nGauldry\r\n390\r\ne\r\nBalmullo\r\n1,044\r\nf\r\nTayport\r\n1,980\r\ng\r\nNewport on Tay\r\n1,580\r\nh\r\nLeuchars\r\n1,444\r\ni\r\nCupar\r\n328\r\nj\r\nCeres\r\n807\r\nk\r\nStrathkinness\r\n510\r\nl\r\nSt Andrews\r\n6,422\r\nm\r\nPeat Inn\r\n146\r\nn\r\nColinsburgh\r\n0\r\no\r\nElie\r\n0\r\np\r\nSt Monans\r\n0\r\nq\r\nAnstruther\r\n465\r\nr\r\nCrail\r\n0\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309381,"EventID":"S4W-29276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T16:50:15.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28956 by Shona Robison on 6 January 2016, if none of the additional £41.6 million being spent on the procurement of the new IT system is as a result of the system failure in October 2015, (a) what the reason is for the additional expenditure and (b) whether it will provide a breakdown of what the additional money is being spent on.","AnswerText":"The delay of the implementation of the Future Programme from the original business case until October 2015 cost an additional £41.6 million which is broken down as follows:\r\nDouble running of legacy and new system\r\n£11.7 million\r\nContract costs\r\n£14.3 million\r\nImplementation costs\r\n£8 million\r\nScope and re-design costs\r\n£7.6 million\r\nTotal additional costs\r\n£41.6 million\r\nThe delay from October 2015 until the summer of 2016 will add a further £7.6 million of costs to the project. The main reasons for this further increase is additional double running costs and the costs associated with preparing for the 2016 re-launch.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309382,"EventID":"S4W-29277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-12T16:50:16.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28954 by Shona Robison on 8 January 2016, what the result was of the testing of the new NHS 24 IT system between March and September 2015, and what issues were identified during this.","AnswerText":"NHS 24 have confirmed to Scottish Government that the testing programme for implementation of the new IT system in 2015 followed industry standard best practice. NHS 24 confirm that the programme took a phased approach and covered a wide range of phases designed to test system functionality and resilience.\r\nNHS 24 are currently compiling an internal report of what went wrong during the implementation, which will set out lessons learnt and next steps to ensure successful implementation.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309391,"EventID":"S4O-05264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:29.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the refreshed infrastructure investment plan will help to tackle climate change.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309392,"EventID":"S4O-05265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:30.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities last met Fife Council and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309393,"EventID":"S4O-05266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:31.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T15:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will revise its winter resilience plans for transport services in light of the disruption to west coast main line services from storm damage.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309394,"EventID":"S4O-05267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:31.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Canals has any role in flood prevention.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309395,"EventID":"S4O-05268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:32.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how work on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is progressing.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309396,"EventID":"S4O-05269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:32.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with EU officials regarding funding for public infrastructure projects, including the new Cumbernauld Academy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309397,"EventID":"S4O-05270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:33.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Water report into the contamination incident in North Lanarkshire in June 2015 that affected 6,000 households will be published.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309398,"EventID":"S4O-05271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:33.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Scottish Water.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309399,"EventID":"S4O-05272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:34.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to maximise the economic growth potential and investment opportunities made possible by funding from the UK City Deals programme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309400,"EventID":"S4O-05273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:34.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of Transport Scotland.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is part of the Scottish Government and meetings with ministers occur regularly in the course of normal business.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309401,"EventID":"S4O-05274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:34.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve cultural opportunities for people from deprived areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309402,"EventID":"S4O-05275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:35.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the UK Government’s decision to rule out a return to the post-study work visa.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309403,"EventID":"S4O-05276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:35.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that people with additional support needs can access or participate in cultural activities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309404,"EventID":"S4O-05277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:36.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is providing to refugees from Syria and what further discussions it has had with the UK Government on this matter.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309405,"EventID":"S4O-05278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:37.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to local museums and galleries following a reduction in the culture budget for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309406,"EventID":"S4O-05279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:37.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs last met Glasgow City Council.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309407,"EventID":"S4O-05280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:38.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T15:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to recognise the contribution that David Bowie made to the cultural life of Scotland and beyond.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309408,"EventID":"S4O-05281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:38.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs will next visit Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309409,"EventID":"S4O-05282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:39.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs considers that the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is of benefit to Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309410,"EventID":"S4O-05283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:39.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports regional theatre.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309411,"EventID":"S4O-05284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:40.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage and develop skills in computer programming.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309412,"EventID":"S4O-05285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:40.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the action that it is taking to take forward the proposals of the Commission on Local Tax Reform.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309413,"EventID":"S4O-05286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:40.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve health in the east end of Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309414,"EventID":"S4O-05287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:41.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much surface water plantation forestry absorbs from surrounding water courses and rainfall in the Highlands per annum.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309415,"EventID":"S4O-05288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:41.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed social care with the City of Edinburgh Council.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309416,"EventID":"S4O-05289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:42.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve prisoners' access to education.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309417,"EventID":"S4O-05290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:42.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T16:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had regarding the homeless hostel, the Bellgrove Hotel.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309418,"EventID":"S4O-05291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:43.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recommendations of the Wildlife Crime Penalties Review Group.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309419,"EventID":"S4O-05292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:43.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T11:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and the Economy last met COSLA and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"My colleague, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and the Economy, and I met COSLA on 7 January 2016 as part of the series of meetings we have held to discuss the detail of the 2016-17 local government finance settlement.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309420,"EventID":"S4O-05293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T14:05:43.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-11T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on its national physical activity strategy, how many school playing fields have been sold or developed since 1999.","AnswerText":"As a statutory consultee under the terms of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2013, sportscotland has been consulted on 1,569 planning applications since 1 January 1999. Of these consultations, it is estimated that approximately 580 related to applications that have been granted planning approval involving either the creation of new educational facilities, or development on the site of existing educational facilities for both educational and non-educational purposes.\r\nThe second figure is an estimate because sportscotland does not record consultations involving educational facilities separately from other consultations it receives. Further analysis of this information is required and I will ask sportscotland to provide the member with more detail in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309421,"EventID":"S4W-29278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T16:57:01.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T17:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to ensure that superfast broadband connectivity is available to all (a) residents and (b) businesses in Aberdeenshire East.","AnswerText":"Our Digital Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme, backed by £410 million of public and private sector funding, is making fibre-based broadband available to 89.4% of premises across Aberdeenshire. Commercial provision alone would only have reached 25.1% of premises. For small to medium-sized enterprises, this makes business-specific products like Ethernet and access to cloud-based systems significantly more affordable.\r\nFor communities beyond the reach of DSSB, the Scottish Government established Community Broadband Scotland (CBS) to develop community-led broadband projects. CBS is actively supporting three community organisations within Aberdeenshire through the various stages of the project planning process and is developing a proposal to connect 1,600 premises in the Cairngorms National Park, which will include areas within Aberdeenshire.\r\nIn 2015, we included some of Aberdeenshire's hardest to reach homes and businesses within the UK Government’s market testing programme. This is evaluating options to deliver superfast broadband to the final 5%. In a project in partnership with Avanti Communications, to date, around 100 homes and businesses in the region have gained access to high speed satellite broadband delivered at speeds of 10, 24 or 30 Mbps.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309422,"EventID":"S4W-29279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T16:57:02.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will seek discussions with the insurance industry to ensure that those people and businesses affected by flood damage receive any payments as soon as possible.","AnswerText":"I have the utmost sympathy for those who have been affected by the recent flooding, having seen for myself in my own constituency the devastation that flood water can wreak. The First Minister and Deputy First Minister have also visited flood affected areas, and we have seen the work that is being done by local authorities, the Scottish Flood Forum and others to help in the aftermath of the floods. Our impression from speaking to householders and businesses is that insurance companies have generally acted promptly and helpfully. It is too soon after the event to determine whether there have been any delays in paying insurance claims, and we are not aware of any concerns that have been raised about insurance payments. However, I would be more than happy to take up any specific concerns with the insurance industry.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309423,"EventID":"S4W-29280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T16:57:02.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that there is a commercial advantage for housebuilders to install superfast broadband in their developments. ","AnswerText":"Access to superfast broadband is an increasingly important factor for people when deciding where they want to live. Buyers of new homes will rightly expect these premises to be superfast enabled; those that aren’t are likely to be less attractive as a result.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s development plan policies aim to encourage developers to explore opportunities for the provision of digital infrastructure to new homes and business premises as an integral part of development. This should be done in consultation with service providers so that appropriate future-proofed infrastructure is available to new home owners.\r\nScotland is currently involved in transposition of Article 8 of the European Commission Broadband Cost Reduction Directive. This European Commission policy requires the creation of empty ducts or routes in and around buildings, along with corresponding access/termination points, to allow cable or fibre to be installed if the owner wishes. A Scottish Statutory Instrument will be laid in Parliament shortly.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309424,"EventID":"S4W-29281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T16:57:03.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T13:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to private landlords regarding improving energy efficiency in their properties, and whether it plans to update this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government funds the Home Energy Scotland advice centres and helpline which are managed on our behalf by the Energy Saving Trust. Home Energy Scotland provides free and impartial advice on energy saving to all householders, including private sector landlords. This includes information about specific energy efficiency measures, as well as checking eligibility for government schemes and programmes, and providing details of local suppliers who are qualified to carry out energy efficiency improvements. They can also provide advice on renewable energy, sustainable transport, waste prevention, and more, to all householders in Scotland. Home Energy Scotland can be contacted on 0808 808 2282 or further information can be found at: www.greenerscotland.org/warm-homes. \r\nSince 2012-13 the Scottish Government has also been funding the Energy Saving Trust to provide specific support and advice for landlords in relation to energy efficiency and renewables. This service involves either home visits by specialist advisors to interested landlords' properties, or specialist remote advice where a visit is not required.\r\nThe Scottish Government designated energy efficiency as a national infrastructure priority in June 2015, and we are working with stakeholders to develop this programme. Ministers are also committed to taking forward consultation on proposals for minimum energy efficiency standards in private sector housing in the next parliamentary session.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309425,"EventID":"S4W-29283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T16:57:05.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29236 by Derek Mackay on 12 January 2016, what action it is taking to support commuters who will be affected by the closure of the high level tunnel at Glasgow Queen Street station.","AnswerText":"The ScotRail Alliance and industry partners have worked closely to ensure that rail passengers are supported during the Queen Street High Level tunnel closure.\r\nThe ScotRail Alliance has developed a fully coordinated timetable which will ensure that services are maintained and disruption is kept to a minimum during the Queen Street High Level Tunnel closure. This has been facilitated by infrastructure works completed in advance to enable high level services to be diverted to the Low Level station.\r\nWorking closely with bus operators and other stakeholders the ScotRail Alliance will also ensure passengers are fully informed of alternative travel choices, including bus and active travel options.\r\nOn 12 January 2016, the ScotRail Alliance launched a comprehensive communications campaign to fully inform passengers well in advance about the tunnel work and what it means for them.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309426,"EventID":"S4W-29284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T16:57:05.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the future training of rehabilitation and habilitation workers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s sensory impairment strategy recommends that the Scottish Government should work with the relevant education, training and qualification bodies to explore opportunities to increase awareness and expertise in the area of sensory impairment awareness.\r\nDiscussions are ongoing with various agencies and a rehabilitation training course will take place in the spring of 2016 for rehabilitation workers across various local authorities. This training course has been funded using sensory impairment strategy funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309427,"EventID":"S4W-29285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T16:57:06.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to establish a statutory professional register for rehabilitation and habilitation workers.","AnswerText":"Registered professionals who deliver services relating to the habilitation and rehabilitation of people with sensory impairment are subject to statutory regulation by their own regulatory bodies.\r\nSocial service workers in the public, voluntary and private sectors in Scotland must register with the Scottish Social Services Council if they provide care services registered under the categories “care at home”, “adult care homes” and “day care of children”.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309428,"EventID":"S4W-29286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T16:57:07.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress there has been in establishing a management committee for the Sound of Barra Special Area of Conservation; whether the committee is in place, and, if so, (a) what the membership is, (b) what decisions it has made and (c) how much funding it has received.","AnswerText":"There is no management committee in place at present. A local charity, Voluntary Action Barra and Vatersay, was given a grant in 2013-14 and 2014-15 to develop options for a community-led approach to managing the Sound of Barra Special Area of Conservation. A report is currently being finalised and will be published in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309429,"EventID":"S4W-29290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-13T16:57:08.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions it has had with the UK Government and (b) progress has been made to implement the recommendation in the Smith Commission Agreement that the Scottish and UK governments work together on issues relating to asylum seekers.","AnswerText":"In the period since the Smith Commission Agreement was published, the Scottish and UK Governments have sought to progress the recommendation on issues relating to asylum seekers through regular meetings. These have included discussions on the non-legislative proposals from the commission and a demonstration of the asylum process at the Home Office in Glasgow. This inter-government work with the UK Government on asylum issues is ongoing.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309447,"EventID":"S4W-29292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:38:45.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of consultant posts have been vacant and (i) covered and (ii) not covered by a locum in each year since 2007-08, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"We currently have the highest medical staffing levels ever, with record numbers of consultants. Under this government, consultant numbers across Scotland have increased by 1,464.9 whole time equivalent (WTE), or 40.3 per cent, to 5,101.4 WTE.\r\nThe consultant vacancy rate since 2007-08 has reduced from 6.9 per cent as at September 2007 to 6.4 per cent as at September 2015. Any fluctuation in consultant vacancies is linked to our efforts to increase capacity by recruiting even more staff.\r\nInformation on vacancies covered by locums is not held centrally.\r\nInformation on the number of consultant vacancies, broken down by NHSScotland board, is shown in table 1. Information on consultant vacancies as a percentage of establishment, broken down by NHSScotland board, is shown in table 2.\r\nTable 1: Whole time equivalent of consultant vacancies as at 30 September each year\r\n\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nScotland\r\n282.0\r\n188.8\r\n166.0\r\n139.0\r\n112.5\r\n143.1\r\n213.1\r\n339.3\r\n345.5\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n27.3\r\n17.0\r\n14.2\r\n15.0\r\n10.3\r\n12.0\r\n16.0\r\n19.4\r\n34.9\r\nNHS Borders\r\n9.5\r\n3.0\r\n-\r\n5.0\r\n-\r\n6.0\r\n6.5\r\n8.0\r\n6.0\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n11.6\r\n6.9\r\n8.0\r\n9.0\r\n13.0\r\n12.8\r\n12.0\r\n20.0\r\n18.0\r\nNHS Fife\r\n9.5\r\n9.1\r\n11.0\r\n13.7\r\n9.0\r\n19.1\r\n18.3\r\n50.1\r\n38.6\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n8.0\r\n3.4\r\n2.0\r\n5.8\r\n7.4\r\n2.7\r\n0.6\r\n5.6\r\n9.1\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n17.6\r\n17.1\r\n26.0\r\n22.5\r\n11.0\r\n17.0\r\n41.0\r\n47.0\r\n43.7\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n56.2\r\n21.0\r\n11.0\r\n11.5\r\n15.3\r\n26.8\r\n21.0\r\n64.8\r\n69.6\r\nNHS Highland\r\n27.2\r\n13.0\r\n8.0\r\n7.0\r\n7.0\r\n5.0\r\n16.0\r\n24.7\r\n21.2\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n58.1\r\n38.0\r\n34.5\r\n16.5\r\n17.5\r\n18.0\r\n17.0\r\n23.0\r\n43.5\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n19.6\r\n34.0\r\n29.6\r\n17.5\r\n3.0\r\n8.0\r\n32.1\r\n33.2\r\n19.3\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n-\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\n1.5\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n3.0\r\n4.0\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\n2.0\r\n-\r\n-\r\n3.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n28.5\r\n9.0\r\n15.7\r\n6.0\r\n8.0\r\n6.7\r\n21.2\r\n19.5\r\n29.0\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n5.0\r\n5.0\r\n2.0\r\n6.0\r\n7.0\r\n8.0\r\n4.0\r\n6.0\r\n4.0\r\nNHS 24\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0.5\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0.6\r\nNHS Education for Scotland\r\n-\r\n2.3\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n-\r\n1.0\r\n2.0\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Healthcare Improvement Scotland\r\n-\r\n2.0\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n6.0\r\n-\r\nNational Services Scotland\r\n1.0\r\n4.0\r\n-\r\n2.0\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\n1.0\r\n3.0\r\n-\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n5.0\r\n3.0\r\n2.0\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nState Hospital\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\n1.0\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS), Information Services Division (M) 36.\r\nNote:\r\n1. The symbol “-” signifies where a figure is nil.\r\nIn March 2014 the definition of a vacancy changed to: a vacancy is a post which has been cleared for advert after being through the redeployment process (internal or external advert) and remains a vacancy until an individual starts in the post. Prior to this, a vacancy stopped being classified as such at the point when the post was offered to someone and accepted. The impact of this change is a significant increase in the number of reported vacancies.\r\nTable 2: Consultant vacancies as a percentage of establishment as at 30 September each year\r\n\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nScotland\r\n6.9%\r\n4.3%\r\n3.8%\r\n3.1%\r\n2.5%\r\n3.1%\r\n4.4%\r\n6.5%\r\n6.4%\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n12.6%\r\n7.4%\r\n5.8%\r\n6.0%\r\n4.3%\r\n5.0%\r\n6.2%\r\n7.2%\r\n11.9%\r\nNHS Borders\r\n12.7%\r\n4.1%\r\n0.0%\r\n5.8%\r\n0.0%\r\n6.5%\r\n6.9%\r\n7.6%\r\n5.8%\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n11.1%\r\n6.0%\r\n7.3%\r\n7.7%\r\n10.7%\r\n10.9%\r\n10.0%\r\n15.9%\r\n14.5%\r\nNHS Fife\r\n5.0%\r\n4.5%\r\n5.2%\r\n6.2%\r\n4.0%\r\n8.1%\r\n7.5%\r\n18.1%\r\n14.1%\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n5.0%\r\n2.0%\r\n1.8%\r\n3.2%\r\n3.8%\r\n1.4%\r\n0.3%\r\n2.6%\r\n4.0%\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n4.4%\r\n3.8%\r\n5.6%\r\n4.8%\r\n2.3%\r\n3.5%\r\n8.1%\r\n8.8%\r\n7.9%\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n4.6%\r\n1.6%\r\n0.9%\r\n0.9%\r\n1.2%\r\n2.1%\r\n1.6%\r\n4.4%\r\n4.5%\r\nNHS Highland\r\n14.4%\r\n6.6%\r\n4.0%\r\n3.3%\r\n3.3%\r\n2.3%\r\n6.9%\r\n10.4%\r\n8.8%\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n17.0%\r\n10.4%\r\n8.8%\r\n4.3%\r\n4.3%\r\n4.3%\r\n4.0%\r\n5.2%\r\n9.2%\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n2.8%\r\n4.4%\r\n4.1%\r\n2.5%\r\n0.4%\r\n1.1%\r\n4.2%\r\n3.8%\r\n2.2%\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n0.0%\r\n12.5%\r\n0.0%\r\n18.2%\r\n0.0%\r\n0.0%\r\n0.0%\r\n2","AnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309448,"EventID":"S4W-29293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:38:47.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of consultant posts have been vacant for more than (i) three and (ii) six months and (A) covered and (B) not covered by a locum, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"We currently have the highest medical staffing levels ever, with record numbers of consultants. Under this government, consultant numbers across Scotland have increased by 1,464.9 whole time equivalent (WTE), or 40.3 per cent, to 5,101.4 WTE. \r\nThe consultant vacancy rate under this government has reduced from 7 per cent as at September 2006 to 6.4 per cent as at September 2015. Any fluctuation in consultant vacancies is linked to our efforts to increase capacity by recruiting even more staff.\r\nThe number of consultant posts vacant for three months or more is not held centrally.\r\nThe latest available information on the number of consultant posts vacant for six months or more shown in table 1.\r\nTable 1: Consultant posts vacant for six months or more as at 30 September 2015\r\n\r\nNumber of vacancies (whole time equivalent)\r\n% of establishment\r\nScotland\r\n138.5\r\n2.6%\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n19.2\r\n6.5%\r\nNHS Borders\r\n4.0\r\n3.8%\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n10.0\r\n8.0%\r\nNHS Fife\r\n26.2\r\n9.5%\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n3.0\r\n1.3%\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n25.0\r\n4.5%\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n2.0\r\n0.1%\r\nNHS Highland\r\n7.0\r\n2.9%\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n26.5\r\n5.6%\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n-\r\n0.0%\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n2.0\r\n14.8%\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n-\r\n0.0%\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n9.0\r\n1.8%\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n4.0\r\n25.0%\r\nNHS 24\r\n0.6\r\n23.1%\r\nNHS Education for Scotland\r\n-\r\n0.0%\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n-\r\n0.0%\r\nNHS Healthcare Improvement Scotland\r\n-\r\n0.0%\r\nNational Services Scotland\r\n-\r\n0.0%\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre\r\n-\r\n0.0%\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n-\r\n0.0%\r\nState Hospital\r\n-\r\n0.0\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS), Information Services Division (M) 36.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. A vacancy is a post which has been cleared for advert after being through the redeployment process (internal or external advert) and remains a vacancy until an individual starts in the post.\r\n2. Establishment is calculated as number of staff in post plus total vacancies.\r\n3. The symbol “-” signifies where a figure is nil. \r\nInformation on vacancies covered by locums is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309449,"EventID":"S4W-29294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:38:49.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish an update of the rate of progress of single farm payments in light of the reports that there have been delays in making these.","AnswerText":"The total number of basic payments made to farmers and crofters by Wednesday 24 February 2016 was 8,846 (49%).\r\nThe Scottish Government has agreed to send regular updates on progress to the Scottish Parliament's Rural Affairs and Environment Committee.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309450,"EventID":"S4W-29295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:38:49.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines are provided to GPs when charging patients for letters.","AnswerText":"The British Medical Association provides guidelines to advise GPs when they are charging patients for letters. Fees must be reasonable, transparent and justifiable, with the patient’s agreement sought before the service is provided.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309451,"EventID":"S4W-29296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:38:50.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on (a) how many claimants were charged by their GP for a letter explaining their impairments while being moved from disability living allowance to personal independence payment and (b) what the charges were.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. The disability living allowance and personal independence payments are responsibilities of the Department for Work and Pensions, and therefore are a reserved matter.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309452,"EventID":"S4W-29300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:38:51.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many link workers are in post in each NHS board to deliver the commitment in the national dementia strategy for one year’s post-diagnostic support for people with dementia.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309453,"EventID":"S4W-29301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:38:52.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people with dementia are on a waiting list to receive the one year of post-diagnostic support outlined in the national dementia strategy.","AnswerText":"This information is currently being validated by NHS National Services Scotland (NHS NSS). Performance data will be published by NHS NSS later in 2016 and will report on performance between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2016. This will include aggregated data on date of diagnosis and date of first contact by the post-diagnostic service.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309454,"EventID":"S4W-29302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:38:54.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time is for people with dementia to receive the one year of post-diagnostic support outlined in the national dementia strategy.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29301 on 25 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309455,"EventID":"S4W-29303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:38:56.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the waiting time is in each NHS board for people with dementia to receive the one year of post-diagnostic support outlined in the national dementia strategy.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29301 on 25 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309456,"EventID":"S4W-29304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:38:56.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which research elements of the consultation on unconventional oil and gas will cover worker health and safety and socioeconomic impacts.","AnswerText":"The research package includes a specific project on the economic impacts of unconventional oil and gas.\r\nHealth and safety in the workplace is currently a reserved matter, and is therefore the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Information about the HSE guidance on unconventional oil and gas can be found on the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/unconventional-gas.htm.\r\nWider issues relating to the public health implications of unconventional oil and gas will be covered by the public health impact assessment to be undertaken by Health Protection Scotland.\r\nFurther information about the research projects is available on the Scottish Government website at: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/onshoreoilandgas/EvidenceGathering.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309457,"EventID":"S4W-29305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:38:57.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will be responsible for bringing together the findings of the unconventional oil and gas research streams into a single consultation response and what weighting will be applied to each stream.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will ensure that the findings of the research projects are presented in a clear and accessible way, and made publicly available in advance of the consultation. Access to this wide-ranging evidence base will enable members of the public to reach a considered view and to respond knowledgably to the consultation. The consultation will be designed to ensure that responders are able to express those views clearly to ministers.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309458,"EventID":"S4W-29306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:38:58.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T21:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the additional £130 million to be raised in business rates in 2016-17 will come from reducing the rates relief available to (a) empty industrial and commercial premises and (b) renewable energy projects.","AnswerText":"The proposals in the Draft Budget 2016-17 on empty property relief and on renewable energy generation relief would account for around £60 million and £10 million of non-domestic rates income respectively.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309459,"EventID":"S4W-29307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:38:59.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T21:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, following its approach to the Women 50:50 campaign, it has considered setting targets or quotas for representation in elected office and on public boards for other groups with protected characteristics.","AnswerText":"Our ambition to create a fairer Scotland goes hand in hand with our efforts to tackle inequality. We are determined to dismantle the barriers which prevent under-represented groups from participating fully in daily and public life.\r\nCurrently, the Scottish Parliament does not have the power to introduce mandatory targets or quotas to achieve increased diversity of political representation in Scotland.\r\nTherefore we are working with representatives from the women’s movement – including Women 50:50 – the disability movement, and minority ethnic and LGBTI communities to identify how we can address their under-representation in politics and in public life. An initial meeting took place in November 2015 and a second meeting is scheduled for February 2016.\r\nWe have provided funding from the Equality Fund and the Community Empowerment Fund to support disabled people to participate in politics. The Access to Politics for Disabled People project will offer a programme of direct, practical (non-financial) support to disabled candidates standing for any party or as independent in the 2016 election, to prospective candidates for the 2017 local government elections. The project will be run by Inclusion Scotland, on a pilot basis until March 2016.\r\nThis builds on previous work commissioned by the Scottish Government (both delivered by Inclusion Scotland) to explore barriers to elected office for disabled people, and how to address them. This included a pilot parliamentary internship scheme which aimed to open up access to politics for disabled people, and increase employability.\r\nThe Scottish Government is working in close partnership with Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights to develop a new race equality framework for Scotland, which will set out the government’s approach to promoting race equality and tackling racism and inequality between 2016 and 2030.\r\nThe framework will set out how the Scottish Government will work in partnership with its agencies and other key stakeholders to address a wide range of opportunities for progress in six key areas of work, including participation and representation. The Scottish Government is considering a specific action to increase diversity of political representation for inclusion in the framework.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309460,"EventID":"S4W-29308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:39:02.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T21:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in meeting the target of ensuring that ministerial public appointments are more diverse and reflective of the population, as set out in its Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming Report 2015.","AnswerText":"The following table sets out the comparison between the figures for the year to December 2014 compared to the figures for the year to January 2013:\r\nRegulated appointments\r\nYear to 31 Jan 2013 %\r\nYear to 31 Dec 2014 %\r\n\r\nApplicants\r\nAppointed\r\nApplicants\r\nAppointed\r\nWomen\r\n30.5\r\n39.2\r\n38.2\r\n45.8\r\nDisabled people\r\n14.1\r\n12.4\r\n10.4\r\n7.5\r\nMinority ethnic people**\r\n4.9\r\n6.2\r\n4.7\r\n*\r\nAge under 50\r\n21.2\r\n22.7\r\n29.8\r\n24.9\r\nLGB\r\n2.6\r\n6.2\r\n4.0\r\n*\r\nChristian\r\n50\r\nnot known\r\n49.9\r\n50.8\r\nNon-Christian\r\n3.9\r\nnot known\r\n3.5\r\n*\r\n*Values for less than five have been supressed to decrease the risk of disclosure of information about individuals. \r\n**'Minority ethnic' covers the non-white broad ethnic groups: African, Caribbean or Black; Asian, Asian Scottish and Asian British; mixed or multiple ethnic group; other ethnic group.\r\nThe ‘Delivering Diversity’ section (pp. 35-41) of the 2014-15 Annual Report of the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland sets out further analysis of the figures and a commentary on progress. It is available here: http://www.ethicalstandards.org.uk/publications/publication/770/cespls-annual-report-201415\r\nFigures for the 12 month period from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015 are currently being collated and analysed; a progress report will be available by the end of February 2016 on the Appointed for Scotland website: www.appointed-for-scotland.org","AnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309461,"EventID":"S4W-29309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:39:04.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-13T21:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy has had with the Scottish Local Government Partnership about the 2016-17 budget.","AnswerText":"I have had no direct discussions with the Scottish Local Government Partnership (SLGP) about the 2016-17 budget as I have made it clear that I will only negotiate the local government finance settlement with COSLA. Representatives of the SLGP have however been active in the consultation process on the distribution of the 2016-17 local government finance settlement.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309462,"EventID":"S4W-29310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:39:06.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Scottish Drug Strategy Delivery Commission was abolished and whether it plans to replace it.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials, members of the Drug Strategy Delivery Commission (DSDC) and other stakeholders reviewed the functions of the commission as well as those of the other groups which made up the drugs advisory landscape at that time. A joint decision was taken that the original work of the DSDC had been concluded and that a new approach was required going forward.\r\nThe work of the DSDC was concluded in November 2014. Since then, Scottish Government officials have been working closely with key stakeholders to develop a new ‘Partnership for Action on Drugs in Scotland’ (PADS) group which will work collaboratively with us, while also leading and guiding the sector going forward. This group was officially launched at its first meeting on Tuesday 19 January 2016.\r\nThe PADS group will also oversee and direct three new groups which will focus on building recovery-centred communities and tackling stigma (led by Celia Tennant, Chief Executive of Inspiring Scotland); quality and consistency of service planning and delivery (led by Colin Sloey, Director of Strategic Planning and Performance and Deputy Chief Executive in NHS Lanarkshire and Chair of Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership); and minimising wider harms identified from problem drug use and to reduce drug-related deaths (led by Roy Robertson, Professor of Addiction Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and GP at Muirhouse Medical Group in Edinburgh).","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309463,"EventID":"S4W-29311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:39:06.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T10:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on setting up the computer system that is being used to deal with the new common agricultural policy payment scheme and how long it took to (a) devise and (b) implement the system.","AnswerText":"The new IT system was a requirement from the European Union as part of the new common agricultural policy (CAP) reform. The cost of the IT system and the associated aspects, including staff training and communications, has been estimated at £178 million over the lifetime of the 2015-19 CAP programme and will process payments worth around £4 billion. The cost of the system equates to around 4% of the value of payments processed through the system.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309464,"EventID":"S4W-29313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:39:07.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for the new common agricultural policy payment scheme each local authority has (a) received and (b) processed.","AnswerText":"Local authorities do not deal with common agricultural policy (CAP) payments, these are processed across our area offices. The number of single application forms received is as follows, and they are all currently being processed:\r\nAyr: 2,045\r\nBenbecula: 696\r\nDumfries: 1,613\r\nElgin: 550\r\nGalashiels: 1,832\r\nGolspie: 516\r\nHamilton: 857\r\nInverness: 1,600\r\nInverurie: 3,120\r\nKirkwall: 757\r\nLerwick: 936\r\nOban: 1,114\r\nPerth: 2,915\r\nPortree: 569\r\nStornoway: 1,108\r\nThurso: 814","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309465,"EventID":"S4W-29314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:39:08.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland will provide an update on its (a) summary of current position and (b) technical capability listed in its smart and integrated ticketing delivery strategy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to its vision that all journeys on Scotland’s bus, rail, ferry, subway and tram can be made using a single type of smart ticketing. Good progress is being made to deliver this vision, summarised by mode below.\r\nRail – We have made sure that the new franchise contract requires smart tickets to be rolled out across the whole network, for all types of ticket. ScotRail is delivering a significant programme to make this possible. For example, smart season tickets are to be available across the whole network in spring 2016. By 2018, more than 60% of ScotRail journeys must use smart tickets.\r\nSubway – Smart tickets are already in use on the Glasgow Subway, and shortly it will be possible to use the same type of smart card on both the subway and ScotRail.\r\nFerries – We have already completed successful user trials. The next Clyde and Hebrides ferry contract will require smart tickets to be available for foot passengers.\r\nAir – In June 2015, Orkney Islands Council introduced the first ITSO smart ticketing product for air travel in the UK permitting 12 free return journeys from either Pappa Westray or North Ronaldsay to Kirkwall Airport, for eligible residents.\r\nBus – More than 1.3 million smart concessionary travel cards have been issued which can be used across the two hundred and thirty bus operators in Scotland who participate in the free bus concessionary travel scheme.\r\nBuilding on this investment, the main Scottish bus operators have agreed that they will work to help deliver the vision of compatible smart ticketing across all modes in Scotland with a programme that dovetail’s with Scotrail’s plans. New inter-operator smart bus ticketing schemes are to be introduced soon in Scotland’s major city regions.\r\nTechnical capability – ITSO is the ticketing system being used to ensure compatibility between operators and modes. In particular, ITSO version 2.1.4 has been agreed between operators as the appropriate standard. Some operators are also offering various phone based smart ticketing to customers. The potential in future to add contactless “EMV” bank card transactions to the capability of the Scottish system is also being explored.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309466,"EventID":"S4W-29315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:39:09.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24147 by Derek Mackay on 5 February 2015, how much it has paid to each bus company through the (a) national concessionary travel schemes, (b) Bus Investment Fund and the (c) Scottish Green Bus Fund in each of the last five years, and what funding is included in the 2016-17 draft budget, also for the Bus Service Operators Grant.","AnswerText":"(a) In terms of the total reimbursement made to bus operators under the concessionary travel schemes, the following payments have been made:\r\n\r\nOlder and Disabled Persons Scheme\r\nYoung Persons Concessionary Travel Scheme\r\n2010-11\r\n£174,713,261.43\r\n£1,036,774.37\r\n2011-12\r\n£190,476,061.13\r\n£1,241,527.38\r\n2012-13\r\n£197,140,584.76\r\n£1,401,119.86\r\n2013-14\r\n£188,632,026.11\r\n£1,445,770.10\r\n2014-15\r\n£189,355,647.92\r\n£1,272,170.85\r\nTransport Scotland actively publishes monthly details of all items of expenditure of a value of £25,000 or over. This information is available at \r\nwww.transportscotland.gov.uk/about-us/expenditure/reports.\r\nReleasing detailed concessionary travel reimbursement payment information can in some cases disclose the financial and business viability of individual smaller bus operators which could subsequently be used unfairly by a competitor to its advantage. Taking this into consideration, we are unable to provide the level of detail requested.\r\n(b) No bus company has received any funding directly through the Bus Investment Fund.\r\n(c) In terms of the Scottish Green Bus Fund, a document showing payments to operators for the last five years has been placed in the Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (Bib. number 56719).\r\nIn relation to the level of funding included in the 2016-17 draft budget, I can confirm that £207.8 million has been allocated to the concessionary travel schemes, £50 million for the Bus Service Operators Grant with no specific funding having been allocated to the Bus Investment Fund. The Scottish Green Bus Fund comes from the Future Transport Fund (FTF), however the precise amounts available in 2016-17 for the different elements supported by the FTF have not yet been agreed.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309467,"EventID":"S4W-29316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:39:10.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much subsidy it has paid to each (a) ferry, (b) rail, (c) subway and (d) tram company in each of the last five years and what funding is included in the 2016-17 draft budget.","AnswerText":"The following shows how much subsidy the Scottish Government has paid in each of the last five years and the funding included in the 2016-17 draft budget for ferry, rail, subway and tram services.\r\n(a) Ferry services\r\nThe following table provides details of the subsidy support from financial years 2011-12 to 2014-15 together with the latest forecast outturn figures, as at December 2015, for financial year 2015-16. The 2016-17 Draft Budget provides for £156.0 million subsidy in respect of support for ferry services.\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16 (forecast)\r\nat December 2015\r\n\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\nCalMac Ferries Ltd\r\n71,640\r\n71,339\r\n89,617\r\n106,105\r\n123,357\r\nSerco Northlink Ferries\r\n42,344\r\n41,253\r\n37,507\r\n35,974\r\n32,075\r\nArgyll Ferries Ltd\r\n2,765\r\n1,573\r\n3,340\r\n3,110\r\n3,378\r\nArgyll and Bute Council\r\n-\r\n-\r\n40\r\n40\r\n40\r\nShetland Line\r\n522\r\n644\r\n629\r\n67\r\n- \r\nKerrera Ferry Ltd\r\n-\r\n-\r\n85\r\n72\r\n171\r\nCowal Ferries Ltd\r\n771\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n(b) Rail\r\nThe following table provides details of the subsidy support from financial years 2011-12 to 2014-15 together with the latest forecast outturn figures, as at December 2015, for financial year 2015-16. The 2016-17 Draft Budget provides for £265.9 million subsidy in respect of support for rail services.\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16 (forecast)\r\nat December 2015\r\n\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\nFirst Scotrail\r\n305,318\r\n452,520\r\n492,216\r\n246,100\r\n-\r\nSerco Caledonian Sleeper\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n20,491\r\nAbellio Scotrail\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n295,127\r\n(c) Subway\r\nThe Scottish Government does not provide direct subsidy support for subway funding. The Scottish Government provides capital funding to Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) to deliver its capital programme and to assist with the maintenance of the Glasgow Subway. Since financial year 2011-12, SPT has been expected to use at least £6 million of this capital grant towards the subway modernisation programme each year.\r\nThe Scottish Government is also committed to provide up to £246 million in capital funding towards SPT’s subway modernisation programme and in 2011-12, SPT was provided with £15 million towards the subway modernisation.\r\nThe 2016-17 Draft Budget provides for £20 million capital funding towards SPT’s subway modernisation programme.\r\n(d) Trams\r\nThe Scottish Government does not provide subsidy funding to any tram company. The Scottish Government did however provide £500 million capital funding contribution to City of Edinburgh Council towards the Edinburgh Tram Project from the date of its commencement to 31 March 2014.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309468,"EventID":"S4W-29317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:39:11.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress (a) First, (b) Stagecoach, (c) Lothian Buses, (d) McGills and (e) National Express Dundee has reported to Transport Scotland in developing new smart and integrated ticketing.","AnswerText":"All bus operators in Scotland accept the National Entitlement Card on a smart basis in order to deliver the Scottish Government's concessionary travel schemes.\r\nSpecifically, in conjunction with the Confederation of Passenger Transport, the five major operators (as detailed above) have committed to work to achieve ITSO standard 2.1.4 capable smart ticketing equipment during the course of 2016. \r\nThis latest ITSO standard provides the building block that allows integrated smart ticketing on a single card. The five operators listed have committed to a phased roll out of integrated smart ticketing in Scotland's major city regions starting with Aberdeen, followed with Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh.\r\nMore details are available in the National Transport Strategy Refresh document which was published on 21 January 2016 and there will be further operator specific press releases during 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309469,"EventID":"S4W-29318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:39:12.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it has provided to (a) First, (b) Stagecoach, (c) Lothian Buses, (d) McGills and (e) National Express Dundee for the development of new smart and integrated ticketing.","AnswerText":"In order to support smart and integrated ticketing, all Scottish bus operators were provided with ITSO compliant Electronic Ticketing Machines during the initial roll out which was started in 2006 and completed in August 2010. The total cost associated with this roll out was £40.79 million for all operators including First, Stagecoach, Lothian Buses, McGills and National Express Dundee.\r\nIn relation to the bus operators listed in the question, Transport Scotland has since provided grant aid funding support to McGill’s Bus Service Limited for the Glasgow to Largs (via Greenock) corridor to use upgraded smart ticketing machines. That grant aid funding amounted to £64,368. Transport Scotland is also in the process of providing support to McGills to enable a commercial smart ticketing project. The cost of this is a contribution worth approximately £200 in respect of a supply of smartcards.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309470,"EventID":"S4W-29319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:39:12.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has (a) committed and (b) spent to develop the saltire card in each of the last five years and what funding is included in the 2016-17 draft budget, broken down by budget line.","AnswerText":"The National Entitlement Card (NEC), sometimes referred to as the Saltire Card includes the Young Scot Card and other service brands. The NEC has had the capability of holding smart tickets from its inception.\r\nThe following table represents grant figures awarded by the Scottish Government in respect of on-going card management support services: \r\nYear\r\nGrant\r\n2011-12\r\n£1,443,647.00\r\n2012-13\r\n£1,388,600.00\r\n2013-14\r\n£1,388,600.00\r\n2014-15\r\n£1,799,510.00\r\n2015-16\r\n£2,144,500.00\r\nA budget of £2.8 million in 2016-17 is available for the development of the Scottish smart and integrated ticketing system which will make use of the NEC.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309471,"EventID":"S4W-29320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:39:13.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the findings are of the annual review of road equivalent tariff fares since 2012.","AnswerText":"In 2012, following a review by Transport Scotland, and based on independent contemporary research, the variable element of the road equivalent tariff (RET) car formula, the rate per mile, was updated to £0.80 per mile. A comparable increase was made to the variable element of the RET formula for foot passengers, which was updated to £0.13 per mile. The comparable figures in the original RET formula applied in 2008 were £0.60 per mile for cars and £0.10 per mile for passengers. The fixed elements of the original RET formula, £5.00 for cars and £2.00 for passenger, were not increased in 2012.\r\nSince 2012, Transport Scotland has been annually reviewing the RET formula. There have been no changes made to the RET formula since that date. However, modest increases in line with inflation have been applied to RET fares on an annual basis. On 6 October 2015 I announced a freeze for all ferry fares for 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309472,"EventID":"S4W-29324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:39:14.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason horse passport issuing organisations can charge owners different rates.","AnswerText":"The cost of an equine passport is an individual decision of the private sector equine organisations that have been authorised to issue them. The owner of the equine has the choice of which passport issuing organisation to use.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309473,"EventID":"S4W-29327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T13:39:15.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many unimplemented planning permissions there have been in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309481,"EventID":"S4W-29328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T16:33:25.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T13:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many modern apprentices in the oil and gas sector have been made redundant each year, and what information it has regarding how many subsequently found (a) a new position in the sector, and at what level, (b) a modern apprenticeship elsewhere and (c) other employment or training.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309482,"EventID":"S4W-29329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T16:33:26.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T13:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27023 by Roseanna Cunningham on 26 August 2015, whether it will provide an update on how many modern apprentices in the offshore oil and gas sector have been hired using the Adopt an Apprentice scheme.","AnswerText":"As explained in the response to S4W-27023, the figures for the enhanced oil and gas Adopt an Apprentice offer relate to the sector as a whole; it is not possible to provide figures relating to offshore employers only.\r\nAs at 19 January 2016, Skills Development Scotland has approved 21 applications for support through the enhanced Adopt an Apprentice offer.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309483,"EventID":"S4W-29330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T16:33:27.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T13:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs have been secured through the work of the Energy Jobs Taskforce.","AnswerText":"The oil and gas sector faces a range of challenges as a result of the lower oil price. Within this context, if was agreed that the Energy Jobs Taskforce would implement a co-ordinated response to ensure Scotland retains, and where possible grows, the level of employment, skills and talent which supports Scotland’s internationally competitive energy industry.\r\nWhilst it is difficult to exactly quantify the exact number of jobs safeguarded and secured there has been a huge amount of work undertaken to support the thousands of individuals impacted by the slowdown, as well as various initiatives to enhance leadership and efficiencies. The taskforce has, at the request of its industry members, taken a longer-term look at the structural challenges of the industry. This has led to a number of initiatives that will lay the foundations for improvements across a wide range of action areas to support supply chain best practice, increase standardisation, enhance leadership, encourage more collaborative behaviours among different parts of the industry and drive cost efficiencies.\r\nExamples of the work of the taskforce includes:\r\nA ground breaking cross-sector workshop, attended by more than 70 industry leaders in Aberdeen in May 2015, led by BP's Trevor Garlick and Andy Samuel, Chief Executive of the Oil and Gas Authority; this led to a set of commitments that seeks to tackle some of the underlying behavioural issues impacting on progress by the industry. A follow up to this event ‘one year on’ is planned for May 2016.\r\nThe Elevator Fresh Starts Business Start Up support programme has seen 24 new businesses in the north east, this includes intensive support from experienced mentors; and 32 companies attended a sales leadership event in August 2015 in Aberdeen.\r\nScottish Enterprise and Highlands and Island’s Enterprise have run five resilience events which have provided practical help and assistance to the supply chain to help them react to the current circumstances and to thrive in the long term. A sixth event is scheduled to take place in Aberdeen on 1 April 2016.\r\n156 delegates have attended executive leadership events in Aberdeen over the last six months providing attendees with the opportunity to hear from international business leaders and experts and helping to equip them with practical tools and the confidence to adapt to the changes ahead. This includes the most recent workshop on prioritising productivity to drive growth, competitiveness and profitability delivered in September 2015 in Aberdeen.\r\nOrganisation of a conference focusing on cultural change and learning from various industry sectors took place in October 2015, this was attended by 109 delegates.\r\nThe creation of ‘Alternatives to Redundancy’ workshops, two workshops were delivered on 4 September 2015 with input from the Chartered Institute of Professional Development.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309484,"EventID":"S4W-29331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-14T16:33:28.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T14:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the maintenance budget has been for each vessel in the CalMac fleet in each year since 2006.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309489,"EventID":"S4W-29332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-15T15:41:12.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost to farmers of the recent flooding.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have been proactive to visit those communities affected by recent flooding events. I have visited a number of farm businesses and engaged directly with NFU Scotland. The agriculture wet weather group has been a valuable forum for engaging with industry to understand impacts and appropriate actions. On 9 January 2016 the First Minister announced a support package that will help land managers through:\r\nProviding funding to local authorities to allow them to make payments of £1,500 for households, businesses, charities and community groups affected by flooding. Local authorities which have suffered the most damage as a result of the flooding have been allocated a share of the fund, however, people in any part of Scotland who have suffered flood damage as a result of the severe weather can apply for a grant, with the Scottish Government meeting the cost.\r\nA flat rate grant payment of £3,000 to businesses in any part of Scotland where there is evidence that their ability to trade has been severely impacted by the flooding in December 2015 and January 2016. The grant will be a one-off payment to offset costs which cannot be covered by existing insurance, for example clean-up costs, materials and exceptional costs to help the business restore trade, such as marketing and promotion. This will be funded by the Scottish Government in addition to the local authority allocations.\r\nAn Agricultural Floodbank Restoration Grant Scheme of up to £1 million for the farming community to seek financial support to restore damaged floodbanks.\r\nIn addition on 11 January 2016 I announced a number of practical measures to help farmers affected by recent flooding, including flexibility on greening and cross compliance rules, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency taking a pragmatic approach to getting things back to normal, and the publication of flooding restoration ‘top tips’.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309490,"EventID":"S4W-29333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-15T15:41:13.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what compensation and support it will provide to farms bordering the River Dee that have been flooded.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29332 on 22 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309491,"EventID":"S4W-29335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-15T15:41:14.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-15T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will set out the detailed remit for its review of business rates announced in the Draft Budget 2016-17; who will conduct the review, and in what timescale.","AnswerText":"The review of business rates will aim to ensure Scotland’s system minimises the barrier to investment, is responsive to economic conditions and supports long-term economic growth and investment.\r\nFurther details, including timescales and who will conduct the review, will be confirmed in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309492,"EventID":"S4W-29338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-15T15:41:15.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-15T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each local authority holds in reserves.","AnswerText":"The following tables show the amount of revenue and capital reserves held by each local authority as at 31 March 2014.\r\nReserves at 31 March 2014 by Local Authority\r\n\r\n\r\n£ thousands\r\n\r\nRevenue Reserves\r\n\r\nGeneral Fund\r\nHousing Revenue Account\r\nRenewal and Repairs\r\nInsurance Fund\r\nOther Statutory Funds\r\nTotal Revenue Reserves\r\nScotland\r\n1,088,534\r\n118,079\r\n163,782\r\n82,645\r\n329,818\r\n1,782,858\r\nCouncil Total\r\n1,069,150\r\n118,079\r\n163,782\r\n82,645\r\n329,818\r\n1,763,474\r\nAberdeen City\r\n57,147\r\n11,091\r\n5\r\n2,173\r\n364\r\n70,780\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n57,491\r\n2,000\r\n4,959\r\n1,181\r\n0\r\n65,631\r\nAngus\r\n19,838\r\n3,181\r\n3,895\r\n567\r\n0\r\n27,481\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n44,042\r\n0\r\n1,025\r\n0\r\n0\r\n45,067\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n12,017\r\n3,093\r\n0\r\n1,234\r\n0\r\n16,344\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n58,424\r\n0\r\n1,210\r\n2,599\r\n0\r\n62,233\r\nDundee City\r\n8,070\r\n0\r\n6,253\r\n700\r\n0\r\n15,023\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n28,027\r\n6,342\r\n6,735\r\n0\r\n0\r\n41,104\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n11,313\r\n844\r\n1,482\r\n0\r\n0\r\n13,639\r\nEast Lothian\r\n9,187\r\n2,056\r\n0\r\n1,520\r\n0\r\n12,763\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n14,918\r\n507\r\n9,416\r\n1,714\r\n0\r\n26,555\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n123,309\r\n0\r\n21,936\r\n0\r\n0\r\n145,245\r\nEilean Siar\r\n18,310\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n18,310\r\nFalkirk\r\n25,757\r\n5,093\r\n4,371\r\n4,569\r\n0\r\n39,790\r\nFife\r\n85,026\r\n2,006\r\n0\r\n3,588\r\n0\r\n90,620\r\nGlasgow City\r\n32,789\r\n0\r\n15,234\r\n15,131\r\n36,292\r\n99,446\r\nHighland\r\n40,317\r\n7,354\r\n1,668\r\n2,409\r\n0\r\n51,748\r\nInverclyde\r\n42,890\r\n0\r\n2,727\r\n4,277\r\n0\r\n49,894\r\nMidlothian\r\n20,526\r\n18,624\r\n2,553\r\n0\r\n0\r\n41,703\r\nMoray\r\n21,381\r\n1,126\r\n2,651\r\n1,367\r\n0\r\n26,525\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n25,155\r\n8,724\r\n2,614\r\n3,299\r\n0\r\n39,792\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n75,021\r\n9,577\r\n1,122\r\n11,658\r\n0\r\n97,378\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n23,768\r\n0\r\n2,917\r\n0\r\n196,784\r\n223,469\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n48,210\r\n907\r\n412\r\n3,410\r\n0\r\n52,939\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n52,925\r\n11,245\r\n2,856\r\n0\r\n0\r\n67,026\r\nScottish Borders\r\n17,136\r\n0\r\n300\r\n1,362\r\n0\r\n18,798\r\nShetland Islands\r\n13,860\r\n0\r\n56,703\r\n228\r\n96,378\r\n167,169\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n22,926\r\n13,445\r\n6,312\r\n425\r\n0\r\n43,108\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n13,387\r\n6,055\r\n2,859\r\n6,097\r\n0\r\n28,398\r\nStirling\r\n13,299\r\n236\r\n1,199\r\n944\r\n0\r\n15,678\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n10,113\r\n3,647\r\n368\r\n0\r\n0\r\n14,128\r\nWest Lothian\r\n22,571\r\n926\r\n0\r\n12,193\r\n0\r\n35,690\r\nAyrshire Valuation Joint Board (VJB)\r\n201\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n201\r\nCentral VJB\r\n764\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n764\r\nDunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute VJB\r\n471\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n471\r\nGrampian VJB\r\n196\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n196\r\nHighland and Western Isles VJB\r\n133\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n133\r\nLanarkshire VJB\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nLothian VJB\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nOrkney and Shetland VJB\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nRenfrewshire VJB\r\n464\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n464\r\nTayside VJB\r\n103\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n103\r\nForth Estuary Transport\r\n3,118\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3,118\r\nTay Road Bridge\r\n1,161\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1,161\r\nHITRANS\r\n241\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n241\r\nNESTRANS\r\n6\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n6\r\nSESTRAN\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSWESTRANS\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSPT\r\n12,526\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n12,526\r\nTACTRAN\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nZetTrans\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\n\r\nCapital Reserves\r\n\r\nCapital Fund\r\nCapital Receipts\r\nCapital Grants Unapplied\r\nTotal Capital Reserves\r\nScotland\r\n443,539\r\n30,455\r\n85,464\r\n559,458\r\nCouncil Total\r\n443,467\r\n27,448\r\n53,312\r\n524,227\r\nAberdeen City\r\n47,650\r\n0\r\n97\r\n47,747\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n14,028\r\n684\r\n2,744\r\n17,456\r\nAngus\r\n414\r\n13\r\n18\r\n445\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n3,460\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3,460\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n0\r\n3,706\r\n0\r\n3,706\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n2,343\r\n700\r\n0\r\n3,043\r\nDundee City\r\n673\r\n0\r\n6,944\r\n7,617\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n8,435\r\n0\r\n0\r\n8,435\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n12,496\r\n0\r\n0\r\n12,496\r\nEast Lothian\r\n2,589\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2,589\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n26,413\r\n0\r\n0\r\n26,413\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n25,836\r\n0\r\n1,993\r\n27,829\r\nEilean Siar\r\n156\r\n44\r\n285\r\n485\r\nFalkirk\r\n0\r\n5,055\r\n4,373\r\n9,428\r\nFife\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nGlasgow City\r\n5,601\r\n0\r\n29,878\r\n35,479\r\nHighland\r\n31,703\r\n1,884\r\n0\r\n33,587\r\nInverclyde\r\n940\r\n0\r\n0\r\n940\r\nMidlothian\r\n10,658\r\n0\r\n0\r\n10,658\r\nMoray\r\n0\r\n797\r\n68\r\n865\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n15,082\r\n0\r\n0\r\n15,082\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n19,007\r\n0\r\n2,762\r\n21,769\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n508\r\n0\r\n20\r\n528\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n15,832\r\n1,833\r\n102\r\n17,767\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n22,543\r\n3,208\r\n0\r\n25,751\r\nScottish Borders\r\n6,922\r\n0\r\n0\r\n6,9","AnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309493,"EventID":"S4W-29339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-15T15:41:15.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-15T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the expected revenue loss is from proposals to halve and then abolish air passenger duty, broken down by year.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government plans to use the devolution of powers over air passenger duty (APD) to Scotland to put in place new arrangements which will help to boost Scotland's international connectivity and economic competitiveness. To support these objectives, we will reduce the burden of APD in Scotland by 50%. The reduction will begin when a Scottish replacement tax is introduced in April 2018 and will be delivered in full by the end of the next Scottish Parliament. We will abolish the tax entirely when resources allow. The costs associated with this policy will be subject to decisions yet to be taken on how a Scottish replacement tax is designed and structured, how the 50% reduction is implemented, the impact of recent and future changes to UK APD, and future growth in passenger numbers.\r\nThe Scottish Government plans to publish a policy consultation paper seeking views on how a Scottish replacement tax should be designed and structured to best support our strategic objectives, building on the work of the stakeholder forum which we established in August 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309494,"EventID":"S4W-29340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-15T15:41:17.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-15T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of future changes to the block grant under UK Government spending plans, broken down by year.","AnswerText":"The Chancellor of the Exchequer's spending plans for the period 2016-17 to 2019-20 mean that the Scottish Government's total discretionary budget will, by 2019-20, be around 12.5 per cent, or £3.9 billion, lower in real terms than it was in 2010-11.\r\nThe Draft Budget 2016-17 provides a full year by year breakdown of the UK Government Spending Review allocation for the Scottish Budget up to 2019-20.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309495,"EventID":"S4W-29341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-15T15:41:18.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-15T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will set out its detailed longer term plans regarding  income  tax.","AnswerText":"As I announced to the Parliament on 16 December 2015, the Scottish Government will set out its intentions with regard to income tax ahead of the dissolution of Parliament at the end of March 2016. This is, however, subject to reaching an agreement with the UK Government on a new fiscal framework to support the Scotland Bill 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309496,"EventID":"S4W-29342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-15T15:41:20.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-15T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what areas of spending it plans to (a) protect and (b) increase in real terms in the future.","AnswerText":"It will be for an incoming administration later this year to decide upon future spending plans. However, if re-elected in May 2016, this government's commitments include real terms increases in the NHS budget and real terms protection to the frontline police resource budget for the duration of the next parliamentary session.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309497,"EventID":"S4W-29343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-15T15:41:21.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-15T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will set out detailed plans for the reform of local government funding.","AnswerText":"As I set out in my 2016-17 Draft Budget statement to Parliament on 16 December 2015, the Scottish Government will bring forward plans for reform of the present council tax, reflecting the principles of the Commission on Local Tax Reform’s report; enter into a consultation with local government about the possible future assignation of a proportion of income tax receipts, thereby giving local authorities an incentive to boost economic growth in their areas; and launch a review of the non-domestic rates system in Scotland, before the end of the current parliamentary term.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309498,"EventID":"S4W-29344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-15T15:41:23.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-15T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) the real-terms reduction in the local government budget, inclusive of police and fire allocations is, and (b) its departmental expenditure limit (DEL) and non-domestic rates income (NDRI) budget has been and is between 2008-09 and 2016-17.","AnswerText":"The relevant draft budget figures show that local government funding has reduced in real terms between 2008-09 and 2016-17 by 8.3 per cent. The Scottish Government's total departmental expenditure limit (DEL) plus non-domestic rates income (NDRI) budget has reduced in real terms by 5.3 per cent over the same period.\r\nThis comparison reflects the year-on-year protection given to the health budget which has increased by 3.8 per cent in real terms over the same period. If the health budget is excluded from the DEL plus NDRI total then the remainder of the Scottish Budget has reduced by 10.4 per cent in real terms showing that local government has been given a degree of protection compared to all other non-health budgets.\r\nThe 2016-17 local government funding figures have been adjusted for the removal of police and fire funding and the re-profiling of the 2016-17 capital funding but have not been adjusted to reflect the additional £250 million the Scottish Government intends to invest in integrating health and social care services which will have a positive effect on local authority budgets.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309499,"EventID":"S4W-29345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-15T15:41:24.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-15T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has estimated the growth in annual managed expenditure over the next parliamentary session and, if so, what that growth is, broken down by year.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold a complete projection for all areas of annually managed expenditure (AME) beyond those published for 2016-17. The Office of Budget Responsibility does publish AME projections, including consideration of the position for the Scottish NHS and teachers pensions and Scottish student loans as part of their Economic and fiscal outlook, the latest version of which is available at: http://budgetresponsibility.org.uk/economic-fiscal-outlook-november-2015-3/.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309500,"EventID":"S4W-29346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-15T15:41:26.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-15T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the reason is for the cash reduction in its 2016-17 draft budget in light of HM Treasury allocations suggesting a rise in cash terms.","AnswerText":"There is a cash reduction in the total DEL resources available to the Scottish Government in 2015-16 compared to 2016-17, taking into account the HM Treasury allocation and factors such as the reduction in the ring fenced non-cash DEL budget that covers the costs of student loans and the addition in 2015-16 of resources carried forward by the Scottish Government through the budget exchange arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309501,"EventID":"S4W-29347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-15T15:41:27.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-15T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has planned a real-terms increase or decrease in the education and lifelong learning budget in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"The Draft Budget 2016-17 provides a full breakdown of portfolio budgets, including Education and Lifelong Learning, in both cash and real terms.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309502,"EventID":"S4W-29348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-15T15:41:28.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-15T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it continues to forecast an oil price of around $70 a barrel between 2016-17 and 2019-20, as set out in the Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin - June 2015.","AnswerText":"The Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin in June 2015 did not contain Scottish Government oil price forecasts. All oil price forecasts reported in the bulletin were produced by the Office for Budget Responsibility as part of their March 2015 economic and fiscal outlook.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309503,"EventID":"S4W-29350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-15T15:41:30.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-15T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the new chairperson of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","AnswerText":"Ministers confirmed formally the appointment of Bob Downes as Chair of the Board of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and of Martin Hill as a board member, on 15 January 2016. Further details are available at http://www.appointed-for-scotland.org/news.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309507,"EventID":"S4W-29321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T13:43:50.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Orders for Lifelong Restriction have been issued since they were introduced.","AnswerText":"Based on data provided by the Risk Management Authority as at 21 January 2016, there have been 151 Orders for Lifelong Restriction imposed since they were introduced. ","AnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309508,"EventID":"S4W-29322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T13:43:51.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-14T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures are available to Scottish courts to monitor the finances of someone convicted of being involved in organised crime.","AnswerText":"Scottish courts, in themselves, do not have any powers to monitor the finances of individuals convicted of being involved in organised crime.\r\nHowever, the Crown Office can apply to the court, following investigation and the gathering of evidence, to make or vary orders relating to an individual's finances, and where necessary to recover money from the individual to satisfy an order.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309509,"EventID":"S4W-29349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T13:43:52.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-15T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the monthly cost is of the Historical Child Abuse Inquiry Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Historical Child Abuse Inquiry intends to proactively publish expenditure on the inquiry's website https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot. This will be done on a quarterly basis.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309510,"EventID":"S4W-29351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T13:43:52.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-17T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice is provided to cyclists and walkers regarding safety when cycling or walking on rural roads.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that pedestrians and cyclists are some of our most vulnerable road users, and works with partners to provide education, advice and publicity campaigns promoting safe practices on all road types, including those in rural settings.\r\nScotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 contains a range of measures to reduce the risks to vulnerable road users and our life-long learning approach means this begins with our young people, such as through Road Safety Scotland’s education materials available to every school, and funding for on-road cycling training through the Bikeability Scotland programme for school pupils.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309511,"EventID":"S4W-29352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T13:43:53.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T10:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how the apprenticeship levy scheme that was announced in the 2015 Autumn Statement will apply to Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the rate and scope of the UK apprenticeship levy that will be implemented from April 2017. The rate for the levy will be set at 0.5% of an employer’s pay-bill. All employers will receive an allowance of £15,000 meaning that the levy will only be payable on pay-bill in excess of £3,000,000 per annum. It includes all employers in private, public and third sectors and will be collected via PAYE.\r\nAs greater clarity emerges from the UK Government on Scotland’s share of the levy, we will work with employers and other stakeholders to explore how the introduction of the levy will align with Scotland’s successful apprenticeship programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309518,"EventID":"S4T-01281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T12:30:35.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T10:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that plans for a high speed rail link between Glasgow and Edinburgh have been shelved.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309519,"EventID":"S4T-01282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T12:30:32.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will increase protection for people subject to emergency detention under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309520,"EventID":"S4F-03176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T12:30:15.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-15T18:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309521,"EventID":"S4F-03177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T12:30:16.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T09:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding the possible reintroduction of the post-study work visa.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309522,"EventID":"S4F-03179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T12:30:14.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309523,"EventID":"S4F-03180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T12:30:13.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309524,"EventID":"S4F-03181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T12:30:12.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the Resolution Foundation report, The State of Working Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309525,"EventID":"S4F-03190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T12:30:10.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister, in light of the fall in oil prices, when the Scottish Government will publish an updated Oil and Gas Bulletin focusing on the impact on jobs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309532,"EventID":"S4W-29353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T16:41:38.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish details about the future of the Help to Buy scheme.","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights, Mr Alex Neil, launched the Help to Buy (Scotland): Affordable New Build Scheme and the Help to Buy (Scotland): Smaller Developers Scheme on 21 January 2016. The scheme is now open for builder registration and applications will be accepted from 1 March 2016. Further information on scheme criteria has been published on the Scottish Government website.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309533,"EventID":"S4W-29354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T16:41:38.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) average and (b) longest length of time is between incidents occurring and payments being made to local authorities under the Bellwin Scheme.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for making a claim under the Bellwin Scheme rests with the local authority. The Scottish Government's guidance states that an interim claim should be received by the Scottish Government within four months of the incident (or such later date as agreed between the local authority and the Scottish Government). Interim claims represent 90 per cent of the total anticipated claim for additional eligible expenditure and are paid within 15 working days of receipt. Final claims must be externally audited and the remaining payments are again paid within 15 working days.\r\nOf the completed claims referred to in S4W-29249 on 19 January 2016 both the 2009-10 Moray Council claim and the 2012-13 Scottish Borders Council claim were received within the four months deadline and interim payments made also within the four months deadline. The 2009-10 Aberdeenshire Council claim interim payment was paid within six months but this was as a result of Aberdeenshire Council requesting an extension to allow them further time to put together their claim which was agreed to by the Scottish Government.\r\nFinal payments of the 10 per cent element take much longer to bring to account given the need for them to be externally audited and as a result the Scottish Borders Council was made and paid 11 months after the incident; Aberdeenshire Council's claim paid after 16 months and Moray Council's claim paid after 18 months.\r\nThe average interim payment for these claims is therefore 103 days except where the local authority has asked for an extension to the deadline. The longest time taken for a standard claim to be paid the 90 per cent interim payment has been 112 days.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309534,"EventID":"S4W-29355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T16:41:39.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will review the Bellwin Scheme and what the review will include.","AnswerText":"I will consider the operation of the Bellwin Scheme in the light of the recent severe flooding incidents across Scotland, to ensure that it remains effective for the purpose of meeting extraordinary financial issues that arise from such events.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309535,"EventID":"S4W-29356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T16:41:39.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how recent flooding has affected people with private water supplies in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"Information about the impact of flooding specifically on owners and users of private water supplies is not collected or held centrally and the Scottish Government has not had any contact from individual local authorities regarding the impact of the recent flooding on private water supply quality in their area.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309536,"EventID":"S4W-29357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T16:41:40.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T12:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance is available to people with private water supplies who have been affected by flooding.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has announced an aid package to local authorities to enable them to provide support and assistance to those who have been most affected by the recent flooding events. Local authorities are able to provide a grant of £1,500 to every household, business, community group or charitable organisation directly affected by the flooding. No specific, targeted assistance is available to owners and users of private water supplies over and above this funding, but under the existing private water supplies legislation, non-means-tested grants of up to £800 are available for all premises served by a private supply to make improvements to the supply.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309537,"EventID":"S4W-29358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T16:41:40.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T12:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many companies in Scotland were invited to (a) apply for the tendering list and (b) submit a final bid for the new digitalisation programme at the National Library of Scotland.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the National Library of Scotland and the information is not held centrally. I have asked the Chief Executive, Dr John Scally, to write to the Member.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309538,"EventID":"S4W-29359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T16:41:41.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T13:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that more than 900 people were detained in 2015 under the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2003 without the consent of a mental health officer. ","AnswerText":"Emergency detention under the 2003 Act is only permissible where it is necessary as a matter of urgency because of a significant risk to the health, safety or welfare of the patient or the safety of others. Medical practitioners are required to seek agreement from a mental health officer unless it is impractical for them to do so, for example where there is immediate, serious or life-threatening danger to the patient and/or others around the patient.\r\nThe Scottish Government is concerned by low levels of involvement by mental health officers in some areas. Consent by mental health officers is an important safeguard and it is essential that local authorities ensure they have the appropriate levels of staff in place to meet statutory duties.\r\nAs detailed in the answer by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport to question S4T-01282 on 19 January 2015, the Mental Welfare Commission has been asked to undertake analysis of the reasons why the medical practitioner has reported it was impractical for them to consult a mental health officer. Separately, the Scottish Government’s Chief Social Work Adviser has been asked to investigate issues about the shortfall in mental health officers in local authorities with Chief Social Work Officers and I expect him to report back by the end of April 2016.\r\nAll answers to topical parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the Official Report can be viewed at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10317&i=94911","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309539,"EventID":"S4W-29360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T16:41:42.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T13:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have (a) started studying for and (b) graduated with a Mental Health Officer Award (Post Graduate Certificate) in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"In August 2015, the Scottish Social Services Council published its annual Mental Health Officer workforce statistics. The information below, from table 9 in the report, sets out the number of admissions to the Mental Health Officer Award programme as well as the number of trainees who completed their courses. The report is available at the following link: \r\nhttp://data.sssc.uk.com/images/MHO/Mental%20Health%20Officers%20Report%202014.pdf.\r\nYear\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nAdmissions\r\n40\r\n58\r\n61 \r\n41\r\n58\r\nCompletions\r\n28\r\n45\r\n52\r\n40\r\n46\r\nNote: Years refer to academic years – for example, 2009-10 = September 2009 to August 2010.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309540,"EventID":"S4W-29361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T16:41:43.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of farmers has received a partial payment under the new single farm payments system.","AnswerText":"As of 24 February 2016, a total of 8,846 (approx. 49%) payments have been issued to farmers and crofters in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309541,"EventID":"S4W-29366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-18T16:41:44.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the UK Government's position that the EU birds and habitats directives should be implemented better and not reopened for review; what input it had into the decision and, if so, what, and what it considers the implications would be for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to engage with the UK Government (plus the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Assembly) on the European Commission's ‘Fitness Check’ of the birds and habitats directives. This includes contact in advance of the Council of the European Union's Environment Council meeting in December 2015 at which the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Environment and Rural Affairs spoke on this subject. Further to this, recent correspondence with the UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs reiterated our agreement that it would not be appropriate to seek to renegotiate the directives and that we should continue to give our total support to their objectives. If, however, within those parameters, improvements to the implementation and operation of the directives can be made for the benefit of both nature and sustainable economic interests then they should be actively considered where cost-effective. It is also important that any proposals which might emerge from the European Commission, following the conclusion of the Fitness Check evidence-gathering phase, are carefully considered.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s approach to continuing to support the commission’s Fitness Check exercise of the birds and habitats directives is consistent with our broader view that the European Union offers the best international framework to deliver prosperity for the people of Scotland, recognising that being part of the European Union has delivered significant social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits to Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309553,"EventID":"S4W-29273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T13:47:24.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-12T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it selected the list of vulnerable priority species in the Conservation of Vulnerable Priority Species section of the Environmental Co-operation Action Fund; what (a) mechanisms and (b) plans there are to review the list, and how species other than those on it can be protected through the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.","AnswerText":"The list of vulnerable priority species was compiled through a three-step approach:\r\nStep 1: identifying species of international importance: those listed on the annexes of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives or, in the case of curlew, listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list as \"Near Threatened\".\r\nStep 2: identifying species of national importance, having suffered greater than 25 per cent decline in population in Scotland over a 25-year period.\r\nStep 3: reviewing if there was evidence that applying the management options available under the Scottish Rural Development Programme in a coordinated way, at an appropriate scale, could effectively address the decline.\r\nThe list was produced by Scottish Natural Heritage using data compiled to inform decisions on spatial targeting of Agri-Environment Climate Scheme management options that benefit species. The spatial targeting exercise used a much longer list of Scottish Biodiversity List species, to identify which parts of Scotland would benefit the most from particular management options. The list of vulnerable priority species focusses limited resources on those species that are in most urgent need of help, and which require appropriate management to be coordinated across a considerably larger area than individual landholdings.\r\nThe Environmental Cooperation Action Fund and Agri-Environment Climate Scheme will be reviewed on an on-going basis to ensure they achieve their stated outcomes within budget commitments. The Scottish Government has the option to make changes to these schemes by submitting annual proposals for modifications to the European Commission for approval. Scottish Natural Heritage recommends that the current vulnerable priority species list is trialled for several years to assess its effectiveness as a targeting mechanism. \r\nThere are many management options and capital items available through the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme which benefit a wide variety of species, in addition to those recognised as vulnerable priority species. For example, land managed under the habitat mosaics option can provide habitat for invertebrates, small mammals, nesting and feeding birds, and also help to preserve and increase floristic diversity.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309554,"EventID":"S4W-29362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T13:47:25.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T15:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it has provided to the Celtic Connections festival in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"I support Celtic Connections and Showcase Scotland by regularly attending and speaking at their events where she is able to promote the aims and value of the festivals.\r\nSince 2011, Celtic Connections and Showcase Scotland have received funding from\r\nCreative Scotland, the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland and distributes funding on behalf of the Scottish Government and EventScotland, which is part of VisitScotland, Scotland's national tourism organisation.\r\nCreative Scotland funding since 2011\r\nYear\r\nTitle of Project/Activity\r\n(£)\r\n2011\r\nPartnership with Ryder Cup – Preview of Celtic Connections in Chicago (September 2012).\r\n75,000\r\n2012\r\nFlexibly Funded 2012-13\r\n170,000\r\n2013\r\nAnnual Client Funding 2013-14\r\n170,000\r\n2014-15\r\nAnnual Client Funding 2014-15\r\n170,000\r\n2014\r\nShowcase Scotland – Commonwealth project. Showcase of Australian and Indian musicians.\r\n20,000\r\n2014\r\nGaelic and Scots Arts Showcase at Showcase Scotland 2014 (CS-1407-14237)\r\n4,000\r\n2014\r\nGaelic and Scots Arts Showcase at Showcase Scotland 2014 (CS-1401-11757)\r\n4,000\r\n2015-18\r\nRegular Funding 2015-18 (this equates to £183,334 each year)\r\n550,000\r\n2015\r\nGaelic and Scots Arts Showcase at Showcase Scotland 2015\r\n8,000\r\n2016\r\nGaelic and Scots Arts Showcase at Showcase Scotland 2016\r\n8,000\r\n\r\nEventScotland funding since 2011\r\nYear\r\n(£)\r\n2011 \r\n30,000\r\n2012 \r\n36,000\r\n2013 \r\n15,000\r\n2014 \r\n69,200\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309555,"EventID":"S4W-29363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T13:47:26.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T15:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value of the Celtic Connections festival is to the economy.","AnswerText":"An independently run economic impact study was undertaken on behalf of Celtic Connections in 2014 by research consultancy Culture Republic. The study, which conducted a programme of quantitative research using face-to-face administered interviews with festival attendees from 2014, set out the following figures:\r\nCeltic Connections 2014 generated expenditure of £6,017,743 from visitors from Scotland who are not resident in Glasgow; £377,401 from visitors from out with Scotland, and £1,541,002 from visitors resident in Glasgow City.\r\nOnce all organiser costs have been taken into account, the calculation of economic impact has identified that a benefit of £6,401,349.40 (Note: The benefit of £6,401,349.40 does not include the economic contribution from local residents which is calculated to be an additional £1,541,002).\r\nWhen ‘advance impact’ multipliers are applied, Celtic Connections generated £10,754,233.99 of new output to Glasgow and £743,479.97 for Scotland (this is estimated to have generated 132.06 new jobs for one year in Glasgow and 12.58 new jobs for Scotland).","AnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309556,"EventID":"S4W-29364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T13:47:27.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T15:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have taken part each year in the Celtic Connections festival's education programme.","AnswerText":"Celtic Connections have reported, based on their box-office figures, that since 1998 over 220,000 children from all over Scotland have benefited from the Celtic Connections education programme, attending free workshops, concerts and other events in an initiative designed to celebrate and build awareness of their cultural heritage.\r\nEach January, professional Celtic musicians also give free workshops in Glasgow schools, during which children can have a go at playing traditional Celtic instruments such as the bodhran, fiddle, clarsach and whistle, and join in with Scots song and Scottish step dance. These workshops provide children with a vital opportunity to become actively involved with traditional Scottish music. Delivered free of charge, they are completely inclusive, involving young people with special needs and those who have English as a second language.\r\nThe education programme sits at the heart of the festival and aims to educate and enhance the lives of children from across Scotland. Having reached 99% of Glasgow schools, it enables young people to learn about their own tradition and background, as well as introducing them to cultures from across the world.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309557,"EventID":"S4W-29365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T13:47:27.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T15:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes Scotland’s festivals internationally.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government works closely with key delivery partners including Creative Scotland, VisitScotland, British Council Scotland and Festivals Edinburgh alongside individual festivals and cultural organisations to promote a collective international profile on Scottish festivals. Our in-country offices in China, the Americas and Brussels regularly promote festivals and the cultural strengths of Scotland.\r\nScotland’s wide range of festivals are promoted via social media. This includes the Scottish Government’s Scotland.org consumer-facing website which is curated by the Scottish Government to inform and engage a global audience of Scotland’s strengths and impact on the world. Festival content, covering everything from Celtic Connections to Hogmanay, consistently performs well, attracting 91,700 site visits to festival pages in 2015. This content is proactively shared through the Scottish Government's international social media channels \"Scotland’s festivals\" to nearly 200,000 followers and diaspora around the world.\r\nMost recently, Scottish Government collaborated with VisitScotland and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay to host five Chinese bloggers to sample Scotland’s winter festivals – their blog outputs attracted 19 million views to Scotland.org’s associated Weibo page in China.\r\nImagery of Scotland’s festivals continues to lend a plethora of colour to creative work produced, including the \"Welcome to Scotland\" visuals in Scotland’s airports, calendars and events brochures. Festivals are regularly promoted through staff communications to government and public body employees, through international publications and websites such as Arts International, the International Society of the Performing Arts (ISPA) programme.\r\nSome of the larger festivals take part in international ‘road-shows’ to collectively promote Scotland’s festivals to a global audience. Other festivals, such as Celtic Connections, Sounds, St Magnus, East Neuk, etc. work in partnership with national bodies to promote and attract international visitors \r\nCreative Scotland provide funding, in partnership with British Council Scotland, to support festival directors from Scotland to visit festivals around the world. For example, Bloody Scotland recently visited India to make connections and share practice with a number of Indian literature festivals. They also support the directors from a wide range of festivals from around Scotland to network with their colleagues from festivals around the world who come to Edinburgh as a part of the international arts visitor’s programme ‘Momentum’.\r\nA cultural delegation went to New York in January 2016 to promote Scotland’s culture and festivals through: a delegate presence at the ISPA congress; delegate presence at the annual meeting of American Performing Arts Presenters; and, a networking event hosted by the Scottish Government’s Washington office.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309558,"EventID":"S4W-29367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T13:47:28.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many people have been members of angling clubs over the last five years, broken down by (a) ordinary and (b) country membership.","AnswerText":"There is no central register of angling clubs and their membership held in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309559,"EventID":"S4W-29368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T13:47:28.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support house (a) buyers and (b) builders.","AnswerText":"We have a strong record on housing matters across all tenures from rental to home ownership. Since 2007 we have encouraged housing supply, maintaining higher build rates in both affordable and private housing than the rest of the UK. We have exceeded our target to deliver 30,000 affordable homes in this Parliament to own or rent and we have invested £305 million to 2015-16 to support the private sector through the Help to Buy (Scotland) shared equity scheme, including the £30 million Help to Buy (Scotland) Small Developments scheme (intended to support further small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) participation and provide more homes across urban, rural and small town Scotland). Our efforts have also helped all buyers by maintaining price inflation of only 1% since 2008 unlike the average increase of 21% in England. The last published data showed that the average household spent just under 10% of their income on housing costs in Scotland and this has remained constant since 2007.\r\nIn Scotland we expect the private housing market to operate wherever it can without government intervention. However, we do intervene where there are significant market challenges. We have committed to build a further 50,000 affordable homes during the next parliamentary term, if elected, as well as continue with our current initiatives for low cost home ownership. We recently announced a further £195 million to a successor help to buy scheme which will support both buyers and builders over the next three years.\r\nWe also intervene to create conditions to help the private sector to operate effectively working with a range of public and private sector partners to meet the actions in our published Joint Housing Delivery Plan for Scotland. This includes actions such as ongoing work to unblock stalled sites; supporting SME builders; encouraging expansion of supply in the institutional private rented sector as well as broader actions including reviewing the planning system and our action on Land and Buildings Transaction Tax.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309560,"EventID":"S4W-29369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T13:47:29.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether local authorities should disregard the disability element of child tax credits when calculating kinship care allowance entitlement and, if so, whether it plans to amend guidance to reflect this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government issued a letter to all local authorities on 5 October 2015 in relation to kinship care allowances. A local authority may deduct only actual amounts of child related benefits from the allowance it pays to the kinship carer. The Scottish Government considers that the disability element of child tax credit is additional to the standard rate of child tax credit and as such should not be deducted. The Scottish Government will be issuing guidance in relation to the Kinship Care Assistance (Scotland) Order 2016, currently laid in draft in the Scottish Parliament, which will cover kinship care allowances in relation to the Kinship Care Order. The Order is due to come into force on 1 April 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309561,"EventID":"S4W-29377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T13:47:29.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T12:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review its Electricity Generation Policy Statement in light of the UK Government’s decision to reduce financial support for carbon capture and storage.","AnswerText":"I believe carbon capture and storage technology is necessary for a successful global response to climate change. Without Peterhead, I fear we will not see the development of this crucial technology. Following the UK Government's announcement to withdraw £1 billion funding for the carbon capture and storage competition in November 2015, I have written to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to urge her to review options to keep the carbon capture and storage competition projects alive.\r\nOn 17 September 2015 I announced to Parliament our intention to work towards a new overarching energy strategy for Scotland. A review of our Electricity Generation Policy Statement, and the impact of recent UK Government policy announcements, will form an essential part of this work.\r\nThe energy strategy will seek to optimise the benefits of Scotland’s significant energy resources and expertise, and ensure we have the best suite of policies to address the future challenges of delivering affordable, secure, low-carbon energy supplies.\r\nWe propose to align the final strategy to the publication of the third report on policy and proposals, required by the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, expected late 2016, recognising the importance of energy decarbonisation in meeting our climate change targets.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309562,"EventID":"S4W-29381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T13:47:30.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T12:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with the upgrade of the Aberdeen-Inverness mainline and what action it is taking to ensure that this takes account of the need to mitigate for flooding.","AnswerText":"Network Rail is making good progress with rail enhancements on the line between Aberdeen and Inverness. The project remains on target for completion by March 2019, and within the spending cap.\r\nNetwork Rail appointed BAM Nuttall as the principal contractor for the Aberdeen to Inverness project in October 2015, with main construction work scheduled to begin later in the year. \r\nWith regard to flooding mitigation, Network Rail is working with its industry partners to make Scotland’s rail infrastructure more resilient to the current and predicted weather and climate change impacts across the network. This should help to ensure that efficient and reliable train services are maintained, including those between Aberdeen and Inverness, enabling passengers and goods to travel when required even in more extreme conditions.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309579,"EventID":"S4W-29372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T16:56:22.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to develop a national strategy on tackling homophobic, biphobic and  transphobic bullying in schools.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government launched A National Approach to Anti-bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People in 2010. The approach forms part of our wider attempts to improve the health and wellbeing of our children and young people. The approach sets out a common vision and aims to make sure that work across all agencies and communities is consistently and coherently contributing to a whole school approach to anti-bullying in Scotland.\r\nThere have been many policy developments since the publication of the national approach and a working group was established in January 2015 to refresh the approach. There are many expert stakeholders involved in this working group including Stonewall Scotland and LGBT Youth Scotland. The updated guidance will be published in spring 2016.\r\nTo support this we have established and wholly fund respectme, a national anti-bullying service, to build confidence and capacity to tackle all types of bullying effectively, aligned to the national approach to anti-bullying in Scotland. respectme provide direct support to local authorities, schools, youth groups and all those working with children and young people and is jointly managed by the Scottish Association for Mental Health and LGBT Youth Scotland.\r\nWe funded LGBT Youth Scotland to develop a toolkit – Dealing with Homophobia and Homophobic Bullying in Scottish Schools (2009) to support teachers in recognising, challenging, and reducing homophobia and homophobic bullying in their schools; and we will be working with the relevant partners to update this toolkit to ensure it remains current and continues to support teachers and children and young people.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309580,"EventID":"S4W-29373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T16:56:23.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evaluation it has carried out of the use of anti-bullying guidance in schools, in particular with regard to homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.","AnswerText":"We have established and wholly fund respectme, the national anti-bullying service, who work with local authorities and schools to build confidence and capacity to address all types of bullying including homophobic, biphobic and transphobic, effectively, aligned to the National Approach to Anti-bullying for Scotland's Children and Young People.\r\nrespectme provide direct support to local authorities, schools, youth groups and all those working with children and young people. This includes reviewing, formulating, implementing and evaluating locally relevant anti-bullying policies on which stakeholders have been consulted and providing training, information and support with guidelines, procedures and monitoring.\r\nThe national approach makes clear that it is essential for organisations to record and monitor incidents of bullying to ensure that appropriate response and follow-up has been issued. This will also help organisations monitor the effectiveness of their anti-bullying policy and practice and can help identify a need for training.\r\nThe updated self-evaluation document, How good is our school (4th edition), has a strong focus on inclusion and equity. The toolkit includes quality indicators on ‘Personalised Support’ and ‘Ensuring Wellbeing Inclusion and Equality’ and mentions action on prejudice-based bullying as well as considerations for all protected characteristics. Her Majesty’s Inspectors are trialling practices that include attention to safeguarding across the protected characteristics through a new quality indicator on safeguarding.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309581,"EventID":"S4W-29374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T16:56:23.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that all teachers are trained to tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.","AnswerText":"The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) Act (Scotland) 2007 places a number of duties on local education authorities including ensuring that schools are health promoting. This includes promoting physical, social, mental and emotional wellbeing by supporting pupils to make positive lifestyle choices in relation to their health and wellbeing. Under Curriculum for Excellence, all adults who work in schools have a responsibility to support and develop mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing.\r\nOur National Approach to Anti-Bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People forms part of our wider attempts to improve the health and wellbeing of our children and young people and is currently being updated to reflect recent legislative and policy developments.\r\nThe approach sets out a common vision and aims to make sure that work across all agencies and communities is consistently and coherently contributing to a whole school approach to anti-bullying in Scotland.\r\nWe fully fund respectme, Scotland's national anti-bullying service to build confidence and capacity and deliver free training to schools and local authorities to address all types of bullying including homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying. respectme has trained, to date, 6,463 adults in Scotland. 52% (3,377 adults) are working in education and have attended training which includes a specific component on prejudice based bullying. respectme have approximately 700 teachers/education staff trained as anti-bullying trainers.\r\nEducation Scotland also continue to provide support around promoting positive relationships with children and young people, which includes providing support and resources for schools around anti-bullying strategies.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309582,"EventID":"S4W-29375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T16:56:24.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it (a) has taken and (b) further plans to ensure that all teachers are trained to (i) support LGBT pupils and (ii) address LGBT issues in the curriculum.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is clear that there is no place in Scotland for prejudice or discrimination, and that everyone deserves to be treated fairly regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or sexual orientation. We must continue, unrelentingly, to tackle prejudice and discrimination and promote equality and diversity; and we must begin this work early in schools.\r\nIt is for local authorities and schools to decide how to develop their own approaches to ensure staff have the appropriate skills to implement Curriculum for Excellence, based on local needs and circumstances. In 2015 the Scottish Government published guidance on the conduct of relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP) education which clearly states that RSHP education addresses diversity and reflects issues relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex (LGBTI) young people or children with LGBTI parents. The Glow intranet site, available to all local authorities, has links to both LGBT Youth Scotland and Stonewall Scotland resources within the RSHP section to support LGBTI inclusion in schools.\r\nThe Standards for Registration from the General Teaching Council for Scotland requires teachers to commit to the principles of democracy and social justice through fair, transparent, inclusive and sustainable policies and practices in relation to the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010. Further, part 5 of the Code of Professionalism and Conduct on ‘Equality and Diversity’ requires teachers to engage and work positively with pupils, help pupils understand different views, perspectives and experiences and develop positive relationships as well as recognise that they are role models. Education Scotland continue to offer rights training based on equality and universal dignity and this is available to all local authorities.\r\nThe Scottish Government very much advocates training around RSHP education and would encourage local authorities and schools to provide training for their teachers. We encourage organisations who offer training on LGBT issues to contact schools and local authorities directly.\r\nEducation Scotland continues to improve resources for inclusion and equality within its webspace and recently offered a ‘Glow meet’ to celebrate Transgender Awareness Week. This Glow TV event aimed to raise awareness and understanding of issues relevant to trans-inclusivity within educational contexts and had a target audience of teaching and service staff.\r\nWe have established and wholly fund respectme, Scotland’s anti-bullying service. respectme is managed and delivered in partnership with LGBT Youth Scotland and the Scottish Association for Mental Health. respectme works with all adults who work with children and young people to give them the practical skills and confidence to deal with all types of bullying behaviour, wherever it occurs, and for whatever reason. ","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309583,"EventID":"S4W-29378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T16:56:24.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much is repayable to the Treasury for financial transactions between 2012-13 and 2019-20; what the proposed annual repayment is, and in which financial year this will begin.","AnswerText":"Financial transactions are a capital funding source from HM Treasury which can only be used to fund loans and equity investments that cross the public/private sector boundary and must be repaid over time.\r\nA repayment profile has been agreed with HM Treasury on the basis that 80% will be repaid over a 30 year time period organised around the individual scheme repayment arrangements and based on forecast receipts rather than a fixed annual amount. This profile will be reviewed annually taking account of actual repayments to the Scottish Government.\r\nAs at 31 March 2015 no financial transactions repayments have been made to the Treasury.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309584,"EventID":"S4W-29379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T16:56:25.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to freeze the council tax across the next parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will bring forward our proposals for the future of local taxation, as the Commission on Local Tax Reform also encouraged all political parties to do, before the end of the parliamentary term.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309585,"EventID":"S4W-29380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T16:56:26.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the impact on education spending of proposed reductions in funding to local government in the 2016-17 draft budget.","AnswerText":"Although the funding of education is a matter for individual local authorities, the Scottish Government continues to prioritise the protection of teacher numbers as a central part of our priority to raise attainment in education.\r\nWe are determined to create a world class education system which ensures that all of Scotland’s children and young people have a fair chance to flourish. Closing the attainment gap in educational outcomes is key to our ambition of creating a fairer Scotland and the 2016-17 Draft Budget plans will help achieve that.\r\nThe UK Government’s continued austerity programme has reduced Scotland's public finances and the financial context created by the damaging cuts of the UK Government mean that all public organisations must operate more efficiently to protect public services.\r\nAs a percentage of total revenue expenditure, next year’s reduction in local authority budgets in Scotland is two per cent. While I do not pretend that this is easy for any council to handle, Scotland's councils are able to address these challenges from a strong base. This is because in recent years local government funding has been rising in Scotland.\r\nWithin the local government finance settlement, we are committed to making sure councils have the right number and highest quality of teachers in our schools. That is why we have invested a further £51 million to maintain teacher numbers across Scotland for another year – as well as funding for probationer placements. Over and above the local government settlement we are providing £33 million to raise attainment right across Scotland, including focused support for children from our most disadvantaged communities.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309586,"EventID":"S4W-29382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T16:56:27.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) as part of the bowel screening programme to replace the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and what projections it has made of the number of patients that will be referred for further investigation compared with the current FOBT test.","AnswerText":"The FIT will be introduced in 2017. The FIT has the potential to increase referrals for colonoscopy due to an anticipated increase in uptake and the increased accuracy of the new test. Assuming that, as at present, 80% of participants with positive screening results are referred for colonoscopy, this potentially could mean an increase of around 760 colonoscopies per annum. This is based on 8,600 referrals in 2011-12 and a positivity rate of 2.3%.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309587,"EventID":"S4W-29383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T16:56:27.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce human papillomavirus (HPV) testing as the primary test in the cervical cancer screening programme, following recommendations from the UK National Screening Committee.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently working with NHS Scotland on the development of a business case which will provide all of the detail required to make a considered decision on implementing HPV testing in the Scottish cervical screening programme. This is expected to be submitted by 1 June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309588,"EventID":"S4W-29384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T16:56:27.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that refugees and migrants from all cultures and backgrounds have access to existing English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) support.","AnswerText":"Scotland has the infrastructure necessary to support refugees and migrants from all cultures and backgrounds in their language acquisition. We also have a range of SQA assessments for ESOL learners and practitioners as well as an initial assessment pack to ensure standardisation of placements within ESOL classes. It is essential that this support is maintained in order to provide the services required to assist new migrants to fully contribute to Scotland economically and socially.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309589,"EventID":"S4W-29385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T16:56:28.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the Prime Minister’s announcement of an English language tuition fund will have on support for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision in Scotland.","AnswerText":"We have been advised that the funding announced is for England only and will have no impact on English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision in Scotland. The Scottish Government continues to support refugees and migrants through our New Scots 2014-2017 strategy and Scotland’s ESOL Strategy 2015-2020. The strategies will ensure that refugees and migrants are able to build a new life from the day they arrive in Scotland and to realise their full potential with the support of mainstream services and where they become active members of our communities with strong social relationships.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309590,"EventID":"S4W-29386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T16:56:29.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that English language tuition is offered in a positive manner to support migrants from all communities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have two strategies that cover this area of work, the vision behind both the New Scots 2014-2017 Strategy and Scotland’s ESOL Strategy 2015-2020 is for a Scotland where refugees and migrants are able to build a new life from the day they arrive in Scotland and to realise their full potential with the support of mainstream services and where they become active members of our communities with strong social relationships: “That all Scottish residents for whom English is not a first language have the opportunity to access high quality English language provision so that they can acquire the language skills to enable them to participate in Scottish life: in the workplace, through further study, within the family, the local community, Scottish society and the economy. These language skills are central to giving people a democratic voice and supporting them to contribute to the society in which they live.” The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) strategy and the Scottish approach to ESOL is exemplary to the rest of the UK.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309591,"EventID":"S4W-29387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-19T16:56:29.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the UK Government’s announcement of an English language tuition fund will result in increased funding for English language support in Scotland and, if so, how it will use any additional funding.","AnswerText":"We have been advised that the funding announced is for England only and will have no impact English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision in Scotland. The Scottish Government continues to support refugees and migrants through our New Scots 2014-2017 strategy and the ESOL Strategy 2015-2020. The strategies will ensure that refugees and migrants are able to build a new life from the day they arrive in Scotland and to realise their full potential with the support of mainstream services and where they become active members of our communities with strong social relationships.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309592,"EventID":"S4O-05474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:13:58.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on the Scottish Attainment Challenge in Dundee.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309593,"EventID":"S4O-05475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:13:59.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Aberdeen City Council to discuss education issues.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309594,"EventID":"S4O-05476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:13:59.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the number of college places funded by the Employability Fund.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309595,"EventID":"S4O-05477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:00.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to local authority education services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309596,"EventID":"S4O-05478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:00.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many non-UK undergraduate EU students are studying in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309597,"EventID":"S4O-05479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:00.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning last met representatives from Dundee City Council.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":309598,"EventID":"S4O-05480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:04.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the replacement of bursaries with loans results in students from the poorest families having the biggest debt and a reduction in terms of widening access.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309599,"EventID":"S4O-05481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:04.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students attended Edinburgh College in November 2015 and how this compares with November 2012.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309600,"EventID":"S4O-05482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:05.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Falkirk Council to discuss education matters.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309601,"EventID":"S4O-05483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:05.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T10:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many schools and children in local authorities that do not receive Attainment Scotland Fund support meet the programme’s criteria.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309602,"EventID":"S4O-05484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:06.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the impact on poorer students in Scotland of the UK Government replacing bursaries with loans.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309603,"EventID":"S4O-05485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:06.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many classroom assistants have been employed in secondary schools in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309604,"EventID":"S4O-05486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:07.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what requirements must be met for home-schooled pupils to be eligible to sit SQA exams.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309605,"EventID":"S4O-05487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:07.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T17:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to the University of the West of Scotland to reduce the drop-out rate, particularly among first year students.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309606,"EventID":"S4O-05488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:07.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will fully fund Dumfries and Galloway Council for the capital and revenue costs of the increase in early learning and childcare entitlement to 1,140 hours.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309607,"EventID":"S4O-05489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:08.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the General Teaching Council for Scotland about teacher recruitment issues.","AnswerText":"I discussed teacher recruitment issues when I met with Ken Muir, Chief Executive of the General Teaching Council of Scotland (GTCS) on 10 September 2015. My officials regularly meet with the GTCS to discuss a range of issues including teacher recruitment.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309608,"EventID":"S4O-05490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:08.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there are enough supply teachers to meet demand. ","AnswerText":"Intake targets to initial teacher education are set following advice from the Teacher Workforce Planning Advisory Group. These targets include an eight percent allowance for supply. \r\nOn the basis of advice from this group, we have increased student teacher intake targets in each of the last five years. The intake target for 2016-17 is 66 percent above the 2011-12 target.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309609,"EventID":"S4O-05491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:09.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider exempting the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Glasgow School of Art from the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309610,"EventID":"S4O-05492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:09.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent investment it has made in school infrastructure in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"Through the Schools for the Future programme, the Scottish Government are currently supporting the construction costs of 20 school projects in the Highlands and Islands.\r\nIn addition, the First Minister announced on Monday 25 January 2016 that we will be supporting the construction costs of a further 19 school projects across Scotland. This includes Alness Academy in the Highlands and Lossiemouth High School in Moray. \r\nThis is a further demonstration of the Scottish Government's ongoing commitment to improving the quality of Scotland's school estate.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309611,"EventID":"S4O-05493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:10.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T10:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers to be the value of education to children and young people.","AnswerText":"The value of education to children and young people is infinite. We need Scottish education to deliver both excellence in terms of ensuring children and young people acquire a broad range of skills and capacities at the highest levels, whilst also delivering equity so that every child and young person has the best opportunity to succeed regardless of their social circumstances or additional needs.\r\nThe recent report Improving Schools in Scotland: An OECD Perspective, published on 15 December 2015, gave positive praise for the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence and for what is being delivered in our schools. We are ambitious about delivering a world class education system that meets the needs of our young people and Scotland’s future.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309612,"EventID":"S4O-05495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:10.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project and its implementation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309613,"EventID":"S4O-05496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:10.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde paper, Service and Financial Planning for 2016/17 and beyond.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309614,"EventID":"S4O-05497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:11.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on Scotland's progress as a fair trade nation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309615,"EventID":"S4O-05498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:11.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on updating the Gender Recognition Act 2004 to bring it into line with international best practice, as called for in the Council of Europe Resolution 2048 (2015).","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309616,"EventID":"S4O-05499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:12.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and what issues were discussed. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309617,"EventID":"S4O-05500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:12.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its support for the oil and gas industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309618,"EventID":"S4O-05501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:12.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff work in the NHS and how this compares with 2006.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309619,"EventID":"S4O-05502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:13.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309620,"EventID":"S4O-05503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T14:14:13.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-18T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport last met the chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309621,"EventID":"S4W-29370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:18.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the contract for the temporary position of business development manager at Sumburgh Airport is due to finish. ","AnswerText":"The fixed term contract for the Sumburgh business development manager ends on 19 May 2018.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309622,"EventID":"S4W-29371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:19.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many employees have left Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd since January 2007; how much it has paid in settlement agreements, and how many such agreements have been reached.","AnswerText":"Between 1 January 2007 and 1 January 2016, 415 staff left Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd representing a turnover of less than 10%.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309623,"EventID":"S4W-29388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:19.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will issue guidance to public sector bodies and make resources available to reduce false fire alarms from manual call points, as recommended in the Building Research Establishment (BRE) briefing paper, Live investigations of false fire alarms.","AnswerText":"This is not a recommendation of the BRE briefing paper. The guidance referred to in the paper is the sector specific guidance which is published by the Scottish Government on its FireLaw webpages and is intended to assist those who have responsibility for ensuring fire safety of relevant premises covered by Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, known as “duty holders”.\r\nThe paper recommends that the guidance be updated with relevant findings from the research work to reduce false alarms. The recent Regulatory Review Group (RRG) report Review of Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 also makes the recommendation that the sector specific guidance be reviewed, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and the Scottish Government are considering the RRG report to establish how best to take forward the necessary work. The findings of the BRE paper will be taken into consideration in the process of that review.\r\nThe SFRS is working closely with duty holders to reduce unwanted fire alarms which occur from a variety of sources, including manual call points.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309624,"EventID":"S4W-29389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:20.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to lead or facilitate a fire safety awareness campaign.","AnswerText":"Statutory responsibility for fire safety awareness lies with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), which must use its resources to ensure that campaigns are targeted where they are needed most.\r\nThe Scottish Government is very supportive of the excellent fire safety awareness work undertaken by SFRS which regularly runs fire safety awareness campaigns, at both local and national levels, at various key points during the year, including a full winter safety media campaign covering a range of fire safety issues.\r\nSFRS is also responsible for fire safety enforcement in non-domestic premises and promotes awareness at various events and during the course of its engagement with duty holders during fire safety audits.\r\nThe SFRS website is also an excellent source of domestic and non-domestic fire safety advice.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309625,"EventID":"S4W-29390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:20.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, when it plans to introduce a requirement for fire risk assessors to be certified or registered by third parties to ensure competency, as recommended in the Regulatory Review Group's 2015 report, Review of Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government specifically asked the Regulatory Review Group to consider this issue in its review and will consider this recommendation, along with the report’s other recommendations. This will include exploring the options for introducing such a requirement through legislative or non-legislative means and assess the impact of any regulation on providers of third party risk assessment services.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309626,"EventID":"S4W-29391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:21.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, when it will update its sector specific guidance in light of the findings in the Building Research Establishment (BRE) briefing paper, Live investigations of false fire alarms.","AnswerText":"The Regulatory Review Group’s report Review of Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 makes the recommendation that the sector specific guidance, which is published by the Scottish Government on its Firelaw webpages, be reviewed. The Scottish Government was pleased to read in that report that the sector specific guidance is considered useful, and we will work closely with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and other partners to review the guidance, bring it up to date, and consider carefully any improvements that can be made. The current guidance includes information on reducing false alarms, and we will consider the findings of the BRE paper as part of this work. Whilst preliminary work with SFRS has already begun, this is likely to be a lengthy process and a timetable for the completion of the revision of the guidance is being developed.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309627,"EventID":"S4W-29392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:21.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils have been classified as “school refusers” in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309628,"EventID":"S4W-29393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:22.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T16:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the availability is of superfast broadband in each local authority area, and what information it has regarding how many homes (a) are able to access and (b) have such a service.","AnswerText":"Our Digital Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme aims to make fibre-based broadband available to 95% of premises across Scotland by the end of 2017. Ofcom published its Connected Nations 2015 report on 1 December 2015. The information within the following table is extracted from the full dataset, which provides information on a range of speeds and corresponding take up. The full dataset is available at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/research/connected-nations2015/Fixed_Local_Authority_2015.zip\r\nLocal Authority Name\r\nNext Generation Access (NGA) Availability (% premises) by Local Authority\r\nSuperfast Broadband Availability (% premises) by Local Authority\r\nTake-up of Lines 10-30 Mbit/s (number of lines) by Local Authority\r\nTake-up of lines > 30 Mbit/s (number of lines) by Local Authority\r\nAberdeen City\r\n93\r\n83\r\n36430\r\n19666\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n82\r\n52\r\n31186\r\n11896\r\nAngus\r\n83\r\n63\r\n15970\r\n8385\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n41\r\n21\r\n3741\r\n881\r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\n90\r\n88\r\n69050\r\n91531\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n75\r\n67\r\n6755\r\n3274\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n86\r\n55\r\n15894\r\n6915\r\nDundee City\r\n96\r\n94\r\n17091\r\n28186\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n83\r\n70\r\n13189\r\n7376\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n91\r\n83\r\n11881\r\n15365\r\nEast Lothian\r\n74\r\n57\r\n17097\r\n5010\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n93\r\n82\r\n10303\r\n12814\r\nFalkirk\r\n91\r\n87\r\n13258\r\n26474\r\nFife\r\n86\r\n74\r\n44088\r\n38512\r\nGlasgow City\r\n90\r\n80\r\n82141\r\n64072\r\nHighland\r\n78\r\n43\r\n20667\r\n11152\r\nInverclyde\r\n87\r\n79\r\n8454\r\n12354\r\nMidlothian\r\n84\r\n66\r\n8849\r\n5488\r\nMoray\r\n86\r\n60\r\n11883\r\n5309\r\nNa H-Eileanan an Iar\r\n39\r\n0\r\n7\r\n2\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n82\r\n65\r\n20334\r\n8479\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n89\r\n84\r\n29405\r\n48061\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n54\r\n19\r\n2416\r\n201\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n75\r\n52\r\n18362\r\n13061\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n88\r\n79\r\n19393\r\n23569\r\nScottish Borders\r\n81\r\n52\r\n14914\r\n6874\r\nShetland Islands\r\n73\r\n30\r\n1359\r\n826\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n86\r\n73\r\n12950\r\n8029\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n91\r\n83\r\n28421\r\n43268\r\nStirling\r\n89\r\n68\r\n8708\r\n6165\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n94\r\n93\r\n9319\r\n16816\r\nWest Lothian\r\n82\r\n69\r\n21427\r\n17300\r\nIn terms of conventions, NGA refers to the rollout of fibre-enabled cabinets. Superfast broadband is defined as speeds above 24 Megabits per second (Mbps).","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309629,"EventID":"S4W-29394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:23.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T17:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on supply teachers in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Supply teachers are employed by local authorities and the Scottish Government does not hold any data relating to the costs incurred.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309630,"EventID":"S4W-29395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:27.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of powerlines is on wildlife.","AnswerText":"Due to the site-specific nature of proposals, each line is different and needs to be considered individually on its own merits. Assessing the impacts of proposed powerlines on wildlife is integral to the Environmental Impact Assessment process required by the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2000, where the applicant is expected to provide such information in the environmental statement for each application. In turn, this information is made available to the public by being placed on the planning register by the relevant planning authority.\r\nDuring construction, sensitive species such as nesting birds can be disturbed and sensitive habitats such as native woodland can be damaged. These effects are minimised through careful route selection during the route planning stage. Any remaining effects are assessed during the Environmental Impact Assessment process and mitigation measures put in place.\r\nOnce installed, the most significant effect of an overhead powerline on wildlife is likely to be through collision mortality of birds. Again, this effect can be minimised through careful route selection to avoid areas where activity by sensitive birds species is highest. Remaining risks are assessed and can be mitigated through measures such as fitting bird diverters to the conductors.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309631,"EventID":"S4W-29396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:29.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the impact of powerlines on wildlife.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29395 on 1 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309632,"EventID":"S4W-29397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:30.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to reduce the impact of powerlines on wildlife.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers take their obligations to safeguard the natural environment extremely seriously and when considering applications for overhead lines take advice from consultees including Scottish Natural Heritage on potential impacts on wildlife and mitigation. Where appropriate, consents are granted by Scottish Ministers with conditions which serve to reduce or mitigate the impacts of the lines on wildlife.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309633,"EventID":"S4W-29398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:31.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T21:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has asked the new chief constable about the activities of the Metropolitan Police's Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) in Scotland, including (a) the extent of these activities, (b) which campaigns and individuals were investigated and (c) how many people who were investigated became involved in relationships with SDS officers.","AnswerText":"Regular discussions take place with the chief constable during which a range of subjects are discussed.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309634,"EventID":"S4W-29399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:31.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-19T21:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take if the remit of the Pitchford inquiry into undercover policing is not extended to cover Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is still discussing this issue with the Home Office and believes that extending the terms of the Pitchford inquiry is the right thing to do.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309635,"EventID":"S4W-29400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:32.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason no business and regulatory impact assessment was carried out prior to deciding to opt out of EU consents to cultivate GM crops.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's use of the EU's GM cultivation opt out is not a new policy but part of its long-held position to maintain a precautionary approach to GM. It was therefore not necessary to carry out a business and regulatory assessment.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309636,"EventID":"S4W-29402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:32.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it made of the commercial viability of cultivating EU-approved GM crops before invoking an opt-out.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's use of the EU's GM cultivation opt out is not a new policy but part of its long-held position to maintain a precautionary approach to GM. The GM maize varieties, which the Scottish Government has opted out of growing, are more suited to warmer climes. All but one are resistant to insect pests, such as the European corn borer, which are not a problem in Scotland. Maize is not currently grown commercially for seed in Scotland. Small amounts are grown in the far south west of the country, where it is milder, but only for animal fodder.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309637,"EventID":"S4W-29406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:33.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of (a) public and (b) private sector employees has been covered by collective bargaining arrangements in each of the last eight years.","AnswerText":"The information to calculate the percentage of public sector employees covered by collective bargaining arrangements is not held centrally.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not collect or hold such information for private sector employees.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309638,"EventID":"S4W-29409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:36.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the average gross weekly pay for full-time (a) public and (b) private sector employees in each of the last eight years, also expressed in real terms.","AnswerText":"Information on median gross weekly earnings for full-time employees by public and private sector is published on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/AnalyticalPapers/ASHESGAnalysis. \r\nThe requested information, expressed in real terms, is presented in the table below:\r\nMedian gross weekly earnings for full-time employees by public and private sector, Scotland, 2008-15\r\nYear\r\nPublic sector £ per week\r\nPrivate sector £ per week\r\n2008\r\n608.71\r\n513.19\r\n2009\r\n626.51\r\n501.30\r\n2010\r\n624.53\r\n498.55\r\n2011\r\n598.80\r\n475.74\r\n2012\r\n587.93\r\n472.42\r\n2013\r\n585.00\r\n475.50\r\n2014\r\n592.74\r\n478.73\r\n2015\r\n595.20\r\n488.50\r\nSource: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2015, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes:\r\n- Covers employees aged 16+ on the PAYE system on adults rates and whose pay was not affected by absence.\r\n- The median, which is used in this answer, is the preferred measure for earnings as the arithmetic average can be skewed by extreme outliers. \r\n- Methodological changes mean that care should be taken when comparing figures pre and post 2011.\r\n- Consumer Price Index (2015) prices used to calculate real terms earnings.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309639,"EventID":"S4W-29411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:36.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the percentage of part-time employees who are paid less than the living wage, broken down by gender.","AnswerText":"The percentage of part-time employees who were paid less than the living wage in 2015 by gender was:\r\nMale\r\n45.0%\r\nFemale\r\n36.5%\r\nSource: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2015, Office for National Statistics\r\nNote: Covers employees aged 18+ on the PAYE system on adult rates (i.e. excluding those on youth, training and apprentice rates) and whose pay was not affected by absence. Living wage rate of £7.85 for employees who did not work in London in April 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309640,"EventID":"S4W-29412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:36.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many inspections it has carried out under the common agricultural policy Basic Payment Scheme: revised provisional payment region scheme, broken down by Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate office area.","AnswerText":"The following is the breakdown of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) inspections selected for the 2015 scheme year, by business, by office.\r\nOffice\r\nBPS inspections\r\nAyr\r\n109\r\nBenbecula\r\n39\r\nDumfries\r\n86\r\nElgin\r\n39\r\nGalashiels\r\n132\r\nGolspie\r\n29\r\nHamilton\r\n46\r\nInverness\r\n81\r\nInverurie\r\n196\r\nKirkwall\r\n38\r\nLerwick\r\n46\r\nOban\r\n55\r\nPerth\r\n198\r\nPortree\r\n30\r\nStornoway\r\n51\r\nThurso\r\n41\r\nGrand Total\r\n1,216\r\nNote these inspections have no bearing on the allocation of BPS payment regions which is a separate desk based process.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309641,"EventID":"S4W-29413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:37.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27988 by Richard Lochhead on 10 November 2015, whether land classified as code PGRS continues to be downgraded to region 3 payment under the common agricultural policy Basic Payment Scheme and, if so, whether it will provide a breakdown of such land by Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate office area; for what reason this is being done, and when it expects it to end.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27988 on 10 November 2015. As explained previously, there is nothing in the classification process which results in land classified as PGRS being automatically assessed as Payment Region 3 land.\r\nLand parcels will be assessed and classified according to their own individual features and allocated a region according to the findings of that assessment.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309642,"EventID":"S4W-29415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:38.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T13:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has provided to each local authority to offer free musical instrument lessons for school pupils in each year since 2007 and how many pupils have received them, also expressed as a percentage.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not provide specific funding to local authorities to offer free musical instrument lessons. \r\nAll local authorities in Scotland provide young people with a variety of opportunities to develop the skills of playing a musical instrument. Authorities decide how to provide such opportunities depending on local circumstances, priorities and traditions. \r\nThe government’s Instrumental Music Group report of June 2013, recommendation 5, noted that “decisions on charging for services sit with local authorities”. The Scottish Government has no plans to intervene in the long standing arrangements whereby decisions around the provision of instrumental music tuition, including policies for access, concessions and charging, are for each authority to decide on as they see fit and according to local demands and circumstances. \r\nIn December 2012, £1 million of funding was announced by the Scottish Government for the purchase of musical instruments for Scottish schools. This helped authorities tackle the issue of children being put off taking up learning an instrument because of the costs involved. \r\nThe government’s work on instrumental music has now moved to a new phase through the creation of a ‘Music Education Partnership Group’, bringing together a wide range of organisations involved in music education to further promote and sustain excellent and exciting music education in Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309643,"EventID":"S4W-29419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:38.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is able to direct or influence the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland in terms of the methodology that it applies when determining councillor numbers either before or after its report is published.","AnswerText":"The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland is an advisory non-departmental public body. Under section 15(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, Scottish Ministers may give directions to the commission for their guidance in conducting reviews. However they have no power to require the commission to use or not to use any particular methodology in conducting reviews.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309644,"EventID":"S4W-29420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:39.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is able to direct or otherwise influence the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland in carrying out reviews of electoral arrangements.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29419 on 3 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309645,"EventID":"S4W-29421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-20T17:02:40.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Ministers directed or otherwise influenced the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland in relation to its Fifth Reviews of Electoral Arrangements.","AnswerText":"The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland is an advisory non-departmental public body. As such, decisions about the conduct of the Fifth Reviews of Electoral Arrangements have been taken solely by the commission and Scottish Ministers have not directed the commission in relation to the Fifth Reviews. The commission outlined to the Scottish Government its proposed approach to the Fifth Reviews before it began that process. In response the Minister for Local Government and Planning wrote to the chair of the commission on 19 December 2013 commenting on the role of ministers and factors that ministers would take into account in taking decisions following the Fifth Reviews. The commission has subsequently kept the Scottish Government advised of its progress in conducting the Fifth Reviews. During those discussions, the commission has been advised of the importance that ministers attach to local communities in considering electoral arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309656,"EventID":"S4W-29422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T13:28:40.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T18:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many companies in each local authority area have signed up to the Scottish Business Pledge.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the table entitled Business Pledge – Statistical overview – January 2016, a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57653).","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309657,"EventID":"S4W-29423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T13:28:41.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-20T18:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many accredited living wage employers there have been in each local authority area in each year since accreditation was introduced.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has provided over £280,000 in funding to the Poverty Alliance to administer the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative. As a result of this work there are now (as at 28 January 2016) 460 Scots-based living wage accredited employers.\r\nA breakdown of accredited employers by local authority area (based on where each employer is headquartered) and year of accreditation is provided in the following table:\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nTotal\r\nAberdeen City\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n3\r\n5\r\n0\r\n10\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n7\r\n2\r\n10\r\nAngus\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n7\r\n1\r\n8\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n8\r\n2\r\n10\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n9\r\n0\r\n12\r\nDundee\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n6\r\n1\r\n8\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\n0\r\n4\r\nEdinburgh\r\n0\r\n3\r\n4\r\n24\r\n75\r\n2\r\n108\r\nEast Lothian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n3\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nFalkirk\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nFife\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n17\r\n1\r\n23\r\nGlasgow\r\n0\r\n2\r\n9\r\n25\r\n69\r\n3\r\n106\r\nHighland\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n3\r\n15\r\n0\r\n19\r\nInverclyde\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n1\r\n4\r\n0\r\n8\r\nMidlothian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n12\r\n0\r\n15\r\nMoray\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n0\r\n3\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n11\r\n0\r\n11\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n1\r\n3\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n13\r\n0\r\n15\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n11\r\n0\r\n11\r\nScottish Borders\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n6\r\n0\r\n5\r\nShetland Islands\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n0\r\n3\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n4\r\n0\r\n5\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n5\r\n17\r\n0\r\n23\r\nStirling\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n9\r\n2\r\n11\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n3\r\n0\r\n4\r\nWest Lothian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n10\r\n0\r\n13\r\nTotal\r\n0\r\n7\r\n22\r\n82\r\n337\r\n12\r\n460\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309658,"EventID":"S4W-29424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T13:28:42.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25708 by Jamie Hepburn on 3 June 2015, what the figures are for 2014-15.","AnswerText":"(i) Information on the expenditure and percentage of expenditure that has been spent on child and adolescent mental health services of the overall NHS expenditure for the year 2014 to 2015 by NHS board is shown in Table 1.\r\n(ii) This information is not held centrally.\r\nTable 1: Total NHS expenditure1 and child and adolescent expenditure2, Scotland 2014-153\r\nChild and adolescent mental health expenditure (£000)\r\nTotal expenditure (£000)\r\nChild and adolescent mental health expenditure (%)\r\n£3,357\r\n£701,842\r\n0.48%\r\n£807\r\n£193,467\r\n0.42%\r\n£1,054\r\n£284,405\r\n0.37%\r\n£500\r\n£603,626\r\n0.08%\r\n£2,267\r\n£505,300\r\n0.45%\r\n£845\r\n£964,051\r\n0.09%\r\n£14,122\r\n£2,737,827\r\n0.52%\r\n£122\r\n£592,294\r\n0.02%\r\n£4,435\r\n£1,017,789\r\n0.44%\r\n£11,846\r\n£1,578,489\r\n0.75%\r\n£44\r\n£41,443\r\n0.11%\r\n£214\r\n£44,778\r\n0.48%\r\n£7,690\r\n£871,735\r\n0.88%\r\n£396\r\n£66,887\r\n0.59%\r\n-\r\n£115,269\r\n-\r\n-\r\n£35,395\r\n-\r\n£47,699\r\n£10,354,596\r\n0.46%\r\nTotal NHS expenditure as recorded in the Costs Book (Report R300). Figures shown in ‘cash terms’ (not adjusting for inflation).\r\nChild and adolescent mental health expenditure as recorded in the Costs Book (Report R04LSX, SFR 8.3). Data has been restricted to the hospital sector and community sector only (excluding resource transfer). Figures shown in ‘cash terms’ (not adjusting for inflation).\r\nFinancial year refers to the period of time beginning in April and ending in March (e.g. financial year 2014-15 begins on 1 April 2014 and ends 31 March 2015). \r\nRef: IR2016-00161\r\nSource: Scottish Health Service Costs, Report R300, R04LSX and SFR 8.3, Information Services Division Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309659,"EventID":"S4W-29425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T13:28:43.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25711 by Jamie Hepburn on 3 June 2015, what the figures are for 2014-15.","AnswerText":"Information on NHS expenditure and percentage of expenditure for mental health services that has been spent on child and adolescent mental health services in the hospital and community sectors in each year since 2007 is shown in Table 1.\r\nTable 1: Child and adolescent mental health expenditure1 and mental health expenditure2 Scotland 2007-153\r\nFinancial Year\r\nChild and Adolescent Mental Health Expenditure (£000)\r\nMental Health Expenditure (£000)\r\nChild And Adolescent Mental Health Expenditure (%)\r\n2014-15\r\n47,699\r\n821,518\r\n5.81%\r\nChild and adolescent mental health expenditure as recorded in the Costs Book (Report R04LSX and SFR 8.3). Data has been restricted to the hospital sector and community sector only (excluding resource transfer). Figures shown in ‘cash terms’ (not adjusting for inflation).\r\nMental health expenditure as recorded in the Costs Book (Report R340). Data has been restricted to the hospital sector and community sector to give a more accurate comparison against child and adolescent mental health expenditure. Figures shown in ‘cash terms’ (not adjusting for inflation).\r\nFinancial year refers to the period of time beginning in April and ending in March (e.g. financial year 2011-12 begins on 1 April 2011 and ends 31 March 2012). \r\nRef: IR2016-00160\r\nSource: Scottish Health Service Costs, Report R340, R04LSX and SFR8.3, Information Services Division Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309674,"EventID":"S4W-29427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T16:43:04.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to develop a range of quickly accessible mental health services with health and social care professionals and third sector partners.","AnswerText":"This £150 million will be used in its entirety to improve mental health services, care professionals and third sector partners playing an important role.\r\nIn 2015 I announced investment of £100 million to improve mental health services over the next five years. The Draft Budget 2016-17 provides an additional £50 million, resulting in a total package of £150 million.\r\nOn 12 January 2016 the First Minister announced that £54.1million – over one third – of that package will be invested over the next four years to improve access to services for people of all ages, including children and adolescents. £24.7 million will help NHS boards to increase their capacity so they can see more people more quickly; £4.8 million will help boards to re-design existing services and £24.6 million will be invested in new staff and training for existing staff.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309675,"EventID":"S4W-29428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T16:43:04.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to increase the availability of supported social prescribing for mental health patients.","AnswerText":"Mental health services are a priority for this government; this priority has been further demonstrated through the additional £150 million funding which has been allocated to improve mental health services over the next five years.\r\nThrough the advisory group set up to support commitment 15 of the Mental Health Strategy for Scotland: 2012-2015, NHS Health Scotland is working to increase local knowledge of social prescribing opportunities. NHS Health Scotland developed a paper offering advice to local area partnerships, based on evidence and current practice, on how to establish approaches to social prescribing for common mental health problems.\r\nIn addition, NHS Health Scotland published a ‘Social Prescribing Capacity Building Toolkit Paper’ in December 2015 which offers support in building capacity to connect people to sources of support and opportunities within the community. This paper can be found on the Well Scotland website (http://www.wellscotland.info/).\r\nWe have engaged in early dialogue with a number of stakeholders about the next mental health strategy which will be produced in 2016, and informed by further engagement with interested parties.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309676,"EventID":"S4W-29429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T16:43:05.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what investment is planned to recruit more staff in mental health services.","AnswerText":"NHS boards and local authorities will invest in staff to ensure an appropriately skilled workforce is in place to deliver efficient and high quality mental health services from the overall funding they receive from the Scottish Government. \r\nWe have made available an additional £150 million to 2020 to improve mental health services across Scotland. As part of this funding, we announced a £54.1 million package of support to improve access to mental health services for adults and children. This included £24.6 million to 2020 to support the development of the mental health workforce to enhance supply and training of staff to deliver evidence-based therapies, delivered by NHS Education for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309677,"EventID":"S4W-29430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T16:43:06.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will respond to the 85% of GPs who told the Scottish Association for Mental Health that there were gaps in service provision for patients and the 87% of GPs who said that they wanted more information on local social prescribing services.","AnswerText":"NHS boards and local authorities are responsible for working with their partners to provide care, services and support which meets the assessed needs of people living with mental health problems in line with their statutory obligations and Scottish Government policy.\r\nMental health services are a priority for this government, this priority has been further demonstrated through the additional £150 million funding which has been allocated to improve mental health services over the next five years.\r\nThrough the advisory group set up to support commitment 15 of the Mental Health Strategy 2012-2015, NHS Health Scotland is working to increase local knowledge of social prescribing opportunities. NHS Health Scotland developed a paper offering advice to local area partnerships, based on evidence and current practice, on how to establish approaches to social prescribing for common mental health problems.\r\nIn addition, NHS Health Scotland published the Social Prescribing Capacity Building Toolkit paper in December 2015 which offers support in building capacity to connect people to sources of support and opportunities within the community. This paper can be found on the Well Scotland website (http://www.wellscotland.info/).","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309678,"EventID":"S4W-29431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T16:43:06.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to help NHS boards meet their waiting times targets for psychological therapies.","AnswerText":"NHS boards and local authorities are responsible for working with their partners to provide care, services and support which meets the assessed needs of people living with mental health problems in line with their statutory obligations and Scottish Government policy.\r\nMental health services are a priority for this government; this priority has been further demonstrated through the additional £150 million funding which has been allocated to improve mental health services over the next five years. The investment in NHS boards is intended to increase capacity to deliver services.\r\nAs part of this funding, the First Minister announced a £54.1 million package of support to improve access to mental health services for adults and children on 12 January 2016. This investment includes £24.7 million to improve capacity to see more people more quickly, £4.8 million through Healthcare Improvement Scotland to help redesign local services to be more efficient, effective and sustainable and £24.6 million to improve workforce supply and train existing staff to deliver services for children and young people, as well as psychological therapies for all ages.\r\nThe £4.8 million through Healthcare Improvement Scotland will be used to establish a ‘Mental Health Access Improvement Support Team’ who will provide a comprehensive package of support to work in partnership with boards to improve access to mental health services, including psychological therapies.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309679,"EventID":"S4W-29432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T16:43:07.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to ensure that all GP surgeries have access to dedicated mental health support services.","AnswerText":"Mental health services are a priority for this government; this has been demonstrated through the additional £150 million funding which has been allocated to improve mental health services over the next five years. This includes £10 million for primary care mental health services.\r\nNHS boards and local authorities are responsible for working with their partners to provide care, services and support which meets the assessed needs of people living with mental health problems in line with their statutory obligations and Scottish Government policy.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309680,"EventID":"S4W-29433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T16:43:08.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to fund in-work support programmes to support people’s mental health work.","AnswerText":"See Me is Scotland’s national campaign to end mental health stigma and discrimination. Scottish Government provides £1 million per year in addition to £0.5 million from Comic Relief to support the See Me programme. See Me Workplace is part of the See Me anti stigma work to support the reduction of stigma and raise awareness in the workplace for people entering and retaining work in Scotland. See Me have recently launched a work programme which takes organisations through four specific steps from commitment and awareness through to practice transformation and becoming a See Me Work Partner. https://www.seemescotland.org/workplace/see-me-in-work/.\r\nFit for Work Scotland (FfWS) is a service recently established on a phased basis from December 2014, funded through the Department for Work and Pensions and delivered in Scotland by the Scottish Government. The service provides support for people in work to remain at work, or return to work following periods of long term sickness absence. It provides assessment and advice for employers and employees around interventions and actions which could facilitate a return to work. This service is not specifically for mental health and wellbeing, but incorporates it (http://www.FitforWorkScotland.scot).\r\nScottish Government provides funding to NHS Health Scotland to deliver the Healthy Working Lives Scotland service. This is a comprehensive service offering advice and support to employers and their employees around health, safety and wellbeing. This is facilitated through advice lines and award schemes. The award schemes are from bronze to gold and the silver award specifically states the need to “Provide managers and supervisors with training to increase their knowledge and understanding of mental health, wellbeing and stress in the workplace. Ensure managers are aware of their responsibilities in relation to employee support.” (http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/).","AnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309681,"EventID":"S4W-29434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T16:43:08.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its next mental health strategy will include and extend support for parents, as well as children and young people, with a focus on promoting attachment and preventing poor mental health.","AnswerText":"We have engaged in early dialogue with a number of stakeholders about the next mental health strategy which will be produced in 2016, and informed by further engagement with interested parties.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309682,"EventID":"S4W-29437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T16:43:09.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to encourage the reuse of beverage containers by means of a deposit return system.","AnswerText":"In December 2015, ministers commissioned Zero Waste Scotland to explore a number of key issues associated with deposit return systems, following a feasibility study and call for evidence undertaken earlier in the year.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309683,"EventID":"S4W-29438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T16:43:10.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T15:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to carry out a cost benefit analysis of implementing and maintaining a deposit return system for beverage containers.","AnswerText":"In December 2015, ministers commissioned Zero Waste Scotland to explore a number of key issues associated with deposit return systems, following a feasibility study and call for evidence undertaken earlier in the year. Should ministers decide to develop proposals for a deposit return scheme, a cost-benefit assessment would be undertaken.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309684,"EventID":"S4W-29439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T16:43:10.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T15:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what negotiations it has had with the UK Government about implementing a deposit return system for beverage containers in Scotland and across the UK.","AnswerText":"I wrote to and discussed the issue with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2015 and will shortly be writing to UK ministers to invite a further discussion of the matter.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309685,"EventID":"S4W-29440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T16:43:11.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T15:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to introduce a minimum level of allowances to cover the cost of fostering a child.","AnswerText":"Following our recent announcement to align kinship and foster care allowances we have agreed with COSLA to now look at the overall allowances system and will convene a group shortly. We will look closely at the desirability and feasibility of a national scheme through this work which will report as soon as possible. The group will take into account new welfare powers accruing to the Scottish Parliament and the timescales governing the UK Government welfare reform agenda.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309686,"EventID":"S4W-29441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T16:43:11.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on introducing a minimum level of allowances to cover the cost of fostering a child, in line with allowances for kinship carers.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government policy on allowances reflects the recent announcement to align kinship and foster care allowances following the legal challenge to local authorities in 2015 and the agreement to provide 10.1 million a year to support this. We have agreed with COSLA to now look at the overall system and will convene a group shortly. We will look closely at the desirability and feasibility of a national scheme through this work which will report as soon as possible. The group will take into account new welfare powers accruing to the Scottish Parliament and the timescales governing the UK Government welfare reform agenda.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309687,"EventID":"S4W-29442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T16:43:12.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what upland areas of Scotland have been mapped as suitable for extensive new planting to both absorb water and capture CO2.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold maps specifically showing which upland areas are suitable for new planting for water management and carbon sequestration alone.\r\nHowever, local authority led regional forestry and woodland strategies use maps to guide the location of new planting in Scotland to deliver a range of objectives, including water management and climate change mitigation. These strategies divide the local authority area into categories for new woodland planting. These categories usually indicate preferred, potential and sensitive areas for new planting and cover both uplands and lowlands.\r\nIn addition to forestry and woodland strategies, target areas have been identified within the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s priority catchments where woodland creation would contribute most to water related benefits including flood alleviation and climate change. These maps are used to target enhanced grant support.\r\nAlthough we do not have specific maps for new planting to sequester carbon, the Scottish Government has mapped all areas of soils with peat exceeding 50 centimetres depth that are unsuitable for planting due to a negative impact on the carbon balance and hydrology of the bog habitat.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309688,"EventID":"S4W-29443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-21T16:43:13.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many schools have been (a) built and (b) refurbished in each local authority area in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Data is provided from 2007-08 up to 2014-15 for schools which have been rebuilt or refurbished. The distinction between rebuilt or refurbished has only been collected and published since 2010-11, so two further tables have been provided from 2010-11 to 2014-15 to show which schools have been rebuilt and which schools have been refurbished.\r\nTable 1: Schools Rebuilt or Refurbished 2007-08 to 2014-15, by Local Authority\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLocal Authority\r\n07-08\r\n08-09\r\n09-10\r\n10-11\r\n11-12\r\n12-13\r\n13-14\r\n14-15\r\nTotal\r\nAberdeen City\r\n\r\n1\r\n6\r\n3\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n12\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n4\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n5\r\n11\r\nAngus\r\n7\r\n4\r\n2\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n15\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n9\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n10\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n5\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n\r\n4\r\n11\r\n5\r\n\r\n4\r\n6\r\n2\r\n32\r\nDundee City\r\n\r\n6\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n\r\n14\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n3\r\n6\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n8\r\n1\r\n1\r\n19\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n\r\n1\r\n7\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n8\r\nEast Lothian\r\n\r\n5\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n11\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n3\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n4\r\n6\r\n7\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n6\r\n4\r\n27\r\nEilean Siar\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n3\r\n4\r\n\r\n\r\n7\r\nFalkirk\r\n\r\n5\r\n4\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n10\r\nFife\r\n6\r\n\r\n2\r\n5\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2\r\n1\r\n21\r\nGlasgow City\r\n2\r\n9\r\n7\r\n4\r\n3\r\n2\r\n2\r\n44\r\n73\r\nHighland\r\n4\r\n6\r\n8\r\n\r\n\r\n4\r\n2\r\n2\r\n26\r\nInverclyde\r\n1\r\n3\r\n2\r\n\r\n3\r\n3\r\n5\r\n\r\n17\r\nMidlothian\r\n8\r\n\r\n3\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n2\r\n\r\n14\r\nMoray\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\n3\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n7\r\n1\r\n\r\n3\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n17\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n9\r\n5\r\n\r\n\r\n5\r\n8\r\n\r\n\r\n27\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n4\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n\r\n2\r\n9\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n3\r\n2\r\n20\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n5\r\n5\r\n3\r\n\r\n1\r\n3\r\n\r\n1\r\n18\r\nScottish Borders\r\n2\r\n3\r\n3\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n13\r\nShetland Islands\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n3\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n1\r\n8\r\n\r\n2\r\n1\r\n\r\n4\r\n2\r\n18\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n14\r\n12\r\n13\r\n15\r\n11\r\n12\r\n16\r\n14\r\n107\r\nStirling\r\n6\r\n7\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n18\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n\r\n\r\n3\r\n3\r\n2\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n9\r\nWest Lothian\r\n\r\n2\r\n6\r\n2\r\n4\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n15\r\nTotal\r\n93\r\n106\r\n103\r\n55\r\n46\r\n60\r\n63\r\n81\r\n607\r\n\r\nTable 2: Schools Rebuilt 2010-11 to 2014-15 by Local Authority\r\nLocal Authority\r\n10-11\r\n11-12\r\n12-13\r\n13-14\r\n14-15\r\nAberdeen City\r\n2\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nAngus\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n3\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nDundee City\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n\r\n\r\n5\r\n1\r\n\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEast Lothian\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEilean Siar\r\n\r\n3\r\n4\r\n\r\n\r\nFalkirk\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFife\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nGlasgow City\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n\r\n1\r\nHighland\r\n\r\n\r\n3\r\n\r\n\r\nInverclyde\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n3\r\n\r\nMidlothian\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\nMoray\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n\r\n5\r\n4\r\n\r\n\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n2\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\nScottish Borders\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\nShetland Islands\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n14\r\n11\r\n11\r\n16\r\n14\r\nStirling\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n3\r\n2\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nWest Lothian\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n31\r\n33\r\n39\r\n31\r\n22\r\n\r\nTable 3: Schools Refurbished 2010-11 to 2014-15 by Local Authority\r\nLocal Authority\r\n10-11\r\n11-12\r\n12-13\r\n13-14\r\n14-15\r\nAberdeen City\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n4\r\nAngus\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n2\r\n\r\n3\r\n5\r\n1\r\nDundee City\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n\r\n\r\n3\r\n\r\n1\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEast Lothian\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n6\r\n4\r\nEilean Siar\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFalkirk\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nFife\r\n5\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n\r\nGlasgow City\r\n2\r\n1\r\n\r\n2\r\n43\r\nHighland\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\nInverclyde\r\n\r\n1\r\n3\r\n2\r\n\r\nMidlothian\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nMoray\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n3\r\n2\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n\r\n\r\n4\r\n\r\n\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n3\r\n1\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n\r\n1\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\nScottish Borders\r\n2\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nShetland Islands\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n3\r\n2\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nStirling\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWest Lothian\r\n2\r\n3\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n24\r\n13\r\n21\r\n32\r\n59\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309692,"EventID":"S4W-29426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:28.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T12:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many school inspectors have been employed each year since 2005, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"From 2005 to 2006, school inspectors were employed by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Schools, from 2006 to 2011 by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education, and since 2011 by Education Scotland. The number of school inspectors employed each year takes into account the different inspection frameworks in place over this period of time. School inspectors are not allocated to individual local authorities, but are deployed to inspect schools and other education settings across Scotland including early years, psychological services, colleges, community learning and development, and prison education. Individual inspectors typically inspect across a number of sectors.\r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29097 on 18 January 2016. During the period of implementation of Curriculum for Excellence, Education Scotland deployed its staff to a number of other intensive support and challenge activities with schools and local authorities. This involved visits from Education Scotland staff, including HM Inspectors to a large number of schools across Scotland. Over the period September 2010 to March 2015, HM Inspectors and Education Scotland staff provided targeted support for schools and local authorities, as set out in response to question S4W-29097.\r\nYear\r\nNumber of HM Inspectors Full Time Equivalent\r\n2005\r\n80\r\n2006\r\n87\r\n2007\r\n78.8\r\n2008\r\n79.45\r\n2009\r\n80.54\r\n2010\r\n83.48\r\n2011\r\n81.93\r\n2012\r\n61.97 (seven child protection inspectors were transferred to the Care Inspectorate during 2011)\r\n2013\r\n57.3\r\n2014\r\n62.38\r\n2015\r\n66.83\r\n2016\r\n66.45 (including nine new appointments due to start March/April 2016)\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309693,"EventID":"S4W-29435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:28.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the long-term financial strategy for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is now in place, in light of the recommendation in the Audit Scotland report of May 2015 that this should be completed as a \"matter of urgency\".","AnswerText":"Audit Scotland recommended that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) should agree a long-term financial strategy by 31 March 2016. The SFRS is on schedule to deliver the strategy by this date.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309694,"EventID":"S4W-29436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:30.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address the £96 million NHS maintenance backlog that was classified as “high risk” and referred to in the Audit Scotland report, NHS in Scotland 2015, which was discussed by the Public Audit Committee at its meeting on 2 December 2015.","AnswerText":"In 2011, NHS Scotland published the first Annual State of NHSScotland Assets and Facilities Report (SAFR) which estimated the level of high risk backlog maintenance to be £232 million. The following table uses the backlog originally reported in the 2011 SAFR to track the actual annual change in this high risk backlog (i.e. excluding the impact of newly reported backlog) up to 2013-14, and then estimates future expectations to meet the 2016-17 projection reported in last year's SAFR:\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\n\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\nHigh Risk\r\n232\r\n155\r\n88\r\n77\r\n52\r\n26\r\n0\r\nThe improved position is due to a number of factors including:\r\nEstate rationalisation and disposal of older properties avoiding the need for expenditure on backlog.\r\nReplacing older properties with new facilities and avoiding the need for expenditure on backlog e.g. the new South Glasgow Hospitals project, Balfour Hospital in Orkney, and Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. \r\nIncorporating backlog works within major redevelopment, modernisation and refurbishment projects e.g. improvements to inpatient accommodation at Aberdeen Royal Hospital, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, and Ayrshire Central Hospital.\r\nUndertaking specific projects to target the high and significant backlog e.g. inpatient accommodation at Monklands Hospital.\r\nIncorporating backlog work within operational repair and cyclical maintenance.\r\nThe figures in the table do not take account of additional newly identified backlog over the same period as additional backlog in buildings and engineering systems is an inevitable consequence of aging assets. However, the same principles will be applied to manage the high risk backlog that has been identified since the first report was published.\r\nIt should also be noted that it is very difficult to accurately forecast changes in backlog in existing buildings, and timings for estate rationalisation can be influenced by a number of factors including operational priorities and market forces (in relation to disposals). Future SAFR reports will continue to monitor annually how boards are actually reducing their overall backlog as well as the risk profile of the backlog since 2011.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309695,"EventID":"S4W-29444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:31.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T17:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the finding in the report, Shifting the Curve, by the Independent Advisor on Poverty, that 47% of part-time couples with dependent children were in poverty in 2013-14, and what action it is taking in light of this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the report of the independent advisor and the contribution it makes to our ambition to tackle poverty and inequality and to create a fairer, more prosperous Scotland. We will carefully consider the recommendations and will respond formally to the report before the end of March 2016.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to tackling the long term drivers of poverty and inequality through early intervention and prevention. This commitment is made clear in our 2015 Programme for Government and our national approach is articulated in the revised Child Poverty Strategy for Scotland 2014-15. This includes an innovative measurement framework that reflects both the wide range of drivers of poverty and the impacts poverty has on the lives of children and their families. This enables us track progress and inform our future actions.\r\nAs noted in Shifting the Curve, the Scottish Government has already introduced a range of anti-poverty actions, particularly around welfare reform, including fully mitigating the bedroom tax, setting up a welfare fund, supporting social housing and promoting the living wage. We are investing around £296 million from 2013-14 to 2015-16, contributing to the collective investment of over £274 million with local authorities, NHS and other partners in the Early Years Change Fund and the provision of free school meals for all primary 1 to 3 children which delivers a saving for families of around £380 per child per year. Of course, tackling child poverty is increasingly difficult in the face of the UK Government's £12 billion of annual welfare cuts, which have a significant and detrimental impact in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309696,"EventID":"S4W-29445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:32.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T17:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to implement recommendation 8 of the report, Shifting the Curve, by the Independent Advisor on Poverty, that it should do more to tackle the poverty premium in home energy costs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes this report and the contribution it makes to our ambition to tackle poverty and inequality and to create a fairer, more prosperous Scotland. We will carefully consider the recommendations and will respond formally to the report before the end of March 2016.\r\nThe report recognises that the Scottish Government has already introduced a range of anti-poverty actions. Across Scotland we have allocated over half a billion pounds since 2009 on a raft of measures to help the most vulnerable people in our society heat their homes affordably. Of our £119 million budget allocation for 2015-16 around 80% will be targeted via grants at the poorest households in Scotland to make their homes warmer and cheaper to heat and has helped to mitigate the rise in fuel poverty. The remaining 20% is allocated to advice and support for all consumers and loans to help those able to pay to improve energy efficiency of their homes. We are satisfied that the majority of our HEEPS programme, which was welcomed in the report, is aimed at those who are subject to the poverty premium. We have recently launched our HEEPS: Warmer Homes Scotland scheme which is worth at least £16 million per year for up to seven years, and is available to vulnerable private sector households (tenants or owner-occupiers) in receipt of certain benefits.\r\nNext year we are making available more than £103 million to tackle fuel poverty and climate change, which is a significant commitment in light of ongoing spending pressures and UK Government cuts. This money will be used to help install energy efficiency measures, including solid wall insulation, in 14,000 homes and will build on the 900,000 energy efficiency measures delivered since 2008.\r\nWe have set up a new short term strategic working group to work alongside the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum and the Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force to build on our efforts to date and drive forward the policy to eradicate fuel poverty. The two time limited groups will publish reports later in 2016, setting out recommendations for how a new strategy can be developed to fully utilise the new powers and funding coming to Scotland as part of the Scotland Bill. The strategic working group will also consider a range of issues such as whether we are ensuring those who need help most get it. They will also consider the current definition of fuel poverty and suggest whether improvements or further research is required.\r\nThe Scottish Government has also supported the setting up of Our Power which is a new fully licensed independent energy supply company, the first in the UK operating as a community benefit society. It is founded by 35 member organisations including some of Scotland’s largest housing associations, and local authorities. The company will supply gas and electricity at a lower cost to the tenants and communities of its member organisations. It expects to save its members up to ten per cent on their household utility bills compared to standard commercial tariffs. In the future, Our Power hopes to develop renewable energy projects as part of its business for the benefit of local communities. This initiative directly helps those who are subject to the poverty premium.\r\nWe have also recently launched a new partnership for impartial advice on energy supplier switching delivered by the social enterprise Citrus Energy. This pilot is likely to target those Home Energy Scotland clients who require intensive help and support to explore the option of switching.\r\nThe Scottish Government welcomes the ongoing Competition and Markets Authority energy markets investigation and has expressed concerns about how some Scottish consumers, including pre-pay meter customers, are not well-served by the energy markets. We continue to follow this investigation closely and to press the UK Government for a timely, effective and equitable resolution for Scottish consumers.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309697,"EventID":"S4W-29446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:34.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T18:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact it considers that reductions in its legal aid budget will have on fair access to justice.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, we were able to increase the legal aid budget by £3.6 million (2.5%) in 2015-16 but that has proved unsustainable in the face of the Westminster settlement this year. The stark financial reality is that we must manage expenditure on legal aid through efficiencies and simplification if we are to protect access to justice and maintain the current generous legal aid system.\r\nWe believe there is potential for significant efficiencies and simplification of the current system that can deliver savings without affecting access to justice. The Law Society of Scotland set out ways in which efficiency and streamlining could be achieved in its paper on legal assistance. We are reviewing the legal aid system and intend to continue to work closely with the Scottish Legal Aid Board and the Law Society of Scotland to develop a more efficient and streamlined legal aid system.\r\nWe are committed to maintaining the broad scope of civil legal aid and avoid the approach taken in England and Wales where there is limited availability of legal aid. It should be noted that the legal aid system in Scotland is highly regarded by our international colleagues who admire the way in which the Scottish Government has been able to make efficiencies without compromising the scope of legal aid.\r\nLegal aid in Scotland will continue to be a demand led system and all who are eligible will continue to receive legal aid – no one will be turned away and therefore there is no anticipated negative impact on access to justice.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309698,"EventID":"S4W-29447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:35.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T18:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that more people are required to represent themselves in court as they are unable to secure legal aid.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Legal Aid Board data show that the percentage of applications for criminal legal aid that are granted has remained steady over the past three years at around 93% for summary proceedings and 96% for solemn proceedings. Therefore, evidence shows that it is inaccurate to claim that more people are appearing unrepresented as a consequence of reducing legal aid budgets. When individuals satisfy the eligibility criteria, they will continue to receive legal aid in our demand led legal aid system. \r\nIn terms of civil legal aid, we are committed to maintain the current wide scope of legal aid available, and achieving efficiencies in the operation of the legal aid system will support the delivery of that continuing commitment. That has not been the case in England and Wales where people can no longer access legal aid to help with some family, medical, housing and welfare benefit problems and their only option is to represent themselves.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309699,"EventID":"S4W-29448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:36.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T19:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address the reported fall in cervical screening rates among 25 to 29 and 55 to 59-year-olds.","AnswerText":"We fully support the objective of increasing uptake in the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme and work is already taking place to help address the fall in cervical screening uptake rates.\r\nScottish Government officials meet cervical screening coordinators from all NHS boards on a quarterly basis to discuss a range of issues relating to the national screening programme, including increasing uptake of screening. NHS boards have responsibility for publicising screening within their local area and for working closely with their communities to increase screening uptake. Work of this nature is already taking place within NHS boards. Recent local initiatives have included out of hours clinics and sessions specifically designed for regular defaulters. \r\nOur on-going Detect Cancer Early social marketing campaigns aim to raise awareness and encourage participation in the national cancer screening programmes and help people become more confident about recognising and reporting changes in their body.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309700,"EventID":"S4W-29449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:37.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T19:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce an awareness campaign among all age groups to improve the uptake of cervical screening by highlighting the importance of screening in identifying and treating cervical cancer. ","AnswerText":"As part of the forthcoming changes to the age range and frequency of the screening programme in 2016, an awareness raising campaign is being developed. This will highlight the importance of attending cervical screening and address some of the barriers which prevent women attending.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309701,"EventID":"S4W-29451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:37.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-21T19:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions its officials have had about introducing human papillomavirus (HPV) primary screening.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently working with NHS Scotland on the development of a business case which will provide all of the detail required to make a considered decision on implementing HPV testing in the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme. This is expected to be submitted by 1 June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309702,"EventID":"S4W-29452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:38.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-22T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) Welsh Government and (b) Northern Ireland Executive about implementing a deposit return system for beverage containers across the UK.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials have had several discussions with their counterparts in the Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive on a range of waste topics including deposit return. I will shortly be writing to ministers in the Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive to invite them to discuss these issues further.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309703,"EventID":"S4W-29453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:39.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-22T09:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the availability is of (a) 2G, (b) 3G and (c) 4G mobile phone coverage in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect data on mobile coverage by technology type at local authority level. As part of its 2015 Connected Nations report, Ofcom – the UK telecoms regulator – published a detailed table of mobile coverage statistics (premises, geographic and road), by technology (2G, 3G and 4G) at local authority level. This data is available at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/research/connected-nations2015/Mobile_Local_Authority_2015.zip.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309704,"EventID":"S4W-29454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:40.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-22T09:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial impact assessment it carried out before withdrawing a £66,000 grant from the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provided the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) with funding of £66,000 for a three year period which was always intended to end in March 2016, with no organisations guaranteed funding beyond this point. The application from SAYFC for the new Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities Funds unfortunately did not meet the criteria and was unsuccessful. We have funded and encouraged all applicants to avail themselves of the expertise and advice that Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland can provide, particularly on signposting to alternative potential funding opportunities.\r\nGiven the role SAYFC plays in our rural communities, not least in supporting this government’s aim of attracting and maintaining young people in the agricultural sector, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment was able to provide SAYFC with funding of £30,000 in recognition of the role it plays in his portfolio interests.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309705,"EventID":"S4W-29455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:41.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-22T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs before withdrawing a grant of £66,000.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provided the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) with funding of £66,000 for a three year period which was always intended to end in March 2016, with no organisations guaranteed funding beyond this point. The application from SAYFC for the new Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities Funds unfortunately did not meet the criteria and was unsuccessful. Opportunities relating to guidance and advice on how to prepare applications for funding were provided to all potential applicants including beneficiaries of the previous funding. This included nineteen webinars which were held between 21 July and 19 August 2015, inclusive.\r\nGiven the role SAYFC plays in our rural communities, not least in supporting this government’s aim of attracting and maintaining young people in the agricultural sector, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment was able to provide SAYFC with funding of £30,000 in recognition of the role it plays in his portfolio interests.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309706,"EventID":"S4W-29456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:42.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-22T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28251 by Shona Robison on 16 November 2015, whether it will provide an update on what progress is being made in establishing the six new elective treatment centres and when the final (a) range of services at and (b) allocation of funds for each site will be agreed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government are in continuous discussions with the five NHS boards concerned in taking forward this major investment in our NHS. Work is still ongoing on the range of services required at each site to meet the likely changing demographics over the next 20 years. We expect to have full business cases which will set out the services and funding required for each of the elective treatment centres during 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309707,"EventID":"S4W-29458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:42.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-22T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when (a) the proposed expansion of and (b) new elective treatment centre for the Golden Jubilee Hospital will be completed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government fully expects the proposed expansion of a new elective treatment centre at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital to be completed and operational by the end of the next parliamentary session.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309708,"EventID":"S4W-29459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:43.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-22T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional procedures and operations will be provided at the new elective treatment centre at the Golden Jubilee Hospital.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29456 on 5 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309709,"EventID":"S4W-29460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:43.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-22T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what sanctions there are for landlords who fail to comply with the tenancy deposit schemes regulations that came into force in March 2011 and how many have been penalised each year for non-compliance, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"A tenant may make a summary application to the sheriff where the landlord has not complied with the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011.\r\nIf satisfied that the landlord has failed to comply with any duty under the regulations, the sheriff must order the landlord to pay the tenant up to three times the amount of the tenancy deposit and may, as the sheriff considers appropriate, order the landlord to pay the deposit to an approved scheme, or provide the tenant with required information. The sheriff will have discretion to take the individual circumstances of each application into account when deciding what amount of financial penalty should apply.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of landlords penalised for non-compliance.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309710,"EventID":"S4W-29461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:44.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-22T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what content on (a) human rights law and (b) its human rights obligations is included in the induction and professional development programmes for its civil servants who (i) are engaged in policy development and (ii) provide legal services for ministers.","AnswerText":"All new staff recruited by the Scottish Government participate in a corporate induction programme that introduces them to the core values of the Scottish Government and gives them the opportunity to explore how these values, including our commitment to human rights, are translated into the development and implementation of policy. This is supplemented by locally-led induction and by spending time with colleagues and stakeholders to build subject-specific knowledge and understanding. As an organisation, we encourage all staff to discuss and plan their learning and development on an on-going basis with their line manager. Our learning support is designed to help people develop their skills and knowledge through experiential learning, classroom based learning and coaching or mentoring support.\r\nStaff providing legal advice have an in-depth professional knowledge of the law of Scotland, including the important human rights dimension to the devolution settlement. Skills, knowledge and awareness are further developed through a combination of on-the-job training and supportive supervision by experienced colleagues, as well as through personal learning which, for example, ranges from the use of regular human rights case updates for Scotland, the UK and the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg to participation in internal and external seminars and workshops.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309711,"EventID":"S4W-29462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-22T15:38:45.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-22T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29164 by Derek Mackay on 20 January 2016, how many times over the same period did services achieve 100% punctuality.","AnswerText":"Of the 309 weekdays between 15 December 2014 and 12 December 2015, 100 percent punctuality of the 18 or 19 trains per day run (that is, within four minutes 59 seconds of the booked time), was achieved on 49 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":309717,"EventID":"S4T-01294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T12:55:18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent research by Pinsent Masons regarding the North Sea oil and gas industry. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309718,"EventID":"S4T-01299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T12:55:19.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding how it could assist in accommodating 3,000 unaccompanied refugee children.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309734,"EventID":"S4F-03192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T12:54:49.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-22T15:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309735,"EventID":"S4F-03193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T12:54:51.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-24T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that every foster carer receives a minimum allowance.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309736,"EventID":"S4W-29463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T14:07:26.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-22T16:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the restatement and amendment of the law relating to allotments in Part 9 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, whether local authorities will retain the ability to compulsorily purchase land for the purpose of providing allotments.","AnswerText":"Powers for compulsory purchase of land for the provision of allotments are not included within the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and local authorities will not be able to purchase land for allotments compulsorily once Part 9 of this Act has been implemented. Scottish Government officials are reviewing the position on the need and justification for compulsory purchase of land for allotments, using compulsory purchase orders, and this important work is currently underway.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309737,"EventID":"S4W-29464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T14:07:27.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-24T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2016.","AnswerText":"We fully support the aims of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2016 and congratulate Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust in leading this initiative highlighting the importance of cervical screening and its role in preventing cervical cancer. We work closely with Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to help address the fall in cervical screening uptake rates in Scotland. This work includes the promotion of their recent #SmearForSmear campaign which ran 24-30 January 2016 to raise awareness of cervical cancer and spread the message that it can be prevented.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309738,"EventID":"S4W-29465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T14:07:27.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-24T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government  what steps it is taking to address the reported decline in cervical screening uptake rates.","AnswerText":"We fully support the objective of increasing uptake in the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme and work is already taking place to help address the fall in cervical screening uptake rates.\r\nScottish Government officials meet cervical screening coordinators from all NHS boards on a quarterly basis to discuss a range of issues relating to the national screening programme, including increasing uptake of screening. NHS boards have responsibility for publicising screening within their local area and for working closely with their communities to increase screening uptake. Work of this nature is already taking place within NHS boards. Recent local initiatives have included out of hours clinics and sessions specifically designed for regular defaulters. \r\nAs part of the forthcoming changes to the age range and frequency of the screening programme, an awareness raising campaign will be launched, this will aim to highlight the importance of attending cervical screening and address some of the barriers which prevent women attending. Furthermore, our on-going Detect Cancer Early social marketing campaigns aim to raise awareness and encourage participation in the national cancer screening programmes and help people become more confident about recognising and reporting changes in their body.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309739,"EventID":"S4W-29466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T14:07:28.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-24T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding increasing the cervical screening uptake rate for women from disadvantaged backgrounds.","AnswerText":"We work closely with health boards to develop initiatives to improve uptake for women from disadvantaged backgrounds within the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme. Recent initiatives include dedicated nurses working with the local homeless and travelling women to assist them with GP registration and full health assessments including screening tests and drop in clinics at job clubs.\r\nWe recently commissioned NHS Health Scotland to undertake research with women into the reasons for non-uptake of the screening invitation. The results of this work will inform our engagement and communications strategy to support the programme and consider how to improve uptake of cervical screening.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309740,"EventID":"S4W-29467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T14:07:28.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-24T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding increasing the cervical screening uptake rate for women from black and minority ethnic groups.","AnswerText":"We recently commissioned NHS Health Scotland to conduct a Health Inequalities Impact Assessment to ensure that all national communications for cervical screening are appropriately targeted for women from a range of groups. All communication materials are translated into a number of languages and other translations can be requested, ensuring that women from black and ethnic minority groups have equitable access to communication materials in order to make an informed decision on taking up their invitation to cervical screening.\r\nWe work closely with health boards to develop initiatives to improve uptake for women from black and minority ethnic groups within the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme. Recent initiatives include running cervical screening awareness workshops to tackle the cultural differences that can cause barriers to attending for cervical screening.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309741,"EventID":"S4W-29468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T14:07:29.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-24T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding increasing the cervical screening uptake rate for women with learning difficulties.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials meet cervical screening coordinators from all NHS boards on a quarterly basis to share best practice in promoting cervical screening services, development of initiatives to improve uptake and how best to communicate effectively with a range of audiences. Recent local initiatives to increase the screening for women with learning difficulties have included a video about smear tests for women with learning difficulties and dedicated staff working with women with learning difficulties, facilitating cervical screening and then assisting during the appointments.\r\nWe also encourage all boards to utilise the information materials available to them in discussing cervical screening with women who have learning difficulties. In particular, the two easy read leaflets in NHS Health Scotland's 'Keep Yourself Healthy' series which deal with cervical screening, both of which are available to support people with learning difficulties and any carer in making an informed decision on taking up their invitation to screening. ","AnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309742,"EventID":"S4W-29469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T14:07:29.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there have been changes to the funding arrangements for Scotland’s Employer Recruitment Incentive and, if so, whether this relates to EU funding.","AnswerText":"Scotland's Employer Recruitment Incentive was paused to new starts on 4 December 2015. Those currently on the programme will be fully supported throughout their 12 month participation. The pause is in no way related to EU funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309743,"EventID":"S4W-29470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T14:07:30.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28833 by Angela Constance on 17 December 2015, what different student loan repayment thresholds have been modelled and what was the resulting resource accounting and budgeting charge. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has modelled increasing the repayment threshold from £17,000 to £21,000. This is expected to increase the resource accounting and budgeting charge by around four percentage points.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309744,"EventID":"S4W-29471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T14:07:30.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28830 by Angela Constance on 17 December 2015, what the UK Government-advised maximum budget for the Scottish Government was for the cost of loans in each of the last five years and what figure has been advised for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government maximum budget for the cost of loans in 2016-17 and each of the last five years is in the following table. The figure for 2016-17 is an initial estimate. \r\nYear\r\nFinal expenditure as in Scottish Government accounts\r\n2016-17\r\n£175.6 million initial estimate\r\n2015-16\r\n£171 million forecast outturn\r\n2014-15\r\n£149.4 million\r\n2013-14\r\n£126.9 million\r\n2012-13\r\n£215.6 million*\r\n2011-12\r\n£146.3 million**\r\n*Includes income contingent student loan writedown, additional budget secured at Spring Budget Revision.\r\n**Includes £61.4 million mortgage-style loan book writedown for sale of loan book and £16.4 million for income contingent additional interest subsidy.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309745,"EventID":"S4W-29472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T14:07:30.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28832 by Angela Constance on 17 December 2015, what resource accounting and budgeting charge is expected to apply in 2016-17. ","AnswerText":"Based on the draft budget, the resource accounting and budgeting charge is expected to be £175.6 million in 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309746,"EventID":"S4W-29473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T14:07:31.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28830 by Angela Constance on 17 December 2015, what the non-cash departmental expenditure budget will be for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"The non-cash DEL budget for 2016-17 is £175.6 million. The budget has been adjusted downwards to reflect estimated requirements.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309747,"EventID":"S4W-29474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T14:07:31.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28830 by Angela Constance on 17 December 2015, how much non-cash departmental expenditure available has been unused in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The following table sets out the non-cash departmental expenditure unused in each of the last five years:\r\nYear\r\nEstimated/actual unused budget\r\n2015-16\r\n£81.1 million\r\n2014-15\r\n£32.2 million\r\n2013-14\r\n£56.1 million\r\n2012-13\r\n£64.8 million\r\n2011-12\r\nn/a* \r\n*There was a budget overspend in 2011-12. \r\nThe non-cash departmental expenditure budget is only available for spend related to the student loans resource accounting and budgeting charge, underspend cannot be used elsewhere.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309748,"EventID":"S4W-29475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T14:07:32.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the public health impacts of underground coal gasification are not being assessed by Health Protection Scotland.","AnswerText":"Underground coal gasification (UCG) employs different technology to that used for unconventional oil and gas extraction, and it is therefore appropriate for the two to be considered separately.\r\nOn 8 October 2015 the Scottish Government announced a moratorium on UCG and an independent examination of the issues and evidence surrounding the technology, to be led by Professor Campbell Gemmell. Professor Gemmell will seek stakeholder input on a range of issues, including public health.\r\nInformation on the independent review of UCG can be found on the Scottish Government website at \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/onshoreoilandgas.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309749,"EventID":"S4F-03194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T12:54:46.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T08:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309750,"EventID":"S4F-03196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T12:54:47.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what role the Scottish Government considers that cadet forces play in society.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309751,"EventID":"S4F-03202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T12:54:48.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the Committee on Climate Change’s concerns that its spending on climate change is set to be reduced in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309752,"EventID":"S4F-03203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T12:54:44.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T11:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will provide an update on discussions on the fiscal framework.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309753,"EventID":"S4W-29476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T17:00:08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the public sector has met the savings targets highlighted by John McClelland in his 2010 report, Review of ICT Infrastucture in the Public Sector in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Review of ICT Infrastructure in the Public Sector in Scotland by John McClelland CBE, published in June 2011, confirmed the public sector could start to realise a reduction in ICT spend from 2012-13, and continue to do so over a five year period. I can confirm that by end 2013-14, the latest period for which figures are available, we have achieved a cumulative reduction in ICT spend of £237 million. We plan to reassess the methodology used for identifying efficiencies in ICT expenditure to ensure that it truly reflects the impact of changes in our approach to procurement and the development of our digital public services strategy since the publication of John McClelland’s report.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309754,"EventID":"S4W-29478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T17:00:08.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the details of the 2016-17 budget of each territorial NHS board.","AnswerText":"Page 32 of the Draft Budget for 2016-17 provides indicative baseline funding for NHS territorial boards:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00491140.pdf\r\nDetails of the finalised 2016-17 baseline budgets of each territorial NHS board will be published following completion of Stage 3 of the Budget Bill in Parliament on 24 February 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309755,"EventID":"S4W-29479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T17:00:09.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial sanctions can be applied to local authorities that do not comply with its teacher-number criteria.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring we have the right number of teachers, with the right skills, in the right places to educate our young people. That is why we provided additional funding of £51 million to local authorities in 2015 specifically to support the maintenance of teacher numbers.\r\nThe government has proposed to local authorities for 2016 that the pupil teacher ratio be maintained nationally at 2015 levels and that places are provided for all probationer teachers who require one under the teacher induction scheme. In return, the government will again provide authorities with £88 million (£51 million specifically for the purpose of maintaining teacher numbers and a further £37 million for the teacher induction scheme). If, however, the pupil teacher ratio is not maintained nationally then the Scottish Government reserves its position to recover monies allocated to individual authorities’ whose pupil teacher ratio rises. This action will be proportionate and apply only to that element of the funding for a specific measure that a local authority does not deliver.\r\nLocal authorities are currently considering whether to accept the proposed local government finance settlement of which this commitment forms an integral part.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309756,"EventID":"S4W-29480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T17:00:09.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will provide to the integrated health and social care boards in 2016-17, broken down by local authority area, and from which budget line this will be sourced.","AnswerText":"Details of allocations to integration authorities are provided in the answer to question S4W-30141 on 26 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309757,"EventID":"S4W-29481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T17:00:10.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on (a) how many and (b) what percentage of private sector employees are paid at least the living wage.","AnswerText":"The information requested is published on the Scottish Government website:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/AnalyticalPapers/ASHESGAnalysis\r\nThe information can be found in ‘Table 17: Employees earning the Living Wage by Public/Private Sector, 2014 and 2015’.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309758,"EventID":"S4W-29482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T17:00:13.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many women have been employed by each local authority in each of the last three years, also broken down by the number of full-time equivalents and expressed as a percentage of the total workforce.","AnswerText":"Information on local government employment is published on the Scottish Government website as part of the public sector employment publication:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/PublicSectorEmployment/PSEwebtables.\r\nThe information for local government employment by gender can be found in the following tables:\r\nTable 10: Local Government Employment by Local Authority and Gender, Headcount;\r\nTable 17: Local Government Employment by Local Authority and Gender, Full-time Equivalent.\r\nThese tables along with tables 9 and 16 (Local Government Employment by Local Authority, Headcount and Local Government Employment by Local Authority, Full-time Equivalent) can be used to calculate the percentage of the total workforce who are female.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309759,"EventID":"S4W-29483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T17:00:14.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will receive in Barnett consequentials each year from the UK Government’s allocation of £75 million over the next five years to fund additional specialist perinatal mental health services; whether it will allocate the money toward such services in Scotland, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"At a Spending Review Barnett consequentials are determined on a departmental level as opposed to a programme level. It is therefore not possible to isolate the financial impact of individual UK Government spending decisions. \r\nLast year we announced investment of £100 million to improve mental health services over the next five years. The Draft Budget 2016-17 provides an additional £50 million, resulting in a total package of £150 million. On 12 January 2016 the First Minister announced that £54.1 million – over one third – of that package will be invested over the next four years to improve access to psychological therapies for all ages, which will include women at risk of perinatal mental illness.\r\nThis is in addition to the overall funding that we already provide to NHS Scotland to meet the health care needs of the population, including for community and specialist mental health services such as the regional-based accommodation in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lothian for mothers experiencing a mental health problem to be admitted to hospital for treatment along with their child.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309760,"EventID":"S4W-29487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T17:00:14.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the average gross weekly pay for full-time employees in Scotland at the (a) 10th, (b) 50th, (c) 90th and (d) 99th percentile of the Office for National Statistics’ annual survey of hours and earnings in each of the last eight years, also broken down by gender and expressed in real terms.","AnswerText":"Information on gross weekly earnings for full-time employees by distributions of 10 percentile bands is published by the Office for National Statistics and is available via the Nomis website (https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/) by selecting ‘Query data’ followed by the ‘Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings’ folder and then ‘Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings – workplace analysis’. Various breakdowns of the data, including gender and full-time/part-time, can then be produced using the options available. \r\nInformation on the 99th percentile is not published by the Office for National Statistics.\r\nThe requested information, expressed in real terms, is presented in the tables below:\r\nGross Weekly Earnings for All Full-Time Employees by Specified Percentiles, Scotland, 2008-15\r\nYear\r\n10th Percentile\r\n50th Percentile\r\n90th Percentile\r\n2008\r\n308.10\r\n550.30\r\n1,026.97\r\n2009\r\n311.92\r\n549.67\r\n1,049.34\r\n2010\r\n305.54\r\n546.97\r\n1,034.31\r\n2011\r\n293.23\r\n520.37\r\n997.93\r\n2012\r\n292.14\r\n518.35\r\n979.22\r\n2013\r\n294.43\r\n517.19\r\n974.79\r\n2014\r\n292.27\r\n519.19\r\n961.55\r\n2015\r\n300.50\r\n527.00\r\n968.90\r\nGross Weekly Earnings for Male Full-Time Employees by Specified Percentiles, Scotland, 2008-15\r\nYear\r\n10th Percentile\r\n50th Percentile\r\n90th Percentile\r\n2008\r\n331.66\r\n600.62\r\n1,130.71\r\n2009\r\n335.17\r\n592.80\r\n1,165.25\r\n2010\r\n330.98\r\n584.41\r\n1,150.09\r\n2011\r\n311.26\r\n555.24\r\n1,094.92\r\n2012\r\n315.16\r\n554.91\r\n1,071.28\r\n2013\r\n314.56\r\n554.70\r\n1,070.16\r\n2014\r\n314.85\r\n558.06\r\n1,053.28\r\n2015\r\n320.00\r\n562.50\r\n1,062.20\r\nGross Weekly Earnings for Female Full-Time Employees by Specified Percentiles, Scotland, 2008-15\r\nYear\r\n10th Percentile\r\n50th Percentile\r\n90th Percentile\r\n2008\r\n287.64\r\n477.14\r\n877.09\r\n2009\r\n290.99\r\n488.63\r\n906.00\r\n2010\r\n283.24\r\n482.52\r\n883.22\r\n2011\r\n273.92\r\n467.15\r\n851.26\r\n2012\r\n269.44\r\n456.18\r\n831.32\r\n2013\r\n272.78\r\n461.06\r\n827.58\r\n2014\r\n272.89\r\n460.54\r\n836.65\r\n2015\r\n282.40\r\n474.80\r\n842.10\r\nSource: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2015, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes:\r\n- Covers employees aged 16+ on the PAYE system on adults rates and whose pay was not affected by absence. \r\n- Methodological changes mean that care should be taken when comparing figures pre and post 2011.\r\n- Consumer Price Index (2015) prices used to calculate real terms earnings.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309761,"EventID":"S4W-29488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T17:00:15.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it conducts privacy impact assessments when developing major policies and, if so, whether these assessments examine the effect of policy on the number of nuisance calls received by homeowners.","AnswerText":"Privacy impact assessments (PIA) are used in the Scottish Government to identify and manage privacy risks of new projects and policies, often as part of the normal project and risk management process. No formal record is automatically kept linking changes to policy or legislation back to a specific privacy impact assessment. However, if a PIA did identify that there is a risk of nuisance calls then measures would be taken to address those risks.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309762,"EventID":"S4W-29489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-25T17:00:15.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its procurement process actively supports the take-up of telemarketing certification schemes such as the Telephone Preference Service.","AnswerText":"The relevant UK certification scheme for organisations which engage in telemarketing (i.e. which engage in outbound marketing calls to UK consumers or which outsource to a company that makes such calls) is \"Telephone Preference Service (TPS) Assured\". TPS Assured is an annual audit and certification service operated by the TPS that assesses whether an organisation complies with:\r\nPrivacy and Electronic Communications Regulations;\r\nOfcom guidance; and\r\nTPS Assured's guidance on outbound telemarketing best practice.\r\nExisting Scottish Government contracts do not include clauses designed to promote telemarketing certification schemes. The Scottish Government does, however, engage actively with the marketing industry in Scotland and expects its suppliers to operate to the highest professional standards and in accordance with the law relating to telemarketing practice, where it is applicable and relevant to the contract.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309769,"EventID":"S4W-29484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-26T13:41:22.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many apprenticeships have been undertaken in each of the last five years, also broken down by gender.","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland (SDS) publish modern apprenticeship (MA) statistics on a quarterly basis. These published statistics are broken down by age, gender, framework, level and local authority area and can be accessed via SDS' website: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/publications-statistics/.\r\nFor your ease of reference I have detailed MA starts, broken down by gender, for the past five years, in the following table:\r\n\r\nFemale\r\nMale\r\nAll\r\n2014-15\r\n10,169\r\n15,078\r\n25,247\r\n2013-14\r\n10,445\r\n14,839\r\n25,284\r\n2012-13\r\n11,040\r\n14,651\r\n25,691\r\n2011-12\r\n11,381\r\n15,046\r\n26,427\r\n2010-11\r\n9,656\r\n11,905\r\n21,561\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309770,"EventID":"S4W-29485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-26T13:41:23.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many modern apprenticeships have been started to date.","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland (SDS) publish modern apprenticeship (MA) statistics on a quarterly basis. These published statistics are broken down by age, gender, framework, level and local authority area and can be accessed via SDS' website: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/publications-statistics/. \r\nThe most recent published statistics are for quarter two of 2015-16, i.e. to end September 2015. For your ease of reference I can advise that at this point there had been 12,473 MA starts.\r\nSince we established SDS in 2008, there have been 155,005 MA starts between 2008-09 to 2014-15.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309771,"EventID":"S4W-29490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-26T13:41:24.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-26T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many former NHS sites have been converted to social housing in each year since 2007-08, and how many housing units they have provided.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information as it is not collected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309772,"EventID":"S4W-29491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-26T13:41:25.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-26T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to convert NHS brownfield sites into residential housing.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers’ policy is that property holdings should be kept to a minimum and, as such, once surplus assets have been identified they should usually be sold as quickly as possible, subject to value for money considerations. Health officials liaise with those working in housing to allow sites with housing potential to be identified. In addition, the Scottish Government has funded the establishment of a strategic disposals team within Scottish Futures Trust. The strategic disposals team provides support to NHS boards across Scotland on the preparation of disposal strategies for surplus sites, and commissioning of technical work to assess site constraints and opportunities, including for residential development, prior to marketing.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309773,"EventID":"S4W-29492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-26T13:41:26.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-26T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the percentage of NHS (a) brownfield and (b) greenfield sites that could be used for social housing.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information as it is not collected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309774,"EventID":"S4W-29493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-26T13:41:27.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-26T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of private landlords has used Home Energy Scotland advice centres in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government funds the Energy Saving Trust annually to provide a range of advice and support on domestic energy efficiency. This includes the Home Energy Scotland advice service. Part of this funding is targeted at providing in-depth support to private landlords to make their homes more energy efficient. \r\nThe following table details the percentage of private sector landlords (PSLs) who have taken up this service since 2008-09.\r\nThe advice network was established in April 2008.\r\nFinancial year\r\n% PSLs\r\n2008-09\r\n<1%\r\n2009-10\r\n<1%\r\n2010-11\r\n1%\r\n2011-12\r\n<1%\r\n2012-13\r\n2%\r\n2013-14\r\n3%\r\n2014-15\r\n1%\r\n2015-16 to 28 Jan 2016\r\n2%\r\nBased on the total number of Scottish PSLs who are individuals (does not include PSLs who are companies or charities) taken from the Scottish Government Review of the Private Rented Sector (2009).","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309775,"EventID":"S4W-29494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-26T13:41:28.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-26T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on Home Energy Scotland advice centres in each year since 2007-08, and how that money is used.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government funds the Energy Saving Trust (EST) annually to provide a range of advice and support on domestic energy efficiency. This includes the Home Energy Scotland advice service.\r\nOur funding to Home Energy Scotland:\r\nProvides free and impartial advice on energy efficiency measures to all householders in Scotland including advice on schemes they may be eligible for;\r\nCan provide tailored advice for an individual’s own home;\r\nCan assist householders through the complaints process of government energy efficiency schemes;\r\nOffers every caller a free benefits check to ensure householders are receiving all the help and support they are entitled to; and\r\nProvides a community liaison service to join up with other service providers to reach the most vulnerable people in the community.\r\nThe following table details Scottish Government funding to EST since 2008-09 which is the year the advice centre network was established.\r\n\r\n2008-\r\n09\r\n2009-\r\n10\r\n2010-\r\n11\r\n2011-\r\n12\r\n2012-\r\n13\r\n2013-\r\n14\r\n2014-\r\n15\r\n2015-\r\n16\r\nTotal programme cost (£ million)\r\n4.375\r\n8.665\r\n9.003\r\n8.235\r\n8.353\r\n8.399\r\n8.924\r\n9.069\r\nNumber of advice interactions (0,000)\r\n179\r\n415\r\n589\r\n292\r\n282\r\n182\r\n327\r\ntbc\r\nThe costs in the table above include:\r\nFunding for the core energy efficiency advice service; \r\nDelivering the customer journey; \r\nManagement element of the Scottish Government's fuel poverty programme;\r\nIn-depth renewables advice;\r\nSustainable transport advice; and\r\nThe cost of EST central service associated with the running of the advice network.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309776,"EventID":"S4W-29495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-26T13:41:29.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-26T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of savings made by private landlords who have used Home Energy Scotland advice centres and helplines.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government funds the Energy Saving Trust (EST) annually to provide a range of advice and support on domestic energy efficiency. This includes the Home Energy Scotland advice service (HES). Part of this funding is targeted at providing in-depth support to private landlords to make their homes more energy efficient.\r\nThe following table details the estimated savings made by private sector landlords from measures installed following support by the specialist private sector landlord advice service since 2008. \r\nFinancial benefits (£ lifetime)\r\n£4,598,528\r\nCO2 savings (tonnes lifetime)\r\n13,966\r\nFinancial benefits include fuel bill savings and Feed-in Tariff/Renewable Heat Incentive payments.\r\nThe following table shows the estimated savings made from measures installed by private landlords who have accessed financial support via loans and grants administered by EST. These landlords may not have utilised the HES advice and support provision. \r\nCO2 saving \r\n(tCO2/year)\r\nCO2 saving \r\n(tCO2 lifetime)\r\nFinancial saving \r\n(£/year)\r\nFinancial saving \r\n(£ lifetime)\r\n2,240\r\n36,728\r\n£746,243\r\n£9,183,831\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309818,"EventID":"S4W-29496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-26T17:15:52.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-26T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on implementing plans on delivering indoor smoke-free prison facilities.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“A ‘National Tobacco Strategy Workstream’ has been convened to provide strategic leadership in the development of a joint action plan detailing how indoor smoke-free prisons facilities will be delivered. The workstream has developed a comprehensive evidence-informed options paper, which considers available national and international research and policy evaluation. The outcome of the options paper will inform the proposed action plan (including timescales) to deliver indoor smoke-free prison facilities. Following final consultation, this paper will shortly be submitted to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice for his consideration.\r\nThere are designated no smoking units within HMP Castle Huntly, HMYOI Polmont (accommodation for 16 and 17 year old is smoke-free because it is illegal to sell tobacco to persons under 18 years old), and HMP and YOI Cornton Vale. Additionally, the mother and baby unit and mother and baby independent living unit within HMP and YOI Cornton Vale are designated no smoking.”","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309819,"EventID":"S4W-29497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-26T17:15:53.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-26T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the next Scottish House Condition Survey will publish the percentage of fuel poor households broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The most recent statistics on the number and percentage of fuel poor households by local authority area were published on 29 January 2016. They relate to the period 2012-14. The next publication of fuel poverty statistics for Scotland is due in December 2016 and will include figures broken down by local authority for the period 2013-15.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309820,"EventID":"S4W-29498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-26T17:15:54.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-26T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date 100% of residents of (a) Orkney, (b) the Highlands and Islands and (c) Scotland will have access to superfast broadband.","AnswerText":"Our £410 million investment in the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme will extend fibre broadband access to at least 95% of homes and businesses in Scotland by the end of 2017. The programme has already met its target of 85% coverage across Scotland. Coverage in the Highlands and Islands will reach 84% whereas planned commercial rollout would only have served 21% of premises. 75% of premises on Orkney will be covered by the Digital Scotland programme. No commercial coverage was planned on Orkney.\r\nA key priority is to ensure that the remaining 5% have access to superfast broadband as early as possible. We have established Community Broadband Scotland to progress community led solutions and are working closely with partners to develop plans to extend coverage even further. We expect to announce plans later in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309821,"EventID":"S4W-29499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-26T17:15:55.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-26T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the accessibility of mobile broadband services and wifi on public transport has been in (a) Orkney (b) the Highlands and Islands and (c) Scotland in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect or hold information on mobile broadband services and Wi-Fi on bus and coach services, which form Scotland's principal modes of public transport. These are provided either through local authorities or directly by operators on a commercial basis.\r\nIn terms of the ScotRail network in Scotland, which is managed and let by Transport Scotland, there has been a rolling programme of Wi-Fi installation on trains since December 2013. Approximately 45% of the ScotRail fleet is currently Wi-Fi enabled. The present Abellio franchise commits ScotRail to fit all of the fleet with Wi-Fi by December 2018.\r\nCalMac Ferries Ltd, which is owned by the Scottish Government, provides public Wi-Fi on the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay route, which covers those two ports and the MV Argyle and MV Bute. The service has been available on this route since February 2015. CalMac Ferries Ltd will be providing Wi-Fi across their remaining ports and vessels and is working with the suppliers to make sure that this will happen as soon as possible. The programme of works is being developed with an anticipated completion date of spring 2016.\r\nSerco NorthLink Ferries provide Wi-Fi on all their passenger ferries to/from Aberdeen-Orkney-Lerwick and on the Scrabster-Stromness route. Wi-Fi is also available in the ports served by NorthLink. The Scottish Government does not hold any figures on usage.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309826,"EventID":"S4W-29500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T13:39:14.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-26T15:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the British Infrastructure Group report, Broadbad, which calls for BT's Openreach service to be sold off.","AnswerText":"The issues raised in the British Infrastructure Group’s report, including structural separation of BT, are currently being considered by Ofcom as part of the Strategic Review of Digital Communications.\r\nThe Scottish Government set out its position in response to Ofcom’s recent discussion paper. We believe that the regulatory environment governing BT must stimulate higher service quality and deliver greater transparency and levels of investment. It is our view that strengthened, and more rigorously enforced, functional separation arrangements could deliver those outcomes, without the associated disruption to the market. However, if this is not achievable, then structural separation of Openreach should be considered.\r\nWe believe that Ofcom is best placed to assess these options; and look forward to continued engagement with them throughout the strategic review process.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309827,"EventID":"S4W-29501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T13:39:15.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-26T17:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on how the Competition and Markets Authority’s approval of the merger of BT and EE will impact on the mobile telecoms market in Scotland.","AnswerText":"At this stage, the Scottish Government considers it is too early to make an assessment of the likely impact of the merger of BT and EE on the mobile telecoms market in Scotland. The increasing convergence of fixed and mobile infrastructure and services will require Ofcom to keep regulation in this area under review to protect consumers, stimulate infrastructure investment and innovation, and encourage the growth of mobile markets. In our response to Ofcom’s Strategic Review of Digital Communications, we called on Ofcom to undertake more extensive regional market analysis, which would assess the likely impacts of such mergers in Scotland and therefore help determine which remedies, if appropriate, would be most effective.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309828,"EventID":"S4W-29502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T13:39:16.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-26T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with COSLA about implementing a deposit return system for beverage containers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government meets with COSLA representatives regularly to discuss waste and resource management issues, including deposit return.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309829,"EventID":"S4W-29505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T13:39:17.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards have engaged additional staff for chronic pain clinics since 2012, broken down by (a) number of staff, (b) profession and (c) whole-time equivalent.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309830,"EventID":"S4W-29506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T13:39:18.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason waiting lists for patients attending NHS chronic pain clinics, which were due to be published in November 2015, have not yet been published and when they will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have been working with NHS National Services Scotland’s Information Services Division (ISD) to ensure that these new data are sufficiently complete and robust. \r\nWhile this work is still on-going, ISD plan to release waiting times figures available from the quarter ending 31 December 2015 as developmental data, which are expected to be published by ISD on 8 March 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309831,"EventID":"S4W-29511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T13:39:19.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T00:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children under five have been referred for speech and language therapy in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not currently collected centrally, however we are working closely with Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland to develop a consistent approach to data collection relating to all allied health professional (AHP) services, including speech and language therapy. This will ensure that in the future AHPs will be better placed to report nationally on the quality of their service delivery, including user experience, by implementing a national data set and using quality measures agreed for national and local reporting, particularly in relation to the nationally agreed outcomes for integration of health and social care services.\r\nSpeech and language is included as part of the assessment of child development as part of the 27-30 month review to identify early and respond to emerging speech and language needs. The Child Health 27-30 Month Review Statistics, published by ISD in December 2015, show that in 2014-15 50,956 children had a review by 30 months with 11% of these having newly identified speech and language concerns and 3% noted as having existing speech and language concerns at the time of the review.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309832,"EventID":"S4W-29512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T13:39:20.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T00:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to health and social care partnerships to ensure that provision of speech and language therapy meets demand.","AnswerText":"We are working with speech and language therapy leads across Scotland to identify how best to map local demographics and referral data to support services in understanding the real demand and appropriate deployment of resources. This mapping will enable speech and language therapy leads to understand and profile the demand and need in relation to their available workforce and to consider, for each partnership area, new and innovative ways of using their available capacity to best meet the wellbeing needs of children and young people in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309833,"EventID":"S4W-29513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T13:39:21.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T00:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors whether provision of speech and language therapy meets demand.","AnswerText":"We have appointed an allied health professional (AHP) National Lead for Children and Young People who is working with NHS boards across Scotland and we have recently published Ready to Act, the first children and young people’s services plan in Scotland to focus on the support provided by AHPs. The plan sets the direction of travel for the design and delivery of AHP services to meet the well-being needs of children and young people, including speech and language therapy services. ","AnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309834,"EventID":"S4W-29515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T13:39:21.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T00:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25576 by Alasdair Allan on 29 May 2015, what extra resources it has allocated to match the increase in the number of children diagnosed with a speech and language disorder.","AnswerText":"While the government provides the policies, frameworks and resources for high quality health care in Scotland, it is for each NHS board to decide how best to deliver these services to meet the needs of the population. This includes how best to utilise funding and staff, taking account of national and local priorities, to meet local needs.\r\nFrom 2006-07 to 2016-17, the annual health resource budget has increased by over £3.3 billion, or 36.8% (£1.23 billion in real terms, 11.3%).","AnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309835,"EventID":"S4O-05515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:27.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on women employed in part-time and temporary work.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309836,"EventID":"S4O-05511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:28.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many homes for social rent and how many for mid-market rent will have been built in Dumfries and Galloway between May 2011 and March 2016.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309837,"EventID":"S4O-05527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:29.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason personal independence payments are included for income assessment as part of the common financial tool in a bankruptcy process.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309838,"EventID":"S4O-05533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:29.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will undertake a national strategic review of flooding infrastructure and management following the latest incidents.","AnswerText":"Although the impacts of the recent flooding are still being felt and will continue to be assessed over the coming weeks, we have not received any indication that any of Scotland’s flood defences were overwhelmed in the way that has happened during the extreme flooding events in England, and which has prompted the UK Government’s review.\r\nIn any case, all the existing flood defences in Scotland were assessed in 2007 as part of the establishment of the Scottish Government’s Flood Defence Asset Database.\r\nSince then, a new National Flood Risk Assessment has been undertaken by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and the resulting flood risk management strategies were published in December 2015. For the first time ever, we have a national picture of flood risk across Scotland. This is a major step forward in our understanding of flood risk, and will make sure that Scotland is as prepared as we can be, to deal with any such future events which may become more frequent with the onset of climate change.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309839,"EventID":"S4O-05522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:30.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it has undertaken in preparation for the devolution of employment services.","AnswerText":"In developing the Scottish approach to employability support services, the consultation Creating a Fairer Scotland: Employability Support consulted been June and October 2015 to draw on as wide a range of perspectives, experience and expertise as possible on the future employability services which unemployed people in Scotland want, need and deserve.\r\nOur aim was to listen to service users and providers, plus employers and other stakeholders, on how they would like the Scottish approach to employability to look in 2017 when these powers are devolved. We received 179 written responses to the formal consultation document, Creating a Fairer Scotland: Employability Support, a further 36 responses to our SurveyMonkey questionnaire. We also gained invaluable feedback from more than 70 face to face events and meetings with user and stakeholder groups across Scotland.\r\nWe will use the analysis of the consultation responses, published last week, to inform decisions on the shape of devolved employability services. I am keen that we continue to engage with stakeholders, building on the strong relations established during the consultation phase, as this work develops.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309840,"EventID":"S4O-05524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:31.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-26T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the retention of locally accessible inpatient facilities for mental health patients.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309841,"EventID":"S4O-05508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:31.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with representatives of Argyll and Bute Council.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309842,"EventID":"S4O-05529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:32.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects to deliver the commitment that it made on 30 April 2014 that four specialist major trauma centres will be operational from 2016.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309843,"EventID":"S4O-05516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:33.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government about the Trade Union Bill.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309844,"EventID":"S4O-05504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:33.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-26T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the priorities are for the housing supply budget in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309845,"EventID":"S4O-05518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:34.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what aspects of fair work it has discussed recently with Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309846,"EventID":"S4O-05513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:35.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its response to the recommendations in the Independent Advisor on Poverty and Inequality's report, Shifting the Curve.","AnswerText":"We welcome this report and the contribution it makes to the debate on tackling poverty in Scotland. We have already announced that we will carefully consider the recommendations within the report and will respond formally before the end of March 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309847,"EventID":"S4O-05509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:36.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with local authorities in relation to the commissioning of third sector services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309848,"EventID":"S4O-05526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:37.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when work will start on the schools that are receiving funding from the recently announced £230 million investment under the Scotland's Schools for the Future programme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309849,"EventID":"S4O-05519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:37.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed devolution of employment support services with the UK Government.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309850,"EventID":"S4O-05514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:38.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many local authorities have outstanding equal pay claims.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309851,"EventID":"S4O-05520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:39.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T09:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what skills and other training it provides to people in Ayrshire who have been made redundant.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309852,"EventID":"S4O-05517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:39.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what innovative steps it is taking to help improve skills and provide training for adults.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309853,"EventID":"S4O-05512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:40.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it can provide on the future of attendance allowance in Scotland in light of concerns in England regarding its proposed transfer to local authorities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309854,"EventID":"S4O-05530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:40.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the progress of the Scottish Strategy for Autism.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309855,"EventID":"S4O-05507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:41.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what rights non-UK EU citizens who live in Scotland have to participate in elections.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309856,"EventID":"S4O-05523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:42.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Dundee City Council about youth unemployment.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials are in regular contact with local authorities across Scotland about a range of issues relating to youth employment.\r\nRecently, for example, officials have supported the development of a successful proposal to form a ‘Developing the Young Workforce in Dundee and Angus’ regional group, in which Dundee City Council is an active partner.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309857,"EventID":"S4O-05532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:42.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the £12 million funding for flood-hit communities derives from Barnett consequentials and when it will be distributed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309858,"EventID":"S4O-05505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:43.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to prevent people becoming homeless.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309859,"EventID":"S4O-05525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:44.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport last met NHS Lanarkshire and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309860,"EventID":"S4O-05531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:44.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has confidence in the chair and the chief officers of NHS Lothian.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309861,"EventID":"S4O-05506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:45.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-26T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of the effect of the reduction in fuel poverty and energy efficiency funding in the Draft Budget 2016-17 on its ability to meet its statutory fuel poverty and housing climate change targets.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309862,"EventID":"S4O-05528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T09:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it works with the NHS and local authorities to ensure that medical and home care for older people is adequate and sustainable.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309863,"EventID":"S4O-05510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:46.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-25T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have received support into home ownership since 2007.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309864,"EventID":"S4O-05521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T14:14:47.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T09:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on unpaid internships that last longer than one month.","AnswerText":"We believe that fair work is crucial to delivering inclusive growth. The Scottish Government only offers support to external graduate placement programmes that offer good quality, paid internships. All interns on these programmes are paid at least the Scottish living wage for the work they do and these programmes are currently operating on a conversion rate of between 75 and 80 per cent of placements leading to permanent employment.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309865,"EventID":"S4W-29517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T16:35:18.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has received regarding the safety implications of reopening the Forth Road Bridge to heavy goods vehicles in February 2016 and how their reintroduction will impact on the bridge's lifespan.","AnswerText":"Bridge experts have confirmed the reintroduction of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) should not impact on the bridge’s lifespan.\r\nWe have been working with Amey to investigate opportunities to return HGVs to the Forth Road Bridge earlier than planned in an attempt to support the haulage industry. Ongoing structural monitoring shows the bridge is operating within acceptable stress ranges with no adverse effects and that we can accommodate the return of some HGVs providing their access is controlled and weather conditions permit. Therefore, we are launching a trial to allow HGVs back onto northbound carriageway nightly during the hours of 11pm and 4am.\r\nRelaxing the current HGV restrictions during the night, when traffic volumes are lighter, will help to mitigate the impact of the closure without causing over stressing of the structure. A dedicated HGV lane and stacking area will be in operation to manage the traffic flow across the bridge. Traffic signals will release HGVs at a rate of one every 30 seconds. This has been calculated as the optimum rate to maximise the number of vehicles able to cross whilst minimising the impact on the structure. The trial requires a partnership approach from haulage sector to work and the behaviour of the structure will be monitored throughout the process, the outcome will determine whether the number of HGVs being allowed to cross the bridge can be increased.\r\nRepair work to reopen the bridge fully to HGVs is well underway and is programmed for completion by mid-March, subject to favourable weather conditions. Recent storms have cost five days. Once completed bridge experts are confident the structure will be able to return to normal operation. Following this we will continue to closely monitor the behaviour of the bridge using our recently installed structurally monitoring systems and we will operate an enhanced inspection regime as a precaution on the lead up to the opening of the Queensferry Crossing. Thereafter, all HGV traffic will cross the River Forth on the new bridge.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309866,"EventID":"S4W-29519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T16:35:19.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported freight congestion on the A75, what plans it has to reopen the Dumfries to Stranraer rail line.","AnswerText":"There are no current plans to reopen the Dumfries to Stranraer rail line. \r\nThe Scottish Government is however committed to on-going improvements to rail services and connectivity and is willing to consider proposals for new services/infrastructure enhancements where there is clear evidence of benefits, subject to affordability and a suitable business case being identified.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309867,"EventID":"S4W-29520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T16:35:20.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the (a) social, (b) economic and (c) environmental impact of the Borders Railway.","AnswerText":"In March 2013, Transport Scotland published the Borders Railway Final Business Case which sought the approval of the Transport Scotland Investment Decision Making Board to invest in the construction of the Borders Railway. The investment case included an assessment of social, economic and environmental impacts. This is available on the Transport Scotland website at: http://www.transport.gov.scot/report/borders-railway-final-business-case\r\nTransport Scotland will publish the ‘Borders Railway Baseline Study’ in the next month. Data from this study will be used to inform a later evaluation of the project. The report provides an overview of travel behaviour patterns and the socio economic characteristics of the area prior to opening.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309868,"EventID":"S4W-29521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T16:35:21.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to extend the Borders Railway to Carlisle, and what action it has taken to establish the level of demand for such an extension.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remain committed to support the development of a feasibility study to extend the Borders Railway line towards Carlisle and are working with the local councils, the Regional Transport Partnership (SEStran) and Network Rail. Current plans are that SEStran will appoint a contractor to undertake an initial study looking at high level connectivity to the network and any future demand assessment would draw upon the take up of existing services on the Borders Railway.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309869,"EventID":"S4W-29522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-27T16:35:21.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to promote and encourage fair trade both internationally and in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to ensuring that producers in the developing world achieve a fair price for their goods. Through our continued partnership with the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, who have been awarded more than £1.2 million from the Scottish Government between 2007 and 2017, we are reaching more people than ever before with the message that choosing to buy Fairtrade products really does make a difference to peoples lives.\r\nNever is this more apparent than when we hear directly from the producers themselves – and this year, during Fairtrade Fortnight, we will once again welcome producers to Scotland from as far afield as Myanmar, Nicaragua and Mauritius. It is their stories of how Fairtrade has helped them overcome hardship and poverty which will help inspire people to choose one of the 4,000 Fairtrade products now readily available in high streets up and down the country.\r\nA full programme of the events being held during Fairtrade Fortnight to promote and encourage support for Fairtrade will be published on the Scottish Fair Trade Forum's website in the next few weeks. \r\nhttp://www.scottishfairtradeforum.org.uk/newsroom/events/","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309894,"EventID":"S4W-29508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:53:57.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4F-03190 by Nicola Sturgeon on 21 January 2016 (Official Report, c. 19), whether it will provide the information requested regarding when it will next publish an updated oil and gas bulletin.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the severe challenges facing the oil and gas industry, which is why our focus is on what we can do to support the industry and the work force.\r\nWe continue to do all that we can within devolved powers to help the sector. In 2015, we set up the Energy Jobs Taskforce, which has already helped to support more than 2,500 individuals and 100 employers through the current downturn, and will continue to support the industry to improve collaboration, co-operation and innovation. We have also announced a £12 million Transition Training Fund, which will offer grants to individuals to support their redeployment through retraining or further education.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to monitor the impact that low oil prices is having on the oil and gas industry and its wider supply chain and this will be discussed at the next Energy Jobs Taskforce meeting, which will take place on 23 March 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309895,"EventID":"S4W-29509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:53:58.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T09:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the network strengthening line in the 2016-17 draft budget has been allocated to the repair and maintenance of the Erskine Bridge.","AnswerText":"The budget allocation on Erskine Bridge repair and maintenance for 2016-17 is £3.76 million","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309896,"EventID":"S4W-29510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:53:59.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T09:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on the repair and maintenance of the Erskine Bridge in each year since 2006-07.","AnswerText":"The total expenditure on Erskine Bridge repair and maintenance from 2006-07 to 2015-16 is £36.196 million.\r\nYear\r\nErskine Bridge Expenditure (£ million)\r\n2006-07\r\n1.329\r\n2007-08\r\n3.137\r\n2008-09\r\n3.152\r\n2009-10\r\n4.400\r\n2010-11\r\n1.972\r\n2011-12\r\n2.450\r\n2012-13\r\n4.135\r\n2013-14\r\n7.755\r\n2014-15\r\n5.518\r\n2015-16\r\n2.348*\r\nTotal\r\n36.196\r\n*Anticipated 2015-16 expenditure to 31 March 2016","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309897,"EventID":"S4W-29514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:00.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T09:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated to network strengthening in each year since 2006-07.","AnswerText":"Since 2006-07 the Scottish Government has allocated the following amounts to network strengthening including in-year changes approved through autumn and spring budget revisions:\r\nYear\r\nNetwork Strengthening Expenditure (£ million)\r\n2006-07\r\n52.2\r\n2007-08\r\n60.2\r\n2008-09\r\n45.7\r\n2009-10\r\n42.0\r\n2010-11\r\n25.0\r\n2011-12\r\n15.0\r\n2012-13\r\n27.0\r\n2013-14\r\n30.0\r\n2014-15\r\n38.8\r\n2015-16\r\n36.0\r\n2016-17\r\n40.8\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309898,"EventID":"S4W-29523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:00.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by which year it expects Scotland to have eradicated hepatitis C as a public health concern within the framework of its current annual hepatitis C treatment target.","AnswerText":"Given the scale of hepatitis C in Scotland and the high cost of the new therapies available, it is not straightforward to create a model which would accurately set a year by which we expect to see hepatitis C eliminated. NHS boards are working hard to eliminate hepatitis C as public health concern by meeting their treatment targets and we are also aiming for a 75% reduction in the annual number of people developing hepatitis C-related liver failure and/or liver cancer by 2020.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309899,"EventID":"S4W-29524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:01.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04930 by Maureen Watt on 10 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 5), what discussions it has had with the Hepatitis C Treatment and Therapies Group on reviewing the annual hepatitis C treatment target, and whether the group recommended revising the target upward.","AnswerText":"The Hepatitis C Treatment and Therapies Group met on 17 December 2015 and decided to keep the target of 1,500 treatment initiates per year. The group will regularly review the target as new therapies become available.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309900,"EventID":"S4W-29525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:02.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to introduce opt-out hepatitis C testing for all new prisoners in line with the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework 2015-2012 Update and what the timescale is for implementation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will work with NHS boards and the Scottish Prison Service to set appropriate timetables according to each board’s specific circumstances. Currently, no plans or timescales have been set.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309901,"EventID":"S4W-29526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:03.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS boards (a) have the right to exceed and (b) are exceeding their individual hepatitis C treatment targets.","AnswerText":"NHS boards have the right to exceed the treatment targets set for them. We are aware that some boards are currently on course to exceed treatment targets but we need to await the full year figures for 2015-16 as treatment rates vary across the course of the year.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309902,"EventID":"S4W-29527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:04.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29322 by Michael Matheson on 27 January 2016, whether it will provide a full breakdown of the orders that are available to the Crown Office.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29322 on 27 January 2016. The court can make the following orders in relation to a person convicted of being involved in organized crime:\r\nConfiscation order – an order requiring a person convicted of a criminal offence(s) to pay a sum of money representing their benefit from crime. Confiscation procedures are mandatory and the court must go through them when asked to do so by the prosecutor.\r\nRestraint order – an order prohibiting a specific individual from dealing with any property that he or she holds which may be realized to pay any subsequent confiscation order, and can be made against the person accused, under investigation or any other person holding realizable property.\r\nCompliance order – this order will come into force on 1 March 2016 by virtue of Scottish Statutory Instrument 2016-11. It is an order made by the court to ensure the payment of a confiscation order.\r\nFinancial reporting order (FRO) – an order that requires the individual to set out particulars of their financial affairs as specified by the order. The FRO regime will be subsumed into the SCPO as of 1 March 2016.\r\nSerious crime prevention order (SCPO) – a civil order that allows the court to impose conditions or restrictions on an individual's movements and transactions to prevent their involvement in organized crime and to protect the public. It is expected that SCPOs will come into force in Scotland on 1 March 2016 subject to provisions in the Serious Crime Act 2015 being commenced by the Home Secretary on that date.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309903,"EventID":"S4W-29529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:05.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the roll-out of the Scottish wide area network on a customer-by-customer basis.","AnswerText":"The contract for the Scottish wide area network was signed in February 2014 with the core network and services available in July 2014. The roll-out of the individual network circuits to customers has been progressing since then with 3,756 circuits having been delivered to the 10 member organisations who have live implementations. A further seven members are at the planning stages for the roll-out of their circuits and their implementations have yet to commence.\r\nThe breakdown of circuits already rolled-out on a customer-by-customer basis is:\r\nCustomer\r\nOrganisation or Hub\r\nCircuits delivered as at\r\n3 February 2016\r\nNHS Scotland (hub covering all 22 Scottish Health Organisations)\r\n3,121\r\nPathfinder South (hub acting for Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish Borders Council)\r\n251\r\nEducation Scotland\r\n49\r\nHistoric Environment Scotland\r\n56\r\nWest Lothian Council\r\n140\r\nSkills Development Scotland (hub covering Skills Development Scotland, Highland and Island Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise)\r\n78\r\nScottish Environmental Protection Agency\r\n16\r\nInverclyde Council\r\n30\r\nScottish Natural Heritage\r\n10\r\nUniversity of the Highlands Council and Islands\r\n5\r\n\r\n3,756\r\nAberdeen City Council, East Renfrewshire Council, the Pathfinder North Hub (acting for Highland Council, Argyll and Bute Council, Moray Council, Orkney Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar), the Scottish Government, North Lanarkshire Council, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Authority are in the process of planning their implementations.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309904,"EventID":"S4W-29530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:07.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Lord Advocate has had with the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner regarding the deaths of John Yuill and Lamara Bell in July 2015.","AnswerText":"The Lord Advocate meets regularly with the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) and has discussed the deaths of John Yuill and Lamara Bell with her at those meetings. \r\nPIRC submitted an interim report in relation to the deaths on 30 November 2015, and the procurator fiscal is in regular contact with PIRC investigators about the matter.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":309905,"EventID":"S4W-29531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:07.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T17:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner to (a) complete and (b) submit its report into the deaths of John Yuill and Lamara Bell in July 2015, and when it will publish its response to the commissioner.","AnswerText":"The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner submitted an interim report to the Lord Advocate on 30 November 2015. It is a matter for the commissioner to complete and submit the final report.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":309906,"EventID":"S4W-29532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:09.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T21:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it works with (a) the NHS and (b) local authorities to support young people experiencing mental health illnesses. ","AnswerText":"We want to drive improvements in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and are committed to working with NHS health boards and their partners to ensure that young people of any age get access to high quality mental health services. That is why we introduced the CAMHS HEAT referral to treatment waiting times target.\r\nThe Quality, Efficiency and Support Team (QuEST) at the Scottish Government commissions, supports and leads a number of national programmes to support improvement in the quality, efficiency and value of healthcare within NHS Scotland. QuEST mental health colleagues, in collaboration with policy leads, are continuing to provide support to NHS boards to improve data collection and deliver service improvements which are sustainable.\r\nFrom 2014 to 2016 the Scottish Government has announced an additional \r\n£150 million over a five year period for mental health. On 12 January 2016 the First Minister announced that £54.1 million of that will be used to improve access to mental health services which includes CAMHS.\r\nThe Scottish Government provides funding and strategic direction for NHS boards. It is the responsibility of NHS boards as commissioners of services to engage with local authorities and other services to ensure they meet the needs of their local population.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309907,"EventID":"S4W-29533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:09.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T21:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness of mental health illnesses (a) among young people and (b) in schools.","AnswerText":"Awareness of child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) in schools has been improved by, amongst other things, our commitment to encouraging the establishment of explicit links between schools and CAMHS specialists as well as the development of a web-based toolkit (http://handsonscotland.co.uk) aimed at improving the confidence of teachers and others in responding to the mental health needs of children. \r\nThe Curriculum for Excellence details a series of statements, called experiences and outcomes, which describe the expectations for learning and progression in all areas of the curriculum. Health and wellbeing is now a curricular area in its own right, with a distinct set of experiences and outcomes. Included here are statements on social, emotional and mental health and wellbeing, which are the responsibility of all school staff. Everyone within each learning community, whatever their contact with children and young people may be, shares the responsibility for creating a positive ethos and climate of respect and trust – one in which everyone can make a positive contribution to the wellbeing of each individual within the school and the wider community. More information on health and wellbeing in Curriculum for Excellence can be found on the Education Scotland website at http://bit.ly/IXWwUd.\r\nMost CAMHS teams will visit schools to talk to pupils and staff about mental health. There are also a number of free resources available to schools such as www.depressioninteenagers.com and www.stressandanxietyinteenagers.com and NHS Lothian have worked with their local authority library service to produce health reading lists. The full list of reading material can be found at \r\nwww.edinburgh.gov.uk/healthyreading.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309908,"EventID":"S4W-29535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:10.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T21:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on including mental health issues as part of the school curriculum. ","AnswerText":"The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) Act (Scotland) 2007 places a number of duties on local education authorities including ensuring that schools are health promoting. This includes promoting physical, social, mental and emotional wellbeing by supporting pupils to make positive lifestyle choices in relation to their health and wellbeing.\r\nAll adults who work in schools have a responsibility to support and develop mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. It is for the local authority and schools to decide how to develop their own approaches to implement Curriculum for Excellence, based on local needs and circumstances.\r\nThe ‘experiences and outcomes’ describe the expectations for learning and progression in all areas of the curriculum. Under the experience and outcome HWB 06a, teachers must ensure that children and young people understand the importance of mental wellbeing and that this can be fostered and strengthened through personal coping skills and positive relationships. Children and young people should have an understanding that there is support available to them if they need it.\r\nEvery school has a named contact in specialist child and adolescent mental health services who can be contacted for advice if they have any concerns about a pupil and can provide ongoing support.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309909,"EventID":"S4W-29536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:10.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T21:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training it provides to teachers regarding mental health issues. ","AnswerText":"The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) Act (Scotland) 2007 places a number of duties on local education authorities including ensuring that schools are health promoting. This includes promoting physical, social, mental and emotional wellbeing by supporting pupils to make positive lifestyle choices in relation to their health and wellbeing.\r\nAll adults who work in schools have a responsibility to support and develop mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. It is for the local authority and schools to decide how to develop their own approaches to ensure staff have the appropriate skills to implement Curriculum for Excellence, based on local needs and circumstances.\r\nEducation Scotland, in partnership with NHS Health Scotland, has developed a five year strategic plan which will roll out ‘Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid' training nationally in secondary school communities. This will complement the range of initiatives and approaches to support mental health and mental wellbeing that local authorities already have in place. The first five local authorities have completed training (West Dunbartonshire, North Ayrshire, Clackmannanshire, North Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire). The main objectives were as follows:\r\nThose undertaking the training (identified members of secondary school staff and partners) will develop the knowledge, skills and confidence required to approach and give initial help to children and young people experiencing mental health problems;\r\nA greater number of pupils experiencing mental health problems will receive initial support when needed; and\r\nSupport for learners from the most deprived areas and from particular vulnerable groups. Local authorities will be able to target support to the school communities that need it most (support will be organised in such a way as to complement existing mental health and mental wellbeing training and initiatives within the local authority).","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309910,"EventID":"S4W-29537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:11.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T17:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason a personal pension that merits top-up with pension credit is included as income for the common financial tool in a bankruptcy process.","AnswerText":"The common financial tool was introduced to help achieve consistency and transparency in determining the level of contribution that a debtor might pay in respect of Scottish statutory debt solutions.\r\nExperience has shown that a comprehensive understanding of the household income and expenditure position leads to the most effective outcome and accurate determination of the available contribution. Failure to establish the correct position may lead to contribution levels being too high and unsustainable, or insufficient leading to an unfair outcome for the creditors.\r\nIt is absolutely clear in legislation and guidance that no contribution is appropriate where income is derived solely from benefits. And where there is private income any contribution must not include any element of state benefits that are in payment.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309911,"EventID":"S4W-29538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:11.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-27T17:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints the (a) Accountant in Bankruptcy and (b) Money Advice Trust has received about licensed bankruptcy trustees in the last two years for which information is available.","AnswerText":"During 2014-15 and 2015-16, Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) received a total of 63 complaints about AiB acting as a trustee (including agents acting on behalf of AiB); and 24 complaints about independent trustees.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not hold the information requested about Money Advice Trust. This is a matter for Money Advice Trust, a private charity. Their contact details are: Money Advice Trust, 21 Garlick Hill, London, EC4V 2AU, Telephone – 020 7489 7796.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309912,"EventID":"S4W-29539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:11.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T09:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received a reply from the Home Secretary regarding extending the Pitchford Inquiry to cover Scotland.","AnswerText":"Discussions with the Home Office are ongoing.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309913,"EventID":"S4W-29540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:12.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T09:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legal recourse is available to victims in Scotland of any illegal undercover policing activity carried out by members of the Special Demonstration Squad.","AnswerText":"The options available to any individual will depend on the facts and circumstances of their case. Depending on the particular circumstances, individuals may seek redress via the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, which has jurisdiction to consider certain proceedings for actions which concern the use of investigatory powers, and additionally may seek redress through the courts, subject to the rules which determine the jurisdiction of the courts.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309914,"EventID":"S4W-29541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:12.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the chronic pain unit at Gartnaval Hospital will open.","AnswerText":"The first patient cohort of the Scottish National Chronic Pain Management Programme commenced on 2 November 2015, operating from its interim location at Allander House on the Gartnavel campus.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309915,"EventID":"S4W-29542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T13:54:13.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing an apprenticeship levy similar to that to be introduced in England, and what impact it considers such a scheme could have on encouraging companies in (a) the Highlands and Islands and (b) Scotland to invest in skills, training and apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"The apprenticeship levy announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer is UK wide and will be implemented from April 2017. The Scottish Government currently does not have the power to introduce a mandatory apprenticeship levy similar to the one being introduced by the UK Government. The rate for the UK levy will be set at 0.5% of an employer’s pay-bill. All employers will receive an allowance of £15,000 meaning that the levy will only be payable on pay-bill in excess of £3,000,000 per annum. It includes all employers in private, public and third sectors and will be collected via PAYE. \r\nOnce we receive greater clarity from the UK Government on Scotland’s share of the levy, we will work with employers and stakeholders to explore how the introduction of the levy will align with Scotland’s successful apprenticeship programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309923,"EventID":"S4W-29543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:09.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jury trials have taken place at (a) Kirkcaldy, (b) Dunfermline and (c) Dundee Sheriff Court in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Courts Tribunal Service (SCTS) corporate body. This question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309924,"EventID":"S4W-29544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:10.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many indictments have been registered at (a) Kirkcaldy, (b) Dunfermline and (c) Dundee Sheriff Court in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Courts Tribunal Service (SCTS) corporate body. This question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309925,"EventID":"S4W-29545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:11.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many days (a) Kirkcaldy, (b) Dunfermline and (c) Dundee Sheriff Court has sat in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Courts Tribunal Service (SCTS) corporate body. This question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309926,"EventID":"S4W-29546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:12.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jury trials at (a) Kirkcaldy, (b) Dunfermline and (c) Dundee Sheriff Court were called but adjourned for lack of court time in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Courts Tribunal Service (SCTS) corporate body. This question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309927,"EventID":"S4W-29547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:12.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many summary procedures without a jury at (a) Kirkcaldy, (b) Dunfermline and (c) Dundee Sheriff Court were called but adjourned for lack of court time in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Courts Tribunal Service (SCTS) corporate body. This question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309928,"EventID":"S4W-29548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:13.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many criminal trials have been adjourned at (a) Kirkcaldy, (b) Dunfermline and (c) Dundee Sheriff Court because of (i) a crown motion, (ii) a defence motion, (iii) failure to appear by an accused, (iv) failure to appear by a witness, (v) lack of court time and (vi) any other reason in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Courts Tribunal Service (SCTS) corporate body. This question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309929,"EventID":"S4W-29549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:14.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities (a) have and (b) have not received their full allocation of money from the Attainment Scotland Fund.","AnswerText":"Funding from the Attainment Scotland Fund is being provided to local authorities by means of specific grants. For the seven challenge authorities, grant is paid quarterly in arrears on receipt of appropriate grant claims. The grant claims for the final quarter of financial year 2015-16 are due in March 2016 and therefore none of the seven challenge authorities have yet claimed their full allocation of money from the Attainment Scotland Fund this year. \r\nFunding for the 14 authorities with one or more schools in the Attainment Scotland Fund Schools Programme was confirmed last month, with grant claims expected before the end of the financial year and so again none of these authorities have yet claimed their allocation from the fund.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309930,"EventID":"S4W-29551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:15.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the supplementary to question S4O-05500 by Fergus Ewing on 28 January 2016 (Official Report, c. 5), how many apprenticeships have been lost in Scotland as a result of the downturn in the oil and gas sector. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of 58 Modern Apprentices in the oil and gas sector who have been made redundant since December 2014 and that 38 of these Modern Apprentices are back in work. Work is underway through our skills agency, Skills Development Scotland, to support those who have not yet been supported back into work.\r\nOf the 38 Modern Apprentices who are back in work, 21 were supported through the enhanced Adopt an Apprentice offer.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309931,"EventID":"S4W-29552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:16.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will spend on dualling the single track stretch of the East Coast railway line at Montrose in each of the next three years. ","AnswerText":"In addition to its support to the Aberdeen City Region Deal, the Scottish Government is committing an additional £200 million to increase line speeds and remove major capacity constraints along key sections of the route between Aberdeen and Dundee, including options for double tracking of Usan Junction and the South Esk Viaduct at Montrose. The additional funds will be invested over the same time period as the City Region Deal.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309932,"EventID":"S4W-29553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:17.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will spend on improvements to the A90/A937 south junction at Laurencekirk in each of the next three years. ","AnswerText":"The profile of spend will be confirmed as the project progresses and related to the programme necessary to take the design through statutory processes as quickly as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309933,"EventID":"S4W-29554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:18.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when work will begin on dualling the single track stretch of the East Coast railway line at Montrose, and when it will be completed.","AnswerText":"Discussions are underway with the ScotRail Alliance to develop options and a suitable programme for delivery. The works will be completed over the same time period as the City Region Deal.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309934,"EventID":"S4W-29555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:20.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when work will begin on improvements to the A90/A937 south junction at Laurencekirk, and when it will be completed.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland will look to appoint consultants and begin work to take the scheme through design development and statutory authorisation. It is not yet possible to say when a new junction will be completed as this is dependent on many factors which will be determined as the project progresses.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309935,"EventID":"S4W-29556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:22.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will spend on the extension of the digital infrastructure in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire in each of the next three years. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working closely with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils as part of the £410 million Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme. The co-investment being delivered through the programme will extend fibre broadband coverage across the region – to 97% of premises in Aberdeen City and 89.4% in Aberdeenshire.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to pushing coverage even further; as well as extending and enhancing the capacity of digital infrastructure across the region as a means of supporting enhanced digital service delivery across both public and private sectors.\r\nThe recent announcement of an additional £10 million over and above the City Deal agreement will build on existing investments and support the extension of digital infrastructure in the region. Work is already underway with local partners to develop and refine proposals and we expect that detailed plans setting out the nature and timescales for the additional investment will be announced in the coming months.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309936,"EventID":"S4W-29557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:23.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when work will begin on the extension of the digital infrastructure in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and when it will be completed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29556 on 9 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309937,"EventID":"S4W-29558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:24.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how it will allocate and (b) when it will spend the £20 million in infrastructure funding to support the construction of houses, and how many houses this additional infrastructure will support.","AnswerText":"Officials have had early discussions with Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Council. A considerable amount of work will now have to be done by local authorities with the housing industry to develop concrete proposals that when funded will unlock development at scale within the region. In light of the work that will need to be done it is not possible to put a time frame on the funding at the moment, however we would like to see proposals developed as quickly as possible.\r\nThese local authorities have told us that this type of support is what they need to help unlock housing sites that are of strategic importance – which is why we are committing this funding for the area.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309938,"EventID":"S4W-29559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:25.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of its contribution to the Aberdeen City region deal, including (a) how much it will spend on each project and (b) in which years the spending will take place.","AnswerText":"The Scottish and UK Governments are committed to jointly investing up to £250 million on a 50:50 basis over the next 10 years to support innovation, digital connectivity, the expansion of Aberdeen Harbour and transport projects. The Scottish Government will work with the UK Government and Aberdeen City region local partners to develop and refine proposals over the coming weeks and months. Funding will be made available when all parties agree robust detailed business cases and implementation plans. These will set out the spending profiles. \r\nIn addition the Scottish Government has committed to investing over the same time span as the City region deal, an additional £254 million in the North East’s infrastructure to help deliver better transport links, more affordable housing and better digital connectivity. We believe this will help deliver a more significant step change to the North East economy.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309939,"EventID":"S4W-29560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-28T16:48:26.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the supplementary to question S4O-05500 by Fergus Ewing on 28 January 2016 (Official Report, c. 5) how many jobs have been lost in Scotland as a result of the downturn in the oil and gas sector.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4O-05546 on 10 February 2016. Please see the link to the Official Report: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10364.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309948,"EventID":"S4W-29561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:17.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the allocation for Haudagain roundabout improvements was for (a) 2015-16, (b) 2016-17 and (c) 2017-18 in its draft budget published on 9 October 2014.","AnswerText":"The draft budget published on 9 October 2014 set out the Scottish Government’s spending plans for 2015-16 and confirmed that we would progress development work on the A90 Haudagain improvement. The current projected spend for Haudagain in 2015-16 is £0.78 million.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309949,"EventID":"S4W-29562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:18.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it lost the power to close the renewables obligation in respect of electricity generated by onshore wind.","AnswerText":"UK Ministers took powers in the Energy Act 2013 to close the renewables obligation across Great Britain to all new capacity. The UK Government lodged an amendment to the Energy Bill with no prior consultation with the Scottish Government or Scottish Parliament.\r\nThe Scottish Government published a letter from the Energy Minister, Mr Ewing, to the former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, dated 1 November 2013, concerning the closure of the renewables obligation. This can be found at the following link: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/ElectricityMarketReform/Letter01-Nov-13.\r\nThe Scottish Government has not made any estimate of how much it would cost electricity consumers in Scotland to maintain the renewables obligation on the basis that we do not have powers to keep the renewables obligation scheme open.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309950,"EventID":"S4W-29563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:19.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it was consulted before it lost the power to close the renewables obligation in respect of electricity generated by onshore wind.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29562 on 9 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309951,"EventID":"S4W-29564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:20.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions it had and (b) agreement was reached with the UK Government before losing the power to close the renewables obligation in respect of electricity generated by onshore wind.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29562 on 9 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309952,"EventID":"S4W-29566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:22.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost would be to electricity consumers in Scotland of the Scottish Government refusing to agree to the proposed closure of the renewables obligation in Scotland in the event of its being transferred the power to do so.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29562 on 9 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309953,"EventID":"S4W-29567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:23.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much VisitScotland has spent on promoting Orkney in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"Orkney benefits from the following types of direct funding provided by VisitScotland.\r\nFunding under the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Orkney Islands Council and VisitScotland.\r\nYear\r\nAmount\r\n2010-11\r\n£80k (spring campaign from 11 January only)\r\n2011-12\r\n£136k (MOA only)\r\n2012-13\r\n£126k (MOA only)\r\n2013-14\r\n£135,985 (MOA + European Regional Development Fund (ERDF))\r\n2014-15\r\n£108,155 (MOA + ERDF)\r\n2015-16\r\n£100,635 (MOA + ERDF) \r\nThis delivers regional marketing campaigns and activities for the islands and includes ERDF funding secured by VisitScotland to boost expenditure.\r\nInvestment through EventScotland funding programmes.\r\nThe levels of investment are set out in the following table:\r\nYear\r\nAmount\r\n2010-11\r\n£36,620\r\n2011-12\r\n£10,000\r\n2012-13\r\n£19,900\r\n2013-14\r\n£57,250\r\n2014-15\r\n£26,215\r\n2015-16\r\n£17,350\r\nVisitScotland also provides financial support for and organisation of trade familiarisation trips for the travel trade, which is set out in the following table.\r\nYear\r\nAmount\r\n2012\r\n£4,032\r\n2013\r\n£8,585\r\n2014\r\n£1,491\r\n2015\r\n£1,140\r\nOrkney is also promoted as part of national campaigns, through online presence (visitscotland.com, marketing emails, and in its VisitScotland Information Centres, both in Orkney and elsewhere.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309954,"EventID":"S4W-29568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:24.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to VisitScotland in each year since 2011. ","AnswerText":"The amount of funding Scottish Government has provided for VisitScotland in each year since 2011 is provided in the following table:\r\nVisitScotland cash budget since 2011 (£ million)\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nGrant Funding \r\n46.4\r\n45.3\r\n51.45\r\n49.6\r\n49.5\r\n49.1\r\nAdditional Income\r\n17.2\r\n14.2\r\n13.9\r\n11.4\r\n10.5\r\n9.48\r\nTotal Income\r\n63.6\r\n59.5\r\n65.35\r\n61.0\r\n60.0\r\n58.58\r\n+/- %\r\n-5.5%\r\n-6.5%\r\n+8.9%\r\n-6.66%\r\n-1.7\r\n-2.4\r\nNotes:\r\n(1) Data from annual accounts except for 2015-16 (sourced from VisitScotland business plan for 2015-18).\r\n(2) The % difference is based on the budget allocation from the previous year.\r\n(3) Above figures exclude ring-fenced DEL (non-cash).","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309955,"EventID":"S4W-29569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:25.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T17:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29354 by John Swinney on 28 January 2016, how many applications for assistance under the Bellwin Scheme have been refused since 2007; who submitted them; for what reason, and what the value was of each claim.","AnswerText":"The applications for additional financial assistance under the Bellwin Scheme that have been turned down since 2007 are as follows:\r\n2008-09 – Scottish Borders Council – three separate incidents of flooding and winter weather – the claim was £250,000 above their threshold – the council received their share of £5 million (£239,000) provided across all 32 councils following the severe winter weather in place of any specific support being provided through the Bellwin scheme.\r\n2012-13 – Perth and Kinross Council – severe flood damage – the claim was £369,555 above their threshold – the claim was rejected as the majority of the claim consisted of capital expenditure which is ineligible under the Bellwin Scheme.\r\n2012-13 – Dumfries and Galloway Council – winter weather – the claim was £1,079,196 above their threshold – the claim was rejected as the majority of the claim consisted of expenditure to put right the ill effects of the storm which the Bellwin Scheme guidance states is ineligible. The council were however awarded additional capital funding of £500,000 towards the repair of the river banks, the sea walls and the coastal paths.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309956,"EventID":"S4W-29572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:26.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-29T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in establishing the victim surcharge fund, and when it expects the fund to (a) be operational and (b) issue its first payment. ","AnswerText":"Preparatory work for the establishment and administration of the victim surcharge fund is on-going. The timetable for the introduction of the fund has been influenced by a number of factors, including further detailed consideration of viable options for delivery and the potential role of third sector or other organisations in this process. To inform this consideration, I have asked my officials to engage with key victim support organisations and others with experience of administering similar schemes to determine how the fund can be most effectively managed and delivered to benefit the victims of crime.\r\nThese planned discussions will inform the timing of the establishment of the fund and first payments during the next Parliament. Further details of how the fund will operate must be set out in subordinate legislation, which will be subject to parliamentary approval in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309957,"EventID":"S4W-29573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:27.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-29T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average length is of a (a) community-based sentence and (b) diversion from offending programme. ","AnswerText":"(a) The Scottish Government does not hold information on the average length of all community-based sentences. Community sentences can vary in length, depending on the nature of the offence and the background and needs of the individual. As with all disposals, decisions about community sentences and the length of those imposed are matters for the court, on the basis of the individual facts of each case.\r\nWe do, however, collect information on the average length of Community Payback Orders (CPOs) which terminate in each year. In 2013-14, the first year where we have complete data, the average length of CPOs which terminated during that year was 284 days.\r\nb) Information on the average length of a diversion from offending programme is not held centrally. As with community sentences, the length of an individual diversion programme will vary depending on the needs and circumstances of the person and the nature of their offence.\r\nDiversion programmes are normally used with relatively minor offences where there is sufficient evidence for a prosecution but the procurator fiscal believes that such action would not necessarily be in the public interest.\r\nThe majority of diversion programmes operate on a deferred model, whereby the decision to mount a formal prosecution is deferred during the period of diversion. If the individual decides to decline the offer, or does not co-operate with the programme, the procurator fiscal may prosecute the case in the normal way.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309958,"EventID":"S4W-29574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:28.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-29T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the the average cost is for a person to carry out a (a) community-based sentence and (b) diversion from offending programme. ","AnswerText":"(a) An estimate of the unit cost of Community Payback Orders (CPOs) and the orders they replaced (Community Service Orders, Probation Orders and Supervised Attendance Orders) is available on-line at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Jusice/Publications/costcrimjustscot/costcrimjustdataset. This was estimated in March 2015 to be £1,909. \r\nIt should be noted that this is an estimated average cost, the specific unit costs for CPOs will vary depending on their length and intensity.\r\n(b) Average costs of individual diversion programmes is not held centrally. Again, these costs will vary depending on the nature and intensity of the programmes.\r\nThis government is committed to ensuring that robust and credible diversion and community sentences are available across Scotland. That is why we have protected the overall community justice budget, including funding for diversion services and community payback orders. In 2015-16 we allocated approximately £100 million funding to Community Justice Authorities working with a range of organisations and partners to help to deliver community sentences, support the rehabilitation of offenders and reduce re-offending. \r\nTo further support our commitment to increasing the use of robust community sentences, we have allocated an additional £4 million to the community justice services in the 2016-17 draft Scottish Budget.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309959,"EventID":"S4W-29576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:29.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-29T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27438 by Michael Matheson on 22 September 2015, whether it will provide an update on the progress of developing guidance on the use of restorative justice, and on what date the guidance will be published. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently considering draft guidance which was prepared by the Scottish Restorative Justice Forum in 2015, along with extensive and constructive feedback on that draft which was provided by key victim support organisations.\r\nWhile the Scottish Government is keen to publish guidance as soon as possible, it is crucial to ensure that this takes into account the views of those with expertise in both restorative justice and victims’ issues. A further draft of the guidance will be developed by the Scottish Government and circulated to the Scottish Restorative Justice Forum and victim support organisations by the end of March 2016 for comment and discussion, but the final guidance will not be published during the current parliamentary session.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309960,"EventID":"S4W-29577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:29.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-29T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered using alternative providers for the victim surcharge fund. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29572 on 10 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309961,"EventID":"S4W-29578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:30.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-29T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware that the contents of the Museum of Fire in Edinburgh will be put into storage when it is closed in May 2016 and what its position is on the reported lack of a plan to reopen it in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has no plans to put the Museum of Fire collection in storage. The SFRS is committed to finding a new home for the collection in Edinburgh and is currently in discussion with the City of Edinburgh Council and Museums Galleries Scotland to explore possible solutions.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309962,"EventID":"S4W-29579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:31.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-29T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines it has provided to NHS boards regarding levels of alcohol brief interventions.","AnswerText":"The NHS Board Local Delivery Plan Guidance 2016-17 was published as a directors letter on Scotland's Health on the Web and issued to NHS boards on 13 January 2016. NHS boards were advised on 27 January 2016 that for alcohol brief interventions both the national target (61,081) and health board targets remain the same for 2016-17 as they do in the current year (2015-16).","AnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309963,"EventID":"S4W-29580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:33.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-29T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the £50 million for mental health services will be spent, broken down by (a) NHS board, (b) type of treatment and (c) group of professionals who will receive the money.","AnswerText":"Last year we announced additional investment of £100 million to improve mental health services over five years. The Draft Budget 2016-17 provides a further £50 million, resulting in a total package of £150 million to 2019-20.\r\nAs we announced in January 2016, £54.1 million of this package will be allocated to NHS boards over four years to improve access to psychological therapies for people of all ages, including children and adolescents.\r\n£4.8 million will be invested in improving support for boards to identify enables and barriers to improving access and meeting Local Delivery Plan (LDP) standards through the creation of a ‘Mental Health Access Improvement Support Team’;\r\n£24.6 million will be invested to support workforce development to improve both the training and capacity of those providing psychological therapies to people of all ages; and £24.7 million will be invested to support boards to improve their capacity to meet the LDP standards and engage with the improvement programme.\r\nWe are working with NHS boards, other public sector partners and the third sector on priorities for the remaining spend, in line with our forthcoming mental health strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309964,"EventID":"S4W-29581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:35.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-29T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many alcohol brief interventions there have been in each year since 2010-11, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information on alcohol brief interventions is published on the Information Services Division website, which is available at\r\nhttps://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Drugs-and-Alcohol-Misuse/Publications/2015-06-30/2015-06-30-ABI2014-15-Report.pdf?28040713072\r\nThe link to table one on page 5 provides the breakdown by NHS board and details delivery from 2008-09.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309965,"EventID":"S4W-29584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:37.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-29T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of research showing support for measures to address nuisance calls, what (a) powers and (b) plans it has to (i) take action on nuisance calls, (ii) publish an action plan on dealing with nuisance calls, (iii) make senior executives responsible if their companies make nuisance calls and (iv) make caller identification mandatory, and what action it has taken in this regard.","AnswerText":"Regulation of nuisance calls is currently reserved to Westminster. The Scottish Government does not, therefore, have the powers needed to fully address the issue, which currently sit with Ofcom, the Information Commissioner’s Office and the Telephone Preference Service.\r\nWe will continue to work with the UK Government, and key stakeholders such as Which?, to ensure that UK-wide regulation in this area is made as effective as possible. In addition, when consumer advocacy and advice are devolved under the Scotland Bill, we propose to establish a unified consumer body in Scotland that will give consumers – particularly those in vulnerable positions – greater clarity on where to turn for help and advice and, in the case of nuisance calls, lead to earlier identification of malpractice.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309966,"EventID":"S4W-29588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-29T15:47:38.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-29T15:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many days have been lost due to strike action by (a) its and (b) its agencies' staff in each year since 2010. ","AnswerText":"There have been 11 days of industrial action which have been observed in Scottish Government (SG) and SG Main agencies since 2010.\r\nA breakdown of these, along with the number of staff days attributed to industrial action in each year between 2010-15, has been extracted from our electronic HR system, as follows:\r\n\r\nStaff days lost to strike action:\r\nYear\r\nSG Core\r\nSG Main Agencies\r\nUnattributable\r\nNumber of strike days\r\n2010\r\n     1,766\r\n     1,274\r\n      879\r\n          3\r\n2011\r\n     2,217\r\n     1,223\r\n      498\r\n          2\r\n2012\r\n      787\r\n      511\r\n      143\r\n          1\r\n2013\r\n     1,423\r\n     1,056\r\n      168\r\n          3\r\n2014\r\n      504\r\n      392\r\n       52\r\n          1\r\n2015\r\n      558\r\n      436\r\n       39\r\n          1\r\nA breakdown between staff in SG Core and SG Agency has been provided so far as it is available, however 1,779 staff days of action are unattributed to core/agency, because our systems do not allow the organisation to be determined for people taking strike action in a business area which no longer exists due to organisational restructuring.\r\nA day of strike action is a day involving more than 10 staff taking action.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309968,"EventID":"S4W-29575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T13:54:06.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-29T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average monthly cost is of a prison sentence. ","AnswerText":"The average cost of a prison place can be found on the Scottish Government website at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Publications/costcrimjustscot (footnote 2 in table 1).","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309969,"EventID":"S4W-29589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T13:54:07.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-29T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average prisoners sentence is, and how this compares with the average length of time served.","AnswerText":"The latest published figures showing the average length of a prison sentence can be found on the Scottish Government website at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/5123/0 (table A.12). For direct sentenced receptions to prison during 2013-14, the average sentence length was 354 days. Data for later time periods are not currently available due to technical reasons.\r\nThe average length of time served can only be calculated on release from prison. The average length of time served on a sentence for those liberated from prison in 2013-14 was 157 days. This figure cannot be compared with the average sentence length noted above as it applies to a different cohort of prisoners. The average time served on a sentence does not include time served while on remand, or on early release under home detention curfew.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309970,"EventID":"S4W-29590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T13:54:08.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29191 by Fergus Ewing on 20 January 2016, how it will engage with the community, industry and environmental stakeholders.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to engaging widely on the issue of unconventional oil and gas. A variety of engagement tools and platforms will be used before and during the formal public consultation. This will include meeting with community, industry and environmental groups. We also anticipate engaging through existing networks and forums, including community networks, alongside electronic engagement. \r\nDuring the pre-consultation period, our focus will be on listening to views on promoting an inclusive and comprehensive debate of the issues and discussing our work to prepare objective evidence to inform the debate.\r\nIn November 2015, Health Protection Scotland hosted a series of workshops to give stakeholders an opportunity to highlight issues of particular interest to them. The information collected at these workshops has been used to inform the scope of the evidence-gathering for the public health impact assessment.\r\nThe research projects the Scottish Government has commissioned also require the contractors to engage with stakeholders representing community, environmental and industry interests to give them an opportunity to provide sources of information and highlight issues of concern that fall within the scope of this research.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309971,"EventID":"S4W-29591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T13:54:08.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many responses it has received for the tender to carry the (a) transport impact, (b) decommissioning and aftercare and (c) seismic activity and monitoring research projects of its consultation on unconventional oil and gas, and which minister will make the decision on who to appoint to conduct the research.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s research projects for the consultation on unconventional oil and gas has received the following number of tenders:\r\na) Understanding and mitigating community level impacts from transport – five tenders.\r\nb) Decommissioning, site restoration and long term monitoring – obligation and treatment of financial liabilities – five tenders.\r\nc) Understanding and monitoring induced seismic activity – four tenders.\r\nAll contracts will be awarded in line with Scottish Government procurement guidance available at http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0045/00459290.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309972,"EventID":"S4W-29593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T13:54:09.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being by Health Protection Scotland in its consultation on the health impact of extracting unconventional oil and gas and when it will make publish the responses to the first round of the consultation.","AnswerText":"Health Protection Scotland are undertaking a Public Health Impact Assessment of unconventional oil and gas extraction as part of the wider programme of evidence-gathering work that will take place prior to a Scottish Government-led public consultation on this issue.\r\nHealth Protection Scotland will publish a summary of the workshops they ran to support the process of defining the Public Health Impact Assessment’s scope on their website by early March 2016, available at \r\nhttp://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/enviro/unconventionalgas.aspx?subjectid=49.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309973,"EventID":"S4W-29595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T13:54:09.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice’s recent report recommending that children should no longer be prosecuted in adult courts.","AnswerText":"Preventing Offending: Getting it right for children and young people is our national youth justice strategy, published in June 2015. Among that strategy’s priorities is supporting timely and effective interventions to minimise the number of children in the criminal justice system and formal processes. There has been a 74% reduction in children appearing in court since 2007, and a 79% increase in diversion from prosecution involving under 18s since 2011. The strategy will build on this progress.\r\nThere are no plans for a formal response to the paper itself, but it will be useful in stimulating discussion among national youth justice partners.\r\nA ‘Youth Justice Improvement Board’ has been established which includes senior representation from key partners, including the Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice. That board will drive the implementation of the national strategy and promote a culture of improvement. Their work will include activity to help reduce the number of children prosecuted in adult courts, and the paper’s recommendations will be considered as part of that effort. \r\nThere are no plans to legislate to remove the possibility that under 18s can ever be prosecuted in court.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309974,"EventID":"S4W-29596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T13:54:10.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what obligations local authorities have to ensure safe usage of single track roads in their areas and whether such obligations include the erection and maintenance of signs identifying passing places.","AnswerText":"The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places the statutory responsibility for local roads, including traffic signs, improvement, maintenance and repair with local roads authorities. It is for the local authority to ensure its road network satisfies the requirements of relevant legislation and neither the Scottish Ministers nor the Scottish Government would become directly involved.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309975,"EventID":"S4W-29597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T13:54:10.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what statutory requirements there are for the erection and maintenance of signs identifying passing places on single track roads.","AnswerText":"The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 sets out the legislation that roads authorities use surrounding the design and conditions of use of traffic signs and road markings that can be lawfully placed on or near roads in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309976,"EventID":"S4W-29598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T13:54:11.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what obligations local authorities have with regard to the erection and maintenance of signs identifying passing places on single track roads.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29597 on 10 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309977,"EventID":"S4W-29599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T13:54:12.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of a lack of maintenance to signs identifying passing places on single track roads and, if so, how it will ensure that such maintenance is carried out.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29596 on 10 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309978,"EventID":"S4W-29600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T13:54:13.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS patients have been treated in private hospitals in each year since 2011, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of NHS patients treated as an inpatient or day case in NHSScotland and in private hospitals for the years 2011-12 to 2014-15 by NHS board of residence is provided in the following tables:\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\nHealth Board\r\nNHS\r\nPrivate\r\nNHS\r\nPrivate\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n57,861\r\n259\r\n56,164\r\n478\r\nBorders\r\n15,695\r\n26\r\n15,379\r\n70\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n22,082\r\n153\r\n22,176\r\n165\r\nFife\r\n42,120\r\n140\r\n42,986\r\n393\r\nForth Valley\r\n30,853\r\n410\r\n32,389\r\n676\r\nGrampian\r\n71,428\r\n117\r\n71,687\r\n567\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n172,298\r\n845\r\n171,154\r\n906\r\nHighland\r\n43,200\r\n37\r\n42,964\r\n58\r\nLanarkshire\r\n94,589\r\n596\r\n97,179\r\n1,204\r\nLothian\r\n89,845\r\n901\r\n90,646\r\n2,597\r\nOrkney\r\n3,082\r\n*\r\n3,004\r\n8\r\nShetland\r\n3,598\r\n-\r\n3,626\r\n15\r\nTayside\r\n48,055\r\n21\r\n48,604\r\n299\r\nWestern Isles\r\n4,503\r\n36\r\n4,341\r\n56\r\nUnknown\r\n6,401\r\n8\r\n6,352\r\n8\r\n\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nHealth Board\r\nNHS\r\nPrivate\r\nNHS\r\nPrivatep\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n55,813\r\n282\r\n56,685\r\n305\r\nBorders\r\n15,954\r\n249\r\n15,889\r\n238\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n22,606\r\n132\r\n23,741\r\n73\r\nFife\r\n43,055\r\n378\r\n42,564\r\n289\r\nForth Valley\r\n32,300\r\n684\r\n33,488\r\n619\r\nGrampian\r\n69,024\r\n1,007\r\n69,067\r\n1,332\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n178,750\r\n894\r\n180,806\r\n940\r\nHighland\r\n43,649\r\n64\r\n42,504\r\n42\r\nLanarkshire\r\n98,079\r\n553\r\n99,209\r\n402\r\nLothian\r\n90,090\r\n3,527\r\n89,439\r\n4,008\r\nOrkney\r\n3,000\r\n46\r\n3,029\r\n23\r\nShetland\r\n3,515\r\n37\r\n3,492\r\n30\r\nTayside\r\n48,753\r\n407\r\n47,973\r\n126\r\nWestern Isles\r\n4467\r\n43\r\n4,377\r\n46\r\nUnknown\r\n6,619\r\n15\r\n6,580\r\n10\r\nSource SMR01: Information Services Division Scotland\r\np Provisional: data not complete due to data submission issues.\r\n* Indicates figures suppressed to reduce the risk of disclosure of personal data.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309979,"EventID":"S4W-29601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T13:54:13.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role the Scottish Futures Trust will play in funding the expansion of Aberdeen Harbour referred to in the Aberdeen city deal.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is supportive of the proposal to expand Aberdeen Harbour and is committed to working with the UK Government, local regional partners and private sector partners to deliver this project. It is ultimately a decision for the private sector on whether to invest in the harbour expansion and Scottish Futures Trust will bring the expertise to explore innovative options to attract additional investment and consider all financial mechanisms to deliver the best funding and financing solution for this project.\r\nBoth governments are committed to finding a route to fund the supporting infrastructure that maximises the impact of the harbour project on the wider regional economy.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309996,"EventID":"S4T-01304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T12:34:38.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of single farm payment applications in the Highlands and Islands and in the rest of Scotland has been paid as of the end of January.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309997,"EventID":"S4F-03212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T12:34:39.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-28T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309998,"EventID":"S4F-03215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T12:34:43.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309999,"EventID":"S4F-03217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T12:34:45.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310000,"EventID":"S4F-03218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T12:34:47.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to stop deaths from breast cancer.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310001,"EventID":"S4F-03222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T12:34:52.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s position is on the review of NHS drug assessments.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310002,"EventID":"S4F-03224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T12:34:54.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what recent discussions the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding the fiscal framework.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310010,"EventID":"S4W-29602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T16:45:23.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland will evaluate its methodology for predicting passenger numbers, given that the number of passengers using the Borders Railway is higher than it predicted, as has reportedly previously been the case with other projects.","AnswerText":"The Borders Railway service has proved popular since it opened in September 2015, with passenger numbers exceeding expectations. The forecasting methodology used is in line with industry practice and incorporates evidence gathered in the Borders Railway region. An element of uncertainty is always present with forecasting, especially for a new railway. Transport Scotland keeps forecasting methodology under constant review to ensure best practice.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310011,"EventID":"S4W-29603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T16:45:24.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T14:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what constitutes the onshore revenues referred to by the First Minister on The Andrew Marr Show on 24 January 2016 and what the projections are for 2016 and each of the following five years.","AnswerText":"Onshore revenues constitute all current receipts except those from offshore corporation tax, supplementary charge and petroleum revenue tax.\r\nProjections for the five years 2015-16 to 2019-20 were published by Fiscal Affairs Scotland in August 2015 and can be found here:\r\nhttp://fiscalaffairsscotland.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Sc-Gov-OGR-scenarios-Aug.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310012,"EventID":"S4W-29604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T16:45:24.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) clinical and (b) surgical readmissions were recorded each month in 2015, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information is provided in the following tables on the total number of continuous inpatient stays as well as the number of emergency readmission continuous inpatient stays within 28 days. \r\nA)\r\nThe number of continuous inpatient stays for medical specialties by month and NHS Board of Residence.\r\nHealth Board\r\nJan 2015\r\nFeb 2015\r\nMar 2015\r\nApr 2015\r\nMay 2015\r\nJun 2015\r\nJul 2015\r\nAug 2015\r\nSep 2015\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n4,555\r\n4,302\r\n4,709\r\n4,377\r\n4,543\r\n4,536\r\n4,622\r\n4,486\r\n4,663\r\nNHS Borders\r\n1,319\r\n1,309\r\n1,427\r\n1,435\r\n1,410\r\n1,376\r\n1,357\r\n1,335\r\n1,362\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n1,256\r\n1,290\r\n1,315\r\n1,232\r\n1,222\r\n1,246\r\n1,187\r\n1,078\r\n1,078\r\nNHS Fife\r\n3,457\r\n3,298\r\n3,469\r\n3,291\r\n3,310\r\n3,383\r\n3,527\r\n3,412\r\n3,445\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n2,224\r\n2,124\r\n2,308\r\n2,133\r\n2,087\r\n1,994\r\n2,073\r\n2,045\r\n2,075\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n5,089\r\n4,719\r\n5,457\r\n4,970\r\n5,112\r\n5,166\r\n5,029\r\n4,928\r\n4,949\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n14,395\r\n14,043\r\n15,347\r\n14,650\r\n14,727\r\n14,865\r\n14,743\r\n14,473\r\n14,548\r\nNHS Highland\r\n2,986\r\n2,840\r\n3,186\r\n3,002\r\n2,975\r\n2,874\r\n2,931\r\n2,606\r\n2,302\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n7,665\r\n7,437\r\n8,015\r\n7,576\r\n7,458\r\n7,436\r\n7,620\r\n7,506\r\n7,262\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n7,974\r\n7,372\r\n8,144\r\n7,929\r\n7,720\r\n7,534\r\n7,651\r\n7,255\r\n7,707\r\nNHS Orkney Islands\r\n191\r\n198\r\n193\r\n161\r\n179\r\n179\r\n209\r\n163\r\n177\r\nNHS Shetland Islands\r\n164\r\n168\r\n212\r\n187\r\n166\r\n208\r\n207\r\n178\r\n155\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n3,163\r\n2,959\r\n3,122\r\n3,025\r\n3,058\r\n3,038\r\n3,021\r\n2,994\r\n3,212\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n194\r\n190\r\n209\r\n222\r\n191\r\n211\r\n214\r\n195\r\n206\r\nSource: SMR01, ISD Scotland\r\n\r\nThe number of emergency readmission continuous inpatient stays within 28 days for medical specialties by month and NHS Board of Residence.\r\nHealth Board\r\nJan 2015\r\nFeb 2015\r\nMar 2015\r\nApr 2015\r\nMay 2015\r\nJun 2015\r\nJul 2015\r\nAug 2015\r\nSep 2015\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n561\r\n517\r\n565\r\n553\r\n545\r\n533\r\n571\r\n529\r\n534\r\nNHS Borders\r\n144\r\n134\r\n182\r\n168\r\n166\r\n169\r\n157\r\n153\r\n139\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n160\r\n126\r\n159\r\n128\r\n148\r\n161\r\n125\r\n139\r\n135\r\nNHS Fife\r\n344\r\n370\r\n391\r\n375\r\n383\r\n375\r\n391\r\n391\r\n387\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n289\r\n248\r\n313\r\n298\r\n274\r\n260\r\n257\r\n246\r\n242\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n511\r\n485\r\n549\r\n530\r\n503\r\n505\r\n543\r\n502\r\n483\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n1,497\r\n1,425\r\n1,606\r\n1,466\r\n1,590\r\n1,588\r\n1,536\r\n1,412\r\n1,406\r\nNHS Highland\r\n282\r\n301\r\n321\r\n286\r\n301\r\n269\r\n263\r\n237\r\n202\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n862\r\n826\r\n911\r\n877\r\n817\r\n743\r\n836\r\n762\r\n773\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n921\r\n862\r\n1,039\r\n974\r\n966\r\n886\r\n908\r\n813\r\n849\r\nNHS Orkney Islands\r\n25\r\n31\r\n18\r\n10\r\n12\r\n19\r\n23\r\n13\r\n16\r\nNHS Shetland Islands\r\n22\r\n21\r\n28\r\n23\r\n17\r\n17\r\n20\r\n19\r\n10\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n373\r\n339\r\n387\r\n364\r\n383\r\n410\r\n433\r\n390\r\n451\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n34\r\n26\r\n26\r\n30\r\n27\r\n40\r\n19\r\n26\r\n28\r\nSource: SMR01, ISD Scotland\r\n\r\nB)\r\nThe number of continuous inpatient stays for surgical specialties by month and NHS Board of Residence.\r\nHealth Board\r\nJan 2015\r\nFeb 2015\r\nMar 2015\r\nApr 2015\r\nMay 2015\r\nJun 2015\r\nJul 2015\r\nAug 2015\r\nSep 2015\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n3,366\r\n3,265\r\n3,695\r\n3,413\r\n3,467\r\n3,461\r\n3,545\r\n3,473\r\n3,604\r\nNHS Borders\r\n829\r\n780\r\n1,002\r\n972\r\n909\r\n970\r\n951\r\n880\r\n964\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n1,716\r\n1,695\r\n1,950\r\n1,668\r\n1,748\r\n1,863\r\n1,791\r\n1,579\r\n1,172\r\nNHS Fife\r\n2,658\r\n2,625\r\n2,894\r\n2,668\r\n2,722\r\n2,797\r\n2,673\r\n2,495\r\n2,770\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n1,869\r\n1,993\r\n2,208\r\n2,096\r\n2,058\r\n2,037\r\n2,004\r\n2,056\r\n2,006\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n4,294\r\n4,359\r\n4,746\r\n4,459\r\n4,518\r\n4,454\r\n4,160\r\n4,305\r\n4,374\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n11,586\r\n11,221\r\n12,622\r\n11,232\r\n11,240\r\n11,222\r\n11,331\r\n11,397\r\n11,952\r\nNHS Highland\r\n2,603\r\n2,292\r\n3,058\r\n2,785\r\n2,801\r\n2,737\r\n1,398\r\n1,273\r\n1,371\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n6,249\r\n6,407\r\n6,977\r\n6,164\r\n6,529\r\n6,818\r\n6,735\r\n6,678\r\n6,731\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n5,586\r\n5,293\r\n5,889\r\n5,581\r\n5,742\r\n5,798\r\n5,779\r\n5,199\r\n5,481\r\nNHS Orkney Islands\r\n254\r\n224\r\n268\r\n263\r\n229\r\n250\r\n242\r\n244\r\n215\r\nNHS Shetland Islands\r\n269\r\n288\r\n277\r\n269\r\n292\r\n266\r\n282\r\n268\r\n252\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n2,670\r\n2,673\r\n2,872\r\n2,799\r\n2,757\r\n2,835\r\n2,553\r\n2,766\r\n2,880\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n344\r\n358\r\n346\r\n324\r\n363\r\n431\r\n429\r\n386\r\n414\r\nSource: SMR01, ISD Scotland\r\n\r\nThe ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310013,"EventID":"S4W-29605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T16:45:25.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a substantive answer to question S4W-28109, which received a holding answer on 19 November 2015, and what the reason is for the delay in providing such a response.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28109 on 16 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310014,"EventID":"S4W-29606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T16:45:26.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the provisions of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 relating to the publication of procurement strategies will come into force.","AnswerText":"The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2016 states that the provisions relating to the publication of procurement strategies will come into force on 18 April 2016.\r\nThe Commencement Order also contains transitional provisions in relation to procurement strategies. Under these transitional provisions, the first procurement strategies do not need to be produced by contracting authorities until 31 December 2016.\r\nA copy of the Commencement Order is available to view at:\r\nhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2016/30/pdfs/ssi_20160030_en.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310015,"EventID":"S4W-29607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-01T16:45:27.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-21123 by Nicola Sturgeon on 14 May 2014, when it will implement each of the recommendations of the Review of Scottish Public Sector Procurement in Construction.","AnswerText":"A programme of work – overseen by the Construction Review Delivery Group – is currently ongoing to implement the 66 accepted recommendations from the 2013 Review of Scottish Public Sector Procurement in Construction. It is expected that work relating to the recommendations will be completed by the end of 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310017,"EventID":"S4W-29608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:34:58.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS boards that recorded \"statistically high\" readmission rates for (a) surgical and (b) medical specialties in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"In 2011-12, the Scottish Government wrote to NHS Highland regarding surgical and medical hospital standardised readmission rates at Belford Hospital which had significantly higher than expected levels (greater than three standard deviations from the Scottish average). The board concluded that this was due to errors in the clinical coding of patients and not the quality of care being provided (with planned admissions incorrectly recorded as readmissions).\r\nIn December 2013, the Scottish Government wrote to NHS Borders regarding surgical hospital standardised readmission rates at Borders General Hospital (greater than two standard deviations from the Scottish average on consecutive occasions for two of the four measures). The board concluded that the case reviews carried out in NHS Borders did not highlight an increase in the genuine rate of readmission, and that the apparent high levels were due to errors in the coding of certain patients.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310018,"EventID":"S4W-29609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:35:00.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26834 by Shona Robison on 12 August 2015, what it considers to be a \"statistically high\" rate of readmission for (a) surgical and (b) medical specialties.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government considers hospital standardised readmission rates every three months, on both a national and a hospital basis. The measures are rates of surgical readmissions within seven days, rates of surgical readmissions with 28 days, rates of medical readmissions within seven days and rates of medical readmissions within 28 days. These measures have been standardised by age, sex and deprivation (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2009).\r\nWhere a specific hospital has a significantly higher than expected standardised rate of readmission (compared to other hospitals) the corresponding NHS board is asked to investigate so as to gain assurance about the quality of care being delivered and to learn any lessons for improvement. For the same reasons the Scottish Government also invites all NHS boards to continuously review their latest information on readmissions.\r\nThe definitions for statistically high are based on standardised rates that are three standard deviations from the average; standardised rates that are two standard deviations from the average on consecutive occasions; and how many of the four standardised readmission rate measures meet these criteria on each occasion. It should also be noted that the methodology has changed over time as the data under consideration moved from annual to quarterly time periods.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310019,"EventID":"S4W-29610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:35:02.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what proportion of (i) clinical and (ii) surgical readmissions within seven days there have/has been in each NHS board in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"Information that is provided in the following tables shows the number of emergency readmissions within seven days of the original admission, for each calendar year from 2010 to September 2015, broken down by NHS board of residence and surgical and medical specialty groupings. \r\na)\r\ni) The number of continuous inpatient stays for medical specialties by calendar year and NHS board of residence.\r\nHealth Board of Residence\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n20151\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n51,702\r\n53,236\r\n52,901\r\n52,784\r\n55,202\r\n41,268\r\nNHS Borders\r\n13,757\r\n13,929\r\n14,339\r\n15,049\r\n15,628\r\n12,470\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n13,551\r\n14,162\r\n14,721\r\n14,802\r\n15,541\r\n11,128\r\nNHS Fife\r\n38,317\r\n38,715\r\n39,978\r\n41,213\r\n40,569\r\n30,816\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n22,096\r\n23,270\r\n25,647\r\n25,092\r\n26,175\r\n19,221\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n53,424\r\n57,042\r\n58,548\r\n57,220\r\n56,995\r\n45,819\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n154,272\r\n160,330\r\n163,927\r\n165,607\r\n175,722\r\n132,751\r\nNHS Highland\r\n36,507\r\n36,769\r\n36,198\r\n36,908\r\n36,663\r\n25,968\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n82,933\r\n81,350\r\n88,081\r\n88,129\r\n90,572\r\n68,355\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n81,298\r\n84,328\r\n87,366\r\n88,264\r\n90,722\r\n69,894\r\nNHS Orkney Islands\r\n3,176\r\n3,288\r\n3,091\r\n3,190\r\n2,639\r\n1,664\r\nNHS Shetland Islands\r\n2,064\r\n2,211\r\n2,354\r\n2,129\r\n2,115\r\n1,653\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n36,774\r\n36,459\r\n37,466\r\n36,730\r\n37,472\r\n27,877\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n3,123\r\n2,946\r\n3,011\r\n2,753\r\n2,616\r\n1,854\r\nSource: SMR01, Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland\r\n1Only covers January to September 2015.\r\nThe number of emergency readmission continuous inpatient stays within seven days for medical specialties by calendar year and NHS board of residence.\r\nHealth Board of Residence\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n20151\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n2,520\r\n2,840\r\n3,035\r\n3,050\r\n3,086\r\n2,366\r\nNHS Borders\r\n645\r\n809\r\n820\r\n903\r\n910\r\n738\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n636\r\n689\r\n706\r\n736\r\n764\r\n600\r\nNHS Fife\r\n1,700\r\n1,685\r\n1,840\r\n1,997\r\n2,074\r\n1,605\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n1,169\r\n1,169\r\n1,434\r\n1,537\r\n1,557\r\n1,030\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n2,522\r\n2,609\r\n2,796\r\n2,610\r\n2,651\r\n2,154\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n6,897\r\n7,306\r\n7,377\r\n7,936\r\n9,240\r\n6,339\r\nNHS Highland\r\n1,781\r\n1,832\r\n1,662\r\n1,669\r\n1,835\r\n1,159\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n3,705\r\n3,706\r\n4,281\r\n4,404\r\n4,319\r\n3,512\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n4,237\r\n4,836\r\n4,973\r\n4,908\r\n5,286\r\n4,139\r\nNHS Orkney Islands\r\n97\r\n103\r\n86\r\n82\r\n143\r\n67\r\nNHS Shetland Islands\r\n101\r\n110\r\n100\r\n100\r\n98\r\n80\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n2,289\r\n2,058\r\n2,128\r\n2,103\r\n2,135\r\n1,614\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n150\r\n150\r\n229\r\n224\r\n127\r\n120\r\nSource: SMR01, ISD Scotland\r\n1Only covers January to September 2015.\r\nii) The number of continuous inpatient stays for surgical specialties by calendar year and NHS board of residence.\r\nHealth Board of Residence\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n20151\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n48,973\r\n48,319\r\n45,929\r\n46,165\r\n46,606\r\n31,192\r\nNHS Borders\r\n10,417\r\n10,917\r\n11,609\r\n11,607\r\n11,771\r\n8,262\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n20,100\r\n19,627\r\n19,089\r\n19,559\r\n21,203\r\n15,101\r\nNHS Fife\r\n33,804\r\n34,180\r\n34,660\r\n33,904\r\n33,240\r\n24,410\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n24,071\r\n23,197\r\n23,417\r\n23,200\r\n24,660\r\n18,342\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n50,439\r\n49,988\r\n52,778\r\n51,978\r\n52,065\r\n39,688\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n134,919\r\n135,088\r\n135,978\r\n139,182\r\n142,709\r\n103,909\r\nNHS Highland\r\n36,720\r\n34,332\r\n34,469\r\n34,321\r\n32,808\r\n20,355\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n75,404\r\n73,183\r\n78,612\r\n78,497\r\n79,411\r\n59,347\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n66,033\r\n65,899\r\n70,737\r\n69,978\r\n69,796\r\n50,383\r\nNHS Orkney Islands\r\n2,782\r\n2,776\r\n2,805\r\n2,704\r\n2,777\r\n2,189\r\nNHS Shetland Islands\r\n3,125\r\n3,342\r\n3,391\r\n3,515\r\n3,647\r\n2,472\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n34,491\r\n34,852\r\n35,403\r\n35,959\r\n34,582\r\n24,829\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n4,426\r\n4,175\r\n3,899\r\n4,495\r\n4,327\r\n3,395\r\nSource: SMR01, ISD Scotland\r\n1Only covers January to September 2015.\r\nThe number of emergency readmission continuous inpatient stays within seven days for surgical specialties by calendar year and NHS board of residence.\r\nHealth Board of Residence\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n20151\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n1,245\r\n1,400\r\n1,317\r\n1,425\r\n1,476\r\n971\r\nNHS Borders\r\n354","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310020,"EventID":"S4W-29612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:35:04.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T18:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact its policy on fuel poverty has had on fuel poor households (a) in Orkney, (b) in the Highlands and Islands and (c) across the country.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to eradicating fuel poverty and has allocated over half a billion pounds since 2009 on a raft of measures to help people in all of Scotland heat their homes affordably.\r\nSince 2013-14, we have allocated almost £18 million of funding through our Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Schemes to combat fuel poverty in Shetland, Orkney, Highlands and the Western Isles. We anticipate that this will result in more than 3,900 energy efficiency measures installed in homes in these areas.\r\nCouncil\r\nAllocation (13-14 to 15-16)\r\nMeasures (13-14 to 15-16)\r\nHighland\r\n£7,429,944\r\n1,140\r\nOrkney\r\n£2,886,167\r\n327\r\nShetland\r\n£2,405,203\r\n849\r\nWestern Isles\r\n£5,008,609\r\n1,620\r\nTotal\r\n£17,729,923\r\n3,936\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Figures for 13-14 measures are actual as reported in the summary delivery report.\r\n2. Figures for 14-15 measures are per the final monitoring return except for Orkney – they were unable to agree a contract and returned their 14-15 allocation – figures are for what they expect to do with their 15-16 allocation only.\r\n3. Figures for 15-16 measures are estimated taken from their offer of grant S.1 for the measures they said they would do.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310021,"EventID":"S4W-29613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:35:05.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T18:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered a reassessment of the 2016 fuel poverty target, in light of the finding from the Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 that the levels of fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty had increased in some areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to meeting its statutory target of eradicating fuel poverty, as far as is reasonably practicable, by November 2016 and it has no current plans to reassess that target.\r\nThe Scottish Government is doing everything it can to tackle this issue and the latest statistics show that fuel poverty levels have been contained despite fuel prices rising.\r\nThe most recent statistics on fuel poverty were published in December 2015 (Scottish House Condition Survey: Key Findings 2014 \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/8460) and do not show an increase in fuel poverty between 2013 and 2014. The Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 publication is based on a different time period to the national report. It is based on three year rolling averages to ensure reasonable sample sizes for local authority analysis and is therefore not designed to measure year-on-year change. Given the small sample sizes and overlapping samples, the local authority results in this publication do not show a statistically significant increase in fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty between 2011-13 and 2012-14 for any local authority area.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310022,"EventID":"S4W-29614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:35:06.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T18:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is on target to eradicate fuel poverty by November 2016, in light of the finding from the Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 that the level of fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty had increased in some areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to meeting its statutory target of eradicating fuel poverty, as far as is reasonably practicable, by November 2016.\r\nWe have already allocated over half a billion pounds since 2009 on a raft of fuel poverty programmes to help the most vulnerable in our society heat their homes affordably. Since 2008 more than 900,000 measures have been installed in homes in Scotland. Our efforts are paying off and have resulted in the highest number of energy efficient homes ever. The number of homes rated Energy Performance Certificate C and above has increased by 71% since 2010, and 11% in the last year.\r\nThe Scottish Government is doing everything it can to tackle this issue and these latest statistics show that fuel poverty levels have been contained despite fuel prices rising. We therefore continue to call on energy companies to pass on wholesale cost savings to customers at the earliest opportunity and to the fullest extent possible for both gas and electricity customers.\r\nThe most recent statistics on fuel poverty were published in December 2015 (Scottish House Condition Survey: Key Findings 2014 \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/8460) and do not show an increase in fuel poverty between 2013 and 2014. The Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 publication is based on a different time period to the national report. It is based on three year rolling averages to ensure reasonable sample sizes for local authority analysis and is therefore not designed to measure year-on-year change. Given the small sample sizes and overlapping samples, the local authority results in this publication do not show a statistically significant increase in fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty between 2011-13 and 2012-14 for any local authority area.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310023,"EventID":"S4W-29615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:35:07.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T18:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the figures in the Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 showing an increase in fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty in remote, rural and island areas compared with urban areas, what (a) steps it has taken and (b) plans it has to tackle fuel poverty (i) in Orkney, (ii) in the Highlands and Islands and (iii) across the country.","AnswerText":"The results from the Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 are based on three years of data and are not designed to measure year-on-year change. Due to the small sample size in the Scottish House Condition Survey, the local authority results do not show a statistically significant increase in fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty between 2011-13 and 2012-14. Nationally, fuel poverty in rural areas went from 53% in 2013 to 50% in 2014.\r\nAs part of the half a billion pounds we have allocated since 2009, we have invested almost £180 million over the last three years through our Area Based Schemes, delivering energy efficiency improvements from Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway. The £50 million allocated to Area Based Schemes in 2016-17 is still double the funding of that of its predecessor Universal Home Insulation Scheme in 2012-13 and £50 million more than the UK Government invests in area based schemes in England.\r\nNext year we are making available over £103 million to tackle fuel poverty and energy efficiency, which is a significant commitment in light of on-going spending pressures and UK Government cuts. It will support the installation of measures in some 14,000 homes and also support the development of Scotland’s energy efficiency programme.\r\nWe are also listening to stakeholders as we develop our approach on tackling fuel poverty. We have set up the short term Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group to work alongside the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum and the Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force to build on our efforts to date and drive forward the fuel poverty agenda. The strategic working group and Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force will report on their findings later in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310024,"EventID":"S4W-29617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:35:08.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T18:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the reasons for the increase in fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty in (a) the Highlands and Islands and (b) Orkney as shown in the Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014.","AnswerText":"The results from the Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 are based on three years of data and are not designed to measure year-on-year change. Due to the small sample size in the Scottish House Condition Survey, the local authority results do not show a statistically significant increase in fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty between 2011-13 and 2012-14 for (a) the Highland and Islands and (b) Orkney.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310025,"EventID":"S4W-29618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:35:09.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T18:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reconsider its proposed 13% reduction in fuel poverty spending, in light of the finding from the Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 that the levels of fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty had increased in some areas.","AnswerText":"We have allocated £103 million to tackle fuel poverty and energy efficiency in 2016-17, which will be used to help install energy efficiency measures, including solid wall insulation, in 14,000 homes, building on the more than 900,000 measures delivered since 2008.\r\nWe have broadly maintained the expenditure available for fuel poverty and energy efficiency in the budgets that we have under our control, in what is a tough financial climate. The 2015-16 budget was increased over the course of the year with £15 million of consequentials from the UK Government’s Green Deal Home Improvement Fund. This scheme was ended without warning by the UK Government and is therefore no longer available to us.\r\nThe most recent statistics on fuel poverty were published in December 2015 (Scottish House Condition Survey: Key Findings 2014 \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/8460) and do not show an increase in fuel poverty between 2013 and 2014. The Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 publication is based on a different time period to the national report. It is based on three year rolling averages to ensure reasonable sample sizes for local authority analysis and is therefore not designed to measure year-on-year change. Given the small sample sizes and overlapping samples, the local authority results in this publication do not show a statistically significant increase in fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty between 2011-13 and 2012-14 for any local authority area.\r\nThe Scottish Government is doing everything it can to tackle fuel poverty and these latest statistics show that fuel poverty levels have been contained despite fuel prices rising.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310026,"EventID":"S4W-29619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:35:10.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T18:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the finding from the Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 that the levels of fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty had increased in some areas, what additional investment it will make to tackle fuel poverty (a) in Orkney, (b) in the Highlands and Islands and (c) across the country.","AnswerText":"The results from the Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 for (a) the Highland and Islands (b) Orkney do not show a statistically significant increase in fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty between 2011-13 and 2012-14. However, the Scottish Government is committed to tackling fuel poverty. We have allocated £103 million to tackle fuel poverty and energy efficiency in 2016-17, which will be used to help install energy efficiency measures, including solid wall insulation, in 14,000 homes, building on the more than 900,000 measures delivered since 2008.\r\nThe new Warmer Homes Scotland scheme is delivered on a regional basis (including a separate island region) to ensure that all households, including those living in more remote parts of the country receive the same level of service as those in urban areas. In addition, since 2013 the maximum grant available through our Area Based Scheme to households in very remote rural areas (including all island communities) has risen by almost 40% to £9,000.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310027,"EventID":"S4W-29620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:35:11.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T18:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the finding from the Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 that the levels of fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty had increased in some areas, what steps it is taking to work with (a) charities, (b) local authorities and (c) other public bodies to reduce the level of fuel poverty.","AnswerText":"The most recent statistics on fuel poverty were published in December 2015 (Scottish House Condition Survey: Key Findings 2014 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/8460) and do not show an increase in fuel poverty between 2013 and 2014. The Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 publication is based on a different time period to the national report. It is based on three year rolling averages to ensure reasonable sample sizes for local authority analysis and is therefore not designed to measure year-on-year change. Given the small sample sizes and overlapping samples, the local authority results in this publication do not show a statistically significant increase in fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty between 2011-13 and 2012-14 for any local authority area.\r\nLocal authorities have been key delivery partners for a number of our fuel poverty programmes, including the Home Insulation Scheme, Universal Home Insulation Scheme and Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Schemes. The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with them. This year the majority of the Scottish Government budget for fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes is directed at the Area Based Schemes which are delivered by all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities and prioritise fuel poor areas, providing a range of insulation measures for private sector properties. Enabling funding is also provided to councils to assist in developing schemes and engage with householders.\r\nWe are listening to a wide range of stakeholders as we develop our approach on tackling fuel poverty. We have set up the short term Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group to work alongside the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum and the Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force to build on our efforts to date and drive forward the fuel poverty agenda. Charities including Energy Action Scotland, Age Scotland, the Poverty Alliance and the Child Poverty Action Group are represented on these groups, as are other public bodies, including NHS Scotland.\r\nWe are also supporting (via loan funding) Our Power, the UK’s first fully licensed non-profit distributing energy supplier. Our Power has been established by a consortium of registered social landlords to supply their tenants with energy on a tariff that is lower than the equivalent offered by the major suppliers. This should help increase competition in the energy supply market and be of particular benefit to a group of consumers which is particularly vulnerable to fuel poverty.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310028,"EventID":"S4W-29621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:35:12.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T18:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the finding from the Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 that the levels of fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty had increased in some areas, what discussions it plans to have with (a) Ofgem and (b) energy companies in relation to tackling fuel poverty.","AnswerText":"The most recent statistics on fuel poverty were published in December 2015 (Scottish House Condition Survey: Key Findings 2014 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/8460) and do not show an increase in fuel poverty between 2013 and 2014. The Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 publication is based on a different time period to the national report. It is based on three year rolling averages to ensure reasonable sample sizes for local authority analysis and is therefore not designed to measure year-on-year change. Given the small sample sizes and overlapping samples, the local authority results in this publication do not show a statistically significant increase in fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty between 2011-13 and 2012-14 for any local authority area.\r\nWe are listening to a wide range of stakeholders as we develop our approach on tackling fuel poverty. Ofgem and some energy companies are observers on the Fuel Poverty Forum and regularly attend meetings with other stakeholders along with Scottish Government officials to discuss actions that will drive forward the eradication of fuel poverty.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310029,"EventID":"S4W-29622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:35:13.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T19:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the finding from the Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 that the levels of fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty had increased in some areas, what plans it has to help (a) children and (b) pensioners living in fuel poverty (i) in Orkney, (ii) in the Highlands and Islands and (iii) across the country.","AnswerText":"The most recent statistics on fuel poverty were published in December 2015 (Scottish House Condition Survey: Key Findings 2014 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/8460) and do not show an increase in fuel poverty between 2013 and 2014. The Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 publication is based on a different time period to the national report. It is based on three year rolling averages to ensure reasonable sample sizes for local authority analysis and is therefore not designed to measure year-on-year change. Given the small sample sizes and overlapping samples, the local authority results in this publication do not show a statistically significant increase in fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty between 2011-13 and 2012-14 for any local authority area.\r\nSince 2009, we have allocated over half a billion pounds to make Scotland’s homes more energy efficient and over 700,000 of the most vulnerable households in our society have received assistance to help them heat their homes affordably.\r\nIn 2015, we launched our new flagship national fuel poverty scheme – Warmer Homes Scotland. This new scheme, which is focussed on the installation of a wide range of energy efficiency and heating measures, is expected to help around 28,000 of the poorest and most vulnerable households, including pensioners and fuel poor families, across Scotland during its lifetime. Warmer Homes Scotland has been designed to ensure that customers are not disadvantaged because of where they live, so householders in Orkney and the Highlands and Islands will receive the same high quality service as those in the central belt.\r\nWith the devolution of cold weather payments and winter fuel payments, we are also considering how best to use winter fuel payments to tackle fuel poverty and make homes warmer. This includes looking at whether it is appropriate to extend eligibility and if fuel bill rebates should be considered. We want to help people who are struggling to keep their homes warm – and this is one area we are exploring to see if are able to do that.\r\nWe are asking for views on how effective the cold weather payments and winter fuel payments are in tackling fuel poverty and what, if any, changes might be welcomed.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310030,"EventID":"S4W-29623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:35:14.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T19:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the finding from the Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 that the levels of fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty had increased in some areas, what plans it has to help people living in fuel poverty in (a) owner-occupied property, (b) social housing and (c) private rented accommodation (i) in Orkney, (ii) in the Highlands and Islands and (iii) across the country.","AnswerText":"The most recent statistics on fuel poverty were published in December 2015 (Scottish House Condition Survey: Key Findings 2014 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/8460) and do not show an increase in fuel poverty between 2013 and 2014. The Scottish House Condition Survey 2012-2014 publication is based on a different time period to the national report. It is based on three year rolling averages to ensure reasonable sample sizes for local authority analysis and is therefore not designed to measure year-on-year change. Given the small sample sizes and overlapping samples, the local authority results in this publication do not show a statistically significant increase in fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty between 2011-13 and 2012-14 for any local authority area.\r\nSince 2009 we have allocated half a billion pounds to help tackle fuel poverty across all tenures across all of Scotland. The variety of schemes under the Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS) banner gives households a wider range of support than ever before. Within HEEPS, and alongside our Area Based Schemes, we have made available interest free loans of up to £10,000 for energy efficiency measures, and in 2015 we launched our new flagship national fuel poverty scheme Warmer Homes Scotland, which is expected to help around 28,000 of the poorest and most vulnerable households across Scotland during its lifetime. \r\nGoing forward, we have designated energy efficiency as a national infrastructure priority and are committed to developing Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme. The new programme will provide an offer of support to buildings across Scotland to improve their energy efficiency over the next 15-20 years helping to tackle fuel poverty by making Scotland’s homes more affordable to run as well as helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. During this first development phase we are working with stakeholders to develop the programme including pilot projects with local authorities to test new and innovative approaches to delivering energy efficiency projects that integrate action on domestic and non-domestic energy efficiency. The new programme will take forward standards and introduce regulatory frameworks that give certainty to consumers and make it as easy as possible and the norm to invest in energy efficiency.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310031,"EventID":"S4W-29624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:35:15.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the delay in paying basic payments to farmers and crofters will not impact on the timescale for the payment of less favoured area support payments.","AnswerText":"The less favoured area support scheme (LFASS) shares an application process with the new basic payment scheme, and for both schemes it is necessary to verify the area of land in each farmer’s claim. \r\nLFASS payments are always made in arrears, so the payments due in 2016 are in respect of the 2015 scheme. There is no fixed payment window for LFASS payments in the EU regulations.\r\nThe Scottish Government indicated to the farming industry some time ago that because of the link between the schemes, and the challenges of implementing an unprecedently complex Common Agricultural Policy reform in its first year, LFASS payments in 2016 could be subject to some delay compared with previous years. The government is aiming to minimise this and we will update stakeholders when we meet later this week.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":310032,"EventID":"S4W-29625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:35:16.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27075 by Alasdair Allan on 7 September 2015, on what date it will announce the appointment of the Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The post of Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland has been advertised since 22 December 2015. The deadline for applications is 29 February 2016. Interviews will be held in April 2016, and we expect that the successful candidate will be announced as soon as possible after that.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310033,"EventID":"S4W-29626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T13:35:17.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what scientific advice it has sought since the post of Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland has been vacant, and who provided it.","AnswerText":"Since the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) post was vacated the remaining chief scientists, covering health and rural affairs, food and the environment, continue to carry out key tasks that would usually be done by the CSA for Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government remains committed to drawing on the very best science advice and expertise. Ministers and officials continue to draw upon a range of science advice and expertise across all policy areas including, but not confined to, the Chief Medical Officer, the Chief Scientist (health), the Chief Scientific Adviser (Rural Affairs, Food and Environment), and the Chief Veterinary Officer. Advice is also routinely available from Marine Scotland and Science Advice for Scottish Agriculture. Such advice covers developments and issues that affect a range of policy areas.\r\nNew members of the Scottish Science Advisory Council, appointed as of 1 February 2016, will also provide scientific advice to Scottish Government and their first meeting will be on 4 March 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310057,"EventID":"S4W-29627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T16:48:34.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many young people in Dumfries and Galloway are receiving the education maintenance allowance and how many more people it expects will receive it following the extension of eligibility.","AnswerText":"A total of 1,180 young people in Dumfries and Galloway received education maintenance allowance (EMA) payments in academic year 2013-14. Of this total, 751 were school pupils and 429 were college students. The school pupils also include a small percentage of young people on activity agreements. These figures are taken from the EMA Statistical Publication Notice of 25 March 2015 which is available at the following link:http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/03/8891/0. The EMA Statistical Publication Notice for academic year 2014-15 will publish in March 2016.\r\nOn 1 January 2016, the EMA programme was extended and it is estimated that an additional 22,000 young people across Scotland will benefit from EMA entitlement.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310058,"EventID":"S4W-29631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T16:48:35.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question SW4-29290 by Alex Neil on 21 January 2016, on what dates discussions regarding the non-legislative proposals from the commission have taken place; what the outcome of each meeting was, and whether it will publish the minutes.","AnswerText":"Discussions between Scottish Government and Home Office officials regarding the non-legislative proposals made by the Smith Commission on asylum took place on 23 January, 13 March and 2 November 2015. In each meeting, officials discussed the Smith Commission's three proposals on asylum. The meetings on 23 January and 13 March also included discussion of the Smith Commission's proposals on the post-study work visa and human trafficking.\r\nA demonstration of the asylum process at the Home Office in Glasgow took place on 8 April, and a follow-up meeting on asylum accommodation on 27 April 2015.\r\nOfficials agreed to respect the confidentiality of the meetings, which concluded with agreement of action points to be taken forward. No formal minutes were taken.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310059,"EventID":"S4W-29647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T16:48:36.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T14:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it introduced means testing for the revised croft house grant scheme that it announced on 1 February 2016.","AnswerText":"In response to the Scottish Government’s consultation exercise to review the croft house grant scheme, a number of stakeholders and individual crofters suggested that it might be helpful to introduce additional targeting of grant support through the scheme. In the Scottish Government’s further engagement exercise in November 2015, key stakeholders were asked if they agreed that a more targeted selection method should be introduced for the new croft house grant arrangements. This proposal was supported by over 85% of stakeholders.\r\n\r\nAccordingly, in order to target the new arrangements at those most in need of assistance, a selection mechanism will be introduced which will take into account the individual circumstances of each applicant. Alongside household income, other factors will be taken into account such as activity levels on the croft, value of saleable assets and current accommodation.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310060,"EventID":"S4W-29648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T16:48:37.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prosecutions there have been in each year since 2007 for the sale of tobacco products to under-18-year-olds.","AnswerText":"The available information is show in the following table.\r\nNumber of people proceeded against for the sale of tobacco products to under 18 year olds\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nChildren and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 Section 18(1)(A)\r\n9\r\n2\r\n5\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nChildren and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 Section 18(1)\r\n2\r\n13\r\n27\r\n17\r\n14\r\n-\r\n-\r\nTobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 Section 4(1)\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n3\r\nAll\r\n11\r\n15\r\n32\r\n17\r\n15\r\n- \r\n3\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings database.\r\nInformation for 2014-15 will not be available until publication of the Criminal Proceedings in Scotland, 2014-15 Statistical Bulletin. This is due to be published on 23 February 2016.\r\nThe dates of all Scottish Government Official and National Statistics publications are pre-announced, and the up to date list of future publications can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/ForthcomingPublications.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310061,"EventID":"S4W-29649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T16:48:38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T15:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25778 by Maureen Watt on 8 June 2015, whether it will use the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework to establish a workgroup to consider how the elimination of hepatitis C as a public health concern can be achieved. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Health Protection Network’s Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses Group already comprises a range of groups looking at delivery of the framework in Scotland, including our work on hepatitis C. These groups include clinical experts, public health experts, patient representatives, and third sector organisations in addition to the Scottish Government. The groups look at all of the issues relevant to elimination including prevention, diagnoses, testing and treatment. In addition, the treatment and therapies sub-group has been established by the government specifically to consider how to make best use of emerging therapies for hepatitis C, and this group is keeping under review treatment targets and the evolving treatment landscape.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310062,"EventID":"S4W-29650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T16:48:40.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T15:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors waiting times for hepatitis C treatment. ","AnswerText":"Information on waiting times for hepatitis C is not collected centrally as acute hospital waiting times are collected at specialty level only and not by condition. Most patients with hepatitis C requiring hospital care will be seen within the specialty of gastroenterology and figures are published quarterly by Information Services Division Scotland. The Scottish Government also receives monthly management information at specialty level against the 12 weeks outpatient waiting time target and the 12 week inpatient and day case legal treatment time guarantee and this is closely monitored by Scottish Ministers. Also Scottish Government officials meet with individual NHS board to discuss all waiting time performance including in the specialty of gastroenterology. \r\nUnder the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework, NHS boards are set an annual treatment target for hepatitis C. During 2015-20 the aim is for at least 1,500 people per year to be initiated onto antiviral therapy.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310063,"EventID":"S4W-29651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T16:48:42.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T15:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28817 by Maureen Watt on 14 December 2015, what discussions it has had with each NHS board regarding the waiting times target for hepatitis C treatment. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27598 on 6 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310064,"EventID":"S4W-29652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T16:48:44.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prosecutions there have been in each year since 2011 for the purchase of tobacco products by under-18-year-olds.","AnswerText":"There were no prosecutions for the purchase of tobacco products by under 18 year olds since 2011-12.\r\nInformation for 2014-15 will not be available until publication of the Criminal Proceedings in Scotland, 2014-15 Statistical Bulletin. This is due to be published on 23 February 2016. \r\nThe dates of all Scottish Government Official and National Statistics publications are pre-announced, and the up to date list of future publications can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/ForthcomingPublications.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310065,"EventID":"S4W-29653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T16:48:45.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T15:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-01299 by Humza Yousaf on 26 January 2016 (Official Report, c. 3), whether it will provide an update on what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding providing support to unaccompanied children from Syria. ","AnswerText":"The UK Government announced on 28 January 2016 that it will offer refuge to unaccompanied children. They have commissioned the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to draft recommendations as to the criteria of vulnerability for unaccompanied children, and to recommend steps to serve the best interests of children in conflict areas, which would include resettlement in the UK. UNHCR have been asked to report at the end of February 2016. The Minister for Europe and International Development chaired the refugee taskforce meeting on 9 February 2016 where the Home Office was represented and where unaccompanied children were discussed. The minister continued to make clear Scotland’s commitment to providing refuge to unaccompanied children. Further to this Scottish Government officials attended a meeting on 11 February 2016 chaired by the Minister for Immigration at the Home Office where they discussed the work to be carried out by UNHCR and what preparation was needed by home countries.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310066,"EventID":"S4W-29654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T16:48:46.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T15:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-01299 by Humza Yousaf on 26 January 2016 (Official Report, c. 3), how many unaccompanied child refugees from Syria it plans to accept. ","AnswerText":"We are awaiting the recommendations from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the next steps for this group of very vulnerable children, they have been asked to report at the end of February 2016. Scotland stands ready to welcome and provide a safe refuge to unaccompanied children that are resettled in the UK by the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310067,"EventID":"S4W-29655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T16:48:48.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29398 by Michael Matheson on 2 February 2016, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has asked the new chief constable about the activities of the Metropolitan Police's Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) in Scotland, including (a) the extent of these activities, (b) which campaigns and individuals were investigated and (c) how many people who were investigated became involved in relationships with SDS officers, and for what reason the cabinet secretary considered the initial response to be adequate.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29398 on 2 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310068,"EventID":"S4W-29656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T16:48:49.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been an increase in the number of new chronic pain patient referrals to NHS Lanarkshire's pain clinics from April 2015 and, if so, what increase.","AnswerText":"NHS National Services Scotland’s Information Services Division plan to publish on 8 March 2016 developmental data collected from all NHS boards for quarter ending December 2015. Data collected prior to this date are not considered to be sufficiently robust and/or complete to provide a reliable comparator.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310069,"EventID":"S4W-29657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T16:48:51.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether staffing levels in NHS Lanarkshire's conventional chronic pain services have been increased since April 2015.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. It is the role of the Scottish Government to provide policies, frameworks and resources to NHS boards so they can deliver services that meet the needs of their local populations. Within this context, it is a matter for NHS boards to plan and deliver the services required to meet the assessed needs of their resident population.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310070,"EventID":"S4W-29658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-02T16:48:53.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether secondary appointments have been delayed in NHS Lanarkshire's pain services due to the intake of new chronic pain patients since April 2015.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. The Scottish Government expects all patients to be seen within the most appropriate timescale determined clinically in each case.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310072,"EventID":"S4O-05559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:27.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has reduced the climate change budget.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310073,"EventID":"S4O-05553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:28.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities have responded to its funding settlement offer and what their response has been.","AnswerText":"I am delighted to say that all 32 local authorities have now confirmed that they have agreed the full package of measures as set out in my letter of 27 January 2016. This means that we will have protected the council tax freeze for a ninth year; invested £250 million in integrating health and social care services which will also facilitate a living wage for every social care worker in Scotland; and maintained the pupil/teacher ratio in Scotland’s schools.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310074,"EventID":"S4O-05551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:28.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on negotiations with Digital Scotland and its partners regarding the second rollout phase of the superfast broadband programme to include homes built after August 2012.","AnswerText":"We are working with a range of partners to finalise proposals for a second phase of public investment to extend superfast broadband access across Scotland. We expect to launch new procurement activity later in 2016.\r\nAs a first step, we will conduct an Open Market Review to identify planned commercial coverage across Scotland. This will include all premises, including homes built after August 2012. Where commercial suppliers confirm that they have no plans to provide superfast broadband access over the next three years, these homes will become eligible for public investment.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310075,"EventID":"S4O-05558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:29.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310076,"EventID":"S4O-05542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:29.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to reform local government funding.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310077,"EventID":"S4O-05549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:30.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Glasgow City Council regarding its funding allocation.","AnswerText":"The First Minister met the leader of Glasgow City Council on 9 December 2015 and discussed a number of issues including the city's 2016-17 local government funding allocations.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310078,"EventID":"S4O-05555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:31.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T09:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address the reported shortage of GPs in rural areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310079,"EventID":"S4O-05562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:31.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T11:42:32.607","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the closure of the Glasgow Queen Street tunnel will have on commuters in the Clydebank and Milngavie constituency.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310080,"EventID":"S4O-05540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:32.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the target is for access to superfast broadband in East Lothian by 2018 and whether it expects to achieve it.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310081,"EventID":"S4O-05537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:32.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact on Scotland’s future budgets would be of not adopting the indexed deduction per capita method as the block grant adjustment mechanism in the fiscal framework.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310082,"EventID":"S4O-05546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:33.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T11:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs in Scotland it estimates have been lost as a result of the downturn in the oil and gas industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310083,"EventID":"S4O-05557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it is having with the UK Government regarding the proposed referendum on EU membership.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310084,"EventID":"S4O-05554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:34.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the potential environmental impact if the Cromarty Firth Port Authority’s application for ship-to-ship oil transfer in the Cromarty Firth is granted.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310085,"EventID":"S4O-05552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:34.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the consequences of any variation in the Scottish rate of income tax in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"The Scottish rate of income tax for 2016-17 has to be applied equally across all the existing tax bands.\r\nA Scottish rate at a level other than 10p, therefore, would either see an increase or a decrease in the tax bills of all those liable to pay income tax. For the tax year 2016-17, this will be everyone with income over £11,000.\r\nSimilarly, a rate at a level other than 10p would generate either less or more revenue for the Scottish Government's budget.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310086,"EventID":"S4O-05536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:35.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how the reduction in the local government budget settlement could impact on the economy and inequality.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310087,"EventID":"S4O-05543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:35.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact would be of raising the Scottish rate of income tax to 11%.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310088,"EventID":"S4O-05538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:36.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in finding an agreement on the fiscal framework.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310089,"EventID":"S4O-05560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:36.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending train services between Edinburgh and Glasgow later into the evening.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310090,"EventID":"S4O-05535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:37.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T17:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support the Aberdeen economy. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310091,"EventID":"S4O-05544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:37.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy considers that the draft budget for 2016-17 provides adequate resources for general practice.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310092,"EventID":"S4O-05563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:38.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the judgement by Sheriff V Smith against North Lanarkshire Council in relation to the siting of snack vans near schools.","AnswerText":"With a significant number of children choosing to purchase food from nearby outlets during the school day, the food environment around schools has an important role to play in encouraging children and young people to eat a healthy balanced diet. \r\nThe Scottish Government strongly encourages local partners, including local authorities, schools, caterers and retailers, to work collaboratively to consider what more they can do to positively influence the food environment outside of schools and better support healthy diets.\r\nThis includes sharing best practice between local authorities, working with food vans and other outlets to adopt healthier practices, and encouraging more retailers to participate in the Healthy Living Programme.\r\nA holistic package of guidance, Beyond the School Gates and Better Eating Better Learning, is already available to help local partners develop their plans.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310093,"EventID":"S4O-05547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:38.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on raising the Scottish rate of income tax by 1p.","AnswerText":"As set out in the Draft Budget, the Scottish Government is proposing setting the rate of Scottish income tax at 10p for the tax year 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310094,"EventID":"S4O-05548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:39.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the reduction in its 2016-17 draft budget would be offset by setting the Scottish rate of income tax at 11p.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has set out a balanced budget for 2016-17 which reflects its proposal to set the Scottish rate of income tax at 10p, and, therefore, not impose a tax increase on the lowest income taxpayers across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310095,"EventID":"S4O-05541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:39.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T11:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the expected impact of its draft budget 2016-17 on public services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310096,"EventID":"S4O-05561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:39.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting local organisations that raise awareness of issues surrounding mental health.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310097,"EventID":"S4O-05556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:40.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the Personal Footcare Guidance.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310098,"EventID":"S4O-05534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:40.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T15:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact would be on Scotland's economy of the proposed centralisation of HM Revenue and Customs' offices.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310099,"EventID":"S4O-05550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:41.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of the potential economic impact on Scotland of the Clydesdale Bank being floated on the stock market.","AnswerText":"Clydesdale Bank has an established presence in Scotland, as a bank servicing personal and business customers and as a substantial employer. While no specific economic analysis has been undertaken, we would expect the Clydesdale Bank to continue to have a similar presence in Scotland following the flotation of shares on the stock market.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310100,"EventID":"S4O-05539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:32:41.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-01T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy has had with Fife Council regarding its budget for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310101,"EventID":"S4W-29582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:42:52.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-01-29T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has conducted to ascertain whether CalMac’s Mallaig/Armadale revised ferry service would cope with the predicted increase in demand as a result of the road equivalent tariff and whether any such research confirmed the predicted increase.","AnswerText":"The Vessel Replacement and Deployment Plan: Annual Report 2014 was published on the Transport Scotland website on 2 October 2015. The plan sets out the long-term forecast in demand across all Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services routes, including Mallaig-Armadale.\r\nThe forecasts are currently being reviewed in light of a further year of traffic information and vessel redeployment changes. It is anticipated that an updated 2015 annual report will be published in summer 2016.\r\nThe Ferries Plan, published in December 2012, states that the operator has the opportunity to bring forward proposals to manage demand in the short-term, where the introduction of road-equivalent tariff (RET) is forecast to cause capacity issues. CalMac engaged closely with local stakeholders on the proposed changes to the summer 2016 Mallaig-Armadale timetable and listened to their concerns regarding capacity at peak times. Additional sailings, including the use of a third vessel on the route, are planned for over the peak summer period. CalMac expect that the capacity will meet the expected demand from the introduction of RET across the day. Demand and capacity levels on the route will be closely monitored by the operator during the summer 2016 timetable period.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310102,"EventID":"S4W-29629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:42:53.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on Barnett consequentials of the removal of nursing bursary funding in England for student support and tuition.","AnswerText":"The changes to nursing and midwifery student funding announced by the UK Government in November 2015 will take effect from September 2017; any impact of that announcement on Scottish Government consequentials will therefore be considered as part of the Scottish Government’s next Spending Review.\r\nOn 10 February 2016, the First Minister announced that the Scottish Government will retain a nursing and midwifery student bursary. The on-going review of the bursary continues and will be important in ensuring that future support remains fit for purpose. The review will report to ministers in June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310103,"EventID":"S4W-29630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:42:55.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what increase there has been in nursing staff in (a) Lanarkshire and (b) Scotland since 2007.","AnswerText":"Qualified nursing and midwifery staff in NHS Lanarkshire have increased by 452.8 whole time equivalent (wte), or 13.4 per cent from September 2007-15.\r\nQualified nursing and midwifery staff across NHSScotland have increased by 5,570.7 wte, or 14.8 per cent from September 2007-15.\r\n(Source: Information Services Division Scotland)","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310104,"EventID":"S4W-29633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:42:56.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost of (a) pre-school, (b) primary school and (b) secondary school education per pupil in each local authority area in North East Scotland has been in each year since 2010-11, also expressed in real terms.","AnswerText":"The following table provides information on average gross revenue expenditure per pupil or registration: \r\n\r\n\r\nAberdeen City\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nAngus\r\nDundee City\r\nMoray\r\nPre-school\r\n2010-11 \r\n£2,184\r\n£2,635\r\n£2,339\r\n£3,006\r\n£2,303\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n£2,290\r\n£2,533\r\n£2,138\r\n£2,893\r\n£2,239\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n£2,680\r\n£2,975\r\n£2,032\r\n£2,846\r\n£1,998\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n£2,679\r\n£3,285\r\n£1,962\r\n£2,873\r\n£2,049\r\nPrimary\r\n2010-11 \r\n£5,529\r\n£5,062\r\n£4,876\r\n£4,910\r\n£4,611\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n£5,117\r\n£4,749\r\n£4,803\r\n£4,710\r\n£4,618\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n£5,168\r\n£4,856\r\n£4,698\r\n£4,547\r\n£4,582\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n£5,225\r\n£4,994\r\n£4,680\r\n£4,578\r\n£4,421\r\nSecondary\r\n2010-11\r\n£7,611\r\n£6,877\r\n£6,527\r\n£7,102\r\n£5,808\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n£6,935\r\n£6,252\r\n£6,452\r\n£7,004\r\n£5,823\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n£7,148\r\n£6,657\r\n£6,537\r\n£7,066\r\n£5,848\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n£7,563\r\n£6,784\r\n£6,484\r\n£7,184\r\n£6,090\r\n\r\nThe following table provides the same information in 2014-15 prices:\r\n\r\n\r\nAberdeen City\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nAngus\r\nDundee City\r\nMoray\r\nPre-school\r\n2010-11 \r\n£2,340\r\n£2,823\r\n£2,506\r\n£3,222\r\n£2,469\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n£2,416\r\n£2,673\r\n£2,256\r\n£3,053\r\n£2,363\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n£2,777\r\n£3,083\r\n£2,106\r\n£2,949\r\n£2,071\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n£2,719\r\n£3,335\r\n£1,991\r\n£2,917\r\n£2,080\r\nPrimary\r\n2010-11 \r\n£2,595\r\n£5,425\r\n£5,225\r\n£5,263\r\n£4,942\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n£5,401\r\n£5,012\r\n£5,069\r\n£4,971\r\n£4,874\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n£5,355\r\n£5,033\r\n£4,869\r\n£4,712\r\n£4,749\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n£5,304\r\n£5,070\r\n£4,751\r\n£4,674\r\n£4,488\r\nSecondary\r\n2010-11\r\n£8,157\r\n£7,370\r\n£6,995\r\n£7,612\r\n£6,224\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n£7,318\r\n£6,598\r\n£6,809\r\n£7,392\r\n£6,145\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n£7,407\r\n£6,868\r\n£6,775\r\n£7,323\r\n£6,061\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n£7,677\r\n£6,887\r\n£6,582\r\n£7,293\r\n£6,182\r\nFor pre-school education, the estimates are derived by dividing the total expenditure on pre-school education reported by local authorities in the local finance return by the total number of early learning and childcare registrations reported in the Scottish Government’s early learning and childcare statistics. The data for the latter is collected by census based on registrations in a given week in September in 2010-13.\r\nAverage gross revenue expenditure per primary and secondary pupil is total gross revenue expenditure reported by local authorities on primary or secondary education in the local financial return, divided by the number of pupils in that school sector on pupil census date during the September of the relevant year.\r\nReal terms figures are in 2014-15 prices and are calculated using HM Treasury's GDP deflator series, December 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":310105,"EventID":"S4W-29635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:42:57.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the gender pay gap in Scotland in each of the last five years, broken down by age group.","AnswerText":"Information on the gender pay gap in Scotland for 2014-15 by age group is published on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/AnalyticalPapers/ASHESGAnalysis\r\nPlease see Table 5: Gender Pay Gap - Median Hourly Earnings Excluding Overtime by Age Group, 2014 and 2015.\r\nThe following table provides the gender pay gap in Scotland for 2011-13 by age group.\r\nGender Pay Gap – Median Full-Time Hourly Earnings by Age Group, Scotland, 2011-2013\r\nYear\r\n16 to 24\r\n25 to 34\r\n\r\n35 to 49\r\n\r\n\r\n50+\r\n2011\r\n1.6%\r\n-0.4%\r\n7.1%\r\n13.8%\r\n2012\r\n8.9%\r\n-1.3%\r\n8.7%\r\n13.7%\r\n2013\r\n7.6%\r\n0.1%\r\n7.8%\r\n14.5%\r\nSource: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes:\r\n- Covers employees aged 16+ on the PAYE system on adults rates and whose pay was not affected by absence.\r\n- Gender pay gap is defined as the difference between men’s and women’s median full-time hourly earnings as a percentage of men’s median full-time hourly earnings.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310106,"EventID":"S4W-29636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:42:57.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the average hourly wage of (a) men and (b) women in Scotland in each of the last five years, broken down by age and also expressed in real terms.","AnswerText":"The following table provides the median full-time hourly earnings for men and women in Scotland for 2011 to 2015 by age group. \r\nMedian Full-Time Hourly Earnings by Gender and Age Group, Scotland, 2011-2015, £’s\r\n\r\nMale\r\nFemale\r\nYear\r\n16 to 24\r\n25 to 34\r\n35 to 49\r\n50+\r\n16 to 24\r\n25 to 34\r\n35 to 49\r\n50+\r\n2011\r\n7.92\r\n11.77\r\n14.04\r\n13.42\r\n7.79\r\n11.81\r\n13.04\r\n11.57\r\n2012\r\n8.19\r\n11.90\r\n14.45\r\n13.73\r\n7.46\r\n12.06\r\n13.20\r\n11.85\r\n2013\r\n8.62\r\n12.33\r\n14.68\r\n14.26\r\n7.97\r\n12.32\r\n13.54\r\n12.20\r\n2014\r\n9.17\r\n12.31\r\n15.34\r\n14.37\r\n7.82\r\n12.20\r\n14.20\r\n12.64\r\n2015\r\n8.94\r\n12.46\r\n15.61\r\n14.61\r\n8.17\r\n12.67\r\n14.37\r\n12.87\r\nSource: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2015, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes:\r\n- Covers employees aged 16+ on the PAYE system on adult rates and whose pay was not affected by absence. \r\n- The median, which is used in this answer, is the preferred measure for earnings as the arithmetic average can be skewed by extreme outliers.\r\nThe requested information, expressed in real terms, is presented in the following table:\r\nReal Terms Median Full-Time Hourly Earnings by Gender and Age Group, Scotland, 2011-2015, £’s\r\n\r\nMale\r\nFemale\r\nYear\r\n16-24\r\n25-34\r\n35-49\r\n50+\r\n16-24\r\n25-34\r\n35-49\r\n50+\r\n2011\r\n8.50\r\n12.63\r\n15.06\r\n14.39\r\n8.36\r\n12.68\r\n13.99\r\n12.41\r\n2012\r\n8.53\r\n12.40\r\n15.05\r\n14.30\r\n7.77\r\n12.56\r\n13.75\r\n12.34\r\n2013\r\n8.77\r\n12.53\r\n14.92\r\n14.50\r\n8.10\r\n12.52\r\n13.76\r\n12.40\r\n2014\r\n9.17\r\n12.30\r\n15.33\r\n14.36\r\n7.81\r\n12.19\r\n14.18\r\n12.63\r\n2015\r\n8.94\r\n12.46\r\n15.61\r\n14.61\r\n8.17\r\n12.67\r\n14.37\r\n12.87\r\nSource: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2015, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes:\r\n- Consumer Prices Index (2015) prices used to calculate real terms earnings.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310107,"EventID":"S4W-29637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:42:58.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated (a) number and (b) percentage of the workforce describing themselves as “self-employed” has been in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is published on the Scottish Government website:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/Local-Authority-Tables\r\nThe information can be found in Table 1.14- Number of people (16+) in employment by employment type and local authority, Scotland, 2004-2014","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310108,"EventID":"S4W-29638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:42:59.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the median income of people describing themselves as “self-employed” in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The table that follows contains the median weekly household income for households containing a self-employed adult.\r\nTable 1: Median weekly household income for households containing one or more self-employed adults (£)\r\n2009-10\r\n474\r\n2010-11\r\n449\r\n2011-12\r\n402\r\n2012-13\r\n426\r\n2013-14\r\n426\r\nSource: Households below average income dataset, Department for Work and Pensions\r\nNote: Household income includes all sources of income from all household members and is net of tax and transfers.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310109,"EventID":"S4W-29640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:00.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the distribution of (a) pension wealth and (b) financial wealth in Scotland, broken down by decile of households.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has published analysis of the distribution of wealth in Scotland, including pension and financial wealth. This can be found on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00473432.pdf.\r\nThe table that follows shows the distribution of household wealth by decile.\r\nAggregate Household Wealth in Scotland by Wealth Type and Decile (£ billion) – 2010-12\r\nDecile\r\nPension Wealth\r\nFinancial Wealth\r\n1\r\n0\r\n-3.3\r\n2\r\n0\r\n-0.4\r\n3\r\n0.2\r\n0\r\n4\r\n2.1\r\n0.1\r\n5\r\n5.5\r\n0.5\r\n6\r\n10.5\r\n1.3\r\n7\r\n18.5\r\n2.9\r\n8\r\n34.4\r\n5.8\r\n9\r\n64.4\r\n13\r\n10\r\n167.1\r\n67.4\r\nSource: Wealth and Assets Survey, Office for National Statistics\r\nNote: Financial wealth is net of debt and so the bottom two deciles have net negative wealth.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310110,"EventID":"S4W-29642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:00.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the Gini coefficient for (a) pension wealth and (b) financial wealth in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has published analysis of the distribution of wealth in Scotland, which includes analysis of pension and financial wealth inequality. This can be found on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00473432.pdf.\r\nThe table which follows shows the Gini coefficient for each of pension and financial wealth in Scotland in 2010-12.\r\nTable 1: Gini Coefficient for Scotland 2010-12 – Pension and Financial Wealth\r\nPension Wealth\r\n0.74\r\nFinancial Wealth\r\n0.93\r\nSource: Wealth and Assets Survey, Office for National Statistics","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310111,"EventID":"S4W-29643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:01.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the median pension wealth in Scotland, broken down by decile of households.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has published analysis of the distribution of wealth in Scotland, which includes analysis of pension wealth. This can be found on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00473432.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310112,"EventID":"S4W-29644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:02.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish the latest data on exports.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government publishes three regular national statistics releases containing information on exports.\r\nExports Statistics Scotland reports the latest estimates of the nominal value and destinations of international and rest of UK exports of goods and services for all sectors of the Scottish economy. Annual results for 2014 were published by the Scottish Government on 27 January 2016. Information for 2015 will be published later in 2016/early 2017. \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/Exports/ESSPublication\r\nThe Index of Manufactured Exports is published quarterly, and reports estimates of growth in the volume of international exports by the manufacturing industry in Scotland. The latest release, for 2015 quarter 3 (July to September), was published on 20 January 2016. The next release, for 2015 quarter 4 (October to December), will be on 13 April 2016.\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/Exports/IMEIntroduction\r\nQuarterly National Accounts Scotland is published quarterly, and includes estimates of the total value of international and rest of UK exports from Scotland as a component of gross domestic product. The latest release, for 2015 quarter 3 (July to September), was published on 10 February 2016. The next release, for 2015 quarter 4 (October to December), will be on 4 May 2016.\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/SNAP/QNAS","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310113,"EventID":"S4W-29659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:03.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legal obligation it has undertaken in relation to its announcements of planned funding for (a) the dualling of the East Coast rail line at Montrose, (b) infrastructure to support housing development, (c) work on a new junction on the A90 at Laurencekirk and (d) digital infrastructure.","AnswerText":"The announcement that the Scottish Government will invest a further £254 million over a period of up to 10 years in addition to the City Deal funding signifies our commitment to support the region to help achieve the ambitions of regional partners. Further detail on the implementation of specific interventions will follow over the coming weeks and months.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310114,"EventID":"S4W-29660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:04.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it made its decision to allocate £200 million of funding for the dual tracking of the East Coast railway line at Montrose and when it first announced that decision.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government committed to provide additional funding for rail improvements during its consideration of the Aberdeen City Region Deal.\r\nThis new funding announced on 28 January 2016 demonstrates the Scottish Government’s commitment to investing in our railways and will help cement Aberdeen as one of the world’s leading cities for investment and business.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310115,"EventID":"S4W-29661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:05.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it made its decision to allocate £20 million to infrastructure to support housing development in Aberdeen and when it first announced that decision.","AnswerText":"This decision was made as part of our reflections on the proposition put forward by Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils for an infrastructure fund, which we see as beneficial to expanding housing supply in the area. It was announced as part of the Aberdeen City Region Deal on 28 January 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310116,"EventID":"S4W-29662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:06.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it made its decision to allocate £24 million for design and construction of a new junction at Laurencekirk on the A90 and when it first announced that decision.","AnswerText":"The decision to allocate an additional £24 million over and above the City Deal agreement for improvements to the A90/A937 Junction at Laurencekirk was taken following several months of work with local partners and was announced on 28 January 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310117,"EventID":"S4W-29663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:07.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it made its decision to allocate £9 million to digital infrastructure developments in Aberdeen and when it first announced that decision.","AnswerText":"The decision to allocate an additional £10 million over and above the city deal agreement for digital infrastructure development was taken following several months of work with local partners and was announced on 28 January 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310118,"EventID":"S4W-29664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:08.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legal obligation has been undertaken by each signatory party as a result of signing the Heads of Terms agreement for the Aberdeen City Region Deal.","AnswerText":"The Heads of Terms agreement outlines the principles of the Aberdeen City Region Deal. Although the Heads of Terms does not form a legally binding contract it signifies both the Scottish and UK Governments' commitment to the region. Further detail on the implementation of specific interventions of the deal will follow over the coming weeks and months and the Scottish Government will work with the civic and business leaders of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to ensure the successful implementation of the agreed deal.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310119,"EventID":"S4W-29665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:09.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the £12.5 million Scottish Enterprise funding to support research and development in the north east announced by the First Minister will be taken from existing budget allocations, and how much will be allocated to this fund in (a) 2015-16, (b) 2016-17 and (c) subsequent years.","AnswerText":"The £12.5 million funding, provided by Scottish Enterprise, for oil and gas innovation and further business support has been allocated to two specific funding streams. \r\nFunding of £10 million is available over a three year period, to aid firms in reducing the risks associated with carrying out research and development, and to provide access to innovation specialists. This funding has been allocated from a central budget and re-prioritised to reflect our commitment to support the industry at this challenging time.\r\nFunding of £2.5 million has been made available from existing budgets to support business resilience reviews within companies.\r\nFunding for both of these is from the existing Scottish Enterprise budget allocations.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310120,"EventID":"S4W-29666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:10.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when workers in the oil and gas industry who have lost their jobs will be able to apply for support from the transition training fund announced by the First Minister, and when the first payments will be made.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently working with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to finalise the detail of how the transition training fund will work in practice. SDS is currently undertaking a consultation process with industry bodies and the trade unions to inform the implementation of the fund.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310121,"EventID":"S4W-29667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:11.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support will be available to workers who have lost their jobs from the transition training fund for workers made redundant from the oil and gas industry announced by the First Minister, and what criteria will apply.","AnswerText":"The transition training fund will be focused on people who have lost or face losing their jobs in the oil and gas sector and the support will help to transition into other roles in the oil and gas industry, and other energy industry and manufacturing employment. The fund will provide support by offering grants to individuals to support redeployment through retraining and upskilling. It will also aim to help people with the costs of maintaining any licences needed to work in the sector, and develop options to enable individuals to bring their skills and expertise into teaching.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310122,"EventID":"S4W-29668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:12.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether people working in the oil and gas sector who (a) live in Scotland but work elsewhere and (b) work in Scotland but live elsewhere will be eligible to apply for support from the transition training fund for workers made redundant from the oil and gas industry announced by the First Minister.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29666 on 26 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310123,"EventID":"S4W-29669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:13.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there will be any restriction on the kind of retraining on offer to people applying for support from the transition training fund for workers made redundant from the oil and gas industry announced by the First Minister.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29666 on 26 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310124,"EventID":"S4W-29670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:13.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which organisation will manage the transition training fund for workers made redundant from the oil and gas industry announced by the First Minister.","AnswerText":"The transition training fund will be delivered by Skills Development Scotland and will augment the work of the energy jobs taskforce.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310125,"EventID":"S4W-29671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:15.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the transition training fund for workers made redundant from the oil and gas industry announced by the First Minister will be taken from existing budget allocations, and how much will be allocated to the fund in (a) 2015-16, (b) 2016-17 and (c) subsequent years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has allocated £12 million over three years to deliver the transition training fund. The Scottish Government is currently working with Skills Development Scotland to finalise the detail of how the transition training fund will work in practice.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310126,"EventID":"S4W-29672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:17.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-02T17:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much VisitScotland has spent on promoting Shetland in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"Whilst Shetland Islands Council ended their marketing memorandum of agreement with VisitScotland in April 2010, instead channelling their funding through the promote Scotland destination marketing organisation Promote Shetland, Shetland nevertheless continues to benefit from a range of VisitScotland promotional activity.\r\nShetland is also promoted as part of national campaigns, such as the £3.5 million national TV “Surprise Yourself” campaign (featuring the Aurora Borealis over Eshaness cliffs) and the “Brilliant Island Moments” campaign, run in partnership with CalMac and Northlink Ferries, which included 3,000 free tickets to Shetland and reached over 10.5 million people.\r\nShetland is also promoted through online presence (via the VisitScotland website www.visitscotland.com), marketing emails and VisitScotland information centres, both in Shetland and elsewhere.\r\nSince April 2010 VisitScotland has fully funded the Lerwick Visitor Information Centre, with annual operating costs of £128k per annum (which includes related VisitScotland staffing costs) and also runs the Sumburgh Airport Visitor Information Centre, with part funding of £22k per annum from Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.\r\nInvestment through EventScotland funding programmes is set out in the following table (where an event occurred across two or more local authorities, the total sum awarded is apportioned accordingly):\r\nYear\r\nSum\r\n2011-12\r\n£65,672\r\n2012-13\r\n£10,000\r\n2013-14\r\n£10,200\r\n2014-15\r\n£18,587\r\n2015-16\r\n£2,375\r\n2016-17\r\n£3,125\r\nTotal\r\n£109,959\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310127,"EventID":"S4W-29673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:18.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government following the latest impact assessment of the smart meter roll-out.","AnswerText":"The UK Government’s latest impact assessment of the smart meter roll-out was published in January 2014. The Scottish Government has engaged and continues to engage extensively with not only the UK Government but the wide range of stakeholders involved in the roll-out programme.\r\nAlthough supportive of the aims of the smart meter programme, the Scottish Government continues to have concerns in relation to the costs and anticipated benefits of the programme. We have called for and continue to call for the outdated impact assessment to be re-run and updated projections to be published.\r\nIn December 2015 I wrote to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee to highlight my concerns.\r\nOn 21 January 2016 I wrote to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change seeking reassurance that the programme will not be subject to further delay or technical limitation.\r\nI will continue to press the UK Government to ensure the programme is delivered to the greatest number of Scottish consumers, at the lowest possible cost, whilst enhancing the benefits to the most vulnerable in our society and those at risk of fuel poverty.\r\nI refer the member to the set of questions S4W-26359 to S4W-26369 answered on 4 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310128,"EventID":"S4W-29674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:19.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T10:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force will publish its findings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force will publish its findings in autumn 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310129,"EventID":"S4W-29675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:21.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group will publish its findings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group will publish its findings by the end of 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310130,"EventID":"S4W-29677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:22.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it allocates to improve access to life-extending medicines. ","AnswerText":"In addition to health boards’ budgets, the Scottish Government has also made £90 million available through the New Medicines Fund in 2015-16 to provide additional support to NHS boards for end of life, orphan and ultra-orphan medicines.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310131,"EventID":"S4W-29678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:23.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress the Detect Cancer Early Programme is making in meeting its objectives. ","AnswerText":"The Detect Cancer Early Programme aims to bring improvements in survival for people with cancer in Scotland to amongst the best in Europe by diagnosing and treating the disease at an earlier stage. The direct impact of public awareness campaigns and other components of the Detect Cancer Early Programme will be fully apparent when the cancer staging data for 2014-15 becomes available.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310132,"EventID":"S4W-29679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:23.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what lifestyle advice and support it makes available to people when attending breast screenings. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has supported a number of successful pilot studies which provided targeted interventions around diet and physical activity in a breast screening setting. We will continue to support work in this area and consider how best to ensure that lessons from these studies are applied nationally.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310133,"EventID":"S4W-29680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:24.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage more clinicians to participate in breast cancer research. ","AnswerText":"To ensure there is sufficient clinician time to plan and undertake research, the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Research Strategy launched in October 2015 committed to investing £12.7 million per annum to health boards through a researcher support budget to meet the time of staff conducting research.\r\nThe NHS Research Scotland Career Researcher scheme was launched in 2011 to support NHS-funded clinical staff in developing a research career within their NHS post. The award provides funding for protected time to contribute to, conduct and lead clinical research. In 2015-16, the Scottish Government provided funding of £1.64 million to support this scheme.\r\nThe Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office and Breast Cancer Now have jointly committed a total of £450,000 to be made available for Scottish-led research in breast cancer. This funding covers translational research, defined as having a clear potential pathway to patient benefit.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310134,"EventID":"S4W-29681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:25.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on public sector employment in Scotland, whether it will refer a general policy memorandum on the Immigration Bill to the Devolution (Further Powers) Committee.","AnswerText":"The proposed Immigration Bill is underpinned by a flawed drive to reduce numbers of migrants as a goal in its own right, without any consideration of the damaging impact of reducing numbers at any cost. The Scottish Government has made it clear to the UK Government that if any part of the Bill is not right for Scotland, we would expect the UK Government to take the views of the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government into account.\r\nA general policy memorandum is one of a number of ways in which the Scottish Government can express its opposition to specific policy or legislative proposals from the UK Government. In the case of the Immigration Bill our preferred approach has been to make representations directly to UK Ministers on the specific proposals of the Bill and the effect they will have in Scotland. We have also opposed the Bill in debates both inside and outside the Parliament, including by being supportive of the member’s motion against the Bill in the debate on 21 January 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310135,"EventID":"S4W-29682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T13:43:26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T12:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29371 by Derek Mackay on 3 February 2016, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding how much it has paid in settlement agreements, and how many such agreements have been reached.","AnswerText":"Since 1 January 2007, settlement agreements with nine individuals have been reached at a total cost of £113,000.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310141,"EventID":"S4W-29683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T16:44:34.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29415 by Alasdair Allan on 2 February 2016, how the £1 million that was announced in December 2012 was allocated and what information it has regarding how many instruments were purchased, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) was charged with administering the investment and liaising with the Instrumental Music Service in each authority, on behalf of the Scottish Government. The total investment of £1 million was allocated in two phases. Phase one was a direct formulaic allocation to local authorities for instruments to be used by the Instrumental Music Service. Phase two consisted of an open bidding process, which permitted instruments to be purchased for community use. \r\nAs part of this exercise the RCS prepared a report on instruments purchased and costs associated. This can be accessed at the attached link: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/staff/broad_stephen/.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310142,"EventID":"S4W-29684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T16:44:35.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-18461 by Alasdair Allan on 3 December 2013, what information it has regarding how many pupils in each local authority have been learning a musical instrument in each year since 2012-13.","AnswerText":"The government's Instrumental Music Group report of June 2013, recommendation 14, noted “the Improvement Service's offer to create, maintain and provide a standard benchmarking framework to capture in a standard form data on charging policy, current charges, participation and drop-out rates for instrumental music services (IMS) across Scotland”.\r\nThe Improvement Service in their recent report included IMS pupil numbers and percentage out of whole school roll on table 5; page 14 of the attached report includes figures from 2012 to 2014-15.\r\nhttp://www.improvementservice.org.uk/documents/research/music-tuition-summary-tables-2015.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310143,"EventID":"S4W-29685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T16:44:35.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each local authority has raised from charging for school pupils' music tuition in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The government's Instrumental Music Group report of June 2013, recommendation 14, noted “the Improvement Service's offer to create, maintain and provide a standard benchmarking framework to capture in a standard form data on charging policy, current charges, participation and drop-out rates for instrumental music services (IMS) across Scotland”.\r\nUp-to-date charging policies for each local authority are available on the most recent Improvement Services report, table 3, ‘Revenue, Costs and Budget’, at the attached link.\r\nhttp://www.improvementservice.org.uk/documents/research/music-tuition-summary-tables-2015.pdf\r\nThis information was not held by the Scottish Government prior to the research done by the Improvement Service on behalf of the Instrumental Music Group in 2012.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310144,"EventID":"S4W-29686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T16:44:36.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish the revised conservation regulations to control the killing of wild salmon and what plans it has to consult (a) the River Tweed commissioners and (b) other stakeholders once publication takes place.","AnswerText":"The regulations were laid on Tuesday 23 February 2016 following extensive consultation and stakeholder engagement: www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Salmon-Trout-Coarse/fishreform.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310145,"EventID":"S4W-29688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T16:44:37.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T15:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the (a) number and (b) percentage of people in Scotland employed on zero hours contracts, broken down by (i) gender and (ii) age group.","AnswerText":"Data released by Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 2 September 2015, using self-reported information from the Labour Force Survey, estimated that the number of people who were employed on zero hours contracts in Scotland in April to June 2015 was 51,000 (1.9% of all people aged 16 and over in employment), the lowest across all regions and countries of the UK, and lower than the UK as a whole, where the proportion was 2.4%. \r\nThe ONS publication contains breakdowns, at a UK level only, of the main characteristics of people on zero hour contracts. Breakdowns for Scotland are not available due to sample sizes for this group being too small.\r\nThe UK analysis shows that:\r\nMore women in employment are on a zero hour contract than men (2.8% compared to 2.1%).\r\nWomen make up a larger proportion of those employed on zero hour contracts. 54% of people on zero hour contracts were female compared with 47% of those who are not employed on zero hour contracts.\r\nMore young people (aged 16 to 24) in employment are on a zero hour contract than for the older age groups (for 16 to 24 year olds, 6.7%, followed by 65 and over year olds at 3.6%, 25-34 at 2.2%, 50 to 64 year olds at 1.7% and 35 to 49 year olds at 1.5%).\r\n63.6% of people on zero-hours contracts reported that they worked part time, compared with just over a quarter (25.9%) of those employed who are not on zero hours contracts.\r\nFor those on a zero hours contract, 41% want more hours, compared to 12% for those not on a zero hours contract.\r\nSource: Labour Force Survey, ONS","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310146,"EventID":"S4W-29689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T16:44:38.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T15:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the median gross household income at intermediate zone level for (a) Dundee, (b) Aberdeen, (c) Aberdeenshire and (d) Angus.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold data on household income below national level. Estimates of median gross household income at intermediate zone level have been produced by Heriot Watt University and are published on the Improvement Service website: http://www.improvementservice.org.uk/income-modelling-project.html.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310147,"EventID":"S4W-29690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T16:44:38.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T15:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how the gross weekly pay of people in Scotland employed on zero hours contracts compares with those employed on other types of contract.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310148,"EventID":"S4W-29691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-03T16:44:40.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average expenditure per (a) pre-school education, (b) primary school, (c) secondary school, (d) college and (e) university place has been in each year since 2007-08 in (i) cash and (ii) real terms.","AnswerText":"The following table provides information on average gross revenue expenditure in Scotland per pre-school registration, primary pupil and secondary pupil along with information on teaching allocations per college and university place. \r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nPre-school\r\n£2,974\r\n£3,022\r\nbreak in series \r\n£2,943\r\n£3,456\r\n£3,193\r\n£3,194\r\n£3,102\r\n£3,419\r\nPrimary\r\n£4,651\r\n£4,833\r\nbreak in series\r\n£4,875\r\n£5,001\r\n£4,935\r\n£4,899\r\n£4,871\r\n£4,814\r\nSecondary\r\n£6,344\r\n£6,665\r\nbreak in series\r\n£6,524\r\n£6,598\r\n£6,297\r\n£6,397\r\n£6,711\r\n£6,790\r\nCollege\r\n£3,502 \r\n£3,695 \r\n\r\n£3,740 \r\n£3,803 \r\n£3,601 \r\n£3,496 \r\n£3,317 \r\n£3,317 \r\nUniversity (HEI)\r\n£5,073\r\n£5,182\r\n\r\n£5,209\r\n£5,219\r\n£5,115\r\n£5,379\r\n£5,514\r\n£5,620\r\n\r\nThe following table provides the same information in 2014-15 prices:\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nPre-school\r\n£3,449\r\n£3,415\r\nbreak in series \r\n£3,249\r\n£3,704\r\n£3,370\r\n£3,310\r\n£3,149\r\n£3,419\r\nPrimary\r\n£5,395\r\n£5,461\r\nbreak in series\r\n£5,382\r\n£5,359\r\n£5,208\r\n£5,077\r\n£4,944\r\n£4,814\r\nSecondary\r\n£7,359\r\n£7,531\r\nbreak in series\r\n£7,202\r\n£7,071\r\n£6,645\r\n£6,630\r\n£6,812\r\n£6,790\r\nCollege\r\n£4,062\r\n£4,176 \r\n\r\n£4,129\r\n£4,076\r\n£3,800 \r\n£3,623\r\n£3,367 \r\n£3,317\r\nUniversity\r\n£5,884\r\n£5,856\r\n\r\n£5,750\r\n£5,593\r\n£5,398\r\n£5,575\r\n£5,598\r\n£5,620\r\nFor pre-school education, the estimates are derived by dividing the total expenditure on pre-school education reported by local authorities in the local finance return by the total number of early learning and childcare registrations reported in the Scottish Government early learning and childcare statistics. The data for the latter is collected by census based on registrations in a given week in January in 2008-2010 and September in 2010-13 (January 2010 data was used for 2009-10 and September 2010 data was used for 2010-11).\r\nFor primary and secondary education, average gross revenue expenditure per pupil is total gross revenue expenditure reported by local authorities on primary or secondary education, sourced from the local financial return, divided by the number of pupils in that school sector on pupil census date during the September of the relevant year.\r\nFor pre-school, primary and secondary education, data from 2007-08 and 2008-09 cannot be directly compared with data for 2009-10 onwards as there was an accounting methodology change.\r\nData from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) on college teaching allocations per place is derived by taking funding provided to colleges for core teaching and fee waiver grant, divided by the weighted SUMs (relative costs to a college of delivering different subject) to derive expenditure by full time equivalent (FTE). Expenditure excludes tuition fees not paid by SFC (mainly the Student Awards Agency for Scotland) and student support funding along with funding from European Social Fund.\r\nData from SFC on University teaching allocations per place is derived by taking the total teaching grant provided by SFC for teaching places, divided by the total FTEs. The expenditure figures do not include funding for student support, SFC’s research and strategic funds or the tuition fees that SAAS pay. The total FTE figures are SFC and Scottish Government funded places and do not include fees only and international places. The rest of UK places were removed from 2012-13 on a phased basis (new students in 2012-13 and each new cohort thereafter over a five year period).\r\nReal terms figures are in 2014-15 prices and are calculating using HM Treasury's GDP deflator series, December 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310153,"EventID":"S4W-29692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:08.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which Scottish Fire and Rescue Service divisions are experiencing frontline staff shortages; how long these have lasted; what impact they have had on the availability of fire appliances at any one time, and when they will be resolved.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by Scottish Government. The allocation of resources, both people and equipment, is a matter for the board of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). The SFRS does undertake regular recruitment for both operational and support staff, as dictated by the need of the organisation.\r\nThe SFRS has recently recruited two new cohorts of whole-time firefighters. Following their initial training they will be deployed across Scotland as operational demand dictates. In its last recruitment campaign for 12 whole time fire fighters to be located in the North Service Delivery Area, the SFRS closed its application process after a couple of days when it had received its target of 300 applications.\r\nAlongside this, a national recruitment campaign for retained duty system (RDS) firefighters took place in February 2016. Further RDS campaigns will be held in May and August 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310154,"EventID":"S4W-29693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:09.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many job vacancies there are in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS); how many of these have been open for (a) less than a month, (b) one-two months, (c) three-four months and (d) over four months, broken down by (i) frontline staff and (ii) support staff and (iii) SFRS division.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by Scottish Government. The allocation of resources, both people and equipment, is a matter for the board of the SFRS. The SFRS does undertake regular recruitment for both operational and support staff, as dictated by the need of the organisation.\r\nSince becoming a national service the SFRS has the ability to constantly review requirements across Scotland and deploy resource to where the need is greatest. It also presents greater opportunity for personnel to develop their careers in roles throughout Scotland.\r\nThe SFRS has recently recruited two new cohorts of whole-time firefighters. Following their initial training they will be deployed across Scotland as operational demand dictates. Alongside this, a national recruitment campaign for retained duty system (RDS) firefighters took place in February 2016. Further RDS campaigns will be held in May and August 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310155,"EventID":"S4W-29694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:10.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-03T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what data protection protocols have been implemented to ensure that the information contained in the Blue Badge holder database is not accessed inappropriately.","AnswerText":"The Blue Badge Improvement Service system is a secure web based database which allows local authorities to access data on the badges that they have issued. Other local authorities and Police Scotland are able to access limited, non-personal data, to help with the enforcement of the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310156,"EventID":"S4W-29695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:10.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of (a) the benefits of keeping the Museum of Fire at Lauriston Place in Edinburgh compared with the potential cost savings from using a different location and (b) public opinion regarding its location.","AnswerText":"The future of the Lauriston Place building and Museum of Fire are decisions for the board of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).\r\nWe recognise the importance of this historical collection, which highlights the valuable role this country has played, and continues to play, in protecting people from fire and other emergencies. If a change in the use of Lauriston Place proceeds, SFRS is committed to finding a new home for the Museum of Fire collection in Edinburgh, which ensures continued access by the public, and indeed opportunities to improve access, and a chance for the collection to grow and develop.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310157,"EventID":"S4W-29697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:11.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29452 by Richard Lochhead on 3 February 2016, on what date it will write to ministers in the Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive to discuss implementing a deposit return system for beverage containers and whether it will publish this correspondence.","AnswerText":"I wrote to ministers in the Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive on 31 January 2016 inviting them to discuss the further consideration of key issues on deposit return I announced on 30 December 2015. I am happy to provide the member with a copy of these letters.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310158,"EventID":"S4W-29698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:12.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29452 by Richard Lochhead on 3 February 2016, on what dates its officials held discussions with Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive officials; whether these were conducted face-to-face; what was discussed at each meeting, and whether it will publish the associated records.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials discussed the work undertaken thus far on deposit return and the Scottish Government’s plans for future work via teleconference with colleagues from the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive on 7 October 2015, with the Northern Ireland Executive on 1 February 2016 and with both administrations on 22 February 2016. The discussions covered updates on progress and issues that have been raised in relation to a deposit return system. There are no records associated with these meetings.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310159,"EventID":"S4W-29699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:12.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29452 by Richard Lochhead on 3 February 2016, whether the Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive are supportive of the implementation of a deposit return system for beverage containers.","AnswerText":"The position of the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive is a matter for those administrations.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310160,"EventID":"S4W-29700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:13.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29439 by Richard Lochhead on 3 February 2016, on what date the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment wrote to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about implementing a deposit return system for beverage containers and whether it will publish the letter.","AnswerText":"I wrote to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 30 June 2015. I am happy to provide the member with a copy of the letter.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310161,"EventID":"S4W-29701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:13.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29439 by Richard Lochhead on 3 February 2016, whether it will publish the response from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food Rural Affairs regarding implementing a deposit return system for beverage containers.","AnswerText":"I have received no substantive response from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310162,"EventID":"S4W-29702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:14.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29439 by Richard Lochhead on 3 February 2016, on what dates its officials held discussions with UK Government officials; whether these were conducted face-to-face; what was discussed at each meeting, and whether it will publish the associated records.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials meet regularly with UK counterparts to discuss a range of issues, most frequently via teleconference. Following my letter to the Secretary of State in June 2015, for which I have not received a substantive response, there have been no meetings between officials specifically to discuss deposit return.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310163,"EventID":"S4W-29703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:14.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29439 by Richard Lochhead on 3 February 2016, whether the UK Government is supportive of the implementation of a deposit return system for beverage containers.","AnswerText":"The position of the UK Government is a matter for the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310164,"EventID":"S4W-29704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:15.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29452 by Richard Lochhead on 3 February 2016, on what date it will write to UK ministers regarding implementing a deposit return system for beverage containers and whether it will publish this correspondence.","AnswerText":"I wrote to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 31 January 2016 inviting him to discuss the further consideration of key issues on deposit return I announced on 30 December 2015. I am happy to share a copy of the letter with the member.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310165,"EventID":"S4W-29705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:16.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to propose a particular model or system for a deposit return scheme in light of the responses that Zero Waste Scotland received to its call for additional evidence for a deposit return scheme for Scotland.","AnswerText":"I announced on 30 December 2015 the next steps following the call for evidence undertaken by Zero Waste Scotland, which involves further work to explore key issues identified in that call for evidence.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310166,"EventID":"S4W-29706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:16.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the responses that Zero Waste Scotland received to its call for additional evidence for a deposit return scheme for beverage containers in Scotland, whether it has considered (a) the capacity of small retailers to store empty containers, (b) who will pay for the installation of reverse vending machines, (c) whether local authorities will lose out from a reduction in scrap costs, (d) the impact on the price of various containers for consumers and what other issues it had considered.","AnswerText":"I announced on 30 December 2015 the further work that would be undertaken following the responses to Zero Waste Scotland’s call for evidence. That includes the impacts on local authorities, small retailers and consumers, and other key issues.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310167,"EventID":"S4W-29707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:17.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the responses that Zero Waste Scotland received to its call for additional evidence for a deposit return scheme for beverage containers in Scotland, whether it will provide an update on its position on developing such as scheme; what discussions it has had with (a) local authorities, (b) manufacturing companies, (c) third sector organisations, (d) bars and restaurants, (e) food and drink companies, (f) retailers and (g) other relevant stakeholders regarding such a scheme; what assessment it has made of the potential (i) advantages and (ii) disadvantages, and whether it plans to make a statement to the Parliament on the matter.","AnswerText":"I announced on 30 December 2015 the next steps following Zero Waste Scotland’s call for evidence, which involves further work to explore the key issues raised in that call for evidence. The Scottish Government is in regular dialogue with all relevant stakeholders identified by the member on this issue. Given that work is on-going, I do not intend to make a statement to Parliament on the matter.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310168,"EventID":"S4W-29708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:17.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the responses that Zero Waste Scotland received to its call for additional evidence for a deposit return scheme for beverage containers in Scotland, what assessment it has made of the impact of a deposit return scheme on the Household Recycling Charter.","AnswerText":"I announced on 30 December 2015 the further work that would be undertaken following Zero Waste Scotland’s call for evidence, including consideration of the potential interaction with local authority collection systems.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310169,"EventID":"S4W-29726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:18.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will (a) publish an analysis of responses to the consultation on proposals to strengthen the presumption against short prison sentences and (b) set out how it plans to proceed, and what discussions it has had on this matter.","AnswerText":"I am grateful to everyone who submitted a response to the consultation on proposals to strengthen the presumption against short sentences. We consulted on these proposals because it is important to have a wide range of views to inform our approach to the issue.\r\nWe are now considering the responses before making a decision on how we proceed. We will set out our plans for strengthening the presumption against short sentences, along with an analysis of the responses, in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310170,"EventID":"S4W-29727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:18.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it would need to introduce legislation to establish a deposit return scheme for beverage containers.","AnswerText":"The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 makes provision for ministers to introduce a deposit return scheme.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310171,"EventID":"S4W-29728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:19.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that every child and young person with a visual impairment receives the habilitation training that they require.","AnswerText":"Curriculum for Excellence has the express aim of ensuring children and young people have the skills for learning, life and work. Young people’s entitlements in Curriculum for Excellence provide ways for habilitation skills to be part of personalising learning through:\r\n\r\nSkills for life for those with visual impairment to enable them progress in their environment and locality, \r\nAppropriate attention to an environment for learning that support young people to achieve,\r\nPersonalising support to meet the needs and raise achievement of those with visual impairment.\r\nIt is for education authorities to provide the learning experiences, and support necessary, to meet the learning needs of the children and young people for whose education they are responsible. \r\nEducation Scotland will shortly publish a best practice document for those making provision for sensory impairments for education authorities and schools across early years, primary, secondary and special schools and units as well as grant-aided schools in Scotland. Good practice is disseminated through the Education Scotland website, events and communities of professional learning with in GLOW and Education Scotland’s inclusion hub.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310172,"EventID":"S4W-29729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:19.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans there are to support the provision of habilitation training for children and young people with a visual impairment in (a) specialist and (b) mainstream schools.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29728 on 29 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310173,"EventID":"S4W-29730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:20.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Education Scotland measures the effectiveness of habilitation provision for pupils with a visual impairment.","AnswerText":"In the course of inspections, Education Scotland evaluates provision for children and young people with additional support needs, including children with visual impairment. Models of habilitation support vary within each education authority or school. In some, this is an education model whilst in the majority, habilitation is delivered by social work services or other partners, including voluntary organisations. Inspectors do not evaluate specific habilitation programmes but do evaluate how well each school meets the needs of visually impaired children and young people, which may include their skills in mobility and independence. If a school or service has a specific habilitation programme or service Education Scotland inspectors will evaluate the quality and impact of this.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310174,"EventID":"S4W-29734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-04T16:27:20.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27774 by Jamie Hepburn on 21 October 2015, what progress has been made on commitment 1 of its mental health strategy to commission a 10-year on follow-up to the National Mental Health Services Assessment, Towards implementation of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 Final Report (the Sandra Grant Report).","AnswerText":"On 18 January 2016, the Mental Health Foundation published its report A Review of Mental Health Services in Scotland: Perspectives and Experiences of Service Users, Carers and Professionals.\r\nA copy of the report can be accessed via the Scottish Government website http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Services/Mental-Health/Strategy/MHDT/C1.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310186,"EventID":"S4W-29723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T14:11:45.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects that (a) third and (b) private sector care providers will pay all their employees at least the living wage as a result of the £250 million allocated in the draft budget for 2016-17 whether they are engaged in public or private contracts.","AnswerText":"The allocation of this significant enhancement in resources will help enable councils to allow adult social care workers, including in the independent and third sector, to be paid the living wage of £8.25 an hour. This assumes that private and third sector providers will meet their share of the costs.\r\nIt is accepted that councils have no such direct leverage in respect of care providers offering services exclusively to self-funding clients. However, progress in achieving the living wage through care commissioned by local authorities will be an important influence on the wider care market.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310187,"EventID":"S4W-29724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T14:11:45.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that it does not create a two-tier care workforce.","AnswerText":"The £250 million investment will help to alleviate the issue of a two-tiered workforce. Currently care workers employed by local authorities are already paid the living wage. This additional investment will help enable councils to support the joint aspiration for care workers, including in the independent and third sectors, to be paid £8.25 an hour.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310188,"EventID":"S4W-29725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T14:11:46.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the role of an integrated joint board’s section 95 officer is in the delivery of the living wage commitment and whether the sanctions in Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy’s letter of 29 January 2016 in relation to the local government settlement for 2016-17 apply to the integrated joint board or to the local authority.","AnswerText":"The integration joint board Section 95 officer is responsible for the proper administration of its financial affairs. In terms of the living wage commitment, the Section 95 officer must prepare a budget for approval by the integration joint board that includes an allocation to its local authority partner for social care services that is sufficient to meet the cost of the living wage commitments. More generally, the Section 95 officer must provide assurance to the integration joint board that the commitments in relation to social care spending set out in the letter from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy of 27 January have been met.\r\nThe sanctions set out in the letter from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy of 29 January 2016 apply to local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310189,"EventID":"S4W-29732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T14:11:47.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure accountability and transparency in relation to tackling bullying, harassment and discrimination in organisations that it commissions or funds.","AnswerText":"Organisations are expected, as part of the conditions of grant from the Scottish Government, to ensure that in relation to the purpose of the funding provided, they are compliant with the requirements of existing law, which includes equality legislation protecting individuals from discrimination and harassment. Similarly organisations contracted by the Scottish Government are expected to be compliant with the law.\r\nThe Scottish Government worked with the Equality and Human Rights Commission in the publication of their guidance on procurement and equality and we have acted on the provisions contained in the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 that help encourage fair work practices and living wage through public bodies’ procurement activity. The Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities accelerated the publication of new statutory guidance on Addressing Fair Work Practices, including the Living Wage, in Procurement, which was published on 6 October 2015. Further we have started working in partnership with public bodies to develop best practice which will be published in the future.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310190,"EventID":"S4W-29735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T14:11:47.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) its position is on and (b) guidance it provides to local authorities regarding closing streets to cars at certain times of the day to allow (i) children to play outdoors close to home and (ii) regular community events to take place.","AnswerText":"Local authorities are responsible under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 for the management and maintenance of local roads within their areas. Where necessary, this includes restricting local roads for events. In certain circumstances Scottish Ministers’ consent is required to make a temporary traffic regulation order that closes or restricts a road for a special event. Guidance on this matter was issued to local authorities in September 2015.\r\nThis government is aware of the issues that residents face with regard to temporary road closures for the purposes of play. We are evaluating lessons learned from successful resident-led projects elsewhere in the UK and considering how that learning might be applied in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310191,"EventID":"S4W-29737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T14:11:48.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much police time is spent each year on attending incidents involving people with potential mental health problems.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. This is a matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310192,"EventID":"S4W-29738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T14:11:49.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-05208 by Michael Matheson on 6 January 2015 (Official Report, c. 6), how many such incidents there are each year, and what proportion of all police incidents this represents.","AnswerText":"I have been advised by Police Scotland that this information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310193,"EventID":"S4W-29739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T14:11:50.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T17:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29440 by Aileen Campbell on 4 February 2016, on what date it will convene the group that will look at the overall allowances system.","AnswerText":"Preparations are underway to allow work to begin immediately after the formation of the new government in May 2016. A specific date will be agreed with review group representatives.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310194,"EventID":"S4W-29740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T14:11:50.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T18:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Barnett consequentials will arise from the English language tuition fund that was recently announced by the UK Government.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29387 on 28 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310195,"EventID":"S4W-29751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T14:11:51.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-05T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in ensuring that the Agricultural Wages Board sets minimum hourly rates for all workers based on the living wage.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board is a non-departmental public body established under the Agricultural Wages (Scotland) Act 1949 to set minimum wage rates and other conditions of employment for agricultural workers. The wages board takes decisions of its own accord and does not operate under instruction from Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310196,"EventID":"S4W-29752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T14:11:51.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-05T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has introduced to ensure that pay and conditions in the agricultural sector do not disproportionately disadvantage Polish and other Eastern European employees.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board sets annually terms and conditions for all agricultural workers employed in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310197,"EventID":"S4W-29753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T14:11:52.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-05T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an equality impact assessment has been carried out on the work and remit of the Agricultural Wages Board in relation to the number of employees from ethnic and cultural minority communities and, if so, whether any recommendations have been made on the payment of the living wage.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB) is a non-departmental public body (NDPB) which was established under the Agricultural Wages (Scotland) Act 1949. Its function is to set minimum rates of pay and other conditions of service for agricultural workers in Scotland. It exercises this function by making orders, which reflect pay settlements agreed by the board, normally on an annual basis. The current order is the Agricultural Wages (Scotland) Order (No. 63) 2015. The SAWB issues a guide for workers and employers alongside each order to promote awareness of its provisions.\r\nThe SAWB is not subject to the specific public sector equality duty in Scotland as it is not listed in Schedule 1 to the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulation 2012.\r\nHowever, we understand the SAWB as an NDPB is aware of its obligations under the Equality Act 2010, including its duty under section 149 to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and promote good relations, in the exercise of its public functions. We understand the SAWB is cognisant of the issues faced by agricultural workers from ethnic minority communities, and by migrant workers. For example, the board has published a Polish language version of the Order and the guide, which can be found here: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/farmingrural/Rural/business/18107/RuralBusiness.\r\nThe Scottish Ministers have responsibility for enforcement of the orders, including by way of a specific enforcement power under the 1949 Act in respect of the agricultural minimum wage rates set by the SAWB.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310198,"EventID":"S4W-29754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T14:11:52.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-05T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a local authority that does not receive its full allocation of 2015-16 attainment challenge funding before the end of the financial year will lose any of that support and, if so, what proportion.","AnswerText":"The £100 million Attainment Scotland Fund is a four year funding programme which is targeting support to authorities and schools with the highest concentrations of children and young people living in areas of multiple deprivation. Funding for participating authorities will be over four years and we will continue to fully fund agreed expenditure as and when it occurs over the four year period.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310199,"EventID":"S4W-29760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T14:11:53.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-05T13:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public contracts it, and other public authorities, have awarded to subsidiary and associated companies of Balfour Beatty in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has awarded one contract in 2011 to Balfour Beatty Construction Limited for the final fit out of the Scottish Crime Campus.\r\nDetails of contracts awarded by the Scottish public sector are publicly available on the Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) website. However, it should be noted that while all contracts awarded by the Scottish Government are recorded on PCS, its use by the wider public sector is not mandated. Therefore, comprehensive information relating to the wider public sector is not held centrally and is a matter for individual public contracting authorities. http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310200,"EventID":"S4W-29755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T15:33:42.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-05T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to spraying (a) coal and (b) other vessels arriving from areas affected by the Zika virus.","AnswerText":"Environmental health officers in local authorities have well-established procedures in place for monitoring risks to health at ports. Ships are subject to regular inspection for infectious and other hazards under the International Health Regulations.\r\nHealth Protection Scotland ensures that Scottish risk assessments are informed by international evidence and best practice, for example by liaising with experts in the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.\r\nSpecific issues relating to the unintended importation of mosquitoes which may harbour or could subsequently transmit anthropoid-borne virus such as the Zika virus are kept under constant review. At the current time, the risk of importation and establishment in Scotland of the Aedes mosquitos involved in Zika virus transmission is assessed to be very low. This is due to the low likelihood of mosquito survival in the temperatures inside cargo ships, and also their poor viability in the Scottish climate.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310201,"EventID":"S4W-29756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T15:33:43.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-05T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards have met the Childsmile Fluoride Varnish targets.","AnswerText":"NHS boards were required by March 2014 to meet a target of 60% of children aged three years old and four years old receiving two or more fluoride varnish (FV) treatments in 2013-14 for all quintiles of deprivation.\r\n\r\nThe target required a 60% achievement rate in each of the five quintiles. Most boards concentrated on the most deprived quintiles; in the majority of NHS boards, children living in the most deprived quintiles (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivations 1 and 2) were the most likely to receive FV.\r\nTwo NHS boards (NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Shetland) met the 60% target for two or more FV treatments. However, most boards have been reasonably successful in children receiving one application of FV.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310202,"EventID":"S4W-29758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T15:33:43.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-05T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding for service delivery it has introduced for the transitional period between the existing service providers for the In Care Survivors Service Scotland being replaced by the providers of the new broker model, and what consideration it has given to splitting the funding between the current and new providers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has offered the current In Care Survivors Service Scotland (ICSSS) provider, Open Secret, grant funding of £100,000 for the financial year period of 1 October 2015 to 31 March 2016, which they have yet to accept.\r\nThe Scottish Government is working with Open Secret to ensure that survivors that access ICSSS continue to receive the services they need during the transitional period in moving from ICSSS to the new, enhanced, service – the In Care Survivor Support Fund.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310203,"EventID":"S4W-29759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-05T15:33:44.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-05T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04339 by Alex Neil on 20 May 2015 (Official Report, c. 6), what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the Human Rights Act 1998.","AnswerText":"I have recently written to Michael Gove, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, to re-iterate our publicly-expressed opposition to repeal of the Human Rights Act and to make clear that it would be unacceptable for the UK Government to consult on its proposals during the Scottish parliamentary elections. \r\nBeyond a half-hour meeting which I had with Dominic Raab, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice, on 12 November 2015, the UK Government has been notably reluctant to engage in dialogue in relation to its proposals. Very little information has emerged through other routes, despite Mr Gove appearing before House of Lords committees in December 2015 and February 2016. I have therefore also stressed in my letter the necessity of substantive inter-governmental engagement in advance of any public consultation exercise.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310212,"EventID":"S4W-29766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:22.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-06T16:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many inpatient dermatology beds there are at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow; how many are being used by other disciplines, and how many are available for the treatment of dermatology patients.","AnswerText":"The latest information available from Information Services Division Scotland (ISD) shows that the average number of available staffed beds available in the dermatology specialty at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow is 11.8, for quarter ending September 2015. Information is not available centrally on the use of beds by other specialties. \r\nSource: ISD(S)1, ISD Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310213,"EventID":"S4W-29769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:22.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-06T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether local authorities will be required to pay landfill tax as a result of the clear up following recent flooding incidents and, if so, what estimate it has made of the cost.","AnswerText":"The material that local authorities send to landfill will attract landfill tax, including any disposals arising from the recent flooding events. The Scottish Government has provided a £16 million aid package in response to the flooding, principally providing grants to individuals and businesses but also supporting councils with reparation costs, which might include Scottish landfill tax liabilities. \r\nThe Scottish Government currently has no estimate on the quantity of waste material produced, and amount that will be landfilled as a result of the recent flooding events. We will be monitoring the situation closely.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310214,"EventID":"S4W-29770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:23.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27393 by Jamie Hepburn on 14 September 2015, whether it will provide an update on what further discussions the working group on charging for residential accommodation has had regarding addressing variations in the use of contractual care routes.","AnswerText":"The working group on charging for residential accommodation will consider this in March 2016 together with the regular annual changes to the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guidance.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310215,"EventID":"S4W-29771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:24.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to implement the recommendation of the Residential Care Task Force that “the Scottish Government, COSLA, Scottish Care and CCPS should undertake work to ensure that charging arrangements are transparent and stratified.”","AnswerText":"We are currently undertaking work to implement recommendations of the Residential Care Task Force.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310216,"EventID":"S4W-29772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:25.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29496 by Michael Matheson on 3 February 2016, when it will conclude its final consultation on delivering indoor smoke-free prison facilities.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The consultation process has now concluded and an options paper is being prepared for submission to the Cabinet Secretary.\r\nThe Cabinet Secretary’s response will inform the action plan and timescales for the introduction of smoke-free prisons.”","AnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310217,"EventID":"S4W-29773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:25.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on (a) new and (b) used office furniture in Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310218,"EventID":"S4W-29774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:26.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the report in the Evening Times that medics at Lightburn Hospital  claim that the building is \"not fit for purpose\".","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to deliver effective and high quality health services to the population.\r\nThere has been significant progress over the last two years in ensuring that the wards in Lightburn Hospital are fit for purpose. For example, in its two elderly rehabilitation wards with a significant proportion of people with dementia, developments include improved dementia-friendly signage, colour contrasts and lighting, all benchmarked against Health Improvement Scotland’s Older People in Acute Hospitals design standards.\r\nIn addition, between the two elderly wards there are four Dementia Champions leading and influencing change at front-line of care in the wards. These include both the two senior charge nurses, a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist. There are support workers who coordinate activity, including the use of reminiscence therapy. There is also a dementia-friendly garden, which can be accessed from both wards.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310219,"EventID":"S4W-29775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:26.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what inspections have been carried at the Lightburn Hospital by the (a) NHS and (b) Care Inspectorate in each of the last five years; what the outcome was of each; what reports were published; whether the hospital is subject to any ongoing inspection; what further inspections are planned, and what information it has regarding inspections by the Health and Safety Executive.","AnswerText":"There have not been any inspections of Lightburn Hospital in the past five years. Over the next two years, Healthcare Improvement Scotland will be adapting and extending its older people in acute care inspection and improvement programmes into other areas including community hospitals such as Lightburn.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310220,"EventID":"S4W-29776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:27.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been employed on a zero-hours contract at Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde does not use the type of contracts which have been characterised as “zero hours”. All boards use staff banks made up of qualified staff who can be offered work on an as and when required basis to deal with peaks in demand or gaps caused by leave and sick absence.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310221,"EventID":"S4W-29777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:27.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been sent for treatment at Lightburn Hospital in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of patients that have had a hospital admission at Lightburn Hospital (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde) at least once during the year, in each of the last 10 years.\r\nThe number of patients admitted at least once during the year treated as an inpatient or daycase at Lightburn Hospital (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde) from 2005-06 to 2014-15.\r\nFinancial Year\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nNumber of patients\r\n702\r\n714\r\n595\r\n535\r\n547\r\n467\r\n415\r\n433\r\n489\r\n481\r\nSource: Information Services Division Scotland, SMR01                  \r\nNotes: these statistics are derived from data collected on discharges from non-obstetric and non-psychiatric hospitals (SMR01) in Scotland. Only patients treated as inpatients or day cases are included. The figures show the number of individual patients that were admitted at least once during the year.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310222,"EventID":"S4W-29778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:28.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there is adequate parking for (a) staff, (b) patients and (c) visitors at Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"Provision of parking facilities at hospitals is the responsibility of health boards. I have asked my officials to consult with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on the parking available at Lightburn Hospital. They have confirmed that there are 44 spaces available for use by staff, patients and visitors. There are also three dedicated spaces for disabled drivers and five spaces specifically for vans and emergency vehicles some of which are located outside of the main entrance to the hospital. Vehicles can also be parked on the main road outside of the hospital.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310223,"EventID":"S4W-29779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:28.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual cost-per-patient has been at Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310224,"EventID":"S4W-29780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:29.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what services are provided by Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"Lightburn Hospital has three wards: two currently occupied and one held for further winter surge requirements. The two active wards are made up of 28 beds each and their focus is frail elderly rehabilitation. There is also a day hospital and outpatients clinics operating five days a week. \r\nFurther details are available from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde who are responsible for the planning and provision of local services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310225,"EventID":"S4W-29781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:29.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent measures NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has put in place to improve services at Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde who are responsible for the planning and provision of local services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310226,"EventID":"S4W-29782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:30.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that people are made aware of the services provided at Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde who are responsible for the planning and provision of local services, including the publicity surrounding those services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310227,"EventID":"S4W-29783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:31.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) non-medical, (b) administrative, (c) managerial, (d) nursing, (e) occupational therapy and (f) physiotherapy posts there have been in Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years, also expressed as a percentage of the number of all staff.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of (a) non-medical, (b) administrative, (c) managerial, (d) nursing, (e) occupational therapy and (f) physiotherapy posts at Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years is not centrally held.\r\nUnder this government, staffing levels in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have increased by 916.3 whole time equivalent (WTE), or 2.8 per cent.\r\n(source: Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland, information as at December 2015)\r\nFurther information on the number of WTE staff at NHSScotland board level is published by ISD Scotland and can be found at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/data-tables.asp.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310228,"EventID":"S4W-29786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:31.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints have been made regarding Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"These complaint statistics are not held centrally. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde confirm that Lightburn Hospital received a total of 19 complaints in the last five years – two in 2011, six in 2012, five in 2013, four in 2014 and two in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310229,"EventID":"S4W-29790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:32.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been allocated to Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years, and how the figure compares with facilities of a similar size in other NHS boards.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government allocates funding to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and does not hold information on the funding allocated to Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310230,"EventID":"S4W-29791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:33.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on repairs and maintenance at Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is publically available on the NHS National Services Scotland Information Services Division website within their “Costs/File Listings” section:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Finance/Costs/File-Listings-2015.asp\r\nScottish Financial Returns 5.2 gives information on “hospital running costs” including \"property maintenance\" which is defined as repairs to hospital property including staff houses, plant maintenance but excludes capital expenditure, heating and power and lighting services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310231,"EventID":"S4W-29792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:33.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recruitment and retention payments paid to senior management at Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde which does not pay recruitment and retention premia for NHS executive and senior managers. Pay for NHS executive and senior managers is set in accordance with the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy which ensures that pay for all NHS staff is fair, sustainable and delivers value for money.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310232,"EventID":"S4W-29793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:34.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many whole-time equivalent staff have been employed at Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years, broken down by job family.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of whole time equivalent (WTE) staff employed at Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years, broken down by job family, is not centrally held.\r\nUnder this government, staffing levels in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have increased by 916.3 WTE, or 2.8 per cent.\r\n(source: Information Division (ISD) Scotland, information as at December 2015)\r\nFurther information on the number of WTE staff at NHSScotland board level is published by ISD Scotland and can be found at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/data-tables.asp.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310233,"EventID":"S4W-29794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:34.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria are used by managers at Lightburn Hospital when cleaning audits are carried out.","AnswerText":"Cleaning audits in Scottish Hospitals are carried out in accordance with the mandatory technical requirements set out in the NHSScotland National Cleaning Services Specification (NCSS) and its accompanying monitoring framework. These documents are published by Health Facilities Scotland at http://www.hfs.scot.nhs.uk/home/.\r\nIn addition, NHS Health Facilities Scotland publishes a quarterly report on compliance with the NCSS. The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate set up by this government scrutinises the standards of cleanliness in healthcare settings across NHSScotland and publicly reports its findings.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310234,"EventID":"S4W-29795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:35.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual running cost is for Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"The annual running cost for Lightburn Hospital is £5,503,562.\r\nSource: Scottish Health Service Costs 2014-15, Report R020LS, Information Services Division Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310235,"EventID":"S4W-29797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:36.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that there is no smoking in the grounds of Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"It is for NHS boards to determine how they communicate and enforce Smokefree policies within their properties. The Scottish Government welcomes the efforts that have been made to support the change in smoking behaviours thus far.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310236,"EventID":"S4W-29798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:36.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what improvement plans it has for Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29781 on 4 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310237,"EventID":"S4W-29799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:37.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps have been taken in Lightburn Hospital to ensure that the design meets the required standards for patients with dementia, and whether there is a rating system against which these are measured.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to deliver effective and high quality health services to its population.\r\nWhile there is not a specific dementia rating system to measure dementia standards systems in these settings, there has been significant improvements over the last two years in ensuring that the design of Lightburn Hospital meets the required standards for patients with dementia. For example, in its two elderly rehabilitation wards with a significant proportion of people with dementia, developments include improved dementia-friendly signage, colour contrasts and lighting, all benchmarked against Health Improvement Scotland’s Older People in Acute Hospitals design standards.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310238,"EventID":"S4W-29800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:37.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve cleanliness at Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"There are a number of measures in place to ensure that the healthcare environment is clean. Cleaning must be compliant with the mandatory requirements set out in the NHSScotland National Cleaning Services Specification which sets out the frequency and method of cleaning in the healthcare setting. Patients and the public deserve to have complete confidence in the cleanliness of Scottish hospitals and the quality of NHS services. That is why this government set up the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate to independently inspect our hospitals to ensure the highest standards of quality, care and cleanliness.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310239,"EventID":"S4W-29801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:38.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of single rooms is available in Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"There are two single rooms in each of the four wards, this equates to 7% of the total number of beds.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310240,"EventID":"S4W-29802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:39.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a shortage of junior doctors available to staff services in Lightburn Hospital and, if so, what the impact of this is.","AnswerText":"There are no junior doctor staffing shortages at Lightburn Hospital.\r\nIn Scotland, the oversight of medical trainees is the responsibility of NHS Education for Scotland, who share the operational arrangements for the placement of medical trainees into training programmes with individual health boards.\r\nLightburn Hospital is supported by two junior doctors with additional support from a clinical case manager. Out of hours cover is provided by the medicine for the elderly junior doctors who are on call, and also the hospital at night (HAN) team based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI). \r\nAt weekends, a junior doctor visits Lightburn Hospital between 9.00 am and 3.00 pm, after which time cover is provided by the medicine for the elderly junior doctors and HAN team at GRI.\r\nThe junior doctors are fully supported by senior trainees and consultant staff who are always available for advice and support.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310241,"EventID":"S4W-29803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:39.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times Lightburn Hospital has downgraded services due to a shortage of suitably qualified staff in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides the policies, frameworks and resources for high quality healthcare, and it is for each NHS board – including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – to decide best how to utilise funding, facilities and staff while taking account of national and local priorities to meet local health needs. We expect NHS boards to plan their facilities and workforce to deliver these services, ensuring the provision of safe, effective and high quality patient care, delivered by the right professional at the right time.\r\nUnder this government, staffing levels in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have increased by 916.3 whole time equivalent, or 2.8 per cent.\r\n(source: Information Services Division Scotland, information as at December 2015)","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310242,"EventID":"S4W-29804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:40.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to make wards at Lightburn Hospital more dementia-friendly.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to deliver effective and high quality health services to its population.\r\nThere has been significant progress over the last two years in ensuring that the wards in Lightburn Hospital are dementia friendly. For example, in its two elderly rehabilitation wards with a significant proportion of people with dementia, developments include improved dementia-friendly signage, colour contrasts and lighting, all benchmarked against Health Improvement Scotland’s Older People in Acute Hospitals design standards.\r\nThere is also a dementia-friendly garden between the two wards, which can be accessed from both wards if the weather is appropriate.\r\nIn addition, between the two wards there are four Dementia Champions to lead and influence change at front-line of care in the wards. These includes both the two senior charge nurses, a physiotherapist and an a occupational therapist. There are support workers who coordinate activity, including the use of reminiscence therapy.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310243,"EventID":"S4W-29805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:40.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there are sufficient staffing levels at Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to a sustainable NHS and its workforce, which continues to deliver a consistently high quality healthcare service to the people of Scotland.\r\nWhile the Scottish Government provides the policies, frameworks and resources for high quality healthcare, it is for each NHS board – including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – to decide best how to utilise funding, facilities and staff while taking account of national and local priorities to meet local health needs. We expect NHS boards to plan their facilities and workforce to deliver these services, ensuring the provision of safe, effective and high quality patient care, delivered by the right professional at the right time.\r\nUnder this government, staffing levels in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have increased by 916.3 whole time equivalent, or 2.8 per cent.\r\n(source: Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland, information as at December 2015)\r\nFurther information on the number of whole time equivalent staff at NHSScotland board level is published by ISD Scotland and can be found at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/data-tables.asp.\r\nWe have already substantially increased funding for all NHS health boards. Under this government, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s frontline budget has increased by £444 million to a planned £2,078.9 million; a cumulative cash increase of 27.2 per cent.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310244,"EventID":"S4W-29806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:41.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average length of stay was for inpatients in Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"The following table shows the mean length of episode at Lightburn Hospital (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde) for the past five years. The mean figure is the sum of all episode lengths divided by the number of inpatient episodes.\r\nMean length of episode for hospital admissions at Lightburn Hospital for 2010-11 to 2014-15.\r\nFinancial Year\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nMean length of episode (days)\r\n48.2\r\n42.0\r\n35.7\r\n19.4\r\n26.0\r\nSource: Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland, SMR01","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310245,"EventID":"S4W-29807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:41.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many beds are provided in Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"The latest information available from Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland, shows that the average number of available staffed beds at Lightburn hospital in Glasgow is 55.8, for quarter ending September 2015.\r\nSource: ISD(S)1, ISD Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310246,"EventID":"S4W-29808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:42.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde regarding Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"Both ministers and Scottish Government officials keep in regular contact with NHS boards on a range of matters including local services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310247,"EventID":"S4W-29809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:42.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans ministers have to visit Lightburn Hospital to discuss the future of the facility.","AnswerText":"There are no current plans at this time for ministers to visit Lightburn Hospital. There are no formal proposals to change the services delivered at the hospital.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310248,"EventID":"S4W-29810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:43.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many falls have been recorded in Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have provided the following information. The number of recorded falls in Lightburn Hospital over the last five years is provided in the following table: \r\n\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nTotal\r\nSlips, Trips and Falls\r\n268\r\n194\r\n258\r\n246\r\n169\r\n1,135\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310249,"EventID":"S4W-29811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:44.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times the heating has broken down at Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The following table provides the number of reported faults for the heating system in the Lightburn Hospital. All faults have been repaired and there have been no occasions when the whole hospital has been without heating.\r\n2011-12\r\n6 reported faults\r\n2012-13\r\n5 reported faults\r\n2013-14\r\n4 reported faults\r\n2014-15\r\n8 reported faults\r\n2015-16\r\n2 reported faults\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310250,"EventID":"S4W-29812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:45.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many wards in Lightburn Hospital have been closed due to (a) norovirus outbreak, (b) hospital-acquired infections and (c) other reasons in each of the last five years.  ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. Health Protection Scotland (HPS) monitors and publishes weekly point prevalence surveillance management information data on a weekly basis by board reporting the number of hospitals and wards closed due to norovirus. The latest report as at 15 February 2016 is published at http://www.documents.hps.scot.nhs.uk/giz/norovirus/2016-02-15.pdf. HPS also publishes a number of statistical commentaries on healthcare associated infections.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310251,"EventID":"S4W-29813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:46.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many crimes have been reported in Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) uses a live operational case management system, specifically designed to receive criminal and death reports from the police and other specialist reporting agencies and to manage the cases for prosecution purposes. The information held on the system is structured for these operational needs, rather than for statistical reporting or research purposes.\r\nAs such the COPFS database is not structured or coded to allow us to identify the details you describe in your request, and to provide the information would require a manual check of all relevant cases. We estimate that due to the volume of information held for the cases involved, checking every case to comply with this request would exceed the £600 threshold. Accordingly it is not possible to provide this information.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310252,"EventID":"S4W-29814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:46.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to people with (a) learning difficulties and (b) mental health issues who use Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides funding to individual health boards, who are in turn responsible for providing services which meet the physical and mental health needs of their local population.\r\nMental health is an absolute priority for the Scottish Government and we will continue to work closely with our partners, including the NHS, local authorities, the third sector, service users and carers to ensure we offer the best quality of life and opportunities for people with mental health problems.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310253,"EventID":"S4W-29815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:47.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to people with impaired (a) sight and (b) hearing who use Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s sensory impairment strategy aims to achieve seamless assessment, care and support for all people with a sensory impairment. Local partnerships have been established around Scotland to drive the implementation of the strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310254,"EventID":"S4W-29816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a sufficient number of junior doctors graduating to meet demand at Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"There is no direct correlation between numbers of medical students graduating in Scotland and the number of junior doctor training places in Lightburn Hospital. Scottish Ministers set medical student intake targets annually, and places for 2015 totalled 848. Following graduation from medical school, medical graduates seeking to work in the NHS must apply for the first stage of foundation level postgraduate training. Scotland has a foundation training establishment figure of 804 places which is calculated to ensure there is an adequate number of places for graduates and an appropriate supply of foundation trainees to meet the future demand into core and higher specialty training programmes.\r\nFor the last few years Scottish Ministers have funded additional foundation places above the establishment figure to ensure suitably qualified graduates from medical schools who wish to work in Scotland are able to obtain a foundation programme place in Scotland, provided they meet the necessary criteria. In addition, in order to achieve a more sustainable medical workforce, the First Minister recently announced an increase of 50 medical students from 2016, which will result in an additional 250 medical training places by 2020-21.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310255,"EventID":"S4W-29817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:48.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people with mental health issues have been accommodated in Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nLightburn Hospital is not a psychiatric inpatient hospital. Acute hospital inpatient and day case discharges (SMR01 data) typically only record diagnoses that are relevant to the current period of care and do not reference unrelated health problems that the patient may also have. While a mental health diagnosis might be recorded on discharge from Lightburn, the patient numbers for this are likely to be a subset of the total number of people with current mental health issues.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310256,"EventID":"S4W-29818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:49.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many medical staff have been employed at Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Information on how many medical staff have been employed at Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years is not centrally held.\r\nUnder this government, staffing levels in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have increased by 916.3 whole time equivalent (WTE), or 2.8 per cent.\r\nThis includes a 31.0 per cent increase in consultants, and a 169.6 per cent increase in emergency medicine consultants.\r\nFurther information on the number of WTE staff at NHSScotland board level is published by Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland and can be found at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/data-tables.asp\r\n(source: ISD Scotland, information as at December 2015).","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310257,"EventID":"S4W-29819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:49.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its role would be regarding any proposal by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to close Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"Any proposals for major service change in the NHS must be informed by formal public consultation and are ultimately subject to ministerial approval, in line with the national guidance available at www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2010_01.pdf. \r\nIn all such cases, I take full account of all the available information and representations before coming to a final decision. In any formal proposal relating to Lightburn Hospital that were deemed major service change, I would have to be convinced that position had materially changed since the previous considerations in 2011, and that what would replace the hospital would demonstrably provide a better service for the benefit of local people. No such formal proposal has been made.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310258,"EventID":"S4W-29820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:50.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what ministerial engagements have taken place in Lightburn Hospital in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"In their then role as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Nicola Sturgeon met Lightburn Hospital campaigners at the Scottish Parliament on 2 November 2011 and Alex Neil visited the hospital on 20 June 2013.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310259,"EventID":"S4W-29821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:50.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Lightburn Hospital has developed or is developing plans on how to carry out a complete evacuation. ","AnswerText":"All NHS boards would deal with an evacuation, as with any disruption to their activities or buildings, as part of their business continuity management arrangements. Strategic business continuity management guidance has been issued to NHS boards in Scotland and is an essential activity in establishing an organisation’s resilience. Evacuation of premises and the scale of the evacuation will be based on risk assessment of each hazard or disruption. NHS boards are also required to carry out regular training and exercising based on the hazards and risks likely to cause disruption to their services and buildings.\r\nAlong with guidance on business continuity management, guidance aimed at ensuring that adequate provision is made for the conduct of evacuations from hospital premises was issued to NHS boards in 2011.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310260,"EventID":"S4W-29822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T14:05:51.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances Lightburn Hospital would carry out a complete evacuation, and what guidance it provides on this.","AnswerText":"There are a number of incidents that may require the evacuation of hospital premises. These can include a fire, structural damage or collapse, but any disruptive incident that impacts on the safety of staff and patients could result in evacuation.\r\nAll NHS boards would deal with an evacuation as they would to any disruption to their activities or buildings, as part of their business continuity management plans and processes. Strategic guidance has been issued to health boards in Scotland and business continuity is an essential activity in establishing an organisation’s resilience. Evacuation of premises and the scale of the evacuation will be based on risk assessment of each hazard or disruption.\r\nGuidance aimed at ensuring that adequate provision is made for the conduct of evacuations from hospital premises was issued to NHS boards in 2011.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310261,"EventID":"S4T-01315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T12:51:15.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports of a 50% increase in households requesting financial assistance to pay fuel and heating bills.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310262,"EventID":"S4T-01318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T12:51:19.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the productivity of the Laggan and Tormore fields west of Shetland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310263,"EventID":"S4F-03225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T12:50:43.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310264,"EventID":"S4F-03226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T12:50:44.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-07T17:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on Douglas-Westwood's forecast for North Sea decommissioning until 2040.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310265,"EventID":"S4F-03228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T12:50:45.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310266,"EventID":"S4F-03229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T12:50:46.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310267,"EventID":"S4F-03231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T12:50:47.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T10:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the latest Bank of Scotland's Purchasing Managers' Index.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310268,"EventID":"S4F-03236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T12:50:52.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s position is on the impact in Scotland of planned UK reductions to housing benefits for vulnerable people who stay in supported and women’s aid refuge accommodation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310272,"EventID":"S4W-29709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:06.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of how the proposals in the 2016-17 local government settlement could impact on (a) jobs and (b) services.","AnswerText":"The package of funding the Scottish Government is providing for the financial year 2016-17 to local government will enable councils to increase the pace of reform and improve public services to communities across the country. Taking into account the addition of the £250 million to support the integration of health and social care, next year’s reduction in local authority overall estimated expenditure is less than one per cent. I believe that such a reduction should have minimal impact on the jobs or services as Scotland's councils should be able to address these challenges from a healthy base as local government funding has been rising in Scotland in recent years with core funding protected and new money provided for additional responsibilities.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310273,"EventID":"S4W-29710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:06.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the assessment by the union, GMB, that the proposals in the 2016-17 local government settlement have led to 8,351 local authority job losses being identified so far.","AnswerText":"The package of funding the Scottish Government is providing for the financial year 2016-17 to local government will enable councils to increase the pace of reform and improve public services to communities across the country. Taking into account the addition of the £250 million to support the integration of health and social care, the strong but challenging financial settlement for local government represents the equivalent to a reduction in local authority overall estimated expenditure of less than one per cent in 2016-17. I believe that such a reduction should have minimal impact on the jobs or services as Scotland's councils should be able to address these challenges from a healthy base as local government funding has been rising in Scotland in recent years with core funding protected and new money provided for additional responsibilities.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310274,"EventID":"S4W-29711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:07.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the assessment by COSLA that the proposals in the 2016-17 local government settlement could lead to 15,000 local authority job losses.","AnswerText":"The package of funding the Scottish Government is providing for the financial year 2016-17 to local government will enable councils to increase the pace of reform and improve public services to communities across the country. Taking into account the addition of the £250 million to support the integration of health and social care, the strong but challenging financial settlement for local government represents the equivalent to a reduction in local authority overall estimated expenditure of less than one per cent in 2016-17. I believe that such a reduction should have minimal impact on the jobs or services as Scotland's councils should be able to address these challenges from a healthy base as local government funding has been rising in Scotland in recent years with core funding protected and new money provided for additional responsibilities.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310275,"EventID":"S4W-29712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:08.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set up a taskforce should the proposals in the 2016-17 local government settlement lead to job losses in the public sector.","AnswerText":"The package of funding the Scottish Government is providing for the financial year 2016-17 to local government will enable councils to increase the pace of reform and improve public services to communities across the country. Taking into account the addition of the £250 million to support the integration of health and social care, the strong but challenging financial settlement for local government represents the equivalent to a reduction in local authority overall estimated expenditure of less than one per cent in 2016-17. I believe that such a reduction should have minimal impact on the jobs or services as Scotland's councils should be able to address these challenges from a healthy base as local government funding has been rising in Scotland in recent years with core funding protected and new money provided for additional responsibilities.\r\nThe Scottish Government has always attached the highest priority to maintaining public sector employment.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310276,"EventID":"S4W-29713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:09.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with third and private sector care organisations to secure their agreement to contribute 25% toward the cost of delivering at least the living wage to care workers prior to the letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy of 27 January 2016 regarding the 2016-17 local government settlement; when these took place, and which organisations were involved.","AnswerText":"Partnership working between the Scottish Government, local government and our stakeholders, including the third and independent sectors, is key to ensuring we achieve the intended outcomes of this additional investment.\r\nThis has been the approach we have followed during the past year in which, following extensive dialogue with local authorities and providers, we made available £12.5 million in 2015-16, as part of a tripartite agreement worth £25 million to improve the quality of care by jointly investing to encourage fair work practices for care workers, including progress to the living wage.\r\nThe significant increase in resources being made available through the budget will build on this success.\r\nWe have not stipulated a specific contribution expected from providers in regards to the 2016-17 local government settlement. We would expect a more finely grained analysis of the situation regarding wages and fair work within contracted out care services at integration authority level and as part of the negotiations on the National Care Home Contract – that is why the target date has been extended to 1 October 2016 rather than implementation by 1 April 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310277,"EventID":"S4W-29714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:09.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether third and private sector care organisations have agreed to contribute 25% toward the cost of delivering at least the living wage to all of their care workers in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"In correspondence to chief executives of local authorities, regarding the local government settlement, I said that this investment assumes that private and third sector providers will meet their share of the costs. I did not stipulate a specific contribution expected from providers. We would expect a more finely grained analysis of the situation regarding wages and fair work within contracted out care services at integration authority level and that is why the target date has been extended to 1 October 2016 rather than implementation by 1 April 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310278,"EventID":"S4W-29715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:10.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy advised local authority chief executives that the contribution expected from third and private sector care organisations toward paying at least the living wage to their care workers in 2016-17 is 25%.","AnswerText":"The funding provided last year to improve quality of care through fair work practices, including paying the living wage, used a tripartite model where care providers and local government each provided a 25% contribution of the investment agreed.\r\nIn correspondence to chief executives of local authorities, regarding the local government settlement, I said that this investment assumes that private and third sector providers will meet their share of the costs.\r\nWe have not stipulated a specific contribution expected from providers in regards to the 2016-17 local government settlement. We would expect a more finely grained analysis of the situation regarding wages and fair work within contracted out care services at integration authority level and as part of the negotiations on the National Care Home Contract – that is why the target date has been extended to 1 October rather than implementation by 1 April 2016.\r\nWe will work in partnership with stakeholders in the coming months to achieve our shared goal, that being to help raise the status and public image of social care as a profession to help improve the quality of care in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310279,"EventID":"S4W-29716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:11.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role integration joint boards have in decisions about the conditions proposed by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy in relation to the payment of the living wage in adult social care contracts, and the proposed changes to charges for services that they commission.","AnswerText":"Integration joint boards will be required to set a budget that allocates their share of the integration funding included within the local government settlement, to meet as a minimum the settlements’ commitments in relation to social care, i.e. in relation to the living wage and changes to the charging thresholds.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310280,"EventID":"S4W-29717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:12.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers it has to instruct integration joint boards.","AnswerText":"Section 52 of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 provides ministers with powers to direct integration authorities, including integration joint boards, in relation to their carrying out of functions conferred on them by the Act.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310281,"EventID":"S4W-29718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:13.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how it will allocate the additional £250 million for health and social care partnerships that was announced in its 2016-17 draft budget.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30141 on 26 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310282,"EventID":"S4W-29720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:13.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consequences will arise should resource transfer arrangements not be agreed with NHS boards by 9 February 2016.","AnswerText":"Resource transfer arrangements have been superseded by the resource delegation arrangements required by the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014. The legislation requires agreement to be reached on budgets for delegation to integration authorities by 1 April 2016.\r\nThe £250 million of integration funding provided for in the local government settlement will be allocated to health boards, to whom ministers will give written direction to delegate the full sum to their integration authorities. Integration authorities will then allocate their share of the resources to their local authorities to meet the commitments set out in the settlement.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310283,"EventID":"S4W-29721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:14.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it used to calculate the £250 million to be distributed to local authorities to ensure that they pay at least the living wage.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will distribute the £250 million to health boards via their annual allocations, using the same allocation formula as was used for distribution of the Integrated Care Fund. This approach takes account of funding formulae used for the NHS and local government, using a 1:1 ratio of the National Resource Allocation Committee formula for the NHS and grant aided expenditure formula for local government.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310284,"EventID":"S4W-29722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:15.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) voluntary and (b) third sector care workers there are in each local authority area, and how much it will cost to pay them at least the living wage.","AnswerText":"The number of (a) private and (b) voluntary/ third sector workers in the care sector in each local authority area is available in the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) annual workforce survey (table 4). This can be found on the SSSC website (http://data.sssc.uk.com/data-publications). \r\nThe investment required to meet the living wage in contracted out adult social care services will vary across authorities in Scotland according to local circumstances, for example, the volume and balance of contracted out care and the progress some councils have already made towards payment of the living wage. We would expect a more finely grained analysis of the situation regarding wages and fair work within contracted out care services to be undertaken at integration authority level.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310285,"EventID":"S4W-29731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:16.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28935 by Roseanna Cunningham on 18 December 2015, whether the Fair Work Convention has now considered the report, Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination in Scottish Workplaces, and, if so, what its response is, if not, when the convention will next meet.","AnswerText":"The Fair Work Convention is an independent body and therefore the Scottish Government is unable to comment on what its response will be. The Scottish Government is however aware that the convention has seen the report and fully expects it to factor bullying, harassment and discrimination into the fair work framework to be published by the end of March 2016. The convention will next meet on 24 February 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310286,"EventID":"S4W-29741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:16.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is overseeing the work to develop a national clinical strategy.","AnswerText":"The National Clinical Strategy was developed by a small team led by Dr Angus Cameron, on loan from NHS Dumfries and Galloway, and overseen by a group chaired by Professor Jason Leitch, National Clinical Director.\r\nIn developing the strategy, there was engagement with a wide variety of staff across Scottish Government and NHS boards, with clinicians and their representatives. The engagement process included meetings with chief executives, finance directors, directors of planning, medical directors, nurse directors, chief pharmacists, area clinical forum leads, directors of public health, chief operating officers, HR directors, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the Scottish Partnership Forum, eHealth advisors, the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal College of Surgeons and the British Medical Association. In addition there was significant clinical engagement with meetings open to all clinicians held in Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness, Fort William, Glasgow and Dumfries.\r\nMembership of the oversight group was as follows:\r\nDr Catherine Calderwood, Scottish Government, Chief Medical Officer\r\nFiona McQueen, Scottish Government, Chief Nursing Officer\r\nJohn Matheson, Scottish Government, Finance Director (until January 2016)\r\nDr Andrew Longmate, Scottish Government, Senior Medical Officer\r\nProfessor Craig White, Scottish Government, Divisional Clinical Lead\r\nElizabeth Porterfield, Scottish Government, Head Strategic Planning and Clinical Priorities\r\nKaren MacNee, Scottish Government, Senior Policy Analyst\r\nRobert Calderwood, Chief Executive, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\nCathie Cowan, Chief Executive, NHS Orkney\r\nJohn Turner, Chief Executive, NHS24 (until July 2015)\r\nJill Young, Chief Executive, Golden Jubilee Foundation\r\nLindsay Burley, Chair, NHS National Education Scotland\r\nJeane Freeman, Chair, Golden Jubilee Foundation","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310287,"EventID":"S4W-29743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:17.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which ministers serve on the NHS Guiding Coalition; who the other members are; who it reports to; whether it includes staff representatives; what its remit is; when it was established; when it has met; who attended each meeting; what was discussed, and whether the minutes and papers of its meetings are published.","AnswerText":"The NHS senior leaders forum are the Director General for Health and Social Care and Chief Executive of NHS Scotland, directors of the Scottish Government’s Health and Social Care Directorate, NHS Scotland chairs and chief executives, and the chairs of the NHS Scotland medical directors and nurse directors groups. The forum forms part of regular engagement between Scottish Government and NHS boards.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310288,"EventID":"S4W-29749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:18.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-04T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the statement, \"This will drive redesign of services so that patients will travel further for specialist treatment, but will get better outcomes\" in the minutes of the Scottish Partnership Forum meeting of 9 June 2015 means for the current provision of hospitals.","AnswerText":"The quoted statement was made in a meeting with the Scottish Partnership Forum to get their views and input to developing the National Clinical Strategy. As indicated in the paragraph from which this sentence has been lifted, the discussion highlighted evidence that for some types of treatment, better clinical outcomes can be obtained from specialist teams co-located with other necessary services and specialists. \r\nThe National Clinical Strategy sets out the supporting evidence for complex specialist services planning and delivery on a population basis. This would mean that, for some services, specialist units might be located within one hospital in a region, but importantly all hospitals would work as a network across the whole region or indeed the whole of Scotland, dependent on the complexity of specialist services to be provided. An example is the introduction of robot assisted surgery for prostate cancer.\r\nThis will ensure we continue to deliver world-class services for the people of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310289,"EventID":"S4W-29823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:19.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T13:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29470 by Angela Constance on 5 February 2016, what the resource accounting and budgeting charge is for a repayment threshold of £21,000, also expressed as a percentage of initial loan outlay.","AnswerText":"The resource and accounting budget (RAB charge), estimated each year, forecasts repayments of student loans for all existing borrowers, as well as future borrowers. The model draws on demographics to calculate a repayment profile and a write off element, which combined provide the RAB charge. The repayment profile calculates the time and rate of repayment, whereas the write off estimates the amount that will never be recovered. The current RAB charge represents a percentage of every £1 lent.\r\nThe current estimated RAB charge for Scotland is 29%, meaning that for every £1 lent through the student loan scheme, the Scottish Government can expect to recoup 71 pence. The Scottish Government modelled the impact of increasing the student loan repayment threshold to £21,000 based on 2014-15 data, which produced an estimated RAB charge of 33%.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310290,"EventID":"S4W-29824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:19.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T13:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29472 by Angela Constance on 5 February 2016, what resource accounting and budgeting charge is expected to apply in 2016-17, expressed as a percentage of initial loan outlay.","AnswerText":"The resource and accounting budget charge for 2016-17 is expected to be between 29% and 31%.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310291,"EventID":"S4W-29825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:20.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T13:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28830 by Angela Constance on 5 February 2016, what the UK Government-advised maximum budget for the Scottish Government was for the cost of loans in 2012-13, excluding the income-contingent student loan writedown.","AnswerText":"In 2012-13, the original maximum budget available to meet the Resource Accounting and Budget charge for providing student loans (excluding the Spring Budget Revision in readiness for the sale of the mortgage style student loan book) was £88.4 million.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310292,"EventID":"S4W-29826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:20.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T13:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29473 by Angela Constance on 5 February 2016, what the estimated requirements are for 2016-17, and how these differ from 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The estimated non cash Delegated Expenditure Limit requirements for the cost of providing student loans i.e. the resource accounting and budget charge 2016-17 are £175.6 million. In 2015-16, the estimated requirements are £171 million.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310293,"EventID":"S4W-29827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:21.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of recorded religious hate crimes in 2014-15 expressed as the number of incidents per 1,000 members of each religious affiliation, also broken down by incidents recorded under section (a) 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 and (b) 1 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012. ","AnswerText":"The reports titled Religiously Aggravated Offending in Scotland 2014-15 and Charges reported under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 in 2014-15 were published on 12 June 2015 and presented information on the number of charges that were reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) by the police in 2014-15 under section 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 and section 1 and section 6 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012. \r\nThe following table shows religious aggravation charges that were reported to COPFS in 2014-15 for conduct which was derogatory to each religion under the two pieces of legislation. The final column presents the number of charges per 1,000 members of each, as recorded in the 2011 census.\r\nIt is important to note that reported charges only contain information about the nature of the offensive conduct and not about the religious affiliation of the victims of incidents. In 41% of charges, the victim of the conduct was a police officer (a proportional decrease from 48% in 2013-14), and in 15% of charges the victim was a worker (a proportional increase from 11% in 2013-14). The occasions when religious abuse targeted people within the ‘general community’, and not a particular individual, represented 36% of all charges (a proportional increase from 26% in 2013-14).\r\nThis suggests that for many of the charges it is unlikely the accused knew the religious affiliation/belief of the victim at the time of incident, and that the attacks were more arbitrary in nature.\r\nTable: Religious aggravation and offensive behaviour at football charges derogatory to religions in Scotland in 2014-15 per 1,000 members\r\nReligious aggravation charges in 2014-151\r\nOffensive behaviour at football charges in 2014-15\r\nThe religion that the conduct was derogatory towards5\r\nNumber of charges2\r\nNumber of members3\r\nCharges per 1,000 members\r\nNumber of charges2\r\nNumber of members3\r\nCharges per 1,000 members\r\nChristianity4,5\r\n479\r\n2,850,199\r\n0.17\r\n48\r\n2,850,199\r\n0.02\r\nof which: Roman Catholicism\r\n328\r\n841,053\r\n0.39\r\n42\r\n841,053\r\n0.05\r\nof which: Protestantism\r\n145\r\n1,717,871\r\n0.08\r\n6\r\n1,717,871\r\n0.00\r\nJudaism\r\n25\r\n5,887\r\n4.25\r\n1\r\n5,887\r\n0.17\r\nIslam\r\n71\r\n76,737\r\n0.93\r\n1\r\n76,737\r\n0.01\r\nUnknown\r\n9\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\n0\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nOther\r\n1\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\n0\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nTable notes:\r\n1. Information on religious aggravations is taken from Religiously Aggravated Offending in Scotland 2014-15 and information on offensive behaviour at football charges is taken from Charges reported under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 in 2014-15, published on the Scottish Government website on 12 June 2015.\r\n2. The number of charges refers to the religion that the conduct was derogatory towards and not the number of charges where victims had the relevant affiliation. Information about victims’ religious affiliations is not recorded by the police.\r\n3. Religious group membership information data for this parliamentary question and in 2013-14 (S4W-24173 on 9 February 2015) were taken from the 2011 census. These were published in census release 2A, on 26 September 2013. Previous calculations of the number of incidents per 1,000 members for 2011-12 and 2012-13, presented in response to previous parliamentary questions (S4W-15809 on 7 July 2013 and S4W-11536 on 12 December 2012), were based on membership data as presented in the 2001 census:\r\nhttp://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/documents/censusresults/release2a/StatsBulletin2A.pdf\r\n4. There are six charges in the Christianity total for religious aggravations charges that referred to conduct which was offensive to Christianity in general and were not directed towards Protestantism or Roman Catholicism.\r\n5. Religious group membership data is based on self-reported affiliation in the 2011 census. Christian denominations are presented in the census under three ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310294,"EventID":"S4W-29828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:21.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS boards about local delivery plans for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials are discussing planning for 2016-17 with NHS boards as part of the annual planning and performance cycle. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310295,"EventID":"S4W-29829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:22.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the submission of (a) draft and (b) final NHS local delivery plans for 2016-17 has been delayed and, if so, for what reason.","AnswerText":"The timetable for their production has been set to take account of integration of health and social care going live in 2016. There is a legal duty for health and social care partnerships to produce a strategic plan and a duty for the delegating parties to be fully involved throughout that process. Health and social care partnerships are formally established from 1 April 2016 and it is important that they are involved in the preparation of local delivery plans (LDPs). The timetable for the development of the 2016-17 LDPs has been set to support and manage orderly planning and budgeting through alignment and collaboration. \r\nOverall, these changes to the planning landscape mean that boards are due to submit draft LDPs in March 2016 with finalised LDPs to be submitted by the end of May 2016. Our published guidance said that NHS boards should submit a draft LDP by 4 March 2016, we have extended that slightly to enable further work on the draft plans to take place. Draft plans will still be submitted in March 2016 before the start of the financial year and these will be reviewed as part of our planning and performance cycle. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310296,"EventID":"S4W-29830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:23.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date NHS boards will be required to publish a final local delivery plan for 2016-17, including the financial annex.","AnswerText":"We expect to sign-off local delivery plans (LDPs) in June 2016 and NHS boards will publish their final LDPs immediately after sign-off. As in previous years NHS boards will be taking their draft LDPs through appropriate local boards and committees.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310297,"EventID":"S4W-29831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:23.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish details of the National Scheduled Care Programme (sustainability).","AnswerText":"Details of the National Scheduled Care Programme titled \"Getting Ahead – sustainable whole system management for elective services\" was issued on 25 January 2016 under a Health Directorate Director letter. This can be accessed at the following link: http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/dl/DL(2016)02.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310298,"EventID":"S4W-29832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:24.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with (a) NHS boards and (b) other stakeholders about the National Scheduled Care Programme (sustainability).","AnswerText":"The National Scheduled Care Programme known as “Getting Ahead – sustainable whole systems management for elective services” has been discussed in detail with the NHS Scotland Chief Operating Officers Group and other informal discussions with a number of NHS boards as well as the British Medical Association. \r\nThe Health Directorate Access Support Team will be meeting with all boards to support them in taking forward this work over the next few months.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310299,"EventID":"S4W-29834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:25.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the option of a passenger ferry across the Firth of Forth with a bus link was not explored during the recent closure of the Forth Road Bridge. ","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland fully explored all of the ferries options and engaged in discussions and practical trials with ferry operators on possible services. Available infrastructure, comparable journey times and likely passenger carrying capacity, particularly when compared to other public transport options, were the key factors in considering this. Ultimately it was not deemed practical to pursue such a service. However, all options were kept under review throughout the closure period.\r\nThe use of a hovercraft was also considered although ruled out under the same criteria plus taking into account the time required to make a vessel available to enter service.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310300,"EventID":"S4W-29835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-08T16:43:25.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-08T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29493 by Margaret Burgess on 4 February 2016, what percentage of (a) social landlords and (b) private home owners has used Home Energy Scotland advice centres in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government funds the Energy Saving Trust annually to provide a range of advice and support on domestic energy efficiency. This includes the Home Energy Scotland (HES) advice service.\r\nThe following table details the percentage of private home owners and social landlords who have taken up the service since 2008-09.\r\nThe advice network was established in April 2008 so figures for 2007-08 are not available.\r\nFinancial year\r\nOwner occupier\r\nHousing association\r\nLocal authority\r\nAll social housing\r\n2008-09\r\n4.8%\r\n0.8%\r\n1.8%\r\n1.4%\r\n2009-10\r\n9.7%\r\n2.6%\r\n5.3%\r\n4.1%\r\n2010-11\r\n12.9%\r\n4.6%\r\n6.8%\r\n5.8%\r\n2011-12\r\n6.4%\r\n0.8%\r\n1.5%\r\n1.2%\r\n2012-13\r\n6.3%\r\n0.6%\r\n1.5%\r\n1.1%\r\n2013-14\r\n5.1%\r\n0.6%\r\n1.0%\r\n0.8%\r\n2014-15\r\n5.1%\r\n1.0%\r\n1.8%\r\n1.4%\r\n2015-16 (to 9 February 2016)\r\n4.3%\r\n0.6%\r\n1.0%\r\n0.8%\r\nNotes:\r\nBased on the number of households with resolved interactions recorded by HES (i.e. social housing figures reflect tenants in social rented properties that have contacted HES).\r\nCovers all the services and schemes offered through contact to HES.\r\n“All social housing” figure is assuming that there are only housing associations and local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310302,"EventID":"S4W-29761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T11:54:15.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-05T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that staff, practitioners and agencies have the confidence and willingness to record and report bullying incidents.","AnswerText":"As an employer, the Scottish Government is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and to ensuring the fair treatment of staff. We are committed to dealing with staff grievances fairly, consistently, quickly through our robust Fairness at Work policy. We also recognise the potential value to all parties of being able to resolve a dispute in an alternative way. Therefore in addition to the informal and formal processes we have introduced the opportunity to resolve issues through mediation.\r\nThrough our People Strategy and Fairness at Work policy we set out clearly the culture and behaviours we as an organisation expect to see from our staff and managers. We recognise that, if concerns are not dealt with in a way that is perceived as fair or are left unresolved, the working relationship may deteriorate and impact on all individuals involved. We therefore have various methods in addition to the informal and formal policy through which we encourage people to record and report bullying and harassment, including via our trades unions and staff diversity networks. We capture through our People Survey areas where levels of bullying or harassment are higher and our diversity manager works with these areas to build confidence of both staff and managers to tackle the issues directly.\r\nOur Equality Outcome – Equality And Diversity Matters sets out our ambition to raise the confidence of managers and staff to deal with issues around diversity and equality. As part of our improvement process we will be undertaking analysis to measure over time the level of knowledge about human resources policies and how staff feel about unfair treatment as well as to better understand the issues on which our staff most regularly require information.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310303,"EventID":"S4W-29762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T11:54:16.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-05T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is promoting the need to maintain clear lines of transparency, communication and accountability between everyone involved in responding to bullying incidents.","AnswerText":"This government wants every child and young person in Scotland to grow up free from bullying and to develop respectful, responsible and confident relationships. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and must be addressed quickly, whenever it arises. \r\nEach local authority is responsible for the care, safety and welfare of pupils in school in the authority area. We all know that children and young people need to feel safe and secure in their learning environment to fully grasp the benefits of the curriculum. That is why anti-bullying policies should be at the heart of a whole school approach to creating a positive and welcoming ethos, and why health and wellbeing sits alongside literacy and numeracy as the responsibility of all staff. This includes each practitioner’s role in promoting open, positive, supportive relationships across the school community.\r\nWe have established and wholly fund respectme, a national anti-bullying service, to build confidence and capacity to tackle bullying effectively, aligned to the National Approach to Anti-bullying for Scotland's Children and Young People. respectme provide direct support to local authorities, schools, youth groups and all those working with children and young people. \r\nWe expect that all local authorities have an anti-bullying policy that covers all of their schools/establishments and each school/establishment should develop and implement an anti-bullying policy in line with this. All staff and partners working with children and young people should have a good understanding of the anti-bullying policy and clear expectations of their role in its implementation. This policy must be shared with a clear expectation that all staff, volunteers, children, young people and parents and carers have a clear understanding of the policy.\r\nIn particular, the anti-bullying policy and procedures should be communicated and shared to ensure that children and young people and their parents and carers know who they can talk to, what they can expect if bullying occurs and how bullying incidents will be resolved.\r\nThe refreshed national approach to anti-bullying, which is due to be published in spring 2016, makes clear of the role of all adults and children and young people in preventing and dealing with bullying, as well as what they can expect from others.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310304,"EventID":"S4W-29763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T11:54:17.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-05T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that parental rights and responsibilities are being respected when dealing with bullying incidents.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 recognises the vital role that parents play in supporting their children’s learning by strengthening the framework for supporting parental involvement in school education. There is a duty on Scottish Ministers and education authorities to promote the involvement and engagement of parents in children’s education and the wider life of the school. \r\nThe Act provides a framework for ensuring that parents have the opportunity to express their views and have these taken into account on policy matters affecting the education of their children, including bullying. It makes provision for parents to be a member of the parent council at school and to have the views of the wider parent forum (whole body of parents in a school) represented to the school, education authority and others through a representative parent council for the school. It also gives them the right to raise their concerns and/or make a complaint.\r\nWe have established and wholly fund respectme, the national anti-bullying service, to build confidence and capacity to tackle bullying effectively, aligned to the National Approach to Anti-bullying for Scotland's Children and Young People. respectme also provide direct support to local authorities, schools, youth groups and all those working with children and young people. respectme also provide training to parents and carers around internet safety which also includes bullying. respectme has recently produced a document ‘Bullying…a guide for Parents and Carers’.\r\nIn addition, the refreshed national approach (which is due to be published in spring 2016), makes clear the role of all adults (including parents) in preventing and dealing with bullying as well as what they can expect from others.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310305,"EventID":"S4W-29764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T11:54:18.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-05T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how restorative justice is being used to restore relationships that have broken down as a result of bullying.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government launched A National Approach to Anti-Bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People in 2010. The national approach forms part of our wider attempts to improve the health and wellbeing of our children and young people. It fits in with our ongoing work to ensure children and young people feel safe and secure and are able to build up strong and positive relationships with their peers and with adults, as well as our work to promote positive behaviour.\r\nFollowing many legislative and policy developments since the publication of the national approach, a working group was established in January 2015 to refresh the guidance. This group is made up of experts from a number of organisations that have experience of working in this area of work including COSLA, Education Scotland, ENABLE, LGBT Youth, Stonewall Scotland, Youthlink Scotland, CELCIS and sportscotland.\r\nThe purpose of the refreshed national approach is to communicate and promote a common vision and aims to make sure that work across all sectors and communities is consistently and coherently contributing to a holistic approach to anti-bullying in Scotland. Following extensive consultation with children and young people, parents and carers and practitioners, the revised national approach will be published in spring 2016.\r\nThe refreshed national approach will refer to a range of strategies and programmes being used throughout Scotland that can improve relationships and behaviour and help prevent and address bullying. This includes restorative approaches which can be used to restore relationships that have broken down as a result of bullying. Education Scotland continue to provide support to local authorities and schools on implementing positive relationship approaches.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310306,"EventID":"S4W-29765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T11:54:18.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-05T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how indicators and evidence are used to ensure that policies to deal with bullying are being implemented effectively.","AnswerText":"We have established and wholly fund respectme, a national anti-bullying service, to build confidence and capacity to tackle bullying effectively, aligned to the National Approach to Anti-bullying for Scotland's Children and Young People. respectme provide direct support to local authorities, schools, youth groups and all those working with children and young people and support them in implementing local and organisational anti-bullying policies effectively. \r\nThe self-evaluation tool ‘How Good is Our School 4’ was launched in September 2015 and will come into force for all schools in August 2016. This includes a Safeguarding quality indicator and a specific quality indicator on ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion which will support schools to effectively evaluate their own practice and support self-improvement. Education Scotland is currently reviewing its process of inspection, and new models of inspection are being tried out.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310322,"EventID":"S4W-29836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:16.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T09:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29498 by John Swinney on 9 February 2016, on what date it will announce plans to extend superfast broadband to the remaining 5%.","AnswerText":"It is not yet possible to confirm a date, although we expect to begin new procurement activity later in 2016. There are a number of steps that need to be taken prior to announcing our plans in detail. This includes finalising coverage to be delivered by the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme, undertaking an Open Market Review to establish commercial plans and agreeing the appropriate state aid route. Currently we are working with the UK Government to develop a proposal to the European Commission for a new UK-wide state aid scheme for broadband. We expect this to be finalised in the coming months.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310323,"EventID":"S4W-29837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:17.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been treated at Lightburn Hospital in each year since 1999, and what information it has for earlier years.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of patients that had a hospital admission at Lightburn Hospital at least once during the year, treated as an inpatient or daycase, for each year from 1997-98 to 2014-15. \r\nFinancial Year\r\n1997-98\r\n1998-99\r\n1999-00\r\n2000-01\r\n2001-02\r\n2002-03\r\n2003-04\r\n2004-05\r\n2005-06\r\nNumber of patients\r\n606\r\n679\r\n812\r\n787\r\n877\r\n814\r\n749\r\n710\r\n702\r\n\r\nFinancial Year\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nNumber of patients\r\n714\r\n595\r\n535\r\n547\r\n467\r\n415\r\n433\r\n489\r\n481\r\nSource: Information Services Division Scotland, SMR01\r\nNotes these statistics are derived from data collected on discharges from non-obstetric and non-psychiatric hospitals (SMR01) in Scotland. Only patients treated as inpatients or day cases are included. The figures show the number of individual patients that were admitted at least once during the year. These figures exclude people who did not attend appointments.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310324,"EventID":"S4W-29838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:17.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been transferred from Lightburn Hospital to receive emergency treatment at an acute hospital in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of patients who have been transferred from Lightburn Hospital to another hospital in each of the last five years. Information is not available centrally about whether the transfer was for emergency treatment.\r\nFinancial year\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nNumber of patients \r\n50\r\n64\r\n76\r\n94\r\n71\r\nSource: Information Services Division Scotland, SMR01\r\nDate extracted: February 2016","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310325,"EventID":"S4W-29839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:18.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estate revenue costs are for Lightburn Hospital. ","AnswerText":"The estate revenue costs for 2014-15 for Lightburn Hospital are:\r\nLightburn Hospital: 2014-15\r\nEstate Revenue Costs\r\nPay\r\nSupplies\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n£\r\n£\r\n£\r\nLaundry\r\n21,345\r\n2,095\r\n23,440\r\nWaste Disposal\r\n\r\n31,852\r\n31,852\r\nProperty Maintenance\r\n4,995\r\n118,566\r\n123,561\r\nCleaning\r\n220,958\r\n7,405\r\n228,363\r\nEnergy and Utilities\r\n\r\n156,180\r\n156,180\r\nRent\r\n\r\n4,066\r\n4,066\r\nRates\r\n\r\n5,173\r\n5,173\r\nFurniture and Other Equipment\r\n\r\n57,984\r\n57,984\r\nTotals\r\n247,298\r\n383,321\r\n630,619\r\nThis table is an extract from the NHS National Services Scotland Information Services Division website within their “Costs/File Listings” section.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310326,"EventID":"S4W-29840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:19.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many deaths there have been at Lightburn Hospital in each of the last 10 years. ","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of deaths that occurred at Lightburn Hospital in the past 10 years.\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n89\r\n70\r\n53\r\n52\r\n40\r\n35\r\n21\r\n17\r\n10\r\n14\r\nSource: Information Services Division Scotland, SMR01\r\nDate extracted: February 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310327,"EventID":"S4W-29841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:19.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients aged over 75 in each of the last five years were subsequently diagnosed with MRSA after being admitted to Lightburn Hospital. ","AnswerText":"Statistical information on MRSA in Scotland is published by Health Protection Scotland in its quarterly epidemiological commentaries at: http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/pubs/Index.aspx. The commentaries contain quarterly epidemiological data by NHS board and nationally for Scotland. Data for individual hospitals is not published; however, since 2007 there has been a 79% fall in cases of MRSA in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310328,"EventID":"S4W-29842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:20.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients aged over 75 in each of the last five years were recorded as sustaining an injury during their stay after being admitted to Lightburn Hospital. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have provided full year details for the number of recorded incidents involving those over the age of 75 who have sustained an injury during a stay in Lightburn Hospital over the last three years. It should be noted that these details may be incomplete as the age of the individual is not always recorded.\r\nLightburn slips, trips and falls in over 75s (where age has been filled out)\r\n\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nTotal\r\nSlips, Trips and Falls\r\n116\r\n179\r\n106\r\n401\r\nLightburn patients aged over 75 sustaining an injury (where age has been filled out)\r\n\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nTotal\r\nInjuries\r\n50\r\n64\r\n42\r\n156","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310329,"EventID":"S4W-29843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:21.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T11:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the responses to its Consultation on Provisions for a Future Islands Bill; what work it has undertaken on such a Bill since the consultation closed, and what plans it has to introduce such a Bill.","AnswerText":"The responses to the Consultation on Provisions for a Future Islands Bill were published on 25 February 2016. The responses are currently being independently analysed. Once this is complete, the findings will help inform the development of a draft Bill.\r\nDecisions on the introduction of a future Bill will be for the next Scottish Government to determine following the Scottish parliamentary elections in May 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310330,"EventID":"S4W-29844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:22.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the (a) capital and (b) revenue allocations to local authorities under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 have increased or decreased from 2015-16 to 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Overall, the Scottish Government allocated local authorities £170 million to cover the capital requirements for early learning and childcare under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. As agreed with COSLA, this funding was paid out as follows: £71 million in 2014-15, £69 million in 2015-16 and a final payment of £30 million for 2016-17.\r\nThe revenue allocations to local authorities under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 from 2015-16 to 2016-17 have increased from £131 million to £163 million. This includes £119 million in relation to early learning and childcare in 2015-16 and, £141 million in relation to early learning and childcare for 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310331,"EventID":"S4W-29845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:22.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the projected outturn on childcare is for (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17.","AnswerText":"A projected outturn is not yet available for either 2015-16 or 2016-17.\r\n\r\nProjected outturn figures are provided by local authorities and cover the most recently ended financial year. The latest projected outturn estimates were supplied in May 2015 and cover financial year 2014-15.\r\nAt the same time as the projected outturn, local authorities supply a budget estimate for the financial year in progress. This shows what local authorities plan to spend in the current financial year. The budget estimate for childcare provided by local authorities in May 2015 for financial year 2015-16 was £400 million.\r\nBudget estimates for 2016-17 are not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310332,"EventID":"S4W-29846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:23.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason anti-bullying policies are in place in only 29 of the 32 local authorities.","AnswerText":"This government wants every child and young person in Scotland to grow up free from bullying and to develop respectful, responsible and confident relationships. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and must be addressed quickly, whenever it arises. \r\nCurriculum for Excellence seeks to empower the teaching profession, enabling practitioners to teach more creatively and providing flexibility so that teachers, schools and local authorities can identify and pursue their own approaches to meeting experiences and outcomes. The experiences and outcomes describe the expectations for learning and progression in all areas of the curriculum. Within that context, it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to prescribe any one programme for any specific issue.\r\nWhile the Curriculum for Excellence framework is set at a national level, it is up to local authorities and schools to determine how they will deliver the curriculum to best suit the children and young people in their area.\r\nWe have established and wholly fund respectme, a national anti-bullying service, to build confidence and capacity to tackle bullying effectively, aligned to the National Approach to Anti-bullying for Scotland's Children and Young People. respectme provide direct support to local authorities, schools, youth groups and all those working with children and young people. \r\nAnti-bullying policies are in place in all 32 authorities. respectme has formed positive and productive partnerships with 29 of the 32 local authorities in the development and implementation of their anti-bullying policies. Two of the outstanding authorities have made contact with respectme to further develop their policies, and the other will be invited to engage with respectme post-April 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310333,"EventID":"S4W-29847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:24.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what communication respectme has had with, and support it has provided, to the Tackling Bullying in Scottish Schools Campaign.","AnswerText":"We have established and wholly fund respectme, a national anti-bullying service, to build confidence and capacity to tackle bullying effectively, aligned to the national approach. respectme provide direct support to local authorities, schools, youth groups and all those working with children and young people. respectme work closely with a large number of organisations and agencies. \r\nrespectme responded to the Tackling Bullying in Scottish Schools campaign on 20 January 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310334,"EventID":"S4W-29848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:24.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what cooperation Respectme plans to undertake with the Tackling Bullying in Scottish Schools Campaign.","AnswerText":"We established and wholly fund respectme, a national anti-bullying service, to build confidence and capacity to tackle bullying effectively, aligned to the national approach. respectme provide direct support to local authorities, schools, youth groups and all those working with children and young people. \r\nrespectme responded to the Tackling Bullying in Scottish Schools campaign on 20 January 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310335,"EventID":"S4W-29849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:25.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T12:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29258 by John Swinney on 15 January 2016, whether it plans to make adjustments in determining the average local authority revenue support per capita and, if so, (a) what these are and (b) what the reason is for doing so.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will consider how the average local authority revenue support per capita should be calculated in connection with the 85% funding floor as part of the consideration of future local government finance settlements.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310336,"EventID":"S4W-29850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:26.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T12:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29256 by John Swinney on 15 January 2016, what percentage of the unadjusted average revenue funding per capita Aberdeen City Council has received in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"In 2011-12 before the introduction of 85% funding floor Aberdeen City Council received 84.0% of the Scottish average revenue funding per head. Following the introduction of the new floor Aberdeen would have received 83.5%/84.1%/84.6% over the three year settlement 2012-15. As a result of the new floor Aberdeen City Council received over 85% of the Scottish average.\r\nThese figures were calculated before the transfer of responsibility for police and fire from local to central government on 1 April 2013 and as is standard practice the local government finance settlements were not reopened.\r\nIn 2015-16 as a result of the transfer of police and fire Aberdeen City Council's revenue funding per head would have been 79.2% but following the adjustment for police and fire the council once again received 85% of the adjusted Scottish average.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310337,"EventID":"S4W-29851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:27.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T12:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29257 by John Swinney on 15 January 2016, what percentage of the unadjusted average revenue funding per capita Aberdeen City Council will receive in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"In 2016-17 as a result of the transfer of police and fire on 1 April 2013, Aberdeen City Council's revenue funding per head would have been 77.3% but following the adjustment for police and fire the council will once again receive 85% of the adjusted Scottish average having been allocated an extra £14 million more than their needs-based allocation suggested.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310338,"EventID":"S4W-29852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T13:48:28.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T12:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29258 by John Swinney on 15 January 2016, in light of local authorities having no continuing responsibility for police and fire services, how it will calculate the support funding floor for the forthcoming spending review period.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29849 on 24 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310339,"EventID":"S4W-29853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T16:48:40.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when its accessible transport strategy will be published and how it is engaging with disabled people during the consultation period.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government plans to publish a national accessible travel framework and action plan later in 2016.\r\nThe approach taken involves engagement which goes beyond a traditionally defined consultation.\r\nWe have consulted disabled people face-to-face and through their representative organisations, firstly (along with transport providers and local and central government) to co–produce the first transport accessibility summit which took place in March 2015 and from which a report was produced which included feedback and commentary from disabled people. \r\nOne of the priorities identified by disabled people at the summit was to continue to work with them and through their organisations and so the transport accessibility steering group was established with the same representation which co-produced the summit. The steering group is now working to co–produce the accessible travel framework and action plan. \r\nEngagement with disabled people will continue during this development of the framework and action plan. Further face-to-face meetings and online communications with disabled people are planned before it is finalised, to discuss the vision, outcomes and key actions.\r\nThe aim thereafter is to ensure a continued conversation with disabled people over the lifespan of the framework.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310340,"EventID":"S4W-29854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T16:48:41.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress is being made with the proposal to improve access at (a) Blairhill, (b) Elgin, (c) Hamilton Central, (d) Kilmarnock, (e) Kilwinning and (f) Westerton railway station.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides regular updates on the Access for All programme through Transport Scotland who chair the Scottish Rail Accessibility Forum. This forum brings together the Scottish Government, rail industry and organisations representing disabled and other passengers.\r\nThe Access for All programme will deliver improved access at a further six Scottish stations by April 2019. The station upgrades are being delivered by Network Rail and progress is being made as follows:\r\nWork has begun on site to construct a new, compliant footbridge served by lifts to both platforms at Elgin. The £2.5 million facilities are expected to be complete and open for use in summer 2016. The existing footbridge will then be removed. These substantial access improvements will compliment wider Scottish Government investment to improve rail services through the £170 million Aberdeen to Inverness Improvement Project.\r\nWork has also begun on site at Blairhill station, to construct a new compliant footbridge served by lifts to both platforms. It is expected work will be complete and the new facilities open before the end of 2016. Proposals to construct a new footbridge, lifts and ticket office at Hamilton Central are at the design stage and works are planned to be completed in 2017.\r\nNetwork Rail is beginning initial feasibility studies to explore the most suitable access solutions at Kilmarnock, Kilwinning and Westerton stations. It is anticipated works will begin at these stations in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310341,"EventID":"S4W-29855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T16:48:41.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T14:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance report, Accessible Transport Strategy and Action Plan for Scotland, and whether it is taking action to implement the recommendations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has noted the Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance plan. Whilst the plan raised worthy points of discussion, we were keen to produce a plan using a different overall approach which included collaboration with a range of disabled peoples organisations plus transport operators, government officials and crucially disabled people themselves from across Scotland.\r\nTransport Scotland’s current work, with disabled people, their organisations and transport providers, working through the transport accessibility steering group, is about developing a shared vision, outcomes and action plan through a collaborative process to secure commitments to improve accessibility for disabled people in Scotland over the short, medium and long term. This goes beyond drafting and publishing a plan to making sure that a range of disabled people from across Scotland have been involved from the outset in highlighting the issues and agreeing solutions and crucially, going forward, ensuring that outcomes are achieved. The Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance is involved in this work as it is a member of the steering group.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310342,"EventID":"S4W-29864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-09T16:48:42.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T16:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what resources it has allocated to provide support for farmers until a decision on the future of the beaver population is made.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage has contracted a former Royal Zoological Society of Scotland member of staff involved in the Scottish Beaver Trial to give free advice to land managers in Tayside on how to manage beaver impacts on their land.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310353,"EventID":"S4W-29856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:46:59.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T15:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the suggestion in relation to community payback orders that when a mental health treatment requirement was imposed \"the effect was that services were more joined up and communicated more effectively which resulted in a better outcome for the individual involved\" and whether it considers that this requirement should be used more widely.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that the imposition of a mental health treatment requirement under a Community Payback Order (CPO) can assist in supporting multi-agency working.\r\nWe also recognise that the mental health treatment requirement is used less often than the other CPO requirements. This does not mean, however, that individuals with mental health problems are not having these needs addressed. For example, local authorities report that mental health support needs are also often addressed under other requirements – supervision, ‘other activity’ and ‘programme’ requirements in particular. This is especially helpful for those individuals who need support but do not meet the specific criteria of the mental health treatment requirement. \r\nPrevious reports have also highlighted the innovative practice underway in local authorities to support joint working between mental health and criminal justice social work services. For example, a number of areas have appointed dedicated mental health officers within criminal justice teams and have highlighted the improvements this has made to streamlining access to specialist support and services.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310354,"EventID":"S4W-29857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:00.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T15:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) its position is on and (b) action it is taking to tackle the medium level of probability of systemic problems, and actual instances of problems, with access to legal services in relation to (i) homelessness and (ii) contentious repossession of rented and owned property, as identified in the Scottish Legal Aid report, Monitoring of availability and accessibility of legal services: Third Report.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) published its fourth report on monitoring of availability and accessibility of legal services on 4 February 2016 in line with its statutory duty set out in the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010. The report reflects on data collected on the willingness of solicitors or advocates to act in areas of law for different client groups which is used for trends analysis purposes.\r\nThe data do not suggest there are any systemic problems with access to legal services, nor do they reflect any reported problems with access to legal services.\r\nHowever, in relation to these specific areas a general concern was expressed by a number of local and national sources. Therefore, SLAB will undertake follow-up survey work with relevant organisations, including Citizens Advice Bureaux and others in respect of repossession of owned property.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310355,"EventID":"S4W-29858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:01.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T15:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) its position is on and (b) action it is taking to tackle the high level of probability of systemic access issues regarding contentious welfare and benefit issues in relation to mental health, as identified in the Scottish Legal Aid report, Monitoring of availability and accessibility of legal services: Third Report. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) published its fourth report on monitoring of availability and accessibility of legal services on 4 February 2016 in line with its statutory duty set out in the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010. The report reflects on data collected on the willingness of solicitors or advocates to act in areas of law for different client groups which is used for trends analysis purposes.\r\nThe data do not suggest there are any systemic problems with access to legal services, nor do they reflect any reported problems with access to legal services.\r\nThe work in this area addressed legal services in relation to the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, and not welfare and benefits issues in relation to mental health. The assessment was based on analysis of data which suggested that there may be availability problems in three specific areas of the country; however, no reports of specific instances of access problems occurring in these areas were received. Nonetheless, SLAB will continue to monitor this issue and follow up with relevant local organisations.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310356,"EventID":"S4W-29859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:02.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T15:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) its position is on and (b) action it is taking to tackle the potential systemic problems of access to legal services in relation to protective orders in cases of antisocial behaviour and contentious pensions, unfair dismissal and redundancy matters as identified in the Scottish Legal Aid report, Monitoring of availability and accessibility of legal services: Third Report.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) published its fourth report on monitoring of availability and accessibility of legal services on 4 February 2016 in line with its statutory duty set out in the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010. The report reflects on data collected on the willingness of solicitors or advocates to act in areas of law for different client groups which is used for the purpose of undertaking analysis of trends.\r\nThe data do not suggest that there are any systemic problems with access to legal service, nor do the data reflect any reported problems with access to legal services.\r\nThe analysis for protective orders in relation to antisocial behaviour was based on a potential issue with availability that was highlighted via the Access to Justice Reference Group. No reports of specific instances of availability problems in this area were raised and we are of the view that this area of law constitutes a comparatively low risk.\r\nNo specific instances of availability problems were received in relation to contentious pensions, unfair dismissal or redundancy matters. We are of the view that this area of law also constitutes a low risk.\r\nThe assessment of the risk of exposure of legal services for victims of domestic abuse and access to judicial review fell within the lowest risk category.\r\nBased on the analysis and assessments carried out by SLAB, the Scottish Government is satisfied that there are currently no systemic problems with access to legal services resulting from a change in the law or lack of availability for any of the areas.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310357,"EventID":"S4W-29860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:03.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T15:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) its position is and (b) action it is taking to tackle the potential systemic problems and some actual reported problems with access to legal services in relation to (i) protective orders in cases of domestic abuse and (b) access to judicial review (housing), as identified in the Scottish Legal Aid report, Monitoring of availability and accessibility of legal services: Third Report.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29859 on 9 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310358,"EventID":"S4W-29861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:03.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T15:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that community payback orders should be more widely used as an alternative to imprisonment based on the feedback from communities and offenders in the report, Community Payback Order: Scottish Government Summary of Local Authority Annual Reports 2014-15.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to reducing the rate of imprisonment in Scotland – particularly the use of short-term imprisonment. Shifting the emphasis towards greater use of robust community sentences, in particular Community Payback Orders (CPOs), will be critical if we are to achieve that aim.\r\nWe are clear that CPOs are a robust and credible community sentence. They deliver tangible benefits to communities by making individuals payback for the damage caused by their crimes by undertaking unpaid work. They also offer real opportunities for rehabilitation by requiring individuals to tackle the underlying causes of their offending behaviour by undertaking offence-focussed work. \r\nThe feedback received from both beneficiaries of unpaid work projects and the individuals on CPOs makes clear that these orders are delivering positive outcomes and are helping people to move away from offending behaviour. The evidence supports this, individuals released from a custodial sentence of six months or less are reconvicted more than twice as often as those given a CPO.\r\nThat is why this government will continue to promote the use of CPOs and other community sentences. In support of this commitment, we are investing an additional £4 million in community justice in 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310359,"EventID":"S4W-29862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:04.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T15:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to support service providers affected by (a) access issues in relation to mental health services, (b) offender use of new psychoactive substances, (b) access to stable housing for offenders and (c) a lack of information from other agencies, as identified in the report, Community Payback Order: Scottish Government Summary of Local Authority Annual Reports 2014-15.","AnswerText":"It is clear from the Community Payback Order (CPO) annual reports received from local authorities that they are putting considerable effort into delivering robust, effective CPOs which enable payback to communities and help to address the underlying causes of offending behaviour.\r\nThese underlying causes can be multiple and complex and we note the points highlighted by some criminal justice social work departments in relation to challenges they have experienced in supporting individuals on CPOs – including access to wider services.\r\nThe new model for community justice, which will be introduced by the Community Justice (Scotland) Bill, will support a more holistic and collaborative approach to community justice by placing a duty on statutory community justice partners to co-operate in carrying out planning activities and to deliver and report on outcomes for community justice in their local area.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310360,"EventID":"S4W-29863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:05.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T16:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which ministers are expected to take part in overseas visits before May 2016, broken down by the (a) date, (b) location and (c) purpose of each visit, and how many officials are expected to attend.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government routinely publishes details of ministerial visits overseas. Details can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/travel/visitsoverseas.\r\nOverseas visits during the period to May 2016 will be published three months in arrears in line with the ministerial code.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310361,"EventID":"S4W-29865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:06.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T16:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people aged under 18 have been admitted to A&E in each NHS board for (a) self-harm and (b) other psychiatric conditions in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Patients are considered to attend A&E rather than admitted to A&E. The national source of A&E information is the Information Services Division (ISD) A&E data mart. Within the A&E data mart the facility exists to record attendances at A&E due to self harm and other psychiatric conditions. However, the fields which can be used to identify self harm and other psychiatric conditions are all optional for completion by NHS boards and the level of recording is not sufficient for accurate national reporting of attendances due to self harm and other psychiatric conditions. ISD has an on-going programme of data quality assurance to improve the quality of data collected.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310362,"EventID":"S4W-29866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:08.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T16:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the vacancy rate for (a) psychologists, (b) liaison psychologists and (c) consultant psychologists has been in each NHS board in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Information on the vacancy rate of all applied psychologists being advertised within psychology services in each NHSScotland health board is provided from September 2011 to December 2015 in Table 1.\r\nInformation on vacancy rates of (b) liaison psychologists and (c) consultant psychologists in each NHSScotland health board in each of the last five years is not held centrally.\r\nThe Scottish Government has announced an additional £150 million for mental health services over the next five years. As part of this funding, £4.8 million will be awarded to Healthcare Improvement Scotland to establish a ‘Mental Health Access Improvement Support Team’ who will provide a comprehensive package of support to work in partnership with boards to improve access to mental health services.\r\nThe total number of clinical staff employed in psychology services across NHSScotland has increased by 24.5 per cent since March 2011. Any fluctuation in vacancies is linked to our efforts to increase capacity by recruiting even more staff.\r\nTable 1: Whole time equivalent of psychologist vacancies being advertised within psychology services by NHS board as at September 2011 to December 2015.\r\n\r\n2015\r\n\r\nClinical Psychologist\r\nCounselling Psychologist\r\nHealth Psychologist\r\nTotal (All Applied Psychologists)\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n4.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n4.0\r\nNHS Borders\r\n1.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n2.7\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n2.7\r\nNHS Fife\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n0.0\r\n2.0\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n2.9\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n2.9\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n6.5\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n6.5\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n12.7\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n12.7\r\nNHS Highland\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n8.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n8.0\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n5.4\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n5.4\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nState Hospital\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nNHSScotland\r\n44.2\r\n1.0\r\n0.0\r\n45.2\r\n\r\n\r\n2014\r\n\r\nClinical Psychologist\r\nCounselling Psychologist\r\nHealth Psychologist\r\nTotal (All Applied Psychologists)\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n9.3\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n9.3\r\nNHS Borders\r\n1.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n4.8\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n4.8\r\nNHS Fife\r\n5.7\r\n0.6\r\n0.0\r\n6.3\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n5.4\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n5.4\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n0.4\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.4\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n16.2\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n16.2\r\nNHS Highland\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n1.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n7.8\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n7.8\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n2.1\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n2.1\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nState Hospital\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nNHSScotland\r\n53.7\r\n0.6\r\n0.0\r\n54.3\r\n\r\n\r\n2013\r\n\r\nClinical Psychologist\r\nCounselling Psychologist\r\nHealth Psychologist\r\nTotal (All Applied Psychologists)\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n9.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n9.0\r\nNHS Borders\r\n1.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n1.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Fife\r\n1.6\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n1.6\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n1.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n1.2\r\n0.3\r\n0.0\r\n1.5\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n13.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n13.0\r\nNHS Highland\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n1.5\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n1.5\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n9.9\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n9.9\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n9.7\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n9.7\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nState Hospital\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nNHSScotland\r\n48.9\r\n0.3\r\n0.0\r\n49.2\r\n\r\n\r\n2012\r\n\r\nClinical Psychologist\r\nCounselling Psychologist\r\nHealth Psychologist\r\nTotal (All Applied Psychologists)\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n9.2\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n9.2\r\nNHS Borders\r\n1.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n1.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Fife\r\n4.9\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n4.9\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n1.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n6.6\r\n0.3\r\n0.0\r\n6.9\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n28.8\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n28.8\r\nNHS Highland\r\n2.3\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n2.3\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n5.4\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n5.4\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n1.7\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n1.7\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n10.9\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n10.9\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nState Hospital\r\n0.6\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.6\r\nNHSScotland\r\n73.4\r\n0.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310363,"EventID":"S4W-29867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:09.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T16:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the vacancy rate has been for psychologists in A&E departments in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information on the vacancy rate for psychologists in A&E departments, broken down by NHS Scotland health board, is not centrally held.\r\nThe Scottish Government has announced an additional £150 million for mental health services over the next five years. As part of this funding, £4.8 million will be awarded to Healthcare Improvement Scotland to establish a ‘Mental Health Access Improvement Support Team’ who will provide a comprehensive package of support to work in partnership with boards to improve access to mental health services.\r\nThe total number of clinical staff employed in psychology services across NHS Scotland has increased by 24.5 per cent since March 2011. Any fluctuation in vacancies is linked to our efforts to increase capacity by recruiting even more staff.\r\nFurther information on the psychology workforce is published by Information Service Division Scotland and can be found at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Psychology/.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310364,"EventID":"S4W-29868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:11.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T16:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people aged 18 and over have attended A&E for (a) self-harm and (b) other psychiatric conditions in each NHS board in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The national source of A&E information is the Information Services Division (ISD) A&E data mart. Within the A&E data mart the facility exists to record attendances at A&E due to self harm and other psychiatric conditions. However, the fields which can be used to identify self harm and other psychiatric conditions are all optional for completion by NHS boards and the level of recording is not sufficient for accurate national reporting of attendances due to self harm and other psychiatric conditions. ISD has an on-going programme of data quality assurance to improve the quality of data collected.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310365,"EventID":"S4W-29869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:13.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T17:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on life expectancy in each intermediate zone.","AnswerText":"Male and female life expectancy estimates are published at intermediate zone level by the Scottish Public Health Observatory in the ‘Health and Wellbeing Profiles’ available at the following web address:\r\nhttp://www.scotpho.org.uk/comparative-health/profiles/online-profiles-tool.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310366,"EventID":"S4W-29870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:13.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of what the impact on (a) staff levels, (b) council services and (c) the area's economy would be of a 3.5% reduction in the 2016-17 local government grant settlement for (i) Angus and (ii) Dundee City Council.","AnswerText":"The package of funding the Scottish Government is providing for the financial year 2016-17 to local government will enable councils to increase the pace of reform and improve public services to communities across the country. Taking into account the addition of the £250 million to support the integration of health and social care, next year’s reduction in local authority overall estimated expenditure is less than one per cent. I believe that such a reduction should have minimal impact on the jobs, services or the area's economy of any of Scotland's councils, including both Angus and Dundee, as they should be able to address these challenges from a healthy base as local government funding has been rising in Scotland in recent years with core funding protected and new money provided for additional responsibilities.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":310367,"EventID":"S4W-29873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:14.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T19:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many extra staff it has recruited to the local area offices in (a) Orkney and (b) Shetland to deal with the backlog of applications under the Basic Payment Scheme and other common agricultural policy measures.","AnswerText":"Rural Payments and Inspections Division have recruited 36 additional staff in order to help speed up processing and payments. We currently have one additional staff member based in the Lerwick area office and two additional staff members in the Kirkwall Area Office.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310368,"EventID":"S4W-29874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:15.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-09T19:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many extra staff it has recruited to deal with the backlog of applications under the Basic Payment Scheme and other common agricultural policy measures and how these have been allocated by area office.","AnswerText":"Rural Payments and Inspections Division have recruited 36 additional staff in order to help speed up processing and payments. The location of each of these staff members is shown on the following table:\r\nOffice\r\nStaff Recruited\r\nAyr\r\n2\r\nHamilton\r\n0\r\nDumfries\r\n3\r\nGalashiels\r\n4\r\nInverness (including Portree)\r\n9\r\nInverurie\r\n4\r\nElgin\r\n2\r\nKirkwall\r\n2\r\nLerwick\r\n1\r\nGolspie\r\n1\r\nThurso\r\n1\r\nOban\r\n2\r\nStornoway\r\n2\r\nBenbecula\r\n1\r\nTiree\r\n0\r\nPerth\r\n2\r\nTotal\r\n36\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310369,"EventID":"S4W-29875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:16.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T08:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of disabled people in the workforce.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting everyone who can and wants to work, including people with disabilities, to progress towards, progress into and to sustain employment. However, employment services are currently reserved to the UK Government. From April 2017 Scotland will deliver its own employment services, including to those with disabilities – despite the budget for this having been severely restricted by the UK Government.\r\nWe have employed a range of measures to increase the number of people with disabilities in the workforce. We have a specific focus on disabled people through the Community Jobs Scotland programme; the delivery of our autism and learning disabilities strategies; and the delivery of Developing the Young Workforce; by promoting the Supported Employment model; and by providing Falkirk Local Authority with a grant over two years to develop disability specialist services. We are resuming Scotland’s Employer Recruitment Incentive in April 2016, with a sharper focus on young people who face the biggest barriers to employment, including those with disabilities. And we are working with Skills Development Scotland to make Modern Apprenticeships more open, attractive and available to people with disabilities.\r\nThere is also a place for Scotland’s supported businesses, which employ at least 50% disabled staff. These businesses can also function as stepping stones towards mainstream employment.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310370,"EventID":"S4W-29876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:17.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T08:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting employers to increase the number of disabled people in the workforce.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s focus is on supporting disabled individuals to progress towards sustainable employment. We do this, for example, through our Supported Employment place and train model, delivered by local authorities and other providers engaging with employers.\r\nThe Scottish Government is also committed to supporting employers to help them employ people with disabilities, and acknowledges the important role employers play here. This is undertaken via a variety of instruments which employ measures to address inequalities more broadly, including the Open Doors Consortium; Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce; Scotland’s Employer Recruitment Incentive; the Community Jobs Scotland programme; the Equality Action Plan for Modern Apprenticeships; and the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives. In addition we work closely with our partners, such as Skills Development Scotland, Business Gateway, and the enterprise agencies to support employers and businesses to engage with and employ people with disabilities.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310371,"EventID":"S4W-29877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:18.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T08:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new-start apprentices in 2015-16 self-declared as disabled, broken down by apprenticeship framework.","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland (SDS) publish Modern Apprenticeship (MA) statistics, including MA starts by self reported disability status, on a quarterly basis. SDS' quarter 3 (i.e. to 25 December 2015) report for 2015-16 can be accessed via SDS' website: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/publications-statistics/. For ease of reference I can advise that in the first three quarters of 2015-16, 695 people who started an apprenticeship self declared a disability.\r\nWith regard to this figure broken down by apprenticeship framework, this information is not held centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310372,"EventID":"S4W-29897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:19.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-21880 by Paul Wheelhouse on 16 July 2014, what the conclusions are of its review and whether it plans to publish them.","AnswerText":"Marine Scotland has published their informal review of the Orkney Island Council Ballast Water Management application. The review can be viewed on the Scottish Government website:\r\nwww.gov.scot/Topics/marine/marine-environment/ShippingMarineEnvironment. ","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310373,"EventID":"S4W-29898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:19.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many households in each local authority area would be affected by the new higher council tax bands proposed by the Commission on Local Tax Reform, also broken down by Scottish Parliament constituency. ","AnswerText":"This information does not exist. The Commission on Local Tax Reform did not make such a proposal.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310374,"EventID":"S4W-29900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:20.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to undertake a revaluation of properties ahead of any reform to the council tax.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will bring forward proposals for reform to the council tax that will reflect the principles of the Commission on Local Tax Reform’s report before the end of the parliamentary term. We therefore have no such plans.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310375,"EventID":"S4W-29902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T13:47:21.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T13:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number of people employed in (a) Dundee, (b) Aberdeen, (c) Aberdeenshire and (d) Angus in each of the last five years, broken down by (i) gender and (ii) sector.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of people employed by local authority, gender and sector is published on the Scottish Government website:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/Local-Authority-Tables\r\nThe information can be found in:\r\nTable 1.2 – Male employment rates and levels by local authority, Scotland, 2004-14; \r\nTable 1.3 – Female employment rates and levels by local authority, Scotland, 2004-14;\r\nTable 1.19 – Proportion and level of people (aged 16+) in employment by broad industrial group and local authority, Scotland, 2004-14.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310388,"EventID":"S4W-29878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:43.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment in the research note, CAP Payment Scheme, circulated to all SNP members and all parliamentary researchers on 9 February 2016, that \"we said our aim was to pay a majority of farmers their first instalment by end-Jan\", what analysis it carried out of the potential complexity of reforms to the common agricultural policy settlement system before making the initial assertion.","AnswerText":"The new policy is highly complex with two old schemes replaced by six new schemes in Pillar One and the move to three payment regions, a decision taken jointly with the industry. In addition there was limited time available between the agreement of the new CAP by the EU and the need for a system to be developed and implemented to deliver this complex policy and associated payments to farmers. The payment window runs from December to June, with the vast majority of payments made in early December during a routine year.\r\nThe desire was to make as many payments as early in the payment window as possible, set against the complexities of the implementation. This was informed by the planned delivery dates for key enabling IT functionality to process applications and associated payments, together with estimates on the processing capacity of Rural Payments and Inspections Division area offices. 40% of payments were made by the end of January 2016. The estimate was based and continues to be based on advice from the delivery team.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310389,"EventID":"S4W-29879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:45.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the research note, CAP Payment Scheme, circulated to all SNP members and all parliamentary researchers on 9 February 2016, reflects its position, and whether it will place a copy of the document in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre","AnswerText":"The note referred to is out of date, however I am this week providing Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee (RACCE) with a detailed update on the CAP Payment Scheme and a copy of this letter will be published on the correspondence page for the committee on the parliament website at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/67031.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310390,"EventID":"S4W-29880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:45.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment in the research note, CAP Payment Scheme, circulated to all SNP members and all parliamentary researchers on 9 February 2016, that \"NFU Scotland insisted we have three payment regions\", whether it considers that the union's position is the reason for delays in making common agricultural policy settlement payments.","AnswerText":"The new policy is highly complex with two old schemes replaced by six new schemes in Pillar One. The decision to move to three payment regions was a decision that was taken jointly with industry. Following a consultation exercise, in which Scottish Government originally proposed a two region approach, government and industry both felt it important to focus on meeting Scotland’s needs in full knowledge that it would make delivery more challenging, including moving to three payment regions and initiating new rules to prevent paying inactive farmers.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310391,"EventID":"S4W-29881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:46.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment in the research note, CAP Payment Scheme, circulated to all SNP members and all parliamentary researchers on 9 February 2016, that three payment regions were required, when it became aware of this; whether this was before the new IT system was commissioned, and what steps it took to ensure that the team managing the IT project was aware of this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government undertook extensive consultation with stakeholders during the policy development phase of the new CAP. The decision to adopt a three region model was taken in June 2014 and answered to Parliament.\r\nThe Futures Programme which includes the new IT system began in 2012. The Scottish Government made it clear that the absence of EU and domestic policy decisions at the start of the IT programme was one of the difficulties.\r\nThe Futures Programme team were kept in constant touch with the policy development process.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310392,"EventID":"S4W-29882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:47.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, prior to agreeing the new common agricultural payment (CAP) settlement, what analysis it made of whether the introduction of three CAP regions could lead to payment delays, and what discussions it has had with NFU Scotland regarding this.","AnswerText":"The new policy is highly complex with two old schemes replaced by six new schemes in Pillar One. The decision to move to three payment regions was a decision that was taken jointly with industry. Following a consultation exercise, in which Scottish Government originally proposed a two region approach, government and industry both felt it important to focus on meeting Scotland’s needs in full knowledge that it would make delivery more challenging, including moving to three payment regions and initiating new rules to prevent paying inactive farmers. We knew that there was a high risk to the payment timetable due to the move away from historic payments. During the negotiations with the National Farmers’ Union and other stakeholders, we jointly decided to be outcome focused, even though that may have an impact on timing.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310393,"EventID":"S4W-29883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:48.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment in the research note, CAP Payment Scheme, circulated to all SNP members and all parliamentary researchers on 9 February 2016, that the “old IT system was not capable of implementing new CAP\", what steps it has taken to ensure that the replacement system does have such capability.","AnswerText":"The new system has been designed flexibly to make it possible in future to accommodate policy changes.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310394,"EventID":"S4W-29884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:48.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average value has been of the new common agricultural policy settlement (a) illustration entitlement letters and (b) final notification of entitlement.","AnswerText":"Application processing means that it is not possible to calculate an average entitlement value from the letters issued, however, the average first instalment made was around £10,400. The final notification of entitlement letters has not been issued and therefore details cannot be given.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310395,"EventID":"S4W-29885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:49.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the new common agricultural policy settlement (a) illustration entitlement letters and (b) final notification of entitlement has been issued.","AnswerText":"From the submitted for Basic Payment Scheme is 19,150; with eligible claims is 18,137. The number of illustrative entitlement letters issued was 16,046 (over 88 per cent). The final notification letters will follow on, on completion of application processing.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310396,"EventID":"S4W-29887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:50.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the new common agricultural policy settlement payments to farmers will exceed spend on the associated Futures/IT Project.","AnswerText":"Presently I am unable to provide this information as not all payments have been made as single applications forms are still being processed.\r\nThe total payments made at 2 March 2016 is 9,755 (54%), as reported to the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee and industry stakeholders.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310397,"EventID":"S4W-29888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:50.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of first instalment common agricultural policy settlement payments will be made by the end of March 2016, and on what date the balance of payments will be made.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has earmarked up to £200 million of national funds so that any farmer or crofter who has not received an instalment by the end of March 2016 will receive a nationally funded payment from the Scottish Government by the end of April 2016. We aim to complete all payments within the Basic Payment Scheme window which opened on 1 December 2015 and closes on 30 June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310398,"EventID":"S4W-29889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:51.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comments in the research note, CAP Payment Scheme, circulated to all SNP members and all parliamentary researchers on 9 February 2016, regarding the role of area offices, on what date it expects the offices to be fully familiar with how to deal with the systems for dealing with the new common agricultural policy settlement.","AnswerText":"Staff across Rural Payments and Inspections Division area offices have received face to face training, e-learning and desktop guidance to support the launch of the new rural payments and services system. They have also received on the job coaching on the system from front line managers and trainers to support the processing of applications.\r\nAny new system or business process is subject to a period of familiarisation once it has gone live. Staff have been using the system for several months and have built up knowledge and familiarisation.\r\nOn-going support has also been provided from trainers and exceptional case guidance is being given.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310399,"EventID":"S4W-29890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:51.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment in the research note, CAP Payment Scheme, circulated to all SNP members and all parliamentary researchers on 9 February 2016, that there could be “more potential IT issues”, whether it will provide a breakdown of what these are. ","AnswerText":"In any new IT system there can be unforeseen IT issues which need to be fixed. Although system integration and user acceptance testing takes place before go live the nature of the CAP system is such that it is not possible to use extensive testing in a live environment.\r\nAs the issues cannot be foreseen we cannot say what they are, and it would not be prudent to make assumptions around what they are.\r\nAs with the introduction of any new IT system, there is a robust process to manage, prioritise and resolve any system issues as quickly as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310400,"EventID":"S4W-29891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:52.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what kind of training it is providing to the staff who will use the new common agricultural policy settlement processing and payments software.","AnswerText":"Staff across Rural Payments and Inspections Division area offices have received face to face training, e-learning and desktop guidance to support the launch of the new rural payments and services system in December 2014.\r\nThey have also had access to on the job coaching on the system from line managers and trainers to support the processing of applications.\r\nStaff are now able to access online the most up to date training, guidance and communications from one place making it easier to find the information they need when dealing with customer applications.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310401,"EventID":"S4W-29892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:53.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many calls the Rural Payment and Services' customer helpline has received each month, and on how many occasions calls could not be answered.","AnswerText":"The Rural Payments and Inspections Division customer helpline has answered the following calls from 4 December 2015 to 11 February 2016:\r\nMonth\r\nCalls\r\nResolved\r\nDecember\r\n472\r\n437\r\nJanuary\r\n1,449\r\n1,346\r\nFebruary (to 11)\r\n508\r\n455\r\nThe customer helpline opening hours are from 08:30am to 16:30pm Monday to Thursday and until 16:00pm on a Friday. If the lines are busy, customers are able to leave a message to receive a call-back and have their enquiry handled.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310402,"EventID":"S4W-29893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:53.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment in the research note, CAP Payment Scheme, circulated to all SNP members and all parliamentary researchers on 9 February 2016, that £115 million has been spent \"to date\" on the Futures/IT Project, whether it will provide a breakdown of (a) this and (b) all outstanding expenditure; how this compares with the original estimate in the business case, and whether it still expects the final cost to be £178 million.","AnswerText":"The Futures project spend to 31 March 2016 is £131 million, of which IT spend is approximately £98,250,000 and non IT spend is £32,750,000. The outstanding spend is estimated at £46.8 million over the remaining year of the project.\r\nThe total expected cost remains at approximately £178 million, in line with the latest business case.\r\nThe increase from the original estimated cost has been driven almost exclusively by additional IT costs, in addition, the requirements of the system were not fully known when initial estimates were prepared as subsequent delays in European Commission clarification of requirements and significant additional CAP complexity changed the complexity of the IT programme by orders of magnitude.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310403,"EventID":"S4W-29894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:54.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of comments in the research note, CAP Payment Scheme, circulated to all SNP members and all parliamentary researchers on 9 February 2016, that \"local area office staff [are] working overtime to process applications\" and \"more overtime\" is expected, whether it will confirm how many hours overtime (a) have been worked to date and (b) are anticipated, and at what cost.","AnswerText":"In the period 15 March 2015 to 31 January 2016 Rural Payments and Inspections Division area offices worked a total of 15,901 hours. The total cost of the extra hours worked amounts to £266,912.00. Overtime will continue to be available to staff until all 2015 payments have been finalised.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310404,"EventID":"S4W-29895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:55.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment in the research note, CAP Payment Scheme, circulated to all SNP members and all parliamentary researchers on 9 February 2016, that it has used its \"own central finance system to implement a swifter payment process\", whether it will provide details of how this was implemented.","AnswerText":"Direct payments are normally fully funded by money obtained from the European Commission (EC). This involves calculating the amounts due, placing a request for the requisite funds with the EC via the Rural Payments Agency who act as the co-ordinating body for the UK. This process can take eight days in most circumstances and longer if public holidays intervene. In order to shorten this time frame, the Scottish Government has decided to make the payments in advance of the reimbursement from the EC using its own cash management process to allow payments to be made in, at best, three days or typically four days.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310405,"EventID":"S4W-29896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:56.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the research note, CAP Payment Scheme, circulated to all SNP members and all parliamentary researchers on 9 February 2016, asserts that England having \"experienced serious problems in 2005/06\" is comparable with the recent delays in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The new CAP reform policy in England in 2005 saw similar changes to those being undertaken in Scotland in 2015 Basic Payments. In 2005 England moved to payment regions with different payment rates.\r\nIn England in 2005, 120,000 applications were received against a projection of 80,000. Industry promised payments would happen in February 2006 but only 2,400 payments were actually made. By March, only 4,500 payments were made. By April 2006, 56,400 payments were made (24% of claim value).\r\nAs a result of the serious problems experienced, contingent liabilities were established to cover disallowance in 2005-06 of £13 million and £305 million in 2006-07.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310406,"EventID":"S4W-29903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:56.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a decision will be made on when the North Glasgow Suburban rail network (Anniesland to Queen St high level) will be electrified.","AnswerText":"Electrification of the Glasgow Northern Suburban line is one of a number of options that are being considered as part of the electrification programme post 2019. Development work for the project is being taken forward by Network Rail and cost estimates and a supporting business case are expected to be submitted to ministers later in 2016 as part of the wider planning process. Future delivery will be dependent on this business case, consideration against other priorities, and sufficient resources being available.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310407,"EventID":"S4W-29904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:57.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to lay regulations for the introduction of a victim surcharge.","AnswerText":"Regulations to enable the introduction of the victim surcharge, including details as to how it will operate and the circumstances in which a surcharge is to be imposed, will be laid during the next Parliament. The exact timing will be informed by on-going preparatory work. This includes detailed consideration of viable options for delivery and the potential role of third sector or other organisations with experience of administering similar schemes, to determine how the fund can be most effectively managed and delivered to benefit victims of crime.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310408,"EventID":"S4W-29905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:57.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many vulnerable witnesses have been granted special measures while giving evidence, in particular pre-recorded evidence, in each year since the enabling legislative provisions were introduced.","AnswerText":"Information on the use of special measures is not held centrally but has been made available by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS).\r\nWhile applications for special measures have been recorded since 2005, full figures for special measures granted have only been available since June 2010 and are set out in the following table. SCTS have undertaken to attempt to manually retrieve data on the number of special measures granted for the period prior to June 2010, which will be produced in due course. Pre-recorded evidence is not recorded under a specific option within the special measures application, however, it is likely this will be included within the ‘other' category. It should be noted that SCTS uses a live operational case management system for the processing of court business. The information held on the system is structured for these operational needs, rather than for statistical reporting or research purposes. The information provided is based on the best information available from the case management system as at 17 February 2016.\r\nSpecial Measures granted nationally\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\n(1 Jan-10 Feb)\r\nScreens\r\n1,348\r\n2,403\r\n2,437\r\n2,835\r\n3,399\r\n4,706\r\n1,389\r\nClosed court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nOther\r\n19\r\n9\r\n2\r\n17\r\n13\r\n26\r\n2\r\nVideo in court\r\n266\r\n341\r\n303\r\n454\r\n596\r\n825\r\n120\r\nSupporter\r\n1,543\r\n2,829\r\n2,983\r\n3,706\r\n4,573\r\n6,203\r\n1,701\r\nVideo between courts\r\n39\r\n102\r\n210\r\n227\r\n283\r\n257\r\n36\r\nNo measure\r\n71\r\n142\r\n117\r\n82\r\n57\r\n115\r\n58\r\nOn commission\r\n0\r\n3\r\n0\r\n2\r\n5\r\n6\r\n1\r\nVideo remote\r\n143\r\n244\r\n281\r\n324\r\n449\r\n495\r\n62\r\nTotals\r\n3,429\r\n6,073\r\n6,333\r\n7,647\r\n9,375\r\n12,634\r\n3,369\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310409,"EventID":"S4W-29906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value is of the projects in the Aberdeen City region deal that are in devolved areas of responsibility.","AnswerText":"The Aberdeen City region proposals bring together a £250 million package of measures that are not divided along devolved and reserved boundaries. Both governments have worked together to agree a deal that responds to the particular opportunities identified by the regional partners and that aims to secure the future of the economy of the North East. The deal is being supported by both governments on a 50:50 basis.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310410,"EventID":"S4W-29907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-10T16:47:58.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value is of the projects in the Aberdeen City region deal that are in reserved areas of responsibility.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question SW4-29906 on 24 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310416,"EventID":"S4W-29908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T13:39:26.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions it has taken more than a year to publish its response following the closure of a public consultation and what proportion of total consultations this represents.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.\r\nConsultations and published responses are available on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310417,"EventID":"S4W-29909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T13:39:27.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that information on the NHS central register has been shared 20 million times in the last 10 years and whether it will provide a breakdown of the (a) public bodies that have accessed this information, (b) number of times each body accessed it and (c) reason for access.","AnswerText":"National Records of Scotland are responsible for the NHS Central Register (NHSCR) and have published the details of (a) which public bodies have requested information from the NHSCR (b) the access type that was granted and (c) the reason for the access. This is available at: \r\nhttp://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/nhs-central-register/consultations-and-meetings.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310418,"EventID":"S4W-29910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T13:39:28.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times each day it expects that the NHS central register will be shared with other organisations if access is extended under its proposed amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006.","AnswerText":"No decisions have been taken that would give rise to such an eventuality.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310419,"EventID":"S4W-29911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T13:39:28.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28458 by John Swinney on 2 December 2015, with which public sector bodies it has held discussions since the consultation on proposed amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006 closed.","AnswerText":"The public sector bodies that have been involved in discussions on the consultation include: the Student Awards Agency for Scotland and Disclosure Scotland. As the need arises further public bodies will be included in the discussion.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310420,"EventID":"S4W-29912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T13:39:29.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28457 by John Swinney on 2 December 2015, whether a privacy champion has now been appointed to the NHS Central Register Governance Board.","AnswerText":"National Records of Scotland (NRS) appointed five new non-executive directors on 1 February 2016. One of these appointments will have a particular role in information governance and privacy across NRS, including through the NHS Central Register Governance Board\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310421,"EventID":"S4W-29913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T13:39:29.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answers to questions S4W-25353, S4W-26131, S4W-27521 and S4W-28458 by John Swinney on 7 May 2015, 7 July 2015, 29 September 2015 and 2 December 2015 respectively, on what date it will publish its response to the consultation on proposed amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and set out how it will proceed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28458 on 2 December 2015, I will provide to Parliament our analysis of the consultation in due course. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310422,"EventID":"S4W-29914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T13:39:30.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T17:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in implementing the commitment in Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework 2015–2020 Update to evaluate the potential effectiveness of a population-based case-finding approach to screening for hepatitis C.","AnswerText":"Since the publication of the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework Update at the start of September 2015, Health Protection Scotland, in partnership with the viral hepatitis clinical leads, has been giving consideration to a range of issues in relation to diagnosis and case-finding. The work to respond to the Penrose Inquiry on the diagnosis and testing of individuals with infected blood, which is being taken forward by a short-life working group, is also relevant to this work. That group will report later in 2016, and will inform the work to evaluate population-based case-finding approaches. ","AnswerDate":"2016-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310423,"EventID":"S4W-29915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T13:39:30.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T17:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing waiting time targets for hepatitis C treatment.","AnswerText":"Patients with hepatitis C who require acute hospital care are covered by the acute hospital waiting time standards and guarantee such as the first outpatient consultation 12 weeks standard and the 12 weeks legal guarantee for inpatient and day cases. Within these waiting time standards and guarantee the timing of individual appointments will be based upon clinical need with those patients with a more urgent need being seen more quickly.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310424,"EventID":"S4W-29916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T13:39:31.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T17:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to NHS boards to ensure that new, interferon-free treatment is made available to people with hepatitis C.","AnswerText":"The costs of new antiviral therapies for hepatitis C is supported by the £28 million funding the Scottish Government provides under the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework. NHS boards can determine how best to use that funding, and funding from their own core budgets, to reflect local need. However, under the framework boards are set an annual treatment target for hepatitis C. During 2015-20 the aim is for at least 1,500 people per year will be initiated onto antiviral therapy.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310425,"EventID":"S4W-29917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T13:39:31.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T17:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS boards regarding its stated commitment in Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework 2015–2020 Update, to the elimination of hepatitis C as a public health concern.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular discussions with NHS boards through the Scottish Health Protection Network’s Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus programme. A number of the framework sub-groups, which meet regularly, are involved in action relevant to this aspiration, including the prevention, diagnoses, testing and treatment, and information and data.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310426,"EventID":"S4W-29918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T13:39:32.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-10T17:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the revised national anti-bullying strategy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government launched ‘A National Approach to Anti-Bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People’ in 2010. The national approach forms part of our wider attempts to improve the health and wellbeing of our children and young people. It fits in with our ongoing work to ensure children and young people feel safe and secure and are able to build up strong and positive relationships with their peers and with adults, as well as our work to promote positive behaviour. \r\nFollowing many legislative and policy developments since the publication of the national approach, a working group was established in January 2015 to refresh the guidance. The purpose of the refreshed national approach is to communicate and promote a common vision and aims to make sure that work across all sectors and communities is consistently and coherently contributing to a holistic approach to anti-bullying in Scotland. \r\nFollowing extensive consultation with children and young people, parents and carers and practitioners, the revised national approach will be published in spring 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310427,"EventID":"S4W-29919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T13:39:32.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-11T09:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-05548 by John Swinney on 10 February 2016, for what reason it did not address the issue raised in the question regarding whether the reduction in its 2016-17 draft budget would be offset by setting the Scottish rate of income tax at 11p and whether it will now do so.","AnswerText":"On 11 February 2016, the Scottish Parliament agreed that the Scottish rate of income tax for the tax year 2016-17 will be 10 per cent. This is part of the funding which supports the delivery of the balanced Scottish Budget for 2016-17 which was agreed by the Scottish Parliament on 24 February 2016.\r\nI also refer the member to the answers to questions S4O-05543 and S4O-05552 on 10 February 2016. All answers to parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310428,"EventID":"S4W-29920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T13:39:33.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-11T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on devolved areas of responsibility, whether it will refer a general policy memorandum on the Immigration Bill to the Devolution (Further Powers) Committee.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29681 on 24 February. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310429,"EventID":"S4W-29921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T13:39:33.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-11T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answers to questions S4W-25353, S4W-26131, S4W-27521 and S4W-28458 by John Swinney on 7 May, 7 July, 29 September and 2 December 2015 respectively, whether it will provide the information that was requested and confirm on what date it will publish the responses to the consultation on the proposed amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and set out how it plans to proceed with the issue, and what the reason has been for the delay.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28458 on 2 December 2015.\r\nI will provide to Parliament our analysis of the consultation in due course. Any delay has been caused by our wish to give full and proper consideration to the responses received, options moving forward and our commitment to developing a system that protects user privacy.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310447,"EventID":"S4W-29923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T16:49:17.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-11T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing restrictions on charities and other third sector organisations in using public funds to lobby (a) it, (b) local government and (c) the Scottish Parliament. ","AnswerText":"A key theme of the Programme for Government is encouraging and facilitating participation by everyone in the debates and decisions that matter to them most, regardless of circumstances or backgrounds. We recognise that third sector and equalities organisations play an important role in this, providing a voice for communities on public policy, and bringing a deep level of insight into the issues faced by communities and the most vulnerable people in society. We have no wish to deter this important part of our democratic process, and have no intention of adding a clause to our grant offer letters, as the United Kingdom Government is planning to do.\r\nExisting Scottish Government grant provisions give the required protection and would prevent the use of grants for party political lobbying activity. We therefore already have appropriate and well-designed controls in place to ensure that public money is spent for approved purposes only.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310448,"EventID":"S4W-29924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T16:49:17.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-11T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will issue the final invitation to tender for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.","AnswerText":"The final invitation to tender (ITT) to operate the Clyde and Hebrides lifeline ferry services (CHFS) has issued to CalMac Ferries Ltd. and Serco Caledonian Ferries Ltd. \r\nThe Independent Procurement Reference Panel’s final report on the procurement process for CHFS has been published on 16 February 2016, alongside the ITT. The panel confirmed, as was the case for the initial and interim stages, the final invitation to tender was fair, open and transparent to both bidders.\r\nBoth participants are required to submit their final bids by 7 March 2016. We anticipate that the successful operator will be announced at the end of May 2016 and begin the new eight year contract from 1 October 2016.\r\nThe ITT and the panel’s report have been published on Transport Scotland’s website http://www.transport.gov.scot/ferries/clyde-and-hebrides.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310449,"EventID":"S4W-29925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T16:49:18.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-11T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the names of the special advisers in post; what their responsibilities are; what their pay bands are; how many special advisers there are in each pay band, and what the total salary cost of employing special advisers will be for 2015-16.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26746 on 17 July 2015 that provided the total costs* of employing special advisers in 2014-15 which is the last complete year for which the information is available.\r\nSpecial advisers are appointed in accordance with Part 1 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 by the First Minister as a special adviser for the purpose of providing assistance to the Scottish Ministers. With the resignation of Alexander Anderson on 31 December 2015, there are currently 13 special advisers. The special advisers and their specific responsibilities are as follows:\r\nName\r\nRole\r\nAppointed\r\nLiz Lloyd\r\nChief of Staff to the First Minister including the co-ordination of the Special Adviser team\r\nSenior Special Adviser on the Constitution and Europe\r\nResponsible for the First Minister’s Strategic Programme in Government.\r\n30 January 2012\r\nNoel Dolan\r\nSenior Special Adviser to the First Minister\r\nFirst Minister’s Questions\r\nPolicy advice to the First Minister\r\n26 May 2011\r\nStuart Nicolson\r\nHead of Communications\r\nSenior Political Spokesperson for the First Minister\r\n26 May 2011\r\nColin McAllister\r\nHead of Policy and Special Adviser to the Deputy First Minister\r\nSenior Special Adviser for Finance and Local Government\r\nFirst Minister’s Questions\r\nProgramme for Government\r\n3 October 2012\r\nMalcolm Fleming\r\nSenior Special Adviser for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform and for International Development\r\n25 July 2011\r\nCampbell Gunn\r\nCommunications Special Adviser\r\nDeputy Spokesperson for the First Minister\r\n8 July 2013\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nName\r\nRole\r\nAppointed\r\nRoss Ingebrigtsen\r\nCommunications Special Adviser\r\nDeputy Spokesperson for the First Minister\r\nStrategic communications planning\r\n20 January 2014\r\nJohn MacInnes\r\nPolitical and Media Research\r\nSupport for First Minister’s Questions\r\nSupport to Communications Special Advisers\r\n3 June 2011\r\nDavie Hutchison\r\nSpecial Adviser for Health, Wellbeing and Sport and for Broadcasting \r\n8 June 2011\r\nJohn McFarlane\r\nSpecial Adviser for Justice and for Infrastructure, Investment and the Cities\r\nLead on Parliamentary Business including liaison with the Parliamentary Group\r\n26 May 2011\r\nJeanette Campbell\r\nSpecial Adviser for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights and for Fair Work, Skills and Training\r\n1 April 2015\r\nKate Higgins\r\nSpecial Adviser for Education and Lifelong Learning\r\n1 April 2015\r\nKaty Bowman\r\nSupport for the First Minister and the First Minister’s Private Office.\r\nOutreach and stakeholder engagement.\r\nSpecial Adviser for Culture and External Affairs and policy support to the Chief of Staff.\r\n13 July 2015\r\n\r\nThe special adviser pay bands and ranges and the number of special advisers within each pay band currently in place are:\r\nPay Band\r\nCurrent Pay Range\r\nNumber of Special Advisers\r\n1\r\n£39,445 - £52,904\r\n9\r\n2\r\n£51,041 - £67,709\r\n1\r\n3\r\n£65,017 - £83,963\r\n3\r\n3 (premium)\r\n£83,549 - £100,942\r\n0\r\n4\r\n£86,965 - £104,462\r\n0\r\n*Total Costs include salary, ERNIC and employer pension contributions.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310450,"EventID":"S4W-29926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-11T16:49:19.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-11T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost is of planting one hectare of trees and what the cost will be of meeting its target of planting 100 million trees.","AnswerText":"The average cost of planting one hectare of trees is £4,500. This figure is based on the average grant per hectare provided for tree planting within the new Forestry Grant Scheme as part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2014-20. The budget for tree planting within the Scotland Rural Development Programme is co-funded by the European Union, with 55% support from the European Union and 45% from the Scottish Government. Based on these figures, the cost of planting 100 million trees or 50,000 hectares will be approximately £225 million. It should be noted that this is an average cost and it will vary significantly depending on the location and type of woodland planted.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310451,"EventID":"S4W-29927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-12T13:44:14.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-11T18:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether HMP Polmont or HMP Cornton Vale will hold the mother and baby unit after prisoners are moved from HMP Cornton Vale.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“Mothers and their babies will continue to be held at HMP & YOI Cornton Vale however it should be noted that HMP Grampian also has mother and baby facilities.”","AnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310452,"EventID":"S4W-29928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-12T13:44:15.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-11T18:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are being put in place to accommodate the prisoners currently held at HMP Cornton Vale in preparation for its closure and whether any prisoners will continue to be housed on the site once the building works for the new prison have started.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n‘As was previously confirmed by the Cabinet Secretary in his announcement of 11 February 2016, a large number of the women in HMP Cornton Vale will be moving to more modern accommodation at HM YOI Polmont over the summer.\r\nIt is anticipated that a number of women will remain at HMP Cornton Vale during the building works.’","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310453,"EventID":"S4W-29929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-12T13:44:16.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-11T18:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes are planned to the current regime at HMP Polmont to deliver appropriate services for the prisoners coming from HMP Cornton Vale.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“Services women would be expected to receive at HMP Cornton Vale will be replicated at HM YOI Polmont.\r\nWhere this is not possible in every case, consideration will be given to placing an individual according to where the service is available.”","AnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310454,"EventID":"S4W-29930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-12T13:44:17.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-11T18:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are being made to ensure the continuity of programmes and educational study for HMP Cornton Vale prisoners moving to HMP Polmont.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“I refer to the response to parliamentary question S4W-29929 on 24 February 2016. Services women would be expected to receive at HMP Cornton Vale will be replicated at HM YOI Polmont.\r\nWhere this is not possible in every case, consideration will be given to placing an individual according to where the service is available.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.”","AnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310455,"EventID":"S4W-29931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-12T13:44:18.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-11T18:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what improvements to (a) food service, (b) access to shower facilities, (c) the provision of purposeful activities and (d) confidentiality at the medical facilities have been made at HMP Polmont since its follow-up inspection in 2014.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n\r\n(a) What improvements have been made to food service?\r\nResults from the 2015 Prisoner (Young People) Survey show an improving position across all indicators relating to food.\r\nIn 2016 the catering department won the Falkirk Council ‘Eat Safe’ award for excellence in food hygiene standards.\r\n(b) What improvements have been made in respect of access to shower facilities?\r\nThe decrease in population of young people to around 500 has had a significant positive impact on access to showers in Iona and Monro halls.\r\nImprovements have been made to recording systems in the halls to ensure all young people are offered the opportunity of a shower every day and at key times for court attendance.\r\n(c) What improvements have been made in respect of purposeful activities?\r\nExtensive progress has been made in respect of this objective in partnership with Education Scotland against the senior phase of Curriculum for Excellence.\r\nMaintaining levels of access to activity, particularly for those young men who are most disengaged remains and continuing focus and a key priority for the 2016 establishment business plan.\r\n(d) What improvements have been made in respect of confidentiality at medical facilities?\r\nAll Polmont NHS Forth Valley health care staff have completed information governance training and fully understand the boundaries in respect of confidentiality.\r\n90% of Polmont staff have completed core training in respect of information security.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310456,"EventID":"S4W-29932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-12T13:44:19.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-11T18:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many young women offenders are being moved from HMP Cornton Vale to HMP Polmont.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“All young women will be relocated to HMYOI Polmont, recently the population has ranged between 15 and 20 young women in custody.”","AnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310457,"EventID":"S4W-29933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-12T13:44:19.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-11T17:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what organisations have received funding from the £1 million Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund, broken down by (a) memorial and (b) amount.","AnswerText":"The Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund is managed by the War Memorials Trust on behalf of the Scottish Government and Historic Environment Scotland. \r\n\r\nThe following table shows the breakdown of grants offered and final grant paid to organisations where work is now complete:\r\nMemorial Name\r\nApplicant Organisation\r\nGrant Offer\r\nFinal Grant Paid\r\nNew Kilpatrick Church\r\nNew Kilpatrick Parish Church\r\n£9,107\r\n£9,107\r\nElderslie \r\nRenfrewshire Council\r\n£6,005\r\n£6,005\r\nBridge of Weir \r\nRenfrewshire Council\r\n£7,461\r\n£7,461\r\nJames Stokes \r\nGlasgow City Council\r\n£4,500\r\n£4,500\r\n3rd Leith Boys Brigade\r\nLeith St Andrew's Church\r\n£6,672\r\n£6,672\r\nMoffat\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council\r\n£1,728\r\n£1,728\r\nField Marshall Earl Robert \r\nGlasgow City Council\r\n£26,250\r\n£26,250\r\nFair Isle\r\nFair Isles Community Association\r\n£448\r\n£296\r\nCupar\r\nFife Council\r\n£17,901\r\n£17,901\r\nStirling\r\nStirling City Heritage Trust\r\n£29,853\r\n£26,782\r\nCrookston\r\nWallyford Community Council\r\n£2,115\r\n£1,962\r\nCreich/Bonar Bridge \r\nCreich and Kincardine Branch of RBL Scotland\r\n£10,693\r\n£10,693\r\nKirkconnel\r\nBrighten up Kirkconnel and Kelloholm\r\n£3,375\r\n£3,375\r\nClyne \r\nFriends of Clyne War Memorial Association\r\n£5,914\r\n£5,914\r\nClachan-ath-luib \r\nNorth Uist Community Council\r\n£2,520\r\n£2,470\r\nDunscore\r\nDunscore Community Council\r\n£778\r\n£750\r\nGattonside \r\nGattonside Village Hall Committee\r\n£1,665\r\n£1,665\r\nGlasgow School of Art \r\nGlasgow School of Art\r\n£1,215\r\n£1,140\r\nHopeman Memorial Hall\r\nHopeman Community Association\r\n£10,000\r\n£4,190\r\nAberlour Orphanage \r\nAberlour Child Care Trust\r\n£3,344\r\n£3,344\r\nAvendale Old Parish Church\r\nOld Parish Church and Drumclog Memorial Kirk\r\n£1,088\r\n£788\r\nLaurencekirk Parish\r\nLaurencekirk Church of Scotland\r\n£5,760\r\n£5,590\r\nPierowall\r\nWestray Community Council\r\n£896\r\n£896\r\nWalls\r\nSandness & Walls Community Council\r\n£2,010\r\n£2,010\r\nCallander\r\nRBL Scotland - Callander Branch\r\n£9,310\r\n£9,310\r\nPeeblesshire\r\nScottish Borders Council\r\n£22,000\r\n£22,000\r\nOrmiston\r\nEast Lothian Council\r\n£9,130\r\n£8,220\r\nMinard\r\nMinard Community Trust\r\n£2,990\r\n£2,760\r\nWest Kilbride\r\nWest Kilbride Parish Church\r\n£990\r\n£990\r\nNorth Tolsta\r\nTolsta Community Council\r\n£2,930\r\nGrant not required\r\nTayport\r\nRBL Scotland - Tayport Branch\r\n£13,470\r\n£13,470\r\nFintry Kirk\r\nFintry Kirk\r\n£500\r\n£430\r\nMilngavie\r\nEast Dunbartonshire Council\r\n£7,310\r\n£7,310\r\nBearsden\r\nEast Dunbartonshire Council\r\n£9,240\r\n£9,240\r\nLonghope\r\nGraemsay, Hoy & Walls Community Council\r\n£750\r\n£730\r\nStromness\r\nStromness Community Council\r\n£13,170\r\n£12,810\r\nCameronians\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\n£2,090\r\n£2,090\r\nDundonald\r\nDundonald Community Council\r\n£8,050\r\n£8,050\r\nBeauly - Lovat Scout\r\nBeauly Community Council\r\n£15,480\r\n£15,480\r\nGirvan\r\nSouth Ayrshire Council\r\n£12,690\r\n£12,690\r\nHopeman war memorial hall\r\nHopeman Community Association\r\n£3,750\r\n£3,750\r\nDouglas\r\nDouglas Community Council\r\n£8,880\r\n£8,880\r\nColonel John Cameron\r\nLochaber Local History Society\r\n£15,400\r\n£14,240\r\nGlasgow Academy (external memorial)\r\nThe Glasgow Academy\r\n£10,210\r\n£10,210\r\nGordon Schools\r\nThe Gordon Schools\r\n£1,390\r\n£940\r\nKitchener Memorial\r\nOrkney Heritage Society\r\n£30,000\r\nWork not yet complete\r\nKeiss\r\nSinclair Bay Community Council\r\n£1,180\r\n£1,180\r\nLimekilns and Charleston\r\nLimekilns, Charlestown and Pattiesmuir Community Council\r\n£2,370\r\n£2,370\r\nWalls\r\nShetland Islands Council\r\n£2,460\r\n£2,370\r\nSouth Ronaldsay\r\nSouth Ronaldsay and Burray Community Council\r\n£9,370\r\nWork not yet complete\r\nScottish American memorial\r\nEdinburgh City Council\r\n£1,110\r\nWork not yet complete\r\nHelensburgh\r\nArgyll and Bute Council\r\n£60,000\r\nWork not yet complete\r\nStronsay\r\nStronsay Community Council\r\n£715\r\nWork not yet complete\r\nLaw\r\nLaw Community Trust\r\n£1,400\r\n£1,400\r\nCaledonian Station Hotel\r\nWaldorf Astoria Edinburgh\r\n£890\r\n£890\r\nRoyal Scots Greys\r\nRatho\r\nSlateford\r\nDalmeny\r\nDuddingston\r\nCanongate\r\nNewhaven\r\nSouth Queensferry\r\nEdinburgh City Council\r\n£35,190.00\r\nWork not yet complete\r\nInvergarry\r\nGlengarry Community Council\r\n£2,700\r\nGrant not required\r\nSt Anne's Dunbar\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310463,"EventID":"S4W-29936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-12T15:31:18.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-12T14:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact is of prolonged absence from school in order to receive medical treatment in a different NHS board area on the attainment levels of (a) children and (b) siblings.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for education authorities. The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n\r\nWhere illness leads to prolonged absence from school, the Section 40 of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000 places duties on education authorities to educate children to their fullest potential and to make special arrangements for the pupil to receive education elsewhere than at school. This may include the provision of education in a home or hospital setting. In June 2015, the Scottish Government published revised guidance to education authorities to support them in implementation of their duties. The guidance is available from:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00479700.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310464,"EventID":"S4W-29937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-12T15:31:19.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-12T14:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of its review of cleft surgical services, and whether the review is examining the impact of reducing the number of cleft palate clinics with a consultant in attendance.","AnswerText":"National Services Division has commenced a public consultation process on its review of specialist surgical services for cleft lip and palate. The consultation will run until May 2016.\r\nWhatever the outcome of the consultation, out-patient services will remain unaffected. Existing outpatient and other activity carried out by specialist nurses, speech and language therapists, paediatric dentists, orthodontists and changing faces practitioners will continue to be provided locally by each NHS board as they are now.\r\nAs previously explained, the purpose of this review is to provide a more sustainable and resilient surgical service that continues to improve on outcomes for all patients in Scotland wherever they reside.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310465,"EventID":"S4W-29939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-12T15:31:20.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-12T14:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact that cleft palate has on children's attainment; what support it provides to children with the condition, and what information is held on their (a) educational and (b) speech outcomes.","AnswerText":"NHS Scotland provides a wide range of highly specialised services for cleft palate patients from birth to late teens, and occasionally into young adulthood. This care starts with neonatal nursing and primary surgery, followed by further surgery as appropriate, speech and language therapy, orthodontics, preventative and restorative dental care, otolaryngology for hearing problems and genetic and psychological counselling.\r\nCleft Care Scotland collects and reports data on a national basis and uses this data to provide a comparison with services in England as part of the Norcleft audit. The data includes speech outcomes, but not educational outcomes.\r\nWhile the links between poor speaking skills and attainment in literacy are well known, educational attainment is influenced by a range of factors, not exclusively cleft palate.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310469,"EventID":"S4W-29943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-15T15:03:21.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-12T15:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considered extended screening to include younger women ahead of the introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.","AnswerText":"Evidence has shown that cervical screening in young women is more likely to pick up normal cell changes than screening in older women. This may result in unnecessary treatment and as such the risks of screening in this age group out-weigh the benefits. In light of this evidence, the Scottish Government did not consider lowering the age of screening before the introduction of the HPV vaccine. \r\nScreening is not alternative to vaccination and all girls who have received the vaccine should continue to take up the offer of screening when they reach the eligible age.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310470,"EventID":"S4W-29944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-15T15:03:22.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-12T17:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the independent review of the impacts of underground coal gasification will include (a) consultation on and (b) an assessment of the impact of unconventional gas developments on (i) wildlife and habitats and (ii) areas protected for wildlife.","AnswerText":"The scope of the independent review of underground coal gasification (UCG) can be found on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/onshoreoilandgas/UCGIndependentReview\r\nThe review will prepare a well-developed and evidenced description of potential environmental, health and regulatory issues associated with UCG, which will include issues associated with the protection of wildlife, habitats and protected areas.\r\nTo support the review, Professor Gemmell will establish an advisory group and/or other stakeholder forum(s) to provide expert and stakeholder input on a wide range of issues, including environmental issues and regulation, public health, spatial planning, climate strategy, community engagement, industry, geosciences, and energy.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310471,"EventID":"S4W-29946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-15T15:03:23.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-12T20:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it did not hold a consultation regarding the introduction of regulations to allow for the unannounced inspection of dental practices.","AnswerText":"There is no requirement to consult on proposed amendments to the NHS (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Regulations.\r\nHowever, it is standard practice to inform relevant stakeholders of forthcoming amendments to regulations in advance of their parliamentary laying period. Therefore a copy of proposed amendments to the regulations, including an amendment to allow unannounced dental practice inspections, was sent by officials to the British Dental Association (Scotland) on 7 January 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310472,"EventID":"S4W-29947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-15T15:03:23.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-12T20:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether changes in the behaviour of practitioners led to the decision to introduce the unannounced inspection of dental practices and, if so, what these were.","AnswerText":"No. The amendment to allow unannounced practice inspections was included as one of a number of amendments to the NHS (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Regulations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310473,"EventID":"S4W-29948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-15T15:03:24.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-12T20:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the unannounced inspection of dental practices will achieve.","AnswerText":"Unannounced inspections of dental practices will improve patient safety by allowing NHS boards to respond to specific concerns, such as infection control incidents.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310474,"EventID":"S4W-29949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-15T15:03:25.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-12T20:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how often practitioners will be subject to the unannounced inspection of dental practices.","AnswerText":"All NHS dental practices are subject to a routine inspection by the health board on a three-year cycle. An unannounced inspection will be made if, following a routine inspection, a patient safety issue has arisen and needs to be followed up by the board, or where the NHS board receives information that necessitates immediate further investigation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310475,"EventID":"S4W-29950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-15T15:03:26.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-12T18:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) economic, (b) social and (c) environmental impact assessment it has carried out into the impact of fracking.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29953 on 7 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310476,"EventID":"S4W-29953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-15T15:03:27.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-12T18:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has issued any contracts to companies to carry out social, economic or environmental impact assessments into fracking and, if so, which companies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking a precautionary, robust and evidence-based approach to unconventional oil and gas. On 8 October 2015 the Scottish Government announced a comprehensive programme of research that will give the public and stakeholders access to impartial information and evidence on the potential impacts of unconventional oil and gas. The research is examining a wide range of potential environmental, economic and social impacts. The specific projects are: \r\nDecommissioning, site restoration and aftercare – obligations and treatment of financial liabilities, which will be undertaken by AECOM.\r\nUnderstanding and monitoring induced seismic activity, which will be undertaken by the British Geological Survey.\r\nClimate change impacts, which will be undertaken by the Committee on Climate Change.\r\nEconomic impacts and scenario development, which will be undertaken by KPMG.\r\nUnderstanding and mitigating community level impacts from transportation. A contractor will be appointed shortly to complete this work.\r\nA public health impact assessment is also being undertaken by Health Protection Scotland. The assessment will review the scientific evidence on potential impacts from unconventional oil and gas developments, and the risks of any associated adverse health impacts. It will include a review of the wider health related issues associated with the unconventional oil and gas developments, including issues of particular relevance to local communities.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310477,"EventID":"S4W-29954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-15T15:03:28.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04688 by Fiona Hyslop on 8 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 2), whether the proposal from the private sector developer to build a film studio is still being considered by the film studio delivery group and, if so, what progress is being made with it.","AnswerText":"As I set out in my recent evidence to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, progress is being made. The Film Studio Delivery Group (FSDG) is continuing to work with the private sector developer, announced on 9 March 2016 as Wardpark Studios Ltd at Cumbernauld. A planning application is about to be submitted to expand the impressive, existing facilities at Wardpark by an additional 30,000 square feet with a ceiling height of 50 feet. Once delivered, we will see a facility comprising, in total, of 78,000 square feet and six sound stages. The FSDG has been working intensively with this developer to deliver an outcome that satisfies EU State Aid rules whilst still meeting the needs of private and public sector interests. As I set out in my evidence, the FSDG will continue to welcome any new proposals because although the Wardpark planning application represents significant progress, we are keen to support the industry’s wider ambitions to see multiple sites available for production in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310478,"EventID":"S4W-29955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-15T15:03:28.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04688 by Fiona Hyslop on 8 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 2), whether any additional bids have been submitted for the development of a film studio. ","AnswerText":"The Film Studio Delivery Group (FSDG) welcomes proactive approaches from private sector developers and will assess each proposition in terms of value for the screen sector, value for money, whether the proposition meets the requirements of legal and financial due diligence and whether the proposition would be financially viable with the levels of financial support that the public sector is able to provide under European Commission rules on state aid. The FSDG has been recently approached to consider a new project, however this proposal is at a very early stage and I am unable to say more at this time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310479,"EventID":"S4W-29956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-15T15:03:29.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04688 by Fiona Hyslop on 8 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 2), whether the film studio delivery group has assessed any sites for potential development.","AnswerText":"The Film Studio Delivery Group procured EKOS in 2014 to undertake a feasibility study and options appraisal for a film studio which included a significant number of sites for potential development. This study was refreshed in December 2015. Wardpark at Cumbernauld has been assessed and their intention to expand was announced on 9 March 2016 when I gave evidence to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee. The proposal of Pentland Studios for Straiton has been recalled by Scottish Ministers and I am unable to say anything further on this as it is a live appeal. In the meantime, Creative Scotland, through their Screen Commission, continues to promote a number of existing facilities which can be used for production as far north as Stornoway and Skye.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310480,"EventID":"S4W-29957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-15T15:03:30.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04688 by Fiona Hyslop on 8 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 2), what recent discussions it has had with Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise regarding the development of a film studio. ","AnswerText":"The Film Studio Delivery Group (FSDG) consists of representatives from the Scottish Government, Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise. The FSDG meets on a fortnightly basis to discuss progress, actions, and any new potential opportunities for the development of a film studio. The last meeting took place on 1 March 2016 where the proposed planning application of Wardpark Studios Ltd for their site at Cumbernauld was discussed. The next meeting will take place on 15 March 2016. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310481,"EventID":"S4W-29958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-15T15:03:31.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what influence the Macmillan Cancer Support programme, Transforming Care After Treatment, has on the (a) NHS and (b) social care system.","AnswerText":"In 2013, the Scottish Government in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support launched the five year Transforming Care after Treatment programme to support people who have been diagnosed or treated for cancer by integrating health and social care elements to more effectively meet their needs.\r\nAs the programme is still ongoing it is not possible to evaluate its influence at this stage. We expect an interim progress report on the programme to be available this summer with a final report due in 2018.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310482,"EventID":"S4W-29959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-15T15:03:31.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the (a) emotional, (b) practical, (c) financial and (d) physical needs of cancer patients are fully assessed.","AnswerText":"The Transforming Care After Treatment (TCAT) programme, delivered in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, NHS Scotland and local authorities, aims to support and enable people living with and beyond cancer to live as healthy a life as possible for as long as possible.\r\nIn February 2016 we also announced £450,000 investment for Macmillan Benefits Services which supports people with cancer, their families and carers to access benefits, claim grants and other related issues.\r\nWe will continue to support TCAT and other programmes to improve patient experience and outcomes. A new cancer plan will be published in spring 2016, prior to the dissolution of the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310483,"EventID":"S4W-29960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-15T15:03:32.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that cancer patients are able to provide full feedback about their care and support. ","AnswerText":"It is essential that we listen to people with cancer in order to fully understand their experiences and what matters most to them.\r\nIn October 2015 we launched the first-ever Scottish cancer patient experience survey in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support. The survey asks people questions such as how they felt about the way that they were told about their diagnosis, whether they understood the information provided about their treatment and whether they had confidence and trust in the staff treating them. The results of this survey, expected in summer 2016, will be helpful in improving on the quality of care available to people living with and beyond cancer.\r\nA new cancer plan will be published in spring 2016, prior to the dissolution of the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310484,"EventID":"S4W-29961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-16T10:50:28.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-16T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the national clinical strategy for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The national clinical strategy was published on 17 February 2016. The strategy sets out a clear vision for the development of sustainable health and social care services across Scotland for the next 10-15 years.\r\nThe strategy has been developed on the basis of extensive engagement with a broad range of clinicians, professionals and stakeholders over the past 10 months. The national conversation on ‘Creating a Healthier Scotland’ provides the ideal opportunity for further engagement on the proposals and we will therefore continue to converse with professionals and the public to ensure that the national clinical strategy genuinely supports us in planning change for a better future. A link to the strategy is provided: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/02/8699.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310485,"EventID":"S4W-29935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-16T15:17:01.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-12T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Lord Glennie’s judgement of 9 February 2016 in the judicial review of a decision of the Scottish Ministers to refuse to make a determination for legal aid under section 4(2)(c) of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986.","AnswerText":"The case that Lord Glennie’s judgement refers to dealt with representation from a complainer seeking to restrict access to her medical records in connection with a criminal case.\r\n\r\nAs the Cabinet Secretary set out at the Justice Committee on 1 March 2016, the Scottish Government will not appeal Lord Glennie’s decision. It is an important judgement that clarifies a number of issues that will lead to significant changes in procedure in cases where an application is made to recover sensitive information.\r\nThe original decision by Scottish Ministers to refuse to make a determination for legal aid was made on the basis that we considered the complainer had no standing to be involved in such a hearing as it constituted criminal proceedings.\r\nLord Glennie’s judgement clarified that proceedings for an order for recovery of documents were proceedings “in connection with criminal proceedings” and are not part of criminal proceedings against the accused. It was confirmed by Lord Glennie that a person whose sensitive records were sought had the right to have intimation of the application and be heard on it.\r\nAgents acting for the complainer have been informed that a determination has been granted by Scottish Ministers for legal aid. It was important to deal with this matter first to allow the associated criminal trial to proceed without further disruption.\r\nInterim arrangements have also been made to allow the Scottish Legal Aid Board to provide legal aid in future similar cases in appropriate circumstances for individuals whose sensitive records are being sought.\r\nThese interim arrangements have been effective since 1 March 2016 and will be in place while we develop plans to make changes to the legal aid system for cases of this nature.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310486,"EventID":"S4W-29941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-16T15:17:02.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-12T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider changes to legal aid rules in relation to pre-trial applications for medical records as a result of Lord Glennie’s judgement of 9 February 2016 in the judicial review of a decision of the Scottish Ministers to refuse to make a determination for legal aid under section 4(2)(c) of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29935 on 16 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310487,"EventID":"S4W-29942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-16T15:17:03.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-12T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Lord Glennie's comment in his judgement of 9 February 2016 in the judicial review of a decision of the Scottish Ministers to refuse to make a determination for legal aid under section 4(2)(c) of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 that the ministers' decision was “founded [..] on an error of law as to the complainer’s right to be heard”.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29935 on 16 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310496,"EventID":"S4W-29962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T13:23:49.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-16T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the introduction of high-speed trains to run on ScotRail inter-city routes is on schedule.","AnswerText":"ScotRail are on target to introduce these iconic trains into service commencing summer 2018 and will shortly announce its plans to fully refurbish this fleet.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310497,"EventID":"S4W-29963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T13:23:50.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-16T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed average 10-minute reduction in journey times for train services between the central belt and Inverness by March 2019 is on schedule and when it will announce full details of what services will be in place.","AnswerText":"Phase two of the Highland Main Line Improvement project is on schedule to deliver, by March 2019, journey time improvements averaging around 10 minutes, an hourly service between Perth and Inverness, extended to either Glasgow or Edinburgh, and increased opportunities for freight. Full details of the services will be published in late autumn 2018 as part of the December 2018 ScotRail timetable.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310498,"EventID":"S4W-29964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T13:23:50.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-16T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what would technical challenges need to be overcome to introduce more double track on the Highland Main Line and which viaducts would require major work to accommodate this.","AnswerText":"There are a number of engineering, constructability, access and environmental challenges which Network Rail would have to address to introduce more double track on the Highland Main Line. There are a total of 312 structures, including underbridges, overbridges and viaducts.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310499,"EventID":"S4W-29965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T13:23:51.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-16T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects Great Western Railway to release high-speed trains to Abellio to run on ScotRail inter-city routes in 2017-18.","AnswerText":"The high-speed trains are owned by Angel Trains and they have a contractual agreement to lease them to Abellio ScotRail from autumn 2017 onwards. These trains are currently operated by First Great Western whose leases expire in late 2017 to early 2018 with Angel Trains.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310500,"EventID":"S4W-29966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T13:23:52.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-16T17:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of retirements and the reported increase in the number working part-time, how many GPs are being recruited by NHS Forth Valley.","AnswerText":"As independent contractors GP practices are responsible for managing the resource required to provide primary medical services to their patients including the number of GPs required to provide services to its registered patients. NHS Forth Valley, in respect of board managed practices, have recruited nine GPs since May 2015 equating to 7.6 whole time equivalent GPs.\r\nWhilst the Scottish Government sets the strategic policy for the NHS in Scotland, legal responsibility for service delivery rests locally with health boards who configure services taking into account local circumstances and the reasonable needs of their patient populations.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310501,"EventID":"S4W-29967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T13:23:53.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-17T09:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria the national improvement framework uses to measure the extent of the attainment gap.","AnswerText":"The national improvement framework will ensure that we have more robust and consistent evidence to measure the extent of the attainment gap. For the first time, we will be collecting data on children’s progress as they move through their education from early years until they leave school. \r\nA wide range of progress measures will be used at school level across the curriculum to measure the extent of the attainment gap. This will include teacher judgement, informed by standardised assessment, on achievement of Curriculum for Excellence levels in literacy and numeracy at P1, P4, P7 and S3 by school, local authority and nationally. Data from a range of surveys on health and wellbeing will also be gathered, with changes tracked over time. Further evidence, such as senior phase qualifications, awards data, the percentage of school leavers in positive and sustained destinations, and, over time, early years evidence will also be analysed. Additional information, for example external reviews of careers information, advice and guidance services, will also be gathered to help build a picture of improvement This approach will ensure we have a wealth of data to measure the extent of the attainment gap which can be analysed at pupil level using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310502,"EventID":"S4W-29968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T13:23:53.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-17T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of passenger journeys on (a) Clyde and Hebrides and (b) Northern Isles ferry services in each year since 2009-10 has used ITSO-compliant smart ticketing technology.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29974 on 16 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310503,"EventID":"S4W-29969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T13:23:54.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-17T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether additional public subsidy will be required for a smart and integrated ticketing system for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services as part of the 2016-24 contract.","AnswerText":"The Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services Invitation to Tender invites bidders to include their proposals for the introduction of a new smart integrated ticketing and booking system. Funding for the project management, development and implementation of the new system will be met by the grant to be provided for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310504,"EventID":"S4W-29970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T13:23:55.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-17T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government within what timeframe it expects to reach agreement on the specification for a smart and integrated ticketing system for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services with the operator of the 2016-24 contract.","AnswerText":"The Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services Invitation to Tender invites bidders to include their proposals for the introduction of a new smart integrated ticketing and booking system. The specification for this will be discussed with the successful Operator from the award of contract, in order to deliver the new system in line with the milestones set out in the invitation to tender.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310505,"EventID":"S4W-29971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T13:23:56.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-17T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24958 by Derek Mackay on 27 March 2015, what proportion of CalMac’s expenditure on information technology over the life of the current contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services related to upgrading ticketing systems to ITSO-compliant technology.","AnswerText":"The expenditure on this was incurred and funded by David MacBrayne Ltd, not CalMac Ferries Ltd and is additional to the information set out in the answer to question S4W-24958. This information is considered by David MacBrayne Ltd to be commercially sensitive at this time.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310506,"EventID":"S4W-29972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T13:23:57.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-17T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much CalMac Ferries Ltd spent/has spent on (a) vessel maintenance, (b) staff training, (c) on-board passenger services and (d) information technology in (i) 2014-15 and (ii) 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The following table details how much CalMac Ferries Ltd has spent on vessel maintenance, staff training, on-board passenger services and information technology in financial year 2014-15 and to date in financial year 2015-16.\r\n\r\nFinancial Year\r\nVessel Maintenance\r\n(£'000)\r\nStaff Training (£'000)\r\nOn-Board Passenger Services (£'000)\r\nInformation Technology (£'000)\r\n2014-2015\r\n£17,754\r\n£1,289\r\n£3,019\r\n£5,426\r\n2015-2016 (up to January 2016)* (up to February 2016)**\r\n\r\n£11,975*\r\n\r\n£1,017**\r\n£2,696**\r\n£7,870**","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310507,"EventID":"S4W-29973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T13:23:58.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-17T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Serco NorthLink has spent on (a) vessel maintenance, (b) staff training, (c) on-board passenger services, (d) information technology and (e) smart ticketing systems in each year since the start of the current contract for Northern Isles ferry services.","AnswerText":"The following table details Serco NorthLink’s expenditure on vessel maintenance, staff training, on-board passenger services, information technology and smart ticketing systems since the current Northern Isles ferry services contract commenced in July 2012:-\r\n\r\n\r\nContract Year 1 (July 2012 to June 2013)\r\nContract Year 2 (July 2013 to June 2014)\r\nContract Year 3 (July 2014 to June 2015)\r\n(a) Vessel Maintenance\r\n£1,880k\r\n£2,222k\r\n£3,141k\r\n(b) Staff Training\r\n£74k\r\n£107k\r\n£71k\r\n(c) On-board passenger services\r\n£2,206k\r\n£2,538k\r\n£2,889k\r\n(d) Information Technology\r\n£932k\r\n£1,139k\r\n£750k\r\n(e) Smart Ticketing\r\nIncluded in (d)\r\nIncluded in (d)\r\nIncluded in (d)","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310508,"EventID":"S4W-29974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T13:23:59.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-17T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on which publically-funded ferry services on the (a) Clyde and Hebrides and (b) Northern Isles network ITSO-compliant smart ticketing systems are available to passengers.","AnswerText":"ITSO-compliant smart ticketing systems are currently not available on either the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services and Northern Isles ferry services networks. However, smart ticketing does form part of the tender for the next Clyde and Hebrides ferry services (CHFS) contract due to commence on 1 October 2016. The CHFS invitation to tender invites bidders to include their proposals for the introduction of a new smart integrated ticketing and booking system. Funding for the project management, development and implementation of the new system will be met by the grant to be provided for CHFS.\r\n\r\nIt is anticipated that smart ticketing will also be included in the tender for the next Northern Isles ferry services contract due to commence in April 2018.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310515,"EventID":"S4O-05586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:20:53.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing from its International Development Fund to assist with medical and humanitarian aid in Syria.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310516,"EventID":"S4O-05579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:20:54.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Justice Directorate is tackling violence against women.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310517,"EventID":"S4O-05567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:20:54.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-17T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NFU Scotland and what matters were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310518,"EventID":"S4O-05572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:20:55.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in assisting farm businesses that have been affected by the recent winter flooding.","AnswerText":"Having recently visited flooded farms, I’ve seen first-hand the devastation that flooding can cause.\r\nThe Scottish Government has made £16 million of funding available to help flood hit communities across Scotland. \r\nThis includes grants of £1,500 to households and businesses that have been flooded and £3,000 to businesses that can demonstrate that their ability to trade has been severely affected. Farmers affected by flooding are able to apply for these grants.\r\nSpecifically for farm businesses, grant support of up to £20,000 is available through the £1 million Agricultural Floodbank Repair Grant Scheme.\r\nThis grant scheme opened for applications on 1 February 2016 and applications can be submitted until 29 February 2016. To date, 117 applications have been received. \r\nI would encourage all farmers with man-made floodbanks that have been damaged by the recent flooding to apply for the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310519,"EventID":"S4O-05581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:20:56.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action the Cabinet Secretary for Justice will take to allow survivors of child abuse in care prior to 1964 to seek compensation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310520,"EventID":"S4O-05564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:20:56.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-17T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of the environmental impact of cutting business rates relief for the renewables industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310521,"EventID":"S4O-05576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:20:57.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the CashBack for Communities programme is having in North East Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310522,"EventID":"S4O-05593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:20:58.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-17T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Tayside and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government meets regularly with NHS Tayside to discuss matters of interest to the people of Tayside.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310523,"EventID":"S4O-05578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:20:58.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the police are doing to tackle noise nuisance in domestic properties.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310524,"EventID":"S4O-05592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:20:59.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle childhood obesity.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310525,"EventID":"S4O-05573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:20:59.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-16T14:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to promote Scottish food and drink at home and abroad.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government works with a range of public and private sector partners to promote and invest in the food and drink sector, and our success is reflected in the latest figures, which show, since 2007, an increase in food exports of 57% and drink exports of 40%. Retail sales of Scottish brands across these islands have also increased by 35% since 2007.\r\nThe food and drink growth sector has also reached record turnover of £14.3 billion, moving closer to the target of £16.5 billion the industry set for 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310526,"EventID":"S4O-05566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:00.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-17T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to deal with antibiotic resistance in the food chain.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310527,"EventID":"S4O-05571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:01.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the impact that leaving the EU could have on Scotland’s fishing and farming communities. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310528,"EventID":"S4O-05577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:02.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support the justice system gives to people with autism.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310529,"EventID":"S4O-05575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:03.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve the prison estate.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310530,"EventID":"S4O-05589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:03.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many da Vinci surgical systems for the treatment of prostate cancer there are in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310531,"EventID":"S4O-05588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:04.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-16T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet Orkney Islands Council and what issues will be discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310532,"EventID":"S4O-05582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:06.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-16T14:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Scottish Prison Service’s plan to deliver smoke-free indoor prison facilities.","AnswerText":"A ‘National Tobacco Strategy Workstream’ has been developing an evidence informed joint action plan, detailing how indoor smoke-free prison facilities will be delivered. The workstream is in the process of producing a comprehensive evidence informed options paper which will consider available national and international research and policy evaluation. The outcome of the options paper will be used to inform the proposed action plan (including timescales) to deliver indoor smoke-free prison facilities. \r\nI understand that the consultation process has now concluded and an options paper will be submitted to me for my consideration in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310533,"EventID":"S4O-05585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:06.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-16T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider providing a landfill tax exemption to local authorities dealing with the consequences of the recent flooding.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310534,"EventID":"S4O-05574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:07.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-17T11:27:56.32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure equal access to justice in environmental matters.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310535,"EventID":"S4O-05584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:08.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on securing decommissioning jobs for Dundee.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310536,"EventID":"S4O-05565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:09.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposed camping management by-laws for the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310537,"EventID":"S4O-05570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:10.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-17T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact it expects its proposals on land reform to have on land in the West Scotland region.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310538,"EventID":"S4O-05587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:10.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many responses it received to its consultation on the comprehensive review of the planning system, which closed on 1 December 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310539,"EventID":"S4O-05591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:11.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-16T11:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the renewables sector.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310540,"EventID":"S4O-05568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:12.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in introducing a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310541,"EventID":"S4O-05590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:13.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-16T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of the economic impact in Scotland of the recent flotation of the Clydesdale Bank.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310542,"EventID":"S4O-05569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-17T14:21:14.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-15T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle air pollution in Fife.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310553,"EventID":"S4W-29976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:18.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the smart and integrated ticketing system for the the next contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services will use the software developed by CalMac Ferries Ltd as part of the Titan project.","AnswerText":"The Clyde and Hebrides ferry services invitation to tender invites bidders to include their proposals for the introduction of a new smart integrated ticketing and booking system. It is for bidders to decide if they wish to incorporate any of the development work presently undertaken for the Titan project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310554,"EventID":"S4W-29977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:19.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the funding allocation to alcohol and drug partnerships was in (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2015-16 and what the allocation will be for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"In 2014-15 and 2015-16, the overall Scottish Government allocation for the treatment of alcohol and drug misuse to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs), distributed through health boards, was £69.2 million per year.\r\nThe responsibility for the drugs element of this funding was transferred to the health portfolio as part of the budget setting process for 2016-17, and in response to requests from sector stakeholders, and this has taken place against the backdrop of the toughest public expenditure conditions we have yet faced. However, we have allocated £53.8 million to health boards for the treatment of alcohol and drug misuse in 2016-17, outwith their baseline budgets, and boards are expected to supplement this resource, where necessary, from within baseline budgets to ensure the overall alcohol and drugs services and resources for ADPs are maintained at existing levels.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310555,"EventID":"S4W-29979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:20.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the trends in fatal drug overdose deaths have been over the last five years.","AnswerText":"The most recent National Records of Scotland report (August 2015) states that in the last five years (2010-14) there has been a gradual upward trend in drug-related deaths (compared with much more rapid growth in earlier years) although, as previously acknowledged, in 2014 there was a significant increase in the annual total of drug-related deaths from 527 to 613 and we remain concerned to ensure the medical needs of an ageing cohort with complex needs are met. The following table provides a summary of the totals for the last five years, however these are drugs-related deaths not drug overdose deaths.\r\nYear\r\nDrug related deaths registered\r\nThree year moving average (2008-10 onwards)\r\n2010\r\n485\r\n535\r\n2011\r\n584\r\n538\r\n2012\r\n581\r\n550\r\n2013\r\n527\r\n564\r\n2014\r\n613\r\n574\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310556,"EventID":"S4W-29980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:21.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what protective factors suggest that people with a drug problem have a reduced likelihood of dying from a drug overdose.","AnswerText":"Drug overdose deaths can be reduced through two main methods, firstly through interventions aimed at preventing overdoses taking place, and secondly through reducing fatal outcomes when overdoses do occur.\r\nOverdoses can be prevented by providing drug users with education around prevention and harm reduction measures. The Scottish Government has commissioned the Scottish Drugs Forum to work alongside our Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) to develop and improve local death prevention strategies, in order to take a broader view of drug deaths and lead to improved responses. Retention in drug treatment services is also a recognised factor in reducing the number of overdose deaths and we are working with ADPs to improve retention rates while also engaging with drug users who have dropped out of service use for whatever reason.\r\nIn a step to reduce fatal outcomes when overdoses do occur, Scotland was the first country in the world to implement a national take home naloxone programme, funded by the Scottish Government, which empowers individuals, family members or friends to intervene in an overdose situation and use the product to reverse the opiate effect. This programme has now been in place for five years and has will result in over 33,000 kits being distributed by the end of 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310557,"EventID":"S4W-29981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:22.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated proportion is of the 59,600 people with a drug problem who are in treatment at any one time.","AnswerText":"On 4 March 2016, Information Service Division Scotland published revised data that indicate there may be an estimated 61,500 individuals resident in Scotland in 2012-13 who were problem drug users. Of these, 21,314 individuals (35%) were reported as being in specialist drug treatment at some point in 2012-13. \r\nProblem drug use is defined as the problematic use of opiates (including illicit and prescribed methadone use) and/or the illicit use of benzodiazepines and implies routine and prolonged use as opposed to recreational and occasional drug use. This definition excludes some illicit drugs (e.g. cocaine).","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310558,"EventID":"S4W-29982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:23.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to make treatment more accessible to people with a drug problem.","AnswerText":"Our national drugs strategy, The Road to Recovery, aims to ensure that those who need treatment get it as soon as possible. The Local Delivery Plan Standard, formerly HEAT Standard, for drug and alcohol treatment waiting times expects that 90% of people receive access to appropriate drug and/or alcohol treatment within three weeks of referral to support their recovery. The latest national figures for July to September 2015 show that for those seeking drug treatment, 93.8% of the 4,406 people in need of treatment waited three weeks or less to receive treatment.\r\nThe Scottish Government has invested £254 million between 2007 and 2015 in front line drug treatment, care and recovery services. In August 2014, we published a set of quality principles that set out the expectations of care and support for people, and their families, accessing treatment. The on-going implementation of these principles, supported by the Care Inspectorate, ensures that recovery is accessible, visible and sustainable for all who want it.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310559,"EventID":"S4W-29983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:24.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to keep people with a drug problem in treatment.","AnswerText":"Our national drugs strategy, The Road to Recovery, focuses on the needs of the individual, provides a range of interventions and is based firmly on the concept of recovery. The development of a recovery oriented system of care, as part of this strategy, also has a much wider approach than just treatment services to support those with problem drug use. The strategy recognises that, when ready, individuals can exit treatment services and move on to gain support from recovery networks and services that will continue to support their recovery in their own community.\r\nThe Scottish Government has invested £254 million between 2007 and 2015 in front line drug treatment, care and recovery services. In August 2014, we published a set of quality principles that set out the expectations of care and support for people, and their families, accessing treatment. The on-going implementation of these principles, supported by the Care Inspectorate, ensures that recovery is accessible, visible and sustainable for all who want it.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310560,"EventID":"S4W-29984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:25.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated annual cost is of treating a problem drug user who is not in specialist treatment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published the research paper Assessing the Scale and Impact of Illicit Drug Markets in Scotland in 2009. This paper provided estimates of the size and value of the illicit drugs market as well as estimates of the economic and social cost of illicit drug use in Scotland for the year 2006.\r\nThe paper estimated that the costs to the criminal justice system per year for problem drug users not in treatment is £12,713, reducing to £6,524 after one year in treatment, then £1,536 after being in treatment for more than one year. The estimated costs to the health service per year for individuals not in treatment is £3,005, reducing to £1,536 after one year in treatment then £1,173 after being in treatment for more than one year.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310561,"EventID":"S4W-29985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:26.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people with drug misuse problems remain in treatment or in contact with a support agency (a) 12 and (b) 26 weeks after starting treatment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Drug Misuse Database (SDMD) collates data on individuals undertaking specialist drug treatment in Scotland from their initial assessment (SMR25a) and follow-up assessments 12 and 52 weeks after commencing treatment (SMR25b). SDMD does not currently collect follow-up data for the period 26 weeks after starting drug treatment.\r\n\r\nInformation Services Division Scotland reported on the number of people who remained in treatment 12 weeks after starting treatment in: Scottish Drug Misuse Database (SDMD) Report on People in Treatment – 2011/12, published in December 2012.\r\nInformation on how many people with drug and alcohol misuse problems remain in specialist treatment after 12, 26 and 52 weeks will be collected by the new Drug and Alcohol Information System.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310562,"EventID":"S4W-29986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:27.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed new drug and alcohol information system (DAISy) will provide data on retention in treatment.","AnswerText":"The drug and alcohol information system (DAISy) will provide data on retention in treatment for services delivering tier 3 and tier 4 drug and alcohol treatment and support interventions.\r\nDAISy is a new development which will collect the data required for reporting on drug and alcohol treatment and outcomes at a local and national level. DAISy will provide services with a single data collection tool, replacing two existing systems a) the Scottish Drug Misuse Database that collects SMR25a/b and b) the drug and alcohol treatment waiting times database. It will also collect information on alcohol treatment and outcomes which is not currently collected.\r\nFurther information on DAISy is available from the Information Services Division website: \r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Drugs-and-Alcohol-Misuse/Drug-Alcohol-Information-System/.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310563,"EventID":"S4W-29987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:28.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to negotiate a new junior doctors contract.","AnswerText":"Unlike England we have confirmed that we will not impose this deal on our junior doctors and we will continue to service the current New Deal contract. We will continue to work with the profession and the British Medical Association to improve and shape services for the future, moving towards negotiations if and when the time is right for Scottish circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310564,"EventID":"S4W-29988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:29.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is the maximum number of hours in any (a) given week, (b) consecutive five day period and (c) period of 14 days that junior doctors will be required to work.","AnswerText":"There are over 1,000 junior doctor rotas in place in NHS Scotland each with its own unique working pattern.\r\nLike all NHS staff, all junior doctor hours comply fully with the limits of the Working Time Regulations. This allows for averaging of hours over a reference period which means that a working pattern can consist of long and short weeks, which together over the reference period average out at 48 hours or less per week. The Working Time Regulations also ask that there is an 11 hour rest period in each 24 hours. This limits a full shift to a maximum of 13 hours. The regulations also give a 24 hour rest period every seven days or a 48 hour rest period every 14 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310565,"EventID":"S4W-29989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:30.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it has monitored the implementation of the requirement that no junior doctor should work more than seven nights in a row, as announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing in the news release of 19 June 2014, Helping junior doctors.","AnswerText":"All junior doctors rotas are approved and signed off by the Scottish Government before they can be implemented. This sign-off ensures that all working patterns meet the contractual, legal and Scottish Government requirements. NHS boards must monitor junior doctor working hours a minimum of twice per year. This monitoring should confirm compliance with the relevant standards. This monitoring is reported into the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310566,"EventID":"S4W-29990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:31.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will require all NHS board human resources departments to ascertain whether junior doctors are stressed by their rota requirements.","AnswerText":"Processes already exist to support junior doctors and assess their stress levels. They have regular reviews with their educational and clinical supervisors. At these reviews, issues related to working hours or rota requirements can be discussed, and changes agreed and made. Junior doctors also have access to the Scottish Government workforce adviser who can work on their behalf to review and agree rota changes. Junior doctors participate in new deal monitoring a minimum of twice a year. This exercise gathers data from junior doctors to assess their compliance with the contractual limits, and through this process junior doctors can also raise concerns.\r\nLike all other NHS staff, junior doctors can raise any concerns they have either informally or through appropriate local policies and procedures.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310567,"EventID":"S4W-29991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:32.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government over what maximum period a junior doctor's rota must be compliant with the European working time directive of 48 hours maximum working per week.","AnswerText":"The reference period for averaging junior doctor working hours under the Working Time Regulations, which is a reserved matter, is 26 weeks, or the length of the placement if the placement is shorter than 26 weeks.\r\nAll junior doctor rotas in Scotland comply fully with the Working Time Regulations.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310568,"EventID":"S4W-29993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:33.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many probationary teachers there have been in each year since 2007. \r\n","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of teachers registered by the General Teaching Council for Scotland as being on the teacher induction scheme recorded in post in a publicly funded school at the time of the annual teacher census.\r\n\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nNumber of probationers\r\n\r\n3,502\r\n\r\n3,102\r\n\r\n3,044\r\n\r\n2,857\r\n\r\n1,944\r\n\r\n2,044\r\n\r\n2,215\r\n\r\n2,448\r\n\r\n2,524\r\nA small proportion of probationer teachers do not join the teacher induction scheme, preferring to follow the 'flexible route' but the Scottish Government does not gather data relating to them.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310569,"EventID":"S4W-29994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:35.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) science, (b) English, (c) maths and (d) PE teacher training places there have been in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Prior to academic year 2014-15, student teacher intake targets for Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) secondary programmes of initial teacher education were not set on a subject specific basis. The table indicates the targets that have been set since 2014-15.\r\n\r\n\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\nScience*\r\n175\r\n211\r\n226\r\nEnglish\r\n139\r\n170\r\n194\r\nMaths\r\n120\r\n146\r\n179\r\nPE\r\n39\r\n37\r\n33\r\n *Science = Biology + Chemistry + Physics\r\nIn addition to the target for PGDE PE, 100 undergraduate PE places are allocated to the University of Edinburgh each year.\r\nIn addition to the target for PGDE science, 30 undergraduate places are allocated to the University of Strathclyde for concurrent degrees in chemistry, maths and physics, and 115 undergraduate places are allocated to the University of Stirling for combined degrees in a broad range of subjects including biology, English, maths and PE.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310570,"EventID":"S4W-29995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:37.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school teacher training places there have been in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The information requested is already in the public domain. It is published annually by the Scottish Funding Council and can be viewed at the following links: \r\nhttp://www.sfc.ac.uk/guidance/guidance.aspx?Search=SFC/AN/01/2016&Type=Announcements&Sector=&From=01/01/2016&To=01/02/2016\r\nhttp://www.sfc.ac.uk/guidance/guidance.aspx?Search=SFC/AN/04/2015&Type=Announcements&Sector=&From=01/01/2015&To=28/02/2015\r\nhttp://www.sfc.ac.uk/guidance/guidance.aspx?Search=SFC/AN/03/2014&Type=Announcements&Sector=&From=01/01/2014&To=28/02/2014\r\nhttp://www.sfc.ac.uk/guidance/guidance.aspx?Search=SFC/02/2013&Type=Circulars&Sector=&From=01/01/2013&To=28/02/2013\r\nhttp://www.sfc.ac.uk/communications/Circulars/2012/SFC0312.aspx\r\nhttp://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20110411221734/http:/www.sfc.ac.uk/news_events_circulars/Circulars/2011/SFC0111.aspx\r\nhttp://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20110411230019/http:/www.sfc.ac.uk/web/FILES/CircularsSFC0510/sfc0510.pdf\r\nhttp://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20100411231559/http:/www.sfc.ac.uk/news_events_circulars/Circulars/2009/SFC1809.aspx\r\nhttp://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20100411231556/http:/www.sfc.ac.uk/news_events_circulars/Circulars/2009/SFC0809.aspx\r\nhttp://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20100411234441/http://www.sfc.ac.uk/web/FILES/CircularsSFC0808/sfc0808.pdf\r\nhttp://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20081012001058/http:/www.sfc.ac.uk/information/info_circulars/sfc/2007/sfc4407/sfc4407.html\r\nhttp://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20101011225710/http://www.sfc.ac.uk/news_events_circulars/Circulars/2007/SFC1307.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310571,"EventID":"S4W-29996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:39.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it provides to support student teachers.","AnswerText":"Scottish domiciled student teachers, studying in Scotland, on both undergraduate and postgraduate teacher training courses, are eligible for help with their tuition fees and living-costs.\r\n\r\nIn addition to free tuition, our support package provides a minimum income of £7,625, through a combination of bursaries and loans, for eligible student teachers with a family income of less £17,000 (rising to £19,000 in academic year 2016-17). All Scottish domiciled students, irrespective of circumstances are eligible for a loan of up to £4,750 a year.\r\nScottish domiciled student teachers who choose to study in the rest of the UK are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,000 in addition to the above living-cost support.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310572,"EventID":"S4W-29997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:41.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many school leavers in each year since 2007 did not go into education, employment or training.","AnswerText":"The number of school leavers not in education (higher education or further education), employment or training are shown in the following table:\r\nYear\r\nNumber of leavers\r\nNumber not in education, employment or training1\r\n2007-08\r\n58,603\r\n9,539\r\n2008-09\r\n53,324\r\n8,084\r\n2009-10\r\n53,842\r\n8,230\r\n2010-11\r\n53,850\r\n7,474\r\n2011-122\r\n49,610\r\n5,731\r\n2012-132\r\n51,515\r\n5,620\r\n2013-142\r\n49,980\r\n4,718\r\n1. Includes school leavers on activity agreements or in voluntary work. These are considered positive destinations in the Summary Statistics for Attainment, Leaver Destinations and Healthy Living publication. The figures presented also include school leavers where their destination was recorded as ‘unknown’.\r\n2. The methodology and data available for 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 changed meaning caution should be exercised when making comparisons over time.\r\nSource: The data included in the table comes from Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) follow up of school leaver destinations. Information on the destination of leavers from publicly funded schools was provided to the Scottish Government by SDS. SDS collected information on the destination of each young person they had identified as being a school leaver during September 2014 (initial destination) and March 2015 (follow-up destination). The follow up destinations data provided in this table presents information on the outcomes of young people approximately nine months after leaving school.\r\nWhile these figures outline the number of school leavers who are not in education, employment or training, the main headline measure used by the Scottish Government is the percentage of school leavers in a positive follow up destination. This considers voluntary work and activity agreements to be positive destinations, alongside higher education, further education, employment and training. The figure for 2013-14 school leavers not in a positive destination on this basis is 4,142 (including unknowns).\r\nThe percentage of school leavers in positive destinations at the time of the follow-up was 84.0% in 2007-08 and 91.7% for 2013-14 school leavers.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310573,"EventID":"S4W-29998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:43.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many probationary teachers in each year since 2007 did not find a permanent teaching post after their first year of employment.","AnswerText":"The teacher census is conducted in September each year. The table shows the number of teachers identified in each year's census who were probationer teachers in the previous year and have not found a permanent post in a publicly funded school by the time of the census in the year after their probationary year. \r\n\r\n\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nNumber of probationers without a permanent post after their first year of emploment (i.e. after their probationary year)\r\n2,264\r\n2,553\r\n2,494\r\n2,608\r\n2,363\r\n1,331\r\n1,290\r\n1,312\r\n1,318\r\nSignificant numbers of these probationers had secured temporary posts by the time of the census. The overall proportion of post probationers in permanent or temporary employment at the time of the census in 2015 was 86% compared with 66% in 2007.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310574,"EventID":"S4W-30000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:45.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils will sit Higher (a) physics, (c) biology, (c) chemistry and (d) computing in 2016 and how many have sat the exam in each year since 2007, broken down by gender.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). I have asked the chief executive of SQA to write to you.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310575,"EventID":"S4W-30001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:46.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has cost CalMac Ferries Ltd to develop the Titan project.","AnswerText":"David MacBrayne Ltd (DML), rather than CalMac Ferries Ltd, is responsible for the investment in developing the Titan project. The quantum of that cost is commercially confidential to them. In addition, DML are bound by supplier contract confidentiality.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310576,"EventID":"S4W-30006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:47.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which schools in the Dunfermline constituency have been allocated support from the Attainment Scotland Fund, broken down by amount provided.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28981 on 11 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-02-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310577,"EventID":"S4W-30007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:48.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T12:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many days in advance agendas are published for board meetings of (a) the Scottish Prison Service, (b) the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, (c) Transport Scotland, (d) the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and (e) the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerText":"The information on publication of board agendas in advance of board meetings of the named organisations is:\r\na) The Scottish Prison Service does not have a board but a senior management group. The agendas of the meetings of the senior management group are not published.\r\nb) The Student Awards Agency for Scotland does not publish board agendas.\r\nc) Transport Scotland does not have a board but a senior management group. The agendas of the meetings of the senior management group are not published.\r\nd) The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service aims to have board agendas published on its website five working days in advance of board meetings.\r\ne) The Scottish Police Authority publish board agendas on its website on the day of board meetings.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310578,"EventID":"S4W-30008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:49.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T12:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to public bodies regarding the publication of agendas and associated papers in advance of board meetings.","AnswerText":"Although the Scottish Government does not provide any specific guidance on publication of agendas and associated papers in advance of board meetings, On Board – A Guide for Board Members of Public Bodies in Scotland highlights that stakeholders should have access to full and accurate information on the decision making processes and activities of each public body. All public authorities subject to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 are required to have a publication scheme setting out the information which is readily available.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310579,"EventID":"S4W-30009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:50.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-05529 by Shona Robison on 4 February 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), what expert advice it received in advance of its announcement on 2 April 2014 that the four major trauma centres would be in place from 2016, and from whom it received this.","AnswerText":"The National Planning Forum (NPF)’s Major Trauma Oversight Group (MTOG) has been tasked with looking at ways to enhance major trauma services in Scotland.\r\n\r\nIn 2013, NPF received the following report from MTOG, which informed advice to ministers:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00494297.pdf\r\nHowever, recommendation 13 of the 2013 report says:\r\n“Once published, the findings of the GEOS study should be taken into account when considering configurations of a trauma network in Scotland, including whether the number of major trauma centres can and should be reduced further from four MTCs and where the optimal location(s) might be.”\r\nThe National Planning Forum’s work to establish the most appropriate model of major trauma care for Scotland continues. Scottish Ministers will consider the outcomes of this work in due course.\r\nClinicians from across Scotland continue to be involved in this work.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310580,"EventID":"S4W-30010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:51.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-05529 by Shona Robison on 4 February 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), whether it sought further advice from the relevant clinicians following its announcement on 2 April 2014 that the four major trauma centres would be in place from 2016 and, if so, for what reasons.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30009 on 14 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310581,"EventID":"S4W-30011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T14:03:53.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-05529 by Shona Robison on 4 February 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), whether it will publish the advice that it received from the relevant clinicians (a) prior to and (b) since its announcement on 2 April 2014 that four major trauma centres would be in place from 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30009 on 14 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310582,"EventID":"S4W-29975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-18T15:05:25.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what days since April 2015 rail services to Wick have been subject to delay at Helmsdale, broken down by length of delay.","AnswerText":"The answer to this question is available via the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57725).","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":310584,"EventID":"S4W-30002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-19T14:33:37.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T12:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that appropriate ammunition is used for wildfowling in wetland areas and to prevent the poisoning of other wildlife in these areas from lead deposits.","AnswerText":"The Environmental Protection (Restrictions on Use of Lead Shot) (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2004 prohibit the use of lead shot over wetlands in Scotland. Enforcement is the responsibility of Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310585,"EventID":"S4W-30003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-19T14:33:38.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T12:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it oversees the effectiveness of the operation of (a) nature reserves, (b) sites of special scientific interest, (c) Ramsar sites, (d) special protection areas and (e) special areas of conservation.","AnswerText":"The requested information is available on Scottish Natural Heritage’s website via the following links:\r\n(a) http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/local-designations/lnr/ (local nature reserves)\r\nhttp://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/national-designations/nnr/ (national nature reserves)\r\n(b) http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/national-designations/sssis/sssi-management/\r\n(c) http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/international-designations/ramsar-sites/\r\n(d) http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/international-designations/spa/\r\n(e) http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/international-designations/sac/","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310586,"EventID":"S4W-30004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-19T14:33:39.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T12:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to strengthen the ability of local authorities to introduce bylaws that aim to protect areas of local, national or international significance from unregulated wildfowling, and what support it provides to councils wanting to do so.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no such plans and is not aware of any circumstances requiring such consideration. Section 12 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 provides for local authorities to create byelaws (subject to confirmation by Scottish Ministers) to prohibit or regulate activities on areas of land on which access rights are exercisable. This may be done for a number of reasons including the protection of order and safety, preventing public nuisance or damage, or for conservation purposes.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310587,"EventID":"S4W-30005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-19T14:33:40.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T12:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prevent wildfowlers who visit (a) sites of special scientific interest and (b) areas with other environmental designations from damaging protected natural features.","AnswerText":"Subject to the particular circumstances, local authorities, Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Ministers are empowered to take steps to protect the interests of designated sites. In the case of Scottish Ministers, such powers would include those provided by section 23 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and regulation 19 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 relating to nature conservation orders. The Scottish Government is not aware of any circumstances requiring the use of such powers at the current time.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310588,"EventID":"S4W-30012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-19T14:33:41.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T18:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has not made vaccination against meningitis B available to babies born before 1 July 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to protecting youngsters against meningitis B which is why we launched a national Men B vaccination programme last year to tackle its effects. All children who are now aged up to nine months should have been offered the vaccine. The Scottish Government is guided on vaccination policy by the independent expert body, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). When any new vaccination programme is introduced, there has to be a date to determine eligibility – a decision based on the best independent clinical recommendation to ensure we can protect those children most at risk of Men B.\r\nSince 1 September 2015 infants have been offered the Men B vaccine at two, four and 12 months of age as part of the routine childhood vaccination programme. There was also a catch-up for infants aged three and four months attending for their routine vaccination appointments when the programme started. The JCVI recommended that the Men B vaccine be offered to infants before they reach five months of age because the number of Men B cases peaks at around five months of age before declining. Once the vaccine is given, it can take some time for the vaccine to take effect and for immunity to be established in the host. Therefore by giving the Men B vaccine before the peak in incidence of disease at five months of age, it allows for infants to be protected for the time when risk is greatest.\r\nThe JCVI continues to monitor all available evidence in respect of recommendations, and advice can be updated if new information or evidence becomes available. In light of the recent petition regarding Men B, the Scottish Government has written to the JCVI to ask them to consider reviewing the evidence on their current advice to determine if it should be changed. We await their response. The Scottish Government will of course consider carefully any future JCVI recommendations in respect of Men B vaccination.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310589,"EventID":"S4W-30013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-19T14:33:42.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T18:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it position is on making vaccination against meningitis B available to children under five, with a view to rolling it out to older children in due course.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to protecting youngsters against meningitis B (Men B) which is why we launched a national Men B vaccination programme last year to tackle its effects. All children who are now aged up to nine months should have been offered the vaccine.\r\nThe Scottish Government is guided on vaccination policy by the independent expert body, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). When any new vaccination programme is introduced, there has to be a date to determine eligibility – a decision based on the best independent clinical recommendation to ensure we can protect those children most at risk of Men B. The JCVI continues to monitor all available evidence in respect of recommendations, and advice can be updated if new information or evidence becomes available. In light of the recent petition regarding Men B, the Scottish Government has written to the JCVI to ask them to consider reviewing the evidence on their current advice to determine if it should be changed. We await their response. The Scottish Government will of course consider carefully any future JCVI recommendations in respect of Men B vaccination.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310590,"EventID":"S4W-30014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-19T14:33:43.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-19T09:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a substantive answer to question S4W-29361 regarding single farm payments to farmers, which received a holding response from Richard Lochhead on 1 February 2016.","AnswerText":"With apologies for the delay, please note that S4W-29361 has now been updated to reflect the current position regarding payments made to farmers and crofters in Scotland. The relevant information is also copied below:\r\nAs of 24 February 2016, a total of 8,846 (approx. 49%) payments have been issued to farmers and crofters in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310591,"EventID":"S4W-30015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-19T14:33:44.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-18T17:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that people who have had gender reassignment can have their new gender reflected in their medical records.","AnswerText":"When a request to change details resulting from a change of gender is received, the patient's GP shall inform NHS National Services Scotland who then contact the patient to ensure the correct entries are held on the relevant systems.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310603,"EventID":"S4W-30027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T09:57:29.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the next steps are in its ambition to create a more circular economy.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that the Scottish Government’s first circular economy strategy entitled Making Things Last – A Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland was published today (23 February 2016).\r\nThe strategy will build on Scotland’s progress on its zero waste and resource efficiency agendas, with a focus on keeping products and materials in high value use for as long as possible, saving resources and creating a range of business and industry opportunities. The strategy also introduces a food waste prevention target for Scotland, which is the first such target in Europe.\r\nThe strategy is available on the Scottish Government website at www.Gov.Scot/makingthingslast.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310605,"EventID":"S4F-03244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T12:17:45.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T08:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310606,"EventID":"S4F-03245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T12:17:46.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T09:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310607,"EventID":"S4F-03249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T12:17:49.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the impact of the local authority budget settlement on nursery education.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310608,"EventID":"S4F-03260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T12:17:58.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress the Scottish Government is making in reducing A&E waiting times. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310609,"EventID":"S4F-03262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T12:18:00.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress there has been on the fiscal framework negotiations.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310610,"EventID":"S4F-03263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T12:18:01.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had about the relationship between Prestwick airport and The Trump Organization.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310611,"EventID":"S4T-01322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T12:18:17.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-17T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland’s report on Cornton Vale.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310612,"EventID":"S4T-01323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T12:18:18.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-21T16:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the announcement of a referendum on membership of the EU on 23 June 2016.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310613,"EventID":"S4T-01324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T12:18:18.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T10:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that GP funding has been reduced by £1.6 billion over the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-02-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310614,"EventID":"S4W-30016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T13:49:59.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-19T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to mark International Day of Older Persons on 1 October 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will work with its stakeholders to agree how to mark the day as we have done in previous years. The Scottish Older People's Assembly (SOPA) celebrated International Older People's Day on 5 October 2015, during older people's week, by holding its annual assembly in the Scottish Parliament with politicians and around 150 older people. Age Scotland's member groups are currently planning their activities for the day and it is expected that the community grants fund of £80,000 awarded to Age Scotland will support many local events.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310615,"EventID":"S4W-30017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T13:50:00.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-19T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding any difficulty in obtaining a GP appointment in the Cowdenbeath constituency.","AnswerText":"Under the legal framework for service provision, NHS boards are responsible for ensuring the provision of primary medical services for their areas. NHS Fife works with GP practices to ensure that everyone in Fife has access to GP services. This includes appointments at the medical practice, care home visits, home visits, and extended opening hours to help those who are unable to make appointments during core hours.\r\nAs part of the £85 million the Scottish Government is investing in improving services through the Primary Care Fund, £6 million will be invested in developing digital services, including helping online appointment booking.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310616,"EventID":"S4W-30018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T13:50:00.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-19T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has of the number of extra GPs required in the Cowdenbeath constituency.","AnswerText":"There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to service provision and health boards are expected to design and put in place those service models that best reflect their local circumstances.\r\nWe are working to increase the number of GPs in Scotland, and the First Minister recently announced that we are increasing training places for GPs by a third – from 300 to 400 a year. We are also transforming primary care, including developing new ways of working with multi-disciplinary teams that elevate the role of GPs as medical experts in the community.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310617,"EventID":"S4W-30019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T13:50:01.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-19T16:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on current consultant vacancies in NHS Fife and whether the board is having difficulties recruiting in specific clinical areas.","AnswerText":"NHS Fife continues to proactively recruit to available consultant posts, with a targeted media campaign resulting in the successful appointment of a number of permanent consultants.\r\nUnder this government, the number of consultants in NHS Fife has increased by 74.4 whole time equivalent (WTE), or 44.2 per cent between September 2010 and December 2015, while the establishment has increased by over 50 WTE during this period.\r\nAny fluctuation in consultant vacancies is linked to our efforts to increase capacity by recruiting even more staff. Information on consultant vacancies in NHS Fife is published by Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland and is shown in Table 1:\r\nTable 1. Whole time equivalent of NHS Fife consultant vacancies, staff in post and vacancies as a percentage of establishment as at 31 December 2015.\r\n\r\nVacancies\r\nStaff in Post\r\nVacancies as a % of establishment\r\nDecember 2015\r\n34.0\r\n240.6\r\n12.4%\r\nSources: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System, ISD(M)36.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. In March 2014 the definition of a vacancy changed to: A vacancy is a post which has been cleared for advert after being through the redeployment process (internal or external advert) and remains a vacancy until an individual starts in the post. Prior to this, a vacancy stopped being classified as such at the point when the post was offered to someone and accepted. The impact of this change is a significant increase in the number of reported vacancies.\r\n2. Establishment is calculated as number of staff in post plus total vacancies.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310618,"EventID":"S4W-30029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T13:50:01.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has cost NHS Fife to use agency staff from Medinet Wales Ltd in each week since 26 January 2016; how many agency staff have been hired; which clinical specialities have been provided, and how many patients have been seen by them.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310619,"EventID":"S4W-30032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T13:50:02.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T13:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29441 by Aileen Campbell on 4 February 2016, on what date it will convene the group and whether it will set out the timetable for the group's work to be completed. ","AnswerText":"Further to my response on to the answer to question S4W-29739 on 24 February 2016, we (Scottish Government officials) have begun early modelling work as a precursor to the policy development to be undertaken by the group. The group will meet once this is completed and a draft timetable will be developed and agreed by members as part of the terms of reference.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310638,"EventID":"S4W-30020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:47.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-21T19:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it was made aware of NHS Lothian's intention to carry out a review of paediatric services.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials were informed by NHS Lothian during a routine performance meeting on 28 January 2015 of the potential to carry out a review of paediatric services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310639,"EventID":"S4W-30021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:48.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-21T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it awarded a contract to Ramboll Environ to investigate the environmental impact of fracking. ","AnswerText":"The procurement process for Unconventional Oil and Gas Development: Understanding and Mitigating Community Level Impacts from Transportation followed Scottish Government procurement guidelines. \r\nFurther information on Scottish Government procurement can be found via the following website:http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Procurement","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310640,"EventID":"S4W-30022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:48.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-21T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what companies submitted bids for a contract to investigate and report on the environmental impact of fracking.","AnswerText":"The procurement process for Unconventional Oil and Gas Development: Understanding and Mitigating Community Level Impacts from Transportation followed Scottish Government procurement guidelines. \r\nAECOM, DNV GL, Ramboll Environ, Ricardo AEA, and WSS Energy Consulting submitted tenders for this contract.\r\nFurther information on Scottish Government procurement can be found via the following website:http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Procurement","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310641,"EventID":"S4W-30023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:49.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-21T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what due diligence it carried out to assess the suitability of Ramboll Environ to provide independent research into the environmental impact of fracking.","AnswerText":"The procurement process for Unconventional Oil and Gas Development: Understanding and Mitigating Community Level Impacts from Transportation followed Scottish Government procurement guidelines. \r\nFurther information on Scottish Government procurement can be found via the following website http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Procurement","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310642,"EventID":"S4W-30024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:49.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-21T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many contracts it has awarded to assess the impacts of fracking.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29953 on 7 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310643,"EventID":"S4W-30025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:50.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-21T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it carries out due diligence in relation to all contracts to assess the suitability and independence of the researchers involved.","AnswerText":"Research projects are commissioned following Scottish Government procurement guidelines.\r\nFurther information on Scottish Government procurement can be found via the following website http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Procurement","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310644,"EventID":"S4W-30033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:50.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by how much the budget for Student Awards Agency Scotland-funded courses delivered elsewhere in the UK has been reduced in each year since 2011 and how much this has saved the Scottish Government.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports students based on their entitlement and overall demand, but does not have a specific budget line supporting Scottish domiciled students undertaking courses at institutions elsewhere in the UK. However, since 2011, and in line with tuition fee increases elsewhere in the UK, expenditure on fee loans has increased significantly.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310645,"EventID":"S4W-30034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:51.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many places the Student Awards Agency Scotland has funded on courses elsewhere in the UK that were not available in Scotland and how much this has cost, in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) funded postgraduate students studying eligible courses elsewhere in the UK. Part of the postgraduate funding criteria is that the equivalent course cannot be offered in Scotland.\r\nInformation on the number of Scottish domiciled undergraduate students studying in the rest of the UK, because the course was not delivered in Scotland, is unavailable. This is because funding extends to Scottish domiciled students for whichever eligible undergraduate course they elect to study in the UK. They can apply to SAAS for funding for a course elsewhere in the UK, whether or not the same course was offered in Scotland. \r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nNumber of students\r\n10\r\n5\r\n15\r\n15\r\nAmount (£ million)\r\n0.02\r\n0.02\r\n0.09\r\n0.10\r\nSource: SAAS\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Student numbers are rounded to the nearest five.\r\n2. Figures for 2015-16 are not included as they are provisional, with new applications still being accepted.\r\n3. Supported students are those receiving any form of support covering living cost loans and fees (including fee loans).","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310646,"EventID":"S4W-30036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:52.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when each NHS board was advised of its budget allocation for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"NHS territorial and special health boards were advised of their initial allocations for 2016-17 on 26 February 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310647,"EventID":"S4W-30037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:52.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards have indicated that they will be required to make savings in 2016-17, and whether it will provide a breakdown of (a) how much they plan to save and (b) what services the savings will impact on.","AnswerText":"As has been the case in previous years, all NHS boards will require to achieve efficiency savings in 2016-17. The preparation for this is at the early stages of development, with formal submissions expected as part of the local delivery planning process in advance of 1 April 2016. All NHS boards are expected to ensure that resources are spent in a way that improves the health and wellbeing of the community and delivers best value for taxpayers. It is important to note that efficiency savings are a key component of financial plans, contributing to the overall performance of NHS boards. Boards consider a range of efficiency measures with a view to identifying those that will impact positively on patient care by reducing unwarranted variation in service provision, removing waste and eliminating harm. Efficiency savings are retained locally by territorial boards for reinvestment in frontline services. The combination of increases in funding and local retention of savings, ensure priorities are safeguarded. \r\nLast year (2014-15) NHS boards delivered over £285 million of efficiency savings, equivalent to 3.1% of baseline funding. For 2015-16, NHS boards are forecasting that over £293 million of efficiency savings will be delivered, equivalent to 3.0% of baseline funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310648,"EventID":"S4W-30038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:53.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Vale of Leven Hospital has spent on locum doctors in each year since 2007, also broken down by the number of locums employed.","AnswerText":"Specific local information will be available from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde who are responsible for the planning and provision of local services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310649,"EventID":"S4W-30039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:54.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) consultants, (b) doctors, (c) nurses, (d) allied health professionals, (e) administrators and (f) other staff have been based at the Vale of Leven Hospital in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to maintaining and improving services at the Vale of Leven Hospital. We have been consistently clear that we see a bright future for the hospital, which plays a crucial role in the local healthcare system.\r\nInformation on how many (a) consultants, (b) doctors, (c) nurses, (d) allied health professionals, (e) administrators and (f) other staff have been based at the Vale of Leven Hospital in each year since 2007 is not held centrally. Specific local information will be available from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.\r\nUnder this government, staffing levels in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have increased by 916.3 WTE, or 2.8 per cent.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310650,"EventID":"S4W-30040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:55.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times clinics at the Vale of Leven Hospital have been cancelled in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde who are responsible for the planning and provision of local services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310651,"EventID":"S4W-30041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:56.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Vale of Leven Hospital staff have carried out shifts at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in (a) 2015 and (b) 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30038 on 4 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310652,"EventID":"S4W-30042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:57.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many junior doctor posts there are at the Vale of Leven Hospital and how many are vacant, broken down by how long they have been vacant.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30038 on 4 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310653,"EventID":"S4W-30043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:58.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of the financial gain that reverse vending companies could make from the introduction of a deposit return scheme for beverage containers in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I announced on 30 December 2015 the next steps the Scottish Government would be taking to explore the issues arising from Zero Waste Scotland’s call for evidence on deposit return. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310654,"EventID":"S4W-30044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:59.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of the report in The Sunday Times that the Have you Got the Bottle? campaign for the introduction of a deposit return scheme for beverage containers is funded by a multinational reverse vending company.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of the report the member mentions. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310655,"EventID":"S4W-30045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:47:59.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any of its officials or partner agencies were on the recent delegation to Oslo organised by the Have You Got the Bottle? campaign.","AnswerText":"No.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310656,"EventID":"S4W-30046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:48:00.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had meetings with representatives of the Have You Got the Bottle? campaign.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in regular dialogue with all relevant stakeholders, including supporters of the Have you Got the Bottle? campaign.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310657,"EventID":"S4W-30047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:48:00.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had meetings with (a) the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland, (b) Ramblers Scotland, (c) RSPB Scotland, (d) Changeworks Recycling or (e) FIDRA to discuss deposit return schemes for beverage containers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has met with the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland and Changeworks Recycling as part of its discussions with stakeholders on deposit return.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310658,"EventID":"S4W-30059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:48:01.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29502 by Richard Lochhead on 11 February 2016, whether COSLA is supportive of the implementation of a deposit return system for beverage containers and, if not, what concerns it has raised.","AnswerText":"COSLA’s position on deposit return is a matter for COSLA.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310659,"EventID":"S4W-30060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-22T16:48:01.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29502 by Richard Lochhead on 11 February 2016, whether it will provide details of its discussions with COSLA about deposit return systems for beverage containers.","AnswerText":"As I set out in my previous response, there have been no formal discussions with COSLA specifically concerning deposit return systems. The potential impact on local authorities from deposit return is one of the issues I identified for further exploration in my announcement on 30 December 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310661,"EventID":"S4W-30070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T11:14:39.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-23T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland’s report on Cornton Vale. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government acknowledges this report and is working with the Scottish Prison Service to build on the positive work at HMP & YOI Cornton Vale in order to take forward an action plan to implement the improvements suggested by the Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland.\r\nOn 11 February 2016, I announced plans to relocate more than half of the women from HMP & YOI Cornton Vale to suitable accommodation within HMYOI Polmont over the summer. This temporary measure will allow us to start preparations to deliver a new smaller (80 place) national prison on the site of the current Cornton Vale, due to be operational by 2020. Once the move to HMPYOI Polmont is complete, all women remaining at HMP & YOI Cornton Vale will have access to appropriate night sanitation arrangements.\r\nAlthough the inspection report highlights positive and professional relationships between prison staff and women, it also notes that some women did not have confidence in the complaints system. In order to address this, the Scottish Prison Service has commenced the rolling out of a staff training package at HMP & YOI Cornton Vale on the management of handling complaints.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310662,"EventID":"S4W-30049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T13:45:31.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it was made aware of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s plan to close ward six at the Vale of Leven Hospital.","AnswerText":"NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, who hold the responsibility for the planning and provision of local services, made the Scottish Government aware of its plans to re-provide the activity from ward six at the Vale of Leven Hospital in late November 2015, following the approval of these plans by the board's Acute Services Committee.\r\nThe redesign plans, made to ensure that services are as efficient as possible and due to be implemented in April 2016, will allow the majority of patients currently treated on ward six to be treated in the hospital’s surgical day bed unit, with extended operating hours. The remaining patients (those who require an inpatient stay) will be accommodated in the Lomond Ward at the Vale. As such, the plans will have no effect on the level of surgical service and after care received by local people at the hospital.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310663,"EventID":"S4W-30050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T13:45:32.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport agreed the plan by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to close ward six at the Vale of Leven Hospital.","AnswerText":"No: as set out in the relevant national guidance (available at: www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2010_01.pdf), only proposed major service change in the NHS is subject to ministerial approval.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310664,"EventID":"S4W-30051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T13:45:33.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it was made aware of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s plan to transfer emergency care from the Vale of Leven Hospital to the Royal Alexandra Hospital.","AnswerText":"As made clear by the statement of the Chair of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on 15 January 2016 (available at: www.nhsggc.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/news/2016/01/chairmans-statement/), there are no such formal proposals. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310665,"EventID":"S4W-30052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T13:45:35.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it was made aware of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s plan to close the children's ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30051 on 4 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310666,"EventID":"S4W-30053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T13:45:36.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it was made aware of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s plan to reduce the number of community maternity units in the west of Scotland, and whether it will take action to protect these services.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30051 on 4 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310667,"EventID":"S4W-30054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T13:45:36.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it was made aware of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s plan to make £60 million in savings, which the board announced in December 2015.","AnswerText":"NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's Local Delivery Plan for 2015-16 contains savings of £60 million within draft/final versions of the financial plan. The draft financial plan was received on 13 February 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310668,"EventID":"S4W-30055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T13:45:37.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it was made aware of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s plan to make savings of £69 million, despite an uplift in its 2016-17 budget.","AnswerText":"NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde routinely provide copies of their board papers, which for the meeting of 16 February 2016 were received on 9 February 2016. These savings are retained locally for reinvestment in frontline services and are in addition to a baseline funding uplift of £103.7 million (5.2%) for 2016-17. \r\nFor the current year 2015-16, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are forecasting that they will deliver £59.6 million of efficiency savings.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310669,"EventID":"S4W-30056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T13:45:38.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many babies born at the (a) Vale of Leven Community Midwifery Unit and (b) Royal Alexandra Hospital in each year since 2007 had parents who were resident in the Vale of Leven Hospital catchment area.","AnswerText":"Details of hospital catchment areas are not held centrally. Specific information may be available from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde who are responsible for the planning and provision of local services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310670,"EventID":"S4W-30057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T13:45:39.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people who attended the (a) Minor Injuries Unit and (b) Medical Assessment Unit at the Vale of Leven Hospital in each year since 2007 were resident in the hospital's catchment area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30056 on 4 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310671,"EventID":"S4W-30058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T13:45:40.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people from the Vale of Leven Hospital catchment area have been treated at the (a) Vale of Leven, (b) Royal Alexandra and (c) Golden Jubilee Hospital in each year since2007.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30056 on 4 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310672,"EventID":"S4W-30069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T13:45:41.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-23T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people who attended A&E at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in each year since 2007 were resident in the Vale of Leven Hospital catchment area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30056 on 4 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310673,"EventID":"S4W-30071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T13:45:42.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-23T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are guidelines for the time at which hospital patients should be woken in the morning and, if so, what these are.","AnswerText":"There is no specific NHS Scotland guidance on waking-up times, this would depend on a range of factors, such as the need to prescribe medication, meal times and observations.\r\nThe Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities includes the right that a patient should be treated as an individual, with dignity and respect and in a way that takes their needs, understanding and culture into account. However, health boards must balance individual needs and preferences with the rights of other patients, clinical judgement and the most efficient way to use NHS resources.\r\nWe would expect hospitals to take a person-centred approach to waking-up times and what matters to individuals as far as they can within the wider conditions and considerations of a specific hospital or ward.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310706,"EventID":"S4W-30072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T16:45:55.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-23T13:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on Scotland's economy, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding fiscal reform to secure the future of the oil and gas industry.","AnswerText":"The key fiscal levers that affect the sector remain with the UK Government. The Scottish Government has made repeated calls for the fiscal regime to support greater exploration, protect critical infrastructure and encourage further investment in the oil and gas sector. Most recently, the Deputy First Minister wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 12 February 2016 to outline the need for further urgent fiscal reform. \r\nThe Deputy First Minister called for:\r\nA substantial reduction in the headline rate of tax, in order to create an internationally competitive tax regime that will successfully bid for investment, improvements to accessing decommissioning tax relief and the fiscal treatment of infrastructure, which should encourage innovation and efficiency.\r\nThe removal of fiscal barriers for exploration and enhanced oil recovery, via the further refinement of the investment allowance. Additional non-fiscal support to support investment in the sector, such as government loan guarantees.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently using all of its devolved powers to help where it can. Building on actions such as the creation of the energy jobs taskforce in January 2015, the Scottish Government has recently announced a comprehensive support package for the sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310707,"EventID":"S4W-30073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T16:45:56.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-23T13:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on Scotland's economy, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the introduction of a government loan guarantee scheme to allow oil and gas supply chain companies to access finance.","AnswerText":"The Deputy First Minister wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 12 February 2016 outlining a series of measures the UK Government must consider ahead of the March budget. Along with urgent fiscal measures to reduce the tax burden, we have asked the UK Government to consider easing constraints on accessing finance, for instance through the introduction of a Government loan guarantee scheme. This scheme would improve access to working capital, ease borrowing constraints and may provide a crucial lifeline to many companies. \r\nThe First Minister also announced on 1 February 2016 that Scottish Enterprise has begun an extensive research project to analyse and understand the access to finance issues facing the oil and gas sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310708,"EventID":"S4W-30074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T16:45:57.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-23T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has held with (a) the higher education governance sector and (b) other stakeholders regarding the proposed £26 million reduction in the budget for universities, and what views have been expressed. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government engages regularly with the higher education sector, and with a wide range of relevant stakeholders. The 2016-17 draft budget allocation of over £1 billion was described in December 2015 by the Convenor of Universities Scotland, the representative body of all Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions, as “a good outcome in a time of severe financial challenges”. He went on to add that Universities Scotland “welcome the commitments expressed by Scottish Government to continuing support for an excellent, internationally competitive and widely accessible university sector”.\r\nThe Scottish Government has invested over £4 billion in the higher education sector over the last four years and, notwithstanding a very tough budget round, will continue to invest over £1 billion in our higher education institutions in 2016-17, ensuring that institutions receive financial support to enable them to deliver high quality teaching, world class research and knowledge exchange.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310709,"EventID":"S4W-30075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T16:45:57.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-23T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed £26 million reduction in the budget for universities could have on widening access to higher education for people from disadvantaged backgrounds. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is firmly committed to achieving its ambition that every child, whatever their socio-economic background, should have an equal chance of attending university. The letter of guidance to the Scottish Funding Council makes clear that there should be no diminution in efforts to widen access and our expectation that progress should be reflected in continued improvements in national measures. It is also important to recognise that there are a range of barriers and issues that affect access, many of which are not related to finance. The Scottish Government established the Commission on Widening Access to identify such issues and advise us on the steps necessary to drive further and faster progress.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310710,"EventID":"S4W-30076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T16:45:58.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-23T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed £26 million reduction in the budget for universities could have on the ability of the institutions to (a) develop technology and (b) conduct research.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has invested over £4 billion in the higher education sector over the last four years and, notwithstanding a very tough budget round, will continue to invest over £1 billion in our higher education institutions in 2016-17, ensuring that institutions receive financial support to enable them to deliver high quality teaching, world class research and knowledge exchange.\r\nThe Scottish Funding Council confirmed in their indicative funding allocations to universities for academic year 2016-17 (published 19 February 2016) that funding for core research, through the Research Excellence Grant and the Research Postgraduate Grant, would be maintained at the same level as in academic year 2015-16 (£231.8 million and £34.6 million respectively). In addition, the Scottish Funding Council is continuing to provide substantial strategic funding for research and knowledge exchange through its ambitious programme of Innovation Centres, investing up to £120 million over six years (2013-19).\r\nPromoting Scotland’s research strengths in collaboration with the business base is key to maximising opportunities and ensuring impact. The Scottish Government’s continued investment in research and the development and application of higher education research and innovation enables our universities to continue to attract research funding from a range of other sources such as UK Research Councils, Innovate UK, businesses, charities and Europe. As announced in the Scottish budget on 16 December 2015, as part of our next major reform, we will work with all our partners, including the Scottish Funding Council and universities to further align our approach to innovation, to pool funding and to simplify the innovation landscape and access to support.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310711,"EventID":"S4W-30077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-23T16:45:59.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-23T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed £26 million reduction in the budget for universities could have on the number of (a) academic and (b) non-academic staff in the higher education sector.","AnswerText":"Universities are autonomous bodies that receive income from a range of public and private sources, including the Scottish Government. Each institution is responsible for operational matters such as budget allocation and staffing.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310713,"EventID":"S4W-30078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:44:22.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-23T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of meningitis B in children there have been in each NHS board in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"The meningococcal disease enhanced surveillance system at Health Protection Scotland (HPS) captures information on all meningococcal cases reported in Scotland. Due to the small numbers involved in some NHS boards, HPS only provides national data on meningococcal disease. The following table shows the number of meningococcal disease cases by serogroup, and also those with a clinical diagnosis from 2010 to the third quarter of 2015:\r\n\r\nGroup B\r\nGroup C\r\nGroup W\r\nGroup Y\r\nOther group\r\nClinical Diagnosis\r\n2011\r\n51\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n52\r\n2012\r\n38\r\n2\r\n4\r\n8\r\n6\r\n26\r\n2013\r\n37\r\n0\r\n2\r\n8\r\n0\r\n36\r\n2014\r\n42\r\n2\r\n5\r\n12\r\n4\r\n8\r\n2015*\r\n25\r\n3\r\n14\r\n6\r\n2\r\n7\r\n*2015 are data to quarter three only","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310714,"EventID":"S4W-30079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:44:24.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-23T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been vaccinated against meningitis B in each year since 2010-11, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) private hospital/clinic.","AnswerText":"Meningococcal B (Men B) vaccination was introduced from 1 September 2015 for infants due to receive their primary immunisations starting at two months of age on or after 1 September 2015 (i.e. those babies born on or after 1 July 2015). The vaccine is offered alongside other routine immunisations at two and four months of age, with a booster dose at 12-13 months. A limited one-off catch-up programme was also delivered targeting infants born in May and June 2015 receiving other routine immunisations.\r\nTable 1 shows the number of infants born from 1 May to 31 July 2015 who received the Men B vaccine by six months of age through the national programme. Information on Men B vaccine given out-with the routine childhood immunisation schedule or in a private hospital/clinic is not held centrally.\r\nTable 1: Number of infants born 1 May to 31 July 2015 receiving Men B vaccine by six months of age by NHS Board of Residence\r\nNHS Board of Residence1\r\nNumber of infants receiving vaccine2\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n806\r\nBorders\r\n239\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n323\r\nFife\r\n844\r\nForth Valley\r\n690\r\nGrampian\r\n1,377\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n2,898\r\nHighland\r\n591\r\nLanarkshire\r\n1,663\r\nLothian\r\n2,161\r\nOrkney\r\n49\r\nShetland\r\n48\r\nTayside\r\n965\r\nWestern Isles\r\n56\r\nScotland\r\n12,710\r\nSource: Scottish Immunisation and Recall System 15 February 2016\r\nData are provisional.\r\n1. NHS boards based on the boundaries as at 1 April 2014.\r\n2. The figures presented relate to infants receiving one or more doses of the Men B vaccine by six months of age. Infants born in May 2015 would have been offered one dose of vaccine, infants born from June 2015 would have been offered two doses of vaccine.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310715,"EventID":"S4W-30080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:44:25.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-23T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to extend meningitis B vaccinations to children.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to protecting youngsters against meningitis B (Men B) which is why we launched a national Men B vaccination programme last year to tackle its effects. All children who are now aged up to nine months should have been offered the vaccine.\r\nThe Scottish Government is guided on vaccination policy by the independent expert body, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). When any new vaccination programme is introduced, there has to be a date to determine eligibility – a decision based on the best independent clinical recommendation to ensure we can protect those children most at risk of Men B. The JCVI continues to monitor all available evidence in respect of recommendations, and advice can be updated if new information or evidence becomes available. In light of the recent petition regarding Men B, the Scottish Government has written to the JCVI to ask them to consider reviewing the evidence on their current advice to determine if it should be changed. We await their response. The Scottish Government will of course consider carefully any future JCVI recommendations in respect of Men B vaccination.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310716,"EventID":"S4W-30081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:44:27.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-23T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many deaths from meningitis B there have been in each year since 2010-11, broken down by age group.","AnswerText":"This data is published by Health Protection Scotland and is available at: http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/documents/ewr/pdf2015/1535.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310717,"EventID":"S4W-30086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:44:29.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T12:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider providing a landfill tax exemption to local authorities dealing with the consequences of the recent flooding.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has provided a £16 million aid package in response to recent flooding, principally providing grants to individuals and businesses but also supporting councils with reparation costs, which may include Scottish landfill tax. \r\nThe Bellwin Scheme has also been activated. This allows ministers to provide extra revenue support to local authorities to help with the immediate and unforeseen costs in dealing with the aftermath of large-scale emergency incidents, including housing of residents and the clean-up operation.\r\nThe Scottish Government is of the view that direct support is a more effective and efficient way to facilitate the speedy clean-up of flood affected areas.\r\nWe will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with the local authorities affected.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310718,"EventID":"S4W-30087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:44:29.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T12:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to implement the recommendations in the European Union’s strategy paper on heating and cooling of 16 February 2016, in light of the possible impacts on carbon emissions, electricity consumption and job creation.","AnswerText":"The proposals set out in the European Commission’s Strategy on Heating and Cooling are already a strong match for the Scottish Government's own ambitions. These are contained in the Scottish Government’s Heat Policy Statement, which sets clear ambitions to develop new forms of low carbon heat and district heating. \r\nReducing Scotland’s heating requirement is a priority to address a range of social and economic outcomes – and to reduce Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions. The second report on proposals and policies sets out the actions the Scottish Government is taking to meet the obligations of the Climate Change Act (Scotland) 2009. It outlines plans to improve energy and resource efficiency and to expand renewable heat provision to meet a target of a 42% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. The draft third report on proposals and policies, updating the Scottish Government’s plans, will be lodged with Parliament later in 2016. \r\nThe Scottish Government made energy efficiency a National Infrastructure Priority in 2015 – and is currently developing a new Scottish Energy Efficiency Programme in line with this requirement. A pilot programme was launched earlier in 2016 http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00492710.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310724,"EventID":"S4O-05623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:57:54.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will make a decision regarding the possible electrification of the north Glasgow suburban railway line.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310725,"EventID":"S4O-05604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:57:55.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether there is a satisfactory level of support for older people in north Angus with dementia.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310726,"EventID":"S4O-05601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:57:56.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to community health services in the Clydebank and Milngavie constituency.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310727,"EventID":"S4O-05608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:57:56.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the new East Lothian Community Hospital will be fully operational by 2019 and provide at least all of the services that are currently delivered at Roodlands General Hospital.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310728,"EventID":"S4O-05621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:57:57.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the 2016-17 local government settlement will have on communities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310729,"EventID":"S4O-05595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:57:57.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in filling consultant vacancies at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in the last 12 months.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310730,"EventID":"S4O-05609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:57:58.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress NHS boards have made in recruiting extra specialist nurses and whether the resources allocated for that purpose have been fully spent. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310731,"EventID":"S4O-05605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:57:58.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what matters were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310732,"EventID":"S4O-05596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:57:59.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what average number and percentage of hospital beds was unavailable to new patients in 2015, and how this compared with the average number of bed-occupied days because of delayed discharges.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310733,"EventID":"S4O-05617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:00.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to tourism in Aberdeenshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310734,"EventID":"S4O-05600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:00.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to reduce waiting times in NHS Ayrshire and Arran.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310735,"EventID":"S4O-05613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:01.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Fife regarding the continuation of the Marie Curie Hospice at Home service.","AnswerText":"50 per cent of the Marie Curie overnight nursing service over the last year, and this will continue. In addition, over the last year, Marie Curie and the Oak Foundation have fully funded the fast track and managed care services. Discussions are underway between the Health and Social Care Partnership, Marie Curie and NHS Fife which I understand are expected to conclude by the end of this week. \r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310736,"EventID":"S4O-05610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:01.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress there has been on the review of neonatal and maternity services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310737,"EventID":"S4O-05616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:02.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will make a final decision on a deposit return scheme for beverage containers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310738,"EventID":"S4O-05599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:02.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to alleviate pressure on the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310739,"EventID":"S4O-05619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:03.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Professor Neil McKeganey's statement that Police Scotland’s decision to issue on-the-spot recorded warnings for the possession of cannabis rather than report people to prosecutors is a “massive white flag to Scotland’s drug problem.”","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310740,"EventID":"S4O-05612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:03.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will measure any improvements in the provision of palliative care in relation to its new Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care.","AnswerText":"The Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care contains a dedicated commitment to support improvements in the collection, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of data. Implementation of the strategic framework is underway and the Scottish Government will publish further details of intended future action this summer and information around how we intend to measure improvement. This will include details of further work on measures of the experience of service users, their families and carers.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310741,"EventID":"S4O-05602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:04.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent child and adolescent mental health waiting time statistics showing that around half of patients in NHS Grampian waited over 18 weeks before being seen.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310742,"EventID":"S4O-05615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:04.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Island Areas Ministerial Working Group. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310743,"EventID":"S4O-05597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:05.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-23T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training is available for health professionals to provide healthcare to people on the autistic spectrum.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310744,"EventID":"S4O-05606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:05.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in tackling delayed discharge in the NHS Grampian area.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310745,"EventID":"S4O-05624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:06.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service plans to extend the temporary presumption that all cases involving a charge of theft by housebreaking or housebreaking with intent to steal would be prosecuted on indictment rather than summary complaint.","AnswerText":"Housebreaking is a horrible crime. It can have a devastating impact on those affected and leaves people feeling unsafe in their own homes.\r\nSince the Law Officers introduced a presumption in December 2013 that housebreaking cases would go on petition, the average custodial sentence for housebreaking has increased by over two months to 382 days.\r\nWhile sentencing is always a matter for the courts, this shows that the seriousness with which the Crown views these cases has been reflected in the sentences given by the courts.\r\nI am pleased to confirm that the presumption for proceedings on indictment will continue.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Lesley Thomson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310746,"EventID":"S4O-05598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:06.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-23T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met representatives of the Dundee Integration Joint Board. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310747,"EventID":"S4O-05603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-23T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that frontline patient and carer support from alternative care providers can be maintained, in light of the reduction in local authority budgets.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310748,"EventID":"S4O-05618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:07.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on fracking.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310749,"EventID":"S4O-05611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:07.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be of offering additional training places for GPs in light of reports that 20% of such places were unfilled in August 2015. ","AnswerText":"The additional 100 GP training places is one of a number of actions we are taking to make GP training and a career in general practice more attractive. It signals our commitment to developing the medical workforce we need to deliver our vision for high quality, community based healthcare. \r\nWork has already started to expand the training capacity across Scotland, and revise the existing training programmes which this 33% increase will require. It will mean additional GPs training in the community and contributing towards improved patient outcomes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310750,"EventID":"S4O-05607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:08.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T11:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it seeks to identify and acknowledge outstanding practice and contribution in the NHS.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310751,"EventID":"S4O-05614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:08.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with the Aberdeen women's hospital and cancer care unit projects.","AnswerText":"NHS Grampian is continuing to plan the Baird Family Hospital and ANCHOR Centre in Aberdeen with the support of the Scottish Government and the Scottish Futures Trust. The planning process involves a wide range of clinical staff and public engagement. The clinical strategies for the new facilities are complete and work is proceeding on the detailed specifications and development of the designs. The planning applications for the new facilities have been submitted.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310752,"EventID":"S4O-05622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T13:58:09.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will take forward the recommendations of the Working Group on Consumer and Competition Policy for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310756,"EventID":"S4W-30083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T16:39:33.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T11:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29584 by John Swinney on 9 February 2016, in light of the proposed devolution of consumer advocacy and advice, whether it is aware of the findings of the trial that Trading Standards Scotland carried out in 2015 on call blocking technology and, if so, whether it will use these to help develop policy in this field.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of Trading Standards Scotland's recent trialling of the trueCall technology for blocking nuisance calls. Reports of the technology's effectiveness - blocking over 95% of all nuisance calls received during the trial and providing peace of mind to many vulnerable and elderly residents - are extremely encouraging. We understand that 27 of Scotland's 32 local authorities have now signed up for provision of trueCall technology. \r\nThe Scottish Government recognises that wider implementation of call blocking technology is one of a number of options available that could help reduce the volume of nuisance calls received across the country, and we will consider all of these options in developing future Scottish Government policy on consumer protection.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310757,"EventID":"S4W-30084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T16:39:34.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T11:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29584 by John Swinney on 9 February 2016, whether it will provide details of the work that it is carrying out with the UK Government and key stakeholders regarding the effectiveness of regulation in this area, and which minster is taking lead responsibility for this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is clear that current UK regulation of nuisance calls and texts is fragmented. We believe more can be done at a UK level to make the regulation and enforcement of nuisance calls work more effectively for consumers, for example – \r\nThe UK Government should seek to work with industry to introduce a mandatory code of business practice;\r\nA clear expiry date on personal consent to third party marketing should also be established; and\r\nThe terminology used in consent boxes, which indicate that the consumer has or has not agreed to receive calls or texts, is clear, fair and fit for purpose.\r\nWe will continue to work in partnership with key consumer bodies, businesses and regulators to advocate for a system that better protects consumers from unwanted calls. New consumer powers under the Scotland Bill will help us deliver our vision to create confident consumers in Scotland and markets that work for businesses and consumers. Key to this will be greater clarity for Scottish consumers on where to turn to for help and advice, as well as work with the business community to highlight the benefits of adopting customer-focused approaches. Effective data sharing on nuisance calls is essential to earlier identification of malpractice and to helping raise awareness among businesses of good practice.\r\nIssues relating to consumer protection are currently the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310758,"EventID":"S4W-30085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T16:39:35.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T11:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29488 by John Swinney on 4 February 2016, whether it conducted a privacy impact assessment on its energy efficiency policies and, if so, whether this identified a risk of increased nuisance calls.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not undertaken a privacy impact assessment on its energy efficiency policies. However, all relevant organisations involved in the delivery of our energy efficiency schemes are required to have appropriate data protection policies in place.\r\nWe are aware that there appeared to be an increase in nuisance calls about replacement boilers to households in 2015 following announcements from the UK Government on changes to their energy efficiency related schemes. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) is currently investigating a number of organisations in this sector, which appear not to have complied with the Regulations.\r\nNone of the Scottish Government energy efficiency programmes involve cold calling and I have publicly condemned nuisance callers that have been misleading customers. Households have been urged to contact Home Energy Scotland to access free impartial advice and support.\r\nThe ICO request that individuals receiving nuisance calls continue to submit their concerns.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310759,"EventID":"S4W-30088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-24T16:39:35.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) training and (b) other assistance it offers to workers from the Highlands and Islands who have lost jobs in the oil and gas sector, and whether it gives priority support to those who have skills that can be only used in that sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is using all of the levers under our control to support the oil and gas industry. We launched an enhanced Adopt an Apprentice scheme in February 2015 -which enables firms to re-employ any modern apprentice in the industry who faces redundancy. In February 2016, the First Minister announced a £12 million Transition Training Fund to support individuals and help the sector retain talent. The fund will provide support by offering grants to individuals to support redeployment through retraining and upskilling. It will also aim to help people with the costs of maintaining any licences needed to work in the sector, and develop options to enable individuals to bring their skills and expertise into teaching. \r\nThe Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) is the Scottish Government’s initiative dedicated to helping individuals and employers with the advice and support they need when faced with redundancy. Delivery of the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) is led by Skills Development Scotland with partners including Highlands and Islands Enterprise. In addition to the National PACE Team, there are 18 local PACE Teams across Scotland. The Highland PACE Partnership covers Caithness and Sutherland, Moray and Lochaber, and there is a separate team for the Western Isles, this ensures a speedy and effective responses to redundancy situations.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310760,"EventID":"S4O-05594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T09:54:52.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how it disposes of food that is left over from events and functions.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310761,"EventID":"S4O-05625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T09:54:53.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will consider improving the lighting in the Garden Lobby exhibition space to increase visibility and allow better photo opportunities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310762,"EventID":"S4W-30092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T09:58:46.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it is making available to NHS boards for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Territorial boards have been given a general allocation increase of £474 million for 2016-17, an overall average increase over the 2015-16 allocation of 5.5 per cent. This includes investment of £250 million to be directed to health and social care partnerships, to ensure improved outcomes in social care and support integration.\r\nSpecial boards’ baseline allocations have increased by 3.8 per cent.\r\nDetails of boards’ revenue resource and capital allocations for 2016-17 are provided in the following tables:\r\nRevenue Resource:\r\n\r\nGeneral\r\nTotal\r\n\r\nAllocation\r\nUplift\r\nTerritorial Boards\r\n£ million\r\n%\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n669.0\r\n5.3%\r\nBorders\r\n193.9\r\n5.3%\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n279.4\r\n5.1%\r\nFife\r\n604.3\r\n5.1%\r\nForth Valley\r\n485.2\r\n5.1%\r\nGrampian\r\n882.3\r\n6.6%\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n2,079.2\r\n5.2%\r\nHighland\r\n577.5\r\n5.0%\r\nLanarkshire\r\n1,107.0\r\n5.2%\r\nLothian\r\n1,303.4\r\n6.3%\r\nOrkney\r\n43.2\r\n4.6%\r\nShetland\r\n42.6\r\n4.5%\r\nTayside\r\n699.1\r\n5.8%\r\nWestern Isles\r\n66.6\r\n4.6%\r\nTotal\r\n9,032.6\r\n5.5%\r\nSpecial Boards\r\n\r\n\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre Board\r\n46.5\r\n1.3%\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n223.5\r\n5.4%\r\nNHS National Services Scotland\r\n293.4\r\n3.5%\r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland\r\n15.5\r\n2.2%\r\nThe State Hospital\r\n34.3\r\n0.3%\r\nNHS 24\r\n64.6\r\n3.0%\r\nNHS Education for Scotland\r\n408.7\r\n4.1%\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n18.2\r\n1.0%\r\nTotal\r\n1,104.7\r\n3.8%\r\nCapital Resource:\r\nTerritorial Boards\r\n£ million\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n8.3\r\nBorders\r\n2.4\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n3.5\r\nFife\r\n7.4\r\nForth Valley\r\n6.1\r\nGrampian\r\n12.7\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n37.4\r\nHighland\r\n6.6\r\nLanarkshire\r\n12.4\r\nLothian\r\n23.5\r\nOrkney\r\n1.0\r\nShetland\r\n1.0\r\nTayside\r\n9.5\r\nWestern Isles\r\n1.2\r\nTotal\r\n133.0\r\nSpecial Boards\r\n\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre\r\n2.7\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n1.8\r\nNational Services Scotland\r\n3.3\r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland\r\n0.2\r\nThe State Hospital\r\n0.3\r\nNHS 24\r\n0.3\r\nNHS Education for Scotland\r\n0.0\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n0.6\r\nTotal\r\n9.2\r\nIn addition to the resource allocations, there will be recurring allocations of £28.9 million which will be applied to boards’ baseline budgets in 2016-17.\r\nFurther to the capital allocations above, a further £352.3 million held centrally will be used to support infrastructure investment across the sector. This includes the non-profit distributing programme to support the new Edinburgh Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, National Blood Transfusion Centre, and the replacement Balfour Hospital in Orkney.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310763,"EventID":"S4W-30114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T12:18:48.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the options for establishing a Scottish business development bank.","AnswerText":"I have considered the context and opportunities for establishing a Scottish business development bank. The case for action, and identification of areas for progress, was described in our report, The Market for SME Finance in Scotland, published in August 2015.\r\nAs I set out on 18 January 2016 to the Finance Committee, the challenge we face is how to establish the most appropriate investment approach given the UK Government accounting arrangements within which we are required to work. Our purpose is to support the business finance market to work more effectively and ensure Scotland remains a strong, vibrant and diverse economy, creating the opportunities we need. \r\nI believe that the best approach is to enhance the remit of the Scottish Investment Bank (SIB) and for Scottish Enterprise to offer a wider range of business investment approaches to address some of the marketplace gaps to improve the supply of funding. I am grateful too for the support of Highlands and Islands Enterprise in furthering this approach.\r\nI have asked Scottish Enterprise to lead on this work and a copy of my letter, setting out the critical factors in the way ahead, has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57715).\r\nI am pleased that, despite a tough financial settlement, I have been able to use the draft budget to allocate £21.5 million of financial transactions funding to Scottish Enterprise in 2016-17 to help in developing the SIB to meet its new objectives.\r\nI have asked Scottish Enterprise to submit an outline plan before Friday 11 March 2016 for how they will take forward action during the 2016-17 year, so it can be made available to this Parliament.\r\nThe decision to enhance SIB’s remit comes alongside other moves, such as the Scottish Government’s recent launch of public procurement for a £40 million fund to provide investment to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Taken together, these are part of the broader Scottish business development bank approach, including wider Scottish Government and public agency finance initiatives for SMEs. \r\nOur approach will help to ensure support for company growth, particularly to scale up existing small companies to become the medium-sized and larger enterprises that Scotland needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310769,"EventID":"S4W-30089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:29.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action can be taken by people who had central heating installed under its Energy Assistance Package that has become damaged.","AnswerText":"Those who have had central heating installed under the Energy Assistance Package that has become damaged should contact Scottish Gas if their one year warranty is still valid. Those outwith the warranty period are responsible for the on-going maintenance of their systems.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310770,"EventID":"S4W-30090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:30.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Gas has responsibility for repairing central heating systems that were installed when it managed the Energy Assistance Package that are (a) damaged or (b) considered to have been poorly installed.","AnswerText":"Scottish Gas is only responsible for repairing damaged or poorly installed central heating systems where the one year warranty is still valid. Any customers with systems outwith that period are responsible for the on-going maintenance of their systems.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310771,"EventID":"S4W-30091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:31.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-24T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding whether VAT is payable on fees paid by owners of non-residential mobile homes to site owners.","AnswerText":"VAT is reserved and not a matter for which Scottish Ministers have responsibility.\r\nInformation related to the payment of VAT on fees at VAT-registered sites is set out in the UK HMRC VAT Notice 701/20: caravans and houseboats, from 27 December 2013, which is available using the following url: \r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-notice-70120-caravans-and-houseboats/vat-notice-70120-caravans-and-houseboats#supplies-associated-with-caravan-pitches","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310772,"EventID":"S4W-30093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:32.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the impact on jobs, what discussions it has had with the UK Government since September 2015 regarding the decision to close tax offices in Cumbernauld and East Kilbride and what assessment it has made or plans of the potential impact on the local communities.","AnswerText":"The First Minister has spoken personally with senior Whitehall officials regarding the impact of HMRC’s organisational change programme which will see the closure of smaller tax offices over a 10 year period, including Cumbernauld and East Kilbride. Much of the work will be centralised in Edinburgh and Glasgow and the estimated overall reduction in staff in Scotland is around 825. \r\nThis is a worrying situation for staff, those they serve and the local economies concerned. Throughout the duration of the programme we will work with all relevant parties at local, national and UK level, including the trades unions, in order to mitigate the impact of HMRC office closures in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310773,"EventID":"S4W-30095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:33.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) local authorities in the Central Scotland region and (b) trade unions regarding potential job losses due to local government funding reductions.","AnswerText":"I held a series of meetings with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) both in the lead up to, and following, my announcement of the 2016-17 local government finance settlement on 16 December 2015. I have also met trade union representatives from across Scotland to discuss the reported anticipated job losses.\r\nDuring these discussions I explained that the package of funding the Scottish Government is providing for the coming financial year to local government will enable councils to increase the pace of reform and improve public services to communities across the country. Taking into account the addition of the £250 million to support the integration of health and social care, next year’s reduction in local authority overall estimated expenditure is less than one per cent. I believe that such a reduction should have minimal impact on the jobs, services or the area's economy of any of Scotland's councils, including those in the Central Scotland region, as they should be able to address these challenges from a healthy base as local government funding has been rising in Scotland in recent years with core funding protected and new money provided for additional responsibilities.\r\nI also confirmed to Parliament on 24 February 2016, in the Budget Bill Stage 3 debate, that we will double the amount of funding we had planned to allocate to local authorities through the Attainment Scotland Fund over the next three years, from £80 million to a total of £160 million.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310774,"EventID":"S4W-30097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:34.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to establish a taskforce to support local government workers facing potential redundancy as a result of local government funding reductions.","AnswerText":"Like the rest of the public sector, councils face significant financial and other pressures but it is for the councils as independent bodies, accountable to their electorates, to decide how to respond to those pressures. The Scottish Government remains committed to a no compulsory redundancies policy for the Scottish Government. That policy does not apply to councils, but we hope that they can take a similar approach. \r\nTaking into account the addition of the £250 million to support the integration of health and social care, next year’s reduction in local authority overall estimated expenditure is less than one per cent. I believe that such a reduction should have minimal impact on the jobs, services or the area's economy of any of Scotland's councils as they should be able to address these challenges from a healthy base as local government funding has been rising in Scotland in recent years with core funding protected and new money provided for additional responsibilities.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310775,"EventID":"S4W-30098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:34.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress the Scottish Steel Task Force is making in securing the future of the Tata Steel plants in Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and Scottish Steel Task Force is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a sustainable future for the steel sector in Scotland. To this end, we have made significant progress in five key areas: business rates, energy costs, support for staff, environmental matters and procurement \r\nWe have legislated for a business rates relief at Dalzell and Clydebridge from 1 April 2016 up to the 2017 revaluation, in the quest to secure an alternative commercial operator for the sites, and secured from the Lanarkshire assessor a commitment to consider the state of the industry in respect of revaluation for the two sites. \r\nWe are working both to reduce the overall energy consumption at the sites and also to reduce the cost of energy, where we were pleased to see that the EU cleared the energy intensive industries compensation package which took effect from 14 December 2015.\r\nSkills Development Scotland has developed a £195,000 upskilling programme for key staff, that would safeguard the future manufacturing capability across the two locations, should a new operator be secured.\r\nOn environmental matters, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has put in place a team of specialists managed by the head of operations in the West of Scotland to ensure that any and all support and advice to Tata Steel and/or any new operator is provided in a swift and efficient manner.\r\nWe are committed to implementing measures to address the barriers preventing UK suppliers of steel from competing effectively for public sector contracts in Scotland, including in the supply chain. The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 places sustainable and socially responsible purchasing at the heart of public procurement in Scotland. We have made it clear that within that duty it will be appropriate to consider the contribution that can be made by strategically significant industrial sectors, for example steel and other manufacturing.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310776,"EventID":"S4W-30099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:35.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines there are regarding the (a) medical treatment of and (b) provision of support for people with gender dysphoria.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government issued a gender reassignment protocol to NHSScotland in July 2012. A copy of this can be obtained at the following link: http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2012_26.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310777,"EventID":"S4W-30100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:36.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T10:23:34.733","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action can be taken by people who had central heating installed under its Energy Assistance Package that they consider was poorly installed.","AnswerText":"Central heating installed under the Energy Assistance Package is inspected when installed and at the end of warranty. Customers are asked to sign inspection reports to say that they are happy with their systems. If there were any issues they would have been investigated by Scottish Gas. If there is still a one year warranty in place then customers should contact Scottish Gas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310778,"EventID":"S4W-30101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:37.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness among health professionals of transgender issues.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to equality and diversity, and that commitment extends to ensuring that these values are fully respected by and reflected in the operation of NHSScotland.\r\nOur nationally agreed Partnership Information Network (PIN) policy Embracing Equality, Diversity and Human Rights, published in December 2013, sets out a model policy http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2013/12/3747.\r\nThis policy is intended to ensure boards have awareness on this important issue and their employees comply with legislation but also to develop a culture which promotes equality, values diversity and recognises the human rights of those working within NHSScotland.\r\nIn managing employment related matters all health boards are also required to meet the Staff Governance Standards published on 21 June 2012 which commits NHSScotland employers to ensuring that all staff members are treated fairly and consistently, and that the minimum standards described in the relevant PIN policies are met or exceeded. Further details of the standards can be access from this link http://www.staffgovernance.scot.nhs.uk/.\r\nThese standards requires all NHS organisations to demonstrate that staff are treated fairly and consistently, with dignity and respect, in an environment where diversity is valued.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310779,"EventID":"S4W-30102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:38.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that health professionals are trained in transgender issues.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to equality and diversity, and that commitment extends to ensuring that these values are fully respected by and reflected in the operation of NHSScotland.\r\nOur nationally agreed Partnership Information Network (PIN) policy Embracing Equality, Diversity and Human Rights was published in December 2013. The policy clearly sets out expectations for staff training in accordance with their role and responsibilities and asks that all boards are able to demonstrate that they require all staff to participate in training. The policy is available at\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2013/12/3747.\r\nThe policy is intended to ensure boards and their employees comply with legislation but also to develop a culture which promotes equality, values diversity and recognises the human rights of those working within NHSScotland.\r\nIn managing employment related matters all health boards are also required to meet the Staff Governance Standard published on 21 June 2012 which commits NHSScotland employers to ensuring that all staff members are treated fairly and consistently, and that the minimum standards described in the relevant PIN policies are met or exceeded. Further details of the standards can be access from this link http://www.staffgovernance.scot.nhs.uk/.\r\nThe standard requires all NHS organisations to demonstrate that staff are well informed and appropriately trained and developed.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310780,"EventID":"S4W-30103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:39.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that people are fully psychologically assessed prior to gender reassignment surgery. ","AnswerText":"The gender reassignment protocol issued to NHS boards in July 2012 makes clear that regular psychotherapy and counselling should be available to patients including the need for psychological assessment to be carried prior to reassignment surgery.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310781,"EventID":"S4W-30104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:41.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have (a) requested and (b) had gender reassignment surgery in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of people requesting gender reassignment surgery is not held centrally. There have been seven gender reassignment procedures undertaken in Scotland between 2011-12 and 2014-15. Due to number of procedures being so small and to reduce the risk of disclosure of personal data it is not possible to provide the information at board level. Information on procedures carried out on Scottish patients is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310782,"EventID":"S4W-30105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:42.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of evidence suggesting that improvements in wellbeing and mental health can reduce levels of school exclusion and improve attainment, for what reason access to counselling is not available in all schools.","AnswerText":"The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) Act (Scotland) 2007 places a number of duties on local education authorities including ensuring that schools are health promoting. This includes promoting physical, social, mental and emotional wellbeing by supporting pupils to make positive lifestyle choices in relation to their health and wellbeing.\r\n\r\nAll adults who work in schools have a responsibility to support and develop mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. It is for the local authority and schools to decide how to develop their own approaches to implement curriculum for excellence, based on local needs and circumstances. Whilst an authority may wish to provide access to school based counselling in their schools, in other areas, schools utilise the skills of their pastoral care or guidance staff and liaise with health services for specialist support when required.\r\nA mental health link person is available to every school, which has been achieved in a variety of ways using various models working to meet local needs. The link worker may be a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) clinician or another speciality such as a primary care worker. However the named link person will be able to contact specialist CAMHS services for advice if they have any concerns about a pupil.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310783,"EventID":"S4W-30106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:43.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS boards in relation to alerting patients who have had a mesh procedure to its concerns.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has taken advice from a number of professionals, including the Chief Medical Officer’s medical staff, on the most effective way to communicate and support women who are experiencing complications following a mesh implant procedure.\r\nTaking account of advice, the Scottish Government considers the most effective way to help any woman experiencing complications as a consequence of mesh surgery is to develop a pathway of care designed specifically for this purpose. This is a priority for the expert group, established to take forward the recommendations contained in the independent review’s interim report.\r\nThe expert group is considering improved sources of information. These are likely to include an e-learning package for healthcare professions, which may particularly benefit GPs, the first point of contact for most women.\r\nA poster and letter advertising the mesh helpline and outlining reportable adverse events has been circulated to all health boards as well as primary care leads. The expert group is also exploring ways of improving the helpline and other support for women experiencing complications.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310784,"EventID":"S4W-30107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:44.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all NHS boards have written to every patient who has had a mesh procedure to alert them to the Scottish Government's concerns.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30106 on 8 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310785,"EventID":"S4W-30108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:44.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of the potential impact of its decision to double the large business rates supplement for 2016-17 on support from businesses for any future business improvement district ballots.","AnswerText":"The increase to the large business supplement will apply to only around 13 per cent of rateable properties. Taken together with the non-domestic rates poundage for 2016-17 this will mean a 3.4 per cent total annual increase to rates bills for those properties liable to pay the supplement, which is in line with recent overall annual increases to bills. This is fully compatible with our support for the business improvement district model, which enables local businesses to take the lead and vote on whether to pay a levy to deliver projects they have agreed with local partners which will help regenerate the local area.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310786,"EventID":"S4W-30109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:45.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any local authorities have used their new powers under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 since October 2015 to provide local discretionary business rates relief.","AnswerText":"At this early stage data is not yet available on any schemes put in place by local authorities in respect of their power to reduce business rates which took effect on 31 October 2015 under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. I look forward to innovative use of this substantial power, with councils using their local knowledge, for example, to attract new investment into town centres and help create vibrant communities where people want to live, socialise and do business.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310787,"EventID":"S4W-30110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:46.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by John Swinney on 9 February 2016 (Official Report, c.100), how it will spend the £18 million generated as a result of its superfast broadband programme; what matters were discussed and what the outcome was of its most recent meeting with (a) the four mobile network operators and (b) BT, and when Uyeasound in Unst will have access to superfast broadband.","AnswerText":"The £18 million generated as a result of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme (DSSB) will be used to extend superfast broadband coverage across Scotland. \r\nI met (a) the four UK mobile network operators on 4 December 2015, to discuss collaboration between Government and industry aimed at improving mobile coverage in Scotland; and (b) BT on 10 February 2016, to discuss broadband coverage issues and overall progress of the DSSB programme. \r\nAs part of the first phase of the DSSB project a core fibre network has been built which stretches across the Shetland mainland, and also includes a wireless links to Bressay and Whalsay. In order to reach the North Isles, including Uyeasound, alternative technology or additional subsea cabling will be required. Due to these technical challenges the DSSB and Community Broadband Scotland teams are currently exploring the most effective solution of deploying superfast broadband to Uyeasound and to similar communities in the North Isles of Orkney and Shetland. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310788,"EventID":"S4W-30115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T13:46:47.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T12:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on increasing freight on the Far North Line, in particular from distillers, timber operators and retailers, and encouraging gas traffic bound for Caithness and domestic waste being taken from the Highlands to use rail instead of road.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of the rail freight sector in moving vital goods and materials across the country in a safe and sustainable way. A transformative programme of investment in the railway infrastructure to 2019, including the dedicated £30 million Scottish Strategic Rail Freight Investment Fund will support significant improvements in the capacity and capability of the railway infrastructure for freight services.\r\nFreight traffic on the Far North Line has remained broadly stable in the last 10 years, largely based around the movement of fuel and pipes. Since 2002, the Scottish Government Freight Facilities Grant has supported the movement of 113,500 tonnes of fuel from Grangemouth to Lairg by rail rather than by road.\r\nFollowing an extensive consultation period we expect to publish Scotland's Rail Freight Strategy later this month. This will set out a number of measures to support the rail freight sector to better exploit key market opportunities across Scotland, including forestry products, fuels, waste products, whisky and broader retail traffic.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310789,"EventID":"S4W-30141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:14:55.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T16:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it is making available to integration authorities (health and social care partnerships) to support the implementation of integration and the living wage for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Territorial health boards have been given a general allocation increase of £474 million for 2016-17, an overall average increase over the 2015-16 allocation of 5.5 per cent. This includes investment of £250 million to be directed to integration authorities, to ensure improved outcomes in social care and support integration, and to deliver the joint aspiration of providing the living wage. Details of allocations to integration authorities are provided in the following table: \r\nIntegration authority\r\nComposite shares\r\nSupport for growth in social care spend\r\nSupport for living wage and other cost pressures\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\nAberdeen City\r\n3.80%\r\n4.75\r\n4.75\r\n9.50\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n3.80%\r\n4.75\r\n4.75\r\n9.50\r\nAngus\r\n2.14%\r\n2.67\r\n2.67\r\n5.34\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n1.83%\r\n2.29\r\n2.29\r\n4.58\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n0.96%\r\n1.19\r\n1.19\r\n2.39\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n3.04%\r\n3.80\r\n3.80\r\n7.60\r\nDundee City\r\n3.06%\r\n3.83\r\n3.83\r\n7.65\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n2.49%\r\n3.11\r\n3.11\r\n6.21\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n1.72%\r\n2.15\r\n2.15\r\n4.31\r\nEast Lothian\r\n1.75%\r\n2.19\r\n2.19\r\n4.37\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n1.45%\r\n1.81\r\n1.81\r\n3.62\r\nEdinburgh City\r\n8.07%\r\n10.09\r\n10.09\r\n20.18\r\nEilean Siar (Western Isles)\r\n0.66%\r\n0.82\r\n0.82\r\n1.64\r\nFalkirk\r\n2.83%\r\n3.54\r\n3.54\r\n7.07\r\nFife\r\n6.73%\r\n8.42\r\n8.42\r\n16.83\r\nGlasgow City\r\n13.31%\r\n16.64\r\n16.64\r\n33.28\r\nHighland\r\n4.28%\r\n5.35\r\n5.35\r\n10.70\r\nInverclyde\r\n1.78%\r\n2.22\r\n2.22\r\n4.45\r\nMidlothian\r\n1.44%\r\n1.80\r\n1.80\r\n3.59\r\nMoray\r\n1.61%\r\n2.01\r\n2.01\r\n4.02\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n2.91%\r\n3.64\r\n3.64\r\n7.28\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n6.51%\r\n8.14\r\n8.14\r\n16.28\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n0.43%\r\n0.54\r\n0.54\r\n1.07\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n2.62%\r\n3.27\r\n3.27\r\n6.54\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n3.51%\r\n4.39\r\n4.39\r\n8.77\r\nScottish Borders\r\n2.11%\r\n2.63\r\n2.63\r\n5.27\r\nShetland Islands\r\n0.41%\r\n0.51\r\n0.51\r\n1.02\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n2.33%\r\n2.92\r\n2.92\r\n5.83\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n6.08%\r\n7.60\r\n7.60\r\n15.21\r\nStirling\r\n1.52%\r\n1.90\r\n1.90\r\n3.80\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n1.97%\r\n2.46\r\n2.46\r\n4.92\r\nWest Lothian\r\n2.85%\r\n3.57\r\n3.57\r\n7.13\r\nTotal\r\n100.00%\r\n125.00\r\n125.00\r\n250.00\r\nSource: Scottish Government","AnswerDate":"2016-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310792,"EventID":"S4W-30116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:10.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it is providing to ensure that the global citizenship element of the learning for sustainability entitlement is delivered.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has provided the Development Education Centres with a total of £600,000 funding since 2014, in addition to £440,000 to the Eco-Schools programme, whose activities are also closely connected with global citizenship education.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310793,"EventID":"S4W-30117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:11.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that a coherent and sustained approach is taken to embedding global citizenship across schools.","AnswerText":"Global citizenship themes are woven into Curriculum for Excellence as a whole and are highly relevant to children developing each of the four capacities.\r\nSince 2014, the Scottish Government has provided financial support for the work of the six Scottish Development Education Centres (DECs). Their work includes the provision of training to teachers on a range of global citizenship topics, such as fair trade, refugees and human rights. The Development Education Centres are part of The International Development Education Association of Scotland network which includes several key non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in global citizenship matters. There is also a broad NGO community in Scotland, beyond the DECs, who work with and support schools to develop these themes.\r\nIn addition, Education Scotland provides educational resources and support for schools to help implement global citizenship across the curriculum.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310794,"EventID":"S4W-30118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:11.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the delivery of the global citizenship element of the entitlement to learning for sustainability is being assessed.","AnswerText":"The Learning for Sustainability National Implementation Group has considered how best to measure the impact of learning for sustainability and the extent to which this entitlement for learners is being met. Further details will be outlined in the final report of the group, which is currently being prepared. \r\nLocal authorities are responsible for delivery of the curriculum within their schools, including learning for sustainability and global citizenship. As with other aspects of learning, we expect local authorities, schools and practitioners to reflect on the quality of learners' experiences through their self-evaluation activities.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310795,"EventID":"S4W-30119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:12.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) funding it is providing and (b) plans it has to ensure that Scotland achieves UN sustainable development goal 4.7.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will implement Scotland’s commitment to achieve UN sustainable development goal 4.7 through its National Performance Framework and internationally through its International Frameworks. Global citizenship education in schools is also a key aspect of how this will be achieved.\r\n\r\nScottish Government has provided the Development Education Centres with a total of £600,000 funding since 2014, in addition to £440,000 to the Eco-Schools programme, whose activities are also closely connected with global citizenship education.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310796,"EventID":"S4W-30121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:13.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of and what it has learned from the report by Northern Star Associates, Interim Evaluation: Core funding of DECs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently considering the Northern Star Associates Interim Evaluation: Core Funding of Development Education Centres (DECs) report, in discussion with DECs, including implications for the work of DECs going forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310797,"EventID":"S4W-30122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:14.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many teachers received global citizenship/international education training in each local authority in 2015-16, and what the teacher/pupil ratio of that local authority is.","AnswerText":"Between April 2014 and February 2015, the Development Education Centres have worked with approximately 5000 teachers across all sectors of education to provide training on topics including global citizenship, food, rights and political literacy. They are one of several providers of training in this area, and we do not have information on every course attended by teachers. \r\nInformation on teacher/pupil ratios for all local authorities is available at table 3.3 of the Scottish Government Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland. This is available at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/SchoolEducation/Summarystatsforschools","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310798,"EventID":"S4W-30123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:15.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided for career-long professional learning/continuing professional development for teachers in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"Since 2008-09 funds previously given for specific areas such as career-long professional learning/continuing professional development under the National Priorities Action Fund have been subsumed within the general revenue grant element of the annual local government finance settlement and, as such, are not separately identifiable. It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national priorities. Separately the Scottish Government has invested £4 million since 2012 to increase the opportunities for teachers to engage with Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework level 11 learning.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310799,"EventID":"S4W-30124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:16.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and (b) Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages has had with the Ideas Network in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Information on ministerial meetings is routinely published on the Scottish Government website, and can be found at: \r\n\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/Events-Engagements/MinisterialEngagements/MinisterialEngagements","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310800,"EventID":"S4W-30125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many visits the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, (b) Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages, (c) Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, (d) Minister for Europe and International Development and (e) First Minister has made to each development education centre, broken down by year.","AnswerText":"Information on ministerial meetings is routinely published on the Scottish Government website, and can be found at: \r\n\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/Events-Engagements/MinisterialEngagements/MinisterialEngagements","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310801,"EventID":"S4W-30126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:17.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many schools in each local authority have accessed a fully-funded professional learning opportunity at a development education centre to meet the learners’ entitlement to learning for sustainability.","AnswerText":"The number of schools which have benefitted from professional learning opportunities through the Development Education Centres will be reported to the Scottish Government in spring 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310802,"EventID":"S4W-30127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:18.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that GPs are made aware of the possible danger to health of exposure to vibroacoustic factors in the workplace, particularly in the maritime industry.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29112 on 13 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nI can confirm that the Scottish Government has no plans to provide information on this matter to GPs.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310803,"EventID":"S4W-30128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:19.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of the work of Dr Nuno Castelo Branco and his finding that prolonged vibroacoustic exposure could lead to a thickening adaptation of the heart valves, pericardium and lungs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware there are researchers who have defined the condition vibroacoustic disease and undertaken research on this issue. In line with our approach to other public health issues, we receive evidence-based advice from Health Protection Scotland, our national health protection experts, and also from Public Health England. They provide the Scottish Government with expert assessment of the scientific literature available on this topic, and keep it under review.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310804,"EventID":"S4W-30129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:20.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the medical conditions known as \"soldier's heart\" and \"shellshock\" are caused at least in part by exposure to extreme vibroacoustic factors and, if so, what its position is on such exposure in the workplace.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is not aware of any scientific evidence linking Da Costa's syndrome (also known as soldier's heart) to vibration exposure. Shellshock is now clinically recognised as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its causes and treatments have been well researched in situations with and without loud sounds. The Scottish Government is not aware of any specific scientific link between PTSD and the acoustic environment. Occupational noise and vibration exposure is regulated by the Health and Safety Executive.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310805,"EventID":"S4W-30130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:21.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of the report by the Rail Safety and Standards Board, Fatigue and its contribution to railway incidents, and, if so, whether it has noted that one of Network Rail's 10 key incident factors is exposure to environmental stresses including vibrations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government takes the safety of Scotland's Railways very seriously and expects all employers to carry out their duty of care to ensure that their employees are not exposed to undue stresses or fatigue that would impair their ability to carry out their duties, so far as is reasonably practicable.\r\n\r\nThe Railway Safety Regulator - the Office of Road and Rail has the responsibility for monitoring the safety performance of Network Rail and holding them to account, with enforcement if necessary. This includes ensuring that Network Rail implements its duty of care with respect to the health of their workforce.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310806,"EventID":"S4W-30131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:22.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commission a study of the danger to health posed by exposure to vibroacoustic factors for people working on ferries that it subsidises.","AnswerText":"I can confirm that the Scottish Government has no plans to commission a study on this matter.\r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29111 on 13 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310807,"EventID":"S4W-30132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:23.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T14:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the monthly average number of people in each year since 2006-07 who reported that they had slept rough the night before they applied to be registered as homeless.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the monthly average number of homelessness applications in Scotland where a household member slept rough on the night immediately preceding the date of application.\r\nFinancial year of application\r\nThe monthly average number of homelessness applications where a household member slept rough on the night immediately preceding the date of application\r\n2006-07\r\n323\r\n2007-08\r\n286\r\n2008-09\r\n275\r\n2009-10\r\n229\r\n2010-11\r\n210\r\n2011-12\r\n163\r\n2012-13\r\n147\r\n2013-14\r\n125\r\n2014-15\r\n118\r\nSource: Scottish Government HL1 Dataset as at 25 November 2015.\r\nA further breakdown of the number of people within each application who slept rough on the night before making the application is not held centrally.\r\nFurther statistics on homelessness can be found at: www.gov.scot/homelessstats.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310808,"EventID":"S4W-30133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:24.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many radiology breast screening tests have taken place in each NHS board in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"This information is provided by Information Services Division.\r\nThe following table shows the number of screening tests1 in each NHS board for 2010-11 to 2013-14. Breast screening information for 2014-15 is due to be published in April 2016.\r\nNHS Board of Residence2,3\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n16,510\r\n13,759\r\n12,838\r\n14,885\r\nBorders\r\n4,347\r\n10,133\r\n440\r\n4,433\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n4,962\r\n7,639\r\n6,994\r\n5,192\r\nFife\r\n6,928\r\n10,323\r\n19,964\r\n7,725\r\nForth Valley\r\n17,504\r\n9,313\r\n5,159\r\n14,197\r\nGrampian\r\n17,315\r\n23,172\r\n18,306\r\n21,885\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n31,311\r\n39,267\r\n36,760\r\n31,310\r\nHighland\r\n13,238\r\n6,131\r\n19,457\r\n13,639\r\nLanarkshire\r\n20,391\r\n17,718\r\n15,702\r\n19,960\r\nLothian\r\n27,200\r\n20,210\r\n27,482\r\n26,426\r\nOrkney\r\n20\r\n4\r\n2,831\r\n24\r\nShetland\r\n2,224\r\n10\r\n3\r\n2,912\r\nTayside\r\n17,870\r\n20,648\r\n8,983\r\n19,965\r\nWestern Isles\r\n2,068\r\n1,336\r\n12\r\n2,262\r\nScotland\r\n181,888\r\n179,663\r\n174,931\r\n184,815\r\nSource: Scottish Breast Screening Programme Information System – KC62 Returns.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. All appointment types including routine, early recall and self/GP referral appointments.\r\n2. Women are invited to attend screening once every three years. Therefore, NHS board of residence areas are not necessarily screened evenly throughout the three year period.\r\n3. The NHS island boards are screened once every three years using the mobile units.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310809,"EventID":"S4W-30134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:25.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consultant radiologists there have been in each NHS board in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"We are working closely with the Royal College of Radiologists, national representatives of radiology and NHSScotland health boards to ensure we have the right number of radiologists in place now and in the future to deliver a safe service.\r\nThe number of consultant clinical radiologists across NHSScotland has increased by 52.1 whole time equivalent, or 19.2 per cent since September 2010.\r\nThe information requested is published by Information Service Division Scotland and is shown in Table 1:\r\nTable 1. Whole time equivalent of consultant clinical radiologists from 30 September 2010 to 31 December 2015.\r\nNHS Board\r\nSep-10\r\nDec-11\r\nDec-12\r\nDec-13\r\nDec-14\r\nDec-15\r\nScotland\r\n271.9\r\n282.1\r\n286.4\r\n282.6\r\n309.5\r\n324.0\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n12.0\r\n13.0\r\n16.0\r\n15.8\r\n16.6\r\n17.6\r\nNHS Borders\r\n5.0\r\n6.0\r\n6.0\r\n5.0\r\n7.6\r\n7.0\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n4.0\r\n4.6\r\n4.4\r\n4.0\r\n4.0\r\n3.6\r\nNHS Fife\r\n12.1\r\n13.1\r\n14.8\r\n12.8\r\n13.8\r\n11.2\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n12.0\r\n12.0\r\n12.0\r\n12.0\r\n15.7\r\n15.7\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n22.2\r\n25.5\r\n26.9\r\n25.8\r\n25.5\r\n25.4\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n86.5\r\n84.3\r\n84.2\r\n84.7\r\n93.3\r\n103.1\r\nNHS Highland\r\n13.5\r\n13.6\r\n14.6\r\n12.6\r\n13.4\r\n14.4\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n28.9\r\n31.0\r\n31.0\r\n31.1\r\n34.3\r\n33.8\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n46.7\r\n52.9\r\n49.9\r\n50.9\r\n55.9\r\n63.5\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n28.0\r\n25.1\r\n26.7\r\n28.1\r\n29.6\r\n28.9\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. From June 2014 a number of boards have migrated to the new national HR system e:ESS. This affects medical grade and medical specialty, changes may be seen as boards review their data during the migration process.\r\n2. The symbol “-” signifies where a figure is nil.\r\n3. Data as at 30 September 2010 used as prior to 2011, information was published on a yearly basis.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310810,"EventID":"S4W-30135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:27.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of consultant radiologist vacancies there have been in each NHS board in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"We are working closely with NHS Scotland health boards, the Royal College of Radiologists and National Representatives of Radiology to ensure we have the right number of radiologists in place now and in the future to deliver a safe service.\r\n\r\nThe number of consultant clinical radiologists across NHS Scotland has increased by 52.1 whole time equivalent (WTE) to a record high of 324.0 WTE – a 19.2 per cent increase since September 2010. Any fluctuation in vacancies is linked to our efforts to increase capacity by recruiting even more staff.\r\nDetail on the establishment of clinical radiologists is available on the Information Services Division website:–\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/data-tables.asp","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310811,"EventID":"S4W-30136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:29.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have had to wait for more than (a) two, (b) four and (c) six weeks for a radiology breast screening in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not collected centrally. \r\nMammography scans would be covered through the delivery of our overarching waiting time standard that 90% of patients are seen and treated within 18 weeks from initial referral to start of treatment, as it is important that every part of the patient pathway is as swift as possible including any diagnostic tests required.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310812,"EventID":"S4W-30137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:30.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time for a breast cancer radiography test is in each NHS board.","AnswerText":"There is no centrally held information on average waiting times for breast cancer radiography.\r\nThe Scottish Government has set two standards for patients diagnosed with cancer. The first is that patients who have been urgently referred with a suspicion of cancer or are referred from one of the national cancer screening programmes, should begin treatment within 62 days. The second standard is that all patients diagnosed with cancer, irrespective of the route of referral, should begin treatment within 31 days from the date that the decision to treat was agreed with the patient.\r\nThese standards apply to first treatments, helping to speed up the diagnostic pathway and reducing the period of uncertainty that can exist whilst trying to establish a diagnosis. While there is no centrally held information on average waiting times for breast cancer radiography these standards provide assurance to patients that the immediate cancer control measures are being started as soon as possible.\r\nBetween July to September 2015 (quarter 3 2015) 97.3 per cent of patients referred urgently with a suspicion of breast cancer had their first treatment within 62 days. In addition 96.3 per cent of all breast cancer patients received their first treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310813,"EventID":"S4W-30139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-25T16:36:32.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training and support is provided to Scottish Ambulance Service paramedics for responding to calls involving people who have mental health problems.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expect all NHS boards, including the Scottish Ambulance Service, to provide staff with the relevant training and support to allow them to help and assist patients with mental health problems. \r\nMental health is one of the modules covered in the training provided to trainee technicians which is required to be completed in order to become a fully-trained ambulance technician. During this course students are made aware of where to access guidance and support, should they have any questions or concerns during an incident that they attend. The course is followed up by a patient assessment module where the students practice some scenarios based on mental health emergencies giving them the opportunity to practice their skills in dealing effectively with such scenarios.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310817,"EventID":"S4W-30156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-26T15:49:51.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what projects have received funding through its tackling sectarianism initiatives in 2015-16, also broken down by the (a) amount awarded and (b) date the award was made.\r\n","AnswerText":"This government has provided more funding for work to tackle sectarianism than any administration before us. Our funding has supported 38 projects and a small grant programme to tackle sectarianism in 2015-16. Confirmation of awards was made on 15 January 2015 with all grants beginning on 1 April 2015.\r\n\r\nThe detailed breakdown requested for funded projects is set out in the following link.\r\nhttp://news.scotland.gov.uk/Multimedia-Library/Tackling-Sectarianism-funding-2015-16-e59.aspx\r\nAdditionally, on 12 June 2015, we confirmed that we would provide an additional £66,883 of funding for the national community justice voluntary organisation, SACRO (Safeguarding Communities – Reducing Offending) to develop its Diversion from Prosecution Service as a National Service for people who are charged under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communication (Scotland) Act 2012.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310818,"EventID":"S4W-30176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-26T15:49:52.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual economic impact is of violence against women.","AnswerText":"We do not have a definitive figure on the annual economic impact of violence against women. There is some limited research into the economic impact of particular forms of gender based violence: the Scottish Government previously published a study of the economic cost of domestic abuse, which estimated a cost of approximately £2.6 billion (2011-12); and a previous study of the economic impact of recorded crime put the cost of rape and attempted rape at £529 million (2010-11). These figures should be caveated in that they are not gendered (they reflect incidents with both female and male victims), nor do they amount to a cumulative figure due to (i) the different methodologies and evidence sources utilised and (ii) potential readacross between the two figures.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310819,"EventID":"S4W-30177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-26T15:49:53.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual economic impact would be of (a) increasing the number of women in employment and (b) tackling gender segregation. ","AnswerText":"Scotland reached record levels of female employment in 2015 and the female employment rate currently stands at 71.8 per cent compared to 69.1 per cent in the UK as a whole. Boosting female participation further could increase the productive capacity of the economy, lower income inequality and raise more in tax revenues. It could also have numerous spill-over benefits, which would boost productivity in the Scottish economy.\r\nHowever, women are still more likely to work in low paid, part time jobs. Occupational segregation has negative economic effects because it channels people into certain types of work based on gender rather than skills and experience. The Scottish Government is working with partners including Close the Gap, Equate Scotland and CareerWise to tackle this and encourage change in workplace culture, recruitment and working practices. During 2015-16, we have provided £610,000 to support this work.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310820,"EventID":"S4W-30178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-26T15:49:54.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-30092 and S4W-30141 by Shona Robison on 26 February 2016, what the revenue allocation is for each board after deducting their share of the (a) £250 million integration fund and (b) £16 million required to make up the shortfall in alcohol and drug partnership funding and (c) funding being provided to meet the target for treating hepatitis C.","AnswerText":"Details of NHS boards’ revenue resource and capital allocations for 2016-17, and details of allocations to integration authorities, are provided in the answers to questions S4W-30092 and S4W-30141.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310821,"EventID":"S4W-30179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-26T15:49:55.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-30141by Shona Robison on 26 February 2016,  how much will (a) private and (b) third sector providers have to find to make up the remaining 25% to meet payments for paying at least the living wage to social care staff, including any additional increase in employers' national insurance and pension contributions. ","AnswerText":"It is expected that local authorities will work closely with care providers to assess the investment required to ensure payment of the living wage. We are allocating a significant resource towards this shared policy objective and - as per the agreement made with councils this year - it is anticipated that the cost of meeting the living wage will be a shared endeavour between the Scottish Government, councils and providers.\r\n\r\nIn correspondence to chief executives of local authorities, regarding the local government settlement, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy has said that this investment assumes that private and third sector providers will meet their share of the costs. However, this did not stipulate a specific contribution expected from providers.\r\nThis builds on the shared agreement from this year, 2015-16, which delivered the additional uplift in the National Care Home Contract to support progress on tackling low pay.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310822,"EventID":"S4W-30180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-26T15:49:56.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains its position that treating chronic pain is a priority and, if so, whether all NHS boards must have local or integrated joint board delivery plans.","AnswerText":"Chronic pain remains a ministerial priority, and the Scottish Government expects all NHS boards and Integration Joint Boards to deliver chronic pain management services that are appropriate to the needs of their local population, taking into account national guidance, local service requirements and priorities for investment.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310823,"EventID":"S4W-30181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-26T15:49:57.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason applications for 16B funding under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 have not opened for 2016-17 and organisations have not been given notice if the system has changed. ","AnswerText":"In 2016-17, commitments already made for organisations in year two or three of existing project funding are being honoured and grantees are aware of that. Over the next few months, the Scottish Government will be reviewing the annual funding scheme to consider how funding might be more closely aligned to current health support or health promotion policy priorities which contribute to the achievement of our national outcomes.\r\nThe latest information on Section 16b grant funding is available on the Scottish Government Section 16b Grant Scheme web-page, which can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Support-Social-Care/Financial-Help/16bGrants.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310824,"EventID":"S4W-30182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-26T15:49:58.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made on the impact of third sector bodies having to issue redundancy notices as they have not received confirmation of whether their annual government support will be renewed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the third sector to play a full role in meeting the Scottish Government’s purpose and also to make an important contribution to public service reform. A variety of funding approaches are taken, and wherever possible, the Scottish Government aims to notify organisations of the outcome of funding applications well in advance of the start of the funding year. All funding is, however, time limited, and subject to consideration of current priorities and the outcomes we are trying to achieve.\r\nOn this occasion, however, the Scottish Draft Budget was published much later than usual due to the timing of the UK Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review. As a result, there are some instances where the process for initiating the funding allocations for 2016-17 has started later. We are doing what we can to minimise any impact which this has on the valuable work which the third sector does.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310825,"EventID":"S4W-30184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-26T15:49:59.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the pathway is for patients who are (a) admitted and (b) not admitted to a residential unit for aftercare.","AnswerText":"Wherever possible we want older people to be discharged back home, with appropriate care and support, if needed. Partnerships are now taking a discharge to assess approach. This involves an initial risk assessment in hospital, followed up by a more comprehensive assessment in the comfort of the person's own home. This has proved extremely successful in the Glasgow area, and other partnerships are now following suit.\r\nMany patients can benefit from further time to recover, before any decisions about long-term care are made. In these cases, the multi-disciplinary team will assess whether the patient would benefit from a period of step-down care in a community setting, such as a care home, or community hospital. This gives the patient an opportunity to recover in a more homely setting. No patient should be admitted to long term residential care directly from an acute setting.\r\nFor some patients the only option will be long term nursing care in a care home. Anyone requiring long term residential care has the right to choose where that is provided. The Scottish Government issued revised Guidance on Choosing a Care Home on Discharge from Hospital in 2013 \r\n(www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2013_32.pdf). This guidance and underpinning directions state that the patient family or proxy should identify a preferred home(s) of choice suitable to meet the assessed needs of the patient. Where a preferred choice is not immediately available then the patient will be discharged to another suitable home to wait for their preferred choice to become available.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310826,"EventID":"S4W-30185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-26T15:50:00.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evaluation has been carried out of the outcomes for the first group of patients at the in-patient pain unit at Gartnavel Hospital; when the findings will be published, and whether it will carry out an evaluation of outpatient experiences.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to continually audit the performance of the Scottish National Chronic Pain Management Programme (SNCPMP) and provide NHS National Services Scotland’s National Services Division (NSD) with bi-annual reports. NSD are responsible for the planning, procurement and performance management of all nationally-designated specialist services in Scotland.\r\n\r\nThe first residential programme at the SNCPMP commenced on 2 November 2015 with nine patients. This has now been completed, and whilst not a formal evaluation, patient feedback shows that participants rated it highly (100% of the cohort would recommend and 81% noted it as helpful). A second cohort of patients was scheduled to commence the programme on 8 February 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310827,"EventID":"S4W-30186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-26T15:50:01.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there is no third-sector representation on the ministerial working group on chronic pain.","AnswerText":"As part of its remit, the ministerial steering group (MSG) on chronic pain provides advice, direction and governance support to the National Chronic Pain Improvement Group (NCPIG) based on a report produced specifically for the MSG following each meeting of the national group. Additionally, the chair of the NCPIG is a member of the MSG. As the NCPIG includes representation from four third sector organisations, it is expected that their members would feed in to the strategic discussions taking place at the MSG via these two methods.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310831,"EventID":"S4T-01334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T12:33:44.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that 67% of colleges had committed all of or more than their bursary budget by December 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310832,"EventID":"S4T-01339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T12:33:50.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for Scotland to become a Good Food Nation by 2025. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310833,"EventID":"S4T-01341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T12:33:52.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the named person scheme in light of recent reports that the Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman has raised concerns.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310834,"EventID":"S4F-03266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T12:33:13.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T20:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310835,"EventID":"S4F-03267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T12:33:14.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310836,"EventID":"S4F-03268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T12:33:15.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-28T19:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government has done to encourage people to access modern apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310837,"EventID":"S4F-03269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T12:33:15.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the BBC's proposal to introduce a \"Scottish Six\" news programme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310838,"EventID":"S4F-03270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T12:33:16.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310839,"EventID":"S4F-03274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T12:33:20.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government is doing to ensure that young people with neurological conditions receive appropriate care.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310840,"EventID":"S4W-30142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:31.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role it has in relation to the UK-wide National Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Data Centre database.","AnswerText":"Ministerial responsibility for the National Automatic Number Plate Recognition Data Centre lies with the Home Secretary.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310841,"EventID":"S4W-30143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:32.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-30070 by Michael Matheson on 24 February 2016, what its position is on the chief inspector’s comment in the HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland’s report on Cornton Vale prison that the issue with access to toilets \"needs to be remedied immediately\".","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n\r\nOn 11 February 2016, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice announced plans to relocate more than half of the women from HMP and YOI Cornton Vale to suitable accommodation within HMYOI Polmont over the summer.\r\nProject teams are already in place and work is underway to scope out the activities required and the various work streams to support the relocation of women to HMYOI Polmont.\r\nThis timescale allows appropriate planning to take place to ensure that there is a full regime of purposeful activities in place that will meet the women’s needs. There will also be a requirement to support the ongoing work to develop a trauma informed approach and ensure any gender specific changes to the environment within HMYOI Polmont are made.\r\nOnce the move to HMYOI Polmont is complete, all women remaining at HMP and YOI Cornton Vale will have access to appropriate night sanitation arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310842,"EventID":"S4W-30144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:33.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason conditions in Cornton Vale prison identified in the 2010 HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland report had not been improved prior to the inspection reported in the 2015 report.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n\r\nIn the 2012 Follow Up Inspection of HMP and YOI Cornton Vale, the then inspector reported that there had been good progress in terms of night sanitation and access to toilets had improved. He noted that the arrangements were acceptable.\r\nIn the 2015 Inspection report, Mr Strang, the current inspector, reports that significant progress has been made since the earlier inspections [2009,2011,2012] and assesses that Cornton Vale is no longer in a state of crisis. The Inspector acknowledges the substantial investment in the prison in terms of the updated accommodation for women and the new family centre and help hub. He reports that the females feel safe and that relationships between staff and those in our care are positive and professional, adding that these relationships help form the basis of the caring atmosphere at HMP and YOI Cornton Vale.\r\nMr Strang also reported in his 2015 inspection that the arrangements for night sanitation are no longer appropriate. The recent announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice means that this will no longer be an issue by the end of summer 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310843,"EventID":"S4W-30145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:33.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the description of the conditions at Glasgow Sheriff Court in the recent HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland report on Cornton Vale prison; whether it plans to improve conditions at the court, and how it will ensure that similar conditions are not present at other courts.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that public services are high quality, continually improving, efficient and responsive to local people's needs.\r\n\r\nThe maintenance of court buildings is the responsibility of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) who are currently undertaking cell redecoration work in Glasgow Sheriff Court as part of a programme of planned maintenance, which is expected to be completed by the end of March 2016. SCTS will also write to the member with further details regarding the custody facilities at Glasgow Sheriff Court.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310844,"EventID":"S4W-30148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:34.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that Police Scotland might cancel its contract with Accenture to deliver its new operational policing IT system.","AnswerText":"The i6 programme, which will deliver significant benefits across Police Scotland is currently under review between Police Scotland, Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Accenture.\r\n\r\nFurther work has been commissioned on a range of options for reconfiguring the programme and no decisions have yet been made on those options.\r\nThe issues identified were a result of the scrutiny applied by the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland and a robust contract that has held the supplier to account. The i6 Programme has been robustly managed by SPA; Audit Scotland has commented favourably on the contract management arrangements Police Scotland has in place for i6.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310845,"EventID":"S4W-30149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:35.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many number plate records have been registered by automatic number plate recognition cameras in each year since 2011-12 and how many of those are currently retained by public bodies in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras are operated by Police Scotland to help detect, deter and disrupt criminality. Any such information relating to the police use of ANPR technology is held by Police Scotland, not the Scottish Government. ANPR technology is also operated by Transport Scotland within a number of its camera systems for journey time calculation and detecting overweight vehicles. No formal register of number plate records is currently retained.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310846,"EventID":"S4W-30150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:35.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many number plate records registered by automatic number plate recognition cameras are available to public bodies in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30149 on 10 March 2016.\r\n\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310847,"EventID":"S4W-30151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:36.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions data from automatic number plate recognition cameras has led to someone in Scotland being charged with an offence in each year since 2011-12, broken down by offence.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310848,"EventID":"S4W-30152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:36.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many automatic number plate recognition cameras there are in Scotland; how much it has cost to (a) install and (b) maintain them, and how many were paid for from public funds.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310849,"EventID":"S4W-30153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:37.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) records are input into the UK-wide National ANPR Data Centre database and for what purpose.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310850,"EventID":"S4W-30154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:38.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it has regarding the (a) efficiency and (b) effectiveness of automatic number plate recognition cameras.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310851,"EventID":"S4W-30155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:38.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the statutory basis for the creation of the National Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Data Centre and what legislation governs the (a) retention and (b) use of ANPR records.","AnswerText":"Ministerial responsibility for the National Automatic Number Plate Recognition Data Centre (NADC) lies with the Home Secretary. Police Scotland has access to NADC and also shares data from its own network of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras with NADC. ANPR information must be retained and used in compliance with all relevant legislation and procedures. The legislation that is relevant would depend on the particular circumstances, but the principal legislation relating to the retention and use of ANPR records in Scotland is the Data Protection Act 1998, the Human Rights Act 1998, the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310852,"EventID":"S4W-30173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:39.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27538 by Alex Neil on 29 September 2015, what changes it has made to the funding arrangements for 2016-17 for the (a) Equality Fund, (b) Violence Against Women and Girls Fund, (c) Children’s Services Women’s Aid Fund and (d) Rape Crisis Specific Fund.","AnswerText":"In the main, the funding process for the (a) Equality Fund, (b) Violence Against Women and Girls Fund, (c) Children’s Services Women's Aid Fund and (d) the Rape Crisis Specific Fund in 2016-17 has remained largely the same as that in 2015-16, and the criteria under which organisations can apply for funding have only been slightly amended. More information on funding under the Equality Budget 2016-17 can be found here:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Equality/Funding/263536.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310853,"EventID":"S4W-30174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:39.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will announce how it will allocate funding for the (a) Equality Fund, (b) Violence Against Women and Girls Fund, (c) Children’s Services Women's Aid Fund and (d) the Rape Crisis Specific Fund for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"There is no set date for announcing the successful recipients of funding for the (a) Equality Fund, (b) Violence Against Women and Girls Fund, (c) Children’s Services Women's Aid Fund and (d) the Rape Crisis Specific Fund in 2016-17 as there are a number of factors to take into consideration which could affect this date. Applicants will be notified some weeks in advance of the start of the funding period (1 July 2016).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310854,"EventID":"S4W-30201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:40.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T14:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering developing measuring tools other than consultation rates for GP services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, working collaboratively with NHS National Services Scotland, is developing the Scottish Primary Care Information Resource (SPIRE). This will enable the extraction of data from GP practices where those practices agree to participate. SPIRE is being deployed across Scotland during 2016-17.\r\nThe project benefits are expected to encourage practices and patients to participate, thus enabling NHS organisations and approved researchers to use SPIRE in ways that can help everyone in Scotland. For example:\r\nSupporting research into new treatments;\r\nPlanning services and care for patients with particular conditions;\r\nResponding to major public health issues like a flu epidemic;\r\nImproving the provision of health and care to vulnerable groups; and\r\nDeveloping knowledge about the uptake of medicines.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310855,"EventID":"S4W-30202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:41.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T14:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people aged over 65 have been diagnosed with diabetes in each year since 2010-11, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nHowever, data on the number of people aged 65 and over who are living with diabetes, broken down by NHS board, and the total number of people aged 60 and over diagnosed with diabetes in each year since 2010 is published annually in the Scottish Diabetes Survey. The survey can be accessed at:\r\nhttp://www.diabetesinscotland.org.uk/Publications.aspx?catId=3.\r\nThe most recent survey data was published in 2014. The report for 2015 is due to be published in the spring of 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310856,"EventID":"S4W-30203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:42.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T14:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the percentage breakdown of new doctors by specialism in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"The number of doctors in training in NHSScotland has increased by 526.9 whole time equivalent, or 10.0 per cent, since September 2010. \r\nFurther detail on doctors in training is available on the Information Services Division Scotland website – http://www.isdscotland.org.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310857,"EventID":"S4W-30204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:43.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T14:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to develop a recording system for unmet need in GP services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government captures unmet need in two main ways:\r\n1) Unmet need in treatment\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that anyone contacting their GP surgery has guaranteed access to a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional within 48 hours.\r\nThe performance measure for this standard is measured by the Health and Care Experience Survey.\r\nA further standard on advance booking measures the percentage of patients reporting that they could book more than two days in advance.\r\nThe performance measure for this standard is also measured by the Health and Care Experience Survey.\r\n2) Unmet need at a population level\r\nThe entrenched differences in health outcomes across the Scottish population are well documented and the Scottish Health Survey supplements detailed morbidity and mortality data collected by NHS Scotland.\r\nThere are no plans to develop further recording systems for GP services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310858,"EventID":"S4W-30205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:44.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T14:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many GPs with a higher research degree there have been in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally however this information may be available from The Royal College of General Practitioners.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310859,"EventID":"S4W-30206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:45.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T14:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how it promotes and (b) what incentives it provides for GPs to carry out further clinical academic research.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is promoting clinical academic research by general practitioners through annual funding (£381k in 2015-16) via the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) for the Scottish Primary Care Research Network that supports high quality primary care research in Scotland. The Scottish Government is also investing £1.25 million from 2015-16 to 2017-18 in the Scottish School of Primary Care that encourages and co-ordinates research and training in primary care.\r\nOpportunities for general practitioners in Scotland to apply for research funding are provided through CSO’s response mode research grant schemes and clinical academic fellowship schemes and through CSO funding of Scottish participation in National Institute for Health Research programmes of research.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310860,"EventID":"S4W-30207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:46.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T14:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what tools it has developed to measure multimorbidity in GP practices.","AnswerText":"The Practice Team Information (PTI) dataset of GP practices captured READ diagnostics codes for individual patients that provide an insight into multimorbidities. The PTI dataset was a survey of around 70 practices that ran until 2012-13.\r\nThe Scottish Government, working collaboratively with NHS National Services Scotland, is developing the Scottish Primary Care Information Resource (SPIRE) to replace PTI. This will enable the extraction of data from GP practices where those practices agree to participate. SPIRE is being deployed across Scotland during 2016-17.\r\nSPIRE is able to extract all relevant available data from GP practices, including diagnostics and drugs codes and thus provide information on multimorbidity.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310861,"EventID":"S4W-30208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:47.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take within the curriculum for excellence to ensure that young people have a better understanding of mental health.","AnswerText":"The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) Act (Scotland) 2007 places a number of duties on local education authorities including ensuring that schools are health promoting. This includes promoting physical, social, mental and emotional wellbeing by supporting pupils to make positive lifestyle choices in relation to their health and wellbeing.\r\n\r\nAll adults who work in schools have a responsibility to support and develop mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. It is for the local authority and schools to decide how to develop their own approaches to implement Curriculum for Excellence, based on local needs and circumstances.\r\nThe experiences and outcomes describe the expectations for learning and progression in all areas of the curriculum. Under the experience and outcome (HWB 06a), teachers must ensure that children and young people understand the importance of mental wellbeing and that this can be fostered and strengthened through personal coping skills and positive relationships. Children and young people should have an understanding that there is support available to them if they need it.\r\nA mental health link person is available to every school and this has been achieved in a variety of ways using various models working to meet local needs. The link worker may be a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) clinician or another speciality such as a primary care worker. However the named link person will be able to contact specialist CAMHS services for advice if they have any concerns about a pupil.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310862,"EventID":"S4W-30209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:48.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities to address LGBTI-phobia in schools.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government takes bullying very seriously. Bullying of any kind, including homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, is unacceptable and must be addressed whenever it arises.\r\n\r\nWe want all children and young people to be free from discrimination, so that they can learn and reach their full potential. The Scottish Government launched ‘A National Approach to Anti-bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People’ in 2010. The approach forms part of our wider attempts to improve the health and wellbeing of our children and young people. There have been many policy developments since the publication of the national approach and a working group was established in January 2015 to refresh the approach which included Stonewall Scotland and LGBT Youth Scotland. The purpose of the refreshed national approach is to communicate and promote a common vision and aims to make sure that work across all sectors and communities is consistently and coherently contributing to a holistic approach to anti-bullying, including prejudice-based bullying in Scotland. The guidance will be published in spring 2016.\r\nTo support this we have established and wholly fund respectme, a national anti-bullying service, to build confidence and capacity to address all types of bullying effectively, aligned to the National Approach. respectme provide direct support to local authorities, schools, youth groups and all those working with children and young people and is jointly managed by SAMH and LGBT Youth Scotland.\r\nEducation Scotland also continue to provide support around promoting positive relationships with children and young people, which includes providing support and resources for schools around anti-bullying strategies.\r\nWe funded LGBT Youth Scotland to develop a toolkit - Dealing with Homophobia and Homophobic Bullying in ScottishSchools (2009) to support teachers in recognising, challenging, and reducing homophobia and homophobic bullying in their schools; and we will be working with the relevant partners to update this toolkit to ensure it remains current and continues to support teachers and children and young people.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310863,"EventID":"S4W-30210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-02-29T16:49:48.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it issues on LGBTI issues for people undertaking teacher training. ","AnswerText":"The Standards for Registration, which are set by the General Teaching Council for Scotland, require teachers to commit to the principles of democracy and social justice through fair, transparent, inclusive and sustainable policies and practices in relation to the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010. Further, part 5 of the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s (GTCS) Code of Professionalism and Conduct on Equality and Diversity requires teachers to engage and work positively with pupils, help pupils understand different views, perspectives and experiences and develop positive relationships as well as recognise that they are role models. \r\nThe Scottish Government very much advocates training around relationships, sexual health and parenthood education and would encourage local authorities and schools to provide training for their teachers. We encourage organisations who offer training on LGBTI issues to contact schools and local authorities directly.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310878,"EventID":"S4W-30231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T13:48:47.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its response to the Commission on Local Tax Reform.","AnswerText":"I can confirm that the details of our plans on local taxation have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib number 57721).\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310913,"EventID":"S4W-30157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:08:51.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget is for the (a) less favoured area support, (b) agri-environment climate and (c) Scottish suckler beef support scheme and when it will begin payments.","AnswerText":"Budget and payment timetable information relating to the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme and the Agri- Environment Climate Scheme are available on-line at: https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/all-schemes/\r\nThe 2015 budget for the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) is £32.7 million. SSBSS forms part of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and payments for this will be made in line with the current (BPS) timetable.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310914,"EventID":"S4W-30158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:08:52.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether payments from the crofting counties agricultural grant scheme are being delayed because of problems with processing area payment applications and, if so, what action it is taking.","AnswerText":"Payments for this scheme are not calculated using the IT that supports the Basic Payments Scheme and are therefore not affected by IT issues however we have recruited additional staff to give greater capacity in dealing with all common agricultural policy payments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310915,"EventID":"S4W-30159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:08:53.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its common agricultural policy area payment budget has been top-sliced to pay for the area payment computer system and, if so, what the average cost has been to applicants, expressed as a percentage of the amount due.","AnswerText":"The common agricultural policy area payment budget has not been top-sliced to pay for the area payment computer system.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310916,"EventID":"S4W-30160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:08:53.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its common agricultural policy area payment scheme computer system is now fully operational.","AnswerText":"It has always been envisaged that the rural payments and services IT system would be delivered in phases however, payments are currently being made in accordance with the European Union common agricultural policy window which closes on 30 June 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310917,"EventID":"S4W-30161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:08:54.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many crofters in (a) Skye and (b) the rest of the country have (i) applied for and (ii) received basic payment scheme funding.","AnswerText":"The basic payment scheme application form does not ask applicants to specifically define themselves as crofters and it is therefore not possible to give a definitive answer to this question however I can advise that as of 23 February 2016, payments have been made to 2452 businesses based within area offices covering crofting counties, 157 of which are located within the area covered by the Portree local area office. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310918,"EventID":"S4W-30163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:08:55.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much basic payment scheme funding has been awarded to crofters, and what proportion of the scheme's budget this represents.","AnswerText":"The Basic Payment Scheme application form does not ask applicants to specifically define themselves as crofters and it is therefore not possible to give a definitive answer to this question however I can advise that as of 23 February 2016, payments have been made to 2452 businesses based within area offices covering crofting counties. The total value of these payments is £13,170,898.72 which equates to 14.3% for the total amount paid so far.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310919,"EventID":"S4W-30164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:08:55.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many crofters have (a) applied and (b) received payment for common grazing shares under the basic payment scheme, and whether problems with processing applications have led to a delay.","AnswerText":"We are currently processing all of the outstanding land issues including common grazing. The information is not yet complete and we are therefore unable to give a response to this question at the moment.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310920,"EventID":"S4W-30166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:08:56.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many additional staff it has recently recruited or redeployed to offices in crofting areas to help process rural payments.","AnswerText":"The rural payments and inspections division have recruited 36 additional staff in order to help speed up processing and payments. The location of each of these staff members is shown on the following table:\r\n\r\nOffice\r\nStaff Recruited\r\nAyr\r\n2\r\nHamilton\r\n0\r\nDumfries\r\n3\r\nGalashiels\r\n4\r\nInverness (including Portree)\r\n9\r\nInverurie\r\n4\r\nElgin\r\n2\r\nKirkwall\r\n2\r\nLerwick\r\n1\r\nGolspie\r\n1\r\nThurso\r\n1\r\nOban\r\n2\r\nStornoway\r\n2\r\nBenbecula\r\n1\r\nTiree\r\n0\r\nPerth\r\n2\r\nTotal\r\n36","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310921,"EventID":"S4W-30168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:08:57.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-25T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of single farm payment applications in each parliamentary region that have been approved (a) has been paid and (b) is awaiting payment, also broken down by the average (i) value of the payment and (ii) holding size of the farm.","AnswerText":"I can provide some information on the regional breakdown of the Basic Payment Scheme. The information requested is not categorised by parliamentary region and I am therefore supplying the best alternatives I can at present which is the information relating to each rural payments and inspections division local area office as at 24 February 2016.\r\nArea Office\r\nNumber of Payments\r\nValue\r\nLargest Payment*\r\nSmallest Payment*\r\nAverage Payment*\r\nAyr \r\n1,084\r\n£14,046,734.23\r\n£222,802.80\r\n£0.39\r\n£12,958.24\r\nBenbecula\r\n221\r\n£244,288.00\r\n £6,742.62\r\n£47.10\r\n£1,105.38\r\nDumfries\r\n834\r\n£12,911,541.07\r\n £       198,189.30\r\n£149.65\r\n£15,481.46\r\nElgin\r\n118\r\n£ 1,086,185.83\r\n £        38,975.57\r\n£208.86\r\n£8,937.54\r\nGalashiels\r\n763\r\n£13,571,343.43\r\n£161,093.26\r\n£26.72\r\n£17,786.82\r\nGolspie\r\n213\r\n£736,584.25\r\n£30,537.83\r\n£20.60\r\n£3,458.14\r\nHamilton\r\n514\r\n£5,710,533.42\r\n£77,913.38\r\n£231.51\r\n£11,109.99\r\nInverness\r\n625\r\n£4,146,111.32\r\n£83,103.55\r\n£59.96\r\n£6,633.78\r\nInverurie\r\n1,278\r\n£13,707,110.37\r\n£132,320.70\r\n£183.63\r\n£10,725.44\r\nKirkwall\r\n382\r\n£3,133,959.32\r\n£64,504.41\r\n£142.31\r\n£8,204.08\r\nLerwick\r\n447\r\n£1,065,102.13\r\n£25,049.55\r\n£45.39\r\n£2,382.78\r\nOban\r\n526\r\n£3,396,720.34\r\n£51,323.84\r\n£53.23\r\n£6,457.64\r\nPerth\r\n1,248\r\n£17,020,218.05\r\n£247,228.84\r\n£13.29\r\n£13,637.99 \r\nPortree\r\n157\r\n£372,917.75\r\n£26,005.67\r\n£104.40\r\n£2,375.27\r\nStornoway\r\n216\r\n£176,132.59\r\n£4,691.28\r\n£75.53\r\n£815.43\r\nThurso\r\n452\r\n£3,623,706.90\r\n£85,566.88\r\n£167.34\r\n£8,017.05\r\nTotal/Averages*\r\n9,078\r\n£94,949,189.01 \r\n£91,003.09 \r\n£95.62 \r\n\r\n£8,130.44 \r\n\r\nThe average holding size of holdings paid is 120.3 hectares.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310922,"EventID":"S4W-30211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:08:57.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T17:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the median gross weekly earnings of full-time employees in (a) Dundee, (b) Aberdeen, (c) Angus and (d) Aberdeenshire in each of the last five years for which information is available, broken down by age group.","AnswerText":"The requested information is presented in the following tables:\r\nMedian gross weekly earnings (£), full-time employees, 2015\r\n\r\n16-24\r\n25-34\r\n35-49\r\n50-64\r\n65+\r\nAberdeen City\r\n448.80\r\n579.41\r\n703.63\r\n666.08\r\n639.38\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n333.90\r\n576.47\r\n549.66\r\n553.77\r\n429.21\r\nAngus\r\n281.43\r\n385.31\r\n534.12\r\n426.21\r\n-\r\nDundee City\r\n314.00\r\n457.87\r\n542.92\r\n578.55\r\n417.81\r\nMedian gross weekly earnings (£), full-time employees, 2014\r\n\r\n16-24\r\n25-34\r\n35-49\r\n50-64\r\n65+\r\nAberdeen City\r\n385.54\r\n632.51\r\n696.70\r\n669.38\r\n725.83\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n328.92\r\n534.81\r\n577.58\r\n602.75\r\n353.34\r\nAngus\r\n317.84\r\n440.64\r\n472.00\r\n411.77\r\nx\r\nDundee City\r\n368.49\r\n464.35\r\n529.75\r\n566.99\r\n432.89\r\nMedian gross weekly earnings (£), full-time employees, 2013\r\n\r\n16-24\r\n25-34\r\n35-49\r\n50-64\r\n65+\r\nAberdeen City\r\n358.87\r\n588.18\r\n658.70\r\n629.27\r\nx\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n371.50\r\n479.22\r\n570.53\r\n528.70\r\n304.5\r\nAngus\r\n340.42\r\n462.92\r\n462.24\r\n391.07\r\n-\r\nDundee City\r\n303.84\r\n479.27\r\n535.05\r\n504.72\r\n-\r\nMedian gross weekly earnings (£), full-time employees, 2012\r\n\r\n16-24\r\n25-34\r\n35-49\r\n50-64\r\n65+\r\nAberdeen City\r\n374.48\r\n543.34\r\n639.32\r\n655.32\r\nx\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n325.74\r\n498.44\r\n545.34\r\n516.42\r\nx\r\nAngus\r\n293.28\r\n473.17\r\n515.32\r\n391.35\r\n-\r\nDundee City\r\n269.73\r\n452.87\r\n519.88\r\n511.24\r\nx\r\nMedian gross weekly earnings (£), full-time employees, 2011\r\n\r\n16-24\r\n25-34\r\n35-49\r\n50-64\r\n65+\r\nAberdeen City\r\n345.84\r\n565.49\r\n641.45\r\n644.95\r\n-\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n338.52\r\n462.32\r\n500.55\r\n515.42\r\nx\r\nAngus\r\n285.67\r\n404.78\r\n468.91\r\n402.27\r\n-\r\nDundee City\r\n258.14\r\n418.00\r\n506.57\r\n495.20\r\n-\r\nSource: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes: Covers employees age 16+ on the PAYE system on adult rates and whose pay was not affected by absence.\r\n'-' denotes information not available from the sample of employees surveyed.\r\n'x' denotes estimate unreliable.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310923,"EventID":"S4W-30212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:08:58.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T17:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the average number of hours per week full-time employees in (a) Dundee, (b) Aberdeen, (c) Angus and (d) Aberdeenshire have worked in each of the last five years for which information is available.","AnswerText":"Estimates of the average number of paid hours worked for full-time employees at a local authority level in Scotland are published by the Office for National Statistics:\r\nhttp://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/datasets/placeofworkbylocalauthorityashetable7.\r\nThe requested information can be found in 'Work Geography Table 7.9a' for each of the relevant years.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310924,"EventID":"S4W-30213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:08:58.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T17:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number of (a) full-time and (b) part-time jobs in (i) Dundee, (ii) Aberdeen, (iii) Angus and (iv) Aberdeenshire in each of the last five years for which information is available.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of full and part time employee jobs is available from the Business Register Employment Survey (BRES), published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The most recent data relates to 2014. The information is shown in the following table.\r\nNumber of full and part-time jobs in Dundee, Aberdeen, Angus and Aberdeenshire, 2010 to 2014\r\nJob  type\r\nDate\r\nLocal  authority area\r\nAberdeen City\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nAngus\r\nDundee  City\r\nFull-time employee jobs\r\n2010\r\n125,400\r\n57,800\r\n21,200\r\n48,500\r\n2011\r\n124,100\r\n64,800\r\n22,000\r\n48,100\r\n2012\r\n127,600\r\n65,700\r\n20,600\r\n47,100\r\n2013\r\n128,700\r\n66,300\r\n21,200\r\n47,700\r\n2014\r\n138,100\r\n70,600\r\n22,000\r\n49,200\r\nPart-time employee jobs\r\n2010\r\n47,300\r\n30,100\r\n11,500\r\n24,800\r\n2011\r\n49,400\r\n31,700\r\n11,400\r\n23,900\r\n2012\r\n49,700\r\n30,500\r\n11,400\r\n24,200\r\n2013\r\n50,000\r\n30,500\r\n11,100\r\n24,000\r\n2014\r\n51,600\r\n30,600\r\n11,600\r\n24,400\r\nSource: BRES, ONS\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Estimates exclude:\r\nHM Forces\r\nFarm agriculture (not included below government office region/country level)\r\nSelf-employed and working proprietors\r\nGovernment sponsored trainees\r\n2. Excludes working proprietors and self-employed jobs.\r\n3. Working proprietors are sole-traders, sole proprietors, partners and directors (information not available disaggregated by job type).\r\n4. Part-time jobs are classified as 30 hours or less.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310925,"EventID":"S4W-30214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:08:59.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T17:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the average number of hours of overtime worked per week in (a) Dundee, (b) Aberdeen, (c) Angus and (d) Aberdeenshire in each of the last five years for which information is available.","AnswerText":"The average number of hours of overtime worked per week in Dundee, Aberdeen, Angus and Aberdeenshire over the last five years for which data is available is shown in the following table.\r\nAverage number of hours of overtime worked by local authority, 2011 to 2015\r\n\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nAberdeen City\r\n1:06\r\n1:09\r\n1:13\r\n1:10\r\n1:02\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n1:59\r\n1:54\r\n1:51\r\n2:09\r\n1:48\r\nAngus\r\n1:33\r\n1:16\r\n1:06\r\n1:06\r\n1:15\r\nDundee City\r\n0:55\r\n0:51\r\n0:59\r\n0:55\r\n0:39\r\nSource: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics (ONS)\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Figures relate to paid overtime only.\r\n2. Results for 2015 are provisional. Revised data is scheduled for release by ONS in November 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310926,"EventID":"S4W-30215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:00.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29501 by John Swinney on 4 February 2016, what response it received from Ofcom to its call for it to undertake more extensive regional market analysis, and what its position is on the conclusions of the review that was published on 25 February 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes Ofcom’s initial conclusions to the Strategic Review of Digital Communications. We believe they represent a positive step in improving digital communications in Scotland and are pleased that Ofcom intends to act upon a number of key issues on which we made direct representation. Ofcom’s conclusions did not specifically address the call we made for more extensive regional market analysis. I have asked Ofcom to consider this aspect as part of its work plan for the coming year, and we intend to follow up on this specific point with them in the coming weeks.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310927,"EventID":"S4W-30216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:01.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Barnett consequentials there will be as a result of the UK Government’s decision to access the European Union Solidarity Fund.","AnswerText":"The UK Government’s decision to access the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) will result in no Barnett consequentials as the EUSF would provide money that would be out of scope of Barnett. Scottish costs were included in the application which the UK Government announced on 25 February 2016 would be submitted to the European Commission. The commission is now considering the application which can take a number of months to be processed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310928,"EventID":"S4W-30217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:01.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T11:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much public subsidy it has taken back since 2006-07 under the current Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.","AnswerText":"The undernoted table shows:\r\nThe actual subsidy paid to CalMac Ferries Ltd; and\r\nThe value of clawback paid back to Transport Scotland.\r\n\r\n\r\nActual Subsidy (paid)\r\nClawback\r\nContract Year 1\r\nOct 2007 - Sept 2008\r\n£48,990,000\r\n£1,962,000\r\nContract Year 2\r\nOct 2008 - Sept 2009\r\n£58,351,000\r\n£3,309,000\r\nContract Year 3\r\nOct 2009 - Sept 2010\r\n£58,477,000\r\n£435,000\r\nContract Year 4\r\nOct 2010 - Sept 2011\r\n£64,583,000\r\n£1,464,000\r\nContract Year 5\r\nOct 2011 - Sept 2012\r\n£73,455,000\r\n£2,819,000\r\nContract Year 6\r\nOct 2012 - Sept 2013\r\n£82,295,000\r\n£1,205,000\r\nContract Year 7\r\nOct 2013 - Sept 2014\r\n£92,180,000\r\n£1,262,000\r\nContract Year 8\r\nOct 2014 - Sept 2015\r\n£116,045,000\r\n£3,975,000\r\nThe clawback mechanism enables the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services public service contract to be managed efficiently, by ensuring that the right level of subsidy is paid to the ferry operator each service year and that the operator is not over-compensated for the services that it provides. Any excess payments are returned to the Scottish Government allowing for the proceeds to be reinvested into our vital ferry services. The clawback mechanism is explained in clause 4.5 of the public service contract and can be found on page 33 of the contract at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/system/files/uploaded_content/documents/tsc_basic_pages/Water/CHFS_contract.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310929,"EventID":"S4W-30218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:02.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27940 by Derek Mackay on 29 October 2015, whether it will provide a breakdown of the annual expenditure on piers and harbours and vessels by (a) Northern Isles and (b) Clyde and Hebrides network.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the breakdown of piers and harbour and vessel expenditure according to the network they relate to:\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n(Forecast as at early March 2016)\r\nClyde and Hebrides Ferry Service\r\n£13,295,693\r\n£20,181,865\r\n£48,097,645\r\nNorthern Isles Ferry Service\r\n£0\r\n£14,956\r\n£1,300\r\nOther\r\n£0\r\n£19,500\r\n£20,000\r\nTotal\r\n£13,295,693\r\n£20,216,321\r\n£48,118,945\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310930,"EventID":"S4W-30219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:03.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27940 by Derek Mackay on 29 October 2015, what the annual expenditure on proposals in Scottish Ferry Services: Ferries Plan (2013-2022) was for (a) Northern Isles and (b) Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.","AnswerText":"As stated in the response to question S4W-27940, the costs of the ferries plan proposals are not available in the format requested.\r\nThe undernoted table details the actual spend by the Scottish Government in supporting ferry services in financial years 2013-14 and 2014-15. In addition, the current forecast outturn figures for 2015-16 are also outlined.\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n(Forecast as at early March 2016)\r\nClyde and Hebrides Ferry Services\r\n£85,522,390\r\n£101,071,419\r\n£112,137,000\r\nRoad Equivalent Tariff\r\n£3,889,000\r\n£5,034,000\r\n£10,000,000\r\nSubtotal Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services\r\n£89,411,390\r\n£106,105,419\r\n£122,137,000\r\nNorthern Isles Ferry Services\r\n£37,507,196\r\n£35,973,572\r\n£31,660,579\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310931,"EventID":"S4W-30220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:04.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27940 by Derek Mackay on 29 October 2015, what its estimate is of the expenditure on proposals in Scottish Ferry Services: Ferries Plan (2013-2022) for (a) Northern Isles and (b) Clyde and Hebrides ferry services for each year from 2015-16 to 2021-22.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30219 on 15 March 2016. Answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310932,"EventID":"S4W-30221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:05.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27940 by Derek Mackay on 29 October 2015, what Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd’s planned expenditure on proposals in the Ferries Plan is for each year from 2015-16 to 2021-22.","AnswerText":"Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd have set out their medium term spending plans within their 3 Year Corporate Plan 2015-2018 available at http://www.cmassets.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Final-3-Year-Corporate-Plan-2015-2018.pdf. However, these plans are subject to future budget allocations and decisions.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310933,"EventID":"S4W-30222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:06.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29286 by Aileen McLeod on 26 January 2016, how much was awarded to Voluntary Action Barra and Vetersay in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 to develop options for a community-led approach to managing the Sound of Barra Special Area of Conservation; how much of each grant remains available for use, and when the report is due to be published.","AnswerText":"A grant of up to £40,000, payable over financial years 2013-14 and 2014-15 was awarded to Voluntary Action Barra and Vatersay in December 2013. The grant expired at the end of financial year 2014-15, and at that point a total of £3,392.50 had been claimed. The report will be published as soon as possible after the final version is received by Marine Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310934,"EventID":"S4W-30223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:07.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Basic Payment Scheme applications for amounts (a) up to £5,000, (b) from £5,000 to £10,000, (c) from £10,001 to £15,000, (d) from £15,001 to £20,000, (e) from £20,001 to £30,000, (f) from £30,001 to £40,000, (g) from £40,001 to £50,000, (h) £50,001 to £60,000, (i) from £60,001 to £70,000, (j) from £70,001 to £80,000, (k) from £80,001 to £90,000, (l) from £90,001 to £100,000 and (m) in excess of £100,000 were settled by 29 February 2016 and how many were awaiting processing on that date.","AnswerText":"I can confirm the following is a breakdown of the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme first instalment payments made by 29 February 2016:\r\nAmount\r\nNumber of producers\r\nUp to £5,000\r\n4,069\r\n£5001 to £10,000\r\n1,383\r\n£10,001 to £15,000\r\n894\r\n£15,000 to £20,000\r\n653\r\n£20,001 to £30,000\r\n707\r\n£30,001 to £40,000\r\n306\r\n£40,001 to £50,000\r\n127\r\n£51,000 to £60,000\r\n77\r\n£61,000 to £70,000\r\n36\r\n£70,001 to £80,000\r\n15\r\n£80,0001 to £90,000\r\n5\r\n£90,0001 to £100,000\r\n7\r\nover £100,001\r\n12\r\nTotal\r\n8,291\r\nAs at 29 February 2016, 50% of business were still to receive a first instalment payment.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310935,"EventID":"S4W-30225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:08.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of paramedics in the Scottish Ambulance Service will be of retirement age within the next (i) five and (ii) 10 years. ","AnswerText":"In accordance with current legislation, we can no longer presume a retiral age as this is discriminatory. As a result, information relating to numbers of paramedics retiring within the next (i) five and (ii) ten years is not available.\r\n\r\nIt should be noted that not all NHSScotland staff that reach the average retirement age will retire as there is no legal requirement for them to do so.\r\nUnder this Government, the number of Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) staff has increased by 423.4 WTE, or 11.1 per cent. This includes a 10.6 per cent increase in Paramedics. SAS will use increases in its funding to recruit an additional 300 ambulance staff over the next five years.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310936,"EventID":"S4W-30226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:10.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of (i) nurses and midwives, (ii) senior doctors and consultants, (iii) radiologists and (iv) psychiatrists will be of retirement age in the next (A) five and (B) 10 years.","AnswerText":"In accordance with current legislation, we can no longer presume a retiral age as this is discriminatory. As a result, information relating to numbers of NHSScotland staff retiring in the next ten years is not available.\r\n\r\nIt should be noted that not all staff that reach the average retirement age will retire as there is no legal requirement for them to do so.\r\nUnder this government, NHSScotland has the highest staffing levels ever, with record numbers of nurses and midwives and consultants.\r\nPublished information on NHSScotland staffing levels can be found on the workforce statistics website at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/data-tables.asp","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310937,"EventID":"S4W-30230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:12.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T13:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) households, (b) farmers and (c) businesses in each local authority area have applied for support from the flooding relief scheme, and how many (i) have (A) received and (B) are awaiting payment and (ii) had their applications rejected.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not currently hold the requested information. Local authorities are administering the grant scheme and are in the process of considering claims and making payments. At the end of the financial year we will be asking local authorities to provide information on the number of applications they have received and the number of payments they have made.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310938,"EventID":"S4W-30232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:13.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the reported seven-month waiting list for drivers whose licences have been suspended for medical reasons to be re-tested at the Scottish Driving Assessment Service in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"During 2015 the Scottish Driving Assessment Service (SDAS) experienced long term absence and staff turnover. The recruitment and training of replacement staff takes several months, which has meant that the waiting time for those drivers awaiting assessment for medical reasons has risen to around 28 weeks. The Scottish Government understands that the service is now fully staffed and that a time limited waiting list initiative commenced at the beginning of February 2016 to address the backlog. The service is now able to offer additional appointments each week, and we understand that the waiting time will ultimately reduce to less than 18 weeks. SDAS have assured that these issues are being addressed as a matter of urgency now that the appropriate staffing is in place.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310939,"EventID":"S4W-30233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:14.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the operators of Glasgow Prestwick Airport regarding whether there can be a guaranteed provision of public transport between the airport and Glasgow city centre onwards for passengers travelling on late night flights.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no discussions with the operators of Glasgow Prestwick Airport regarding a guaranteed provision of public transport. In compliance with European Union State aid rules, the airport is operated on a wholly commercial basis and at arm’s length from the Scottish Government. Any guaranteed provision of transport to and from the airport is a commercial decision for the airport’s management team. I was, however, pleased to see that from 17 March 2016 Glasgow Prestwick Airport will be providing an early morning and late night bus service – the X99 Airport Express – which will depart Glasgow to get people to the airport for early morning flights, and will return to Glasgow from the airport once the final flight of the day has been cleared. This will operate seven days a week, initially until October 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310940,"EventID":"S4W-30234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:15.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place for a seven-days-a-week public transport service between Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Glasgow city centre onwards for passengers travelling on late night flights.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30233 on 9 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310941,"EventID":"S4W-30235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:16.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T15:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29412 by Richard Lochhead on 1 March 2016, how many subsequent inspections have been carried out on farms and crofts that have appealed their initial payment region decision, broken down by area office. ","AnswerText":"Farmers and crofters who thought the Scottish Government’s, rural payments and inspections division’s assessment of the provisional payment region allocated to any of their land parcels could ask for a review to be carried out. Officials were always will to reconsider the our decision based upon any further written evidence provided by the farmer/crofter, such as details of when grassland was improved or the type of vegetation present. The review process does not include a physical inspection of the land in question. It is a desk based exercise which takes into full account the evidence provided by the farmer/crofter. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310942,"EventID":"S4W-30236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:17.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T15:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29412 by Richard Lochhead on 1 March 2016, how many inspections have been carried out to assess which Basic Payment Scheme region a farm or croft is in, broken down by area office.","AnswerText":"As explained in the response to S4W-29412, farmers and crofters who thought the Scottish Government’s, rural payments and Inspections division’s assessment of the provisional payment region allocated to any of their land parcels could ask for a review to be carried out. Officials were always will to reconsider the our decision based upon any further written evidence provided by the farmer/crofter, such as details of when grassland was improved or the type of vegetation present. The review process does not include a physical inspection of the land in question. It is a desk based exercise which takes into full account the evidence provided by the farmer/crofter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310943,"EventID":"S4W-30251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-01T17:09:17.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made representations to the UK Government in relation to the introduction of a statutory telecoms scheme to automatically offer compensation to consumers in Scotland when the service falls below expectations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not made any specific representations to the UK Government around such a compensation scheme. We have, however, liaised with Ofcom on their strategic review of digital communications and encouraged them to maintain their focus on empowering and protecting consumers. We welcome Ofcom’s initial conclusions in this area, which recognise the importance of regulation in protecting consumers when telecoms providers fail to meet their obligations.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310945,"EventID":"S4W-30254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T08:55:12.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T08:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in meeting the target of ensuring that ministerial public appointments are more diverse and reflective of the population, as set out in its Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming Report 2015.","AnswerText":"In 2015, Scottish Ministers appointed more women than men, on merit, to positions on the boards of Scotland’s public bodies. 54% of those appointed under the process regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland were women, representing a significant step forward in progress towards our aim of achieving broader diversity in Scotland’s leadership, and an historic first for Scotland. Statistics for appointments made in 2015 and an analysis is available from 3 March 2016 at: www.appointed-for-scotland.org. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310976,"EventID":"S4W-30061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:19.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T23:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has changed the age range for cervical cancer screening from 20-65 to 25-60, and whether it proposes any further changes.","AnswerText":"On screening issues we are advised by the UK National Screening Committee (NSC), an independent expert advisory group which advises ministers and the NHS in the four UK countries about all aspects of screening.\r\n\r\nThe NSC reviewed the age range for cervical screening in 2012 considering all the available medical evidence regarding the risks and benefits of screening women under the age of 25 and recommended that cervical screening programmes should screen women routinely between the age of 25 and 64.\r\nThe NSC recently recommended the use of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) as a primary test in cervical screening programmes. Currently the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme uses cytology testing to look for abnormal cells that could be the first sign of cancer. HPV testing is used as a secondary measure in women needing further investigation. Evidence suggests that screening for HPV first will be a more effective way to let women know whether they are at risk of developing cervical cancer. The Scottish Government is currently working with NHS Scotland on the development of a business case which will provide all of the detail required to make a considered decision on implementing HPV testing in the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310977,"EventID":"S4W-30063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:21.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T23:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many women will no longer be eligible for cervical cancer screening as a result of it changing the age range for this from 20-65 to 25-60.","AnswerText":"From 6 June 2016 the age range for routine screening will be changing from 20 to 60 and 25 to 65. Women aged between 20 and 24 already in the screening programme will still be included in the eligible population. The number of women invited to participate in the cervical screening programme fluctuates from year to year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310978,"EventID":"S4W-30064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:22.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T23:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money will be saved as a result of it changing the age range for cervical cancer screening from 20-65 to 25-60.","AnswerText":"From 1 June 2016 the age range for cervical screening will change from 20 to 60 years old and 25 to 65 years old.\r\n\r\nNo cost saving has been calculated, the changes to the age range and frequency of screening were reviewed as an improvement in clinical effectiveness as opposed to a potential cost savings delivery.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310979,"EventID":"S4W-30065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:24.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T23:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made any recent changes to the breast screening programme and, if so, what these are.","AnswerText":"As part of the Detect Cancer Early Programme, the Scottish Breast Screening Programme recently transformed from older analogue equipment to digital technology along with the introduction of a new IT system.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310980,"EventID":"S4W-30066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:25.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T23:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government at what age women are eligible for breast screening and how often they are invited for screening.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Breast Screening Programme invites all women between the age of 50 and 70 for breast screening approximately every three years, based on GP practice. If women do not take up their initial invitation a reminder is used. Women aged over 70 can self-refer into the programme and are also welcome to attend every three years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310981,"EventID":"S4W-30067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:27.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T23:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the take up is of the (a) breast and (b) cervical cancer screening programme in the (i) most and (ii) least deprived areas.","AnswerText":"Table 1 shows the breast screening uptake1,2 of women aged 50-703 by deprivation category4 for 2011-125. \r\nScottish Index of Multiple Deprivation\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCategory\r\n\r\nUptake\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1 (Most deprived)\r\n\r\n61.4\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n5 (Least deprived)\r\n\r\n80.4\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1 Only routine appointments are included, self/GP referral and early recall appointments\r\nare not included.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2 Women are invited to attend screening once every three years.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n3 The age range for routine invitation is 50-70 years.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n4 Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation quintiles version 2012\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n5 The 2011-12 data is the latest year available by deprivation category. More recent years are unavailable due to ongoing data quality issues.\r\nSource: Scottish Breast Screening Programme Information System\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTable 2 shows the cervical screening uptake1 of women aged 20-602 by deprivation category3 for 2013-144.\r\nTable 2.\r\nScottish Index of Multiple Deprivation\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCategory\r\n\r\nUptake\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1 (Most deprived)\r\n\r\n65.7\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n5 (Least deprived)\r\n\r\n73.3\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1 Women are invited to attend cervical screening once every three years. Uptake statistics are\r\nbased on women attending in the previous three and a half; the additional half year ensures that\r\nall data for those women screened are reported on.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2 The age range for routine invitation is 20-60 years.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n3 Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation quintiles version 2012.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n4 The 2013-14 data is the latest year available by deprivation category. More recent years are unavailable due to ongoing data quality issues\r\nSource: Scottish Cervical Call Recall System, Information Services Division Scotland.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310982,"EventID":"S4W-30068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:28.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-22T23:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of (a) breast and (b) cervical cancer are detected at stage (i) 1, (ii) 2, (iii) 3 and (iv) 4 in the (A) most and (B) least deprived areas.","AnswerText":"Table 1 shows the number of registrations of breast cancer detected at stage (i) 1, (ii) 2, (iii) 3 and (iv) 4 and Not Known in the (A) most and (B) least deprived areas for Scotland, in 20131. \r\nTable 1.\r\n\r\n\r\nScottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2012 Quintiles\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nStage\r\n\r\n1 - Most deprived\r\n5 - Least deprived\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nStage I\r\n\r\n310\r\n438\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nStage II\r\n\r\n301\r\n347\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nStage III\r\n\r\n99\r\n122\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nStage IV\r\n\r\n11\r\n13\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNot Known\r\n\r\n103\r\n80\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1 The staging information is obtained from the cancer registration records, the latest published information is for 2013, the 2014 data is due to be published in May 2016.\r\n\r\nTable 2 shows the number of registrations of cervical cancer detected at stage (i) 1, (ii) 2, (iii) 3 and (iv) 4 and Not Known in the (A) most and (B) least deprived areas for Scotland, in 20131.\r\n\r\n\r\nScottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2012 Quintiles\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nStage\r\n\r\n1 - Most deprived\r\n5 - Least deprived\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nStage I\r\n\r\n49\r\n25\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nStage II\r\n\r\n15\r\n13\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nStage III\r\n\r\n16\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nStage IV\r\n\r\n7\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNot Known\r\n\r\n5\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1 The staging information is obtained from cancer registration records, the latest published information is for 2013, the 2014 data is due to be published in May 2016","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310983,"EventID":"S4W-30237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:29.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the reason was for the fall in the number of full-time students in further and higher education from 49,116 in 2010-11 to 47,181 in 2014-15 that was recorded by Audit Scotland in its report, Scotland's colleges 2015.","AnswerText":"The figures cited relate to enrolments in further education (FE) and are taken from the Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) Baseline Report for Academic Year 2014-15. In that period, more learners enrolled in full-time higher education (HE) courses – rising from 31,132 in 2010-11 to 32,384 in 2014-15. Additionally, full-time enrolments across FE and HE increased by 16% between 2006-07 and 2014-15, up from 68,884 to 79,565.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310984,"EventID":"S4W-30238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:32.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that mental health is given the same priority as physical health.","AnswerText":"The National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 states that Scottish Ministers have a duty to secure improvements in the physical and mental health of the people of Scotland. The NHS has a duty to promote the improvement of health – a duty that extends equally to the areas of physical and mental health.\r\nThe critical importance attached to mental health by this government is demonstrated by the inclusion of ‘mental health’ within a ministerial title, and announcements of additional funding for mental health. Scotland was also the first nation in the UK to introduce a target to ensure faster access to psychological therapies, for all ages. \r\nTo support health boards where there have been on-going challenges in meeting mental health targets and standards, we have announced a Mental Health Improvement programme with funding of £4.8 million.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310985,"EventID":"S4W-30239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:34.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the percentage of NHS expenditure on child and adolescent mental health services in Scotland is reportedly lower than that in England and Wales. ","AnswerText":"The health budget in Scotland is at record levels and NHS boards continue to be responsible with their partners for local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local spending priorities including provision of safe, person-centred and effective child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).\r\nWe have invested in the CAMHS workforce with £16.3 million over the last six years to increase the number of psychologists working in specialist CAMHS, with a further £3.5 million committed in 2015-16. Since 2009 the CAMHS workforce has increased by more than a quarter – a 28.0% rise from 764.6 whole time equivalent (WTE) (September 2009) to 978.7 WTE (December 2015). \r\nAs part of the additional £150 million the Scottish Government is making available to improve mental health services to 2020 we recently announced that £54.1 million of this package will be allocated to NHS boards over the next four years to improve access to psychological therapies for people of all ages, including children and adolescents.\r\nSpend on mental health is difficult to calculate given the diverse way mental health spend can be reflected in other budgets. There can also be differences in costs data; accounting guidance; and other factors such as organisational change or missing data which can influence year-on-year comparisons, and comparisons with other countries.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310986,"EventID":"S4W-30240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:35.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the size of the child and adolescent mental health services' workforce to meet demand.","AnswerText":"Mental health services are a priority for this government, this priority has been further demonstrated through the additional £150 million funding which has been allocated to improve mental health services over the next five years. The investment in NHS boards is intended to increase capacity to deliver services.\r\nAs part of this funding, the First Minister announced on 12 January 2016 a £54.1 million package of support to improve access to mental health services for adults and children. This investment includes £24.6 million to improve workforce supply and train existing staff to deliver services for children and young people, as well as psychological therapies for all ages.\r\nWithin that additional funding, £15 million has also been made available through the Mental Health Innovation Fund during 2015-18 to support better access to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and to develop innovative approaches to delivering mental health services. The innovation element of the funding covers all ages and is aimed at supporting people in distress including those who have experienced trauma. £1 million is also being provided to NHS Education for Scotland to deliver a three year programme of CAMHS workforce development.\r\nThis is on top of the £19.8 million we have invested over the last six years to increase the number of psychologists working in specialist CAMHS by almost 70%.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310987,"EventID":"S4W-30241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:37.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which ICT public sector projects have gone over budget in each year since 2007, also broken down by the amount by which the initial estimate has been exceeded. ","AnswerText":"Any information available on initial estimates and final spend on specific ICT projects, which have gone over budget in each year since 2007, will be held by the individual public sector accountable organisation and it would be a matter for that body to provide it.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310988,"EventID":"S4W-30242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:38.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS staff have been suspended in each year since 2007, broken down by reason; what support it gives to suspended staff; whether it carries out an annual audit of the suspensions, and what its position is on inviting an independent person or body to review the approach to the suspension process.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold official statistics on the number of, or reason for, NHSScotland staff suspensions. Specific local information will be available from individual NHSScotland health boards, including details of local governance arrangements.\r\nPolicies relating to employment issues for NHSScotland staff, such as disciplinary action and the use of suspensions are guided by the Staff Governance Standard, underpinned by Partnership Information Network (PIN) Policies. These policies form part of NHSScotland staff’s terms and conditions of employment and are prepared by the service for the service, with the full backing of the trade unions and professions. In line with current health and safety legislation each health board, as employer, has a duty of care to its employees, including those under suspension. Each Board will have in place a local procedure on suspension, based on the Management of Employee Conduct PIN Policy. This policy details the support and guidance available to both employees and managers and sets out minimum standards which each Board must adhere to locally.\r\nIn cases where a doctor or dentist is suspended, NHSScotland health boards are required to follow the procedure set out in NHS Circulars PCS 1990/8, (DD) 1994/1, and PCS (DD) 1999/7.\r\nThere are no plans to introduce an independent review of the suspension process at this time.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310989,"EventID":"S4W-30246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:39.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish Funding Council reallocated its £166 million reduction between 2011-12 and 2013-14 to further education college funding.","AnswerText":"Matters relating to the deployment of Scottish Funding Council (SFC) grant are for the SFC itself. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive of the SFC to reply to the member's question directly. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310990,"EventID":"S4W-30247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:41.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take action to reverse the (a) 150,000 reduction in the number of part-time students, (b) 74,000 reduction in the number of students aged over 25 in further education colleges between 2008-09 and 2013-14 and (c) 20,000 reduction in the number of places for under 16s in further education colleges between 2008-09 and 2010-11 that was recorded by Audit Scotland in its report, Scotland's colleges 2015, and, if so, what.","AnswerText":"This government’s focus is on a reformed college sector that delivers learning and training that lead to jobs. In meeting our commitment to maintain 116,000 full-time equivalent student places, that form of provision is improving the life chances of young people and generating the highly skilled workforce needed to deliver growth.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310991,"EventID":"S4W-30249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:42.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in light of the figures from the Scottish Funding Council stating that there has been an increase in college pension deficits from £82.3 million in 2012-13 to £143.8 million in 2013-14. ","AnswerText":"Audit Scotland's Scotland’s Colleges 2015 report states that a net pension deficit is sustainable in the short term because the liabilities will become payable over a long period. Nonetheless, the Scottish Funding Council monitors closely the financial impact of ongoing pension costs and the position of individual college pension deficits.\r\n\r\nThe Deputy First Minister recently asked the Scheme Advisory Board of the Local Government Pension Scheme in Scotland to consider and report to him on a range of funding issues for the pension scheme, including the impact of charges on employers within the wider financial environment.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310992,"EventID":"S4W-30250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:43.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many under-16-year-olds have attended further education colleges in each of the last five years, also broken down by the number taking (a) academic and (b) training courses.","AnswerText":"Full-time equivalent (FTE) is the most consistent and reliable measure of learning activity. The number of under-16 year olds attending college over the last five years is as follows:\r\nUnder-16 FTEs delivered at Scotland's colleges 2010-11 to 2014-15\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n2010-11\r\n5,478\r\n2011-12\r\n4,099\r\n2012-13\r\n3,269\r\n2013-14\r\n3,024\r\n2014-15\r\n3,073\r\nSource: Further education statistics\r\nThe Scottish Funding Council (SFC) advised that a breakdown of this data by ‘academic’ and ‘training’ courses is not readily available. The member will wish to note that our Developing the Young Workforce programme is sharpening the focus on giving young people in the senior phase of school more and better opportunities to gain the skills and qualifications they need for future jobs. SFC data indicates that this type of provision is growing, with all college regions developing partnerships with local authorities and schools to benefit more senior phase pupils.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310993,"EventID":"S4W-30255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:45.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T10:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board has paid private hospitals and clinics for services that were not part of a service-level agreement in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310994,"EventID":"S4W-30256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:46.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T10:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board has paid for (a) laboratory services, (b) supplies, (c) equipment and (d) other services that were not part of a service-level agreement in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310995,"EventID":"S4W-30257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:47.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T10:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many service-level agreements each NHS board has reached with private suppliers in each year since 2007-08, broken down by the value of each agreement.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310996,"EventID":"S4W-30258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:49.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T10:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many members of staff each NHS board has employed through private agencies on a (a) locum and (b) permanent basis in each year since 2010-11, and how much this has cost.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Specific local information may be available from individual NHS health boards.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310997,"EventID":"S4W-30260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:51.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent patients contracting infections and diseases from contaminated blood during NHS treatment. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) takes a wide range of steps to minimise the risk of transmission of infection between donors and patients, including complex and extensive donor deferral criteria and microbiological screening for a variety of infectious agents.\r\n\r\nThe UK Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs and the UK Blood Services' Standing Advisory Committee on Transfusion Transmitted Infections monitor new and emergent infectious threats to the UK Blood Supply through a range of mechanisms including reports from health protection agencies, the Emerging Infectious Diseases Monitor group of the European Blood Alliance and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. They commission risk assessments and recommend intervention where necessary.\r\nThe pattern of infectious disease in the general population (and therefore amongst blood donors) changes both on a national and a global level and new or amended deferral and screening measures are taken as required. For example, SNBTS introduced deferral of donors who have visited countries affected by Zika virus from 5 February 2016.\r\nHaemophilia is now commonly treated with 'recombinant factors' that are manufactured in a laboratory and do not come from donated plasma. Plasma products are screened in the same way as whole blood and are subject to a variety of processes to kill or remove any pathogens that may be present.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310998,"EventID":"S4W-30262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:52.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to people who have contracted infections and diseases as a result of receiving contaminated blood during NHS treatment.","AnswerText":"There are currently two UK-wide payment schemes for those infected with hepatitis C by NHS blood and blood products which the Scottish Government contributes directly to – the Skipton Fund provides lump sum and annual payments on the basis of chronic infection and disease progression. The Caxton Foundation provides discretionary payments to infected people and dependents, primarily on the basis of financial need. Over the last ten years, the Scottish Government has contributed over £32 million to these funds for those who were infected in Scotland and their dependents.\r\nThere are also three similar UK-wide payment schemes which pre-date devolution for those infected with HIV by NHS treatment – the MFET, Macfarlane Trust and Eileen Trust. These are currently managed and funded by the UK Department of Health. We intend to take over responsibility for those who were infected with HIV in Scotland.\r\nFollowing the publication of the Penrose Inquiry report on 25 March 2015, a Scottish financial review group was formed in June 2015, involving those infected and their families. The group reviewed the existing UK-wide financial support arrangements. It reported to Scottish Ministers in December 2015. In response to the group's recommendations, on 18 March 2016 the Scottish Government announced a package of improved financial support arrangements that will be available in the future for those affected in Scotland. I refer the member to the answer to written parliamentary question S4W-30593 on 18 March 2016, which confirms that the key financial recommendations of the review group have been accepted.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":310999,"EventID":"S4W-30263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:53.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment in the document, Heat Policy Statement, Towards Decarbonising Heat: Maximising the Opportunities for Scotland, that it would \"consider the recommendations of the Special Working Group of the Expert Commission on District Heating when it reports in Summer 2015 on potential regulatory frameworks for district heating in Scotland\", whether it will publish (a) the working group's report and (b) its response to the findings.","AnswerText":"The Special Working Group of the Expert Commission on District Heating submitted its report on potential regulatory frameworks for district heating in Scotland to Scottish Ministers in February 2016. I welcome the report which will be published shortly. The recommendations in the report are currently being considered by the Scottish Government as part of the work to develop a new energy strategy alongside the third report on policies and proposals for climate change. Further investigation and consultation will be necessary to fully explore the implications of the recommendations with regards to devolved competence and their impact on both operators and consumers.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311000,"EventID":"S4W-30265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:54.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that additional revenues raised through the proposed council tax reforms will be “invested directly in schools\".","AnswerText":"We will work with local government to ensure that the additional £100 million revenues are used to fund additional investment in schools within future local government finance settlements.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311001,"EventID":"S4W-30266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T14:04:55.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains its position that the council tax is “totally unfair”, “discredited” and “oppressive”.","AnswerText":"The changes to local taxation announced on 2 March 2016 will create a system of local tax that combines elements of property and income-based taxation and which is progressive overall.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311010,"EventID":"S4O-05635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:56:46.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what future investment it has planned for Dumbarton Castle.","AnswerText":"As I indicated in my response to Jackie Baillie's oral question on 8 December 2015, the functions relating to the care, conservation and management of Properties in the Care of Scottish Ministers, of which Dumbarton Castle is one, have been delegated to Historic Environment Scotland under the Historic Environment Scotland Act 2014.\r\nHistoric Environment Scotland is developing plans to invest in Dumbarton Castle over the next five years.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311011,"EventID":"S4O-05638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:41.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its procurement processes encourage the use of local small and medium-sized enterprises.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311012,"EventID":"S4O-05654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:56:49.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what effect its proposed local tax reform will have on local authority finances.","AnswerText":"Our package of local tax reforms will ensure local authorities continue to be properly funded while becoming more accountable.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311013,"EventID":"S4O-05652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:56:51.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T09:08:43.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to identify and implement improved flood mitigation measures.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311014,"EventID":"S4O-05646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:56:53.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Funding Council's announcement that the reduction to the higher education budget will prevent expansion of the widening access scheme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311015,"EventID":"S4O-05640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:56:54.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what improvements have been made at Stirling railway station to improve the experience for passengers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311016,"EventID":"S4O-05641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:56:56.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Network Rail regarding the upgrading of the railway station at Prestwick airport.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311017,"EventID":"S4O-05651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:56:57.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that its drugs strategy, The Road to Recovery, is working effectively.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311018,"EventID":"S4O-05629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:56:58.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the historic houses and built heritage sector.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311019,"EventID":"S4O-05648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:00.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of planned reductions in higher education funding.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311020,"EventID":"S4O-05644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:01.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the RMT union-commissioned report, The Economic Benefits of Public Sector Ferry Provision, on lifeline ferry services in the Clyde and Hebrides.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311021,"EventID":"S4O-05647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:04.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many registered sex offenders there are in Scotland and what resources are being allocated to monitor them.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311022,"EventID":"S4O-05631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:05.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what value it places on the culture and traditions of North East Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311023,"EventID":"S4O-05650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:08.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T10:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when crofters and farmers will receive their less favoured area support scheme payments.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311024,"EventID":"S4O-05626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:09.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact in Scotland would be of the UK leaving the EU.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311025,"EventID":"S4O-05628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:10.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T08:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how traditional instrument tuition fits in with its strategy for Scottish traditional arts.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311026,"EventID":"S4O-05637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:12.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T08:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to develop transport infrastructure in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311027,"EventID":"S4O-05632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:13.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-01T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs will be attending any events in the Aye Write! festival in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311028,"EventID":"S4O-05634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:14.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T09:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support culture in the Highland and Islands.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311029,"EventID":"S4O-05639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:16.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to make infrastructure improvements north of Aberdeen.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311030,"EventID":"S4O-05645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:17.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T10:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set overall objectives for the energy efficiency priority in the refreshed Infrastructure Investment Plan.","AnswerText":"Our vision is set out in the Infrastructure Investment Plan. We are working with stakeholders to develop Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme which as a 15-20 year programme will be the cornerstone of the infrastructure priority. We will undertake analysis as part of the development of the third report on proposals and policies, which will inform long term objectives for the new programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311031,"EventID":"S4O-05630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:18.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the benefits to Scotland are of the UK's membership of the EU.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311032,"EventID":"S4O-05655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:20.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many young people in Dumfries and Galloway will be eligible to claim educational maintenance allowance following the extension of the programme.","AnswerText":"Following the First Minister’s announcement on the expansion of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) Programme, which came in to force from 1 January 2016, an estimated additional 10,000 school pupils and an additional 12,000 college students will now become eligible to take up an EMA. These estimates have been made on a national, rather than regional basis. As the member will know, the EMA is a demand led programme and eligibility is based on income thresholds which makes it difficult to predict the numbers of young people who will be eligible within each local authority. \r\nStatistics on the number of young people who have received an EMA payment in an academic year are published annually. The most recent statistics show that 1,180 young people in Dumfries and Galloway received EMA payments in academic year 2013-14 and the statistics for academic year 2014-15 will be published later this month.\r\nThe recent changes to the EMA programme’s eligibility criteria serve to demonstrate that unlike in England, the Scottish Government remains committed to providing financial support directly to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to help them overcome financial barriers to access and stay in learning.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311033,"EventID":"S4O-05633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:21.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Creative Scotland and what matters were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311034,"EventID":"S4O-05627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:22.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the film and television industry to discuss the building of a film studio.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311035,"EventID":"S4O-05642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:23.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Forth Road Bridge closure has affected the condition of roads on diversionary routes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311036,"EventID":"S4O-05649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:24.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to no downgrading or closure of the children's ward at St John’s Hospital in Livingston.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311037,"EventID":"S4O-05643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:25.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to increase active travel.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311038,"EventID":"S4O-05636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:26.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on the construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311039,"EventID":"S4O-05653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T13:57:27.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-29T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government on behalf of the oil and gas sector ahead of the 2016 Budget.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311042,"EventID":"S4W-30267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T16:40:55.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it takes to ensure that Police Scotland does not assist in processes that might result in asylum seekers being deported to unsafe conditions that are in violation of the Geneva Convention.","AnswerText":"The removal of asylum seekers is a matter for the Home Office. This is not a police function.\r\nHome Office Immigration Enforcement (HOIE) officers may ask for Police Scotland’s assistance as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of asylum seekers, HOIE personnel and the general public.\r\nThe Scottish Government believes that asylum seekers must be treated humanely and fairly, and with their dignity and rights upheld, at every stage of the asylum process. This is particularly important in cases where claims are not successful, where people are returned to their countries of origin and where children are involved.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311043,"EventID":"S4W-30268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T16:40:56.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made representations to (a) the UK Government, (b) non-governmental organisations and (c) children's charities regarding the impact of the proposals in the Immigration Bill 2015-16 on the welfare and status of asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I have written to the Immigration Minister four times (on 13 August, 10 September, 8 December and 16 December 2015) to express the Scottish Government’s concerns about the impact on asylum seekers of proposals contained in the Immigration Bill relating to asylum. The Scottish Government has not made representations to non-governmental organisations or children’s charities about the Immigration Bill, although ministers and officials are in regular contact with organisations working with refugees and asylum seekers, including on this issue.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311044,"EventID":"S4W-30276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T16:40:56.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to mitigate any overcrowding during the planned ScotRail works affecting the Glasgow to Edinburgh route beginning in March 2016.","AnswerText":"The majority of Edinburgh to Glasgow trains calling at Croy, Falkirk High, Polmont and Linlithgow will be served by six coaches. All services between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Airdrie and Bathgate will be served by six coaches. ScotRail will, when possible, ensure that the Stirling, Dunblane and Alloa service has the maximum amount of rolling stock allocated.\r\n\r\nThe ScotRail Alliance has developed a fully coordinated timetable which makes best use of all available rolling stock during the tunnel closure to provide as much additional capacity as possible.\r\nDuring the tunnel closure the ScotRail Alliance will be using a queuing system at Queen Street station to ensure trains departing from the low level are not full enabling customers at intermediate stations to board.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311045,"EventID":"S4W-30277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T16:40:57.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it formally measures the level of overcrowding on the Glasgow to Edinburgh ScotRail route at peak travel times.","AnswerText":"ScotRail are obliged under the terms of the franchise agreement to utilise rolling stock to meet passenger demand. Passenger counts on every service are carried out twice annually, usually in advance of timetable changes.\r\n\r\nScotRail provides Transport Scotland with advice regarding the available versus utilised capacity on all Edinburgh to Glasgow services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311046,"EventID":"S4W-30278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T16:40:58.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis has been made of the cause of any overcrowding on the Glasgow to Edinburgh ScotRail route during peak times.","AnswerText":"ScotRail provides Transport Scotland with advice on a four weekly basis on the extent of any under-provision of capacity on Edinburgh to Glasgow services.\r\n\r\nSome instances of overcrowding on the Glasgow to Edinburgh route were recorded during the 2014-15 period. These can largely be attributed to significant events such as the closure of Winchburgh tunnel, the Ryder Cup, the Commonwealth Games and the recent closure of the Forth Road Bridge.\r\nCurrently the annual-average for the extent of overall under-provision is 1% meaning that 99% of planned seats were actually available. We have no specific concerns that capacity performance will deteriorate further, and will continue to work with ScotRail to further improve performance.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311047,"EventID":"S4W-30279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T16:40:59.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been an increase in overcrowding on the Glasgow to Edinburgh ScotRail route at peak travel times over the last six months.","AnswerText":"Some instances of overcrowding on the Glasgow to Edinburgh route have been recorded during peak times compared to a similar period in 2014-15. These can largely be attributed to significant disruptive events, notably the closure of Winchburgh tunnel and the closure of the Forth Road Bridge in December 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311048,"EventID":"S4W-30288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T16:41:00.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the current position is in relation to the provision of the drug, Translarna, for people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.","AnswerText":"Following a submission from the pharmaceutical company, the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) is currently considering whether ataluren (Translarna) can be accepted for routine use within the NHS in Scotland. The independence of SMC decisions on individual drugs is well established.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311049,"EventID":"S4W-30289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T16:41:00.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to make a decision on the application to construct and operate the Strathy South windfarm.","AnswerText":"The consideration that officials and ministers have been required to give to this proposal has been complex and time consuming. Now that the public local inquiry is complete Scottish Ministers are considering the terms of the report and should be in a position to make a decision in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311050,"EventID":"S4W-30290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T16:41:01.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T16:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for consent have been determined by Marine Scotland since 2010; how many it refused; how many required environmental impact assessment, and how many required appropriate assessment of their effect on European wildlife sites.","AnswerText":"Since 2010 the Scottish Ministers have determined 14 offshore Section 36 applications. None have been refused. All 14 required an environmental impact assessment, and 13 required an appropriate assessment.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311051,"EventID":"S4W-30291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T16:41:02.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T16:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public representations it has received in (a) support and (b) opposition to the application to construct and operate the Strathy South windfarm.","AnswerText":"To date, the Scottish Government has received 27 public representations in support of the application and 245 in opposition.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311052,"EventID":"S4W-30292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-02T16:41:03.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T16:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what activities consent is determined by Marine Scotland.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers determine applications for offshore electricity generating stations over 1MW in size within Scottish territorial waters (between 0 and 12 nautical miles) and over 50MW in the offshore region (between 12 and 200 nautical miles).","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311058,"EventID":"S4W-30270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:14.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to asylum seekers in Scotland with children who have been unsuccessful in their application for residence and who are facing destitution, in light of reported concerns about the potential impact of the proposals in the Immigration Bill 2015-16.","AnswerText":"Immigration legislation prevents the Scottish Government from offering support to asylum seekers with children, whose applications have been refused, and who have no recourse to public funds.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311059,"EventID":"S4W-30273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:16.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to asylum seekers in Scotland to ensure that they can access the justice system, in light of reported concerns about the potential impact of the proposals in the Immigration Bill 2015-16.","AnswerText":"As outlined in the answer to S4W-30268 on 15 March 2016 from the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners' Rights, Scottish Ministers have expressed our concern to the UK Government about the impact on asylum seekers of proposals contained in their Immigration Bill.\r\nIn Scotland, asylum seekers are able to apply for publicly funded legal assistance under the same eligibility criteria as any applicant facing legal proceedings and their legal status is not a barrier. In general terms, residency is not considered when applying for legal aid in Scotland. Where it is available under the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986, a person can apply for and be granted legal assistance subject to the statutory tests.\r\nFor asylum cases at the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, asylum seekers can access ‘assistance by way of representation’. In most cases only a means test is applied and all of these applications will be passed on merits.\r\nIn additional to the general availability of publicly funded legal assistance, the Scottish Government has provided £100,000 of funding in 2015-16 for a specific project run by the Legal Services Agency which works with women and children in Scotland who have an unsettled asylum/immigration position and who have experienced gender-based violence in their country of origin and/or the UK. This project can provide advice, assistance and representation on claiming asylum in the UK and immigration status.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311060,"EventID":"S4W-30274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:17.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendation by NICE in relation to the use of nivoluma for advanced melanoma treatment for people in England and Wales, when the drug will be made available in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) provides advice to NHSScotland on newly licensed medicines. The independence of SMC decisions on individual drugs is well established. The SMC publish their advice at: www.scottishmedicines.org.uk\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311061,"EventID":"S4W-30275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:17.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to consider innovative and flexible pricing schemes in light of the independent review of access to medicines by Dr Brian Montgomery. ","AnswerText":"The option of flexible pricing of medicines has existed since the 2009 Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme. The Scottish Government does not have a role in considering applications for flexible pricing. The new medicines review will relate only to issues within the powers of the Scottish Parliament. However fair pricing of medicines remains a challenge and the new medicines review will look at how our systems can ensure that Scotland gets best value.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311062,"EventID":"S4W-30280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:18.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the recommendations regarding separate collection streams in the European Commission report, Assessment of separate collection schemes in the 28 capitals of the EU: Final Report, are adequately reflected in Scottish legislation.","AnswerText":"The requirements of the Waste Framework Directive relating to the separate collection of waste were transposed into Scots law through the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012. Whilst the report is based on a study of 28 EU capitals and did not involve Scotland, I see nothing in the report’s recommendations to indicate that the Scottish Government’s approach to transposition and implementation of the provisions of the directive that relate to separate collection are either non-compliant or inadequate. In fact, Scotland has gone further than most EU countries in making the separate collection of food waste a statutory requirement and we were the first UK administration to do so.\r\n\r\nThis, allied to our statutory ban on municipal biodegradable waste going to landfill by 2021, (the only UK administration to make this statutory), is another example of Scotland leading the way in tackling waste.\r\nAlong with our delivery body Zero Waste Scotland we will continue to work closely with local authorities and the private sector to develop separate collection procedures. A good example of this is the development of the Household Recycling Charter and associated Code of Practice, which aims to bring a consistent approach to recycling in Scotland.\r\nIn addition, my recent publication of Scotland’s first Circular Economy Strategy, Making Things Last, will take the targets and ambitions of our Zero Waste Plan and Safeguarding Scotland’s Resources document and put them firmly in the context of our action for a more circular economy.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311063,"EventID":"S4W-30281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:19.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of waste is currently “presented for collection, and collected, in a manner that ensures that waste from one dry waste stream is kept separate from waste in another such stream” as per the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 and Duty of Care – A Code of Practice.","AnswerText":"Information on the proportion of waste that is currently presented for collection and collected in this manner is not held centrally. It is for each local authority or operator to determine the most effective and efficient way of collecting waste, although the introduction of the Household Recycling Charter and the associated Code of Practice aims to bring more consistency in the approach to recycling.\r\nThe Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 allow the requirements relating to the separate collection of dry recyclables to be departed from if the amount and quality of recycled material arising from the collected material is not significantly less than it would have been had it been collected separately. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311064,"EventID":"S4W-30282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:20.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, at the current rate of progress, when it expects to meet Scotland's Zero Waste Plan targets of 70% recycling and 5% maximum to landfill.","AnswerText":"The targets set in the Zero Waste Plan of 70% recycling and 5% maximum of all waste to landfill by 2025 remain in place. I am confident that the measures we already have in place and those we are in the process of implementing will allow us to meet those targets by that date.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311065,"EventID":"S4W-30283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:21.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to match in its own estate the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body's reported 84% recycling rate and 67% reduction in landfill waste in 2014-15 and, if so, whether it will require additional recycling measures in order to do so.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government achieves 99% landfill avoidance. On average, 57% of the waste produced in our buildings is segregated for recycling on-site, further sorting then takes place off-site all of which helps us to achieve the 99%. We are working closely with our partners, such as Zero Waste Scotland, and through our network of environmental champions to increase our on-site recycling. We keep our waste management processes under constant review.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311066,"EventID":"S4W-30284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:22.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an estimate of the value of unpaid overtime worked the latest year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311067,"EventID":"S4W-30285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:22.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the percentage of women in the workforce who work part-time and whether it has such information for EU member states, also broken down by age group.","AnswerText":"The percentage of women in the workforce who work part-time in Scotland broken down by age group is shown below.\r\nData for EU member states is available from Eurostat at the link below:\r\nhttp://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database?node_code=lfsa_eppga.\r\nData for the UK is also supplied in the following table to enable a more valid comparison of Scotland data with data from Eurostat, as the estimates for the UK vary slightly from those derived by the Scottish Government due to differences in methodology and datasets used for these queries.\r\nPercentage of women (aged 15+) in the workforce who work part-time, Scotland and UK, 2014\r\n\r\nAge group\r\nProportion\r\nScotland\r\n15+\r\n43.2\r\n15-24\r\n54.1\r\n25-49\r\n39.2\r\n50-64\r\n42.5\r\n65+\r\n80.2\r\nUK\r\n15+\r\n43.1\r\n15-24\r\n47.3\r\n25-49\r\n39.1\r\n50-64\r\n45.5\r\n65+\r\n81.2\r\nSource: Annual Population Survey, Jan-Dec 2014, Office for National Statistics","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311068,"EventID":"S4W-30287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:23.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the 10 occupations with the (a) greatest and (b) smallest percentage of women who work part time and their average hourly rates of pay.","AnswerText":"Information on occupation by gender for part-time employees is available through the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. This information can be found on the Office for National Statistics website:\r\nhttp://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/datasets/regionbyoccupation2digitsocashetable3.\r\nTable 3.5a provides the information available on hourly rates of pay for female part-time employees in Scotland and across the regions of the United Kingdom. Indicative counts for the number of jobs are provided alongside all estimates. These are intended to provide a broad idea of the numbers of employee jobs but they should not be considered accurate estimates.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311069,"EventID":"S4W-30293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:25.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of households in temporary accommodation have resided in B&B accommodation in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The HL2 dataset gives the snapshot number of households in temporary accommodation at the end of each quarter.\r\nInformation on the number of households, broken down by local authority and type of temporary accommodation, on the last day of each quarter is available in table 4 of the following worksheet: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00492173.xls.\r\nInformation on individual temporary accommodation placements is not currently held centrally. However, from 1 April 2016, local authorities will begin recording this information via the HL3 return.\r\nScottish Government homelessness statistics are available at:\r\nwww.gov.scot/homelessstats.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311070,"EventID":"S4W-30294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to help improve existing B&B temporary accommodation in the City of Edinburgh local authority area.","AnswerText":"The provision and use of B&B accommodation to provide temporary accommodation in meeting its legislative duties on homelessness is a matter for City of Edinburgh Council.\r\nThe Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Order was strengthened by the Scottish Government in 2014, and outlines a number of standards that need to be met in temporary accommodation for households with children and pregnant women.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311071,"EventID":"S4W-30295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:26.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to help minimise the use of temporary B&B accommodation in the City of Edinburgh local authority area.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Housing and Welfare wrote to City of Edinburgh Council about the use of B&B accommodation for households with children and pregnant women in September 2015.\r\nThis correspondence made clear that such accommodation should only be used in exceptional circumstances for a short period of time. The response from City of Edinburgh Council was encouraging and the council have outlined the priority that they are giving to this issue.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311072,"EventID":"S4W-30296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:27.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support (a) households with children and (b) pregnant women in temporary accommodation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has put in place a number of measures to ensure that the experience of temporary accommodation is as positive as possible for children and pregnant women before they move to settled accommodation.\r\nThis includes a strengthening of the Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Order 2014, which makes it clear that a number of standards need to be met in temporary accommodation for households with children and pregnant women. These standards ensure accommodation is ‘wind and watertight’ and also address proximity to schools and health services and provision of room to play.\r\nLocal authorities have a legal duty to provide housing support to homeless households with children, where this has been assessed as being required. The Scottish Government has also published guidance on Meeting the Best Interests of Children Facing Homelessness in 2011.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311073,"EventID":"S4W-30297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:28.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to households looking for permanent accommodation. ","AnswerText":"Scotland has strong housing rights for homeless households with all those assessed as being unintentionally homeless by local authorities entitled to settled accommodation.\r\nThe Scottish Government is increasing affordable housing supply to expand settled accommodation options for households. We are investing over £1.7 billion to deliver 30,000 affordable homes and we have now met and exceeded the current target, and within that the constituent parts – 20,000 social homes including 5,000 council homes. We have also increased the grant funding available for next year by over £90 million, as the first stage in our determination to boost housing supply still further.\r\nWe are committed to continual improvement and consistency in the delivery of the housing options approach with guidance published on 2 March 2016. A training toolkit is being developed to assist in delivering housing options and the Scottish Government recently announced continued funding of £150,000 to the five Housing Options Hubs for 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311074,"EventID":"S4W-30298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:30.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to ensure that (a) households containing children and (b) pregnant women are not placed in temporary B&B accommodation.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Housing and Welfare wrote to all local authorities in September 2015, about the issue of households containing children and pregnant women being placed in B&B accommodation.\r\nThe letter highlighted that the use of B&B accommodation for these households should only be in exceptional circumstances and for a very short period of time. Local authority responses were encouraging with all clear of the importance attached to minimising or eradicating use of B&B for these households.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311075,"EventID":"S4W-30299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:31.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many households have been placed in (a) temporary and (b) B&B accommodation in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The HL2 dataset gives the snapshot number of households in temporary accommodation at the end of each quarter.\r\nInformation on the number of households, broken down by local authority and type of temporary accommodation, on the last day of each quarter is available in table 4 of the following worksheet: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00492173.xls.\r\nInformation on individual temporary accommodation placements is not currently held centrally. However, from 1 April 2016, local authorities will begin recording this information via the HL3 return.\r\nScottish Government homelessness statistics are available at:\r\nwww.gov.scot/homelessstats.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311076,"EventID":"S4W-30300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:33.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T17:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to increase the availability and awareness of the meningitis B vaccine.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is guided on vaccination policy by the independent expert body, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Following the JCVI's advice, the Scottish Government added the meningitis B (men B) vaccine, on 1 September 2015, to the routine childhood vaccination schedule at two, four and 12 months of age, making Scotland one of the first countries in the world to have a national men B vaccination programme. All infants who are now aged up to 10 months should have been offered the men B vaccine.\r\nWhen any new vaccination programme is introduced, there has to be a date to determine eligibility – a decision based on the best independent clinical recommendation to ensure we can protect those children most at risk of men B. In light of the recent petition regarding men B, the Scottish Government wrote to the JCVI to ask them to consider reviewing the evidence on their current advice to determine if it should be changed. The JCVI has responded confirming that its recommendation on men B was based on the best available evidence and this remains the case. The JCVI continues to monitor all available evidence in respect of its recommendations, and advice can be updated if new information or evidence becomes available. The Scottish Government will of course consider carefully any future JCVI recommendations on men B vaccination.\r\nTo increase awareness about the men B vaccine, parents of eligible children are sent an appointment letter for the vaccines (including men B) due to be given at their routine appointment, asking them to attend with their child at their GP practice. The introduction of any new vaccination programme is always accompanied by public information materials.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311077,"EventID":"S4W-30301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:34.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T17:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is protecting children from meningitis B.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to protecting children against meningitis B (men B) which is why Scotland is one of the first countries in the world to have introduced a national men B vaccination programme to tackle the effects of this disease.\r\nSince 1 September 2015 infants have been offered the men B vaccine at two, four and 12 months of age as part of the routine childhood vaccination programme. There was also a catch-up for infants aged three and four months who were attending for their routine vaccination appointments when the programme started. All infants who are now aged up to 10 months should have been offered the men B vaccine.\r\nVaccinating infants with men B will also provide protection for older children, adolescents and the wider population as it will help to reduce the overall prevalence and transmission of the disease (also known as herd protection).","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311078,"EventID":"S4W-30302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:36.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T17:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on legal expenditure of over £30,000 to defend Accountant in Bankruptcy-determined trustee fees against a challenge by creditors.","AnswerText":"Clearly this would depend on the circumstances of the case, and nor would it be appropriate for ministers to comment on the merits of an individual case. The Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985, as amended, clearly sets out the position in relation to the legal right of any interested party to appeal a determination of the trustee’s fees and outlays and the power to challenge any act, omission or decision of a trustee in the Sheriff Court. This statutory provision ensures the actions of Accountant in Bankruptcy and a trustee can be subject to independent judicial scrutiny.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311079,"EventID":"S4W-30303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T17:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it would take if the Accountant in Bankruptcy was found to be pursuing cases in court based on affidavits that were known to be false.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is not aware of any instances where the Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) has pursued a case in court based on affidavits that were known to be false. The AiB adopts a rigorous process in taking forward any court procedure. Such procedures are handled by its contracted legal agents.\r\nIf the Scottish Government or the AiB became aware that the AiB had lodged a false document in any court proceedings, this would be reported to the sheriff. An appropriate investigation would take place and any subsequent action would be determined by the outcome of the investigation.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311080,"EventID":"S4W-30304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:38.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T17:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it would take action against trustees who have not submitted accounts for a period in excess of the six months stipulated by the Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act 2014 and, if so, how long it would wait before doing so.","AnswerText":"The Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) is appointed by Scottish Ministers and authorised by law to supervise trustees of bankruptcies to ensure compliance with their statutory duties. The Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985, as amended, makes provision for a trustee to obtain permission to waive the statutory timescale to submit accounts. This permission must be obtained in advance of submitting any accounts to the AiB for determination after the statutory timescale. The AiB will not determine a trustee’s accounts if they are submitted outwith a statutory timescale and this would result in the trustee being unable to draw their fees for work undertaken in the administration of the bankruptcy.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311081,"EventID":"S4W-30305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:38.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T17:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Accountant in Bankruptcy, in acting as commissioners to support trustees, carrying on the sequestration of an individual for 20 years at a cost to their estate in excess of £300,000, while providing no return for the creditors.","AnswerText":"The Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985, as amended, clearly sets out the position in relation to the audit and determination of trustees’ fees and outlays and the power that any interested party has to appeal the determination or challenge any act, omission or decision of a trustee, in the Sheriff Court. This legal provision ensures the actions of the AiB and a trustee can be subject to independent judicial scrutiny.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311082,"EventID":"S4W-30306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:39.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T17:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered a so-called green application process for aquaculture such as in Norway and, if so, what discussions it has had on this matter with (a) the aquaculture industry, (b) environmental bodies and (c) local government.","AnswerText":"All finfish farm proposals undergo environmental impact assessment as a key component of the consenting process involving local planning authorities and statutory consultees. The Scottish Government, in conjunction with The Crown Estate, commissioned an independent review of the consenting process for aquaculture in Scotland and the report’s recommendations are currently under consideration. Scottish Ministers have no plans to introduce the Norwegian system at this time.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311083,"EventID":"S4W-30307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:41.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T17:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider a fast track planning process for aquaculture developments such as is available in Norway.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, in conjunction with The Crown Estate, commissioned an independent review of the consenting process for aquaculture in Scotland and the report’s recommendations are currently under consideration. Scottish Ministers have no plans to introduce the Norwegian system at this time.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311084,"EventID":"S4W-30308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:42.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T17:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its review of the planning process will include consideration of the reported need in the aquaculture sector for three applications to be required to establish new sites.","AnswerText":"The independent review of planning is on-going at this time and Scottish Ministers have not yet received the panel’s recommendations. It is expected that their report will be published in May 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311085,"EventID":"S4W-30309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:43.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware that only a reported four of the 24 publicly funded theatre companies are artistically led by women and, if so, what action it will take to improve the gender balance in the theatre in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The gender balance in Scottish theatre is improving but needs to improve further. While it is not possible to have a direct comparison (due to different data collection methodology), the general trend is positive since 2009. Creative Scotland collects data directly from theatre organisations funded on a regular basis through their annual statistical survey which show a more positive picture than the Where are the Women? report cited. \r\nWomen made up 26% of theatre directors in 2009, rising to 47% in 2014-15. When compared internationally, Scotland was well ahead of Canada in 2010-11 where only 28% were women compared to the then figure of 38% in Scotland.\r\nAn artistic director (AD) is not employed in all theatre organisations funded by Creative Scotland, but of 24 AD posts in organisations funded by Creative Scotland, nine women have AD roles, representing 38%. The figures indicate that there are seven women (29%) with sole artistic leadership, with two of the theatre organisations having co-artistic directors – one man and one woman. \r\nCreative Scotland is monitoring gender imbalance in theatre as part of its current equalities, diversity and inclusion review, which will provide more robust data on those employed in the theatre and wider arts sector. Theatre has particular issues as working hours are often not family friendly. Creative Scotland is making equalities activity, including gender balance, a core expectation for those in receipt of public funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311086,"EventID":"S4W-30310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:44.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T18:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware that only a reported 39% of original plays performed in Scotland in 2015 were written by women and 47% of the shows directed by women and, if so, what action it is taking to improve the gender balance in the Scottish theatre.","AnswerText":"These figures are taken from Where are the Women?, an analysis of creative roles by gender in Scottish theatre 2014-15 by Christine Hamilton Consulting, published on 8 March 2016. In fact, as Ms Hamilton’s report indicates, the gender balance in Scottish theatre is improving. While it is not possible to have a direct comparison (due to different data collection methodology), the general trend is positive since 2009. Women made up 26% of playwrights in 2009 and 39% in 2014-15.\r\nCreative Scotland fund the Scottish Playwrights Studio whose mentoring programme has supported a majority of female playwrights.\r\nCreative Scotland is monitoring gender imbalance in theatre as part of its current equalities, diversity and inclusion review, which will provide more robust data on those employed in the theatre and wider arts sector. Theatre has particular issues as working hours are often not family friendly. Creative Scotland is making equalities activity, including gender balance, a core expectation for those in receipt of public funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311087,"EventID":"S4W-30311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:45.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T18:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware that only a reported 11% of composers, musical directors and sound designers working in publically funded theatre in Scotland are women and, if so, what actions it is taking to improve the gender balance in Scottish theatre.","AnswerText":"These figures are taken from Where are the Women? an analysis of creative roles by gender in Scottish theatre 2014-15 by Christine Hamilton Consulting, published on 8 March 2016.\r\nCreative Scotland is monitoring gender imbalance in theatre as part of its current equalities, diversity and inclusion review, which will provide more robust data on those employed in the theatre and wider arts sector. Theatre has particular issues as working hours are often not family friendly and women have historically been under represented in science, technology, engineering, and maths professions. Creative Scotland is making equalities activity, including gender balance, a core expectation for those in receipt of public funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311088,"EventID":"S4W-30312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:46.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T19:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes and supports credit unions in schools.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Credit Unions: Investing in our Future report was published on 10 February 2016. It outlined the findings of the government’s Credit Union Working Group established in 2014. The working group was set up to consider how best to promote the credit union sector in Scotland, in recognition of their ethical lending practices and contribution to developing financial capability.\r\nThe report highlighted the need to improve financial education for young people and recommended partnering with schools to promote schemes run by credit unions. In response, the government has since made available £300,000 to credit unions to fund junior savers schemes in schools across Scotland to encourage children to manage their money from an early age. Information and guidance to credit unions interested in applying for the new funding will be available shortly.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311089,"EventID":"S4W-30313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:46.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T21:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the process is to become a living donor and how long it takes, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"No data is available on how long it takes to become a living donor, broken down by NHS board. Assessment to become a living donor is tailored to individual needs and commitments and varies from person to person. The process usually takes at least three months. However it may take more or less time depending on factors such as the number of potential donors who come forward to be assessed for each recipient; the health of the potential donors and the type of tests they require; and the general health of the potential recipient. Information on the process involved in becoming a living donor is available on the Organ Donation Scotland website at the following link: https://www.organdonationscotland.org/sites/default/files/living_kidney_donation.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311090,"EventID":"S4W-30314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:48.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T21:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are enough independent assessors to interview potential living donors and, if not, what action is being taken to recruit them.","AnswerText":"Independent assessors (IA) play an important role in the assessment of potential living donors. Once accredited with the Human Tissue Authority (HTA), they act as a representative of both the donor and the HTA. There are sufficient IAs in Edinburgh, however the transplant unit based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow recently experienced a shortfall in the number of IAs required to interview potential donors and recipients. Following a recruitment exercise, several people have submitted applications to the HTA and will undergo training in March 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311091,"EventID":"S4W-30315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:50.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-02T21:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken a cost-benefit analysis of doing kidney transplants from living donors compared with treatment by dialysis.","AnswerText":"All solid organ transplant services in Scotland are nationally commissioned by NHS Scotland’s National Services Division (NSD). Following publication of A Donation and Transplant Plan for Scotland 2013-2020, NSD undertook a comprehensive review of the potential future of solid organ transplantation in Scotland which included a health and social care resource impact analysis for all types of solid organ transplantation (including living kidney donation). The report entitled Commissioning Transplantation to 2020 was published in 2015 and can be viewed at the following link: http://www.nsd.scot.nhs.uk/%5C%5C/publications/servicereviews.html.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311092,"EventID":"S4W-30316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:51.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what selection criteria were used for appointing each member of the Partnership for Action on Drugs in Scotland and to whom they will be accountable.","AnswerText":"The work of the Drugs Strategy Delivery Commission (DSDC) was concluded in November 2014. Since then, Scottish Government officials have been working closely with key stakeholders, including members of the former DSDC and other legacy groups, to develop a new Partnership for Action on Drugs in Scotland (PADS) group which will work collaboratively to lead and guide the sector going forward. This group was officially launched at its first meeting on 19 January 2016.\r\nConsideration of membership for the PADS group reflected on the need to strike a balance between building on established sector wide expertise as well as incorporating new individuals who can bring a missing or fresh perspective. Where possible we sought to address equalities considerations and actively consider how those with lived experience can be engaged in the work.\r\nPADS is directly accountable to the Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311093,"EventID":"S4W-30317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:52.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many drug users have become abstinent since the publication of The Road to Recovery: A New Approach to Tackling Scotland's Drug Problem in 2008.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to say how many people have become abstinent since the publication of The Road to Recovery. Moving forward, we are currently working closely with Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland, national commissioned organisations, Alcohol and Drug Partnerships and services to develop a new data collection system (the drug and alcohol information system (DAISy)) which will collect and report on drug and alcohol treatment and outcomes information, including abstinence.\r\nIt is important to note, however, that recovery for some individuals is not the same as abstinence. The Road to Recovery set out the importance of developing a system of care which ensured that individuals were offered a treatment and recovery package that best met their needs and aspirations. To that end, we can report that for the last full year of data available (April 2014 to March 2015) 20,801 drug treatments were started for 16,915 people.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311094,"EventID":"S4W-30318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:54.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what timeframe it has set to deliver the commitments in its response to the Commission on Housing and Wellbeing report, A blueprint for Scotland's future.","AnswerText":"The report contains a range of recommendations for the short, medium and long term and we will take forward our response to the recommendations accordingly.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311095,"EventID":"S4W-30319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:56.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address the reported reduction in the percentage of houses that passed the healthy, safe and secure section of the Scottish Housing Quality Standard in 2014.","AnswerText":"The Scottish House Condition Survey does not record any reduction in the proportion of social sector dwelling that passed the healthy, safe and secure section of the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) in 2014. The proportion of dwellings in the social sector which failed this criterion was 13% in 2013 and 14% in 2014. The difference between these two figures is within the margin of error.\r\nThe Scottish Housing Regulator is responsible for monitoring the performance of social landlords against SHQS, and reported that at April 2015 only 1.19% of social housing was non-compliant with the SHQS. These figures for compliance include social housing that is exempt or in abeyance from part of the standard, for example where the work is not technically possible or where the necessary consent of owners cannot be obtained.\r\nThe regulator considers fails as part of its annual risk assessment and where necessary engages with landlords to confirm that plans are in place to ensure stock meets SHQS.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311096,"EventID":"S4W-30320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T13:59:58.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of houses have passed the healthy, safe and secure section of the Scottish Housing Quality Standard in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"The number and proportion of dwellings in the social sector which failed the healthy, safe and secure section of the Scottish Housing Quality Standard since 2010 according to the Scottish House Condition Survey are as follows:\r\nYear\r\nNumber\r\nPercentage\r\n2010\r\n100,000\r\n16%\r\n2011\r\n93,000\r\n15%\r\n2012\r\n77,000\r\n13%\r\n2013\r\n77,000\r\n13%\r\n2014\r\n85,000\r\n14%\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311097,"EventID":"S4W-30321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T14:00:00.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason a reported 2,000 fewer homes received assistance from the Home Energy Efficiency Programmes Scotland in 2014-15 than in 2013-14.","AnswerText":"The reduction in the number of measures installed through our Home Energy Efficiency Programmes Scotland (HEEPS) schemes is primarily the result of changes made by the UK Government to the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). HEEPS funding is blended with ECO to help deliver more expensive measures such as solid wall insulation. Figures published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change indicate that, based on the share of ECO measures delivered, £184 million of ECO funding was spent in Scotland in 2013-14. However, due to changes to ECO introduced by the UK Government in December 2013, ECO spend in Scotland in 2014-15 fell to £110 million. To help mitigate against this reduction the Scottish Government increased its fuel poverty and domestic energy efficiency budget in 2014-15 and increased the levels of assistance available to households.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311098,"EventID":"S4W-30322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T14:00:02.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many foodbanks it has funded in each year since 2007-08, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has provided £1 million of funding over 2014-16 to help combat food poverty in Scotland. This funding supports 26 emergency food aid projects in 17 local authority areas to respond to the immediate demands for emergency food aid and help address the underlying causes of food poverty. Most, but not all of these projects are led by food banks, and are set out in the following table.\r\nLocal authority\r\n(number of funded projects)\r\nLead organisation(s)\r\nAberdeen (2)\r\n\r\nFersands and Fountain Community Project\r\nInstant Neighbour\r\nClackmannanshire (1)\r\nThe Gate Charity\r\nDumfries and Galloway (2)\r\nApex Scotland\r\nDumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service\r\nDundee (1)\r\nDundee Foodbank\r\nEast Ayrshire (1)\r\nCouncil of Voluntary Organisations\r\nEast Lothian (1)\r\nEast Lothian Foodbank\r\nEdinburgh (3)\r\n\r\nThe Rock Trust\r\nBethany Christian Trust\r\nCitizens Advice Edinburgh/Edinburgh City Mission\r\nFalkirk (1)\r\nFalkirk Foodbank\r\nFife (1)\r\nENeRGI\r\nGlasgow (5)\r\n\r\nGlasgow North East Foodbank\r\nGlasgow North West Foodbank\r\nCentral and West Integration Network\r\nWheatley Group\r\nBalornock East Residents Association/Greater Maryhill Foodbank\r\nHighland (1)\r\nCalman Trust\r\nInverclyde (1)\r\nInverclyde Foodbank\r\nMidlothian (1)\r\nMidlothian Foodbank\r\nMoray (1)\r\nCommunity Food Moray\r\nNorth Ayrshire (1)\r\nNorth Ayrshire Foodbank\r\nNorth Lanarkshire (2)\r\n\r\nCalderbank Parish Church\r\nLanarkshire Community Food and Health Partnership\r\nSouth Lanarkshire (1)\r\nCommunity Links\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311099,"EventID":"S4W-30323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T14:00:04.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many foodbanks in each local authority area have closed because of lack of funding in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of food banks that have ceased operation.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311100,"EventID":"S4W-30324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T14:00:06.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many additional staff it has hired to process (a) basic and (b) less favoured area support scheme payments. ","AnswerText":"A total of 36 additional members of staff have been recruited to area offices to deal with payment issues. We have also recruited 35 additional professional staff members.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311101,"EventID":"S4W-30325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T14:00:07.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is on schedule to make the sheep coupled payments that are due in the first week of April 2016 and, if not, what the reason is for any delay.","AnswerText":"Payments for the sheep coupled payments are part of the direct payments regime, and as such the payment window closes on the 30 June 2016, this is a new scheme being delivered by the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311102,"EventID":"S4W-30326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T14:00:08.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commission an independent inquiry into the IT systems failures with its common agricultural policy payments. ","AnswerText":"Throughout the programme, we have used the government gateway review process which involves independent assessment on the progress of the programme. The Scottish Government is committed to learning lessons from this IT programme however our current focus is on delivering payments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311103,"EventID":"S4W-30327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T14:00:09.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much VisitScotland has spent on promoting (a) the Falkirk district, (b) Forth Valley, (c) Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and (d) Stirling in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"Since 2011, VisitScotland has spent considerable resources on promoting Falkirk, the Forth Valley, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and Stirling. As the Forth Valley geographical area includes Clackmannanshire alongside Falkirk and Stirling Councils, this information has been provided separately.\r\nFalkirk \r\nGrowth Fund\r\nIn 2013-14, £51,000 was awarded to an organisation in Falkirk through VisitScotland’s growth fund, which supports collaborative tourism marketing projects.\r\nMarketing support under memorandum of agreement between Falkirk Council and VisitScotland\r\nSince 2011, Falkirk Council has invested a total of £58,140 in VisitScotland activity promoting the Falkirk local authority area as a destination for visitors.\r\nInvestment through EventScotland funding programmes\r\nEventScotland has provided the following funding support to events in the Falkirk area:\r\nYear\r\nAmount\r\n2011\r\n£19,914*\r\n2012\r\n£10,000\r\n2013\r\n£28,188*\r\n2014\r\n£199,928*\r\n2015\r\n£4,000\r\n2016\r\n£27,667*\r\nVisitScotland also promotes Falkirk through its VisitScotland Information Centre at Falkirk Wheel and through an information point at the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway.\r\nClackmannanshire\r\nInvestment through EventScotland funding programmes\r\nEventScotland has provided the following funding support to events in the Clackmannanshire area:\r\nYear\r\nAmount\r\n2011\r\n£422*\r\n2013\r\n£8,088*\r\n2014\r\n£21,595*\r\n2016\r\n£12,500*\r\nClackmannanshire is also promoted through VisitScotland's Information Point in Partnership at the Spiers Centre in Alloa.\r\nStirling\r\nOrganisations within Stirling have received £26,000 in 2014-15 and £15,500 in \r\n2015-16 through VisitScotland’s Growth Fund.\r\nMarketing support under memorandum of agreement between Stirling Council and VisitScotland\r\nSince 2011, investment from partner organisations has supported VisitScotland marketing for the Stirling area to the value of £175,800, including £97,500 from Stirling Council which levered an additional £63,000 via VisitScotland applications to the European Regional Development Fund, plus a further £14,800 from Destination Stirling.\r\nInvestment through EventScotland funding programmes\r\nEventScotland has provided the following funding support to events in the Stirling area:\r\nYear\r\nAmount\r\n2011\r\n£145,422*\r\n2012\r\n£85,000*\r\n2013\r\n£102,855*\r\n2014\r\n£496,545*\r\n2015\r\n£60,295*\r\n2016\r\n£30,500*\r\nSince 2011, Stirling Council has directly invested £59,280 in local on-arrival marketing through VisitScotland Information Centres in the Stirling local authority area at Stirling Old Town Jail, Stirling Pirnhall, Aberfoyle, Callander and Tyndrum (totalling £296,400 over five years), supported by a further £87,840 through in-kind support for rental costs.\r\nLoch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park\r\nGrowth Fund\r\nOrganisations within the national park area have received £40,200 in 2011-12, £42,500 in 2013-14 and £34,000 in 2015-16 through VisitScotland’s growth fund.\r\nVisitScotland has promoted the national park as part of its marketing campaigns, both in print and online. The National Park Authority have responsibility for its own marketing.\r\nVisitScotland also promotes all these areas through online and other media campaigns.\r\n*Includes events occurring across more than one local authority, with relative value apportioned accordingly.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311104,"EventID":"S4W-30328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T14:00:11.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many nursing staff there are in (a) NHS Forth Valley and (b) the rest of Scotland, and how this compares with 2007.","AnswerText":"We currently have the highest NHS staffing levels ever under this Government, with record numbers of nurses and midwives.\r\n\r\nThe number (whole time equivalent) of nursing and midwifery staff for NHS Forth Valley, bands 1-4 and bands 5-9 as at 30 September 2007 and 31 December 2015 is published by Information Services Division Scotland (ISD) and is shown as follows:\r\n\r\nSeptember 2007\r\nDecember\r\n2015\r\n% change September 2007 to December 2015\r\nAgenda for Change Bands 5-9 (including interns)\r\n1,693.9\r\n1,930.8\r\n14.0%\r\nAgenda for Change Bands 1-4\r\n764.7\r\n778.0\r\n1.7%\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System.\r\n\r\nThe number (whole time equivalent) of nursing and midwifery staff for NHSScotland, Bands 1-4 and Bands 5-9 as at 30 September 2007 and 31 December 2015 is published by ISD Scotland and is shown as follows:-\r\n\r\nSeptember 2007\r\nDecember\r\n2015\r\n% change September 2007 to December 2015\r\nAgenda for Change Bands 5-9 (including interns)\r\n37,549.5\r\n43,538.6\r\n15.9%\r\nAgenda for Change Bands 1-4\r\n14,822.7\r\n15,664.9\r\n5.7%\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System.\r\nNotes\r\n1. Agenda for change was introduced in 2007. In 2007 a number of staff may not have yet assimilated to agenda for change and so would not be shown in the nursing and midwifery job family.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311110,"EventID":"S4W-30329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T16:43:42.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T13:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide substantive answers to questions S4W-29454 and S4W-29455, which received holding answers on 5 February 2016, and what the reason is for the delay in providing such answers.","AnswerText":"The answers have now been provided. The response was delayed as our priority was for ministers to work across portfolios, officials and the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs to all work in unison to find a solution. This has now been done, as set out in our responses to the above questions.\r\n\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311111,"EventID":"S4W-30331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T16:43:42.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T13:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made provisions in its budget for penalties imposed by the European Union as a result of delays to common agricultural policy payments.","AnswerText":"The European Union would not impose financial penalties unless CAP Pillar 1 payments are not made by 30 June 2016. CAP Pillar 2 schemes do not have fixed payment windows and therefore the concept of financial penalties in respect of Pillar 2 does not exist.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311112,"EventID":"S4W-30332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T16:43:43.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial modelling of the new areas of natural constraint payment system it has carried out, and what the results were.","AnswerText":"Work is currently underway to consider the designation and scheme design for Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC), and this process will include modelling of the options for the new scheme, within the scope of EU rules, before it is introduced in 2018.\r\n\r\nWe are working closely with the James Hutton Institute to apply the biophysical criteria for the new land designation, and with the ANC Stakeholder Group to consider the principles underpinning and options for delivering the new scheme.\r\nWe are also developing the evidence base for ANC, reviewing the relevant elements of the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme and analysing the impact of the change of support under the new direct payments regime.\r\nExternal consultants have been commissioned to analyse this information and provide impartial recommendations based on the evidence. I expect them to report later in the spring and for the Scottish Government to launch a public consultation in the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311113,"EventID":"S4W-30333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T16:43:43.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what standards are in place for neurological care and whether it plans to change them.","AnswerText":"National clinical standards for neurological health services were implemented in 2010.\r\nWe have asked Healthcare Improvement Scotland to review how the quality of care for people with neurological conditions can be enhanced in all care settings. That assessment will reflect our National Clinical Strategy and health and social care integration, as well as evidence of good practice.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311114,"EventID":"S4W-30334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T16:43:44.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what care and support is available to people with neurological conditions.","AnswerText":"Our health service provides high quality care across a range of neurological services provided by NHS boards. The recently published National Clinical Strategy makes it clear that we want everyone, including people with neurological conditions, to receive care in their own homes or as close to home as possible.\r\n\r\nTo that end, we have increased our funding for specific projects to improve services and experiences for people with neurological conditions. In 2015-16, we invested £210,000, which was almost three times as much funding as the previous year. In addition to this, in 2016-17 we are investing £250 million a year through health and social care partnerships to protect and grow social care services. We are also investing an additional £11.6 million to implement self-directed support. This will increase the availability of social care, allowing more people to receive the care and support they need at home, living as independently as possible, and sharing their lives with their family and friends.\r\nDr John Paul Leach was also recently appointed as the new chair to the National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions, the successor group to the National Neurological Advisory Group. We are currently working with Dr Leach to put in place the group’s leadership team and a new work plan for the committee to focus on over the next two years.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311115,"EventID":"S4W-30335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T16:43:44.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29584 by John Swinney on 9 February 2016, which minister is leading its discussions with (a) the UK Government and (b) key stakeholders regarding the effectiveness of the regulations; what meetings have taken place; who attended; whether the issue of (i) making senior executives accountable for calls made by their companies and (ii) mandatory caller identification was discussed, and whether it will publish the minutes.","AnswerText":"There have been no recent ministerial discussions with the UK Government or key stakeholders on the issue of nuisance calls. Scottish Government officials met with representatives of Which? in February and March 2016, and are currently considering how the Scottish Government can most effectively intervene with the limited powers available to us. Minutes of these meetings were not prepared.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311116,"EventID":"S4W-30336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T16:43:45.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T14:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-05622 by John Swinney on 3 March 2016 (Official Report, c. 8), in light of the cabinet secretary's comment that powers \"around consumer advocacy to support individuals who are troubled by the persistence of nuisance calls\" were to be devolved, what its position is on extending the Scottish Business Pledge to promote business practice that demonstrates a commitment to ending such calls, and whether it has met Ofgem to discuss the issue.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Business Pledge is a voluntary commitment made by companies in Scotland to adopt fair and progressive business practices with the goal of boosting productivity, competitiveness, employment, fair work and workforce engagement and development. It does not refer specifically to nuisance calls and we have no plans at this stage to extend it to do so. However, we will continue to work with key stakeholders, including industry regulators, to determine what practical steps can be taken to better protect consumers, within the boundaries of our devolved powers.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311117,"EventID":"S4W-30338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T16:43:45.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T14:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comment by Kezia Dugdale at First Minister's Questions on 3 March 2016 regarding the minuting of meetings concerning fracking between \"her environment agency and the Department of Energy and Climate Change\" (Official Report, c. 12), what other meetings since 2011 involving ministers or civil servants and special advisers have not been minuted.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials record meetings in line with civil service custom and practice, and to comply with the Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311118,"EventID":"S4W-30339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T16:43:46.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T14:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that the implementation of the 2017 discard ban to be discussed by the industry and Marine Scotland on 17 March 2016 will find solutions to the concerns over choke species.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with the fishing industry to implement the landing obligation in the most flexible way and has always said it will work with other EU member states to resolve the difficult issues which we understand fishermen alone cannot fix. \r\nOur Scottish Discards Steering Group, which includes representatives from the fishing industry, non-governmental organisations and active fishermen, meets on 17 March 2016 and will discuss a number of matters, including the proposed extension of the landing obligation in 2017 plus the aims of the international choke species workshop to be held in Edinburgh on 14-15 April 2016 where we hope there will be clarity on what the real biological choke issues are and what the options are for addressing them. Member states and advisory council representatives have been invited to attend and contribute to the choke species workshop.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311119,"EventID":"S4W-30340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T16:43:46.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T14:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any of the 2015-16 Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme budget has been transferred to other budgets as a result of any projected underspend and, if so, to which budgets.","AnswerText":"There has been no transfer of budget form the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme to any other budget.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311120,"EventID":"S4W-30341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T16:43:47.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T14:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Rural Payments and Inspections Division area offices are made aware of any Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme applications for new agricultural sheds for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"All Crofting Agricultural Grant applications, regardless of the type of proposal, are made to the applicants local area office in the first instance and there is therefore no need to notify the area offices of the purpose for an application at a later stage.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311121,"EventID":"S4W-30342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T16:43:47.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T14:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what independent body is responsible for assessing the Scottish Government's performance on the application of its fiscal rules.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is subject to budgetary rules, expenditure limits and statutory borrowing limits. There are established mechanisms in place for reporting to Parliament on performance against these rules. The Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts report on outturn compared to the budget authorised by the Scottish Parliament. The consolidated accounts for the 2014-15 financial year are available at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/10/3786.\r\nAudit Scotland, on behalf of the Auditor General, also reports annually on the Scottish Government’s outturn against budget and expenditure limits.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311122,"EventID":"S4W-30343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T16:43:48.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T14:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what independent body has produced a report since 2011 on the long-term sustainability of Scotland’s public finances.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is of the view that it is for elected Members of the Scottish Parliament to hold Scottish Ministers to account for their financial judgments.\r\nAudit Scotland, working on behalf of the Auditor General for Scotland, supports the role of the Parliament and is responsible for providing independent assurance that public money is spent properly, efficiently and effectively. Audit Scotland reports which have considered issues of financial sustainability include Scotland’s public finances: addressing the challenges (August 2011) and Scotland’s public finances – a follow-up audit: Progress in meeting the challenges (June 2014).","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311123,"EventID":"S4W-30353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-03T16:43:48.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T15:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps are taken to ensure that patients are made aware of (a) material risks involved in (i) recommended treatments in general and (ii) methadone maintenance, and (b) any alternative treatments available even if private or not in Scotland.","AnswerText":"GPs and pharmacists are bound by codes of practice which set out expected standards of care for their patients, including the provision of treatment. Any discussions about that treatment should be a matter for the healthcare professional, using their clinical expertise and judgement.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311124,"EventID":"S4W-30354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-04T15:35:59.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T17:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many chairs of regulated public bodies were appointed in (a) 2013, (b) 2014 and (c) 2015, and how many in each year were women.","AnswerText":"The number of chairs of regulated public bodies appointed by ministers in each of the years 2013, 2014 and 2015, and the gender breakdown, is as follows:\r\n\r\nYear\r\nWomen\r\nMen\r\nTotal\r\n2013\r\n3\r\n8\r\n11\r\n2014\r\n2\r\n13\r\n15\r\n2015\r\n3\r\n10\r\n13\r\nThe proportion of women appointed to board positions is growing year on year, reaching 54% in 2015, which is creating a talented pool of board members who will be ready to step into chair positions in the future.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311125,"EventID":"S4W-30355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-04T15:36:00.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many return journeys have been made (a) to and (b) from each of the new stations on the Borders Railway.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland does not currently hold this information. However, ScotRail will report information of return journeys by station on the Borders Railway six months after the commencement of services. This is expected to be available to Transport Scotland in April 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311126,"EventID":"S4W-30356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-04T15:36:01.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Police Scotland is tackling housebreaking in the City of Edinburgh local authority area.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Police Scotland. However, I understand that Police Scotland continues to treat housebreaking as a priority.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311127,"EventID":"S4W-30357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-04T15:36:01.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers housebreaking to be a victimless crime.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the serious impact housebreaking has on its victims.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to protecting and supporting frontline services and local community policing across the whole of Scotland - supported by this Government's continued commitment to 1,000 additional officers and our ambitious Building Safer Communities Programme which seeks to reduce the number of victims of crime in Scotland by 250,000 by 2017-18.\r\nWe are working closely with Police Scotland, councils and other national partners to make Scotland safer and stronger, the evidence of which can be seen in a continued reduction in recorded crime, down by more than a quarter since 2007.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311128,"EventID":"S4W-30358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-04T15:36:02.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether housebreaking is included as a key performance indicator in Police Scotland's statistics.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311129,"EventID":"S4W-30359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-04T15:36:02.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it provides input into Police Scotland's annual identification of key performance indicators.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311152,"EventID":"S4W-30360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:37.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T14:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of the publication by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland of the document, Report on unannounced visit to Forensic Acute and Rehabilitation wards, Royal Cornhill Hospital in Aberdeen, and what its response is to Recommendation (a) 1, regarding the hospital's use of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and (b) 2, regarding female patients being inappropriately placed in the Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit due to there being no forensic acute or rehabilitation beds.","AnswerText":"This report is one of the first batch of local visit reports to be published by the Mental Welfare Commission and I welcome the commission's decision to do this.\r\nThe commission requires a response to the report's recommendations within three months of the date of the report. It is my expectation that all of the recommendations will be addressed in full.\r\nIt is the responsibility of NHS boards to plan for the services that meet the needs of the people in their area. Due to the very small numbers of female forensic patients and the high level of specialism required to care for and treat the patients, it is often clinically safer and more appropriate to provide services on a regional or national basis.\r\nNHSScotland forensic medium secure inpatient services are provided on a regional basis, with three medium secure units: Rowanbank in Glasgow serving the west of Scotland, the Orchard Clinic in Edinburgh serving the east of Scotland and Rohallion in Perth serving the north of Scotland. Women who require conditions of medium security are admitted to either the Orchard Clinic or Rowanbank.\r\nProvision of low secure forensic beds is the responsibility of NHS boards. It is the responsibility of the NHS board to ensure that if a women is admitted to a non-specialist ward such as Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit that their care and treatment is appropriate to their needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311153,"EventID":"S4W-30361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:38.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T14:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the ruling by Ofcom on 25 February 2016 regarding the future of BT and Openreach will have on its superfast broadband scheme. ","AnswerText":"The conclusions set out by Ofcom in relation to BT and Openreach in its strategic review of digital communications will have no appreciable impact on the delivery of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme. \r\n\r\nThe wholesale broadband platform being delivered through the programme will continue to be accessible to all retail providers on a regulated, non-discriminatory basis. Any specific proposals relating to Openreach’s network arising from the strategic review will apply to infrastructure delivered through the DSSB programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311154,"EventID":"S4W-30362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:38.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T14:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the rollout of superfast broadband in the (a) north east and (b) rest of the country.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme has delivered fibre broadband to more than 92,000 premises in the north east and to more than 500,000 premises in Scotland so far.\r\n\r\nCommunity Broadband Scotland is also supporting a number of community-led broadband projects across the north east, including schemes in Corgarff/Glenbuchat, Moss of Cruden, Insch/Inverurie, Banchory, and expansion of the Mearns Internet Initiative.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311155,"EventID":"S4W-30363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:40.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T14:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the NHS Grampian briefing report of June 2015, which suggested that it was due to be completed by spring 2016, whether it will provide an update on the progress that is being made with the review and redesign of child and adolescent mental health delivery arrangements in the Grampian area.","AnswerText":"The NHS Grampian action plan on the child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) waiting times target includes a review and redesign of CAMHS delivery arrangements to maximise capacity and enhance partnership working across education, social work, primary care and other partners. The board have undertaken an extensive and inclusive planning process involving all stakeholders including patients and families. A final options appraisal was completed last month and the implementation arrangements have now commenced.\r\nIn December 2015 the board recruited band five nurse clinicians and a permanent consultant psychiatrist and have secured further locum medical cover and are filling other vacancies to provide additional capacity. The board is also reviewing Choice and Partnership Approach (CAPA)* job plans in relation to capacity demand for next 18-24 month period and will offer more clinical hours for 0-12 year olds from 1 March 2016.\r\nNHS Grampian review progress twice a month against their action plan and are continuing to prioritise prioritising emergency and urgent referrals and longest waits.\r\n*CAPA is a clinical system that brings together the active involvement of young people and their families, demand and capacity ideas and a new approach to clinical skills and job planning.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311156,"EventID":"S4W-30364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:40.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T14:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many forensic (a) acute and (b) rehabilitation beds for female patients there are in (i) NHS Grampian and (ii) the rest of the country.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally or provided to the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311157,"EventID":"S4W-30366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:41.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T15:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has asked the UK Government to maintain the Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme and introduce a cross-GB cost recovery mechanism for Shetland’s separate distribution network.","AnswerText":"The Energy Act 2004 requires the Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme to be reviewed every three years. The UK Government set out its position on the Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme and Common Tariff Obligation at the end of 2015. The consultation document issued by the Department of Energy and Climate change states that the “UK Government is minded to not make any changes to the Orders governing both the Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme and Common Tariff Obligation at this time”. \r\nFurther, the UK Government has indicated that the full costs of the cross-subsidy for Shetland should be spread over Great Britain from the date at which the new energy solution for Shetland is implemented, which is currently expected to be around 2019. This change will have the effect of reducing energy costs for all consumers in the north of Scotland. The UK Government believes that cross-GB cost recovery of the Shetland subsidy would be best delivered through the existing Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme. The Scottish Government has noted the UK Government’s intentions.\r\nConsumers in the north of Scotland face some of the highest energy bills in the country, with extreme fuel poverty currently affecting many households in the Highlands area. We will continue to do everything we can to address fuel poverty in the north, and indeed throughout Scotland. For rural and remote communities, a fair network charging regime is a crucial factor – but other factors like energy efficiency and raising household incomes are equally important. That is why we have commissioned the Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force to examine the issues around fuel poverty in rural areas. We look forward to the task force producing a report of their findings, together with their proposals later in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311158,"EventID":"S4W-30367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:42.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what stakeholders it has met to discuss proposals for national fixed pricing on electricity distribution networks and when, and whether it will publish details of those discussions.","AnswerText":"In response to the Competition and Markets Authority’s energy market investigation, the Scottish Government raised the issue of the current distribution network charging methodology and highlighted the impact on consumers in the North of Scotland who face some of the highest electricity prices.\r\n\r\nOfgem published a report on regional differences in network charges in October 2015, which included an analysis of the current cost-reflective arrangements and the potential impacts of moving to a national network charge. The report shows that a move to a national network charge would see 1.8 million households in Scotland facing higher bills, while 0.7 million households would see reductions. Following discussions on this topic at the Convention of the Highlands and Islands (COHI) meeting in Stornoway on 7 March 2016, Ofgem and National Grid will be invited to the next COHI meeting to brief members on the relevant issues.\r\nFor rural and remote communities across Scotland, a fair network charging regime is a crucial factor – but other factors like energy efficiency and raising household incomes are equally important. That is why we have commissioned the Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force to examine the full range of issues around fuel poverty in rural areas, including national network charging proposals. We look forward to the task force producing a report of their findings later in 2016, and will carefully consider their recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311159,"EventID":"S4W-30368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:42.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on proposals for national fixed pricing on electricity distribution networks and whether it has asked the UK Government to examine such proposals.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30367 on 21 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311160,"EventID":"S4W-30369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:43.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the commitment that it made during the passage of the Bill, how it will ensure that it will fulfil its duties under the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 to ensure that children affected by parental imprisonment have their wellbeing needs identified and addressed.","AnswerText":"The amendments brought forward at stage 3 by the Scottish Government will ensure that, when a person is imprisoned, information which they disclose about any child they parent can be shared with the child’s named person service provider. These amendments mean that information provided will include the fact the child's parent is in prison, and any other information, which may be relevant to the named person’s functions. This in turn will ensure that any wellbeing needs of a child with a parent in prison are properly assessed and that the child’s Named Person has the opportunity to consider whether any advice, information support or services are necessary to help promote, support and safeguard the child’s wellbeing. This is consistent with the named person’s role under the 2014 Act.\r\nTo fulfil our commitment the Scottish Government has, and continues, to work closely with Barnardo's, Families Outside, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and Police Scotland to ensure that children affected by parental imprisonment have their wellbeing needs identified and addressed.\r\nThe Scottish Government is holding a dedicated master class for the Scottish Prison Service and secure units in April 2016, after which a short life working group will be established to produce practice materials that would ensure that relevant professionals carry out their existing prospective duties under part 4 and 5 of the CYP Act as well as any relevant new amendments introduced as part of the CJ Bill. The group is to include membership drawn from SPS, Police Scotland, the GIRFEC Lead Officers Group and Barnardo's and will be led by the Scottish Government. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311161,"EventID":"S4W-30370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:44.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the commitment that it made during the passage of the Bill, how it will ensure that it will fulfil its duties under the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 to ensure that the relevant stakeholders have the necessary infrastructure to implement the legislation consistently and carry out routine recording of the number of children affected by parental imprisonment.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30369 on 18 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311162,"EventID":"S4W-30371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:45.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the commitment that it made during the passage of the Bill, how it will ensure that it will fulfil its duties under the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 to ensure that data will be collected to inform strategic planning processes to ensure that the needs of children affected by parental imprisonment are visible and prioritised locally. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30369 on 18 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311163,"EventID":"S4W-30372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:46.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-04T22:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29631 by Alex Neil on 24 February 2016, what the action points were; whether it will provide records of the meetings, and, if not, for what reason this information is not being made available to the Parliament.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to publish action points or records of meetings. As previously explained in the answer to S4W-29631, the Scottish Government and Home Office have agreed that the discussions will remain confidential until they are concluded.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311164,"EventID":"S4W-30373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:46.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains its position that all farmers who are all eligible will receive basic payments in full by the end of April 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has earmarked up to £200 million of national funds so that anyone who has not received an instalment by the end of March 2016 will receive a nationally-funded payment up to 80 per cent of their common agricultural policy claim. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311165,"EventID":"S4W-30374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:47.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on achieving EU state aid approval for phase 2 of the superfast broadband programme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is supporting the UK Government’s efforts to secure a new UK-wide state aid scheme for broadband investment. The UK Government published a market engagement document in January 2016 that outlines the approach that has been discussed with the European Commission. This will form the basis of the UK’s notification document. A decision is expected in the coming months.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311166,"EventID":"S4W-30375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:48.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether phase 2 of the superfast broadband programme will allow community broadband groups to tender for services in their area.","AnswerText":"A procurement strategy for phase 2 has not yet been finalised. It is, therefore, too early to determine whether the procurement process will be structured in a way that will allow community broadband groups to tender for projects specific to their area.\r\n\r\nCommunity-led broadband projects will have a role to play in delivering 100% broadband coverage across Scotland. The Scottish Government has committed £16.5 million to Community Broadband Scotland (CBS), which is providing tailored support and funding to communities to enable them to develop sustainable projects. In a number of cases, this has involved the formation of community companies to deliver broadband services. We would encourage any community broadband group interested in this delivery route to make contact with CBS in the first instance.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311167,"EventID":"S4W-30376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:49.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it is having with the Home Office to ensure that 4G mobile coverage is available in all areas of Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has the departmental lead within the UK Government for digital connectivity, and the Scottish Government is engaged with DCMS on a number of relevant issues, including mobile coverage. Commercial rollout and existing UK Government policy and regulation is expected to deliver indoor 4G coverage to 95% of premises in Scotland by the end 2017.\r\n\r\nTo address the coverage gaps that will remain, the Scottish Government is engaging with all UK mobile operators. Also, as confirmed in the answer to question S4W-27311 on 17 September 2015, the Scottish Government is in discussion with the Home Office about the role of the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP). ESMCP’s core aim is to deliver an appropriate communications network to support the vital work of the emergency services when their existing airwave provision comes to an end. However, without prejudice to that core aim and within the limits of state aid and procurement law, on-going discussions seek to enable the programme to capitalise on opportunities for its new 4G emergency services network to contribute collateral benefit in terms of enhanced coverage more generally.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311168,"EventID":"S4W-30377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:50.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £42 million budget for phase 2 of the superfast broadband programme will be allocated to the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"Funding allocations from the phase 2 budget have not yet been confirmed. We are working closely with key stakeholders, including Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Community Broadband Scotland and local government partners, on the development of a procurement and delivery strategy for phase 2. We expect to be able to announce details of this later in 2016, once state aid issues have been resolved and an intervention area has been finalised.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311169,"EventID":"S4W-30378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T13:49:51.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the information on the Digital Scotland website regarding the upgrading of exchange areas under phase 1 of the superfast broadband programme is accurate.","AnswerText":"The information used to update the Digital Scotland website is provided by BT Openreach project teams working on the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme. This information is validated centrally within Openreach before being passed to the Scottish Government where it is validated and assured against contractual address data. It includes weekly updates on newly enabled exchanges and quarterly updates for forecast roll-out plans.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311170,"EventID":"S4T-01351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T12:37:55.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to mark International Women’s Day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311171,"EventID":"S4F-03284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T12:37:14.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311172,"EventID":"S4F-03285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T12:37:15.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-03T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311173,"EventID":"S4F-03286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T12:37:15.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T09:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311174,"EventID":"S4F-03287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T12:37:16.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T09:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government considers that the rehousing provisions for victims of domestic abuse are satisfactory.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311175,"EventID":"S4F-03293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T12:37:25.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the RMT-commissioned report on the future of Scottish ferry services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311176,"EventID":"S4F-03295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T12:37:27.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to figures from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, which show a 5.5% increase in visitor numbers at attractions in Scotland in 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311179,"EventID":"S4W-30379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:15.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T13:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if the ferry service between Dunoon and Gourock remains passenger only under the next contract, whether the port of Gourock will be maintained as a port of refuge with vehicle handling capability for that contract period.","AnswerText":"The appointed service operator shall be required to operate a subsidised passenger only ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon town centres. Potential participants will also be encouraged to provide an unsubsidised vehicle-carrying service at their own commercial risk.\r\n\r\nGourock is currently used as a port of refuge for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services, its continuation as a port of refuge is not dependent on the outcome of the Gourock to Dunoon ferry service procurement process.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311180,"EventID":"S4W-30380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:17.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T13:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to tackle wildlife crime. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government currently is taking action to tackle wildlife crime on a number of fronts.\r\n\r\nIn response to a request from the Scottish Government in July 2013, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) developed a new procedure for restricting the use of general licences on land where, on the basis of evidence from Police Scotland, they have good reason to believe that wildlife crime has taken place. General licences allow land managers to carry out actions to control wild birds that would otherwise be unlawful. Restrictions on general licences are now in place affecting four properties.\r\nAlso in July 2013, the Scottish Government established a review to examine whether the penalties available for wildlife crime properly reflect the seriousness of the damage caused to vulnerable wildlife and fragile habitats and ecosystems. This review, led by Professor Poustie of Strathclyde University, submitted a report to Scottish Ministers on 19 November 2015. The report made 10 recommendations which included increasing the maximum fines to £40,000 and imprisonment to 12 months for more serious offences; extending the use of forfeiture provisions and making more use of and legislating for the use of impact statements in courts. The Scottish Government published a formal response on 24 February 2016 stating that the Scottish Government looked forward to making progress with taking forward the recommendations.\r\nAs agreed during the debate on wildlife crime in the Scottish Parliament on 6 May 2014, the Scottish Government has asked SNH to commission a study of the legislation and regulation relating to the hunting of gamebirds in other countries. This study has now commenced and a report is expected in the autumn.\r\nIn addition to initiatives which have operated over specified periods of time, such as the Scottish Government funded Pesticides Disposal Scheme 2015 which was in place between February and May of that year to help remove dangerous banned pesticides from Scotland’s environment, the Scottish Government also supports regular ongoing work to assist in the fight against wildlife crime. This includes the publication annually in March of maps showing areas where bird of prey crimes have taken place, and the ‘Heads up for Harriers’ initiative which works with land managers and conservationists to raise awareness of risks to hen harriers and identify reasons for breeding failures.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to lead the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime Scotland, and supports this broad partnership approach as the best way to tackle wildlife crime. The Scottish Government is also continuing to fund the National Wildlife Crime Unit based in Livingston.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311181,"EventID":"S4W-30381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:18.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T13:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on implementing catch-up zones in remote areas with high levels of fuel poverty.","AnswerText":"We have allocated over half a billion pounds to our energy efficiency programmes since 2009, and we are already introducing greater flexibility across our fuel poverty programmes to help increase delivery of our schemes in rural areas.\r\nIn 2015-16 we allocated £65 million to our HEEPS: Area Based Schemes which is delivered by local authorities. Through this programme councils are given the flexibility to identify areas that are most likely to be fuel poor and to provide the measures most suitable for those properties.\r\nThe Scottish Government also funds Home Energy Scotland to provide free and impartial advice on energy efficiency measures to all householders in Scotland. This includes advice on schemes they may be eligible for as well as tailored advice for an individual’s own home. Home Energy Scotland also provides a community liaison service to join up with other local and national service providers to reach the most vulnerable people in our communities.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311182,"EventID":"S4W-30382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:19.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T13:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on restarting the review into building standards for energy efficiency that was cancelled in September 2015. ","AnswerText":"No review into building standards for energy efficiency was cancelled in September 2015. The most recent review of these standards was undertaken between April 2011 and June 2014, with a public consultation in January 2013. This resulted in revised standards being published in October 2014 and brought into force on 1 October 2015. Work on the next review is currently programmed to commence later in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311183,"EventID":"S4W-30383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:20.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T13:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on establishing more national parks to help conserve the natural landscape. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has previously made clear its willingness to work with communities to explore the creation of new national parks. We have been equally clear that such discussions would only be appropriate where there is strong evidence of local authority and community support and a robust case to justify costs.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311184,"EventID":"S4W-30384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:21.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applicants there have been for postgraduate educational psychologist positions for each year from 2010-11.","AnswerText":"The University of Dundee and the University of Strathclyde run, with an intake in alternate years, two year Master of Science courses in educational psychology. The number of applications for each intake year since 2010 is shown in the following table:\r\nIntake Year\r\nUniversity\r\nNumber of applications1\r\n2016\r\nDundee\r\nApplications still being accepted\r\n2015\r\nStrathclyde\r\n55\r\n2014\r\nDundee\r\n46\r\n2013\r\nStrathclyde\r\n69\r\n2012\r\nDundee\r\n105 (92)2\r\n2011\r\nStrathclyde\r\n212\r\n2010\r\nDundee\r\n127\r\nSource: Data provided by Dundee University and Strathclyde University\r\nNotes: (1) Number of applications received by closing date.\r\n(2) 105 applicants reduced to 92 following the announcement of withdrawal of funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311185,"EventID":"S4W-30385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:22.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24042 by Alasdair Allan on 29 January 2015, what developments there have been to support educational psychologists and what work the secondee with Education Scotland has been doing.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continue to work with the National Scottish Steering Group for Educational Psychologists (NSSGEP). Throughout 2015, the focus of the group was to undertake a workforce planning project. The secondee worked with the group to develop and conduct a workforce planning survey and to begin the analysis and presentation of the findings before the post ended in August 2015. A summary report of the survey findings was shared and discussed at a National Conference for Educational Psychology held by Education Scotland in January 2016. The purpose of the conference was to bring together a wide range of stakeholders, which included members of the NSSGEP, to explore the future direction of educational psychology services in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311186,"EventID":"S4W-30386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:23.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how plans to reduce local authority budgets will affect the number of educational psychologists employed.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of each individual education authority to take their statutory duties into account, establish their priorities in light of local circumstances and to allocate their resources appropriately. In this context, it is for each local authority to take decisions around the number of educational psychologists it employs.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311187,"EventID":"S4W-30387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:24.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applicants the University of Dundee received for its MSC programme in educational psychology for 2015-16 and how this will impact on the statutory duty of local authorities to provide a certain number of educational psychologists.","AnswerText":"Dundee University is still accepting applications for the MSc in educational psychology for its 2016 intake.\r\nThere is no statutory duty for local authorities to provide a certain number of educational psychologists. Section 4 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 places a duty on every education authority to provide for that area a psychological service, and sets out the functions that service will undertake. The Act does not set out the type of service or staffing to deliver that service as they are matters for each education authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311188,"EventID":"S4W-30388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:25.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the new health visitor pathway will equip health visitors with an understanding of attachment and interventions to promote it.","AnswerText":"Health visitors are equipped with the knowledge and skills to recognise, assess, intervene and promote attachment by their learning and practice experience. Health visitors undertake the specialist community public health nursing course which includes the theory and practical application of attachment. In line with the refreshed role of health visitors, this education programme and continuous professional development were refocused in 2015. Health visitors visit families with children under five years of age at regular intervals as outlined in the health visiting pathway and carry out continuous assessment and identification of child and family health and wellbeing needs. The importance of attachment and bonding is one of the core issues which health visitors assess and promote at many of these contact points.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311189,"EventID":"S4W-30389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:27.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T14:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what national framework is in place to facilitate regular clinical supervision for health visitors working with high risk families and what infrastructure is in place in each NHS board to ensure application locally.","AnswerText":"Clinical supervision is a formal process of professional support and learning which provides a safe and confidential environment for staff to reflect on and discuss their work and their personal and professional responses to their work. The focus is on supporting staff in their personal and professional development and in reflecting on their practice. NHS boards are responsible for ensuring that their workforce is sufficiently developed to enable practitioners to provide appropriate standards of care. I expect NHS boards to have a structure in place for clinical supervision to support all practitioners which would include regular practice supervision by appropriately qualified professionals.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311190,"EventID":"S4W-30390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:28.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work has been undertaken centrally in relation to the administrative and support duties of health visitors to enable them to spend a greater proportion of their time with families, in line with recommendations in Reducing Antenatal Health Inequalities: Outcome Focused Evidence into Action Guidance.","AnswerText":"In conjunction with the development of the health visiting pathway a caseload weighting tool has been developed. The aim of the tool is to enable health visiting practice to be targeted towards areas of greatest deprivation and families who are most in need of support, beginning in the antenatal period. NHS boards are responsible for ensuring that any necessary administrative support is in place to support health visitors.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311191,"EventID":"S4W-30391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:30.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to audit progress on establishing infant mental health as a core topic in the (a) curriculum and (b) post-qualification training of all people who work in children’s services.","AnswerText":"NHS Education Scotland are leading on the development of an infant mental health learning resource, aimed predominantly at midwives, neonatal nurses, paediatric nurses, health visitors and the wider children's workforce which will have a positive effect. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311192,"EventID":"S4W-30392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:31.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in developing and funding training for tier 1 and 2 staff in the use of structured tools for identification and evaluation of the parent-child relationship as outlined in Infant Mental Health: A Guide for Practitioners: A Report of the Expert Working Group on Infant Mental Health.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects NHS boards to take due cognisance of the content of all such reports. NHS boards are responsible for working with their partners to plan and provide safe, person centred and effective mental health services which meet the assessed needs of their local populations, in line with clinical guidance and Scottish Government mental health policy and legislation.\r\nThe importance of the links between mental health and early years services is a theme that is being developed as part of our ongoing engagement on the next mental health strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311193,"EventID":"S4W-30393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:32.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it is providing to develop and implement effective interventions in infant mental health across Scotland.","AnswerText":"Through NHS Education for Scotland, the Scottish Government has contributed towards funding the Psychology of Parenting Project (PoPP) with £774k awarded in 2016. PoPP is aimed at improving the availability of high-quality evidence-based parenting programmes for families with young children who have elevated levels of behaviour problems.\r\nThe Early Years Change Fund is supporting a number of programmes in 2015-16 to build the skills and capacity of early years practitioners. This includes funding NHS Education Scotland:\r\n£84,762 to support the continued roll-out of the Solihull Approach, which aims to make basic infant mental health training more available to early years’ practitioners.\r\n£112,358 to implement a training programme for early years’ practitioners in strength-based communication skills called ‘Connecting with Parents’. The Connecting with Parents programme aims to improve parental engagement and retention rates in evidence-based parenting programmes, including the PoPP.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311194,"EventID":"S4W-30394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:34.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research is being conducted in Scotland to improve practice in relation to infant mental health and how learning from this work will be disseminated.","AnswerText":"We recognise the important role research has to play in improving services and approaches to care. The Scottish Government encourages high quality research in mental health through bodies such as the Scottish Mental Health Research Network where a number of research projects are currently supported – and the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services.\r\nNHS Education for Scotland (NES) is currently leading on the development of an Infant Mental Health learning resource, aimed predominantly at midwives, neonatal nurses, paediatric nurses, health visitors and the wider children’s workforce. This resource is being developed by both NES staff and partners from other organisations. It focuses on infant mental health, attachment, carer-infant/child relationships. The resource aims to not only increase the knowledge of its users in understanding these concepts, and how they can help promote the development of health infant mental health and positive relationships, but also to be able to recognise developing problems and instigate appropriate responses to address them.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311195,"EventID":"S4W-30395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:35.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a target for upskilling social workers through advanced clinical postgraduate training in attachment.","AnswerText":"Social work qualifying courses have been specifically identified as having a systemic focus on attachment in a mapping study commissioned by the Scottish Government that reported in December 2012.\r\n\r\nhttps://www.celcis.org/files/4814/3817/9734/Attachment-Matters-For-All.pdf.\r\nAll social work qualifying courses must meet the Standards in Social Work Education, which include the need for students to understand psychological and physiological theories of individual and social development, identity and functioning from infancy onwards.\r\nThe Scottish Government has no current plans to introduce a target for advanced clinical postgraduate attachment training for social workers, however the Standards for Social Work Education are being reviewed by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC, a Scottish Government non-departmental public body) to ensure they reflect changes in policy and practice.\r\nThe SSSC also provides a range of support to employers of social service workers to help them deliver their responsibilities to support and assist workers to achieve the qualifications required for the role they undertake and for their continuing professional development.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311196,"EventID":"S4W-30396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:37.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training and support in attachment is available to everyone caring for very young looked-after children, including foster and kinship carers, adoptive parents and residential and early years staff.","AnswerText":"As part of our programme of work to improve permanence for looked after children the Scottish Government commissioned the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS) and Scottish Attachment in Action, to map attachment training and attachment focussed practice in Scotland. A report on the findings was published in December 2012 and can be found at https://www.celcis.org/files/4814/3817/9734/Attachment-Matters-For-All.pdf.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government provide funding to organisations who support those caring for looked after children such as CELCIS, the Fostering Network, Children 1st and Adoption UK who provide a wide range of training opportunities to foster and kinship carers and adoptive parents that includes training and support on attachment.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311197,"EventID":"S4W-30397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:38.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in evaluating the effectiveness of antenatal education in (a) improving the delivery of such education to vulnerable parents, (b) effectively promoting infant mental health to expectant parents and (c) the delivery of measures to enhance attachment, as recommended in September 2011 by the Maternity Services Action Group's Improvements Sub-group on Maternal and Infant Mental Wellbeing. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provided funding to NHS Health Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland and Healthcare Improvement Scotland to jointly develop the Scottish Antenatal Parent Education Pack (SAPEP), launched in 2011. The pack is for professionals in Scotland to design and deliver consistent parent education that respects and reflects the individual needs of pregnant women and their partners. All 14 health boards have reported that they are delivering antenatal education and implementing SAPEP. NHS Health Scotland has commissioned an evaluation of SAPEP, which is currently underway and due to report shortly. This evaluation will also consider the effectiveness of delivery to vulnerable parents.\r\nThe Scottish Government funds NHS Health Scotland to develop and publish Ready, Steady, Baby!, a guide to pregnancy which is given to all pregnant women at their first booking appointment with a midwife. Ready, Steady, Baby! contains advice for new parents to promote babies’ wellbeing and development. NHS Health Scotland is currently reviewing the publication to improve the accessibility of parenting and health information for parents and carers, covering pregnancy to age five. The review process includes a comprehensive health inequalities impact assessment which takes account of the needs of vulnerable parents groups.\r\nOne of the key principles of the Refreshed Framework for Maternity Care (published by the Maternity Services Action Group) states that early intervention, prevention and promotion of maternal and infant health and wellbeing are integral elements within maternity care planning and provision. It asks health boards to develop mechanisms to follow advice and guidance on this. NHS Health Scotland has developed a website for early years workers which brings together published evidence and guidance on maternal and infant health and wellbeing, and includes a briefing paper on attachment which is aimed at increasing understanding of the theory and practice of promoting secure attachment.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311198,"EventID":"S4W-30398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:39.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T14:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is carrying out to develop the evidence base around psychological antenatal interventions for vulnerable expectant mothers, and to incorporate the learning from this into practice.","AnswerText":"There is a strong existing evidence base around psychological antenatal interventions for vulnerable expectant mothers. Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network 127 guidelines cover the management of perinatal mood disorders:\r\nhttp://www.sign.ac.uk/pdf/sign127.pdf.\r\nNational Institute for Care and Health Excellence quality standard 115 contains detailed information about a range of antenatal and postnatal mental health issues:\r\nhttps://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs115/chapter/related-nice-quality-standards.\r\nThe NHS's guide to delivering evidence-based psychological therapies in Scotland also contains guidance on antenatal care that can be provided for certain mental health issues, in particular regarding alcohol problems:\r\nhttp://www.evidenceintopractice.scot.nhs.uk/media/131943/nes-matrix.pdf.\r\nI want to ensure that services are providing interventions and treatment that reflects the evidence base. The importance of early interventions for early years is a theme that is being developed as part of our ongoing engagement on the next mental health strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311199,"EventID":"S4W-30399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:41.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that island councils should have the power to make the case to the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland for the introduction of single or two-member wards where there is a strong geographical case and, if so, what steps it has taken to devolve that power.","AnswerText":"As part of the Scottish Government’s recent Consultation on Provisions for a Future Islands Bill, views were sought on a range of issues including the concept of island proofing with the flexibility to issue statutory guidance and also councillor representation in island communities. \r\nThe findings of the independent analysis of the responses received was published on 14 March 2016 and this will help inform the development of a draft Bill. \r\nDecisions on the introduction of a future Bill will be for the next Scottish Government to determine following the Scottish parliamentary elections in May 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311200,"EventID":"S4W-30400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:42.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the management of and rights to profit from the foreshore and seabed round their islands should be devolved to the island authorities and, if so, what steps it has taken to (a) devolve that power and (b) consult the people living on islands and in local authorities with coastlines about how best to devolve it.","AnswerText":"At present our focus is to secure devolution of management and revenues of the Crown Estate in Scotland. We will implement interim arrangements to manage Crown Estate assets in advance of the Scottish Parliament using devolved powers which ensure a full and faithful implementation of The Smith Commission recommendations. \r\n\r\nFuture decisions on the longer term management arrangements will form part of a Scottish Government consultation process. We have already committed to provide coastal and island councils with 100% of net revenue from Crown Estate marine activities inside the 12 nautical mile zone, following devolution.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to engage with island councils and other local authorities, through the Stakeholder Advisory Group on the Crown Estate, to develop options for the longer term framework. As part of the Island Areas Ministerial Working Group process we have been discussing the potential for piloting devolution of functions for management of Crown Estate assets in the three island council areas ahead of a Scottish Bill. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311201,"EventID":"S4W-30402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-07T16:45:43.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that its ministers should have the power, at the request of local authorities, to issue statutory guidance in relation to island communities that relevant public bodies would be required to adhere to and, if so, what steps it has taken to achieve this.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30399 on 21 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311203,"EventID":"S4W-30447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T10:07:27.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with the International Development Small Grants Programme funding round for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that funding amounting to a total of £464,774 will be provided to 14 organisations (see following link), from our Small Grants Programme 2016-2017, for work to commence in April 2016.\r\nTotal amount of recommended funding – Programme Year 2016-2017\r\nType of Grant\r\nTotal Recommendation\r\nProject\r\n£407,515\r\nFeasibility\r\n£39,267\r\nCapacity Building\r\n£17,992\r\nTotal\r\n£464,774\r\nRecommendations for funding after assessment by country and grant type – Programme Year 2016-2017\r\nCountry\r\nProject\r\nFeasibility\r\nCapacity Building\r\nTotal\r\nMalawi\r\n4\r\n-\r\n-\r\n4\r\nZambia\r\n2\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2\r\nIndia (Madhya Pradesh)\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\nTanzania\r\n-\r\n3\r\n2\r\n5\r\nBangladesh\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n1\r\nZambia/Tanzania\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\nTotal\r\n8\r\n4\r\n2\r\n14\r\nThe Small Grants Programme 2016-2017 attracted 28 applications before the deadline of noon on 25 November 2015. One application was received after the closing date which was not assessed due to its lateness and the application being incomplete. A further three applications were rejected as outwith our eligibility criteria, and therefore were not part of the full assessment process. The remaining 25 applications were fully assessed, 11 of which did not meet our assessment criteria and were therefore not awarded funding.\r\nThe full list of the organisations to be funded is available on the following web link:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/int-dev/smallgrants.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311266,"EventID":"S4W-30455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:45:57.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its consideration of an application for legal aid toward the costs of a private prosecution from representatives of some of the families of victims of the Glasgow bin lorry tragedy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311275,"EventID":"S4W-30188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:47.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address the concerns raised by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland in its visit and monitoring report, No through road: People with learning disabilities in hospital, that the (a) \"goals of many of the assessment and treatment units [the commission] visited are significantly impeded by the issue of discharge delays\" and (b) rate of delayed discharge had increased from 22% in 2011 to 32% in 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to significantly reducing the number of people in Scotland who are waiting to move from hospital to more appropriate settings. This includes patients with a learning disability and those who have complex care needs.\r\n\r\nWe welcome the detail of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland’s report which outlines that the majority of care and treatment plans for people with learning disabilities was good and that families and carers were complimentary about the services their loved ones received.\r\nWe accept the recommendations put to the Scottish Government by the commission’s report. As part of the draft Budget for 2016-17 the Scottish Government announced an additional £250 million commitment to support health and social care partnerships. This funding is in addition to the three year £90 million we have already invested in reducing delays. This move will see fewer people going to hospital to receive care and people spending less time in hospital.\r\nSince 2011 a more robust reporting mechanism, the Edison reporting system, has been put in place ensuring that all delayed discharges are now accurately reported. Informed by the EDISON reporting system health and social care partnerships are developing joint discharge agreement protocols that will ensure no one is delayed unnecessarily.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311276,"EventID":"S4W-30189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:47.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason waiting time data for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde suggests that the rate of patient social unavailability is 33%; how this compares with other boards, and whether it will ask Health Improvement Scotland or Audit Scotland to investigate this.","AnswerText":"As part of the Scottish Government's on-going monitoring of the use of unavailability it became clear that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's use of social unavailability was higher than other health boards. \r\nThe board’s local policy had been to apply unavailability to patients not wishing to travel to alternative places for treatment such that patients do not start their waiting time all over again. It was NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's view that some patients may come from some of the most vulnerable part of society and therefore resetting or referring back to their GP may not be in the best interest of the patient. The board has now been advised their local operating policy must be fully compliant by 1 April 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311277,"EventID":"S4W-30191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:48.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS staff in each of the last three years have been identified as having inappropriately accessed patient records, and how many were subsequently (a) disciplined and (b) reported to the (i) police and (ii) Scottish Information Commissioner.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information centrally on how many NHS staff have been disciplined as a result of inappropriate access to information. Boards are however obliged to report significant information security incidents to the Scottish Government, and these could relate to personnel breaching patient or employee confidentiality. Since August 2014 there have been no such cases reported.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311278,"EventID":"S4W-30192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:49.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards do not have the capacity for clinicians to access electronic records on portals in all other board areas. ","AnswerText":"Portal access is shared between some NHS boards where patients may be commonly referred across those NHS board boundaries for treatment. The Scottish Government is promoting regional working in eHealth, and a key aspect of this is to create interoperable links between the NHS boards in the regions (West of Scotland, South and East of Scotland and North of Scotland) to enhance cross-boundary access.\r\nNevertheless, outside clinical portals, there are a variety of clinical systems which can be accessed by clinicians across Scotland including the Picture Archiving and Communication System, the Emergency Care Summary, the Key Information Summary and the SCI Store system providing access to electronic records if this is necessary.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311279,"EventID":"S4W-30193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:49.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it delivered the (a) clinical portal procurement and (b) telehealth development recommended by the Health and Sport Committee in session three in its report, Clinical portal and telehealth development in NHS Scotland (SP Paper 399), and, if so, how much this cost.","AnswerText":"Since the report was published in 2010 the majority of NHS boards have made significant progress, with clinical portals becoming a core strategic capability and making a significant impact on the availability of the nationally agreed 14 priority clinical information items. Clinical portals are used daily by a large number of clinicians. All NHS boards have on-going work to add information sources and widen access to their clinical portals to support patient flows and clinical need, including across NHS board boundaries. The Scottish Government made an up-front allocation of £4.85 million to the clinical portal project. NHS boards have also been using a proportion (determined by the NHS board) of their annual eHealth Strategic Fund allocation from the Scottish Government to enhance their clinical portals.\r\nOn telehealth, both national and local developments have continued apace. The use of video conferencing equipment for remote consultations is now routine in many service areas, particularly in rural parts of Scotland. This is facilitated by the National Video Conferencing Service, which links all NHS sites through a central booking system. This was largely local investment with national coordination, so the Scottish Government does not have details on costs incurred by local health boards. For home and mobile health monitoring, significant technology changes over the last few years (with the rise in tablets and smartphones) has led to a change in strategy to ensure cost effectiveness. Through the Technology Enabled Care Programme, the Scottish Government is now investing circa £9 million per annum (from 2015) to further expand and embed the use of technology in the routine delivery of healthcare at home. This includes the development of a national model for home and mobile health monitoring, which will be tested and further refined during 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311280,"EventID":"S4W-30194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:50.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances it would be (a) appropriate and (b) inappropriate for patients who are referred to other NHS boards to have their waiting time period reset to the time of the referral.","AnswerText":"The circumstances when a patient’s waiting time can be reset to zero are clearly set out in The Patient Rights (Treatment Time Guarantee) (Scotland) Regulations 2012. The appropriate Regulations are 5 and 6(2). A copy of the legislation can be found at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2012/110/contents/made.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311281,"EventID":"S4W-30195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:51.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, under Getting it right for every child, in what circumstances a named person who is not an NHS clinician can have access to medical information and what restrictions on confidentiality apply.","AnswerText":"The Draft statutory guidance on Part 4 (Named Person), Part 5 (Child’s Plan) and Part 18 and Section 96 (Assessment of Wellbeing) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act), was released on 1 December 2015 and can be accessed at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Young-People/gettingitright/publications/revised-draft-guidance\r\n\r\nChapter 10 of the guidance sets out information sharing duties under the Named Person provisions of the Act, with section 10.13 specifically focusing on duties of confidentiality and section 10.14 the disclosure of information provided in breach of a duty of confidentiality.\r\nUnder the Act a named person who is not an NHS clinician will not be provided open access to confidential medical notes, any medical information shared with a named person will be a decision for the information holder. All sharing of information within the context of the Act is subject to the Data Protection Act and working within the European Convention on Human Rights. Any information shared, medical or otherwise, must be specific information shared for an identified purpose. These restrictions are the same whether the named person is part of the NHS or not. The Act and the draft statutory guidance provides a framework for information holders to consider what if any relevant information ought to be shared with a named person.\r\nThey must consider the following:\r\nThat there is specific information that is likely to be relevant to the functions of a named person i.e. it is thought that on receiving the information that the named person is likely to take action to promote, support or safeguard a child or young person’s wellbeing by providing advice, information, support or help to access a service.\r\nThey have sought and listened to the views of the child or young person about sharing information (taking into account their age and maturity).\r\nThey have sought and listened to the views of parents except if it was contrary to the child’s views or where it was likely to be detrimental to the child’s wellbeing.\r\nIf the likely benefit of sharing the information outweighs any likely adverse effect on the wellbeing of the child or young person.\r\nThey must conclude that sharing the information would not prejudice the conduct of a criminal investigation or the prosecution of any offence.\r\nOnly after all of these considerations have taken place can the information holder share relevant information with a named person, at this time the Act allows for confidential information to be shared that the information holder believes is likely to be relevant and ought to be shared. Any onward sharing of this information is subject to the same considerations.\r\nThe Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has already clarified that the kind of information sharing envisaged by the Act is already lawful. The ICO’s statement of 28 March 2013 is available at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Resource/0041/00418080.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311282,"EventID":"S4W-30196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:52.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the Scottish Wide Area Network it (a) planned to award and (b) awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN) procurement strategy was developed and agreed by the Scottish Government in collaboration with the four SWAN Vanguard Partners: NHS Scotland, Education Scotland, Pathfinder North (a consortium that comprises the Highland Council, Argyle and Bute Council, Orkney Island Council, Moray Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) and Pathfinder South (a consortium that comprises Dumfries and Galloway Council and The Borders Council). The Vanguard Partners, led by NHS National Services Scotland (NSS), were responsible for the procurement, on behalf of all public sector bodies within Scotland.\r\nThe procurement was intended to deliver a framework agreement with a single contractor for a single solution with associated services accessible to all Scottish public sector bodies. The lifetime value of the framework was estimated to be between £110 million and £325 million; with the eventual value dependent upon the number of organisations calling off services from the framework over a seven year period.\r\nDue to the potential value of the contract, the financial strength and stability of any bidder was a key requirement for the Vanguard Partners. A condition of passing the pre-qualification questionnaire was that potential bidders would require to have a turnover in excess of £25 million. Scottish procurement guidelines suggest that the minimum level of turnover which must be reached should be no more than two times the value of the contract. The £25 million limit placed therefore allowed for a greater range of organisations to bid. \r\nA total of 10 companies completed and submitted the pre-qualification questionnaire. All 10 met the conditions required and were invited to participate in the next stage of the process.\r\nAs the strategy called for a single supplier, and the contract was awarded on that basis, it is now for the successful bidder to act as the services integrator and to use and manage as many sub-contractors as required to deliver SWAN services. The need for SWAN suppliers to have national coverage, and the nature of the telecoms market, tends to favour medium to large enterprises as they can provide more cost effective solutions with consistent pricing across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311283,"EventID":"S4W-30197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:52.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which small to medium-sized enterprises were awarded Scottish Wide Area Network contracts, also broken down by (a) the value of the contracts and (b) details of the contractual terms.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN) procurement strategy was developed and agreed by the Scottish Government in collaboration with the four SWAN Vanguard Partners: NHS Scotland, Education Scotland, Pathfinder North (a consortium that comprises the Highland Council, Argyle and Bute Council, Orkney Island Council, Moray Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) and Pathfinder South (a consortium that comprises Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Borders Council). The Vanguard Partners were responsible for the procurement, led by NHS National Services Scotland (NSS), on behalf of all public sector bodies within Scotland.\r\nThe procurement was intended to deliver a framework agreement with a single contractor for a single solution with associated services accessible to all Scottish public sector bodies. The lifetime value of the framework was estimated to be between £110 million and £325 million, with the eventual value dependent upon the number of organisations calling off services from the framework over a seven year period.\r\nAs the strategy called for a single supplier, the contract was awarded on that basis to Capita IT Services (Capita). As part of the contract, Capita now act as the services integrator and as such, use and manage their supply chain and sub-contractors as needed in order to deliver the range of SWAN services defined under the framework. That supply chain may include small to medium-sized enterprises and the contract terms would be agreed as appropriate between Capita and the enterprise concerned.\r\nThe structure of the Capita contract is that there is an overarching framework contract, where NSS are the contract signing authority on behalf of the Scottish public sector. There is also a shared services call-off contract (the services all SWAN members use), which is also signed by NSS on behalf of the public sector. There are then individual call-off contracts between Capita and the organisations who decide to become SWAN members.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311284,"EventID":"S4W-30199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:53.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address the concerns raised by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland in its visit and monitoring report, No through road: People with learning disabilities in hospital, that \"12 of the 18 units [the commission visited] were thought to be not fully fit for purpose. Each was inadequate in some aspect such as the availability of indoor or outdoor space, adequate facilities to fulfil their assessment and treatment purpose, maintenance, decor or cleanliness\" and, in light of the commission’s comment that \"many of these issues were identified in our report in 2011\", what action it took after the 2011 report was published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is pleased that the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland report identified that there is much good practice taking place in units for people with learning disabilities that the majority of care and treatment plans for people with learning disabilities was good and that families and carers were complimentary about the services their loved ones received.\r\n\r\nWe accept the recommendations put to the Scottish Government by the commission’s report and will work closely with the NHS, joint integration boards and local authorities to ensure that these units are able to improve to the standards expected of them.\r\nAs part of the draft Budget for 2016-17 the Scottish Government announced an additional £250 million commitment to support health and social care partnerships. This funding is in addition to the three year £90 million we have already invested in reducing delays. This move will see fewer people going to hospital to receive care, people spending less time in hospital and that all NHS facilities are fit for purpose.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311285,"EventID":"S4W-30200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:54.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-02-26T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding what external expert assessment of applications for funding for the self-management of conditions is made by the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland.","AnswerText":"Applications to the Transforming Self Management in Scotland Fund, a £2 million annual fund administered by the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, are scrutinised by a grant allocation panel, which comprises members from the Scottish Government, NHS Health Scotland, the University of Glasgow, Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector, NHS Education for Scotland, Macmillan Cancer Support, the Royal National Institute of Blind People, the Digital Health Institute, Bobath Scotland, Breast Cancer Care, SKS Scotland, Deaf Blind Scotland, the National Autistic Society, Motor Neurone Disease Scotland, and the Scottish Recovery Network.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311286,"EventID":"S4W-30456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:54.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27757 by John Swinney on 27 October 2015, whether the contracts have been signed and, if so, whether it will now provide the information that was requested.","AnswerText":"Information on when contracts have been signed is given in the following table:\r\n\r\nProject\r\nPlanned Date\r\nActual Date\r\nAyr Academy\r\nQ3 2015\r\n7 January 2016\r\nDalbeattie Learning Campus\r\nQ3 2015\r\n25 January 2018\r\nNewbattle High School\r\nQ1 2015\r\n12 February 2016\r\nKelso High School\r\nQ2 2015\r\n19 February 2016\r\nElgin High School\r\nQ2 2015\r\n25 February 2016\r\nBaldragon Academy, Dundee\r\nQ1 2015\r\n26 February 2016\r\nInverclyde Care Home\r\nQ1 2016\r\n26 February 2016\r\nWilliam McIllvaney Campus, Kilmarnock\r\nQ1 2016\r\n24 February 2016\r\nPlanned dates reflect the agreed point where projects became impacted by classification issues.\r\nA further four projects are scheduled to reach financial close in the coming weeks and information on those projects is given in the following table:\r\n\r\nCurrent Planned\r\nPlanned Date\r\nActual or Current Planned Date\r\nBarrhead High School\r\nQ3 2015\r\n21 March 2016\r\nOur Lady and St Patrick's High School\r\nQ3 2015\r\n24 March 2016\r\nOban High School and Campbeltown Grammar\r\nQ1 2016\r\n24 March 2016\r\nNHS Lothian Partnership Centre Bundle\r\nQ1 2015\r\n29 March 2016\r\nThe Scottish Government provides revenue support for these projects with a value of over £200 million. This support has been adjusted to protect local authorities and NHS boards from the inflationary pressures incurred through delays. These revenue cost pressures, actively managed by Scottish Futures Trust in collaboration with procuring local authorities and NHS boards and with the hub companies, have been offset by a reduction in the cost of finance during 2015 and early 2016 leading to a negligible budget impact across the eight projects.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311287,"EventID":"S4W-30457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:55.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it expects to collect from residential Land and Buildings Transaction Tax in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"Revenues from Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) remain firmly on track and overall devolved tax revenues are expected to exceed the Scottish Government's forecast for 2015-16.\r\nResidential LBTT revenues in the year to date remain broadly in line with expectations, allowing for the effects of forestalling which were excluded from the original forecast for 2015-16 of £235 million.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311288,"EventID":"S4W-30458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:56.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28789 by Shona Robison on 5 January 2016, in light of the information not being provided in the answer to question S4W-28792, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding how many people attended each Healthier Scotland National Conversation event, excluding facilitators and civil servants.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30523 on 17 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311289,"EventID":"S4W-30459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:57.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28789 by Shona Robison on 5 January 2016, in light of the information not being provided in the answer to question S4W-28792, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding how many (a) email, (b) website and (c) written responses have been received by the Healthier Scotland National Conversation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30523 on 17 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311290,"EventID":"S4W-30460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:58.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28796 by Shona Robison on 15 December 2015, what partner groups are involved, also broken down by how much they are paid for their participation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30523 on 17 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311291,"EventID":"S4W-30461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:14:59.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to questions S4W-26058 and S4W-26590 by John Swinney on 23 June 2015 and 25 November 2015, for what reason it has not completed its response to the consultation and whether it will confirm on what date it will do so.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29921 on 8 March 2016.\r\n\r\nIn light of that answer, there is no fixed date for when I will come to Parliament with a response to the consultation.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311292,"EventID":"S4W-30462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:00.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the Ministerial Advisory Group on Child Poverty has met since 2015.","AnswerText":"In 2015, the Ministerial Advisory Group on Child Poverty met on 28 May 2015, and again with officials on 15 September 2015.\r\nThis year, the Ministerial Advisory Group on Child Poverty met, along with other stakeholders including the Independent Poverty Advisor, on 20 January 2016 to consider the future approach to tackling child poverty in Scotland in light of the changes being made by the UK Government to the Child Poverty Act 2010.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311293,"EventID":"S4W-30463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:01.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants it employs, and how this compares with 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government HR official statistics publication of 16 March 2016 contains the most recent staffing position, showing that at 31 December 2015 there were 5,120 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees in Core Scottish Government directorates:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/stats/bulletins/01203.\r\nOur historic data shows that at 31 March 2007 there were 4,200 FTE employees in Core Scottish Government/Executive directorates.\r\nThe increase of 920 FTE is largely caused by the transfer of staff and functions into the Core Scottish Government in the following public bodies between 2007 and 2009:\r\nCommunities Scotland\r\nScottish Agricultural Science Agency\r\nScottish Building Standards Agency\r\nMental Health Tribunal\r\nScottish Fisheries Protection Agency and Fisheries Research Services\r\nStaffing numbers are also published via the Office for National Statistics quarterly public sector employment series. The Office for National Statistics website provides the last five years of historical information. The most recent publication is available at the following link:\r\nhttps://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/publicsectoremploymentreferencetable.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311294,"EventID":"S4W-30464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:02.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28662 by Margaret Burgess on 14 December 2015, whether it will provide an update on how much has been paid in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The Registered Social Landlord (RSL) Adaptations budget of £10 million has been fully allocated and, following the conclusion of a recent review of the planned adaptations expenditure of all RSLs, we are confident the £10 million will be drawn down in full. We will provide details of 2015-16 adaptations spend by RSLs to the Scottish Parliament Information Centre when this is available.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311295,"EventID":"S4W-30465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:03.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28792 by Shona Robison on 5 January 2016, when it will publish the report of the findings of the national conversation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30523 on 17 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311296,"EventID":"S4W-30466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:03.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28360 by Jamie Hepburn on 19 November 2015, whether it has made the transitional financial arrangements to cover the gap between the end of carer information strategy funding and the commencement of funding from the Carers (Scotland) Act 2015.","AnswerText":"As I announced in the chamber during the Stage 3 debate on the Carers Bill on Thursday, 4 February 2016, The Scottish Government has committed £4.75 million to NHS Board Carer Information Strategies in 2016-17. We have notified health boards of their allocations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311297,"EventID":"S4W-30467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:04.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28762 by Jamie Hepburn on 10 December 2015, what the budget is for the fund for 2016-17, and how much has been set aside to meet administration costs.","AnswerText":"The fund budget for the Independent Living Fund (ILF) for 2016-17 is £47.2 million. The Scottish Government has initially set aside an additional £1.1 million for administration costs for 2016-17, however the final budget is still to be agreed between Scottish Government and ILF Scotland. The Scottish Government has also committed an additional £5 million to open the fund to new users.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311298,"EventID":"S4W-30468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:05.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28765 by Jamie Hepburn on 10 December 2015, when the fund will be open to new claimants.","AnswerText":"As stated in the answer to question S4W-28765, work to open the Independent Living Fund to new users is currently underway, in co-production with disabled people and their representative organisations and statutory partners. Further detail will be announced in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311299,"EventID":"S4W-30469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:06.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people received support from the Independent Living Fund in (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2015-16.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for the Independent Living Fund (ILF) transferred from the UK Government to the Scottish Government on 1 July 2015. Data for the number of people in receipt of ILF prior to this date is therefore not the responsibility of the Scottish Government. \r\nAt the point of transfer on 1 July 2015, there were 2,812 people in receipt of ILF support in Scotland. All those users who have continued to remain eligible for ILF have continued to receive support from ILF Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311300,"EventID":"S4W-30470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:07.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28762 by Jamie Hepburn on 10 December 2015, how much of the £35.4 million budgeted for 2015-16 it has spent.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has transferred all of the £35.4 million budgeted to Independent Living Fund Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311301,"EventID":"S4W-30471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:08.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T12:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27766 by John Swinney on 27 October 2015, whether it will now confirm what the unitary payments were (a) before and (b) after.","AnswerText":"Unitary charges are finalised when a project reaches financial close; accordingly, it is not possible to set out a ‘before’ and ‘after’ unitary charge.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311302,"EventID":"S4W-30472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:09.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T13:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications it has received under the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme, and what the predicted payment is per head. ","AnswerText":"We have received 1396 applications for support from the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme. Our modelling suggests that the payment rate will be the equivalent of approximately 100 per ewe hogg.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311303,"EventID":"S4W-30473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:10.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T13:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) budget and (b) actual spend was for the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme in (i) 2014-15 and (ii) 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme budget for both 2014-2015 was £2 million. The Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme budget for both 2015-2016 is £2 million.\r\n\r\nThe actual spend for 2014-2015 was £1.436 million. As the 2015-2016 funding round is not yet complete and spend for this period will not be known until April 2016 at the earliest.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311304,"EventID":"S4W-30474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:11.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GP services are on a 2C arrangement and which of these are (a) closed to or (b) have restrictions on new patient registration.","AnswerText":"There are 47 GP practices run directly by health boards, making up a small percentage of the 987 practices across Scotland. Of these one is closed to new patient registrations and two have restrictions on new patient registrations.\r\nNHS boards work with GP practices to ensure that everyone in Scotland has access to GP services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311305,"EventID":"S4W-30475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:11.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase availability of child and adolescent mental health services provision for the 0 to 3 age group.","AnswerText":"The waiting times standard for child and adolescent mental health services applies to children of all ages. NHS boards are responsible for ensuring that their services meet the needs of their local population. In some cases waits have been seen to reduce from as much as two years in 2009 to a national average of nine weeks for the quarter to 31 December 2015. This is despite a significant increase in the number of children and young people being referred, from 4,734 in June 2012 (earliest data available) to 8,416 for the quarter to 31 December 2015 and an increase in the number of children being seen from 2,640 in June 2012 to 4,469 for quarter to 31 December 2015.\r\nNHS Education for Scotland has provided training in the Solihull approach across Scotland for practitioners both in the First 5 Years Foundation training as well as the Antenatal Foundation training. This training has been attended by both the specialist child and adolescent mental health service workforce, as well as the primary level workforce (in particular health visitors, midwives and nursery nurses), who play a key role in the early identification of mental health concerns and the promotion of healthy infant mental health.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311306,"EventID":"S4W-30476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:13.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that all child and adolescent mental health services adhere to their responsibility to include the needs of infants, with an emphasis on attachment and the parent-child relationship, in the overall pattern of services.","AnswerText":"NHS boards are responsible for ensuring that they have the correct skill mix to ensure they meet the needs of all children and adolescents.\r\nNHS Education for Scotland (NES) is providing a number of training programmes aimed at children, perinatal and infant mental health and we have worked with NES to produce the psychological therapies 'matrix' – a guide to planning and delivering evidence-based psychological therapies within NHS boards in Scotland. The matrix dedicates a section to children and young people and details evidence based therapies for paediatric psychology.\r\nNES provide essential child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) training to all staff working in specialist CAMHS. The training covers antenatal, perinatal and post natal periods and up to 18 years old children. The recently revised training for health visitors and school nurses includes attachment, child development and parenting as well as maternal mental health. Furthermore NES also provide training in paediatric psychology which focuses on infants admitted to neonatal units, Psychology of Parenting Programme for families of three and four year olds with elevated levels of behavioural problems and The Solihull Approach which focuses on building relationships between parents and their infants and children.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311307,"EventID":"S4W-30477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:13.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a requirement to include child and adolescent mental health service provision for 0 to 3-year-olds in new (a) local delivery plan and (b) improvement standards.","AnswerText":"Children ages 0-3 should receive the same access to specialist child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) as all other children and adolescents, and will be treated in accordance with the CAMHS referral to treatment standard, which states that no one will wait longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment for specialist CAMHS.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311308,"EventID":"S4W-30478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:14.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has made available to develop high level diagnostic and therapeutic skills in child and adolescent mental health specialists to increase capacity to meet the mental health needs of 0 to 3-year-olds.","AnswerText":"NHS boards are responsible for ensuring they have the correct numbers and skill mix to meet the needs of all children and adolescents.\r\nThe Scottish Government has invested £16.3 million over the last six years to increase the number of psychologists working in specialist child and adolescent mental health services, with a further £3.5 million committed in 2015-16.\r\nIn addition the First Minister announced a £54.1 million package of support to improve access to mental health services for adults and children on 12 January 2016. This investment includes £24.7 million to improve capacity to see more people more quickly, £4.8 million through Healthcare Improvement Scotland to help redesign local services to be more efficient, effective and sustainable and £24.6 million to improve workforce supply and train existing staff to deliver services for children and young people, as well as psychological therapies for all ages.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311309,"EventID":"S4W-30479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:15.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what targets it has set to measure progress in the development of high level diagnostic and therapeutic skills in child and adolescent mental health services to meet the mental health needs of 0 to 3-year-olds.","AnswerText":"We have invested £19.8 million to increase the number of psychologists working in specialist child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). This investment has seen the psychology workforce increase by 70%.\r\nNHS Education Scotland (NES) provide essential CAMHS training to all staff working in specialist CAMHS. The training covers antenatal, perinatal and post natal periods and up to 18 years old children. The recently revised training for health visitors and school nurses includes attachment, child development and parenting as well as maternal mental health. Furthermore, NES also provide training in paediatric psychology which focuses on infants admitted to neonatal units, the Psychology of Parenting Programme for families of three and four year olds with elevated levels of behavioural problems and the Solihull Approach which focuses on building relationships between parents and their infants/children.\r\nWe are currently engaging with a wide range of stakeholders including people who use services, service providers and professional bodies about the next mental health strategy which will be produced in 2016, and informed by that engagement with interested parties. This is an open process and all organisations and individuals who want to contribute can do so.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311310,"EventID":"S4W-30480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:16.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent action it has taken to increase the focus on the direction and coordination of infant mental health services with national monitoring arrangements for child and adolescent mental health services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects NHS boards to provide safe, effective care and services which support and respond to the needs of the individual. Our national mental health strategy and clinical guidelines for health professionals support mothers and infants experiencing mental health problems to ensure the NHS delivers safe and effective care. For women at high risk of perinatal mental illness, this includes developing a detailed plan for their late pregnancy and early postnatal psychiatric management. This plan is agreed with the mother-to-be and shared with maternity services, the community midwifery team, GP, health visitor, mental health services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311311,"EventID":"S4W-30481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:17.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will drive a shared recognition, commitment and coordination between the structures for mental health and early years services.","AnswerText":"We are currently engaging with a number of stakeholders about the next Mental Health Strategy which will be produced this year, and informed by further engagement with interested parties. The importance of the links between mental health and early years services is a theme that is being developed as part of this engagement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311312,"EventID":"S4W-30482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:18.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to appoint a national lead to maintain an overall focus on improvement and outcomes in infant mental health.","AnswerText":"We are currently engaging with a number of stakeholders about the next Mental Health Strategy which will be produced in 2016, and informed by further engagement with interested parties. If a national lead to maintain an overall focus on improvement and outcomes in infant mental health emerges as a critical theme as part of this engagement, we will of course give this due attention.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311313,"EventID":"S4W-30483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:19.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an overview of where infant mental health sits within existing performance management and improvement frameworks.","AnswerText":"Scotland set a challenging target (now a standard) to ensure faster access to child and adolescent mental health services. These mental health waiting times standards have been included within the Local Delivery Plan (LDP) guidance for 2016-17.\r\nThe LDP and annual review process are key elements of the planning and performance framework for the NHS in Scotland, providing assurance that NHS boards are delivering mental health services to meet local needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311314,"EventID":"S4W-30484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:20.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure the effectiveness of (a) targets, (b) indicators and (c) measures on infant mental health in existing performance management frameworks.","AnswerText":"Scotland set challenging targets (now standards) to ensure faster access to child and adolescent mental health services as well as psychological therapies for all ages within 18 weeks from referral to treatment. This was undertaken to improve access to mental health services in recognition of the valuable contribution such therapies can have in treating a wide range of mental illness and this includes treatment for infant mental health issues. \r\n\r\nThese mental health waiting times standards have been included within the Local Delivery Plan Guidance for 2016-17. The inclusion of the mental health waiting times standards will require Boards to develop concise plans focusing on reducing waiting times and on improving access to mental health services within each board in line with local need, including infant mental health services. The plans should include an assessment of the level of access currently provided by the board and with the anticipated level of need locally, including benchmarking with other boards in Scotland.\r\nA child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) balanced scorecard is published by Information Services Division Scotland on a quarterly basis. It allows comparisons between boards on a range of performance measures for these services. The data is collected from a CAMHS benchmarking toolkit. This was created in response to commitment 9 of the mental health strategy. A specialist CAMHS service (Tier 4 CAMHs) data set is also used and this was created in relation to commitment 12. Scottish Government is working to refine these measures and to create an overarching National specialist mental health service key performance indicator suite that will contain measures appropriate to CAMHS as well as other mental health services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311315,"EventID":"S4W-30485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:21.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will place the promotion of infant mental health and the needs of the most vulnerable infants at the heart of the revised National Mental Health Strategy for Scotland.","AnswerText":"We are currently engaging with a number of stakeholders about the next Mental Health Strategy which will be produced in 2016, and informed by further engagement with interested parties. The importance of the links between mental health and early years services is a theme that is being developed as part of this engagement.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311316,"EventID":"S4W-30486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:22.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-30181 by Jamie Hepburn on 4 March 2016 and, in light of the delay in opening the 2016-17 funding scheme, which organisations have enquired about making an application but have been unable to do so; which organisations received funding from the 2015-16 scheme; how much they received, and for what purpose.","AnswerText":"The following organisations have approached The Scottish Government to enquire about the 2016-17 Section 16b funding scheme:\r\nArt in Healthcare\r\nBowel Cancer UK\r\nCervical Cancer Trust\r\nCruse Bereavement Care Scotland\r\nFertility Care Scotland;\r\nHearts and Minds;\r\nMeningitis Now;\r\nMusic in Hospitals\r\nScottish Recovery Consortium;\r\nIn relation to the 2015-16 Section 16b funding scheme, the following table shows those organisations that received funding, including the amount and its designated purpose:\r\nSection 16b organisations awarded funding in 2015-16, and its purpose\r\nOrganisations\r\nAmount Received\r\nPurpose\r\nBreastfeeding Network\r\n£5,000.00\r\nBreastfeeding Awareness\r\nComas\r\n£5,000.00\r\nRecovery Café Improvement\r\nCrew\r\n£5,000.00\r\nSubstance Use Harm Reduction\r\nCrohn's and Colitis UK\r\n£5,000.00\r\nIBD Patient View Development\r\nHearing Link Scotland\r\n£4,780.00\r\nEngagement Programme with GP Surgeries\r\nIndepende-dance\r\n£4,500.00\r\nDisabled Accessible Artistic Materials\r\nLGBT Health\r\n£5,000.00\r\nTransgender Lives Resource\r\nMASScot\r\n£5,000.00\r\nSunburn Prevention Initiative\r\nMeningitis Research Foundation\r\n£4,750.00\r\nEducation Awareness Scheme\r\nNational AID'S Trust\r\n£5,025.00\r\nImprove Readiness of Carers Dealing with HIV Patients\r\nOutside the Box\r\n£3,800.00\r\nHealth Improvement for Vulnerable Women\r\nPain Concern\r\n£5,000.00\r\nOnline Resources for Children in Pain\r\nQuarriers\r\n£5,000.00\r\nInpatient Seizure Risk Assessment Tool\r\nRoshni \r\n£4,730.00\r\nHealthy Living Education for Children in Minorities\r\nSands\r\n£6,000.00\r\nPerson-Centred Improving Bereavement Care\r\nScottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs\r\n£5,000.00\r\nPhase 2 of Scottish Families National  Campaign\r\nScottish Kidney Federation\r\n£5,000.00\r\nHealth and Social Care Improvement\r\nScottish Stammering Network\r\n£5,000.00\r\nPeople Who Stammer Open Days\r\nSiMBA\r\n£5,000.00\r\nStructured Volunteer Programme\r\nSpinal Injuries Scotland\r\n£5,000.00\r\nSocial Activities Programme for Patients\r\nTea-pot Trust Organisation\r\n£5,000.00\r\nArt Psychotherapy for Children\r\nThe Cheyne Gang COPD Choir\r\n£6,000.00\r\nSinging For Breathing Choir Expansion\r\nThe Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA)\r\n£4,516.00\r\nChildren and Young People with a Cleft Initiative\r\nThistle Foundation\r\n£5,000.00\r\nPhysical Activities and Health Initiatives for People with Learning Disabilities\r\nTommy's\r\n£5,000.00\r\nExpansion of AFFIRM Trials\r\nTrust Rugby International\r\n£5,000.00\r\nLearning Disability Player Learning and Development Post\r\nTotal\r\n£129,101.00\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311317,"EventID":"S4W-30487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:23.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Primary Care Information Resource remains (a) on schedule to be rolled out in March 2016 and completed by January 2017 and (b) on budget.","AnswerText":"The delivery of the Scottish Primary Care Information Resource is being led by NHS National Services Scotland, with oversight of a project board comprising key stakeholder groups, including the Scottish Government, NHS boards, GPs (including the Royal College of General Practitioners and Scottish General Practitioners Committee) and patients. The deployment of software to practices is underway and currently planned to complete by end January 2017, on budget.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311318,"EventID":"S4W-30488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:23.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on rolling out the NHS Scotland contract to provide a single sign-on and password reset system to improve access to health systems, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) services.","AnswerText":"The boards outlined in the following table have implemented the single sign-on and password reset system. Details of users, the number of applications involved and the number of single sign on accesses over a seven day period are also provided. Over 60,000 workstations (desktop and laptop computers) have had the enhanced functionality provided by single sign-on, including fast user switching, multiple user sessions and two factor authentication. \r\nNational systems and services such as Trakcare, Carestream PACS, SCI store and Clinical portal are profiled at the outset for single sign on. Following on from that other high usage applications and service are identified. Details of all specific applications and services covered on a board by board basis are not held centrally.\r\nRegion\r\n\r\nActual users\r\nApplications profiled\r\nSingle sign on (seven day period)\r\nBorders\r\n3,555\r\n33\r\n11,680\r\nGolden Jubilee\r\n1,555\r\n48\r\n13,120\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n19,090\r\n177\r\n79,476\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n5,031\r\n76\r\n56,934\r\nFife\r\n9,002\r\n134\r\n20,505\r\nForth Valley\r\n3,950\r\n75\r\n60,363\r\nGrampian\r\n22,200\r\n73\r\n153,960\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n35,972\r\n46\r\n216,778\r\nHighlands\r\n6,858\r\n50\r\n14,198\r\nLanarkshire\r\n17,398\r\n62\r\n44,512\r\nLothian\r\n5,673\r\n89\r\n40,131\r\nOrkney\r\n508\r\n33\r\n4,648\r\nShetlands\r\n337\r\n41\r\n4,378\r\nTayside\r\n16,177\r\n118\r\n361,718\r\nWestern Isles\r\n854\r\n25\r\n651\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311319,"EventID":"S4W-30489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:24.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a waiting list for return patients with chronic pain problems.","AnswerText":"Information on return appointments is not collected centrally. Each patient may require a different timescale for follow up appointments, as clinically determined. We do, however, expect patients to be seen within the most appropriate timescale for their condition following a clinical assessment.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311320,"EventID":"S4W-30490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:25.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that NHS boards meet the 18-week guarantee on first appointments at chronic pain clinics.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects all patients, regardless of their condition, to have timely access to the full range of healthcare services they require following clinical assessment. The chronic pain waiting times are developmental data to assess the issues in access to chronic pain clinics and pain psychology services.\r\nWe continue to work with NHS National Services Scotland’s Information Services Division and NHS boards to improve the consistency and completeness of the information collected.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311321,"EventID":"S4W-30491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:26.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it has given to NHS boards that did not meet the 18-week guarantee on first appointments at chronic pain clinics. ","AnswerText":"It is the role of the Scottish Government to provide policies, frameworks and resources to NHS boards so they can deliver services that meet the needs of their local populations. Within this context, the actual provision of healthcare services is the responsibility of local NHS boards, taking into account national guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311322,"EventID":"S4W-30493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:27.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Sue Ryder report, Rewrite the Future.","AnswerText":"We are looking at this report and the wide range of issues raised, and will consider our position in relation to the recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311323,"EventID":"S4W-30494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:27.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for the Healthcare Improvement Scotland review of clinical standards for neurological health services.","AnswerText":"Healthcare Improvement Scotland will be conducting a scoping exercise to assess the currency and relevance of the clinical standards for neurological health services. This is planned to run from September to December 2016. This will include consideration of other relevant standards and guidance including the new national care standards. Healthcare Improvement Scotland will make recommendations on the future of the standards based on the outcome of this work.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311324,"EventID":"S4W-30495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:28.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ask Healthcare Improvement Scotland to scope out the potential to include social care in any future version of the national clinical standards for neurological health services.","AnswerText":"The development of all future standards or indicators will reflect the integration agenda. This will be supported by appropriate collaboration between the Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and other stakeholders in the design of these measures.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311325,"EventID":"S4W-30496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:28.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will develop a national strategy for the provision of health and social care services for people with neurological conditions.","AnswerText":"The National Clinical Strategy, published on 17 February 2016, sets out a clear vision for the development of sustainable health and social care services across Scotland for the next 10-15 years. Simultaneously, the integration of health and social care will tackle the challenge of ensuring a consistent provision of quality, sustainable care services for people who need joined-up, integrated support and care – particularly for those with multiple complex, long term conditions.\r\nFurthermore, in 2016-17, we are investing £250 million through health and social care partnerships to protect and grow social care services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311326,"EventID":"S4W-30497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:29.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for the National Neurological Advisory Group's work on developing a national data set on people with neurological conditions.","AnswerText":"The initial two year work plan for the new National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions is currently being developed. The issue of data collection on neurological conditions is one which the expert group will consider, alongside other priorities for action. Any decision to take forward work on this issue will be closely related to the outcome of the Healthcare Improvement Scotland review of the clinical standards for neurological conditions.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311327,"EventID":"S4W-30498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:30.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review residential care for people with neurological conditions to identify how many people are placed inappropriately in older people's care homes rather than specialist residential care.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government wants to see people receiving care in their own homes or as close to home as possible, as set out in our recently published clinical strategy. The care being delivered should be appropriate and based on their needs.\r\nIt is the responsibility of local authorities to determine the level of services that are required to meet local care needs and to arrange an appropriate range of services to meet individual care needs.\r\nHowever, we appreciate the challenges of caring for people with complex and round the clock needs. We are determined that people with these kind of conditions get the support they need.\r\nWe are joining up health and social care services. This will ensure that our health boards work seamlessly with local authorities to deliver the best possible care, in the right place at the right time. We are also investing a further £250 million per year through health and social care partnerships to protect and grow our social care services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311328,"EventID":"S4W-30499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:30.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T15:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provisions are in place for multiple sclerosis in the new health and social care integration system.","AnswerText":"The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 provides the legislative framework for integration of health and social care services in Scotland. The integration of health and social care will tackle the challenge of ensuring a consistent provision of quality, sustainable care services for people who need joined-up, integrated support and care, particularly for those with multiple complex, long term conditions such as multiple sclerosis.\r\nFurthermore, in 2016-17, we are investing £250 million through health and social care partnerships to protect and grow social care services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311329,"EventID":"S4W-30500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:31.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T15:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of care, support and treatment is available for people living with multiple sclerosis and whether it is person centred and available throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"NHS Scotland provides high quality care across a range of services and treatment for people living with multiple sclerosis.\r\nThe recently published national clinical strategy makes it clear that we want everyone who needs it, including people living with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, to receive safe, effective and person centred care in their own home or as close to home as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311330,"EventID":"S4W-30501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:31.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T15:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will use the newly devolved powers to help people living with long-term health conditions, specifically multiple sclerosis.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recently published A New Future for Social Security in Scotland which sets out the vision and principles which will govern decisions on social security policy and delivery in Scotland. \r\nThe document states our intention to introduce long-term awards for qualifying individuals with long-term conditions. Wherever possible assessments for these people will be paper-based rather than face-to-face.\r\nWe will continue to engage with a range of stakeholders as we work out the detail of how disability benefits in Scotland will operate.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311331,"EventID":"S4W-30502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:32.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T15:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions it has taken to raise public awareness of the Familial Arrhythmia Network for Scotland and what further action it is planning. ","AnswerText":"Familial Arrhythmia Network for Scotland (FANS) aims to improve outcomes in heart disease care for people with life threatening inherited cardiac conditions and their families. FANS is a national managed clinical network comprising specialist healthcare practitioners, such as cardiologists and geneticists, and patient representatives. FANS provides a section for patient involvement on its website, and undertakes a range of actions to work with the general public through its public education events intended to raise public awareness of a number of cardiac conditions, including atrial fibrillation (AF).\r\nFANS coordinators and a number of its members participate in the National Advisory Committee for Heart Disease, which works closely with the Scottish Government and a range of key partners to support NHS boards in delivering improved clinical outcomes in treating heart disease conditions such as AF via a range of funded initiatives involving primary care and wider community settings. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311332,"EventID":"S4W-30504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:32.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what change there has been in the price of the average bus fare in each regional transport partnership area in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"Information is not held centrally in the form requested. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311333,"EventID":"S4W-30505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:33.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many passenger journeys have started in each regional transport partnership area and how many of them terminated inside the area in the last year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"Information is not held centrally in the form requested. Table 2.2b of the 2015 edition of Scottish Transport Statistics provides a regional breakdown of bus passenger journeys between 2004-05 and 2014-15, although the four regions used do not correspond to regional transport partnership areas. \r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/sites/default/files/documents/rrd_reports/uploaded_reports/j415388/j415388.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311334,"EventID":"S4W-30506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:33.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many bus services have been reduced, altered or withdrawn in each regional transport partnership in each year since 2011, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"We do not hold this information centrally. The Central Licensing Office provides figures on service registrations for the Traffic Commissioners annual report. Figures are broken down by traffic areas (including Scotland) but no further.\r\nTable 2.3b of Scottish Transport Statistics provides a regional breakdown of bus service kilometres between 2004-05 and 2014-15, although the four regions used do not correspond to regional transport partnership areas.\r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/sites/default/files/documents/rrd_reports/uploaded_reports/j415388/j415388.pdf\r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/462021/tc-annual-report-2014-2015.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311335,"EventID":"S4W-30507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:34.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total topline spend on buses has been in each regional transport partnership area in each year since 2011, also broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Information is not held centrally in the form requested. Table 2.9 of Scottish Transport Statistics provides Scotland-wide figures for central and local government support for bus services between 2004-05 and 2014-15 and Table 2.8 provides figures for passenger revenue. \r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/sites/default/files/documents/rrd_reports/uploaded_reports/j415388/j415388.pdf\r\nPublic transport support and other bus expenditure across local authority can be found in the Provisional Outturn and Budget Estimates 2014-15 Workbook\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Local-Government-Finance/ReturnPOBE/POBE2014Workbook.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311336,"EventID":"S4W-30508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:34.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many mental health professionals have been employed in A&E departments in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) hospital and (b) position.","AnswerText":"Information on how many mental health professionals have been employed in A&E departments is held by each individual health board.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311337,"EventID":"S4W-30509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T17:15:35.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason NHS Shetland has been allocated less funding than the NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) target in 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17.","AnswerText":"NHS Shetland has received resource budget increases of 2.4% in 2014-15, 2.8% in 2015-16 and 4.5% in 2016-17.\r\nBetween 2010-11 and 2013-14 NHS Shetland received significantly more than its NRAC share, and was second highest of all boards above parity in each of those years. As a consequence of small percentage changes in the NRAC formula, boards can move above and below parity depending upon relative changes to the total share. However in the years 2014-15 to 2016-17, when taking into account the significant in-year allocations the board receives, the board is not behind its target share.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311338,"EventID":"S4W-30403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:33.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it (a) last reviewed and (b) will next review the legislation on communal repairs and under what circumstances it would consider changing it.","AnswerText":"The Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 followed a detailed report on the law of the tenement by the Scottish Law Commission. The Scottish Government introduced new powers amending the tenement management scheme in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014. We made a commitment in the sustainable housing strategy to develop proposals for a working group to consider a single condition standard for all housing tenures to support repairs to common parts in mixed tenure buildings. A stakeholder forum has been established to take this forward with a view to conducting a formal public consultation in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311339,"EventID":"S4W-30406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:33.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it (a) last reviewed and (b) will next review the legislation on property factoring and under what circumstances it would consider changing it.","AnswerText":"The Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 came into force on 1 October 2012 and provides protections for homeowners who use the services of a registered property factor.\r\nThe current legislation has been operating for just over three years and no review has taken place to date. There are also no current plans to review the Act, but a review of the code of conduct for registered property factors established under the Act is planned to start in 2016. The code sets out minimum standards of practice which all registered property factors are obliged to comply with.\r\nWe will engage with property factors and homeowners so that they can play a key role in the review and developing any revised code of conduct. Any revised code would also be subject to public consultation and approval by the Scottish Parliament. We are also happy to work with the industry and others with a view to identifying any other ways to strengthen the Act.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311340,"EventID":"S4W-30409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:34.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it would consider giving greater powers to property owners to enforce communal maintenance and non-essential repairs.","AnswerText":"If any owner refuses to pay his or her share of repairs, the obligation to pay can be enforced in the sheriff court by any owner or anyone authorised by an owner or owners. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 introduces new discretionary powers for local authorities to pay missing shares on behalf of owners who are unwilling or unable to comply with decisions made by the majority of other owners. We will further consider common repairs in the work of the stakeholder forum on a common housing standard.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311341,"EventID":"S4W-30410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:35.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to (a) property owners and (b) tenants to enforce minor repairs and maintenance in order to prevent essential repairs being needed at a later date.","AnswerText":"Assistance for home owners is the responsibility of local authorities. Local authorities have a wide range of powers to assist owners who need help with work needed to look after their home. However, it is for each local authority to decide what kinds of help should be provided in different circumstances and this will be subject to local priorities and budgets.\r\nIf occupants are private tenants, the landlord is required to meet their duty to repair and maintain its properties as set out in the repairing standard under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. Private tenants can apply to the Private Rented Housing Panel for assistance if landlords fail to carry out repairs that are needed to meet the repairing standard. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 introduces new powers for local authorities to raise breaches of the statutory repairing standard for private rented homes directly with the Private Rented Housing Panel on behalf of vulnerable tenants.\r\nIf occupants are social tenants, the landlord is expected to meet their duty to repair and maintain property under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and to ensure that property meets the Scottish Housing Quality Standard. Social tenants have a right of complaint against their landlord to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311342,"EventID":"S4W-30411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:35.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action can be taken against landlords who fail to keep their contact details up-to-date on their landlord registration form.","AnswerText":"Registered landlords have a legal duty under section 87(2) of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 to notify the local authority in writing as soon as practicable, if any information provided by the person in their registration application, becomes inaccurate.\r\nWhere a landlord fails to keep their contact details up to date, the local authority, as part of its responsibilities for enforcing landlord registration in its area, is able to refer the matter to the police. A landlord guilty of an offence under section 87(2) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3, equivalent to £1,000, on the standard scale. Evidence of such an offence may also be taken into account as part of the fit and proper person test. Where the landlord is found not to be fit and proper, they may be removed from the register.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311343,"EventID":"S4W-30412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:36.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the private rented housing sector has increased since the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 came into force and, if so, by what proportion.","AnswerText":"The Tenements (Scotland) 2004 came into force on 28 November 2004 with the exception of section 18 (obligation of owner to insure) which came into force on 27 January 2007. The first available statistics on the private rented sector following the enforcement of the legislation relate to March 2005 and the most recent statistics available are as at March 2014.\r\nFigures published in the Scottish Government Housing Statistics for Scotland 2015: Key Trends Summary show that the private rented sector grew by an estimated 74%, from 215,000 dwellings in March 2005 to 375,000 in March 2014.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311344,"EventID":"S4W-30413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:36.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what proportion the number of registered landlords living outwith the UK has changed since the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 came into force.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of number of registered landlords living outwith the UK nor the proportion by which this has changed since the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 came into force.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311345,"EventID":"S4W-30414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:37.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to property owners wishing to change the factoring agreement for their property.","AnswerText":"The Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 came into force on 1 October 2012 and provides protections for homeowners who use the services of a registered property factor. The Act introduced a code of conduct which sets out minimum standards of practice which all registered property factors are obliged to comply with.\r\nA requirement of the code is that the property factor must provide the homeowner with a written statement of services provided. This written statement of services should include the basis on which a homeowner can end their service arrangement.\r\nHomeowners who are unhappy about the service provided by their property factor can apply to have their case considered by the Homeowner Housing Panel which can issue legally-binding property factor enforcement orders. Before doing this the homeowner should raise the matter with the factor directly and follow the factor’s own internal complaints procedure.\r\nInformation on appointing or dismissing a factor is also available in paragraph 3.3.5 of the Scottish Government publication Common Repair, Common Sense: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Justice/law/17975/CommonRepair-CommonSense/Managingthetenement.\r\nThe Scottish Government is also preparing a public-facing guide for homeowners on the provisions of the Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003 on the dismissal and replacement of property factors.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311346,"EventID":"S4W-30415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:38.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to (a) property owners and (b) tenants to identify whether communal repairs are required.","AnswerText":"Assistance for home owners is the responsibility of local authorities. Local authorities have a wide range discretionary powers to assist owners who need help to identify work needed to look after their home.\r\nIf occupants are private tenants, the landlord is required to carry out an inspection before the tenancy begins to ensure that the house complies with the repairing standard under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. Information about a landlord’s duties, what documents should be provided, and tenant’s rights is set out in the statutory tenant information pack.\r\nIf occupants are social tenants, the Scottish Social Housing Charter requires their landlord to provide information about its decisions and services, to ensure homes meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and to keep them in a good state of repair.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311347,"EventID":"S4W-30416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:39.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a difference in communal repair legislation between the City of Edinburgh Council and other local authorities and, if so, whether it plans to address this.","AnswerText":"For historical reasons Edinburgh City Council had local powers to enforce repairs under Part 6 of the City of Edinburgh District Council Order Confirmation Act 1991. Since 2009 all local authorities have had discretionary powers to require owners to carry out work to repair homes or to plan maintenance. We have established a stakeholder forum to consider whether there should be a new single condition standard for all housing tenures to support repairs to common parts in mixed tenure buildings.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311348,"EventID":"S4W-30417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:39.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what liability the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland has in relation to the recent cases of fraudulent disposition of title.","AnswerText":"The statutory scheme of land registration is set out in the Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012, which came into effect on 8 December 2014. A person affected by a fraudulent disposition that has been registered may request rectification of the register. The keeper will be able to rectify the register where there has been a fraudulently granted deed, unless the property has subsequently been transferred to a third party who acquired it in good faith. If the register cannot be rectified then the victim of the fraud may be entitled to monetary compensation from the keeper for the value of their loss.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311349,"EventID":"S4W-30418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:40.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland has taken following the recent cases of fraudulent disposition of title.","AnswerText":"The keeper has robust measures in place to minimise the effects of fraud, and keeps them under review. She has a designated fraud officer responsible for implementing her fraud prevention and mitigation policies, and for delivering regular staff training. Her staff are encouraged to refer suspicious applications to the fraud officer. In order to aid earlier detection, the keeper meets with other bodies such as the Law Society of Scotland, the Council of Mortgage Lenders, Police Scotland and Revenue Scotland. She also maintains communications with other land registries both in the UK and internationally to monitor trends.\r\nThe reply to S4W-30417 on 17 March 2016 sets out the process for fraud discovered after registration. If an allegation of fraud is made before an application for registration has been determined then the keeper will apply her policy on holding applications in abeyance as set out in Registers Update 42 (issued in December 2014).\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311350,"EventID":"S4W-30419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:41.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland has made recommendations to the Scottish Government about any legislative change required following the recent cases of fraudulent disposition of title.","AnswerText":"The keeper has robust measures in place to minimise the effects of fraud, and keeps them under review. She has a designated fraud officer responsible for implementing her fraud prevention and mitigation policies, and for delivering regular staff training. Her staff are encouraged to refer suspicious applications to the fraud officer. In order to aid earlier detection, the Keeper meets with other bodies such as the Law Society of Scotland, the Council of Mortgage Lenders, Police Scotland and Revenue Scotland. She also maintains communications with other land registries both in the UK and internationally to monitor trends.\r\nThe reply to S4W-30417 on 17 March 2016 sets out the process for fraud discovered after registration. If an allegation of fraud is made before an application for registration has been determined then the keeper will apply her policy on holding applications in abeyance as set out in Registers Update 42 (issued in December 2014)\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311351,"EventID":"S4W-30420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:41.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland has introduced any procedural changes following the recent cases of fraudulent disposition of title.","AnswerText":"The keeper has adopted a new policy on holding applications in abeyance.\r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30418 on 17 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311352,"EventID":"S4W-30421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:42.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland publishes answers to freedom of information requests on its website.","AnswerText":"Registers of Scotland (RoS) does not currently publish Freedom of Information (FOI) responses on its website. However, RoS plans to introduce a disclosure log of FOI information to its publication scheme in spring 2016 in line with best practice guidance.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311353,"EventID":"S4W-30422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:42.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce legislation to close any loopholes in the law regarding fraudulent disposition of title to protect the public.","AnswerText":"There is already a Client Protection Fund (the operating name of the Scottish Solicitors’ Guarantee Fund) to protect clients who have lost money because of the dishonesty of a solicitor or a member of their staff.\r\n\r\nMore details about a consultation carried out by the Law Society of Scotland on the Fund are at http://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/regulation-and-standards/regulation-consultations/.\r\nFollowing cases in Aberdeen and West Lothian, the society commissioned a report by Sheriff Principal Bowen on consumer protection in conveyancing.  This report is at https://www.lawscot.org.uk/media/439009/Law-Society-report-Consumer-Protections-in-Conveyancing-Cases.pdf\r\nSheriff Principal Bowen made a specific recommendation on the Guarantee Fund in paragraph 42 of his report.\r\nWe will continue to discuss with the Law Society of Scotland and others any steps that can be taken to improve the conveyancing process generally and to improve safeguards for the public, including any need for legislation. When considering any legislation, the Scottish Government will need to bear in mind that consumer protection is a reserved matter.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311354,"EventID":"S4W-30423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:43.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money the office of the Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland has allocated toward research on (a) child and (b) adult mental health in each year since 2010-11. ","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland does not direct or fund research, and so has funded no research into mental health.\r\n\r\nThe Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of the Scottish Government has allocated the following funding in each year since 2010-11 to the Scottish Mental Health Research Network to support high quality mental health research and recruitment to mental health research studies in Scotland. This funding is not allocated separately in support of child and adult mental health research. \r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n£482,000\r\n£483,000\r\n£488,000\r\n£488,000\r\n£493,000\r\n£493,000\r\nCSO also provides funding opportunities for researchers in child and adult mental health through competitive grant schemes. Additionally, the CSO contributes funding to allow researchers in Scotland to apply to the Department of Health’s National Institute for Health Research programmes of research that can include applications for mental health research. Applications are also assessed through a competitive process.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311355,"EventID":"S4W-30424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:44.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) organisations and (b) stakeholders it met when developing the Mental Health Strategy for Scotland 2012-2015 and on what dates.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government consulted on the strategy from 5 September 2011 to 31 January 2012 and the 344 publishable responses are available online: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/05/4073. We also held a consultation event on 7 December 2011 in Edinburgh at which around 150 delegates attended representing a range of interests including statutory and non-statutory organisations.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311356,"EventID":"S4W-30425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:45.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress it has made in meeting each commitment in the Mental Health Strategy for Scotland 2012-2015. ","AnswerText":"The progress against each of the commitments in the Mental Health Strategy for Scotland 2012-2015 is updated, where appropriate, on the Scottish Government's website (see following link). Where there is no update on an individual commitment, we will report the status in spring 2016, after the completion of the strategy’s timeframe. \r\n\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Services/Mental-Health/Strategy","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311357,"EventID":"S4W-30426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:46.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of its action plan on nicotine vapour products, including (a) publicity, (b) national guidance, (c) resources and training for cessation staff and (d) standardising the collection of data on product use. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made provision for nicotine vapour products (NVPs) in the Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Bill. NVPs will also be regulated by the EU Tobacco Products Directive. The UK Government is currently transposing provisions of the Directive which will come into force in May 2016. There are no plans for the Scottish Government to develop a specific NVP action plan at this stage. Guidance on the use of NVPs has been issued by both the Scottish Directors of Public Health and NHS Health Scotland, which provides direction on the use of NVPs in NHS stop smoking services. The Scottish Government is also supporting NHS cessation services to explore how they can best help users of NVPs to quit tobacco for good.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311358,"EventID":"S4W-30427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:47.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T17:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of seven-day emergency readmissions there have been in each year since 2010-11, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Since 2010-11 there has been an increase of around 0.1 percentage points per annum in the percentage of admissions which were followed by an emergency readmission for all ages combined.\r\n\r\nInformation on seven-day emergency readmissions is set out in the following tables\r\nThe percentage of admissions which were followed by emergency readmission with seven days by financial year and NHS Board of Residence for all ages.\r\nHealth Board of Residence\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n3.8%\r\n4.2%\r\n4.5%\r\n4.5%\r\n4.5%\r\nNHS Borders\r\n4.4%\r\n4.8%\r\n5.1%\r\n5.1%\r\n5.0%\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n3.1%\r\n3.2%\r\n3.2%\r\n3.4%\r\n3.4%\r\nNHS Fife\r\n3.6%\r\n3.5%\r\n3.9%\r\n4.3%\r\n4.6%\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n3.9%\r\n4.0%\r\n4.5%\r\n4.6%\r\n5.0%\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n3.6%\r\n3.5%\r\n3.7%\r\n3.6%\r\n3.7%\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n3.7%\r\n3.9%\r\n3.8%\r\n4.0%\r\n4.1%\r\nNHS Highland\r\n3.8%\r\n3.9%\r\n3.5%\r\n3.5%\r\n3.9%\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n3.7%\r\n3.9%\r\n4.0%\r\n4.1%\r\n4.0%\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n4.1%\r\n4.5%\r\n4.5%\r\n4.5%\r\n4.6%\r\nNHS Orkney Islands\r\n2.6%\r\n2.5%\r\n2.4%\r\n2.5%\r\n4.0%\r\nNHS Shetland Islands\r\n3.2%\r\n3.8%\r\n3.5%\r\n3.0%\r\n3.5%\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n4.5%\r\n4.5%\r\n4.3%\r\n4.4%\r\n4.4%\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n3.0%\r\n3.8%\r\n5.3%\r\n3.9%\r\n3.1%\r\nSource: SMR01, Information Services Division Scotland\r\n\r\nThe number of emergency readmission continuous inpatient stays within seven days by financial year and NHS Board of Residence for all ages.\r\nHealth Board of Residence\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n3,822\r\n4,260\r\n4,438\r\n4,510\r\n4,509\r\nNHS Borders\r\n1,079\r\n1,231\r\n1,292\r\n1,386\r\n1,365\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n1,051\r\n1,091\r\n1,094\r\n1,204\r\n1,261\r\nNHS Fife\r\n2,566\r\n2,557\r\n2,909\r\n3,221\r\n3,371\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n1,802\r\n1,853\r\n2,188\r\n2,238\r\n2,559\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n3,746\r\n3,784\r\n4,090\r\n3,994\r\n4,120\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n10,880\r\n11,515\r\n11,265\r\n12,402\r\n12,955\r\nNHS Highland\r\n2,782\r\n2,801\r\n2,475\r\n2,540\r\n2,692\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n5,778\r\n6,215\r\n6,685\r\n6,905\r\n6,830\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n6,104\r\n6,862\r\n7,027\r\n7,188\r\n7,461\r\nNHS Orkney Islands\r\n154\r\n152\r\n138\r\n155\r\n205\r\nNHS Shetland Islands\r\n168\r\n214\r\n203\r\n170\r\n203\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n3,214\r\n3,206\r\n3,151\r\n3,192\r\n3,171\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n224\r\n271\r\n369\r\n277\r\n214\r\nSource: SMR01, Information Services Division Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311359,"EventID":"S4W-30428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:48.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T17:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on recent reports that seven-day hospital emergency readmissions have increased significantly in recent years.","AnswerText":"The research literature shows that the concept and definition of emergency readmissions is complex in nature. The Scottish Government is taking forward work on the definition and analysis of emergency readmission rates through the unscheduled care six essentials programme. This will support NHS boards in their effective admission and discharge of patients. As well as looking at the utility of the various definitions, the work includes consideration of the importance of analysis by age and speciality when considering trends. Since 2010-11 there has been an increase of around 0.1 percentage points per annum in the percentage of admissions which were followed by an emergency readmission for all ages combined.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311360,"EventID":"S4W-30429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:49.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T17:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to NHS boards to reduce seven-day emergency readmissions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s unscheduled care six essentials programme is supporting NHS boards to carry out effective admission and discharge of patients and includes a focus on emergency readmission indicators.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311361,"EventID":"S4W-30430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:50.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T17:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the reasons are for the reported significant increase of seven-day emergency hospital readmissions in recent years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30428 on 22 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311362,"EventID":"S4W-30431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:51.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T17:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that NHS boards have enough staff and resources to prevent the number of emergency readmissions from rising.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting NHS boards, which is why we have put in place record levels of funding and NHS boards have record numbers of staff.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311363,"EventID":"S4W-30432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:51.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T17:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hours (a) nurses and midwives, (b) junior doctors and (c) consultants have logged as overtime in each year since 2010-11, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311364,"EventID":"S4W-30433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:52.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T17:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much overtime pay has been (a) claimed and (b) paid in each year since 2010-11 in each NHS board.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30432 on 21 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311365,"EventID":"S4W-30438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:53.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T23:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with providers in the (a) voluntary, (b) independent and (c) private sector regarding their share of the costs of paying staff engaged in providing adult social care the living wage of £8.25 per hour.","AnswerText":"We have made available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57809) our estimated cost, at a national level, of increasing wages to the living wage.\r\nPartnership working between the Scottish Government, local government and our stakeholders is key to ensuring effective implementation of this policy.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311366,"EventID":"S4W-30439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:54.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T23:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what cost assumptions it has made about the additional costs for the (a) voluntary, (b) independent and (c) private sector in delivering the living wage of £8.25 per hour for adult social care staff.","AnswerText":"We have made national estimates on the cost of increasing wages to the living wage level. This analysis has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57809).","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311367,"EventID":"S4W-30440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:55.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T23:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether staff providing child social care in the (a) voluntary, (b) independent and (c) private sector have been considered in the allocation of funding for the implementation of the living wage of £8.25 per hour.","AnswerText":"We encourage all employers to pay the living wage and for local partners to expand on this initiative to include other groups of workers where this is affordable, sustainable and meets local priorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311368,"EventID":"S4W-30441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:56.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T23:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that it does not create a two-tier care workforce in the same organisation through the implementation of the living wage of £8.25 per hour for people engaged in adult social care.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30440 on 23 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311369,"EventID":"S4W-30442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:57.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T23:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy, during a telephone conference with local authority chief executives and directors of finance stated that the (a) voluntary, (b) independent and (c) private sector would be expected to pay 25% of the costs of implementation of the living wage of £8.25 per hour for their staff.","AnswerText":"The fair work agenda in social care is a priority for and responsibility shared between the Scottish Government, local authorities and care providers and all partners are expected to make a contribution.\r\nDuring a telecom briefing to chief executives, I referred to previous agreements on fair work which were based on a tripartite model with providers and local government each making a 25% contribution.\r\nIn correspondence to local authorities setting out the terms of my offer, I confirmed that our investment assumes that private and third sector providers will meet their share of the costs. I did not stipulate a specific contribution expected from providers. These costs will be different in each area depending on local markets and therefore local negotiations will determine the overall cost and share of contributions required.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311370,"EventID":"S4W-30443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:58.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T23:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £125 million being directed to integration authorities in 2016-17 is for the living wage and how much is for additional cost pressures.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30439 on 23 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311371,"EventID":"S4W-30444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:58.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T23:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-30050 by Shona Robison on 23 February 2016, for what reason it has referred to national guidance that is not relevant to the closure of ward six at the Vale of Leven Hospital.","AnswerText":"A direct answer was given to the question put in S4W-30050. The reference to the national guidance was made to provide context, as it explains which NHS service changes are subject to ministerial approval.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311372,"EventID":"S4W-30445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:44:59.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29221 by Jamie Hepburn on 14 January 2016, what (a) organisations and (b) stakeholders it (i) has met and (ii) plans to meet it in its development of an updated mental health strategy.","AnswerText":"We are currently engaging with a wide range of stakeholders including people who use services, service providers and professional bodies about the next mental health strategy which will be produced in 2016, and informed by that engagement with interested parties. We will continue to do so as the strategy takes shape. This is an open process and all organisations and individuals who want to contribute can do so. This process is also being informed by stakeholder engagement events being run for the Scottish Government by the Scottish Association for Mental Health and Voices of Experience. We will publish information about this stakeholder engagement alongside development and publication of a new strategy, which will include details of a range of stakeholders that we have met as part of the process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311373,"EventID":"S4W-30446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:45:00.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many paramedics have logged overtime hours in each year since 2010-11 and how many hours they have logged.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30432 on 21 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311374,"EventID":"S4W-30448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:45:01.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that wind turbine construction near (a) public and (b) private water sources does not damage drinking water quality.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for protecting drinking water supplies is shared across a number of different bodies and individuals.\r\n\r\nIn the first instance it is a matter for developers to identify any public and private water supplies likely to be affected by the development, so that any adverse effects from the development on the sources of the supplies can be properly assessed and any necessary mitigation put in place.\r\nThe Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has a role as statutory consultee to assess the likely effects of the development on the water environment, including water supplies; and to provide advice to planning authorities about any likely adverse effects on the sources of water supplies, with reference to certain parameters. SEPA relies on any sources and receptors of possible pollution being identified by the developer.\r\nBefore granting planning permission the planning authority should take account of any potential adverse impacts on the environment, including water supplies, whether public or private.\r\nThe responsibility for ensuring a supply is wholesome rests with Scottish Water in the case of public water supplies, and in the case of private water supplies with the owners and users. The Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland (DWQR) maintains an overarching role, ensuring that effective monitoring and management procedures are in place, with enforcement powers for public water supplies to ensure a wholesome supply at the tap. The responsibility for enforcement in relation to private supplies lies with local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311375,"EventID":"S4W-30449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:45:02.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which body is responsible for ensuring that private water supplies are protected from damage from third parties.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30448 on 22 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311376,"EventID":"S4W-30450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:45:02.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-30206 by Jamie Hepburn on 8 March 2016, how much funding the Scottish Primary Care Research Network has received in each year since 2007-08. ","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office has provided the Scottish Primary Care Research Network with the following funding in each year since 2007-08:\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n£207,000\r\n£251,000\r\n£274,000\r\n£373,000\r\n£373,000\r\n£377,000\r\n£377,000\r\n£381,000\r\n£381,000","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311377,"EventID":"S4W-30451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:45:03.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what response it has had from the Home Secretary to its request for the Pitchford inquiry into undercover policing to cover Scotland.","AnswerText":"Discussions with the Home Office are ongoing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311378,"EventID":"S4W-30452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:45:04.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which body provides the expertise to ensure that private water supplies are protected adequately.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30448 on 22 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311379,"EventID":"S4W-30453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:45:04.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T11:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on integrated active travel in light of the recent open letter from Spokes to the Minister for Transport and Islands regarding the 50% reduction in cycle carrying capacity on the Edinburgh-Glasgow rail line and 66% reduction on the West Highland Line from Glasgow to Oban and Fort William.","AnswerText":"On train cycle capacity on the Edinburgh-Glasgow via Falkirk route will not reduce and when ScotRail introduces new electric trains onto the route it is looking at options which have worked successfully elsewhere on the network such as in Ayrshire and North Berwick.\r\nThe requirement for accessible toilets and wheelchair areas will impact on the cycle carrying capacity of class 158s which will operate on the West Highland line from December 2017 and Transport Scotland are working with ScotRail to minimise any impact on passengers who want to travel with bicycles. \r\nThe Scottish Government is working closely with Abellio ScotRail to ensure all rail users’ needs are taken into account for everyday journeys as outlined in the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland which identifies that integration between modes is crucial to the promotion of active travel. \r\nTravelling actively to and from transport interchanges should be as easy as possible which is why this Scottish Government is investing a record amount of funding: £39 million for the last two years and again next year, in active travel.\r\nScotRail will invest over £4 million in facilities at stations and improvements on train to make it easier for rail passengers to integrate with cycling as part of their journey choices.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311380,"EventID":"S4W-30454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-08T13:45:05.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28523 by John Swinney on 30 November 2015, in light of the commitment that it would \"publish a policy consultation paper in early 2016\", whether it will now publish its plans regarding the replacement to air passenger duty and what the reason is for any delay.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30551 on 14 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311381,"EventID":"S4W-30521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T09:12:57.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T09:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its consideration of an application for legal aid towards the costs of a private prosecution from representatives of some of the families of victims of the Glasgow bin lorry tragedy.","AnswerText":"Private prosecutions are, and should remain, exceptionally rare in Scotland. Responsibility for decisions on whether or not to prosecute alleged criminal offences in Scotland rests clearly with the Crown. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has a strong record in prosecuting crime.\r\nThe Bill for Criminal Letters, submitted to the High Court on behalf of some of the families of the bin lorry tragedy, raises issues that have not previously been tested in case law with reference to the very small number of previous private prosecutions in Scotland.\r\nOn that basis, and that basis alone, ministers propose to make a determination under section 4(2)(c) of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 requiring the Scottish Legal Aid Board to make legal aid available to the representatives of the families for preparation and for the hearing before the High Court to consider the Bill for Criminal Letters. The hearing will allow the High Court to consider whether the Bill for Criminal letters raises exceptional circumstances that would justify a private prosecution proceeding.\r\nThe determination is not being made on the basis that ministers agree that the circumstances set out in the application for funding constitute exceptional circumstances, which is a matter for the court to consider. Nor is it made on the basis that ministers agree that there was any error in law in the decision by the Crown. The Lord Advocate has set out publicly the basis for the decision not to progress a prosecution following the bin lorry tragedy.\r\nIn line with human rights requirements and the need to be represented in a hearing considering a potential criminal prosecution, ministers will also make determinations in response to requests to make legal aid available to the representatives of the driver of the bin lorry, Harry Clarke, and also to William Payne, with reference to a potential private prosecution following the tragic deaths of Mhairi Convy and Laura Stewart.\r\nOur first thoughts remain with the families of John Sweeney, Lorraine Sweeney, Erin McQuade, Stephenie Tait, Gillian Ewing and Jacqueline Morton, who died in the 2014 Glasgow bin lorry tragedy, and Mhairi Convy and Laura Stewart who died in a separate incident in Glasgow in December 2010.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311382,"EventID":"S4W-30522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T09:34:06.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the new cancer strategy for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Beating Cancer in Scotland strategy will be published today (15 March 2015). It will set out ambitions on improving the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and after care for people affected by cancer in Scotland for the next five to ten years. \r\nWe aim to shape the delivery of this strategy over the next decade by working together with patients and their representatives, clinicians, and service providers, to reduce the impact of cancer and achieve world class cancer outcomes for the people of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311383,"EventID":"S4W-30523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T09:34:07.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the findings from the Healthier Scotland Conversation will be published.","AnswerText":"I published the findings from the conversation today (17 March 2016). A summary report is now available on the Creating a Healthier Scotland website, and I have made copies of the report available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57745). I have also written to the Convener of the Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee to draw the committee’s attention to the report.\r\nI would like to record my thanks to everyone who has taken the time to join the conversation and share their views.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311384,"EventID":"S4O-05685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:02:45.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T10:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on there being different regulations regarding IVF treatment and women's BMI in the NHS and through self-financed NHS treatment.","AnswerText":"It is up to health boards to decide the criteria for patients who choose to self-fund in one of the four centres in Scotland providing NHS IVF, whilst taking into account the health of those undergoing IVF, and the safety of treatment.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311385,"EventID":"S4O-05682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:02:46.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported 12% increase in small business jobs in five years, what it is doing to ensure that this growth continues.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311386,"EventID":"S4O-05676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:02:47.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many properties in Inverclyde would be affected by the proposed reforms to the top four council tax bands.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311387,"EventID":"S4O-05677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:02:47.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is helping to support delivery of the living wage to care workers in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311388,"EventID":"S4O-05681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:02:48.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it has done to protect the provision of speech and language therapy services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311389,"EventID":"S4O-05680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:02:48.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support the steel industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311390,"EventID":"S4O-05679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:02:48.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the dualling of the A9.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311391,"EventID":"S4O-05683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:02:49.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311392,"EventID":"S4O-05684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:02:49.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport last discussed the future of the children's ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311393,"EventID":"S4O-05678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:02:50.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact fracking would have on Central Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311394,"EventID":"S4O-05658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:20.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the national pay negotiations in the college sector.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311395,"EventID":"S4O-05670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:20.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent representations it has made to the UK Government regarding international students and further education colleges.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311396,"EventID":"S4O-05672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:21.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be on staffing at universities in the north east of the planned 3.3% reduction in the higher education budget.","AnswerText":"In 2017 the Scottish Government will again invest more than £1 billion in our higher education sector – the fifth year in succession where investment has exceeded that figure. Levels of investment like these provide a stable base which enables our universities to attract a range of additional funding.\r\nAs autonomous institutions, universities are responsible for their own finances and decisions on workforce planning. However, I would expect all universities to consult on these matters with staff and unions.\r\nMore widely, these are particularly challenging times for the north east and we will continue to work with partners to find solutions that meet the region’s needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311397,"EventID":"S4O-05656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:21.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to recruit more teachers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311398,"EventID":"S4O-05663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:22.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages the provision of libraries in schools in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311399,"EventID":"S4O-05674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:23.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it has provided to Aberdeen City Council to address the shortfall in teacher recruitment, and what penalties it has imposed as a consequence.","AnswerText":"I attended the teaching summit in Aberdeen at the end of September last year to discuss working with the authority to address barriers to recruitment.\r\nWe increased the University of Aberdeen's student teacher intake targets for 2016-17 and supported the development and extension of the part time distance learning model of initial teacher education that the university offers. And most recently I announced on 16 February 2016 that part of the £12 million Transition Training Fund would be available to help oil and gas sector staff bring their skills and expertise into teaching – particularly in science, technology, engineering and maths. My officials are actively working with stakeholders to develop this new pathway into teaching.\r\nAberdeen City Council received £1.331 million as their share of the £41 million that this government made available to local authorities in the current financial year to maintain their teacher numbers and pupil teacher ratios at 2014 levels in 2015-16.\r\nWhile Aberdeen City Council failed to meet the teacher numbers commitment, no penalty was imposed. The council did not, however, receive a share of the additional £10 million that was made available to those local authorities that met their teacher numbers and pupil teacher ratio commitments.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311400,"EventID":"S4O-05667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:24.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the pupil to teacher ratio is in special schools, and how this compares with 2008.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311401,"EventID":"S4O-05671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:25.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics in schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311402,"EventID":"S4O-05665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:25.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is promoting the \"Daily Mile\" in schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311403,"EventID":"S4O-05659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:25.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T11:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Students' Association of the University of the West of Scotland's report, Establishing a Stronger Summer Safety Net: Promoting how we can raise retention in post 16 education.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311404,"EventID":"S4O-05669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:26.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T10:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in implementing the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311405,"EventID":"S4O-05660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:27.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T15:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in reducing the education attainment gap. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311406,"EventID":"S4O-05662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:27.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the potential impact on education in Scotland of the UK withdrawing from the EU.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311407,"EventID":"S4O-05675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:27.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will use the funding to be raised from council tax as well as that announced as part of the budget to address educational attainment.","AnswerText":"An additional £100 million a year will be invested in schools across Scotland as a result of a package of reforms to council tax outlined earlier this month by the First Minister. \r\nThe Scottish Attainment Fund is already delivering dedicated support to more than 300 primary schools in the most deprived parts of our country. The additional funding announced by the Deputy First Minister as part of the budget will see this intensive support deliver more across our most deprived communities in Scotland - further details on how that will be allocated will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311408,"EventID":"S4O-05673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:28.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to provide guidance to teachers of religious, moral and philosophical studies on Islam and Islamaphobia.","AnswerText":"Through Education Scotland we provide support materials and resources which offer guidance to teachers on Islam and many other religions. These are available on the Education Scotland website. For example, Education Scotland has worked with the Muslim Council of Scotland support professional learning around Islam and to run 'Glow meets' for children, young people and practitioners which have allowed participants to engage with Muslims to learn more about their culture and beliefs directly. \r\nWe also take very seriously the need to support schools to tackle Islamophobia. We are currently developing a new framework for Scotland, which will set out the Government’s approach to promoting race equality and tackling racism and inequality. The Scottish Government is leading this work which of course will be highly relevant to schools.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311409,"EventID":"S4O-05657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:28.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with head teachers and other stakeholders on closing the education attainment gap.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311410,"EventID":"S4O-05668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:29.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the benefits of the named person provision will be for children and families.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311411,"EventID":"S4O-05664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:29.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it spends per pupil, and how this compares with England.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311412,"EventID":"S4O-05666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:29.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that its policy on children's attainment takes account of the impact of poverty.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311413,"EventID":"S4O-05661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:03:30.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Fife Council regarding the future provision of high schools in Dunfermline.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311424,"EventID":"S4W-30434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:19.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T08:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in implementing the recommendations in the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland report, Missed Opportunities: Findings from our visits to people with Acquired Brain Injury and Alcohol Related Brain Damage, which was published in August 2010.","AnswerText":"Two recommendations fell directly for the Scottish Government to consider. The first was on continuation and extension of the existing clinical network for acquired brain injury. The Scottish Acquired Brain Injury Network (SABIN) established in 2007 continues to seek to improve outcomes for all acquired brain injury patients. This national managed clinical network continues to undertake a range of activities to fulfil its aim of improving access to and quality of care for people with acquired brain injury in Scotland and its activities are kept under review with patients, carers and stakeholders.\r\n\r\nThe second recommendation was on the need for a similar network for people with alcohol related brain damage. The Scottish Government has issued guidance to encourage and strengthen the development of national and regional managed clinical networks as a well-established approach to supporting and delivering high-quality healthcare (NHS CEL 29 (2012). That guidance highlights that NHS boards retain statutory responsibility and accountability for the delivery of services, and that there must be close links between managed clinical networks and the appropriate planning, delivery, improvement and governance functions of boards.\r\nNHS National Services Scotland (National Services Division) commission a number of National Managed Clinical Networks on behalf of NHS Scotland, including SABIN, and information on the commissioning process is available on its website for any of those partners who wish to consider establishing their own network:\r\nhttp://www.nsd.scot.nhs.uk/%5C%5C/services/nmcn/index.html.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311425,"EventID":"S4W-30435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:22.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T08:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on establishing a managed care network for alcohol-related brain damage.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30434 on 16 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311426,"EventID":"S4W-30436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:23.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T08:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the findings of the report by KJ Moriarty, Alcohol Care Teams: to reduce acute hospital admissions and improve quality of care, which was published in 2011 on behalf of the British Society of Gastroenterology.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has noted the findings of the Alcohol Care Teams: to reduce acute hospital admissions and improve quality of care report.\r\nThrough the alcohol framework which was launched in 2009 the Scottish Government has put in place a number of significant measures aimed at reducing admissions associated with the misuse of alcohol, and to improve treatment services provided by the NHS in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311427,"EventID":"S4W-30437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:24.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T08:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which acute hospitals provide both a seven-day alcohol specialist nurse service and an assertive outreach alcohol service to care for (a) frequent hospital attenders and (b) long-stay patients.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311428,"EventID":"S4W-30512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:25.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-05277 by Humza Yousaf on 20 January 2016 (Official Report, c. 12), what discussions it has had with (a) Shetland Islands Council and (b) other local authorities regarding accepting refugees from Syria.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had discussions with Shetland Islands Council about accepting refugees from Syria. Local authorities currently liaise directly with the Home Office about acceptance of refugees. The Scottish Government is in regular dialogue with COSLA, which represents and supports local authorities considering participation in the Syrian Resettlement Programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311429,"EventID":"S4W-30513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:25.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T07:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what record it keeps of the mortality rates at care homes.","AnswerText":"All care homes are required to notify the Care Inspectorate of any death of a resident and inspectors use these notifications to identify whether there is cause for concern requiring further action, either because the mortality rate for that service is unexpectedly high or because it is unexpectedly low.\r\nNational Records of Scotland hold information on all deaths registered in Scotland and record the number of people who died in a care home or hospice.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311430,"EventID":"S4W-30519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:26.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether 2015 single application form (SAF) applicants will be paid less favoured area support in March 2016 if their SAF has yet to be processed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will provide cash support within weeks to almost 11,500 farming businesses in Scotland’s most remote and rural areas whilst basic payments are being processed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311431,"EventID":"S4W-30520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:26.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, for what reason Rural Payments and Inspections Division offices are inspecting agricultural businesses that have no claim on any agricultural subsidy scheme.","AnswerText":"Our programme of inspections is designed to help safeguard the environment, the public, crop health, animal welfare and meet our obligations for using European Commission money. Scottish Government officials are responsible for inspecting businesses or private property where certain types of animals are kept, both for commercial reasons or as pets. This category of inspection will take place regardless of whether funding has been applied for or not. Further information regarding inspections can be found on line at https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/inspections/","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311432,"EventID":"S4W-30524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:27.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that local authorities face a funding shortfall of at least £25 million for temporary accommodation for homeless people by 2017. ","AnswerText":"The funding shortfall of £25 million was identified through a survey of local authorities in Scotland by local authority practitioners, supported by the Scottish Government.\r\nThe Minister for Housing and Welfare shared this information with the previous UK coalition government in 2014 expressing the Scottish Government’s concerns about the potential impact on homeless households, but we have been disappointed at the response.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to highlight its concerns to the UK Government and work with our local authority partners to minimise the negative impact of UK Government welfare reforms on vulnerable homeless households.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311433,"EventID":"S4W-30525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:28.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out on the impact of local authority funding reductions for temporary and homeless accommodation for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not carried out research into local authority funding for temporary and homeless accommodation for 2016-17.\r\nThe allocation of appropriate funding for temporary and homeless accommodation for 2016-17 is a matter for local authorities, from their overall financial resources.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311434,"EventID":"S4W-30526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:30.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what resources it is providing to each local authority area to address homelessness in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Funding to local authorities to address homelessness is provided as part of the local government finance settlement for 2016-17. The total funding now amounts to over £10.3 billion.\r\nIt is for local authorities to allocate the appropriate funding to address homelessness in their area based on their local housing strategy and local circumstances.\r\nThe Scottish Government have announced another £150,000 to the local authority led Housing Options Hubs for 2016-17 to further develop approaches to preventing homelessness and the Scottish Government provides direct funding to third sector organisations to address homelessness in Scotland through funds such as the Housing Voluntary Sector Grant Scheme.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311435,"EventID":"S4W-30527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:31.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact it considers local authority funding for 2016-17 will have on addressing homelessness. ","AnswerText":"Local authorities are best placed to allocate appropriate resources from the local government finance settlement to addressing homelessness in their area.\r\nAlong with strong legislative rights for homeless households, local authorities and their partners have been developing innovative approaches to preventing homelessness in recent years through the housing options approach.\r\nAs well as the Scottish Government announcement of another £150,000 to the local authority led Housing Options Hubs for 2016-17, guidance was recently published to help improve delivery of preventative services. A training toolkit around the prevention of homelessness is also due to be produced in 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311436,"EventID":"S4W-30528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:32.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how much and (b) what percentage of its budget each local authority has spent on temporary accommodation in each year since 2009-10.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nIt is for local authorities to decide the appropriate amount and percentage of spend on temporary accommodation in their area.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311437,"EventID":"S4W-30529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:33.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02557 by John Swinney on 7 November 2013 (Official Report, c. 24158), in light of the cabinet secretary's commitment that he would \"take forward\" the case for using the opportunity of cable laying activity in Orkney to incorporate fibre connections, what (a) action it has taken and (b) discussions it has had with (i) SSE and (ii) other utilities providers regarding this.","AnswerText":"As part of the process of designing and optimising Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband roll-out on Orkney, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) asked BT to explore what synergies could be achieved with SSE and other utilities providers in order to make the deployment as effective as possible. It was established that SSE had no commercial plans to lay further cable in or around Orkney at that time and BT planned its fibre deployment on that basis.\r\nFor any future broadband projects, the Scottish Government and HIE will continue to look at how existing infrastructure could be used.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311438,"EventID":"S4W-30531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:34.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason NHS Orkney was allocated less funding than the NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee target in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15 and (e) 2015-16.","AnswerText":"In 2016-17 NHS Orkney’s resource budget will increase by 4.6% to £43.2 million, an above inflation increase, and in line with the NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee target, which reflects our commitment to move all board’s to parity using the ‘differential growth’ model.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311439,"EventID":"S4W-30532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:34.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, given that NHS Orkney's funding has been £6.1 million below the NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) target between 2010-11 and 2015-16, what plans it has to provide NHS Orkney with the £6.1 million to bring it into line with the NRAC target.","AnswerText":"NHS Orkney’s funding for 2016-17 is in line with the NRAC target. NHS Orkney’s resource budget will increase by 4.6% to £43.2 million, an above inflation increase, having previously increased by 15.1% in 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311440,"EventID":"S4W-30536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:35.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T10:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the board paying toward a service-level agreement to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde for such referrals, what its position is on NHS Lanarkshire's reported decision not to support applications to refer some patients to the NHS Centre for Integrative Care or its outreach clinics in Coatbridge and Carluke.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that complementary and alternative medicines/therapies (CAMs), like those provided by the Centre for Integrative Care and elsewhere, may offer relief to some people suffering from a wide variety of conditions. It is, however, for individual NHS boards to decide which CAMs they make available (either locally or via referral) to their patients based on the assessed needs of their resident populations and in line with national guidance. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311441,"EventID":"S4W-30537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:35.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T10:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much NHS Lanarkshire has paid each year toward its service-level agreement with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with regard to the NHS Centre for Integrative Care.","AnswerText":"It is for local NHS boards to plan and provide services to meet the needs of its local population. Boards will often work together and agree to provide specialist and complementary services under a formal service level agreement. Information in relation to specific service level agreements will be available from the relevant health boards.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311442,"EventID":"S4W-30538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:36.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T10:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on NHS boards paying for service-level agreements under which patients are not offered referrals to the other board.","AnswerText":"The role of the Scottish Government is to provide policies, frameworks and resources to NHS boards in order that they can deliver services that meet the needs of their local population. Within this context, it is a matter for individual health boards to plan and provide the services to meet the needs of their local population. All boards are expected to ensure that resources are spent in a way that improves the health and wellbeing of the community and that delivers best value for tax payers.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311443,"EventID":"S4W-30539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:37.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-30084 by John Swinney on 7 March 2016, whether it considers the regulation of claims management companies in Scotland to be adequate, in light of the level of reported nuisance calls about PPI.","AnswerText":"The majority of claims management companies in Scotland are wholly owned by solicitors and as such are regulated by the Law Society of Scotland. There is little hard evidence of malpractice in Scotland, however we intend to consider the position of regulation of claims management companies as part of ongoing work to review the regulation of the legal profession.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311444,"EventID":"S4W-30540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:35:38.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, given that NHS Shetland’s funding was £1.1 million below the NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) target between 2014-15 and 2015-16, what plans it has to provide NHS Shetland with the £600,000 required to bring it into line with the NRAC target for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"In 2016-17, NHS Shetland’s resource budget will increase by 4.5% to £42.6 million, an above inflation increase, having previously increased by 2.8% in 2015-16.\r\nNHS Shetland receives significant in-year funding over and above the baseline allocation, which when taken into account, takes the board ahead of parity in 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311445,"EventID":"S4W-30551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:56:59.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish a consultation paper on a new tax to replace air passenger duty in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I have published on 14 March 2016, a consultation paper inviting comments on a new tax to replace Air Passenger Duty in Scotland from April 2018.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311446,"EventID":"S4W-30552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T13:57:00.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T13:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of the draft Bill on lifting the time-bar for survivors of historical child abuse.","AnswerText":"The draft Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Bill is published today, 14 March 2016. It can be viewed here (http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/7578/downloads) alongside the consultation analysis and the Scottish Government’s response to the consultation.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311447,"EventID":"S4W-30575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T15:47:55.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it will provide to people with hepatitis C or HIV as a result of infected NHS blood or blood products.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311448,"EventID":"S4W-30593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T15:52:04.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what future financial support it will provide to people with hepatitis C or HIV as a result of infected NHS blood or blood products.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is accepting all of the key financial support recommendations in the final report of the Financial Review Group. The group involved a range of affected groups, both infected individuals and family members. They provided their recommendations to ministers in December 2015. For those infected in Scotland, the Scottish Government will commit to:\r\n\r\nIncreasing annual payments to £27,000 for those with advanced Hepatitis C (at Stage 2) or HIV and increasing them to £37,000 for those co-infected with both Hepatitis C and HIV.\r\nProviding annual payments to widows and widowers of those who have died as a result of their advanced (Stage 2) Hepatitis C or HIV infection. These payments will be 75% of the amount the infected person would be entitled to under the new arrangements if they were alive.\r\nProviding an additional lump sum of £30,000 to all those who are infected with chronic Hepatitis C at Stage 1. This will bring the total lump sum all those infected in Scotland have received to at least £50,000, given that those with chronic infection have already received £20,000. Given the additional impact of co-infection with Hepatitis C and HIV, the co-infected people currently at Stage 1 will automatically move to Stage 2 and receive a £50,000 lump sum payment.\r\nIncreasing Scottish Government funding for a support and assistance grants scheme for those infected and their families to £1 million per year.\r\nWe also accept the group’s recommendation that the new support should in future be delivered through a single Scottish agency and will seek to take this forward. In the meantime, we are working with the UK Department of Health and the existing support schemes with the aim of delivering increased financial support through the existing schemes during the 2016-17 financial year.\r\nThe Scottish Government will also consider each of the group’s proposals for further work that should be undertaken in future. In particular, we will take forward an evidence-based review of health impacts caused by Hepatitis C to examine whether new criteria should be established, based on broader health impacts caused by the virus. That review will also investigate the role of Hepatitis C as a direct cause of death among beneficiaries. In addition, the operation of the new Scottish scheme will be subject to periodic review in consultation with the scheme’s beneficiaries.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311449,"EventID":"S4W-30601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:21:45.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide details of, and consult on, proposals for its preferred way forward in relation to the development of a no-fault compensation scheme for medical injury for Scotland.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce we will soon launch a public consultation on our outline proposals for a no-blame redress scheme of compensation for people suffering harm as a result of clinical treatment administered by NHS Scotland staff. \r\nThe no-blame scheme we will consult on will sit alongside the existing NHS compensation scheme. It will offer an alternative to pursuing a clinical negligence claim, giving people a right to redress and a mechanism for securing compensation where appropriate, without having to go through lengthy and costly court procedures. Crucially, it will fit with our policy of improving openness and transparency across NHS Scotland; moving away from a blame culture and supporting the culture of constant learning and improvement consistent with our future vision for health and social care in Scotland.\r\nPrimary legislation will be required to introduce the no-blame scheme and I intend to consult on proposals now, which will inform a Redress Bill to be progressed in the next parliamentary session.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311462,"EventID":"S4W-30492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:23.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S3W-34518 by Nicola Sturgeon on 23 June 2010, whether a system to record who accesses electronic patient records is in place, and whether people will be able to request an audit of who has looked at their personal records.","AnswerText":"A privacy breach detection system is operational in all territorial boards. This is on top of the usual audit trails running on key clinical systems. Patients can ask for reassurance as to who is accessing their data (and why) and there are many ways in which this information can be provided. Simply providing raw audit trails would not on its own satisfy this requirement. Under the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 anyone has the right to ask for a copy of their personal health information.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311463,"EventID":"S4W-30542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:24.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether construction of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements project is still scheduled to be completed in March 2017 and, if not, how many months it is behind schedule.","AnswerText":"The M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements project is on track to be completed in spring 2017. Significant progress has already been made on several key routes and structures on this complex project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311464,"EventID":"S4W-30543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:24.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the anticipated costs of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements project have risen and whether delayed completion will result in further increases in costs and penalties for the contractor.","AnswerText":"The anticipated cost of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements project remains at the £500 million I announced in February 2014. Under the terms of the contract, no payments are made until the roads are open to the public.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311465,"EventID":"S4W-30544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:25.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether revisions to the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements project lighting plans have been considered and, if so, what impact proposed revisions will have on (a) cost and (b) public safety.","AnswerText":"The contract for the Design, Build, Finance and Operation of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements project was awarded to Scottish Roads Partnership in February 2014. There have been no revisions to contractual requirements for lighting on the project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311466,"EventID":"S4W-30545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:25.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce its decision on planning application (a) PPA-320-2092 for residential development and associated uses in Wishaw and (b) PPA-320-2093 for residential development and associated works in North Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"The appeals in respect of a residential development at Weymysshill Farm, Overtown, Wishaw, and at land west of Morningside, Newmains, North Lanarkshire are currently with reporters at the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) of the Scottish Government.\r\n\r\nThe appointed reporters in both these appeals have undertaken inspections of the sites relevant to the appeals. In both cases the reporters are considering whether they have enough information to submit a report with recommendations to Scottish Ministers or if they will require to obtain further information from parties involved in the appeals.\r\nThe reporters are making every effort to conclude the information gathering stage and to prepare their reports for Scottish Ministers. It will then be for ministers to consider the reporters’ recommendations made on the appeals. Ministers focus on efficient decision making and will endeavour to issue decisions on the appeals as quickly as possible, and within two months of planning and architecture division officials receiving the reports from DPEA.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311467,"EventID":"S4W-30547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:26.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money each college has transferred to arms-length foundations in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"As part of its regular financial monitoring across the college sector, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) monitors the flow of funds between colleges and Arm’s Length Foundations. I have therefore asked the chief executive of the SFC to respond to your question directly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311468,"EventID":"S4W-30548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:26.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been claimed against the Scottish Ministers with regard to damage to personal property or personal injury caused by defects on trunk roads in each year since 2010-11, also broken down by the amount it paid in (a) compensation and (b) legal costs.","AnswerText":"This information is not held. Under Schedule 4 Part 4 of the contract between the Scottish Ministers and the trunk road operating companies, the operating companies indemnify Scottish Ministers against claims for damage to personal property and personal injury. The contract can be accessed online at: http://www.transport.gov.scot/system/files/documents/tsc-basic-pages/SE%20-%20S4P4.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311469,"EventID":"S4W-30549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:27.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T13:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the new procurement regulations will prevent firms who are using tax avoidance schemes from applying for government contracts.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is determined to act decisively on tax avoidance where we have the powers to do so. We have taken a simple and clear but robust approach to tackling avoidance of the devolved taxes.\r\nThe new procurement regulations contain grounds for the exclusion of a supplier from a procurement process. These include circumstances in which a supplier has breached tax or social security obligations. Statutory guidance published on 17 March 2016 provides advice on dealing with suppliers who have been involved in the non-payment of tax, and explains how and when they can be excluded from public contracts.\r\nPublic bodies are encouraged to use these mechanisms to help tackle those suppliers who do not comply with their tax obligations.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311470,"EventID":"S4W-30550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:27.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T13:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide substantive answers to questions S4W-28109 and S4W-29605, which received holding responses on 19 November 2015 and 29 February 2016 respectively, and what the reason is for the delay in providing such answers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28109 on 16 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311471,"EventID":"S4W-30553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:28.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the recommendations in its report, Pulling together: transforming urgent care for the people of Scotland: The Report of the Independent Review of Primary Care Out of Hours Services, are being met, in light of recent reports of varying standards of immediate care for older people who have fallen in their homes.","AnswerText":"I welcomed the publication of Pulling together: transforming urgent care for the people of Scotland in November 2015, which highlighted the variability of responding to uninjured fallers. \r\nThe Scottish Government continue to work with delivery partners at both national and local level throughout Scotland developing the implementation of the recommendations. This work will help ensure that the people of Scotland get the right help at the right time, regardless of where they reside.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311472,"EventID":"S4W-30554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:29.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will introduce to assist with the enforcement of the Footway Parking and Double Parking (Scotland) Bill in areas where no current traffic enforcement bodies are employed by local authorities.","AnswerText":"Consistent enforcement was one of the key issues identified by the Local Government and Regeneration Committee, which required detailed consideration. If re-elected, the Scottish Government will bring forward suitable legislation in the next parliamentary session to address obstructive and irresponsible parking, including pavement parking.\r\nAs part of this work, we intend to undertake a full review of the issues raised during the Stage 1 scrutiny of Sandra White's Footway Parking and Double Parking (Scotland) Bill. This will build on the work already undertaken by Ms White and others and on the evidence gathered by the committee. We will examine all options that seek to address enforcement and workability issues, particularly, where decriminalised parking enforcement does not apply as we develop a Government Bill.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311473,"EventID":"S4W-30555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:30.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to improve the assistance that it can give to local authorities to reduce the interest rates on their PFI contracts.","AnswerText":"Scottish Futures Trust continues to work with public authorities in Scotland to assist in making savings and improving performance across PFI/PPP contracts.\r\nIn relation to interest rates, there is a mechanism within PFI/PPP contracts for the private sector to pursue a process known as refinancing, in circumstances where a reduction in financing costs can be achieved.\r\nPFI/PPP contracts use long term senior debt financing that comprises either a completely fixed rate or more usually, a fixed element and a variable element (known as a margin). Given their nature, savings generally cannot be made on the fixed element. Economic conditions in the financing markets has meant that for projects entered into prior to 2008, margins were generally lower then than in current conditions which means that savings are not possible. Most local authority contracts were conclude within that period.\r\nScottish Futures Trust is currently supporting a number of public sector stakeholders whose contracts completed after 2008 where refinancing gains may be possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311474,"EventID":"S4W-30556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:30.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on the key deliverables of its 2020 Vision for achieving sustainable quality in the delivery of healthcare services across Scotland.","AnswerText":"We have made significant progress against the key deliverables of the 2020 Vision route map and these include:\r\nImprovements in care for people with long term conditions have resulted in the avoidance in 2009-10 of over 125,000 bed days for people aged over 65;\r\nA reduction in the rates of clostridium difficile of over 70% since 2007;\r\nReduction in unexpected deaths in Scotland's hospitals (hospital standardised mortality ratios) down 16.5% since 2007;\r\nOver recent years, surgical mortality has reduced by 23.5%; \r\nCases of MRSA reduced by 88% (from 249 in quarter January to March 2007 to 31 in quarter July to September 2015);\r\nCompared to a decade ago (October 2005) the number of standard delays over three days are down by 62%, and delays over four weeks have been reduced by 76%;\r\nScotland has a world leading patient safety programme which is making a real difference to standards of care provided to patients we are producing improved outcomes for, people in terms of reduced need for hospitalisation, shorter stays, faster recovery and longer life expectancy.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311475,"EventID":"S4W-30557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-30097 by John Swinney on 7 March 2016, whether it considers that additional funds to take forward particular workstreams should be taken into account when calculating overall budget reductions.","AnswerText":"Any budget comparisons should take into account all funding available to local authorities to support their expenditure on services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311476,"EventID":"S4W-30566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:31.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all Caldicott guardians in each NHS board are medically qualified.","AnswerText":"Since 1997 boards have appointed Caldicott guardians as the senior advisors on how patient information is used internally and externally. Although there is no absolute requirement for the person to be medically qualified, the Scottish Government understands that they are directors of public health or in senior clinical roles. In addition, boards are appointing Senior Information Risk Owners (SIROs) who cover the whole information risk landscape (patient, employee and corporate information). A SIRO must be at executive level, but can be from a medical or non-medical background.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311477,"EventID":"S4W-30567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:32.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Caldicott guardians in each NHS board have a senior management role in the board's ICT department, and what its position is on whether this might represent a conflict of interest.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is not aware of any cases of where a Caldicott guardian is also in a senior management role in ICT. The launch of the NHSScotland Information Security Policy Framework, and the need to appoint Senior Information Risk Owners and improve internal appointing is making it far less likely for any conflicts of interest to occur.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311478,"EventID":"S4W-30568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:32.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many of (a) its and (b) each NHS board's senior managers (i) hold and (ii) do not hold an ICT qualification.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government hold no information on the ICT qualifications of NHS board’s senior managers. It is the responsibility of NHS boards to ensure appropriately qualified staff are in place. All Scottish Government staff within the ICT profession are required to participate in an externally accredited career development scheme and make use of this system to record any ICT qualifications.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311479,"EventID":"S4W-30569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:33.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the predicted or actual (a) overspend or (b) underspend has been on each (i) of its and (ii) NHS board's ICT projects in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. Any information available on overspend and underspend for individual ICT projects would be held by the appropriate individual organisations across the public sector and it is a matter for those bodies to provide this information. This would apply to information on overspend and underspend of NHS board's projects in each year since 2007. It would be the responsibility of individual health board's to provide this information.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311480,"EventID":"S4W-30570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:34.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a requirement that reports concerning the final outturn costs for (a) its and (b) each NHS board's ICT projects should provide a breakdown of the cost of any (i) legal matters, (ii) external assessments or evaluations and (iii) consultancies.","AnswerText":"All projects should provide regular financial reports. This would include regular reporting of all costs including final outturn costs. This would include a breakdown of legal matters, external assessment or evaluations and consultancies.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311481,"EventID":"S4W-30571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:35.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendations of the Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services, whether it will publish proposals for reducing the duplication of committees and working groups across each of the territorial NHS boards.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's response Renewing Scotland's Public Services: priorities for reform in response to the Christie Commission was published in September 2011. We continue to look at how we can further reduce duplication across NHS boards.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311482,"EventID":"S4W-30574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:35.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a substantive answer to question S4W-29604, which received a holding response on 29 February 2016, and what the reason is for the delay in providing the answer.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29604 on 10 March 2016.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311483,"EventID":"S4W-30576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:36.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to (a) ensure that public procurement of IT does not enable abusive labour practices and (b) affiliate with Electronics Watch.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s standard terms and conditions of contract include clauses on corruption, equality, black-listing, payment of subcontractors and protection of the environment. We recognise that abusive labour practices are a concern in IT procurement, and have included targeted clauses to address this in IT frameworks. These frameworks are available for use across the Scottish public sector, charities and voluntary organisations.\r\nWhile we appreciate the work Electronics Watch are doing, we are already including fair work requirements and appropriate clauses in our IT frameworks, and have identified that there are a range of sectors where labour conditions are a concern. We are therefore tackling this matter, with the support of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum and the Equality and Human Rights Commission in a number of areas.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311484,"EventID":"S4W-30577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:37.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s intention to relocate the Museum of Fire in Edinburgh is in line with the Scottish Government's policies on the historic environment.","AnswerText":"The decision to relocate the Edinburgh Museum of Fire is a matter for the Board of the Scottish fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) \r\nThe museum is currently housed within the SFRS property at Lauriston Place, Edinburgh. This building is listed at category A, and as such the local planning authority, in this case City of Edinburgh Council, must give special regard to the character of the listed building if proposals for change of use or alterations are being considered. The decision to grant or refuse planning permission and listed building consent is for the local authority in the first instance, although Historic Environment Scotland are a statutory consultee for applications which impact upon historic environment assets.\r\nAlthough SFRS intend that the building at Lauriston will be sold, the Museum of Fire would not be lost to the city with the contents being retained, protected and relocated in a new site elsewhere and that SFRS would seek to improve the accessibility of the collection to increase the level of patronage.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311485,"EventID":"S4W-30578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:37.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average size has been for primary 1-3 classes in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"This information can be found in Table 4.1 in the Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland, No: 6 - 2015 publication document: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/7925/321884\r\n\r\nTable 4.1: Average class size of primary school pupils(1), 2006 to 2015\r\n\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nP1\r\n23.1\r\n20.9\r\n21.0\r\n21.1\r\n21.1\r\n20.5\r\n20.6\r\n21.2\r\n21.2\r\n21.1\r\nP2\r\n23.7\r\n23.5\r\n23.0\r\n22.8\r\n22.8\r\n23.3\r\n23.3\r\n24.0\r\n23.9\r\n24.1\r\nP3\r\n24.1\r\n24.0\r\n24.0\r\n23.7\r\n23.4\r\n23.9\r\n24.0\r\n24.5\r\n24.7\r\n24.8\r\nP1-P3\r\n23.6\r\n22.8\r\n22.6\r\n22.5\r\n22.4\r\n22.5\r\n22.6\r\n23.2\r\n23.3\r\n23.3\r\nAll Primary\r\n23.2\r\n22.8\r\n22.7\r\n22.5\r\n22.5\r\n22.7\r\n22.7\r\n23.2\r\n23.3\r\n23.4\r\n(1) Data refer to the average class size of pupils in each stage, not the average class size of single stage classes. The total average class size is calculated on a different basis than the P1 to P3 class sizes, see background note 3.7.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311486,"EventID":"S4W-30579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:38.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new consultants have been appointed in each year since 2013 on a (a) 9:1, (b) 8:2, (c) 7:5, (d) 2:5 and (e) other contract.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. \r\nWe currently have the highest medical staffing levels ever, with record numbers of consultants. Under this government, consultant numbers across Scotland have increased by 41.8 per cent, to 5,158.4 whole time equivalent.\r\n(Source: Information Services Division Scotland. Information as at December 2015).","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311487,"EventID":"S4W-30580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:38.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new consultants were appointed in 2012 on a 9:1 contract, and how many subsequently had this changed to a (a) 9:2, (b) 8:2, (c) 7:5, (d) 2:5 and (e) other contract.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30432 on 21 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311488,"EventID":"S4W-30581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:39.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, for reasons other than retirement, how many consultants on (a) A, (b) B and (c) C merit awards have left the NHS since the system was frozen to new applicants in 2010.","AnswerText":"Distinction awards in Scotland are monitored on the basis of A+, A and B Awards. \r\nThe answers are given in the following table:\r\nYear\r\nA+ Award holders\r\nA Award holders\r\nB Award holders\r\nTotal\r\n2010-11\r\n1\r\n3\r\n4\r\n8\r\n2011-12\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2012-13\r\n2\r\n1\r\n3\r\n6\r\n2013-14\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\n4\r\n2014-15\r\n1\r\n0\r\n5\r\n6\r\n2015-16\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\nTotal\r\n4\r\n9\r\n15\r\n28\r\nInformation supplied by the Scottish Advisory Council on Distinction Awards using material provided in its annual reports.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311489,"EventID":"S4W-30584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:40.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consultants on (a) A, (b) B and (c) C merit awards have been transferred to the Scottish scheme from the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"Distinction awards in Scotland are monitored on the basis of A+, A and B Awards. The answers are given in the following table:\r\nYear\r\nA+ Award holders\r\nA Award holders\r\nB Award holders\r\nTotal\r\n2006-07\r\n1\r\n\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2007-08\r\n2\r\n\r\n2\r\n4\r\n2008-09\r\n1\r\n\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2009-10\r\n1\r\n\r\n3\r\n4\r\n2010-11\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\n2011-12\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n\r\n1\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2014-15\r\n\r\n2\r\n1\r\n3\r\n2015-16\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n5\r\n4\r\n12\r\n21\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311490,"EventID":"S4W-30585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:40.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the review of NHS merit awards will be completed and a new scheme established.","AnswerText":"We have consistently said that we are clear on the need to reform the distinction awards scheme. The future of these awards will form part of the Scottish Government’s consideration of service redesign and overall remuneration, going forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311491,"EventID":"S4W-30586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:41.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evaluation it has made of the effects of introducing the Hospital at Night system (a) on Monday to Friday and (b) at the weekend.","AnswerText":"Hospital at Night is a clinical system used in a number of NHS boards to ensure that high quality consistent care is provided to hospital inpatients overnight, and that staff working in the out of hours period do so under direct senior supervision. It is also an example of strong multidisciplinary working, involving a team of junior doctors, nurses and allied health professionals working under the supervision of a senior nurse and senior doctor. Tasks and duties are co-ordinated through the team leader who ensures that the right person with the right skills is deployed to carry out the relevant clinical task. There has been no national evaluation of Hospital at Night, but boards continue to evaluate their clinical care systems to ensure they are delivering high quality care.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311492,"EventID":"S4W-30587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:41.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of consultant appointment boards has been (a) cancelled and (b) cancelled more than once due to lack of suitable applicants in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Information has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh External Advisors Co-ordinators, who hold the data in relation to consultant boards.\r\nIn 2013 there were 424 Scottish consultant panels. Of these, 130 (30%) were cancelled. Of those cancelled, 46 (35%) were cancelled at the closing date stage due to no applicants, 20 (15%) were cancelled because of candidates withdrawing, and 16 (12%) were cancelled at shortlisting or interview stage due to the candidates not being suitable for appointment.\r\nIn 2014 there were 546 Scottish consultant panels. Of these, 202 (37%) were cancelled. Of the cancelled panels, 97 (48%) were cancelled at the closing date stage due to no applicants, 27 (13%) were cancelled because of candidates withdrawing, and 28 (14%) were cancelled at shortlisting or interview stage due to the candidates not being suitable for appointment.\r\nIn 2015 there were 627 Scottish consultant panels. Of these, 225 (36%) were cancelled. Of the cancelled panels, 123 (55%) were cancelled at the closing date stage due no applicants, 24 (11%) were cancelled because of candidates withdrawing, and 30 (13%) were cancelled at shortlisting or interview stage due to the candidates not being suitable for appointment.\r\nData on individual appointment boards which have been cancelled more than once is not available.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311493,"EventID":"S4W-30588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:42.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long NHS Lanarkshire's hospital doctor training scheme has been in enhanced monitoring; how long it expects this to continue; what other specialities and in which NHS boards or hospitals are in enhanced monitoring, and when they were placed in enhanced monitoring.","AnswerText":"As regulator of the medical profession in the UK, the General Medical Council (GMC) is responsible for monitoring the quality of medical training provided, and to decide where improvement actions need to be taken. This quality assurance role is conducted in partnership with NHS Education for Scotland (NES).\r\nDetails of hospitals, specialties and dates being monitored can be found on the GMC website.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311494,"EventID":"S4W-30589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:43.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GP practices are on a 2c arrangement in each NHS board.","AnswerText":"The following table shows how many GP practices are on a 2C arrangement in each NHS board.\r\n NHS Board\r\n2C practices\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n0\r\nBorders\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n0\r\nFife\r\n2*\r\nForth Valley\r\n3\r\nGrampian\r\n8\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n1\r\nHighland\r\n18\r\nLanarkshire\r\n0\r\nLothian\r\n7\r\nOrkney\r\n2\r\nShetland\r\n3\r\nTayside\r\n3\r\nWestern Isles\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n47\r\n*One practice will leave 2C arrangements 1 May 2016","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311495,"EventID":"S4W-30590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:43.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GP practices are closed to new patient registrations in each NHS board.","AnswerText":"The following number of practices are closed to new patient registrations in each NHS board:\r\nNHS Board\r\nClosed to new patient registrations\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n0\r\nBorders\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n0\r\nFife\r\n0\r\nForth Valley\r\n0\r\nGrampian\r\n0\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n1*\r\nHighland\r\n0\r\nLanarkshire\r\n2\r\nLothian\r\n0\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\nShetland\r\n0\r\nTayside\r\n7\r\nWestern Isles\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n10\r\nCircumstances will arise where a practice experiences capacity issues and is unable to routinely accept new patients onto its list. We expect health boards to work with practices as constructively and as flexibly as is appropriate to help manage the situation and ensure that all patients have access to GP services.\r\n*Due to open 16 June 2016","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311496,"EventID":"S4W-30591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:44.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GP practices have introduced restrictions on new patients registering other than for geographical reasons in each NHS board.","AnswerText":"The following number of practices have introduced restrictions on new patients registering other than for geographical reasons in each NHS board.\r\nNHS Board\r\nRestrictions other than for geographical reasons on new patient registration\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n0\r\nBorders\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n0\r\nFife\r\n10*\r\nForth Valley\r\n0**\r\nGrampian\r\n3*\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n0\r\nHighland\r\n0\r\nLanarkshire\r\n0\r\nLothian\r\n33\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\nShetland\r\n0\r\nTayside\r\n0\r\nWestern Isles\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n46\r\nCircumstances will arise where a practice experiences capacity issues and is unable to routinely accept new patients onto its list. We expect health boards to work with practices as constructively and as flexibly as is appropriate to help manage the situation and ensure that all patients have access to GP services.\r\n*Open but full.\r\n**Occasionally NHS Forth Valley practices may, for a period of time, only routinely accept patients with family members already registered with the practice, however they would always continue to accept any new patients assigned to the practice by Practitioner Services Division.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311497,"EventID":"S4W-30592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:45.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many pharmacists have been appointed attached to GP practices or clusters of practices since the funding to recruit up to 140 pharmacists was announced.","AnswerText":"To date 28.4 whole time equivalent pharmacists have been appointed attached to GP practices or clusters of practices since the primary care funding to recruit up to 140 pharmacists was announced.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311498,"EventID":"S4W-30594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:45.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time school teachers there are, and how this compares with 2007.","AnswerText":"This information was published on 9 December 2015 in Table 2.1 of the Summary statistics for schools in Scotland, No.6: 2015 Edition, http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/7925, and past years data are available in previous publications.\r\n\r\nIn the 2015 teacher census there were 49,679 full-time equivalent teachers across the primary, secondary, special and centrally employed sectors. In 2007 the corresponding figure was 53,411. In 2015, there were 41,884 school teachers working full-time (excluding centrally employed), compared with 47,061 in 2007.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311499,"EventID":"S4W-30595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:46.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to remove debt repayments owed to the Student Loans Company by Scotland-domiciled and resident graduates.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no current plans to remove debt repayments owed to the Student Loans Company by Scottish-domiciled students and resident graduates.\r\n\r\nAverage student loan debt in Scotland is the lowest in the UK.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311500,"EventID":"S4W-30596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:46.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it can take to encourage employers to allow (a) parents and (b) carers the opportunity to request flexible working.","AnswerText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it can take to encourage employers to allow (a) parents and (b) carers the opportunity to request flexible working.\r\nThe Scottish Government funds and is an active partner in the Family Friendly Working Scotland Partnership which was established 2014 to actively encourage family-friendly working across Scotland for parents and carers.\r\nThe Scottish Government supports the Scottish Top Employers for Working Families awards which celebrate progressive employers who recognise and promote exceptional practice, we have launched ‘Happy to Talk Flexible Working’, a strapline and logo for employers to use on job adverts to confirm that they are open to flexible working options, and we are establishing a network of champions who can help spread good practice and create more family friendly workplaces in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311501,"EventID":"S4W-30597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-09T16:59:47.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities offer kinship care payments.","AnswerText":"All 32 local authorities offer kinship care payments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311502,"EventID":"S4W-30625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T08:41:51.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T08:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the outcome of the invitation to tender, carried out between 1 October and 6 November 2015, for service providers to administer the dedicated Survivor Support Fund for adults who were abused as children while in care. ","AnswerText":"A consortium bid consisting of three organisations: Penumbra; Health in Mind; and the Mental Health Foundation, supported by a further 26 organisations that provide services for survivors across Scotland, has been successful in securing the tender to administer the Survivor Support Fund with a total budget of £13.5 million over the next five years. Survivors have told us that they need services that are designed around their own individual needs, including: specialised counselling; physical healthcare; and support in terms of education, employment, benefits, legal advice, housing and practical matters. It is also important that, in moving forward, survivors will continue to have their needs met through existing services and that services are developed and enhanced to meet these needs.\r\nThe Survivor Support Fund will work with survivors and the services that support them to expand and enhance existing survivor support. It will offer survivors personalised care and treatment based on their individual needs, aspirations and personal goals, and provide a full range of services across Scotland, including rural areas.\r\nThe core components for the support fund have already been developed through the consortium proposal and are in place. Essential work will now focus on engagement, agreement and partnership working to deliver the support fund. During this time survivors will continue to have their needs met with no breaks in service.\r\nThe 26 support organisations referred to above are:\r\nAction in Mind\r\nArgyle and Bute Rape Crisis\r\nBreak the Silence\r\nBirchwood Highland\r\nDundee Women's Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre\r\nFife Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre\r\nGay Men's Health, Edinburgh\r\nHear Me Counselling\r\nKingdom Abuse Survivors Project\r\nLGBT Centre, Edinburgh\r\nMoira Anderson Foundation\r\nMoving On, Ayrshire\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Psychological Trauma Services\r\nPartners in Advocacy\r\nPilton Community Health Project\r\nRape and Abuse Resource Centre\r\nRape and Abuse Service, Inverness\r\nRape and Abuse Support, Aberdeen\r\nRape Crisis Centre, Edinburgh\r\nRape Crisis Centre, Forth Valley\r\nRape Crisis Centre, Glasgow\r\nRape Crisis Centre, Lanarkshire\r\nRape Crisis Centre, Western Isles\r\nScottish Borders Rape Crisis Centre\r\nSouth West Rape Crisis Centre\r\nTalk Now Counselling","AnswerDate":"2016-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311503,"EventID":"S4W-30626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T08:41:52.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T08:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when its second land use strategy will be laid before the Parliament.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Land Use Strategy 2016-2021 will be laid before the Parliament today (22 March 2016) setting out our priorities for the next five years. The accompanying consultation report sets out how the strategy benefitted from stakeholder input during the consultation and how the requirements of Section 57 (4) and (5) of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 are met.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311504,"EventID":"S4W-30510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:02.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the need to conserve biodiversity and other environmental assets was taken into account in the commissioning and preparation of the report, Economic Opportunities of Renewable Energy for Scottish Island Communities, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The independent research study Economic Opportunities of Renewable Energy for Scottish Island Communities prepared by Baringa and published by the Scottish Government on 7 March 2016 shows that Scotland’s island economies could benefit from up to £725 million over the next 25 years from renewables projects. Scottish islands have some of the best renewable energy resources in Europe – from wind, wave and tidal and the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland have the potential to supply up to five per cent of total electricity demand in the GB market by 2030.\r\nThe report was commissioned following a meeting of the Island Areas Ministerial Working Group on 8 July 2015. The working group requested an up-to-date study to of the challenges and implications of poor grid connections for the islands and the economic opportunities of improved electricity grid connections to the mainland. The terms of reference of the study focused the assessment on the potential (i) level of renewable deployment (ii) community ownership revenues, (iii) community benefit from renewable development, (iv) carbon reductions that could accompany renewable deployment on the islands, (v) increases in revenue to communities if grid constraints were alleviated and (vi) local economic impacts of deploying renewable and transmission projects on the islands.\r\nIt is widely accepted that biodiversity is under increasing threat from global warming and that a transition to a low carbon economy must play a central role in global action to mitigate this threat. The report found that the deployment of island renewables could make a significant contribution towards Scottish and UK renewable energy targets and has the potential to reduce emissions on the Scottish islands by around 2,700 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide by 2040 on a cumulative basis.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311505,"EventID":"S4W-30511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:03.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the conservation of biodiversity and other environmental assets is highlighted and fully integrated into any future Scottish Government action relating to the analysis provided by the report, Economic Opportunities of Renewable Energy for Scottish Island Communities, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The environmental and biodiversity impacts of developments brought forward on the Scottish islands would be assessed at application stage either by the local authority under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 or by the Scottish Government under the Electricity Act 1989.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311506,"EventID":"S4W-30514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:04.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T19:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what sanctions it will place on NHS boards that have not met the 18 weeks referral to treatment guarantee on first treatments at chronic pain clinics.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30490 on 21 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311507,"EventID":"S4W-30515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:05.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T19:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it and the Ministerial Steering Group on Chronic Pain plan to ensure delivery of equality in chronic pain services, in light of Information Services Division figures published on 8 March 2016 showing some NHS boards breaching the 18-week referral to treatment guarantee and two boards not returning any figures.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30490 on 21 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311508,"EventID":"S4W-30516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:06.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T19:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that there is no further depletion of staffing and resources at the NHS Centre for Integrative Care in Glasgow, which the Minister for Public Health described as \"a national resource\" on 4 March 2015 (Official Report, c. 12).","AnswerText":"The provision of healthcare services is the responsibility of local NHS boards, taking into account national guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment. It is therefore the responsibility of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to ensure that the Centre for Integrative Care is appropriately staffed and resourced to allow it to continue to deliver services for patients.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311509,"EventID":"S4W-30517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:07.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T19:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will impose a moratorium on NHS boards not referring patients to the NHS Centre for Integrative Care (CIC), ensure that NHS Lanarkshire does not close the CIC clinic in Coatbridge and undertake a national review of the service.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that complementary and alternative therapies, such as those provided by the Centre for Integrative Care (CIC) and elsewhere, may offer relief to some people living with a variety of conditions, including chronic pain. It is, however, the responsibility of individual NHS boards to decide what therapies they make available, and whether to do so locally or via referral.\r\nThe CIC is a facility that all boards across Scotland have the option of referring patients to for services not available locally, but decisions to do so remain with each board. These decisions will be made based on the assessed needs of their resident populations and in line with national guidance, as well as individual clinical decisions in each case.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311510,"EventID":"S4W-30518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:07.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-08T19:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the proposal to build a wing on the NHS Centre for Integrative Care in Glasgow to accommodate the new Scottish residential chronic pain facility.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to work with NHS National Services Scotland’s National Services Division and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on the design of the permanent facility of the Scottish National Chronic Pain Management Programme (SNCPMP).\r\nIt should be made clear that the permanent build for the SNCPMP may be located adjacent to the Centre for Integrative Care (CIC) building on the Gartnavel campus, but should not be considered a 'wing' of the existing centre. The CIC and the SNCPMP deliver different models of care, although we are ensuring that the on-going design work for the latter explores options for sharing facilities.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311511,"EventID":"S4W-30558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:08.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in delivering its New Clinical Strategy, it will require NHS board teams to participate fully in regional managed care networks where there is evidence that specialised teams have a better outcome. ","AnswerText":"The national clinical strategy sets out a broad direction of travel for the development of health services across Scotland for the next 10-15 years. It does not give prescriptive details of exactly what developments are required, but rather gives an evidence-based, high-level perspective of why change is needed and what direction that change should take. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311512,"EventID":"S4W-30559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:09.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the individual data supplied by NHS boards to the Information Services Division (ISD) on community nursing did not have a Community Health Index (CHI) number and required seeding from fully identifiable personal data, since commencement.","AnswerText":"The Community Health Activity Data project collects data on individuals being seen within community health services. To date, data submissions relate to district nursing activity only, and Community Health Index has been missing from only 0.08% of submissions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311513,"EventID":"S4W-30560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:10.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the opinion of the Scottish Data Information Commissioner was sought before data sets were issued for collecting information on individual patients in relation to (a) community nursing and (b) community mental health services.","AnswerText":"The opinion of the Assistant Commissioner for Scotland and Northern Ireland was not sought before data sets were issued for collecting information on individual patients in relation to (a) community nursing and (b) community mental health services.\r\nNational Services Scotland does not routinely seek the opinion of The Information Commissioner’s Office before establishing a new data collection from NHS Scotland boards, unless the nature of the collection is substantially different from that in existing collections. The privacy impact assessment is used to indicate when wider consultation is required.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311514,"EventID":"S4W-30561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:12.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the Scottish Wide Area Network contract was intended to be subcontracted to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME).","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30196 on 15 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311515,"EventID":"S4W-30562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:13.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the Scottish Wide Area Network contract has been subcontracted to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME).","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30196 on 15 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311516,"EventID":"S4W-30563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:14.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, other than the Scottish Wide Area Network contract, what other IT contracts it has let in the last five years in which a specified percentage of the contract was required to be subcontracted to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), and what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"Principles deriving from the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union require that all public bodies treat all suppliers bidding for public contracts equally and without discrimination, including on the basis of size. It is for bidders to determine how best they will offer to deliver a contract and public bodies cannot, in normal circumstances, within invitations to tender specify that the successful bidder must sub-contract to a third party.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311517,"EventID":"S4W-30564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:16.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in creating a new IT system for the Community Health Index (CHI), and what the cost has been to date of (a) in-house resources and (b) consultancies.","AnswerText":"The CHI and Child Health Transformation Programme will modernise a number of systems currently hosted on the mainframe platform. The programme will take a number of years to deliver and realise all benefits. One of the first elements of the programme of work is the procurement of new CHI and Child Health Solutions. The procurement is planned to run until September 2016 and a number of key activities and milestones have been completed:\r\nThe programme’s governance arrangements including a programme board, two project boards and a technical design authority have been fully established and a schedule of meetings is in place.\r\nKey documentation is in place including the programme brief, procurement strategy and procurement project initiation document.\r\nThe scope of the procurement has been defined.\r\nThe procurement project team has been resourced.\r\nCMS Cameron McKenna has been appointed as external legal advisers to lead the contractual negotiations.\r\nThe procurement requirements have been validated.\r\nAn Official Journal of the European Union notice and pre-qualification questionnaire were issued to suppliers on 13 May 2015.\r\nA long-list of suppliers was identified on 7 July 2015.\r\nAn issue invitation to negotiate and invitation to submit initial bid including the statement of requirements were issued to bidders on 31 July 2015.\r\nBidder responses were scored by NHS evaluation teams and a short-list of suppliers was identified on 30 October 2015.\r\nAn invitation to the negotiation phase was issued to bidders and negotiations commenced on 16 November 2015.\r\nIn addition to negotiations with bidders product demonstrations have been arranged and reference site calls held.\r\nCost to date\r\nThe full programme costs as at 31 January 2016 are as follows:\r\nIn-house resource: £ 196,420\r\nExternal IT expertise £1,831,165","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311518,"EventID":"S4W-30565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:17.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its budget for ehealth, published in its 2015-16 budget, was £90.7 million but, in its 2016-17 budget, the figure for the same year was shown as £9.9 million.","AnswerText":"The 2016-17 budget includes a new budget entitled Outcomes Framework. This provides a single source of funding to NHS boards which will provide greater local flexibility on decisions on how to maximise the value from this resource against clearly defined outcomes with a focus on delivering strategic priorities such as reducing inequalities.\r\nThe Outcomes Framework budget includes values previously scored against other budget lines, including ehealth, and as such the prior year figures have been restated to ensure consistency across financial years. £80.8 million of the 2015-16 ehealth budget has been transferred to the 2015-16 Outcomes Framework budget within the published 2016-17 budget such that the majority of the ehealth budget is now included in this new budget.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311519,"EventID":"S4W-30572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:18.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has the power under section 101(7) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 to halt widening of asylum dispersal in Scotland and whether it has any power in relation to companies alleged to be involved in mistreating asylum seekers in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Asylum is a matter reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Government does not have powers in relation to companies holding Home Office contracts to provide services to asylum seekers in Scotland.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government is aware that the Home Office is exploring the widening of asylum dispersal in Scotland. As discussions are still at an early stage, the application of section 101(7) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 has not yet been tested.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311520,"EventID":"S4W-30573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:19.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) correspondence and (b) discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the reported provision of inappropriate accommodation for asylum seekers in Scotland and whether it will publish any such correspondence.","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights wrote to the Home Secretary about allegations of inappropriate accommodation provision for asylum seekers on 10 February and 8 March 2016. The UK Immigration Minister responded to the first of these letters on 11 March 2016. The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with the UK Government on this subject.\r\n\r\nCopies of the Cabinet Secretary’s letters have been placed in the Scottish Parliaments Information Centre (SPICe) under bib numbers 57774 and 57775.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311521,"EventID":"S4W-30598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:20.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that headteachers will have the power to decide on the most appropriate class sizes in later years.","AnswerText":"Maximum class size limits are prescribed either in legislation or in teachers' terms and conditions of service. It is for headteachers, in consultation with local authorities, to determine the size of each class in their schools, within the prescribed limits.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311522,"EventID":"S4W-30599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:21.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time (a) early years, (b) language and (c) science teachers there (i) were in 2007 and (ii) have been in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"Data on teachers by sector and subject is published as part of the online dataset associated with the Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland (http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/teachcenssuppdata).\r\n(a) Early learning and childcare (ELC) teachers recorded:\r\n(i) January 2007 = 1,689\r\n(ii) September 2015 = 1,038\r\nIn 2010 the ELC teacher census moved to September (in line with the main teacher census) meaning figures are not directly comparable.\r\nFigures are full-time equivalent (FTE).\r\n(b) Teachers recorded in the census with a language as their main subject:\r\n(i) 2007 = 1,746 FTE teachers (of which 81% worked full-time)\r\n(ii) 2015 = 1,344 FTE teachers (of which 75% worked full-time).\r\nThis data is for teachers at publicly funded secondary schools, and excludes head teachers or deputy head teachers as we do not collect subject information for teachers at these grades.\r\nIn 2015, there were an additional 18 FTE centrally employed teachers with a main subject of a language, but we do not hold an equivalent figure for 2007.\r\n(c) Teachers recorded in the census with a science related subject as their main subject:\r\n(i) 2007 = 3,272 FTE teachers (of which 90% worked full-time)\r\n(ii) 2015 = 3,032 FTE teachers (of which 85% worked full-time).\r\nThis data excludes head teachers or deputy head teachers as we do not collect subject information for teachers at these grades.\r\nIn 2015, there were an additional 15 FTE centrally employed teachers with a main subject of languages, but we do not hold an equivalent figure for 2007.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311523,"EventID":"S4W-30600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:21.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of (a) primary and (b) secondary pupils has received two hours of quality PE each week delivered by specialist PE teachers in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"Healthy Living Survey results from 2015 outlined that 98% of primary school pupils were receiving at least 2 hours of PE each week; and 93% of secondary school pupils (S1-4) were receiving at least 100 minutes of PE each week. For both primary and secondary schools, this PE provision was delivered by either a General Teaching Council for Scotland registered class teacher or a PE specialist.\r\n\r\nEducation Scotland continue to support all schools to help them improve the quality of PE.\r\nHealthy Living Survey results for 2016 will be published in June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311524,"EventID":"S4W-30602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:22.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of S1 to S4 pupils has received 100 minutes of quality PE each week delivered by specialist PE teachers in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"Healthy Living Survey results from 2015 outlined that 93% of pupils in secondary schools (S1-S4) received at least 100 minutes of PE each week. This PE provision was delivered by either a General Teaching Council for Scotland registered class teacher or a PE specialist.\r\n\r\nEducation Scotland continue to support all schools to help them improve the quality of PE.\r\nHealthy Living survey results for 2016 will be published in June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311525,"EventID":"S4W-30603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:23.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to establish a Youth Enterprise Scotland Challenge with a prize fund of £100,000 to be awarded to the teams with the best ideas for taking forward a new business enterprise.","AnswerText":"The Young Innovators Challenge was developed and established in response to this 2011 manifesto commitment. Launched in 2013, the Young Innovators Challenge is a competition for people in training, further and higher education. Its key aims are to encourage a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students and trainees and to help them turn their ideas into viable business propositions. The challenge is run for the Scottish Government by the Scottish Institute for Enterprise, and in the three years since its launch, it has awarded over £420k in prizes to over 300 winners.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311526,"EventID":"S4W-30604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:24.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the pupil-teacher ratio was in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information was published on 9 December 2015 in Table 2.1 of the Summary statistics for schools in Scotland, No.6: 2015 Edition’ (http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/7925).\r\n\r\nThe pupil teacher ratio (PTR) in primary schools has increased from 16.1 in 2011 to 16.7 in 2015. The PTR in secondary schools has decreased from 12.3 in 2011 to 12.2 in 2015. See the following table for figures for interim years.\r\nPTR\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nPrimary\r\n16.1\r\n16.3\r\n16.5\r\n16.8\r\n16.7\r\nSecondary\r\n12.3\r\n12.2\r\n12.2\r\n12.2\r\n12.2","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311527,"EventID":"S4W-30605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:25.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have been educated in unsuitable buildings in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"In each of the last five years, in terms of suitability, the following numbers of pupils have been education in category C (poor) and D (bad) schools:\r\n\r\n2011\r\n145,769\r\n2012\r\n141,536\r\n2013\r\n123,511\r\n2014\r\n114,108\r\n2015\r\n117,761\r\nSince 2011, there has been a reduction of over 28,000 children being educated in unsuitable schools.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311528,"EventID":"S4W-30606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:25.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that it can eliminate all unsuitable school buildings in the next five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, in collaboration with local authorities, published The Suitability Core Fact in 2008. This guidance aims to provide a measure of the extent to which a school building and its grounds are appropriate in providing an environment which supports quality learning and teaching.\r\n\r\nThe Education (Scotland) Act 1980 places a statutory responsibility on all local authorities to manage and maintain the school estate across Scotland.\r\nHowever, the Scottish Government is doing all it can to improve Scotland's school estate. For example, the proportion of pupils educated in schools in ‘poor’ or ‘bad’ condition has fallen from 37% (around 257,000 of all pupils) in 2007 to 15% (around 102,500 of all pupils) in April 2015.\r\nMoreover, since 2007-08, 607 school building projects have been completed during the current administration – almost a quarter of all school premises in Scotland. By comparison, this is 279 more schools than the 328 completed over the preceding 8 year. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311529,"EventID":"S4W-30607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:26.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on introducing a new management fee to be paid by EU students.","AnswerText":"As previously indicated in the answer your question on 23 February 2015 (S4W-24406), considerable discussion took place with EU representatives about the concept and application of management fees for EU students. My predecessor, Michael Russell MSP, made clear to the Scottish Parliament on 5 December 2013, introduction of such a policy would need to meet with EU requirements and is therefore difficult to implement.\r\n\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311530,"EventID":"S4W-30608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:27.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the European Commission to discuss introducing a new management fee to be paid by EU students and whether it will publish all records of these discussions.","AnswerText":"As indicated in my answer to your question of 6 March 2015 (S4W-24609), the most recent meeting between the Scottish Government and the European Commission to discuss the introduction of a management fee for EU student studying at Scottish universities took place on 26 April 2012.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government does not hold a record of these discussions.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311531,"EventID":"S4W-30609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:28.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to provide higher and further education scholarships for the children of servicemen and women killed on active duty.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides support for children of servicemen and women who have been killed on active duty, through the Bereaved Scholarships Scheme (BSS). The scheme, which was launched in 2011, is funded by the Department for Education in England and the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is administered by the Ministry of Defence.\r\n\r\nThe BSS provides maintenance bursaries for further (FE) and higher education (HE) students. The bursaries are worth up to £1,500 per year for FE students and £4,950 per year for HE students. Scottish domiciled HE students studying in the rest of the UK are also eligible for a contribution of up to £9,000 towards the cost of their tuition fees.\r\nThe bursaries are provided in addition to the tuition fee and living-cost support that the Scottish Government makes available to all Scottish domiciled further and higher education students.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311532,"EventID":"S4W-30610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:29.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of primary school children receives free fruit in (a) Orkney, (b) the Highlands and Islands and (c) Scotland.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311533,"EventID":"S4W-30611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:30.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to provide free fruit for pregnant women.","AnswerText":"The Healthy Start programme in Scotland is a means-tested UK-wide scheme for pregnant women and children under four. From the tenth week of pregnancy, pregnant women on certain benefits or tax credits – or any pregnant women under 18 years irrespective of income – can claim for Healthy Start which provides vouchers that can be put towards the cost fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and milk at any participating retailer. Eligible pregnant women receive one £3.10 voucher a week.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311534,"EventID":"S4W-30612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:31.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T16:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average (a) seating capacity and (b) number of carriages has been for (i) electric and (ii) diesel services on the Edinburgh-Falkirk-Glasgow railway line in each year since 2011. ","AnswerText":"All services on the Edinburgh-Falkirk-Glasgow railway line are diesel-powered.\r\nYear\r\nTrains per weekday\r\nSix-car\r\nThree-car\r\nSeating (total)\r\nAverage seating per train\r\n2011\r\n124\r\n42\r\n82\r\n31,393\r\n253\r\n2012\r\n124\r\n43\r\n81\r\n31,707\r\n256\r\n2013\r\n124\r\n42\r\n82\r\n31,518\r\n254\r\n2014\r\n124\r\n46\r\n78\r\n32,283\r\n260\r\n2015\r\n124\r\n50\r\n74\r\n33,129\r\n267\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311535,"EventID":"S4W-30614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:32.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T17:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will guarantee that the £200 million it has allocated to farmers and crofters affected by delays to common agricultural policy payments will be made before the end of April 2016. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has confirmed that its intention is that any farm or crofter who is eligible for basic payment scheme funding and who has not received an instalment by the end of March 2016 will receive a nationally funded payment from the Scottish Government in April 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311536,"EventID":"S4W-30615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:33.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T17:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered extending the 15 May 2016 deadline for single application form submissions. ","AnswerText":"Under EU rules, Scotland cannot unilaterally make the decision to extend the single application form deadline. The extension allowed in 2015 was granted by the EU Commission. The Scottish Government will keep in close contact with the EU Commission about whether any flexibility is required regarding the 2016 application window deadline.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311537,"EventID":"S4W-30616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:34.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T17:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all farmers and crofters will receive their full common agricultural policy payments by 30 June 2016. ","AnswerText":"Staff are continuing to work as hard as possible to process applications as quickly as possible, and we are continuing efforts to speed up progress, such as taking on extra staff. Payments are expected to be made within the current EU regulatory window.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311538,"EventID":"S4W-30618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:36.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T17:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it first considered making an emergency payment to farmers and crofters affected by delays to common agricultural policy payments. ","AnswerText":"The first such payment announced by the Scottish Government was the Cash Flow Support Scheme for cases of severe hardship. That scheme was announced by myself on 12 February 2016 and was developed in the weeks leading up to that announcement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311539,"EventID":"S4W-30619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:37.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T17:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it arrived at the figure of £200 million for emergency payments to farmers and crofters affected by delays to common agricultural policy payments.","AnswerText":"The £200 million figure was arrived at by taking account of the % age of funding being paid as first instalments payments and the amount already paid to farmers and crofters.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311540,"EventID":"S4W-30620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:38.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T17:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has identified flaws with any other IT systems for common agricultural policy payments.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, the common agricultural policy (CAP) comprises around 20 different schemes across Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 of the CAP. Some of these schemes are administered collectively on a single IT system while others have their own stand alone systems. The Scottish Government has acknowledged problems with the new rural payments and services IT system which affects, in particular, payments under the basic payment and greening schemes. Other IT systems are maintained and upgraded routinely as and when issues arise.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311541,"EventID":"S4W-30621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:39.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T17:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will use the old or new IT system to make beef and ewe hogg payments under the common agricultural policy. ","AnswerText":"The new rural payments and services computer system is being used to process the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme and the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311542,"EventID":"S4W-30622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:40.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T17:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason payments on agricultural sheds have been delayed and when such payments are expected to be made. ","AnswerText":"There have not been any general delays to payments for agricultural sheds under the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme. While it is possible that individual cases may have taken longer to process than others, without the specific details of the case or cases you refer to, it is impossible to go into more detail. However, if you can provide additional information, further enquiries can be made.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311543,"EventID":"S4W-30623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:41.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T17:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been paid to Spectromax Solutions for staff to manage the delays to common agricultural policy payments. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's contract for the new rural payments and services IT system is with CGI. Spectromax, along with other agencies, is a supplier to CGI and the Scottish Government has not made any direct payments to Spectromax.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311544,"EventID":"S4W-30624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T10:15:42.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T17:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government from which budget any potential fine from the EU, as a result of delays to common agricultural policy payments, will be paid. ","AnswerText":"Any disallowances, determined by the European Commission, against Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 EU grants administered by Rural Payments and Inspections Division, the paying agency, of the Scottish Government are scored against the Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment portfolio, the Agriculture, Food and Rural Communities European Union Support and Related Services programme budget.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government accounting policy is to score the expenditure, by way of provision, against an annually managed expenditure (AME) Budget in the financial year the disallowance is determined. AME budgets are for highly volatile/unpredictable items of expenditure. These are monitored closely in-year with budget increases obtained from the Treasury if required.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311545,"EventID":"S4W-30670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T11:16:35.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what correspondence exchanges it has had with the UK Government on the proposed reforms of the Renewable Heat Incentive.","AnswerText":"Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, wrote to me on 4 February 2016 setting out proposals for reforming the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and enclosing a copy of the draft consultation paper and impact assessment.\r\nI responded on 24 February 2016 to set out the Scottish Government’s position. Whilst we have welcomed confirmation that the budget for the RHI will continue over the next five years to supports new installations, the Scottish Government has raised a number of issues around the proposed changes to the incentive scheme. This includes the uncertainty for industry from:\r\nA proposal to introduce an in year cap on the total budget available to support renewable heat generation projects;\r\nThe basis for the rationale for proposals to substantively change the level of, or remove, support for new installations of certain technologies; and also\r\nThe differing level of impact of proposals on households in geographies across the GB, including Scotland. \r\nI have consistently pushed for consideration of the specific concerns raised by Scottish businesses and the particular circumstances of homes in Scotland in relation to the RHI. We are further north and temperatures are therefore on average lower requiring more heat to reach similar temperatures to equivalent homes in the south. It cannot be avoided that it costs more to heat homes here.\r\nDespite my request for analysis on the impacts of proposals to include data on Scottish homes so that it can take account of Scottish housing stock and Scottish climate, the UK Government has not considered this important enough to prioritise. This means that Scottish stakeholders cannot properly assess the implications of the proposals to households and businesses in Scotland.\r\nThis is another example of the UK Government failing to pay regard to distinct problems in Scotland. \r\nThe UK Government published a consultation on proposals to reform the RHI on 3 March 2016, and I would encourage Scottish stakeholders to take the opportunity to respond to the consultation and request analysis from the Department of Energy and Climate Change on Scottish housing before the deadline of 27 April 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311546,"EventID":"S4W-30675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T12:09:08.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what targets it expects Registers of Scotland to achieve in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have set the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland the financial targets of achieving:\r\nA three per cent efficiency saving on their unit costs; and\r\nAn increase in Registers of Scotland’s commercial income of 5%.\r\nIn addition, the keeper has set the following service standards for her department:\r\n1. Enter new land register applications on the application record\r\nWithin one working day\r\n2. Register applications in: \r\nChancery and Judicial Registers (registration process)\r\nCrofting Register\r\nWithin three working days\r\n3. Register land register applications for deeds affecting:\r\nRegistered land\r\nUnregistered land (standard)\r\nPart of registered land where the keeper has given development plan approval.\r\n4. Process General Register of Sasines applications\r\nWithin 20 working days\r\n5. Register other applications for deeds affecting unregistered land\r\nWithin six months\r\n6. Register other applications for deeds affecting part of registered land\r\nWithin nine months\r\nA copy of the document has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57782).","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311547,"EventID":"S4W-30677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T12:19:34.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on revising the Fire and Rescue Framework for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.","AnswerText":"I have today (21 March 2016) launched a consultation on the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2016 which invites comment on our future strategic priorities for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Copies of the consultation papers will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57678).\r\nThis draft framework has been developed in partnership with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311548,"EventID":"S4W-30683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T12:39:10.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T12:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been an increase in the use of special measures for children and vulnerable adult witnesses since the relevant provisions of the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014 came into force on 1 September 2015.","AnswerText":"The Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014 introduces various measures to improve support for victims and witnesses, putting victims' interests at the heart of the justice system and ensuring that witnesses are able to fulfil their public duty effectively.\r\nInformation provided by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service indicates a marked increase in the number of applications for special measures since 1 September 2015. In particular, increases in applications for the use of screens and supporters are extremely encouraging.\r\nThe Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service uses a live operational case management system for the processing of court business. The information held on the system is structured for these operational needs, rather than for statistical reporting or research purposes. The information provided in the following tables is based on the best information available from the case management system as at 8 March 2016. Data is produced by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service Management Information Analysis Team.\r\nAll solemn special measure applications – adult\r\nSpecial Measure – Application\r\nJan\r\n15\r\nFeb\r\n15\r\nMar\r\n15\r\nApr\r\n15\r\nMay\r\n15\r\nJun\r\n15\r\nJul\r\n15\r\nAug\r\n15\r\nSep\r\n15\r\nOct\r\n15\r\nNov\r\n15\r\nDec\r\n15\r\nJan\r\n16\r\nFeb\r\n16\r\n2015 Total\r\n2016 1 Jan to 29 Feb\r\nVideo – in court\r\n6\r\n0\r\n7\r\n6\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n13\r\n2\r\n4\r\n3\r\n8\r\n3\r\n2\r\n\r\n54\r\n5\r\nScreens\r\n\r\n58\r\n33\r\n46\r\n53\r\n51\r\n57\r\n57\r\n50\r\n47\r\n66\r\n51\r\n40\r\n62\r\n87\r\n\r\n609\r\n149\r\nVideo – between courts\r\n7\r\n5\r\n0\r\n5\r\n5\r\n0\r\n9\r\n8\r\n1\r\n10\r\n6\r\n2\r\n6\r\n7\r\n\r\n58\r\n13\r\nVideo – remote\r\n0\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n3\r\n4\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n3\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n\r\n22\r\n3\r\nSupporter\r\n\r\n78\r\n42\r\n61\r\n65\r\n57\r\n62\r\n76\r\n71\r\n52\r\n88\r\n66\r\n51\r\n78\r\n101\r\n769\r\n179\r\nOther application\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n4\r\n\r\n6\r\n6\r\nTotal\r\n149\r\n83\r\n115\r\n131\r\n116\r\n123\r\n148\r\n145\r\n104\r\n169\r\n131\r\n104\r\n152\r\n203\r\n\r\n1,518\r\n355\r\nAll solemn special measure applications – child\r\nSpecial Measure – Application\r\nJan\r\n15\r\nFeb\r\n15\r\nMar\r\n15\r\nApr\r\n15\r\nMay\r\n15\r\nJun\r\n15\r\nJul\r\n15\r\nAug\r\n15\r\nSep\r\n15\r\nOct\r\n15\r\nNov\r\n15\r\nDec\r\n15\r\nJan\r\n16\r\nFeb\r\n16\r\n2015 Total\r\n2016 1 Jan to 29 Feb\r\nVideo – in court\r\n7\r\n19\r\n4\r\n2\r\n3\r\n6\r\n3\r\n5\r\n7\r\n12\r\n3\r\n7\r\n4\r\n6\r\n78\r\n10\r\nScreens\r\n13\r\n21\r\n25\r\n34\r\n25\r\n22\r\n27\r\n49\r\n27\r\n46\r\n23\r\n18\r\n31\r\n35\r\n330\r\n66\r\nVideo – between courts\r\n1\r\n10\r\n10\r\n3\r\n5\r\n15\r\n9\r\n2\r\n0\r\n4\r\n7\r\n4\r\n5\r\n0\r\n70\r\n5\r\nVideo – remote\r\n3\r\n5\r\n13\r\n4\r\n3\r\n2\r\n2\r\n13\r\n7\r\n4\r\n1\r\n3\r\n3\r\n4\r\n60\r\n7\r\nSupporter\r\n28\r\n51\r\n51\r\n45\r\n36\r\n41\r\n41\r\n66\r\n44\r\n66\r\n33\r\n31\r\n63\r\n67\r\n533\r\n130\r\nOther application\r\n3\r\n3\r\n0\r\n5\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n5\r\n2\r\n4\r\n28\r\n6\r\nTotal\r\n55\r\n109\r\n103\r\n93\r\n74\r\n87\r\n84\r\n136\r\n87\r\n134\r\n69\r\n68\r\n108\r\n116\r\n1,099\r\n224\r\nAll summary special measure applications – adult\r\nSpecial Measure – Application\r\nJan\r\n15\r\nFeb\r\n15\r\nMar\r\n15\r\nApr\r\n15\r\nMay\r\n15\r\nJun\r\n15\r\nJul\r\n15\r\nAug\r\n15\r\nSep\r\n15\r\nOct\r\n15\r\nNov\r\n15\r\nDec\r\n15\r\nJan\r\n16\r\nFeb\r\n16\r\n2015 Total\r\n\r\n2016 1 Jan to 29 Feb\r\nVideo – in court\r\n18\r\n15\r\n18\r\n17\r\n22\r\n11\r\n18\r\n12\r\n11\r\n19\r\n20\r\n28\r\n36\r\n24\r\n\r\n209\r\n60\r\nScreens\r\n73\r\n73\r\n84\r\n58\r\n68\r\n63\r\n62\r\n74\r\n100\r\n335\r\n454\r\n585\r\n805\r\n965\r\n\r\n2,029\r\n1,770\r\nVideo – between courts\r\n5\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n4\r\n0\r\n4\r\n8\r\n1\r\n4\r\n1\r\n4\r\n4\r\n3\r\n\r\n32\r\n7\r\nVideo – remote\r\n14\r\n7\r\n12\r\n4\r\n9\r\n4\r\n10\r\n10\r\n13\r\n10\r\n8\r\n3\r\n23\r\n4\r\n\r\n104\r\n27\r\nSupporter\r\n\r\n111\r\n101\r\n121\r\n74\r\n102\r\n82\r\n89\r\n98\r\n134\r\n357\r\n468\r\n639\r\n869\r\n994\r\n\r\n2,376\r\n1,863\r\nOther application\r\n0\r\n9\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n5\r\n21\r\n25\r\n26\r\n43\r\n46\r\n\r\n91\r\n89\r\nTotal\r\n221\r\n205\r\n237\r\n153\r\n206\r\n160\r\n184\r\n204\r\n264\r\n746\r\n976\r\n1285\r\n1780\r\n2036\r\n4841\r\n3816\r\nAll summary special measure applications – child\r\nSpecial Measure – Application\r\nJan\r\n15\r\nFeb\r\n15\r\nMar\r\n15\r\nApr\r\n15\r\nMay\r\n15\r\nJun\r\n15\r\nJul\r\n15\r\nAug\r\n15\r\nSep\r\n15\r\nOct\r\n15\r\nNov\r\n15\r\nDec\r\n15\r\nJan\r\n16\r\nFeb\r\n16\r\n2015 Total\r\n\r\n2016 1 Jan to 29 Feb\r\nVideo – in court\r\n\r\n48\r\n\r\n47\r\n\r\n50\r\n\r\n45\r\n\r\n39\r\n\r\n48\r\n\r\n40\r\n\r\n59\r\n\r\n52\r\n\r\n51\r\n\r\n46\r\n\r\n41\r\n\r\n71\r\n\r\n52\r\n\r\n566\r\n\r\n123\r\nScreens\r\n\r\n202\r\n\r\n133\r\n\r\n186\r\n\r\n159\r\n\r\n139\r\n\r\n163\r\n\r\n170\r\n\r\n211\r\n\r\n124\r\n\r\n193\r\n\r\n194\r\n\r\n187\r\n\r\n222\r\n\r\n206\r\n\r\n2,061\r\n\r\n428\r\nVideo – between courts\r\n\r\n10\r\n\r\n3\r\n\r\n11\r\n\r\n3\r\n\r\n8\r\n\r\n9\r\n\r\n17\r\n\r\n17\r\n\r\n5\r\n\r\n15\r\n\r\n8\r\n\r\n5\r\n\r\n17\r\n\r\n8\r\n\r\n111\r\n\r\n25\r\nVide","AnswerDate":"2016-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311549,"EventID":"S4W-30689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:17:52.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the emergency services in Scotland are expected to use the same mobile communications network as their counterparts in the rest of Great Britain after the current contracts with Airwave expire.","AnswerText":"Yes.\r\nAs outlined by the Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs in his response to S4W-27311 on 17 September 2015, the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme has developed proposals for a replacement Emergency Services Network (ESN) which will be enhanced, flexible and affordable. The UK Government has endorsed these proposals and the Scottish Government has confirmed to UK Government ministers that the proposals offer an acceptable route for meeting the future mobile communications needs of our emergency services as regards functional capability, orderly transition, financial affordability and effective governance. These proposals also have the potential to provide collateral benefit, by improving the general availability of mobile connectivity across Scotland.\r\nAs the ESN’s prime contractor and system integrator, the Home Office has awarded contracts for its central components, while continuing to lead procurement planning for key supplementary aspects. The Scottish Government is a co-sponsor of the programme (along with relevant UK Government departments and the Welsh Government) and is represented and participates in all key aspects of programme governance. It is intended that the ESN’s application to Scotland will be underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding with the Home Office, which will define mutual rights and responsibilities around the network’s collaborative governance and funding.\r\nIn addition, Scottish Ministers will continue to press the UK Government to exercise its power to give Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service the same ability to reclaim VAT as equivalent ESN users.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311556,"EventID":"S4W-30533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:44:52.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it will do to ensure that wind turbines do not endanger the safe operation of major and minor airports, particularly with regard to emergency landings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will continue to administer pre-application and post submission consultation processes on all proposals/applications submitted to Scottish Ministers to ensure that the views of all relevant aviation stakeholders are secured and taken into account. Similar processes exist within planning processes.\r\nWhilst the Scottish Government will continue to work with relevant aviation stakeholders to identify and overcome aviation/radar barriers to deployment, it will never endanger the safe operation of major and minor airports, with regard to emergency landings or other flight operations. All consents and permissions for wind farms/turbines will be subject to adequate radar mitigation as necessary. Otherwise consent/planning permission will not be granted.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311557,"EventID":"S4W-30534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:44:54.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that windfarms will not diminish the armed forces’ ability to detect hostile aircraft over and around Scotland using radar.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will continue to administer pre-application and post submission consultation processes on all proposals/applications submitted to Scottish Ministers to ensure that the views of the MOD are secured in relation to air defence radar and taken into account. Similar processes exist within planning processes.\r\nWhilst the Scottish Government will continue to work with the MOD to identify viable mitigation solutions to air defence radar problems, it will never seek to diminish the air defence radar capability. All consents and permissions for wind farms or wind turbines will be subject to adequate radar mitigation where this has been deemed to be necessary. Otherwise consent/planning permission will not be granted.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311558,"EventID":"S4W-30535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:44:54.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-09T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it gave to turbulence issues arising from industrial wind turbines and their effects on air traffic safety prior to the approval of Whitelee Windfarm.","AnswerText":"Aviation stakeholders were consulted in the original consent for Whitelee Windfarm and subsequent applications to extend Whitelee.\r\nThere is no evidence that aviation stakeholders objected on the grounds of turbulence arising from individual wind turbines affecting air traffic safety.\r\nAccordingly this was not considered in the reports prepared for ministers.\r\nResearch work in 2015 undertaken by the University of Liverpool, relating to turbulence wake effects from turbines, post-dated these consents. This also related to a different scale of turbines, up to 30m. It showed for this smaller turbine size the wake is not strong to cause any significant upset to the aircraft at distances of five wind turbine diameters and longer, and did not allow for extrapolation to larger wind turbines.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311559,"EventID":"S4W-30628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:44:55.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will pay (a) KPMG, (b) AECOM and (c) Ramboll Environ UK for research into fracking and when each piece of research will be completed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has awarded the following research contracts relating to unconventional oil and gas:\r\n‘Understanding and monitoring induced seismic activity’ will be undertaken by The British Geological Survey. The value for this work is £41,994.\r\n‘Decommissioning, site restoration and aftercare – Obligations and treatment of financial liabilities’ will be undertaken by AECOM. The value for this work is £51,102.\r\n‘Climate change impacts’ will be undertaken by the Committee on Climate Change. The value for this work is £61,980.\r\n‘Economic impacts and scenario development’ will be undertaken by KPMG. The value for this work is £103,176.\r\nThese projects are due to be completed in summer 2016.\r\nThe Scottish Government will provide up to £75,000 to cover the additional costs incurred by Health Protection Scotland in delivering a Public Health Impact Assessment.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311560,"EventID":"S4W-30629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:44:56.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund has been spent.","AnswerText":"Since its launch in November 2010, £10.9 million of funding support has been committed under the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund (NRIF). This has supported the development of the National Offshore Wind Test Centre at Hunterston, an offshore wind test facility at Methil, the reopening of Westway Dock in Renfrew and enhancements to Energy Park Fife. The NRIF has also informed the development of outline business cases for the upgrading of port infrastructure and associated manufacturing sites in Dundee, Cockenzie and Rosyth.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311561,"EventID":"S4W-30630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:44:57.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs have been created as a result of the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund.","AnswerText":"An overall appraisal of the economic impacts associated with the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund has not been undertaken yet as many of the associated projects are still underway.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311562,"EventID":"S4W-30631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:44:59.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund has contributed to the economy.","AnswerText":"An overall appraisal of the economic impacts associated with the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund has not been undertaken yet as many of the associated projects are still underway.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311563,"EventID":"S4W-30632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:00.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many port and near-port manufacturing locations have been developed for marine wind turbines and related industrial developments since the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund was introduced.","AnswerText":"Very limited demand to date has emerged from the emerging offshore wind industry for new port or near-port manufacturing locations in Europe or the UK. No new port or near port manufacturing locations have been developed in Scotland where to date it has been possible to accommodate all demand from the offshore wind industry in a small number of existing and underutilised facilities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311564,"EventID":"S4W-30633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:00.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the offshore wind industry has invested to develop port and near-port manufacturing locations for marine wind turbines and related industrial developments since the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund was introduced.","AnswerText":"The offshore wind industry has not yet reached sufficient scale to trigger a requirement for a new port or near port manufacturing location in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311565,"EventID":"S4W-30634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:01.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has estimated the range of public sector funding needed to (a) attract private sector investment and (b) meet its objectives for renewable energy by 2020, as recommended by Audit Scotland in its 2013 report, Renewable energy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides a range of funding to initiate and support renewable energy projects, to encourage technology development, and to stimulate private sector investment. For example, we have made over £50 million available for community and locally owned projects in 2015-16 under our Renewable Energy Investment Fund and Community and Renewable Energy Scheme, which has helped to unlock significant private sector investment and helped us achieve, five years early, our target for 500 megawatts of community and locally owned renewable energy to be installed by 2020.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s approach has been underpinned, until recently, by a stable UK-wide support regime for renewables. However, recent cuts to revenue support schemes including the Renewables Obligation and feed-in tariffs have created uncertainty for the sector, damaged investor confidence, and put at risk Scotland’s ability to achieve its renewable energy ambitions.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311566,"EventID":"S4W-30635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:02.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much private sector investment there was in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 in projects that received public funding.","AnswerText":"The Draft Budget for 2015-16 sets out the level of private sector investment in the non-profit distributing pipeline, including projects being taken forward through the hub programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311567,"EventID":"S4W-30636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:03.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, following Audit Scotland's 2013 report, Renewable energy, it monitors the investment in the economy by the renewable energy industry and, if so, what the value is of that investment.","AnswerText":"Scottish Renewables has estimated that Scotland’s renewable energy sector delivered around £1.04 billion of capital investment in 2014. Further information is available on the Scottish Renewables website at the following link: https://www.scottishrenewables.com/sectors/renewables-in-numbers/. \r\nFigures published by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in April 2014 show that since 2010 the renewables industry has announced around £14.2 billion worth of investment in Scotland. Further information is available on the DECC website at the following link: \r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-investment-report-april-2014.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311568,"EventID":"S4W-30637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:04.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs there are in Scotland’s low-carbon economy and how many there will be in (a) 2017, (b) 2018, (c) 2019 and (d) 2020.","AnswerText":"Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that, in 2014, 21,000 people were employed directly in the low carbon and renewable energy economy in Scotland.\r\nThe first estimates from the new Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Survey were published by ONS on 9 December 2015 and provide regional estimates for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the number of businesses, turnover and full-time equivalent employees.\r\nComparable estimates for 2017-20 are not available.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311569,"EventID":"S4W-30639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:06.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many modern apprenticeship starts there have been in the energy and low-carbon sector in each year since 2011-12 and how many have been completed.","AnswerText":"Information on Modern Apprenticeships in the energy and low carbon sector is not held centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information requested. \r\nSkills Development Scotland publish quarterly performance information on Modern Apprenticeships, including breakdowns by framework followed and by framework grouping. The most recent statistics for quarter 3 2015-16 (to end December 2015) can be found at:\r\nhttps://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/publications-statistics/.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311570,"EventID":"S4W-30640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:07.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T09:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing national guidelines for the prescribing of stoma products and appliances.","AnswerText":"We are currently considering the evidence for the introduction of national guidance.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311571,"EventID":"S4W-30641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:08.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T09:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the report, Stoma Appliance Service in the Community: Stoma Care Quality and Cost Effectiveness Review 2015, was not published until 25 February 2016, and how long it took for the review to be completed.","AnswerText":"The Stoma Appliance Service in the Community: Stoma Care Quality and Cost Effectiveness Review 2015 was published on 26 February 2016 as prior to this date it was still in development. The quality audit was conducted across all 14 territorial NHS boards in the first half of 2015. Subsequent tasks included liaison with key stakeholders, validation checks with NHS boards, analysis of all responses and drafting of the report findings and recommendations. The cost effectiveness strand of work took place concurrently.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311572,"EventID":"S4W-30642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:10.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T09:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to implement the recommendation in the report, Stoma Appliance Service in the Community: Stoma Care Quality and Cost Effectiveness Review 2015, regarding (a) investing in additional clinical nurse specialists to improve patient care and cost effectiveness, (b) the raising awareness of, and improving communication about, care services and (c) redefining the roles and responsibilities of care and district nurses.","AnswerText":"The Stoma Appliance Service in the Community: Stoma Care Quality and Cost Effectiveness Review 2015 notes that a range of nurses with mixed responsibilities can support patients who have stomas. There are many nurses within differing units and specialities within NHS boards, including in the community, who are able to support stoma patients who do not have the clinical nurse specialist title.\r\nIn 2015-16 the government invested over £2.4 million of recurring funding to enhance access to specialist nursing and care, including the appointment of additional specialist nurses. NHS boards are responsible for ensuring that these funds deliver maximum benefit for patient care.\r\nThe review highlighted a need to raise awareness of stoma care services and improve information to patients about what services, help and advice are available to them. Recommendations 3, 4 and 16 of the review outline actions for both NHS boards and for stoma appliance contractors specifically on advice, help and contact with healthcare professionals, and on services and information to patients.\r\nThe review does not make a recommendation to redefine the roles and responsibilities of care and district nurses. In addition to providing day to day care, district nurses also ensure patients receive specialist care when needed, from clinical nurse specialists. Scotland's Chief Nursing Officer is leading work to review and refocus the role of district nurses; the provision of wound care, including for individuals with stomas, will remain a key element of their role.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311573,"EventID":"S4W-30647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:12.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has allocated specific funds for the building of a new health centre for Lochgelly.","AnswerText":"NHS Fife are currently in the process of developing a business case for the project, and the project will be funded by central funds when it is approved by the NHS Capital Investment Group.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311574,"EventID":"S4W-30648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:12.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which schools have received Attainment Scotland Fund support for 2015-16, also broken down by the (a) amount received and (b) date it was paid.","AnswerText":"Attainment Scotland Funding for schools from the seven challenge authorities is provided via a grant offer to their local authority. The amount schools in a challenge authority receives is a matter for the authority, as is the date they receive it.\r\n\r\nSupport through the Attainment Scotland Fund is also being provided to 57 schools via their local authorities by means of specific offer of grants for each school. Funding for the 14 authorities with one or more schools in the Attainment Scotland Fund Schools Programme was confirmed in January 2015, with grant claims expected before the end of the financial year. The Scottish Government have not received any draw down claims from authorities to date but expect the allocated funding to be drawn down by 31 March 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311575,"EventID":"S4W-30651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:13.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which schools are awaiting Attainment Scotland Fund support for 2015-16, also broken down by the (a) amount due and (b) expected payment date.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30648 on 22 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311576,"EventID":"S4W-30652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:14.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it considers Attainment Scotland Fund support should be spent, and whether it has published guidance to local authorities regarding this.","AnswerText":"The Attainment Scotland Fund supports 57 schools and seven challenge authorities to focus and accelerate targeted improvements in literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing. Advice was issued to the seven challenge authorities when the fund was launched in February 2015, setting out the priority areas on which to focus their proposals. Advice for the 57 schools in the Schools Programme was provided to the relevant schools in October 2015. Authorities and Schools were also guided through face to face meetings with Education Scotland and the Scottish Government.\r\n\r\nBased on this guidance, schools and authorities involved in the Attainment Scotland Fund were asked to develop bespoke plans which identify a range of interventions and strategies to raise attainment of children living in deprived areas.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311577,"EventID":"S4W-30653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:15.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date local authorities can expect to receive the money to allocate Attainment Scotland Fund support to schools in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Funding from the Attainment Scotland Fund will continue to be provided to local authorities by means of specific grants in 2016-17. Grant funding is usually paid quarterly on receipt appropriate grant claims. Therefore authorities will be able to draw down 2016-17 funding from 1 July 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311578,"EventID":"S4W-30654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:17.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there is a gender balance in modern apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"Addressing under-representation in our Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme is a key priority for the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to address, in partnership with industry and delivery partners.\r\nIn response to recommendations from the Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce, SDS published its Equalities Action Plan for Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland on 2 December 2015. This plan outlines the challenges to be addressed and the actions SDS will undertake with partners to improve the participation of under-represented groups within the MA programme. The five-year plan also aims to tackle apprenticeship areas where there are gender imbalances, for example females in science, technology, engineering and maths related apprenticeships.\r\nThe plan can be found at: \r\nhttps://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/40691/2869_sds_equalities_action_plan_digital_v7.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311579,"EventID":"S4W-30655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:18.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to introducing new modern apprenticeship categories. ","AnswerText":"As part of the Youth Employment Strategy: Developing the Young Workforce, the Scottish Government is working with Skills Development Scotland, employers and wider partners to widen vocational pathways available to young people including the introduction of foundation apprenticeships in the senior phase of schools and graduate-level apprenticeships up to masters Level.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311580,"EventID":"S4W-30656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:19.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to introduce the teaching of computer coding skills in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools.","AnswerText":"Curriculum for Excellence provides opportunities for all young people, at all ages and stages, in both primary and secondary schools, to develop their understanding and skills in computing science, including coding.\r\n\r\nEducation Scotland are working to improve the teaching of computing science in the curriculum through the revision of national guidance and through practical support for the teaching of computing science in the classroom.\r\nThis includes the Plan C project which has been supported by the government since summer 2013. Led by Computing at Schools Scotland, it is bringing innovative techniques to the teaching and learning of computing science, taking in best practice from academia and overseas.\r\nEducation Scotland also have programmes in place to increase the confidence and capacity of primary teachers in computing science and to increase extra-curricular digital and computing science activities in schools.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311581,"EventID":"S4W-30657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:20.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support post-16 student retention in (a) further and (b) higher education. ","AnswerText":"Improving retention is a priority for colleges and universities, and is one of the key performance indicators evaluated by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) as part of the outcome agreement process. The SFC also continues to invest strategic funds to support improvement.\r\n\r\nThis has delivered progress – retention rates in the college sector have improved since 2008-09 and are at record levels in the university sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311582,"EventID":"S4W-30658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:21.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the suggestion in the report by the Students' Association of the University of the West of Scotland, Establishing a Stronger Summer Safety Net: Promoting how we can raise retention in post 16 education, that there are high drop-out rates of further and higher education students.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages had a constructive meeting with the University of the West of Scotland Student President, Jack Douglas, on Thursday 17 March 2016, at which this report was discussed.\r\nThe higher education student loan, bursary and additional living-cost grants are 52 week allowances, already covering the full academic year. They are paid in monthly instalments (normally 9 or 10 instalments a year) to ensure students receive more support during term-time, when their capacity to work is reduced and their reliance on loan and bursary support is greater. Discretionary funds allocated to colleges and universities each year can also be used to provide additional support to students experiencing difficulty over summer months.\r\nThe latest figures demonstrate that retention has improved for full-time students in both college and university since 2008-09. The Scottish Funding Council also continue to invest strategic funds from the £14.7 million Widening Access and Retention Fund to support improvement.\r\nWe want to maintain this progress and we therefore commend the Students’ Association for their contribution to this important issue.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311583,"EventID":"S4W-30659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:21.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many primary schools in each local authority area have introduced the Daily Mile initiative; how many schools have responded (a) positively and (b) negatively to its letter asking them to consider the scheme, and what further action it is taking to (i) encourage the introduction and (ii) increase the uptake.","AnswerText":"In January 2016 Education Scotland gathered information on the number of primary schools in each local authority area participating in the Daily Mile. The following table summarises the responses received although it should be noted that not all local authorities responded.\r\n\r\nCouncil Area\r\nNumber of schools Participating in the Daily Mile\r\nAberdeen City\r\n0\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n19\r\nAngus\r\n11\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n22\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n6\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n24\r\nDundee\r\n7\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n11\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n6\r\nEast Lothian\r\n18\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n4\r\nEdinburgh\r\n0\r\nFalkirk\r\n11\r\nFife\r\n38\r\nGlasgow\r\n50\r\nHighland\r\n7\r\nInverclyde\r\n0\r\nMidlothian\r\n3\r\nMoray\r\n1\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n2\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n0\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n16\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n5\r\nScottish Borders\r\n20\r\nShetland\r\n5\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n6\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n9\r\nStirling\r\n0\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n0\r\nWest Lothian\r\n12\r\nWestern Isles\r\n21\r\nTOTAL\r\n334\r\nIn November 2015, to support the Daily Mile, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, together with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, wrote to all Headteachers in Scotland to make them aware of the initiative and to encourage schools to adopt daily physical activity initiatives appropriate to their circumstances. We do not hold information on how many schools responded positively or negatively to that letter.\r\nIn December 2015, following issue of the letter promoting the Daily Mile, Education Scotland published their resource Approaches to Physical Activity in the Primary Year’ featuring case studies about implementing the Daily Mile, and other initiatives in primary schools.\r\nThe impact of the Daily Mile is currently being evaluated in a research study at the University of Stirling. Whilst there appears to be an effect on obesity and pupil performance from the Daily Mile implementation, it is important that we fully understand the evidence to help to inform what further work would be appropriate to support, develop and promote the Daily Mile.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311584,"EventID":"S4W-30661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:22.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that school meals are of a high quality and have a balanced content, and what its position is on reports that, to reduce costs, some schools are considering reducing the amount of meat in meals. ","AnswerText":"All food and drink provided in education authority schools must meet the standards set out in relevant regulations. The standards are based on scientific evidence and designed to ensure that pupils are provided with a variety of balanced and nutritious food and drink. Guidance associated with the regulations contains advice on a wide range of food and drink including meat. Compliance with these standards is monitored by Education Scotland Health and Nutrition Inspectors.\r\n\r\nIt is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate their total financial resources on the basis of local needs, circumstances and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations such as those relating to school food standards.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311585,"EventID":"S4W-30662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:23.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to increase the number of computer coders in order to address the reported digital skills shortage. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made £6.6 million available to address digital skills shortages. We are working with key partners from Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council, Education Scotland, academia and industry to tackle the issues set out in 2014’s digital skills investment plan.\r\n\r\nThe measures taken to increase the number of software developers in Scotland include support for: \r\nCodeClan; the industry-led digital skills academy.\r\nThe Digital World marketing campaign that targets both women and young people\r\nAn International Talent Attraction programme\r\nTransition training in both Highland and Lowland Scotland\r\nA digital skills partnership, creating a strong link between further education and higher education and industry needs","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311586,"EventID":"S4W-30664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:24.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its most recent estimate is of the annual (a) impact on the economy and (b) direct cost to the NHS of obesity and overweight and related morbidity.","AnswerText":"The most recent estimates of the cost of obesity were produced to support the obesity route map.\r\na) These included an estimate of 2.6 million days of work lost annually, valued at £175 million, and 4,480 years of working lives lost, valued at £87 million. (2007-08 prices)\r\nb) The direct costs to the NHS of overweight and obesity were valued at £312 million (2007-08). A recent Scottish Parliament Information Centre briefing (15/01) on Obesity in Scotland calculated that this was equivalent to £363 million in 2015.\r\nOverall the estimates for the route map indicated that taking into account loss of productivity attributable to loss of life or impaired life quality, the direct health care costs, and the additional needed to investment to mitigate the impact of obesity, the total economic cost of obesity to Scotland could lie between £0.6 billion and £4.6 billion a year.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311587,"EventID":"S4W-30665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:25.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost of a basic funeral has been and how that compared with the average weekly wage in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The information requested on the average cost of a basic funeral is not held centrally.\r\n\r\nThe preferred source for earnings estimates is the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, which is produced by the Office for National Statistics.\r\nThe following table shows the average weekly earnings for both full-time and part-time workers in each of the last 10 years.\r\nDate\r\nFull-Time Workers\r\nPart-Time Workers\r\n2005\r\n408.6\r\n133.1\r\n2006\r\n428.1\r\n137.7\r\n2007\r\n441.7\r\n146.0\r\n2008\r\n462.6\r\n154.3\r\n2009\r\n472.8\r\n160.7\r\n2010\r\n488.0\r\n159.9\r\n2011\r\n485.0\r\n157.3\r\n2012\r\n497.7\r\n162.0\r\n2013\r\n508.7\r\n167.9\r\n2014\r\n519.6\r\n172.8\r\n2015\r\n527.0\r\n174.6\r\nNotes:\r\nIn 2006 there were a number of methodological changes made. For further details go to: http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/articles/341.aspx.\r\nEstimates for 2011 and subsequent years use a weighting scheme based on occupations which have been coded according to Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2010 that replaced SOC 2000. Therefore care should be taken when making comparisons with earlier years.\r\nSource: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311588,"EventID":"S4W-30666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:26.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public health funerals each local authority has carried out, and at what cost, in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not centrally held.\r\n\r\nIt is the responsibility of each local authority to carry out public health funerals within their boundaries.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311589,"EventID":"S4W-30668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:26.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) organisations and (b) individuals have been and will be consulted in order to update the cancer strategy for Scotland.","AnswerText":"Our cancer strategy, Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action, was launched by myself on 15 March 2016. In developing this strategy we engaged with a range of stakeholders including members of the Scottish Cancer Coalition and other third sector organisations as well as NHS staff.\r\nWe look forward to working with stakeholders, including patient groups, to implement the actions within the strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311590,"EventID":"S4W-30669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:27.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T11:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the reported rise in incidence of kidney cancer will be prioritised in its updated cancer strategy for Scotland.","AnswerText":"One of the main ways we can reduce the incidence of cancer is by helping people reduce their risk of developing it in the first place.\r\nBeating Cancer: Ambition and Action, which was launched by myself on 15 March 2016, sets out a broad range of actions including encouraging and supporting people to reduce their risk of cancer by living healthier lives.\r\nThrough the implementation of the strategy and the development of our public health initiatives, we will work to shift cultural attitudes towards cancer risk factors including smoking and poor diet – two known risk factors for kidney cancer.\r\nThis strategy is supported by a £100 million commitment over five years, which will have a positive impact on the future of all cancer services in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311591,"EventID":"S4W-30671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:28.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29850 by John Swinney on 24 February 2016, what percentage of the unadjusted average revenue funding per capita Aberdeen City Council received in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15.","AnswerText":"Aberdeen City Council received 77.4 per cent of the unadjusted Scottish average final revenue funding per head in 2013-14 and 78.4 per cent in 2014-15.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311592,"EventID":"S4W-30672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:29.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29851 by John Swinney on 24 February 2016, how it calculated the unadjusted average revenue funding per capita figure of 77.3% for Aberdeen City Council in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"The unadjusted average revenue funding per capita figure of 77.3 per cent was calculated by comparing Aberdeen City Council's revenue funding allocation with the all-Scotland average for 2016-17 without making any adjustments and before the addition of the extra £14 million that was added as a result of the 85 per cent funding floor.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311593,"EventID":"S4W-30673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:30.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it excluded the revenue funding of a number of local authorities in adjusting the revenue funding per capita as part of the process of determining the funding floor.","AnswerText":"In determining the 85 per cent funding floor we excluded those outlier local authorities whose funding per head was much greater than 100 per cent in order to make the 85 per cent calculation more comparable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311594,"EventID":"S4W-30674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:31.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what basis it assigned nominal figures for police and fire funding for 2016-17 to local authorities, given that local authorities have had no funding streams for these services in the current spending period.","AnswerText":"In order to provide a fair comparison for calculating the average revenue funding per head figures for 2016-17, we added back the police and fire funding to each local authority in exactly the same way as it had been removed from the 2014-15 local government finance settlement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311595,"EventID":"S4W-30678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:32.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T12:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has been made on the \"new actions\" specified in the marine litter strategy and how it is working with Orkney Islands Council and other local authorities to develop monitoring measures and reduce marine litter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has established a steering group to bring together partners to discuss how they are contributing to delivering the actions and to track progress. Local authorities are represented on this group by COSLA and KIMO. Activities currently being undertaken include encouraging companies to produce alternatives to plastic microbeads in personal care products and promoting a plastics industry code of conduct. The Scottish Government also continues to support Fishing for Litter Scotland and plays a full part in implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Scotland’s first national marine plan includes a general policy on marine litter which is reflected in the pilot marine spatial plan for the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters developed in partnership with Orkney Islands Council and Highland Council.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311596,"EventID":"S4W-30679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:33.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) plans it has and (b) steps it has taken to create new national parks.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30383 on 22 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311597,"EventID":"S4W-30680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:34.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a zero waste Bill.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government legislated, through the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012, to require separate collection of food waste and dry recyclable materials, and to restrict materials going to landfill or incineration. All bills in this parliamentary session have passed.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311598,"EventID":"S4W-30681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:35.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what EU Structural and Challenge Fund funding has been spent in each of the last five years in (a) Scotland, (b) the Highlands and Islands and (c) Orkney.","AnswerText":"EU Structural and Challenge Fund funding spend in each of the last five years in:\r\n(a) Scotland\r\n(b) The Highlands and Islands and\r\n(c) Orkney is as follows:\r\n\r\nScotland (£)\r\nHighlands and Islands (£)\r\nOrkney Islands (£)\r\n2011\r\n162,279,283.36\r\n27,149,283.62\r\n1,672,841.84\r\n2012\r\n88,405,472.56\r\n25,593,773.02\r\n2,434,849.71\r\n2013\r\n85,598,361.89\r\n20,403,525.08\r\n3,826,567.42\r\n2014\r\n75,870,285.72\r\n16,466,846.44\r\n803,207.08\r\n2015\r\n77,386,720.88\r\n17,584,625.26\r\n974,992.05\r\nGrand total\r\n489,540,124.00\r\n107,198,053.42\r\n9,712,458.10\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311599,"EventID":"S4W-30682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:36.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T12:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the common agricultural policy allocation has been spent in each of the last five years in (a) Scotland, (b) the Highlands and Islands and (c) Orkney.","AnswerText":"To give a full answer to the question i.e. to provide information spanning five years, broken down as requested has necessitated further bespoke interrogation of the IT system and will take some time to complete. The requested information will be made available to the requestor as soon as we are able to do so.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311600,"EventID":"S4W-30684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:38.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans it has in the event of crofters and farmers not receiving their eligibility letter for common agricultural policy payments by the deadline for single application form submissions on 15 May 2016.","AnswerText":"In the circumstance where a farmer of crofter has not received an illustration of entitlement letter, they should not delay in submitting a 2016 single application form. Rural payments and inspections division officials will take the entitlement allocated in to account when assessing eligibility for 2016. This is the same approach as taken in preceding years where clarification of previous entitlement position is outstanding. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311601,"EventID":"S4W-30685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T13:45:38.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing speed awareness courses for drivers who are convicted of speeding.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the general principle of driver education as an alternative to prosecution, where appropriate. At present, prosecutors may offer diversion from prosecution courses in relation to careless driving, but there is no equivalent diversion scheme in relation to speeding.\r\nWe are therefore working with key partners from our Road Safety Strategic Partnership Board – including Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service – to assess whether speed awareness courses would make an effective additional contribution to road safety in Scotland. The introduction of any such speed awareness courses in Scotland would require a robust evidence base and the approval of the Lord Advocate, who would also decide how they would be used in practice.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311602,"EventID":"S4W-30764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T15:13:19.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T15:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in implementing the findings in the National Review of Primary Care Out-of- Hours Services being led by Professor Lewis Ritchie.","AnswerText":"I welcomed the publication of the independent report of the National Review of Primary Care Out-of-Hours Services, Pulling together: transforming urgent care for the people of Scotland in November 2015. I announced initial financial support from the Primary Care Transformation Fund, towards testing the recommended model of urgent care and an initial testing programme worth £1.4 million designed to support the development of a network of Urgent Care Resource Hubs throughout Scotland, is now underway.\r\nThe initial testing programme aims to not only test aspects of the new model of urgent care, but also to reap immediate benefits by improving the application and use of technology systems used in managing episodes of care during the out of hours period.\r\nThe output of evidence from this initial testing programme will inform the design of the national delivery plan for transformation of urgent care which we aim to publish in the summer. \r\nIn addition, work is progressing across other aspects of our primary care transformation programme. NHS Lanarkshire will test a new model of primary care, thanks to investment from the Scottish Government’s Primary Care Transformation Fund.\r\nTest sites within East Kilbride and Coatbridge will utilise community assets from practice nursing, district nursing, mental health disciplines and pharmacy and will join allied health professionals like physiotherapists and occupational therapists as well as third sector workers to manage patient care. \r\nThe aim is also to ensure patients will be directed to the right service for their first appointment, whether face to face, telephone consultations or web services; placing more emphasis on same-day services and developing urgent care 24/7 services.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311606,"EventID":"S4W-30713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:01.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost to public services in Scotland is of the abolition of national insurance contracted out rates, broken down by service.","AnswerText":"National Insurance policy is a reserved matter. The introduction of the single-tier pension through the Pension Act 2014 led to the abolition of the ‘contracted-out rebate’ by the UK Government. The abolition of the rebate will lead to increased costs for employers, including all public sector employers. The change takes effect from April 2016.\r\nThe following table provides a breakdown of the estimated cost of the abolition of national insurance contracted out rates, broken down by sector.\r\nSector\r\nEmployer\r\nERNIC Increase 2016-17 (£m)\r\nNHS includes: Agenda for Change (AfC) Staff; Medical and Dental Staff; Senior Managers\r\n83\r\nTeachers\r\n(and associated teaching professionals)\r\n42\r\nPolice\r\n(Officers and civilian staff costs included)\r\n20\r\nFire\r\n4\r\nCore Scottish Government, Non-departmental Public Bodies, Public Corporations, Departments and Agencies.\r\n(all bodies subject to the public sector pay policy)\r\n20\r\nTotal\r\n169\r\nThese estimates were calculated in June 2015, based on latest available paybill information available to Scottish Government sponsor areas. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311607,"EventID":"S4W-30714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:02.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether additional funding has been provided to public sector employers as a consequence of the cost of the abolition of national insurance contracted out rates.","AnswerText":"National Insurance policy is a reserved matter. The introduction of the single-tier pension through the Pension Act 2014 led to the abolition of the ‘contracted-out rebate’ by the UK Government. The abolition of the rebate will lead to increased costs for employers, including all public sector employers. The change takes effect from April 2016.\r\n\r\nThe UK Government made no adjustment to spending plans to recognise increased costs on public sector employers. As explained in Scotland’s Spending Plans and Draft Budget 2016-17, published in December 2015, financial settlements reflect the overarching challenges facing public bodies including a range of cost pressures. All public bodies are contributing towards our ability to live within the resources that are available to us.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311608,"EventID":"S4W-30715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:04.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it pays to each adult care hospice per bed per year.","AnswerText":"It is currently a matter for individual NHS boards to commission directly with the independent adult hospices within their geographical area. Chief Executive Letter (CEL) 12 (2012) makes it clear that NHS boards should fund 50% of agreed running costs of independent adult hospices. More detail about the current planning arrangements is set out in CEL 12 (2012), http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2012_12.pdf. \r\n\r\nFrom 1 April 2016 commissioning responsibility will transfer to the new health and social care partnerships. The Scottish Government has also committed to review hospice funding by the end of 2016 to look at addressing the disparity between children and adult hospices as part of implementation of the strategic framework for action on palliative and end of life care.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311609,"EventID":"S4W-30716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:05.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the formula is for the allocation of funds to adult care hospices.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30715 on 22 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311610,"EventID":"S4W-30717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:06.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a national policy on the funding of adult care hospices.","AnswerText":"As set out in the answer to question S4W-30715 on 22 March 2016, Chief Executive Letter 12 (2012) sets out the current planning arrangements between NHS boards and independent adult hospices http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2012_12.pdf.\r\n\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311611,"EventID":"S4W-30718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:07.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it (a) first and (b) last met representatives of St Margaret of Scotland Hospice about funding.","AnswerText":"St Margaret of Scotland Hospice and Scottish Government officials first met to discuss funding on 13 February 2007. Most recent meeting was on 23 December 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311612,"EventID":"S4W-30719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:08.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the transfer of responsibility for the funding of adult care hospices from NHS boards to Integration Joint Boards will be accompanied by the existing level of resource and any additional resource arising from historical anomalies.","AnswerText":"Palliative and end of life care will be the responsibility of the new Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) and so fair and proportionate resources should transfer to the IJBs. The Scottish Government will provide strategic commissioning guidance on palliative and end of life care to health and social care partnerships by summer 2016 and has also committed to review hospice funding by the end of 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311613,"EventID":"S4W-30772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:10.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many revised versions of the (a) Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland 2014-15 report and (b) accompanying charts and tables were produced after publication at 9.30am on 9 March 2016, and how these revisions were communicated to (i) the Parliament and (ii) other stakeholders.","AnswerText":"A revised version of the Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland report was produced following publication on 9 March 2016, after minor errors were discovered. Changes were put through in the online text and accompanying spreadsheets and a new PDF was also produced and made available as soon as possible. In line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, notes were added to highlight the changes to users, making clear that none of the headline figures or results for Scotland in the report were affected by the changes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311614,"EventID":"S4W-30773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:11.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the reason was for the revisions made to the Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland 2014-15 report subsequent to publication and what change was made to Scotland’s Net Fiscal Balance in table A10.","AnswerText":"An error was identified in the North Sea revenue figures and net fiscal balance estimates contained in table A.10 of the Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland 2014-15. This was corrected as soon as it was brought to the attention of Scottish Government statisticians. The error affected the figures presented in table A10 only and did not affect any of the main results in the publication.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311615,"EventID":"S4W-30774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:12.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the standards set by the UK Statistics Authority relating to official statistics were satisfied by the Scottish Government’s publication and subsequent revisions to the report, Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland 2014-15.","AnswerText":"As with all national statistics, Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland (GERS) is regularly reviewed by the UK Statistics Authority to ensure that it meets the standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. The last review was completed in 2014 and concluded that GERS complied with the code of practice, and was therefore readily accessible, produced according to sound methods and managed impartially and objectively in the public interest.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311616,"EventID":"S4W-30690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:13.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions it has had with and (b) support it has provided to (i) CodeClan and (ii) other coding or digital-skills academies regarding (A) increasing the number of skilled computer coders and (B) improving digital skills.","AnswerText":"CodeClan, Scotland's first digital skills academy, is a social enterprise with a remit to operate commercially. Its design and curriculum have been agreed by industry representatives, and are aimed at meeting the immediate need for software developers in businesses across Scotland. The Scottish Government has awarded £1.56 million through the Digital Scotland Business Excellence Partnership to support its start-up costs. CodeClan's business plan sets out a route to be fully self-sufficient, working in partnership with industry.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to work with CodeClan, and other digital skills academies as they are established, along with public sector partners and industry to ensure that Scotland’s digital skills issues and needs are tackled effectively.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311617,"EventID":"S4W-30692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:14.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on delivering free nursery provision for (a) two, (b) three and (c) four-year-olds.","AnswerText":"The vast majority of the Scottish Government’s revenue funding is provided by means of a block grant, with decisions on how much is allocated to individual services made entirely by the local authority on the basis of local need, having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.\r\nThe Scottish Government has provided additional funding to local authorities (again as part of the block grant and not ring-fenced) to meet the additional costs arising from the Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) requirements arising from the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, as detailed in the following table:\r\nFunding for Early Learning and Childcare elements of Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, £ millions\r\n\r\n3 and 4 year old revenue\r\n2 year old revenue\r\nWorkforce Development\r\nTotal revenue\r\n3 and 4 year old capital\r\n2 year old capital\r\nTotal capital\r\nTotal ELC funding\r\n2014-15\r\n£50.8\r\n£15.0\r\n£3.5\r\n£69.3\r\n£30.0\r\n£41.0\r\n£71.0\r\n£140.3\r\n2015-16\r\n£75.2\r\n£44.0\r\n\r\n£119.2\r\n£30.0\r\n£39.0\r\n£69.0\r\n£188.2\r\n2016-17\r\n£82.3\r\n£58.4\r\n\r\n£140.7\r\n£30.0\r\n\r\n£30.0\r\n£170.7","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311618,"EventID":"S4W-30694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:15.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what mechanism it uses to measure how many (a) two, (b) three and (c) four-year-olds are being giving access to free nursery provision and to ensure that as many as possible can access this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government measures the number of two, three and four year olds accessing funded early learning and childcare through its annual census. The number of registrations provide an indicator of uptake by age. The census takes place at a named week in September to coincide with the annual school census. Results are published each year in December with the latest results available for September 2015 – they can be accessed via:\r\n\r\na) Summary results in the main publication:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00494569.pdf\r\nb) More detailed information via additional tables:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Children/Pubs-Pre-SchoolEducation/ELCAdditionalTables2015\r\n\r\nLocal authorities are required to secure a place for every eligible child whose parent(s) wish to take up a place under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act).","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311619,"EventID":"S4W-30695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:16.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what budget line it uses to fund the provision of free nursery provision.","AnswerText":"Funding for free nursery provision is included as part of the block grant within the overall local government finance settlement provided to local government by the Scottish Government. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311620,"EventID":"S4W-30696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:17.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will allocate the additional £20 million that is being given to the Attainment Scotland Fund and whether it has any new plans for how this should be used.","AnswerText":"The Attainment Scotland Fund will continue targeting support to authorities and schools with the highest concentrations of children and young people living in areas of multiple deprivation. It will continue to support the seven challenge authorities and 57 primary schools identified in 2015. The additional funding announced by the Deputy First Minister as part of the budget will see this intensive support deliver more across our most deprived communities in Scotland - further details on how that will be allocated will be announced in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311621,"EventID":"S4W-30698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:18.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the uptake is of free school meals for primary 1-3 pupils and how it ensures that the meals are healthy.","AnswerText":"The latest statistics on free school meal uptake were published on 17 June 2015 in the Scottish Government statistics publication - Summary statistics for attainment, leaver destinations and healthy living, No. 5: 2015 Edition. Table 9b, which can be accessed at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/2579/6\r\n\r\nsets out that of all primary 1-3 pupils who were registered and present on the day of the survey, 129,674 (79.3%) took free school meals.\r\nThe Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008 set high nutritional standards that all food and drink served in schools must meet. The Regulations are monitored by Education Scotland Health and Nutrition Inspectors and supported by Healthy Eating in Schools: A Guide to Implementing the Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008, which can be accessed at: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2008/09/12090355/0.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311622,"EventID":"S4W-30699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:19.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each local authority has received from the Attainment Scotland Fund.","AnswerText":"Funding from the Attainment Scotland Fund is provided to local authorities by means of specific grant, which is drawn down quarterly. The final grant claims for the seven challenge authorities are expected by the end of the financial year, and so none of the authorities have yet claimed their full allocation from the fund. To date, the amount claimed per authority is set out in Table 1. This will increase substantially once final claims are submitted and processed.\r\n\r\nTable 1 \r\nChallenge Authorities\r\nSpend to 31 December 2015\r\nClackmannanshire Council\r\n£265,436\r\n\r\nDundee City Council\r\n£265,800\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\n£705,826\r\nInverclyde Council\r\n£200,804\r\n\r\nNorth Ayrshire Council\r\n£210,081\r\n\r\nNorth Lanarkshire Council\r\n£308,790\r\n\r\nWest Dunbartonshire Council\r\n£418,043\r\n\r\nFunding for the 14 authorities with one or more schools in the Attainment Scotland Fund Schools programme was confirmed in January 2016, with grant claims expected by the end of the financial year and so none of these authorities have yet claimed their allocation from the fund.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311623,"EventID":"S4W-30702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:20.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to match the modern apprenticeship framework to skills shortages. ","AnswerText":"Every year Skills Development Scotland (SDS) produces a modern apprenticeship demand statement which summarises the annual returns that are completed by sector skills councils and sector skills bodies to indicate their expected levels of demand for modern apprenticeship (MA) places for the coming year.\r\n\r\nThe MA demand process also incorporates evidence from the regional skills assessments and sectoral skills investment plans on demand for skills by region and industry or sector. This information helps SDS to make informed decisions regarding the allocation of funded MA across sectors and across the MA frameworks as part on an annual contracting round.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311624,"EventID":"S4W-30703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:21.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many modern apprenticeships have started in each of the last three years in each sector, broken down by gender, and (a) at what level and (b) in what framework.","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland have published quarterly performance information on Modern Apprenticeships, including breakdowns by framework grouping gender, level and framework. \r\nThe most recent statistics for quarter 3 2015-16 (to end December 2015) and those for previous years can be found at: \r\nhttps://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/publications-statistics/.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311625,"EventID":"S4W-30710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:22.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements will be made for the implementation of the apprenticeship levy and when they will be concluded and published.","AnswerText":"The apprenticeship levy is an employment tax which was announced in the UK autumn budget after The Smith Commission process to take forward the devolution commitments on further powers for the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government does not have a role in implementing the levy. The collection of the levy is a reserved matter, however Scottish Ministers are working to ensure that Scotland gets it fair share of the levy.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently engaging with a range of employers to consider the impact of the levy and to explore opportunities for continuing to expand and enhance our successful modern apprenticeship programme in Scotland.\r\nDecisions on future apprenticeship spending beyond 2016-17 will be considered as part of the future spending review.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311626,"EventID":"S4W-30711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:23.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all funds collected under the apprenticeship levy will be spent on apprentices.","AnswerText":"The apprenticeship levy is an employment tax which was announced in the UK autumn budget after The Smith Commission process to take forward the devolution commitments on further powers for the Scottish Parliament. The collection of the levy is a reserved matter and Scottish Ministers are working to ensure that Scotland gets it fair share of the levy.\r\n\r\nWe are still awaiting clarity on how Scotland’s share of the levy will be calculated. Decisions on future apprenticeship spending beyond 2016-17 will be considered as part of the future spending review.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311627,"EventID":"S4W-30706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:24.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many companies working on the M8/M74/Raith Interchange improvements employ people on zero-hours contracts and how many people and what percentage of the workforce are employed on such contracts.","AnswerText":"The contract for the Design, Build, Finance and Operation of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project was awarded to Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP) in February 2014. No staff employed by Transport Scotland or SRP are employed on zero-hour contracts. Sub-contractors are employed directly by SRP, and are subject to private commercial contracts. I can confirm seven individuals out of a workforce of 984 are currently employed on a zero-hours contract, which is less than 1% of the total workforce. We are working with SRP to identify whether it is feasible to offer more stable forms of employment and hours of work to these individuals.\r\n\r\nTransport Scotland is committed to supporting Scottish Government’s initiative to encourage fair and progressive work practices. While employment law remains reserved to the UK Government, the Scottish Government is doing everything it can to promote good working practices with the powers available.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311628,"EventID":"S4W-30686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:25.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the common agricultural policy allocation has been spent in Shetland in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"To give a full answer to the question i.e. to provide information spanning five years, broken down as requested has necessitated further bespoke interrogation of the IT system and will take some time to complete. The requested information will be made available to the requestor as soon as we are able to do so.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311629,"EventID":"S4W-30687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:26.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what EU Structural and Challenge Fund funding has been spent in each of the last five years in Shetland. ","AnswerText":"EU Structural and Challenge Fund funding spent in each of the last five years in Shetland is:\r\n\r\n\r\nShetland Islands (£)\r\n2011\r\n1,464,495.84\r\n2012\r\n1,257,212.23\r\n2013\r\n2,396,296.36\r\n2014\r\n2,014,228.28\r\n2015\r\n415,829.44\r\nGrand total\r\n7,548,062.15","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311630,"EventID":"S4W-30688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:27.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how applications for single application forms will be made by the deadline of 15 May 2016 if a crofter or farmer has still to receive a decision letter on their field parcels and eligibility for payment regions under the Basic Payment Scheme by that date.","AnswerText":"In the circumstance where a farmer of crofter has not received an illustration of entitlement letter, they should not delay in submitting a 2016 single application form. Rural payments and inspections division officials will take the entitlement allocated in to account when assessing eligibility for 2016. This is the same approach as taken in preceding years where clarification of previous entitlement position is outstanding. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311631,"EventID":"S4W-30712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:29.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of first instalment common agricultural policy settlement payments will be made by the end of March 2016, and on what date the balance of payments will be made.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) first instalments to almost 62 per cent of farmers and crofters as at 19 March 2016, and will make as many further payments by the end of March 2016 as possible. We aim to complete all payments within the BPS window which closes on 30 June 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311632,"EventID":"S4W-30707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:30.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time equivalent health visitors have been employed in Midlothian in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of health visitors in Midlothian is not centrally held.\r\nInformation on the number of whole time equivalent health visitors in NHS Lothian is published by Information Services Division Scotland and is shown in the following table.\r\nDue to the recent review of community nurse data, information on health visitors is not comparable to earlier years, and is shown from 2014 onwards.\r\nTable 1: Number (whole time equivalent) of bands 1-9 health visitors as at 31 December 2014 and 31 December 2015.\r\nBands 1-9\r\nDec-14\r\nDec-15\r\n% change Dec-14 to Dec-15\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n271.9\r\n276.9\r\n1.8%\r\nSources: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311633,"EventID":"S4W-30708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:30.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to health visitors for the delivery of community paediatric services in Midlothian. ","AnswerText":"Midlothian paediatric services are managed by Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership and are entirely separate from the health visiting service. The paediatric service is led by a designated paediatrician who provides clinics in Midlothian. Pre-school children are referred to the community paediatric service from a variety of sources. Thereafter children’s needs are assessed and referral is made to the most appropriate professional. It is for NHS Lothian to plan and deliver services to meet the needs of their local population, taking account of available evidence and good practice guidance.\r\nThe Scottish Government refreshed the role of health visitors in Scotland in 2015. The primary role of a health visitor is to improve the health and wellbeing of children under five. We are also investing in an extra 500 health visitors to make sure NHS Scotland has the right levels of staff to meet the needs of children under five.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311634,"EventID":"S4W-30709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:31.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all families in the Lothians with children aged between 27 and 30 months are receiving their health assessment on time. ","AnswerText":"Information Services Division (ISD) published figures show that in 2014-15 there were 9,819 children eligible for a 27-30 month review in NHS Lothian. 82.3% of these children had been recorded as receiving their review by the time of the ISD data extract in November 2015. Of the 8,081 children who had a review, 99.5% were carried out before the child turned 33 months (the agreed upper age limit for recording the review on the national child health system).\r\nNHS Lothian reports the figures for April 2015 to September 2015 are:\r\n84.2% eligible children were reviewed (4,616 eligible, 3,887 reviewed);\r\n99.7% of children seen were reviewed by end of 32 months (3,887 reviewed, 3,877 reviewed by 32 months).\r\nThe review is not mandatory and some families may choose not to accept the invitation for a review.\r\nNHS Lothian is taking steps to increase uptake.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311635,"EventID":"S4W-30765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:32.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29455 by Aileen Campbell on 9 March 2016, on what grounds it judged the Scottish Association of Young Farmers unable to meet the criteria for funding.","AnswerText":"Applications to the new Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities Funds were assessed in terms of relevance, need, quality (of outcomes proposed), sustainability, consideration of vulnerable groups (equalities), partnership/collaborative working, likelihood to deliver and value for money. \r\n\r\nAll applications were assessed according to these criteria and scored. The score for the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC’s) application fell below that of many other organisations which better met the fund criteria. That decision was taken by the board set up by the Scottish Government to ensure that the fund had a balanced portfolio and that essential activities and services will be supported, and make final decisions.\r\nSAYFC has received feedback on the quality of its application from Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland and importantly, on how to improve any future application.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311636,"EventID":"S4W-30769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:33.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T15:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29455 by Aileen Campbell on 9 March 2016, for what reason “given the role SAYFC plays in our rural communities” it provided less than half of the grant it withdrew from the association.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provided the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) with funding of £66,000 for a three year period which was always intended to end in March 2016, with no organisations guaranteed funding beyond this point. \r\n\r\nHowever, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment was able to provide SAYFC with funding of £30,000 in recognition of the role it plays in his portfolio interests. This is not linked to the previous funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311637,"EventID":"S4W-30770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:33.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T15:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29455 by Aileen Campbell on 9 March 2016, how it came to the conclusion that the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs should be given £30,000 less than the previous grant of £66,000. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30769 on 18 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311638,"EventID":"S4W-30771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:34.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29455 by Aileen Campbell on 9 March 2016, for what reason it first judged the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs unable to meet the criteria for funding “given the role SAYFC plays in our rural communities.”","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30765 and S4W-30769 on 18 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311639,"EventID":"S4W-30766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:35.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the percentage of patients of the Centre for Integrative Care at the Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital who are opposed to its closure.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to close the Centre for Integrative Care, and the premise of your question is simply false.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311640,"EventID":"S4W-30767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:37.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what timeline it has set to take a decision on the closure of the Centre for Integrative Care at the Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital and whether it will consider extending this until the end of 2016. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30766 on 23 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311641,"EventID":"S4W-30768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:38.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what input it has requested and received from patients of the Centre for Integrative Care at the Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital regarding its potential closure. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30766 on 23 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311642,"EventID":"S4W-30735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:40.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider the role of electric vehicles as an energy storage mechanism in the integrated energy strategy that it plans to publish later in 2016.","AnswerText":"On 15 March 2016, the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism updated Parliament on the Scottish Government’s plans to develop a new energy strategy for Scotland.\r\nAs part of the new approach, the Scottish Government will take a whole system view of the challenge of achieving our long-term climate change targets while ensuring Scottish consumers have secure and affordable energy supplies, building an integrated approach to power, heat and transport.\r\nIn doing so, the Scottish Government will consider the role of ultra-low emission vehicles in supporting the development of a cleaner and smarter energy system. For example, matching the recharging of electric vehicles to fluctuating levels of generation from renewable sources can help balance energy systems and use green energy that might not otherwise be used.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311643,"EventID":"S4W-30736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:41.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on a role for priority measures for electric vehicles in its forthcoming national framework of local incentives for plug-in vehicles.","AnswerText":"The national framework of local incentives will look at a range of possible measures that have the potential to make plug-in vehicles more cost effective, convenient and desirable to use.\r\nThese measures include the potential to introduce priority parking for electric vehicles (EVs) at preferential spaces located closer to amenities and also discounted parking fees. We’re also looking at the opportunities and challenges associated with allowing EVs to access bus lanes.\r\nThe majority of the levers required to introduce such measures are held at a local level and we are consulting with local authorities as we develop the framework. The framework is not intended to mandate the introduction of incentives, rather it will offer guidance and support to local authorities wishing to introduce measures in their local areas. ","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311644,"EventID":"S4W-30737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:41.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the Norwegian experience of promoting electric vehicles (a) has had on its existing electric vehicle policy and (b) will have on its future electric vehicle policy.","AnswerText":"Our Switched On Scotland roadmap was informed by consultation with stakeholders from across the global electric vehicle (EV) community. The roadmap also commits us to ‘working with partners to continue to engage with international plug-in vehicle networks and projects to attract funding and support policy debates’ (action 8).\r\nThe Norwegian approach to incentivising EV uptake has directly informed our work with local authorities on developing a national framework of local incentives for EVs, as set out in answer to S4W-30736 on 21 March 2016.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311645,"EventID":"S4W-30738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:42.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide an update on its electric vehicle strategy in advance of the development of the Third Report on Policies and Proposals (RPP3).","AnswerText":"Yes. Switched On Scotland: A Roadmap to the Widespread Adoption of Plug-in Vehicles was launched in September 2013. The rapid pace of change in technologies and markets for plug-in vehicles raises the expectation that new challenges and opportunities will emerge. The implementation of the roadmap was therefore always intended to be an iterative process in which adjustments are made to respond to any such changes. Accordingly, a refresh of the roadmap commenced in 2015. This will review progress to date and make recommendations for areas of future activity. The refresh will be published during 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311646,"EventID":"S4W-30739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:43.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the full-time equivalent employment figures have been in manufacturing in (a) Aberdeen, (b) Aberdeenshire, (c) Angus and (d) Dundee in each of the last five years, also expressed as a percentage of all employees in each area.","AnswerText":"The Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES) is the preferred source of employment estimates by detailed geographical area and industry sector. BRES estimates are not available on a full-time equivalent basis, however estimates for full-time and part-time employees are published.\r\n\r\nManufacturing employee estimates for 2010 to 2014 in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus and Dundee City local authority areas are provided in the following tables, each for full-time, part-time and total employees.\r\nEmployees in the Manufacturing industry, 2010 to 2014\r\nFull-time employees\r\nAberdeen City\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nAngus\r\nDundee City\r\n2010\r\nManufacturing\r\n11,200\r\n       9,600\r\n       4,500\r\n       4,300\r\n% of all industries\r\n8.9%\r\n16.6%\r\n21.2%\r\n8.9%\r\n2011\r\nManufacturing\r\n      11,700\r\n      10,500\r\n       4,600\r\n       3,900\r\n% of all industries\r\n9.4%\r\n16.2%\r\n20.9%\r\n8.1%\r\n2012\r\nManufacturing\r\n      12,700\r\n      11,000\r\n       4,500\r\n       4,400\r\n% of all industries\r\n10.0%\r\n16.7%\r\n21.8%\r\n9.3%\r\n2013\r\nManufacturing\r\n11,500\r\n      11,700\r\n4,200\r\n       4,000\r\n% of all industries\r\n8.9%\r\n17.6%\r\n19.8%\r\n8.4%\r\n2014\r\nManufacturing\r\n12,100\r\n13,200\r\n       4,500\r\n       4,500\r\n% of all industries\r\n8.8%\r\n18.7%\r\n20.5%\r\n9.1%\r\n\r\nPart-time employees\r\nAberdeen City\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nAngus\r\nDundee City\r\n2010\r\nManufacturing\r\n         700\r\n       1,300\r\n         200\r\n         400\r\n% of all industries\r\n1.5%\r\n4.3%\r\n1.7%\r\n1.6%\r\n2011\r\nManufacturing\r\n700\r\n         900\r\n300\r\n         500\r\n% of all industries\r\n1.4%\r\n2.8%\r\n2.6%\r\n2.1%\r\n2012\r\nManufacturing\r\n800\r\n1,000\r\n200\r\n500\r\n% of all industries\r\n1.6%\r\n3.3%\r\n1.8%\r\n2.1%\r\n2013\r\nManufacturing\r\n600\r\n800\r\n200\r\n400\r\n% of all industries\r\n1.2%\r\n2.6%\r\n1.8%\r\n1.7%\r\n2014\r\nManufacturing\r\n800\r\n1,100\r\n300\r\n600\r\n% of all industries\r\n1.6%\r\n3.6%\r\n2.6%\r\n2.5%\r\n\r\nTotal employees\r\nAberdeen City\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nAngus\r\nDundee City\r\n2010\r\nManufacturing\r\n11,900\r\n10,900\r\n4,700\r\n4,700\r\n% of all industries\r\n6.9%\r\n12.4%\r\n14.4%\r\n6.4%\r\n2011\r\nManufacturing\r\n12,400\r\n11,400\r\n4,900\r\n4,400\r\n% of all industries\r\n7.1%\r\n11.8%\r\n14.7%\r\n6.1%\r\n2012\r\nManufacturing\r\n13,500\r\n12,000\r\n4,800\r\n4,900\r\n% of all industries\r\n7.6%\r\n12.5%\r\n15.0%\r\n6.9%\r\n2013\r\nManufacturing\r\n12,100\r\n12,500\r\n4,400\r\n4,500\r\n% of all industries\r\n6.8%\r\n12.9%\r\n13.6%\r\n6.3%\r\n2014\r\nManufacturing\r\n13,000\r\n14,300\r\n4,800\r\n5,100\r\n% of all industries\r\n6.9%\r\n14.1%\r\n14.3%\r\n6.9%\r\nSource: Business Register and Employment Survey, Office for National Statistics.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. All employee estimates are rounded to the nearest 100 and therefore totals may not equal the sum of the constituent parts due to rounding.\r\n2. These estimates exclude farm agriculture\r\n3. Employee, full-time and part-time definitions:\r\nEmployee - An employee is anyone aged 16 years or over that an organisation directly pays from its payroll(s), in return for carrying out a full-time or part-time job or being on a training scheme. It excludes voluntary workers, self-employed, working owners who are not paid via PAYE.\r\nFull-time employees: Those working more than 30 hours per week.\r\nPart-time employees: Those working 30 hours or less per week.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311647,"EventID":"S4W-30763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5035,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:43.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-05529 by Shona Robison on 4 February 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), when it will announce whether (a) Ninewells Hospital and (b) Aberdeen Royal Infirmary will be included in any specialist network.","AnswerText":"The National Planning Forum’s Major Trauma Oversight Group has been tasked with looking at ways to enhance major trauma services in Scotland.\r\nIts work to establish the most appropriate model of major trauma care for Scotland is ongoing, with involvement from clinicians from across Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service. Whatever the agreed model, Aberdeen and Dundee will have an essential role within the network.\r\nI expect this work to be completed by summer 2016, and Scottish Ministers will then consider its outcomes.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311648,"EventID":"S4W-30720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:44.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) it and (b) other public bodies has/have spent on research on fracking.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30628 on 23 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311649,"EventID":"S4W-30721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:45.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of meetings that (a) ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) civil servants have had with (i) fracking companies or representatives acting on their behalf and (ii) fracking trade associations since May 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to engaging widely with our stakeholders on unconventional oil and gas. During the course of the consultation we will engage with communities, environmental organisations and industry in an open and balanced way.\r\n\r\nInformation on ministerial meetings is routinely published on the Scottish Government website, and can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/Events-Engagements/MinisterialEngagements/MinisterialEngagements\r\nFor details of meetings between ministers and stakeholders to discuss the Scottish Government research into unconventional oil and gas, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26272 on 27 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311650,"EventID":"S4W-30722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:46.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the minutes of all meetings that it has had with (a) fracking companies and their representatives and (b) fracking trade associations since May 2011.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30721 on 22 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311651,"EventID":"S4W-30723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:46.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of meetings that (a) ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) civil servants have had with representatives of INEOS since May 2011.","AnswerText":"Information on ministerial meetings is routinely published on the Scottish Government website, and can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/Events-Engagements/MinisterialEngagements/MinisterialEngagements","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311652,"EventID":"S4W-30724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:47.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the minutes of all meetings that it has had with INEOS since May 2011.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30723 on 22 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311653,"EventID":"S4W-30725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:48.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received any correspondence from, and held any dialogue or meetings with, Charlotte Street Partners on behalf of any fracking companies in relation to fracking.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no contact from Charlotte Street Partners in relation to fracking.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311654,"EventID":"S4W-30726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:49.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research (a) it and (b) other public bodies have carried out and are carrying out in relation to fracking.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30628 on 23 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nIn 2014 the Scottish Government convened an independent group of scientific experts to provide impartial evidence on unconventional oil and gas. A copy of the final report can be found on the Scottish Government website at: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/07/1758.\r\nThe Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Scottish Government asked ClimateXChange to undertake a desk-based study of the estimated greenhouse gas emissions associated with the extraction of onshore unconventional gas in Scotland, from exploration to the point of fuel production. The final report was published in 2014, a copy of which can be found at: http://www.climatexchange.org.uk/reducing-emissions/life-cycle-assessment-ghg-emissions-unconventional-gas1/.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311655,"EventID":"S4W-30727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:49.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce the number of delayed discharges in Lothian.","AnswerText":"We have, in particular, been working with the City of Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, and we have allocated an additional £2 million to the partnership, with an agreement to reduce the level of delayed discharges significantly by May 2016. To receive the final £0.5 million, the Edinburgh partnership had to reduce standard delays to below 100 by February 2016, from a start point of 146 in November 2015. They achieved this and I am now looking for this to reduce by half by May 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311656,"EventID":"S4W-30728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:50.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport has had with NHS Lothian to discuss paediatric services in Lothian.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and NHS Lothian have held regular discussions on its paediatric services for a number of years.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311657,"EventID":"S4W-30729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:51.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport has had with local MSPs to discuss paediatric services in Lothian.","AnswerText":"Paediatrics feature as part of the my regular meetings with local MSPs.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311658,"EventID":"S4W-30730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:52.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport has exchanged correspondence with local MSPs in relation to paediatric services in Lothian.","AnswerText":"I wrote to Angela Constance MSP, and Fiona Hyslop MSP, on 9 October 2015.\r\nCopies of these letters have previously been forwarded to you by Scottish Government officials under a Freedom of Information request.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311659,"EventID":"S4W-30731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:52.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport has had discussions with NHS Lothian regarding its budget deficit for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"All NHS board financial plans for 2016-17, including NHS Lothian, are due to be submitted before the start of the financial year on 1 April 2016. Once received, the plan will then be reviewed and discussed with NHS Lothian as part of our on-going planning and performance cycle.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311660,"EventID":"S4W-30732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:53.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what efficiencies NHS Lothian plans to introduce in light of its budget deficit in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"NHS Lothian is due to submit a 2016-17 financial plan, including efficiency savings plans, as part of the local delivery planning process in advance of 1 April 2016. A key component of the financial plan will be efficiency savings, which not only contribute to the overall performance of the board but also enable the achievement of financial targets. All territorial boards, including NHS Lothian, will be required to deliver efficiency savings equivalent to 3% of baseline funding in 2016-17, to be retained locally for reinvestment in frontline services.\r\nBoards consider a range of efficiency measures with a view to identifying those that will impact positively on patient care by reducing unwarranted variation in service provision, removing waste and eliminating harm. The combination of increases in funding and local retention of savings ensure priorities are safeguarded.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311661,"EventID":"S4W-30733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:54.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many delayed discharges there have been in Lothian in each month from January 2015.","AnswerText":"Table 1 shows the number of delayed discharges in NHS Lothian at each monthly census snapshot from January 2015 to February 2016.\r\nTable 1. Number of delayed discharges at the census snapshot; NHS Lothian (Board of treatment)\r\nMonth\r\n2015\r\n2015\r\n2015\r\n2015\r\n2015\r\n2015\r\n2015\r\n2015\r\n2015\r\n2015\r\n2015\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\n2016\r\nJan\r\nFeb\r\nMar\r\nApr\r\nMay\r\nJun\r\nJul\r\nAug\r\nSep\r\nOct\r\nNov\r\nDec\r\nJan\r\nFeb\r\nCensus Figure\r\n208\r\n206\r\n200\r\n214\r\n226\r\n227\r\n219\r\n210\r\n229\r\n229\r\n224\r\n211\r\n202\r\n191","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311662,"EventID":"S4W-30734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:55.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether delayed discharges across Lothian are increasing and, if so, for what reason.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30733 on 22 March 2016, which shows the trend in delayed discharges across Lothian over the last year. As this chart shows, significant progress has been made by the partnership since September 2015, when there were 229 delays, this reduced to 191 at the February census (16% reduction).\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311663,"EventID":"S4W-30741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:55.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether special advisers and civil servants are allowed to go straight into other employment as lobbyists without a break in employment.","AnswerText":"The Business Appointment Rules apply to all civil servants including special advisers and are designed to uphold the civil service's core values and avoid any cause for public concern, criticism or misinterpretation over the appointment of former civil servants.\r\n\r\nUnder these rules, civil servants including special advisers need to apply for permission to take up an external appointment or employment up to two years after leaving the civil service. This includes when the proposed appointment or employment would involve making representations to, or lobbying the government on behalf of a new employer.\r\nAn application may be approved but be subject to conditions. This may include a waiting period and/or a prohibition on them being involved in lobbying government on behalf of their new employer.\r\nAny conditions may be applied for up to a maximum of two years.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311664,"EventID":"S4W-30742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:56.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings (a) ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) civil servants have had with Charlotte Street Partners since January 2014 and what was discussed at each meeting.","AnswerText":"Information on all ministerial engagements is published on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/Events-Engagements\r\n\r\nThe other information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311665,"EventID":"S4W-30743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:57.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has engaged in any correspondence with Charlotte Street Partners since January 2014 and, if so, what subjects were discussed.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311666,"EventID":"S4W-30744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:58.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any cabinet secretary or minister has had any contact via telecommunications or correspondence with Charlotte Street Partners since January 2014 and, if so, which cabinet secretary or minister, and what subjects were discussed in these communications.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311667,"EventID":"S4W-30775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-10T17:04:59.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to support people from black and minority ethnic communities who are disproportionally affected by in-work poverty or employed in low pay sectors.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government fully recognises that poverty rates for minority ethnic groups are significantly higher than those for the white British population in Scotland.\r\nWe are taking a long term approach to tackling the drivers of poverty and inequality, as part of our focus on inclusive economic growth. This commitment is made clear in the 2015 Programme for Government. \r\nOur ‘Race Equality Framework’, to be published on 21 March 2016, will set out clear goals to support minority ethnic communities across a range of areas. These include employability, employment and income, which are a key theme in the framework.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311673,"EventID":"S4T-01360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-14T12:47:44.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that every household in Scotland will have access to high speed broadband.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311674,"EventID":"S4T-01363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-14T12:47:46.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what independent assessment has been carried out of the impact of reducing air passenger duty.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311675,"EventID":"S4F-03298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-14T12:47:01.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-10T13:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311676,"EventID":"S4F-03299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-14T12:47:02.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-11T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311677,"EventID":"S4F-03303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-14T12:47:05.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T09:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that all cancer patients have timely access to diagnostic tests.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311678,"EventID":"S4F-03307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-14T12:47:10.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the final report of the Commission on Widening Access.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311679,"EventID":"S4F-03309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-14T12:47:11.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the UK Budget.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311680,"EventID":"S4F-03319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-14T12:47:19.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Scottish Government expects a new film studio for Scotland to be delivered.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311726,"EventID":"S4O-05686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:11.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to provide training and other support to workers losing their jobs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311727,"EventID":"S4O-05687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:12.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311728,"EventID":"S4O-05688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:13.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training and support it provides to people no longer working in the oil and gas sector. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311729,"EventID":"S4O-05689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:14.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Developing the Young Workforce programme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311730,"EventID":"S4O-05690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:15.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-15T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training opportunities it offers people over the age of 25.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311731,"EventID":"S4O-05691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:15.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recommendations in the final report of the Commission on Widening Access regarding improving skills among the workforce.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311732,"EventID":"S4O-05692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:16.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Fair Work Convention.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311733,"EventID":"S4O-05693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:17.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-16T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to employers in the care sector to help them pay the living wage. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311734,"EventID":"S4O-05694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:18.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the pay of workers in the hospitality sector.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311735,"EventID":"S4O-05695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:19.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress toward achieving its target of 500 living wage employers.","AnswerText":"Earlier this month (during the SNP Conference on 12 March 2016), the First Minister announced that the target of 500 Scots-based living wage accredited employers has been achieved ahead of schedule. This is thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Poverty Alliance team who have worked tirelessly over the last few years to sign up as many employers as possible, and who are now working towards achieving a further target of 1,000 accredited employers by autumn 2017.\r\nThese efforts are part of the reason why Scotland has the highest proportion of people paid the living wage outside the South-east of England.\r\nAnd this is why I am delighted to announce that the Scottish Government will increase our funding to the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative, pledging a further £300,000 to this important project in an effort to ensure as many people, and employers, as possible can benefit from the ‘real’ living wage.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311736,"EventID":"S4O-05696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:20.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will increase affordable housing supply in East Kilbride.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311737,"EventID":"S4O-05697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:21.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-16T10:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what policies it has instigated to achieve a greater degree of equality between the most and least wealthy areas of the country.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311738,"EventID":"S4O-05698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:22.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports anti-poverty initiatives in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311739,"EventID":"S4O-05699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:23.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it complies with its social justice policy objectives for self-funding older people in residential care to pay more than local authorities for the same care.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311740,"EventID":"S4O-05700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:24.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-16T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to communities in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311741,"EventID":"S4O-05701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:26.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many homes have been built per head of population since 2007.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311742,"EventID":"S4O-05702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:26.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the People and Communities Fund and how it supports community organisations.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311743,"EventID":"S4O-05703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:27.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a time limit for temporary accommodation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311744,"EventID":"S4O-05704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:28.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-16T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to strengthening community councils.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311745,"EventID":"S4O-05705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:29.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-16T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to citizens advice bureaux.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the role advice services play across Scottish society, in particular, to support the most vulnerable in our communities. That is why the Scottish Government is providing funding of over £2.6 million this year to support a wide range of projects delivered by citizens advice bureaux and Citizens Advice Scotland in areas such as welfare, health care and financial management.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311746,"EventID":"S4O-05706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:29.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it provides to veterans seeking accommodation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311747,"EventID":"S4O-05707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:30.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-16T10:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that children get the best start in life.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311748,"EventID":"S4O-05708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:31.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-16T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress Digital Scotland has made in providing 95% superfast broadband coverage to communities by 2017.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311749,"EventID":"S4O-05709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:32.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-15T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the percentage of pork in Scottish supermarkets that is reared in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311750,"EventID":"S4O-05710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:33.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-16T08:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated value of e-commerce sales was in 2014 and 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311751,"EventID":"S4O-05711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:34.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-16T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to engage with survivors on contested issues relating to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311752,"EventID":"S4O-05712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:34.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with a city deal for Dundee.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311753,"EventID":"S4O-05713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:35.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its priorities are for public sector reform.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311754,"EventID":"S4O-05714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:36.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what further improvements it will make to the Scottish Medicines Consortium appraisal process.","AnswerText":"An independent review of the way drugs are assessed for use in the NHS is being led by Dr Brian Montgomery. The review will look at how the changes made to the Scottish Medicines Consortium process in 2014 have improved patient access to medicines for rare and end of life conditions and will also look more broadly at how the whole system for getting patients access to newly licensed drugs safely and quickly is working.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311755,"EventID":"S4O-05715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-16T13:48:37.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to alleviate overcrowding and ticketing issues on the North Berwick to Edinburgh rail service.","AnswerText":"Our plans are to invest £475 million in train improvements: more trains, more seats and more services across Scotland.\r\nBy early 2018 the new longer, greener, quicker class 385 trains will serve communities in East Lothian. On peak services, when the new six car Hitachi class 385 trains are introduced, more than 40% extra seats will be provided. More immediately ScotRail are committed to ensuring they provide as much capacity as possible from their current rolling stock to meet passenger demand.\r\nOn ticketing, there have been some passengers queuing at Waverley after their journey to buy tickets. ScotRail will soon launch a “Buy Before You Board” campaign and I would encourage passengers to do so, particularly at the closest stations to Edinburgh, as train staff have limited time to sell tickets before arrival at Waverley.","AnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311791,"EventID":"S4T-01367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-21T12:31:28.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-21T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on negotiations to save the steel plants at Dalzell and Clydebridge.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311792,"EventID":"S4T-01369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-21T12:31:29.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-21T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland’s Counter Corruption Unit is to be abolished.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311793,"EventID":"S4F-03322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-21T12:32:07.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-18T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311794,"EventID":"S4F-03323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-21T12:32:08.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-18T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311795,"EventID":"S4F-03326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-21T12:32:10.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-21T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what actions the Scottish Government can and will take to create a fairer Scotland, in light of recent UK Government decisions.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311796,"EventID":"S4F-03327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-21T12:33:21.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-21T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311797,"EventID":"S4F-03332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-21T12:33:25.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-21T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the call from COSLA for a constitutional convention to restore and strengthen local democracy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311798,"EventID":"S4F-03338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-03-21T12:33:30.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-03-21T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the modernisation of the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act 1919.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-03-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311870,"EventID":"S5W-00037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:32:10.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-09T10:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings (a) ministers and (b) officials have had with (i) Judy Murray and (ii) organisations representing the interests of tennis at which development proposals at Park of Keir near Dunblane were discussed, broken down by (A) date and (B) location.","AnswerText":"There have been no meetings involving ministers or officials with either Judy Murray or organisations where the development proposals at Park of Keir were discussed. ","AnswerDate":"2016-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311871,"EventID":"S5W-00039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:32:11.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T00:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what direction ministers issued to the Office of Rail and Road regarding the open access application for Edinburgh to London King's Cross rail services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government made representation to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to ensure that services to Scotland were protected and improved. It was however for the ORR, as the independent regulatory body, to come to a determination on open track access on the East Coast Main Line (ECML).\r\n\r\nIn responding to the ORR’s consultation, the Scottish Government set out the following principles that any bid, and the ORR in assessing bids, for open access operation on the ECML should observe:\r\nThere must be no material abstraction of ScotRail revenue.\r\nFast journey times between Scotland and London are critical in facilitating the desired shift of cross border travel to rail as a more sustainable mode, but any open access operation has to a ensure that overall journey times on the route improve, and that there should be no worsenment.\r\nThat the open access operator pays their fair share for the impact on the infrastructure.\r\nThat there must be no diminution of frequencies of service and journey times to Scottish Stations as a consequence of any open access operation, and where possible there should be improvements.\r\nThat no service shall operate so as to unbalance the provision of internal Scottish services.\r\nThat new open access services should result in enhanced choice for passengers in terms of journey time, fare levels, passenger service and connectivity.\r\nThat there should be no significant disruption of efficient timetabling and connections on other services.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311872,"EventID":"S5W-00040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:32:11.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T00:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what dialogue ministers have had with the (a) Secretary of State for Scotland and (b) Department for Transport regarding unblocking any infrastructure constraints in England that may impede the delivery of improved rail journey times between Edinburgh and London.","AnswerText":"On 21 March 2016 Keith Brown, as Cabinet Secretary of Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, and Robert Goodwill MP, Transport Minister at the UK Government, announced that the Department for Transport and Transport Scotland would take forward work in this control period [2014-19] with Network Rail to identify any and all options with strong business cases, for consideration for implementation in CP6 and 7 [2019-29] that can improve journey times, capacity, resilience and reliability on routes between England and Scotland. The Department for Transport and Transport Scotland officials are currently in the process of setting up a joint working group with Network Rail as a vehicle for taking this commitment forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311873,"EventID":"S5W-00041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:32:12.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-09T10:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many European beaver have been shot since January 2016 and collected by Scottish Natural Heritage for autopsy.","AnswerText":"Since 1 January 2016, Scottish Natural Heritage have not been advised of any European beavers that have been shot or required an autopsy to be undertaken.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311874,"EventID":"S5W-00042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:32:12.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-09T10:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many European beaver autopsied since January 2016 were (a) pregnant and (b) lactating.","AnswerText":"No European beavers have been autopsied since January 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311875,"EventID":"S5W-00043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:32:13.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-09T10:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reintroduction of the European beaver to Scotland.","AnswerText":"The potential formal reintroduction of beavers raises complex issues around their management and legal protection. Scottish Ministers are considering these issues carefully before making a decision on the future of beavers in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311876,"EventID":"S5W-00044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:32:13.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T00:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the culling of mountain hares on estates practising driven grouse shooting.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not support large, indiscriminate culls of mountain hares in Scotland and recognises the concerns that have been expressed about the status of mountain hare populations in Scotland. The Scottish Government acknowledges that mountain hares are a legitimate quarry species and that there may be local requirements to control mountain hares to protect gamebirds and young trees. Any control of mountain hares should be undertaken in accordance with obligations under the EU Habitats Directive.\r\nGiven the concerns about possible over-exploitation, information on the management of hares has been reviewed by independent experts from the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Scientific Advisory Committee. This review was published in October 2015 and is available at: http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A1765931.pdf. The review identified the need for improved monitoring and data to assess national trends of mountain hare populations.\r\nThis work is underway in the form of a collaborative four year study (2014-17) involving SNH and scientists in the James Hutton Institute and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, on trialling various methods of counting hares. The study has the aim of developing a reliable and cost-effective means of assessing mountain hare population density.\r\nSNH is also working with Scottish Land & Estates to encourage greater transparency in the reasons why estates cull hares and to encourage estates to collaborate and develop a more measured and coordinated approach to sustainable hare management.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311877,"EventID":"S5W-00029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:32:14.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce its decision regarding the re-introduction of the European beaver, and what steps it has taken to ensure that the decision complies with the EU habitats directive. ","AnswerText":"A decision will be announced later in 2016. The decision will be compliant with the requirements of the EU habitats directive.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311878,"EventID":"S5W-00030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:32:14.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce its decision regarding extending the powers of the Scottish SPCA to tackle wildlife crime.","AnswerText":"A decision on whether to extend the investigatory powers of the Scottish SPCA will be announced in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311879,"EventID":"S5W-00031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:32:15.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-05291 by Aileen McLeod on 21 January 2016 (Official Report, c 8), what plans it has to implement each of the recommendations of the Wildlife Crime Penalties Review Group and when it will do so.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government wrote on 24 February 2016 to the Chair of the Wildlife Crime Penalties Review Group, Professor Mark Poustie, with a formal response to the report. The letter can be read in full at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00494565.pdf\r\n\r\nThe ten recommendations were wide ranging in their scope. Some of the recommendations will require primary legislation and the appropriate vehicle for that will need to be identified, while others will require extensive discussion with other parties to establish the next steps. We will take forward work in these areas in the new parliamentary session.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311880,"EventID":"S5W-00032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:32:15.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that Scotland's protected (a) land and (b) sea areas contribute to meeting the Aichi biodiversity target 11 and lead to an increase in the number of natural features that are recorded as being in a favourable condition.","AnswerText":"The United Kingdom is party to the Convention on Biological Diversity which agreed the so-called ‘Aichi targets’ at its 10th conference of parties in Nagoya in 2010. Target 11 requires that at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water areas and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscape and seascape. \r\n\r\nProtected areas in Scotland already exceed this target, with some 18% of Scotland’s land-mass designated as either a Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area or Site of Special Scientific Interest under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives and the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, respectively. \r\nThe Scottish Marine Protected Area network presently covers 20% of the marine environment and represents the range of biodiversity found in our seas. Each site has a strict level of protection though the marine licensing system, and there is an on-going programme to deliver requisite fisheries management measures across the network.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s national indicator to improve the condition of designated sites continues to show progress as provided in the recent official statistics publication for Scotland on the proportion of Scotland's protected sites in favourable condition. The main findings showed that of the more-than 5,000 Scottish natural features on protected nature sites, 80.4% are either in favourable condition, or unfavourable but recovering towards a favourable condition. This figure represents a 1.1 percentage points rise in the proportion of natural features in favourable or recovering condition between 2015 and 2016. There has been a nine percentage points increase since assessment reporting began in 2005. ","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311881,"EventID":"S5W-00033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:32:16.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to meet its 2020 Aichi biodiversity targets and what its position is on whether the targets will be met.","AnswerText":"Scotland's biodiversity strategy, Scotland's Biodiversity: It's in Your Hands, was published in 2004 and sets out how the government will conserve biodiversity for the health, enjoyment and wellbeing of the people of Scotland now and in the future. Scotland’s Biodiversity Strategy (SBS), the ‘2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity’ was launched in 2013 and focuses on our desired outcomes for 2020. It is Scotland's response to the European Biodiversity Strategy for 2020 and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity 'Aichi' targets. It shows how the Scottish Government, its public agencies, Scottish businesses and others can contribute to the strategy's aims as well as supporting sustainable economic growth. It has adopted an ‘ecosystems approach’ which focusses on the need to protect ecosystems in order to support nature, wellbeing and a thriving economy. \r\nIn order to streamline effort, Scotland’s Biodiversity - a Route Map to 2020 was published in June 2015 to guide work towards the 2020 Aichi targets. The route map brings together the key work needed to deliver on the SBS, grouped under ‘Six Big Steps for Nature.’ Each of these steps include a range of actions that that are practical, delivered in partnership with others, and focus on delivering real improvements to biodiversity on the ground. There are 12 priority projects; 64 route map actions and 8 areas of supporting work in the route map. Both planning and implementation of the work in the route map has been through a cooperative approach with the Scottish Government, its agencies, environmental non-government organisations and others with a key role or interest in looking after Scotland’s biodiversity. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has a role in leading the delivery of the route map.\r\nIn order to monitor progress towards the Aichi targets SNH provides a six monthly update on progress with the SBS and route map. The most recent of these was published in December 2015 and it provided a selection of achievements in the first six months of route map action presented as Route Map Highlights. \r\nThese were:\r\nPeatland restoration, ongoing on 5,580 ha through 107 agreements with land owners/managers.\r\nNational Peatland Plan published in August 2015.\r\nForestry Grant Scheme launched – first awards in November 2015.\r\nINNS control ongoing in native woods in the National Forest Estate.\r\nPhysical restoration work ongoing on 14 water bodies across 5 catchments.\r\nThe Natural Capital Asset Index update presented to the World Forum on Natural Capital in November 2015.\r\nThe Outdoor Learning Directory was officially launched in September 2015 to provide a portal to services supporting outdoor learning provided by Scottish Government agencies with an environment and heritage remit.\r\nThe latest NHS greenspace demonstration project at Ailsa and Ayr hospital was formally opened in October 2015.\r\nDoubled the number of citizen science and action projects being advertised from 40 - 80.\r\nFive estates joined the ‘Heads Up for Hen Harriers’ project.\r\nVolunteers being recruited to help deliver the wild cat monitoring programme.\r\nEnvironmental Cooperation Action Fund launched in October 2015.\r\nFinal plans for management of 11 Marine Protected Areas and 10 Special Areas of Conservation published.\r\nA further report on progress will be prepared for June 2016. With the support of SNH, the Scottish Government is closely monitoring progress towards the 2020 Aichi targets.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311882,"EventID":"S5W-00034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:33:52.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the (a) aquaculture, (b) forestry and (c) agriculture sector (i) plays a full role in delivering its biodiversity strategy and (ii) meets Aichi biodiversity targets 3 and 7.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Biodiversity - a Route Map to 2020 was published in June 2015 to guide work towards the 2020 Aichi targets and complement the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy (SBS). The route map brings together the key work needed to deliver on the SBS. The Scottish Government is taking a range of steps to meet Aichi biodiversity targets three and seven for aquaculture, forestry and agriculture. These include:\r\n(a) Aquaculture\r\nThe National Marine Plan sets out a national strategy for sustainable economic growth of marine industries including aquaculture. This takes into account environmental protection, and sets out policies with economic, social and marine ecosystem objectives. The aquaculture industry is regulated, and no subsidies offered, to minimise any impact on biodiversity.\r\n(b) Forestry\r\nFindings from the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland in 2014, have been used to inform the development of the SBS and the route map. Priority project 2: Restoration of Native Woodland’ in the route map, aims to improve the condition and extent of existing native woodlands and further increase new woodland planting. It aims to create 3,000 to 5,000 hectares of new native woodland per year and restore approximately 10,000 hectares of native woodland into satisfactory condition in partnership with woodland owners through deer management plans.\r\nSupport for new woodland creation and the sustainable management of existing woodlands, including native woodlands, is available under the Forestry Grant Scheme, part of the Scotland’s Rural Development Programme (SRDP). Improvement grants for woodland and habitats are available to land owners to improve and restore native woodland condition under the SRDP. £0.75 million is currently available each year under those improvement options.\r\nOn the National Forest Estate, Forest Enterprise Scotland used the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland to refine its methodology to identify appropriate management operations for each semi-natural woodland on the estate. Forest Enterprise Scotland has also begun the process of restoring over half of the plantations on ancient woodland sites to native woodland.\r\n(c) Agriculture sector\r\nThe contribution of agriculture to delivering the biodiversity strategy and Aichi targets is described in priority project 11 of Scotland’s Biodiversity: a route map to 2020, which aims to promote measures to support biodiversity under the common agricultural policy (CAP). A range of on-going work by the Scottish Government will contribute to this including:\r\nThe 2014-20 Scottish Rural Development Programme includes a £350 million Agri-Environment Climate Scheme which supports a number of land management activities designed to benefit biodiversity, for example by protecting vulnerable priority species, supporting the restoration of important habitats and contributing to ecological connectivity. A range of improvements have been introduced to the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme aiming to enhance benefits to biodiversity, including new spatial targeting to ensure funding is available in the locations where it will deliver the greatest benefit.\r\nIn 2015, the Scottish Government launched a new £10 million SRDP Environmental Co-operation Action Fund. This will support the facilitation of landscape-scale environmental projects, including restoration of peatlands, deer management and control of invasive non-native species.\r\nFrom 2015, farmers in receipt of CAP payments have been required to meet greening requirements. These include an Ecological Focus Areas (EFA) requirement, designed to benefit farmland biodiversity by requiring at least 5% of non-exempt arable land to be declared as fallow, buffer strips, field margins, catch crops, green cover or nitrogen-fixing crops. The approach adopted by the Scottish Government to implementing this requirement included a requirement that EFA nitrogen-fixing crops meet management conditions designed to benefit biodiversity. From 2015, protection for hedgero","AnswerDate":"2016-05-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311883,"EventID":"S5W-00046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:33:53.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the reported comment by Nicola Sturgeon in The Press and Journal on 6 April 2016 that \"a re-elected SNP government will begin work immediately to look at how we can reduce fares for the northern isles and provide greater support to businesses and residents in Shetland and Orkney\", what action it is taking to meet this commitment; on what date the new fares will be (a) announced and (b) introduced; whether each (i) service and (ii) ticket type will be subject to reduced fares; what the average annual saving will be for service users in (A) Orkney and (B) Shetland Islands, and what discussions it had had with (1) Serco NorthLink and (2) other stakeholders regarding the commitment.","AnswerText":"In December 2015, Transport Scotland commissioned consultants to conduct a comprehensive study to inform the specification of the next Northern Isles ferry service contract, commencing in April 2018.\r\n\r\nThe study is being overseen by a working group of key stakeholders, including Orkney and Shetland Islands Councils, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, HITRANS and ZetTrans, and will report in late Summer 2016.\r\nA wider consultation exercise with the public and other key stakeholders, including Serco Northlink, was conducted earlier this year, with a further round of consultation due in the coming months.\r\nFare levels are being considered as part of this study and decisions on future fare levels will be made in due course.\r\nI have arranged to meet with the member to discuss this further.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311884,"EventID":"S5W-00001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:33:54.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T00:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) copies of (a) all correspondence and (b) the minutes of meetings that it had with representatives of China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone (i) in advance of and (ii) after the signing of the memorandum of understanding on 21 March 2016.","AnswerText":"In respect of (ii), I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00004 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. \r\nThe information has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) bib no. 57958.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311885,"EventID":"S5W-00002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:33:54.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) a copy of the memorandum of understanding with China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone, which was signed on 21 March 2016, and for what reason the Parliament was not informed about the agreement at the time.","AnswerText":"The memorandum of understanding (MoU) is available on the Scottish Government’s website: www.gov.scot/ChineseMOU and is available in SPICe, Bib No. 57959. The MoU contains no commitments to investment and has no legal or contractual implications for the Scottish Government and as a result it was not considered necessary to inform the Scottish Parliament at that stage.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311886,"EventID":"S5W-00003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:33:55.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date (a) officials, (b) the First Minister and (c) other ministers became aware of the proposals by China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone to invest in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00004 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311887,"EventID":"S5W-00004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:33:55.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates (a) officials, (b) the First Minister and (c) other ministers have held discussions with China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone.","AnswerText":"Officials became aware of SinoFortone’s possible interest in investing in Scotland in June 2015 via the Chair of the Asia Scotland Institute. \r\nThe First Minister’s office was contacted in July 2015 and in October 2015 regarding Sinofortone’s interest in investing in Scotland.\r\nOfficials held discussions with Sir Richard Heygate and Dr Peter Zhang representing SinoFortone on 16 December 2015, 3 February 2016, 9 March 2016 and 10 March 2016.\r\nThe First Minister met with Sir Richard Heygate and Dr Peter Zhang representing SinoFortone on 3 February 2016.\r\nI was introduced to Sir Richard Heygate and Dr Peter Zhang on 9 March 2016 at an event on ‘Chinese Invests West Infrastructure Investment’ hosted by the legal firm Pinsent Masons.\r\nOfficials and the First Minister held discussions with Sir Richard Heygate and Dr Peter Zhang representing SinoFortone and China Railway No 3 Engineering Group on 21 March 2016.\r\nThere have been no meetings with representatives of China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone since the memorandum of understanding was signed on 21 March 2016. Officials spoke with Sir Richard Heygate by phone on 8 and 9 April 2016 to clarify issues raised in the media.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311888,"EventID":"S5W-00005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:33:56.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it first came into contact with representatives of China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00004 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311889,"EventID":"S5W-00006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:33:56.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the press release agreed between the Scottish Government and China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone regarding the memorandum of understanding signed on 21 March 2016 was published on the companies’ English language website only, and who took the decision not to publish it on the Scottish Government’s website.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government took the decision to focus on publicising any investment arising from the memorandum if and when such investment was confirmed. Such investment will be publicised in the normal way. \r\nIt was for SinoFortone and the China Railway No.3 Engineering Group to decide how they publicised the memorandum of Uuerstanding.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311890,"EventID":"S5W-00007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:33:57.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers it appropriate that the Chinese media was informed of the signing of the memorandum of understanding with China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone that was signed on 21 March 2016 but the Scottish media was not.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00006 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311891,"EventID":"S5W-00008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:33:57.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) a copy of all documentation relating to the agreement of a joint press release between the Scottish Government and China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone regarding the memorandum of understanding signed on 21 March 2016, which was published on the companies’ English language website.","AnswerText":"The information requested has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) Bib No. 57958.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311892,"EventID":"S5W-00009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:33:58.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government with what foreign companies it has signed memorandums of understanding in each year since 2007-08; on what dates each was signed; how many led to the intended collaboration and financial investment, and whether each was announced on the Scottish Government’s website.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311893,"EventID":"S5W-00010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:33:58.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the £10 billion investment associated with the memorandum of understanding with China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone that was signed on 21 March 2016, and how this figure was arrived at.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00012 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311894,"EventID":"S5W-00011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:33:59.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities said on Scotland 2016 on 4 April 2016 that the Scottish Government, China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone were \"not at the stage of discussing particular projects\", and whether it considers that this was contradicted by Sir Richard Heygate in an interview on Good Morning Scotland on 8 April 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00012 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311895,"EventID":"S5W-00012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:33:59.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what projects it or China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone have identified as opportunities for investment in (a) affordable housing, (b) communities, (c) clean energy, (d) industry and business parks, (e) transportation infrastructure and (f) any other areas.","AnswerText":"The memorandum of Uuderstanding between the Scottish Government, China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone is focused on developing a working relationship to explore possible investment in Scotland. \r\nAt their meeting on 3 February 2016, SinoFortone expressed an interest in areas including affordable housing, energy and infrastructure, the First Minister noted SinoFortone’s interest in these areas.\r\nThe Scottish Government has not identified any specific projects for potential investment. \r\nScottish Government officials introduced SinoFortone to Falkirk Council and Loudon Castle Developments to help them understand and explore potential investment opportunities. No projects have been confirmed for investment by Sinofortone or China Railway No.3 Engineering Group.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311896,"EventID":"S5W-00013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:00.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister expressed a preference that China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone invest in (a) affordable housing and (b) clean energy during discussions, as stated by Sir Richard Heygate on Good Morning Scotland on 8 April 2016, and whether she indicated that she would \"like to get something moving this year\" and, if so, on what date this occurred.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00012 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311897,"EventID":"S5W-00014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:00.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what large railway project Sir Richard Heygate referred to during an interview on Good Morning Scotland on 8 April 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not know what large railway project was being referred to.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311898,"EventID":"S5W-00015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:01.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had discussions with (a) Edinburgh City Council, (b) Falkirk Council and (c) East Ayrshire Council regarding the possibility of China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone investing in 5,000 affordable homes across these areas.","AnswerText":"The memorandum of understanding between the Scottish Government, China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone is focused on developing a working relationship to explore possible investment in Scotland. The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with Edinburgh City Council or East Ayrshire regarding Sinofortone. \r\nThe Scottish Government has made no representations to Falkirk Council regarding investment by China Railway No. 3 in affordable housing in Falkirk. Discussions took place involving the Scottish Government, Sinofortone and Falkirk Council where investment in affordable housing was discussed.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311899,"EventID":"S5W-00016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:02.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it made on behalf of China Railway No.3 Engineering Group with regard to affordable housing in Falkirk in 2015.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00015 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311900,"EventID":"S5W-00017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:02.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that it would be appropriate for it to sign an agreement with China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone to build homes in Falkirk, following its signing of the memorandum of understanding on 21 March 2016, if Falkirk Council had already rejected such a proposal from these companies.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00015 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311901,"EventID":"S5W-00018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:03.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) interest rate, (b) timescale and (c) financial return for the companies would be in relation to the £10 billion of investment planned by China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone in projects across Scotland in accordance with the memorandum of understanding signed with the Scottish Government on 21 March 2016.","AnswerText":"The memorandum of understanding between the Scottish Government, China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone is focused on developing a working relationship to explore possible investment in Scotland. There is no confirmed investment and no legal or contractual obligations, any discussions on interest rates, timescales or financial return would only take place in the event of confirmed investment and would take place between the partners in any investment.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311902,"EventID":"S5W-00019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:03.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its signing of the memorandum of understanding with China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone signed on 21 March 2016, how many hours of its officials’ time has been spent on work associated with the signing of the memorandum and at what cost; what support it will provide to the companies and at what cost, and whether they will receive privileged access to information not already publicly available.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of hours of officials’ time spent on work associated with the memorandum of understanding and the associated cost is not recorded. \r\nThe Scottish Government’s work with China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone is part of a much broader approach by the Government and its agencies to welcome and encourage investment which delivers benefits for Scotland. This involves working with a wide range of businesses and investors to, for example, help them understand the Scottish context; connect with potential partners; and to identify opportunities and possible funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311903,"EventID":"S5W-00020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:04.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice on China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone it sought from external stakeholders before signing the memorandum of understanding on 21 March 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00024 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\n\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311904,"EventID":"S5W-00021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:04.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it made of the human rights record of China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone before signing the memorandum of understanding on 21 March 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00026 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\n\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311905,"EventID":"S5W-00022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:05.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether officials were aware before the memorandum of understanding was signed on 21 March 2016 that China Railway Group had been blacklisted for investment by the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global, and whether it has subsequently contacted the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global or considered its recommendations.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00026 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\n\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311906,"EventID":"S5W-00023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:05.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will suspend the memorandum of understanding with China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone that was signed on 21 March 2016 until it has investigated allegations of human rights abuses and the risk of gross corruption.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00026 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\n\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311907,"EventID":"S5W-00024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:06.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it carried out due diligence prior to signing a memorandum of understanding with China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone on 21 March 2016; what its position is on this matter, and whether it is standard procedure for the First Minister or other ministers and officials to sign agreements with companies for which the Scottish Government has not conducted background checks.","AnswerText":"Prior to signing the memorandum of understanding, Scottish Government officials sought advice from the Scottish development international team in China and also assessed Sinofortone’s credibility in terms of their existing UK activity.\r\nAs the memorandum of understanding does not involve any legal, contractual or funding obligations or commitments on behalf of the Scottish Government full due diligence was not undertaken.\r\nWhenever the Scottish Government is seeking to award a contract in relation to construction or the purchase of goods or services, procurement legislation sets out the criteria that can be used to select which companies will be invited to submit a bid. Criteria include the company’s suitability to pursue a professional activity, its economic and financial standing, and its technical and professional ability and include provisions in respect of when a bidder should be excluded from bidding because of, for example, conviction for corruption and/or child labour and other forms of trafficking in human beings.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311908,"EventID":"S5W-00025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:06.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its due diligence of foreign companies involves.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00024 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\n\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311909,"EventID":"S5W-00026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:07.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers it appropriate to enter into agreements with companies that have been allegedly implicated in human rights abuses or present a risk of gross corruption.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government condemns human rights abuses and corruption wherever it takes place.\r\n\r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00024 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311910,"EventID":"S5W-00027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:07.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Amnesty International’s allegation that one of China Railway Group’s subsidiaries was involved in illegal forced evictions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and whether the Scottish Government will take this into consideration in deciding how to proceed following its signing a memorandum of understanding with China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone on 21 March 2016.","AnswerText":"As the memorandum of understanding does not involve any legal, contractual or funding obligations or commitments on behalf of the Scottish Government full due diligence was not undertaken prior to the signing of the memorandum. The Scottish Government was therefore not aware that the Council of Ethics for the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global had recommended in 2014 that China Rail Group Ltd, the parent company of China Railway No.3 Engineering Group, be excluded from the investment universe of the fund. Nor was it aware of Amnesty International’s allegation that the Congo International Mining Corporation, a subsidiary of China Railway Group, was involved in illegal forced evictions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. \r\nIn the event of any specific investment proposals being confirmed or any proposals for legal or contractual agreements being brought forward both reports will be considered as part of the full due diligence that will take place.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311911,"EventID":"S5W-00028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:08.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T08:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone provided about their activities and those of their subsidiaries elsewhere in the world prior to the signing of the memorandum of understanding on 21 March 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00024 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311912,"EventID":"S5W-00045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-12T16:34:08.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many nurse practitioners specialise in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information on how many nurse practitioners specialise in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), broken down by NHS board, is not centrally held.\r\n\r\nME/CFS is a complex condition which requires the support of a variety of health professionals, including nurses. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people living in Scotland with conditions such as ME/CFS are able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put the patient at the centre of their care.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311913,"EventID":"S5W-00056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:11:54.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what permissions are required to fish for razor clams in the Firth of Clyde.","AnswerText":"Since 18 August 2014 specific authorisation has been required to fish for, carry or land razor fish in Scotland. This is given in the form of a separate razor fish licence, which is available on application and physical inspection of the vessel. \r\nElectrofishing is prohibited under EU law and could only be licenced in Scotland were the relevant EU regulations repealed or if a specific derogation was applied and granted. Accordingly the Scottish Government has no power at present to licence commercial fishing with electricity.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311914,"EventID":"S5W-00057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:11:55.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many licences there are for fishing for razor clams in the Firth of Clyde.","AnswerText":"There are presently a total of 30 active razor clam licences issued across Scotland but this figure varies seasonally. Each licensee may fish for razor clams in the Firth of Clyde.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311915,"EventID":"S5W-00058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:11:55.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to further regulate fishing for razor clams in the Firth of Clyde.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no specific plans to further regulate fishing for razor clams. The government has conducted scientific studies into whether razor clams could be harvested safely with the use of electricity.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311916,"EventID":"S5W-00059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:11:56.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any proposal by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd to withdraw security screening at Tiree Airport.","AnswerText":"Aviation security is reserved to the UK Government. We are not aware of any proposal to withdraw security screening at Tiree Airport. Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd complies with current security requirements and will continue to do so, working with the relevant UK regulatory authorities and Loganair to provide security based upon assessed risks.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311917,"EventID":"S5W-00060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:11:57.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any proposals by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd to enhance the availability of Tiree Airport by installing permanent or demountable lighting.","AnswerText":"Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd is currently exploring the potential of introducing portable Precision Approach Path Indicators at Tiree Airport. The viability of this proposal will be evaluated once the safety case and associated work has been undertaken.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311918,"EventID":"S5W-00061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:11:58.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proposals it has to reduce the burden of charity regulation on small charities.","AnswerText":"The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 is intended to support, and bring greater transparency to, the charitable sector in Scotland, whilst reassuring the public that their money is being used effectively and efficiently. The legislation is underpinned by the principle that all charities that enjoy the benefits of charitable status should be subject to the same degree of scrutiny where possible and appropriate. However, this is balanced by the principle that the regulation of charities should be proportionate and not unduly restrictive. \r\nThe legislative framework is reviewed regularly as part of the Scottish Government’s formal and informal engagement with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and with the charity sector in Scotland. There has been no other informal or formal representation to Scottish Ministers from the charity sector in Scotland in recent years seeking to reduce the burden of charity regulation on small charities. \r\nOn 1 April 2016 OSCR introduced a new targeted approach to regulating Scotland’s charities, after extensive consultation with the sector, which reduces the annual reporting information required by OSCR from small charities. This new approach has been welcomed by the charity sector in Scotland. \r\nWe will continue to work with OSCR and charity stakeholders to ensure that the legislative framework for charities in Scotland remains fair, robust and fit for purpose.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311919,"EventID":"S5W-00062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:11:58.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will examine the burden of charity regulation on small charities with no full-time or part-time staff.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00061 on 24 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311920,"EventID":"S5W-00063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:11:59.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what regulation it plans to put in place for the South Arran Marine Protected Area.","AnswerText":"The South Arran Marine Protected Area (MPA) was designated on 07 August 2014. Since that date the MPA has been regulated through the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 via section 83 in relation to licensing decisions by public authorities, and the general protective provisions of section 95. The MPA designation order does not regulate fisheries. Such regulation is provided by the South Arran Marine Conservation Order 2015 which came into force on 8 February 2016. The marine conservation measures which were previously made under Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 were revoked by the 2015 Marine Conservation Order. There are no current plans for further regulation of this MPA.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311921,"EventID":"S5W-00064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:12:00.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been a significant increase in the number of creels being placed in the South Arran Marine Protected Area following its designation and what proposals it has to regulate any overfishing. ","AnswerText":"The South Arran Marine Conservation Order 2015 has in effect created a static gear only fishing area with regard to demersal fisheries. This has caused an increase in creel fishing. There is no evidence of over fishing, and creel fishing has a much lower environmental impact than demersal trawling which it has replaced. Consequently there are no current plans for further regulation. Marine Scotland will continue to monitor the situation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311922,"EventID":"S5W-00065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:12:02.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps Marine Scotland has taken to (a) regulate and (b) manage the South Arran Marine Protected Area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00063 on 25 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-05-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311923,"EventID":"S5W-00066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:12:03.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements it will make to allow people who live on Islay to make blood donations.","AnswerText":"I shall reply to the member as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311924,"EventID":"S5W-00067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:12:04.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that mobile blood donation centres are used in the Argyll islands, if necessary by making special arrangements for transportation with Caledonian MacBrayne.","AnswerText":"I shall reply to the member as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311925,"EventID":"S5W-00068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:12:04.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T16:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will re-enter Scotland in the (a) Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and (b) Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) assessment of educational progress in schools.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to reintroduce the Progress in International Reading and Literacy Trends (PIRLS) and Trends in International Mathematics and Science (TIMSS) studies for Scotland. \r\nThe Scottish Government welcomes international scrutiny of our education system and since 2000 has participated in the largest international survey, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) run by The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), focusing on maths, reading and science. Unlike TIMSS and PIRLS, all OECD countries participate in PISA and it is a more effective indicator of how the whole Scottish education system is performing relative to other countries. It is also more closely aligned to Curriculum for Excellence. The Scottish Government took the decision to withdraw from PIRLS and TIMSS in 2010 in order to reduce the bureaucratic burden on teachers and because the PISA tests provide better information and better international comparisons than either TIMSS and PIRLS. ","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311926,"EventID":"S5W-00069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:12:05.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T16:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what mechanism it will use over the next four years to allocate resources from the Scottish Attainment Fund to schools.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed to expanding our Attainment Fund and investing an additional £750 million during this parliament to close the gap in educational attainment. To date the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation has been used to identify schools and local authorities with high concentrations of pupils experiencing socio-economic challenges and these have been prioritised for resources. We will continue to focus our efforts on deprivation and the poverty related attainment gap. Details of the plans to allocate the funding to support the challenge will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311927,"EventID":"S5W-00070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:12:06.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T16:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it will use over the next four years to determine whether there has been improvement in educational attainment.","AnswerText":"We will gather and analyse a range of data and evidence, through the national improvement framework, to ensure that we have a comprehensive picture of children’s progress that does not focus on one single measure of performance. \r\nThe evidence will include a range of information on health and wellbeing, qualifications and awards, post-school destinations, findings from school and local authority self-evaluations and school inspections, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Programme for International Student Assessment study and, over time, early years evidence. We will also gather from teachers their judgement of children’s achievement of Curriculum for Excellence levels in literacy and numeracy in P1, P4, P7 and S3. Teachers will use a range of assessment evidence to inform their judgement of achievement of these levels, including information from new standardised assessments.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311928,"EventID":"S5W-00071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:12:06.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-12T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to carry out a review of the support provided to school pupils with additional support needs.","AnswerText":"As a result of the work currently on-going to monitor, report on, maintain and support implementation of the additional support for learning legislation and policies, Scottish Ministers have a good understanding of how the system is working. This will be improved further as the national improvement framework develops, and we gather more information about the progress of children and young people with additional support needs. This will help to focus our improvement efforts more clearly. Through our links with stakeholders and stakeholder groups, we have the means to address any issues which may arise and have regular dialogue about securing improvement for Scotland's children and young people.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311929,"EventID":"S5W-00072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:12:07.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-13T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many firms in the Falkirk East constituency have used the Adopt an Apprentice scheme, also broken down by the number of apprentices adopted.","AnswerText":"This information is not available at a constituency level.\r\nAs at the end of quarter 3 2015-16, 36 employers in the Falkirk local authority area have used the Adopt an Apprentice initiative since it commenced in 2009.\r\nA total of 48 modern apprentices have been adopted by these employers.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311930,"EventID":"S5W-00073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-13T16:12:08.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-13T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many crofting townships have (a) been asked to supply professionally audited accounts to the Crofting Commission and (b) supplied professionally audited accounts in each of the last five years; how many crofting townships have no committees at present, and how many grazings committees have been removed by the Crofting Commission in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally. The Crofting Commission administers the regulation of crofting on behalf of the Scottish Ministers and I have asked the chief executive of that organisation to supply the information requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311941,"EventID":"S5W-00104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:47:50.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings (a) ministers and (b) officials have had with representatives from Graham's the Family Dairy at which development proposals at (i) Hill of Drip and (ii) Airthrey Kerse were discussed, broken down by (A) date and (B) location.","AnswerText":"I met with representatives of Graham's Dairy on 5 December 2014, at which various issues were discussed, including development proposals.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311987,"EventID":"S5W-00092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:33.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it is charging interest on the difference if a claimant’s common agricultural policy Basic Payment Scheme payment is less than the sum received under the emergency National Basic Payment Support Scheme; what the rate of interest is, and for what reason it considers this amount appropriate.","AnswerText":"The National Basic Payment Support Scheme (NBPSS) has been designed so that a farmer or crofter’s Basic Payment 2015 total should be more than the sum paid by NBPSS. This lets the Scottish Government deduct the NBPSS payment from their Basic Payment 2015 total and pay the remainder into their bank account.\r\nUnder EU state aid rules the Scottish Government is required to calculate a notional amount of interest, equivalent to the cost of borrowing at approximately market rates, which constitutes a ‘de minimis’ state aid to the recipient. No recipient will actually pay any interest provided they adhere to the terms and conditions to which they agreed when accepting the offer of a NBPSS payment. \r\nUnder those terms and conditions, in the unlikely event that a claimant’s Basic Payment 2015 total is less than the NBPSS they have been paid then they will have to repay the difference between the two amounts. Provided they do so within seven days, no interest will be charged, but the terms and conditions stated that if any balance were to be still outstanding after seven days then interest would be charged on it at 4.24 per cent. This is in line with standard Scottish Government procedure for money owed. \r\nHowever, it is expected that very few if any farmers and crofters will find themselves in this position, because the NBPSS payments were set with a safety margin of 20 per cent so as to ensure that they can be covered by the basic payment once that has been finalised.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311988,"EventID":"S5W-00103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:07.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T14:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason a spokesperson stated on 18 March 2016 that the Scottish Government “remains open to considering future change” to the age of criminal responsibility and that “Ministers are not taking a firm position on these matters at this point”.","AnswerText":"The spokesperson’s comments reflected the Scottish Government’s position at that time. I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00102 on 26 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311989,"EventID":"S5W-00093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:33.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many farmers and crofters have (a) applied for and (b) received support under the emergency National Basic Payment Support Scheme.","AnswerText":"The National Basic Payment Support Scheme operates on an opt-out basis once an offer has been generated and so farmers and crofters are not required to apply for it. As of 20 May 2016, 5,210 businesses have been made payments under the scheme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311990,"EventID":"S5W-00094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:34.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how much money has been paid to farmers and crofters and (b) what the average payment has been under the emergency National Basic Payment Support Scheme.","AnswerText":"Payments under the National Basic Payment Support Scheme continue to be made, but as of 20 May 2016, £91,461,140.62 has been paid to farmers and crofters. The average payment is £17,554.92.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311991,"EventID":"S5W-00095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:35.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of farmers and crofters eligible for assistance under the emergency National Basic Payment Support Scheme have not received any money from the scheme.","AnswerText":"As of 20 May 2016, 5,210 businesses have been made payments under the scheme, including all cases where the eligibility of the claimant has been confirmed. The only cases remaining unpaid are a very small number where there is doubt over the eligibility of the potential recipient or the amount of the claim. These cases are being investigated individually and it is not possible to know in advance of such investigations how many of these claims will turn out to be eligible.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311992,"EventID":"S5W-00096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:35.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many farmers' and crofters' common agricultural policy Basic Payment Scheme allocation exceeded the amount that they received under the National Basic Payment Support Scheme; what the (a) average and (b) largest difference was, and what percentage failed to repay the difference within seven days.","AnswerText":"Payments under Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) are yet to be finalised. Therefore, no farmers or crofters have been required to repay National Basic Payment Support Scheme (NBPSS) payments due to NBPSS exceeding their BPS.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311993,"EventID":"S5W-00097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:47:51.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hours in overtime staff in Rural Payments and Inspections Division area offices (a) have worked since 31 January 2016 and (b) are anticipated to work, and at what cost.","AnswerText":"Rural Payments and Inspections Division area office staff worked a total of 3567 hours overtime between 1 February 2016 and 30 April 2016 at a cost of £106,377.27.\r\nOvertime will continue to be available to staff until all 2015 payments have been finalised.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311994,"EventID":"S5W-00098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:47:52.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it expects to complete the distribution of common agricultural policy payments and whether this will be before the payment window closes.","AnswerText":"We are working towards completion of all payments within the timeframe permitted.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311995,"EventID":"S5W-00087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:47:52.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £500,000 funding allocated to the Small Business Research Initiative to tackle diabetes has been distributed to organisations.","AnswerText":"To date, £150,000 has been allocated to Phase 1 of the Small Business Research Initiative competition which will see competitors develop a feasibility study for their proposed ideas. This funding will be distributed to organisations incrementally over the next six months pending the achievement of key milestones. Winners from Phase 1 can enter Phase 2 of the competition where contracts will be up to £150,000 each. ","AnswerDate":"2016-05-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311996,"EventID":"S5W-00108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:47:53.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish a response to its consultation on a Future Islands Bill. ","AnswerText":"The independent analysis of responses received to the consultation on provisions for a Future Islands Bill was published on the Scottish Government's website on 14 March 2016: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/4180.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to bringing forward an Islands Bill and will set out plans for this in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311997,"EventID":"S5W-00109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:47:54.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the introduction of a Future Islands Bill. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00108 on 25 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311998,"EventID":"S5W-00074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:47:55.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had a response from the Home Secretary regarding its request for the Pitchford Inquiry into undercover policing to be extended to cover Scotland.","AnswerText":"Discussions on this matter are on-going.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":311999,"EventID":"S5W-00075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:47:56.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether there should be a Scottish inquiry into undercover policing.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that the Pitchford Inquiry should be extended to cover the relevant Metropolitan Police Service's activity in Scotland. This would ensure that a comprehensive picture of all the evidence can be gathered and considered.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312000,"EventID":"S5W-00076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:47:57.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of how many Scottish police officers were members of the (a) Special Demonstrations Squad and (b) National Public Order Intelligence Unit.","AnswerText":"The deployment of police officers is an operational matter for Police Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312001,"EventID":"S5W-00077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:47:58.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of how many Scottish citizens were monitored by the (a) Special Demonstrations Squad and (b) National Public Order Intelligence Unit.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312002,"EventID":"S5W-00078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:47:58.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what lessons it has learned from the outcome of the Hillsborough inquests.","AnswerText":"Scotland already has strong measures in place to ensure effective accountability of policing under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012. The Scottish Government is also working closely with the Football Safety Officers Association for Scotland on the issue of safety at football stadia and sports grounds.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312003,"EventID":"S5W-00079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:47:59.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in light of the outcome of the Hillsborough inquests, it will reconsider the call for a review of the policing and convictions of miners arrested in Scotland during the 1984-85 miners' strike.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to my answer to the question S4O-04044 on 25 February 2015. \r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nThe Scottish Government has no plans to hold an inquiry, either into the conduct of the police or individual criminal convictions. That does not prevent an individual from contacting the Chief Constable of Police Scotland or contacting the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission to ask them to consider complaints.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312004,"EventID":"S5W-00080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:00.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GP surgeries have a shortage of GPs.","AnswerText":"Numbers of vacancies for GP posts are not held centrally as this is a matter for individual independent GP contractors as employers. However, as part of the move towards better quality more regular and more consistent information, a workforce survey has been undertaken and the results will be published on 14 June 2016. \r\nIn addition, in Scotland we are transforming primary care, supported by £85 million of extra investment to put in place long-term, sustainable change within GP services that can better meet changing needs and demands. \r\nWe have also pledged to increase GP training places for medical students from 300 to 400 a year and are expanding schemes to encourage trained GPs to return to practice in the NHS. We are working closely with the British Medical Association and the Royal College of GPs to reduce workload, including our pioneering agreement to abolish the bureaucratic system of GP payments, and work towards a brand new Scottish GP contract from 2017 that will make primary care services fit for the future. A £20 million package to support GPs will also help ease pressures on workload in the short term, and contribute to putting general practice on a more long-term sustainable footing.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312005,"EventID":"S5W-00081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:01.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GP surgeries are holding telephone consultations as a result of a shortage of GPs.","AnswerText":"Access to GP services is an important issue\r\nfor the Scottish Government and I’m aware that many of general practices have,\r\nfor many years, adjusted appointment arrangements in order to try to prioritise\r\nurgency, and support quality and continuity of patient care.\r\n \r\nWe recognise\r\nthat local situations vary and so practice partners are responsible for\r\ndesigning their own patient appointment and consultation arrangements. We\r\nexpect them to use their professional judgement to make decisions which enable\r\nthem to run the best possible service and deliver for their patient needs. GPs\r\nare encouraged to develop technology and deploy the talents of their staff\r\nappropriately to introduce new, innovative ways of working to benefit their\r\npatients by prioritising urgency, and supporting quality and continuity of\r\npatient care.\r\n \r\nAdopting a\r\ntelephone consultation model, that has been used successfully elsewhere could\r\nenable them to run the best possible service and deliver for their patient\r\nneeds. As with any new system, it is a learning process and the model may be\r\nadapted over time depending on performance. Telephone appointments, in the\r\nright circumstances, can increase efficiency, improve access and boost patient\r\nsatisfaction.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312006,"EventID":"S5W-00082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:01.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is of public bodies and agencies not minuting meetings because on political sensitivities.","AnswerText":"On board guidance for members of public bodies highlights the importance of public access to information, however arrangements for  the minuting of meetings are a matter for individual public bodies and agencies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312007,"EventID":"S5W-00083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:02.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many local authority jobs have been lost over the last 10 years, not including NHS staff transferred to joint boards.","AnswerText":"Information on local government job losses is not held centrally.\r\n\r\nInformation on local government employment over the last 10 years is published in tables as part of the National Statistics Publication Public Sector Employment in Scotland. The most recent information is for Q4 2015. The tables can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/PublicSectorEmployment/PSEwebtables\r\nThe information for local government employment can be found in Table 8: Local Government Employment by Staffing Group.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312008,"EventID":"S5W-00084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:03.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what lessons it has learned from the blacklisting case at the High Court.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government regards the practice of blacklisting in any form as unacceptable, particularly given the serious impact it can have on the lives of those affected.\r\nDespite employment law being a reserved matter, the Scottish Government has gone further than any other part of the UK to help eradicate blacklisting from public contracts. The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 and the Procurement (Scotland) Regulations 2016, which came into effect on 18 April 2016, contain provisions to ensure that companies that blacklist will be excluded from bidding for public contracts. Statutory guidance concerning blacklisting has also been published.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312009,"EventID":"S5W-00085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:04.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of those companies that had to apologise to the blacklisted workers following the recent High Court case that have been awarded public sector contracts in Scotland in the last eight years.","AnswerText":"Information on public contracts from August 2008 is already in the public domain and can be found on Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) and can be accessed at: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Default.aspx. Information on public sector contracts prior to August 2008, the date PCS was launched, may be obtainable by searching Tenders Electronic Daily and can be accessed at: http://ted.europa.eu/TED/main/HomePage.do.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312010,"EventID":"S5W-00106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:04.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T15:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on the local community, what its position is on proposals to close Paisley Crown Post Office and what discussions it has had or plans to have with (a) Post Office Ltd and (b) the UK Government regarding its future.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises and prioritises the importance of our town centres and local high streets through our Town Centre Action Plan and has provided funding support to the 'Paisley First' Business Improvement District. It also recognises the importance of post offices to local communities and economies in Scotland. Post offices and postal services are reserved and we have made it clear to both the UK Government and Post Office Ltd that they have a responsibility to ensure that the availability of existing services is maintained across Scotland.\r\n\r\nA public consultation on the on-going provision of Post Office services in an alternative location within Paisley town centre is currently taking place and Post Office Ltd is keeping Scottish Government officials informed of the process.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312011,"EventID":"S5W-00088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:05.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T10:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children under the age of 12 have received a criminal record since the publication of Do the Right Thing: Progress Report 2012.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally. \r\nA criminal record is only created on the Criminal History System when offence grounds are accepted or established through the children's hearing system. Annual information on children's hearings is the operational responsibility of the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) and is published in respect of each business year i.e. 1 April to 31 March.\r\nSCRA have published research information about backgrounds and outcomes of a number of children aged 8-11 who have been referred to the reporter on offence grounds: \r\nhttp://www.scra.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Backgrounds-and-outcomes-for-children-aged-8-11-years-old-who-have-been-referred-for-offending.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312012,"EventID":"S5W-00099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:05.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T14:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it has that maintaining the age of criminal responsibility at eight is in the best interests of children.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been actively gathering views and assembling evidence on these issues. Ministers await the outcome of the current consultation - running until 10 June 2016 - before making decisions as to future action.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312013,"EventID":"S5W-00100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:06.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T14:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will (a) implement the recommendations of the Advisory Group on the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility and (b) take early action to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government commissioned the advisory group last year to look at potential issues relating to raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12 years, with the aim of securing a report and recommendations from that group for further consultation. \r\n\r\nIn responding to the advisory group’s report, the Scottish Government published it alongside a raft of supporting material and immediately opened its own public consultation on the advisory group’s recommendations - open until 10 June 2016. \r\nThe Scottish Government remains open to considering future change and will consider the consultation responses and analysis before taking a forward position.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312014,"EventID":"S5W-00101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:06.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T14:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the current age of criminal responsibility is (a) damaging Scotland’s international standing and (b) impacting on the life chances of young children.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government acknowledges the complexity of these matters and their wider resonance. That is why the advisory group was commissioned in 2015. The Scottish Government has noted the findings of the advisory group, and is currently consulting on its recommendations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312015,"EventID":"S5W-00102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-16T16:48:07.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-16T14:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce primary legislation to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will consider the outcome of the consultation, and the associated analysis, before committing to a particular course of action.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312041,"EventID":"S5W-00117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-17T15:18:35.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-17T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legislative consent motions it will lodge in connection with the legislative programme of the UK Government to be announced in the Queen’s Speech on 18 May 2016.","AnswerText":"In accordance with the Sewel Convention and Scotland Act 2016, the UK Parliament does not legislate with regard to devolved matters in Scotland without the consent of the Scottish Parliament.\r\nThis is an important part of the devolution settlement, which acknowledges the special constitutional position of the Scottish Parliament and the democratic mandate conferred on this Parliament by the people of Scotland. In the view of the Scottish Government, the Sewel Convention will remain an essential part of the constitution of the UK for as long as the UK Parliament retains its current powers and functions in relation to Scotland. It is to be regretted that the UK Government failed to more comprehensively incorporate the intent of the Sewel Convention, as embodied by Devolution Guidance Note 10, in to the Scotland Act 2016. However, the UK Government has made clear that Devolution Guidance Note 10 remains the statement of the Sewel Convention in practice.\r\nIn the normal course of business, legislation on devolved matters should be scrutinised and determined in the Scottish Parliament. There may however be situations in which it is helpful and appropriate for legislation dealing with devolved matters to be taken forward at Westminster.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to assessing opportunities of this kind on their merits and to working closely and constructively with the UK Government, on a case by case basis, to deliver legislation which best meets Scotland’s needs. The Scottish Government is equally committed to working with the UK Government to pursue opportunities to extend devolved competence.\r\nThe formal consent of the Scottish Parliament is required in relation to all proposals for Westminster primary legislation on devolved matters, including alterations to devolved competence, in accordance with Chapter 9B of Standing Orders.\r\nWithin the legislative programme announced today by the UK Government, we have identified potential opportunities to legislate for the benefit of Scotland on matters that are within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament or which alter legislative or executive competence.\r\nThe UK bills which we currently expect to give rise to Legislative Consent Motions in the Scottish Parliament cover:\r\nCultural Property (Armed Conflict) Bill – a Bill which aims to ratify the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and thereby establish a system of mutual recognition amongst states party that cultural heritage should be protected in the event of armed conflict, alongside mechanisms for recognising said cultural heritage, and prosecuting those who fail to comply with the Convention.\r\nInvestigatory Powers Bill – a Bill which aims to address on-going capability gaps that are seen as severely degrading the ability of law enforcement and intelligence agencies ability to combat terrorism and other serious crime. The Bill will aim to Maintain the ability of our intelligence agencies and law enforcement to target the online communications of terrorists, paedophiles and other serious criminals, to modernise our law in these areas and ensure it is fit for purpose and provide for appropriate oversight and safeguard arrangements. \r\nPolicing and Crime Bill – a Bill to Continue the reform of policing and enhance protections for vulnerable people and to continue to reform the criminal justice system to protect the public better, build confidence and improve efficiency.\r\nThe Scottish Government will, in due course, lodge memoranda and motions for these bills. It will then be for the Scottish Parliament to determine whether to give or withhold consent.\r\nIt is possible that further opportunities to legislate for Scotland by means of Legislative Consent Motion may occur in connection with other UK bills, including Private Member’s bills. Any additional proposals of this kind, together with any relevant amendments to the UK Government bills listed above, will be drawn to t","AnswerDate":"2016-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312042,"EventID":"S5W-00110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-17T16:38:54.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-17T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the report in the Edinburgh Evening News on 16 May 2016 that NHS Lothian is to end its commitment to meeting treatment times guarantees. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made clear to all NHS boards, including Lothian that we expect them to deliver waiting time standards and the legal treatment time guarantee for the people of Scotland. All boards have consistently had above inflation increases in front line spending and boards need to use the increase in resources to deliver waiting times. NHS Lothian has received a 6.3% increase in their budget this year taking the total budget to £1.3 billion. We will continue to work closely with NHS Lothian to support the delivery of waiting times.\r\n\r\nTo meet the future need of hospital care over the next 10 to 15 years and ensure sustainable delivery of waiting times, the Scottish Government will invest £200 million in expanding the Golden Jubilee National Hospital and establish a network of five new elective and diagnostic treatment centres in Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee, Livingston and Edinburgh.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312043,"EventID":"S5W-00111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-17T16:38:55.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-17T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Lothian regarding the end of waiting times guarantees.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials have regular meetings with NHS Lothian and it has been made clear to the board that they must get the right staffing and structures in place to ensure that patients are seen and treated within the waiting time targets and guarantee.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312044,"EventID":"S5W-00112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-17T16:38:56.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-17T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that NHS Lothian does not end waiting times guarantees.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00110 on 26 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312053,"EventID":"S5W-00123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-18T10:46:25.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome is of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services tender.","AnswerText":"Following an independently verified “fair, open and transparent” tender, I can today confirm that the “preferred bidder” to operate the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services and Harbour Operating Agreements is CalMac Ferries Ltd. The new contract starts on 1 October 2016 for eight years.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312055,"EventID":"S5W-00124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-18T13:45:03.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which of the 30 recommendations made by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in its publication, Independent Assurance Review Police Scotland – Call Handling Final Report, have (a) been met in full, (b) not yet been met in full but have seen significant progress made and (c) had no significant progress made on meeting in full.","AnswerText":"Following publication of the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) review on police call handling in November 2015, assurances were received from both Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority that all 30 of the recommendations included in the report would be implemented in full. It is for HMICS to independently monitor progress and to report on the extent to which the recommendations have been progressed in line with their expectations; and for the Scottish Police Authority to consider whether sufficient assurance is in place before approving remaining phases of the programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312056,"EventID":"S5W-00125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-18T13:45:04.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the 30 recommendations made by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in its publication, Independent Assurance Review Police Scotland – Call Handling Final Report, have been met in full.","AnswerText":"Following publication of the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) review on police call handling in November 2015, assurances were received from both Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority that all 30 of the recommendations included in the report would be implemented in full. It is for HMICS to independently monitor progress and to report on the extent to which the recommendations have been progressed in line with their expectations; and for the Scottish Police Authority to consider whether sufficient assurance is in place before approving remaining phases of the programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312057,"EventID":"S5W-00118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-18T13:45:05.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T09:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to give BT a role in delivering its commitment to provide 100% superfast broadband coverage across the country and, if so, what consideration it has given to the reported criticism of the company's performance in the rollout in Argyll and Bute and the service it provides to phone and broadband customers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently working with BT to deliver the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme, which will provide fibre broadband to at least 95% of premises in Scotland by the end of 2017.\r\n\r\nAny new public investment to deliver the 100% superfast broadband commitment will be delivered via new open procurements. Until these contracts are awarded, it is not possible to determine what role, if any, BT might play in delivery.\r\nThe Scottish Government is aware of the reported criticisms of BT Openreach's quality of service and is encouraged that Ofcom has set out clear proposals for higher minimum standards and more severe penalties for non-compliance.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312058,"EventID":"S5W-00119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-18T13:45:06.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T09:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that a definitive timescale is published by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and BT for the rollout of superfast broadband across each community in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are committed to providing the public with the most accurate rollout information possible in relation to the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband project. A definitive view of which premises will receive superfast broadband can only be obtained once site survey work has been undertaken.\r\n\r\nThe Digital Scotland website is updated weekly with the most up to date information on where service has gone live. The interactive map can be accessed at: www.scotlandsuperfast.com.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312059,"EventID":"S5W-00120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-18T13:45:07.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T09:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of reports that communities in Argyll and Bute have not been fully advised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and BT regarding the timescale for the rollout of superfast broadband.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to being as transparent as possible in relation to the roll-out of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme. An indicative roll-out timescale for each local authority has been available since the start of the project, with the majority of deployment in Argyll and Bute scheduled for 2016. \r\nInformation regarding specific towns and villages is released every three months via the Digital Scotland website, with Highlands and Islands Enterprise raising further awareness via local media, stakeholder events and leaflet drops.\r\nAn interactive map is also available, which allows members of the public to check progress in their area, and where service has gone live.\r\nThe map can be accessed at: www.scotlandsuperfast.com/whereandwhen","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312060,"EventID":"S5W-00121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-18T13:45:08.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T09:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and BT regarding the reported dissatisfaction among communities in Argyll and Bute regarding the availability of superfast broadband and the provision of information about this to the public.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government regularly liaises with stakeholders, including Highlands and Islands Enterprise and BT, regarding the delivery of broadband services. The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband project in the Highlands and Islands remains on track to deliver at least 84% fibre broadband coverage across the region by the end of 2016. Coverage in Argyll and Bute will be at least 83% by the end of the project. Commercial coverage alone would only have delivered to 28% of premises in Argyll and Bute.\r\n\r\nAll parties are committed to providing accurate deployment information to the public as and when it is confirmed. Weekly updates are provided via the Digital Scotland interactive map and postcode checker which can be accessed at:\r\nwww.scotlandsuperfast.com.\r\nCommunity Broadband Scotland (CBS) is helping communities across Scotland deliver innovative broadband solutions in areas that won’t have coverage delivered by Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband. CBS has approved funding for 67 projects, including GigaPlus Argyll which will deliver superfast broadband to over 1,400 premises across the island communities.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312075,"EventID":"S5W-00126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-18T16:36:52.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with (a) the European Commissioner for Transport and (b)  European Commission officials regarding procurement regulations and publicly-contracted ferry services. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and RMT union jointly wrote to Commissioner Violeta Bulc on 1 April 2016 seeking clarification on the application of the Teckal exemption to ferry procurement. The approach was agreed at a meeting in January 2016, hosted by David Stewart MSP, with the then Minister for Transport and Islands and RMT representatives following the “Keep CalMac Public” Motion, debated in Parliament on 25 November 2015. The Scottish Government’s view – and the view of previous administrations - is that the European Commission’s Maritime Cabotage and state aid regulations require Scottish Ministers to put these services out to tender.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government, EU and commission officials met on 17 May 2016 to discuss the process and timescales for a response. At that meeting, the commission confirmed a detailed response would require significant analysis by a number of Commission services including public procurement, State aid and commission legal services to arrive at a common position before they respond. We await their response.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312076,"EventID":"S5W-00122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-18T16:36:53.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T10:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the suspension of the Mangersta grazing committee on the Isle of Lewis and whether it has a role to play in the mediation of this matter.","AnswerText":"The Crofting Commission is a public body which operates at arm’s length from the Scottish Ministers. The commission operates on a day-to-day basis independently of the government, and the Scottish Government does not comment on individual regulatory decisions taken by the commission.\r\nIn addition to the commission’s own procedure in relation to complaints, there is a prescribed legal route in respect of challenges to any of its decisions.\r\nThe Scottish Government engages productively with the commission and other crofting stakeholders on crofting policy and regulation, particularly through the Crofting Stakeholder Forum, where a range of bodies with an interest in crofting, including the Crofting Commission, are represented.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312096,"EventID":"S5W-00151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:57:57.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T12:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Audit Scotland's assessment that there is a \"high risk\" that the CAP Futures programme will not achieve its aim to minimise disallowance.","AnswerText":"Fines from the EU can take the form of late payment penalties or disallowance for inaccurate calculations.\r\nOur focus continues to remain 100 per cent on getting payments out to farmers and crofters ahead of the EU’s deadline of 30 June 2016.\r\nOn the topic of disallowance for inaccurate payments or inadequate controls, all the decisions that have been taken in the CAP Futures programme, for example on prioritisation, use of contingency arrangements, have been based around minimising the risk of disallowance.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312097,"EventID":"S5W-00152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:57:58.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T12:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of CAP Futures project costs has been spent on contractors.","AnswerText":"We have spent £85.6 million (excluding VAT) with our main IT delivery partner.\r\nWe have also spent approximately £15.5 million (excluding VAT) on other external contractors to support the programme through the Scottish Government procurement framework. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312098,"EventID":"S5W-00153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:57:58.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T12:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Audit Scotland's view that (a) conflicts of interest within the CAP Futures programme were not dealt with effectively and (b) the delivery director should not have been on the resources group and allowed a direct involvement in recruitment decisions.","AnswerText":"The situation referred to in the report has been resolved and no longer represents a conflict of interest. We take the comments raised by Audit Scotland very seriously and will be looking to apply these considerations across the programme and wider Scottish Government activities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312099,"EventID":"S5W-00145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:57:59.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding was provided to each NHS board in 2015-16 and is being provided in 2016-17 to support the implementation of the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework and whether it contained or contains a ring-fenced component for hepatitis C.","AnswerText":"£28 million was provided to NHS Boards in 2015-16 to support the implementation of the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework (breakdown in the following table). NHS boards determined how best to use this funding, however, under the framework boards are set an annual treatment target for hepatitis C.\r\n\r\nIn 2016-17 the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework was funded as part of the £161 million outcomes framework budget. This gives individual boards flexibility to allocate funding for Sexual Health and Blood Borne virus activity. The Scottish Government has not ring-fenced specific funding for hepatitis C, however boards are expected to continue to meet the framework target of at least 1,500 people per year initiated onto antiviral therapy.\r\nNHS Board\r\nAmount\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n1,741,857\r\nBorders\r\n401,456\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n636,685\r\nFife\r\n1,302,657\r\nForth Valley\r\n1,418,319\r\nGrampian\r\n2,659,315\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n7,223,593\r\nHighland\r\n1,138,530\r\nLanarkshire\r\n2,501,571\r\nLothian\r\n5,129,215\r\nOrkney\r\n101,718\r\nShetland\r\n127,139\r\nTayside\r\n2,241,327\r\nWestern Isles\r\n115,109\r\nNSS HPS\r\n770,597\r\nNSS ISD\r\n51,000","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312100,"EventID":"S5W-00154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:00.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T13:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the final cost is of CalMac Ferries Ltd’s bid for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.","AnswerText":"The cost to CalMac Ferries Ltd of its successful bid for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract is commercially sensitive.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312101,"EventID":"S5W-00114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:00.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-17T15:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-30367 by Fergus Ewing on 17 March 2016, what its position is on the UK Government’s plan to deliver a UK-wide cost recovery mechanism for Shetland’s subsidy using the Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme.","AnswerText":"In March 2015, the UK Government confirmed that the full costs of the cross-subsidy for Shetland would be spread over Great Britain from the date at which the new energy solution for Shetland is implemented. This change will have the effect of reducing costs for all consumers in the North of Scotland and that is welcomed by Scottish Ministers. Further, in December 2015, the UK Government set out its intention to retain both the Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme and the Common Tariff Obligation in their current form.\r\n\r\nHowever, energy consumers in the North of Scotland will continue face some of the highest energy bills in Britain, with severe fuel poverty currently affecting many households in the Highlands and Islands. Regional differences in network charges are only one part of a range of complex issues underlying fuel poverty and we have commissioned the Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force to examine the issues around fuel poverty in rural areas and make recommendations. We look forward to a report of their findings and proposals later in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312102,"EventID":"S5W-00115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:01.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-17T15:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-30367 by Fergus Ewing on 17 March 2016, whether it will publish the details of discussions that it has had with the UK Government regarding (a) maintaining the Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme and (b) introducing a UK-wide cost recovery mechanism for Shetland’s distribution network.","AnswerText":"While the Scottish Government believes all decisions on Scotland's energy sector should be determined by Scottish Ministers and accountable to the Scottish Parliament, it is currently the case that these matters are reserved. The Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme and cost recovery mechanism for Shetland’s new energy solution are policies of the UK Government and the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change leads government consultations on those matters.  \r\n\r\nHowever, the Scottish Government seeks to influence decisions of UK Ministers to deliver optimum benefits for Scotland and Scottish Ministers therefore have regular discussions with a range of stakeholders concerning all matters that affect energy costs and fuel poverty issues, including from time to time issues surrounding network charging and this informs our approach to discussion with UK Ministers on Scotland's behalf. For example, ministers met with members of the Convention of the Highlands and Islands on 7 March 2015, to hear members' views, and as an action arising from that meeting Ofgem and National Grid will be invited to brief members of the convention on network charging issues at the convention's next meeting in the autumn 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312103,"EventID":"S5W-00116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:02.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-17T15:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-30367 by Fergus Ewing on 22 March 2016, whether it will confirm what stakeholders it met, and on what dates these meetings took place. ","AnswerText":"The system of charges levied for use of electricity distribution networks is the responsibility of the independent regulator, Ofgem, who lead formal consultations on that matter. As referenced in the answer to question S4W-30367 on 23 March 2016, Ofgem published a report on regional differences in network charges in October 2015, which explains their rationale for the current cost-reflective charging framework.\r\nScottish Ministers have regular discussions with a range of stakeholders concerning all matters that affect energy costs and fuel poverty issues, including from time to time issues surrounding network charging. For example, ministers met with members of the Convention of the Highlands and Islands on 7 March 2015 and as an action arising from that meeting Ofgem and National Grid will be invited to brief members of the convention on network charging issues at the next meeting in the autumn.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312104,"EventID":"S5W-00142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:03.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy is to be published more than one month later than in previous years, on 31 May 2016; when this decision was made; who made the decision, and what stakeholders were consulted.","AnswerText":"In line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics the publication month was set by the responsible statistician, and was announced in October 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312105,"EventID":"S5W-00141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:04.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T09:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what educational evidence the decision to introduce standardised testing for primary 1 pupils was based on.","AnswerText":"The approach to national standardised assessment as set out in the National Improvement Framework was developed after extensive engagement with teachers, parents, children and academics. We have drawn evidence from a range of advice and publications, particularly from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development – specifically their publication Synergies for Better Learning: An International Perspective on Evaluation and Assessment and Education Policy Outlook 2015. \r\nMany local authorities already use standardised assessment at primary 1 (P1). For example, over 1,100 schools in Scotland use the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring’s Performance Indicators in Primary Schools assessment to assess the progress children make in P1 in early maths, early literacy and non-cognitive development and behaviour. Schools find this information useful to ensure the right support is in place to secure good outcomes for children.\r\nIt is important to note that the assessments are not tests or exams. They are designed to create an understanding of how children are progressing. All children will not need to sit the assessments on the same day but at a time when the teacher thinks it will be most helpful to assess a child’s progress. Assessments will also be age-appropriate so for example, the needs of children in P1 and their early stage of vocabulary and development will be taken into account in the design.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312106,"EventID":"S5W-00147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:04.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) action it has taken and (b) further plans it has to raise public awareness of Familial Arrhythmia Network in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Familial Arrhythmia Network for Scotland (FANS) aims to improve outcomes in heart disease care for people with life threatening inherited cardiac conditions and their families. FANS is a national managed clinical network comprising specialist healthcare practitioners, such as cardiologists and geneticists, and patient representatives. FANS provides a section for patient involvement on its website, and undertakes a range of actions to work with the general public through its public education events intended to raise public awareness of inherited cardiac conditions.\r\nFANS coordinators and a number of its members participate in the National Advisory Committee for Heart Disease, which works closely with the Scottish Government and a range of key partners to support NHS boards in delivering improved clinical outcomes in treating heart disease conditions including inherited cardiac conditions.\r\nFANS are currently organising their annual national patient education and information event which will take place in the autumn and hosted their 7th professional symposium on the 27 April 2016 to raise awareness and increase knowledge among professionals. The symposium is an annual event which aims to provide the participating healthcare professionals and researchers from across the UK with an opportunity to share best practice in the detection and treatment of inherited cardiac conditions.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312107,"EventID":"S5W-00139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:05.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the introduction of transitional state pension arrangements for women in Scotland who were born in the 1950s.","AnswerText":"I have raised these issues with Stephen Crabb, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in writing and urged him to reconsider transitional arrangements for the women affected.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312108,"EventID":"S5W-00149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:06.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T12:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in developing guidance to assist licensing authorities that are considering funfair applications.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials are engaging with stakeholders with a view to developing guidance to assist licensing authorities in their consideration of funfair applications. To that end, a meeting has been arranged with the Showmen’s Guild on 31 May 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":312109,"EventID":"S5W-00146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:06.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many off-grid energy households it estimates there are in the (a) Falkirk East and (b) Falkirk West parliamentary constituency.","AnswerText":"The Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) provides estimates of the number of households within the coverage of the gas distribution network. The most recent statistics relating to council areas for the period 2012-2014 were published in January 2016 http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/SHCS/keyanalyses/LAtables2014. The SCHS is not designed to produce estimates for Parliamentary constituencies.\r\n\r\nAccording to the SHCS, between 2012 and 2014 there were around 10,000 households in the Falkirk Council area which were off the gas grid, which is equivalent to 14% of all households. Allowing for the margin of error, the number of households estimated to be off the gas grid is between 6,000 and 13,000.\r\nIn the SHCS, gas grid coverage is determined on the basis of the distance of dwellings from low/medium pressure gas distribution pipes. Dwellings within 63 meters of the gas distribution network are considered within the coverage of the gas grid. This does not mean those dwellings are necessarily connected to the grid.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312110,"EventID":"S5W-00140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:07.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T08:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of specialist inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) nurses in the NHS Lothian area.","AnswerText":"Information on how many specialist inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) nurses there are, broken down by NHS board and hospital, is not centrally held or published by National Services Scotland (Information Services Division).\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government has invested over £2.4 million of recurring funding to improve access to specialist nursing and care, including the appointment of additional specialist nurses. It is for NHS boards to determine in which specialities this general investment is spent, but the Scottish Government expects NHS boards to ensure that patients with specialist conditions have appropriate access to a range of professionals, including specialist nurses, to ensure optimum management of their condition.\r\nFurthermore, using funds provided by the Scottish Government, Crohn’s and Colitis UK has established a Scottish IBD Steering Group, with a remit for designing a programme for improving the quality of clinical care and sharing new approaches for the management of IBD.\r\nThe Scottish IBD Steering Group is currently in the process of producing a National Blueprint for the treatment of IBD in Scotland. This blueprint includes best practice advice in relation for the provision of specialist IBD nurses across all NHS boards in Scotland, and will be launched in June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312111,"EventID":"S5W-00134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:07.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that cells at Paisley police station are used only at weekends.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Police Scotland, with the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312112,"EventID":"S5W-00135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:08.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it will provide to Renfrewshire Women's Aid in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Renfrewshire Women’s Aid have submitted a funding application to the Violence Against Women and Girls Fund 2016-17. We are currently considering all funding proposals for allocation of the Equality Budget for 2016-17, and will communicate the outcome of this process before 1 July 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312113,"EventID":"S5W-00137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:08.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has been informed by Police Scotland about changes to the operation of cells at Paisley police station.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Police Scotland, with the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312114,"EventID":"S5W-00138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:09.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how important it considers the services provided by Renfrewshire Women's Aid to be.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to preventing and eradicating all forms of violence against women and girls, and we are clear that a key aspect of our approach to that is access to high quality, specialist services for women and children at risk of or experiencing domestic abuse. Local women’s aid groups are doing important work to support vulnerable women and children, and our priority is to ensure that they continue to receive such support.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312115,"EventID":"S5W-00128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:10.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Information Commissioner is subject to purdah.","AnswerText":"No, the commissioner is not subject to purdah because she is not part of the Scottish Government. The commissioner is an independent public official appointed by Her Majesty the Queen on the nomination of the Scottish Parliament.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312116,"EventID":"S5W-00129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:10.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the report in the Daily Record on 29 March 2016 that the Scottish Information Commissioner was minded to delay announcing decisions that might be critical of ministers until after the 2016 Scottish election.","AnswerText":"This is not a matter for the Scottish Government. I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00128 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312117,"EventID":"S5W-00130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:11.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it became aware that the Scottish Information Commissioner was minded to delay announcing decisions that might be critical of ministers until after the 2016 Scottish election, as reported in the Daily Record on 29 March 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is not aware of the commissioner having had any intention to delay decisions which might be critical of ministers until after the 2016 Scottish election. On 22 March 2016, her office informed Scottish Government officials that they were going to delay one particular decision until after the election but did not give a reason. On 30 March 2016 the commissioner sent a statement to the Presiding Officer clarifying her position.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312118,"EventID":"S5W-00131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:11.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there was communication between it and the Scottish Information Commissioner regarding the commissioner being minded to delay announcing decisions that might be critical of ministers until after the 2016 Scottish election and, if so, whether it will publish details of this.","AnswerText":"No, there was no such communication. I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00130 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312119,"EventID":"S5W-00132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:12.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the report in the Daily Record on 29 March 2016 that the Scottish Information Commissioner was minded to delay announcing decisions that might be critical of ministers until after the 2016 Scottish election, whether it is aware of the commissioner delaying such announcements in previous periods of purdah. ","AnswerText":"No, the Scottish Government is not aware of the commissioner having delayed a decision during any previous purdah period.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312120,"EventID":"S5W-00133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T13:58:12.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-18T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce (a) legislative or (b) other proposals regarding the scope and application of purdah on the duties of the Scottish Information Commissioner and the commissioner's ability to announce decisions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no such plans. I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00129 on 31 May 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312121,"EventID":"S5W-00150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-19T16:33:02.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T12:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings published by Scottish Natural Heritage in The Proportion of Scotland's Protected Sites in Favourable Condition 2016, that show that the proportion of such features on these sites at 31 March 2016 was 66.6%, for what reason the national indicator for protected nature sites reports it as 80.4%.","AnswerText":"The official statistic (which was published by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) on 13 May 2016) is based on the results of Site Condition Monitoring (SCM), a six-year rolling programme monitoring the condition of natural features on protected areas. The condition of an individual feature is determined by assessing conditions on the ground against a series of targets which are set such that if all targets are met the feature will be able to sustain itself under current management and wider environmental influences for the foreseeable future. There are three main categories of assessed condition:\r\n\r\nFavourable: all targets are met (currently 66.6% of all features)\r\nUnfavourable recovering: one or more targets have not been met, but management is in place to promote recovery to favourable, given sufficient time (currently 6.2% of all features)\r\nUnfavourable: one or more targets have not been met and recovery is unlikely without some form of management intervention.\r\nThe protocols which have been established since the National Performance Indicator (NPI) was established in 2007, which since 2011 has also been an official statistic, is that the favourable category for reporting would include both assessed Favourable and assessed unfavourable recovering, the latter on the basis that all measures are in place for favourable condition.\r\nAdditionally, because SNH does not have the resources to do a SCM assessment on all features on protected areas during a six-year cycle, there could be a prolonged period (up to 18 years) where changes in management to improve an unfavourable feature would not be recognised in the official statistic report, despite the feature improving. Therefore, if management action has been put in place for unfavourable features since the last SCM assessment which in SNH’s judgement will lead to favourable condition, an interim measure is reported for the official Statistic as unfavourable recovering due to management (currently 7.6% of all features) and this is treated in the same way as unfavourable recovering.\r\nTherefore, the 80.4% of features reported as in favourable condition for the purposes of the official statistic/NPI is a combination of:\r\nAssessed favourable, assessed unfavourable recovering and unfavourable recovering due to management. The basis of calculation and reporting is the same as has been in place and reported since 2007. \r\n\r\nThe breakdown is explicitly shown in the official statistic publication at:\r\nhttp://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A1959320.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312129,"EventID":"S5W-00169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-20T15:33:40.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-20T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will extend the New Medicines Fund to include the provision of the drug, Kalydeco, for two to five-year-olds.","AnswerText":"The scope of the Scottish Government’s New Medicines Fund already includes licensed ultra-orphan drugs. However it would be in the best interests of people in Scotland for the manufacturer of this drug to put forward a resubmission to the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) at a reduced price.\r\n\r\nThe independence of SMC means that the Scottish Government has no role in taking individual decisions on particular proposals or drugs.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312130,"EventID":"S5W-00170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-20T15:33:41.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-20T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will meet the Cystic Fibrosis Trust to discuss its proposal to have the drug, Orkambi, available to patients with funding from the New Medicines Fund.","AnswerText":"In Scotland we have a clear route for new drugs to be appraised through the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC). The independence of SMC decisions on individual drugs is well established. The Scottish Government has made clear to the manufacturer of this drug that a resubmission needs to be made to the SMC at a reduced price. The SMC process requires submissions to be made by pharmaceutical companies rather than patient groups. It also allows for pharmaceutical companies to propose a commercial arrangement to improve the cost-effectiveness of a medicine to the Patient Access Scheme Assessment Group.\r\n\r\nWhile the efforts of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in exploring ways forward is welcome, any proposal for a commercial arrangement needs to be made by the pharmaceutical company to the Patient Access Scheme Assessment Group. The independence of SMC means that the Scottish Government has no role in taking individual decisions on particular proposals or drugs.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312131,"EventID":"S5W-00156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-20T15:33:42.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when and how it plans to form an islands strategic group and what organisations, businesses, charities and individuals it plans to invite onto the group.","AnswerText":"An announcement on the new islands strategic group, including its membership will be made later in summer 2016 following discussions with elected members, local communities, local authorities and other key stakeholders.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312132,"EventID":"S5W-00157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-20T15:33:43.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will promote the £5 million investment to support island and rural produce pledged in the SNP Manifesto for the Islands to ensure that organisations, businesses and charities will receive support.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to continuing to support the food and drink industry, which has achieved great success in recent years. We will engage with key stakeholders, including businesses and organisations on how the £5 million investment fund can promote island, rural and regional food and drink produce, and support rural communities and the reputation and growth of the Scottish food and drink sector.\r\nThe Scottish Government has already committed £1.6 million to support local food and drink until June 2018 and £700,000 to support the seafood sector until March 2017. We also contribute to the £1 million per year core costs of the industry leadership body, Scotland Food and Drink, and are a contributor to the Scotland Food and Drink export plan.\r\nThere is a further £70 million of Scottish Government and EU support available over the period of 2014 to 2020 to support projects approved under the Food Processing, Marketing and Cooperation Grants Scheme and up to 107 million euros under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund to deliver on sustainable economic growth in the sea fisheries and aquaculture sectors (including data collection and compliance), and assist communities to deliver economic benefits during the transition phase of the common fisheries policy reform programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312133,"EventID":"S5W-00158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-20T15:33:45.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what organisations, businesses and charities can do to ensure that they receive support from the £5 million investment to support island and rural produce pledged in the SNP Manifesto for the Islands.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00157 on 1 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312134,"EventID":"S5W-00159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-20T15:33:46.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Minister for Transport and Islands calculated the £5 million to support island and rural produce pledged in the SNP Manifesto for the Islands.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00157 on 1 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312135,"EventID":"S5W-00160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-20T15:33:47.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what produce in (a) Orkney, (b) Shetland and (c) the rest of Scotland will be supported from the £5 million investment to support island and rural produce pledged in the SNP Manifesto for the Islands.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00157 on 1 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312136,"EventID":"S5W-00161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-20T15:33:48.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how it plans to spend the £5 million investment to support island and rural produce pledged in the SNP Manifesto for the Islands in (a) Orkney, (b) Shetland and (c) the rest of Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00157 on 1 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312137,"EventID":"S5W-00162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-20T15:33:48.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce how it will spend the £5 million to support island and rural produce pledged in the SNP Manifesto for the Islands.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00157 on 1 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312138,"EventID":"S5W-00163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-20T15:33:49.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to (a) support the energy industry on (i) Orkney and (ii) Shetland and (b) encourage the UK Government to deliver the required connections.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, alongside our agencies and partners, in recognising the importance of the sector to the Northern Isles, is supporting the energy industry in Orkney and Shetland through a wide variety of measures across oil and gas, renewables and community energy.\r\nIn response to the downturn in oil and gas we set up the energy jobs taskforce that is coordinating action across the sector, and have introduced a £12 million skills fund (Transition Training Fund or TTF) to support individuals transition to other employment.\r\nThrough our enterprise agencies we are providing practical support to enable our oil and gas supply chain to take advantage of decommissioning opportunities demonstrated through the £2.4 million of public support from Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to develop the Dales Voe Quay in Sheltland.\r\nWe recognise the potential of the islands to support our renewables targets - Orkney and Shetland possess some of the best renewable energy resources in Europe and those resources present a greater opportunity for the local economy. We have invested significantly in renewables development on the islands, from the establishment of the European Marine Energy Centre, Wave Energy Scotland and investment in the MeyGen Tidal Array and Nova Innovation's Tidal Array -both of which are making use of the local supply chain in Orkney and Shetland. We are also supporting investment in low carbon projects through the Scottish Government Local Energy Challenge Fund and our Low Carbon Infrastructure Programme.\r\nFurther large-scale development of renewables in the Northern Isles will require investment in new grid infrastructure, as I am sure you are aware. Scottish Ministers established the Scottish Island Renewables Delivery Forum and have been at the forefront of inter-governmental work to deliver enhanced electricity connections for Orkney and Shetland, working closely with the two local authorities and UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). Building on joint research co-funded by the Scottish Government, DECC has designed a policy instrument to support onshore wind projects on the Scottish Islands and the regulator Ofgem has made substantial progress in streamlining its regulatory approval processes for the proposed grid connections.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312139,"EventID":"S5W-00164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-20T15:33:50.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-19T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people had received assistance from the Transition Training Fund by the end of 2015-16 and how many have received assistance since 1 April 2016.","AnswerText":"The Transition Training Fund was announced by the First Minister on 1 February 2016. Since the fund was announced, 412 individuals have been engaging with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and received assistance regarding access to the fund, with 91 individuals receiving offers of financial support for training courses from this group, thus far. Assistance involves a direct discussion with a careers adviser about their career and training needs, and how the fund can help applicants into employment. \r\nSDS remains fully engaged with those individuals who have registered an interest in the fund, with SDS advisors continuing to provide tailored advice and support whilst their fund application process is on-going. The SDS website to register interest in the individual training support went live on 3 May 2016 and a targeted marketing campaign to further highlight and raise awareness of the fund is expected to result in a significant uptake of support.\r\nIn addition to providing support for individuals, the Transition Training Fund also offers procured training and support for transition to teacher training.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312140,"EventID":"S5W-00165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-20T15:33:50.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-20T09:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of farmers has received (a) 100%, (b) 90% and (c) 80% of their single farm payment entitlement.","AnswerText":"From 2015, the single farm payment has been replaced by the Basic Payment Scheme and Greening Scheme. The member therefore asks about a scheme which no longer exists.\r\nAssuming the question relates to Pillar 1 payments, at 18 May 2016, 82% of eligible businesses had received a first instalment payment from the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme.\r\nFirst instalment payments equate to 75% of a farmer or crofters total Basic Payment Scheme entitlement and 90% of their greening payment entitlement.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312141,"EventID":"S5W-00168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-20T15:33:51.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-20T09:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of farmers has received any payment under the single farm payment system.","AnswerText":"From 2015, the single farm payment has been replaced by the Basic Payment Scheme and Greening Payment Scheme. \r\nAt 18 May 2016, 82% of eligible businesses had received a first instalment payment from the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312156,"EventID":"S5W-00171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T13:48:51.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-21T09:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what project-specific detail will be considered in relation to Balfron High School as part of its review of NPD and PFI/PPP projects.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently considering what next steps would be most helpful in terms of any potential wider issues arising from the recent Edinburgh school closures, taking into account the City of Edinburgh Council’s plans to undertake a review over the coming months.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312157,"EventID":"S5W-00172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T13:48:51.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-21T09:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) timescale and (b) scope is of its review of NPD and PFI/PPP projects.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00171 on 3 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312158,"EventID":"S5W-00173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T13:48:52.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-21T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24398 by Aileen McLeod on 19 February 2015, when the sub-committee on climate change will next meet; what matters will be discussed, and which (a) cabinet secretaries and (b) ministers will attend.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Cabinet is the forum for consideration of key policy issues, including major cross-cutting issues such as climate change, and decisions on whether to delegate responsibility for specific issues to a cabinet sub-committee is a matter for the cabinet.\r\n\r\nWhile no decision has yet been made by the incoming cabinet, the new appointment of a cabinet secretary for environment, climate change and land reform will ensure that the challenge of climate change is addressed at the highest level of government.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312159,"EventID":"S5W-00174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T13:48:52.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-21T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Committee on Climate Change report, Scottish emissions targets 2028-2032.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the advice the Committee on Climate Change has provided in its publication dated 15 March 2016: Scottish emissions targets 2028-2032 – The high ambition pathway towards a low-carbon economy. We note the committee's acknowledgement that Scotland would have met all of its fixed annual targets to date, had it not been for technical changes to the way greenhouse gas emissions are accounted for.\r\n\r\nThe committee's advice relates to the setting of future annual emission targets and limits on the use of carbon units, as required under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. This advice will be taken into account when these targets and limits are set.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312160,"EventID":"S5W-00175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T13:48:53.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-21T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its requirements set out by the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, what approach it is taking to the development of the third report on policies and proposals.","AnswerText":"Development of the third report on proposals and policies is underway. Our approach builds on existing evidence, including research, analysis and experience of how emissions reduction measures have worked in practice, and advice from the independent Committee on Climate Change.\r\nTo support consideration of proposals and policies, the Scottish Government commissioned an energy modelling system (TIMES) which provides insight into future technologies and is being used to build scenarios for achieving Scotland’s climate change targets. \r\nWe will also be engaging with the public to understand their feelings and thoughts about climate change, through the use of climate change conversations.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312161,"EventID":"S5W-00176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T13:48:54.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-21T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28202 by Margaret Burgess on 10 November 2015, whether it will provide an update on what progress it has made in developing the national infrastructure priority approach to energy efficiency.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme, the cornerstone of the national infrastructure priority, is in its development phase and is building on our existing energy efficiency and heat generation programmes. In January 2016 we made available up to £14 million to councils to support pilot projects to test different and more integrated approaches to energy efficiency. As well as supporting programme development these projects will deliver actual energy efficiency improvements to homes and non-domestic premises, helping tackle fuel poverty and reduce emissions. We expect awards to be made later in June 2016.\r\n\r\nScotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme will play a central role in reducing energy demand in the built environment. It will form an important component of the Scottish Government’s forthcoming energy strategy, as well as the development of the Third Report on Proposals and Policies (RPP3) which will set out how the climate change annual targets up to 2032 will be met.\r\nWe are listening to a wide range of stakeholders as we develop Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme, the new energy strategy, and RPP3. An initial stakeholder event took place in December 2015. We have also set up the short life Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group and the Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force. Both groups will report their findings by end of 2016 and their recommendations will provide important inputs to the programme’s development.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312162,"EventID":"S5W-00177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T13:48:54.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-21T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27557 by Margaret Burgess on 18 September 2015, what plans it has to take forward the planned consultation on proposals for the regulation of energy efficiency in private sector homes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to taking forward consultation on proposals for minimum energy efficiency standards during this parliamentary session.\r\n\r\nThe setting of standards is one of the key elements of the ongoing development of Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme. The Scottish Government is considering the appropriate timing for consultation within that context.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312163,"EventID":"S5W-00178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T13:48:55.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what target time it has set for the police to issue air gun licences and whether Police Scotland is sufficiently resourced to deal with this matter efficiently and effectively. ","AnswerText":"Decisions about resourcing the firearms licensing system, including the licensing of air weapons, rest with the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland. The Scottish Government has not set targets for the operation of the system. We have, however, worked closely with Police Scotland throughout the development of the new licensing regime and they have been clear that air weapon licensing will be deliverable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312164,"EventID":"S5W-00179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T13:48:56.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish guidelines for applicants for air gun licences.","AnswerText":"Information is already available at: www.airweapon.scot. We will continue to develop this website up to and beyond 1 July 2016, when people can start to make advance applications to Police Scotland. In addition, we are developing guidance to the police regarding the operation of the new licensing regime. This will be published and the chief constable must have regard to it when exercising his functions under Part 1 of the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government is also conducting a public information campaign under the headline ‘No Licence – No Air Gun through various media, including a country-wide poster campaign and radio advertising. This is linked to Police Scotland’s current air weapon surrender campaign, which is running between 23 May and 12 June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312165,"EventID":"S5W-00180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T13:48:56.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when application forms for air gun licences will be available to the public.","AnswerText":"The Air Weapons Licensing (Scotland) Regulations 2016 (SSI 2016 No. 188) prescribe the application forms for air weapon certificates, police permits, visitor permits, event permits and air weapon club approvals. The instrument, which is subject to the negative procedure, was laid before the Scottish Parliament on 26 May 2016 and is due to come into force on 1 July 2016. The forms will be available to the public from 1 July 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312166,"EventID":"S5W-00181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T13:48:57.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with First Milk regarding the sustainability of the creamery at Campbeltown.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, working closely with Scottish Enterprise, Argyll and Bute Council and other agencies engage regularly with First Milk and receive updates from the company regarding Campbeltown creamery.\r\n\r\nWe recognise the importance of the creamery to the Kintyre dairy community and wider economic interests and will continue to maintain a close dialogue with all parties concerned to see a successful future for cheese-making in Kintyre. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312167,"EventID":"S5W-00182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T13:48:58.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the grants that it provides to First Milk for the (a) continued operation of and (b) replacement of equipment at the creamery in Campbelton are conditional and, if so, what these conditions are.","AnswerText":"All grant awards made by Scottish Ministers to First Milk to support the upgrading of Campbeltown creamery are subject to stringent conditions.\r\n\r\nI shall write to the member setting out the conditions in full.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312168,"EventID":"S5W-00183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T13:48:59.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report commissioned by milk producers in Kintyre, with support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Argyll and Bute Council, on the feasibly of producer-led arrangements for a transfer from First Milk of the creamery at Campbeltown, and whether it will encourage the report to be made public. ","AnswerText":"In December 2015 First Milk dairy producers in Kintyre formed a working group to explore alternate models for the operation of Campbeltown Creamery. Argyll and Bute Council, with support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, funded a study to undertake this work. Due to commercial sensitivities and necessity of enlisting the support and cooperation of First Milk it was agreed that the study would not be published in full. However, a presentation of the study's main findings was given to the dairy farmers in late-April 2016. The study considered the company's business plan, capital investment and marketing opportunities. The government maintains close involvement with all parties concerned to see the continuation of cheese-making in Campbeltown.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312169,"EventID":"S5W-00184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T13:49:00.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided to community radio in each of the last five years, broken down by radio station.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government currently provides no direct funding for community radio stations. Ofcom administers a Community Radio Fund of approximately £400,000 per calendar year, which is a key source of funding for community radio in the UK and which Scottish based stations are able to access. You can find a record of the funding awarded at:\r\n\r\nhttp://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/radio/community-radio-fund/?pageNum=1#in-this-section\r\nHowever, the Scottish Government runs public information adverts on community radio channels when appropriate. The Scottish Government marketing spend on commercial radio since January 2011 has totalled £269,896.69.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312182,"EventID":"S5W-00185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T16:42:57.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T14:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on enforcing the (a) minimum site standards and (b) core rights and responsibilities for Gypsy/Traveller site tenants.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have a formal enforcement role, but expects all local authority and Registered Social Landlord Gypsy/Traveller Sites to meet the minimum site standards, and have tenancy agreements that reflect the core rights and responsibilities, by 30 June 2018. We will continue to work with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers) and others to assess progress in meeting the standards, and to develop ways of collecting robust data on the quality of sites.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312183,"EventID":"S5W-00187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T16:42:58.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T14:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to (a) reopen any former railway stations and (b) improve the provision of rail services across the west of Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving rail services and connectivity within the west of Scotland. We have, through the ScotRail franchise, delivered enhanced services on the Kilmarnock, Ayr and Stranraer route in December 2015 and will introduce new electric trains on the Edinburgh to Glasgow route from summer 2017.\r\nWe remain willing to consider proposals for new stations and services where a clear rationale has emerged from an appraisal in line with Scottish transport appraisal guidance, where viability has been established through more detailed analysis; and these proposals are subject to affordability in conjunction with consideration of other competing priorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312184,"EventID":"S5W-00188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T16:42:58.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T14:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that funding for Scottish Women’s Aid refuge centres is protected from the impact of changes to local housing allowance rates.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is deeply concerned about the UK Government’s proposals, which will impact on some of the most vulnerable people in our society who may rely on refuge and other forms of supported accommodation for survival. We wrote to the Department for Work and Pensions earlier in 2016 outlining our concerns, and will continue to press the UK Government to ensure that supported accommodation is protected from these proposed changes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312185,"EventID":"S5W-00189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-23T16:42:59.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T14:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the 600 new early learning and childcare centres that it has committed to open will be in the west of Scotland.","AnswerText":"We will ensure that provision is developed in partnership with each local authority to meet the needs of parents and children. We are currently working with the Scottish Futures Trust to determine the additional infrastructure requirements of each local authority to meet the commitment to provide an entitlement to 1140 hours per year of early learning and childcare by the end of the current Parliament. Solutions for each authority will be determined through a detailed analysis of their existing infrastructure estate and capacity, plus their expansion plans. The Scottish Government is committed to meeting the infrastructure costs of the 1140 hours expansion in full.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312199,"EventID":"S5W-00190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-24T13:50:28.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many university students have graduated in ICT courses in each of the last 10 years. ","AnswerText":"The following table indicates the number of qualifiers from higher education information technology courses from 2005-06 to 2014-15.\r\n\r\nQualifiers from higher education courses at Scottish institutions by subject of study, 2005-06 to 2014-15\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSubject of Study\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n% change  since 2013-14\r\n% change since 2005-06\r\nInformation Technology\r\n4,645 \r\n4,920 \r\n4,660 \r\n4,470 \r\n4,560 \r\n5,000 \r\n4,900 \r\n4,550 \r\n4,815 \r\n4,990 \r\n3.6%\r\n7.4%\r\nSources: Higher Education Statistics Agency and Scottish Funding Council.\r\nThese figures cover all higher education students, not just those in universities.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312200,"EventID":"S5W-00191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-24T13:50:29.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many university training places for teaching ICT subjects there have been in each of the last 10 years, also broken down by the number of places that were unfilled.","AnswerText":"Prior to academic year 2014-15, student teacher intake targets for Professional Graduate Diploma in Education secondary programmes of initial teacher education were not set on a subject specific basis. The table indicates the targets set and intakes to computing in 2014-15 and 2015-16.\r\n\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTarget\r\nIntake\r\nTarget\r\nIntake\r\n25\r\n22\r\n37\r\n20\r\nThe target for 2016-17 has been significantly increased to 57.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312201,"EventID":"S5W-00193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-24T13:50:30.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what workforce planning it has carried out regarding the recruitment of school teachers in ICT subjects.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government conducts an annual teacher workforce planning exercise, in partnership with other stakeholders, to project the minimum requirements for the number of newly trained teachers. This exercise involves analysis of the teacher workforce details, including the age profile of the profession, and local intelligence relating to teacher supply and demand. Subject-specific targets have been set for secondary subjects, including computing, since academic year 2014-15.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312202,"EventID":"S5W-00194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-24T13:50:31.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to recruit more school teachers in ICT subjects.","AnswerText":"Recruitment of teachers is a matter for local authorities. In recognition of the challenges faced by local authorities in relation to teacher recruitment, the Scottish Government launched its 'Inspiring Teachers' recruitment campaign in September 2015, with an initial focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects, including computing. We are currently considering how best to build on that in the future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312203,"EventID":"S5W-00195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-24T13:50:31.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many school teachers have other paid jobs.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312204,"EventID":"S5W-00196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-24T13:50:32.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T18:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-30593 by Shona Robison on 18 March 2016, on what date it will begin to make interim payments to the affected groups.","AnswerText":"We are currently working with the UK Department of Health on beginning the payment of the increased lump sums and annual payments via the existing UK support schemes (the Skipton Fund and the Macfarlane and Eileen Trust). This requires extensive amendments to the existing agreements between the schemes and the UK Government, along with amendments to income tax orders. We are progressing with this work, but it is not yet possible to indicate when it will be possible to start making increased payments. However, our aim is to ensure that payments can commence this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312205,"EventID":"S5W-00197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-24T13:50:32.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T22:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what obligations under the 2016-17 National Care Home Contract charitable organisations have to pay the living wage to care staff, and what action it could take if they fail to do so.","AnswerText":"The 2016-17 National Care Home Contract agreed between COSLA and providers has been amended to require any providers delivering publicly funded care under the contract to pay all care workers a minimum of £8.25 per hour from 1 October 2016. \r\nAs part of the 2016-17 budget we have taken action to protect and grow our social care services and deliver our shared priorities by investing a further £250 million in health and social care partnerships. Part of this investment is to enable local authorities to pay a living wage to care workers providing care and support to adults in care homes, care at home and housing support settings - including in the independent and third sector.\r\nPartnership working between the Scottish Government, local government and our stakeholders, including the third and independent sectors, is key to ensuring we achieve the intended outcomes of this additional investment and it is expected that local authorities will work closely with care providers to assess the investment required to ensure payment of the living wage.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312206,"EventID":"S5W-00198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-24T13:50:33.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-23T22:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to monitor the impact of the 2016-17 National Care Home Contract settlement for any negative consequences.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving the quality of care in Scotland and we work closely with COSLA, Scottish Care, Coalition of Care and support Providers in Scotland and other key stakeholders in order to do this.\r\n\r\nAs part of this partnership approach the Scottish Government is a part of the National Contingency Planning Group, which is chaired by COSLA, and works with stakeholders in identifying potential risks which could lead to the disruption of adult social care provision in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312224,"EventID":"S5W-00200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-24T16:52:00.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-24T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports in The Sunday Post on 21 May 2016 suggesting that Glasgow Prestwick Airport spent (a) £600,000 on management consultants, (b) £90,000 on recruitment consultants and (c) £15,000 on a four-day team building exercise for executives, and what discussions it has had with the airport’s operators with regard to this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with Glasgow Prestwick Airport regarding use of consultancy support or other professional services. In compliance with European Union state aid rules, the airport is operated on a wholly commercial basis at arm’s length from the Scottish Government. Despite seeking to expand the city deal to include further investment, this was not agreed to by the UK Government. \r\nIt is for the senior management team at the airport to determine when it is appropriate to use external professional advice to ensure a positive future for the business.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312225,"EventID":"S5W-00201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-24T16:52:01.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-24T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports in The Sunday Post on 21 May 2016 suggesting that senior management at Glasgow Prestwick Airport have filed expenses claims for staying at five-star hotels, including in London and Las Vegas, and what discussions it has had with the airport’s operators with regard to this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no discussions with Glasgow Prestwick Airport on the expenses claimed by the senior management team at the airport. In compliance with European Union state aid rules, the airport is operated on a wholly commercial basis and at arm’s length from the Scottish Government, the Scottish Government have no involvement in the day to day running of the airport, including staff expenses. Attendance at the World Route Development Forum in Las Vegas in 2013 took place while the airport was owned by Infratil. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312226,"EventID":"S5W-00202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-24T16:52:02.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-24T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers, and under what legislation or judicial authority, the Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities has to deal with local authority officers who wilfully mislead elected councillors.","AnswerText":"There is a national code of conduct for local government employees in Scotland. The national code requires that employees should be as open as possible in all the decisions and actions that they take, should give reasons for their decisions, and should not restrict information unless this is clearly required by council policy or by the law. The national code also includes a statement that mutual respect between councillors and employees is essential to good local government. Each local authority has published a code of conduct for its employees in line with the national code setting out expected standards of behaviour, and it is up to each local authority to enforce that code. Scottish Ministers have no general powers that would enable them to intervene in matters between an employer and employee.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312227,"EventID":"S5W-00203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-24T16:52:02.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-24T14:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the powers available to it to deal with local authority officers who wilfully mislead elected councillors to be fit for purpose and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"Local authority officers are required to be as open as possible in all the decisions and actions that they take and not to restrict information, except where required by council policy or the law, as set out in the national code of conduct for local government employees in Scotland. Enforcement of the expected standards of behaviour of council employees is a matter for each local authority as an employer and the Scottish Government has no plans to change the current framework.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312228,"EventID":"S5W-00205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-24T16:52:03.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-24T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what services will be available at the new East Lothian community hospital and when people will be able to access these.","AnswerText":"Construction programmes are being finalised for the new facility and the current Roodlands services will be maintained throughout the build programme. NHS Lothian are planning for a phased handover and at this time it is anticipated some outpatient services, such as imaging will be available in the new hospital by mid-2018 with full occupation anticipated in mid-2020.\r\nServices currently planned include:\r\nGeneral Outpatients Department clinics:\r\nSurgical\r\nOrthopaedic\r\nGynaecology\r\nOphthalmology and retinopathy\r\nNeurology\r\nENT\r\nDermatology\r\nCardiology and aortic screening\r\nUrology and enuresis\r\nAudiology\r\nChild medicine and surgical\r\nMusculo-skeletal and Rheumatology\r\nLearning disabilities and Mental Health\r\nMedical and Medicine for the Elderly\r\nDentistry\r\nPodiatry and orthotics\r\nDiabetes\r\nAnte natal\r\nDietetics\r\nMedicals for taxi drivers\r\n\r\nThere are recurring changes to the availability and frequency of the clinics.\r\nDiagnostics:\r\nX-ray\r\nUltra Sound\r\nCardiac echo and ECG\r\nOut of Hours\r\nMental Health OPD\r\nOccupational Therapy\r\nPhysiotherapy\r\nPharmacy\r\nMusic therapy\r\n\r\nIn-patient wards\r\nIPCC\r\nMental Health for Elderly\r\nOrthopaedic rehab\r\nNon acute medicine/Medicine of the Elderly\r\n\r\nTreatment floor (day cases):\r\nEndoscopy\r\nMinor surgery\r\nIV treatment (transfusions and infusions)\r\nUV treatment\r\n\r\nStaff support area:\r\nOffice space for community based staff groups e.g. Care Home Team, Learning Disabilities Team, Hospital at Home, domiciliary AHPs, Mental Health home team, District Nurses, Hospital to Home, Macmillan Nursing service.\r\nDietetics\r\nSpeech and Language Therapy\r\nMental Health tribunal\r\nNursing and AHP management\r\nMedical staff\r\nDelayed Discharge\r\nDiabetic Specialist Nurse ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312229,"EventID":"S5W-00207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-24T16:52:04.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-24T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated completion date is for the new East Lothian community hospital.","AnswerText":"Construction programmes are being finalised for the new facility and the current Roodlands services will be maintained throughout the build programme. NHS Lothian are planning for a phased handover and at this time it is anticipated some outpatient services, such as imaging will be available in the new hospital by mid-2018 with full occupation anticipated in mid-2020.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312265,"EventID":"S5W-00206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T13:56:19.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-24T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason NHS Lothian changed its criteria for the prescription of the bowel cancer drug, Cetuximab, and what its position is on reports that patients who had embarked on chemotherapy would have expected to have been offered this treatment should the chemotherapy have proven unsuccessful.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) appraises all newly licensed medicines for clinical and cost effectiveness following submissions from pharmaceutical companies. SMC published advice for NHS boards across Scotland. Where the SMC accepts a medicine then there is a clear expectation that NHS boards will consider it and will make it or its equivalent available. All SMC advice can be found on their website at: www.scottishmedicines.org.uk\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312266,"EventID":"S5W-00208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T13:56:20.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T09:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to dual the A75 between Dumfries and the M74.","AnswerText":"Since 2008, the Scottish Government has invested approximately £50 million in six new roads schemes along the length of the A75 and will continue to explore opportunities to better connect Dumfries to the M74.\r\n\r\nMr Swinney and I plan to host a transport summit in Dumfries and Galloway and I will provide the member with further details in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312267,"EventID":"S5W-00209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T13:56:20.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T09:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to carry out a feasibility study into the dualling of the A75 between Dumfries and the M74. ","AnswerText":"The National Transport Strategy (NTS) Refresh, published in January 2016 makes reference to the consideration of a full NTS review in the next parliament, to tie in with the next National Planning Framework and followed by a refresh of the Strategic Transport Projects Review which was published in 2008.\r\n\r\nThis will enable the Scottish Government to take a comprehensive review of national infrastructure priorities including projects within Dumfries and Galloway.\r\nIn addition, Mr Swinney and I plan to host a transport summit in Dumfries and Galloway and I will provide the member with further details in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312268,"EventID":"S5W-00210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T13:56:21.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T09:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential economic benefits of upgrading the A75.","AnswerText":"The Strategic Transport Projects Review, published in 2008 considered the future transport performance of the A75 corridor from the M74 to Stranraer, including the economic benefits of upgrading sections of the route.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312269,"EventID":"S5W-00211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T13:56:21.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it plans to take in the current parliamentary session to improve support for Dumfriesshire farmers and secure the future of the family farm.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will work with stakeholders to identify how best to improve support to farmers and crofters across Scotland throughout this parliamentary session.\r\n\r\nOur immediate efforts will be focussed on delivering outstanding common agricultural policy (CAP) payments and providing solutions to the current payment situation.\r\nOver the last year, the Scottish Government has held a national conversation on the future of Scottish agriculture and it is clear that many farmers and crofters have great ideas and enthusiasm for developing not only their own businesses but the industry in general and for growing the rural economy. We will listen to those farmers and crofters and work with them to identify and lift the barriers that may be holding them back.\r\nThe current CAP is now in place until 2019, but discussions and negotiations on the CAP beyond 2020 will commence in the next year or so. We will work to secure an outcome that will maximise support to farmers and crofters across Scotland, this includes securing a fairer share of the UK’s CAP budget.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312270,"EventID":"S5W-00212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T13:56:22.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government on the possible extension of the Borders Railway route to Carlisle.","AnswerText":"It was a manifesto commitment to conduct a feasibility study examining the case for extension of the Borders Railway route to Carlisle. We will take the lead with local authority partners including engagement with UK Government and other interested stakeholders to progress this matter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312271,"EventID":"S5W-00213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T13:56:22.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the decision by North Yorkshire Council to approve testing for shale gas, whether it will provide an update on its position on fracking.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has put in place a moratorium to ensure that no unconventional oil and gas exploration can take place in Scotland. A comprehensive programme of research is already underway to investigate the potential health, environmental and economic impacts of this industry. This will be followed by a full public consultation so that any decision is based on both the evidence and public consultation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312272,"EventID":"S5W-00215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T13:56:23.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is carrying out with the UK Government to ensure that all (a) remote and (b) rural communities in Scotland have access to an adequate (i) mobile phone signal and (ii) broadband service.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to delivering superfast broadband to 100% premises in Scotland by 2021 and we will work with the UK Government as we develop our proposals. Our £410 million Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband Programme is extending fibre broadband coverage to at least 95% of premises by the end of 2017 and the UK Government is contributing to that.\r\n\r\nWe are working with the UK Government on a number of aspects of the Digital Economy Bill, including discussing with them how the forthcoming universal service obligation for broadband can work effectively for Scotland. We have proposed that the UK Government set up a working group, involving the devolved administrations, to ensure shared strategic oversight as the scoping work develops.\r\nFurthermore, we are working with the Home Office on the new mobile infrastructure that will be delivered as part of the GB-wide Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme, to explore potential wider coverage benefits for the general public. The total cost of this GB-wide infrastructure is £4.9 billion over the next 16 years, for which Scottish Ministers have committed to providing a funding contribution of approximately £475 million over the period.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312273,"EventID":"S5W-00216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T13:56:23.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the report in the Scottish Daily Mail on 25 May 2016 regarding concerns among GPs in rural and remote areas that not being able to access adequate mobile phone signals or broadband services could put at risk the lives of people who need an ambulance, and what discussions it has had with health professionals and their representatives regarding this.","AnswerText":"Telecommunications, including mobile telephony, is a reserved matter for which the UK Government has responsibility to ensure adequate coverage and to fund improvements and developments. Given the vital importance of mobile phone coverage to the health and well-being of people who live in Scotland’s remote communities, as well as the impact on the rural economy, the Scottish Government works closely with the UK Government on relevant issues. One key area is the new mobile infrastructure that will be delivered as part of the GB-wide Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme. The total cost of this GB-wide infrastructure is £4.9 billion over the next 16 years, for which Scottish Ministers have committed to providing a funding contribution of approximately £475 million over the period.\r\n\r\nA mobile roaming service also exists for 999 calls to ensure that people who need an ambulance can access other mobile networks even if their own network provider has no coverage.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312274,"EventID":"S5W-00218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T13:56:24.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that each GP surgery has access to an adequate (i) mobile phone signal and (ii) broadband service.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00215 on 8 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nAll GP surgeries in Scotland are now transitioned to the Scottish Wide Area Network which provides high quality broadband connectivity based around their needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312275,"EventID":"S5W-00219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T13:56:24.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will revisit the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 and, in particular, whether it is effective in dealing with anti-social neighbours.","AnswerText":"The Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 provides a wide range of measures for dealing with anti-social neighbours. Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) can be used to prevent persons from engaging in antisocial behaviours which cause alarm or distress to their neighbours, including antisocial noise nuisance. Breaching an ASBO is a criminal offence which can result in a fine or imprisonment for up to five years.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently convening a working group with local authorities to look at the existing guidance to the antisocial behaviour legislation and revise it where necessary. This will include taking newer legislation, such as the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 giving social landlords additional powers to deal with antisocial behaviour in social housing, into account. These new powers include taking previous antisocial behaviour into account in the allocation of social housing to new applicants, extending the use of the short Scottish secure tenancy for antisocial tenants in social housing and introducing a streamlined eviction process for those social tenants who cause harm to their immediate community.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312276,"EventID":"S5W-00222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T16:49:39.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T12:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to establish a working group to help plan the future arrangements for sustainable management of mountain hares.","AnswerText":"Under the auspices of Scotland's Moorland Forum (which represents a range of stakeholders involved in moorland management, including the Scottish Government and Scottish Natural Heritage), it has been agreed that guidance on the management of mountain hare be produced by a selected sub-group of specialists and representatives from relevant interest groups. The inaugural meeting of this sub-group took place on 23 May 2016.\r\n\r\nThe sub-group will produce and publish interim best practice guidance in the autumn. This interim guidance will be updated after the anticipated publication (in 2017) of the findings from a study being undertaken by the James Hutton Institute, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust and Scottish Natural Heritage into the most appropriate methods of assessing mountain hare numbers.\r\nThe outputs of the study will be used to standardise the method of estimating mountain hare density in conjunction with the promotion of more cooperative working between estates, thus facilitating better informed decisions on sustainable hare management at regional scale.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312277,"EventID":"S5W-00223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T16:49:40.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T12:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of estate compliance Scottish Natural Heritage has recorded in relation to its 2014 position statement, SNH-GWCT-SL&E position on large-scale culls of mountain hares to reduce louping ill.","AnswerText":"The position statement issued by Scottish Natural Heritage, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, and Scottish Land and Estates sets out a number of different recommendations relating to the management of mountain hares in Scotland. There are no formal arrangements for monitoring the extent to which the recommendations are being followed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312278,"EventID":"S5W-00224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T16:49:41.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T12:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when Scottish Natural Heritage plans to require formal mountain hare cull returns from estates in order to inform future sustainable management practice for this species.","AnswerText":"There are no current plans to require mountain hare bag returns.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312279,"EventID":"S5W-00225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T16:49:41.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to combat nuisance calls.","AnswerText":"The UK Government is responsible for the regulation of nuisance calls, and is therefore best placed to take direct action to tackle this issue. However, the Scottish Government is determined to make the most of our new consumer powers to take positive steps to reduce the impact nuisance calls have on the lives of people in Scotland. That is why we will be holding a nuisance calls summit early in summer 2016, which will bring leading industry, regulatory and consumer experts together to develop a range of effective ways to protect consumers and reduce the impact of unwanted calls.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312280,"EventID":"S5W-00227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T16:49:43.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the introduction of drug field testing kits (drugalysers) for use by police officers.","AnswerText":"A decision on the use of drug field testing kits by police officers is an operational matter for Police Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312281,"EventID":"S5W-00230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-25T16:49:44.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce drug driving limits.","AnswerText":"There is long-standing legislation in place that makes it an offence to drive while impaired through the use of drugs. The Scottish Government published in 2015 an analysis of responses received to a consultation on introducing drug driving limits and we are continuing to consider the practical implications raised by stakeholders of introducing drug driving limits in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312290,"EventID":"S5W-00261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T09:43:51.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T09:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the annual progress report on the Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published its second Climate Change Adaptation Annual Report on 31 May 2016. Highlights include Scotland's flood action plan and research on flood disadvantage; the launch of the National Centre for Resilience; projects by Edinburgh Adapts, Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, and Climate Ready Clyde; the public bodies climate change reporting duty which includes adaptation; and new indicators which have been developed for the Programme.\r\nIn 2016 we look forward in July 2016 to the new evidence report on climate risks in the UK and Scotland, as well as the independent report on our programme by the Adaptation Sub-Committee of the Committee on Climate Change in September 2016. In 2017, Glasgow, a Rockefeller Resilient City, will host the third European Climate Change Adaptation Conference.\r\nCopies of the annual report have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, laying number SG/2016/75.","AnswerDate":"2016-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312298,"EventID":"S5W-00226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:14.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce new arrangements to replace the Sure Start Maternity Grant.","AnswerText":"We are still considering our plans for the operation of the new Maternity and Early Years Allowance, including questions such as eligibility criteria and timescales for introduction. We want to implement the new benefit, which will replace the Sure Start Maternity Grant, as soon as practically possible. We have been consulting stakeholders including users, potential users and interested groups and will continue to do so over the summer to gather views to inform decisions and the required legislation. We will also be taking forward the next steps in the delivery process, which will involve financial, legal and practical considerations.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312299,"EventID":"S5W-00228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:15.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government at what payment level it will set its replacement for the Sure Start Maternity Grant.","AnswerText":"Our intention is to create a Maternity and Early Years Allowance. For those eligible, a maternity payment will be made for the first child of £600. Maternity payments for second and subsequent children will be £300. Payments of £250 will be introduced for all children when they start nursery and again when they start school.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312300,"EventID":"S5W-00229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:15.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in deciding to replace the Sure Start Maternity Grant, what assessment it made of the adequacy of the grant for assisting with the costs of a child.","AnswerText":"For the purposes of developing the Maternity and Early Years Allowance, Scottish Government officials have carried out an assessment of the cost of essential items for a new born child and shared these with stakeholders. We consider that these items could be bought with the £600 maternity payment that the Maternity and Early Years Allowance will make for first children. Officials have also sought opinions from users and potential users about their perception of the level of the current Sure Start Maternity Grant. Support with the overall or basic costs of having a child will continue to be met through a combination of benefits, many of which remain reserved and which make regular payments in addition to those planned by the Scottish Government on receipt of additional powers.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312301,"EventID":"S5W-00231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:16.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to change the eligibility criteria in its replacement for the Sure Start Maternity Grant in the current parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00226 on 15 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312302,"EventID":"S5W-00232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:16.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of applicants expected in respect of its replacement for the Sure Start Maternity Grant in each of the next four years; what information it has on how many applications were made in Scotland for the grant in each of the last five years, and what the estimated annual cost of these payments was. ","AnswerText":"Estimates of the number of applicants expected for the Maternity and Early Years Allowance will depend on decisions yet to be taken about the rollout of this benefit and the eligibility criteria that will be used.\r\nFor the purposes of policy development, we have estimated that, if current Sure Start Maternity Grant take-up rates and eligibility criteria were maintained, around 40,000 awards would be made each year. If full take-up were achieved and all eligible families received a grant we estimate that somewhere in the region of 85,000 awards would be made each year.\r\nThese figures are estimates of the total numbers of awards that would be made in a year and so combine payments on birth, upon a child starting nursery and upon a child starting primary school.\r\nSource: Scottish Government analysis based on Department for Work and Pensions figures.\r\nInformation on the number of applications and the annual cost of these payments is held by the Department for Work and Pensions.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312303,"EventID":"S5W-00233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:17.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the basic cost of having a child.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00229 on 15 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312304,"EventID":"S5W-00234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:17.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what the level of the Sure Start Maternity Grant would be had it been uprated in line with the (a) retail and (b) consumer price index since 2002.","AnswerText":"The department for work and pensions is responsible for the Sure Start Maternity Grant.\r\nHowever Scottish Government analysis shows that the £500 Sure Start Maternity Grant payment had been uprated in line with the (a) retail and (b) consumer price index since 2002 it is estimated that it would be around (a) £740 and (b) £680 in 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312305,"EventID":"S5W-00236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:18.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to change the funeral payment in the next 12 months.","AnswerText":"We want the powers to control the funeral payment as soon as practically possible, however timescales for delivering benefits in Scotland are yet to be formalised. There is much work to do to support our policy objectives on funeral poverty and the costs of a funeral and decisions about the detail of the replacement for the funeral payment can only be made in this wider context.\r\nA stakeholder reference group has been set up to advise on work on funeral poverty and the development of the funeral payment. The funeral payment will form part of the wider consultation over the summer on devolved social security benefits, to gather views to inform decisions, including those around eligibility. We will also be taking forward the next steps in the delivery process, which will involve some of the financial, legal and practical considerations.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312306,"EventID":"S5W-00237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:18.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the funeral payment in Scotland will be at the same level as that provided by the UK Government.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00236 on 14 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312307,"EventID":"S5W-00238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:19.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the adequacy of the funeral payment provision for funeral expenses.","AnswerText":"We have worked extensively with all those with an interest in the area of the costs of funerals and the adequacy of funeral payments. We commissioned a report on funeral poverty from John Birrell, Chair of the Scottish working Group on Funeral Poverty and Citizens Advice Scotland, and are taking forward the recommendations from that report. That report and the Scottish Governments response was published on 3 February 2016 and can be found at:http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/fairerscotland/future-powers/Publications. \r\nWe have also gathered evidence from academic papers, annually published research on funeral costs, third sector reports and professionals who work with bereaved people. In future, various measures will be established to evaluate the impact of the funeral payment alongside other social security benefits once they are devolved.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312308,"EventID":"S5W-00239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:19.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to change the eligibility requirement for the funeral payment in the current parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00236 on 14 June 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312309,"EventID":"S5W-00240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:20.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of applicants expected for funeral payments in each of the next four years; what information it has on how many applications for funeral payments were made in Scotland in each of the last five years; what the estimated annual cost of these payments was, and what the average award was.","AnswerText":"Estimating the number of people who are eligible for the funeral payment is difficult because of the limited Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) data available and the unpredictable nature of life events.\r\nTable 1 provides estimates of the number of possible Funeral Payment awards that would be made in 2016-17 to 2020-21.\r\nTwo sets of figures are provided. The first column estimates of the number of payments that would be made if current take-up levels were maintained.\r\nThe second column provides a very rough estimate of the number of payments that could be made if we managed to achieve maximum take up the funeral payment based on current eligibility criteria.\r\nTable 1: Forecast number of funeral payment awards in Scotland, 2015-16 to 2020-21\r\nYear\r\nExpected Awards (Current Take Up)\r\nExpected Awards (Full Take Up)\r\n2015-16\r\n4,000\r\n16,000\r\n2016-17\r\n4,000\r\n16,000\r\n2017-18\r\n4,000\r\n16,000\r\n2018-19\r\n4,000\r\n16,000\r\n2019-20\r\n4,000\r\n16,000\r\n2020-21\r\n4,000\r\n16,000\r\nSource: Scottish Government analysis based on Department for Work and Pensions figures\r\nTable 2 shows the numbers of funeral payment applications and awards in Scotland in 2010-11 to 2014-15.\r\nYear\r\nApplications\r\nAwards\r\n2010-11\r\n8,300\r\n5,100\r\n2011-12\r\n8,500\r\n5,000\r\n2012-13\r\n8,000\r\n4,800\r\n2013-14\r\n7,400\r\n4,400\r\n2014-15\r\n6,300\r\n4,300\r\nSource: UK Government parliamentary question 11102\r\nAnnual costs and the average award are available from DWP.\r\nNote for table 2:\r\nAll figures are rounded to the nearest 100.\r\nThe applications figures are based on applications received by DWP, not applications processed. Some applications may have been withdrawn before a decision was made.\r\nThe award figures include awards made after review, reconsideration or appeal following an initial refusal.\r\nThese figures do not include cases which have been processed clerically and have not been entered on to the Social Fund computer system.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312310,"EventID":"S5W-00241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:20.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the basic cost of a funeral.","AnswerText":"After recognising the issue of the costs of funerals the Scottish Government commissioned a report into funeral poverty, referred to in S5W-00238 on 14 June 2016 to examine this issue. We are concerned about the costs of funerals and have plans to take this forward with those in the industry. We will also seek to publish a funeral costs plan to tackle issues relating to the affordability of funerals.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312311,"EventID":"S5W-00242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:21.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the average cost of a funeral.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00238 on 14 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312312,"EventID":"S5W-00244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:22.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the funeral payment would be if it had been uprated in line with the (a) retail and (b) consumer price index since 2003.","AnswerText":"The Department of Work and Pensions is responsible for the funeral payment.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312313,"EventID":"S5W-00245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:22.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will hold the national funeral poverty conference that it announced on 3 February 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in the process of organising a national conference as part of the range of work currently being undertaken to address the issue of the costs of funerals including hosting round table discussions between Scottish Ministers and stakeholders and working with stakeholders to provide information to help people plan ahead for their own funeral.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312314,"EventID":"S5W-00246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:23.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring arrangements are in place to track funeral poverty.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not currently track funeral poverty however after recognising the issue of the costs of funerals commissioned a report into funeral poverty, as referred to in S5W-00238 on 14 June 2016 to examine this issue. Various measures will be established to evaluate the impact of the funeral payment and other social security benefits once they are devolved.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312315,"EventID":"S5W-00247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:23.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that social security funeral payments meet the actual cost of a funeral.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00236 on 14 June 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312316,"EventID":"S5W-00248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:24.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a licensing system for funeral directors.","AnswerText":"The Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 contains a regulation making power to enable Scottish Ministers to introduce a licensing scheme for funeral directors. The introduction of such a scheme will be considered once inspectors of the funeral industry have been appointed under the Act and they have reviewed how the industry operates and made recommendations to Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312317,"EventID":"S5W-00249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:24.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce parity in the burial and cremation costs charged by local authorities.","AnswerText":"The responsibility of burial and cremation charges lies with local authorities. As part of wider work on funeral costs, we plan to bring together funeral directors, councils and interested groups to examine ways of reducing funeral costs and encouraging people to better plan for their funeral.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312318,"EventID":"S5W-00250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:25.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to regulate the private parking industry during the current parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with the private parking industry, Citizens Advice Scotland and Trading Standards Scotland on how to improve industry practices in Scotland. As part of this work, we are looking at the standardising of signage, improving transparency of the industry through the development of a single code of practice and exploring the potential creation of an independent appeals service for Scotland.\r\n\r\nThe government will continue to keep under review whether further action, including primary legislation is required to ensure that best practice is adopted and maintained throughout the industry in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312319,"EventID":"S5W-00251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:26.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with partners in the private parking industry in relation to those not following the voluntary code of conduct.","AnswerText":"The Stakeholder Working Group on private parking, which includes representatives from the parking industry, Citizens Advice Scotland and the Trading Standards Scotland met in November 2015. The discussion at this meeting focused on how we can improve private parking practices, including non-compliance of the British Parking Association and Independent Parking Committee's codes of practice. \r\n\r\nDiscussions have been constructive and we are currently working with the stakeholders to develop an action plan, which will form the basis of the Scottish Government’s approach to delivering improvements to private parking practices across Scotland. A further meeting of the working group to discuss progress of the action plan will be arranged later in summer 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312320,"EventID":"S5W-00252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:27.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to introduce an independent appeals service, similar to that which exists in England, for the private parking industry in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently reviewing the progress of the Independent Parking Committee's (IPC) Independent Appeals Service, which was extended to Scotland in April 2015, without the need for keeper liability following the publication of Citizens Advice Scotlands' 2014 report. \r\n\r\nIn October 2015, the Independent Advisors Scotland (IAS) obtained 'Alternative Dispute Resolution' (ADR) accreditation under the UK Government's Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015’. These regulations enable motorists who have disputes with other parking operators other than IPC members to appeal to the IAS. As part of our considerations we will determine whether an appeals service without keeper liability should be rolled out across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312321,"EventID":"S5W-00253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:28.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-25T19:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital will replace the Southern General on M8 road signs.","AnswerText":"Work is in progress to have the four M8 motorway gantry signs, which currently refer to the ‘Southern General Hospital’ amended to read ‘QEUH and RHC Hospitals’. The standard red sign showing ‘H’ and ‘A & E’ will also be added. The new signing has been agreed with Glasgow City Council, who are co-ordinating the signing of the new hospitals throughout the city on behalf of NHS Scotland. The resigning works are programmed to start on 27 June 2016 and should take around one week. This element of the resigning work will be funded by NHS Scotland\r\n\r\nA fifth gantry on the slip road off the M8 westbound at junction 25, which currently only signs for the Clyde Tunnel, will be adapted to include signing for the new hospitals. As some structural alteration is required to accommodate the additional wording, the gantry will have to be removed from the motorway to undertake this work. The resigning will therefore be done as part of a general refurbishment of the gantry programmed for late September 2016 and will be funded by Transport Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312322,"EventID":"S5W-00262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:28.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money patients and staff have saved as a result of parking charges at all NHS-run hospital car parks being abolished.","AnswerText":"It is estimated that since car parking charges were abolished from 31 December 2008, patients and NHS staff have saved around £27 million.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312323,"EventID":"S5W-00263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:29.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it has done to improve adherence to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) guidelines when an NHS board has not performed satisfactorily in this regard.","AnswerText":"We expect boards to ensure that prevention and management of venous thromboembolism in their board follows all current relevant professional and clinical guidance and take appropriate action to ensure that this practice remains up-to-date.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312324,"EventID":"S5W-00264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:29.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its most up-to-date guidance is on deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and what it has done to raise awareness of this.","AnswerText":"The most recent guidance available to boards is contained in Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guide 122 which was issued via Healthcare Improvement Scotland in 2010 with minor updates in November 2011 and October 2014. Awareness of the guideline was raised at publication through a media release. SIGN takes a proactive role in supporting the implementation of its guidelines and in improving the implementability of its recommendations. SIGN’s implementation activities include improved processes for dissemination, awareness raising and education, networking and a range of implementation support resources.\r\n\r\nIn addition, improved delivery of evidence based care in the prevention and of venous thromboembolism (VTE) was included as one of the nine points of care in the acute adult Scottish Patient Safety Programme which was launched in 2008 as part of a specific improvement collaborative for sepsis/VTE. It is acknowledged that the sepsis/VTE collaborative supported significant improvement in awareness and activity and some demonstrable improvements in care. Following evaluation of the collaborative in 2015, it was acknowledged that there was still work to be taken forward to fully achieve its aims. To address this, the Scottish Patient Safety Programme (SPSP) is developing alternative approaches to supporting the reliable delivery of risk assessment and thromboprophylaxis to patients admitted to acute hospitals in Scotland\r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland is funding a full time improvement advisor (band 7) to work within NHS Borders to provide improvement support to:\r\nExplore existing VTE processes to diagnose the systems and factors impeding reliable delivery of risk assessment and thromboprophylaxis\r\nTest approaches to overcome these barriers.\r\nDevelop a revised approach as a resource for NHS Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312325,"EventID":"S5W-00265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:30.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how NHS boards’ performance in relation to the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) guidelines is scrutinised and how each board has performed since 2014.","AnswerText":"Information regarding the implementation of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network national clinical guideline on the prevention and management of venous thromboembolism is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312326,"EventID":"S5W-00266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:30.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve treatments available for cystic fibrosis.","AnswerText":"Cystic fibrosis is a complex condition that affects people in different ways. As such, the Scottish Government believes that people with cystic fibrosis should be cared for by a team of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals with specialised knowledge providing professional skills, care and support to this group of patients and their families. This will include the development of a care plan unique to the individual’s needs.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, we want to ensure that everyone who requires care, including those with cystic fibrosis, has access to the highest standards of such in every setting, whether that be in an NHS facility, a care home, or their own home. That is why we are integrating health and social care to provide a more responsive and joined-up service for all those who require it.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312327,"EventID":"S5W-00267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:31.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of (a) Orkambi and (b) Kalydeco as treatments for cystic fibrosis.","AnswerText":"In Scotland we have a clear route for new drugs to be appraised through the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC). The independence of SMC decisions on individual drugs is well established. The SMC are pleased to receive any resubmission.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312328,"EventID":"S5W-00268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:31.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with NHS Grampian to recruit GPs in Aberdeenshire.","AnswerText":"Recruitment of staff, including doctors, is a matter for each NHSScotland board as an employer. NHSScotland boards are required to have the correct staff in place to meet the needs of the service and ensure high quality patient care. The Scottish Government work closely with all boards to support their staff recruitment efforts and our investment in primary care has seen the number of GPs across the country increase by seven per cent under this government.\r\nWe are continuing to work with health boards and the medical profession to develop short-term recruitment initiatives as we look to develop more attractive medical career pathways. The British Medical Association is a key partner in this work.\r\nIn addition, we are continuously examining steps to boost recruitment and increase retention – including a returners’ package run by NHS National Education Scotland, and by providing additional funding to practices for population growth every year.\r\nWe are investing £2.5 million in a GP recruitment and retention programme to explore with key stakeholders, the issues surrounding GP recruitment and retention. The three-year programme will examine and take forward proposals to increase the number of medical students choosing to go into GP training. All health boards were invited to submit bids for this funding.\r\nThe health board has already begun work to address existing issues and we will be expecting them to engage closely with GPs and the local community as they begin to develop sustainable, ‘future-proofed’ primary care services.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312329,"EventID":"S5W-00269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:32.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote the Aberdeenshire East constituency and the north east of Scotland as tourist destinations.","AnswerText":"We work closely with a range of public bodies (including VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage, Skills Development Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland) and all sectors of the tourism industry to maximise the contribution of the visitor economy throughout all areas of Scotland, including Aberdeenshire East and the north east of Scotland. A number of public agencies and funding schemes have helped grow the visitor economy in the area\r\nVisitScotland\r\nAberdeenshire East specific\r\nAs well as the VisitScotland Regional Director and Industry Relationships Manager working with key stakeholders and industry to promote different themes within the area, specific activities for the Aberdeen East constituency include:\r\nThe launch of the Coastal Trail (in May 2016) and the Castle Trail (in March 2016), the latter launch being held at Fyvie and Delgatie Castles.\r\nPresentations given at Turriff Tourism Action Group and Turriff Business Association and specific promotion scheduled for Turriff Show and Formartine Floral Trail over the summer.\r\nBespoke partnership marketing activity with local companies such as the recent VisitScotland’s Mackie’s ice cream tub promotion\r\nWorking with Aberdeenshire Council, VisitScotland delivered a multi-touch-point campaign (covering digital channels, postal direct mail and press) to promote Aberdeenshire in spring 2016. The activity ran from March until April 2016 and was aimed at reinforcing the region’s key strengths to inspire visitors to take a break in Aberdeenshire in spring/summer 2016. This was in addition to regular familiarisation trips organised for tourism buyers and media\r\nProviding quality accommodation is crucial to developing a must-visit, must-return destination. That’s why as well as supporting the 322 Aberdeenshire businesses currently in its Quality Assurance Scheme, VisitScotland has been working closely with Aberdeenshire Council on a project to help Aberdeenshire businesses access VisitScotland Quality Assurance Schemes for the first time. \r\nIn addition, VisitScotland has worked with Aberdeenshire Council to access a list of businesses affected by flooding in order to delay/waive invoices for quality assurance. The regional VisitScotland industry relationship manager has also been in contact with the businesses listed to offer additional support.\r\nAs part of their engagement with the industry in the area, the VisitScotland CEO has recently undertaken a listening tour. This included a media story on investment in the north east as a tourist destination, showcasing the Aberdeen Music Hall refurbishment. It also featured a meeting with young people and entrepreneurs in the industry to find out more about the challenges they face as well as the opportunities, and how VisitScotland can help to encourage more young people to enter the industry. \r\nNorth East of Scotland\r\nAs the national tourism organisation, VisitScotland works closely with individual enterprises and the local Destination Management Organisations (DMOs), including Visit Royal Deeside, Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership, Fraserbugh and District Tourism Group, Inverurie Business Group and the Braemar Tourism Group.\r\nDuring 2014-15, through their website: www.visitscotland.com VisitScotland had over 20 million visitors. During the same time period 278,000 searches involving Aberdeen City and Shire were made and over 201,000 potential visitors also searched for accommodation in Aberdeen City and Shire which was an 18% increase from the previous year.\r\nVisitScotland Information Centres (VICs) provide visitors with advice and inspiration on what to do and see across Aberdeenshire and are located in Braemar, Ballater, Stonehaven, Huntly, Alford, Fraserburgh and Banff, with an Information Point at Crathie. The VIC in Aberdeen also carries a great deal of information on activities and accommodation available across Aberdeenshire.\r\nVisitScotland’s Growth Fund supports the marketing and promotion of activi","AnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312330,"EventID":"S5W-00270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:32.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will take forward plans for a new elective treatment centre in Grampian.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to investing £200 million to establish five new elective and diagnostic centres across Scotland, as well as expanding the Golden Jubilee National Hospital. One of the new centres will be located at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.\r\nPlanning has now begun and the intention is for the elective centres to be operational within the lifetime of this Parliament. We will ensure that a local project team is established in Grampian during the summer of 2016 to start the planning process. This team should ensure that appropriate clinical and community interests are involved.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312331,"EventID":"S5W-00271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:33.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will set out further detail on what role Aberdeen Royal Infirmary will take in a major trauma network across Scotland.","AnswerText":"The First Minister recently announced that there will be four major trauma centres in Scotland – Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. These centres will operate within an inclusive national trauma network to help deliver improved outcomes for severely injured patients.\r\n\r\nThe National Planning Forum is continuing its work to design and implement this trauma network and clinicians from across Scotland continue to be involved in this work.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312332,"EventID":"S5W-00272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:33.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help young people in the Aberdeenshire East constituency into work.","AnswerText":"Through the implementation of the Scottish Government’s Youth Employment Strategy – Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) - this government has invested in a wide range of employment initiatives including modern apprenticeships, Community Jobs Scotland and Scotland’s Employer Recruitment Incentive. These individual programmes underpin our opportunities for all offer of a place in education or training for all 16-19 year olds and are directly helping to create sustainable employment opportunities for young people in Scotland, including Aberdeenshire East. \r\nIn Aberdeenshire:\r\nAt end December 2015 there were 2,340 modern apprentices in training in Aberdeenshire; including 867 new modern apprenticeship starts.\r\nIn total there have been 108 Community Jobs Scotland places delivered since 2011, with a further 22 opportunities allocated for 2016/17; of the 30 young people moving on from their activity agreement in 2015/16, 21 progressed on to further learning, training and employment; and young people are supported by two Skills Development Scotland Centres in Aberdeenshire; Peterhead and Inverurie. \r\nIn addition, SDS has regular outreach services in Fraserburgh and Banff with provision for customers to be seen in partner premises in other areas.\r\nThe North East Regional DYW Group which was established in February 2015, and hosted in the Chamber of Commerce is adding industry leadership aimed at bringing about a permanent change among employers in how they engage with education and recruit more work ready young people. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312333,"EventID":"S5W-00273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:34.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T12:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it can support and promote the not-for-profit website, firstperiod.org.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is supportive of efforts by organisations in Scotland to educate and promote women and girls' health, including menstrual health both domestically and internationally. The Scottish Government makes available funding opportunities to organisations, in a range of themes including health, through its International Development Fund.\r\nKey to promoting health in developing countries will be the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will tackle poverty and inequality between now and 2030. Specifically for menstrual health, SDG 3 ‘Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages’ and SDG 5 ‘Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’ will be important. In committing to the Global Goals in July 2015, the First Minister declared that they offered a vision of the world that she believes Scotland shares: ending poverty and hunger; securing education and health services; and combatting inequality and achieving gender equality.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312334,"EventID":"S5W-00274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:34.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T12:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its international development programme can help girls and young women in the developing world access the information and products that they need to effectively manage their periods.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's £9 million per annum International Development Fund currently supports projects in our seven priority countries of Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the three poorest states in India. These projects cover a range of themes, including water, sanitation, health and education and many of the projects have a strong emphasis on women and girls. For example since 2013, the Scottish Government has funded Opportunity International to deliver a project in Bihar, India called 'Empowering communities for water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) and clean energy'. This project has helped to build healthier communities, by training local women as community health facilitators in gender-sensitive health, hygiene and nutrition, and enable them to educate their own communities providing them with knowledge and financial tools to access health-related services and products including menstrual products.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312335,"EventID":"S5W-00275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:35.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T12:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its international development programme and other work can raise awareness of menstrual hygiene and health in developing countries, including Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28 May 2016.","AnswerText":"Many of the organisations that the Scottish Government supports through its International Development Fund are helping to raise awareness of menstrual hygiene and health in developing countries, and supported Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28 May 2016. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312336,"EventID":"S5W-00276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:35.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T12:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with stakeholders in Scotland and in developing countries regarding issues related to menstrual hygiene and health.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government meets regularly with the organisations we fund to deliver international development projects, many of which are health based. In Scotland, health and wellbeing, including menstrual health, is one of the eight curricular areas in the curriculum for excellence helping to ensure young women and girls develop mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing now and in the future.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312337,"EventID":"S5W-00277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:36.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T12:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has provided to the Scottish Funding Council in each of the last three years to support additional funded places at universities, also broken down by the number of places allocated. ","AnswerText":"The funding provided by the Scottish Funding Council in the last three years is set out in Table 1:\r\n\r\nTable 1: \r\nYear\r\nFunding for Additional Places\r\n2013-14\r\n£21,246,897\r\n2014-15\r\n£19,998,224\r\n2015-16\r\n£19,482,699\r\nTotal\r\n£60,727,820\r\nThe breakdown by the number of places allocated is set out in Table 2:\r\n\r\nTable 2:\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nWidening Access\r\n727\r\n730\r\n680\r\nArticulation\r\n1020\r\n1089\r\n1118\r\nSTEM\r\n300\r\n300\r\n300\r\nTaught Postgraduate\r\n815\r\n37\r\n0\r\nUndergraduate Skills\r\n342\r\n342\r\n342\r\nCommunity Education\r\n30\r\n30\r\n10\r\nUniversity of the Highlands and Islands\r\n200\r\n700\r\n600\r\nCrichton\r\n50\r\n15\r\n25\r\nBritish Sign Language\r\n12\r\n12\r\n12\r\nRegional Coherence\r\n10\r\n60\r\n80\r\nInnovation Centres\r\n0\r\n105\r\n110\r\n‘Actual Enrolments’ based places for Widening Access\r\n0\r\n15\r\n15\r\nOptimum Music Provision\r\n0\r\n0\r\n7\r\nDeaf Performance\r\n0\r\n0\r\n8\r\nTotal\r\n3,506\r\n3,435\r\n3,307","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312338,"EventID":"S5W-00278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:36.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T12:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of (a) school pupils and (b) college students in deprived areas receives support from the Education Maintenance Allowance Programme.","AnswerText":"The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) Programme aims to provide support for young people aged 16 to 19 from low income families to overcome financial barriers to stay on in post-16 education, either in school or on a further education (FE) college course.\r\n\r\nCollege students aged 16 to 19 enrolled on FE courses have access to either EMA or when they reach 18 years of age, an FE bursary for financial support. A student cannot receive both EMA and an FE bursary and it is at the discretion of colleges as to which one the student receives. Students enrolled on higher education (HE) courses are not eligible for EMA or FE Bursaries and apply directly to the Student Award Agency for Scotland for support.\r\nIn academic year 2014-15:\r\n(a) 51 per cent of all 16 to 19 year old school pupils living in the 20 per cent most deprived areas in Scotland received EMA\r\n(b) 26 per cent of all 16 to 19 year old FE college students living in the 20 per cent most deprived areas in Scotland received EMA\r\nFurther information on EMA recipients and deprivation background can be found in the latest Scottish Government national statistics publication on EMAs for 2014-15 released on 23 March 2016. Link to publication below:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/8840/0\r\nSource: Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312339,"EventID":"S5W-00280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:37.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T12:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many recipients there have been of the small business bonus scheme in each year since it was introduced.","AnswerText":"The number of properties estimated to have benefited each year from the small business bonus scheme, since it began in 2008-09, is shown in the following table. Figures for 2016-17 are due to be published in October 2016.\r\n\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n64,179\r\n73,939\r\n80,021\r\n85,199\r\n89,087\r\n92,381\r\n96,265\r\n99,559","AnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312340,"EventID":"S5W-00282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T13:39:37.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs there are per head of population, and how this compares with the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"The number of GPs working in Scotland has risen to a record high under this government – but we will go on working with family doctors and their representatives to help meet the challenges the profession faces over workload and recruitment. Scotland continues to have the most GPs per head of population in the UK, and spending on primary care per head has risen since this government came to office.\r\n\r\nCountry\r\nNo. Of GPs\r\nPopulation\r\nGPs: Per head of population\r\nScotland\r\n4,938 as at Sept 2015\r\n5,347,600\r\n1 : 1,083\r\nEngland\r\n40,584 as at Sept 2014\r\n54,316,600\r\n1 : 1,338\r\nWales\r\n2,249 as at Sept 2015\r\n3,092,000\r\n1 : 1,375\r\nNorthern Ireland\r\n1,274 as at Oct 2015\r\n1,840,500\r\n1 : 1,445","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312341,"EventID":"S5W-00254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T16:57:50.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which directorate is the sponsor for Citizens Advice Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Directorate for Economic Development takes the lead role in the Scottish Government’s relationship with Citizens Advice Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312342,"EventID":"S5W-00255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T16:57:52.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it provides to Citizens Advice Scotland each year; for what purpose, and what monitoring arrangements are in place.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provided Citizens Advice Scotland with funding of over £2.6 million in 2015-16 to support a wide range of projects delivered by Citizens Advice Scotland and Citizens Advice Bureaux in areas such as welfare, health care and managing finances. Monitoring arrangements are put in place as part of the grant awards to provide regular progress and financial reports to the Scottish Government. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312343,"EventID":"S5W-00256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T16:57:53.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how much funding is provided by the UK Government to Citizens Advice Scotland each year.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312344,"EventID":"S5W-00257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T16:57:55.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether funding of Citizens Advice Scotland should be transferred from the UK Government.","AnswerText":"We fully support the transfer of funding to the Scottish Government for consumer advocacy and advice activities undertaken by Citizens Advice Scotland, which arises as a consequence of the devolution of powers under the Scotland Act 2016. Core funding for Citizens Advice Scotland is provided by the UK Government through the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and there are currently no plans to change this.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312345,"EventID":"S5W-00258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T16:57:56.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any concerns about the governance arrangements at Citizens Advice Scotland, in light of repeated governance reviews following the departure of a number of chief executives.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is supporting Citizens Advice Scotland through its governance review to ensure it can achieve its aim of being a model of good practice. In particular, this will include that the organisation can clearly demonstrate appropriate and value for money use of public funding.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312346,"EventID":"S5W-00259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T16:57:57.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it believes that the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator should investigate Citizens Advice Scotland following allegations about the use of the development fund.","AnswerText":"The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) is aware of the current position of Citizens Advice Scotland. OSCR is an operationally independent body and it is for OSCR to interpret charity law and apply it to situations it encounters. As such, it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to comment on what is potentially a matter for OSCR.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312347,"EventID":"S5W-00260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T16:57:59.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how much Citizens Advice Scotland has spent on terminating the contract of its most recent chief executive.","AnswerText":"As an independent charity, issues relating to its staff are a matter for Citizens Advice Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312348,"EventID":"S5W-00283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T16:58:00.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, with regard to the designation of four major trauma centres in Scotland, previously announced in April 2014, what recommendations were made to ministers following the meeting of the National Planning Forum on 28 April 2016; what other advice ministers have received or expect to receive on this issue, and when a final decision will be made.","AnswerText":"The National Planning Forum has not made any recommendations to Scottish Ministers following its meeting on 28 April 2016.\r\n\r\nThe First Minister has confirmed that there will be four major trauma centres in Scotland – Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. These centres will operate within an inclusive national trauma network to help deliver improved outcomes for severely injured patients.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312349,"EventID":"S5W-00284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T16:58:01.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, with regard to the major trauma centre at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, previously announced in April 2014, what recommendations were made to ministers following the meeting of the National Planning Forum on 28 April 2016; what other advice ministers have received or expect to receive on this issue, and when a final decision will be made.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00283 on 9 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312350,"EventID":"S5W-00285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T16:58:02.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment of risk to the marine wildlife, including orcas, it has made of the proposed ship-to-ship transfer in the Moray Firth.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no functions in relation to ship to ship oil transfer licenses. This is a matter reserved to the UK Government, and we continue to press for devolution of these powers to Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312351,"EventID":"S5W-00286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T16:58:03.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent attack on children in Northumberland, whether it is considering introducing further measures relating to the control of dogs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to measures to encourage responsible dog ownership to help keep our communities safe. That is why we supported, along with all other parties, the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 which includes measures to highlight the responsibilities of dog owners to ensure they keep their dogs under control to avoid dog attacks taking place.\r\n\r\nThis legislation, which does not apply in England, is increasingly being used with the latest 2015-16 figures showing that 290 dog control notices were issued to irresponsible dog owners who allowed their dogs to be out of control. This is the highest year-on-year figure for the issuing of dog control notices since the legislation came into force in 2011.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312352,"EventID":"S5W-00287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T16:58:03.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 and the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 are fit for purpose.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to measures to encourage responsible dog ownership to help keep our communities safe. That is why we supported, along with all other parties, the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 which includes measures to highlight the responsibilities of dog owners to ensure they keep their dogs under control to avoid dog attacks taking place.\r\n\r\nThis legislation is increasingly being used with the latest 2015-16 figures showing that 290 dog control notices were issued to irresponsible dog owners who allowed their dogs to be out of control. This is the highest year-on-year figure for the issuing of dog control notices since the legislation came into force in 2011.\r\nWhile the Scottish Government keeps legislation under review, we have no current plans to amend either the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 or the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312353,"EventID":"S5W-00288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-26T16:58:04.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the most recent figures for modern apprenticeship starts compare to those in 2006-07, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland (SDS) publishes statistical information about the modern apprenticeship programme, including a breakdown by local authority area, on a quarterly basis here: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/publications-statistics/statistics/modern-apprenticeships/. \r\nThe most recent statistics are for the third quarter of 2015-16 (i.e. to end December 2016). Full year statistics for 2015-16 were published on 7 June 2016. SDS has also published a list of modern apprenticeship starts between 2005-06 and 2013-14 here:\r\nhttps://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/38812/ma_starts_by_local_authority_05-06_to_12-13.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312362,"EventID":"S5F-00004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T11:57:23.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T12:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312363,"EventID":"S5F-00006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T11:57:25.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T12:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the General Secretary of the STUC.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312364,"EventID":"S5F-00014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T11:57:32.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-30T13:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that victims of rape are supported during a police investigation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312365,"EventID":"S5F-00015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T11:57:33.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-30T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312366,"EventID":"S5F-00018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T11:57:35.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-30T19:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the former Cabinet Secretary for Justice prior to and since the publication of his recent book.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312367,"EventID":"S5F-00023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T11:57:38.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T08:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's plans are for local government reform.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312368,"EventID":"S5F-00033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T11:57:44.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what impact the introduction of a ban on air weapons has had.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312369,"EventID":"S5F-00011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T11:57:28.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-27T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312372,"EventID":"S5W-00281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T17:34:43.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T13:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value of the food industry is to the economy, and what steps it is taking to (a) expand and (b) promote the sector.","AnswerText":"Turnover in the food and drink growth sector has reached a record of £14.3 billion (2013 figures, the latest available) moving closer to the target of £16.5 billion the industry set for 2017. Latest figures also show that since 2007, there has been an increase in food exports of 48% to £1.06 billion and drink exports of 36% to £3.9 billion. Retail sales of Scottish brands across Great Britain have increased by 35% to £1.89 billion since 2007.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government works with a range of public and private sector partners to promote and invest in the food and drink sector. This includes working with the Scotland Food and Drink Partnership on a new 2030 strategy which will be launched in 2017 to identify opportunities and priorities for the sector going forward. We will also be working with the sector to deliver on a number of manifesto commitments related to food and drink, ranging from a Good Food Nation Bill to support for local sourcing of produce.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312373,"EventID":"S5W-00289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5591,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T17:34:43.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-27T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) local authority and (b) housing association homes have been built since 2007, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Details are as follows:\r\n(a) Local authority homes delivered since 2007 - the Council House Building Programme was not introduced until 2009-10:\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n\r\n\r\n     71\r\n     80\r\n\r\n     8\r\nAngus\r\n\r\n\r\n     21\r\n     28\r\n    73\r\n    39\r\nCity of Aberdeen\r\n\r\n\r\n     85\r\n     31\r\n\r\n\r\nCity of Dundee\r\n\r\n\r\n     28\r\n\r\n     8\r\n\r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n     67\r\n\r\n    48\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n     24\r\n    20\r\n    40\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    12\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n\r\n    10\r\n     40\r\n     10\r\n\r\n    90\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n\r\n\r\n     19\r\n     47\r\n    46\r\n    54\r\nEast Lothian\r\n\r\n    157\r\n      9\r\n    161\r\n    106\r\n    100\r\nFalkirk\r\n\r\n\r\n     84\r\n     36\r\n\r\n    160\r\nFife\r\n     41\r\n\r\n     57\r\n     70\r\n    52\r\n\r\nHighland\r\n\r\n\r\n     34\r\n     73\r\n    114\r\n    191\r\nMidlothian\r\n\r\n    115\r\n    116\r\n    206\r\n    76\r\n     1\r\nMoray\r\n\r\n    48\r\n\r\n    154\r\n\r\n    108\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n\r\n    23\r\n     40\r\n\r\n    12\r\n    121\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n\r\n    38\r\n     93\r\n\r\n    120\r\n    85\r\nOrkney\r\n\r\n    30\r\n     28\r\n     36\r\n    24\r\n    26\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n\r\n\r\n     56\r\n     31\r\n    31\r\n    52\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    37\r\n\r\nShetland\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    20\r\n    10\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n\r\n\r\n     68\r\n\r\n    34\r\n     6\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n\r\n\r\n     61\r\n     20\r\n    117\r\n\r\nStirling\r\n\r\n\r\n     38\r\n\r\n    43\r\n    68\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    48\r\n    36\r\nWest Lothian\r\n\r\n    248\r\n\r\n     42\r\n    343\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n(b) Housing association homes delivered since 2007:\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n    86\r\n162\r\n460\r\n201\r\n46\r\n18\r\n57\r\n\r\nAngus\r\n   112\r\n87\r\n78\r\n61\r\n44\r\n12\r\n72\r\n    42\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n   206\r\n129\r\n35\r\n194\r\n60\r\n96\r\n153\r\n    97\r\nCity of Aberdeen\r\n   100\r\n33\r\n60\r\n224\r\n64\r\n68\r\n159\r\n    32\r\nCity of Dundee\r\n   131\r\n304\r\n91\r\n174\r\n92\r\n\r\n75\r\n    44\r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\n   491\r\n411\r\n750\r\n510\r\n639\r\n378\r\n417\r\n   260\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n     3\r\n3\r\n70\r\n64\r\n2\r\n45\r\n0\r\n     5\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n   276\r\n185\r\n88\r\n70\r\n73\r\n70\r\n80\r\n   364\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n    80\r\n158\r\n206\r\n105\r\n105\r\n42\r\n15\r\n\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n    26\r\n42\r\n26\r\n136\r\n11\r\n102\r\n94\r\n   100\r\nEast Lothian\r\n    80\r\n63\r\n94\r\n86\r\n67\r\n9\r\n31\r\n     2\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n\r\n20\r\n119\r\n57\r\n15\r\n119\r\n16\r\n\r\nFalkirk\r\n\r\n39\r\n123\r\n119\r\n58\r\n42\r\n\r\n    51\r\nFife\r\n   282\r\n394\r\n168\r\n244\r\n134\r\n223\r\n61\r\n   149\r\nGlasgow\r\n   981\r\n918\r\n952\r\n1,137\r\n1,314\r\n647\r\n825\r\n  1,371\r\nHighland\r\n   388\r\n425\r\n381\r\n517\r\n291\r\n159\r\n109\r\n    39\r\nInverclyde\r\n    93\r\n85\r\n363\r\n25\r\n381\r\n171\r\n126\r\n     6\r\nMidlothian\r\n    35\r\n53\r\n56\r\n53\r\n18\r\n121\r\n26\r\n    11\r\nMoray\r\n   100\r\n95\r\n87\r\n242\r\n145\r\n40\r\n\r\n     1\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n   139\r\n105\r\n98\r\n82\r\n64\r\n100\r\n89\r\n   117\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n    75\r\n264\r\n224\r\n217\r\n124\r\n166\r\n109\r\n   137\r\nOrkney\r\n    37\r\n45\r\n36\r\n25\r\n80\r\n67\r\n44\r\n     7\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n   153\r\n178\r\n348\r\n112\r\n101\r\n48\r\n44\r\n     8\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n   168\r\n101\r\n109\r\n119\r\n283\r\n175\r\n159\r\n    56\r\nShetland\r\n    15\r\n43\r\n70\r\n20\r\n54\r\n16\r\n8\r\n    57\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n    62\r\n68\r\n232\r\n0\r\n99\r\n14\r\n50\r\n\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n   156\r\n392\r\n329\r\n106\r\n243\r\n215\r\n136\r\n    45\r\nStirling\r\n   134\r\n123\r\n64\r\n96\r\n56\r\n14\r\n65\r\n    58\r\nThe Scottish Borders\r\n    81\r\n92\r\n34\r\n168\r\n1\r\n83\r\n37\r\n    49\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n    48\r\n87\r\n81\r\n54\r\n217\r\n13\r\n0\r\n    66\r\nWest Lothian\r\n    85\r\n119\r\n181\r\n123\r\n59\r\n66\r\n58\r\n    25\r\nWestern Isles\r\n    44\r\n72\r\n43\r\n11\r\n90\r\n15\r\n34\r\n     8\r\nFigures in respect of the full financial year 2015-16 will not be available until the next release of official statistics which are due to be published on 14 June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312374,"EventID":"S5W-00291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T17:34:44.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-27T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will take forward its plan to establish a renewable energy bond to allow savers to invest in and support that sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will explore the establishment of a green energy bond with key stakeholders, including the finance community, local energy groups and developers. This will be taken forward as part of the new energy strategy which will be implemented over this Parliament and beyond.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312375,"EventID":"S5W-00293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T17:34:44.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-30T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Isle of Man fishery opening on 1 November 2016, whether it will seek to avoid potential overfishing in the Loch Sunart and the Sound of Jura marine protected area by altering its opening date from 1 October. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government currently has no plans to alter the seasonal management measure for the Loch Sunart to Sound of Jura marine protected area. However, any proposals which may come for such a change would, of course, be given due consideration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312376,"EventID":"S5W-00294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T17:34:45.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-30T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to (a) increase the recruitment of and (b) retain orthopaedic consultants.","AnswerText":"It is for health boards to plan and deliver clinical services and ensure that they have the correct staff in place to meet the needs of their services and ensure high quality patient care.\r\nThe Scottish Government works closely with all boards to support their staff recruitment efforts.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312377,"EventID":"S5W-00295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T17:34:45.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-30T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28251 by Shona Robison on 16 November 2015, whether the final range of  services to be provided by each centre has been agreed and, if so, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding how the £200 million will be allocated.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently in detailed discussions with the relevant NHS boards on the range of services each of the centres will provide. The allocation of the £200 million will be made once the range of services has been agreed for each facility. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312378,"EventID":"S5W-00296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T17:34:46.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-30T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many orthopaedic consultants have been appointed in each of the last five years, and what analysis it has carried out of the trend.","AnswerText":"The number of consultant appointments each year is not held centrally. The following table shows the number of whole time equivalent (WTE) consultants in post at the end of each of the last five financial years.\r\nThe information shown is for trauma and orthopaedic surgery which is the full name of the general medical council specialty. All consultants working in this specialty have been trained in both trauma and orthopaedics.\r\nThe number of consultants with a specialty of trauma and orthopaedic surgery has increased by 19.6 WTE, or 8.8 per cent since 2012.\r\nTable 1. Number (WTE) of consultants with a specialty of trauma and orthopaedic surgery.\r\n\r\nMarch 2012\r\nMarch 2013\r\nMarch 2014\r\nMarch 2015\r\nMarch 2016\r\nWhole time equivalent (WTE)\r\n222.6\r\n216.3\r\n219.5\r\n224.7\r\n242.2\r\nIncrease in WTE (from previous year)\r\n4.6\r\n-6.2\r\n3.2\r\n5.2\r\n17.6\r\n% increase in WTE (from previous year)\r\n2.1%\r\n-2.8%\r\n1.5%\r\n2.3%\r\n7.8%\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System.\r\nNotes\r\nData is as at 31 March each year.\r\nBetween September 2015 and December 2015 national waiting times centre had an increase of 8.0 WTE trauma and orthopaedic surgery consultants, these staff were previously miscoded with a specialty of general surgery.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312379,"EventID":"S5W-00297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T17:34:47.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-30T19:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet last discussed the risk of and response to a nuclear incident.","AnswerText":"The contents of discussions of the Scottish Cabinet are not routinely disclosed. Ministers are briefed at the highest level on civil contingency matters including nuclear.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312380,"EventID":"S5W-00298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T17:34:47.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-30T19:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the conclusions and recommendations in Nuclear Free Local Authorities briefing number 145, Nuclear security concerns – how secure is the UK civil nuclear sector, will have on its civil contingency planning.","AnswerText":"Nuclear security is a reserved matter. The Department for Energy and Climate Change works closely with the home office to ensure that security at all UK civil nuclear sites, and for civil nuclear material in transit, remains robust and effective. A threat assessment is prepared for the civil nuclear industry on the basis of intelligence, and security measures which the independent regulator requires to be in place in the industry reflect this.\r\nRobust emergency response arrangements are in place, and the Scottish Government works closely with the UK Government, office for nuclear regulation, industry and responder organisations on these.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312381,"EventID":"S5W-00299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T17:34:48.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-30T19:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, as part of its civil contingency planning, it has made an assessment of (a) insider, (b) cyber, (c) aircraft and (d) drone attacks on nuclear facilities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00298 on 14 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312382,"EventID":"S5W-00300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T17:34:48.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-30T19:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action its Resilience Division has taken to plan a response to an attack on (a) fuel stores at nuclear reactor sites and (b) nuclear fuel flasks during transport.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00298 on 14 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312383,"EventID":"S5W-00301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T17:34:49.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-30T19:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its Resilience Division has a position on the distribution of stable iodine tablets to all households within 30km of nuclear facilities without waiting for an incident or accident to occur and, if so, what position.","AnswerText":"There are currently no plans to alter the existing arrangements for the distribution of stable iodine tablets to households close to a nuclear facility.\r\nIn Scotland as part of the planning for, and response to, a potential incident at a nuclear power station, supplies of stable iodine tablets are routinely distributed to households within a designated emergency planning zone around the power station.\r\nThe office for nuclear regulation are responsible across the UK for setting the area where the local authority is required to provide an adequate off-site emergency plan, and ensure that it is reviewed and tested at regular intervals. Part of this planning process includes the distribution of stable iodine tablets to households within this zone.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312384,"EventID":"S5W-00306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T17:34:49.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T10:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time college students are female; how this compares with 2007, and what action it is taking to help address any imbalance.","AnswerText":"In 2014-15, 42,974 full-time college students were female, 54% of the total, and a similar proportion to 2006-07. Full details are in the following table.\r\n\r\nYear\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nMale\r\n30,920\r\n30,382\r\n31,600\r\n35,094\r\n37,048\r\n37,880\r\n36,480\r\n37,147\r\n36,241\r\nFemale\r\n37,064\r\n37,167\r\n39,068\r\n41,603\r\n42,494\r\n42,968\r\n41,807\r\n42,709\r\n42,974\r\n% Female\r\n55%\r\n55%\r\n55%\r\n54%\r\n53%\r\n53%\r\n53%\r\n53%\r\n54%\r\nSource: Infact Database, Scottish Funding Council\r\nThe Scottish Funding Council will publish a gender action plan in summer 2016, produced with colleges, which will address gender disparities in college education.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312385,"EventID":"S5W-00307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T17:34:50.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T10:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many learning hours are delivered to college students who are disabled; how this compares with 2007, and what action it is taking to increase the number.","AnswerText":"In 2014-15, 12,269,889 learning hours were provided to students with a recorded disability. This is 22% higher than the equivalent figure in 2006-07.\r\nYear\r\nTotal learning hours for students with a recorded disability\r\n2006-2007\r\n10,074,987\r\n2007-2008\r\n10,592,135\r\n2008-2009\r\n11,101,241\r\n2009-2010\r\n11,312,636\r\n2010-2011\r\n11,466,064\r\n2011-2012\r\n11,316,673\r\n2012-2013\r\n11,112,567\r\n2013-2014\r\n11,634,168\r\n2014-2015\r\n12,269,889\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council\r\nIn its guidance to colleges, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has made clear that improving access for disabled people is a priority. To that end, SFC is investing a record £100 million across the sector to ensure colleges are resourced to meet the needs of disabled students.\r\nThe SFC continues to work closely with the equality challenge unit, enable Scotland, colleges development network and other partners to improve outcomes and support for this group of learners.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312386,"EventID":"S5W-00313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T17:34:50.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to publish the invitations to tender for the (a) Gourock-Dunoon and (b) Northern Isles ferry services contracts.","AnswerText":"We anticipate issuing invitations to tender for the Gourock-Dunoon ferry service contract around late summer 2016. Our working assumptions for the next Northern Isles ferry service contract suggest that invitations to tender will issue in early summer 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312387,"EventID":"S5W-00314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-05-31T17:34:51.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, how many (a) public and (b) private sector bids it is hoping to receive when the next contracts to operate (i) Gourock-Dunoon and (ii) Northern Isles ferry services are put out to tender.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to anticipate how many public and private sector bids will be received for the next Gourock-Dunoon or Northern Isles ferry service contracts.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312439,"EventID":"S5O-00001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:06.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Lanarkshire and what matters were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312440,"EventID":"S5O-00002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:07.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that operations scheduled by NHS boards go ahead as planned.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312441,"EventID":"S5O-00003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:08.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the PAMIS campaign, Changing Places Toilets.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312442,"EventID":"S5O-00004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:08.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will review the referral pathway that results in cancer patients in Stranraer having to travel to Edinburgh via Dumfries rather than to cancer services in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312443,"EventID":"S5O-00005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:08.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to help reduce waiting times at GP surgeries.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312444,"EventID":"S5O-00006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:09.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to boost GP recruitment.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312445,"EventID":"S5O-00007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:09.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what timetable it is working to in its pledge to examine extending the minor ailment service.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312446,"EventID":"S5O-00008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5809,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:10.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average wait in weeks was for child and adolescent mental health services in NHS Forth Valley for patients who started their treatment in the last quarter of 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312447,"EventID":"S5O-00009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:10.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the final 2016-17 budgets for NHS boards and integrated joint boards.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312448,"EventID":"S5O-00010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:11.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to using the New Medicines Fund to ensure access to the cystic fibrosis medicine, Ivacaftor, for 2 to 5-year-olds with the G551D gene.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312449,"EventID":"S5O-00011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:12.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will retain the the current level of services at the Vale of Leven Hospital.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312450,"EventID":"S5O-00012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:12.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had or plans to have with NHS boards and local authorities regarding disabled access in and around hospitals and other health facilities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312451,"EventID":"S5O-00013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:13.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve children's health and fitness.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking many steps to improve children’s health and fitness as part of our determination to raise attainment and make Scotland the best place to grow up. \r\nThis includes engaging with families as early as possible in their pregnancy to ensure the best start in life, and continuing this support through our investment in family nurse partnership and health visiting. \r\nThe Scottish Government’s vision is of a Scotland where more people are more active, more often. Creating a culture in which healthy behaviours are the norm starts in the early years, so that children and young people develop a lifelong habit of activity.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312452,"EventID":"S5O-00014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:13.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met officials from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.","AnswerText":"Ministers and Government officials regularly meet with representatives of all health boards, including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312453,"EventID":"S5O-00015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:14.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to NHS boards to support joint working with local authorities regarding health and care partnerships.","AnswerText":"We are providing both financial and practical support to new integrated health and social care partnerships. Additional funding of more than £500 million for health boards enables investment of an additional £250 million to support the integration of health and social care and build the capacity of community-based services. \r\nFurther support is also available to partnerships via the improvement hub at Healthcare Improvement Scotland and also NHS National Services Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312454,"EventID":"S5O-00016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:15.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the new baby boxes that it plans to distribute will have on infant health.","AnswerText":"The boxes will be based on the successful Finnish model which has a proven record in tackling deprivation, improving health and supporting parents.\r\nThe boxes will provide a range of essential baby supplies, equipment and simple, consistent information for new parents, and will help to ease the financial burden of providing for a new born child. We are still at the very early stages of engagement and design of the baby boxes and plan to hold discussions with education and health partners, parents and carers to discuss content and other aspects of the box.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312455,"EventID":"S5O-00017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:16.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"Ministers and government officials regularly meet with representatives of all health boards, including NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312456,"EventID":"S5O-00018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:17.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that people in the east end of Glasgow continue to have access to local hospital services.","AnswerText":"In line with Nicola Sturgeon's decision to reject the proposals to close Lightburn Hospital in 2011, the government remains committed to ensuring that people in the east end of Glasgow continue to have access to high quality local services. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312457,"EventID":"S5O-00019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:17.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport last met NHS Lothian.","AnswerText":"Ministers and government officials regularly meet with representatives of all health boards, including NHS Lothian, to discuss matters of importance to local people.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312458,"EventID":"S5O-00020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:18.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the chief executive of NHS Lanarkshire and what matters were discussed.","AnswerText":"Ministers and government officials regularly meet with representatives of all health boards, including NHS Lanarkshire, to discuss matters of importance to local people.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312459,"EventID":"S5O-00021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:18.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what investment plans it has for transport infrastructure in north Aberdeenshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":312460,"EventID":"S5O-00022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:18.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the £254 million infrastructure investment that it announced in January 2016 will be included as part of the Aberdeen City Region Deal governance structure.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312461,"EventID":"S5O-00023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:19.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve public transport in rural areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312462,"EventID":"S5O-00024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5622,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:20.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T09:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its moratorium on fracking.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has put in place a moratorium to ensure that no unconventional oil and gas exploration can take place in Scotland while unanswered questions remain. As I made clear in response to the debate on 1 June, we have commissioned a comprehensive programme of research which is already underway, and which will report later this year, to investigate the potential health, environmental and economic impacts of this industry. This research, once published, will be followed by a full public consultation so that any decision in respect of unconventional oil and gas activities is based on both the evidence presented to Ministers and the views of the public and stakeholders.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312463,"EventID":"S5O-00025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:20.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what noise level monitoring it carries out on the trunk road network.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312464,"EventID":"S5O-00026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5877,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:21.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Education Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Agency regarding the implementation of the curriculum for excellence.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312465,"EventID":"S5O-00027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:21.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Clyde Gateway project will continue to receive core funding.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312466,"EventID":"S5O-00028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5757,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:22.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the provision of additional support for learning posts in schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312467,"EventID":"S5O-00029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:22.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T10:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reductions to their budgets, whether it expects all of the national performing companies to continue to provide high-quality performances.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is providing funding for the five national performing companies for 2016-17, which support their plans to ensure performances and outreach programmes continue to be of the highest quality and retain a wide national reach across our communities.\r\nThis can be demonstrated through the five star reviews recently received by National Theatre of Scotland for The 306: Dawn production in Perth and the Theatre for Schools Scotland initiative, which I helped launch in June 2016, aiming to ensure that every child in Scotland receives ‘a minimum of one performing arts production, per year, as part of their education'.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312468,"EventID":"S5O-00030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T13:22:23.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-26T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the status is of the Glasgow City Deal Project.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to working with all our cities to unlock investment and is a partner in the Glasgow City Region City Deal Project, contributing £500 million over 20 years to the Infrastructure Investment Fund. The Glasgow City Region Cabinet, comprising the eight Glasgow Clyde Valley local authorities, is responsible for project selection and delivery and has already approved a number of project business cases. As our largest city, Glasgow forms a key part of Scotland's economy and we are fully committed to making this deal a success.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312482,"EventID":"S5W-00290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:46.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-27T14:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in response to its consultation, Should the use of wild animals in travelling circuses be banned in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government intends to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses on ethical grounds.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312483,"EventID":"S5W-00302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5622,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:47.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T09:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses have been accredited each year as living wage employers, broken down by local authority area. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish living wage accreditation initiative provided the following table detailing the relevant breakdown by local authority area as at 7 June 2016.\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nTotal\r\nAberdeen City\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n3\r\n5\r\n4\r\n14\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n7\r\n1\r\n9\r\nAngus\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n5\r\n0\r\n5\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\n8\r\n4\r\n12\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\n4\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n9\r\n3\r\n15\r\nDundee\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n6\r\n3\r\n12\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n3\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\n0\r\n4\r\nEdinburgh\r\n0\r\n3\r\n4\r\n24\r\n70\r\n23\r\n124\r\nEast Lothian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n3\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\n3\r\nFalkirk\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\n2\r\nFife\r\n\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n17\r\n2\r\n24\r\nGlasgow\r\n0\r\n2\r\n9\r\n25\r\n69\r\n24\r\n127\r\nHighland\r\n\r\n1\r\n0\r\n3\r\n15\r\n8\r\n27\r\nInverclyde\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n1\r\n4\r\n2\r\n10\r\nMidlothian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n10\r\n4\r\n17\r\nMoray\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n3\r\n6\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n11\r\n3\r\n14\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\n4\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n10\r\n8\r\n20\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n11\r\n5\r\n16\r\nScottish Borders\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n6\r\n1\r\n6\r\nShetland Islands\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n0\r\n3\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n4\r\n3\r\n8\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n5\r\n17\r\n1\r\n24\r\nStirling\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n9\r\n6\r\n15\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n\r\n3\r\n3\r\n7\r\nWest Lothian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\n3\r\n10\r\n1\r\n14\r\nTotal\r\n0\r\n7\r\n22\r\n81\r\n325\r\n119\r\n554\r\nNote: This total includes MSPs","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312484,"EventID":"S5W-00303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:48.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many organisations have signed up to the Partnership for Change pledge to make a commitment to work toward a 50:50 gender balance on their boards by 2020. ","AnswerText":"As of 2 June 2016, 180 organisations from across Scotland's public, private and third sector have signed up to the Partnership for Change pledge.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312485,"EventID":"S5W-00304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:48.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding what the gender pay gap is in Scotland and how this compares with the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"Information on the gender pay gap in Scotland is published by the Scottish Government in Table 4 of Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings – Scottish Government Analysis on the Scottish Government web site. This is available at the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/AnalyticalPapers/ASHESGAnalysis\r\nInformation for the gender pay gap for the UK is published by office for national statistics in the publication Annual Survey of Hours and Earning 2015: Provisional Results. This is available at the following link: http://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/bulletins/annualsurveyofhoursandearnings/2015provisionalresults\r\nProvisional estimates, sourced from these publications, show that:\r\nFor Scotland, in 2015, the gender pay gap for median full-time hourly earnings (excluding overtime) was 7.3%.\r\nFor the UK, in 2015, the gender pay gap for median full-time hourly earnings (excluding overtime) was 9.4%.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312486,"EventID":"S5W-00309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:49.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been diagnosed with dysautonomia in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"As the majority of cases of dysautonomia are diagnosed in an outpatient or GP setting, the number of people diagnosed with this condition is not held centrally. However, the following table shows the number of continuous inpatient stays with a diagnosis of dysautonomia from 2010-11 to 2014-15 by NHS health board of treatment.\r\nHealth Board of Treatment\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nGolden Jubilee National Hospital\r\n-\r\n*\r\n-\r\n*\r\n*\r\nNHS Ayrshire & Arran\r\n39\r\n24\r\n26\r\n29\r\n30\r\nNHS Borders\r\n*\r\n10\r\n17\r\n*\r\n9\r\nNHS Dumfries & Galloway\r\n22\r\n16\r\n17\r\n8\r\n11\r\nNHS Fife\r\n74\r\n34\r\n37\r\n27\r\n19\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n22\r\n11\r\n21\r\n21\r\n7\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n58\r\n48\r\n46\r\n43\r\n42\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n113\r\n94\r\n96\r\n137\r\n133\r\nNHS Highland\r\n16\r\n30\r\n42\r\n25\r\n12\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n15\r\n35\r\n38\r\n62\r\n81\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n80\r\n104\r\n74\r\n82\r\n90\r\nNHS Orkney Islands\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\n*\r\nNHS Shetland Islands\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n23\r\n18\r\n22\r\n40\r\n49\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n-\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n-\r\nNon-NHS Provider\r\n-\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\nKey:\r\n‘*’ Indicates values that have been suppressed due to the potential risk of disclosure and to help maintain patient confidentiality.\r\n‘-‘ Indicates that there have been no stays recorded. \r\nSource: Information Services Division Scotland, SMR01\r\nExtracted: 6th June 2016","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312487,"EventID":"S5W-00310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:49.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T12:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment of dysautonomia being placed on the prescribed list to allow National Services Scotland to commission specialist services for the condition.","AnswerText":"Access to specialist assessment for dysautonomia is through existing arrangements with NHS England. National services can arrange referral for clinically appropriate patients. Treatment is usually a guided programme of self-care which would be delivered by the patient’s NHS board of residence with input from a specialist centre in England.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312488,"EventID":"S5W-00311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:50.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T12:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is provided by the NHS for people with dysautonomia.","AnswerText":"Dysautonomia is an imprecise diagnosis that describes a long term condition that has a number of underlying conditions. It includes postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (postural tachycardia syndrome; Ehlers Dahnlos syndrome; variants of chronic pain; as well as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and other syndromes which are characterised by severe unpredictable fatigue; postural hypotension (fainting); and a general disruption to activities of daily living. There is no specific treatment but a clear diagnosis allows patients and their families to take back control and begin to self-manage their condition. Depending on the patients symptoms, there are a wide range of NHS services available to provide the necessary support. Any specialist input would be to offer a detailed assessment and diagnosis and advice on a self-care treatment plan which would be administered as locally as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312489,"EventID":"S5W-00312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:50.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T12:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to establish autonomic testing clinics.","AnswerText":"Autonomic testing is already available in neurology centres in Scotland. Access to the balance test is currently available in Dundee.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312490,"EventID":"S5W-00315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:51.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has given to NHS boards regarding involving Named Persons in decisions affecting the treatment of, practice with or aides for children.","AnswerText":"Guidance on providing equipment to children and young people with disabilities was issued to all Chief Executive Officers in Scotland in March 2015. The guidance provides advice to health boards and local authorities on their statutory responsibilities in relation to the provision of equipment to meet the identified wellbeing needs of disabled children and young people in the community. This advice will support practice that is compatible with Getting it right for every child and the statutory duties that will commence under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312491,"EventID":"S5W-00316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:51.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the published tariff scheme has been in each year of its current contract with Serco NorthLink to operate Northern Isles ferry services.","AnswerText":"Copies of the published tariff scheme for the Northern Isles ferry service, operated by Serco NorthLink Ferries, for each of the contract years since 2012, is available from the Scottish Parliament information centre (Bib. number 57981).","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312492,"EventID":"S5W-00317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:52.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Expert Ferry Group will advise Transport Scotland on the specifications of the next contract to operate Northern Isles Ferry Services.","AnswerText":"There are no plans for the Expert Ferry Group to discuss the service specification for the forthcoming Northern Isles ferry services contract. A comprehensive study to inform the specification of the next Northern Isles ferry services contract is underway. This study is being overseen by a working group of key stakeholders, including Orkney and Shetland Islands Councils, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership and ZetTrans. A public consultation took place earlier this year, with a further round of consultation planned later in summer 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312493,"EventID":"S5W-00318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:52.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what grounds Serco Caledonian Ferries Ltd’s bid for the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract was deemed non-compliant.","AnswerText":"Serco Caledonian Ferries Ltd bid sought changes to the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract. These changes were deemed non-compliant by Transport Scotland as set out in the Invitation to Submit Final Tender: Volume 2: Instructions to Participants, published on Transport Scotland’s website. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312494,"EventID":"S5W-00319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:53.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has given to NHS boards regarding involving parents and children in decisions affecting the treatment of, practice with or aides for children.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00315 on 13 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312495,"EventID":"S5W-00320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:54.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00087 by Aileen Campbell on 25 May 2016, how many applications to tackle diabetes have been made to the research initiative.","AnswerText":"68 applications were made to the diabetes research initiative, out of which five companies were shortlisted.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312496,"EventID":"S5W-00321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:55.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will launch the infrastructure investment plan that was referred to in the 2016 SNP manifesto; what discussions it has had or plans with stakeholders regarding this, and whether it will provide a breakdown of (a) what the plan will do and (b) how much funding it will receive and how this will be allocated.","AnswerText":"This plan will be developed by Historic Environment Scotland in partnership with government and the historic environment sector, in line with the strategy set out by the sector in Our Place in Time. We are currently at a very early stage of considering how a long term infrastructure investment plan might operate to the optimum benefit of Scotland’s historic environment. Funding levels will be determined in the light of developing spending plans as part of the forthcoming spending review.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312497,"EventID":"S5W-00324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:55.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the infrastructure investment plan that was referred to in the 2016 SNP manifesto will focus on the reported 72% of pre-1919 homes that are in disrepair.","AnswerText":"This plan will be developed by Historic Environment Scotland in partnership with government and the historic environment sector, in line with the strategy set out by the sector in Our Place in Time. We are currently at a very early stage of considering how a long term infrastructure investment plan might operate to the optimum benefit of Scotland’s historic environment. Funding levels will be determined in the light of developing spending plans as part of the forthcoming spending review.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312498,"EventID":"S5W-00325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:57.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the infrastructure investment plan that was referred to in the 2016 SNP manifesto will focus on properties across all of the country's historic environment or only those designated as \"properties in care\" under Historic Environment Scotland.","AnswerText":"This plan will be developed by Historic Environment Scotland in partnership with government and the historic environment sector, in line with the strategy set out by the sector in Our Place in Time. We are currently at a very early stage of considering how a long term infrastructure investment plan might operate to the optimum benefit of Scotland’s historic environment. Funding levels will be determined in the light of developing spending plans as part of the forthcoming spending review.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312499,"EventID":"S5W-00326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:57.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how organisations and stakeholders will be able to access support from the infrastructure investment plan that was referred to in the 2016 SNP manifesto.","AnswerText":"This plan will be developed by Historic Environment Scotland in partnership with government and the historic environment sector, in line with the strategy set out by the sector in Our Place in Time. We are currently at a very early stage of considering how a long term infrastructure investment plan might operate to the optimum benefit of Scotland’s historic environment.\r\n\r\nScottish Government funding for the historic environment is channelled via Historic Environment Scotland’s grant schemes. Funding levels will be determined in the light of developing spending plans as part of the forthcoming spending review.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312500,"EventID":"S5W-00327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:58.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the evidence given by Fiona Hyslop to the Education and Culture Committee on 20 May 2014 (Official Report, c. 4152) that, by April 2015, Historic Environment Scotland would provide a cost for the outstanding repair and maintenance backlog for properties, whether this information has been provided and, if so, what the cost of the repairs and maintenance is.","AnswerText":"The assessment of the cost for the outstanding repair and maintenance backlog in respect of the properties in the care of Scottish Ministers (PiCs) remains the subject of internal discussion at this stage. A significant amount of work had already been undertaken before April 2015 and since the Historic Environment Scotland (HES) board took on their full powers in October 2015, and to whom responsibility for the PiCs is delegated, for which I am grateful. The work being produced is now more complex than originally planned but I anticipate that HES will be able to advise of the final outcome in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312501,"EventID":"S5W-00338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5669,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:24:59.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many carers and young carers have received support from the Short Breaks Fund.","AnswerText":"Since 2011 the voluntary sector Short Breaks Fund has supported nearly 70,000 adult carers, young carers, and the people they care for.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312502,"EventID":"S5W-00339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:00.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T15:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what fiscal and economic data it considers is required to accurately forecast (a) income tax and (b) onshore GDP. ","AnswerText":"A broad range of fiscal and economic data are required for forecasting income tax and GDP. This includes; the number of taxpayers, income levels, employment levels, hours worked, tax parameters, historic GDP growth rates and wider economic conditions in the UK and globally.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312503,"EventID":"S5W-00340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:01.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T15:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the Scottish Fiscal Commission to produce its first official forecast. ","AnswerText":"As set out at paragraph C.42 of Annex C to the agreement between the Scottish Government and the United Kingdom Government on the Scottish Government's fiscal framework (operation and governance of the Scottish Government's fiscal framework), the Scottish Fiscal Commission will be responsible for preparation of independent forecasts of Scottish Government tax receipts and Scottish onshore GDP for the financial year 2018-19 onwards.\r\nThe annex is available in full at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00497066.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312504,"EventID":"S5W-00341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:01.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T15:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what resources it (a) has provided to establish the Scottish Fiscal Commission and (b) will make available on a continuing basis. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Fiscal Commission has been allocated a budget of £0.970 million for 2016-17. \r\nProposed future resource allocations will be set out in the draft budget for the relevant year following agreement with the commission.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312505,"EventID":"S5W-00342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:02.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T15:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects the Office for Budget Responsibility to continue to produce forecasts for Scottish taxes. ","AnswerText":"Paragraphs C.107 to C.110 of Annex C to the agreement between the Scottish Government and the United Kingdom Government on the Scottish Government's fiscal framework (operation and governance of the Scottish Government's fiscal framework) set out the expected impact of the Scottish Government's increased fiscal powers on the duties of the Office for Budget Responsibility.\r\nThe annex is available in full at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00497066.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312506,"EventID":"S5W-00343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:03.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will add Marine Scotland to the list of public bodies to which a community body could make a participation request under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.","AnswerText":"As a directorate within the Scottish Government, Marine Scotland is not a public body which could be added to schedule 2 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. Communication and engagement with stakeholders is a fundamental principle for Marine Scotland. An important part of this is consultation and engagement with local communities to support their inclusion in marine planning and decision making in the marine environment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312507,"EventID":"S5W-00344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:04.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to the Bangladeshi citizens who were trafficked and kept in conditions akin to slavery at the Stewart Hotel near Appin by Shamsul Arefin.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government cannot comment on individual cases.\r\nHowever, we are working in partnership with criminal justice agencies and support organisations to make Scotland a more hostile environment for trafficking and exploitation and to ensure that victims are given the support and assistance they need.\r\nThe Scottish Government provides support and assistance to potential and confirmed adult victims of trafficking through two support organisations, Migrant Help and Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance (TARA). Grant funding of over £700,000 is being provided for this purpose during 2016-17.\r\nThe support package provided includes, as required, access to safe accommodation and material assistance, as well as help to access information and specialised care such as medical treatment, psychological assistance and counselling. Potential adult victims are also provided with access to translation, interpretation, legal services and help to access compensation.\r\nThe Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 will, once the relevant provisions are brought into force, place support for adult victims on a statutory basis.\r\nLocal authorities have responsibility for providing support to child victims of trafficking under existing child protection and children’s services legislation in Scotland. The Scottish Guardianship Service, funded by the Scottish Government, already provides guardianship services to certain unaccompanied children, and the 2015 Act will place a duty on Scottish Ministers to ensure that guardians are available for all children who reasonably appear to have been trafficked or to be vulnerable to being trafficked, where no one in the UK holds parental rights and responsibilities in relation to such a child.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312508,"EventID":"S5W-00345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:05.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the provisions of the new legislation on trafficking will assist the Bangledeshi citizens who experienced conditions akin to slavery when employed at the Stewart Hotel near Appin.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government cannot comment on individual cases.\r\nHowever, we are working in partnership with criminal justice agencies and support organisations to make Scotland a more hostile environment for trafficking and exploitation and to ensure that victims are given the support and assistance they need.\r\nThe Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act was unanimously passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2015. The first provisions came into force on 31 May 2016 and implementation of the rest of the Act is ongoing.\r\nThe Act will make it simpler to take action by introducing a single offence for all kinds of trafficking for the first time, consolidating and strengthening existing law.\r\nThe Act raises the maximum penalty for trafficking to life imprisonment and gives police and prosecutors greater powers to detect and prosecute those responsible through a new set of tools to prevent and punish trafficking. The Act requires the Lord Advocate to issue instructions to prosecutors about how trafficking victims should be treated if they are alleged to have committed an offence.\r\nThe Act also provides clear rights to adult victims to access support and assistance, and places a duty on the Scottish Ministers to ensure that guardians are available for all children who reasonably appear to have been trafficked or to be vulnerable to being trafficked, where no one in the UK holds parental rights and responsibilities in relation to such a child.\r\nIn addition to the legislative measures themselves, the Act requires Scottish Ministers to develop, for the first time, a Scottish trafficking and exploitation strategy. This strategy must be published by 31 May 2017. It will be laid before Parliament and will be reviewed after three years.\r\nThe strategy will set out the Scottish Government’s approach and commitment to tackling human trafficking in Scotland by identifying victims and giving them the support and protection they need and by disrupting the activities of traffickers. The strategy is currently being developed in partnership with stakeholders such as local authorities, Police Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the NHS so as to ensure that awareness of human trafficking is embedded across all Scotland’s public services.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312509,"EventID":"S5W-00351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:06.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people contracted HIV in (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16.","AnswerText":"During 2013, NHS Scotland laboratories reported positive HIV-antibody test results for 354 individuals not previously recorded as HIV-positive in Scotland. During the years 2014, 2015 and from 1 January 2016 to 31 March 2016, this figure is 370, 361 and 87 respectively. Data on HIV in Scotland is regularly published on Health Protection Scotland’s website available at: http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/bbvsti/hivandaids.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312510,"EventID":"S5W-00352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:06.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish its next mental health strategy; what time period it will apply to, and for what reason it chose this period.","AnswerText":"We will publish a new ten-year mental health strategy later this year. The Scottish Government has a manifesto commitment to a 10-year plan to transform mental health in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312511,"EventID":"S5W-00353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:07.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what stakeholders it has met to discuss the development of the next mental health strategy, and on what dates.","AnswerText":"To inform the policy development for the next mental health strategy, since 2015 we have engaged with a wide range of stakeholders including people who use services, service providers and professional bodies. Organisations that met have included, the Mental Welfare Commission, the Scottish Recovery Network, the Scottish Mental Health Partnership, and ASH Scotland. Scottish Association for Mental Health and Voices of Experience hosted events on our behalf to inform the development of policy. Organisations and individuals not met with have also sent in comments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312512,"EventID":"S5W-00354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:07.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the report in The Herald on 21 April 2016 that “Ministers pledged an additional £150 million to improve mental health care in 2015 but…just over £80 million of this money has been earmarked for specific projects”, when the remaining £70 million will be allocated to projects.","AnswerText":"We have been investing heavily in mental health services for a number of years, and are using the additional package of £150 million over five years to boost support for areas which are absolute priorities for us, and which will deliver the transformation in mental health services we want to achieve – including for children and young people. We are investing:\r\n£54.1 million to support further reduction in waiting times.\r\n£10 million to support new ways of improving mental health in primary care settings.\r\nA £15 million mental health innovation fund to support better access to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and to develop innovative approaches to delivering mental health services.\r\n£1 million to support people with mental health problems to become more physically active manifesto commitment: mental and physical health treated equally; and £4.2 million to support people in crisis who turn to frontline services.\r\nOur remaining package of funding will support the priorities in our forthcoming mental health strategy, to ensure we continue to improve access to services – including for children and young people. It will also focus on supporting early years and early interventions; improved support in primary care, and parity of esteem between physical and mental health so that we support people to keep well, whilst also providing treatment of the highest quality when it is necessary. We will take these decisions in conjunction with our stakeholders and partners.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312513,"EventID":"S5W-00355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:08.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £150 million announced for mental health in 2015 (a) has been and (b) will be allocated to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and what percentage of total NHS spending will be on CAMHS as a result.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government funding have been investing heavily in mental health services for a number of years, and will use the additional package of £150 million to deliver the transformation in mental health services we want to achieve over the next ten years, including for children and young people. Elements of this funding will be specifically for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), and elements will indirectly support CAMHS through improving access to services and supporting prevention and early intervention which will have an impact on demand for CAMHS services, as below:\r\nWe are investing £54.1 million to support further reduction in waiting times for CAMHS and psychological therapies: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Mental-health-funding-2139.aspx;\r\nWe are investing £15 million in a mental health innovation fund to support better access to CAMHS and to develop innovative approaches to delivering mental health services: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Mental-health-innovation-1737.aspx and\r\nWe are investing £10 million to support new ways of improving mental health in primary care settings, which will support children and young people in the community and reduce pressures on CAMHS specialist services:http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Transforming-GP-and-mental-health-services-22bf.aspx.\r\nOur remaining package of funding will support the priorities in our forthcoming mental health strategy, to ensure we continue to improve access to services – including for children and young people – but also increase support for early intervention and prevention, to support children and young people to stay well and only be referred to CAMHS when necessary.\r\nNHS Scotland funding: The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to NHS boards and local authorities to support implementation of policy, which includes support for children and young people with mental health challenges.\r\nNHS boards will report future spend on mental health including CAMHS to Information Services Division Scotland through existing mechanisms. We will expect future spend by NHS Scotland on mental health and CAMHS to the reflect national priority and need, and to reflect the additional investment the Scottish Government has made available.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312514,"EventID":"S5W-00356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:08.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has been aware of inpatient beds at Dudhope House not being available for use due to staffing issues since May 2015.","AnswerText":"The unit temporarily had to close four beds in January 2016. This was to ensure patient safety in respect of staffing levels.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312515,"EventID":"S5W-00357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:09.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children and young people requiring treatment have been turned away from Dudhope House due to a lack of available beds in each month since May 2015, and how many were subsequently (a) admitted to alternative inpatient units in Edinburgh and Glasgow, (b) treated on adult wards, (c) not admitted at all.","AnswerText":"Children and young people referred to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) will generally be treated in the community. There may be times when it is necessary to admit them to hospital for specialist mental health treatment; should this be the case they would be admitted to one of the three regional CAMHS inpatient units, or the national unit for under 12s. \r\nRequests may come from outwith the region because, while the three units work on a regional basis, each unit will also consider requests from the other regions. Children and young people may initially be admitted to one unit and then transferred to another; they may also be admitted to a non-NHS facility or a non-specialist NHS facility and then transfer to Dudhope, or be discharged to the community, or complete their treatment in that facility. Reasons for this may include bed availability, a clinical decision, or the preference of a young person and their family.\r\nOver the period May 2015 to May 2016, there were 21 occasions when a young person could not be admitted to Dudhope young persons unit (YPU) due to the unavailability of a bed. On two occasions the request was for a bed for a young person who resided outside the north of Scotland region, whilst the remaining 19 occasions were requests to admit young people residing in the north of Scotland region.\r\nThe reason for beds being unavailable is either due to the unit being at full capacity (no physical beds available) or high patient dependency, making it clinically unsafe to admit any further patients.\r\nTable 1 shows where patients were admitted to on the 19 occasions when a bed was not available at Dudhope young persons unit. \r\nTable 1 – North of Scotland admissions to other YPU or adult facilities (May 2015 – May 2016)\r\nNumber of patients not admitted to Dudhope YPU due to bed unavailability\r\nAdmitted to other Scottish NHS Mental Health/YPU Facility\r\nAdmitted to Huntercombe (private YPU facility)\r\n19\r\n14\r\n\r\n5\r\n\r\nNB. NHS Tayside are unable to advise what happened on the two occasions that a bed was requested from outwith the north of Scotland region.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312516,"EventID":"S5W-00358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:10.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many agency and bank staff have worked at Dudhope House in Dundee since it opened and what percentage of shifts has been covered by these staff.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally at hospital level. Information on the use of nursing and midwifery agency and bank staff is available at NHS board level.\r\n\r\nHowever we can confirm that the total Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services workforce is at a record level, having risen by 1.3% since March 2015. There are now 993.5 whole time equivalent posts across the sector, an increase of 29.9% since 2009. The number of clinical staff working in psychological therapies has increased by 1.1 per cent on last year, with 1,079.2 whole time equivalent posts across Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government is fully committed to providing the people of Scotland with the NHS services which meet their needs and maintain high standards of care.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312517,"EventID":"S5W-00359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:10.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to establish new dedicated inpatient mental health beds for children and young people north of Dundee.","AnswerText":"Children and young people referred to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) will be generally treated in the community. There may however be times when it is necessary to admit them to hospital for specialist treatment. Should this be the case they would be admitted to one of the three regional CAMHS inpatient units. \r\nIt is important that beds are available when required. In order to provide support this, a decision was taken by the north of Scotland NHS boards to build a new 12 bed unit in Dundee (Dudhope House) to replace the current 6 bed unit. This has increased the national bed base from 42 to 48 beds and improve the quality of the estate.\r\nDudhope House in Dundee followed an extensive consultation which considered the merits of basing a unit in Aberdeen, Inverness and the current facility in Dundee.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312518,"EventID":"S5W-00360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:11.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the introduction of pre-exposure prophylaxis; whether its introduction would assist in preventing future HIV infections, and, if so, to what extent.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) provides advice to NHS boards in Scotland about the status of newly licensed medicines and new formulations and indications of established products following submissions from pharmaceutical companies. A manufacturer would need to obtain a marketing authorisation (product licence) for this treatment and make a submission to SMC. The sexual health and blood borne virus clinical leads network have established a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) short life working group to consider a range of issues associated with PrEP in the current context.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312519,"EventID":"S5W-00361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:11.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost per patient is of (a) pre-exposure prophylaxis and (b) treatment for HIV.","AnswerText":"In order for the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis, including comparisons with current licensed treatments, the manufacturer would need to obtain a marketing authorisation (product licence) for this treatment and make a submission to the SMC.\r\nNHS national procurement estimate that first line therapies for HIV treatment cost an average of approximately £6,136 per patient per year. There is also a wide variety of second line treatment options, the costs of which range from approximately £3,000 to £11,000 per patient per annum.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312520,"EventID":"S5W-00362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:12.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what countries it is aware of that provide pre-exposure prophylaxis.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware that pre-exposure prophylaxis has been approved for treatment in France, Australia and the United States of America.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312521,"EventID":"S5W-00363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:12.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T08:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on meeting its Scotland Performs' productivity purpose target for Scotland to rank in the top quartile against its key OECD trading partners by 2017.","AnswerText":"Scotland Performs monitors and reports on progress against the Scottish Government's purpose targets and national indicators.\r\nData on Scotland's productivity performance is currently available for years up to and including 2014. Data on progress towards the productivity purpose target up to 2014 is published at the following address:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/About/Performance/scotPerforms/purposetargets/productivity","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312522,"EventID":"S5W-00364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:14.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T08:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Scotland Performs' webpage has recorded figures showing that Scotland's OECD productivity ranking has \"worsened\" from 16th place in 2006 to 19th currently.","AnswerText":"The evaluation of progress towards the Scottish Government's productivity purpose target is based on any change in Scotland's productivity rank among organisation for economic co-operation and development (OECD) member countries. In 2006, Scotland was ranked 16th in the OECD for productivity levels in terms of output per hour worked. Between 2006 and 2010 Scotland's ranking fluctuated between 16th and 18th, and has remained at 19th since 2011.\r\nIn real terms, output per hour worked in Scotland has grown by 4.5% between 2006 and 2014. Over the same period, output per hour worked in the UK as a whole has grown by only 1.6% in real terms.\r\nScotland's productivity ranking relative to the OECD members is influenced by a range of external factors, such as real productivity growth in Scotland and other OECD countries, each country's rate of price inflation, and changes in currency exchange rates. Since 2010, Scotland’s ranking has been largely influenced by reduced purchasing power in the UK as a whole relative to other OECD members. This relates to the depreciation of Sterling relative to other currencies since the onset of the global financial crisis around 2008, and the consequent OECD benchmarking of purchasing power parities in 2011.\r\nFurther explanation of how purchasing power parities can impact on relative productivity rankings in the OECD is contained in the Scotland performs technical note for the productivity purpose target, which is available at the following address: http://www.gov.scot/About/Performance/scotPerforms/TechNotes/productivity","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312523,"EventID":"S5W-00365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:15.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T08:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) initiatives and (b) programmes it has in place to help meet its Scotland Performs' productivity purpose target for Scotland to rank in the top quartile against its key OECD trading partners by 2017, and what analysis it has made of the effectiveness of these.","AnswerText":"The importance of improving Scotland's productivity performance has been recognised in each of the Scottish Government's economic strategies since 2007. Scotland's Economic Strategy (SES), published in 2015, reaffirms the importance of improving Scotland's productivity performance and the ambition to reach the top quartile of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in terms of productivity levels.\r\nImproving productivity is central to achieving the twin aims of the SES: improving economic competitiveness and tackling inequality. Each of the four priorities for growth identified in the SES – Investment, Innovation, Inclusive Growth, and Internationalisation – have important roles in helping improve Scotland’s productivity performance.\r\nFurther information can be found in SES, which is available at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy/EconomicStrategy\r\nA range of actions are being taken forward that will help to improve productivity in Scotland, and these actions are set out in the government’s programme for Scotland, available at the following address: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00484439.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312524,"EventID":"S5W-00366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:17.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T08:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures to improve productivity it (a) has introduced and (b) plans to adopt.","AnswerText":"Improving productivity is central to achieving the twin aims of Scotland's Economic Strategy (SES): improving economic competitiveness and tackling inequality. Each of the four priorities for growth identified in the SES – Investment, Innovation, inclusive growth, and internationalisation – have important roles in helping improve Scotland’s productivity performance. The SES sets out a number of actions and measures under these priority areas that will help improve productivity in Scotland, and can be downloaded at the following address:\r\nThe Government's Programme for Scotland sets out the policies, actions and legislation that the Scottish Government will take over the year ahead, including actions to improve productivity. Within current programme the Scottish Government has launched a manufacturing action plan for Scotland to develop leadership and skills and stimulate innovation and investment in Scottish manufacturing sectors, and has continued investment in a major programme of road, rail and ferry infrastructure.\r\nThe government's programme for Scotland 2015-16 can be accessed at the following address: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00484439.pdf\r\nThe Scottish Government is continuing to take action to support improvements in Scotland’s productivity performance. For example, as I set out in my speech in the Chamber on 31 May 2016, we will by launching an annual innovation prize to encourage innovation, we will launch a labour market strategy to ensure that support is tailored to meet economic conditions, and are undertaking an end-to-end of our enterprise, development and skills agencies to consider how best to deliver and enhance the agencies' services to deliver on the Scottish Government's ambitions around productivity.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312525,"EventID":"S5W-00367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:18.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T08:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs have been lost each month since January 2015 as a result of the reduction in the price of oil, broken down by employer.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to monitor the impact that low oil prices is having on the oil and gas industry and its wider supply chain. This was discussed at the energy jobs taskforce meeting on the 23 March 2016, with the next meeting taking place on 16 June 2016. The state of the economy report from the chief economist, published on 3 June 2016, provides an update on the oil and gas sector. A link to the report can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy/state-economy/latestSofE. \r\nThe Scottish Government recognises the severe challenges facing the oil and gas industry, which is why our focus is on what we can do to support the industry and the work force.\r\nWe continue to do all that we can within devolved powers to help the sector. In 2015, we set up the Energy Jobs Taskforce, which has already helped to support more than 2,500 individuals and 100 employers through the current downturn, and will continue to support the industry to improve collaboration, co-operation and innovation. We also announced the £12 million transition training fund this year, around 650 individuals have registered for support and the fund has already confirmed funding for nearly 100 individuals to support their redeployment through retraining or further education.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312526,"EventID":"S5W-00368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:19.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T08:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many apprenticeships have been lost each month since January 2015 as a result of the reduction in the price of oil.","AnswerText":"It isn’t possible to accurately report on how many apprenticeships have been lost each month since January 2015 as a result of the reduction in the price of oil.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312527,"EventID":"S5W-00369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:21.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T08:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work the Oil and Gas Taskforce has carried out to secure jobs and apprenticeships in the oil industry.","AnswerText":"Last year, the First Minister set up the Energy Jobs Task Force, which has already helped to support more than 2,500 individuals and 100 employers through the current downturn, and will continue to support the industry to improve collaboration, co-operation and innovation. A fourth Patnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) event, providing Employment Support, will take place at Robert Gordon University on 22 June 2016. An enhanced Adopt an Apprentice scheme was also launched by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) on 16 February 2015. SDS has helped secure re-employment and provides support for Modern Apprentices made redundant in the oil and gas sector through this scheme.\r\nThe Taskforce has, at the request of its industry members, taken a longer-term look at the structural challenges of the industry. This has led to a number of initiatives that will lay the foundations for improvements across a wide range of action areas to support supply chain best practice, increase standardisation, enhance leadership, encourage more collaborative behaviours among different parts of the industry and drive cost efficiencies. This has led to a number of initiatives including:\r\nA ground breaking cross-sector Shared Principles and Values event, attended by more than 70 industry leaders in Aberdeen took place last May. A follow up event took place in May 2016, where 74 senior oil and gas leaders met to drive forward behavioural changes and improve ways of working to maximise opportunities for Scotland’s oil and gas sector. The event aimed to challenge existing behaviours and break down the barriers to change; ensuring companies are equipped to deal with issues affecting them in the short term, but also helping to protect skills and talent to maximise future growth opportunities.\r\nLaunch of tactics to mitigate risk or impact of redundancy guidance on 20 May which provides a hierarchy of options before employers resort to downsizing workforce has been published, including - making savings elsewhere, sabbaticals, reduced hours, job sharing, job loans. This has been issued to companies via the OGUK HR Forum, SDS, Scottish Enterprise and the Energy Jobs Task Force network.\r\nScottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are providing practical assistance to the supply chain and have run 6 Resilience in Oil and Gas Events welcoming 217 delegates from 144 companies to hear from experts on strategy, operations, finance and market resilience.\r\nElevator Fresh Starts Business Start Up support programme has provided support for 37 new businesses in North East originating from initial contact at PACE events, which includes intensive support from experienced mentors\r\nA Sales Leadership event was held in Aberdeen on 26Feb 16, attracting 53 delegates – with the objective of equipping business leaders with responsibility for sales to take a strategic overview of their sales process to locate and win profitable business.\r\nThe second cohort of 9 business leaders has recently completed a new Executive Masterclass Development Programme, to develop strategic leadership skills, bringing the number to 18 in total over the two cohorts since July 2015.\r\nIntroduction of a fully funded adapted Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) manufacturing review open to all Oil and Gas businesses, to increase the chances of survival and build operational resilience. In addition SMAS is leading a number of Learning Journeys for example the Siemens factory in UK and a visit to Germany – these included 8 companies from the oil and gas sector. Best practice visits have also taken place to Optos and Scotvalves with a total of 6 oil and gas supply chain companies involved in these.\r\nScottish Enterprise has allocated £10m of funding to support Oil and Gas companies at enhanced levels for Innovation and Research and Development, offering support at up to 70% dependent on the size of the business to further de-risk innovative projects. This also includes an ‘innovati","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312528,"EventID":"S5W-00370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:22.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T08:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding is available for the (a) Adopt an Apprentice scheme and (b) Transition Training Fund; how much it has spent on it so far; what the time period is; who administers it, and how many people it has helped.","AnswerText":"Adopt an apprentice launched in 2009, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) administers the Adopt an Apprentice scheme. Funding is allocated to SDS through their annual block grant. Annual spend on adopt an apprentice is published in the SDS annual accounts which can be found here: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/publications-statistics/publications/#page=1&order=date-desc. Details of this spend and the number of apprentices supported is noted in the following table:\r\nYear\r\nAdopt an Apprentice\r\nAdopt an Apprentice Individuals Spend (from SDS annual accounts)\r\n2009-10\r\n428 (Individuals Supported)\r\n£730,000\r\n2010-11\r\n523 (Individuals Supported)\r\n£1,027,000\r\n2011-12\r\n375(Individuals Supported)\r\n£812,000\r\n2012-13\r\n301 (Applications Approved)\r\n£538,000\r\n2013-14\r\n224 (Applications Approved)\r\n£456,000\r\n2014-15\r\n175 (Applications Approved)\r\n£352,000\r\n2015-16\r\n244 (Applications Approved)\r\nAnnual accounts not published*\r\n*SDS annual accounts for 2015/16 are due to be published in the second half of 2016/17. \r\nTransition Training Fund announced in February 2016, Skills Development Scotland administers the Transition Training Fund. £12 million has been allocated over the three year period from 2016-17 to 2018-19. To date 122 applications have been approved. Details of spend on the Transition Training Fund will be published in the SDS annual accounts for 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312529,"EventID":"S5W-00372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:24.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T08:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next publish an oil and gas analytical bulletin, and what plans it has to publish this on a regular basis.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to S4W-29508 on 11 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to monitor the impact that low oil prices is having on the oil and gas industry and its wider supply chain. This was discussed at the energy jobs taskforce meeting on the 23 March 2016. The state of the economy report from the chief economist, published on 3 June 2016, provides an update on the oil and gas sector. A link to the report can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy/state-economy/latestSofE.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312530,"EventID":"S5W-00373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:25.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T08:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to applying business rates relief for mobile phone mast sites in rural areas with no coverage or where there is a clear developmental need.","AnswerText":"Telecommunications, including mobile telephony, is a reserved matter for which the UK Government has responsibility to ensure adequate coverage and to fund improvements and developments. The Scottish Government is committed to using devolved levers where appropriate such as business rates relief to improve the commercial case for investment.\r\nWith effect from 1 April 2016, the Scottish Government launched a scheme offering non-domestic rates relief for new mobile masts in certain non-commercial areas for a period of five years. This initial pilot covers parts of Arran and the Cairngorms, and it is our intention to widen the scheme across Scotland if the pilot is successful and once an intervention area can be accurately defined.\r\nMaps showing the pilot areas eligible for relief can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy/digital/Publications/NDR-maps\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312531,"EventID":"S5W-00374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:26.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T08:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will include the south of Scotland and, in particular, Dumfries and Galloway in any proposed pilot of business rates relief for mobile phone mast sites in areas with poor mobile coverage.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00373 on 13 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n\r\nIt is our intention to widen the scheme across Scotland if the pilot is successful and once an intervention area can be accurately defined.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312532,"EventID":"S5W-00375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:26.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help businesses address the gender pay gap.","AnswerText":"Scotland has led the way since 1999 in narrowing the gender pay gap, which at 7.3% is currently the lowest in the UK and one of the lowest in the EU. However, that there is any pay gap at all in 2016 is unacceptable.\r\nWe know that there are many factors which influence the pay gap and we are providing practical support to businesses such as: funding the Close the Gap toolkit for small businesses on the benefits of improving gender diversity; funding initiatives to encourage businesses to adopt family friendly policies; and providing support to carers. These types of employer practices help women to enter and progress in the labour market and contribute towards narrowing the pay gap.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312533,"EventID":"S5W-00376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:26.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report by Healthcare Improvement Scotland on elderly care wards in Astley Ainslie Hospital, Ferryfield House, Findlay House and Ellens Glen, which suggest that care was under pressure due to staff shortages and that inspectors themselves had to intervene to help patients, and what discussions it has had with NHS Lothian in this regard. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to questions S5W-00378 on 14 June 2016 and S5W-00380 on 13 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312534,"EventID":"S5W-00378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:27.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any concerns about NHS Lothian's workforce planning policies, in light of the report by Healthcare Improvement Scotland on elderly care wards in Astley Ainslie Hospital, Ferryfield House, Findlay House and Ellens Glen, which suggest that care was under pressure due to staff shortages, and what support it can provide to NHS Lothian to address this issue. ","AnswerText":"While it is the statutory responsibility of each NHS Scotland health board to have in place workforce plans, the Scottish Government works closely with boards to develop better workforce intelligence through robust supply and demand profiles, capacity trends, patient acuity and other factors. We expect boards – including NHS Lothian – to include this intelligence to help project their needs forward, inform and develop their workforce plans, and combine it as appropriate with the workload and workforce planning tools we have mandated them to use.\r\nNHS Lothian has accepted all the findings and recommendations made in the NHS Lothian hospital-based complex clinical care review.\r\nThe use of this guidance, along with the recommendations from the NHS Lothian review will be monitored by the Scottish Government officials who meet regularly with the board to discuss performance related issues.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312535,"EventID":"S5W-00380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:28.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that NHS Lothian acts to remedy issues of concern that were identified in the report by Healthcare Improvement Scotland on elderly care wards in Astley Ainslie Hospital, Ferryfield House, Findlay House and Ellens Glen.","AnswerText":"NHS Lothian has accepted all the findings and recommendations made in the NHS Lothian hospital-based complex clinical care review.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government introduced new guidance (DL (2015) 11) for all health boards on 28 May 2015 with objectives including:\r\nPromoting a consistent basis for the provision of Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care.\r\nProviding simplification and transparency;\r\nMaintaining clinical decision making as part of a multi-disciplinary process;\r\nEnsuring entitlement is based on the main eligibility question ‘can this individual’s care needs be properly met in any setting other than a hospital?’\r\nEnsuring a formal record is kept of each step of the decision process.\r\nEnsuring that patients, their families and their carers have access to relevant and understandable information (particularly if the individual does not need to be in hospital but rather an alternative setting in the community).\r\nThe use of this guidance, along with the recommendations from the NHS Lothian review will be monitored by the Scottish Government officials who meet regularly with the board to discuss performance related issues.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312536,"EventID":"S5W-00381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:28.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when updated unit assessments for SQA mathematics qualifications are due to be introduced in schools and what discussions it have had with teaching staff about the implementation timescale.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). I have asked the Chief Executive of SQA to write to you. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312537,"EventID":"S5W-00382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:29.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the SQA regarding the 60% pass mark and the structure and content of the units in mathematics qualifications.","AnswerText":"The responsibility for developing national qualifications, within current design principles, lies with Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).\r\nSQA advised the Scottish Government of its changes to mathematics qualifications, including the 60% pass threshold for unit assessments, in bilateral discussion.\r\nThese proposals were also shared with the Assessment and National Qualifications Working Group.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312538,"EventID":"S5W-00383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:30.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) it and (b) the SQA is doing to ensure that there are no mistakes in future mathematics exam papers and what steps are being taken to improve marking instructions and guidance in consultation with markers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is responsible for the setting and marking of exam papers. It has robust processes in place to ensure that papers and marking instructions are accurate and set to the correct standard.\r\nEach year, SQA considers in detail the experience of the exam diet across all qualifications, and introduces any modifications considered necessary. The SQA board, appointed by Scottish Ministers, receives regular updates on all aspects of the diet.\r\nIn 2015, the former Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning wrote to the Chair of SQA to seek additional assurances on SQA processes, and subsequently met with the Chief Executive of SQA to review progress.\r\nScottish Government officials regularly meet with SQA to discuss progress throughout the year on a range of SQA activities.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312539,"EventID":"S5W-00384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:30.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will invest in the current parliamentary session to support survivors of historic and recent child abuse.","AnswerText":"Scotland is one of the few countries in the world that provides dedicated funding for survivors of abuse.\r\nA consortium bid had been successful in securing the tender to administer the new national survivor support fund for people who were abused while in care as children with a total budget of £13.5 million over the next five years. I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30625 on 14 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nSince 2007, £1.5 million has been invested in the In Care Survivors Service Scotland (ICSSS). Open secret, the survivor organisation that administers ICSSS has been awarded a total of £100,000 in grant funding for the period between 1 April 2016 and 30 September 2016 to ensure the continuing provision of support for the in care survivors that currently access ICSSS services, while the new survivor support fund is in development. The support fund will become fully operational in the autumn.\r\nSince 2007, £9 million has been invested in third and voluntary sector organisations providing a wide range of local services that support all survivors of abuse across Scotland. In December 2015 20 organisations that provide services for all survivors received grant funding of £1 million in total under the survivor innovation and development fund. We plan to at least match this funding in the current financial year.\r\nIn September 2015, the Scottish Government announced that an additional £1.85 million would be invested in providing support for victims of sex crimes across Scotland, including survivors, through the services provided by rape crisis Scotland. The 14 rape crisis centres in Scotland will each receive £40,000 in 2016 and 2017. The additional funding will also be used to support the development of new local services in Orkney and Shetland and to expand the local service in West Lothian.\r\nIn addition, while not targeted at survivors specifically, in December 2015 the Scottish Government announced that 116 third and voluntary sector organisations supporting children, families and adult learning have been awarded £12 million from the children, young people and families early intervention and adult learning and empowering communities fund. This will benefit thousands of children, families and communities across Scotland, including survivors and a number of the organisations that provide support for them.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312540,"EventID":"S5W-00385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:31.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce plans to lift the time bar on the right of survivors of child abuse who were abused after 1964 to bring civil claims against their abusers.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government intends to introduce the Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Bill in the first year of the this Parliamentary session. A draft Bill was published on 14 of March 2016.The analysis of responses to the public consultation can be found here: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/3200\r\nThe Scottish Government response to the consultation, the draft Bill and the explanatory notes to the draft Bill can be found here: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/7578/downloads","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312541,"EventID":"S5W-00386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:32.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to provide older survivors of historic abuse with urgent financial and practical support.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00384 on 15 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nTo adequately respond to the individual and often unique needs of survivors, the survivor support fund will contain a discretionary element. This will not provide compensation or redress payments to survivors, but will provide real flexibility in the provision of a range of ad hoc needs that cannot be readily met by or commissioned from existing statutory or non-statutory services.\r\nAll in care survivors that meet the criteria to access the survivor support fund, including older survivors, will also be eligible to apply for need-based and outcome-focused support from the discretionary element of the support fund, which will become fully operational in the autumn.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to explore all possible means of further support for survivors of all ages, including older survivors.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312542,"EventID":"S5W-00387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T14:25:32.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider making payments to the older survivors of historic child abuse prior to or following the completion of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers to questions S5W-00384 and S5W-00386 on 15 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nThe Scottish Government will carefully consider the report and any recommendations made by the Chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry following its completion.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312554,"EventID":"S5W-00292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5621,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:25.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-27T17:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have access to dedicated Gaelic-medium language classes and how this compares with (a) 1999 and (b) 2007.","AnswerText":"In 1999 there was a total of 2051 children throughout Scotland receiving Gaelic-medium education and in 2007, this had risen to 2486. The current figures show that this has risen to 4197. As shown in the following table, this covers primary and secondary but not early learning and childcare. This is a 68% increase since 2007 and a 104% increase since 1999. \r\n\r\n1998-99\r\n2007-08\r\n2015-16\r\nPrimary\r\n1816\r\n2164\r\n3004\r\nSecondary\r\n235\r\n322\r\n1193\r\nTotal\r\n2051\r\n2486\r\n4197\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312555,"EventID":"S5W-00346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:26.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the originally estimated 2016 Basic Payment Scheme spend had been paid as at 31 May 2016, broken down by Rural Payments and Inspections Division area office.","AnswerText":"The estimated 2015 expenditure for Basic Payment Scheme (including Greening measures) is approximately £334.5 million. \r\nTo date, Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID) has issued instalment payments of £216 million or around 65% of the planned expenditure. The breakdown of payments by RPID area office is shown in the following table:-\r\n\r\nArea Office\r\nValue\r\nAyr\r\n£ 26,207,726.10\r\nBenbecula\r\n£ 1,042,667.15\r\nDumfries\r\n£ 23,008,480.37\r\nElgin\r\n£ 4,622,488.87\r\nGalashiels\r\n£ 31,264,559.10\r\nGolspie\r\n£ 1,439,323.92\r\nHamilton\r\n£ 9,557,224.05\r\nInverness\r\n£ 17,290,209.08\r\nInverurie\r\n£ 40,259,584.49\r\nKirkwall\r\n£ 5,704,218.78\r\nLerwick\r\n£ 3,255,914.07\r\nOban\r\n£ 6,938,155.11\r\nPerth\r\n£ 37,948,173.71\r\nPortree\r\n£ 1,240,934.69\r\nStornoway\r\n£ 580,934.92\r\nThurso\r\n£ 5,592,618.51\r\nTOTALS\r\n£ 215,953,212.92 \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312556,"EventID":"S5W-00347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:27.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Rural Payments and Inspections Division will provide a written definition for region 1 and region 2 under the Basic Payment Scheme regulations.","AnswerText":"Information was issued to farmers and crofters providing details of the Basic Payment Scheme guidance which detailed under the new common agricultural policy that all farming land in Scotland has been categorised into three regions, this information is also publically available on the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Services website.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312557,"EventID":"S5W-00348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:28.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when any outstanding payment reviews will be concluded under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme, broken down by Rural Payments and Inspections Division area office.","AnswerText":"Applications for the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme can be submitted up till 15 June 2016. No 2016 Basic Payment Scheme applications have yet been processed and no payments under that scheme have yet been made.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312558,"EventID":"S5W-00349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:29.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a discrepancy in the definitions of Basic Payment Scheme region 1 and region 2 on the Rural Payments and Inspections Division website compared with the interpretation by officials assessing parcels of land and, if so, for what reason.","AnswerText":"There is no discrepancy in the definitions of Basic Payment Scheme regions 1 and 2 between what is on the website and what is being used by officials who have or are carrying out an assessment of a land parcel.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312559,"EventID":"S5W-00350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:30.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new entrants to the Basic Payment Scheme in 2016 are still awaiting a final instalment or any payment, broken down by Rural Payments and Inspections Division area office.","AnswerText":"No final basic payment has been yet been made, however we are working very hard to meet the regulatory deadline.\r\nSome new entrants shown in the following table have received a loan and have now received their Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) instalment payment, therefore there is an overlap between the two categories. Those who have not received any payment are still having aspects of their claim or business registration validated, which is an European Commission requirement, and will be paid as soon as possible.\r\nArea Office\r\nTotal Number of Eligible Applications to the National Reserve, New Entrants Category\r\nTotal Number who have received a BPS Instalment Payment\r\nTotal Number who have received Nationally Funded Loan\r\nTotal Number who have received neither Instalment or Loan as at 7 June 2016\r\nAyr\r\n19\r\n18\r\n4\r\n0\r\nBenbecula\r\n5\r\n4\r\n3\r\n0\r\nDumfries\r\n22\r\n22\r\n1\r\n0\r\nElgin\r\n8\r\n8\r\n3\r\n0\r\nGalashiels\r\n10\r\n8\r\n3\r\n0\r\nGolspie\r\n5\r\n4\r\n2\r\n0\r\nHamilton\r\n10\r\n8\r\n3\r\n0\r\nInverness\r\n21\r\n19\r\n8\r\n0\r\nInverurie\r\n44\r\n39\r\n16\r\n0\r\nKirkwall\r\n14\r\n12\r\n4\r\n0\r\nLerwick\r\n8\r\n5\r\n4\r\n1\r\nOban\r\n13\r\n9\r\n4\r\n1\r\nPerth\r\n46\r\n38\r\n20\r\n0\r\nPortree\r\n4\r\n4\r\n2\r\n0\r\nStornoway\r\n9\r\n8\r\n2\r\n0\r\nThurso\r\n13\r\n9\r\n4\r\n1\r\nTOTALS\r\n251\r\n215\r\n83\r\n3\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312560,"EventID":"S5W-00388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:31.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which cabinet secretary has responsibility for animal welfare issues.","AnswerText":"I lead on welfare issues affecting wild animals, domestic pets and animals kept in captivity and have responsibility for overarching animal welfare issues.\r\n\r\nMy colleague Fergus Ewing MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, leads on the welfare of agricultural animals.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312561,"EventID":"S5W-00389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:33.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the benefits to consumers of increasing competition in the mobile backhaul market.","AnswerText":"Competition in the mobile backhaul market is a reserved matter and is the responsibility of Ofcom, the UK telecoms regulator.\r\n\r\nWider assessment of enhanced connectivity, its usage, and the socio economic benefits arising - which assumes the availability of sufficient backhaul – has been undertaken by the Scottish Futures Trust on behalf of the Scottish Government. This report, published in July 2015, suggests that a fully digitised Scotland could see GDP growth of £13 billion by 2030: http://www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk/files/publications/Impact_of_digitalisation_in_Scotland.pdf\r\nWe continue to engage with UK Government Ministers and Ofcom to make the case for improved investment in mobile infrastructure in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312562,"EventID":"S5W-00390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:33.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T13:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the IT system for Basic Payment Scheme entitlement transfers will be fully functional.","AnswerText":"The IT functionality for the recording of entitlement transfers will be available in the autumn. There is, however, no reason for farmers and crofters to delay informing the entitlement transfer unit in Stornoway of their transfer arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312563,"EventID":"S5W-00391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:34.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the reported comment by the Deputy Chief Constable Designate, Neil Richardson, in The Herald on 1 June 2016 that the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland \"will not bring forward any new strategies before the election in May 2016\", for what reason new strategies were not proposed in March 2016 despite the former three year plan coming to an end.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312564,"EventID":"S5W-00392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:35.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the reported comment by the Deputy Chief Constable Designate, Neil Richardson, in The Herald on 1 June 2016 that the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland \"will not bring forward any new strategies before the election in May 2016\", what discussion it has had with (a) the Scottish Police Authority, (b) Police Scotland and (c) other stakeholders about postponing new strategies beyond May 2016.","AnswerText":"The normal pre-election guidance applied to the Scottish Police Authority as it did to public bodies more generally and at no point did the Scottish Government seek to go beyond this in directing when the Police Scotland corporate strategy could be published.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312565,"EventID":"S5W-00393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:35.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the reported comment by the Deputy Chief Constable Designate, Neil Richardson, in The Herald on 1 June 2016 that \"the SPA would be developing the next corporate strategy, a development which has not been communicated to, nor agreed by Police Scotland\", for what reason Police Scotland was not consulted about the next corporate strategy and what role it will have in developing that strategy.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312566,"EventID":"S5W-00394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:37.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the reported comment by the Deputy Chief Constable Designate, Neil Richardson, in The Herald on 1 June 2016 that \"the SPA would be developing the next corporate strategy, a development which has not been communicated to, nor agreed by Police Scotland\", what impact the Scottish Police Authority's development of the next corporate strategy will have on financial resources in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"The financial resources available to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) from the Scottish Government for the current year, 2016, are set out in the Budget Act 2016-17. The budget provides real terms protection for the police resource budget and provides an additional £55 million of reform funding in 2016-17. The SPA’s allocation of resources to Police Scotland and its interim corporate strategy were considered at its board meetings in February and March 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312567,"EventID":"S5W-00395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:38.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the reported comment by the Deputy Chief Constable Designate, Neil Richardson, in The Herald on 1 June 2016 that \"we have submitted papers setting out our thinking about strategy and development to the last two Private Meetings' Meetings, however, both of these have been removed from the agenda,\" (a) for what reasons items were removed from the agenda, (b) whether the papers were ever discussed and (c) what further opportunities there will be to discuss strategy development.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312568,"EventID":"S5W-00396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:39.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the reported comment in the Press and Journal on 22 April 2016 by Stewart MacLean of the A82 Partnership that “planning for the upgrade for Tarbet to Inverarnan is at an advanced stage and we had anticipated that funding would be provided for these works\", what plans it has to invest in upgrading the A82 at this stretch of road.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to upgrading the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan. Following route option assessment work the preferred option for the scheme was announced on 30 September 2015. The next phase of design work, which is the development and assessment of the preferred option, is underway with a view to preparing draft orders for the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312569,"EventID":"S5W-00397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:39.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the reported comment in the Press and Journal on 22 April 2016 by Stewart MacLean of the A82 Partnership that the A82 between Onich and Fort William “needs realigning and widening as there are a high number of accidents on this stretch”, what plans it has to invest in upgrading the A82 at this stretch of road.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to upgrading the A82 between Glasgow and Fort William and has already invested over £5 million on the Crianlarich Bypass and £9.2 million on the Pulpit Rock Improvements. Design work is also underway on upgrading the section of the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan. Over the past three years, approximately £154,000 has been spent on safety schemes between Onich and Fort William. As part of our on-going commitment to road safety, the Scottish Government will continue to consider ways to improve the safety of this route.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312570,"EventID":"S5W-00405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:41.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy pretests involve; whether there will be a numeracy pretest in 2016, and what the reason is for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy (SSLN) pretesting is an important quality assurance mechanism in the development of new assessment tasks. It is one of a number of procedures employed to validate assessment tasks and to check the quality of individual assessment items. The SSLN has now been running for a number of years and sufficient and appropriate survey materials have been generated. Therefore a numeracy pretest in SSLN 2016 was not required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312571,"EventID":"S5W-00406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:42.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost of introducing new standardised national assessments in schools.","AnswerText":"We published information on possible costs of the new standardised assessment in the supplementary Financial Memorandum to the Education (Scotland) Act 2016. http://www.parliament.scot/S4_Bills/Education%20(Scotland)%20Bill/SPBill64AFMS042016.pdf\r\nAs the memorandum notes, the figures quoted are indicative and may change. Detailed costs will emerge as we work through the procurement process.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312572,"EventID":"S5W-00407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:43.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of hours that (a) teachers and (b) pupils will spend (i) working to prepare for and (ii) undertaking new standardised national assessments.","AnswerText":"These assessments will replace the standardised assessments already used in schools across Scotland. Assessment is part of everyday learning and teaching – teachers use it to assess children and young people’s progress and to put in place support where it is needed. There should not therefore be any additional teacher or pupil time in preparing for the new national standardised assessments beyond usual classroom activity.\r\n\r\nTeachers will decide the appropriate time within the school year for individual pupils to sit the assessments. The assessments will be age and stage appropriate. We expect assessments to last around 25 minutes although primary 1 assessments are likely to be shorter than that. The assessments will need to be flexible however and allow more time for those who might need it.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312573,"EventID":"S5W-00408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:43.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget for each college has been in (a) cash and (b) real terms in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Funding Council. I have asked the Chief Executive to respond.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312574,"EventID":"S5W-00409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:44.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the pledge in the 2016 SNP manifesto to increase investment in the Scottish Attainment Fund by £750 million over the course of the current parliamentary session, how many local authorities will receive money under the expanded fund and on what date it will be expanded.","AnswerText":"All local authorities will be supported by the £750 million investment during this parliamentary session. The Attainment Scotland Fund already provides support to 21 local authorities who receive funding either as a challenge authority or have schools in the schools programme.\r\n\r\nI made a number of announcements last week about the expansion of the Scottish Attainment Challenge to increase its scope, reach and pace. Existing challenge authorities will receive up to £20 million from the Attainment Scotland Fund during this year, and we will add East Ayrshire and Renfrewshire to the Challenge Authorities Programme – both of which have significant levels of multiple deprivation. I also announced the extension of the challenge into secondary schools in challenge authority areas as well as those which are associated with the schools in the Primary Schools Programme. \r\nThe Attainment Scotland Fund will also continue to support a package of universal support which has been developed to support all local authorities across Scotland, such as the Innovation Fund. From 2017, the £100 million that will be raised each year from our local tax reforms will be allocated directly to schools, based on the numbers of children in each school who meet the eligibility criteria for free school meals. This will mean all local authorities in Scotland will receive funding from the Attainment Scotland Fund.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312575,"EventID":"S5W-00410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:45.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the pledge in the 2016 SNP manifesto to increase investment in the Scottish Attainment Fund by £750 million over the course of the current parliamentary session, whether it will establish a minimum additional funding level per pupil eligible for additional support and, if so, what this will be and how it will ensure that the interventions benefit eligible pupils.","AnswerText":"We will allocate £750 million over this parliamentary session to expand the Attainment Scotland Fund to close the gap in educational attainment. As well as investing £50 million each year in our established area-based approach to raising attainment, we will allocate the additional £100 million that will be raised each year from our local tax reforms directly to schools. The allocation will be based on the numbers of children in each school who meet the eligibility criteria for free school meals.\r\nThis additional funding will ensure that children affected by poverty, wherever they live, will receive additional support to ensure they can get the help they need, when they need it. We will work with key stakeholders to establish how this funding will achieve maximum benefits for eligible children and I will confirm the per pupil funding levels in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312576,"EventID":"S5W-00411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:46.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will develop a fair and transparent funding formula for schools to receive money from the Scottish Attainment Fund.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers to question S5W-00410 answered on 10 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312577,"EventID":"S5W-00412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:47.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what efforts it is making to ensure interconnectivity of public transport timetables with lifeline island ferry services.","AnswerText":"Under the current public service contract with Scottish Ministers, CalMac have an obligation to achieve integrated timetables, facilitate integrated services, participate in marketing initiatives and promote linkages between ferry services and other modes of public transport in the Clyde and Hebrides. As part of that Transport Scotland officials regularly meet with CalMac to discuss operational matters in connection to the services they provide.\r\nIn developing ferry timetables, CalMac work with local stakeholders and operators of various transport modes to ensure that the best possible connectivity is achieved across the entire Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services network. The integration of ferry services to other modes of public transport is regularly reviewed and, where possible, improved.\r\nIn the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract, due to commence 1 October 2016, there is a strong focus on integrated transport. The Scottish Government will ensure that CalMac does everything possible to provide an integrated transport system. The introduction of smart and integrated ticketing systems, as part of that new contract, will further improve connectivity between ferry services and other forms of public transport.\r\nSerco Northlink Ferries also have regular engagement with bus and rail operators regarding connectivity for services to the Northern Isles.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312578,"EventID":"S5W-00413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:48.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T15:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions its (a) ministers and (b) officials have had with (i) Police Scotland and (ii) the Scottish Police Authority regarding the recommendations in the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland report, Audit and Assurance Review of the use of the Facial Search functionality within the UK Police National Database (PND) by Police Scotland, and on what dates.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials have been in discussions with the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland about HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland's recommendations. This included a meeting on 23 March 2016 between Scottish Government officials, the SPA and Police Scotland. These discussions are on-going.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312579,"EventID":"S5W-00414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:49.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T15:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-25353, S4W-26131, S4W-27521, S4W-28458 and S4W-29913 by John Swinney on 7 May 2015, 7 July 2015, 29 September 2015, 2 December 2015 and 8 March 2016 respectively, what the reason is for the delay in providing this information, and on what date it will set out (a) an analysis of responses to the consultation on proposed amendments to the NHS Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and (b) details of how it plans to proceed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29921 on 8 March 2016. I will provide to Parliament our analysis of the consultation in due course. Any delay has been caused by our wish to give full and proper consideration to the responses received, options moving forward and our commitment to developing a system that protects user privacy.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312580,"EventID":"S5W-00415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:49.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T15:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29576 by Michael Matheson on 10 February 2016, on what date the guidance will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to publishing guidance relating to restorative justice as soon as possible. However, it is essential that such guidance is developed in collaboration with restorative justice experts and those with expertise in dealing with victims’ issues, to ensure that the interests of all those participating in the restorative justice process are reflected.\r\nThe Scottish Government has taken a collaborative approach to developing this guidance and a revised draft was circulated to the Scottish Restorative Justice Forum (whose membership includes Sacro, Rape Crisis Scotland, VSS and Scottish Women’s Aid) in March 2016. The latest comments from stakeholders are currently being considered.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312581,"EventID":"S5W-00416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:50.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T15:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to reform the law with regard to defamation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Law Commission is currently reviewing defamation law and will make recommendations to the Scottish Government on the need for reform and the content of any proposed legislation. The Scottish Government awaits the outcome of the Scottish Law Commission’s review and will consider fully the terms of any report produced on this issue.\r\nThe Scottish Law Commission’s consultation on defamation law is open until the 17 June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312582,"EventID":"S5W-00417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:51.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T15:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on adopting a similar approach to data as that of Estonia, which considers that it belongs to the citizen and that people have the right to know who has accessed their information.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's identity management and privacy principles demonstrates the Scottish Government's commitment to individuals' right to a private and family life. There is a new EU General Data Protection Regulation which will come into force in May 2018. The new regulations will strengthen individuals rights and extend the scope of previous legislation to include organisations that process the personal data of EU citizens outside Europe, which we believe is a very positive step.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312583,"EventID":"S5W-00418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:52.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T15:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in light of the findings in the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland report, Audit and Assurance Review of the use of the Facial Search functionality within the UK Police National Database (PND) by Police Scotland, whether it will (a) introduce legislation regarding the retention and use of photographic images by the police, (b) establish an independent commissioner to oversee biometric databases and records and (c) develop a statutory code of practice to govern the use of biometric data.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomed HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland's review and is currently considering how best to implement its recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312584,"EventID":"S5W-00419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-01T17:09:53.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T15:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the inquiry into the closure of 17 schools across Edinburgh that were built under the PPP1 project.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the City of Edinburgh Council. However, details of the inquiry's proposed remit and timetable were published by the council on 8 June 2016 for consideration by its Corporate Policy and Strategy Committee on 14 June 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312585,"EventID":"S5W-00398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T13:51:51.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4F-03322 by Nicola Sturgeon on 23 March 2016 (Official Report, c. 52), if the Scottish Parliament did not agree to raise the threshold for higher rate income tax to the same level as that of the rest of the UK, what impact this would have on the payments that the UK Government would provide to Scotland under the fiscal framework.","AnswerText":"Under new income tax powers set out in the Scotland Act 2016, all Scottish non-savings and non-dividend income tax will accrue to the Scottish Government from the tax year 2017-18 onwards. The Scottish Government set out its proposal for the use of these powers on 22 March 2016, including an estimate of the increased revenue expected as a result of increasing the threshold for the higher rate of income tax in Scotland at a lower rate than in the rest of the UK from 2017-18 to 2021-22. The estimate provided included behavioural effects.\r\nIt is not expected that increasing the threshold for the higher rate of income tax in Scotland at a lower rate than in the rest of the UK will have any effect on the payments that the UK Government would provide to Scotland under the fiscal framework provisions covering ‘no detriment due to policy spill over effects’ described in paragraphs 44 to 53 of the agreement.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312586,"EventID":"S5W-00399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T13:51:52.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government since 16 March 2016 regarding the implementation of the fiscal framework.","AnswerText":"Officials from the Scottish and UK Governments have had a number of discussions since 16 March 2016 on implementing the fiscal framework. It is expected that ministers will meet in due course to agree a plan for undertaking the remaining work.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312587,"EventID":"S5W-00400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T13:51:53.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the increase in the personal allowance in 2017-18 will have on its income tax receipts, and whether a payment will be made under the no detriment rule of the fiscal framework to compensate for this. ","AnswerText":"An increase in the tax free personal allowance for income tax as announced by the UK Government in respect of 2017-18 will result in reduced income tax receipts for the Scottish Government. There will be a corresponding reduction in income tax receipts for the rest of the UK. This will result in a reduction in the block grant adjustment applied to the Scottish budget. The net effect of the change in tax receipts and in the block grant adjustment is expected to be zero or close to zero.\r\nAny consideration of policy spill over effects as set out in paragraphs 44 to 53 of the fiscal framework agreement will be undertaken on a case by case basis. Paragraph 52 requires that any decision or transfer relating to a spill over effect must be jointly agreed by the Scottish and UK Governments.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312588,"EventID":"S5W-00401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T13:51:53.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what procedure is in place to request a payment under the no detriment rule of the fiscal framework to compensate for the loss of income tax receipts following an increase in the personal allowance.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00400 on 15 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312589,"EventID":"S5W-00402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T13:51:54.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will make calculations to assess whether any adjustments are required to the block grant under the fiscal framework.","AnswerText":"The process for adjusting the Scottish block grant in respect of the newly devolved taxes and other powers will take place on an annual cycle. Separate adjustments will be calculated in respect of each tax and other relevant power. The fiscal framework and accompanying technical annex sets out how calculations will be carried out.\r\nParagraphs 44 to 53 of the fiscal framework agreement set out arrangements for further adjusting the block grant in respect of policy spillover effects. As explained in the answer to question S5W-00400 on 15 June 2016, consideration of these effects will be undertaken on a case by case basis, and any decision or transfer relating to a spillover effect must be jointly agreed by the Scottish and UK Governments.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312590,"EventID":"S5W-00403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T13:51:54.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what compensation would be received under the fiscal framework if the Scottish Parliament did not follow increases in the threshold for the higher rate of income tax that had been set for the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00398 on 15 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312591,"EventID":"S5W-00404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T13:51:55.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much additional income tax will be paid by taxpayers in Scotland in each of the next five years under its proposals set out in Scottish Income Tax from 2017/18, and how this compares with how much would be collected if the (a) current and (b) assumed UK rates, bands and thresholds for this period were to be used.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government set out its proposals for the use of new Scottish income tax powers on 22 March 2016. The accompanying policy document provided estimates of the likely financial impacts on individual taxpayers of the proposal, and of expected additional revenues.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312592,"EventID":"S5W-00420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T13:51:55.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the reforms under the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 to remove no-fault evictions will come into force.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will consult later in 2016 on the detail of how the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 is brought into force. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, it expects the Act’s provisions - including those removing no-fault evictions – to come into force in December 2017.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312593,"EventID":"S5W-00421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T13:51:56.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will release the funding for the three research PhDs in (a) multiple sclerosis and (b) motor neurone disease that was referred to in the 2016 SNP manifesto; how much money will be made available for this work; how much of it will be new money, and from what budget line it will be drawn.","AnswerText":"Discussions to identify key areas of research need in these conditions are planned to help ensure these studentships have the maximum impact. These discussions will shape the research calls and inform funding requirements.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312594,"EventID":"S5W-00422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T13:51:57.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it makes available to community-based sports clubs that are run by volunteers, and whether it plans to increase this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to continue to support sport at grassroots level, and provides funding and support for community based sports clubs through our national agency for sport, sportscotland.\r\n\r\nsportscotland has a portfolio of programmes within their 2015-19 corporate plan which aim to increase the number and quality of opportunities to participate, develop and progress in sport. This portfolio provides leadership for club development and, where possible, support clubs to continue being or become a self-sustaining part of the sporting system. For 2016-17, sportscotland has allocated £10.8 million to the clubs and communities portfolio.\r\nsportscotland also remains committed to supporting sports clubs by creating community sports hubs which focus on sustainable, community-led approaches that get clubs working together to develop welcoming, safe and fun environments for sport. There are currently 155 community sports hubs operational across Scotland, with a new target of 200 by 2020, supported by further sportscotland investment of £6 million. Other funding strands which are open to sporting clubs via sportscotland are Awards for All, Direct Club Investment and Sports Facilities Fund. Future Scottish Government funding will be determined by future spending reviews.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312595,"EventID":"S5W-00423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T13:51:57.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-01T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the drug-driving limits.","AnswerText":"There is long-standing legislation in place that makes it an offence to drive while impaired through the use of drugs. The Scottish Government published in 2015 an analysis of responses received to a consultation on introducing drug driving limits and we are continuing to consider the practical implications raised by stakeholders of introducing drug driving limits in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312596,"EventID":"S5W-00424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T13:51:58.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions landowners have (a) turned down and (b) failed to comply with management agreements offered since 2004; on what sites, and for what features.","AnswerText":"Operational responsibility for land management agreements lies with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).\r\n\r\nIn relation to instances where landowners have turned down management agreements, SNH have advised that instances would be small as early discussion would normally identify any difficulties.\r\nSNH’s compliance monitoring programme has detected 46 instances since 2004 of land managers not fully complying with the terms of their management agreements.\r\nI have asked the Chief Executive of SNH to write to the member in order to provide further details on the information requested.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312597,"EventID":"S5W-00425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T13:51:58.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many and which sites of special scientific interest burning is listed as an operation requiring consent; on how many and which sites consent has been granted and on how many occasions, and on how many consent has been refused.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).\r\n\r\nSNH have advised that there are 883 sites of special scientific interest (SSSI) listed as requiring consent for burning and I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the member to provide further details.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312598,"EventID":"S5W-00426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T13:51:59.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many proposals for land management orders Scottish Natural Heritage has made since 2004; on what sites, and for what features.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage has made no requests for land management orders since 2004.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312618,"EventID":"S5W-00427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T16:47:12.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers NHS boards that (a) miss or (b) expect to miss their referral to treatment timescale for child and adolescent mental health services. ","AnswerText":"I shall reply to the member as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312619,"EventID":"S5W-00428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T16:47:13.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates since January 2016 it has met officials of NHS Forth Valley to discuss waiting times for child and adolescent mental health services. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials, Health Improvement Scotland and NHS Education for Scotland met with NHS territorial boards, including NHS Forth valley, to discuss current performance and provide information on the mental health improvement programme in May 2016. The improvement programme will work in collaboration with NHS Boards to deliver sustained improvements in access to child and adolescent mental health services and psychological therapies services.\r\nHealth Improvement Scotland met individually with NHS Forth Valley on 20 May 2016 to discuss the tailored support which they will provide to the board through the improvement programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312620,"EventID":"S5W-00429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T16:47:14.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work the Minister for Mental Health will carry out regarding child and adolescent mental health waiting times. ","AnswerText":"As part of the £54.1 million package of support announced by the First Minister in January 2016, £4.8 million will be awarded to Healthcare Improvement Scotland to establish a mental health access improvement support team. This team will provide support to boards to improve access to psychological therapies for all ages, including for children and adolescents.\r\n\r\nThe improvement programme will be delivered by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, with support from NHS education for Scotland to enhance the supply and training of workforce (£24.6 million Scottish Government funding).\r\nThe Scottish Government has invested £16.3 million over a six year period to increase the number of psychologists working in specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) with a further £3.5 million committed in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312621,"EventID":"S5W-00462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T16:47:15.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote cycling events such as cyclosportives; what impact this has on (a) tourism and (b) the economy of (i) Scotland, (ii) Moray and (iii) the Highlands and Islands, and what funding it provides.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00463 on 10 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nSince 2003, VisitScotland’s EventScotland team has invested £2.6 million to support 55 cycling events across Scotland. 23 of these events have taken place in the Highland region, attracting £1.2 million of this support. It is estimated the total net additional spend generated by all of these events at a Scotland level is £26 million. At a local authority level, this total is estimated to be £38 million. For the Highlands specifically, the net additional spend from the 23 supported events in the region is estimated to be £22.5 million. Recent examples of supported events include ‘Etape Loch Ness’ in Inverness in April 2016 and the ‘Mountain Bike World Cup’ in Fort William in June 2016. In addition, Highland and Islands Enterprise has contributed towards infrastructure costs to allow for the development of the cycling tourism sector and events, which also includes the Nevis Range for the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.\r\nVisitScotland also undertakes significant activity to promote cycling in Scotland and to assist the tourism industry harness the economic benefits of the sport. Their consumer website showcases a wide range of cycle routes and cycling events and VisitScotland also delivers the Cyclists Welcome Scheme, which accredits businesses who cater for cyclists and visitors with an interest in outdoor activities and the environment. To date there are 1077 total Cyclists Welcome Scheme members across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312622,"EventID":"S5W-00463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T16:47:16.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how cycling events benefit Scotland; what the outcome is of the most recent research, and what further research is planned.","AnswerText":"The latest report into the value of cycle tourism was published in June 2013 by Transform Scotland, the national sustainable transport alliance. This states that the total value of cycle tourism – by residents and visitors, touring and leisure cycling – in Scotland is up to £239 million per year; that leisure cycle tourism contributes £58.5 million to the gross value added (GVA) of Scotland; and that when combined with mountain biking, for which separate prior research had been conducted by Ekos in 2009, the total value of cycle tourism in Scotland is estimated to be between £241 million and £362 million per year, with a cumulative annual contribution to GVA of £129 million. Further information is available at: http://transformscotland.org.uk/what-we-do/research/the-value-of-cycle-tourism/. \r\nBoth mountain biking and road cycling are growth sports in Scotland and events make a key contribution in both supporting delivery of the national event strategy ‘Scotland The Perfect Stage’ as well as the ongoing development of the sport. In addition to the significant economic benefits from cycle tourism, media coverage of cycling events such as the Mountain Bike World Cup and Tour of Britain receive extensive television coverage and act as a driver for helping to promote Scotland as a cycling destination of choice, as well as positively contributing to Scotland’s international profile.\r\nWe are not aware of any plans to undertake further research at this stage.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312623,"EventID":"S5W-00464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T16:48:40.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been awarded in grants from the Scottish Land Fund to applicants in Moray since 2007 and who the successful applicants were.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government began funding the Scottish Land Fund in 2012, prior to this, communities could access funding from a variety of different streams to support land and land asset acquisitions. Since its’ launch in 2012 two projects in Moray have received funding from the Scottish Land Fund, totalling £831,500. Successful applicants were Covesea Lighthouse Community Company and The Findhorn Conservation Company.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312624,"EventID":"S5W-00465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T16:48:41.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for establishing the land commission and for its work to begin.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government aims to appoint the five land commissioners and the tenant farming commissioner by the end of 2016, with the land commission in operation on 1 April 2017.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312625,"EventID":"S5W-00467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T16:48:42.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T15:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29255 by Aileen McLeod on 26 January 2016, what steps it (a) has taken, (b) is taking and (c) plans to take to ensure improved implementation of the EU birds and habitats directives in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The European Commission's ‘fitness check’ of the EU birds and habitats directives has yet to conclude. Following this, the Scottish Government will consider what, if any, improvements to implementation should be made for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312626,"EventID":"S5W-00472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T16:48:42.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what conclusions its National Infertility Group has reached in relation to (a) calls for the NHS to deliver three full cycles of IVF and (b) enhancing IVF services. ","AnswerText":"The National infertility group’s report was published on 13 June 2016 at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/06/9960. The group was asked to look at a number of areas, including widening access criteria and increasing the number of full IVF cycles from two to three. The Scottish Government has accepted all recommendations in the report from the national infertility group, except the recommendation to remove eligibility for couples where the woman is aged between 40 and 42. The existing criteria in this area will remain. Work will now begin to develop a sustainable implementation plan, including timescales for the introduction of the criteria changes in the group’s report.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312627,"EventID":"S5W-00473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T16:48:43.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cycles of IVF are offered by each NHS board.","AnswerText":"Since July 2013, all NHS boards in Scotland have offered a maximum of two full IVF cycles for eligible patients. The Scottish Government has accepted the recommendation in the national infertility group’s report, published on 13 June 2016, to increase the maximum number of IVF cycles from two to three. Work will now begin to develop a sustainable implementation plan, including timescales for the introduction of the criteria changes in the group’s report.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312628,"EventID":"S5W-00474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T16:48:44.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports calls for three cycles of IVF to be offered to couples who are unable to conceive.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has accepted the recommendation in the national infertility group’s report, published on 13 June 2016, to increase the maximum number of IVF cycles from two to three. Work will now begin to develop a sustainable implementation plan, including timescales for the introduction of the criteria changes in the group’s report.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312629,"EventID":"S5W-00475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-02T16:48:45.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the NHS's capacity to deliver three full cycles of IVF.","AnswerText":"The National Infertility Group looked at capacity in the four centres that deliver NHS IVF in its 2016 report which was published on 13 June 2016: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/06/9960. Work will now begin to develop a sustainable implementation plan, including timescales for the introduction of the criteria changes in the group’s report.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312649,"EventID":"S5W-00447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T14:09:19.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to make community groups aware of the support provided by and the application process for the Volunteering Support Fund.","AnswerText":"Under the terms of the Volunteering Support Fund (VSF) contract between the Scottish Government and Voluntary Action Fund (VAF), the VSF is promoted by VAF on their website; in social media and by emails. The VAF promotional material also provides details of how potential applicants can contact VAF staff for help with the application process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312650,"EventID":"S5W-00448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T14:09:20.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the criteria to qualify for support from the Volunteering Support Fund.","AnswerText":"The Volunteering Support Fund (VSF) provides £1.1 million per annum to support delivery of the following outcomes, which were agreed with the third sector:\r\nThird sector organisations create new volunteering projects, increasing the diversity of volunteers, especially those from disadvantaged groups.\r\nThird sector organisations provide improved opportunities for skills and personal development through volunteering.\r\nThird sector organisations improve their capacity to deploy and support volunteers;\r\nBy involving volunteers; third sector organisations enhance the services they deliver to better meet the needs of the communities they operate within.\r\nFollowing a consultation of a wide range of stakeholders the Scottish Government set out the broad criteria for support from the VSF in the tender document as part of the standard Scottish Government procurement arrangements. The detailed eligibility criteria were set out by Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) in their tender submission to the Scottish Government.\r\nThe VSF has been in operation for four years and the operation of the fund is discussed in regular engagement between Scottish Government and VAF. Regular reports are submitted to the Scottish Government in compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract and recommendations have consistently been of a minor technical nature. The Scottish Government has received no representations seeking a review of the eligibility criteria.\r\nThe current Volunteer Support Fund will cease on 31 March 2017 and the level of support provided for the fund in subsequent years will be carefully considered as part of the forthcoming spending review process. We will look at how the fund has operated, the impact it has had, what would contribute to improvement and consider what changes, if any, ought to be considered to support volunteering in the period ahead. In this context we would expect to consider the focus, eligibility criteria and outcomes of any future funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312651,"EventID":"S5W-00449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T14:09:20.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value of awards from the Volunteering Support Fund is for 2016-17, broken down by (a) Scottish parliamentary constituency, (b) UK parliamentary constituency, (c) Scottish parliamentary region and (d) local authority area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has allocated £1.1 million per annum to the Volunteering Support Fund in each of the last four years. Details of the value of awards under each category and number of applications are as follows: \r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\nGrants to individual organisations\r\n£731,657\r\n£956,969\r\n£1,003,538\r\n££1,102,994\r\nGrants to clusters of organisations\r\n£293,150\r\n£236,430\r\n£149,580\r\n£0\r\nNumber of applicants\r\n143\r\n194\r\n228\r\n296\r\nInformation is not held for the break down by (a) Scottish parliamentary constituency, (b) UK parliamentary constituency; (c) Scottish parliamentary region and (d) local authority area. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312652,"EventID":"S5W-00450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T14:09:21.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the Voluntary Action Fund regarding eligibility criteria prior to providing support through the Volunteering Support Fund.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00448 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312653,"EventID":"S5W-00451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T14:09:21.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out an impact assessment of support provided by the Volunteering Support Fund for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00448 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312654,"EventID":"S5W-00452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T14:09:22.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications were received for the Volunteering Support Fund for 2016-17, broken down by (a) Scottish parliamentary constituency, (b) UK parliamentary constituency, (c) Scottish parliamentary region and (d) local authority area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00449 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312655,"EventID":"S5W-00453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T14:09:22.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to extend the application period for the Volunteering Support Fund.","AnswerText":"Applications for the 2016-17 round of funding in the Volunteering Support Fund opened on 17 February 2016 and closed on 31 March 2016. There are no plans to extend the application period.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312656,"EventID":"S5W-00454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T14:09:23.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether funding for the Volunteering Support Fund will continue at the same level,  increase or decrease over the next four years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00448 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312657,"EventID":"S5W-00455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T14:09:24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided to the Volunteering Support Fund in each of the last four years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00449 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312658,"EventID":"S5W-00456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T14:09:24.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been awarded under each category of the Volunteering Support Fund in each of the last four years, broken down by (a) Scottish parliamentary constituency, (b) UK parliamentary constituency, (c) Scottish parliamentary region and (d) local authority area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00449 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312659,"EventID":"S5W-00476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T14:09:25.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of lottery funding awarded to each parliamentary constituency expressed also on a per capita basis. ","AnswerText":"The National Lottery is reserved to the UK Government and information on how lottery funds are distributed in Scotland is not held by the Scottish Government. However the Big Lottery Fund in Scotland has provided a breakdown of the lottery funding it awarded to each parliamentary constituency in 2015-2016, this is set out in the following table.\r\n\r\nThe Department for Culture, Media and Sport has lead responsibility for the National Lottery and publishes information on the distribution of lottery funding on its website. This information can be searched for by local authority area, by UK parliamentary constituency and by funding distributor, including all ‘good cause’ funding distributors in Scotland: http://www.lottery.culture.gov.uk/Search.aspx\r\nLottery funding distributed by the Big Lottery Fund in Scotland between 1 April 2015 and 1 April 2016\r\nScottish Parliament Constituency Name\r\nNumber of projects\r\nAmount invested\r\nAberdeen Central\r\n13\r\n£506,712\r\nAberdeen Donside\r\n6\r\n£42,143\r\nAberdeen South and North Kincardine\r\n8\r\n£61,091\r\nAberdeenshire East\r\n15\r\n£122,537\r\nAberdeenshire West\r\n20\r\n£157,775\r\nAirdrie and Shotts\r\n18\r\n£123,594\r\nAlmond Valley\r\n17\r\n£484,667\r\nAngus North and Mearns\r\n15\r\n£1,013,586\r\nAngus South\r\n14\r\n£1,176,968\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n45\r\n£1,390,132\r\nAyr\r\n13\r\n£1,120,763\r\nBanffshire and Buchan Coast\r\n14\r\n£128,783\r\nCaithness, Sutherland and Ross\r\n32\r\n£2,024,499\r\nCarrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley\r\n21\r\n£1,011,379\r\nClackmannanshire and Dunblane\r\n27\r\n£776,107\r\nClydebank and Milngavie\r\n19\r\n£761,971\r\nClydesdale\r\n27\r\n£630,157\r\nCoatbridge and Chryston\r\n23\r\n£795,841\r\nCowdenbeath\r\n11\r\n£743,186\r\nCumbernauld and Kilsyth\r\n19\r\n£138,864\r\nCunninghame North\r\n21\r\n£298,682\r\nCunninghame South\r\n19\r\n£1,427,560\r\nDumbarton\r\n28\r\n£199,772\r\nDumfriesshire\r\n22\r\n£148,216\r\nDundee City East\r\n17\r\n£140,658\r\nDundee City West\r\n17\r\n£153,616\r\nDunfermline\r\n13\r\n£90,178\r\nEast Kilbride\r\n15\r\n£182,366\r\nEast Lothian\r\n24\r\n£169,064\r\nEastwood\r\n5\r\n£523,464\r\nEdinburgh Central\r\n47\r\n£3,989,085\r\nEdinburgh Eastern\r\n17\r\n£154,166\r\nEdinburgh Northern and Leith\r\n24\r\n£1,616,878\r\nEdinburgh Pentlands\r\n21\r\n£535,671\r\nEdinburgh Southern\r\n13\r\n£1,089,362\r\nEdinburgh Western\r\n12\r\n£109,798\r\nEttrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire\r\n28\r\n£1,050,753\r\nFalkirk East\r\n15\r\n£351,385\r\nFalkirk West\r\n31\r\n£811,350\r\nGalloway and West Dumfries\r\n31\r\n£960,412\r\nGlasgow Anniesland\r\n19\r\n£151,726\r\nGlasgow Cathcart\r\n13\r\n£670,998\r\nGlasgow Kelvin\r\n48\r\n£3,594,926\r\nGlasgow Maryhill and Springburn\r\n41\r\n£4,002,299\r\nGlasgow Pollok\r\n16\r\n£213,542\r\nGlasgow Provan\r\n26\r\n£1,557,525\r\nGlasgow Shettleston\r\n26\r\n£1,259,417\r\nGlasgow Southside\r\n47\r\n£2,295,048\r\nGreenock and Inverclyde\r\n35\r\n£3,515,325\r\nHamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse\r\n18\r\n£154,941\r\nInverness and Nairn\r\n21\r\n£217,212\r\nKilmarnock and Irvine Valley\r\n32\r\n£517,802\r\nKirkcaldy\r\n17\r\n£495,590\r\nLinlithgow\r\n14\r\n£1,026,310\r\nMid Fife and Glenrothes\r\n11\r\n£570,490\r\nMidlothian North and Musselburgh\r\n18\r\n£125,893\r\nMidlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale\r\n33\r\n£981,872\r\nMoray\r\n13\r\n£223,103\r\nMotherwell and Wishaw\r\n35\r\n£1,915,317\r\nNa h-Eileanan an Iar\r\n14\r\n£101,314\r\nNorth East Fife\r\n19\r\n£136,628\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n11\r\n£723,431\r\nPaisley\r\n32\r\n£1,905,867\r\nPerthshire North\r\n29\r\n£750,966\r\nPerthshire South and Kinross-shire\r\n14\r\n£96,880\r\nRenfrewshire North and West\r\n14\r\n£102,101\r\nRenfrewshire South\r\n31\r\n£260,621\r\nRutherglen\r\n19\r\n£225,764\r\nShetland Islands\r\n17\r\n£103,702\r\nSkye, Lochaber and Badenoch\r\n35\r\n£1,338,394\r\nStirling\r\n38\r\n£531,609\r\nStrathkelvin and Bearsden\r\n15\r\n£112,469\r\nUddingston and Bellshill\r\n21\r\n£755,090\r\nTotal\r\n1589\r\n£57,847,359\r\nSource: Big Lottery Fund Scotland\r\nNote: Due to the nature of Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s reporting system, distribution of funds is based on the main location of project delivery. Certain areas therefore have larger amounts invested partly because many organisations are based in these constituencies although their projects may be delivered nationally.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312660,"EventID":"S5W-00477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T14:09:26.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has fixed a (a) date and (b) time period for the proposed consultation on regulations pertaining to e-cigarettes arising from the Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) Scotland Act 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently engaging with stakeholders to inform the form and content of the proposed consultation on nicotine vapour products. No date or time period for the consultation has yet been fixed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312661,"EventID":"S5W-00480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T14:09:27.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T17:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the current levels of funding available to NHS boards to support the rehabilitation of people recovering from a brain injury are sufficient. ","AnswerText":"While the Scottish Government provides the policies, frameworks and resources for high quality healthcare in Scotland, it is for each NHS board to decide best how to utilise funding, facilities and staff while taking account of national and local priorities to meet local health needs, including those for people recovering from a brain injury.\r\n\r\nWhat I can confirm is that Scotland’s health boards have received more than £500 million in additional funding in 2016-17 to support the provision of frontline healthcare services. There is a national Scottish Acquired Brain Injury Network (SABIN) that seeks to improve outcomes for all acquired brain injury patients. SABIN in Scotland is a national managed clinical network and they have undertaken a comprehensive communication and engagement programme with patients, carers and key stakeholders and their aim is to improve access and quality of care for people with acquired brain injury across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312662,"EventID":"S5W-00481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T14:09:27.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T17:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding was provided to each NHS board in 2015-16 and is being provided in 2016-17 to support the rehabilitation of people recovering from a brain injury. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00480 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312663,"EventID":"S5W-00482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T14:09:28.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) recent assessment it has made and (b) future assessment it plans of potential risks to the marine wildlife in the Moray Firth.","AnswerText":"The scope of this request is very broad and untargeted, and to answer the question as it stands would incur a disproportionate cost, as this would involve, amongst other things:\r\nInput from several government agencies, Significant resource to collect all assessments done across the Moray Firth of any sort, as there is no specificity to the question.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312664,"EventID":"S5W-00483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T14:09:29.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further, to the answer to question S5W-00184 by Fiona Hyslop on 3 June 2016, which stations it has asked to run public information adverts in each of the last five years, broken down by the amount received.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has asked the following community radio stations to run public information adverts in each of the last five years, broken down by the amount received.\r\n\r\nStation\r\nJanuary to December 2011\r\nJanuary to December 2012\r\nJanuary to December 2013\r\nJanuary to December 2014\r\nJanuary to December 2015\r\nJanuary to April 2016\r\nTotal\r\nArgyll FM\r\n £1,152.94\r\n £4,680.96\r\n £3,734.00\r\n £5,991.00\r\n £3,059.00\r\n £263.00\r\n £18,880.90\r\nCaithness FM\r\n £375.53\r\n £4,420.00\r\n £3,551.00\r\n £5,942.00\r\n £2,902.00\r\n £250.00\r\n £17,440.53\r\nCuillin FM\r\n £1,358.82\r\n £8,603.31\r\n £6,388.00\r\n £9,784.00\r\n £5,562.00\r\n £461.00\r\n £32,157.13\r\nHeartland FM\r\n £772.95\r\n £3,687.18\r\n £2,639.00\r\n £3,572.00\r\n £2,339.00\r\n £230.00\r\n £13,240.13\r\nIsles FM\r\n £1,642.52\r\n £7,835.15\r\n £5,957.00\r\n £9,733.00\r\n £4,811.00\r\n £420.00\r\n £30,398.67\r\nLeith FM\r\n £82.35\r\n £2,804.49\r\n £949.00\r\n £296.00\r\n\r\n\r\n £4,131.84\r\nLochbroom FM\r\n £1,642.52\r\n £7,835.17\r\n £5,957.00\r\n £9,569.00\r\n £4,891.00\r\n £420.00\r\n £30,314.69\r\nNevis Radio\r\n £2,208.01\r\n £12,013.91\r\n £9,133.00\r\n £14,590.00\r\n £7,618.00\r\n £644.00\r\n £46,206.92\r\nOban FM Community Radio Ltd\r\n\r\n\r\n£2,250.00\r\n\r\n\r\n£7,835.17\r\n £5,957.00\r\n £9,361.00\r\n £4,968.00\r\n £420.00\r\n £30,791.17\r\nSunny Govan Radio\r\n\r\n£196.00\r\n\r\n£5,605.75\r\n £2,257.00\r\n £1,294.00\r\n £1,464.00\r\n £392.00\r\n £11,208.75\r\nTwo Lochs Radio\r\n\r\n£1,113.09\r\n\r\n£4,967.87\r\n £3,812.00\r\n £7,151.00\r\n £3,573.00\r\n £336.00\r\n £20,952.96\r\nAwaz FM\r\n\r\n £3,460.00\r\n\r\n £476.00\r\n\r\n\r\n £3,936.00\r\nDunoon Community Radio\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n £24.00\r\n\r\n\r\n £24.00\r\nYour Radio\r\n £140.00\r\n £4,053.00\r\n £2,359.00\r\n £1,400.00\r\n £1,957.00\r\n £280.00\r\n £10,189.00\r\nIsland FM\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n £24.00\r\n\r\n £24.00\r\n\r\n £2,934.73\r\n £77,801.96\r\n £52,693.00\r\n £79,183.00\r\n £43,168.00\r\n £4,116.00\r\n £269,896.69 ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312666,"EventID":"S5W-00441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:26.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date the findings of the review of the functions of the Office of the Scottish Road Works Commissioner will be published, and when it expects to announce its response to the findings.","AnswerText":"We aim to publish the findings of the review in July 2016 and to announce our response to its recommendations at the same time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312667,"EventID":"S5W-00443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:27.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage more modern apprenticeship starts in construction and related sectors. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, in partnership with our national skills body, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) undertakes range of activity to encourage more modern apprenticeships (MA) in construction and related sectors. This includes: \r\nPrioritising key and enabling sectors, including opportunities in construction, within the annual MA target, which this year has increased to 26,000 starts;\r\nThe development of a skills investment plan (SIP) for construction published in March 2015. The construction SIP provides a blueprint for the public sector and industry to work collaboratively to address skills issues now and in the future, with a key focus on attracting future talent and building pathways into the sector.\r\nDeveloping wider apprenticeship opportunities in the civil engineering area of construction though foundation apprenticeships in the senior phase of school and graduate level apprenticeships with Scottish Universities.\r\nWorking with construction industry training board (CITB) through the annual Scottish apprenticeship week campaign and the annual Scottish apprenticeship awards. \r\nAs a result there has been an increase in the number of construction related MA opportunities between 2010-11 and 2015-16, as set out in the following table:\r\nMA Starts to Construction and Related Frameworks\r\nYear\r\n Starts\r\n2010-11\r\n 3,109\r\n2011-12\r\n 3,795\r\n2012-13\r\n 3,787\r\n2013-14\r\n 4,435\r\n2014-15\r\n 4,409\r\n2015-16\r\n 4,894\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312668,"EventID":"S5W-00444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:28.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of modern apprenticeship starts is in construction and related sectors.","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland (SDS) publish statistical information about the modern apprenticeship (MA) programme, including a breakdown by framework followed, on a quarterly basis. Year end statistics for 2015-16 were published on 7 June 2016, and can be accessed here: -https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/41664/modern-apprenticeship-statistics-quarter-4-2015-16-2-1.pdf\r\nI can advise that, from the year end statistics, there were 4,894 MA starts in construction and related sectors in 2015-16, out of a total 25,818 MA starts.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312669,"EventID":"S5W-00445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:28.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase the proportion of modern apprenticeship starts in construction and related frameworks. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has consistently maintained the employed status element of the modern apprenticeship (MA) programme here in Scotland, linking apprenticeship opportunities to real, sustainable jobs. The availability of places in any sector is therefore reliant upon demand from employers to participate in the MA programme.\r\n\r\nSkills Development Scotland (SDS) publish statistical information about the modern apprenticeship (MA) programme on a quarterly basis. Year end statistics for 2015-16 were published on 7 June 2016, and can be accessed here: \r\nhttps://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/41664/modern-apprenticeship-statistics-quarter-4-2015-16-2-1.pdf\r\nFrom these published statistics, I can advise that modern apprenticeship starts in the construction and related framework grouping have increased since 2012-13, as shown:\r\n2012-13: 3,787\r\n2013-14: 4,435\r\n2014-15: 4,409\r\n2015-16: 4,894","AnswerDate":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312670,"EventID":"S5W-00446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:29.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many modern apprenticeship starts it expects over each of the next five years, broken down by (a) age, (b) level, (c) sector and (d) gender.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed to offer at least 30,000 new modern apprenticeship (MA) starts each year by 2020. \r\nThe first stage of this increase has been delivered - the 2015-16 target of 25,500 new MA opportunities has been exceeded with 25,818 starts delivered in 2015. The new target for 2016-17 of 26,000 MAs was announced on 29 February 2016.\r\nSince the introduction of the 25,000 target in 2011-12, we have exceeded the required number of starts each year, even during the economic downturn. We delivered over 120,000 new opportunities in the last parliamentary term.\r\nBecause the programme is led by demand from employers to offer MA opportunities, it is not possible to determine the age, level, sector or gender of apprenticeships in advance.\r\nHowever, I can advise that in 2015-16:\r\n79% of starts were aged 16-24.\r\nThe majority (65%) of starts were in higher level apprenticeships (SVQ Level 3 or above)\r\nThe largest proportion of starts were in construction frameworks (19%).\r\n41% of starts were female\r\nAddressing under-representation in our MA programme is a key priority for the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to address, in partnership with industry and delivery partners. The MA equalities action plan, published in December 2015, includes specific improvement targets for MA participation by black or minority ethnic, care leavers, disabled people and gender balance. The success of our MA programme has seen more than 128,000 people get an invaluable start to their career over the last five years and we want young women and men from all backgrounds to be able to seize these opportunities.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312671,"EventID":"S5W-00468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:29.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T15:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had or plans with the Office of the Scottish Road Works Commissioner regarding improving coordination between utility companies when carrying out road works.","AnswerText":"Officials from Transport Scotland meet the Scottish Road Works Commissioner on a regular basis, normally at least once per month. Transport Scotland also holds quarterly meetings of the 'Road Works Policy Development Group', which includes the commissioner and representatives from the wider road works community.\r\n\r\nIn addition to these regular meetings, there have been a number of additional meetings recently between the commissioner and officials to discuss the emerging findings of the independent review of the commissioner's office and functions.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312672,"EventID":"S5W-00470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:30.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T15:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to assess the condition of the country's roads; what discussions it has with local authorities regarding these conditions, and what action it is taking to prevent deterioration in road quality.","AnswerText":"The Transport Scotland road asset management plan sets out how Scotland's trunk road network is maintained strategically and efficiently in order to protect our assets and ensure maximum value for money from our road maintenance activities. Transport Scotland's programmed maintenance work plans are developed based on asset condition data, including results from regular inspections and annual machine-based surveys, such as Deflectograph and SCANNER.\r\nSCANNER surveys make a number of measurements to describe the condition of the road surface, including rutting, cracking and ride quality. Deflectograph surveys are undertaken to assess the strength of the lower road layers and provide an estimate of the remaining useful life of the road. All trunk roads are also inspected at regular intervals to identify defects like potholes, which are then repaired by our operating companies within the strict timescales set-out in their contracts.\r\nThe Society of Chief Officers of Transportation Scotland (SCOTS) commission an annual SCANNER survey on behalf of all local authorities to allow them to assess the areas of road which require maintenance. The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places the statutory responsibility for local roads improvement, maintenance and repair with local road authorities. It is therefore the responsibility of Scottish local authorities to determine what resources they should allocate based on local needs and priorities. In 2016-17 the Scottish Government provided local authorities with total funding of over £10.3 billion this includes funding for road maintenance.\r\nAs part of the work of the Roads Collaboration Board and Strategic Action Group we regularly have discussions with representatives from SCOTS and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives on embedding best practice. In addition, road authorities have been working with industry partners to make positive changes to how road maintenance is undertaken, with focus on efficiency, collaboration and innovation.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312673,"EventID":"S5W-00484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:30.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-22692 by Alex Neil on 29 October 2014, whether it will provide an update on how many pending litigations there are in Scotland in relation to defective mesh implants and against whom.","AnswerText":"As at 6 June 2016, the Scottish Government has been made aware that there are 403 intimated claims of which 346 are court actions with summonses having been served.\r\n\r\nThe cases are all directed against both the health boards and the manufacturer.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312674,"EventID":"S5W-00486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:32.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action NHS boards have taken previously to deal with surplus to requirement obturator mesh devices, and whether there are plans for the current surplus devices to be (a) destroyed or (b) sent (i) to hospitals in the rest of the UK and (i) overseas, broken down by country. ","AnswerText":"This is a matter for NHS boards. The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312675,"EventID":"S5W-00487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:32.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much surplus to requirement obturator mesh devices has cost the NHS.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for NHS boards. The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312676,"EventID":"S5W-00488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:33.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in implementing all of the recommendations in The Scottish Independent Review of the Use, Safety and Efficacy of Transvaginal Mesh Implants in the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Women: Interim Report.","AnswerText":"All recommendations contained in the independent review's interim report have been considered, with focus on the following actions:\r\n\r\nA revised patient information and consent leaflet for stress urinary incontinence.\r\nA governance framework for multi-disciplinary teams treating women with these conditions.\r\nA pathway of care for women seeking treatment for stress urinary incontinence; and a pathway of care for women experiencing serious complications.\r\nThe expert group is awaiting the independent review’s final report and until that has been published it does not consider it appropriate to take forward recommendations where important research findings are still awaited.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312677,"EventID":"S5W-00489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:34.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many women have been fitted with a polypropylene mesh device, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of women undergoing transvaginal mesh surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in Scotland by health board of treatment for financial years 2006-07 to 2015-16.\r\nHealth Board of treatment\r\nNumber of women who have undergone a mesh procedure for SUI\r\nNumber of women who have undergone a mesh procedure for POP\r\nNumber of women who have undergone any mesh procedure for SUI or POP\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n805\r\n535\r\n1,279\r\nBorders\r\n817\r\n9\r\n825\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n380\r\n32\r\n409\r\nFife\r\n982\r\n116\r\n1,087\r\nForth Valley\r\n857\r\n17\r\n872\r\nGrampian\r\n1,088\r\n327\r\n1,367\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n3,591\r\n773\r\n4,240\r\nHighland\r\n661\r\n18\r\n678\r\nLanarkshire\r\n545\r\n62\r\n604\r\nLothian\r\n1,906\r\n19\r\n1,921\r\nOrkney, Shetland and Western Isles\r\n56\r\n*\r\n58\r\nTayside\r\n764\r\n131\r\n893\r\nNon-NHS provider\r\n64\r\n*\r\n98\r\nTotal\r\n12,516\r\n2,079\r\n14,331\r\nThe total for SUI and POP procedures should not add up as women could have had one or more procedures.\r\n* Indicates values that have been suppressed due to the potential risk of disclosure and to help maintain patient confidentiality.\r\nThere are no specific codes to identify the type of mesh used therefore numbers may include biological grafts as well as polypropylene mesh. \r\nOnly transvaginal procedures have been included. mesh procedures for POP involving an abdominal approach such as sacrohysteropexy and sacrocolpopexy have been excluded.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312678,"EventID":"S5W-00490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:35.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many women who have been fitted with a polypropylene mesh device have required corrective surgery to either partially or fully remove it, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of women undergoing partial or total removal of mesh previously inserted for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in Scotland by health board of treatment for financial years 2006-07 to 2015-16.\r\nInformation regarding the removal of mesh used surgically to treat pelvic organ prolapse is not available as currently there are no specific codes used to record these procedures in routine hospital discharge records. NHSScotland’s information services division has asked the health and social care information centre in England, which maintains the coding system, to create new codes for these procedures.\r\nHealth board of treatment\r\nNumber of women undergoing treatment for partial or total removal of mesh previously inserted for treatment of SUI\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n33\r\nBorders\r\n26\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n8\r\nFife\r\n27\r\nForth Valley\r\n33\r\nGrampian\r\n35\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n236\r\nHighland\r\n40\r\nLanarkshire\r\n29\r\nLothian\r\n125\r\nOrkney, Shetland and Western Isles\r\n*\r\nTayside\r\n27\r\nNon-NHS provider\r\n*\r\nTotal\r\n625\r\n* Indicates values that have been suppressed due to the potential risk of disclosure and to help maintain patient confidentiality.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312679,"EventID":"S5W-00491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:36.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many times the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has issued a medical device alert to healthcare professionals regarding polypropylene mesh devices.","AnswerText":"The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has confirmed that it has not issued a medical device alert regarding polypropylene mesh implants. MHRA has stated that it continues to monitor and evaluate the safety and performance of these devices; they have not identified a robust body of evidence indicating any polypropylene mesh implants are unsafe requiring them to initiate any enforcement action against manufacturers in the UK under the European medical device regulations, and to the best of their knowledge neither has any other EU country or worldwide regulator.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312680,"EventID":"S5W-00492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:37.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times it has met the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency since October 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in contact with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency on a regular basis to discuss a range of issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312681,"EventID":"S5W-00493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:37.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any companies that have competed for public contracts since the procurement rule SPPN 4/2013, Exclusion from public contracts of companies which engage in blacklisting, came into force have acknowledged an involved with blacklisting.","AnswerText":"Contract award notices are published on public contracts Scotland and contain information on companies which were successfully awarded public contracts. Information on all the companies which have competed for public contracts is not held centrally by the Scottish Government but is retained by public bodies.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312682,"EventID":"S5W-00494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:38.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment or reviews of the running of child contact centres it has (a) carried out and (b) plans.","AnswerText":"The then Scottish Executive published three research publications focused on child contact centres on 24 March 2004. The publications were: \r\nScottish Child Contact Centres: Characteristics of Centre Users and Centre Staff. This report described the characteristics of families using Scottish child contact centres and the role of staff working in the centre.\r\nBuilding Bridges? Expectations and Experiences of Child Contact Centres in Scotland. This report examined users’ and workers’ expectations and experiences of child contact centres.\r\nChild Contact Centres in Scotland – Research Findings. This report drew together the key findings from the two studies described above.\r\nThe reports can be found here:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Justice/law/17867/familylawresearch\r\nIn 2010 the Scottish Government published research on Understanding Child Contact Cases in Scottish Sheriff Courts. This research included child contact centres and noted that “all the sheriffs we spoke to had found contact centres to be an important resource, particularly where they had had concerns about the non-resident parent’s ability to care for the child.” The relevant section of the research can be found here: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2010/12/08145916/8 (paragraphs 5.19 to 5.22).\r\nSince then, the Scottish Government has worked closely with Relationships Scotland in relation to child contact centres. The Relationships Scotland Network is the largest provider of child contact centres in the country, supporting the running of 46 child contact centres across Scotland, helping around 2,000 children each year to remain in contact with their non-resident parent.\r\nRelationships Scotland and its 22 member services receive financial support from the Scottish Government which is broadly equivalent to around 40% of total annual running costs. Relationships Scotland therefore reports to the Scottish Government on how this investment has been spent, including full details of finance, statistics, outcomes, training, continuing professional development, national standards, policies and procedures and the role that the network plays in responding to issues such as domestic abuse and child protection.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312683,"EventID":"S5W-00495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:39.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the last time a cabinet secretary or minister visited a child contact centre.","AnswerText":"Aileen Campbell MSP, in her capacity as Minister for Children and Young People, visited a Relationships Scotland child contact centre in Dumfries on 3 March 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312684,"EventID":"S5W-00496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:40.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what regulatory controls there are there for child contact centres.","AnswerText":"Child contact centres are not a regulated service. However, all of Relationships Scotland’s child contact centres operate within agreed national standards and are subject to quality assurance inspections.\r\n\r\nThe Relationships Scotland Child Contact Centre Committee oversees the workings of its child contact centres. Its Practitioners’ Forum considers issues from centres and learns from those experiences in order to shape and update policies and procedures. Full risk assessments, in line with Relationships Scotland national policies and procedures, are carried out in all cases prior to any contact taking place, and continual monitoring of risk is carried out at all times in each case.\r\nRelationships Scotland also undertakes regular quality assurance inspections of all of its member services, which fully incorporates its child contact centres. All member services have to pass quality assurance assessment visits to remain in membership.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312685,"EventID":"S5W-00497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:41.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what minimum training is expected for people who work in child contact centres.","AnswerText":"Relationships Scotland provides training for managers and organisers; volunteer support workers; and supervisors (for supervised contacts). In addition, Relationships Scotland’s child contact centre staff and volunteers are, where appropriate, subject to Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme checks.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312686,"EventID":"S5W-00498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:42.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what risk assessments are carried out at child contact centres prior to children seeing their parents.","AnswerText":"In all Relationships Scotland contact centres full risk assessments are carried out in all cases prior to any contact taking place, and continual monitoring of risk is carried out at all times in each case. This is in line with Relationships Scotland’s national policies and procedures.\r\n\r\nThe risk assessment process involves the following steps:\r\nRisks are identified during the referral or intake process;\r\nThe head of service appoints a risk assessor for each case, who makes an assessment when a potential risk is identified;\r\nWhen potential risks are identified and forwarded to the risk assessor, the risk assessor will meet the head of the service and any relevant staff to: discuss the risk and its potential impact, consider actions (including gathering information); prepare a statement of the risk in terms of the nature, seriousness, likelihood of it occurring, possible outcomes and manageability; make a final decision on the most appropriate course of action; and develop manageability procedures if a decision is made to accept the referral or continue the contact; and if a decision is made to accept the referral or continue the contact, the staff member who has direct responsibility for organising and monitoring the contact is told of the nature, seriousness and likelihood of the risk; and the specific actions to be taken before, during and after the contact, and by whom.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312687,"EventID":"S5W-00499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-03T15:40:42.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that the rights and views of the child at child contact centres are listened to prior to them seeing their parents.","AnswerText":"Many of those who use contact centres will have been referred there by the courts. 78% of all referrals to Relationships Scotland’s child contact centres come from the Scottish courts or solicitors. The relevant legislation when a court is considering a contact case is section 11 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. This provides that when considering whether or not to make an order, the court shall regard the welfare of the child concerned as its paramount consideration. It also provides that the court, taking account of the child’s age and maturity, shall, so far as practicable, give the child an opportunity to express views and shall have regard to any views the child expresses. There is a presumption that a child aged 12 or above is of sufficient age and maturity to form a view.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312689,"EventID":"S5W-00336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:22.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-05-31T13:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has asked the Home Secretary (a) how many and (b) which Scottish social justice and environmental campaigns were targeted by the Special Demonstration Squad and the National Public Order Intelligence Unit.","AnswerText":"The focus of the Scottish Government’s engagement with the home office has been on extending the scope of the Pitchford inquiry to Scotland rather than on operational matters. Our proposals would allow it to consider the extent of such activities in Scotland.\r\nDiscussions on this matter are on-going and I last wrote to the Home Secretary on 25 May 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312690,"EventID":"S5W-00457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:23.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what drugs are under consideration for approval by the Scottish Medicines Consortium, also broken down by their intended use.","AnswerText":"Information about medicines scheduled for appraisal by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) and their indications can be found in the forthcoming submissions section of the SMC website: http://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312691,"EventID":"S5W-00458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:23.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time GPs there have been in each of the last three years, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The Primary Care Workforce Survey Scotland 2015, published 14 June 2016, shows that the estimated whole time equivalent number of GPs was 3,645 in 2015.\r\n\r\nThe Primary Care Workforce Survey does not collect data annually, however the table below shows GP headcount figures in each of the last three years, broken down by NHS board (data are as at 30 September 2015):\r\nBoard/Year\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n    329\r\n    335\r\n    331\r\nBorders\r\n    118\r\n    120\r\n    117\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n    152\r\n    148\r\n    138\r\nFife\r\n    277\r\n    275\r\n    269\r\nForth Valley\r\n    270\r\n    268\r\n    265\r\nGrampian\r\n    549\r\n    565\r\n    561\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n   1,070\r\n   1,077\r\n   1,055\r\nHighland\r\n    393\r\n    393\r\n    391\r\nLanarkshire\r\n    406\r\n    412\r\n    462\r\nLothian\r\n    851\r\n    852\r\n    891\r\nOrkney\r\n     29\r\n     26\r\n     31\r\nShetland\r\n     26\r\n     28\r\n     31\r\nTayside\r\n    378\r\n    394\r\n    372\r\nWestern Isles\r\n     38\r\n     34\r\n     31\r\nScotland\r\n   4,881\r\n   4,921\r\n   4,938\r\nData source: General Practitioner Contractor Database, Information Services Division, NHS National Services Scotland, published in December 2015. http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/Publications/data-tables.asp\r\nPlease note that GPs may hold multiple posts simultaneously and therefore the Scotland total may not equal the sum of the different types of GP post or the sum of the headcount in the different boards.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312692,"EventID":"S5W-00459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:23.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many notifications it has received in the last year of GP practices being closed to new patients, broken down by NHS board. ","AnswerText":"NHS boards do not formally notify the Scottish Government when they agree with an independently contracted practice that it can temporarily close its patient list. We expect health boards to work with practices as constructively and as flexibly as is appropriate on these occasions to help manage the situation and ensure that all patients have access to GP services.\r\nThe following table shows the number of practices which were temporarily closed to new patients last year (2015 calendar year) by NHS board.\r\nNHS Board\r\nClosed to new patient registrations\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n0\r\nBorders\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n0\r\nFife\r\n0\r\nForth Valley\r\n0\r\nGrampian\r\n0\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n4\r\nHighland\r\n0\r\nLanarkshire\r\n3\r\nLothian\r\n0\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\nShetland\r\n0\r\nTayside\r\n4\r\nWestern Isles\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n11\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312693,"EventID":"S5W-00460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:24.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many notifications it has received in the last year of there being insufficient GP cover to meet demand, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"NHS boards have various means of supporting independently contracted practices which request assistance. We expect health boards to work with practices as constructively and as flexibly as is appropriate to ensure that all patients have access to GP services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312694,"EventID":"S5W-00461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:24.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding what drugs have been approved for use by the Scottish Medicines Consortium but not by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, also broken down by their intended use.","AnswerText":"Information about the decisions taken by the Scottish Medicines Consortium and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on medicines and their indications can be accessed at: http://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/\r\n\r\nhttps://www.nice.org.uk/","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312695,"EventID":"S5W-00500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:25.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00142 by John Swinney on 2 June 2016, whether an earlier date was initially identified for the release of the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy and announced 12 months in advance and, if so, what action it took to ensure that the subsequent change in the publication date was drawn to public attention in accordance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.","AnswerText":"An earlier date was not identified for the release of the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312696,"EventID":"S5W-00501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:26.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00142 by John Swinney on 2 June 2016, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding (a) the reason for the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy being published more than one month later than in previous years and (b) what stakeholders were consulted. ","AnswerText":"Timing of publication reflected the need to ensure full analysis of the data was possible with the resources available, as is usual. Stakeholders are not consulted in the setting of publication dates.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312697,"EventID":"S5W-00502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:27.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00142 by John Swinney on 2 June 2016, on what date the responsible statistician advised ministers that the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy would be published more than one month later than in previous years, and whether the statistician was employed by it at the time of the decision.","AnswerText":"Each month ministers are notified of statistical report publication dates pertaining to the next two months. Ministers were advised of the SSLN 2015 publication date on 23 March 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312698,"EventID":"S5W-00503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:28.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00142 by John Swinney on 2 June 2016, which (a) ministers, (b) officials and (c) stakeholders had pre-release access to the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy, and on what date this access was provided.","AnswerText":"In addition to professional and production staff the following post holders were given pre-release access:\r\nFirst Minister\r\nDeputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills\r\nSpecial Advisers, Private Office\r\nHead of the First Minister’s Policy and Delivery Unit\r\nStrategic Policy Adviser, First Minister's Policy and Delivery Unit \r\nC1, B3, B3, B2 Communications Smarter \r\nPermanent Secretary\r\nDirector General Learning and Justice \r\nDirector of Learning \r\nDeputy Director Curriculum, Qualifications and Gaelic \r\nHead of Curriculum Unit \r\nC1, C1, B3, B2 Curriculum Unit \r\nC2, Curriculum, Qualifications and Gaelic Division \r\nDeputy Director Strategy and Performance \r\nHead of Strategy and Performance Unit \r\nC1, B3 Strategy and Performance Unit \r\nHead of Raising Attainment Unit \r\nC1, B3 Raising Attainment Unit \r\nDeputy Director People and Infrastructure \r\nHead of People and Leadership Unit \r\nC1, People and Leadership Unit \r\nHead of Empowering Schools Unit \r\nC1, Empowering Schools Unit \r\nChief Executive Education Scotland \r\nStrategic Director, Education Scotland \r\nAssistant Director, Education Scotland \r\nAssistant Director, Education Scotland \r\nSenior Education Officer, Education Scotland \r\nSenior Education Officer, Education Scotland \r\nHead of Communications, Education Scotland \r\nCommunications and Media Manager, Education Scotland \r\nHead of Assessment Development and Delivery, SQA\r\nAssessment Manager, SQA\r\nCommunications, SQA\r\nIn line with the, ministers and officials can have pre-release access to final form statistics five working days in advance. This date was 20 May 2016 (to account for two public holidays i.e. non-working days).","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312699,"EventID":"S5W-00504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:28.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the underrecognition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among children.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects NHS boards to provide safe, effective care and services which support and respond to the needs of the individual. This includes the recognition and treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in line with evidence-based practice.\r\nThe Scottish Government has worked with NHS Education for Scotland to produce the psychological therapies Matrix - a guide to planning and delivering evidence-based psychological therapies within NHS boards in Scotland. The ‘Matrix’ dedicates a section to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312700,"EventID":"S5W-00505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:29.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in each year since 2011-12, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. This is because most diagnoses will be made in community and outpatient settings and information services division do not hold the relevant information from those settings.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312701,"EventID":"S5W-00506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:30.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of children in each NHS board have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, broken down by gender.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. This is because most diagnoses will be made in community and outpatient settings and information services division do not hold the relevant information from those settings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312702,"EventID":"S5W-00507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:30.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children in each NHS board have been prescribed (a) Ritalin and (b) other drugs to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in each year since 2011-12, broken down by gender.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drugs prescribed to children*, 2011-12 to 2014-15, by NHS board.\r\n\r\nFinancial Year\r\nNHS Board\r\nNo of patients prescribed Methylphenidate\r\nNo of patients prescribed Ritalin\r\nNo of patients prescribed other ADHD drugs\r\n2011\r\nNHS AYRSHIRE and ARRAN\r\n286\r\n23\r\n55\r\n2011\r\nNHS BORDERS\r\n289\r\n23\r\n47\r\n2011\r\nNHS DUMFRIES and GALLOWAY\r\n193\r\n10\r\n48\r\n2011\r\nNHS FIFE\r\n660\r\n32\r\n255\r\n2011\r\nNHS FORTH VALLEY\r\n359\r\n16\r\n99\r\n2011\r\nNHS GRAMPIAN\r\n840\r\n65\r\n137\r\n2011\r\nNHS GREATER GLASGOW and CLYDE\r\n865\r\n54\r\n268\r\n2011\r\nNHS HIGHLAND\r\n328\r\n23\r\n65\r\n2011\r\nNHS LANARKSHIRE\r\n258\r\n24\r\n80\r\n2011\r\nNHS LOTHIAN\r\n751\r\n113\r\n144\r\n2011\r\nNHS TAYSIDE\r\n651\r\n39\r\n116\r\n2011\r\nNHS ISLAND BOARDS*\r\n35\r\n3\r\n3\r\n2012\r\nNHS AYRSHIRE and ARRAN\r\n283\r\n12\r\n52\r\n2012\r\nNHS BORDERS\r\n304\r\n23\r\n52\r\n2012\r\nNHS DUMFRIES and GALLOWAY\r\n178\r\n8\r\n46\r\n2012\r\nNHS FIFE\r\n668\r\n19\r\n214\r\n2012\r\nNHS FORTH VALLEY\r\n331\r\n8\r\n76\r\n2012\r\nNHS GRAMPIAN\r\n874\r\n50\r\n132\r\n2012\r\nNHS GREATER GLASGOW and CLYDE\r\n972\r\n42\r\n244\r\n2012\r\nNHS HIGHLAND\r\n341\r\n19\r\n68\r\n2012\r\nNHS LANARKSHIRE\r\n270\r\n19\r\n72\r\n2012\r\nNHS LOTHIAN\r\n743\r\n90\r\n146\r\n2012\r\nNHS TAYSIDE\r\n690\r\n24\r\n97\r\n2012\r\nNHS ISLAND BOARDS*\r\n37\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2013\r\nNHS AYRSHIRE and ARRAN\r\n329\r\n16\r\n68\r\n2013\r\nNHS BORDERS\r\n320\r\n13\r\n64\r\n2013\r\nNHS DUMFRIES and GALLOWAY\r\n202\r\n6\r\n41\r\n2013\r\nNHS FIFE\r\n670\r\n16\r\n291\r\n2013\r\nNHS FORTH VALLEY\r\n339\r\n7\r\n66\r\n2013\r\nNHS GRAMPIAN\r\n939\r\n37\r\n173\r\n2013\r\nNHS GREATER GLASGOW and CLYDE\r\n1084\r\n32\r\n295\r\n2013\r\nNHS HIGHLAND\r\n343\r\n12\r\n57\r\n2013\r\nNHS LANARKSHIRE\r\n294\r\n19\r\n70\r\n2013\r\nNHS LOTHIAN\r\n881\r\n89\r\n192\r\n2013\r\nNHS TAYSIDE\r\n831\r\n16\r\n170\r\n2013\r\nNHS ISLAND BOARDS*\r\n42\r\n1\r\n4\r\n2014\r\nNHS AYRSHIRE and ARRAN\r\n296\r\n10\r\n94\r\n2014\r\nNHS BORDERS\r\n313\r\n9\r\n78\r\n2014\r\nNHS DUMFRIES and GALLOWAY\r\n189\r\n7\r\n44\r\n2014\r\nNHS FIFE\r\n699\r\n22\r\n410\r\n2014\r\nNHS FORTH VALLEY\r\n320\r\n3\r\n73\r\n2014\r\nNHS GRAMPIAN\r\n987\r\n33\r\n197\r\n2014\r\nNHS GREATER GLASGOW and CLYDE\r\n1102\r\n28\r\n332\r\n2014\r\nNHS HIGHLAND\r\n359\r\n11\r\n53\r\n2014\r\nNHS LANARKSHIRE\r\n356\r\n12\r\n92\r\n2014\r\nNHS LOTHIAN\r\n896\r\n79\r\n191\r\n2014\r\nNHS TAYSIDE\r\n892\r\n10\r\n232\r\n2014\r\nNHS ISLAND BOARDS**\r\n35\r\n0\r\n4\r\n* Children are defined as aged 19 and under.\t\r\n** NHS Orkney, NHS Shetland and NHS Western Isles.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312703,"EventID":"S5W-00508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:31.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drugs have been prescribed to children per 1,000 population in each year since 2011-12, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) gender.","AnswerText":"The following information is available at: http://www.isdscotland.org/\r\n\r\nThe following table shows the volume of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drugs prescribed to children* per 1,000 population, 2011-12 to 2014-15, by NHS board and gender.\r\nFinancial Year\r\nNHS Board\r\nGender\r\nItems per 1000 population\r\n2011\r\nNHS AYRSHIRE and ARRAN\r\nFemale\r\n9.4\r\n2011\r\nNHS BORDERS\r\nFemale\r\n43.2\r\n2011\r\nNHS DUMFRIES and GALLOWAY\r\nFemale\r\n18.6\r\n2011\r\nNHS FIFE\r\nFemale\r\n28.8\r\n2011\r\nNHS FORTH VALLEY\r\nFemale\r\n15.5\r\n2011\r\nNHS GRAMPIAN\r\nFemale\r\n21.4\r\n2011\r\nNHS GREATER GLASGOW and CLYDE\r\nFemale\r\n11.4\r\n2011\r\nNHS HIGHLAND\r\nFemale\r\n18.6\r\n2011\r\nNHS LANARKSHIRE\r\nFemale\r\n7.8\r\n2011\r\nNHS LOTHIAN\r\nFemale\r\n12.0\r\n2011\r\nNHS ORKNEY\r\nFemale\r\n13.1\r\n2011\r\nNHS SHETLAND\r\nFemale\r\n7.0\r\n2011\r\nNHS TAYSIDE\r\nFemale\r\n29.2\r\n2011\r\nNHS WESTERN ISLES\r\nFemale\r\n3.0\r\n2011\r\nNHS AYRSHIRE and ARRAN\r\nMale\r\n73.7\r\n2011\r\nNHS BORDERS\r\nMale\r\n246.0\r\n2011\r\nNHS DUMFRIES and GALLOWAY\r\nMale\r\n133.6\r\n2011\r\nNHS FIFE\r\nMale\r\n158.3\r\n2011\r\nNHS FORTH VALLEY\r\nMale\r\n119.3\r\n2011\r\nNHS GRAMPIAN\r\nMale\r\n134.9\r\n2011\r\nNHS GREATER GLASGOW and CLYDE\r\nMale\r\n69.1\r\n2011\r\nNHS HIGHLAND\r\nMale\r\n84.3\r\n2011\r\nNHS LANARKSHIRE\r\nMale\r\n45.5\r\n2011\r\nNHS LOTHIAN\r\nMale\r\n69.3\r\n2011\r\nNHS ORKNEY\r\nMale\r\n43.4\r\n2011\r\nNHS SHETLAND\r\nMale\r\n42.2\r\n2011\r\nNHS TAYSIDE\r\nMale\r\n162.1\r\n2011\r\nNHS WESTERN ISLES\r\nMale\r\n14.2\r\n2012\r\nNHS AYRSHIRE and ARRAN\r\nFemale\r\n9.4\r\n2012\r\nNHS BORDERS\r\nFemale\r\n50.1\r\n2012\r\nNHS DUMFRIES and GALLOWAY\r\nFemale\r\n20.5\r\n2012\r\nNHS FIFE\r\nFemale\r\n26.9\r\n2012\r\nNHS FORTH VALLEY\r\nFemale\r\n17.4\r\n2012\r\nNHS GRAMPIAN\r\nFemale\r\n24.1\r\n2012\r\nNHS GREATER GLASGOW and CLYDE\r\nFemale\r\n13.7\r\n2012\r\nNHS HIGHLAND\r\nFemale\r\n20.6\r\n2012\r\nNHS LANARKSHIRE\r\nFemale\r\n7.2\r\n2012\r\nNHS LOTHIAN\r\nFemale\r\n11.3\r\n2012\r\nNHS ORKNEY\r\nFemale\r\n16.0\r\n2012\r\nNHS SHETLAND\r\nFemale\r\n7.9\r\n2012\r\nNHS TAYSIDE\r\nFemale\r\n29.2\r\n2012\r\nNHS WESTERN ISLES\r\nFemale\r\n8.1\r\n2012\r\nNHS AYRSHIRE and ARRAN\r\nMale\r\n74.1\r\n2012\r\nNHS BORDERS\r\nMale\r\n286.0\r\n2012\r\nNHS DUMFRIES and GALLOWAY\r\nMale\r\n123.5\r\n2012\r\nNHS FIFE\r\nMale\r\n158.7\r\n2012\r\nNHS FORTH VALLEY\r\nMale\r\n123.6\r\n2012\r\nNHS GRAMPIAN\r\nMale\r\n139.6\r\n2012\r\nNHS GREATER GLASGOW and CLYDE\r\nMale\r\n82.9\r\n2012\r\nNHS HIGHLAND\r\nMale\r\n90.4\r\n2012\r\nNHS LANARKSHIRE\r\nMale\r\n43.4\r\n2012\r\nNHS LOTHIAN\r\nMale\r\n70.6\r\n2012\r\nNHS ORKNEY\r\nMale\r\n45.6\r\n2012\r\nNHS SHETLAND\r\nMale\r\n66.3\r\n2012\r\nNHS TAYSIDE\r\nMale\r\n164.3\r\n2012\r\nNHS WESTERN ISLES\r\nMale\r\n12.5\r\n2013\r\nNHS AYRSHIRE and ARRAN\r\nFemale\r\n11.0\r\n2013\r\nNHS BORDERS\r\nFemale\r\n73.7\r\n2013\r\nNHS DUMFRIES and GALLOWAY\r\nFemale\r\n22.0\r\n2013\r\nNHS FIFE\r\nFemale\r\n27.9\r\n2013\r\nNHS FORTH VALLEY\r\nFemale\r\n17.1\r\n2013\r\nNHS GRAMPIAN\r\nFemale\r\n23.5\r\n2013\r\nNHS GREATER GLASGOW and CLYDE\r\nFemale\r\n16.0\r\n2013\r\nNHS HIGHLAND\r\nFemale\r\n22.5\r\n2013\r\nNHS LANARKSHIRE\r\nFemale\r\n7.8\r\n2013\r\nNHS LOTHIAN\r\nFemale\r\n13.6\r\n2013\r\nNHS ORKNEY\r\nFemale\r\n20.5\r\n2013\r\nNHS SHETLAND\r\nFemale\r\n12.5\r\n2013\r\nNHS TAYSIDE\r\nFemale\r\n38.0\r\n2013\r\nNHS WESTERN ISLES\r\nFemale\r\n6.1\r\n2013\r\nNHS AYRSHIRE and ARRAN\r\nMale\r\n84.1\r\n2013\r\nNHS BORDERS\r\nMale\r\n304.0\r\n2013\r\nNHS DUMFRIES and GALLOWAY\r\nMale\r\n129.2\r\n2013\r\nNHS FIFE\r\nMale\r\n158.9\r\n2013\r\nNHS FORTH VALLEY\r\nMale\r\n121.3\r\n2013\r\nNHS GRAMPIAN\r\nMale\r\n152.7\r\n2013\r\nNHS GREATER GLASGOW and CLYDE\r\nMale\r\n93.2\r\n2013\r\nNHS HIGHLAND\r\nMale\r\n91.2\r\n2013\r\nNHS LANARKSHIRE\r\nMale\r\n45.6\r\n2013\r\nNHS LOTHIAN\r\nMale\r\n78.5\r\n2013\r\nNHS ORKNEY\r\nMale\r\n35.9\r\n2013\r\nNHS SHETLAND\r\nMale\r\n66.5\r\n2013\r\nNHS TAYSIDE\r\nMale\r\n190.8\r\n2013\r\nNHS WESTERN ISLES\r\nMale\r\n12.0\r\n2014\r\nNHS AYRSHIRE and ARRAN\r\nFemale\r\n10.9\r\n2014\r\nNHS BORDERS\r\nFemale\r\n78.8\r\n2014\r\nNHS DUMFRIES and GALLOWAY\r\nFemale\r\n23.3\r\n2014\r\nNHS FIFE\r\nFemale\r\n30.1\r\n2014\r\nNHS FORTH VALLEY\r\nFemale\r\n16.3\r\n2014\r\nNHS GRAMPIAN\r\nFemale\r\n24.5\r\n2014\r\nNHS GREATER GLASGOW and CLYDE\r\nFemale\r\n14.5\r\n2014\r\nNHS HIGHLAND\r\nFemale\r\n22.8\r\n2014\r\nNHS LANARKSHIRE\r\nFemale\r\n11.2\r\n2014\r\nNHS LOTHIAN\r\nFemale\r\n14.6\r\n2014\r\nNHS ORKNEY\r\nFemale\r\n14.5\r\n2014\r\nNHS SHETLAND\r\nFemale\r\n16.0\r\n2014\r\nNHS TAYSIDE\r\nFemale\r\n46.3\r\n2014\r\nNHS WESTERN ISLES\r\nFemale\r\n1.1\r\n2014\r\nNHS AYRSHIRE and ARRAN\r\nMale\r\n83.9\r\n2014\r\nNHS BORDERS\r\nMale\r\n312.2\r\n2014\r\nNHS DUMFRIES and GALLOWAY\r\nMale\r\n123.3\r\n2014\r\nNHS","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312704,"EventID":"S5W-00509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:32.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on drugs to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in each year since 2011-12, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is published by Information Services Division Scotland and can be found via the ISD website link below: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Prescribing-and-Medicines/Publications/data-tables.asp?id=1495#1495.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312705,"EventID":"S5W-00510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:33.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time is for (a) assessment, (b) treatment and (c) psychological treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in each NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Information services division publish data on waiting times for child and adolescent mental health services and psychological therapies however this is not broken down by diagnosis.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312706,"EventID":"S5W-00511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:33.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards provide (a) psychological treatment to children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and (b) behaviour management training for their parents.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects NHS boards to provide safe, effective care and services which support and respond to the needs of the individual.\r\nNHS Education for Scotland (NES) provide a number of training programmes aimed at children, perinatal and infant mental health and the Scottish Government have worked with NES to produce the psychological therapies Matrix - a guide to planning and delivering evidence-based psychological therapies within NHS boards in Scotland. The ‘Matrix’ dedicates a section to children and young people and details evidence based therapies for paediatric psychology.\r\nThe Scottish Government are also investing in innovative approaches to parenting. One of these is the psychology of parenting programme, a Scotland-wide plan aimed at improving outcomes for 9000 high-risk three and four year-olds who have high levels of behaviour problems. Early results indicate that 80 per cent of children whose parents have participated have shown reductions in behaviour problems.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312707,"EventID":"S5W-00512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:34.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for dermatology services in NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"It is for NHS boards and health and social care partnerships to plan and provide services that meet the needs of local people, whilst being consistent with national policies and frameworks established by the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312708,"EventID":"S5W-00513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:34.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to (a) build and (b) commit resources to build a railway halt in the village of Plains.","AnswerText":"The proposal to progress a railway station at Plains is being taken forward by North Lanarkshire Council. An appraisal, in line with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) is been undertaken to ascertain the most appropriate transport intervention for the area.\r\nOn 16 February 2016 STAG Part 1 was received from the council and on 27 May 2016, Transport Scotland provided comments on the STAG Part 1 report and these comments are with the council for consideration.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312709,"EventID":"S5W-00515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:35.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had since May 2011 and with whom to consider the case for a railway halt in the village of Plains.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland met with North Lanarkshire Council and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to discuss aspirations for a station at Plains in February 2013 and December 2014 and, as a result of these meetings, North Lanarkshire Council agreed to undertake an appraisal in line with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG).\r\n\r\nOn 16 February 2016 STAG Part 1 was received from the council. Transport Scotland provided comments on the STAG Part 1 report on 27 May 2016 and the comments are now with the council for consideration.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312710,"EventID":"S5W-00516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:35.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with Orchard Brae Ltd from since May 2011.","AnswerText":"Officials from Transport Scotland have met twice with parties who we understand act on behalf of Orchard Brae Ltd. Both meetings related to early engagement on transport appraisal and assessment for a proposed development referred to as Euro Park.\r\n\r\nThe first meeting was on 26 January 2016 between Transport Scotland and Transport Planning Ltd. The second meeting was hosted by North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) Planning and Roads officers on 24 March 2016 and was attended by NLC, Transport Planning Ltd, CBRE and Scott Gillespie, who we understand to be a director of Orchard Brae Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312711,"EventID":"S5W-00517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:36.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on planning applications to build on designated greenbelt.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government policy on green belts is set out in Scottish Planning Policy in paragraphs 50-52 and 82. Specifically, paragraph 52 states that local development plans should describe the types and scales of development which would be appropriate in a green belt, and that these may include; development associated with agriculture; woodland and forestry; horticulture; recreational uses that are compatible with an agricultural or natural setting; essential infrastructure; development meeting a national requirement or established need (if no other suitable site is available); and intensification of established uses subject to the new development being of a suitable scale and form. All planning decisions should be made in line with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312712,"EventID":"S5W-00518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:36.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the impact of the M8 upgrade on the greenbelt.","AnswerText":"A number of environmental impact assessments were undertaken as part of the development of the M8 M73 M74 motorway improvements project. The findings of these assessments are described in environmental statements which were published as part of the statutory processes undertaken in developing the project.\r\nThese can be accessed on the Transport Scotland website using the following links:\r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/road/m8m73m74/m8-baillieston-newhouse-environmental-statement\r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/road/m8m73m74/network-upgrades\r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/road/m8m73m74/m74-junction-5-raith-environmental-statement\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312713,"EventID":"S5W-00519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:37.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish its environmental impact assessment of the M8 upgrade.","AnswerText":"Three environmental statements that report the findings of the environmental impact assessments undertaken as part of the statutory processes necessary for developing the M8 M73 M74 motorway improvements projects have been published by the Scottish Government.\r\nThese can be accessed on the Transport Scotland website using the following links:\r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/road/m8m73m74/m8-baillieston-newhouse-environmental-statement  (Published March 2006)\r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/road/m8m73m74/network-upgrades  (Published March 2008)\r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/road/m8m73m74/m74-junction-5-raith-environmental-statement  (Published March 2007)","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312714,"EventID":"S5W-00520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:37.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a list of the contractors and sub-contractors working on the M8 upgrade.","AnswerText":"The contract for the M8 M73 M74 motorway improvements project, including works to upgrade the M8, was awarded to Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP), a consortium employing a construction joint venture of Ferrovial Agroman and Lagan, on 20 February 2014. SRP is the consortium responsible for designing, financing and constructing the new roads as well as operating and maintaining them for 30 years.\r\nThe M8 M73 M74 motorway improvements project is currently supporting over 1,000 jobs, with the construction joint venture employing a large number of specialist subcontractors as part of their works. A list of these subcontractors is found in the following table:\r\nSRP also employ Amey to undertake the operation and maintenance of the roads included within the scope of the project. \r\nSubcontractors employed on M8 M73 M74 motorway improvements\r\nItem\r\nTrade\r\nName of Subcontractor\r\n1\r\nDesigners Main Contract\r\nAmey OW Limited\r\n2\r\nDesigners Checkers\r\nRoughan and O'Donovan Consulting Engineers\r\n3.1\r\nRoad Safety Auditor\r\nTraffic Management and Safety Limited\r\n4.1\r\nTraffic Management Contractor Early Works\r\nConeworx Ltd\r\n4.2\r\nTraffic Management Contractor Early Works\r\nClass One Traffic Management Ltd\r\n4.3\r\nTraffic Management Contractor Main Works\r\nLagan Operation and Maintenance Limited\r\n4.4\r\nTraffic Management Contractor Main Works\r\nClass One Traffic Management Ltd\r\n5\r\nAdditional Ground Investigation\r\nCauseway Geotech Ltd\r\n6\r\nAdditional Mines Investigation\r\nHydracrat Limited\r\n7.1\r\nTesting\r\nEurotestconsult UK Limited\r\n7.2\r\nNoise and Vibration Monitoring\r\nEurotestconsult UK Limited\r\n7.3\r\nEnvironmental Sampling\r\nDerwentside Environmnetal Testing Service ( DETS )\r\n8\r\nCondition Survey of Adjacent Roads\r\nPavement Management Services Limited\r\n9\r\nPhotography\r\nWhitehouse Studios Limited\r\n10\r\nSite Clearance and Tree Felling\r\nDrew Graham Contracting Ltd\r\n11\r\nPre-earthworks drainage\r\nExcav8 Limited\r\n12.1\r\nDemolition and removal of street furniture etc.\r\nExcav8 Limited\r\n12.2\r\nHydro-demolition\r\nCore Cut Ltd\r\n12.3\r\nGantry Demolition\r\nGCM Services Limited\r\n12.4\r\nMajor Bridge Demolitions\r\nGeorge Beattie and Sons Limited\r\n13.1\r\nSteel Bridges\r\nSeverfield Limited\r\n13.2\r\nSteel Road Bridges\r\nTecade S.A.\r\n13.3\r\nFootbridges\r\nThompsons Project Management Ltd\r\n13.4\r\nFabrication of S202 and S203 Footbridges\r\nMiller Fabrications Ltd\r\n14\r\nCapping of Mines\r\nForkers Ltd\r\n15\r\nEarthworks\r\nExcav8 Limited\r\n16.1\r\nDrainage and Service Ducts\r\nFBM Contracts Ltd\r\n16.2\r\nDrainage and Service Ducts\r\nGallagher Groundworks Ltd\r\n16.3\r\nDrainage and Service Ducts\r\nP and H Plant Hire Ltd\r\n16.4\r\nDrainage and Service Ducts\r\nGill Excavations UK Limited\r\n16.5\r\nDrainage and Service Ducts\r\nCampbell Contracts Limited\r\n17.1\r\nStructures (in-situ concrete works)\r\nMc Nally Bros (Monaghan) Limited\r\n17.2\r\nStructures (in-situ concrete works)\r\nConstrugomes Engenharia S.A.\r\n17.3\r\nStructures (in-situ concrete works)\r\nCinterex UK Limited\r\n17.4\r\nStructures (in-situ concrete works)\r\nSosia UK\r\n17.5\r\nStructures Silane Impregnation\r\nChemcem Ltd\r\n17.6\r\nPrecast Panels at Raith Interchange\r\nCreagh Concrete\r\n17.7\r\nMechanical Expansion Joints\r\nEkspan Limited\r\n17.8\r\nMembrane Cover at Raith\r\nWaterseal Limited\r\n18\r\nStructures launch\r\nMammoet\r\n\r\n19.1\r\nWaterproofing\r\nVolker Laser Ltd\r\n19.2\r\nWaterproofing\r\nStirling Lloyd Construction Limited\r\n19.3\r\nWaterproofing for Raith Interchange\r\nWaterseal Limited\r\n20.1\r\nFencing\r\n Allison Enterprises Limited\r\n20.2\r\nFencing\r\nMulligan Fencing Contracting Limited\r\n21.1\r\nPavement\r\nLagan Asphalt (UK) Ltd\r\n21.2\r\nHigh Friction Surfacing\r\nTrustseal Limited\r\n22.1\r\nKerbing\r\nCappers Contracts Ltd\r\n22.2\r\nKerbing\r\n\r\nGGK Contracts (Scotland) Ltd\r\n23.1\r\nBrick Paviours\r\nGGK Contracts (Scotland) Ltd\r\n23.2\r\nBrick Paviours\r\nCappers Contracts Ltd\r\n24.1\r\nSafety Barriers\r\nSaferoad VRS Ltd\r\n24.2\r\nSafety Barriers\r\nHighway Barrier Solutions Limited\r\n24.3\r\nSafety  Barriers\r\nLagan O and M Limited\r\n25\r\nCrash Cushions\r\nSaferoad VRS Ltd\r\n26.1\r\nPermanent and Temporary Roadmarkings\r\nMarkon Ltd\r\n\r\n26.2\r\nPermanent and T","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312715,"EventID":"S5W-00521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:38.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which medical specialisms NHS (a) Lanarkshire and (b) Forth Valley has provided at which hospitals since May 2007.","AnswerText":"The level of operational detail requested is not held centrally but should be available direct from the NHS boards.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312716,"EventID":"S5W-00523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:39.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) consultants, (b) registrars, (c) junior doctors, (d) physiotherapists and (e) nurses provide orthopaedic services in each hospital in NHS (i) Lanarkshire and (ii) Forth Valley.","AnswerText":"Information on how many (d) physiotherapists and (e) nurses provide orthopaedic services is not held centrally.\r\nThe following tables show, in whole time equivalent (WTE) terms, the number of consultants and doctors in training in NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Forth Valley with a specialty of trauma and orthopaedic surgery in September 2006 and March 2016. This information is held at board-level only. Specific local information will be available from NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Forth Valley.\r\nTable 1. Number (WTE) of consultants and doctors in training with a specialty of trauma and orthopaedic surgery in NHS Lanarkshire. \r\n\r\nSep-2006\r\nMar-2016\r\n% change Sep-2006 to Mar-2016\r\nConsultants\r\n10.0\r\n20.7\r\n107.0%\r\nDoctors in training\r\n4.0\r\n11.0\r\n175.0%\r\nSource: Scottish workforce information standard system (SWISS).\r\nNotes: Doctors in training include the grades registrar, senior registrar, specialist registrar and specialty registrar.\r\nAlthough the question asks for the number of (a) consultants, (b) registrars, (c) junior doctors that provide orthopaedic services, the information shown is for trauma and orthopaedic surgery which is the full name of the general medical council (GMC) specialty. All staff working in this specialty have been/are being trained in both trauma and orthopaedics.\r\nTable 2. Number (WTE) of consultants and doctors in training with a specialty of trauma and orthopaedic surgery in NHS Forth Valley.\r\n\r\nSep-2006\r\nMar-2016\r\n% change Sep-2006 to Mar-2016\r\nConsultants\r\n8.0\r\n10.0\r\n25.0%\r\nDoctors in training\r\n0.0\r\n5.0\r\n0.0%\r\nSource: Scottish workforce information standard system.\r\nNotes: Doctors in training include the grades registrar, senior registrar, specialist registrar and specialty registrar.\r\nAlthough the question asks for the number of (a) consultants, (b) registrars, (c) junior doctors that provide orthopaedic services, the information shown is for trauma and orthopaedic surgery which is the full name of the GMC specialty. All staff working in this specialty have been/are being trained in both trauma and orthopaedics.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312717,"EventID":"S5W-00526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:39.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many orthopaedic (a) inpatients and (b) outpatients have been treated in each hospital in NHS (i) Forth Valley and (ii) Lanarkshire in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The following tables show the number of orthopaedic inpatient/daycases and outpatients that have been treated in NHS Forth Valley and NHS Lanarkshire by hospital for the last five calendar years.\r\n\r\nTable 1 - Number people treated under orthopaedic specialty in inpatient/daycase setting in NHS Forth Valley and NHS Lanarkshire health boards of treatment by hospital for calendar years 2011-15\r\n\r\nNumber of Episodes\r\nHospital\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nForth Valley Royal Hospital\r\n2,974\r\n3,933\r\n3,927\r\n4,513\r\n4,661\r\nStirling Community Hospital\r\n1,449\r\n -\r\n -\r\n5\r\n -\r\nHairmyres Hospital\r\n3,650\r\n4,108\r\n3,690\r\n3,645\r\n3,635\r\nMonklands District General Hospital\r\n2,716\r\n2,830\r\n2,772\r\n2,400\r\n2,795\r\nWishaw General Hospital\r\n2,959\r\n3,046\r\n3,128\r\n3,492\r\n3,389\r\nSource: SMR01, Information Services Division Scotland\r\n\r\nTable 2- Number people treated under orthopaedic specialty in outpatient setting in NHS Forth Valley and NHS Lanarkshire health boards of treatment by hospital for calendar years 2011-15\r\n\r\nNumber of Attendances\r\nHospital\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015 p\r\nClackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre\r\n243\r\n75\r\n -\r\n -\r\n93\r\nForth Valley Royal Hospital\r\n8,558\r\n10,774\r\n11,294\r\n12,689\r\n12,557\r\nStirling Community Hospital\r\n2,686\r\n718\r\n192\r\n -\r\n145\r\nHairmyres Hospital\r\n17,152\r\n15,695\r\n15,194\r\n12,344\r\n9,786\r\nMonklands District General Hospital\r\n19,852\r\n18,145\r\n18,335\r\n15,126\r\n11,952\r\nStonehouse Hospital\r\n1,612\r\n173\r\n31\r\n347\r\n582\r\nWishaw General Hospital\r\n17,416\r\n17,105\r\n17,200\r\n16,073\r\n11,106\r\np - provisional\r\nSource: SMR00, Information Services Division Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312718,"EventID":"S5W-00527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:40.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for the provision of orthopaedic services at each of the acute hospitals in NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00512 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312719,"EventID":"S5W-00528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:40.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-03T16:16:26.327","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for orthopaedic services in NHS Forth Valley","AnswerText":"It is for NHS boards and health and social care partnerships to plan and provide services that meet the needs of local people, whilst being consistent with national policies and frameworks established by the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312720,"EventID":"S5W-00529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:41.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-04T11:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Forth replacement crossing will be completed.","AnswerText":"The Contractor, Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors’, has now advised us that they are unable to achieve the planned early opening date of December 2016. I provided a full statement to Parliament on this matter on 8 June 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312721,"EventID":"S5W-00530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T13:59:41.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T09:41:53.713","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding what drugs have been approved for use by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence but not by the Scottish Medicines Consortium, also broken down by their intended use.","AnswerText":"Information about the decisions taken by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and Scottish Medicines Consortium on medicines and their indications can be accessed at weblinks: \r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/\r\nhttps://www.nice.org.uk/","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312734,"EventID":"S5T-00010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T12:44:35.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T11:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of financial difficulties at Police Scotland following the departure of its Director of Financial Services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312735,"EventID":"S5F-00036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T12:43:55.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T17:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312736,"EventID":"S5F-00038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T12:43:57.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312737,"EventID":"S5F-00040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T12:43:58.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T09:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister, in light of the findings of the latest Bank of Scotland research series report on oil and gas, what support the Scottish Government will offer the industry. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312738,"EventID":"S5F-00049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T12:44:03.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government is doing to reverse the reported fall in women studying key subjects in science and computing at Higher level since 2007.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312739,"EventID":"S5F-00058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T12:44:07.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister on what date the new Queensferry Crossing will open.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312740,"EventID":"S5F-00063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T12:44:08.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service is adequately funded.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312741,"EventID":"S5F-00066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5587,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T12:44:10.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s position is on the publication of the cancer patient experience survey. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312742,"EventID":"S5F-00070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T12:44:12.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet Carers Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312743,"EventID":"S5W-00532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T16:46:38.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date the outstanding payment reviews under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme will be concluded, broken down by Rural Payments and Inspections Division area office.","AnswerText":"All region review requests received under Basic Payment Scheme 2015 will be completed by Friday 24 June 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312744,"EventID":"S5W-00533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T16:46:39.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether construction of the Queensferry Crossing is on schedule.","AnswerText":"The contractor, Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors’, has advised Transport Scotland that due to adverse weather conditions in April and May 2016 exceeding expectations and resulting in an increase in days lost to weather, they are unable to achieve the target opening date of December 2016 – which is six months ahead of the contractual completion date. The contractors remain on schedule to complete the project ahead of the contractual completion date. The contractors have taken additional steps to mitigate on-going weather impacts and have provided a revised timetable for completion to Transport Scotland and Scottish Ministers. Subject to the agreement of the Parliamentary Bureau, it would be my intention to provide a statement to Parliament on 8 June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312745,"EventID":"S5W-00534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T16:46:40.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains the case that the Queensferry Crossing is due to open to the public in 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00533 on 8 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312746,"EventID":"S5W-00536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T16:46:41.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and whether it will make it available on the NHS.","AnswerText":"Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV involves HIV-negative people taking antiretroviral drugs to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV. The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) provides advice to NHS boards in Scotland about newly licensed medicines and new formulations and indications of established products following submissions from pharmaceutical companies. The SMC will only consider new treatments within their licensed indication once they have been granted a marketing authorisation (licence). Manufacturers can seek a marketing authorisation for new drugs and indications from either the European Medicines Agency or Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. To date, no manufacturer has received a marketing authorisation and made a submission to the SMC. The Scottish Government will continue to monitor this situation and in the meantime, the sexual health and blood borne virus clinical leads network have established a short life working group to consider a range of issues associated with PrEP in the current context.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312756,"EventID":"S5T-00004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-06T12:44:31.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T10:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"[Withdrawn]","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312757,"EventID":"S5W-00430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:38.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the remit is of the review of Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council that was announced by Keith Brown on 31 May 2016 (Official Report, c. 19); when it will commence; what the timetable is for each stage; which stakeholders will be invited to participate, and when (a) it will be completed and (b) the findings will be published.","AnswerText":"I have today, on 15 June, published the terms of reference for the review and copies are available in the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre (bib number 58005). The review and recommendations will focus on achieving three main aims: achieving the government’s ambitions as set out in Scotland’s Economic Strategy and National Performance Framework; ensuring our economic and skills interventions are shaped by users’ needs; and ensuring that delivery continuously reflects best practice.\r\nThe review will begin within the next week. I will invite ministerial group members by the end of this week, with a view to meeting by the end of June 2016. We will then issue a call for evidence and invite a wide range of stakeholders to engage in the most appropriate manner such that the review can be published by the end of the summer.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312758,"EventID":"S5W-00431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:40.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has published (a) an action plan and (b) a monitoring framework to support the implementation of Scotland's Economic Strategy.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Economic Strategy sets out the Scottish Government’s strategic approach to creating a more prosperous and fairer nation. It is directed towards achieving the Scottish Government’s central purpose of creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth. \r\nThe annual ‘Programme for Government’, published on the Scottish Government’s website, sets out the policies, actions and legislation that the Scottish Government will take forward to deliver its core purpose. \r\nProgress towards the objectives of Scotland’s Economic Strategy is monitored through the national indicators and purpose targets contained in the National Performance Framework, and is reported on Scotland Performs, the Scottish Government’s online reporting tool.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312759,"EventID":"S5W-00432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:41.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in (a) boosting competitiveness and (b) tackling inequality as set out in Scotland's Economic Strategy, and what methodology it uses to determine whether this is being made.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s competitiveness is closely linked to its productivity performance. The productivity purpose target monitors progress in Scotland’s productivity performance, and data on progress is available online at the following address: http://www.gov.scot/About/Performance/scotPerforms/purposetargets/productivity\r\nProgress on reducing inequality in Scotland is monitored through the solidarity purpose target, and data is available online at the following address:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/About/Performance/scotPerforms/purposetargets/solidarity","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312760,"EventID":"S5W-00434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:42.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-02T13:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which delivery partners have published business plans to show how their planned activities will support the delivery of Scotland's Economic Strategy.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Visit Scotland are issued with strategic guidance by Scottish ministers. That guidance is used to develop their business plans, which are published on their individual websites.\r\nAll three have published, or updated, business plans setting out how their actions will support the delivery of Scotland’s Economic Strategy.\r\nSkills development Scotland and the Scottish funding council have also published plans setting out how their actions contribute to the delivery of Scotland’s Economic Strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312761,"EventID":"S5W-00535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:44.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will hold an inquiry into the 2016 National 5 examination in computing science in light of complaints regarding wording and content.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is responsible for the setting and marking of exam papers.\r\nDr Janet Brown, Chief Executive of the SQA, has assured ministers that the 2016 National 5 computing science exam was set to the correct standard and was in line with the course assessment specification.\r\nHowever, SQA has also confirmed that there were several typographical errors in the paper and I have written to Dr Brown seeking further assurance that all necessary safeguards will be put in place to prevent this happening in future.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312762,"EventID":"S5W-00538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:44.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that its non-departmental public bodies follow best practice in respect of industrial relations.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government guidance outlines that non-departmental public bodies are expected to ensure compliance with any statutory requirement in the body’s founding legislation and in employment law, and to conform to best practice employment standards for the public sector. This includes in respect of industrial relations. Such issues form part of the sponsorship arrangements that are in place with non-departmental public bodies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312763,"EventID":"S5W-00539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:45.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what differences there are between the facilities at the Inverness Disease Surveillance Centre at Drummondhill and those at the new Scotland's Rural College site at Beechwood.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is seeking assurance from Scotland's Rural College that the proposed facilities will maintain their ability to carry out post-mortems.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312764,"EventID":"S5W-00540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:46.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether ministers have signed off on all changes to the provision of disease surveillance at Scotland's Rural College in Inverness.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers are not required or expected to sign off changes to the provision of disease surveillance at Scotland’s Rural College in Inverness.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312765,"EventID":"S5W-00541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:46.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether commercial serology work has been moved from Scotland's Rural College in Inverness and, if so, what the (a) staffing, (b) cost and (c) efficiency implications were.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is seeking an update from Scotland's Rural College as to its' plans for the commercial serology work to ensure that the objectives of the Scottish Government's surveillance programme are met.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312766,"EventID":"S5W-00542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:47.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what liaison regarding the proposed changes to Scotland's Rural College in Inverness there has been between ministers and the postholders responsible for animal and human disease surveillance.","AnswerText":"I can confirm that there has been liaison between Scottish Ministers and Scotland's Rural College, including staff, on the proposed changes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312767,"EventID":"S5W-00543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:47.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment it has made regarding the proposed changes to Scotland's Rural College in Inverness and whether it will publish this.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of Scotland's Rural College, not the Scottish Government, to carry out such assessments. However, the Scottish Government notes the commitment to create a new post mortem facility\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312768,"EventID":"S5W-00544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:48.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will receive the receipts from the sale of the Scotland's Rural College facility at Drummondhill.","AnswerText":"As owners of the Drummondhill site, Scotland's Rural College will receive the receipts from the sale.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312769,"EventID":"S5W-00545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:49.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comment in its news release of 26 February 2016, Enhanced Scottish Investment Bank, that \"Scottish Enterprise have been asked to prepare a plan for creating the Business Development Bank services by expanding the remit of SIB and they will report before the end of the Parliamentary session\"; whether the plan has been completed and, if so, whether it will publish it.","AnswerText":"An early stage action plan was received from the chief executive of Scottish Enterprise on 10 March 2016 and made available to Parliament through the Scottish Parliament information centre at Bib reference 57943.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312770,"EventID":"S5W-00546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:50.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what national performance framework national indicators priorities apply to Scotland's Economic Strategy.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Economic Strategy (SES) is directed towards achieving the Scottish Government’s central purpose of creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth. Progress is measured through the national indicators and purpose targets contained in the National Performance Framework (NPF). \r\nThe NPF was updated in March 2016 with additional indicators to reflect the strategic approach of the SES, including new measures of natural capital, access to local greenspace, underemployment, gender pay differences and payment of the living wage. The methodology used to monitor progress towards the productivity and solidarity targets was also updated, to allow for a better assessment of progress towards the productivity and inequality ambitions contained in the SES.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312771,"EventID":"S5W-00547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:51.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the Fair Work Convention; what its remit is; when it will first meet; whether the minutes of its meetings will be published, and when it will report.","AnswerText":"The Fair Work Convention was established in April 2015, details of its membership, remit and the Fair Work Framework published in March 2016 are available on its website at: http://www.fairworkconvention.scot/index.html. \r\nThe Fair Work Convention is an independent body and the decision to publish minutes will be decided by the convention. It has produced a Fair Work Framework for Scotland and this is available on the convention's website.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312772,"EventID":"S5W-00548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:52.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the Scottish Investment Bank; what its remit is; how many loans it has issued and to whom; how much risk capital it has raised, and how many equity schemes have been set up, broken down by year.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will arrange for the Chief Executive to write to you with the information requested.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312773,"EventID":"S5W-00549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:54.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date the Scottish Business Development Bank will be established. ","AnswerText":"There are no immediate plans to establish a Scottish Business Development Bank.\r\nI refer to the response to S4W-30114 on 26 February 2016 by John Swinney, then Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth.\r\nOur approach, given the UK Government accounting arrangements within which we are required to work, is to enhance the remit of the Scottish Investment Bank (SIB) and for Scottish Enterprise to offer a wider range of business investment approaches, addressing some of the marketplace gaps to improve the supply of funding.\r\nThe additional activity could include providing support to a broader number and range of businesses, offering and enabling loans, and potentially guarantees, alongside equity products and providing an enhanced financial readiness service.\r\n£21.5 million of financial transactions funding has been allocated to Scottish Enterprise in 2016-17 to help in developing the SIB to meet its new objectives.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312774,"EventID":"S5W-00556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:55.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the £1 million funding for the Fair Food Fund announced on 2 June 2016 is in addition to the £1 million announced on 10 March 2016.","AnswerText":"The establishment of the Fair Food Fund is part of a sustained investment by the Scottish Government to tackle food poverty in Scotland. From 2013 to 2016 the food poverty budget was £500k per annum and supported the Emergency Food Fund. On 10 March 2016 Mr Neil, the then Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, announced an increase in the food poverty budget for 2016-17 to £1 million. On 2 June 2016 Ms Constance announced £1 million will be made available each year of this parliament from 2016-17 to invest in projects that provide dignified and sustainable support for people affected by food poverty.\r\n\r\nThe Fair Food Fund has been designed in conjunction with the Independent Short-Life Working Group on Food Poverty which has been commissioned by Scottish Ministers to identify the issues which push people into food poverty and make recommendations on how they can be addressed. Membership of the group includes poverty organisations such as Oxfam and the Poverty Alliance, emergency food providers such as the Trussell Trust, other organisations with an interest in food poverty such as Fareshare and Nourish Scotland, independent funders such as the Robertson Trust, Big Lottery and The Hunter Foundation, and local government. The group also includes people with direct experience of food poverty through the Poverty Truth Commission. The criteria for the fund aligns with the recommendations of the group. \r\nThe Fair Food Transformation Fund (52% of the overall budget) will open shortly and will be promoted through a range of organisations including Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations, Community Food and Health Scotland, Third Sector Interface and Interfaith. All funded projects will be evaluated throughout their lifetime to ensure that the Fair Food Fund is getting effective support to those who most need it.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312775,"EventID":"S5W-00557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:56.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to make local community groups aware of the support provided by the Fair Food Fund and the application process.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00556 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312776,"EventID":"S5W-00558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:56.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the criteria to qualify for support from the Fair Food Fund.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00556 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312777,"EventID":"S5W-00560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:57.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with voluntary organisations regarding the criteria that must be met prior to providing support from the Fair Food Fund.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00556 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312778,"EventID":"S5W-00561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:57.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of organisations that it consulted prior to the creation of the Fair Food Fund.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00556 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312779,"EventID":"S5W-00562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:58.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out an impact assessment of support provided by the Fair Food Fund in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00556 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312780,"EventID":"S5W-00563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:58.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications were received for the Fair Food Fund in 2016-17, broken down by (a) Scottish parliamentary constituency, (b) UK parliamentary constituency, (c) Scottish parliamentary region and (d) local authority area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00556 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312781,"EventID":"S5W-00564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:59.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to extend the application period for the Fair Food Fund.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00556 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312782,"EventID":"S5W-00565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:45:59.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the £1 million funding for the Fair Food Fund will continue in each of the next four years and, if so, whether it will increase or decrease over the period.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00556 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312783,"EventID":"S5W-00566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:46:00.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided to the Fair Food Fund in each of the last four years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00556 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312784,"EventID":"S5W-00567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:46:00.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the SQA regarding what checks are put in place to ensure that all exam papers are correctly compiled and moderated.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is responsible for the setting and marking of exam papers. It has robust processes in place to ensure that papers and marking instructions are accurate and set to the correct standard.\r\nEach year, SQA considers in detail the experience of the exam diet across all qualifications, and introduces any modifications considered necessary. The SQA board, appointed by Scottish Ministers, receives regular updates on all aspects of the diet.\r\nIn 2015, the former Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning wrote to the Chair of SQA to seek additional assurances on SQA processes, and subsequently met with the Chief Executive of SQA to review progress. I will also be meeting Dr Janet Brown, the Chief Executive of SQA, on a monthly basis.\r\nScottish Government officials regularly meet with SQA to discuss progress throughout the year on a range of SQA activities.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312785,"EventID":"S5W-00568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:46:01.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T12:48:32.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28403 by Derek Mackay on 24 November 2015, whether it will provide an update on what progress it is making on achieving grade separation for the Sheriffhall roundabout.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to undertaking improvements at Sheriffhall roundabout. We continue to progress the option assessment process to identify a preferred option for the grade separation of Sheriffhall roundabout. The junction improvement options under consideration will be presented to the public for comment later in 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312786,"EventID":"S5W-00569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T13:46:01.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T13:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the board of the Scottish Investment Bank is separate from that of Scottish Enterprise.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Investment Bank is a division within Scottish Enterprise and does not have a separate board.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312795,"EventID":"S5W-00570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T17:03:53.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many men in Scotland have convictions for private consensual sex between adult males, and whether it plans to quash these convictions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on how many men in Scotland have convictions for private consensual sex between adult males. This is because it is not possible to determine whether records of convictions for 'homosexual offences' prior to the equalisation of the age of consent in 2000 relate to sexual activity which is now lawful, or to sexual activity which remains unlawful, for example because it was not consensual, or because the other participant was under the age of 16.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312796,"EventID":"S5W-00572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T17:03:54.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T15:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to support people with body-focussed repetitive behaviours.","AnswerText":"The government expects NHS boards to respond to the clinical needs of their population and of presenting individuals. To assist in providing effective, evidence-based treatments, the Scottish Government provides funding to NHS Education for Scotland to host the ‘Matrix’, an evidence-based guide for NHS boards on effective psychological treatments for a range of mental health issues, including repetitive behaviours. If there is an absence of strong evidence for the treatment of particular neurological conditions, the ‘Matrix’ advises that clinical judgment should be used if considering interventions which have been shown to be effective for similar problems in other adult populations. Where judged as clinically appropriate, medication may also be prescribed in the treatment of body-focused repetitive behaviours.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312797,"EventID":"S5W-00573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T17:03:55.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff NHS Forth Valley employs and how this compares with September 2006.","AnswerText":"Under this government, the number of staff working in Scotland’s NHS has risen to a record high.\r\nAs at March 2016, 5,389.0 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) staff were employed in NHS Forth Valley, compared with 5,388.7 WTE staff in September 2006.*\r\n*Source: Information Services Division Scotland (September 2006 – March 2016)","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312798,"EventID":"S5W-00574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T17:03:55.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff NHS Dumfries and Galloway employs, and how this compares with September 2006. ","AnswerText":"Under this government, the number of staff working in Scotland’s NHS has risen to a record high.\r\nAs at March 2016, 3,485.8 whole time equivalent staff were employed in NHS Dumfries and Galloway – a 5.3 per cent increase since September 2006.*\r\n*Source: ISD Scotland (September 2006 – March 2016)","AnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312799,"EventID":"S5W-00575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5598,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":139,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-07T17:03:56.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff NHS Ayrshire and Arran employs and how this compares with September 2006.","AnswerText":"Under this government, the number of staff working in Scotland’s NHS has risen to a record high.\r\nAs at March 2016, 8,645.7 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) staff were employed in NHS Ayrshire and Arran – a 6.6 per cent increase since September 2006.*\r\n*Source: Information Services Division Scotland (September 2006 to March 2016)","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312812,"EventID":"S5W-00576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:37.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde employs, and how this compares with September 2006.","AnswerText":"Under this government, the number of staff working in Scotland’s NHS has risen to a record high.\r\n\r\nAs at March 2016, 34,198.1 whole time equivalent (WTE) staff were employed in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – a 3.1 per cent increase since September 2006.*\r\n*Source: Information Services Division Scotland (September 2006 to March 2016)","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312813,"EventID":"S5W-00577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:38.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role it plays in the management of wildfowling in nature reserves such as Findhorn Bay and whether it has provided or will provide financial assistance to local authorities and other organisations for this purpose.","AnswerText":"The management of local nature reserves, including activities such as wildfowling, is primarily the responsibility of local authorities under the provisions of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312814,"EventID":"S5W-00578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:39.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been a recent change to the rights of grandparents seeking access to their grandchildren and whether a review is planned.","AnswerText":"There have been no changes made to the rights of grandparents. However, the Scottish Government is planning to review the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. The 1995 Act makes provision on parental responsibilities and rights, on contact orders and on related areas.\r\nAs well as the planned review of the 1995 Act, the Scottish Government is already carrying out work to refresh the non-statutory Parenting Agreement for Scotland, which includes the charter for grandchildren: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/112493/0027333.pdf. The charter highlights the important role that grandparents and the wider family can play in raising children.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312815,"EventID":"S5W-00579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:40.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how public services ensure that they provide appropriate care and support for former service personnel with post-traumatic stress.","AnswerText":"NHS boards and local authorities have a statutory duty to provide health and social care services which meet the needs of their populations, including for former service personnel with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).\r\nA range of care and treatment for PTSD is available across health and social care services and across a range of settings provided on the basis of individually assessed needs, and in line with published clinical guidance.\r\nFor example, the Scottish Government funds at £1.2 million per year a nationally commissioned service through NHS Ayrshire and Arran for the provision of specialist mental health services provided by the charity combat stress. This includes an intensive treatment PTSD programme for those ex-service personnel suffering problems as a result of their military service. The provider will accept eligible referrals from any source, including self-referral.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312816,"EventID":"S5W-00580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:41.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for Historic Environment Scotland’s Dallas Dhu whisky distillery.","AnswerText":"The operation of the properties in care of Scottish Ministers is delegated to Historic Environment Scotland under the Historic Environment Scotland Act 2014. I have asked David Mitchell, the Acting Chief Executive, to provide an update on the options being considered at Dallas Dhu including the possibility of reintroducing distilling as part of wider tourist and heritage promotion.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312817,"EventID":"S5W-00581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:42.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the business rates in Elgin city centre compare with the national average and other comparable cities and towns.","AnswerText":"This information is not held, however the rateable value of all properties is published online at saa.gov.uk and the Scottish assessors use the same valuation methodologies when valuing properties across Scotland. In addition, the same poundage rate and national relief schemes apply in Elgin.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312818,"EventID":"S5W-00582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:43.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its policy is to include new cycle paths when dualling roads such as the A9 and A96.","AnswerText":"Suitable provision for all users, including cyclists, is an important part of dualling roads such as the A9 and A96.\r\nNon-motorised User (NMU) strategies have been developed for the A9 and the A96 dualling. The strategies have been developed in line with the Scottish Government’s vision to promote active travel in A Long-Term Vision for Active Travel In Scotland 2030, Cycling Action Plan for Scotland 2013 and the Trunk Road Cycling Initiative. NMU facilities, including cycle facilities, will be developed as the dualling programmes move forward to more detailed stages of design development, in consultation with local communities and interest groups.\r\nThe strategy for the A9 dualling can be found on the Transport Scotland website at:\r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/system/files/documents/projects/A9/A9%20Non%20Motorised%20Users%20Access%20Strategy%200516_0.pdf\r\nThe strategy for the A96 dualling can be found on the Transport Scotland website at:\r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/system/files/documents/reports/A96%20PES%20NMU%20Strategy%20May%202016.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312819,"EventID":"S5W-00583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:44.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for social enterprises that work with schools to use the outdoors for educational purposes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has invested heavily in developing and supporting social enterprise in recent years and has maintained direct investment of £24.5 million in the third sector in 2016-17, which includes support for social enterprise. This support is available to social enterprises that engage across a range of activities including, where appropriate, social enterprises which work with schools to use the outdoors for educational purposes and which use the outdoors to promote mental health and well-being. The framework of support available includes:\r\n\r\nThe business support provided by Just Enterprise which helps social enterprises develop and become more sustainable. To date Just Enterprise has supported over 5,700 individuals and organisations.\r\nWorking to open public sector markets to third sector organisations through the Ready for Business partnership.\r\nThe Social Entrepreneurs Fund, delivered by Firstport, which has made 340 awards and supported more than 280 individuals since 2009. The Fund aims to turn great business ideas that benefit people, communities and the environment into social enterprises. \r\nThe Scottish Government also funds intermediaries and partners such as Social Enterprise Scotland, Social Firms Scotland, SENSCOT and Social Enterprise Academy to provide expertise and support in raising awareness of social enterprise, building social enterprise networks, providing training and leadership development and working with the public sector to develop appropriate policies.\r\nThe Scottish Government will, in the coming months, be co-producing and publishing both a ten year national strategy for social enterprise in Scotland, and an international social enterprise strategy for Scotland. The national strategy will build on the extensive visioning work carried out by the social enterprise sector and will set out the Scottish approach to social enterprise for the coming decade.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312820,"EventID":"S5W-00584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:46.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for social enterprises that use the outdoors to promote mental health and wellbeing.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00583 on 16 June 2016 . All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312821,"EventID":"S5W-00585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:47.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have attended the A&E unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in each of the last 12 months, and what information it has regarding what postcode area they live.","AnswerText":"The number of monthly attendances at each A&E unit in Scotland is published by Information Services Division Scotland and can be found at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Emergency-Care/Publications/data-tables.asp\r\nThe following table shows the number of people that have attended the emergency department at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Queen Elizabeth University Hospital was opened on 2 May 2015 and therefore the latest available information between 2 May 2015 and 30 April 2016 has been provided. \r\nNumber of A&E attendances at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital between 2 May 2015 and 30 April 2016. Figures are broken down by postal area and month of attendance. \r\nMonth\r\nGlasgow postal area (\"G\")\r\nMotherwell postal area (\"ML\")\r\nPaisley postal area (\"PA\")\r\nOther Scotland postal areas\r\nNon Scotland postal areas\r\nNot known\r\nTotal Attendances\r\nMay-15\r\n4,271\r\n43\r\n510\r\n110\r\n\r\n56\r\n4,990\r\nJune-15\r\n6,375\r\n46\r\n455\r\n104\r\n1\r\n92\r\n7,073\r\nJuly-15\r\n6,385\r\n48\r\n441\r\n131\r\n\r\n142\r\n7,147\r\nAugust-15\r\n6,826\r\n66\r\n465\r\n156\r\n\r\n136\r\n7,649\r\nSeptember-15\r\n6,423\r\n59\r\n465\r\n145\r\n2\r\n102\r\n7,196\r\nOctober-15\r\n6,549\r\n61\r\n436\r\n168\r\n2\r\n102\r\n7,318\r\nNovember-15\r\n6,358\r\n51\r\n405\r\n140\r\n1\r\n91\r\n7,046\r\nDecember-15\r\n6,649\r\n57\r\n450\r\n137\r\n2\r\n109\r\n7,404\r\nJanuary-16\r\n6,919\r\n58\r\n463\r\n129\r\n\r\n96\r\n7,665\r\nFebruary-16\r\n6,591\r\n52\r\n441\r\n122\r\n1\r\n80\r\n7,287\r\nMarch-16\r\n7,183\r\n77\r\n501\r\n141\r\n1\r\n109\r\n8,012\r\nApril-16\r\n6,821\r\n66\r\n417\r\n158\r\n\r\n106\r\n7,568\r\nSource: A&E Datamart, ISD Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312822,"EventID":"S5W-00587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:48.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have attended the A&E unit at the (a) Glasgow Royal Infirmary and (b) Royal Alexandra Hospital in each of the last 24 months, and what information it has regarding what postcode area they live.","AnswerText":"The number of monthly attendances at each A&E unit in Scotland is published by Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland and can be found at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Emergency-Care/Publications/data-tables.asp\r\nThe following table shows the number of people that have attended the emergency department at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. The figures in the table provide the latest available information between 1 May 2014 and 30 April 2016.\r\nNumber of A&E attendances at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary between 1 May 2014 and 30 April 2016. Figures are broken down by postal area and month of attendance. \r\nMonth\r\nGlasgow postal area (\"G\")\r\nMotherwell postal area (\"ML\")\r\nPaisley postal area (\"PA\")\r\nOther Scotland postal areas\r\nNon Scotland postal areas\r\nNot known\r\nTotal Attendances\r\nMay-14\r\n6,860\r\n154\r\n86\r\n153\r\n141\r\n\r\n7,394\r\nJune-14\r\n6,493\r\n133\r\n74\r\n167\r\n139\r\n\r\n7,006\r\nJuly-14\r\n6,745\r\n148\r\n95\r\n167\r\n300\r\n1\r\n7,456\r\nAugust-14\r\n6,413\r\n150\r\n79\r\n162\r\n242\r\n1\r\n7,047\r\nSeptember-14\r\n6,551\r\n132\r\n83\r\n178\r\n147\r\n1\r\n7,092\r\nOctober-14\r\n6,523\r\n122\r\n74\r\n165\r\n149\r\n2\r\n7,035\r\nNovember-14\r\n6,341\r\n126\r\n75\r\n184\r\n127\r\n2\r\n6,855\r\nDecember-14\r\n6,003\r\n132\r\n74\r\n151\r\n145\r\n2\r\n6,507\r\nJanuary-15\r\n6,190\r\n104\r\n63\r\n142\r\n99\r\n\r\n6,598\r\nFebruary-15\r\n5,656\r\n104\r\n72\r\n165\r\n124\r\n1\r\n6,122\r\nMarch-15\r\n6,339\r\n121\r\n79\r\n178\r\n142\r\n\r\n6,859\r\nApril-15\r\n6,121\r\n101\r\n72\r\n154\r\n163\r\n1\r\n6,612\r\nMay-15\r\n6,608\r\n105\r\n61\r\n149\r\n135\r\n\r\n7,058\r\nJune-15\r\n7,025\r\n114\r\n90\r\n153\r\n175\r\n1\r\n7,558\r\nJuly-15\r\n7,175\r\n122\r\n81\r\n154\r\n196\r\n\r\n7,728\r\nAugust-15\r\n7,422\r\n136\r\n87\r\n180\r\n243\r\n3\r\n8,071\r\nSeptember-15\r\n7,121\r\n118\r\n89\r\n171\r\n186\r\n1\r\n7,686\r\nOctober-15\r\n7,358\r\n124\r\n81\r\n213\r\n162\r\n2\r\n7,940\r\nNovember-15\r\n6,707\r\n119\r\n85\r\n224\r\n172\r\n3\r\n7,310\r\nDecember-15\r\n6,667\r\n140\r\n89\r\n185\r\n165\r\n2\r\n7,248\r\nJanuary-16\r\n6,746\r\n108\r\n76\r\n166\r\n149\r\n\r\n7,245\r\nFebruary-16\r\n6,712\r\n134\r\n83\r\n208\r\n158\r\n1\r\n7,296\r\nMarch-16\r\n7,646\r\n115\r\n68\r\n182\r\n201\r\n3\r\n8,215\r\nApril-16\r\n6,931\r\n138\r\n85\r\n174\r\n178\r\n2\r\n7,508\r\nSource: A&E Datamart, ISD Scotland\r\n\r\nThe following table shows the number of people that have attended the Emergency Department at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. The figures in the table provide the latest available information between 1 May 2014 and 30 April 2016.\r\nNumber of A&E attendances at the Royal Alexandra Hospital between 1 May 2014 and 30 April 2016. Figures are broken down by postal area and month of attendance. \r\nMonth\r\nGlasgow postal area (\"G\")\r\nMotherwell postal area (\"ML\")\r\nPaisley postal area (\"PA\")\r\nOther Scotland postal areas\r\nNon Scotland postal areas\r\nNot known\r\nTotal Attendances\r\nMay-14\r\n1,315\r\n8\r\n4,446\r\n156\r\n62\r\n2\r\n5,989\r\nJune-14\r\n1,321\r\n19\r\n4,483\r\n173\r\n72\r\n\r\n6,068\r\nJuly-14\r\n1,344\r\n22\r\n4,432\r\n205\r\n85\r\n\r\n6,088\r\nAugust-14\r\n1,295\r\n19\r\n4,499\r\n177\r\n106\r\n\r\n6,096\r\nSeptember-14\r\n1,315\r\n19\r\n4,408\r\n153\r\n62\r\n\r\n5,957\r\nOctober-14\r\n1,243\r\n13\r\n4,202\r\n149\r\n60\r\n\r\n5,667\r\nNovember-14\r\n1,375\r\n16\r\n4,029\r\n148\r\n41\r\n\r\n5,609\r\nDecember-14\r\n1,326\r\n12\r\n3,953\r\n152\r\n50\r\n\r\n5,493\r\nJanuary-15\r\n1,286\r\n14\r\n4,006\r\n134\r\n38\r\n\r\n5,478\r\nFebruary-15\r\n1,154\r\n18\r\n3,715\r\n124\r\n38\r\n1\r\n5,050\r\nMarch-15\r\n1,342\r\n15\r\n4,116\r\n148\r\n52\r\n1\r\n5,674\r\nApril-15\r\n1,211\r\n12\r\n3,988\r\n185\r\n67\r\n\r\n5,463\r\nMay-15\r\n1,345\r\n14\r\n4,160\r\n161\r\n62\r\n\r\n5,742\r\nJune-15\r\n1,317\r\n10\r\n4,270\r\n158\r\n55\r\n\r\n5,810\r\nJuly-\r\n15\r\n1,262\r\n15\r\n4,084\r\n167\r\n71\r\n\r\n5,599\r\nAugust-15\r\n1,367\r\n17\r\n4,401\r\n187\r\n102\r\n1\r\n6,075\r\nSeptember-15\r\n1,224\r\n22\r\n4,218\r\n167\r\n54\r\n4\r\n5,689\r\nOctober-15\r\n1,337\r\n20\r\n4,084\r\n150\r\n59\r\n\r\n5,650\r\nNovember-15\r\n1,210\r\n10\r\n3,829\r\n139\r\n53\r\n\r\n5,241\r\nDecember-15\r\n1,328\r\n7\r\n3,854\r\n137\r\n51\r\n\r\n5,377\r\nJanuary-16\r\n1,285\r\n14\r\n4,122\r\n153\r\n26\r\n\r\n5,600\r\nFebruary-16\r\n1,282\r\n15\r\n3,876\r\n143\r\n44\r\n\r\n5,360\r\nMarch-16\r\n1,473\r\n14\r\n4,443\r\n160\r\n47\r\n1\r\n6,138\r\nApril-16\r\n1,281\r\n18\r\n4,147\r\n144\r\n47\r\n1\r\n5,638\r\nSource: A&E Datamart, ISD Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312823,"EventID":"S5W-00589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:48.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many clinical nurse specialists are employed by the NHS.","AnswerText":"As at 30 September 2015 there were 2,035.3 whole time equivalent (WTE) clinical nurse specialists in NHSScotland – an increase of 689.1 WTE, or 51.2 per cent under this government*.\r\nIn 2015-16 this government invested over £2.4 million of recurring funding to enhance access to specialist nursing and care, including the appointment of additional specialist nurses in NHS boards.\r\n*(Source: 2006 ISD(M)50, Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland; 2015 Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS); ISD Scotland)","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312824,"EventID":"S5W-00590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5669,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:49.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T17:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff NHS (a) Western Isles, (b) Shetland and (c) Orkney employs, and how this compares with September 2006. ","AnswerText":"Under this government, the number of staff working in Scotland’s NHS has risen to a record high.\r\nAs at March 2016:\r\na) 813.4 whole time equivalent (WTE) staff were employed in NHS Western Isles – a 1.9 per cent increase since September 2006.\r\nb) 554.7 WTE staff were employed in NHS Shetland – a 19.7 per cent increase since September 2006.\r\nc) 502.1 WTE staff were employed in NHS Orkney – a 10.4 per cent increase since September 2006 and a record high.*\r\n*Source: Information Services Division Scotland (September 2006 to March 2016)","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312825,"EventID":"S5W-00593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:50.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T17:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff NHS Borders employs, and how this compares with September 2006. ","AnswerText":"Under this government, the number of staff working in Scotland’s NHS has risen to a record high.\r\nAs at March 2016, 2,601.2 whole time equivalent staff were employed in NHS Borders – a 3.2 per cent increase since September 2006.*\r\n*Source: Information Services Division Scotland (September 2006 to March 2016)","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312826,"EventID":"S5W-00594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:50.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T18:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it (a) has carried out and (b) plans to assess the educational attainment of young (i) BME, (ii) disabled and (iii) LGBTI people.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not carried out any specific research on the educational attainment of these children and young people and has no plans to do so. We do however have attainment data for young people taking Sottish Qualifications Authority examinations broken down by ethnicity and disability http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/2579/4#table6.\r\n\r\nThe teacher professional judgement information we will collect under the National Improvement Framework for Scottish Education will provide similarly detailed data covering the full stretch of school years. The information we collect will show the progress children are making towards achieving curriculum for excellence levels in numeracy and literacy. It is not appropriate to ask a child or young person to disclose their sexuality – we do not therefore collect any data on LGBTI young people.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312827,"EventID":"S5W-00595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:51.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T18:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that its educational attainment strategy reflects the additional challenges that young (a) BME, (b) disabled and (c) LGBTI people can face.","AnswerText":"The Education (additional support for learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 requires education authorities to identify, provide and review the additional support needs of their pupils. An additional support need may arise for any reason and may be of short or long-term duration. The additional support provided is intended to overcome barriers to learning which may arise as a result of learning environment, health or disability, family circumstances and social and emotional factors.\r\nThe Scottish attainment challenge was established to close the educational attainment gap between young people from our most and least deprived communities. The attainment Scotland fund, currently provides funding to those primary schools and authorities identified as having the highest concentrations of The Scottish index of multiple deprivation (SIMD) one and two. We will also allocate additional funding to schools on the basis of the number of eligible children that meet the criteria for free school meals. If a BME, disabled or LGBTI child's educational attainment is affected by poverty related disadvantage, they will also benefit from increased support through the Scottish attainment challenge. This is in addition to existing policies aimed at addressing the support required by other groups of young people.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312828,"EventID":"S5W-00596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:52.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T18:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has (a) carried out and (b) plans to take to support families affected by alcohol harm.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has taken significant action to support families affected by alcohol harm. Our alcohol framework contains more than 40 measures to tackle alcohol-related harm which include actions to support families.\r\nThe Scottish Government provides funding to public and third sector organisations for this. We fund Scottish families affected by alcohol and drugs (£363,766 in the past two years 2015-16 and 2016-17) to support families. We fund Lloyds TSB Foundation and Partnership Drugs Initiative (PDI) - £1,435,000 in the past two years 2015-16 and 2016-17 - for targeting supporting for vulnerable children and families affected by substance misuse.\r\nThe Scottish Government also supports alcohol and drug partnerships whose work ensures family members of people misusing alcohol and drugs are safe, well-supported and have improved life-chances. As a result, alcohol and drug services are broadening their thinking through whole family approaches and adopting a more family inclusive practice which is in keeping with the Scottish Government’s Quality Principles: Standard Expectations of care and Support in Drug and Alcohol Services (2014).\r\nThe Scottish Government’s national guidance for child protection sets out our expectations that all services working with vulnerable children and families should have robust measures in place. We also published updated and bespoke substance misuse guidance ‘Getting our Priorities Right’ in 2013, for use by all practitioners working with children and families where substance misuse is a factor.\r\nOur plans for further action are built on the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to tackling parental alcohol and drug misuse and its effect on children. We continue to fund public and third sector initiatives. We are also committed to a refresh of the alcohol framework during 2016 which will set out future actions in more detail. For example, we are considering the findings which were launched on 9 June 2016 by the Lloyds TSB PDI project.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312829,"EventID":"S5W-00597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:52.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T18:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what specialist health provision it provides for pregnant and new mothers in Central Scotland who experience mental ill health.","AnswerText":"NHS boards in Central Scotland are responsible for working with their partners to plan and provide specialist health care for pregnant and new mothers who experience mental ill health according to individually assessed needs and in line with published clinical guidance.\r\nPregnant and new mothers will benefit from referral, where appropriate, to the regional specialist perinatal inpatient mother and baby units in NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as well as work to improve access to psychological therapies across Scotland. We’re investing additional £150 million for mental health over five years and as part of that package we announced in January 2016 that £4.8 million will be awarded to Healthcare Improvement Scotland to establish a mental health access improvement support team. \r\nThe improvement programme will work in collaboration with NHS boards to deliver sustained improvements in access to child and adolescent mental health services and access to psychological therapies services.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312830,"EventID":"S5W-00598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:53.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T18:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff NHS Highland employs, and how this compares with September 2006. ","AnswerText":"Under this government the number of staff working in Scotland’s NHS has risen to a record high.\r\nAs at March 2016, 8,151.2 whole time equivalent staff were employed in NHS Highland – this is an increase of 22.9 per cent since September 2006, and a record high.*\r\n*Source: Information Services Division Scotland (September 2006 to March 2016)","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312831,"EventID":"S5W-00600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:54.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T09:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government to what extent it supports the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property and how it supports the global effort to tackle the illegal trade in antiquities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is proud to support the UNESCO Convention on the means of prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export and transfer of ownership of cultural property (the Paris convention). Membership of United Nations organisations such as UNESCO and controls on imports and exports are reserved to the United Kingdom Government which ratified the Paris convention in 2002.\r\nThe UK Government is proposing to ratify the Hague convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its Protocols of 1954 and 1999, in the Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts Bill) which will require a legislative consent motion to be passed by the Scottish Parliament.\r\nScotland has hosted the trafficking culture programme at the Scottish crime and justice centre at the University of Glasgow that produces evidence-based research into the contemporary global trade in looted cultural objects.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312832,"EventID":"S5W-00601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:55.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when its research into the tied-pub sector will be (a) completed and (b) published.","AnswerText":"Research into the tied pub sector is expected to be completed and published in autumn 2016. Its findings will be published on the Scottish Government website.\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312833,"EventID":"S5W-00605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:56.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T09:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00290 by Roseanna Cunningham on 8 June 2016, by what date the ban will be introduced.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently investigating all avenues for the best mechanism for introducing legislation proposing a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses on ethical grounds. The Scottish Parliament will be informed, in due course, how the ban will be introduced.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312834,"EventID":"S5W-00606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:56.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff NHS Tayside employs and how this compares with September 2006.","AnswerText":"Under this government the number of staff working in Scotland’s NHS has risen to a record high.\r\nAs at March 2016, 11,719.5 whole time equivalent staff were employed in NHS Tayside – an increase of 5.9 per cent since September 2006.*\r\n*Source: Information Services Division Scotland (September 2006 to March 2016)","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312835,"EventID":"S5W-00607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:57.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff NHS Lothian employs and how this compares with September 2006.","AnswerText":"Under this government the number of staff working in Scotland’s NHS has risen to a record high.\r\nAs at March 2016, 19,968.7 whole time equivalent staff were employed in NHS Lothian – this is an increase of 10.8 per cent since September 2006, and a record high.\r\n*Source: Information Services Division Scotland (September 2006 to March 2016)","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312836,"EventID":"S5W-00608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:57.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff NHS Fife employs, and how this compares with September 2006.","AnswerText":"Under this government the number of staff working in Scotland’s NHS has risen to a record high.\r\nAs at March 2016, 7,308.7 whole time equivalent staff were employed in NHS Fife – an increase of 6.4 per cent since September 2006.*\r\n*Source: Information Services Division Scotland (September 2006 to March 2016)","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312837,"EventID":"S5W-00609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:59.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T10:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff NHS Grampian employs, and how this compares with September 2006.","AnswerText":"Under this government the number of staff working in Scotland’s NHS has risen to a record high.\r\nAs at March 2016, 12,021.2 whole time equivalent staff were employed in NHS Grampian – an increase of 7.3 per cent since September 2006.*\r\n*Source: Information Services Division Scotland (September 2006 to March 2016)","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312838,"EventID":"S5W-00610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:15:59.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Network Rail regarding the reason for the potential benefits of a loop at Kinbrace not being mentioned in the Scotland Route Study.","AnswerText":"Network Rail have closed their consultation on the Scotland Route Study, and are expected to publish their final version in July 2016. The Scottish Government has not had any specific discussions with Network Rail regarding the inclusion or otherwise of a loop at Kinbrace. If Kinbrace is identified as requiring a loop in the future, and has a sufficient business case, the fact that there is no specific reference in the Scotland Route Study does not preclude it being considered as part of any future investment programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312839,"EventID":"S5W-00611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:16:00.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the Scottish transport appraisal guidance (STAG) process in light of the claim in issue 68 of the Far North Express of it being biased against small rural schemes.","AnswerText":"Scottish transport appraisal guidance is routinely reviewed and developed in line with best practice and emerging relevant research evidence. There is no evidence that the guidance is biased against small rural schemes and it is important that all proposals have a demonstrable business case before Scottish Government investment is made.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312840,"EventID":"S5W-00614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:16:01.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T12:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the implication for timber extraction in the area might be of not having a railway loop at Kinbrace. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of the Branchliner project led by The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership regarding timber extraction in the area around Kinbrace and the options detailed in its recent report which include the passive provision of a future loop at Kinbrace. This work is subject to a number of factors such as detailed appraisal, agreement from all parties, proven early stage viability and funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312855,"EventID":"S5O-00031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:32.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T14:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage people to take up teaching posts in the Moray area. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312856,"EventID":"S5O-00032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:33.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T19:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in building or refurbishing schools in South Lanarkshire since 2007.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312857,"EventID":"S5O-00033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:34.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure fair access to universities for young people from every community.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312858,"EventID":"S5O-00034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:34.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T09:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the full £750 million pledged for the Scottish Attainment Challenge will be given to headteachers to spend on their individual schools’ priorities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312859,"EventID":"S5O-00035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:35.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T09:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to enhance education and skills for a circular economy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312860,"EventID":"S5O-00036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:35.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the EIS regarding its ballot for industrial action.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312861,"EventID":"S5O-00037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:36.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the results of information gathered by local authorities on schoolchildren show about their career path aspirations, other than attending college or university.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312862,"EventID":"S5O-00038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:37.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T10:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to increase early years learning and childcare.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312863,"EventID":"S5O-00039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:37.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government to what extent it considers that adverse intergenerational socioeconomic factors impact on educational attainment and what steps it will take to mitigate these over the next five years.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312864,"EventID":"S5O-00041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:39.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of headteachers in Fife secondary schools is female, and how this compares with the overall figure for the rest of Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312865,"EventID":"S5O-00042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:39.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T17:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet the management of Scotland's Rural College.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312866,"EventID":"S5O-00043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:40.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role breakfast clubs play in closing the attainment gap, and what support it provides to them.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312867,"EventID":"S5O-00044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:40.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support families accessing children's services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312868,"EventID":"S5O-00045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:41.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what targets it has set to measure the impact of the Scottish Attainment Fund in West Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312869,"EventID":"S5O-00046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:42.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T20:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage more young women to take up STEM subjects.","AnswerText":"As the First Minister said last week, encouraging girls, and indeed, all young people to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects is vital for their future and vital for the future of the country. The numbers of entries by girls to the main science higher qualifications, including computing, are up by 10% since 2007. There are very encouraging signs of greater participation by women in STEM subjects at college and university.\r\nWe are supporting projects to tackle gender stereotyping in STEM education at school and supporting equality projects across Scottish colleges and universities. The new chief scientific adviser, Professor Sheila Rowan will work to inspire more young people, including young women and girls, to study STEM and progress to a STEM career.\r\nThere are many examples of excellent STEM opportunities being offered by Scotland’s colleges. This includes the City of Glasgow College’s Women into Engineering course which offers single-sex classes in the first year of the course and which is seeing encouraging early signs of success.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312870,"EventID":"S5O-00047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5877,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:42.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T09:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its education directorate’s role is in addressing the number of 16 to 19-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is determined to do everything it can, working with our national and local partners, to ensure that all young people get the best possible educational opportunities.\r\nOur education directorates are focused on delivering key education policies, including curriculum for excellence; Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy: Developing the Young Workforce; the National Improvement Framework; Opportunities for All; and Raising Attainment - all focused on improving outcomes for our young people.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312871,"EventID":"S5O-00048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:42.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that spending on education is targeted at areas where the attainment gap is greatest.","AnswerText":"We will allocate £750 million during the course of this Parliament through the Attainment Scotland Fund to tackle the attainment gap, targeting resources at those children, schools and communities most in need. The Scottish Government, through the Attainment Scotland Fund, already provides funding to those primary schools and authorities identified as having the highest concentrations of Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 1 and 2. I announced last week that we would extend our area based approach to two more local authorities so that there are now nine challenge authorities, and extend the scope of the challenge to secondary schools. Children are affected by poverty related disadvantage all over Scotland, therefore as part of the £750 million package, we will allocate an additional £100 million that will be raised each year as a result of our council tax reforms to schools, on the basis of the number of eligible children that meet the criteria for free school meals.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312872,"EventID":"S5O-00049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:43.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in boosting the delivery of STEM subjects.","AnswerText":"We are making good progress in boosting the delivery of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. This financial year we are investing £1.5 million in practical support for teachers for science, technology, and maths through the Scottish Schools Science Research Centre and the National Numeracy and Mathematics Hub. Education Scotland provide a strong package of support for teaching and learning across all STEM subjects.\r\nThe Scottish Funding Council has prioritised STEM across the college sector. Numbers of full time equivalent engineering, science and maths students in college are rising as are the numbers of entrants to first degree courses in STEM subjects at Scottish universities.\r\nThere is lots of good practice right across the country. For example, North East Scotland College currently run an S2 Skills competition (sponsored by Shell UK and Score Group) with partner secondary schools in the Aberdeenshire area which aims to encourage young people at school into engineering.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312873,"EventID":"S5O-00050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:44.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-06T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it provides for children with additional support needs.","AnswerText":"The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 was put in place to ensure that all children and young people with additional support needs receive the support they require to achieve their potential.\r\nThe Act places strict duties on local authorities to meet the additional support needs for all children for whose school education they are responsible, and to tailor provision according to their individual needs.\r\nThe Supporting Children’s Learning Code of Practice explains these duties, providing guidance on the Act's provisions as well as on the supporting framework of secondary legislation.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312874,"EventID":"S5O-00051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:44.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the fishing industry to discuss the discard ban.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312875,"EventID":"S5O-00052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5621,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:45.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made to reintroduce passenger flights from Ashaig Airfield on Skye.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312876,"EventID":"S5O-00053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:46.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce legislation regarding responsible parking on footways.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":312877,"EventID":"S5O-00054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:47.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T09:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide funding so that Scottish Autism's One Stop Shop in Motherwell can reopen.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312878,"EventID":"S5O-00055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5669,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:47.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on reducing ferry fares for the Northern Isles.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312879,"EventID":"S5O-00056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5598,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":139,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:48.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T11:31:32.147","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Ayrshire and Arran regarding mental health.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312880,"EventID":"S5O-00057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:49.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what decisions it has made about the future provision of major trauma centres in the NHS.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312881,"EventID":"S5O-00058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4982,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:49.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual running cost is of Forestry Commission Scotland, and whether it considers that the commission is doing an effective job in delivering the forestry strategy.","AnswerText":"The projected running cost of Forestry Commission Scotland for 2016-17 is £10 million. In addition, the projected 2016-17 running cost of Forest Enterprise Scotland, which manages the National Forest Estate on behalf of Scottish Ministers, is £42 million. Approximately 60% of the annual running cost of Forest Enterprise Scotland is offset by trading income. \r\nForestry Commission Scotland implements the Scottish Government’s forestry strategy with partners and the most recently published progress report shows that 88% of the actions in 2014-15 were successfully undertaken.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312882,"EventID":"S5O-00059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:50.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with its commitment to invest £6 million in the regeneration of Stranraer waterfront.","AnswerText":"We are committed to the package of measures announced by the Deputy First Minister during the election campaign. You will appreciate though that the overall level of investment will be subject to the spending review. Further details will be available in due course as we agree our spending plans.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312883,"EventID":"S5O-00060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T14:19:50.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what methodology it will use to calculate the increase each year in the financial support that it will provide for people who receive disability payments.","AnswerText":"In last week’s debate on 9 June 2016, we stated that disability benefits should be uprated in line with inflation. We are committed to ensuring our policies are designed to best meet the needs of disabled people, and we therefore intend to consider how to do this, taking consumer price index as a starting point, in the round with other aspects of our social security policy as part of the forthcoming consultation.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312895,"EventID":"S5W-00603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T16:55:38.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T09:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has asked the UK Government or Sir Christopher Pitchford to provide the list of over 100 Police officers who are alleged to have worked for the Special Demonstration Squad, given that Police Scotland officers and secondees may have been employed and, if so, whether it will publish the names listed. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00336 on 21 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312896,"EventID":"S5W-00604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T16:55:40.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T09:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has asked the UK Government or Sir Christopher Pitchford how many undercover officers were working for the Special Demonstration Squad and National Public Order Intelligence Unit, given that Police Scotland officers and secondees may have been employed and, if so, whether it will publish the details. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00336 on 21 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312897,"EventID":"S5W-00615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T16:55:40.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed airport access project, which is being funded by the Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal, will have on the (a) number and (b) frequency of rail services in Inverclyde.","AnswerText":"The Glasgow Airport Access project is being taken forward by Glasgow City Council and Renfrewshire Council as part of the Glasgow City Region Deal. We understand that a number of options are being considered to address the challenges of delivering this project but that a preferred option has yet to be selected.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to provide support to this and all city deals and are fully aware of the need to maintain the interests of all rail users in the West of Scotland as work progresses.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312898,"EventID":"S5W-00617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T16:55:41.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are rules in place that can prevent children from playing ball games at school play-time and, if so, what these are and what its position is on them. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the positive impact that daily physical activity can have on children’s health and wellbeing and strongly encourages physical activity during the school day. The use of ball games should be in line with schools' health and safety procedures.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312899,"EventID":"S5W-00618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T16:55:42.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T15:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29246 by Fergus Ewing on 27 January 2016, in light of the information not being provided by the chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding whether it will provide a breakdown of the (a) methods and (b) categories used by Scottish Enterprise to record data with regard to the businesses that it provides grant support to.","AnswerText":"This remains an operational issue for Scottish Enterprise. I understand that Jim Reid, Senior Director of International Stakeholder Communications and Networks from Scottish Enterprise has now been in touch with Mr Crawford.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312900,"EventID":"S5W-00619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T16:55:43.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) most recent and (b) forecast passenger numbers are on the Borders Railway at (i) Edinburgh Waverley, (ii) Newcraighall, (iii) Shawfair, (iv) Eskbank, (v) Newtongrange, (vi) Gorebridge, (vii) Stow, (viii) Galashiels and (ix) Tweedbank station.","AnswerText":"The most recent and forecast passenger numbers by station for the first six months of operation on borders railway are as follows.\r\nBorders Railway six months in - Single trips\r\n\r\nStations\r\nForecast single trips for first six months of operation\r\nScotRail actual single trips for first six months of operation\r\n\r\nTweedbank\r\n18,978\r\n183,918\r\n\r\nGalashiels\r\n20,567\r\n104,593\r\n\r\nStow\r\n5,129\r\n24,365\r\n\r\nGorebridge\r\n79,014\r\n39,400\r\n\r\nNewtongrange\r\n46,449\r\n50,480\r\n\r\nEskbank\r\n114,568\r\n65,672\r\n\r\nShawfair\r\n54,298\r\n9,398\r\n\r\nBrunstane/Newcraighall\r\n865\r\n11,344\r\n\r\nEdinburgh Waverley\r\n228,156\r\n205,203\r\n\r\nTotals\r\n568,023\r\n694,373\r\n+22%\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312901,"EventID":"S5W-00620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T16:55:44.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the greater number of passengers than anticipated on the Borders Railway line, what Transport Scotland is doing to adjust its passenger forecasting formula.","AnswerText":"There will always be an element of uncertainty present with forecasting, particularly considering the unique nature of the borders railway, which is the longest stretch of new railway line to be built in the UK in the last 100 years.\r\nThe forecasting methodology used for the borders railway was in line with industry practice and incorporates evidence gathered in the borders region. Transport Scotland keeps forecasting methodology under constant review to ensure best practice and we will draw on evidence, including evidence from the borders railway, to inform future appraisals.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312902,"EventID":"S5W-00621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T16:55:45.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what effect the reported reduction in college places has had on the rate of adult illiteracy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has delivered on our commitment to maintain 116,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) places - colleges exceeded it in 2014-15, delivering 119,078 funded FTEs. Additionally, the number of full-time students over 25 at colleges has increased by 26% since 2006-07.\r\nThe last ‘Scottish Survey of Adult Literacies’ was conducted in 2009. However, other available evidence suggests that progress in tackling adult basic skills levels is being made. The latest skills profile data (2015), collected by the Scottish Government as part of labour market trend data, shows a downward trend in the proportion of adults aged 16 to 64 with low or no qualifications. The figure has fallen from 16.3% in the 2007 baseline year to 11.1% in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312903,"EventID":"S5W-00622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T16:55:46.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many adults are unable to read and write.","AnswerText":"The last ‘Scottish Survey of Adult Literacies’ was conducted in 2009. It can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2010/07/22091814/0. However, other available evidence suggests that progress in tackling adult basic skills levels is being made. The latest skills profile data (2015), collected by the Scottish Government as part of labour market trend data, shows a downward trend in the proportion of adults aged 16 to 64 with low or no qualifications. The figure has fallen from 16.3% in the 2007 baseline year to 11.1% in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312904,"EventID":"S5W-00623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T16:55:47.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to local authorities to address adult illiteracy.","AnswerText":"Each local authority is responsible for what it spends on adult learning including adult literacy, based on its evaluation of local needs. The Scottish Government funds local authorities through the block grant. Under the Concordat, the Scottish Government establishes the overall direction and desired outcomes for policies but does not manage local service delivery.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to raise awareness of adult literacy and numeracy through The Big Plus, which is managed by Skills Development Scotland and supported by Education Scotland. Education Scotland further supports adult literacy through Inspection and development activity. Our strategy ‘Adult Learning in Scotland (ALIS 2020), a Statement of Ambition’ recognises the key and distinctive role that adult learning, including adult literacy, plays in helping to develop the person, the family, communities and society.\r\nThe Scottish Government has awarded grant funding of £1,000,000 to national partners within the third sector through the adult learning and empowering communities fund. A proportion of this funding will be used to provide local adult literacy support and improved outcomes for adult literacy learners.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312905,"EventID":"S5W-00624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-08T16:55:48.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates adverse weather conditions have affected construction on the Forth replacement crossing. ","AnswerText":"Adverse weather affects construction activities in different ways ranging from the need to alter a method of work to completely cancelling a piece of work. Consequently, it is not possible to list every date where adverse weather conditions have affected the construction on the Forth Replacement Crossing. However, the contractor estimates that approximately 20% of the project programme has been impacted.\r\n\r\nReferring to my statement on 8 June 2016, the dates on which adverse weather conditions affecting construction during April and May 2016 are the dates on which wind gusts exceeded the threshold to allow critical path activities to take place. These are as follows:\r\nApril reporting period:\r\n26 and 27 March (2 days)\r\n28 March (0.5 days)\r\n4, 6, 11, 12, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 29 (9 days)\r\n1, 5 and 26 April (3 x 0.5 days)\r\nApril Report Total = 13 days\r\nMay reporting period:\r\n2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 20 (9 days)\r\n5, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26 (6 x 0.5 days)\r\nMay report total = 12 days\r\nThe contractor’s reporting period cuts off on the last Friday of the month and so for the April reporting period the 13 days lost were in the period 26 March to 29 April and the 12 days in May were lost in the period 30 April to 27 May 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312906,"EventID":"S5W-00550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:52:51.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is satisfied with how the Crofting Commission has acted in all matters relating to the dismissal of the Mangersta grazing committee.","AnswerText":"The Crofting Commission is a non-departmental public body that takes regulatory decisions within the bounds of its duties and powers. Such decisions are taken independently and at arm’s length from Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312907,"EventID":"S5W-00551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:52:52.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has confidence in the convener of the Crofting Commission.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is confident that the Crofting Commission board is able to deliver the functions of the commission. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312908,"EventID":"S5W-00552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:52:53.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will establish an inquiry into the workings of the Crofting Commission.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no current plans to do so.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312909,"EventID":"S5W-00553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:52:54.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Crofting Commission dismissed the Mangersta grazing committee and whether it upholds this dismissal. ","AnswerText":"This was a decision taken by the Crofting Commission. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to you about this matter.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312910,"EventID":"S5W-00554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:52:55.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-07T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list those circumstances in which grants paid to grazing committees from public funds for agricultural and environmental schemes should be distributed in the first instance to individual shareholders, and what safeguards there are to ensure that public funds allocated in this way are used for the intended purposes.","AnswerText":"Common grazings regulations, which are individual to a specific common grazing, may include provisions on the disbursement of funds. Generally, common grazings regulations are made by the grazings committees themselves and are confirmed, with or without modifications, by the crofting commission.\r\nThe crofters (Scotland) Act 1993 does not require the immediate disbursement of funds by a grazings committee.\r\nAs regards to the specific safeguards in place, this would depend on the type of funding involved. For Scottish Government administered schemes such as the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme, there are a number of safeguards in place in terms of administrative and inspection checks.\r\nThe Scottish Government carries out a range of administrative checks that funding from our support schemes is being used correctly. These checks are in addition to those that are made when an application is submitted and assessed. Some cases may also be subject to further detailed inspection checks.\r\nMore information on administrative and inspection checks is available on the rural payments website: https://www.ruralpayments.org","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312911,"EventID":"S5W-00625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:52:56.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the safer communities budget is committed to the implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-000626 on 17 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312912,"EventID":"S5W-00626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:52:56.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work in communities to tackle sectarianism it is funding, broken down by (a) local authority and (b) project.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is investing over £1 million to support the delivery of community-based work to tackle sectarianism in 2016-17. The funding takes the total Scottish Government investment in work tackling sectarianism to £12.5 million over five years, more than any administration before us.\r\nThe 20 projects receiving grant funding in 2016-17 are focussed on taking forward the recommendations of the independent advisory group on tackling sectarianism in Scotland and are set out in the following table:\r\nOrganisation\r\nProject\r\nDelivery areas\r\nLocal Authority\r\nFunding amount\r\nBridging the Gap\r\nBridging the Gap\r\nGlasgow\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\n£40,564\r\nCommunity Links\r\nPast and Present\r\nLanarkshire\r\nSouth Lanarkshire Council; and North Lanarkshire Council\r\n£18,581\r\nCitizens Theatre\r\nDivided City\r\nDunbartonshire\r\nWest Dunbartonshire Council\r\n£80,000\r\nGlasgow Womens Library\r\nEquality in Progress – In Her Shoes\r\nGlasgow and Dunbartonshire\r\nGlasgow City Council; and East Dunbartonshire Council\r\n£50,000\r\nInverclyde Community Development Trust\r\nGies’ Peace\r\nInverclyde\r\nInverclyde Council\r\n£30,000\r\nFaith in Community Scotland, Conforti Institute and Place for Hope\r\nIn Wi’ the Mix\r\nWest Central Scotland\r\nGlasgow City Council; North Lanarkshire Council; South Lanarkshire Council; and East Ayrshire Council\r\n£80,000\r\nICthinking (Cambridge) Ltd\r\nI SEE Scotland Ltd\r\nFalkirk\r\nFalkirk Council\r\n£45000\r\nNil by Mouth\r\nBeyond Relgion and Belief\r\nAyrshire, Lanarkshire, Perth, Kinross, Edinburgh, and West Lothian\r\nNorth Ayrshire Council; East Ayrshire Council; North Lanarkshire Council; South Lanarkshire Council; Perth and Kinross Council; City of Edinburgh Council; and West Lothian Council\r\n£85,000\r\nNorth Kelvinside Sports Development Group\r\nBridges and Barriers\r\nGlasgow\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\n£22,592\r\nParkhead Youth Project\r\nNae Mare Excuses\r\nGlasgow\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\n£20,000\r\nSacro\r\nSTOP – (Sacro Tackling Offending Prejudice)\r\nNational\r\nN/A\r\n£85,000\r\nScottish Community Development Centre\r\nSupporting Communities to Tackle Sectarianism (SCoTTS)\r\nWest Central Scotland\r\nGlasgow City Council; North Lanarkshire Council; South Lanarkshire Council; and East Ayrshire Council\r\n£40,000\r\nSense Over Sectarianism\r\nSense Over Sectarianism\r\nGlasgow\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\n£100,000\r\nShow Bigotry the Red Card\r\n\r\nGlasgow City and West Central Scotland\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\n£18,000\r\nStewartry Community Voluntary Service\r\nStand Up To Hate\r\nWigtown; Stewartry; Nithsdale; and Annandale and Eskdale\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council\r\n£25,000\r\nSupporters Direct Scotland\r\nColours of Our Scarves\r\nNational \r\nN/A\r\n£65,000\r\nWest of Scotland Regional Equality Council\r\nConnecting Communities, Challenging Hate\r\nGlasgow; Lanarkshire; Renfrewshire; Argyle and Bute\r\nGlasgow City Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Renfrewshire Council; Argyle and Bute Council\r\n£35,000\r\nXchange Scotland\r\nSpread the Action!\r\nWest Central Scotland\r\nGlasgow City Council; North Lanarkshire Council; South Lanarkshire Council; and East Ayrshire Council\r\n£24,928\r\nYouth Scotland\r\nStand Up to Sectarianism\r\nNational\r\nN/A\r\n£49,961\r\nYouthlink Scotland\r\nAction on Sectarianism Optimisation and Outreach\r\nNational (online)\r\nN/A\r\n£61,995\r\nVoluntary Action Fund\r\nFund Grant Managers\r\nNational\r\nN/A\r\n£77,082\r\nTOTAL\r\n£1,053,703.00\r\nThere is a very strong focus on education within the work being delivered, particularly through the work of Sense Over Sectarianism; Nil by Mouth; Show Bigotry the Red Card; Citizen’s Theatre and Bridging the Gap, and this builds on educational resources that have been developed since 2012 and are currently available free of charge through the Action on Sectarianism website including 20 resource packs, 16 case studies and an interactive timeline of the history of religion, migration and society in the making of modern Scotland. \r\nOther approaches that will be taken in 2016-17 include direct community engagement through Inverclyde Community Development Trust; football based initiatives bein","AnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312913,"EventID":"S5W-00627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:52:57.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the timetable change adding 22 minutes to the published timetable on west coast main line rail services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s aspiration for Inter City West Coast cross-border rail services is clear: safe, fast, frequent, reliable, punctual services connecting Scotland to London and intermediate locations with on board facilities and fares that attract passengers.\r\n\r\nTransport Scotland met with Virgin Trains to make clear the Scottish Government's preference to maintain shorter journey times.\r\nThe Scottish Government is therefore disappointed that the previous 4 hour 8 minute fast Virgin Trains service between London Euston and Glasgow now makes five extra stops before it reaches Scotland, and takes an additional 22 minutes.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312914,"EventID":"S5W-00628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:52:58.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with train companies regarding upgrades for the west coast main line.","AnswerText":"As part of numerous industry forums, both current (Rutherglen junction) and planned (Carstairs junction) enhancements to the west coast main line are regularly discussed with operators.\r\nIndeed, the working group and board of the Scotland route study, at which both transport Scotland and cross-border train operating companies are represented, has regularly looked at future demand projections and potential investment for each of the main corridors in Scotland, including the west coast main line.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312915,"EventID":"S5W-00629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:52:58.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure parity for travellers on the west coast main line with the four hour journey time on east coast services.","AnswerText":"The Inter City West Coast re-franchising consultation is underway and the Scottish Government will be making representations to the Department for Transport conveying clear aspirations for cross-border rail services: faster journey times between Scotland and London, as well as safe, frequent, reliable, punctual services connecting Scotland to London and intermediate locations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312916,"EventID":"S5W-00630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:52:59.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made and whether it has established timescales in its consideration of the availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis, as pledged in the 2016 SNP manifesto.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00536 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312917,"EventID":"S5W-00631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:00.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-08T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it envisages deposit and return schemes playing a role in Scotland’s emerging circular economy and the achievement of recycling targets.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the contribution that deposit return can make in supporting a more circular economy and will give further consideration to the role it could play in Scotland. We and zero waste Scotland are working with stakeholders to explore a range of issues which emerged from a call for evidence in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312918,"EventID":"S5W-00632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:01.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T00:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce its draft bill on the technical reform of succession law.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government introduced the Succession (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament on 17 June 2015. It provided, in the main, for changes to technical areas of the law. It was passed on 28 January 2016 and Royal Assent was granted on 3 March 2016. Changes made to caution requirements for executors dative commenced on 4 March 2016 and the remainder will be commenced towards the end of 2016\r\n\r\nIn particular, the Succession (Scotland) Act 2016\r\nCloses a number of jurisdictional gaps so that where Scots law is the applicable law, the Scottish courts will have jurisdiction \r\nReforms how wills may be rectified by the courts\r\nReforms how survivorship should operate\r\nClarifies the effect of divorce, dissolution or annulment on a will.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312919,"EventID":"S5W-00633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:02.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T00:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the impact of reform of succession legal rights on the right of testators to choose their own beneficiaries.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government consulted on the Law of Succession between June and September 2015. The consultation focused on reforms to modernise succession law, based on the removal of the distinction between heritable and moveable assets, as recommended in the Scottish Law Commission’s Report on Succession (published in 2009).\r\n\r\nThe consultation looked at a range of issues such as what level of protection from disinheritance there should be for spouses, civil partners and children, on rights for co-habitants and a new scheme for intestate succession.\r\nAn independent analysis of the consultation responses has been carried out which the Scottish Government is currently considering. A key part of that consideration will be the potential impact of any changes to succession law, including on testamentary freedom and the choice of beneficiaries.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312920,"EventID":"S5W-00634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:02.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T00:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposed new legislation regulating solicitors will (a) allow solicitors to opt out of membership of and (b) separate the responsibility for both regulation and representation from the Law Society of Scotland.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have a manifesto commitment to take forward a consultation to review the regulation of the legal profession in Scotland and to support a modern and effective legal sector, including new forms of business model. \r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently in discussion with the Law Society of Scotland on options for regulatory reform. We will seek views on these options before any proposals for primary legislation are made. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312921,"EventID":"S5W-00636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:03.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T00:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what review it carries out of the effectiveness of Scotland House in Brussels on (a) culture, (b) tourism and (c) external affairs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and Scotland Europa offices based in Scotland House contribute to the delivery of the Scottish Government’s priorities across portfolios. The Scottish Government regularly reviews its operations and priorities in all areas where there is a Scottish EU interest and reports on activities to the Scottish Parliament at the beginning of each EU Presidency term.\r\n\r\nScotland Europa priorities are reviewed on an annual basis as part of the Scottish Enterprise process. In addition Scotland Europa priorities are discussed annually with its members. Work to establish an innovation and investment hub in Brussels will enhance our ability to engage with and influence EU institutions and individual member states and collaborate with others to help secure additional investment for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312922,"EventID":"S5W-00637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:04.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T00:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the legacy has been of the 2014 Commonwealth Games on (a) culture, (b) tourism and (c) external affairs.","AnswerText":"The XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 were always about more than 11 days of spectacular sport and culture. The games provided an opportunity to create a lasting legacy for the host city, host country and the Commonwealth.\r\nCulture: The Glasgow 2014 Culture Programme was unprecedented in scale compared to any previous cultural celebration in Scotland. The programme had two strands: a Scotland wide year long programme called Culture 2014 and a citywide games time celebration called Festival 2014. The programme contained over 3,000 performances and 3,600 exhibition days and was delivered by over 10,000 artists and arts professionals, supported by almost 4,000 volunteers.\r\nThe Glasgow 2014 Culture Programme was the first Commonwealth Games culture programme to have dual city and nation focus and the first to start a year out from the games. The evaluation of the 2014 Culture programme published in June 2015 reported that the Glasgow 2014 culture programme was a bold and innovative commission, producing work of artistic excellence while offering a mix of fresh and exciting cultural experiences. More than 12,000 events took place with an estimated 2.1 million visits, while over 8,000 artists, and 2,500 organisers.\r\nTourism: The Commonwealth Games showcased Scotland as a leading visitor destination, profiling the country’s tourism and major event credentials. Glasgow is now one of the world’s top 10 sporting cities, currently ranked 5th in the world in the SportBusiness Ultimate Sports City Awards. Attracting thirteen high quality major sporting events to Commonwealth Games venues. Future events include the 2017 badminton world championships, 2018 Indoor athletic grand prix at the emirates arena, and the European championships 2018. 2014 also provided the springboard for a further significant increase in visitor spending. In 2015, this rose by 14% for domestic visitors (5% overall) to reach £5 billion and is on track to meet the target in the industry-led Tourism Strategy of £5.5 billion by 2020. \r\nExternal Affairs: During the games we worked to support heads of state/government programmes to showcase the best of Scotland’s trade and investment, culture, education, energy, food and drink and investment opportunities. We have used the engagement with Commonwealth Governments during and post games to:\r\nMaximise diplomatic, business, cultural and international development links;\r\nPromote Scotland as an attractive place in which to do business, invest, live, study and visit;\r\nHighlight our role as a good global citizen.\r\nHighlight our commitment to human rights and LGBT equality – and to provide encouragement and assistance to others as they seek to become fairer, more progressive nations.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312923,"EventID":"S5W-00638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:04.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T00:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which events it has provided with grant funding in each of the last five years,  broken down by (a) the amount awarded and (b) description of event.","AnswerText":"The detail of cultural and sporting events provided with funding support in each of the last five years, either directly through the Scottish Government's tourism and major events budget or VisitScotland's events directorate EventScotland, is available from the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre (Bib. number 58012). \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312924,"EventID":"S5W-00639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:06.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T00:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has commissioned research on the factors that tourists take account of when considering coming to Scotland and, if so, what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"The important contribution of Scotland's tourism industry to the Scottish economy is recognised through it being designated as a key sector in the Scottish Government Economic Strategy - and associated economic research. The most recent example of Scotland’s place, perception and position in the world, and the value placed on relevant factors by visitors to Scotland, is the Anholt - GfK Roper Nation Brands Index: 2014 Report for Scotland. A copy may be found using the url - http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/12/4339.” \r\nIn addition, as the national tourism organisation, VisitScotland carries out a ‘Scotland Visitor Survey’ to gauge the reasons visitors decide to holiday in Scotland. The current survey is a two year research programme covering 2015-16, the survey will also take place during the summer of 2016 and further results will be available in 2017. Factors that attract visitors to Scotland are set out in the Scotland Visitor Survey 2015 which was published by VisitScotland in March 2016. The full report can be accessed here:\r\nhttp://www.visitscotland.org/pdf/Final%20(external%20use)%20Scotland%20Visitor%20Survey%202015%20updated%208%20March%202016.pdf\r\nThe conclusions and data gathered from this research (and findings from relevant, non-Scottish Government research) gives the Scottish Government a better understanding of where we need to prioritise efforts, and we will continue to work in partnership with the tourism industry and public sector partners to drive further improvement in the industry and deliver sustainable economic growth enabling all of Scotland to flourish.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312925,"EventID":"S5W-00640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:07.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T00:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support and encourage growth in the whisky sector, and whether it has recently carried out a review of the economic impact of the sector. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers regularly meet with the Scotch whisky industry to discuss issues of interest - the latest of which was 15 June 2016 when I met with David Frost, the Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association. \r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government also works with Scotland Food & Drink (SF&D) who are the industry’s leadership organisation whose mission is to grow the value of the nation's food and drink sector to £16.5 billion by 2017 and build Scotland’s reputation at home and abroad as a land of food and drink. \r\nScotland Food & Drink brings all the industry associations in the food and sector –including the whisky sector– together with the key public sector agencies. Work is done in a spirit of collaboration and partnership to develop the economic growth strategy for the industry, for which Scottish Government and public sector agencies align support.\r\nThe Scotland Food & Drink partnership is increasingly recognised across the rest of the UK and internationally as a model to follow. The partnership between industry and government forged through Scotland Food & Drink has been integral to success and is recognised as key to food and drink moving from being a sector of static growth in 2007 to one of the best performing sectors of the Scottish economy.\r\nThe Scottish Government and its agencies – Scottish Enterprise (SE), Scottish Development International and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) provide a range of support and assistance to the Scotch whisky sector, through various initiatives. \r\nAccount teams within SE, HIE and Scottish Development International deal with the larger whisky businesses. They also work directly with many of the smaller and the more recently established independent distilleries across Scotland. They also work with firms in the industry supply chain, and have supported initiatives such as the Speyside Whisky Festival. They offer long term strategic support to companies through the account management service. SE account manages 60 alcoholic drinks companies and HIE 14. \r\nThe range of support measures to these businesses include financial assistance towards commercial investments, advice through the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service, assistance with staff training programmes, innovation and research and developmen costs, support with market research overseas trade missions and learning journeys.\r\nThe Scottish Government also operate the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-Operation Grant Scheme, whose primary purpose is to support the sustainable economic growth of the food and drink industry in Scotland through greater co-operation and collaboration from primary production and processing to the market, ensuring the long term viability of primary producers, and increasing export markets for Scottish produce.\r\nScottish Enterprise has commissioned research into the alcoholic drinks sector in Scotland. Building on the Scotch Whisky Association economic impact report, this piece of research is being undertaken to help us understand more about the wider alcoholic drinks sector, future trends, and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats it faces in the future. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312926,"EventID":"S5W-00641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:07.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T00:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the higher production costs, what support it provides to island-based distillers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and its agencies provide a range of business support to Island based distillers through various schemes and initiatives.\r\n\r\nThrough Highlands and Islands Enterprise we provide a range of support measures to island businesses including financial assistance towards commercial investments, advice through the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service, assistance with staff training programmes, innovation and research and development costs, support with market research overseas trade missions and learning journeys. The Scottish Government also operate the Food Processing , Marketing and Co-operation Grant Scheme, with the primary purpose to support the sustainable economic growth of the food and drink industry in Scotland through greater co-operation and collaboration from primary production and processing to the market.\r\nThe following grants have been awarded to island distilleries:\r\nFood Processing Marketing and Co-operation Scheme - Isle of Harris (£1.9million) and R and B Distillers (£0.68 million). \r\nSince 2012 HIE have provided funding for various projects to - Isle of Arran Distillers (£103k), Isle of Harris Distillers Ltd (£1.3million), Kilchoman Distillery (£110k), Shetland Distillery (127k), Torabhaig Distillery (£157k) and Uisge Beatha nan Eilean (£8k).\r\nOne of the ways the Scottish Government particularly provides support for the islands is through subsidised freight fares to lifeline ferry services operated by CalMac Ferries Ltd and Serco Northlink Ferries. Since 2007, we have invested just over £1 billion in ferry services (including road equivalent tariff).\r\nWe have also invested more than £81 million in piers and harbours since 2007 including £17.8 million towards Ullapool harbour and £8.6 million towards Stornoway harbour to accommodate the new £42 million Ullapool – Stornoway vessel, MV Loch Seaforth.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312927,"EventID":"S5W-00642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:08.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T00:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support and encourage growth in the food and drink sector as a means of promoting and developing tourism.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that food and drink is an important part of the visitor experience in Scotland, and is working in partnership with the food and drink industry leadership organisation, Scotland Food and Drink, to help increase the value of the food and drink sector and to build Scotland’s reputation as a land of food and drink. The Scotland Food and Drink partnership are now developing the 2017-30 food and drink industry strategy to continue to support the growth and reputation of the sector.\r\n\r\nIn 2015, as part of the Year of Food and Drink led by VisitScotland, there were a number of initiatives that set out to inspire the people of Scotland and visitors to celebrate Scotland’s outstanding natural larder; these included food and drink event funding and the establishment of four food trails. We are continuing to promote the ‘Taste Our Best’ accreditation award, delivered through our partnership with VisitScotland, which is currently held by over 1,000 businesses, and helps customers to identify restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes that serve quality locally sourced food and drink.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312928,"EventID":"S5W-00643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:09.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the criteria are to be eligible for a school clothing grant.","AnswerText":"The Education (Scotland) Act introduced a provision to allow Scottish Ministers to make regulations to require local authorities to pay a minimum amount of school clothing grants to families or young people. The detail of the amount of grant and the eligibility criteria would be set out in regulations. We plan to agree this in partnership with COSLA and discussions between COSLA and the Scottish Government on this issue are continuing to this effect.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312929,"EventID":"S5W-00644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:10.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much can be awarded in school clothing grants, and what the average award is (a) nationally and (b) broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The Education (Scotland) Act introduced a provision to allow Scottish Ministers to make regulations to require local authorities to pay a minimum amount of school clothing grants to families or young people. The detail of the amount of grant and the eligibility criteria would be set out in regulations. We plan to agree the criteria and amount in partnership with COSLA and discussions between COSLA and the Scottish Government on this issue are continuing to this effect.\r\n\r\nCrucially, this policy will also provide consistency of approach across Scotland. While local authorities currently have a general duty to make provision, it is clear from our discussions with a number of organisations that there is inconsistency across Scotland and it is unacceptable that any child loses out. Detail on the level of grant currently awarded by individual local authorities is not collated centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312930,"EventID":"S5W-00653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:11.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to reform crofting law and what timescale it envisages for this.","AnswerText":"Crofters have long been concerned at overly complicated and outdated legislation so the Scottish Government will modernise crofting law and make it more transparent, understandable and workable in practice. The decision in relation to the timing of a future Crofting Bill will be made in due course, taking into account discussions with stakeholders and the other legislative priorities of the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312931,"EventID":"S5W-00660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:11.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason payments under the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme have been delayed. ","AnswerText":"The Rural Payments and Inspections Division is working to validate the 1,400 applications received for around 118,000 animals claimed. As part of European Commission regulations, animals must be validated against the electronic records held by SCOT-EID (the animal identification database). As this work currently underway and not yet complete, I am not able to give an exact date when payments will be made but every effort is being made to make these payments as soon as possible.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312932,"EventID":"S5W-00661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:12.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to make payments under the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00660 on 22 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312933,"EventID":"S5W-00662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T13:53:13.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when confirmation of entitlements under the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme will be given to farmers and crofters. ","AnswerText":"Entitlements are not a feature of the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme. Applicants receive payments based on the number of eligible animal for which they have submitted a claim. For payment details, please refer to the answer supplied to parliamentary question reference number S5W-00660 on 22 June 2016.\r\n\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312946,"EventID":"S5W-00645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T16:54:18.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many procedures each NHS board has commissioned to be carried out in the private sector in each year since 2011-12, also broken down by cost.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29600 on 21 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312947,"EventID":"S5W-00647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T16:54:18.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS patients have received treatment in private hospitals in each of the last 18 months, also broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) cost.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of NHS patients treated as an inpatient or day case in the independent sector in the last 18 months up to December 2015 is published quarterly and available on the Information Services Division website.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312948,"EventID":"S5W-00648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T16:54:19.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the NHS targets review committee; what the review's remit is; when it will be completed and the findings published; what plans it has for the review to have cross-party (a) representation and (b) engagement; whether it will invite the Health and Sport Committee to have a role with the review and, if so, what this will be, and whether there any specific NHS targets or guarantees that will not be included in the review.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognise that the health and sport committee considered NHS targets, as part of their work around the scrutiny of NHS board budgets, during the last parliamentary session.\r\nIn developing a review of NHS targets, the Scottish Government is currently considering the membership of the NHS review of targets expert group. The review will consider whether the targets for the NHS in Scotland support improved outcomes for patients; are consistent with and support our strategic priorities; and are an efficient use of resources.\r\nThe expert group will report to ministers and the Scottish Government will publish the report this financial year 2016-17. We will engage with the health and sport committee and political parties as part of the review.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312949,"EventID":"S5W-00654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T16:54:19.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the methadone programme has cost (a) in total and (b) each year since 2011-12, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Scotland does not have a methadone programme. Substitute prescribing, including methadone, is one component in a package of care, treatment and recovery that can be offered to individuals to help them recover from drug addiction. Decisions on the type of treatment to prescribe are for clinicians, in discussion with their clients.\r\nThe specific costs relating to the prescribing of methadone, including ingredient costs and supervision costs, broken down by NHS board and covering the requested years, are published regularly on the ScotPHO website and can be accessed here:http://www.scotpho.org/downloads/drugs/Drugs-prescribing-2014-2015.xls%20, table three provides the specific information requested.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312950,"EventID":"S5W-00656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T16:54:20.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T11:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been on the methadone programme since 2011-12, also broken down by NHS board. ","AnswerText":"In October 2015, information services division Scotland published analysis of individuals on methadone based on those prescriptions with a valid community health index (CHI) number. This analysis was published on the ScotPHO website, and can be accessed here, with the caveat that due to sub-optimal CHI capture rates, the estimates should be regarded as a minimum count of individuals on methadone hydrochloride in Scotland. The results of this analysis were:\r\nIn 2014-15, methadone 1mg/ml solution was prescribed at least once to 25,170 individuals (based on prescriptions with a valid CHI).\r\nThe number of individuals prescribed methadone 1mg/ml solution appears to have reduced from 26,202 individuals in 2011-12.\r\nIn 2014-15, 117,578 (or 27%) of prescriptions did not have a valid CHI number. It is not possible to determine how many additional individuals prescribed methadone 1mg/ml solution would have been identified had these data been complete.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312951,"EventID":"S5W-00658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T16:54:20.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which drug rehabilitation programmes it provides funding for, also broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not directly fund any drug rehabilitation programmes.\r\nSince 2009, the Scottish Government has provided funding towards Scotland's 30 alcohol and drug partnerships (ADPs), embedded within existing community planning structures. ADPs have clear responsibility for developing local strategies and to make sure there is access to a range of appropriate treatment services to promote recovery according to local need and in line with the evidence base for effective treatment provision. £30.4 million was provided to NHS boards for frontline drug treatment services and support in 2015-16.\r\nThe following table provides a breakdown of the range of different treatment options offered across health boards between April 2014 and March 2015:\r\nNHS Board\r\nTotal\r\nStructured preparatory and motivational intervention\r\nPrescribed drug treatment (including but not exclusively methadone)\r\nCommunity based detoxification\r\nCommunity based support and/or rehabilitation\r\nResidential detoxification and rehabilitation\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n21523\r\n9838 (46%)\r\n3332 (15%)\r\n263 (1%)\r\n7572 (35%)\r\n518 (2%)\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n1554\r\n78 (5%)\r\n350 (23%)\r\n83 (5%)\r\n1034 (67%)\r\n9 (1%)\r\nNHS Borders\r\n236\r\n158 (67%)\r\n45 (19%)\r\n7 (3%)\r\n19 (8%)\r\n7 (3%)\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n532\r\n223 (42%)\r\n70 (13%)\r\n*\r\n236 (44%)\r\n*\r\nNHS Fife\r\n2031\r\n785 (39%)\r\n273 (13%)\r\n*\r\n960 (47%)\r\n*\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n881\r\n644 (73%)\r\n150 (17%)\r\n-\r\n*\r\n*\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n2002\r\n980 (49%)\r\n638 (32%)\r\n-\r\n339 (17%)\r\n45 (2%)\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n5961\r\n3732 (63%)\r\n587 (10%)\r\n*\r\n1239 (21%)\r\n*\r\nNHS Highland\r\n643\r\n291 (45%)\r\n173 (27%)\r\n*\r\n169 (26%)\r\n*\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n3171\r\n1251 (39%)\r\n276 (9%)\r\n153 (5%)\r\n1466 (46%)\r\n25 (1%)\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n2728\r\n939 (34%)\r\n306 (11%)\r\n*\r\n1475 (54%)\r\n*\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n14\r\n*\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\n-\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n52\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n15 (29%)\r\n-\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n1641\r\n688 (42%)\r\n439 (27%)\r\n*\r\n511 (31%)\r\n*\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n77\r\n43 (56%)\r\n*\r\n*\r\n23 (30%)\r\n5 (6%)\r\n*Indicates values that have been suppressed due to the potential risk of disclosure and to help maintain client confidentiality.\r\nData source: Information Services Division Scotland (ISD) Management Information – drug and alcohol waiting times treatment tables provided by ISD on 15 June 2016 – note that these figures were extracted from the database more recently than the latest published statistics available.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312952,"EventID":"S5W-00659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T16:54:21.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what drug-related abstinence programmes it has funded since 2011-12, also broken down by NHS board. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not directly fund any drug-related abstinence programmes.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312953,"EventID":"S5W-00663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T16:54:21.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T12:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is making available to (a) individuals and (b) firms in Moray affected by the downturn in the offshore oil and gas sector.","AnswerText":"The key economic and fiscal levers that influence investment and activity in the sector remain with the UK Government; however, the Scottish Government is using our devolved powers to support the industry. We set up the Energy Jobs Taskforce, which continues to coordinate action across the sector and, in February 2016, we introduced a £12 million Transition Training Fund (TTF) to support individuals transition to other employment. We have seen a substantial increase in applications to the TTF in recent weeks following the launch of a dedicated website and we continue to look to review criteria on an on-going basis to ensure its impact is maximised.\r\nThe Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) is the Scottish Government’s initiative dedicated to helping individuals and employers with the advice and support they need when faced with redundancy. Delivery is led by Skills Development Scotland with partners including Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). In addition to the National PACE Team, there are 18 local PACE Teams across Scotland. The Highland PACE Partnership covers Caithness and Sutherland, Moray and Lochaber, ensuring a speedy and effective responses to redundancy situations.\r\nHIE are also continuing to support the oil and gas sector. In 2015-16 HIE invested £458,000 in two companies servicing the international oil and gas sector based in Moray. These investments, all other things being equal, are anticipated to lead to turn over growth of £9.6 million for those companies of which £8.1 million will be from international sales. HIE’s leadership team approved £200,000 towards start-up costs of an electronics firm with high growth potential which specialises in technology for the offshore oil and gas and aerospace industries. In addition HIE will invest £376,000 in upgrading facilities to enable manufacturing to be undertaken within the Moray area.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312954,"EventID":"S5W-00665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T16:54:22.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many additional support for learning teachers there have been each year since 2007, broken down by local authority. ","AnswerText":"The following table sets out the number of additional support for learning teachers in each authority since 2007. These figures only represent the number of teachers in Scotland’s schools who have additional support for learning as their main subject. In 2015, 95 per cent of children and young people with additional support needs were recorded as learning within a mainstream school and received support from a wide range of teaching staff across a range of subjects.\r\n\r\nTeachers with additional support needs for learning as their main subject, 2007 to 2015\r\n\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nAberdeen City\r\n191\r\n184\r\n192\r\n174\r\n161\r\n167\r\n147\r\n116\r\n115\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n209\r\n227\r\n279\r\n292\r\n286\r\n277\r\n265\r\n242\r\n263\r\nAngus\r\n94\r\n105\r\n97\r\n97\r\n102\r\n93\r\n82\r\n79\r\n82\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n29\r\n36\r\n41\r\n42\r\n42\r\n43\r\n41\r\n40\r\n45\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n29\r\n33\r\n35\r\n30\r\n30\r\n26\r\n24\r\n30\r\n30\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n83\r\n125\r\n121\r\n130\r\n124\r\n132\r\n124\r\n120\r\n104\r\nDundee City\r\n182\r\n169\r\n159\r\n159\r\n148\r\n148\r\n137\r\n138\r\n131\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n55\r\n64\r\n115\r\n110\r\n109\r\n111\r\n111\r\n107\r\n107\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n46\r\n66\r\n55\r\n53\r\n50\r\n58\r\n60\r\n53\r\n58\r\nEast Lothian\r\n41\r\n44\r\n60\r\n56\r\n58\r\n55\r\n49\r\n50\r\n46\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n43\r\n46\r\n43\r\n36\r\n34\r\n43\r\n42\r\n42\r\n41\r\nEdinburgh City\r\n166\r\n176\r\n169\r\n168\r\n165\r\n153\r\n150\r\n138\r\n125\r\nEilean Siar\r\n15\r\n19\r\n25\r\n22\r\n22\r\n21\r\n23\r\n15\r\n14\r\nFalkirk\r\n112\r\n122\r\n148\r\n131\r\n133\r\n124\r\n124\r\n116\r\n108\r\nFife\r\n233\r\n235\r\n248\r\n236\r\n209\r\n208\r\n211\r\n173\r\n194\r\nGlasgow City\r\n235\r\n240\r\n214\r\n245\r\n236\r\n260\r\n245\r\n220\r\n194\r\nHighland\r\n225\r\n208\r\n216\r\n190\r\n171\r\n163\r\n150\r\n129\r\n161\r\nInverclyde\r\n49\r\n55\r\n53\r\n47\r\n43\r\n47\r\n46\r\n36\r\n40\r\nMidlothian\r\n44\r\n40\r\n43\r\n40\r\n38\r\n40\r\n60\r\n57\r\n51\r\nMoray\r\n79\r\n96\r\n98\r\n99\r\n99\r\n100\r\n92\r\n87\r\n87\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n104\r\n117\r\n118\r\n116\r\n121\r\n119\r\n125\r\n124\r\n126\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n186\r\n200\r\n189\r\n185\r\n175\r\n162\r\n140\r\n147\r\n130\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n19\r\n22\r\n20\r\n22\r\n26\r\n27\r\n32\r\n29\r\n29\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n39\r\n79\r\n70\r\n73\r\n61\r\n68\r\n83\r\n90\r\n89\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n85\r\n78\r\n62\r\n53\r\n57\r\n54\r\n57\r\n52\r\n49\r\nScottish Borders\r\n78\r\n80\r\n80\r\n65\r\n88\r\n87\r\n81\r\n86\r\n83\r\nShetland Islands\r\n40\r\n45\r\n52\r\n50\r\n44\r\n41\r\n41\r\n37\r\n41\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n83\r\n76\r\n77\r\n106\r\n101\r\n109\r\n106\r\n103\r\n100\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n119\r\n146\r\n151\r\n156\r\n158\r\n152\r\n150\r\n137\r\n130\r\nStirling\r\n27\r\n34\r\n35\r\n43\r\n40\r\n36\r\n38\r\n41\r\n42\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n28\r\n45\r\n52\r\n48\r\n51\r\n50\r\n48\r\n60\r\n55\r\nWest Lothian\r\n92\r\n90\r\n87\r\n88\r\n76\r\n76\r\n73\r\n71\r\n66\r\nScotland\r\n3,062\r\n3,301\r\n3,402\r\n3,363\r\n3,258\r\n3,249\r\n3,157\r\n2,963\r\n2,936\r\nThis includes teachers in primary, secondary, special schools, and centrally employed teachers, with their main subject recorded as: Learning Support Secondary; Learning Support, Primary; SEN (primary) non-recorded pupils; SEN (recorded pupils); SEN (Secondary) non-recorded pupils; SEN Behavioural Support; SEN Learning Difficulties; SEN Physical Disabilities; Hearing Impairment; or Visual Impairment.\r\nThe Scotland total includes teachers at grant aided schools.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312955,"EventID":"S5W-00667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T16:54:23.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the provision of mindfulness therapy as a treatment for mental health problems.","AnswerText":"The concept of mindfulness is widely promoted in a variety of mental health settings as a therapeutic tool in enhancing mental health and wellbeing.\r\n\r\nTo assist in providing effective, evidence-based treatments, the Scottish Government provides funding to NHS Education for Scotland to host the ‘Matrix’, an evidence-based guide for NHS boards on effective psychological treatments for a range of mental health issues. The ‘Matrix’ suggests that mindfulness may be considered as a treatment option for people with mental health problems. NHS Education for Scotland also support training in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312956,"EventID":"S5W-00668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T16:54:23.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made or plans on the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy as a treatment for mental health problems. ","AnswerText":"To assist in providing effective, evidence-based treatments, the Scottish Government provides funding to NHS Education for Scotland to host the ‘Matrix’, an evidence-based guide for NHS boards on effective psychological treatments for a range of mental health issues.\r\nThe ‘Matrix’ suggests that mindfulness may be considered as a treatment option for people with mental health problems. NHS Education for Scotland also support training in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312957,"EventID":"S5W-00669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5669,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-09T16:54:24.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the chief executive officer of Highlands and Islands Enterprise has tendered his resignation.","AnswerText":"The Chief Executive Officer of Highlands and Islands Enterprise tendered his resignation to become Chief Executive of Historic Environment Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312958,"EventID":"S5W-00664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:37.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T14:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of modern apprenticeship places in the oil and gas sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the growth of the modern apprenticeship (MA) programme across the Scottish economy and has maintained had a strong focus in supporting increased numbers of MAs across the energy sector, including oil and gas.\r\nIn delivering our target for 26,000 MA opportunities this year, we have directed Skills Development Scotland to prioritise starts in key and enabling sectors, including the oil and gas sectors, within the annual MA target, which in 2016 has increased to 26,000 starts as a step towards of our commitment to deliver 30,000 starts by 2020.\r\nThe Scottish Government is using all of the levers under our control to support the oil and gas industry. There is an extensive network of support for the oil and gas industry delivered through Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Development International, Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council.\r\nOur focus with our industrial and training partners has been to protect and sustain as many of the current apprenticeships as possible and to incentivise the re-employment of those that have unfortunately been displaced though redundancies. This has been supported through the provision of additional resources to create the enhanced Adopt an Apprentice initiative, which provides a £5,000 recruitment incentive for companies to hire a displaced apprentice and enable them to complete their work based qualifications.\r\nMore widely we have also established the Energy Jobs Taskforce which has published its action plan setting out some of the key measures they are taking forward with the backing and support of key industry leaders. The task force will look to safeguard the decades of skill and experience built up in Scotland’s oil and gas industry, and is focusing on encouraging and influencing flexible approaches to employment that limit job losses and help avoid losing skills and talent vital in the medium and long-term.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312959,"EventID":"S5W-00670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:37.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review funding for disabled sportsmen and -women and provide additional promotion of disabled athletes. ","AnswerText":"Our national agency for sport, sportscotland, invests Scottish Government and National Lottery funding in recognised Scottish governing bodies of sport. Scottish disability sport (SDS) is the coordinating body for all sports for people of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory and learning disability and has the lead role for developing the quality of disability sport for disabled people in Scotland. Sportscotland is investing up to £2,601,400 into SDS for the period 2013-17, an increase of 26% from the previous investment cycle (2009-13). sportscotland reviews its investment into Scottish governing bodies on an annual basis.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312960,"EventID":"S5W-00671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:38.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on mental health services for veterans in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies, including NHS boards and local authorities, to support implementation of policy.\r\n\r\nThe management of local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local spending priorities are the responsibility of relevant local agencies. It is therefore the responsibility of NHS boards and local authorities to work with their partners and regularly review spending decisions to deliver fit for purpose services which respond to local needs.\r\nFunding on mental health promotion, early intervention and appropriate services and treatment for people with mental health problems, including veterans, will continue to be drawn from the overall funds allocated to NHS Scotland and local authorities by the Scottish Government.\r\nAllocations relating to veterans’ issues made from the Scottish Government’s Mental Health Division since 2007-08 are set out in the following table:\r\nScottish Government Mental Health Division Allocations\r\n2007-08 (£)\r\n2008-09 (£)\r\n2009-10 (£)\r\n2010-11 (£)\r\n2011-12 (£)\r\n2012-13 (£)\r\n2013-14 (£)\r\n2014-15 (£)\r\n2015-16 (£)\r\nCombat Stress - specialist mental health services\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n18,000\r\n1,224,090\r\n1,224,090\r\n1,224,090\r\n1,224,090\r\n1,224,090\r\nCombat Stress - specialist mental health services - Travel Expenses\r\n0\r\n0\r\n10,204\r\n11,348\r\n11,659\r\n12,600\r\n11,829\r\n7,640\r\n0\r\nCombat Stress - community mental  health services\r\n0\r\n159,801\r\n200,000\r\n200,000\r\n200,000\r\n200,000\r\n200,000\r\n200,000\r\n200,000\r\nVeterans First Point Lothian\r\n250,000\r\n130,000\r\n130,000\r\n130,000\r\n200,000\r\n200,000\r\n200,000\r\n200,000\r\n200,000\r\nVeterans Scoping Review\r\n0\r\n0\r\n13,215\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2,471\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSAMH Poppy Scotland Conference\r\n0\r\n0\r\n8,500\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n250,000\r\n289,801\r\n361,919\r\n359,348\r\n1,635,749\r\n1,636,690\r\n1,638,390\r\n1,631,730\r\n1,624,090","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312961,"EventID":"S5W-00672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:38.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cleaners have been employed in the NHS in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"While information on how many cleaning staff have been directly employed in each NHS board in each year since 1999 is not centrally held, information on the pre-agenda for change ancillary staff group from 30 September 1999 to 30 September 2006 is published by Information Services Division Scotland (ISD) and can be found in the following link: \r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Historic-Data/WFG01_HB_REG.xls\r\nInformation on the number of whole time equivalent staff working in hotel services from 30 September 2007 to 31 March 2016 is published by ISD Scotland and can be found in the following link:\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2016-06-07/Non-Medical_Trend_M2016.xls","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312962,"EventID":"S5W-00673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:39.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when parity for payments made in respect of children and adults in hospice care will be implemented. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring parity in public sector funding for adult and children’s hospices. An interim funding arrangement which reduces the gap has been agreed for 2016-17. We have initiated a review of hospice funding to report by December 2016 which will include proposals for achieving parity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312963,"EventID":"S5W-00674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:39.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it is developing to increase genetic screening in the NHS for diseases.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government works closely with independent expert advisory group the UK National Screening Committee, who advise ministers and the NHS in the four UK countries about all aspects of screening.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government and the Medical Research Council are investing £4 million and £2 million respectively to the Scottish Genomes Partnership for whole genome sequencing, in collaboration with Genomics England. This will contribute towards research to improve the understanding of genetic diseases and cancers and support the development of new diagnostic tests and treatments, including precision medicine.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312964,"EventID":"S5W-00675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:40.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many heart auto pulse machines are available in the Scottish Ambulance Service and what plans it has to increase the number.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) are currently trialling three heart Autopulse machines in the south east of Scotland as part of their approach to Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA). There are also two Autopulse machines available to SCOTstar, the national specialist transport and retrieval service.\r\n\r\nSAS continually reviews the available evidence about the best way to respond to OHCA to give patients the best chance of survival and recovery, and reviews its training and equipment requirements based on this evidence.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312965,"EventID":"S5W-00676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:40.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the current Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport has visited the Royal Alexandra Hospital and when she last visited the children's ward.","AnswerText":"In the role of Health Secretary, I last visited the Royal Alexandra Hospital on 25 February 2015. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312966,"EventID":"S5W-00678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:41.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-10T08:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the final cost is of the process of the tender for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services Contract. ","AnswerText":"The costs of tendering to transport Scotland from October 2014 to date is £901,000. The estimated total cost through to project completion, November 2016, is £1.1 million.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312967,"EventID":"S5W-00679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:42.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-10T08:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00318 by Humza Yousaf on 8 June 2016, whether it will list each proposed change to the contract that was deemed to be non-compliant, also broken down by the section of the instructions to participants that it fell under.","AnswerText":"Serco Caledonian Ferries Ltd’s. Tender is commercially confidential. Their final tender contained numerous amendments which sought to alter the economic balance of the contract, including changes to the risk-reward mechanism. Their final tender was deemed non-compliant under paragraph 1.1.3 in the Invitation to Submit Final Tender: Volume 2: Instructions to Participants.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312968,"EventID":"S5W-00681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:42.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-10T08:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00318 by Humza Yousaf on 8 June 2016, whether Transport Scotland had advised Serco Caledonian Ferries Ltd that its interim bid for the contract was at risk of non-compliance and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland wrote to Serco Caledonian Ferries Ltd on 28 January 2016 following a meeting on 25 January 2016 to discuss their interim tender. This advised them of non-compliant elements which they subsequently addressed in their final tender, however, their final tender had new non-compliant elements. I refer the member to the answers to questions S5W-00318 on 8 June 2016 and S5W-00679 on 21 June 2016. \r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312969,"EventID":"S5W-00682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:43.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-10T08:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00318 by Humza Yousaf on 8 June 2016, whether Serco Caledonian Ferries Ltd’s final bid for the contract contained information that Transport Scotland had previously objected to or rejected during the tender period and, if so, what this was.","AnswerText":"The terms of the competition allowed participants to put forward proposals for amendments to the draft contract for consideration by Transport Scotland, before the final tender documents were issued. Both participants suggested changes up to this point, some of which were rejected by Transport Scotland and therefore not reflected in the invitation to submit final tender documentation.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312970,"EventID":"S5W-00683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:43.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-10T08:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities' Jewish Objects for Education in Scotland boxes initiative. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the 'Jewish Objects for Education in Scotland' boxes initiative which supports learning and teaching about Judaism and understanding of religious and cultural diversity in Scotland.\r\n\r\nThis initiative was developed by the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities (SCoJeC) with support from Education Scotland. The initiative provides the opportunity for all local authorities to request a free box of authentic Jewish artefacts for use in schools. The resource is accompanied by the offer of career-long professional learning for staff to support the use of the boxes.\r\nEducation Scotland will be working with SCoJeC to evaluate the effectiveness of the initiative, and intends to develop similar initiatives based on this model with other religious and belief groups in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312971,"EventID":"S5W-00684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:44.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-10T11:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00145 by Aileen Campbell on 26 May 2016, how much funding it is providing to each NHS board in 2016-17 from the outcomes framework budget to implement the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework.","AnswerText":"Funding for the sexual health and blood borne virus framework is now included in the £161m outcomes framework budget. Boards have flexibility to allocate funding from that budget for sexual health and blood borne virus activity appropriate to their local needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312972,"EventID":"S5W-00687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:44.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-10T13:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the provision of ventilation and respiratory services and the monitoring and support of patients using these services is as good as possible and that there is equity of service across Scotland.","AnswerText":"It is for each NHS board to ensure that they provide care that is safe, effective and person centred, taking into account local service needs, national guidance and clinical standards. There are Respiratory Managed Clinical Networks in place to ensure a co-ordinated approach to improving respiratory services locally. \r\nNHS National Services Scotland commission services such as Respiratory Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and the home oxygen service on behalf of all NHS boards in Scotland. NSS has a role in ensuring that the services provided are of the highest quality and can be accessed by patients from all parts of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312973,"EventID":"S5W-00688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:45.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-10T13:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce details of its support for three PhD research studentships on motor neurone disease.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00421 on 15 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312974,"EventID":"S5W-00689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:46.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-10T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it (a) has taken or will take to assess the impact of the closure of the children's cancer home, Malcolm Sargent House, on child cancer patients and their families and (b) will take to address any identified gaps in patient care and support. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government understand that this is currently a proposal on which CLIC Sargent is consulting. We are confident from discussion with CLIC Sargent that it has alternative support in place to provide an invaluable service to children and young people with cancer. We support improving outcomes for children and young people with cancer through the managed service network for children and young people with cancer which published its cancer plan in February this year. The Scottish Government allocated an additional £2.5 million from our new cancer strategy, beating cancer: ambition and action, to support the managed service network for children and young people in its work.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312975,"EventID":"S5W-00690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:46.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-10T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had or will have with Clic Sargent in connection with the closure of the children's cancer home, Malcolm Sargent House.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been in contact with CLIC Sargent regarding its proposal and has received a briefing on the reasons behind its decision. We await the outcome of the consultation however we have no remit to intervene in decisions taken by third sector organisations.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312976,"EventID":"S5W-00691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-10T15:40:47.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-10T14:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many trained educational psychologists are currently practising and how this compares annually since 2010.","AnswerText":"The number of trained educational psychologists practising in Scottish local authorities since 2010 is shown in the following table.\r\nYear\r\nFull Time Equivalent (FTE)\r\n2015\r\n370\r\n2014\r\n405\r\n2013\r\n407\r\n2012\r\n411\r\n2011\r\n390\r\n2010\r\n401\r\nSource: Teachers in Scotland 2015, supplementary tables, Table 5.3: Other centrally employed staff, 2007-2015, http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/teachcenssuppdata/teachcensus2015\r\nThe Scottish Government continue to work in partnership with the National Scottish steering group for educational psychologists to ensure a sustainable supply of trained educational psychologists to meet potential future needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312987,"EventID":"S5T-00012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T12:55:20.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T09:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of concerns about the threat to individuals' privacy arising from the surveillance activities of the Scottish Recording Centre. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312988,"EventID":"S5T-00022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T12:55:25.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle hate crimes against LGBTI people.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312989,"EventID":"S5F-00072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T12:54:44.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-09T13:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312990,"EventID":"S5F-00080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T12:54:49.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T09:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312991,"EventID":"S5F-00084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T12:54:51.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress the Scottish Government is making to reduce the availability of unhealthy products in schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312992,"EventID":"S5F-00087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T12:54:52.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet Stonewall Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312993,"EventID":"S5W-00692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T14:47:01.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-10T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a full response to the report by the Taught Postgraduate Study Working Group, which was published on 21 December 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is considering the findings contained in the postgraduate working group's final report carefully, and will produce a response in due course.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government recognises the importance of postgraduate study, and set up the postgraduate working group to identify the barriers to participation for Scottish domiciled students.\r\nAs an interim measure, while the options identified in the report are examined, all Scottish higher education institutions were invited to add an additional 10 taught postgraduate courses to the list of courses for which students are eligible for financial support, for academic year 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312994,"EventID":"S5W-00696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T14:47:02.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in organisations that help improve the lives of LGBTI people.","AnswerText":"Since 2011, the Scottish Government has invested almost £5 million (£4,953,102) in LGBT organisations across Scotland. This funding helps to inform policy development on key priority issues for the LGBTI community, promote equality for LGBTI people and address prejudice and discrimination. As well as providing frontline services, this funding supports engagement with communities, builds capacity building and helps to support leadership in relation to LGBTI issues across Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312995,"EventID":"S5W-00697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T14:47:03.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with the proposed review of non-domestic rates.","AnswerText":"Ken Barclay has been appointed as chair of the group to review non-domestic rates and announcements on additional members will be made shortly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312996,"EventID":"S5W-00698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T14:47:03.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many commercial properties the doubling of the large business rates supplement will apply to, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) industry sector.","AnswerText":" Data by industry sector is not held. However, the number of properties the large business supplement is estimated to apply to in respect of 2016-17, by local authority area and by property classification type, are as follows.\r\n(a) by local authority area\r\nLocal Authority Area\r\nNumber of Properties\r\nAberdeen City\r\n2,324 \r\nAberdeenshire\r\n1,107 \r\nAngus\r\n405 \r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n349 \r\nClackmannanshire\r\n144 \r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n552 \r\nDundee City\r\n944 \r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n415 \r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n302 \r\nEast Lothian\r\n325 \r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n225 \r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n3,910 \r\nEilean Siar\r\n117 \r\nFalkirk\r\n676 \r\nFife\r\n1,618 \r\nGlasgow City\r\n4,740 \r\nHighland\r\n1,396 \r\nInverclyde\r\n303 \r\nMidlothian\r\n369 \r\nMoray\r\n364 \r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n500 \r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n1,548 \r\nOrkney Islands\r\n96 \r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n720 \r\nRenfrewshire\r\n963 \r\nScottish Borders\r\n421 \r\nShetland Islands\r\n146 \r\nLocal Authority Area\r\nNumber of Properties\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n564 \r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n1,476 \r\nStirling\r\n571 \r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n415 \r\nWest Lothian\r\n1,114 \r\nAll Scotland\r\n29,119 \r\n(b) by property type\r\nProperty Type\r\nNumber of Properties\r\nAdvertising\r\n20 \r\nCare Facilities\r\n986 \r\nCommunications\r\n90 \r\nCultural\r\n198 \r\nEducation and Training\r\n2,401 \r\nGarages and Petrol Stations\r\n447 \r\nHealth and Medical\r\n756 \r\nHotels\r\n960 \r\nIndustrial Subjects\r\n6,082 \r\nLeisure, Entertainment, Caravans etc.\r\n1,213 \r\nNot in Use\r\n1 \r\nOffices\r\n5,192 \r\nOther\r\n342 \r\nPetrochemical\r\n79 \r\nPublic Houses\r\n851 \r\nPublic Service \r\n1,251 \r\nQuarries, Mines, etc.\r\n123 \r\nReligious\r\n233 \r\nShops\r\n7,507 \r\nSporting \r\n59 \r\nStatutory Undertaking (utility)\r\n328 \r\nAll types\r\n29,119 \r\nBased on number of properties on valuation roll as at 1 April 2016","AnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312997,"EventID":"S5W-00699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T14:47:03.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much additional tax revenue it expects will be generated in each local authority area by the doubling of the large business rates supplement.","AnswerText":"Additional non-domestic rates income generated in each local authority area from the increase in the large business supplement is estimated to be as follows in 2016-17.\r\nLocal Authority\r\nEstimated Additional Revenue (£m)\r\nAberdeen City\r\n5.0\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n2.1\r\nAngus\r\n0.6\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n0.7\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n0.3\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n0.9\r\nDundee City\r\n1.6\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n0.6\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n0.5\r\nEast Lothian\r\n0.5\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n0.3\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n8.7\r\nEilean Siar\r\n0.1\r\nFalkirk\r\n1.7\r\nFife\r\n4.1\r\nGlasgow City\r\n8.7\r\nHighland\r\n2.7\r\nInverclyde\r\n0.5\r\nMidlothian\r\n0.7\r\nMoray\r\n0.8\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n0.9\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n2.6\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n0.2\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n1.1\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n2.3\r\nScottish Borders\r\n0.6\r\nShetland Islands\r\n0.6\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n0.9\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n7.2\r\nStirling\r\n1.0\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n1.9\r\nWest Lothian\r\n2.0\r\nScotland\r\n62.4 \r\n*Figures are an estimate based on valuation roll and billing system snapshot data.\r\nCertain local authorities collect non-domestic rates on behalf of utilities located in other areas, which may make those appear to collect disproportionate amounts.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312998,"EventID":"S5W-00700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T14:47:04.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities have made use of their new powers under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 to provide local discretionary business rates relief.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will monitor local discretionary rates relief awarded under powers created by Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":312999,"EventID":"S5W-00701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T14:47:04.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T09:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the level of female employment in Scotland compares with the rest of the UK. ","AnswerText":"In February to April 2016 the number of females in employment in Scotland was 1,264,000, this compares to 14,728,000 females in employment in the UK.\r\nSource: Labour Force Survey, Seasonally adjusted, Office for National Statistics (Published 15 June 2016)","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313000,"EventID":"S5F-00090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T12:54:54.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the future of paediatric services across Lothian.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313001,"EventID":"S5F-00091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T12:54:56.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government plans to restrict the amount of alcohol that can be sold in pubs and supermarkets.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313002,"EventID":"S5F-00097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T12:54:59.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will ensure that existing infrastructure is expanded to cope with new demand from housing developments.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313003,"EventID":"S5F-00103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T12:55:03.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to improve access to IVF treatment. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313022,"EventID":"S5W-00723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T15:20:43.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T15:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many parliamentary liaison officers have been appointed; to which ministers, and what their responsibilities are.","AnswerText":"The First Minister has appointed 13 parliamentary liaison officers (PLOs), listed as follows, to assist in developing and maintaining a positive and constructive relationship between the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government and to take account of the views of the Parliament and of Scotland as a whole. PLOs are unpaid, are not members of the government and are not, therefore, bound by collective responsibility.\r\nParliamentary Liaison Officer\r\nPortfolio\r\nBen Macpherson MSP\r\nGail Ross MSP\r\nOffice of the First Minister\r\nGeorge Adam MSP\r\nMairi Evans MSP\r\nCommunities, Social Security and Equalities\r\nAsh Denham MSP\r\nCulture, Tourism and External Affairs\r\nIvan McKee MSP\r\nGillian Martin MSP\r\nEconomy, Jobs and Fair Work \r\nJenny Gilruth MSP\r\nEducation and Skills\r\nAngus McDonald MSP\r\nEnvironment, Climate Change and Land Reform\r\nKate Forbes MSP\r\nFinance and Constitution\r\nTom Arthur MSP\r\nHealth and Sport\r\nFulton MacGregor MSP\r\nJustice\r\nEmma Harper MSP\r\nRural Economy and Connectivity\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313023,"EventID":"S5W-00710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:23.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00174 by Roseanna Cunningham on 31 May 2016, by what date it will (a) set and (b) announce the emissions targets.","AnswerText":"The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 requires that annual emissions targets for the years 2028 to 2032 are set by 31 October 2016, or as soon as reasonably practicable afterwards.\r\nA statement in relation to the level of these targets will be published once the draft of a statutory instrument containing a target-setting order has been laid before the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313024,"EventID":"S5W-00711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:24.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00175 by Roseanna Cunningham on 31 May 2016, whether it remains committed to its plan set out in Aileen McLeod's letter to the convener of the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee on 26 November 2015 \"to lay a draft setting out [RPP3] proposals and policies for meeting targets to 2032 in the Parliament towards the end of 2016\".","AnswerText":"The Climate Change Act (Scotland) 2009 requires that, as soon as reasonably practicable after setting a batch of annual targets, ministers publish a report detailing proposals and policies for meeting those targets. Targets in the period 2028-32 require to be set in legislation by 31 October 2016, or as soon as reasonably practicable afterwards. \r\nWork is on-going on the third report on policies and proposals (RPP3) setting out how we will meet targets out to 2032, and I intend to lay a draft of RPP3 before Parliament in December 2016. The draft report will be subject to a 60-day period for Parliamentary consideration.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313025,"EventID":"S5W-00712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:25.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T11:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the University of Dundee making staff reductions and cancelling degree level courses in history for 2016-17, what impact it considers its education policy has had on higher education in the north east and what steps it will take to ensure that budget reductions will not impact on student attainment and experience and that universities can attract and retain academics.","AnswerText":"These are particularly challenging times for the north east and we will continue to invest heavily in further and higher education in the region.\r\nIn 2016-17, the Scottish Government will again invest more than £1 billion in our higher education sector – the fifth year in succession where investment has exceeded that figure. Specifically, universities in the north east of Scotland will benefit from more than £180 million of direct investment in 2016-17.\r\nLevels of investment like these provide a stable base which enables our universities to attract a range of additional funding.\r\nAs autonomous institutions, universities are responsible for their own finances and decisions on workforce planning. However, I would expect all universities to consult on these matters with staff and unions, with the aim of ensuring no disruption to students.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313026,"EventID":"S5W-00717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:26.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T14:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address the \"downward trend\" in the take up of cervical screening that was reported in its news release of 6 June 2016, Women urged to go for smear test.","AnswerText":"We fully support the objective of increasing uptake in the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme and work has been taking place to help address the fall in cervical screening uptake rates.\r\n\r\nScottish Government officials meet cervical screening coordinators from all NHS boards on a quarterly basis to discuss a range of issues relating to the national screening programme, including increasing uptake of screening. NHS boards have responsibility for publicising screening within their local area and for working closely with their communities to increase screening uptake. Work of this nature is continually taking place within NHS boards. Recent local initiatives have included development of a toolkit which allows GP practices to benchmark their current practice and develop action plans to improve their uptake and an ongoing pharmacy prescription bag pilot which involves pharmacists targeting key cervical cancer screening promotional messages to those eligible to participate. \r\nFollowing recent changes to the eligible age range and frequency of screening in the cervical screening programme an awareness raising campaign will soon be launched, this will aim to highlight to all women the importance of attending cervical screening and to address some of the barriers which prevent women attending. Furthermore, our on-going ‘Detect Cancer Early’ social marketing campaigns aim to raise awareness and encourage participation in the national cancer screening programmes. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313027,"EventID":"S5W-00718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:26.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the new scheme to support oil and gas workers to retrain as teachers, announced by John Swinney on 13 June 2016, is in addition to the University of Aberdeen's Postgraduate Diploma in Education intake target, and whether there will be any net increase in the number of people taking this course in Aberdeen as a result of the scheme.","AnswerText":"The target intake of 20 places for this scheme is part of the Scottish Government’s funded Professional Graduate Diploma in Education places for the University of Aberdeen for 2016-17. \r\nThe University of Aberdeen did not recruit their full allocation of students, therefore, this will increase the number of students taking this course. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313028,"EventID":"S5W-00719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:27.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, with regard to the announcement by John Swinney on 13 June 2016 of a new scheme to support oil and gas workers to retrain as teachers, how many places are being made available on this scheme and at what cost to the Scottish Government.","AnswerText":"There will be up to 20 places available on the University of Aberdeen’s Professional Graduate Diploma in Education Internship scheme to support oil and gas workers to retrain as teachers. \r\n\r\nThe expected cost to the Scottish Government, through the Transition Training Fund, is up to £400,000.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313029,"EventID":"S5W-00720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:28.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the funding for the new scheme to support oil and gas workers to retrain as teachers announced by John Swinney on 13 June 2016 will come from the £12 million Transition Training Fund and, if not, how the scheme will be funded.","AnswerText":"Funding for this initiative will come from the £12 million Transition Training Fund.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313030,"EventID":"S5W-00721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:29.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T14:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comment by Michael Matheson on 10 June 2016 in the news release, Tackling hate crime, that \"I have asked Scottish football to take further steps to address this long-standing issue and I expect to see progress on this imminently”, whether it will provide a breakdown of the steps that it has asked the football authorities to take.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made it clear that unacceptable conduct and the disorder that marred the 2016 Scottish Cup Final has no place in football.\r\n\r\nWe expect our football authorities and clubs to proactively take action to swiftly develop and deliver their own robust solution to address unacceptable conduct. This remains our preferred solution, and we are working constructively with the authorities and clubs to achieve this.\r\nWe have not prescribed what action must be taken.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313031,"EventID":"S5W-00724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:30.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will seek to hold a parliamentary debate on the Race Equality Framework for Scotland 2016-2030.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government would welcome a debate about the Race Equality Framework and will look to scheduling this.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313032,"EventID":"S5W-00725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:31.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to appoint a race framework advisor, as stated in the 2016 SNP manifesto; what the advisor's (a) remit and (b) responsibilities will be, and whether he/she will lead an advisory committee or act independently.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently taking forward discussions to appoint a Race Equality Framework advisor who will act to take forward the actions in the race framework. The remit and responsibilities of the advisor will be made available following discussion and agreement with the advisor.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313033,"EventID":"S5W-00728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:31.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to resource the implementation of the specific actions in the Race Equality Framework for Scotland 2016-2030 in the current parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"Work to progress the actions within the Race Equality Framework has already begun within the Scottish Government and across our partner organisations and will continue through 2016 and beyond. There are a number of projects funded through the promoting equality and cohesion fund covering the period 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 which will contribute to the commitments in the framework. Considerations as to longer term funding will be taken as part of normal spending review processes. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313034,"EventID":"S5W-00729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:32.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish information on the implementation planning mechanisms, governance and review arrangements that it has committed to develop for the Race Equality Framework for Scotland 2016-2030.","AnswerText":"We are committed to developing an overarching approach to implementation and monitoring of the Race Equality Framework in the first six months. We intend to do that collaboratively with key stakeholders during the summer and will publish the details on implementation thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313035,"EventID":"S5W-00730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:32.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what notifications it has received from NHS boards of insufficient GP cover to meet demand.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00460 on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313036,"EventID":"S5W-00731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:33.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what NHS capital projects are underway, at what cost and with what expected completion date.","AnswerText":"NHS capital projects in development (with a capital value over £5 million) are listed below along with the expected cost and estimated completion date. The various projects have been grouped into public capital, non-profit distribution (NPD) and revenue financed hub investments. In addition to these capital projects, NHS boards will undertake further capital investments which are within their delegated limits and do not need Scottish Government approval.\r\nPublic Capital:\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran – Building for Better Care (£28 million), completion expected 2017\r\nNHS Grampian – Baird Family Hospital and Anchor Centre (£120 million), Timescales TBC\r\nNHS Highland - Raigmore Critical Care and Theatres (£29 million), completion expected 2019\r\nNHS Lanarkshire - Monklands Hospital Theatres and ICU (£20 million), completion expected 2018\r\nNHS Western Isles - St Brendans Hospital (circa £9 million), Timescales TBC\r\nScottish Ambulance Service - Fleet Replacement for period 2016/2021 (circa £80 million), ongoing\r\nNHS Scotland – Elective centres (circa £200 million), timescales TBC\r\nNPD\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran - Acute Mental Health & North Ayrshire Community Hospital (£55 million), completion expected 2016\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway - Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary (£274 million), completion expected 2018\r\nNHS Lothian - Royal Hospital for Sick Children / Department of Clinical Neurosciences (£230 million), completion expected 2017\r\nNHS Orkney - New Balfour Hospital (£67 million), completion expected 2018\r\nNational Services Scotland - Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service National Centre (£38 million), completion expected 2017\r\nRevenue-financed Hub projects\r\nNHS Forth Valley – Stirling Care Village (circa £35 million), completion TBC.\r\nNHS Grampian - Inverurie Health and Care Hub (£14 million), completion expected 2018\r\nNHS Grampian - Foresterhill Campus - Foresterhill Health Centre (£8 million), completion expected 2018\r\nNHS Grampian - Primary Healthcare Priorities in Grampian (£19 million), completion TBC\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – Maryhill and Eastwood Health Centres (£25 million), completion expected 2016\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – Gorbals and Woodside Health Centres (circa £33 million), completion expected 2017\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – Inverclyde Continuing Care for Adults and Older People (£8.5 million), completion expected 2017\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – Clydebank and Greenock Health Centres (circa £38 million), completion expected 2019\r\nNHS Highland - Community Hospitals for Skye, Lochalsh and South West Ross and Badenoch and Strathspey (circa £30 million), timescales TBC\r\nNHS Lothian – Partnership Centres – Blackburn, NW Edinburgh, Firhill (circa £25 million), completion expected 2018\r\nNHS Lothian – East Lothian Community Hospital (circa £65 million), completion expected 2020\r\nNHS Lothian - Royal Edinburgh Campus Redevelopment (Phase 1 £49 million, further phases circa £120 million), Phase 1 expected completion 2016, further phases TBC\r\nNHS Tayside - NHS Scotland Pharmaceuticals Specials Service (£26 million), timescales TBC\r\nNHS Tayside - Dundee Community Care (circa £20 million), timescales TBC","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313037,"EventID":"S5W-00732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:33.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 6 June 2016, Women urged to go for smear test, what steps it is taking to improve the uptake of cervical screening among women (a) over 50, (b) with learning difficulties and (c) in deprived areas. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials meet cervical screening coordinators from all NHS boards on a quarterly basis to share best practice in promoting cervical screening services, development of initiatives to improve uptake and how best to communicate effectively with a range of audiences. \r\nThe Scottish Government is currently working with NHS Health Scotland, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, Cancer Research UK and the territorial boards to develop an awareness raising campaign which will aim to increase awareness of cervical screening among all women. During a second phase the campaign will be targeted towards women aged over 50. NHS boards have also sited information stalls at leisure centres and other community settings to target women over 50.\r\nRecent local initiatives to increase the screening uptake for women with learning difficulties have included delivering training to day centre staff who work with people with learning difficulties and having dedicated staff working with women with learning difficulties, facilitating cervical screening and then assisting during appointments. We also encourage all NHS boards to utilise the information materials available to them in discussing cervical screening with women who have learning difficulties. In particular, the two easy read leaflets in NHS Health Scotland's 'Keep Yourself Healthy' series which deal with cervical screening, both of which are available to support people with learning difficulties in making an informed decision.\r\nInitiatives which have taken place recently to increase uptake among women in deprived areas include events being held at local colleges; dedicated nurses working with the local homeless and travelling women to assist them with GP registration; and full health assessments including screening tests and evening clinics being held in GP practices in the most deprived areas. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313038,"EventID":"S5W-00734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:34.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 6 June 2016, Women urged to go for smear test, what recent assessment it has made of the barriers that might deter women from attending cervical screening.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government commissioned NHS Health Scotland to undertake research with women into the reasons for non-uptake of the screening invitation at the end of 2015. A large part of this research focused on the facilitators and barriers to uptake. The results of this work has informed the communications strategy which supports the cervical screening programme and has fed into the development of an upcoming awareness raising campaign.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313039,"EventID":"S5W-00735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-13T16:45:34.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 6 June 2016, Women urged to go for smear test, what recent assessment it has made of the reasons that women in different age groups might not attend cervical screening.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government commissioned NHS Health Scotland to undertake research with women into the reasons for non-uptake of the screening invitation in 2015. This research was carried out with women from both younger and older age groups and will be used to consider how we can deliver targeted communications to different age groups to improve uptake of cervical screening. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313053,"EventID":"S5W-00737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T09:25:14.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the additional data published by the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) on 10 June 2016 clarifying that the scope of its undergraduate scheme for providers in Scotland increased in 2015 to include courses previously recruited through the postgraduate UCAS Teacher Training scheme and there has been variability in the recording of very late acceptances from cycle to cycle.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the publication of this additional data by UCAS clarifying the scope of the previously published figures, including those referenced by the First Minister at First Minister’s Questions on 9 June 2016. We also welcome that the figures continue to show that, even accounting for the issues UCAS subsequently clarified, the number of people of all ages accepted through UCAS to Scottish universities from the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland increased from 4,020 in 2014 to 4,075 in 2015, an increase of 1.4%. The increase since 2010 is 17.6%.\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313054,"EventID":"S5W-00736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T13:42:37.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-30377 by John Swinney on 16 March 2016, on what date further details of phase 2 of the superfast broadband programme will be confirmed, including who will be eligible to bid for contracts and whether the programme will be broken down by region.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to delivering 100% superfast broadband by 2021 and further details will be available in due course. The current focus is on finalising the coverage footprints that will be delivered by the two digital Scotland superfast broadband projects, and then undertaking an open market review(s) to confirm a new intervention area for the next phase.\r\nAll telecoms suppliers capable of delivering projects within the intervention area will be eligible to bid for the contracts, and any decisions to break the programme down by region will be determined after the digital Scotland superfast broadband coverage footprint has been finalised and the open market review(s) has been completed.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313055,"EventID":"S5W-00738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T13:42:38.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the waiting time at NHS Highland is for cataract operations and how this compares with the other NHS boards.","AnswerText":"The specific information requested is not available centrally - waiting time information is only collected at specialty level. For the quarter ending 31 March 2016 the median wait for a patient to receive inpatient or day case treatment in the specialty of ophthalmology in NHS Highland was 62 days - this compares with a NHS Scotland median wait of 52 days. Under the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 all patient should receive their inpatient or day case treatment, including a cataract operation within 12 weeks of a patient agreeing treatment with their consultant. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313056,"EventID":"S5W-00748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T13:42:39.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which north-east business or stakeholder groups (a) are involved in the steering group for and (b) will be consulted as part of the feasibility study into improvements on the rail line between Aberdeen and the central belt.","AnswerText":"Network rail’s own development work is being progressed using standard rail industry processes. This will help inform the development of options available to both respond to the growth in passenger numbers predicted for the route and to deliver the Scottish Government’s aspirations for improved journey times and performance. These will initially be set out in the final Network rail Scotland route study and subsequent rail delivery group advice on future investment choices, both of which are due for publication later this year.\r\nSeparate development work for the rail commitment made in the additional funding of £254 million the Scottish Government announced alongside the city region deal is being progressed by Transport Scotland, the remit of which is consistent with the announcements made in January. Key stakeholders will include council authorities and business groups along the line, regional transport partnerships and industry groups such as rail passenger and freight groups. The Aberdeen City region deal joint committee will be kept updated as the study and any emerging interventions progress.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313057,"EventID":"S5W-00749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T13:42:40.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates any minister has met Network Rail since 2008 to discuss the rail line improvements between Aberdeen and the central belt.","AnswerText":"Potential improvements for the railway between Aberdeen and the central belt have featured regularly in general discussions and meetings between ministers and senior Network Rail officials since 2008. These discussions were subsequently reflected in the potential interventions set out in the strategic transport projects review, development requirements made in the June 2012 high level output specification, and most recently through the £200 million additional rail investment announced in January 2016 alongside the Aberdeen City region deal.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313058,"EventID":"S5W-00750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T13:42:41.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers instructed Network Rail to commence a feasibility study, as stated by Keith Brown on 9 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), into delivering the 20-minute reduction in journey times on the rail line between Aberdeen and the central belt to which it has committed.","AnswerText":"Work has been progressing on options for improving the Aberdeen to central belt route since the publication of the strategic transport projects review inOctober 2009 with progress subject to budgets and resources available. Transport Scotland and ScotRail alliance officials met on 10 February 2016 to discuss options for potential interventions to deliver travel benefits on the line within the timeframe of the city region deal made possible by the additional £200 million commitment. Initial discussions have identified potential options for delivery between Aberdeen and Dundee, which will be developed further in line with Network Rail’s governance for railway investment projects process.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313059,"EventID":"S5W-00751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T13:42:42.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has specified what Network Rail should do to deliver the 20-minute reduction in journey times on the rail line between Aberdeen and the central belt to which it has committed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has set out its aspirations for improvements in journey times and performance between Aberdeen and the central belt. It is a matter for Network Rail, working with its rail industry partners, to set out the choices available to the Scottish Government to realise those aspirations, including those set out most recently through the Scottish Government’s commitment to invest an additional £254 million in funding alongside the Aberdeen city region deal commitments. This industry advice will be provided in autumn 2016, informed by the final Network Rail Scotland route study which is due to be published in July 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313060,"EventID":"S5W-00752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T13:42:43.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the scope of the feasibility study into the improvements on the rail line between Aberdeen and the central belt will be published and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"Network Rail’s own development work is being progressed using standard rail industry processes. This will help inform the development of options available to both respond to the growth in passenger numbers predicted for the route and to deliver the Scottish Government’s aspirations for improved journey times and performance. These will initially be set out in the final Network Rail Scotland route study and subsequent rail delivery group advice on future investment choices, both of which are due for publication later this year.\r\nSeparate development work for the rail commitment made in the additional funding of £254 million the Scottish Government announced alongside the Aberdeen City region deal is being progressed by transport Scotland, the remit of which is in line with the announcements made in January 2016.\r\nFull delivery is expected over the course of the 10-year city deal period, with specification of initial requirements to be set out in the Scottish Government’s high level output specification for control period 6 (period 2019 to 2024), which is due to be published by summer 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313061,"EventID":"S5W-00753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T13:42:43.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when Network Rail will finish conducting its feasibility study into improvements on the rail line between Aberdeen and the central belt, as stated by Keith Brown on 9 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), and when the Scottish Government will receive that feasibility study.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00752 on 21 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313083,"EventID":"S5W-00714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T16:57:46.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that local authorities make provision for adequate as well as dedicated cycle routes in, to and through each of Scotland’s cities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides funding directly to local authorities through the cycling, walking and safer streets capital grant for projects that build and promote safe cycling and walking paths. last year we also announced a new competition called community links plus which invites local authorities to bid for significant funding for on-road segregated cycle paths. I will announce the winner of this competition in the autumn.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government is investing record levels of funding in active travel, around £39 million in 2015-16 and I have made a commitment to match that in this current financial year. Sustrans receive the majority of this for its community links projects which this year has attracted matched funding of £23.5 million from local authorities and other stakeholders.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313084,"EventID":"S5W-00739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T16:57:46.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00012 by Michael Matheson on 14 June 2016, what access restrictions are in place on the data held by the Scottish Recording Centre. ","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Police Service of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313085,"EventID":"S5W-00740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T16:57:47.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00012 by Michael Matheson on 14 June 2016, what the (a) role and (b) remit is of the Scottish Recording Centre; whether it will provide a breakdown of the nature of its work; how many staff it employs, and how many offices it has, broken down by location. ","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Police Service of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313086,"EventID":"S5W-00744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T16:57:48.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00012 by Michael Matheson on 14 June 2016, whether (a) ministers and (b) officials were made aware that the Scottish Recording Centre received metadata from the GCHQ programme, Milkwhite, and, if so, when. ","AnswerText":"The data-sharing arrangements entered into by the Police Service of Scotland and its partners, is an operational matter for the parties concerned.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313087,"EventID":"S5W-00745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T16:57:49.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00012 by Michael Matheson on 14 June 2016, whether the (a) Cabinet, (b) Cabinet Secretary for Justice and (c) Cabinet's resilience sub-committee receives reports from the Scottish Recording Centre and, if so, how often.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government receives reports on occasion in connection with the warrants that are authorised by the Scottish Ministers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313088,"EventID":"S5W-00747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T16:57:50.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00012 by Michael Matheson on 14 June 2016, which Police Scotland ranks can access the information held by the Scottish Recording Centre.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Police Service of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313089,"EventID":"S5W-00754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T16:57:51.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T13:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times in each of the past 12 months services on the Far North Line have not stopped at (a) Beauly and (b) Conon Bridge station because they were subject to delay, broken down by the reason for the delay.","AnswerText":"In each of the past 12 months services on the Far North Line have not stopped at (a) Beauly and (b) Conon Bridge station, because they were subject to delay, for the following reasons:\r\n\r\nMONTH\r\nREPORTED CAUSE\r\nBEAULY\r\nCONON BRIDGE\r\nJune-2015\r\nCause not reported\r\n8\r\n6\r\n\r\nConductor issues\r\n2\r\n2\r\n\r\nLevel crossing failure\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\nOther mechanical issue\r\n2\r\n2\r\nJuly-2015\r\nCause not reported\r\n2\r\n2\r\n\r\nDiesel traction failure\r\n2\r\n2\r\n\r\nTelephone failure\r\n2\r\n\r\nAug-2015\r\nCause not reported\r\n2\r\n2\r\nSept-2015\r\nDiesel loco failure (so reported)\r\n2\r\n2\r\n\r\nFire external to railway infrastructure\r\n2\r\n2\r\nNov-2015\r\nAdhesion issues\r\n2\r\n2\r\n\r\nCause not reported\r\n8\r\n6\r\n\r\nDiesel traction failure\r\n2\r\n2\r\n\r\nDoor fault\r\n2\r\n2\r\n\r\nDriver issues\r\n2\r\n2\r\n\r\nLevel crossing failure\r\n 2\r\n 2\r\n\r\nToken equipment failure\r\n\r\n 2\r\nDec-2015\r\nCause not reported \r\n 4\r\n 4\r\n\r\nDriver issues\r\n 2\r\n 2\r\nJan-2016\r\nDiesel traction failure\r\n 2\r\n 2\r\n\r\nTelecom equipment failure \r\n 2\r\n 2\r\nFeb-2016\r\nDiesel traction failure \r\n 2\r\n 2\r\n\r\nTelecom equipment failure \r\n 4\r\n 4\r\nApril-2016\r\nHigh winds (so reported) \r\n2\r\n 2\r\n\r\nOther mechanical issues\r\n 4\r\n 4\r\nMay-2016\r\nDiesel traction failure \r\n 2\r\n2\r\n\r\nExternal object encroaching onto infrastructure \r\n 2\r\n2\r\n\r\nTelecom equipment failure\r\n 6\r\n 6\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n12-MONTH TOTAL \r\n 74\r\n 72","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313090,"EventID":"S5W-00755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T16:57:52.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29382 by Maureen Watt on 29 January 2016, during which month in 2017 it will introduce the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) as part of the bowel screening programme to replace the fecal occult blood test (FOBT).","AnswerText":"The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) Implementation Group, which includes Scottish Government officials, is actively working to introduce FIT as a first line test in the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme, but a final date for implementation has not yet been confirmed. The Scottish Government remains committed to introducing this change to the programme in 2017.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313091,"EventID":"S5W-00756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-14T16:57:52.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce human papillomavirus (HPV) testing as the primary test in the cervical cancer screening programme, following recommendations from the UK National Screening Committee.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently working with NHS Scotland on the development of a business case on the introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing to the cervical screening programme. This business case is expected to be submitted later in 2016 and Scottish Ministers will make a decision on the future use of HPV testing in the programme on the basis of the evidence and assessment it provides.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313100,"EventID":"S5W-00693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:50:00.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T09:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many properties do not have reasonable access to neighbouring properties in order to carry out vital repairs to their own property written into their deeds.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313101,"EventID":"S5W-00694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:11.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T09:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action property owners who do not have the right of reasonable access to neighbouring properties can take in order to carry out vital repairs to their own property written into their deeds.","AnswerText":"A property owner who does not have access rights written into their title deeds, and those of their neighbour(s), to carry out repairs could seek to obtain the consent of their neighbour(s) to obtain such rights. A solicitor could provide advice and arrange for any necessary agreements to be drawn up. Once the documents were agreed, the changes could be registered in the property registers held by registers of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313102,"EventID":"S5W-00695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:12.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T09:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to change the legislation on property ownership to require property owners to allow reasonable access to their property if access is required to carry out vital repairs to a neighbouring property.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no current plans to change the legislation in this area.\r\nIn relation to flatted properties, section 17 of the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 gives homeowners reasonable access for maintenance and other purposes through the property of other owners. Section 17 is available at:- http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2004/11/contents\r\nThere is no equivalent legislation for non-flatted properties. In some cases title deeds, servitude rights over neighbouring land or the common law may provide the necessary access rights. Access to neighbouring land might also be permitted by way of a private arrangement between individuals. Where parties are in dispute, mediation can sometimes provide assistance. However, if the member has evidence that a change in the law would be helpful, I would be happy to consider the issue further. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313103,"EventID":"S5W-00758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:12.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of limiting social sector rents to the local housing allowance rate. ","AnswerText":"In Scotland, these changes by the UK Government will principally impact on single people under 35 and potentially on people in supported accommodation from April 2018. \r\nFor single claimants under the age of 35, the shared accommodation rate within the LHA sets a limit based on the costs of a room in a shared property. Based on current housing benefit caseload the imposition of the shared accommodation rate could affect between 25,000 and 30,000 social sector households in Scotland if their rents are above the shared accommodation rate for their area.\r\nThe UK Government has not yet announced how its policy will apply to households in supported accommodation and we will continue to press the UK Government to ensure that supported accommodation is exempt from these changes.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313104,"EventID":"S5W-00759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:13.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its response to recommendation 59 of the Welfare Reform Committee’s 6th report 2015, The Future Delivery of Social Security in Scotland, that, “We are listening to stakeholder feedback about Local Housing Allowance rates and will take a range of views into consideration before looking at options to vary the existing system”, (a) what stakeholders it has consulted and (b) when it will make a decision regarding these rates.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been inviting comments and views from all stakeholders on the use of future social security powers through the Fairer Scotland programme of activity and will continue to do so as part of the consultation on the Social Security Bill later this year.\r\nThe Scottish Government has discussed this issue with a range of stakeholders through the Housing Benefit Reform Stakeholder Advisory Group, the Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group and meetings with organisations including COSLA, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Scottish Women's Aid. Scottish Government officials have also taken part in meetings between the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Scottish stakeholders about the issues.\r\nThe Scottish Government is particularly concerned about the potential impact of imposing local housing allowance rates on supported accommodation. The DWP is expected to clarify its position on the issue in summer 2016, and depending on that clarification, the Scottish Government will then consider whether it should take any action in this area.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313105,"EventID":"S5W-00761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:14.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T17:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to encourage joint working between NHS boards and local authorities in (a) Orkney and (b) the rest of the country.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is providing a broad range of support – financial and practical – to health and social care partnerships.\r\nIn agreement with local government and the NHS, Scottish Government officials have begun a programme of direct engagement with health and social care partnerships across Scotland, as well as holding regular development sessions for Chairs and Vice Chairs of Partnerships to facilitate communication, relationships and learning. Further, we have commissioned leadership development support for Chief Officers and have commissioned NHS NSS to provide linked data for health and social care to local systems, and support its better use as a foundation for effective strategic commissioning of services.\r\nThe Scottish Government provides the £100 million integrated care fund to health and social care partnerships, to help drive the shift towards prevention and further strengthen our approach to tackling inequalities. Orkney’s allocation for this financial year is £410,000. In addition, we are investing £30 million each year for the delayed discharge fund, of which £123,000 has been allocated to Orkney. Our 2016-17 budget set out our plans to invest a further £250 million each year through health and social care partnerships, to protect and grow social care services. Orkney’s allocation of this is £1.07 million.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313106,"EventID":"S5W-00762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:15.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T17:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many community health posts have been relocated (a) in and (b) from (i) Orkney and (ii) the Highlands and Islands in each of the last five years, and how this compares with the rest of the country.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. Specific local information may be available from NHS Scotland health boards.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313107,"EventID":"S5W-00763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:16.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T17:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that community health posts in remote and rural areas are protected. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to the delivery of sustainable high quality healthcare in remote and rural areas. However, it is important to ensure that community health workers serve all our communities, which is why we have provided funding for 500 additional health visitors. Furthermore, the number of community nursing and midwifery staff has increased by over 2,500 whole time equivalent, or 28 per cent under this government.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313108,"EventID":"S5W-00764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:17.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T17:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average wage is in each parliamentary constituency, listed by ranking.","AnswerText":"The following table provides the median gross weekly earnings for full-time employees in Scotland for 2015 by Scottish parliamentary constituency. \r\nScottish Parliamentary Constituency\r\nMedian Gross Weekly Pay (£)\r\nRank\r\nAberdeen Donside\r\n595.3\r\n1\r\nAberdeen South and North Kincardine\r\n526.9\r\n2\r\nEdinburgh Western\r\n524.9\r\n3\r\nEdinburgh Pentlands\r\n516.7\r\n4\r\nCowdenbeath\r\n513.7\r\n5\r\nAberdeenshire West\r\n510.1\r\n6\r\nGlasgow Pollok\r\n489.1\r\n7\r\nEdinburgh Eastern\r\n485.7\r\n8\r\nEdinburgh Central\r\n481.5\r\n9\r\nGlasgow Kelvin\r\n466.1\r\n10\r\nShetland Islands\r\n463.0\r\n11\r\nEdinburgh Southern\r\n454.6\r\n12\r\nAberdeen Central\r\n454.6\r\n13\r\nDumbarton\r\n447.0\r\n14\r\nGlasgow Shettleston\r\n444.7\r\n15\r\nAirdrie and Shotts\r\n439.8\r\n16\r\nFalkirk East\r\n439.6\r\n17\r\nUddingston and Bellshill\r\n438.4\r\n18\r\nDundee City West\r\n430.2\r\n19\r\nRutherglen\r\n427.3\r\n20\r\nRenfrewshire North and West\r\n426.2\r\n21\r\nClackmannanshire and Dunblane\r\n425.6\r\n22\r\nPerthshire South and Kinross-shire\r\n424.8\r\n23\r\nAlmond Valley\r\n424.3\r\n24\r\nLinlithgow\r\n423.7\r\n25\r\nDundee City East\r\n423.5\r\n26\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n423.3\r\n27\r\nNa h-Eileanan an Iar\r\n420.0\r\n28\r\nFalkirk West\r\n417.7\r\n29\r\nPaisley\r\n415.5\r\n30\r\nEast Kilbride\r\n412.9\r\n31\r\nGlasgow Maryhill and Springburn\r\n411.3\r\n32\r\nKilmarnock and Irvine Valley\r\n409.4\r\n33\r\nGlasgow Southside\r\n409.0\r\n34\r\nEttrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire\r\n407.3\r\n35\r\nStirling\r\n407.3\r\n36\r\nGlasgow Anniesland\r\n403.9\r\n37\r\nMidlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale\r\n402.8\r\n38\r\nStrathkelvin and Bearsden\r\n402.6\r\n39\r\nEast Lothian\r\n401.7\r\n40\r\nGlasgow Cathcart\r\n398.2\r\n41\r\nCumbernauld and Kilsyth\r\n393.1\r\n42\r\nMotherwell and Wishaw\r\n391.7\r\n43\r\nInverness and Nairn\r\n387.8\r\n44\r\nDunfermline\r\n386.4\r\n45\r\nEdinburgh Northern and Leith\r\n384.4\r\n46\r\nGlasgow Provan\r\n383.3\r\n47\r\nAberdeenshire East\r\n382.0\r\n48\r\nCunninghame South\r\n382.0\r\n49\r\nCaithness, Sutherland and Ross\r\n380.4\r\n50\r\nCoatbridge and Chryston\r\n378.4\r\n51\r\nRenfrewshire South\r\n377.5\r\n52\r\nAyr\r\n377.0\r\n53\r\nHamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse\r\n376.6\r\n54\r\nMid Fife and Glenrothes\r\n376.3\r\n55\r\nPerthshire North\r\n372.5\r\n56\r\nMoray\r\n371.6\r\n57\r\nCunninghame North\r\n370.9\r\n58\r\nGreenock and Inverclyde\r\n367.8\r\n59\r\nNorth East Fife\r\n366.4\r\n60\r\nKirkcaldy\r\n358.4\r\n61\r\nMidlothian North and Musselburgh\r\n357.8\r\n62\r\nBanffshire and Buchan Coast\r\n356.1\r\n63\r\nClydesdale\r\n349.7\r\n64\r\nDumfriesshire\r\n346.9\r\n65\r\nCarrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley\r\n345.4\r\n66\r\nClydebank and Milngavie\r\n341.4\r\n67\r\nGalloway and West Dumfries\r\n338.5\r\n68\r\nAngus South\r\n337.2\r\n69\r\nSkye, Lochaber and Badenoch\r\n335.6\r\n70\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n334.1\r\n71\r\nAngus North and Mearns\r\n332.9\r\n72\r\nEastwood\r\n311.9\r\n73\r\nSource: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2015, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes:\r\n- Covers employees aged 16+ on the PAYE system on adult rates and whose pay was not affected by absence. \r\n- Full-time defined as employees working more than 30 paid hours per week (or 25 or more for the teaching professions)\r\n- The median, which is used in this answer, is the preferred measure for earnings as the arithmetic average can be skewed by extreme outliers.\r\n- Based on Scottish parliamentary constituency boundaries and are workplace based i.e. include all those that work in the constituency area regardless of where they live.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313109,"EventID":"S5W-00765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:18.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T18:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the improvement works on the Aberdeen to (a) Glasgow and (b) Edinburgh rail line will (i) commence and (ii) end.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has set out its aspirations for improvements in journey times and performance between Aberdeen and the central belt. Phase one of the Aberdeen to central belt project commenced in 2014, which will deliver line speed improvements, improved loop capacity for freight and signalling enhancements by 2019, with future phases being delivered over an incremental basis until 2030.\r\nSeparate development work for the Aberdeen city region deal rail commitments is being progressed by Transport Scotland, the remit of which is in line with the announcements made in January 2016. Full delivery is expected to be up to 10 years, as outlined in the broader city deal commitments, with specification of initial requirements to be set out in the Scottish Government’s high level output specification for control period 6 (period 2019 to 2024), which is due to be published by summer 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313110,"EventID":"S5W-00766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:18.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T18:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) college courses and (b) apprenticeship places specialise in the (i) energy-efficiency and (ii) low-carbon sector.","AnswerText":"The main energy efficiency and low carbon modern apprenticeship (MA) frameworks are wind turbine, gas and energy efficiency and sustainable resource management. Other MA frameworks such as construction specialist and construction building also include energy efficiency and low carbon content. Details of participation in these frameworks is outlined in the following tables:\r\nEnergy Efficiency and Low Carbon Sector Frameworks 2015-16 (As at 31.03.16)\r\nFrameworks\r\nStarts\r\nIn Training\r\n(As at 31.03.16)\r\nGas Heating and Energy Efficiency/Gas Industry*\r\n38\r\n93\r\nWind Turbine Operations and Maintenance\r\n2\r\n19\r\nSustainable Resource Management\r\n27\r\n36\r\nTotal\r\n67\r\n148\r\n\r\n*This included participation on both the Gas Heating and Energy Efficiency and the Gas Industry frameworks as there has been some movement of MAs between these frameworks.\r\nFrameworks\r\nStarts\r\nIn Training\r\n(As at 31.03.16)\r\nConstruction Specialist\r\n 195\r\n 273\r\nConstruction Building\r\n 1,480\r\n 3,313\r\nTotal\r\n 1,675\r\n 3,586\r\nWhile these are the main low carbon and energy efficiency specific frameworks, some individuals on other frameworks, such as construction or plumbing may also go on to undertake wider industry or vendor specific courses that allow them to specialise in low carbon or energy efficiency units. For example, a fully qualified roofer being trained to install solar panels.\r\nData on the number of college courses in the (i) energy efficiency and (ii) low-carbon sector is not held centrally. The Scottish Funding Council is responsible for collecting data on college students and courses in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313111,"EventID":"S5W-00767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:19.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T08:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of its cost benefit analysis of its (a) £82,628, (b) £70,032 and (c) £149,940.95 payment to Tearfund in December 2015.","AnswerText":"The three payments to Tearfund relate to the Scottish Government's international development programmes in South Asia, Malawi and Sub-Saharan Africa. The payments were the second of a biannual grant made to the projects in the year 2015-16 to deliver agreed project aims and objectives. The grants were made as follows:\r\na) £82,628 for the project in the South Asia programme 'Supporting sustainable agriculture & livelihood initiatives for vulnerable farmers' in Sindh Province, Pakistan.\r\nb) £70,032 to the Malawi project 'Girls and Boys Empowerment Project in Rural Chitipa'.\r\nc) £149,940.95 for the Sub-Saharan Africa project 'Ending Poverty One Village at a Time' in Rwanda. \r\nMore information on these projects and all other international development fund projects can be found on the website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/int-dev\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to rigorous monitoring and evaluation procedures for all publicly funded activity. The Scottish Government’s international development team monitors projects regularly, requiring formal six monthly narrative and financial reports on progress against agreed objectives. Only once a report is satisfactory will the next tranche of project funds be released. The team is additionally in regular contact with the grant holding organisations throughout the year. The team also work closely with finance colleagues to ensure robust processes and financial transparency throughout. More information on the Scottish Government's monitoring and evaluation processes for its international development work, including managing the grants, can be found on the website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/int-dev/MandE-Reporting\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313112,"EventID":"S5W-00768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:19.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T08:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of its cost benefit analysis of its £68,000 payment to the Scottish Mining Museum Trust in December 2015.","AnswerText":"The payment of £68,000 to the Scottish mining museum trust in December 2015 was a regular bi-monthly payment which was part of a total available grant of £410,000 over the financial year 2015-16. This annual grant is to enable the national Mining Museum of Scotland to deliver a high quality museums service to the public and look after the collections in its care.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313113,"EventID":"S5W-00769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:20.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T08:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of its cost benefit analysis of its £38,013 payment to Christian Engineers in December 2015.","AnswerText":"The payment of £38,013 to Christian Engineers was the final grant instalment from the Scottish Government's international development fund to the project in Pakistan 'Community level drought resistance in Thar'. The project, which began in June 2013 and ended in March 2016, aimed to build the capacity of 30 villages in the Thar Desert to resist drought more effectively so that residents, especially women in 900 vulnerable households, would have improved water security and healthier, more stable lives.\r\nMore information on this project and all other international development fund projects can be found on the website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/int-dev\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to rigorous monitoring and evaluation procedures for all publicly funded activity. The Scottish Government’s international development team monitors projects regularly, requiring formal six monthly narrative and financial reports on progress against agreed objectives. Only once a report is satisfactory will the next tranche of project funds be released. The team is additionally in regular contact with the grant holding organisations throughout the year. The team also work closely with finance colleagues to ensure robust processes and financial transparency throughout. More information on the Scottish Government's monitoring and evaluation processes for its international development work, including managing the grants, can be found on the website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/int-dev/MandE-Reporting\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313114,"EventID":"S5W-00770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:21.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T08:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of its cost benefit analysis of its £50,000 payment to Filmhouse - Centre for the Moving Image in December 2015.","AnswerText":"The grant provided by the Scottish Government to the Centre for the Moving Image in December 2015 is a one-off payment to enable the development and implementation of a business development plan with the aim of securing the long term sustainability of its objectives, programmes and activities. This includes the organisation and management of the annual Edinburgh International Film Festival, as well as the operation of the Edinburgh Filmhouse and Aberdeen Belmont Filmhouse cinemas. A report outlining progress will be submitted to Scottish Government in July 2016.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313115,"EventID":"S5W-00771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:21.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T08:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what payments it made to ASH Scotland in December 2015, and what information it has regarding how much of this was used to lobby ministers about tobacco regulation.","AnswerText":"In December 2015 the Scottish Government made payments to ASH Scotland totalling £146,025. The money provided by the Scottish Government is not used for lobbying and is deployed towards agreed annual work plans which help take forward the national tobacco strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313116,"EventID":"S5W-00772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:22.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T08:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the funding that it provides to the Scottish Book Trust to help promote reading for pleasure from an early age.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Book Trust delivers a range of initiatives which help to promote reading for pleasure. The main programmes funded by Scottish Government are Bookbug, Read, Write, Count and the First Minister's Reading Challenge.\r\nThe Bookbug programme provides bags of books and literacy materials from birth to primary 1. A report on Language Development and Enjoyment of Reading from the Growing Up in Scotland study concluded that parents who received and used the pack read or looked at books more frequently with their child than parents who did not receive or use Bookbug. The study (published in 2016) also concluded that the relationship between receipt of and use of the Bookbug pack and home learning activities did not appear to be confined to the most advantaged socio-economic groups.\r\nThe Growing Up in Scotland study can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/06/2715\r\nThe Bookbug for the home programme provides additional ‘outreach’ support to families in disadvantaged circumstances, training practitioners to take elements of the Bookbug approach into family homes. The most recent evaluation report on Bookbug for the home (April 2015) found evidence to show that it equips early years professionals to support parents to interact more with their children and to develop a relationship with books. \r\nThough it is too early to draw conclusions on either First Minister's reading challenge or read, write, count, the grant arrangements for both programmes include a requirement on book trust to evaluate the impact of the programmes.\r\nThe Scottish Book Trust deliver a range of additional initiatives using funding from creative Scotland. This includes book week Scotland - Scotland's annual celebration of reading and writing. In 2015 book week Scotland delivered 761 events and activities across 32 local authority areas. 79% of schools reported having organised book week Scotland events in the school. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313117,"EventID":"S5W-00777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:23.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether delays in the construction of the foundations on the Queensferry Crossing have contributed to the delayed opening of the bridge.","AnswerText":"Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) have advised that the construction of the foundations of the Queensferry Crossing have not contributed to the revised opening date for the bridge. FCBC have confirmed that weather alone caused this revised opening date.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313118,"EventID":"S5W-00778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:24.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many construction days were lost on the Queensferry Crossing as a result of inclement weather in (a) 2011, (b) 2012, (c) 2013, (d) 2014 and (e) 2015.","AnswerText":"Inclement weather affects construction activities in different ways ranging from the need to alter a method of work to completely cancelling a piece of work. Consequently, it is not possible to quantify how many construction days were lost on construction of the Queensferry Crossing as a result of inclement weather conditions. However, the contractor estimates that approximately 20% of the project programme has been impacted by weather in the period 2011 to 2015 which is in line with the allowances made in their programme.\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313119,"EventID":"S5W-00779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:24.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers were made aware of delays in the construction of the Queensferry Crossing that would result in the project falling behind the programmed slippage time.","AnswerText":"On 26 May 2016, ministers were informed that Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) were looking specifically at the recent weather impacts on the delivery of the project as part of their six monthly programme review.\r\n\r\nOn 1 June 2016, FCBC ratified their revised programme at a meeting of the FCBC Board showing the Queensferry Crossing opening by May 2017.\r\nOn 1 June 2016, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work met with Sally Cox, Chair of the FCBC Board and Michael Martin Project Director for FCBC to discuss the emerging programme. Transport Scotland officials were asked to rigorously assess the programme when it was received to ensure everything possible that could be done was being done to meet the December 2016 opening to traffic target.\r\nOn 2 June 2016, Transport Scotland received written confirmation of FCBC’s revised programme showing opening by May 2017. Detailed scrutiny and challenge of this programme was subsequently undertaken on 6 June 2016 by Transport Scotland Directors, Transport Scotland Project team and independent advisors. Following this review, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work made a statement to Parliament on 8 June 2016 announcing the new date for opening to traffic.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313120,"EventID":"S5W-00783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5781,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:25.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on preparing an updated Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance appraisal on the reopening of a (a) Bonnybridge Lower and (b) Bonnybridge Upper railway station. ","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland officials have provided advice and support to Falkirk council regarding the requirement to produce a transport appraisal, in line with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance, to demonstrate the need for a transport intervention at Bonnybridge.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313121,"EventID":"S5W-00784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T13:51:26.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to increase GP provision in (a) rural Scotland and (b) north Aberdeenshire.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting primary care, including GPs, and ensuring that all communities in Scotland, including remote and rural, receive safe, reliable and sustainable health care services.\r\nOver three years, the Scottish Government is investing £85 million, as part of the primary care fund. As part of this, £2.5 million will be invested in work to explore with key stakeholders the issues surrounding GP recruitment and retention which can be particularly challenging in remote and rural areas. This will support a range of initiatives over the next two years including the establishment of a Scottish rural medicine collaborative in seven health boards, including NHS Grampian. This initiative will bring together recruitment strategies and support networks for GPs working in remote and rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313123,"EventID":"S5W-00775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T16:30:16.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has access to Scottish and sub-Scotland level data on current benefit take-up.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has access to information on benefit take-up published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC.\r\nEstimated take-up rates for pension credit, income support and employment support allowance, jobseekers allowance and housing benefit are published by DWP for Great Britain as a whole. No Scotland or sub-Scotland level data is available. The latest statistics are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-201314\r\nStatistics covering take-up levels for child and working tax credits and child benefit are published by HMRC and provide some information at Scotland level. No sub-Scotland level data is available. The latest statistics are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-benefit-child-tax-credit-and-working-tax-credit-take-up-rates-2013-to-2014\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313124,"EventID":"S5W-00776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T16:30:16.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to increase benefit take-up and how it will measure success.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to encouraging the take-up of benefits to ensure that people who are eligible, but who are not currently making claims, receive the benefits to which they are entitled; both UK Government benefits and those that will transfer to Scotland under the new Scotland Act. We are currently assessing options and will work with other interested stakeholders to ensure we reach those who are not making claims. We will keep you fully informed on progress.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313125,"EventID":"S5W-00780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T16:30:17.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Aberdeenshire Council regarding concerns that the limit on the number of characters available to bidders using its PCS-Tender e-tendering system to procure mental health support services might impact on the quality of bids.","AnswerText":"There have been no discussions with Aberdeenshire Council on this subject.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313126,"EventID":"S5W-00781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T16:30:18.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the effectiveness of Aberdeenshire Council’s health and social care integration process with regard to mental health provision, including whether (a) the NHS and (b) stakeholders have sufficient input in defining community support services.","AnswerText":"The design and delivery of integrated health and social care services, including mental health, is the responsibility of the Aberdeenshire health and social care partnership. This is overseen by a joint board whose members are nominated by Aberdeenshire council and NHS Grampian, called the Integration Joint board (IJB), which consists of five Aberdeenshire councillors and five NHS Grampian board members, and also includes non-voting members of the board, such as representatives from carers groups, trade unions and the third sector. The Partnership sets out how it intends to improve the design and delivery of integrated health and social care services through its strategic plan, which can be found at: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/media/16182/health-and-social-care-strategic-plan-march-2016-final.pdf\r\nIt is for the partnership to ensure that stakeholders have sufficient input in defining community support services in a way that best suits their local needs. the scottish government has published guidance on the principles partnerships should follow in this regard, within guidance on the principles for planning and delivering integrated health and social care: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0046/00466005.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313127,"EventID":"S5W-00782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T16:30:18.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position on reports that the qualifying criteria for Aberdeenshire Council's invitation to tender to procure mental health support services suggests that bids should address financial risk to the local authority and not personal risk to the mental health or wellbeing of presenting individuals.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no involvement regarding the qualifying criteria for Aberdeenshire Council's invitation to tender for mental health support services. Public bodies should ensure that they consider both the statutory and best practice guidance published by the Scottish Government when procuring these important services.\r\nGuidance under the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014: http://www.gov.scot/publications/2016/03/8410\r\nGuidance on the Procurement of Care and Support Services (Best-Practice): http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Procurement/policy/SocialCareProcurement","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313128,"EventID":"S5W-00785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T16:30:19.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment in its news release of 12 January 2016, Mental health funding, that it would \"improve capacity to see people more quickly...redesign local services to make them more efficient, effective and sustainable [and] improve workforce supply and train existing staff to deliver services for children and young people, as well as psychological therapies for all ages\", what its response is to reports that some mental health services in NHS Tayside are facing closure.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies – including NHS boards and local authorities – to support implementation of policy.\r\nThe management of local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local spending priorities are the responsibility of relevant local agencies. It is therefore the responsibility of NHS boards and local authorities to work with their partners and regularly review spending decisions to ensure they deliver fit for purpose services which respond to the needs of their local population.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313129,"EventID":"S5W-00786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T16:30:20.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support mental health treatment in NHS (a) Tayside and (b) Grampian.","AnswerText":"NHS boards have also been allocated £24.7 million to increase capacity to deliver services. NHS Grampian have been allocated £2,454,025 of this and NHS Tayside £1,905,168 over five years.\r\nWe are also providing support for improving mental health services in primary care settings. On 18 February 2016, the cabinet secretary for health and sport launched the mental health primary care fund, totalling £10 million, which will encourage new ways of working with GPs and others to ensure people with mental health challenges get the best support available, in settings they want, as fast as possible and in the form best suited to them. NHS Grampian have been allocated £894,179 of this fund over the period 2016 to 2018, and NHS Tayside £694,191. We received a significant number of proposals, including proposals from NHS Grampian and NHS Tayside, and we are currently working with NHS boards and integrated joint boards to consider which would best deliver the changes we want to see.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313130,"EventID":"S5W-00787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T16:30:20.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has put in place to ensure that people in rural and urban communities have equal access to mental health treatment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies – including NHS boards and local authorities – to support implementation of policy.\r\nThe management of local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local spending priorities are the responsibility of relevant local agencies. It is therefore the responsibility of NHS boards and local authorities to work with their partners and regularly review spending decisions to ensure they deliver fit for purpose services which respond to the needs of their local population, including those in rural communities.\r\nIn addition to services provided by NHS boards the Scottish Government also fund\r\nBreathing Space - a free and confidential phone line provided by NHS24 and aimed at people experiencing low mood or depression. It is available to anyone calling from anywhere in Scotland.\r\nLiving Life - a free telephone service also provided by NHS24 which is available to anyone over the age of 16 who is suffering from low mood, mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety. Two types of telephone intervention and support are provided: Living Life Guided Self Help Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT with a self-help coach) and Living Life Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT with a therapist).\r\nThe impact of computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CCBT) for adults with mild to moderate depression and anxiety who require a flexible treatment, accessible from different locations at a time that suits them is currently being evaluated through the mastermind project. In Scotland, mastermind aims to make high quality treatment for depression more widely available for adults suffering from the illness by the use of information communications technology (ICT). This has been achieved through the development, running and evaluation of CCBT services in four health boards; NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Grampian, NHS Fife and NHS Shetland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313131,"EventID":"S5W-00788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T16:30:21.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are plans to close the Mulberry Unit at Stracathro Hospital.","AnswerText":"It is for NHS boards and health & social care partnerships to plan and provide services that meet the needs of local people, whilst being consistent with national policies and frameworks established by the Scottish Government.\r\nOver the last two years, NHS Tayside has been reviewing its existing clinical models of care, including its mental health services. The priorities for this exercise has been patient safety and improving quality of care. It is important to recognise that, in relation to mental health, NHS Tayside’s review process is ongoing and that no decision has been made about the future shape of the service.\r\nSince 1 April 2016, the lead role for the planning of mental health services has been devolved to the Tayside integrated joint boards (IJBs), with the in-patient element being hosted in Tayside by Perth and Kinross IJB. The board is committed to working with the IJBs in taking forward the next steps in identifying a sustainable long-term model for mental health services across Tayside, with public engagement being a key aspect in finding the right solution.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313132,"EventID":"S5W-00789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T16:30:21.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the decision of the reporter for the proposed windfarms at Glenbarr in Kintyre will be published.","AnswerText":"The final decision on the proposed windfarms at Glenbarr in Kintyre (Section 36 Creggan Wind Farm application and the Blary Hill Wind Farm planning appeal) will be made by Scottish Ministers, who will consider the reporters’ reports of findings and recommendations. The reporters aim to complete their reports for submission to Scottish Ministers during July. The reporters’ reports will be published alongside the Scottish Ministers determinations on these windfarms.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313133,"EventID":"S5W-00790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T16:30:22.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings in the Scottish Human Rights Commission’s April 2016 submission to the United Nation’s Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, how it will make sure that everyone in Scotland enjoys their full range of human rights equally.","AnswerText":"Human rights are at the heart of Scotland’s constitutional settlement. They are fundamental to the work of the Scottish Government, our Parliament and all of Scotland’s public authorities. They are reflected in our national laws and directly inform public policy decisions.\r\nThe Scottish Government is already taking action in areas identified in submissions to the UN Committee, including tackling the gender pay gap, combatting poverty, mitigating the impact of welfare reform and improving access to housing.\r\nThe Scottish Government is fully committed to working with civil society partners through Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights (SNAP), and with the people of Scotland as a whole, to give further and better effect to the internationally-recognised human rights to which we are all entitled, and to realise the shared vision of a Scotland where everyone is able to live with human dignity.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313134,"EventID":"S5W-00791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T16:30:23.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address the gender pay gap, in light of figures published by the Scottish Human Rights Commission showing that women in full-time employment in Scotland earn on average 10.6% less than men.","AnswerText":"It is unacceptable in 2016 that a gender pay gap still exists and that women continue to be paid less than men for work of equal value.\r\nIt is encouraging to see however that Scotland is making progress in addressing the gender pay gap. At 10.6% for the mean and 7.3% for the median measurements, Scotland has a lower gender pay gap than the UK (13.9% and 9.4% respectively) and we have plans to reduce it further. \r\nWe are using the powers available to us to ensure greater transparency in equal pay reporting in the Scottish public sector. Until recently the law applied only to public bodies with more than 150 employees in Scotland. However, in February 2016 the Scottish Government extended the law and it now applies to public bodies with more than 20 employees.\r\nIn relation to public sector boards in Scotland, the Scottish Government will also use additional powers as part of the Scotland Act 2016 to introduce legislation requiring gender balance on the boards of public bodies. In 2015, for the first time, Scottish Ministers appointed more women than men (54%) to the boards of regulated public bodies in Scotland. The Scottish Government does not however, have power to extend these legal duties to the private sector in Scotland but we are encouraging employers to sign up to voluntary initiatives such as the partnership for change. since its launch, 180 public bodies, third sector organisations and private companies have signed up to the partnership.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313135,"EventID":"S5W-00792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T16:30:23.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T15:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria will apply to bodies or companies seeking to be on the register of letting agents, and whether these will include consideration of public complaints about them.","AnswerText":"Part 4 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 requires Scottish Ministers to enter an applicant in the register of letting agents if they are satisfied that: \r\nThey are a fit and proper person to carry out letting agency work; and they meet such training requirements that may be prescribed by ministers.\r\nSection 34 of the Act sets out that, in considering whether a person is fit and proper, Scottish Ministers must have regard to all the circumstances of the case including a range of factors such as criminal convictions, contravention of housing, landlord and tenant law and the extent to which they have complied with the letting agent code of practice or any letting agent enforcement order. \r\nWe are working with a variety of stakeholders to develop appropriate registration policies and procedures for when these provisions come into force. This includes considering how consumer complaints about an applicant should be taken into account.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313136,"EventID":"S5W-00793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T16:30:24.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T15:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the proposed register of letting agents will be (a) compiled and (b) published.","AnswerText":"We expect that the register of letting agents will be open for applications in early 2018, once the first-tier tribunal, the body responsible for appeals against a decision to refuse or revoke registration, is ready to hear letting agent cases. Once a decision has been made to admit an applicant to the register, they will be entered on the publically available register.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313137,"EventID":"S5W-00794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-15T16:30:25.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-15T15:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what procedure will apply for a member of the public to object to the inclusion of a body or company on the proposed register of letting agents. ","AnswerText":"Part 4 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 does not set out a procedure for public objections to the inclusion of a body or company in the register of letting agents. However, it does require Scottish Ministers to have regard to all the circumstances of the case when deciding if an applicant is a fit and proper person to be admitted to the register. We are therefore working with a variety of stakeholders to see what administrative procedures can be put in place to deal with matters raised by members of the public.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313149,"EventID":"S5W-00837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T12:04:21.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the names of the special advisers in post; what their responsibilities are; what their pay bands are; how many special advisers there are in each pay band, and what the total salary cost of employing special advisers was in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"Special advisers are appointed in accordance with Part 1 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 by the First Minister as a special adviser for the purpose of providing assistance to the Scottish Ministers.\r\nThe *total cost of the team of 14 special advisers employed during the financial year 2015-16 was £1,140,104.\r\nThere are currently 10 special advisers in post and a further one will be appointed with effect from 1 July 2016. From 1 July 2016 the 11 special advisers and their specific responsibilities will be as follows:\r\nName\r\nRole\r\nLiz Lloyd\r\nChief of Staff to the First Minister including the co-ordination of the Special Adviser team.\r\nResponsible for the First Minister’s Strategic Programme in Government.\r\nSpecial Adviser for Finance and the Constitution (jointly with Colin McAllister) and Inter-governmental relations.\r\n\r\nStuart Nicolson\r\nHead of Communications.\r\nSenior Political Spokesperson for the First Minister.\r\n\r\nColin McAllister\r\nHead of Policy and Senior Special Adviser to the Deputy First Minister.\r\nSpecial Adviser for Education and Skills.\r\nSpecial Adviser for Finance and the Constitution (jointly with Liz Lloyd).\r\nFirst Minister’s Questions, Programme for Government.\r\n\r\nRoss Ingebrigtsen\r\nCommunications Special Adviser.\r\nDeputy Spokesperson for the First Minister.\r\nStrategic communications planning.\r\n\r\nJohn MacInnes\r\nPolitical Research.\r\nSupport for First Minister’s Questions and parliamentary debates.\r\nSupport to Communications and Policy Special Advisers.\r\n\r\nDavie Hutchison\r\nSpecial Adviser for Health and Sport and for Broadcasting.\r\n\r\nJohn McFarlane\r\nSpecial Adviser for Justice, Transport and the Economy.\r\nParliamentary Business.\r\n\r\nJeanette Campbell\r\nSpecial Adviser for Communities, Social Security, Equalities, Jobs and Fair Work.\r\n\r\nKate Higgins\r\nSpecial Adviser for Rural Economy and Connectivity. Support to the Head of Policy.\r\n\r\nKaty Bowman\r\nSupport for the First Minister and the First Minister’s Private Office.\r\nOutreach and stakeholder engagement.\r\nSpecial Adviser for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs and policy support to the Chief of Staff.\r\n\r\nDavid Miller\r\nSpecial Adviser for Energy, Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe special adviser pay bands and ranges and the number of special advisers within each pay band currently in place are:\r\nPay Band\r\nCurrent Pay Range\r\nNumber of Special Advisers\r\n1\r\n£39,445 - £52,904\r\n7\r\n2\r\n£51,041 - £67,709\r\n1\r\n3\r\n£65,017 - £83,963\r\n3\r\n3 (premium)\r\n£83,549 - £100,942\r\n0\r\n4\r\n£86,965 - £104,462\r\n0\r\n*Total cost includes all salary costs, earnings-related national insurance contributions and employer pension contributions.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313165,"EventID":"S5W-00702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:26.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that there is a case for reviewing whether the use of night sights for the shooting of deer should be permitted.","AnswerText":" A panel under Section 4 of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 is currently reviewing the use of authorisations issued by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to shoot deer, which includes the regulation of night shooting. The panel is due to provide a report to SNH by the end of August 2016.\r\nAny change to allow the use of night sights for the shooting of deer would require a change to the Deer (Firearms etc.) (Scotland) Order 1985.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313166,"EventID":"S5W-00703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:27.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many owners and occupiers of land have been required by Scottish Natural Heritage to make a return of the number of wild deer taken or killed in each of the last three years and how many have made such a return in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"The number of statutory cull return requests which were issued by Scottish Natural Heritage and the number of cull return received from specific properties are shown below. Additional returns received (*) in some years reflect cull returns from additional properties, provided by individuals who have been in receipt of cull return requests. \r\nChanges in ownership, partial sales of properties mean that there are slight variations between years in the numbers of properties where statutory returns are requested.\r\n\r\n2012 - 2013\r\n2013 - 2014\r\n2014 - 2015\r\n\r\nIssued\r\nReceived\r\nIssued\r\nReceived\r\nIssued\r\nReceived\r\nAberdeen City\r\n3\r\n3\r\n*3\r\n*4\r\n3\r\n3\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n*141\r\n*149\r\n159\r\n148\r\n162\r\n149\r\nAngus\r\n*58\r\n*69\r\n*59\r\n*66\r\n60\r\n70\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n440\r\n376\r\n447\r\n383\r\n471\r\n401\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n*4\r\n*5\r\n4\r\n4\r\n4\r\n3\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n394\r\n379\r\n417\r\n381\r\n425\r\n385\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n50\r\n45\r\n50\r\n44\r\n54\r\n46\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n8\r\n6\r\n8\r\n6\r\n8\r\n7\r\nEast Lothian\r\n13\r\n13\r\n13\r\n13\r\n13\r\n13\r\nEdinburgh City\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\nFalkirk\r\n*13\r\n*14\r\n14\r\n12\r\n14\r\n14\r\nFife\r\n26\r\n26\r\n26\r\n25\r\n26\r\n26\r\nGlasgow City\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\nHighland\r\n826\r\n774\r\n856\r\n745\r\n888\r\n772\r\nInverclyde\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\nMidlothian\r\n8\r\n6\r\n8\r\n6\r\n8\r\n7\r\nMoray\r\n*63\r\n*64\r\n65\r\n62\r\n68\r\n67\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n22\r\n21\r\n23\r\n19\r\n23\r\n22\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n*11\r\n*15\r\n16\r\n16\r\n17\r\n16\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n234\r\n233\r\n240\r\n223\r\n246\r\n242\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n5\r\n4\r\n5\r\n5\r\n5\r\n4\r\nScottish Borders\r\n201\r\n193\r\n205\r\n186\r\n207\r\n187\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n49\r\n49\r\n*53\r\n*56\r\n55\r\n54\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n71\r\n70\r\n*73\r\n*75\r\n*73\r\n*79\r\nStirling\r\n169\r\n120\r\n173\r\n121\r\n178\r\n129\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n7\r\n6\r\n10\r\n6\r\n10\r\n6\r\nWest Lothian\r\n8\r\n8\r\n9\r\n8\r\n10\r\n9\r\nWestern Isles\r\n*19\r\n*23\r\n19\r\n18\r\n19\r\n19\r\nTotal\r\n2851\r\n2678\r\n2963\r\n2639\r\n3055\r\n2738\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313167,"EventID":"S5W-00704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:27.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many statutory cull returns Scottish Natural Heritage has received in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00703 on 29 June 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313168,"EventID":"S5W-00705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:28.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many wild deer have been taken or killed in each local authority area in each of the last three years, broken down by species.","AnswerText":"\r\n2012 -13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nCouncil\r\nSpecies\r\nCount\r\nSpecies\r\nCount\r\nSpecies\r\nCount\r\nAberdeen City\r\nRoe \r\n87\r\nRoe \r\n121\r\nRoe \r\n137\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nRed \r\n2962\r\nRed \r\n3889\r\nRed \r\n3355\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n4145\r\nRoe \r\n4111\r\nRoe \r\n4242\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSika \r\n4\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFallow \r\n3\r\nAngus\r\nFallow \r\n5\r\nFallow \r\n3\r\nFallow \r\n1\r\n\r\nRed \r\n1680\r\nRed \r\n1946\r\nRed \r\n1831\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n1138\r\nRoe \r\n914\r\nRoe \r\n874\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nFallow \r\n57\r\nFallow \r\n52\r\nFallow \r\n98\r\n\r\nRed \r\n8404\r\nRed \r\n10180\r\nRed \r\n9585\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n2565\r\nRoe \r\n2841\r\nRoe \r\n2668\r\n\r\nSika \r\n1795\r\nSika \r\n1765\r\nSika \r\n1613\r\nClackmannanshire\r\nRoe \r\n19\r\nRoe \r\n2\r\nRoe \r\n23\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nFallow \r\n784\r\nFallow \r\n670\r\nFallow \r\n1246\r\n\r\nRed \r\n1085\r\nRed \r\n1059\r\nRed \r\n1462\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n6899\r\nRoe \r\n7142\r\nRoe \r\n7744\r\n\r\nSika \r\n9\r\nSika \r\n11\r\nSika \r\n18\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\nRed \r\n13\r\nRed \r\n7\r\nRed \r\n23\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n534\r\nRoe \r\n679\r\nRoe \r\n672\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n\r\n\r\nRed \r\n2\r\nRed \r\n2\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n142\r\nRoe \r\n152\r\nRoe \r\n201\r\nEast Lothian\r\nRoe \r\n214\r\nRoe \r\n191\r\nRoe \r\n175\r\nEdinburgh City\r\nRoe \r\n19\r\nRoe \r\n25\r\nRoe \r\n26\r\nFalkirk\r\nRoe \r\n143\r\nRoe \r\n154\r\nRoe \r\n190\r\nFife\r\nFallow \r\n39\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRed \r\n35\r\nRed \r\n36\r\nRed \r\n35\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n422\r\nRoe \r\n579\r\nRoe \r\n551\r\n\r\nSika \r\n14\r\nSika \r\n8\r\nSika \r\n7\r\nGlasgow City\r\nRoe \r\n23\r\nRoe \r\n20\r\nRoe \r\n50\r\nHighland\r\nFallow \r\n2\r\nFallow \r\n8\r\nFallow \r\n2\r\n\r\nRed \r\n28967\r\nRed \r\n30739\r\nRed \r\n35988\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n5176\r\nRoe \r\n6139\r\nRoe \r\n6668\r\n\r\nSika \r\n3271\r\nSika \r\n4047\r\nSika \r\n4112\r\nInverclyde\r\nRoe \r\n41\r\nRoe \r\n44\r\nRoe \r\n41\r\nMidlothian\r\nRoe \r\n219\r\nRoe \r\n233\r\nRoe \r\n260\r\nMoray\r\nRed \r\n632\r\nRed \r\n509\r\nRed \r\n811\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n2227\r\nRoe \r\n2705\r\nRoe \r\n3004\r\n\r\nSika \r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nSika \r\n4\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\nRed \r\n327\r\nRed \r\n367\r\nRed \r\n450\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n16\r\nRoe \r\n39\r\nRoe \r\n46\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\nRed \r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\nRed \r\n4\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n151\r\nRoe \r\n203\r\nRoe \r\n194\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSika \r\n1\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\nFallow \r\n772\r\nFallow \r\n887\r\nFallow \r\n1068\r\n\r\nRed \r\n8814\r\nRed \r\n8635\r\nRed \r\n9801\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n2694\r\nRoe \r\n2378\r\nRoe \r\n3036\r\n\r\nSika \r\n4\r\nSika \r\n31\r\nSika \r\n10\r\nRenfrewshire\r\nRoe \r\n24\r\nRoe \r\n50\r\nRoe \r\n51\r\nScottish Borders\r\nFallow \r\n18\r\nFallow \r\n20\r\nFallow \r\n20\r\n\r\nRed \r\n10\r\nRed \r\n5\r\nRed \r\n16\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n3453\r\nRoe \r\n3360\r\nRoe \r\n3579\r\n\r\nSika \r\n777\r\nSika \r\n684\r\nSika \r\n822\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\nRed \r\n351\r\nFallow \r\n1\r\nFallow \r\n1\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n897\r\nRed \r\n465\r\nRed \r\n482\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n1262\r\nRoe \r\n1313\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRed \r\n9\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n858\r\nRoe \r\n910\r\nRoe \r\n1006\r\n\r\nSika \r\n60\r\nSika \r\n136\r\nSika \r\n90\r\nStirling\r\nFallow \r\n2\r\nFallow \r\n14\r\nFallow \r\n4\r\n\r\nRed \r\n3788\r\nRed \r\n3840\r\nRed \r\n3630\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n1155\r\nRoe \r\n1253\r\nRoe \r\n1576\r\n\r\nSika \r\n152\r\nSika \r\n13\r\nSika \r\n2\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\nRed \r\n9\r\nRed \r\n15\r\nRed \r\n8\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n152\r\nRoe \r\n173\r\nRoe \r\n122\r\nWest Lothian\r\nFallow \r\n17\r\nFallow \r\n7\r\nFallow \r\n22\r\n\r\nRoe \r\n140\r\nRoe \r\n160\r\nRoe \r\n175\r\nWestern Isles\r\nRed \r\n669\r\nRed \r\n699\r\nRed \r\n570\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313169,"EventID":"S5W-00706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:28.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Natural Heritage will revise its statutory cull return forms for 2016-17 to include space for the owner's or occupier’s planned cull in the following year.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage is currently considering the detail of how the new powers contained in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 to request information on future culls will work in practice. For the 2016-17 season, this likely will include requests for future culls from some specific properties, but not necessarily be applied at a national scale.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313170,"EventID":"S5W-00707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:29.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Scottish Natural Heritage selects the owners from whom it requests statutory cull returns for the taking or killing of wild deer.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) selects the owners from whom it requests statutory cull returns using their properties database, which is largely comprised of: properties within upland deer management group areas where collaboration between ownerships is required; properties which apply for out of season or night shooting authorisations; or properties where SNH has identified a need to better understand cull levels in assessing impacts to public interest.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313171,"EventID":"S5W-00708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:29.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the difference has been in each of the last three years between the total number of culled deer from the statutory returns and from game dealers’ records.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage can request returns from game dealers but has not sought this information on a national basis since 2011. Periodic requests are made of game dealers to confirm cull figures given by properties or to assist in the investigation of wildlife crime.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313172,"EventID":"S5W-00709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:30.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-13T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Natural Heritage has carried out a review of the levels of competence among people who shoot deer, as required under the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 and, if not, when such a review will take place.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage is currently undertaking a review of competence and will report to Scottish Ministers in December 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313173,"EventID":"S5W-00795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:30.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T08:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-00367 and S5W-00369 by Keith Brown and Jamie Hepburn on 14 and 15 June 2016 respectively, whether it will provide a breakdown of how it arrived at the figure of \"more than 2,500 individuals\" being provided with support by the Energy Jobs Taskforce, and whether it is satisfied with the accuracy of this answer and, if so, for what reason.","AnswerText":"The Energy Jobs Taskforce has delivered three large Partnership Action for Continuing Employment events in 2015 offering redundancy support; Skills Development Scotland has advised that over 2,500 people attended the three events. A fourth pace employment support event took place at Robert Gordon University on 22 June 2016 and a further update will be available in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313174,"EventID":"S5W-00796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:32.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T08:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comment by Paul Wheelhouse on 15 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 26) that the Energy Jobs Task Force \"has engaged with approximately 8,800 individuals\" and the assertion in amendment S5M-00448.3 by Keith Brown that the task force \"has supported 8,800\", whether it will provide a breakdown of how it arrived at the figure, and whether it is satisfied with the accuracy of these figures and, if so, for what reason.","AnswerText":"As part of its wide-ranging efforts to support the oil and gas sector at this challenging time, the Energy Jobs Taskforce has provided significant levels of support under the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) initiative. The 8,800 figure reported by Skills Development Scotland includes individuals who have received a PACE guide from their employer and those who have received a face to face service such as an ‘Introduction to PACE’ presentation, a workshop or a guidance interview. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313175,"EventID":"S5W-00801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:34.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many air guns were surrendered to police stations during the amnesty between 23 May and 12 June 2016, also broken down by Police Scotland division.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland’s ‘SurrendAir’ campaign ran from 23 May 2016 to 12 June 2016, with 72 designated police offices around the country accepting unwanted air weapons in advance of licensing opening on 1 July 2016. During the three week initiative the police collected 11,569 air weapons. \r\nThe divisional breakdown of weapons surrendered is as follows:\r\nDivision.\r\nArea\r\nNumber of weapons surrendered\r\nA\r\nNorth East\r\n1,562\r\nC\r\nForth Valley\r\n800\r\nD\r\nTayside\r\n1,018\r\nE\r\nEdinburgh\r\n616\r\nG\r\nGreater Glasgow\r\n1,020\r\nJ\r\nLothian and Borders\r\n1,210\r\nK\r\nRenfrewshire and Inverclyde\r\n470\r\nL\r\nArgyll and West Dunbartonshire\r\n517\r\nN\r\nHighlands and Islands\r\n1,287\r\nP\r\nFife\r\n784\r\nQ\r\nLanarkshire\r\n933\r\nU\r\nAyrshire\r\n739\r\nV\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n613\r\nPolice Scotland will continue to accept unwanted air weapons until licensing is fully in force from 31 December 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313176,"EventID":"S5W-00803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:34.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it spent on (a) print and (b) broadcast advertising and marketing materials to promote the air gun amnesty between 23 May and 12 June 2016. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has worked closely with Police Scotland to highlight awareness of the legislative change around licensing of air weapons, which opens on 1 July 2016. The first stage of the public information campaign has been to support Police Scotland’s ‘SurrendAir’ campaign for unwanted weapons, which ran from 23 May 2016 to 12 June 2016. \r\nThe government spending on this was as follows:\r\n (a) Print advertising - Nil\r\n(b) Broadcast advertising - £18,337.19\r\n(c) Marketing materials - £412.81","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313177,"EventID":"S5W-00811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:35.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00245 by Angela Constance on 14 June 2016, whether it will publish a list of the stakeholders that ministers have met since 5 May 2016.","AnswerText":"All ministerial engagements are proactively published quarterly in arrears on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/Events-Engagements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313178,"EventID":"S5W-00812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:35.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will increase carer’s allowance to the same level as jobseeker’s allowance in the first year following the devolution of social security benefits.","AnswerText":"In setting out implementation timetable we need to take legal, financial and delivery issues sensibly into account and consequently it is too early at this stage to confirm exact timescales. But we will increase carers allowance to the same level as jobseeker’s allowance as soon as practically possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313179,"EventID":"S5W-00813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:36.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government in relation to the further devolution of welfare powers outlined in the Scotland Act 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, both ministers and officials, engage with the UK Government regularly on a range of issues to do with the devolution of social security powers. Most recently the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs Fair Work and I had a meeting 16 June 2016 of the Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare. This group will be the vehicle for the transfer of social security powers between the two governments. A communique was issued after the meeting which can be found: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Joint-Ministerial-Working-Group-on-Welfare-2593.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313180,"EventID":"S5W-00814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:37.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the consultation announced on 8 February 2016 on plans to increase organ donation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will be launching a consultation this year on increasing organ and tissue donation. The consultation will include proposals for a potential soft opt-out system for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313181,"EventID":"S5W-00815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:37.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its plans to increase organ donation announced on 8 February 2016 include the introduction of an opt-out system.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's forthcoming consultation will include proposals for a soft opt-out system for organ and tissue donation. Subject to the views expressed in the responses to that consultation, the government will then move to take forward any necessary legislation.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313182,"EventID":"S5W-00816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:38.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the Scottish Donation and Transplant Group.","AnswerText":"Membership of the Scottish Donation and Transplant Group is published on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Services/OrganDonation/STG/STGmembership\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313183,"EventID":"S5W-00817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:38.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Donation and Transplant Group will next meet and what matters will be discussed.","AnswerText":"The next meeting of the Scottish Donation and Transplant Group will be held on 28 September 2016. The Chair will set the agenda for this meeting with input from group members nearer the time.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313184,"EventID":"S5W-00818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:39.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish the minutes of meetings of the Scottish Donation and Transplant Group.","AnswerText":"Minutes and papers of the Scottish Donation and Transplant Group are published on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Services/OrganDonation/STG/STG%20Papers/SDTGMinutes","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313185,"EventID":"S5W-00822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5622,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:39.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00024 by Paul Wheelhouse on 9 June 2016, whether the concerns of residents of the village of Torrance in relation to its possible role as a depot for fracking operations will be considered as part of the consultation on fracking.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to involving communities and other stakeholders in key decisions affecting Scotland and the future wellbeing of our communities and natural environment.\r\nOur consultation, which will take place following publication of the research we have commissioned, will provide an opportunity to engage with and listen to the widest range of views on this important matter, including those of concerned communities. \r\nOur comprehensive programme of evidence-gathering will ensure that communities and other stakeholders have access to a wide body of evidence when forming their views.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313186,"EventID":"S5W-00823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:40.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to reduce the number of children and young people requiring mental health inpatient treatment being treated in non-specialist wards.","AnswerText":"We are working closely with NHS boards to ensure that the number of specialist beds matches the need and demand of children and adolescents. We are also encouraging NHS boards to develop their community based intensive outreach services in order to enable children and young people to return to their own communities at an earlier stage of their recovery.\r\nA new model of 'hospital at home' type care and treatment has been introduced across many NHS boards. This new approach creates new capacity. In areas where the new approaches are most advanced this has been demonstrated to have had the effect of significantly reducing the need for unscheduled and temporary admissions of under 18s to adult psychiatric hospital beds.\r\nGenerally children accessing child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) will be treated in the community however there may be times when it is necessary to admit them to hospital for specialist treatment. Should this be the case they would be admitted to one of the three regional CAMHS inpatient units or for under 12s the Royal Hospital for sick kids.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313187,"EventID":"S5W-00824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:40.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on its commitment in the Mental Health Strategy for Scotland: 2012-2015 to (a) make basic infant mental health training more widely available to professionals in the children's services workforce and (b) improve child psychotherapy by investing in a new cohort of trainees.","AnswerText":"We have made significant progress on commitment eight of the Mental Health Strategy: 2012 to 2015. Some examples are as follows.\r\nNHS Education for Scotland (NES) has rolled out the Solihull approach across Scotland. This two-day training is designed to help practitioners to think psychologically about development in the earliest years of life and to integrate an understanding of infant mental health into their everyday practice. Between 2013 and 2016, 72 trainers were established and 667 early years practitioners were trained.\r\nNES has responded to the identified need for health and social care professionals working with young families to receive appropriate preparation and education to promote and support the mental health of women, babies and families. This has been done through the development of three new online learning resources.\r\nAn online learning resource on infant mental health and promoting positive early relationships has been launched. This provides core information on definitions of infant mental health and attachment, how professionals can promote positive relationship development from conception to five years of age, and how they can identify and respond to any emerging problems.\r\nIn March 2016, NES also provided a two-day educational event for 35 midwives from all over Scotland to support them in developing their knowledge and skills relating to maternal and infant mental health, and in developing high quality services.\r\nThe current cohort of five child and adolescent psychotherapy trainees are due to complete their training in 2017. Planning is underway for the commencement of a new cohort of trainees in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313188,"EventID":"S5W-00825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:41.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is it doing to reduce any disparities between NHS boards in waiting times for child and adolescent mental health services.","AnswerText":"To improve services across the whole of Scotland, we’re investing an additional £150 million for mental health over five years.\r\nFrom this, we announced a £54 million package in January 2016, of which \r\n£4.8 million will be awarded to healthcare improvement Scotland to establish a mental health access improvement support team. The improvement programme will work in collaboration with NHS boards to deliver sustained improvements in access to child and adolescent mental health services and psychological therapies services and should address disparities between boards. This work will be undertaken in two distinct phases: diagnostic work to identify the enablers and barriers to the board being able to deliver on improved access, which will then be used to develop an improvement plan.\r\nNHS boards have also been allocated £24.7 million to increase capacity to deliver services.\r\nWe are also providing support for improving mental health services in primary care settings. On 18 February 2016, the Cabinet Secretary for Health And Sport launched the mental health primary care fund, totalling £10 million, which will encourage new ways of working with GPs and others to ensure people with mental health challenges get the best support available, in settings they want, as fast as possible and in the form best suited to them. We received a significant number of proposals, and we are currently working with NHS boards and integrated joint boards to consider which would best deliver the changes we want to see.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313189,"EventID":"S5W-00827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:42.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the SNP 2016 manifesto commitment for “the first low emission zone to be put in place by the end of 2018”, whether the location for the first zone will be announced prior to 4 May 2017, and what criteria it will use to select the zones.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00826 on 30 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313190,"EventID":"S5W-00828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:43.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date it expects its air quality standard targets to be fully met. ","AnswerText":"'Cleaner Air for Scotland - The Road to a Healthier Future', Scotland's first distinct air quality strategy, was published in November 2015. It commits to significant progress towards revocation of all air quality management areas by 2020 - the criterion against which compliance with Scottish air quality objectives is judged.\r\nCleaner Air for Scotland also commits to full compliance with EU air quality legislation by 2020.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313191,"EventID":"S5W-00829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:43.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide additional funding to local authorities to help establish and maintain low emission zones and, if so, how much.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00826 on 30 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313192,"EventID":"S5W-00831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:44.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that bus services are protected for remote and rural communities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provided in 2015-16 £53.4 million subsidy for bus services through the bus service operators grant, which supports the bus network and benefits passengers by helping to make fares more affordable. Payments are based on the distance buses are operated, which is of particular assistance in rural areas where the routes are generally longer.\r\nFunding is also provided to local authorities in their annual settlement to support services they consider socially necessary and for community transport services, which can play an important role in rural transport networks.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313193,"EventID":"S5W-00832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:45.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed local bus subsidies with local authorities and regional transport partnerships.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland officials have recently engaged in a series of meetings with local authorities and smaller operators across Scotland. Around 18 meetings were held between April and June 2016 to discuss a range of operational and policy areas, including bus subsidies.\r\nThe Scottish Government has regular ongoing engagement with local authorities and regional transport partnerships (RTPs) through a range of channels, including COSLA, the association of transport coordinating officers (ATCO), RTP lead officer and chairs meetings and the bus stakeholder group.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313194,"EventID":"S5W-00833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:45.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has paid to private bus operators across all grants and subsidies in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not distinguish between bus operators according to their ownership status. Payments to operators in the private, public and voluntary sectors over the last five years have been made through the Scottish green bus fund, bus service operators' grant (BSOG), grants to support smart ticketing development under section 70 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 and reimbursement payments for carrying concessionary passengers under the national concessionary travel schemes for older and disabled people and for young people.\r\nApproximate spend through the Scottish green bus fund, which supports the roll out of low carbon buses, is noted in the following table.\r\n2011-12\r\n£1.5 million\r\n2012-13\r\n£1.9 million\r\n2013-14\r\n£2.4 million\r\n2014-15\r\n£2.9 million\r\n2015-16\r\nNo payment\r\nApproximate spend under BSOG is noted in the following table.\r\n2011-12\r\n£59.2 million\r\n2012-13\r\n£52.5 million\r\n2013-14\r\n£49.7 million\r\n2014-15\r\n£51 million\r\n2015-16\r\n£53.4 million\r\nThe Scottish Government has provided Section 70 grants to bus operators to support smart ticketing development as noted in the following table.\r\n2011-12\r\n£0.4 million\r\n2012-13\r\nNo payment\r\n2013-14\r\n£0.2 million\r\n2014-15\r\n£0.1 million\r\n2015-16\r\nNo payment\r\nThe Scottish Government reimburses bus operators under the national concessionary travel schemes. Payments made to all participating bus operators for each of the last five years are detailed in the following table.\r\n\r\nOlder and Disabled Persons Concessionary Travel Scheme (approx.)\r\nYoung Persons Concessionary Travel Scheme (approx.)\r\n2011-12\r\n£190.5 million\r\n£1.2 million\r\n2012-13\r\n£197.2 million\r\n£1.4 million\r\n2013-14\r\n£188.8 million\r\n£1.5 million\r\n2014-15\r\n£189.1 million\r\n£1.3 million\r\n2015-16\r\n£188.5 million\r\n£1.2 million\r\nFor the concessionary travel reimbursement figures above, 2015-16 includes estimation in respect of claim finalisation outstanding. \r\nTransport Scotland publishes monthly details of all items of expenditure at a value of £25,000 or over. This information is available at: www.transportscotland.gov.uk/about-us/expenditure/reports","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313195,"EventID":"S5W-00834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:46.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that GP surgeries and hospitals are accessible by public transport for all NHS patients.","AnswerText":"The majority of bus services in Scotland are provided on a commercial basis, however NHS boards are required to have effective travel plans for all major hospitals that will address the following: \r\nEmployee transport to and from work;\r\nEmployee transport during work time;\r\nPatient and visitor travel and access to sites;\r\nPublic transport availability;\r\nUse and type of fleet vehicles;\r\nDeliveries and contractors;\r\nPeripatetic/community visits;\r\nTravel and subsistence rates and rewarding small-engine cars or cycle mileage;\r\nThe needs of disabled people with a physical, mental and/or visual impairment, and the needs of patients, employees, visitors and may even address the needs of visitors accompanied by young children.\r\nOn the wider aspect of delivery to GP practices, the provision of bus services are a matter for individual bus companies who use their own commercial judgement on service routes and frequencies, however the Scottish Government recognises the importance of the bus network through the £50 million per year bus subsidy provided as bus service operators grant (BSOG). BSOG is paid based on the distance bus services operate supporting the overall bus network and particularly benefiting rural areas where the routes are longer. It is paid directly to operators and benefits passengers helping to make fares more affordable.\r\nIt is also recognised community transport services also play an important role as part of the transport network in rural and remote parts of Scotland. The government provides resources to local authorities to support community transport services and fund the community transport association to support, provide advice and develop the community transport sector in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313196,"EventID":"S5W-00835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:46.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to jobseekers so that they can afford to meet travel costs to jobcentres and work interviews.","AnswerText":"Help with travel costs to jobcentres and work interviews is reserved to the UK Government and administered by Jobcentre Plus. Eligible claimants can have their travel expenses reimbursed if they are required to attend the Jobcentre Plus office, for example, to attend a pre-arranged (mandatory or non-mandatory) labour market interview at the jobcentre\r\n\r\nIt is not payable to claimants attending a Jobcentre Plus office on their normal signing day, including, for example, a work coach meeting which falls on the normal signing day, an initial work search interview and fortnightly work reviews.\r\nClaimants in Scotland who have been unemployed for thirteen weeks can apply for the Jobcentre Plus travel discount card and pay reduced fares under the terms of the memorandum of understanding between the Secretary of State and the Association of Train Operating Companies.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313197,"EventID":"S5W-00836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:47.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much will be allocated to Renfrewshire Council through the second tranche of the Attainment Scotland Fund.","AnswerText":"Renfrewshire Council have been invited to set out their proposals for funding from the Attainment Scotland Fund. These proposals will be reviewed by Scottish Government, Education Scotland and an academic advisor with the level of funding allocated based on the outcome of that process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313198,"EventID":"S5W-00845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T13:56:47.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T13:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00622 by John Swinney on 15 June 2016, when it next plans to conduct a national survey of adult literacies.","AnswerText":"Information from the Scottish Survey of Adult Literacies 2009 provided a baseline to the Strategic Guidance Adult Literacies in Scotland 2020 (ALIS 2020) which states:- Our vision for ALIS 2020 is that successful implementation of this strategic guidance will significantly increase the numbers of adults with improved literacies capabilities in Scotland.\r\nResearch will be required in order to evaluate and determine the impact of ALIS 2020, the form of this research will be subject to available funding post 2020.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313226,"EventID":"S5W-00853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:48:28.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T15:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for heritage railways, such as the Keith and Dufftown Railway in Moray.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have any jurisdiction or influence over the activities of private heritage railway operators. However, Transport Scotland does offer advice to heritage railways in Scotland with respect industry processes and main line regulations and met with Keith and Dufftown Railway association in October 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313227,"EventID":"S5W-00797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:44:12.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00248 by Angela Constance on 14 June 2016, when the inspectors of the funeral industry will be appointed; what the selection criteria for the appointments will be, and for how long the appointments will last.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently considering the implementation of the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016. It is anticipated that the appointment of inspectors of funeral directors will start once relevant regulations come into force, which is not likely be before 2018. The terms and conditions for the appointment are likely to be similar to those for the current Inspector of Crematoria who was appointed in 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313228,"EventID":"S5W-00800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:44:13.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00248  by Angela Constance on 14 June 2016, what the terms will be of the review of the funeral industry.","AnswerText":"The terms of the review will be developed in tandem with the procedure to appoint inspectors under the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 and in consultation with representatives of the funeral industry.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313229,"EventID":"S5W-00802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:44:13.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00246  by Angela Constance on 14 June 2016, whether it has made an assessment of the March 2016 report by the Work and Pensions Committee of the UK Parliament, Support for the bereaved, and, if so, what its position is on the findings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made an assessment of ‘Support for the Bereaved’, published by the Work and Pensions Committee of the UK Parliament and shares its concerns about the operation of the Department of Work and Pensions DWP funeral payment. We will be consulting on proposals to improve the funeral payment as part of a broad consultation on social security in Scotland, which will take place in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313230,"EventID":"S5W-00804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:44:13.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00236 by Angela Constance on 14 June 2016, who the members are of the stakeholder reference group on funeral poverty; on what dates it has met and plans to next meet, and whether it will publish the minutes of its meetings.","AnswerText":"The membership of the funeral poverty and funeral payment reference group is: \r\nAssociation of British Credit Unions Ltd\r\nChild Poverty Action Group in Scotland\r\nChurch of Scotland\r\nCitizens Advice Scotland\r\nConvention of Scottish Local Authorities\r\nCruse Bereavement Care Scotland\r\nFuneral Planning Authority\r\nInstitute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management\r\nMarie Curie\r\nMoney Advice Scotland\r\nMuslim Council of Scotland\r\nNational Association of Funeral Directors\r\nNHS Education Scotland\r\nNHS Lothian Bereavement Services\r\nQuaker Social Action\r\nRoman Catholic Church\r\nRoyal London Group\r\nScottish Local Government Partnership\r\nScottish Older Peoples Assembly\r\nScottish Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors\r\nScottish Working Group on Funeral Poverty\r\nThere have been two meetings of the group to date which took place on 14 March 2016 and 27 April 2016. No further dates have been identified. The group is expected to meet shortly in connection with the planned round table events and conference on funeral poverty.\r\nNotes of the meetings will be published on the Scottish Government website in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313231,"EventID":"S5W-00807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:44:14.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00236  by Angela Constance on 14 June 2016, whether it will publish the full details of its consultation on devolved social security benefits and when the consultation will (a) begin and (b) end.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish a broad consultation on social security in Scotland this year, ahead of its commitment to publish a social security bill within the first parliamentary year. This will be notified to parliament through usual channels.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313232,"EventID":"S5W-00808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:44:14.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00241  by Angela Constance on 14 June 2016, by what date it will publish the funeral costs plan.","AnswerText":"We expect to publish the funeral costs plan by spring 2017, following development in collaboration with stakeholders, through round table discussions and a national conference on funeral poverty due to take place in autumn 2016. It will include views gathered during the broad consultation on social security in Scotland which will take place in 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313233,"EventID":"S5W-00809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:44:15.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00239  by Angela Constance on 14 June 2016, what assessment it has made of the adequacy in Scotland of the current UK eligibility criteria for the Funeral Payment.","AnswerText":"Stakeholder feedback and our own assessment suggests that the need is not being met. Limited department of work and pensions data on who is getting the funeral payment and the unpredictable nature of life events makes it difficult to identify whether this is because of the eligibility criteria or poor take up. We will be consulting on eligibility criteria as part of a broad consultation on social security in Scotland which will take place in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313234,"EventID":"S5W-00810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:44:15.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00249  by Angela Constance on 14 June 2016, whether its consultation on devolved social security benefits will include a plan to introduce parity in the burial and cremation costs that are charged by local authorities.","AnswerText":"Introduction of parity in the burial and cremation costs is outwith the remit of social security. The Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 will require burial and cremation authorities that are local authorities to publish their costs, and to keep those fees under review. The Act does not require local authorities to set particular fees for these services. It is the responsibility of each local authority to manage its own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313235,"EventID":"S5W-00820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:44:16.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government in relation to the future of HMRC Cumbernauld and whether and, if so, when it has had discussions with staff representatives.","AnswerText":"HMRC Cumbernauld is a Whitehall department and as such this is a reserved matter. \r\nHowever, when HMRC announced the next stage of their building our future transformation programme in November 2015, the First Minister personally spoke to the second permanent secretary at HMRC to relay her grave concerns over these job losses. \r\nThis is a worrying situation for staff and we are fully committed to working with all interested parties at local, national and UK level, including the trades unions, to mitigate the impact of HMRC office closures in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313236,"EventID":"S5W-00821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:44:16.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T09:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered moving Revenue Scotland operations to North Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Revenue Scotland, which is a non-ministerial department and officeholder in the Scottish administration. I have asked Elaine Lorimer, Chief Executive of Revenue Scotland, to respond to the member directly. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313237,"EventID":"S5W-00830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:44:17.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many teachers or graduates with speech and language expertise are employed in nurseries in each local authority area, and what support it can provide to increase this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect this data centrally. All practitioners working within the early learning and childcare sector are required, as part of their training, to gain knowledge and understanding about speech and language development and are expected to undertake career-long learning to further augment the skills obtained during their initial training.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313238,"EventID":"S5W-00838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:44:17.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the transfer of birthing services from the Vale of Leven Hospital or Inverclyde Royal Hospital to the Royal Alexandra Hospital would be classified as a major service change.","AnswerText":"NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde are yet to provide formal proposals for service change with the necessary detail to inform such a decision.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313239,"EventID":"S5W-00839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:44:18.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the reported proposal in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde draft local delivery plan to transfer birthing services from the Vale of Leven Hospital to the Royal Alexandra Hospital would run contrary to the NHS board's commitment in the agreement, Vision for the Vale, that \"the Community Maternity Unit will be sustained and promoted\".","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00838 on 29 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313240,"EventID":"S5W-00840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:44:19.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS Greater Glasgow and Clydehas has carried out a public consultation regarding transfering birthing services from the Vale of Leven Hospital to the Royal Alexandra Hospital.","AnswerText":" I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00838 on 29 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313241,"EventID":"S5W-00841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:44:21.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated each year to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde toward the promotion of the Community Maternity Unit at the Vale of Leven Hospital since the publication of the agreement, Vision for the Vale, broken down by type of marketing activity.","AnswerText":"This government has substantially increased funding for all health boards since 2007. We have increased NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde’s frontline budget by £444.3 million from £1,634.9 million to a planned £2,079.2 million; a cumulative cash increase of 27.2% (2006/07 to 2016/17). In 2016-17, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde’s annual resource budget increased by 5.2% to £2,079.2 million, an above inflation increase, having previously increased by 2.7% in 2015/16. It is for individual health boards to determine how these resources are spent locally, in line with national policies, priorities and frameworks.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313242,"EventID":"S5W-00842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:44:22.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde local delivery plan is subject to ministerial approval.","AnswerText":"Local delivery plans are developed and finalised through discussion between the NHS board, their non executive board, and the Scottish Government. Finalised local delivery plans are agreed and acknowledged in writing, on behalf of the Scottish Government, by senior officials from the health and social care directorates.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313243,"EventID":"S5W-00843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:47:59.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport last met the chair or chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to discuss services at the Vale of Leven Hospital, and whether it will publish the minutes of the meeting.","AnswerText":"Both ministers and Scottish Government officials regularly meet with representatives of all health boards, including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, to discuss matters of importance to local people.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313244,"EventID":"S5W-00844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:48:01.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport is aware of the reported proposal in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde draft local delivery plan to transfer birthing services from the Vale of Leven Hospital to the Royal Alexandra Hospital and, if so, when the cabinet secretary was informed of this.","AnswerText":"The paper the member refers to was a leaked, draft internal discussion paper prepared for a private board seminar at the end of May 2016. Whilst I was not aware of the leaked paper until the member raised it on 23 June 2016, the same day NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde shared a copy of the final local development plan paper it was taking to the board for discussion on 28 June 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313245,"EventID":"S5W-00846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:48:02.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Aberdeenshire Council's invitation to tender for new mental health service provision across Aberdeenshire references preventative measures and includes a crossover from the current commissioned services to the new provision and whether it considers that not doing so could lead to people deemed \"low risk with a possible risk of elevation\" being unable to access existing support in the area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies – including NHS boards and local authorities – to support implementation of policy. \r\nAberdeenshire Council is currently tendering to re-commission what has traditionally been termed ‘day services’ for people with mental health problems. This is the final stage of extensive reviews and stakeholder consultation.\r\nAberdeenshire Council have undertaken a review to ensure services comply with financial and procurement regulations and also the need to ensure services are fit for purpose.\r\nThe new service specification aims to deliver improvements such as:\r\nImproved recovery focus;\r\nBetter links to community mental health team priority groups;\r\nInclusion of autism;\r\nImproved community inclusion focus;\r\nPossibility of a social enterprise to improve links with employability.\r\nAberdeenshire Council has indicated that it remains a priority to target resources based on risk and need but also to recognise the importance of prevention and early intervention. The service specification includes a signposting provision for those with lower level needs. These services are in the context of wider mental health provision and wellbeing initiatives across Aberdeenshire. A comprehensive transition plan will be agreed between Aberdeenshire Council and provider(s) when the outcome of the tender is known.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313246,"EventID":"S5W-00847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:48:03.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question SW5-00476 by Angela Constance on 16 June 2016, whether it will express each figure on a per capita basis ranked in descending order.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government. Decisions about National Lottery funding of grant applications and awards is a matter for lottery distributors, including the Big Lottery Fund Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313247,"EventID":"S5W-00848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:48:04.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will discuss with the retail sector adopting a code of practice or agreement on the sale of food and drink to schoolchildren in the vicinity of schools, and what powers it has to regulate the price, promotion and display of unhealthy products in such circumstances.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is engaging with retailers and caterers through our supporting healthy choices framework, challenging them to rebalance their promotions and support children and families to make healthier choices. \r\nOur beyond the school gate guidance sets out options and invites local authorities, schools, caterers and retailers, and other partners to consider what they can do to positively influence the food environment for school pupils. This includes options to encourage children and young people to stay on site and purchase school food as well as increase the availability of healthier options outside of school. Reviewing how the guidance is operating will form part of our bringing forward a new diet and obesity framework.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313248,"EventID":"S5W-00852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:48:05.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T15:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support language development in pre-school age children.","AnswerText":"Curriculum for excellence is setting higher standards than ever before in literacy, numeracy, health and wellbeing. Results from a recent Growing Up in Scotland study show improvement in three-year-olds’ vocabulary but our ambition is to close the attainment gap altogether. We will bring forward a programme of work focusing on early intervention and improving attainment. This includes the £750 million Scottish attainment fund to boost literacy and numeracy in our most deprived areas, the new national improvement framework, attainment advisers for every local authority and the raising attainment for all programme with over 50 literacy-based school projects. \r\nThe Scottish Government recognises that parents also have a key role in supporting their children’s speech and language development and we provide support through campaigns such as Play Talk Read and Bookbug. \r\nWe know that a skilled early years workforce is also key to supporting young children’s learning, and that the most disadvantaged children benefit most, which is why First Minister announced in October 2015 that nurseries in the most deprived areas of Scotland will, from 2018, benefit from an additional graduate or teacher in nurseries with early learning expertise.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313249,"EventID":"S5W-00854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-16T16:48:05.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the contribution of heritage railways to tourism.","AnswerText":"VisitScotland monitor activities relating to ‘Visiting a Scenic or Heritage Railway’ in Scotland through the 'Great Britain Tourism Survey', a national consumer survey jointly sponsored by VisitScotland, VisitEngland and Visit Wales.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313251,"EventID":"S5W-00826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T13:43:22.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-16T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the SNP 2016 manifesto commitment to “the first low emission zone to be put in place by the end of 2018” means that such a zone will be fully operational by that date, or that notice will be given to the affected parties by that date.","AnswerText":"The Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy sets out the phased approach required to develop measures, such as low emissions zones (LEZ), as part of the National Low Emission Framework (NLEF). A key part of this is the gathering of new traffic data to inform air quality models. This will be completed by mid 2017 and will inform discussions with individual local authorities on the most appropriate locations for any LEZs. We also intend to publish the NLEF guidance later in 2016; including specific low emission zone criteria. \r\nThis phased approach to NLEF is important to ensure that actions are evidence based, and in ensuring that communities and business are engaged and involved in the development of local solutions. Working with local authorities it is intended that the first scheme decisions will be confirmed – and notice given to the relevant parties - by the end of 2018.\r\nMany initiatives are already in place to develop and deploy effective transport measures to tackle air pollution. The Scottish Government is continuing to explore with Transport Scotland and other partners how these can be developed and built on to ensure successful delivery of all the actions contained in the Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy. To date over £70,000 has been allocated to commission a comprehensive traffic data collection exercise to support detailed air quality modelling for Aberdeen and Glasgow, with Edinburgh and Dundee to follow.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313252,"EventID":"S5W-00855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T13:43:24.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T08:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the purpose is of the NHS Pre-Registration Pharmacist Scheme.","AnswerText":"The NHS Pre-Registration Pharmacist Scheme (PRPS) was launched in 2006 to address identified variations in the quality of pre-registration training provision and assessment during the pre-registration training year, and to meet the needs of the Scottish Government strategy for pharmaceutical care.\r\n\r\nNHS Education for Scotland (NES) was tasked with organising and managing the overall centralisation of the pre-registration training year for trainees in both hospital and community pharmacy settings across Scotland.\r\nThe primary objective of the scheme is to standardise the training experience for pre-registration trainees in Scotland, regardless of setting.\r\nCurrently, 170 PRPS trainees are employed in Scotland by their preferred NES-approved training provider, with their salary and associated costs being covered by a training grant paid to the employer by NES. 1,537 trainees have been funded through the scheme since the first cohort in 2008-09.\r\nTrainees are required to complete an extensive exit questionnaire that seeks their views on each element of the scheme. In addition, NES welcome direct communication from candidates and/or trainees who wish to express a view or comment on any aspect of the scheme throughout the year. Generally, the feedback received is very positive, but all feedback is actively reviewed and, if appropriate, used to develop the processes for future years.\r\nPharmacy undergraduate and pre-registration education and training in Scotland is highly regarded across the UK. The Scottish PRPS scheme trainees have the highest General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration exam results of all the regions across Great Britain, and are recognised as an exemplar of practice. In fact, NES are the only region/deanery to have a memorandum of understanding with the GPhC with regard to the trainees on their scheme.\r\nIn recognition of the NES scheme, the NHS in Wales and England have plans underway to introduce similar processes to those in Scotland. In addition, the NHS in Wales and Northern Ireland have started exploring the introduction of integrated five year programmes along similar lines.\r\nHealth Education England have been working for the last ten years towards reforming pharmacists’ initial education through the Modernising Pharmacy Careers Programme with the aim of also introducing an integrated five year model.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313253,"EventID":"S5W-00856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T13:43:25.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T08:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it measures whether students who have enrolled in the NHS Pre-Registration Pharmacist Scheme are satisfied (a) with the experience and (b) that the scheme is fit for purpose.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00855 on 30 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313254,"EventID":"S5W-00857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T13:43:25.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T08:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many places are available on the NHS Pre-Registration Pharmacist Scheme for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00855 on 30 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313255,"EventID":"S5W-00858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T13:43:26.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T08:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many pharmacy graduates have received NHS Pre-Registration Pharmacist Scheme funding in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00855 on 30 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313256,"EventID":"S5W-00859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T13:43:27.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T08:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of how the NHS Pre-Registration Pharmacist Scheme compares with similar schemes in the rest of the UK, and whether it will publish the findings.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00855 on 30 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313257,"EventID":"S5W-00860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T13:43:28.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Lyme disease is not a notifiable disease in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The aim of statutory notification of diseases as contained in the Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 is to give early warning of potential threats to human health caused by infectious diseases in order to assess what, if any, health protection action might be required to minimise the spread of such diseases and the subsequent risk to human health.\r\nThe list is confined to diseases which are likely to give rise to a significant risk to public health, having regard to the seriousness of the disease and whether it is easily transmissible through casual contact. Although endemic in the UK, Lyme disease does not cause outbreaks requiring urgent public health action following diagnosis of a case and is not transmissible through person to person contact. As a result, it is not a notifiable disease in Scotland. However the organism which causes Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, is a notifiable organism under the Act and there is on-going national surveillance of all positive serology (blood tests) reported by diagnostic laboratories in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313258,"EventID":"S5W-00861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T13:43:28.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T12:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that domestic abuse only courts provide a better service to victims of domestic abuse and a more focussed and managed criminal justice response to this issue.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government considers that it is vital that victims in domestic abuse cases do not have to unduly wait to access justice. That is why we have invested an additional £2.4 million in each of 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18.\r\nResponsibility for the management of cases through the courts including consideration of the introduction of domestic abuse courts rests with the Lord President and Sheriffs Principal. The Scottish Government is happy to work with justice partners in assessing what may be best in terms of ensuring access to justice and support for domestic abuse victims in different parts of the country.\r\nMore generally, there are an extensive range of measures in force to assist victims of domestic abuse. For example, the introduction of provisions in the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014 means victims of domestic abuse have automatic access to measures such as screens and video links when giving evidence and additional funding of £1.85 million has been provided to rape crisis Scotland to assist support for victims of sexual offences and domestic abuse.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313271,"EventID":"S5W-00862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T15:42:40.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T13:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to roll out domestic abuse courts in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"In each of the years 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18, the Scottish Government has provided additional investment of £2.4 million per year to Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to support their work to reduce court waiting times for domestic abuse cases across Scotland.\r\nResponsibility for the management of cases through the courts including consideration of the introduction of domestic abuse courts rests with the Lord President and Sheriffs Principal. The Scottish Government is happy to work with justice partners in assessing what may be best in terms of ensuring access to justice and support for domestic abuse victims in different parts of the country.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313272,"EventID":"S5W-00863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T15:42:41.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the status is of the drafting of an update to the Initial Hawick Action Plan, which was published in March 2016.","AnswerText":"The Initial Hawick Action Plan was developed by the Scottish Government, Scottish Borders Council, Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, local businesses and other local stakeholders to address the challenges and maximise the opportunities for the Hawick economy. It draws together ideas and actions that can ensure a positive future for the town and looks at how to support Hawick to become a:\r\nGreat place for working and investing – covering digital and physical connectivity, developing empty property and a business incubation centre, exploring how to deliver the benefits of an enterprise zone, if appropriate, and taking forward flood prevention work to improve investor confidence in key areas of the town centre and the industrial estate at Burnfoot;\r\nGreat place for living and learning – to retain and attract school leavers, attract a new workforce and ensure relevant training is provided;\r\nGreat destination to visit – identify the tourism offer, address hotel provision and issues facing the high street.\r\nThe Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Borders Council are working together to lead delivery of the priority actions already identified in the Action Plan. The public, private and third sectors all have a role to play in delivering those actions. The draft flood prevention scheme design will be put on display on 23 and 24 August 2016.\r\nSince the business engagement event held in Hawick on 2 February 2016, there has been regular and continuing dialogue between partners about the range of initiatives in the Action Plan. Discussions have also taken place with a number of businesses in order to take forward action and further engagement with local business leaders is taking place over the summer. That work will lead to an updated version of the Action Plan being published later in the autumn.\r\nIt is important that local business leaders and other local stakeholders in Hawick are fully involved in taking forward actions and activities that encourage economic activity, promote growth and increase inward investment, while protecting and creating employment opportunities in Hawick to ensure that the town has a bright future and can benefit from sustainable economic growth. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313273,"EventID":"S5W-00864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T15:42:42.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place between Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Borders Council, local businesses and other stakeholders about the Initial Hawick Action Plan since its publication in March 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00863 on 11 August 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313274,"EventID":"S5W-00865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T15:42:42.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to establishing an enterprise or regeneration zone for Hawick, as outlined in the Initial Hawick Action Plan.","AnswerText":"The proposal is being explored as part of the range of initiatives set out in the Initial Hawick Action Plan. However, the range of incentives attached to an Enterprise Area could be delivered without the need for formal designation. An evaluation of the Enterprise Area policy, published on 21 March 2016, showed that Enterprise Areas are specifically targeted on sites and sectors where there are specific opportunities ready to be developed, and where companies can be anchored in areas, and supply chains developed that support growth and jobs in the wider area. While the enterprise (or regeneration) zone proposal will continue to be considered, as part of the discussions around the Action Plan, there is currently little evidence that suggests that this approach would benefit Hawick, although I would be interested to receive any evidence the member may have that might demonstrate how it may benefit the town’s economy. \r\nI also refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00863 on 11 August 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nFor details of the evaluation of Enterprise Areas, please see the following link:\r\nhttp://www.hie.co.uk/regional-information/economic-reports-and-research/archive/review-of-enterprise-areas-in-scotland---summary-report.html\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313275,"EventID":"S5W-00866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T15:42:43.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to establishing an enterprise or regeneration zone for Hawick, as outlined in the Initial Hawick Action Plan.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00865 on 11 August 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313276,"EventID":"S5W-00868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T15:42:43.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to place a duty on strategic partners to act as planning authorities for childcare availability, as recommended by the Commission for Childcare Reform in its June 2015 report, Meeting Scotland's Childcare Challenge.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published its response to the Commission for Childcare Reform's report on 23 December 2015, available on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/4286/0.\r\n\r\nThe Commission for Childcare Reform report's recommendation 12 was that ‘there should be a duty, probably on local authorities or community planning partnerships, to act as the strategic planning authority for childcare.’ Under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, every child who is entitled to the funded 600 hours of early learning and childcare must be offered a place if parents wish it, and it is the responsibility of local authorities to ensure that this happens.\r\nThe Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 also places a legal duty on local authorities to consult with local parents on early learning and childcare and out of school care, and publish their plans to reconfigure services based on consultation outcomes. By consulting with parents about their needs, local authorities can develop a comprehensive picture of early learning and childcare provision in their area. This opens up opportunities to integrate early learning and childcare provision with out of school care, school and wider family support at local level, where this is possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313277,"EventID":"S5W-00869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T15:42:44.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide data showing the net income position of different families as recommended by the Commission for Childcare Reform in its June 2015 report, Meeting Scotland's Childcare Challenge.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published its response to the Commission for Childcare Reform's report on 23 December 2015, available on the Scottish Government website at:http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/4286/0.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the Scottish Government publishes information on household incomes via a number of surveys, including the Labour Force Survey, Expenditure and Food Survey, Family Resource Survey and the Scottish Household Survey, and is working with wider UK bodies to further expand knowledge around use of early learning and childcare through the Understanding Society Survey. We are also currently undertaking our own financial review to better understand the costs of providing the free entitlement to early learning and childcare.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313278,"EventID":"S5W-00870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T15:42:44.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects an updated Hawick action plan to be published.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00863 on 11 August 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313279,"EventID":"S5W-00871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T15:42:45.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the Local Government Boundaries Commission for Scotland’s Fifth Electoral Review.","AnswerText":"The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland published and submitted to Scottish ministers on 26 May 2016 its reports and final recommendations for the number of councillors and the electoral ward boundaries in each of Scotland's 32 local authorities, following completion of its fifth electoral reviews. Ministers are now considering those recommendations, and will take decisions on whether to implement them once that consideration has been completed. There is no statutory deadline by which such decisions must be taken. \r\nLocal government electoral reviews are governed by the local government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended, under which ministers can implement the recommendations for a local authority area with or without modification, decide not to implement them, or ask the commission to undertake another review of the area involved. Schedule 6 to the 1973 Act sets out the rules to be observed by ministers in considering the recommendations that have been made by the commission. Those rules include a requirement to have regard to any local ties which would be broken by the fixing of any particular boundary.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313280,"EventID":"S5W-00872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T15:42:46.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will respond to the Local Government Boundaries Commission for Scotland’s Fifth Electoral Review and particularly in relation to the proposals regarding Hawick.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00871 on 21 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313281,"EventID":"S5W-00873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T15:42:47.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers it has to partially or wholly reject proposals from the Local Government Boundaries Commission for Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00871 on 21 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313282,"EventID":"S5W-00874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T15:42:47.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reject proposals from the Local Government Boundaries Commission for Scotland that do not have the support of local communities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00871 on 21 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313283,"EventID":"S5W-00875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-17T15:42:48.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will implement the (a) Assignation of and Succession to Agricultural Tenancies and (b) Rent Review section of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.","AnswerText":"It is intended that there will be phased approach to commencement of the agricultural holding provisions within the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016, with the first package being brought before parliament in autumn 2016. This package will include the sections within Chapter 6, Part 10 on widening assignation and succession rights for tenant farmers. It is intended to bring the commencement of the rent review system before parliament in 2018.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313287,"EventID":"S5W-00877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:46.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T08:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04817 by Roseanna Cunningham on 19 November 2015, whether it will provide an update on what progress has been made by local authorities in progressing equal pay claims.","AnswerText":"The government welcomes recent progress made by councils in settling outstanding equal pay claims and in particular that made by North Lanarkshire Council in reaching a settlement with the GMB union affecting around 200 employees across a range of jobs. \r\nHowever, we remain concerned that across Scotland councils are still to settle the claims of an estimated 30000 staff. This government believes it is completely unacceptable that councils across Scotland have still not settled these outstanding equal pay claims. We think there is no excuse for councils continuing to avoid their responsibilities and that this is something they should address as a priority.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313288,"EventID":"S5W-00880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:47.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-18T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met (a) ScotRail and (b) Hitachi Rail Europe to discuss the configuration of the class 385 trains on order. ","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland attend regular meetings where ScotRail and Hitachi Rail Europe discuss progress in delivery of the new class 385 fleet.\r\nIt is for the train operator, the funder and manufacturer of the trains to agree the configuration of the train fleet within the specification set.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313289,"EventID":"S5W-00881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:48.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-18T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the class 385 trains that have been ordered by ScotRail will be configured to retain the role of the guard regarding (a) safety and (b) controlling door operations.","AnswerText":"The ScotRail franchise sets out our requirements for service provision, including that the franchisee must use all reasonable endeavours to have a second member of staff on each train. Beyond this ministers do not specify the method of train operation. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313290,"EventID":"S5W-00882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:48.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-18T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the doors on the class 385 trains that have been ordered by ScotRail will be operated by the (a) driver, (b) guard or (c) both.","AnswerText":"This is an operational decision for ScotRail.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313291,"EventID":"S5W-00883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:49.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-18T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost is of the (a) driver-only operated and (b) guard-operated class 385 trains that have been ordered by ScotRail.","AnswerText":"This is an operational decision for ScotRail.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313292,"EventID":"S5W-00886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:49.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-18T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the potential impact on the safety of (a) passengers and (b) staff of driver-only operations on (i) current and (ii) future ScotRail (A) passenger and (B) freight services.","AnswerText":"Driver-controlled operation trains with a second staff member have operated safely over the last three decades and currently operate on 51% of ScotRail services, carrying circa 59% of passengers. Any change to working practices, including the introduction of new trains is subject to Office of Road and Rail (ORR) scrutiny and approval. I have written to the ORR to seek their views and will provide the member with a copy of the reply.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313293,"EventID":"S5W-00887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:50.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-18T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs could be lost if the class 385 trains that have been ordered by ScotRail are configured for (a) driver-only or (b) driver-controlled operation.","AnswerText":"As part of the ScotRail franchise contract there is a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies throughout the franchise term. Staffing levels are an operational matter for ScotRail.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313294,"EventID":"S5W-00888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:50.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-18T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the financial impact will be of the proposed industrial action on rail services by the RMT, and how much compensation ScotRail will receive.","AnswerText":"We have not been advised by ScotRail of the direct financial impact to them of potential reduced ticket sales during industrial action.\r\nThe franchise agreement between Scottish Ministers and Abellio ScotRail contains a clause which allows the Scottish Government to consider compensating the franchisee for lost revenues, if applied for by ScotRail. Scottish Ministers ensured in the new contract that before a decision is made on any representation from ScotRail, Ministers must take account of the views of key stakeholders, such as passenger focus and employee representatives in the event of industrial action.\r\nWe have not received an approach from ScotRail in relation to this clause.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313295,"EventID":"S5W-00889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:51.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-18T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of its responsibilities to (a) employees and (b) the recognised trade union under the franchise agreement with ScotRail Abellio Ltd in light of the proposed industrial action on services by the RMT.","AnswerText":"The ScotRail franchise agreement contains a number of commitments to maintain and improve the welfare of ScotRail employees. It ensures protections including no compulsory redundancies throughout the life of the franchise, and it recognises the value of staff in delivering successful passenger railway services. In addition a trade union representative is invited to attend each franchise board meeting.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313296,"EventID":"S5W-00890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:51.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-18T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the safety implications are of ScotRail training (a) gateline and (b) other station staff to operate trains during the proposed industrial action on services.","AnswerText":"ScotRail has put in place contingency arrangements to deliver as many services as possible during periods of disruption. ScotRail has an obligation to ensure appropriate training of competencies for all staff temporarily carrying out conductor duties, and assuring the safety regulator (Office of Road and Rail) of these contingency plans. We are not aware of gateline or station staff being trained to operate trains during industrial action.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313297,"EventID":"S5W-00891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:52.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-18T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to consult passengers regarding the proposed increase in the number of driver-only operated ScotRail services.","AnswerText":"Through the franchise the Scottish Government requires ScotRail to consult with passengers across a number of stakeholder forums.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313298,"EventID":"S5W-00892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:52.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-18T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on allowing open-access operators to compete with ScotRail Abellio.","AnswerText":"Competing bids for access to the Scottish rail network are a matter for the industry regulator, the Office of Rail and Road. The Scottish Government is not opposed to the broad principle of open access operations on the network, provided that this enhances the offering to rail passengers and that these services support the achievement of the Scottish Government objective to make rail an attractive, integrated and affordable alternative to less sustainable transport modes.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313299,"EventID":"S5W-00893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:52.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-18T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd regarding the class 385 trains that ScotRail has on order.","AnswerText":"Ministers and Transport Scotland meet with Network Rail regularly as part of an on-going process across a range of topics to manage the progress of the wider Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme project.\r\nIt is for the train operator to ensure any new fleet can operate across the rail network and ScotRail will do this through the normal regulatory processes and bodies including Network Rail.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313300,"EventID":"S5W-00894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:53.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-18T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has received from the (a) ScotRail Alliance and (b) Rail Delivery Group regarding (i) door operations on and (ii) other matters about the class 385 trains that ScotRail has on order.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had representations about priority seat covers, toilet door indicators and external livery from ScotRail for the new class 385 fleet, and has met with both the franchisee Abellio ScotRail and the unions to better understand the issues surrounding the current dispute between the employers and the Rail, Maritime and Transport.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313301,"EventID":"S5W-00895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:53.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-18T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has asked for the class 385 trains on order for ScotRail to be configured to not allow the guard to have responsibility for operating the doors.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28538 on 3 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313302,"EventID":"S5W-00896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:54.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-18T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is a requirement of the ScotRail franchise agreement that the operator has to extend driver-only or driver-controlled operations.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00881 on 6 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313303,"EventID":"S5W-00897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:54.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-18T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which ScotRail stations are unstaffed.","AnswerText":"There are 214 unstaffed stations in Scotland. Further details are available on the ScotRail website; https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/stations-and-facilities\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313304,"EventID":"S5W-00902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T13:42:55.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will press Network Rail to place a dummy entry loop at Kinbrace in the software rewrite for the current radio electronic token block (RETB) signalling renewal.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is supportive of the on-going collaborative working involving the private sector, rail industry and local authorities in exploring the feasibility of establishing a rail freight facility at Kinbrace to transport timber from Sutherland to its onward markets. \r\nIf a business case and funding is identified Network Rail will work with the scheme promoters to find the most cost effective and safe option to deliver this facility. Network Rail have advised that a dummy entry loop is not part of the design, nor is one likely to be required, for any potential rail freight facility to operate effectively at this location.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313317,"EventID":"S5W-00757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:34.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-14T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its Gypsy/Traveller strategy development group, set up in response to two Equal Opportunities Committee inquiries, did not endorse the government’s draft action plan in 2015, and what action the Scottish Government has taken since 2015 to deal with issues facing Gypsy/Travellers.","AnswerText":"The work of the Gypsy/Traveller strategy development group progressed during 2014-15. A key part of the strategy was the development of an action plan to help drive the change necessary to secure improvement in outcomes. A draft action plan was considered by the group in August 2015. The group raised a number of issues, which were important in terms of the developing action plan and required further consideration. Work on the strategy was therefore paused to allow a period of reflection.\r\nWe recognise that there is still much to do to address the needs of Gypsy/Travellers and the further development of the programme of work for Gypsy/Travellers is currently being considered. However, work to improve outcomes for Gypsy/Travellers is continuing.\r\nThe Scottish Government has provided £200,416 funding from the equality budget in 2015-16 and £229,159 in 2016-17 to organisations working with Gypsy/Travellers to improve outcomes across a range of areas of work. Through the Scottish traveller education review group, we are developing guidance which will be published for consultation in 2016, to improve the educational outcomes of Gypsy/Traveller children and young people. Additionally, the review process for local housing strategies looks at how the needs of Gypsy/Travellers have been considered and addressed (within the strategy), and highlights any concerns to the local authority for further consideration.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313318,"EventID":"S5W-00898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:35.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work on 8 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 18), on what dates Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) decided to (a) take on 100 additional workers and (b) increase working hours.","AnswerText":"Forth Crossing Bridge Constructor's (FCBC) workforce, which comprises direct employees, agency staff and subcontracted staff, fluctuates in order to meet the demands of the project. FCBC estimate that since the beginning of 2016 their overall workforce has increased by up to 100 beyond the numbers anticipated. \r\nFCBC working hours are subject to change and can vary across the site in order to meet the demands of the project. These are subject to continuous review throughout the project and FCBC estimate that since the beginning of 2016 the overall hours worked has increased compared to the overall hours anticipated to be worked in this period.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313319,"EventID":"S5W-00899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:35.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates ministers requested or were shown a copy of the risk register for the Queensferry Crossing.","AnswerText":"As confirmed by Forth Crossing Bridge Constructor’s (FCBC) and Transport Scotland at the Forth Replacement Crossing Project Technical Briefing you attended on Friday 10 June 2016, Forth Crossing Bridge Constructor’s and Transport Scotland have robust risk registers for the Forth Replacement Crossing Project which are reviewed internally by each organisation on a regular basis and together with other information, these form the basis of reporting to ministers. Ministers receive fortnightly updates on projects which provide details on construction progress, progress against programme and budget position.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313320,"EventID":"S5W-00900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:35.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) copies of the risk register for the Queensferry Crossing from each month of construction.","AnswerText":"The Forth Crossing Bridge Constructor risk register and Transport Scotland risk register for the Forth Replacement Crossing Project will not be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) because disclosure of this particular information would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial management of an on-going contract between Scottish Ministers and Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313321,"EventID":"S5W-00901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:36.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) a copy of the revised Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) programme referred to by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work on 8 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 19).","AnswerText":"The revised Forth Crossing Bridge Constructor’s programme I referred to on 8 June 2016 is held by Forth Crossing Bridge Constructor’s. The Forth Crossing Bridge Constructor’s programme will not be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) because disclosure of this particular information would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial management of an on-going contract between Scottish Ministers and Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313322,"EventID":"S5W-00903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:36.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on developing a district heating system and what budget it has allocated.","AnswerText":"Our Heat Policy Statement, published in June 2015, sets a clear policy framework for investment in decarbonisation of heat. The heat policy statement announced that we would designate energy efficiency as a national infrastructure priority. The cornerstone of this will be the Scottish energy efficiency programme. It also maintained our ambition for 1.5 terra watt hours of affordable low carbon heat to be supplied through district or communal heating by 2020. \r\nTo deliver on our district heating ambitions, project specific support is provided through our programmes such as the district heating loan fund which is specific to district heating and broader low carbon programmes such as the low carbon infrastructure transition programme which has supported a number of district heating projects. The district heating loan fund commenced in 2011 and has committed over £10 million in loans to 40 projects across Scotland. A list of the projects can be found on the energy savings trust website: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/grants-loans/district-heating-loan). \r\nIn March 2016 my predecessor delivered a statement to update Parliament on the Scottish Government’s plans for a new, overarching energy strategy. He announced a further £7 million for investment in district heating for the next financial year which brings the total Scottish Government investment in district heating to over £17 million.\r\nThe Heat Network Partnership (HNP), funded by Scottish Government, supports a strategic approach to deliver a step change in the scale of heat networks in Scotland through supporting local authorities to develop district heating strategies as well as providing advice and support to businesses, the public sector, local authorities and community groups.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313323,"EventID":"S5W-00904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:37.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many acres of land were in community ownership on 1 January (a) 2011, (b) 2012, (c) 2013, (d) 2014, (e) 2015 and (f) 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect this data on an annual basis. The final report of the 1 Million Acre Short Life Working Group, which was published in December 2015, stated that there were 480,000 acres in community ownership. The report can be found at the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/5735\r\nA recent article from Community Land Scotland, placed the current figure at 540,000 acres. The article can be found at the following link: http://www.communitycouncils.scot/community-landownership-scotland%E2%80%99s-growing-movement.html\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313324,"EventID":"S5W-00905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:38.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what community land has been bought with help from the Scottish Land Fund and how much has been spent by the fund since its introduction.","AnswerText":"Since 2012 the Scottish Land Fund has supported rural communities to bring 86,810 acres into community ownership, see the following table for details. In this time the fund has spent £10.6 million supporting these communities in their ambitions to own and manage land and land assets.\r\nGroup\r\nLocal authority\r\nSummary of project\r\nColintraive and Glendaruel\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nForest\r\nCoigach CDC\r\nHighland\r\nSmokehouse\r\nCovesea\r\nMoray\r\nLighthouse\r\nMidlem Village Hall\r\nScottish Borders\r\nLand\r\nMull of Galloway\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nLighthouse\r\nHuntly Development Trust\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nSmallholding\r\nLochmaben\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nLoch and Cottage\r\nNorth Harris Trust\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nScalpay Estate\r\nSouth Islay Development\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nPetrol Station\r\nPairc Trust\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nPairc Estate\r\nJohnstonebridge\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n4 Plots of Land\r\nAigas\r\nHighland\r\nForest\r\nBlairmore\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n4 Areas of Land\r\nEcology Centre\r\nFife\r\nLand\r\nKCLA\r\nFife\r\nLand\r\nKintyre Recycling\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nLand\r\nKyle of Sutherland\r\nHighland\r\nPost Office/House\r\nMull and Iona Community Trust\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n2 Plots of Land\r\nWest Glenmoriston\r\nHighland\r\nFormer School\r\nUpper Nithsdale Arts and Crafts Community Initiative Ltd\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nCommunity Building\r\nCarloway Estate Trust\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nEstate\r\nThe Glendale Trust\r\nHighland\r\nCommunity building and house\r\nArran Community Land Initiative\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\nCommunity food and environmental activities\r\nGrimsay Community Association\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nCommunity building and allotments\r\nKettins Parish Hall\r\nPerthshire\r\nCommunity recreational and environmental activities\r\nKirkton Woodland Heritage Group\r\nHighland\r\nCommunity woodland\r\nAigas Community Forest\r\nHighland\r\nCommunity woodland \r\nMorvern Community Woodland\r\nHighland\r\nCommunity woodland \r\nThe Findhorn Village Conservation Company\r\nMoray\r\nCommunity housing, environmental and recreational activities\r\nKilfinnan Community Forest Company\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nCommunity Forest \r\nSouth West Mull and Iona Development Ltd.\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nCommunity Forest\r\n\r\nCulbokie Community Trust\r\nHighland\r\nCommunity square\r\nNewburgh Community Trust\r\nFife\r\nReservoir\r\nBirse Community Trust\r\nPerthshire\r\nCommunity Forest\r\nTiree Community Development Trust\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n\r\nCommunity Shop\r\nTweedsmuir Community Company\r\nScottish Borders\r\nLand and buildings for community hub and Inn.\r\nUrras Sgire Oighreachd Bharabhais Community Company\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\n\r\nEstate buy-out\r\n\r\nBeith Community Development Trust\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n\r\nFormer school campus for workshop/offices and residential development\r\nGlengarry Community Woodlands\r\nHighland\r\nCommunity Woodland\r\nKirknewton Community Development Trust\r\nWest Lothian\r\n\r\nLand for affordable housing\r\nMaryculter Woodland Trust\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nCommunity woodland\r\nMorvern Community Development Company\r\nHighland\r\n\r\n2 areas of land for affordable housing and community hub\r\nScourie Community Development Company\r\nHighland\r\n\r\nGreenfield Site\r\nStratherrick and Foyers Community Trust\r\nHighland\r\n\r\nLand for community sports/recreational facilities\r\nNewcastleton and District Community Trust\r\nScottish Borders\r\nCommunity petrol station\r\n\r\nBallantrae Rural Initiative Care in the Community\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n\r\nHouse and garden to develop residential care home.\r\nTayport Community Trust\r\nFife\r\n\r\nFormer steel works to develop as community hub\r\nMull and Iona Community Trust\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n\r\nForestry area to develop for light industrial storage compounds\r\nGallan Head Community Trust\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nFormer MOD base\r\nGlenurquhart Care Project\r\nHighland\r\nLand for sheltered housing\r\nKeose Glebe Steering Group\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nEstate buy-out\r\nThe new Scottish Land Fund was launched in April 2016 and now supports communities throughout Scotland to become more resilient and sustainable through community land ownership with acquisition and development support. The Sc","AnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313325,"EventID":"S5W-00906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:38.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for a wildlife crime prevention review.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will announce further details of the scope and timing of a wildlife crime prevention review in the programme for government to be published in September 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313326,"EventID":"S5W-00907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:39.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to set up a wildlife crime investigation unit as part of Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had initial discussions with Police Scotland regarding a dedicated wildlife crime investigation unit to support the existing network of wildlife crime officers in complex investigations. Further information on this will be published in the programme for government in September 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313327,"EventID":"S5W-00908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:39.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the results of its consideration of Lord Bonomy’s review of Scotland’s hunting with dogs legislation.","AnswerText":"I expect Lord Bonomy to report his conclusions in the autumn. The Scottish Government will publish that report and I will consider any recommendations at that point. Any changes I propose making at that point would, of course, be subject to consultation.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313328,"EventID":"S5W-00909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:40.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to cut food waste by a third by 2025.","AnswerText":"This world-leading target, set as part of our making things last circular economy strategy, will require a great deal of co-operative work across all sectors, including retail, industry, farming and householders. We will be working closely with representation from across these areas to ensure that a comprehensive approach is embedded both in Scottish Government policy and in every day practice for those who grow, sell and consume our food. This will build on the range of strong activity we are already undertaking in this area, which includes continuing support for the Courtauld Commitment and the Love Food Hate Waste programme, and two recent national communications campaigns.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313329,"EventID":"S5W-00910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:41.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the less favoured area support scheme payments work to mitigate relative disadvantage.","AnswerText":"The less favoured area support scheme is important to the economy of both the rural and remote communities throughout Scotland, due to the limited production opportunities on poorer quality land. Support is available to over 11,000 farmers and crofters within the less favoured area (LFA) which extends to 85% of Scotland’s agricultural area, illustrating the scale of disadvantage faced by Scotland’s farmers compared to other more productive farmland elsewhere in the UK and EU. The current scheme has been in place since 2010, and we worked closely with stakeholders on the design of the scheme that differentiates payments across the LFA by both disadvantage and fragility.\r\nEuropean regulations require us move to a new areas facing natural constraint designation and scheme by 2018, and we are working with stakeholders to consider the options for Scotland. A separate consultation will be issued later this year.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313330,"EventID":"S5W-00911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:41.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to explore mechanisms to make more publicly owned land available to new entrants into farming and crofting.","AnswerText":"In line with our manifesto commitment, work is already underway to examine the potential to allow more starter opportunities for farmers and crofters on publicly owned land.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313331,"EventID":"S5W-00912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:42.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to introduce a new entrants' scheme for crofters.","AnswerText":"Currently there is a wide range of support and schemes available to new entrants to farming and crofting. As shown below: \r\nScottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) Support: The SRDP 2014 to 2020 made available £8 million of support to help new entrants start-up. £6 million to young farmers / crofters (no more than 40 years old as governed by European Commission regulation) and £2 million aimed at new entrants of smaller units and where no age restriction applies. \r\nThe schemes were both launched on 1 January 2015 and the first round of applications were recently assessed.\r\nYoung Farmer (including crofters) Start-Up Grant – Around 90 successful applicants – each will receive the sterling equivalent of 70,000 (claimed in two instalments) subject to satisfactory achievement of milestones laid out in their business plan. Total cost just over £5 million. \r\nNew Entrant Start-Up Grant – 14 successful applicants – each will receive the sterling equivalent of 15,000 (claimed in two instalments) subject to satisfactory achievement of milestones laid out in their business plan. Total cost approximately £168,000.\r\nApplications to the second window closed on 30 April 2016 and these will be assessed in the coming months. Separate capital support of up to £25,000 to assist business development projects is available to all new entrants who started their business in the five years preceding their application.\r\nStarter Units: Forest Commission Scotland (FCS) has nine tenanted starter farmers. All are on a 10 year lease. One further site is being progressed in Aberdeenshire. In addition to the FCS programme, in mid-2014, tenants took entry of Scottish Government’s starter farm on land at Balrobert near Inverness.\r\nSeparately, a new group has been examining ways of increasing the number of starter opportunities on publicly owned land and aims to around report imminently.\r\nAdvice and Mentoring: In September 2016, a new Farm Advisory Service (under the SRDP) will include dedicated provision for new entrants, including a mentoring service.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313332,"EventID":"S5W-00913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:43.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the national development plan for crofting.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently working on a national development plan for crofting and will publish it in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313333,"EventID":"S5W-00914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:43.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will reintroduce the croft house loan scheme.","AnswerText":"A number of options are currently being explored in relation to providing additional support for croft housing beyond the current croft housing grant scheme.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313334,"EventID":"S5W-00915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:44.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on modernising crofting law.","AnswerText":"Crofters have long been concerned at overly complicated and outdated legislation. The Scottish Government intends to modernise crofting law and make it more transparent, understandable and workable in practice, and will do so in the lifetime of this Parliament.\r\nThe decision in relation to the timing of a future Crofting Bill will be made in due course, taking into account discussions with stakeholders which are already underway and the other legislative priorities of the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313335,"EventID":"S5W-00916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:45.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to ensure that new community landowners are not financially disadvantaged by registering as the new landlord of crofts on their community-owned estate.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is developing a delivery plan for all crofting manifesto commitments. We will work with crofting stakeholders on this matter, including the Crofting Commission, Registers of Scotland and community landowners.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313336,"EventID":"S5W-00917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:46.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many farmers and crofters have received support from the less favoured area support scheme since January 2015 who were refused support between 2010 and 2014, broken down by month.","AnswerText":"Less favoured area support scheme 2015 claims have not yet been processed because the IT functionality, currently being developed, is not yet available. Once complete, this automated process will determine those who are eligible and due to be paid; and also those who fail to meet the criteria and whose claims are likely to be rejected. After that, we will be able to issue payments where appropriate, and write to those who fail to qualify.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313337,"EventID":"S5W-00918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:47.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £65.5 million budget for the less favoured area support scheme for 2016 has been spent; how much has been projected to be spent in the remainder of the year, and whether it plans to reduce payments in 2016.","AnswerText":"None of the £65.5 million budget available for the less favoured area support scheme (LFASS) 2015 or 2016 has been spent. However, in April 2016, we made available £55 million of national funding to those who had claimed LFASS between March and June 2015, and had been paid under the 2014 scheme. \r\nWe aim to pay European commission funded LFASS claims made under the 2015 scheme, later in summer 2016. This will include automatic recovery of the national funds paid in April 2016, and issuing balance payments, where due. All eligible claims will be settled in accordance with the published rates, and there is no requirement to reduce any payments to remain within budget.\r\nLFASS 2016 claims were part of the 2016 single application form which closed to applications last month. We aim to process and pay eligible claims in spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313338,"EventID":"S5W-00919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:47.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to make bullying a specific offence.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government takes the issue of bullying, harassment and discrimination in the workplace very seriously. That is one of the reasons that the Independent Fair Work Convention was set up in April 2015 bringing together trade unions, the private sector and the wider public sector. Part of the convention's remit is to encourage progressive workforce policies which encourage innovation, higher productivity and better workforce engagement.\r\nScottish Government is not considering legislation on workplace bullying at this time. However there are a number of existing criminal offences which criminalise behaviour that can amount to bullying. The common law of assault and the statutory offence of threatening and abusive behaviour criminalise conduct associated with behaviour that can also amount to bullying.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313339,"EventID":"S5W-00920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:48.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the appointment of a Scottish anti-bullying \"tsar\".","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government takes the issue of bullying, harassment and discrimination in the workplace very seriously. However, the Scottish Government is not currently considering the appointment of a Scottish anti-bullying “tsar”.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313340,"EventID":"S5W-00921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:49.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to formalise and record nationally the number of young people bullied in schools.","AnswerText":"This government wants every child and young person in Scotland to grow up free from bullying and to develop respectful, responsible and confident relationships. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and must be addressed quickly, whenever it arises. \r\nRecording and monitoring bullying incidents at a local level enables establishments to identify where improvements can be made to support the wellbeing of all children and young people. This allows organisations to ensure that an appropriate response and follow up has been actioned. This information helps organisations monitor the effectiveness of their policies and practice, review and improve where appropriate and also help identify professional learning opportunities.\r\nWe have established and wholly fund respectme, a national anti-bullying service, to build confidence and capacity to address bullying effectively, aligned to the National Approach to Anti-bullying for Scotland's Children and Young People. Respectme provide direct support to local authorities, schools, youth groups and all those working with children and young people. \r\nThe refreshed National Approach to Anti-Bullying for Scotland's Children and Young People, which is due to be published later 2016, makes clear of the role of all adults and children and young people in preventing and dealing with bullying, as well as what they can expect from others.\r\nThe self-evaluation tool ‘How Good is Our School 4’ was launched in September 2015 and will come into force for all schools in August 2016. This includes a safeguarding quality indicator and a specific quality indicator on ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion. This will support schools to effectively evaluate their own practice and support self-improvement.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313341,"EventID":"S5W-00922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:50.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been given methadone prescriptions in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"In October 2015, Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland published analysis of individuals on methadone based on those prescriptions with a valid Community Health Index (CHI) number. This analysis was published on the ScotPHO website, and can be accessed here, with the caveat that due to sub-optimal CHI capture rates, the estimates should be regarded as a minimum count of individuals on methadone hydrochloride in Scotland. The results of this analysis were: \r\nIn 2014-15, methadone 1mg/ml solution was prescribed at least once to 25,170 individuals (based on prescriptions with a valid CHI).\r\nThe number of individuals prescribed methadone 1mg/ml solution appears to have reduced from 26,202 individuals in 2011-12.\r\nIn 2014-15, 117,578 (or 27%) of prescriptions did not have a valid CHI number. It is not possible to determine how many additional individuals prescribed methadone 1mg/ml solution would have been identified had these data been complete.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313342,"EventID":"S5W-00923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:50.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have died from suspected drug abuse in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"National Records of Scotland (NRS) publish annually the statistics of drug-related deaths which were registered in Scotland over the period from 1996. The number of deaths since 1999, broken down by NHS board, can be found on the NRS website - http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/vital-events/deaths/drug-related-deaths-in-scotland/2014.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313343,"EventID":"S5W-00924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:50.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have received access to continuous glucose monitoring in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Provision of continuous glucose monitoring is a matter for NHS boards in consultation with individual patients taking into consideration national clinical guidelines.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313344,"EventID":"S5W-00925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:51.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many paediatricians work in NHS Scotland, broken down by board.","AnswerText":"As at March 2016, there were 918.9 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) staff working in Paediatrics Specialties in NHS Scotland – a 30.4 per cent increase under this government. This includes a 78.9 per cent increase in paediatric consultants.\r\nInformation on the number of WTE medical staff (all grades) working within paediatrics specialties, broken down by NHS Scotland board as at March 2016, is published by Information Services Division Scotland and included in the following table:\r\nScotland\r\n918.9\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n38.3\r\nNHS Borders\r\n13.5\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n19.6\r\nNHS Fife\r\n44.1\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n38.4\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n314.6\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n86.9\r\nNHS Highland\r\n25.3\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n60.4\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n198.9\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n-\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n0.3\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n76.9\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Education for Scotland\r\n0.6\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System.\r\nNOTE:\r\nPaediatrics specialties included are: paediatrics, paediatric cardiology, paediatric surgery and paediatric dentistry.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313345,"EventID":"S5W-00926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:51.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many care home places there are, broken down by (a) NHS board area and (b) whether they are in the (i) private or (ii) public sector.","AnswerText":"The number of registered care home places there are, broken down by (a) NHS board area and (b) whether they are in the (i) private or (ii) public sector is set out in the following table:\r\nREGISTERED CARE HOME PLACES\r\nSource: Scottish Care Home Census, snapshot at 31 March 2015 (table 4)\r\n\r\nLocal authority / NHS Sector\r\nPrivate Sector\r\nVoluntary Sector\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n94\r\n3,111\r\n277\r\nNHS Borders\r\n159\r\n524\r\n121\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n3\r\n973\r\n267\r\nNHS Fife\r\n368\r\n2,571\r\n115\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n293\r\n1,583\r\n269\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n344\r\n3,371\r\n815\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n1,048\r\n6,623\r\n1,734\r\nNHS Highland\r\n316\r\n2,021\r\n357\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n399\r\n3,950\r\n430\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n934\r\n3,526\r\n905\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n114\r\n0\r\n4\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n142\r\n0\r\n16\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n328\r\n3,273\r\n431\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n138\r\n40\r\n39\r\nScotland\r\n4,680\r\n31,566\r\n5,780\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313346,"EventID":"S5W-00927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:52.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time was for both cycles of IVF treatment from 2007 to date, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information Services Division (ISD) does not hold this information centrally. Data for IVF waiting times are available from the quarter ending July to September 2014 onwards. Information collected by ISD to measure progress towards the waiting time standard is for the first IVF cycle only. Further information on the first IVF cycle can be found at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Waiting-Times/IVF-Waiting-Times/Publications/2016-05-31/.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313347,"EventID":"S5W-00928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:52.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to help fund and promote pet therapy in the NHS. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government fully supports the safe use of pet therapy in appropriate circumstances. It is for individual NHS boards to decide what therapies they make available based on the needs of their resident populations. We expect NHS boards to ensure that people receive the appropriate care that meets the totality of their needs and that this care is person-centred, safe and effective.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313348,"EventID":"S5W-00929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:53.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many ex-service (a) men and (b) women have been assessed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally.\r\nIndividual clinicians are responsible for the assessment and diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and for arranging services and support which respond appropriately to the needs of the individual.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313349,"EventID":"S5W-00930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:54.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have received treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally.\r\nThe following table shows the number of people discharged with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from hospitals in Scotland in each year between 1999 and 2014. Numbers are shown for the whole of Scotland and for individual NHS boards of treatment.\r\nTable 1. Number of people1 discharged2 with a diagnosis of PTSD3 from Scottish hospitals4, by NHS board of treatment, 1999-00 to 2014-155.\r\n\r\n1999-\r\n00\r\n2000-\r\n01\r\n2001-\r\n02\r\n2002-\r\n03\r\n2003-\r\n04\r\n2004-\r\n05\r\n2005\r\n06\r\n2006-\r\n07\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n15\r\n7\r\n13\r\n12\r\n14\r\n10\r\n11\r\n10\r\nNHS Borders\r\n*\r\n*\r\n0\r\n0\r\n*\r\n7\r\n*\r\n*\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n6\r\n*\r\n5\r\n*\r\n16\r\n5\r\n6\r\n7\r\nNHS Fife\r\n*\r\n*\r\n13\r\n8\r\n6\r\n15\r\n11\r\n6\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n*\r\n6\r\n7\r\n7\r\n9\r\n7\r\n8\r\n7\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n7\r\n9\r\n11\r\n8\r\n12\r\n10\r\n8\r\n12\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n17\r\n17\r\n21\r\n32\r\n31\r\n39\r\n46\r\n29\r\nNHS Highland\r\n9\r\n16\r\n11\r\n18\r\n12\r\n14\r\n11\r\n14\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n*\r\n6\r\n7\r\n*\r\n13\r\n8\r\n6\r\n6\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n23\r\n21\r\n36\r\n30\r\n19\r\n27\r\n28\r\n24\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n0\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n5\r\n13\r\n6\r\n8\r\n20\r\n9\r\n7\r\n13\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n0\r\n*\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n*\r\n0\r\n*\r\nOther (National Facility, State Hospital)\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n*\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nScotland\r\n92\r\n104\r\n128\r\n128\r\n153\r\n149\r\n143\r\n131\r\n\r\n2007\r\n-08\r\n2008\r\n09\r\n2009-\r\n10\r\n2010-\r\n11\r\n2011-\r\n12\r\n2012-\r\n13\r\n2013-\r\n14\r\n2014-\r\n15\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n18\r\n15\r\n9\r\n17\r\n22\r\n24\r\n25\r\n28\r\nNHS Borders\r\n*\r\n5\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n6\r\n*\r\n5\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\n6\r\n9\r\nNHS Fife\r\n10\r\n7\r\n17\r\n13\r\n18\r\n19\r\n21\r\n19\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n12\r\n18\r\n13\r\n12\r\n15\r\n23\r\n17\r\n14\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n12\r\n9\r\n8\r\n9\r\n14\r\n16\r\n20\r\n19\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n44\r\n33\r\n55\r\n64\r\n59\r\n68\r\n55\r\n62\r\nNHS Highland\r\n12\r\n16\r\n14\r\n9\r\n18\r\n30\r\n30\r\n36\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n9\r\n7\r\n8\r\n12\r\n16\r\n16\r\n22\r\n27\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n30\r\n26\r\n27\r\n36\r\n31\r\n33\r\n41\r\n74\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n*\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n*\r\n*\r\n0\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n9\r\n10\r\n15\r\n19\r\n26\r\n23\r\n18\r\n33\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n0\r\n*\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n*\r\n0\r\n0\r\nOther (National Facility, State Hospital)\r\n0\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n0\r\n0\r\n*\r\n*\r\nScotland\r\n157\r\n152\r\n172\r\n203\r\n225\r\n269\r\n257\r\n323\r\nDenotes values which have been suppressed to prevent the disclosure of sensitive information.\r\n1. Individuals counted once in each year and in each NHS board in which they were treated. Individuals may be counted against more than one board in a single year. The Scotland total is therefore potentially lower than the sum of the figures for the separate Boards.\r\n2. Includes patients who were resident out with Scotland or whose residence was not known.\r\n3. Up to six diagnoses can be recorded on a single inpatient record. Hospital stays for PTSD were identified based on the ICD10 code F43.1 having been recorded in any of these diagnostic positions.\r\n4. Hospital inpatient activity is recorded on Scottish Morbidity Record 01 (acute hospitals) and Scottish Morbidity Record 04 (psychiatric hospitals).\r\n5. Financial year (e.g. 1 April 1999 – 31 March 2000) based on date of discharge.\r\nSource: ISD Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313350,"EventID":"S5W-00931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:54.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time was to see a hearing specialist in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The specific information requested is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313351,"EventID":"S5W-00932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:54.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time was to receive a hearing aid in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Audiology Services is included in the Scottish Government’s target that no patient should wait more than 18 weeks from a GP referral to start of treatment since the end of 2011.\r\nInformation on the average waiting time to receive a hearing aid is not collected centrally. However we have provided information on the median wait for the fitting of a hearing in each quarter from March 2010 (first published data) to March 2016 (latest available published data) by NHS board in the following table.\r\nMedian waiting time (weeks) for the fitting of hearing aids by board\r\nNHS Board\r\nMar\r\n2010\r\n\r\nMar\r\n2011\r\n\r\nMar\r\n2012\r\nMar\r\n2013\r\nMar\r\n2014\r\nMar\r\n2015\r\nMar\r\n2016\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n-\r\n0\r\n6\r\n6\r\n4\r\n6\r\n8\r\nBorders\r\n6\r\n5\r\n5\r\n5\r\n5\r\n7\r\n10\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n11\r\n0\r\n5\r\n6\r\n6\r\n6\r\n7\r\nFife\r\n-\r\n0\r\n-\r\n0\r\n-\r\n0\r\n0\r\nForth Valley\r\n-\r\n0\r\n5\r\n2\r\n6\r\n5\r\n4\r\nGrampian\r\n5\r\n5\r\n4\r\n4\r\n3\r\n3\r\n2\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n6\r\n7\r\n7\r\n7\r\n7\r\n7\r\n9\r\nHighland\r\n-\r\n4\r\n3\r\n4\r\n3\r\n6\r\n5\r\nLanarkshire\r\n4\r\n3\r\n2\r\n4\r\n3\r\n4\r\n4\r\nLothian\r\n0\r\n16\r\n7\r\n7\r\n8\r\n7\r\n7\r\nOrkney\r\n2\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n0\r\nShetland\r\n4\r\n7\r\n6\r\n4\r\n3\r\n2\r\n3\r\nTayside\r\n-\r\n5\r\n4\r\n5\r\n5\r\n4\r\n6\r\nWestern Isles\r\n-\r\n21\r\n5\r\n4\r\n2\r\n6\r\n6\r\nSource: Information Services Division Scotland\r\na - denotes no patients were seen that month. \r\nb 0 denotes that the 50% of patients were seen in less than seven days.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313352,"EventID":"S5W-00933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:55.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much additional funding to that set out in its 2014 Budget it projects that the NHS will receive in each year of the current parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will increase the NHS revenue budget by £500 million more than inflation by the end of this parliament. Details of the annual increases will follow in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313353,"EventID":"S5W-00934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:56.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will increase support for dementia patients under 65 and support Frank's Law. ","AnswerText":"We have committed to considering how best to address the charging issue for people with dementia under 65 raised in Amanda Kopel's petition and the ‘Frank’s Law’ campaign, but remain of the view that any changes to the charges to service users for the care they receive at home must be fair to all users, irrespective of their illness or long-term condition.\r\nFor 2016-17 the Scottish Government provided additional funding of a quarter of a billion pounds for social care. This offer included £6 million to cover the changes in the charging thresholds to local authorities as a first step towards making charging fairer. We are taking an anti-poverty approach by prioritising support for those on low incomes first.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313354,"EventID":"S5W-00935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:56.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the threat from the Zika virus and what information is being provided by the NHS to people visiting affected countries.","AnswerText":"The mosquito vectors for the Zika virus are not able to survive in the Scottish climate, and therefore the risk to Scotland is very low because it would not be possible for the virus to spread easily here.\r\nHealth Protection Scotland regularly reviews their advice, taking into account available evidence, to ensure information given to people visiting, and returning from affected countries is up-to-date. This is done at cross-governmental level to ensure advice for the UK is consistent. Detailed information can be found on Health Protection Scotland’s website and the public-facing Fit for Travel website. As an example of the information provided, all travellers to affected areas are advised to seek travel advice from a health care provider at least six to eight weeks in advance of travel, which includes advice on risk of sexual transmission of Zika virus, and particularly, advice for those who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313355,"EventID":"S5W-00936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many telephone calls the NHSScotland Confidential Alert Line helpline has received since it was established, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Since its launch on 2 April 2013 to 31 March 2016 (the latest date for which figures are available), a total of 276 cases have been raised with the NHSScotland Confidential Alert Line. This figure includes both public (whistleblowing) and private (contractual) cases.\r\nDue to the independent and confidential nature of the service, the Scottish Government does not hold a breakdown of the total number of cases by NHS board.\r\nThe number of calls along with evaluation reports are published on the Scottish Government website at:http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/NHS-Workforce/Employee-Experience/NHS-staff-alert-line","AnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313356,"EventID":"S5W-00937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:57.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T14:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many enforcement orders were issued by Scottish Natural Heritage between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2015 in relation to the control of giant hogweed, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage have not made any Species Control Orders (as provided for in Section 14D of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) relating to giant hogweed. One species control agreement is in place for giant hogweed.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313357,"EventID":"S5W-00938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-20T16:42:57.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29329 by Annabelle Ewing on 25 January 2016, whether it will provide an update on how many modern apprentices in the oil and gas sector have been hired using the Adopt an Apprentice scheme.","AnswerText":"As at 4 July 2016 Skills Development Scotland has approved 39 applications for support through the enhanced Adopt an Apprentice initiative.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313382,"EventID":"S5W-00878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:03.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T08:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are expected to graduate in midwifery courses in 2016; how many midwifery vacancies there are in each NHS board, and what action it will take to ensure that all graduates trained in Scotland are given the opportunity of full-time work in Scotland.","AnswerText":"NHS Education for Scotland (NES) collates data on midwifery graduates each year in its Nursing and Midwifery Annual Statistical Supplement report, which is available on request from NES. The report outlines that there were 87 midwifery graduates in 2014 and 96 in 2015.\r\nThe number of midwifery vacancies as at 31 March 2016 is shown in the following table.\r\nNHS board\r\nMarch 2016\r\nScotland\r\n88.4\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n-\r\nNHS Borders\r\n0.8\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n5.2\r\nNHS Fife\r\n2.8\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n3.4\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n25.6\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n17.1\r\nNHS Highland\r\n16.4\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n10.0\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n1.8\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n-\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n4.3\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n-\r\nInformation Services Division \r\nUniquely in the UK, the Scottish Government has been actively engaging with Higher Education Institutions, NHS employers, trade unions and professional organisations to maximise job opportunities for newly registered midwives under the one year job guarantee scheme. The Scottish Government is committed to providing an offer of employment to all registered midwives if they have been unable to find a post. NES administers the scheme in partnership with NHS boards through a nationally co-ordinated 'internship' programme, more information on which can be found on the NES website at http://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/recruitment/nursing-and-midwifery-one-year-job-guarantee-(oyjg)-scheme.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313383,"EventID":"S5W-00939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:04.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the community maternity units that are operating in each NHS board area.","AnswerText":"A full list providing a breakdown of the alongside and free-standing maternity units in NHS board area is available below: \r\nNHS Board\r\nCommunity Maternity Unit\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\nArran War Memorial\r\nMidwifery Led Unit, Crosshouse\r\n\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nClenoch Birthing Centre, Galloway Community Hospital, Stranraer\r\n\r\nFife\r\nVictoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy – Midwife-Led\r\n\r\nGrampian\r\nPeterhead Community Hospital\r\nAberdeen Maternity Hospital – Alongside Midwifery Unit\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\nRoyal Alexandra, Paisley Community Unit\r\nInverclyde Royal, Greenock\r\nVale of Leven, Alexandria\r\n\r\nHighland\r\nDunoon and Districts Hospital\r\nVictoria Hospital, Rothesay\r\nMid Argyle Hospital, Lochgilphead\r\nBelford Hospital, Fort William\r\nCampbeltown Hospital\r\nLorn and Islands Hospital, Oban\r\nIslay Hospital\r\nDr MacKinnon Memorial Hospital, Skye\r\n\r\nLothian\r\nSimpson Birthing Centre\r\n\r\nShetland \r\nShetland Maternity Unit (GP/Midwife led)\r\n\r\nTayside\r\nMontrose Infirmary, Community Midwifery Unit\r\nArbroath Infirmary, Community Midwifery Unit\r\nPerth Community Maternity Unit\r\nDundee – Midwifery Unit\r\n\r\nWestern Isles\r\nUist and Barra, Benbecula\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313384,"EventID":"S5W-00940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:05.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) membership and (b) remit is of its review of neonatal and maternity services; when the review will be completed, and on what date the findings will be published.","AnswerText":"a) The membership of the Scottish Government maternity and neonatal services review is as follows:\r\nJane Grant (Chair), Chief Executive, NHS Forth Valley\r\nJohn Froggatt, Head of Improving Health and Wellbeing Division, Scottish Government\r\nAnn Holmes, Chief Midwifery Advisor and Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Scottish Government\r\nCorinne Love, Consultant Obstetrician, NHS Lothian and Senior Medical Officer (Obstetrics), Scottish Government\r\nGillian Smith, Director for Scotland, Royal College of Midwives\r\nJean Davies, Clinical Nurse Manager Paediatrics, Royal College of Nursing\r\nSteven Monaghan, Consultant Obstetrician, Clinical Director, NHS Fife\r\nProfessor Alan Cameron, Consultant Obstetrician NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Vice President Clinical Quality at Royal College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologists\r\nHelen Mactier, Consultant Neonatologist, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Chair of the Scottish Neonatologists Group, British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) Scottish Representative and Honorary Secretary Elect \r\nEdile Murdoch, Consultant Neonatologist, NHS Lothian, South East and Tayside Managed Clinical Network Clinical Lead\r\nElizabeth McGrady, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal College of Anaesthetists, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\nDr Jenny Bennison, General Practitioner, Edinburgh, NHS Lothian\r\nJacqui Simpson, South East and Tayside Managed Clinical Network\r\nSharon Adamson, West of Scotland Regional Planning Director\r\nIain Wallace, Medical Director, NHS Lanarkshire\r\nProf Angela Wallace, Nurse Director, NHS Forth Valley\r\nAlison Wright, Neonatal Nurse, Chair, Scottish Neonatal Nurses Group, NHS Tayside\r\nJustine Craig, Head of Midwifery and Chair of Lead Midwives Scotland Group, NHS Tayside\r\nHannah Irvine, Midwife Practitioner, Supervisor of Midwives, NHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\nTracy Miller, Community Midwife (Stonehaven), NHS Grampian\r\nProfessor Mary Renfrew, Midwife, Professor of Mother and Infant Health, University of Dundee\r\nAnn McMurray, Stillbirth and neonatal death society (Sands), Sands Scottish Network Convenor\r\nRosemary Dodds, Senior Policy Advisor, National Childbirth Trust\r\nHelen Kirrane, Campaigns and Policy manager, Bliss Scotland.\r\nb) The remit of the review is as follows:\r\nChoice:\r\nThe review will examine what we mean by choice, informed choice and consent, what is realistic and practical in offering women choice in maternity services, and examine this for women in all care settings.\r\nIt will explore the women/families perspective on choice and what they think it means and what they want.\r\nThe review will also consider whether choice is provided equitably to all service users, including groups who do not engage well with mainstream services.\r\nIn the neonatal care setting, the review will examine the choices available to families involved with neonatal services, and how we support provision of those choices.\r\nSafety:\r\nThe review will look at the processes in place to report, examine and learn from adverse events and incidents in maternity and neonatal care,\r\nIt will examine cultural and behavioural issues within the maternity and neonatal care setting that influence both safety and experience of care.\r\nThe review will also look at the issues faced by remote and rural maternity and neonatal units and consider how they can be addressed and supported.\r\nQuality:\r\nIt will examine risk assessment protocols, referral pathways and models of maternity and neonatal care to ensure our services are designed to deliver the best care in the best place with the best outcomes, all of the time, recognising that this will require local, regional and national level solutions.\r\nThe review will look at the quality, quantity and efficiency of data collection and consider what is needed and how it is used to drive service improvement.\r\nWorkforce – the review will examine whether we have the right balance of skills in the care setting, and are using those skills efficiently and effectively, and have appropriate and avail","AnswerDate":"2016-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313385,"EventID":"S5W-00941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:06.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many births there have been by women resident in (a) Dumbarton, (b) the Vale of Leven, (c) Helensburgh and Lomond, (d) Clydebank, (e) Bearsden and (f) Milngavie in each year since 2009, also broken down by the number of home births.","AnswerText":"The table below provides information on births for the above mentioned areas.\r\nTo note:\r\n1) Areas were determined by using the closest possible match using National Registers of Scotland (NRS) Scottish Postcode Directory. For more information on these geographies, see the following link: http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/geography/our-products/nrs-postcode-extract/2016-1\r\n2) Figures are based on births to women who were usually resident in these areas.\r\n3) Figures are based on the year of registration of the birth, and are recorded by financial year.\r\n4) NRS does not collect information on home births, but records the institution in which the event took place. NRS are able to identify hospital births, and births which did not take place in an institution. The majority of these non-institution births will be home births, but some may have taken place in other locations, e.g. on route to hospital etc.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNumber of Births to women resident in selected areas by year and location of birth\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n(a) Dumbarton \r\nHospital\r\n249\r\n202\r\n242\r\n225\r\n209\r\n233\r\nNon-institution\r\n4\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n4\r\n0\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n(b) Vale of Leven\r\nHospital\r\n279\r\n292\r\n284\r\n304\r\n273\r\n262\r\nNon-institution\r\n2\r\n3\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n6\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n(c) Helensburgh and Lomond \r\nHospital\r\n233\r\n204\r\n227\r\n241\r\n201\r\n202\r\nNon-institution\r\n1\r\n3\r\n1\r\n5\r\n1\r\n4\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n(d) Clydebank \r\nHospital\r\n337\r\n338\r\n317\r\n285\r\n302\r\n278\r\nNon-institution\r\n2\r\n3\r\n5\r\n9\r\n6\r\n5\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n(e) Bearsden \r\nHospital\r\n199\r\n203\r\n244\r\n194\r\n248\r\n227\r\nNon-institution\r\n0\r\n3\r\n3\r\n4\r\n0\r\n3\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n(f) Milngavie \r\nHospital\r\n106\r\n93\r\n96\r\n98\r\n114\r\n86\r\nNon-institution\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313386,"EventID":"S5W-00943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:08.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government where births for women resident in (a) Dumbarton, (b) the Vale of Leven, (c) Helensburgh and Lomond, (d) Clydebank, (e) Bearsden and (f) Milngavie were (i) booked and (ii) subsequently delivered in each since 2009.","AnswerText":"The information provided in the answer to this question is provided in a list of tables, is based on data per given financial year and therefore runs from 1April to 31 March of the following year.\r\n\r\nBirth location is often planned at the time of antenatal booking. This records either the women's choice of place of birth or, if no choice is made, the location of the booking visit. There can be planned changes to place of delivery during antenatal care and/or emergency transfers during labour.\r\nA copy of these tables have been placed on the Scottish Parliaments Information Centre bib 58077.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313387,"EventID":"S5W-00944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:09.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the breastfeeding rate is for mothers leaving hospital after giving birth in a (a) community and (b) consultant-led maternity unit.","AnswerText":"We do not routinely publish breastfeeding rates at discharge. However this data is collected on the Scottish Morbidity Record 02 (SMR02) submitted by maternity hospitals to Information Services Division Scotland and this data has been used to gather the information on breastfeeding rates for mothers leaving hospital after giving birth.\r\n\r\nThe three tables show the numbers and rates of women who had a live birth in Scotland and who breastfed at the time of discharge. Breastfeeding means those women exclusively breastfeeding or those that were mixed feeding (breast and formula feeding). The breastfeeding rate is calculated using only those records where ‘feed on discharge’ is known i.e. records where feeding status is either unknown or missing are excluded.\r\nIt is not possible to split all hospitals into community or consultant led, therefore, results are presented by type of maternity unit(s) in each hospital. The three groups are: Obstetric Units (or Consultant-led) only, Obstetric Units with Alongside Midwifery Units, and Freestanding Midwifery Units.\r\nFor those delivery episodes occurring in hospitals with an Obstetric Unit and an Alongside Midwifery Unit it is not possible to determine if the birth was in the obstetric or midwife led unit. For example, The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh is an Obstetric Unit with Alongside Midwifery Unit, it has a hospital code of S314H irrespective of the delivery taking place in the obstetric unit or the midwifery unit.\r\nA copy of these tables has been placed in the Scottish Parliaments Reference Centre, bib 58041.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313388,"EventID":"S5W-00945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:10.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many births in consultant-led maternity units have been by (a) Caesarean section, (b) forceps delivery and (c) other emergency intervention in each hospital in each year since 2009, also expressed as a percentage of all births.","AnswerText":"The number of births by type of delivery for consultant-led maternity units and obstetric units alongside midwifery units has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 58076) \r\nFor those delivery episodes occurring in Obstetric Units with Alongside Midwifery Units it is not possible to determine if the birth was in the obstetric or midwifery part of the unit. For example, The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh is an Obstetric Unit with Alongside Midwifery Unit, it has a hospital code of S314H irrespective of the delivery taking place in the obstetric unit or the midwifery unit.\r\nIt should be noted that women delivering in hospitals that have consultant-led units will have different characteristics to women delivering in hospitals with midwife units. Women deemed to be low-risk are more likely to deliver in midwife units. For this reason the figures presented for the different types of units in the Scottish Parliament Information centre are not comparable.\r\nTables Source: SMR02, Information Services Division Scotland\r\nRef: IR2016-01270","AnswerDate":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313389,"EventID":"S5W-00946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:11.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on (a) its doubling of the number of motor neurone disease (MND) specialist nurses and (b) research that it is funding to find a cure for MND.","AnswerText":"I am delighted to confirm that the Scottish Government have delivered on the pledge to double the number of motor neurone disease (MND) clinical specialist nurses. Their number has increased from 5.6 whole time equivalent (WTE) to 12.9 WTE. MND specialist nurses have been paid centrally since April 2015. \r\nThe Scottish Government supports medical research aimed at better understanding of neurodegenerative diseases including MND, with the goal of developing effective new treatments and diagnostic approaches. Through the Chief Scientist Office, the Scottish Government is currently co-funding a clinical academic fellowship with the charities MND Scotland and the MND Association. This project, which is due to report in 2018, is using state of the art techniques to improve knowledge of how to best diagnose patients and to predict survival, thereby optimising the care patients receive.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government has committed to funding three PhD studentships in MND. Discussions to identify key areas of research needed in MND are planned to help ensure these studentships have the maximum impact. These discussions will shape the research calls and inform funding requirements.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313390,"EventID":"S5W-00947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:12.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which ministers have met Network Rail since January 2016 to discuss rail improvements, including the “double tracking at key pinch points”, which it committed itself to in its news release of 28 January 2016, £254 million boost to Aberdeen, at the same time as the Aberdeen City Region Deal, and on what dates.","AnswerText":"The then Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities met with Network Rail and ScotRail Alliance officials on 28 January 2016 and set out his expectations regarding the additional £254 million investment which includes £200 million for rail improvements, alongside the Aberdeen city region deal. Subsequent discussions specifically on this matter have been conducted at official level, with early stage development works on going and in line with the timetable for delivery previously committed. Wider rail improvements across the Scottish network are discussed regularly between myself and Network Rail, the most recent of which was on 16 June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313391,"EventID":"S5W-00948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:13.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Keith Brown on 9 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), when ministers instructed Network Rail to commence a feasibility study into delivering rail improvements, including the “double tracking at key pinch points”, which it committed itself to in its news release of 28 January 2016, £254 million boost to Aberdeen, at the same time as the Aberdeen City Region Deal.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00750 on 21 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313392,"EventID":"S5W-00949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:14.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Keith Brown on 9 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), which north-east business and stakeholder groups (a) are involved in the steering group for and (b) will be consulted as part of the feasibility study into delivering rail improvements including the “double tracking at key pinch points”, which it committed itself to in its news release of 28 January 2016, £254 million boost to Aberdeen, at the same time as the Aberdeen City Region Deal.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00748 on 21 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313393,"EventID":"S5W-00950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:14.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Keith Brown on 9 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), when Network Rail is expected to complete its feasibility study into rail improvements, including the “double tracking at key pinch points”, which it committed itself to in its news release of 28 January 2016, £254 million boost to Aberdeen, at the same time as the Aberdeen City Region Deal; when ministers will receive the findings of the study, and on what date these will be published.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00752 on 21 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313394,"EventID":"S5W-00951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:15.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Keith Brown on 9 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), whether it will publish the scope of the feasibility study into rail improvements, including the “double tracking at key pinch points”, which it committed itself to in its news release of 28 January 2016, £254 million boost to Aberdeen, at the same time as the Aberdeen City Region Deal.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00752 on 21 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313395,"EventID":"S5W-00952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:16.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Keith Brown on 9 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), whether the “double tracking at key pinch points”, which it committed itself to in its news release of 28 January 2016, £254 million boost to Aberdeen, at the same time as the Aberdeen City Region Deal. is specifically included as a requirement in the feasibility study into rail improvements.","AnswerText":"The additional £254 million investment includes £200 million for rail improvements and the remit of the development works for that rail investment made by the Scottish Government, alongside the Aberdeen city region deal, will explore all engineering options to best support the delivery of improved passenger services to and from Aberdeen.\r\nThe development and feasibility works will assess numerous factors, including constructability, topography and environmental challenges, access requirements and disruption before providing recommendations. This inevitably includes consideration of potential double and additional tracking both along and adjacent to the existing single track sections between Montrose and Usan. Full delivery is expected over the course of the 10-year city deal period, with specification of initial requirements to be set out in the Scottish Government’s High Level Output Specification for Control Period 6 (period 2019 to 2024), which is due to be published by Summer 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313396,"EventID":"S5W-00953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:17.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T09:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has been advised by the Crofting Commission of the recent resignation of one of its commissioners and, if so, what reasons was given for the resignation.","AnswerText":"William Swann submitted his resignation direct to Scottish Ministers. The reasons for his resignation are a private matter for Mr Swann.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313397,"EventID":"S5W-00954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:18.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T09:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, what its position of the comments by the Minister of State for Scotland, Lord Kirkhill, in the House of Lords on 6 April 1976 regarding the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill that \"there would seem to be nothing [in the bill] to prevent a voluntary arrangement being made whereby any crofter’s share would be diverted to the grazings committee\" and that \"[the bill would] not prevent a landlord...agreeing with shareholders in a common grazing that the money should be paid to the common grazing fund\" and whether it has advised the Crofting Commission of the decisions of the (a) Scottish and (b) UK Parliament on such matters. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of these comments, which were made supplementary to a debate on an amendment. That amendment was not supported on the grounds that it would take what was a matter for the will of individual crofters out of their hands. The amendment was not voted on and was withdrawn.\r\nThe Scottish Government also notes that in the debate the Minister of State for Scotland, Lord Kirkhill, was of the view, separately from the statutory provisions on apportionment of shares in a common grazing forming part of land that is resumed, that individual crofters might agree voluntary arrangements regarding their share being mandated to the grazing committee and that this would be a matter for the individual crofters and subject to being acceptable to all parties concerned.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313398,"EventID":"S5W-00955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:18.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T09:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it takes to ensure that the Crofting Commission operates in a transparent and accountable manner.","AnswerText":"A framework document, April 2016 to March 2018, has been established and agreed with the Crofting Commission. This defines key roles, responsibilities and accountabilities which underpin the relationship between the Crofting Commission and the Scottish Government. Amongst other things the framework document highlights the need to demonstrate high standards of corporate governance, including openness and transparency in its decision making. The framework document can be found at: http://www.crofting.scotland.gov.uk/userfiles/file/Act_and_Policy/Framework-Document-April-2016-March-2018.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313399,"EventID":"S5W-00963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:19.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to assist children under four who have early speech, language and communication difficulties.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that parents have a key role in supporting their children's speech and language development and we provide support through campaigns such as PlayTalkRead and Bookbug.\r\n\r\nWe also recognise the important role of the early years workforce in supporting children's early speech and language development. All practitioners working within the early learning and childcare sector are required, as part of their training, to gain knowledge and understanding about speech and language development and are expected to undertake career-long learning to further augment the skills obtained during their initial training.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313400,"EventID":"S5W-00967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:19.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will support the work of Citizens Advice Scotland over the next three years.","AnswerText":"Citizens Advice Scotland co-ordinates the delivery of funded projects and the consumer advice helpline on behalf of the Scottish Government. We are in regular contact with Citizens Advice Scotland in relation to these and will continue to do so in the future. Core funding is provided by the UK Government through the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The work of Citizens Advice Scotland in supporting the Citizens Advice Bureau network is the responsibility of the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313401,"EventID":"S5W-00968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:20.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to change the funding to Citizens Advice Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government plans to continue existing funding arrangements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313402,"EventID":"S5W-00969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:21.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the ongoing external governance review of Citizens Advice Scotland.","AnswerText":"Citizens Advice Scotland is in receipt of the interim findings from the independent governance review. It is now working towards a robust delivery plan which will look to address the recommendations within that report. We are working with Citizens Advice Scotland and the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to support that process in order to ensure that Citizens Advice Scotland can achieve its aim of a model of good governance in the sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313403,"EventID":"S5W-00970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:21.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.","AnswerText":"A) Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term which defines a wide range of developmental disorders of childhood including in the most severe cases major difficulties which affect growth behaviour and learning. There is evidence that early diagnosis and tailored interventions can improve outcomes for the child.\r\nThe Scottish Government will publish the fetal alcohol spectrum disorder care pathway in the summer. This e-learning tool will sit alongside the NHS Education Scotland(NES) FASD eLearning resource and gives professionals, whether neonatal nurse, GP, teacher or social worker, the guidance required to engage with the appropriate medical personnel to initiate the diagnostic process.\r\nWe are also providing pilot funding for NHS Ayrshire and Arran to develop a diagnostic pathway that better meets the needs of families affected by FASD.\r\nB) There is no known single ‘treatment’ for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder which is highly variable in its presentation and severity, and is a life-long condition. However there is evidence that early intervention and support, for example to enhance learning and manage self-regulation and behaviour, can be beneficial. This involves early enrolment with relevant educational resources and other agencies such as social and psychological services. Enhanced awareness and recognition of FASD and adopting the Getting it Right for Every Child approach to support families can optimise the long term management of FASD.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313404,"EventID":"S5W-00971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:21.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.","AnswerText":"The Scottish government recognises that there are gaps in knowledge and awareness of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder across Scotland. \r\nWe are taking a number of steps to promote messages around prevention and harm reduction on alcohol use in pregnancy, for pregnant women and service providers.\r\nAs part of our prevention activity, the Scottish Government funded the NHS Education Scotland (NES) resource, ‘Compassionate Connections’, an online interactive tool which supports and trains midwives to enquire in an effective, sensitive way about potential alcohol use, during mothers’ early pregnancy booking appointments. \r\nThe Scottish Government is working with a wide range of professionals, including health visitors, midwives, GPs, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, teachers, paediatricians and social workers to raise awareness by holding seminars and training days. We have also supported the development of an e-training resource hosted by NES.\r\nWe want to reduce the potential for stigma and shame to be associated with this condition, and are therefore considering what additional communications should be developed to support both parents/carers and professionals, to get the right support for the families and children affected by FASD","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313405,"EventID":"S5W-00972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:22.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of the potential impact of the Section D investment protection provisions of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on its ability to legislate in the interests of the public and the environment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government carried out an initial assessment of the Section D provisions of Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and considered it unlikely that these would to any appreciable extent restrict the legislation which the Scottish Parliament can pass in the interests of the public and the environment. Since then, it was announced on 29 February 2016 that the European Commission and the Canadian Government have agreed to include a new approach on investment protection and investment dispute settlement, the investor court system in the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313406,"EventID":"S5W-00973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:22.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of the potential impact of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on (a) public services, (b) regulatory standards and (c) public procurement in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has carried out an initial assessment of Section D investment protection provisions and has made clear to the UK Government and the European Commission that trade agreements must not adversely affect the delivery of public services, lower standards, or limit the government’s right to regulate in the public interest.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313407,"EventID":"S5W-00974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:23.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) UK Government, (b) Canadian Government and (c) European Commission regarding the potential impact of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on devolved competencies. ","AnswerText":"The former Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment wrote to the UK Government's Secretary of State for Agriculture, Rural Affairs and the Environment about protected food names in the comprehensive economic and trade agreement in September 2015. Scottish Government officials met with trade representatives from the Canadian High Commission in March and May 2015 and had high level discussions on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313408,"EventID":"S5W-00975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:24.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the comment by the Chief of Executive of the Scottish Crofting Federation on 25 May 2016 that the Crofting Commission was not delivering \"the express will of the Parliament\".","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in discussions with crofting stakeholders including the Scottish Crofting Federation, with whom it had a very useful meeting just recently. The Scottish Government has asked the Crofting Commission to contact Michael Russell, MSP, directly on this point.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313409,"EventID":"S5W-00976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:24.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps is taking to address the reported public concerns regarding the governance of the Crofting Commission. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government holds regular meetings with the Crofting Commission as part of its normal arrangements in building and maintaining effective relationships. During such meetings a range of matters are discussed including corporate governance and current issues.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313410,"EventID":"S5W-00977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:25.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to refurbish the neurosciences ward at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and when work will commence.","AnswerText":"It is for NHS boards and health and social care partnerships to plan and provide services that meet the needs of local people, whilst being consistent with national policies and frameworks established by the Scottish Government.\r\nThe refurbishment of the neurosciences ward is scheduled to begin in February 2017, at an estimated cost of £4 million. It is part of a rolling programme of improvement by NHS Grampian at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313411,"EventID":"S5W-00978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-21T16:53:26.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T14:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out or plans on the (a) incidence and (b) impact of term-time working by full-time students.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not carried out research on the incidence or impact of term-time working by full time students.\r\nThe Scottish Government will always take the opportunity to further improve student support where it can. This is why the First Minister recently confirmed a review of the current student support system will take place.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313412,"EventID":"S5O-00061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:25.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated to making houses in west Aberdeenshire more energy efficient.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313413,"EventID":"S5O-00062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:26.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how the loss of jobs in the oil and gas sector has affected homelessness in the north east and what action it has taken to mitigate this.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313414,"EventID":"S5O-00063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:26.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the meeting of the Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare on 16 June 2016.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313415,"EventID":"S5O-00064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:27.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that housing allocation in the social rented sector takes consideration of tenants in moderate housing need.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313416,"EventID":"S5O-00065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:28.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its proposed planning legislation will ensure that new housing developments comply with the aspirations of the Scottish Planning Policy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313417,"EventID":"S5O-00066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:28.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to tackle high rents.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313418,"EventID":"S5O-00067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:28.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T11:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of post offices on town centre economies.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313419,"EventID":"S5O-00068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5781,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:29.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address occupational segregation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313420,"EventID":"S5O-00069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:29.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what issues were discussed at the first meeting of the Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313421,"EventID":"S5O-00070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:30.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to reviewing the planning guidelines on the proximity of waste management facilities to residential areas and community facilities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":313422,"EventID":"S5O-00071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:30.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the retail industry to discuss government investment in town centres.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313423,"EventID":"S5O-00072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:30.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact reductions in local government budgets are having on communities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313424,"EventID":"S5O-00073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5587,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:31.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the rate of housebuilding in Scotland compares with the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313425,"EventID":"S5O-00074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a decision on the location of the Scottish benefits agency will be announced.","AnswerText":"We are not yet at the stage of making a decision on the location of the new social security agency, and there will be many potential locations to consider the length and breadth of Scotland.\r\nWe will continue to engage with stakeholders, including local authorities, as the business case for the new agency is developed.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313426,"EventID":"S5O-00075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:32.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle isolation and loneliness. ","AnswerText":"Addressing social isolation is key to improving wellbeing and supporting people to participate in their community. That is why we have created a £500,000 Social Isolation and loneliness fund to support community-based projects tackling social isolation and its impact. We will also develop and implement a national strategy to tackle social isolation in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313427,"EventID":"S5O-00076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:33.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that people with mental health issues are treated with the same dignity and respect as physically disabled people.","AnswerText":"For the 15% of total UK social security spending which will be devolved, we are absolutely determined that dignity and respect for people will guide everything we do in the Scottish social security system we will set up. We are working with organisations representing those with mental health issues and the users of benefits, to shape our consideration of how we will implement new powers on disability benefits in a way that adequately recognises mental health conditions, fluctuating conditions and other non-physical disabilities. We will set up a disability benefits commission to help shape guidance on assessments and ensuring we meet the needs of those with mental health issues will be part of that.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313428,"EventID":"S5O-00077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:34.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help disabled people play an active part in their communities.","AnswerText":"Over this parliamentary term, we will take forward a wide-ranging set of actions that will reduce the inequality experienced by disabled people and help dismantle the barriers which can prevent disabled people from making their full contribution to daily and public life in Scotland. In addition, through the Access to Elected Office Fund (Scotland), we have committed to supporting disabled people wishing to take an active role in politics by helping to meet the additional costs of disabled people standing for selection and election in the 2017 local government election.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313429,"EventID":"S5O-00078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:35.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is planning to address homelessness in rural areas.","AnswerText":"Preventing homelessness across Scotland is a priority for the Scottish Government and we don’t want anyone to be homeless. We have unrivalled rights for homeless people and these apply in rural areas as well as across Scotland. We are radically increasing the supply of affordable housing, and for rural areas we have announced a £25 million rural housing fund to operate over the next three years. It will increase supply of long term affordable housing in rural areas by assisting the building of new homes and refurbishment of existing buildings. We are continuing to develop the housing options approach to preventing homelessness, working with our partners in councils to develop a comprehensive interactive training toolkit for those who advise people on how to avoid homelessness.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313430,"EventID":"S5O-00079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:36.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the role of independent advocacy in the future delivery of social security.","AnswerText":"Providing support for people will be a vital part of the future delivery of social security in Scotland and independent advocacy has a critical role in this. Our forthcoming consultation will ask for views about advocacy as well as wider advice and support. We are working with people who receive social security and the organisations that support them to design a system that is responsive, person-centred and treats people with dignity and respect.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313431,"EventID":"S5O-00080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:36.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for an update on regeneration plans in the Clydebank and Milngavie constituency.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to the regeneration of Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas and strengthening of local communities.\r\nIt is, however, the responsibility of the councils and their respective community planning partnerships to support local regeneration activity, based on their understanding of local needs and circumstances, from their local government settlement.\r\nBut the Scottish Government has, in addition, established a number of different funds which address specific areas of regeneration activity and your constituency has and will benefit from those funds.\r\nFor example, the Clydebank community sports hub will receive a £1 million award from the regeneration capital grant fund in 2016-17 to redevelop a derelict site situated within Whitecrook, in Clydebank east, into a modern, purpose-built community hub for use by all of the community. The project will provide significant regeneration outcomes for Whitecrook using sport as a catalyst, particularly in relation to health and wellbeing, engaging with and educating young people, addressing unemployment and crime and encouraging community development and volunteering.\r\nClydebank housing association will receive £103,000 from the people and communities fund this year to support their confident Clydebank project which is intended to enhance the local community’s life chances, wellbeing, skills, training and employment opportunities. The project aims to empower local residents so that they can, where appropriate, move on from the centre to further education, or volunteering opportunities. \r\nMilngavie business groups and partners have benefitted from a Scottish Government seedcorn development grant of £20,000 in 2012 to develop their business improvement district (BID). As a result, they launched their BID in 2014. The Milngavie BID has completed a wide variety of projects in and around the town centre since then. These include:\r\nTown centre beautification\r\nNew publicity material for local businesses\r\nA new website for the town centre and accompanying mobile app\r\nA ‘ShopWatch’ security initiative\r\nInstallation of town centre Wi-Fi\r\nAn annual classic car show.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313432,"EventID":"S5O-00081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:37.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage tourism in the Edinburgh Northern and Leith constituency.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313433,"EventID":"S5O-00082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:37.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on repealing the offensive behaviour at football legislation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313434,"EventID":"S5O-00083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:38.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure the sustainable future of dairy production in North East Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313435,"EventID":"S5O-00084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:39.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the forestry and timber processing industry regarding new charging levels being phased in over the next five years for Pollution Prevention and Control permits.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313436,"EventID":"S5O-00085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:40.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to facilitate the growth of marine tourism in Inverclyde. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313437,"EventID":"S5O-00086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:40.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the implications of the Trade Union Act 2016 on workers in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313438,"EventID":"S5O-00087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5621,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:41.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T18:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in developing schemes to harness wave and tidal energy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to provide strong support to developers of schemes to harness wave and tidal energy. \r\nIn 2014, we established Wave Energy Scotland (WES), which brings together experts to accelerate wave technology further. With a new budget of £10 million for 2016-17, WES is the biggest technology development programme the wave sector has ever seen, attracting global interest. \r\nWe have also invested in first-of-a-kind tidal schemes that will be a catalyst for the global tidal power market. The Scottish public sector’s £23 million investment in phase 1A of the MeyGen tidal array in the Pentland Firth is a clear signal of our belief in this sector. \r\nOn top of this, we have provided £1.9 million to help Nova Innovation develop the Shetland Tidal array and £4.2 million to enable Scotrenewables develop the world’s largest floating tidal turbine.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313439,"EventID":"S5O-00088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5591,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:41.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the offshore Beatrice development will have on the economy and, in particular, in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross.","AnswerText":"This project is expected to deliver around £680 million into the UK and Scottish economy via employment and supply chain opportunities during the construction phase, utilising the Port of Nigg and between £400 million - £525 million during the wind farm’s 25 year operational life, which will be operated out of Wick Harbour. As a result 100 direct and indirect jobs are likely to be retained and created at Nigg, whilst 200 jobs are likely to be safeguarded at Bifab.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313440,"EventID":"S5O-00089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:41.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-20T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with South Lanarkshire Council regarding the provision of a one stop shop for people with autism in the East Kilbride area.","AnswerText":"Further to the positive meetings between North Lanarkshire Council, NHS Lanarkshire and Scottish Autism, I am pleased to report that Scottish Government officials met with South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership on Monday 20th June. Positive discussions took place and South Lanarkshire reiterated their commitment to ensuring the needs of people with autism in Lanarkshire are met through their new and developing South Lanarkshire One Stop Shop (OSS) in Fairhill, Hamilton. \r\nThe Scottish Government made an offer of transitional support utilising Scottish Autism OSS expert staff as a practical solution to ensure service users had some continuity during the development of the service going forward. Earlier this week South Lanarkshire declined this offer and reiterated the progress they have made in working with service users over the last few weeks.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313441,"EventID":"S5O-00090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:20:42.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the industrial action at ScotRail.","AnswerText":"RMT industrial action commenced on Tuesday 21 June 2016, the first of seven planned strikes involving ScotRail conductors over the extension of Driver Controlled Operation when new electric trains are introduced on the Edinburgh – Glasgow route.\r\nSafety is paramount and, as such, the Scottish Government's priority will always be to ensure the safety and efficient running of our railways. I have chaired five meetings of the government's Resilience Committee on this issue and have a further such meeting tomorrow.\r\nFollowing further strikes on Thursday 23 June, Saturday 25 June and Sunday 26 June the remaining dates are Sundays 3, 10 and 17 July with additional action short of strike action on a number of dates through June and July.\r\nScotRail’s plans have been successful in easing the impact of the industrial action with around 70% of services operating, and this is anticipated to increase on future strike days.\r\nA multi-agency response team has and will continue to operate on each of the strike dates when all modes of transport have continued to perform well. It monitors the situation throughout the day to help ensure the public has the latest information and agencies are equipped to respond to any major incidents, aiming to help to mitigate the impact on planned major events in July.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313442,"EventID":"S5W-00956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:44:55.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on (a) introducing or (b) piloting an initiative similar to the Admiral Nursing Scheme in England for the provision of dementia care.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking a distinctive and extensive approach to increasing the capacity and capability of nursing and other disciplines to respond to dementia, and as such there are no plans to introduce or pilot the use of admiral nurses in Scotland through the NHS. Since 2011, the Scottish Government has co-funded, in partnership with Alzheimer Scotland, the provision of an Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Nurse Consultant in all territorial boards to help provide strategic leadership on change and improvement in NHS dementia care. This is primarily in acute care but we are looking to extend this role in other settings. \r\nIn addition, we have over 600 dementia champions (with recruitment ongoing for a further cohort of around 100) working across Scotland to support healthcare staff who work with people with dementia as well as three Allied Health Professional (AHP) dementia consultants hosted in territorial boards: NHS Lothian, Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Lanarkshire and a National Alzheimer Scotland AHP dementia consultant.\r\nFurthermore, everyone newly diagnosed with dementia in Scotland is entitled to be automatically allocated a trained and named link worker to work with the person with dementia and their family for a minimum of a year. This service offer, underpinned by the national target, is still unique to Scotland.\r\nHowever, dementia UK is currently working with BUPA to roll forward a partnership to boost the number of admiral nurses across the whole of the UK by 10%. This will include the introduction of the first two admiral nurses in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313443,"EventID":"S5W-00957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:44:56.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what post-diagnostic support for people with dementia is being delivered by each integration joint board.","AnswerText":"Information on post-diagnostic support for people with dementia will be published later this year, showing comparative performance across Scotland on the national LDP Standard on post-diagnostic support.\r\nThis will show how many people newly diagnosed between 1 April 2014 and 31 March 2015 received a minimum of a year’s worth of post diagnostic support. The information will be available at NHS board, not integration joint board, level.\r\nSince April, IJBs are formally responsible for commissioning dementia services, including post-diagnostic services, in their area. Responsibility for the delivery of those services remains with the statutory body tasked with leading the service in each area and this is determined locally.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313444,"EventID":"S5W-00958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:44:57.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what waiting lists there are for post-diagnostic support for people with dementia, broken down by integration joint board.","AnswerText":"Information will be published later this year on comparative performance across Scotland on the national LDP Standard on post-diagnostic support for dementia. This will show how many people newly diagnosed between 1 April 2014 and 31 March 2015 received a minimum of a year’s worth of post diagnostic support.\r\nPart of the mandatory national data set will also show how long people have waited after their formal dementia diagnosis to begin receiving their post-diagnostic service. This information will be available at NHS board, not integration joint board, level.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313445,"EventID":"S5W-00959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:44:57.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers the delivery of post-diagnostic support for people with dementia to be a guarantee or a target.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government designed a national target to give effect to a guarantee that everyone newly diagnosed with dementia between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016 will have received at least a year’s worth of post-diagnostic support, coordinated by a named link worker. This includes the development of a comprehensive and personalised care and support plan.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313446,"EventID":"S5W-00960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:44:57.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to implement the findings of the recent review of out-of-hours primary services.","AnswerText":"A £1 million initial testing programme is underway with eight sites throughout Scotland testing a range of aspects of the recommended new model of urgent care. Sites are testing new ways of working, including new approaches to leadership and providing new opportunities for multi-disciplinary working.\r\nA further £400,000 is being invested in a technology improvement programme, the first phase of which will focus on improving configuration and enhancing the use of Adastra - the system used throughout Scotland to manage unplanned instances of care during the out-of-hours period.\r\nThe learning and results from the initial testing programme, as well as input from our delivery partners and other stakeholders as part of our national engagement programme 2016, will inform the National Delivery Plan for the Transformation of Urgent Care which we aim to publish later in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313447,"EventID":"S5W-00961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:44:58.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to consult and engage on the national clinical strategy.","AnswerText":"Since publishing the strategy in February there have been over 20 engagement meetings with a wide range of clinicians and other stakeholders including NHS boards and integration joint boards, professional bodies and other stakeholder groups. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313448,"EventID":"S5W-00962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:44:58.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the Stracathro Hospital mental health ward, and whether it is considering downgrading or closing the facility.","AnswerText":"Health and social care in Scotland is being integrated to ensure people have access to the right care, at the right time, in the right place, and in particular that people are supported to stay in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.\r\nOver the last two years, NHS Tayside has been reviewing its existing clinical models of care, including its mental health services. The priorities for this exercise have been patient safety and improving quality of care. It is important to recognise that, in relation to mental health, NHS Tayside’s review process is ongoing and that no decision has been made about the future shape of the service.\r\nSince 1 April 2016, the lead role for the planning of mental health services has been devolved to the Tayside Integrated Joint Boards (IJBs), with the in-patient element being hosted in Tayside by Perth and Kinross IJB. Health and social care partnerships must make best use of their resources across health and social care, in communities and hospitals, to ensure people are supported to maximise their wellbeing with the highest standards of care. The Scottish Government is providing support to partnerships, health boards and local authorities as integration is implemented locally and new models of care are developed to better support vulnerable people.\r\nThe board is committed to working with the IJBs in taking forward the next steps in identifying a sustainable long-term model for mental health services across Tayside, with public engagement being a key aspect in finding the right solution.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313449,"EventID":"S5W-00979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:44:59.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made with the UK Government in relation to recommendations made in the Smith Agreement regarding devolving the operation of asylum support.","AnswerText":"In the period since the Smith Commission's report was published, the Scottish and UK Governments have sought to progress the recommendation on issues relating to asylum seekers. This has been done through meetings and a visit to the Home Office in Glasgow for a demonstration of the asylum process. This inter-government work with the UK Government on asylum issues is ongoing, and Scottish Government and Home Office officials are in close contact to take forward further discussion on the Smith Commission’s recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313450,"EventID":"S5W-00993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:45:00.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many apprentices in the oil and gas sector who lost their jobs (a) have found a new position through the Adopt an Apprentice scheme, (b) have found a new position through other means and (c) have not found a new apprenticeship.","AnswerText":"As at 4 July 2016, 39 apprentices who had been made redundant in the oil and gas sector found a new position through Adopt an Apprentice and a further 25 apprentices have found a new position through other means. 54 apprentices have not yet found a new apprenticeship and Skills Development Scotland continue to offer them support.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313451,"EventID":"S5W-00994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:45:00.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many apprenticeships in the oil and gas sector have been lost since December 2014.","AnswerText":"As at 4 July 2016 Skills Development Scotland is aware of 118 modern apprenticeship redundancies in the oil and gas sector since the start of 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313452,"EventID":"S5W-00995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:45:01.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T08:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has in relation to children of asylum seekers who are living in Scotland being detained in secure facilities in Scotland or elsewhere in the UK.","AnswerText":"This is a reserved matter by the UK Government and both the Scottish Government and South Lanarkshire Council do not hold this information. \r\nThe Scottish Government remains opposed to detaining any children of asylum seekers; detention of children in an asylum context is unnecessary and disproportionate. It is a breach of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and should not be happening in the UK. The Scottish Government will continue to reaffirm this position at every available opportunity.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313453,"EventID":"S5W-00996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:45:02.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T08:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions in the last 12 months personnel from South Lanarkshire Council have been involved in \"age dispute\" cases relating to asylum seekers held at the Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre. ","AnswerText":"Over the past 12 months, South Lanarkshire Council has been asked to age assess seven individuals. Of those seven, three were assessed as over 18 and four assessed as being between 16 and 18. Social work resources continue to support those individuals under 18.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313454,"EventID":"S5W-00997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:45:03.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T08:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S4W-24964 by Paul Wheelhouse on 8 April 2015, whether Police Scotland personnel have been involved in the transfer of asylum seekers from Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre since 1 April 2013, and what information it has on which private contractors are employed by the UK Government to carry out the work. ","AnswerText":"Police Scotland have advised that there are no Police Scotland personnel involved at Dungavel, they were able to advise that the Home Office have brought in private contractors to carry out this work, the private contractors are GEO Group Ltd. Therefore, Police Scotland does not get involved with the transfer of people from or to the centre.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313455,"EventID":"S5W-00998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:45:04.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T08:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any dawn raids on the homes of asylum seekers have been carried out since May 2015. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\nThe Scottish Government is fundamentally opposed to dawn raids and believes asylum seekers must be treated humanely and sensitively at every stage of the asylum process. This is particularly important in cases where claims are not successful, where people are returned to their countries of origin and where children are involved.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313456,"EventID":"S5W-01000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T13:45:05.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T11:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the implementation of reasonable adjustments for disabled people in public sector organisations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not assess the way that Scottish public authorities meet their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010, including their obligations to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees and service users. It is for Scottish public authorities to ensure that they meet their obligations.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313474,"EventID":"S5W-00981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:42.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its requirements under the habitats directive, what action it will take to estimate the size of the mountain hare population.","AnswerText":"A review of moorland management was undertaken by independent experts from the Scottish Natural Heritage Scientific Advisory Committee. This review was published in October 2015, and identified the need for improved monitoring and data to assess national trends of mountain hare populations. \r\nThis work is underway in the form of a collaborative four year (2014-17) study involving Scottish Natural Heritage, the James Hutton Institute and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, acting on the advice of several mountain hare experts, to trial a range of methods of assessing mountain hare numbers, to develop a better monitoring strategy, and to improve the quality of the information used to assess population status and the sustainability of hare management measures. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313475,"EventID":"S5W-00982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:43.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, pending research on the health of mountain hare populations, what its position is on introducing a moratorium on the shooting of mountain hares.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the concerns that have been expressed about the level of exploitation of mountain hares in some areas and has put in place research to gather data on population levels. In the meantime, proportionate management of mountain hares as a quarry species and to protect trees and gamebirds can continue. Should evidence emerge of large indiscriminate culls that could threaten local populations of mountain hares then we will consider if further measures such as a moratorium are necessary.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313476,"EventID":"S5W-00983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:43.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report in the Sunday Herald on 13 March 2015 regarding a mountain hare cull, and whether it considers that the reported incident is consistent with (a) its obligations under the habitats directive and (b) Scottish Natural Heritage's commitment to having a voluntary restraint on large culls that could jeopardise the conservation status of mountain hares.","AnswerText":"Hare management requires to be undertaken in accordance with obligations under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended in Scotland) which implements the EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora in Scotland. This means hare populations must be managed sustainably and their management should also not compromise the conservation status of the species. Certain methods of killing or taking mountain hares are also prohibited, including any means which is indiscriminate and capable of causing the local disappearance of, or serious disturbance to a hare population.\r\n\r\nScottish Natural Heritage is working with Scottish Land & Estates to encourage estates to be more transparent about the reasons for culling hares and to encourage estates in the same area to collaborate and develop a more measured and coordinated approach to sustainable hare management. The intention is for additional information from the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust National Gamebag Census to be made available in order to help inform these strategic decisions.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313477,"EventID":"S5W-00984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:44.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) remit, (b) terms of reference, (c) membership and (d) timetable is of the review of non-domestic rates that was announced by the First Minister on 18 March 2016.","AnswerText":"The remit of the business rates review group is to explore ideas and options to improve the business rates system in Scotland to better support business growth that consider how the system can respond to wider economic conditions and changing marketplaces; support long-term growth and investment; are based on overall revenue neutrality and on maintaining the overall level of funding for local government.\r\nKen Barclay, formerly Chair RBS Scotland has been appointed as Chair of the group and additional members, drawn from a range of backgrounds and expertise will be announced shortly.\r\nThe group will take a wide ranging look at the whole business rates system in Scotland, reporting by July 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313478,"EventID":"S5W-00985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:44.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the review of non-domestic rates that was announced by the First Minister on 18 March 2016 will include experts in land and property taxation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00984 on 12 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313479,"EventID":"S5W-00986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:45.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to take action to ensure that the valuation of domestic dwellings for the purposes of liability for council tax is updated to reflect the current market value of dwellings rather than the value at 1 April 1991.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have such plans. Revaluation of properties for council tax purposes would potentially impose major changes to individuals’ council tax liabilities.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313480,"EventID":"S5W-00987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:45.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to implement the recommendations made in March 2003 by the Scottish Law Commission in its paper, Report on Law of the Foreshore and Sea Bed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no current plans to implement this report by the Scottish Law Commission.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313481,"EventID":"S5W-00988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:46.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the economic impact of the small business bonus scheme, including whether the scheme has provided small businesses in Scotland with any competitive advantage over their counterparts in the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"Audited and projected estimated figures of the cost of the small business bonus scheme from 2008-09 to 2016-17 are shown in the following table. Estimates for future years are subject to final decisions and the impact of the 2017 revaluation and cannot be accurately provided.\r\nSmall Business Bonus - Costs and Forecasts - 2008-09 to 2020-21\r\n\r\nSBBS Cost (£m)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n(MYE) 2\r\n(PCA) 3\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\n72.6\r\n108.4\r\n123.3\r\n134.7\r\n150.2\r\n161.0\r\n170.6\r\n174.6\r\n177.8\r\n1. Figures to 2014-15 are final Audited amounts\r\n2. Figure for 2015-16 is a Mid-Year Estimate and subject to change\r\n3. Figure for 2016-17 is Provisional Contributable amount and subject to change\r\nThe small business bonus scheme provides a competitive advantage for Scottish businesses worth up to £3,227 in 2016-17 compared to English competitors trading from equivalent premises. \r\nFurther to this, the government have made a commitment in the latest manifesto to extend the small business bonus scheme, so 100,000 of our small businesses will be removed from business rates completely.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313482,"EventID":"S5W-00989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:46.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the small business bonus scheme has cost in each year since 2008-09, and what its position is on whether this represents value for money for public funds.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00988 on 12 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313483,"EventID":"S5W-00990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:47.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost will be of the non-domestic rates relief granted through the small business bonus scheme from 2008-09 to 2020-21.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00988 on 12 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313484,"EventID":"S5W-00991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:47.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with HMRC regarding assigning a portion of income tax receipts to local authorities.","AnswerText":"We will formally seek to consult local authorities on devolving a share of income tax to councils in due course and will engage with HMRC as appropriate to support this process.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313485,"EventID":"S5W-00992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:47.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-21T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to extend the guidance in A National Approach to Anti-Bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People to independent schools.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government takes bullying very seriously. Bullying of any kind, is unacceptable and must be addressed whenever it arises.\r\nWe want all children and young people to be free from discrimination, so that they can learn and reach their full potential. Our National Approach to Anti-Bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People sets out a common vision and aims to make sure that work across all agencies and communities is jointly focused on addressing all types of bullying. The guidance is currently being updated and makes clear the role of all adults and children and young people in preventing and dealing with bullying, as well as what they can expect from others. The guidance will be published later in 2016.\r\nWe expect that all Independent schools have an anti-bullying policy in line with the National Approach to Anti-Bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313486,"EventID":"S5W-00999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:48.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will deliver the commitment in the 2016 SNP manifesto to consider setting a target of generating 50% of all energy, across electricity, heat and transport, from renewables as part of a revised energy strategy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will consider the impact for Scotland of setting a new renewable energy target as part of the new Energy Strategy which will be implemented over this Parliament and beyond.\r\nThe aim is to create a firm, long-term basis for energy investment in Scotland, and to support the next stage of Scotland’s energy transition to 2030 and beyond. The strategy, which will deploy a 'whole systems' approach, will seek to address both supply-side and demand-side objectives and will also aid us in optimising the benefits to Scotland’s communities, consumers and businesses, and drawing on our significant energy resources and expertise.\r\nGaining expert input and securing support for the new strategy will be an important part of the Scottish Government’s approach. The Scottish Government will consult widely with industry, academics and environment and community energy representatives in developing the strategy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313487,"EventID":"S5W-01001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:48.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T14:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will create parity in relation to the calculation of kinship carers allowance.","AnswerText":"In her programme for government statement in September 2015, the First Minister announced additional funding to ensure that eligible kinship carers receive improved allowances to bring them up to the same level as those received by foster carers in their local authority. The Minister for Children and Families confirmed that £10.1 million funding had been agreed with COSLA for this purpose on an annual basis and this funding was put in place from 1 October 2015.\r\nSome kinship carers will be eligible for child-related benefits, which are intended to cover accommodation and maintenance. If a kinship carer is in receipt of any child-related benefits, then the local authority may deduct these (actual amounts) from the amount of allowance that it pays to the kinship carer. In this situation, any additional payment to bring the allowance rate up to that of a foster carer is to be considered a wellbeing payment – the kinship carer is already receiving payment from the state for accommodation and maintenance and the additional money is to ensure that the kinship child is able to benefit from opportunities that many children have but that they would otherwise be unable to access.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313488,"EventID":"S5W-01002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:49.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage modal shift of freight transportation from road to rail or sea.","AnswerText":"We continue to promote modal shift of freight transportation from road to the more environmentally friendly modes of rail and sea and engage with companies, assisting them with the application process and exploring potentially viable projects. In 2015-16, through mode shift revenue support of £725,000 we supported 10 rail flows removing more than 100,000 HGV road journeys and despite pressures on Scottish Government resources, we continue to make budget available demonstrating our on-going committed to supporting modal shift. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313489,"EventID":"S5W-01003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:49.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T14:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effect that low-emission zones would have on greenhouse gas emissions.","AnswerText":"The National Low Emission Framework process will almost certainly take account of greenhouse gas emissions and will be designed to incorporate an assessment of greenhouse gases. Low emission zones (LEZs) are designed primarily to reduce air quality emissions, such as nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. Research has found that carbon dioxide emissions have not been reported to change significantly within LEZs, although black carbon benefits can be realized. For example, Glasgow City Council’s 2007 LEZ feasibility study identified no significant CO2 savings, whilst Milan have seen a positive impact on CO2 emissions where low or zero CO2 emission vehicles were promoted.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313490,"EventID":"S5W-01004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:50.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T15:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children were taken into care from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2015, broken down by (a) year and (b) local authority, and how many of those were defined as being (i) looked after and (ii) accommodated.","AnswerText":"The data requested is set out in the following table. It is published each March in the Children's Social Work Statistics release, from the Children Looked After data collection. \r\nWe do not hold the 2007 data to this level of detail, and the data from 2008 is of insufficient quality to be included here.\r\nDetails are as follows:\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n\r\nAt home with parents\r\nAway from home\r\nTotal\r\nAt home with parents\r\nAway from home\r\nTotal\r\nAberdeen City\r\n117\r\n102\r\n219\r\n66\r\n121\r\n187\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n90\r\n83\r\n173\r\n83\r\n81\r\n164\r\nAngus\r\n31\r\n57\r\n88\r\n40\r\n55\r\n95\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n41\r\n41\r\n82\r\n19\r\n39\r\n58\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n44\r\n32\r\n76\r\n32\r\n41\r\n73\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n43\r\n60\r\n103\r\n131\r\n84\r\n215\r\nDundee City\r\n96\r\n132\r\n228\r\n78\r\n174\r\n252\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n65\r\n50\r\n115\r\n71\r\n98\r\n169\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n19\r\n24\r\n43\r\n23\r\n20\r\n43\r\nEast Lothian\r\n37\r\n36\r\n73\r\n29\r\n35\r\n64\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n28\r\n9\r\n37\r\n41\r\n7\r\n48\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n162\r\n262\r\n424\r\n157\r\n254\r\n411\r\nFalkirk\r\n84\r\n76\r\n160\r\n77\r\n83\r\n160\r\nFife\r\n100\r\n180\r\n280\r\n96\r\n181\r\n277\r\nGlasgow\r\n356\r\n360\r\n716\r\n243\r\n414\r\n657\r\nHighland\r\n89\r\n112\r\n201\r\n73\r\n123\r\n196\r\nInverclyde\r\n70\r\n45\r\n115\r\n50\r\n43\r\n93\r\nMidlothian\r\n54\r\n71\r\n125\r\n36\r\n54\r\n90\r\nMoray\r\n34\r\n54\r\n88\r\n31\r\n47\r\n78\r\nNa h-Eileanan Siar\r\n18\r\n8\r\n26\r\n9\r\n7\r\n16\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n64\r\n83\r\n147\r\n83\r\n97\r\n180\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n241\r\n37\r\n278\r\n160\r\n70\r\n230\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n*\r\n*\r\n12\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n34\r\n46\r\n80\r\n29\r\n45\r\n74\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n135\r\n93\r\n228\r\n70\r\n110\r\n180\r\nScottish Borders\r\n19\r\n61\r\n80\r\n22\r\n52\r\n74\r\nShetland Islands\r\n*\r\n*\r\n9\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n90\r\n41\r\n131\r\n56\r\n53\r\n109\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n57\r\n89\r\n146\r\n53\r\n117\r\n170\r\nStirling\r\n48\r\n37\r\n85\r\n60\r\n52\r\n112\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n69\r\n74\r\n143\r\n77\r\n54\r\n131\r\nWest Lothian\r\n64\r\n84\r\n148\r\n68\r\n55\r\n123\r\nAll\r\n2,409\r\n2,450\r\n4,859\r\n2,068\r\n2,678\r\n4,746\r\n\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n\r\nAt home with parents\r\nAway from home\r\nTotal\r\nAt home with parents\r\nAway from home\r\nTotal\r\nAberdeen City\r\n63\r\n106\r\n169\r\n80\r\n131\r\n211\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n70\r\n78\r\n148\r\n50\r\n75\r\n125\r\nAngus\r\n69\r\n48\r\n117\r\n44\r\n51\r\n95\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n25\r\n45\r\n70\r\n32\r\n38\r\n70\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n20\r\n39\r\n59\r\n26\r\n42\r\n68\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n95\r\n70\r\n165\r\n59\r\n98\r\n157\r\nDundee City\r\n83\r\n151\r\n234\r\n55\r\n141\r\n196\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n41\r\n78\r\n119\r\n75\r\n48\r\n123\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n25\r\n38\r\n63\r\n20\r\n20\r\n40\r\nEast Lothian\r\n37\r\n45\r\n82\r\n18\r\n48\r\n66\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n51\r\n28\r\n79\r\n51\r\n5\r\n56\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n120\r\n312\r\n432\r\n134\r\n285\r\n419\r\nFalkirk\r\n101\r\n78\r\n179\r\n57\r\n9\r\n169\r\nFife\r\n89\r\n206\r\n295\r\n45\r\n112\r\n281\r\nGlasgow\r\n232\r\n414\r\n646\r\n124\r\n236\r\n525\r\nHighland\r\n86\r\n152\r\n238\r\n57\r\n401\r\n213\r\nInverclyde\r\n71\r\n48\r\n119\r\n62\r\n156\r\n92\r\nMidlothian\r\n22\r\n57\r\n79\r\n61\r\n30\r\n111\r\nMoray\r\n27\r\n50\r\n77\r\n20\r\n50\r\n74\r\nNa h-Eileanan Siar\r\n10\r\n9\r\n19\r\n13\r\n54\r\n22\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n78\r\n68\r\n146\r\n89\r\n112\r\n201\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n167\r\n71\r\n238\r\n131\r\n72\r\n203\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n*\r\n*\r\n8\r\n*\r\n*\r\n7\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n33\r\n58\r\n91\r\n29\r\n60\r\n89\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n86\r\n107\r\n193\r\n65\r\n80\r\n145\r\nScottish Borders\r\n15\r\n60\r\n75\r\n12\r\n52\r\n64\r\nShetland Islands\r\n*\r\n*\r\n17\r\n*\r\n*\r\n14\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n65\r\n52\r\n117\r\n59\r\n47\r\n106\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n116\r\n103\r\n219\r\n84\r\n93\r\n177\r\nStirling\r\n24\r\n51\r\n75\r\n37\r\n54\r\n91\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n61\r\n73\r\n134\r\n47\r\n53\r\n100\r\nWest Lothian\r\n54\r\n55\r\n109\r\n62\r\n98\r\n160\r\nAll\r\n2,051\r\n2,760\r\n4,811\r\n1,704\r\n2,766\r\n4,470\r\n\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n\r\nAt home with parents\r\nAway from home\r\nTotal\r\nAt home with parents\r\nAway from home\r\nTotal\r\nAberdeen City\r\n77\r\n93\r\n170\r\n48\r\n91\r\n139\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n47\r\n81\r\n128\r\n53\r\n82\r\n135\r\nAngus\r\n62\r\n62\r\n124\r\n42\r\n48\r\n90\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n24\r\n25\r\n49\r\n28\r\n33\r\n61\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n19\r\n32\r\n51\r\n26\r\n32\r\n58\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n79\r\n90\r\n169\r\n93\r\n85\r\n178\r\nDundee City\r\n62\r\n116\r\n178\r\n68\r\n129\r\n197\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n58\r\n62\r\n120\r\n51\r\n56\r\n107\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n22\r\n25\r\n47\r\n35\r\n32\r\n67\r\nEast Lothian\r\n35\r\n37\r\n72\r\n26\r\n39\r\n65\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n44\r\n6\r\n50\r\n28\r\n14\r\n42\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n175\r\n271\r\n446\r\n179\r\n230\r\n409\r\nFalkirk\r\n45\r\n90\r\n135\r\n52\r\n84\r\n136\r\nFife\r\n58\r\n276\r\n334\r\n57\r\n261\r\n318\r\nGlasgow\r\n78\r\n371\r\n449\r\n127\r\n392\r\n519\r\nHighland\r\n58\r\n177\r\n235\r\n74\r\n119","AnswerDate":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313491,"EventID":"S5W-01006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:51.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T15:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total spend was on looked after children in each year from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2015.","AnswerText":"\r\nFY2007-08\r\nFY 2008-09\r\nFY 2009-10\r\nFY 2010-11\r\nFY 2011-12\r\nFY 2012-13\r\nFY 2013-14\r\nFY 2014-15\r\nGross Expenditure \r\n£685 million\r\n£721 million\r\n£765 million\r\n£773 million\r\n£792 million\r\n£837 million\r\n£858 million\r\n£887 million\r\nSource: Local Financial Returns - LFR03\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313492,"EventID":"S5W-01007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:51.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the projected spend is for children taken into care in its next budget.","AnswerText":"Spending on children taken into care is the responsibility of a number of corporate parents set out in schedule 4 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. The level of spending on looked after children is set by each body, including local authorities. The Scottish Government makes no discrete projections on the level of such spend.\r\nScottish Government supports corporate parents with a number of nationally funded initiatives funded through the improving outcomes for looked after children budget within the children and families directorate. Funding for these national initiatives and for local government is determined through the annual budget and local government settlement and these will be informed later in 2016 by the spending review.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313493,"EventID":"S5W-01008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:52.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00373 by Fergus Ewing on 13 June 2016, what rationale it used in selecting Arran and the Cairngorms for its mobile masts pilot; for what reason the south of Scotland was not included in the pilot, particularly Eskdale and Upper Nithsdale, and how long the pilot will last.","AnswerText":"The areas for the non-domestic rates relief pilot scheme were chosen to align with existing mobile pilot projects in development by the Scottish Futures Trust on behalf of the Scottish Government, which fit the organisational and commercial models the Scottish Government wishes to test. We have considered a number of areas across Scotland for mobile pilots; crucially, all of which have been driven locally by communities and other stakeholders.\r\nThis relief is available from 1 April 2016 for a period of five years.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313494,"EventID":"S5W-01009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:52.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to allocate its share of the revenue raised from the UK Government’s proposed soft drinks industry levy to initiatives dedicated to tackling childhood obesity and, if so, how it will do so.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government awaits details on how the proposed levy will operate in practice. The Barnett formula does not adjust to changes in reserved taxation such as the soft drinks industry levy but instead allocates to Scotland a population share of net changes in expenditure on comparable spending programmes in England (or England and Wales). Following the announcements at the UK Spending Review and the UK Budget in March 2016, the Scottish Government’s discretionary budget will fall in real terms by 3.2% over the course of the current spending review period. The Scottish Government will publish spending plans for 2017-18 in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313495,"EventID":"S5W-01010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:53.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) when it will act on recommendations made in its Child Death Review Report of 2014 and the subsequent steering group report of March 2016 to introduce a national collaborative multi-agency system for reviewing the circumstances surrounding the death of a child and (b) what work it will do toward reducing avoidable mortality in children and young people.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is acting on the recommendations made in the Child Death Review Reports of 2014 and 2016 and is at the early stage of establishing a national child death review system in Scotland.\r\n\r\nChild death reviews in Scotland will consider modifiable and preventable factors, and will incorporate local and national data collection, to learn lessons with the aim of reducing avoidable mortality in children and young people.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313496,"EventID":"S5W-01011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-22T16:53:53.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will seek to prevent delays in ambulances being dispatched when callers are not able to provide postcodes, particularly in rural areas. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to working closely with the Scottish ambulance service to ensure that patients who require an emergency ambulance receive one as quickly as possible.\r\nIn cases where a 999 call comes in to the ambulance control centre from a mobile phone the caller is asked to provide location details, including the postcode where possible. They are also prompted to provide as much location information as they are able, including nearby landmarks.\r\nAmbulance control centre staff are trained in map reading and use information provided by the caller to triangulate their location. The current national average time from receipt of call to the dispatch of an emergency ambulance is 58 seconds.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313504,"EventID":"S5W-01012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T14:06:05.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of figures published in Police Scotland's Management Information Force Report: Quarter 4 2015/16, which show a 3.3% rise since 2014-15, whether it plans to re-evaluate its strategy to tackle the crime of handling a bladed or pointed instrument.","AnswerText":"The Police Scotland reports make clear these statistics are provisional, based on management information drawn from a live operational database – therefore, the report should not be seen as an indicator of the official trend.\r\n\r\nOfficial recorded crime statistics show that there has been a 67% fall in the number of handling offensive weapon offences between 2006-07 and 2014-15. Between 2013-14 and 2014-15, official recorded crime statistics also show a 13% fall in such offences.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s strategy on knife crime is focused on tough enforcement coupled with education and diversion activity to discourage people from carrying knives and other weapons.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313505,"EventID":"S5W-01013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T14:06:06.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Cabinet Secretary for Justice’s announcement on 9 June 2016 that more offenders will be subject to electronic tagging, whether there will be a new procurement process for an electronic monitoring service.","AnswerText":"The existing electronic monitoring contract between the Scottish Government and G4S Care & Justice Services (UK) Limited commenced in April 2013. This contract has been agreed for a period of five years and will be in place until March 2018. Decisions on future procurement processes will be taken in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313506,"EventID":"S5W-01014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T14:06:06.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the annual cost is of an electronic tag per offender and whether it anticipates an increase in this cost.","AnswerText":"The detail of the electronic monitoring contract, including the breakdown of the pricing schedule, is 'Commercial in Confidence'. The Scottish Government publishes a unit cost for electronic monitoring which can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Publications/costcrimjustscot/costcrimjustdataset. \r\nThe resource implications of extending the current electronic monitoring service and introducing new technology, such as GPS, are currently being considered. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313507,"EventID":"S5W-01015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T14:06:07.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make any supplementary budgetary provision available for the increased use of electronic tag monitoring.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to moving away from ineffective short term prison sentences towards robust community alternatives. In June 2016 the Scottish Government announced an additional £4 million to support local community justice and voluntary sector partners to increase the use of community sentences as part of the Scottish Government’s drive to reduce reoffending, including strengthening the use of electronic monitoring. \r\nThe exact resource implications of extending the current electronic monitoring service and of introducing new technology, such as GPS, are currently being considered.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313508,"EventID":"S5W-01016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T14:06:07.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many offenders convicted of crimes or offences related to domestic violence have been electronically tagged in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The number of people sentenced to a Restriction of Liberty Orders (RLO) by court where a domestic aggravator was recorded as the main offence in each year since 2010-11 are presented in the following table.\r\n\r\nYear\r\nNumber\r\n2010-11\r\n44\r\n2011-12\r\n53\r\n2012-13\r\n50\r\n2013-14\r\n99\r\n2014-15\r\n110\r\nSource: Scottish Government Justice Analytical Service\r\nScottish Government statistics show that there has been an increase in the number of RLOs given for proceedings with a domestic aggravator. This may be reflective of more cases reaching the courts as a result of a strengthened emphasis on tackling domestic abuse in Scotland by both Police Scotland and The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313509,"EventID":"S5W-01017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T14:06:08.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will put in place to address the 5.3 per cent increase in violent crime between 2014-15 and 2015-16 as set out in Police Scotland's Management Information Force Report: Quarter 4 2015/16.","AnswerText":"Any incident of violent crime is totally unacceptable and the Scottish Government’s strategy is focused on tough enforcement coupled with education and diversion activity by working with various partners who deliver a number of programmes and initiatives to support people away from offending violent behaviour.\r\nFor example, the Scottish Government has put significant investment into the national Violence Reduction Unit which aims to reduce violent crime and behaviour by working with partner agencies to achieve long-term societal and attitudinal change, and, by focusing on enforcement, to contain and manage individuals who carry weapons or who are involved in violent behaviour. The unit also aims to explore best practices and develop sustainable, innovative solutions to the problem of violence.\r\nWhilst the Police Scotland Force report provisionally suggests a small increase in violent crime in 2015-16, the report also advises users to refer to the official statistics on recorded crime for longer term trends.\r\nFor overall context, the latest official statistics on recorded crime report a 55% decrease in levels of non-sexual violent crime between 2006-07 and 2014-15, to its lowest level since 1974. This includes a 6% reduction between the latest two years of 2013-14 and 2014-15. Statistics for 2015-16 will be published in September 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313510,"EventID":"S5W-01018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T14:06:08.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-22T17:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will strengthen the power and responsibilities of the Central Scotland Green Network.","AnswerText":"The Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) is a national development within Scotland’s National Planning Framework 3. The Scottish Government will continue to support the delivery of the CSGN by working with the CSGN trust and other partners.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313511,"EventID":"S5W-01019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T14:06:09.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-23T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial assistance is available for households that were affected by flooding prior to Storm Desmond.","AnswerText":"The unprecedented scale of flooding, both in terms of scale of flooding situation and wide geographic coverage, required substantive and immediate action to support those communities affected. As such, in January 2016 the First Minister announced that the Scottish Government would provide funding to local authorities to allow them to pay out grants of £1,500 to people whose properties were flooded at any point from July 2015 to 31 March 2016. The support package provided in January 2016 was a response to these exceptional events and it is not anticipated that it would be an automatic response to any future flooding events.\r\nThe Scottish Government appreciates the devastating impact that flooding can have and is working to reduce flood risk across the whole of Scotland through the implementation of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, and the continued funding of flood protection schemes. To support those affected by flooding the Scottish Government provides financial support to the Scottish Flood Forum and Flood Re, which was launched on 1 April 2016, should enable homeowners to find affordable flood insurance.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313512,"EventID":"S5W-01020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T14:06:10.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-23T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to encourage stakeholders to work better together to mitigate flood risk and protect communities and the environment on the River (a) Lossie, (b) Spey and (c) Findhorn.","AnswerText":"The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 has facilitated an ambitious strategic approach to reducing flood risk across Scotland. This legislation provided, for the first time, clarity as to who the responsible authorities are for implementing actions to reduce flood risk. This has helped Scottish Environment Protection Agency to develop the 14 Flood Risk Management Strategies, published in December 2015, which, taken together, provide the first ever national plan for flood risk management in Scotland. The Strategies set out the causes and receptors of flooding and prioritised actions to reduce flood risk in the first six year planning cycle\r\nThe clarity provided by the legislation has helped responsible authorities to work in partnership with each other to support the development of the strategies and the associated local delivery plans and their engagement with wider partners, including local communities and businesses. In parallel with other local plan districts, the local delivery plan for Findhorn, Nairn and Speyside was published on 22 June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313513,"EventID":"S5W-01024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T14:06:11.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-23T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has not provided a response to question S5W-00104, which had an expected answer date of 30 May 2016, and when it will now provide the information that was requested.","AnswerText":"I met with representatives of Graham's Dairy on 5 December 2014, at which various issues were discussed, including development proposals.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313514,"EventID":"S5W-01025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T14:06:11.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-23T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that Police Scotland should, for the purpose of scrutiny, routinely collect data regarding the detention of children under the age of 16 overnight in cells.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. The data is not currently held centrally but I understand that Police Scotland is moving towards a policy of collection and retention. Children are detained for the minimum period necessary.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313515,"EventID":"S5W-01026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T14:06:12.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-23T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children under the age of 16 were detained in custody and held overnight in cells during (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16, broken down by (i) Police Scotland division, (ii) age and (iii) how long each child was held for.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland and is not held centrally. Police Scotland is working towards the implementation of a new custody system in 2017 and this should enable Police Scotland to provide data regarding the detention of children in the future.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313516,"EventID":"S5W-01027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T14:06:13.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-23T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the longest period a child under the age of 16 was held in custody for during (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; for what reason; how old the child was, and whether they were subsequently charged.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland and is not held centrally. However, the implementation of a new custody system in 2017 will enable Police Scotland to provide this information in the future.\r\nChildren will only be kept in police custody as a last resort. If a child has been charged with an offence and the police decide not to release them, they must be kept in a place of safety. Only in extreme circumstances would they be kept in a police station after they had been charged.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313517,"EventID":"S5W-01028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T14:06:14.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-23T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is Police Scotland procedure to detain in custody children under the age of 16 overnight in cells and under what circumstances this would occur.","AnswerText":"Children will only be kept in police custody as a last resort. \r\nWhen very minor crimes are committed it is common for children not to be taken to a custody centre but rather taken home and, if deemed necessary, cautioned and charged in front of their parents/carers. If a child has been charged with an offence and the police decide not to release them, they must be kept in a place of safety. Only in extreme circumstances would they be kept in a police station after they have been charged. Such circumstances are prescribed in section 43 the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313522,"EventID":"S5W-01029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T16:35:34.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-23T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will establish a new consumer body; what powers the body will have; what budget it will have, and how it will be funded.","AnswerText":"As stated in the Scottish Government's response to the report of the Working Group on Consumer and Competition Policy for Scotland (http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00498180.pdf), we are working with stakeholders to consider the possible form and functions of a dedicated consumer protection body for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313523,"EventID":"S5W-01032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T16:35:35.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-23T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is carrying out an internal civil service-led review of advice provision and, if so, what the scope and purpose is of the review; who is involved with it, and when the findings will be published.","AnswerText":"Advice services in Scotland are provided mainly by local authorities and the third sector. They are accessed by a cross-section of Scottish society, but are of particular value to the most vulnerable through their work to tackle social inequalities. In many cases, this advice is funded by the Scottish Government. \r\nThere is scope to better understand and improve the coordination of Scottish Government funding for advice services to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of Scotland’s communities, that spending aligns as effectively as possible with ministerial priorities and provides maximum value for money for the use of public funds. Scottish Government officials are at the very early stages of this work and will continue to engage with the sector as this project develops.  ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313524,"EventID":"S5W-01037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T16:35:37.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-23T14:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 18 March 2016, Extra £20 million for infected blood support, when the personal payments will start to be received.","AnswerText":"We are currently working with the UK Department of Health and HMRC on beginning the payment of the increased lump sums and annual payments via the existing UK support schemes (the Skipton Fund and MFET) as soon as possible. This requires extensive amendments to the existing agreements between the schemes and the UK Government, along with amendments to income tax orders. We are progressing this work, but it is not yet possible to indicate when we will start making the increased payments. However, our aim is still to ensure that payments can commence this year and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport recently spoke to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health, Jane Ellison MP, to seek assurances from her that the UK Department of Health will prioritise this.\r\nWe are also working on delivery of the new Scottish scheme, which will be up and running in 2017. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313525,"EventID":"S5W-01038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-23T16:35:37.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-23T15:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides for women’s aid services in supporting the victims of domestic abuse. ","AnswerText":"In 2016-17, the Scottish Government has committed around £11.8 million to tackle all forms of violence against women and girls, which includes over £5.8 million for women's aid services.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313526,"EventID":"S5W-01040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-24T15:38:11.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-23T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the reason is for the delay in the publication of its final implementation strategy for the storage of higher activity nuclear waste; what assessment it has made of the effect of this delay on nuclear sites in Scotland, and what contact it had with experts and relevant stakeholders in the industry during the consultation period.","AnswerText":"The draft implementation strategy is being revised following the public consultation. Scottish Government officials have continued contact with the nuclear decommissioning authority, the committee on radioactive waste management, nuclear site managers and stakeholder groups. There is no material effect on radioactive waste management, with Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste arising continuing to be placed into safe storage.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313540,"EventID":"S5W-01035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T13:58:31.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-23T14:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the NHS targets review will have an independent chair.","AnswerText":"The NHSScotland Target Review Group will have an independent chair.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313541,"EventID":"S5W-01036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T13:58:32.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-23T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which current targets will be exempted from the NHS targets review, broken down by the reason for not including them.","AnswerText":"The scope of the NHS targets review will focus on the 20 existing local delivery plan standards. The review will encompass cancer waiting times targets – linking in with the Scottish Government’s Cancer Strategy which includes a commitment to review cancer waiting times targets. In that strategy we said that we will examine whether additional targets for treatment or diagnosis would improve outcomes for people with cancer.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313542,"EventID":"S5W-01039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T13:58:32.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-23T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government  what action it is taking to reorganise access to NHS dentistry in Lochgilphead.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for NHS dental services lies with NHS boards, and in view of the substantial increase in the numbers of independent dentists, boards are currently looking at how oral health care may be rebalanced from the Public Dental Service (PDS) to high-street provision.\r\nNHS Highland are currently exploring options on how to migrate PDS provision to independent 'high street' contractors providing NHS dental services. \r\nPresently the PDS in Lochgilphead has a vacancy for a dentist and therefore, in the short-term, the board are seeking to recruit a part-time locum dentist for the PDS. In the longer term the board are considering various options including the possibility of leasing part of the PDS facility to an independent dentist. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313543,"EventID":"S5W-01041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T13:58:32.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-26T18:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, following the result of the EU referendum, whether it will seek to maintain and implement minimum standards of environmental protection as required by the EU birds and habitat directives and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"At present, the UK remains a member state of the European Union. The Scottish Government has been clear in its belief that European Union membership delivers many social, economic and cultural benefits for individuals, business and communities across Scotland. The Scottish Government’s priority is to protect Scotland’s interests and we are considering all possible options to ensure Scotland’s continuing relationship with Europe. There are no plans to revoke or amend domestic legislation giving effect to the requirements of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives in Scotland as a result of the outcome of the EU referendum.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313544,"EventID":"S5W-01042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T13:58:33.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T08:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on employment in the oil and gas industry, what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the grounding of Super Puma model helicopters from commercial operation in the North Sea.","AnswerText":"The safety of offshore oil and gas workers in the North Sea remains of paramount importance to the Scottish Government.\r\nThe Scottish Government continue to have observer status on the governance body overseeing implementation of the recommendations in the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) review of offshore helicopter safety. Progress has been made on implementing these recommendations in conjunction with the oil and gas industry, helicopter operators and trade unions.\r\nFollowing the accident involving a Super Puma helicopter in Norway, the CAA introduced restrictions on the use of the EC225LP helicopters prohibiting their use for commercial purposes. After an interim report by the Norwegian accident investigators these restrictions were further extended to prohibit all use of the aircraft until further notice. The Norwegian authorities continue to investigate this accident. The safety of workers is always our top priority and the Scottish Government are content with the CAA’s response to this accident. \r\nIt is important there is a collaborative approach to health and safety offshore, including government, the unions, the Oil and Gas Authority and Oil and Gas UK to ensure the continuation and safety of offshore operations in the North Sea. Indeed, Oil and Gas UK has formed a Helicopter Resilience Working Group, which will bring platform operators together to share information and to develop further opportunities to safeguard worker’s safety and collaborate on maintaining and improving production.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313545,"EventID":"S5W-01043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T13:58:34.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T08:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the implications for workers in Scotland in the offshore oil and gas industry of the fatal incident off the coast of Bergen, Norway, on 29 April 2016 involving a Super Puma Airbus 225 helicopter.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01042 on 19 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313546,"EventID":"S5W-01044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T13:58:35.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T08:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the possible impact on employment in the oil and gas industry, what discussions it has had with commercial operators of offshore helicopters following the UK Government’s grounding of Super Puma model helicopters from commercial operation in the North Sea.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01042 on 19 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313547,"EventID":"S5W-01045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T13:58:35.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T08:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the implications for oil and gas industry workers in Scotland of the European Aviation Safety Agency’s decision to ground Super Puma model helicopters from commercial operations.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01042 on 19 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313548,"EventID":"S5W-01046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T13:58:36.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00771 by Aileen Campbell on 29 June 2016, whether it will provide details of the agreed annual workplans and their accompanying budget projections.","AnswerText":"A copy of the work plan and budget for financial year 2016-17 has been placed in the Parliament’s reference centre (Bib number 58049).","AnswerDate":"2016-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313549,"EventID":"S5W-01047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T13:58:37.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00632 by Annabelle Ewing on 17 June 2016, in light of the consultation on the Scottish Law Commission’s proposed new scheme for protection from disinheritance closing on 18 September 2015, whether it will introduce a bill to reform succession legal rights.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is considering the analysis of responses to the consultation together with the findings of a survey of public attitudes towards succession law of just over 1000 people representative of the Scottish population and a targeted Survey Monkey on disinheritance which received over 800 responses. That consideration will determine the content and timing of legislation to reform the law of succession, including succession legal rights.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish National Party’s election manifesto contained the following commitment:\r\n“By reforming and modernising the law of succession in Scotland we will ensure a clear and fair legal framework for the law of inheritance, relevant to modern Scottish society and the rights of individuals and families”.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313550,"EventID":"S5W-01049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T13:58:38.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T12:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers it important that a person’s human rights are considered when deciding on an appropriate care placement.","AnswerText":"The Social Care (Self-directed Support) Act 2013 is founded on the principles of dignity, empowerment and collaboration. It places firm duties on local authorities to offer a range of options for how social care support is delivered and to give individuals the support and information required to enable them to make informed choices.\r\nThe statutory guidance accompanying the Act makes it clear that any assessment, communication or provision of support must be made in accordance with the statutory principles and values: participation, dignity, involvement, informed choice, and collaboration and respect a person's human rights.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313551,"EventID":"S5W-01050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T13:58:38.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T12:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any occasions when local authorities have disregarded the Statutory guidance to accompany the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 with regard to offering direct payments as one of the care options for adults.","AnswerText":"The Social Care (Self-directed Support) Act 2013 is founded on the principles of dignity, empowerment and collaboration. It places firm duties on local authorities to offer a range of options for how social care support is delivered and to give individuals the support and information required to enable them to make informed choices. This includes the option of a direct payment. The statutory guidance that accompanies the Act states all options must be described in full.\r\n\r\nUnder the Direct Payment Regulations 2014 the only circumstance where the authority is not permitted to offer a direct payment is in relation to the provision of long-term residential or nursing care to persons of any age.\r\nThe local authority can use a ‘duty of care’ discretion whereby they are not required to offer the option of a direct payment where it is likely that the making of a direct payment will put the safety of the supported person at risk.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313552,"EventID":"S5W-01051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T13:58:39.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T12:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that all adults with care requirements should be provided with a timely and accurate needs assessment and whether this should be taken into account when making any care arrangements.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have a duty under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to assess a person’s care needs. The statutory guidance accompanying the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 makes it clear that any assessment, communication or provision of support must be made in accordance with the statutory principles and values: participation, dignity, involvement, informed choice, and collaboration and respect a person's human rights.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government would always expect social care assessments to be carried out as timeously as possible. For those who are assessed as being at critical or substantial risk there is a maximum waiting time of six weeks, from confirmation of need to the delivery of free personal and nursing care services.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313553,"EventID":"S5W-01052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T13:58:39.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T12:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any challenges by local authorities to the Statutory guidance to accompany the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013.","AnswerText":"The Social Care (Self-directed Support) Act 2013 is founded on the principles of dignity, empowerment and collaboration. It places firm duties on local authorities to offer a range of options for how social care support is delivered and to give individuals the support and information required to enable them to make informed choices.\r\nSince 2011 the Scottish Government has invested £28.5 million in local authorities to support system and culture change, with a further £3.52 million committed for the financial year 2016-17. We continue to work with local authorities directly and through COSLA to support them to implement self-directed support in line with the legislation and in the spirit of the guidance.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313560,"EventID":"S5F-00108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T12:53:21.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-17T13:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313561,"EventID":"S5F-00112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T12:53:23.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T08:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313562,"EventID":"S5F-00126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T12:53:29.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what long-term plans the Scottish Government has to address concerns about the sustainability of the NHS in Scotland that were raised recently by the BMA.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313563,"EventID":"S5F-00125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T12:53:28.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313564,"EventID":"S5F-00133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T12:53:32.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that school leavers gain a place at college or university or gain employment, training or an apprenticeship place.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313565,"EventID":"S5F-00138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T12:53:34.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the industrial dispute between the RMT and ScotRail.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313566,"EventID":"S5F-00142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-27T12:53:37.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313573,"EventID":"S5W-01055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:10.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T12:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out an equality impact assessment of driver-only operated trains on ScotRail services and whether such services comply with equalities legislation.","AnswerText":"Disabled access policy is a reserved matter for the UK Government and our franchisee is required to comply with the relevant legislation. The responsibility for regulating and enforcing the equality legislation rests with the Equality and Human Rights Commission.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313574,"EventID":"S5W-01064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:11.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government  what assessment it has made of the ScotRail (a) disabled people’s protection policy and (b) operating licence obligations, and whether it considers that driver-only operated services are compliant with them.","AnswerText":"Disabled access policy has not been devolved to Scottish Ministers and remains an issue that is reserved to the UK Government.\r\n\r\na) The responsibility for assessing Abellio ScotRail Ltd.’s Disabled People’s Protection Policy (DPPP) rests with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). The ORR last reviewed Abellio ScotRail Ltd.’s DPPP on 18 May 2016 and published confirmation that it continued to be in compliance with their obligations.\r\nb) Abellio ScotRail Ltd hold a current operating licence on the basis that the ORR continue to be content that that the conditions of their operating licence are being met.\r\nThe Scottish Government therefore considers that all services operated by Abellio ScotRail Ltd are compliant with their DPPP and licence obligations.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313575,"EventID":"S5W-01066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:11.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what obligations the franchise agreement places on ScotRail to remove or minimise disadvantages faced by disabled people.","AnswerText":"The franchise agreement contains several specific additional obligations relating to persons with disabilities including, for example, compliance with Disabled People’s Protection Policies (DPPP) and provision of alternative transportation for persons with disabilities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313576,"EventID":"S5W-01089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:12.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the projected profit that Abellio expects to make (a) each year and (b) in total from the ScotRail franchise agreement, and whether a (i) minimum and (ii) maximum level has been set under the terms of the agreement.","AnswerText":"Due to commercial confidentiality these values cannot be currently disclosed. Earnings before income tax information is disclosed within the published ScotRail Annual Report and Accounts at Companies House. The financial year 2015-16 latest lodging date is 30 September 2016. \r\nSchedule 8.1 (Section 3) of the franchise agreement details the Revenue Share Adjustment, which limits the proportion of annual revenue above target ScotRail can retain to no more than 50%. A redacted copy of the franchise agreement can be found on Transport Scotland’s website:\r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/rail/scotrail-franchise/public-register","AnswerDate":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313577,"EventID":"S5W-01096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:13.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of (a) pupils with additional support needs and (b) hours of support provision there have been in each of the last five years, also broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The following tables show how many and the percentage of pupils with additional support needs in each local authority for the last five years.\r\n\r\nThe information on hours of support provision is not held centrally.\r\n\r\nNumber of pupils with an Additional Support Need\r\nAll sectors\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nAberdeen City\r\n2027\r\n2393\r\n2712\r\n2671\r\n3533\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n9619\r\n10066\r\n10575\r\n11422\r\n12554\r\nAngus\r\n1318\r\n1461\r\n1488\r\n1617\r\n1585\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n1737\r\n1720\r\n1817\r\n1904\r\n2026\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n720\r\n1203\r\n1601\r\n1625\r\n1682\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n2460\r\n3939\r\n4410\r\n4687\r\n4967\r\nDundee City\r\n2083\r\n2265\r\n2398\r\n2487\r\n3018\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n2676\r\n2958\r\n3128\r\n3216\r\n3610\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n1485\r\n2134\r\n2942\r\n3147\r\n3377\r\nEast Lothian\r\n2359\r\n2656\r\n2953\r\n2945\r\n2925\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n1707\r\n2617\r\n2562\r\n2821\r\n2920\r\nEdinburgh City\r\n7351\r\n8506\r\n9383\r\n9754\r\n11263\r\nEilean Siar\r\n972\r\n1018\r\n966\r\n1056\r\n1105\r\nFalkirk\r\n1906\r\n2365\r\n2923\r\n3283\r\n3499\r\nFife\r\n6708\r\n6603\r\n6892\r\n7035\r\n8343\r\nGlasgow City\r\n14490\r\n21425\r\n21320\r\n21004\r\n19701\r\nHighland\r\n5647\r\n6686\r\n7258\r\n7439\r\n10344\r\nInverclyde\r\n1509\r\n1981\r\n2173\r\n2387\r\n2573\r\nMidlothian\r\n923\r\n1435\r\n1839\r\n2236\r\n2735\r\nMoray\r\n1426\r\n1731\r\n2384\r\n2747\r\n3197\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n2685\r\n3312\r\n3972\r\n4675\r\n4903\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n3222\r\n3451\r\n3595\r\n3746\r\n3930\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n257\r\n504\r\n577\r\n620\r\n702\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n4194\r\n4596\r\n5097\r\n5565\r\n5843\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n1670\r\n1778\r\n3240\r\n3320\r\n3343\r\nScottish Borders\r\n1191\r\n1757\r\n2521\r\n3622\r\n4136\r\nShetland Islands\r\n803\r\n737\r\n678\r\n700\r\n753\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n3529\r\n3865\r\n2961\r\n1676\r\n1635\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n2928\r\n3288\r\n6284\r\n8211\r\n9126\r\nStirling\r\n1324\r\n1634\r\n2817\r\n3007\r\n3097\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n4323\r\n4456\r\n4571\r\n4574\r\n4383\r\nWest Lothian\r\n2702\r\n2944\r\n3225\r\n5003\r\n6069\r\nAll local authorities\r\n97951\r\n117484\r\n131262\r\n140202\r\n152877\r\nGrant aided\r\n276\r\n334\r\n342\r\n322\r\n315\r\nScotland\r\n98227\r\n117818\r\n131604\r\n140524\r\n153192\r\n\r\n\r\nPercentage of pupils with an Additional Support Need\r\nAll sectors\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nAberdeen City\r\n9.5%\r\n11.2%\r\n12.5%\r\n12.1%\r\n15.9%\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n28.3%\r\n29.6%\r\n30.7%\r\n32.6%\r\n35.7%\r\nAngus\r\n8.6%\r\n9.7%\r\n9.9%\r\n10.7%\r\n10.5%\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n15.7%\r\n16.0%\r\n17.0%\r\n18.0%\r\n19.4%\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n11.0%\r\n18.2%\r\n24.1%\r\n24.8%\r\n25.5%\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n12.7%\r\n20.6%\r\n23.3%\r\n24.9%\r\n26.5%\r\nDundee City\r\n12.0%\r\n13.0%\r\n13.7%\r\n14.1%\r\n16.8%\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n16.6%\r\n18.4%\r\n19.5%\r\n20.2%\r\n22.6%\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n9.4%\r\n13.4%\r\n18.3%\r\n19.4%\r\n20.6%\r\nEast Lothian\r\n17.7%\r\n19.7%\r\n21.6%\r\n21.5%\r\n21.1%\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n10.5%\r\n16.2%\r\n15.8%\r\n17.2%\r\n17.6%\r\nEdinburgh City\r\n16.5%\r\n18.9%\r\n20.4%\r\n20.8%\r\n23.6%\r\nEilean Siar\r\n27.4%\r\n29.1%\r\n28.1%\r\n31.4%\r\n33.0%\r\nFalkirk\r\n9.2%\r\n11.3%\r\n13.9%\r\n15.4%\r\n16.3%\r\nFife\r\n14.1%\r\n13.8%\r\n14.3%\r\n14.5%\r\n17.1%\r\nGlasgow City\r\n22.4%\r\n33.1%\r\n32.7%\r\n32.1%\r\n29.8%\r\nHighland\r\n18.2%\r\n21.6%\r\n23.5%\r\n24.2%\r\n33.6%\r\nInverclyde\r\n14.6%\r\n19.4%\r\n21.5%\r\n23.8%\r\n25.9%\r\nMidlothian\r\n7.9%\r\n12.1%\r\n15.5%\r\n18.6%\r\n22.3%\r\nMoray\r\n12.0%\r\n14.5%\r\n19.9%\r\n22.8%\r\n26.8%\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n14.5%\r\n18.0%\r\n21.7%\r\n25.7%\r\n27.1%\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n6.6%\r\n7.1%\r\n7.4%\r\n7.6%\r\n8.0%\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n9.6%\r\n18.9%\r\n21.8%\r\n23.3%\r\n26.3%\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n24.1%\r\n26.2%\r\n29.0%\r\n31.4%\r\n32.8%\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n7.1%\r\n7.6%\r\n13.9%\r\n14.3%\r\n14.4%\r\nScottish Borders\r\n8.0%\r\n11.9%\r\n17.3%\r\n24.9%\r\n28.5%\r\nShetland Islands\r\n24.4%\r\n22.8%\r\n20.9%\r\n21.7%\r\n23.3%\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n24.7%\r\n27.2%\r\n20.9%\r\n12.0%\r\n11.6%\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n6.8%\r\n7.6%\r\n14.6%\r\n19.0%\r\n21.0%\r\nStirling\r\n10.7%\r\n13.2%\r\n23.0%\r\n24.4%\r\n25.0%\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n35.2%\r\n36.2%\r\n36.9%\r\n37.0%\r\n35.3%\r\nWest Lothian\r\n10.5%\r\n11.3%\r\n12.3%\r\n19.0%\r\n22.8%\r\nAll local authorities\r\n14.6%\r\n17.5%\r\n19.5%\r\n20.7%\r\n22.5%\r\nGrant aided\r\n20.8%\r\n25.5%\r\n26.5%\r\n25.1%\r\n25.1%\r\nScotland\r\n14.6%\r\n17.6%\r\n19.5%\r\n20.8%\r\n22.5%","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313578,"EventID":"S5W-01058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:14.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T12:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether (a) the ScotRail franchise agreement and (b) driver-only operated passenger ScotRail services are in breach of the Equality Act 2010. ","AnswerText":"(a) The franchise agreement is not in breach of the Equality Act 2010. Disabled access policy is a reserved matter for the UK Government and our franchisee is required to comply with the relevant legislation. The responsibility for regulating and enforcing the equality legislation rests with the Equality and Human Rights Commission. \r\n(b) Disabled access policy is a reserved matter for the UK Government and our franchisee is required to comply with the relevant legislation. The responsibility for regulating and enforcing the equality legislation rests with the Equality and Human Rights Commission.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313579,"EventID":"S5W-01083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:14.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what processes are in place to ensure that Abellio meets the terms of the ScotRail franchise agreement; how often it meets the company to discuss the delivery of the agreement, and whether it will publish the delivery plan.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, via our national transport agency (Transport Scotland) meet frequently with ScotRail to monitor their performance in the delivery of the franchise agreement. Minutes of the four weekly franchise performance meeting can be found in the public register on Transport Scotland’s website.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313580,"EventID":"S5W-01097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:15.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the demand for additional support needs in schools is taken into account as part of the local government funding formula and what the specific adjustment has been for Moray in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The local government finance settlements were maintained over the period 2012-16 with extra money for additional responsibilities and the total settlement for 2016-17 amounts to over £10.3 billion. Moray Council receives its fair share of this total sum, through the needs based formula, which amounts to over £164.7 million tin 2016.\r\n\r\nThe vast majority of the revenue funding, including funding for additional support needs in schools, is being provided by means of a block grant and as a result funding for individual services is not separately identifiable. It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.\r\nThe 2015 annual report to Parliament on the implementation of additional support for learning legislation indicates that education authorities spent just over £4.8 billion on education in Scotland. Of that, £579 million is spent on additional support for learning. This is an increase of £24 million on 2014 expenditure. This equates to just over 12% of the overall spend on education in Scotland and an increase of 1% on 2014.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313581,"EventID":"S5W-01073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:16.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions its officials have had with the (a) UK Government, (b) train operating companies, (c) Rail Safety and Standards Board and (d) Rail Delivery Group regarding (i) driver-only operated and (ii) driver-control operated passenger trains on ScotRail services.","AnswerText":"We have discussed the operation of the existing rail network (diesel and electric) in the range of regular scheduled discussions with all stakeholders in areas of mutual interest.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313582,"EventID":"S5W-01080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:16.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what proportion of ScotRail services have run without a second member of on-board staff in each month since April 2015.","AnswerText":"During the last year of SQUIRE audits (from June 2015) the following results were returned.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTrains audited\r\nFails recorded\r\n%\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 3\r\n186\r\n2\r\n1.075\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 4\r\n187\r\n1\r\n0.535\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 5\r\n187\r\n0\r\n0.000\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 6\r\n178\r\n0\r\n0.000\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 7\r\n185\r\n1\r\n0.541\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 8\r\n180\r\n4\r\n2.222\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 9\r\n179\r\n5\r\n2.793\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 10\r\n183\r\n3\r\n1.639\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 11\r\n192\r\n0\r\n0.000\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 12\r\n187\r\n3\r\n1.604\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 13\r\n177\r\n0\r\n0.000\r\n2016-17\r\nPeriod 1\r\n191\r\n2\r\n1.047\r\n2016-17\r\nPeriod 2\r\n193\r\n0\r\n0.000\r\n2016-17\r\nPeriod 3\r\n191\r\n3\r\n1.571","AnswerDate":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313583,"EventID":"S5W-01082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:17.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it costs ScotRail to use (a) a conductor and (b) another staff member as the second member of on-board staff.","AnswerText":"The known advertised salary for a ScotRail conductor in 2016-17 is £29,459 per annum. The second person grade or position is not publicly available at this time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313584,"EventID":"S5W-01077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:18.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have indicated in advance since April 2015 that they required assistance to use ScotRail services; how many received this assistance, and what information it has regarding how many times this was provided by (a) station or (b) on-board staff.","AnswerText":"Based on information provided by ScotRail, 91,686 assisted travel bookings have been made since April 2015 up to and including May 2016. Of this number, based on ScotRail data, 91,439 (just over 99.7%) customer received assistance. ScotRail advise that passenger assistance is apportioned to stations and not trains, although actual assistance can be provided at a station or on a train.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313585,"EventID":"S5W-01078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:18.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how ScotRail ensures that timetabled passenger services run with a second member of on-board staff, and what penalties can be imposed if a service does not have this.","AnswerText":"ScotRail has a franchise commitment to ‘use all reasonable endeavours to maintain a minimum staffing level for every train service of two members of staff’.\r\n\r\nTransport Scotland through the service quality incentive regime, inspect approximately 180 services per four weekly period. Two aspects are audited for on train staff.\r\nOne aspect covers train staff and customer care on the trains. This includes ‘general provision of customer care duties including provision of information to passengers and helping hand assistance’ and also ‘taking appropriate measures to deal with unruly behaviour by any passengers’.\r\nThe minimum threshold level for this schedule is 90%, and if exceeded the maximum financial penalty for this schedule is £10,800.\r\nThe other is specifically for ticket inspections on trains. Where for ‘each train there shall be a person whose duties shall include revenue protection comprising inspection of tickets, issuing of tickets to persons not in possession of a valid tickets and collection of revenue’.\r\nThe minimum threshold level for this schedule is 95%, and if reached the maximum financial penalty for this schedule is £50,000.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313586,"EventID":"S5W-01092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:19.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on using the break clause in the ScotRail franchise agreement to allow for consideration to be given for a public sector bid to provide the service, and what (a) preparations and (b) discussions its officials have had regarding this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government enters into all contracts in good faith and it will honour the terms of the existing ScotRail franchise contract, which commenced on 1 April 2015, a year before new powers were granted under the Scotland Act that enable a public sector operator to bid for a rail franchise. Preparatory work is underway by officials to enable a public sector body to be able to do so. ScotRail's programme in meeting its contracted obligations are kept under review and monitored closely.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313587,"EventID":"S5W-01095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:19.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the provision for school pupils with additional support needs is inspected and regulated.","AnswerText":"Evaluating the quality of provision for school pupils with additional support needs is an integral component of the current inspection model. All schools are inspected using five quality indicators from How Good Is Our School 3. For all children, including those with additional support needs, HM Inspectors evaluate the quality of learners’ experiences, their attainment and achievement, the use of tasks, activities, and resources, the quality of the school’s curriculum, and the capacity of the school to improve outcomes for all school pupils.\r\n\r\nOne of the quality indicators used by inspectors is 5.3 Meeting Learning Needs. This quality indicator has a particular focus on school pupils with additional support needs. For every school, HM Inspectors evaluate the quality of three specific themes within 5.3 Meeting Learning Needs. These are: identification of children’s specific additional support needs, the roles of teachers and specialist staff in meeting the needs of children with additional support needs, and meeting and implementing the requirements of legislation.\r\nExisting legislative duties include:\r\nStandards in Scotland’s Schools Act 2000\r\nEducation (Disability Strategies and Pupils’ Educational Records) (Scotland) Act 2002 \r\nEducation (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (as amended) \r\nEquality Act 2010\r\nChildren and Young People Act 2014\r\nEducation (Scotland) Act 2016\r\nIf a school has a ‘Weak’ evaluation for 5.3 Meeting Learning Needs, this would automatically trigger a follow-through inspection within a year. Prior to the follow-through inspection, the school would receive support from the local authority and Education Scotland to improve their performance in this area.\r\nThe Scottish Government monitors the progress of school pupils with additional support needs on an annual basis. Areas analysed include, attainment and achievement, exclusion rates, attendance, and positive destinations. Overall, the outcomes for school pupils with additional support needs are improving over time.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313588,"EventID":"S5W-01053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:20.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T12:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the introduction by ScotRail of class 385 trains configured for driver-only operation will impact on disabled people and whether these services will be compliant with the operator's obligation to make all reasonable endeavours to assist disabled people.","AnswerText":"All UK train operators are obliged, when introducing new rolling stock, to ensure it is compliant with the technical specification for interoperability for persons with reduced mobility (PRM-TSI) regulations. ScotRail will therefore require Hitachi to deliver the new fleet that meets those standards as part of the acceptance process with the Office of Rail and Road.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313589,"EventID":"S5W-01068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:21.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what basis Hitachi was awarded the contract to build the ScotRail class 385 passenger trains; who made the decision, and whether it will provide details of the other bidders.","AnswerText":"Abellio provided a fully compliant bid to operate the franchise including a new fleet of trains from Hitachi which met the specification stated in the invitation to tender and have subsequently been included as commitments within the franchise agreement. The four other bids are 'Commercially Confidential'.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313590,"EventID":"S5W-01087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:21.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much subsidy Abellio receives annually under the ScotRail franchise agreement, and how much it expects the company to pay in premium payments.","AnswerText":"Due to commercial confidentiality these values cannot be currently disclosed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313591,"EventID":"S5W-01100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:22.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects air quality standards to be met throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"Cleaner Air for Scotland - The Road to a Healthier Future, Scotland's first distinct air quality strategy, was published in November 2015. It commits to achieving full compliance with EU air quality legislation by 2020.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313592,"EventID":"S5W-01063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:23.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding ScotRail using driver-only operated services and whether this complies with the operator's public equality duty required under the Equality Act 2010.","AnswerText":"There is no obligation for Scottish Ministers to discuss the operation of ScotRail services with the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313593,"EventID":"S5W-01074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:23.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact that driver-only operated trains have on (a) revenue protection and (b) antisocial behaviour on ScotRail services.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland oversees the Abellio ScotRail franchise contract, on behalf of the Scottish Government, and specifies the performance levels that ScotRail should meet.\r\nScotRail is responsible for providing the specified services and all other functions necessary to support the delivery of train services required of an experienced train operator including operation of the train services, and all customer related services including revenue protection, and taking appropriate measures to deal with unruly behaviour by any passengers, so far as is reasonably practicable in the absence of police assistance, and calling for police assistance when required. Transport Scotland does not have any day to day involvement in this.\r\nAlso, Driver Only Operation is a misnomer in the Scottish context. As a key requirement of the existing contract ScotRail is obliged to use all reasonable endeavours to;\r\nHave a second member of staff on each service it operates\r\nEnsure that on each passenger there are sufficient staff whose duties include general provision of customer care duties including provision of information to passengers and ‘helping hand’ assistance to adults with small children and infirm, elderly and disabled passengers who may require such assistance.\r\nThis is audited via Transport Scotland’s Service Quality Incentive Regime.\r\nThe number of anti-social behaviour offences recorded by British Transport Police in 2015-16 was 1,404, compared to 1,498 in the previous year. This is a reduction of 6%.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313594,"EventID":"S5W-01076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:24.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the benefits of staffing on (a) ScotRail trains and (b) railway stations.","AnswerText":"We recognise the critical importance of good staff for ScotRail services both at stations and on trains, and this is reflected in our franchise agreement, including a requirement of no compulsory redundancies during the life of the contract.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313595,"EventID":"S5W-01067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:25.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is paying for the ScotRail class 385 passenger trains.","AnswerText":"ScotRail are paying to lease the trains.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313596,"EventID":"S5W-01069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:25.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) where and (b) by what date the ScotRail class 385 passenger trains will be (i) manufactured and (ii) assembled, and up to what stage in the process modifications can be made to the design.","AnswerText":"The design of the fleet has been agreed and the first tranche of class 385s are currently being built and tested in Japan. Work begins next month to assemble the remainder of the fleet at Hitachi’s new factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. ScotRail plan to introduce them into service between autumn 2017 and early 2019 on various routes in the central belt.\r\n\r\nThe timing of modifications on the production schedule and related costs are a commercial matter for ScotRail and Hitachi. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313597,"EventID":"S5W-01086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T13:42:26.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on ScotRail increasing the number of driver-only operated passenger services. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers do not set ScotRail’s operational policy. We look to the railway, the operator and unions to arrive at a safe, efficient customer focused solution. The term ‘driver only operation’ is a misnomer in the Scottish context, A key requirement of the franchise agreement is that the franchisee uses all reasonable endeavours to have a second member of staff on board each service it operates.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313614,"EventID":"S5W-01110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5868,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T14:36:55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the NHS 24 Future Programme.","AnswerText":"There will be a phased implementation of NHS 24’s new system starting later in summer 2016.\r\nThe NHS 24 board at its meeting on 29 June 2016 agreed that implementation of its future programme would commence in summer with the introduction of its new telephony system across a range of planned care services in 2016, including Breathing Space, NHS Living Life, Musculoskeletal helpline, Death Certification, Blood Transfusion and Fit For Work Service; to be followed by the phased introduction of the system, and full implementation across all health boards by the end of 2017.\r\nWhile the delays are disappointing, given the previous attempt to launch, it is important that all aspects of the system have been tested, are safe and that staff are able to confidently handle the system before it is introduced. We shall continue to make and review progress on this basis.\r\nWe also expect the NHS 24 board to make every effort to ensure best use of resources in delivering this system, including taking every effort to manage this implementation within existing funding. The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with NHS 24 during this time.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313615,"EventID":"S5W-01111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T16:37:23.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T14:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it makes of the dangers of deteriorating roads; what financial support it provides to smaller local authorities seeking to carry out repairs to these, and what its position is on increasing this support. ","AnswerText":"The Transport Scotland Road Asset Management Plan sets out how Scotland's trunk road network is maintained strategically and efficiently in order to protect our assets and ensure maximum value for money from our road maintenance activities. Regular surveys and inspections are undertaken to ensure that the trunk road network is safe and fit for purpose, and to provide appropriate information to support maintenance decisions.\r\nProgrammed maintenance work plans are developed based on asset condition data, including results from inspections and surveys. The surveys make a number of measurements to assess the condition of the road surface, including rutting, cracking and ride quality. Surveys are also undertaken to assess the strength of the lower road layers and provide an estimate of the remaining useful life of the road. In addition all trunk roads are subject to weekly safety inspections to identify defects like potholes, which are then repaired by our operating companies within the strict timescales set-out in their contracts.\r\nThe Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places the statutory responsibility for local roads improvement, maintenance and repair with local road authorities. It is therefore the responsibility of Scottish local authorities to determine what resources they should allocate based on local needs and priorities. In 2016-17 the Scottish Government provided local authorities with total funding of over £10.3 billion. This includes funding for road maintenance. The Society of Chief Officers of Transportation Scotland (SCOTS) commission an annual survey on behalf of all local authorities to allow them to assess the areas of road which require maintenance.\r\nAs part of the work of the Roads Collaboration Programme and the Strategic Action Group chaired jointly by the Minister of Transport and Islands and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, we regularly have discussions with representatives from SCOTS and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives on embedding best practice. In addition, road authorities have been working with industry partners to make positive changes to how road maintenance is undertaken, with focus on efficiency, collaboration and innovation.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313616,"EventID":"S5W-01112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T16:37:23.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23026 by Keith Brown on 12 November 2014, and in light of the helicopter crash off the coast of Bergen on 29 April 2016, whether it will provide an update on what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding an independent public inquiry into commercial pressures on offshore helicopter operations and their impact on the safe transport of offshore oil and gas workers.","AnswerText":"The safety of offshore oil and gas workers in the North Sea remains of paramount importance to the Scottish Government.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government continue to have observer status on the governance body overseeing implementation of the recommendations in the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) review of offshore helicopter safety. The previous response outlined that we reserve the right to pursue the UK Government to hold an inquiry if we have any concerns about progress being made in implementing the CAA’s review. The Scottish Government are satisfied with the progress of implementing the recommendations and have therefore had no discussions with the UK Government regarding an independent public inquiry.\r\nThe preliminary reports into the accident on 29 April 2016 from the Accident Investigation Board Norway have not provided any evidence to suggest that safety is being compromised as a result of commercial pressure from the industry.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313617,"EventID":"S5W-01113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T16:37:24.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23025 by Keith Brown on 12 November 2014, and in light of the helicopter crash off the coast of Bergen on 29 April 2016, whether it will provide an update on what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding commercial pressures on offshore helicopter operations and their impact on the safe transport of offshore oil and gas workers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01112 on 19 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313618,"EventID":"S5W-01109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T16:37:25.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T13:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in issuing basic payments to farmers and crofters.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313629,"EventID":"S5W-01117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-28T17:28:21.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T17:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in issuing basic payments to farmers and crofters.","AnswerText":"We have made significant progress since May. As at close on 28 June payments had been processed to over 16,400 farmers and crofters, which represents almost 91% of the estimated eligible population worth over £283m in total.  \r\nOver the last four weeks we have paid out over £85m, an increase in value of 43% compared to the position at the end of May. Over the last week alone we have injected an additional £67m into Scotland’s rural economy and over 13,500 businesses have now been sent their full and final payment. Further payments will continue be processed daily for the rest of this week to maximise the value paid by the end of June. ","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313630,"EventID":"S5W-01119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5587,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T09:17:56.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T09:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the chair of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"I met with David Sigsworth yesterday evening, 28 June 2016. At that meeting Professor Sigsworth presented the interim findings of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group. \r\nKey findings related to fundamental issues, including identifying significant flaws in the way fuel poverty is defined, which requires an urgent review. In addition, it is the group’s view that, despite the significant benefits delivered through Scottish Government investment in our fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes, the ambitious target to eradicate fuel poverty by November 2016 will not be met.\r\nThis government has allocated over half a billion pounds since 2009 and in 2016 we are making available more than £103 million to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency. Our £103 million budget this year will be used to help install energy efficiency measures, including solid wall insulation, in 14,000 homes and will build on the over 1 million energy efficiency measures which have been installed in nearly 1 million households since 2008. Installers, industry and those working to tackle fuel poverty have greatly welcomed our programmes and noted repeatedly about how effective they are in both providing economic opportunities and assisting householders stay warm in their homes. \r\nOur record investment is reflected in the big improvements in the energy efficiency of Scotland’s housing. Two out of five dwellings are now at Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C or better, an increase of 71% since 2010 and 11% in the last year alone and we now have proportionately 35% more homes with a good EPC rating (C or above) than England.\r\nWhilst we have welcomed this success, factors beyond our control have greatly impacted on Scottish households. All of the increase in fuel poverty since the introduction of the fuel poverty target can be explained by above-inflation energy price increases which are regulated by the UK Government. Fuel poverty in 2014 would have been around 9.5% (instead of nearly 35%) if fuel prices had only risen in line with general inflation.\r\nTherefore based on the advice we have now received from experts across the sector, we must reluctantly accept that fuel poverty will not be eradicated this year. We are committed to continuing our efforts in this area and I informed Professor Sigsworth that we will continue to work with stakeholders to review the fuel poverty action plan, including the fuel poverty eradication target. This will include considering the recommendations from the Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force and Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group who are both due to issue final reports on their findings by the end of the calendar year.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313631,"EventID":"S5W-01120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T09:26:37.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will engage with employers on the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The apprenticeship levy was announced in the UK autumn budget and will come into effect in April 2017. It was announced without consultation with Scottish Ministers despite the delivery of apprenticeships being an area of devolved responsibility.\r\nWhile we have yet to receive final details of the financial settlement that the Scottish Government will receive from the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy, we are aware of the importance of engaging with employers in Scotland that will be affected in shaping our response.\r\nOver recent months the Scottish Government has been engaging with a range of employers and representative bodies across a variety of sectors to better understand the impact that the levy will have, and their thoughts on how levy funding could be used in to deliver inclusive economic growth.\r\nIt is clear from engagement to date that businesses are looking for a much broader offer to than that being developed in England. On 13 July 2016 we will launch a consultation with employers to develop a distinctly Scottish approach which supports apprenticeships, wider skills development and deliver closer engagement with industry in our efforts to enhance productivity and economic growth.","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313632,"EventID":"S5W-01121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5669,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T09:47:19.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the traffic assessment at the Longman roundabout in Inverness.","AnswerText":"An assessment by our operating company for the north west unit, BEAR Scotland, has been completed and the outcomes of traffic modelling have shown that amending the signal timings will offer the most efficient solution to current queuing and delay experienced by the road user. Following consultation with The Highland Council, the trial will begin in late August 2016 after the peak tourist season, to run to mid-September 2016. It will be closely monitored by Transport Scotland and an evaluation will then be completed before a decision is made on the future operation of the lights.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313647,"EventID":"S5W-01129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:54:40.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27214 by Aileen McLeod on 14 September 2015, how many people had obtained an identification number by 1 July 2016.","AnswerText":"Further to the answer to question S4W-27214, 1,463 people had obtained an identification number by 1 July 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313648,"EventID":"S5W-01105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:54:42.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T13:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many property factor enforcement orders have been issued each year by the Homeowner Housing Panel, also broken down by the location of the factor.","AnswerText":"The Homeowner Housing Panel (HoHP) is an independent tribunal established under the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 (the Act) to deal with disputes between homeowners and property factors. The Act came into force on 1 October 2012.\r\n\r\nInformation on the number of property factor enforcement orders issued each year by the HoHP is included in its annual report which is laid before the Scottish Parliament. The reports are published at: https://hohp.scotland.gov.uk/who-we-are-hohp/annual-reports. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313649,"EventID":"S5W-01107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:54:43.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T13:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the effectiveness of property factor enforcement orders, and what action is taken against factors that do not satisfy the conditions of the order.","AnswerText":"The Homeowner Housing Panel (HoHP) is an independent tribunal established under the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 (the Act) to deal with disputes between homeowners and property factors. It is for the HoHP to decide whether to issue a legally-binding property factor enforcement order (PFEO) and determine whether a property factor has complied with the PFEO. \r\nThe HoHP must notify Scottish Ministers under section 23(2) of the Act where a property factor has failed to comply with any PFEO. Scottish Ministers have the power to remove a property factor from the register where it has failed to demonstrate compliance with the property factor code of conduct and any property factor enforcement order made by the HoHP. Since 1 October 2012, when the Act came into force, they have removed two factors from the register because of their non-compliance.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313650,"EventID":"S5W-01114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:54:45.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing legislation to protect the rights of children with (a) additional support needs and (b) learning difficulties in cases where physical restraint is used in schools. ","AnswerText":"There are no plans to introduce legislation on the use of physical restraint in schools. The Scottish Government is clear that the use of physical intervention, physical restraint and supported isolation should only ever be used as a last resort and when in the best interests of the child. These approaches should never be used for disciplinary purposes.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Scotland’s children and young people and each local authority is responsible for the care, safety and welfare of pupils in school. To support this, we have committed to include guidance on the use of restraint (for all children, including children with complex additional support needs), in the context of de-escalation as part of early intervention approaches in our refreshed guidance Included, Engaged and Involved Part 2: A Positive Approach to Preventing and Managing School Exclusions. This approach has been agreed by stakeholders including the Association of Directors of Education Scotland who agree that physical restraint should be seen in the context of positive relationships and behaviour.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313651,"EventID":"S5W-01116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:54:46.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to teachers regarding the appropriate and safe use of physical restraint in schools on children with (a) additional support needs and (b) learning difficulties. ","AnswerText":"We have made clear that the Scottish Government is committed to incorporating further guidance on physical restraint and seclusion within the refreshed Included, Engaged and Involved Part 2: A Positive Approach to Preventing and Managing Schools Exclusions. This guidance is for all children, including children with complex additional support needs, including those arising from learning disabilities. This is in line with the responses to public petition PE01548 stating that restraint and seclusion should be seen within the context of early intervention, positive relationships and behaviour. \r\n\r\nThe purpose of the guidance is to support local authorities, mainstream and special schools and other learning establishments and their partners to keep all children and young people fully included, engaged and involved in their education wherever this takes place; and to improve outcomes for those most at risk of exclusion. The guidance focuses on prevention, early intervention and responses to individual need, incorporating staged interventions and additional support to prevent problems escalating. The guidance will also set out the circumstances in which physical restraint may be appropriate as a last resort and as part of a planned approach.\r\nThere is already a range of guidance on this issue in place. The Scottish Government guidance Holding Safely on the use of restraint in residential settings, which is also applicable in schools and other establishments, was updated in 2013. Further, additional guidance for child protection for disabled children was published in 2014. This applies to all settings, and states that inappropriate restraint, sanctions, humiliation, intimidation, verbal abuse, and having needs ignored; depending on the circumstances, may also be criminal offences, acts of gross misconduct and reportable to Police Scotland and relevant professional regulatory bodies.\r\nWith Scotland and the Scottish Ministerial Working Group on Child Protection and Disability produced a ‘toolkit’ for practitioners (2014). It is aimed at practitioners and managers in child and family and disability services. Ensuring disabled children's wellbeing is everybody's responsibility and an awareness of what constitutes best practice is essential. It is critical that all practitioners are aware of the potential vulnerability of disabled children and of what constitutes best practice in protecting them from the risk of abuse and neglect.\r\nAll local authorities should provide staff with training and guidelines on appropriate levels of intervention including physical restraint.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313652,"EventID":"S5W-01134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:54:48.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many special education (a) teachers and (b) support staff have moved from mainstream to specialist schools in each local authority in the last five years.","AnswerText":"The term special education is no longer used in Scotland. Instead the term additional support needs is used, reflecting the legal framework of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. Consequently there are no teachers designated as 'special education' in Scotland. Information on the movement of teachers whose main subject is additional support for learning and support staff is not held centrally.\r\nInformation is collected each year on the numbers of teachers including those whose main subject is additional support for learning, and the numbers of support staff in primary, secondary and special schools broken down by local authority area. The following links provide this information:\r\n2015\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/teachcenssuppdata/teachcensus2015\r\n2014\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/teachcenssuppdata/teachcensus2014\r\n2013\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/teachcenssuppdata/teachcensus2013\r\n2012\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/Summarystatsforschools/teachcensus2012\r\n2011\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/teachcensus2011\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313653,"EventID":"S5W-01136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:54:50.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is given to local authorities to provide access to wifi in schools.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government fund the provision of high speed broadband to a central point in each local authority for use by education. Local authorities themselves are responsible for onward connectivity to their education establishments and for the provision of wired or wireless connectivity within those establishments. This funding amounted to £1.8 million in 2015-16.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313654,"EventID":"S5W-01127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:54:52.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what procedures are in place for de-registering a snaring identification number, including when the person who was granted the number (a) ceases employment in snaring, (b) retires or (c) dies.","AnswerText":"There is no requirement at present for a snaring operator to de-register their snaring identification number when the person who is granted the number a) ceases employment in snaring, b) retires, or c) dies.\r\n\r\nThe snaring review, due to be completed by the end of 2016, will review the changes made through the Wildlife and Environment Act 2011 and the Snares (Scotland) Order 2010, including the snaring operator registration process.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313655,"EventID":"S5W-01128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:54:53.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27215 by Aileen McLeod on 14 September 2015, when it will announce the timeframe and procedure for the review.","AnswerText":"The review into snaring will be undertaken by Scottish Natural Heritage who will provide a report to Scottish Ministers by 31 December 2016. \r\n\r\nScottish Ministers will then lay a report of the review before the Scottish Parliament, as set out in Section 11F of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313656,"EventID":"S5W-01123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:54:54.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) fatal and (b) serious accidents there were on each road in the trunk road and motorway network in (i) 2013, (ii) 2014 and (iii) 2015.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of fatal and serious accidents on each road in the Scottish trunk road and motorway network in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The number of fatal accidents on the trunk road network has decreased over this period.\r\n\r\n\r\nFatal\r\nSerious\r\nRoad\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nA1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n3\r\n5\r\n5\r\nA6091\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nA68\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n10\r\n8\r\n10\r\nA7\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2\r\n5\r\nA701\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\n3\r\n4\r\nA702\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n5\r\n7\r\n4\r\nA720\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n7\r\n6\r\nA725\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\nA726\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\nA737\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n3\r\n9\r\nA738\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nA75\r\n3\r\n2\r\n3\r\n8\r\n6\r\n4\r\nA751\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nA76\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n3\r\n6\r\n6\r\nA77\r\n5\r\n2\r\n1\r\n7\r\n5\r\n12\r\nA78\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\n11\r\n7\r\n10\r\nA8\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n4\r\nA80\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nA82\r\n5\r\n7\r\n3\r\n16\r\n14\r\n12\r\nA828\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n2\r\n0\r\nA83\r\n5\r\n2\r\n1\r\n6\r\n8\r\n11\r\nA830\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\nA835\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\nA84\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n7\r\n4\r\n4\r\nA85\r\n3\r\n5\r\n3\r\n11\r\n19\r\n18\r\nA86\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nA87\r\n1\r\n3\r\n0\r\n5\r\n6\r\n5\r\nA876\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nA887\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nA889\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nA893\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nA898\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nA9\r\n7\r\n7\r\n5\r\n17\r\n17\r\n14\r\nA90\r\n10\r\n12\r\n8\r\n33\r\n26\r\n24\r\nA91\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nA92\r\n1\r\n3\r\n3\r\n9\r\n9\r\n6\r\nA95\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n4\r\n4\r\nA96\r\n2\r\n1\r\n4\r\n19\r\n18\r\n18\r\nA972\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\nA977\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nA985\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\n5\r\n1\r\nA99\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\nM73\r\n0\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\nM74\r\n1\r\n3\r\n4\r\n11\r\n10\r\n15\r\nM77\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\n3\r\nM8\r\n1\r\n3\r\n2\r\n5\r\n2\r\n14\r\nM80\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n6\r\n7\r\nM823\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nM876\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nM898\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nM9\r\n4\r\n0\r\n2\r\n4\r\n5\r\n10\r\nM90\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n5\r\n3\r\n1\r\nTotal\r\n63\r\n62\r\n53\r\n229\r\n235\r\n255\r\nThe figures quoted may differ slightly from those published elsewhere because they were exported on a different date and the database may have changed between the dates extracted, e.g. due to late returns or corrections to earlier returns.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313657,"EventID":"S5W-01130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:54:55.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27213 by Aileen McLeod on 14 September 2015, how many people had attended the training by 1 July 2016.","AnswerText":"Further to the answer to question S4W-27213, 2,542 people had attended the training by 1 July 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313658,"EventID":"S5W-01118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5621,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:54:56.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T21:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many homes in the Highlands and Islands are powered by renewable energy.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. However, the following information may be useful. The reply refers to electricity and heat, each of which can be generated from renewable sources.\r\nIt is estimated that in 2015, Scotland generated enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of around 4.6 million households, which is close to double the number of households in Scotland. Provisionally, 56.9% of Scotland’s gross electricity consumption came from renewables in 2015.\r\nFigures published by the Energy Saving Trust in October 2015, on behalf of the Scottish Government, estimate over 1 gigawatt of renewable heat capacity in operation in Scotland in 2014. This accounts for an estimated 3.8% of the total non-electrical heat demand.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not hold a complete dataset of the number of homes heated from renewable sources. The latest data on the number of domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) accreditations shows that the Highland local authority area has the largest proportion of accredited domestic RHI installation in Scotland totalling 1,751 installations. This equates to 17% of all Scottish installations as at end of June 2016.\r\nIt should be noted that renewable-generated energy will be used both domestically and non-domestically.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313659,"EventID":"S5W-01135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:54:57.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next review the maximum class size limits. ","AnswerText":"There are currently no plans to review maximum class size limits.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313660,"EventID":"S5W-01137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:54:58.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many special education teachers there have been in each local authority in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The term special education is no longer used in Scotland. Instead the term additional support needs is used, reflecting the legal framework of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. Consequently there are no teachers designated as 'special education' in Scotland.\r\n\r\nThere are teachers whose main subject is additional support for learning. The number of teachers who have additional support for learning as their main subject was recently provided in the answer to the parliamentary question S5W-00665 which was answered on 16 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313661,"EventID":"S5W-01099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:55:00.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set a target of 50% of all energy from renewables by 2030 if the evidence shows that this will meet Scotland's climate change targets at least cost and greatest benefit.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00999 on 8 August 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313662,"EventID":"S5W-01106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:55:02.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T13:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Homeowner Housing Panel has cost each year.","AnswerText":"The Homeowner Housing Panel (HoHP) is an independent tribunal established under the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 to deal with disputes between homeowners and property factors. The Act came into force on 1 October 2012.\r\n\r\nInformation on the cost of the HoHP for each year are included in its annual report which is laid before the Scottish Parliament. The reports are published at https://hohp.scotland.gov.uk/who-we-are-hohp/annual-reports.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313663,"EventID":"S5W-01131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:55:03.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for breaches of Section 11 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in each (a) year since 2012 and (b) month since January 2016, and how many were subsequently (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted.","AnswerText":"The following table contains information in respect of the number of people reported, prosecuted and convicted under sections 11 to 11 I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 between April 2011 and June 2016. Please note that no cases were reported in January to March 2016. The cases against two of the people prosecuted are still ongoing so it is not yet known whether they will lead to a conviction. \r\nIn addition the table provides information on the number of people reported in respect of whom a fiscal direct measure has been given. Direct measures are a form of prosecutorial action other than court proceedings. In these cases, the type of direct measure given was either a monetary fiscal fine or a warning.\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nApril 2016\r\nMay 2016\r\nJune 2016\r\nTotal\r\nReported\r\n21\r\n25\r\n23\r\n15\r\n4\r\n5\r\n1\r\n1\r\n95\r\nFiscal direct measures\r\n11\r\n7\r\n6\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0 \r\n27\r\nProsecuted\r\n9\r\n10\r\n7\r\n11\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n41\r\nConvicted\r\n6\r\n3\r\n3\r\n5\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n19\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alison Di Rollo","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313664,"EventID":"S5W-01138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:55:04.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities on the provision of education for children with additional support needs in mainstream schools.","AnswerText":"The Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 places a duty on education authorities to provide education for all children in a mainstream school unless specific exceptions apply. The legislation indicates that it is presumed that these circumstances arise only exceptionally.\r\nEducation authorities are supported in these decisions by guidance which was produced by the Scottish Government at the time of the introduction of the duty in August 2003. In December 2015, Scottish Ministers confirmed that they would review the guidance on mainstreaming to take account of more recent legislation and policy developments. The review will be undertaken in partnership with key stakeholders and will be publicly consulted on.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313665,"EventID":"S5W-01104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:55:06.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T13:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to make the fit and proper person test to be a property factor sufficiently robust, and how it monitors the effectiveness of the test.","AnswerText":"The Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 requires Scottish Ministers, when determining whether a property factor is fit and proper, to consider whether the factor, or any relevant person connected with the factor: \r\nhas been convicted of any offence involving fraud or other dishonesty, violence or drugs; \r\nhas any court or tribunal judgments against them under the Equalities Act 2010, the Equal Pay Act 1970, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Race Relations Act 1976, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 and the Employment Equality (Religion Or Belief) Regulations 2003;\r\nhas contravened any provision of the law relating to tenements, property or debt.\r\nAs the Act does not give Scottish Ministers specific investigatory powers their ability to monitor the effectiveness of the fit and proper test is limited. Within those limits, Scottish Ministers consider any relevant information provided by the property factor or a third party and will take steps to review an entry on the register if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that information provided is, or has become, inaccurate. They may also require the person to provide a criminal conviction certificate as evidence to support the information provided in the application.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313666,"EventID":"S5W-01108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:55:07.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T13:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a fee option for owners to put their case before the Homeowner Housing Panel.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not intend to introduce a fee for homeowners to apply to the Homeowner Housing Panel.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313667,"EventID":"S5W-01115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:55:09.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-28T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter from its Learning Directorate on 23 February 2016 to the Public Petitions Committee regarding PE01548, National Guidance on Restraint and Seclusion in Schools, whether it will provide an update on its position on providing national guidance with regard to the use of physical restraint in schools on children with (a) additional support needs and (b) learning difficulties.","AnswerText":"We have made clear that the Scottish Government is committed to incorporating further guidance on physical restraint and seclusion within the refreshed Included, Engaged and Involved Part 2: A Positive Approach to Preventing and Managing Schools Exclusions. This guidance is for all children, including children with complex additional support needs, including those arising from learning disabilities. This is in line with the petition responses stating that restraint and seclusion should be seen within the context of early intervention, positive relationships and behaviour. \r\n\r\nThe purpose of the guidance is to support local authorities, mainstream and special schools and other learning establishments and their partners to keep all children and young people fully included, engaged and involved in their education wherever this takes place; and to improve outcomes for those most at risk of exclusion. The guidance focuses on prevention, early intervention and responses to individual need, incorporating staged interventions and additional support to prevent problems escalating.\r\nThe draft guidance is clear that ‘it is only acceptable to physically intervene or to restrain a child or young person where the member of staff reasonably believes in all the circumstances that if he/she does not physically intervene or restrain the child or young person, the child or young person’s actions are likely to cause physical damage or harm to that pupil or to another person.’ It also highlights that ‘The use of physical intervention, physical restraint and seclusion should all be included in an agreed plan and be used as a last resort. Where seclusion is used it should be used under supervision and should take into account the additional support needs of the child or young person.’ \r\nThe guidance also makes clear that local authorities should ensure that appropriate support and training is provided. This should include guidance on support following an incident for all those involved. Local authorities should also monitor, record and review any incidents involving physical restraint and seclusion using their own reporting mechanisms. It is also clear that these approaches should not be used for disciplinary purposes. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313668,"EventID":"S5W-01122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T13:55:11.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the length is of each road that it manages and maintains.","AnswerText":"The following table sets out the length of each trunk road managed and maintained by Scottish Ministers.\r\nRoad Name\r\nLength (kilometres)\r\nA1\r\n83.6\r\nA6091\r\n8.1\r\nA68\r\n83.1\r\nA7\r\n76.1\r\nA701\r\n29.8\r\nA702\r\n58.0\r\nA720\r\n27.8\r\nA725\r\n21.4\r\nA726\r\n15.9\r\nA737\r\n34.7\r\nA738\r\n2.1\r\nA75\r\n156.8\r\nA751\r\n2.9\r\nA76\r\n90.5\r\nA77\r\n112.6\r\nA78\r\n71.3\r\nA8\r\n30.0\r\nA82\r\n258.6\r\nA828\r\n42.1\r\nA83\r\n163.5\r\nA830\r\n65.7\r\nA835\r\n79.1\r\nA84\r\n45.2\r\nA85\r\n140.5\r\nA86\r\n64.5\r\nA87\r\n160.5\r\nA876\r\n6.7\r\nA887\r\n24.3\r\nA889\r\n13.8\r\nA893\r\n0.4\r\nA898\r\n3.9\r\nA9\r\n410.8\r\nA90\r\n245.0\r\nA92\r\n65.9\r\nA95\r\n75.0\r\nA96\r\n164.1\r\nA972\r\n2.1\r\nA977\r\n4.9\r\nA985\r\n23.2\r\nA99\r\n26.9\r\nM73\r\n16.2\r\nM74\r\n164.4\r\nM77\r\n33.5\r\nM8\r\n110.6\r\nM80\r\n42.2\r\nM823\r\n2.6\r\nM876\r\n15.3\r\nM898\r\n1.8\r\nM9\r\n58.6\r\nM90\r\n66.6","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313669,"EventID":"S5W-01142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T16:36:41.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T14:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number and country of origin of NHS staff from other EU member states in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Under this government we currently have the highest NHS staffing levels ever, and we greatly value the significant contribution made to our health service by our dedicated NHS workforce – including those doctors, nurses and other staff from EU countries who care for us daily.\r\nAs members of the EU, free movement of staff has not required us to hold information on numbers of EU citizens working within NHSScotland. However, on the basis of information from the Office of National Statistics, it is estimated that EU citizens account for approximately five per cent of the NHSScotland workforce.\r\nThe Scottish Government assures EU citizens working in Scotland that we want them here, we value their contribution, and we will be doing everything we can to make sure they can continue with us without detriment.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313670,"EventID":"S5W-01145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T16:36:43.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much is in its Access to Education Fund; how many schools have applied; how many awards have been made, and how many children have benefited from the fund.","AnswerText":"The Access to Education Fund has been replaced in 2016 with the new Scottish Attainment Challenge Innovation Fund. The Innovation Fund received a total of 541 applications and has allocated a total of £3,611,532 to 219 projects, benefitting over 400 schools. This is more than double the £1.5 million funding that was originally planned, due to the high quality of applications received and to enable the funding to benefit as many children as possible. The fund will be used by schools to target those children who need it most.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313671,"EventID":"S5W-01140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T16:36:45.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the First Minister on 28 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), on what date it will publish the full minute of the meeting between the First Minister and the President of the European (a) Parliament and (b) Commission.","AnswerText":"On 28 June 2016 the Scottish Government received a clear mandate from Parliament to pursue all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU. Acting on this, the First Minister met the Presidents of the European Parliament and European Commission on 29 June 2016. These meetings were not seeking decisions or conclusions but rather ensuring that Scotland’s voice was heard and that both presidents understood Scotland’s position.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to regularly reporting progress on its EU engagement to Parliament including through regular engagement with relevant committees. However, the Scottish Government has no plans to publish minutes of meetings, in view of the need to protect diplomatic conversations.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313672,"EventID":"S5W-01143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T16:36:46.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the number of speech and language therapists working on a full time equivalent basis by each local authority in each year from 2011.","AnswerText":"Information on speech and language therapists working in local authorities is not centrally held.\r\nInformation on the number of speech and language therapists broken down by NHSScotland Health Board is published by Information Services Division Scotland and can be found at the following link:\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2016-06-07/Non-Medical_Trend_M2016.xls","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313673,"EventID":"S5W-01144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T16:36:47.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many speech and language therapists have been trained in each year from 2011.","AnswerText":"Information on how many speech and language therapists have been trained in each year from 2011 is not centrally held.\r\nInformation on the number of speech and language therapists working in NHSScotland is published by Information Services Division Scotland and can be found at the following link:\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2016-06-07/Non-Medical_Trend_M2016.xls","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313674,"EventID":"S5W-01139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T16:36:49.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T12:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the First Minister on 28 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), whether it will publish the terms of the discussions that it is seeking to have with the member states of the EU, and whether these will be discussed in advance with leaders of the other parties in the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerText":"The First Minister has committed to explore all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU. On 28 June 2016 the Scottish Parliament provided a clear mandate for Scottish Ministers to engage with EU member states to pursue this outcome, and to ensure that Scotland’s voice is heard. \r\nThe Scottish Government will communicate progress to Parliament including through engagement with the relevant committees. The First Minister has also committed to a close dialogue with party leaders. However, as with all diplomatic discussions, there may be some aspects that cannot be shared in full without compromising our ability to best deliver Scotland’s interests.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313675,"EventID":"S5W-01153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-29T16:36:50.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out a review of higher education funding in light of the EU referendum result.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to carry out a specific review of higher education funding in light of the EU referendum result.\r\nHowever, the Scottish Government is engaging with the higher education sector as part of work to inform the planned spending review. Dialogue will include consideration of the short and longer-term implications of the outcome of the EU Referendum.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to working with our higher education institutions to maintain Scotland's strong links with colleagues and partners in the EU, and reassure students, researchers and the wider academic community that Scotland remains open to collaboration and knowledge exchange in Europe and beyond.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313680,"EventID":"S5W-01157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-30T13:44:22.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-30T12:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been fitted with hearing aids by each NHS board in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of people fitted with hearing aids, by NHS board, is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313681,"EventID":"S5W-01125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-30T13:44:24.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the award of a contract to rebuild the Glasgow School of Art's Mackintosh Building to Kier Construction, which has agreed to pay compensation to blacklisted workers, and what plans it has to tighten the rules on awarding contracts to companies that have blacklisted workers.","AnswerText":"The award of a contract to Kier Construction to rebuild the Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh building is a matter for The Glasgow School of Art. \r\nDespite employment law being a reserved matter, the Scottish Government has gone further than any other part of the UK to help eradicate blacklisting from public contracts. Statutory guidance concerning blacklisting has been published, the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 and the Procurement (Scotland) Regulations 2016, which came into effect on 18 April 2016, contain provisions to ensure that companies that have, by admission or being established by judicial decision, breached the Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklist) Regulations 2010 be excluded from bidding for public contracts. \r\nThis exclusion ground applies until a period of three years has elapsed or such time as the company has taken appropriate remedial measures, whatever comes first. It is for individual authorities to assess, given all the circumstance of the contract, whether any remedial measures taken by the company are sufficient to allow them to bid for the contract.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313682,"EventID":"S5W-01124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-30T13:44:25.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T10:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the publication of undercover policing authorised professional practice guidance in England and Wales; whether it plans to introduce similar guidance in Scotland, and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the publication of the draft Authorised Professional Practice (APP), which is currently out to consultation, on undercover policing. This has been produced by the College of Policing. Police Scotland is working towards full adoption of the final guidance contained in the APP.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313683,"EventID":"S5W-01156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-30T13:44:26.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-30T11:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce speed awareness courses for drivers who have been detected breaking the speed limit.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the general principle of driver education as an alternative to prosecution, where this is appropriate. At present, prosecutors may offer diversion from prosecution courses in relation to careless driving, but there is no equivalent diversion scheme in relation to speeding.\r\nPartners on the Road Safety Framework Strategic Partnership Board have been considering this collectively and Police Scotland are currently undertaking an exercise to identify the practical steps that would be required to introduce a speed awareness course in Scotland and report back to the board. Ultimately, the introduction of any such course in Scotland would require the approval of the Lord Advocate. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313695,"EventID":"S5W-01162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-30T14:14:00.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-30T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the outcome of the recent summit meeting of the British-Irish Council.","AnswerText":"On 17 June 2016, the Scottish Government hosted the twenty sixth meeting of the British-Irish Council in Glasgow. The summit was attended by ministers from all eight Member Administrations and was chaired by the First Minister. Also attending for the Scottish Government was the Minister for Public Health and Sport and myself.\r\nComing the day after the tragic death of MP Jo Cox, the Council observed a minute silence and offered condolences to her family.\r\nRecognising that a number of administrations have had elections this year Council Members took the opportunity to discuss their governments’ priorities. The First Minister highlighted the outcome of the EU Referendum as the most important issue facing Scotland, reiterating the Scottish Government’s position of wanting to remain within the EU and stressed the detrimental impact a leave vote would have on the Scottish economy. [As the First Minister said in her statement on 28 June, she remains closely in touch with the heads of other administrations in the British-Irish Council.]\r\nThe First Minister went on to advise the Council of Scotland’s continued economic recovery and the importance of sustaining and growing that strong economy to underpin the investment we are making in Scotland’s public services. In particular the First Minister mentioned education and the Scottish Government’s commitment to close the gap in educational outcomes; updating the Council on our new National Improvement Framework and the positive findings from the OECD (The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) review of Scotland’s approach to curriculum development and education policy and practice.\r\nThe Council agreed that there was merit in examining whether there were common themes emerging from respective Programmes for Government on issues where Members could work together to share information and ideas. The Council also approved a measure to move the current work sectors towards a task and finish approach to ensure that the subjects remain focused on the Council’s priorities.\r\nA paper prepared by the Social Inclusion work sector on carers was discussed and future priorities agreed at meeting of Ministers with responsibility for unpaid carers, (chaired earlier in the day by the Minister for Public Health and Sport). The Council further discussed how best Administrations can support carers by looking at best practice, new and creative policy responses and community actions; particular regard will be paid to young carers, carers of older people and older carers, carer identity and telehealth, telecare and assistive technologies.\r\nThe Communiqué and paper on Carers that was issued by the British-Irish Council, after the meeting, can be found on their website at https://www.britishirishcouncil.org/","AnswerDate":"2016-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313701,"EventID":"S5W-01154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-30T16:30:28.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T17:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of (a) relapsing remitting and (b) secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government understands that Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) is currently considered to be effective for people with highly active relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) who have already trialled other highly effective drugs or forms of immunomodulatory treatment. Unfortunately, many of the people requesting this treatment have progressive forms of MS, for which it is not presently shown to help.\r\nHSCT is not widely available anywhere on the NHS for people with MS at present, but is currently being trialled across the UK. Clinical trials and other emerging treatments are continually monitored to see if there are any potential benefits to patients in Scotland, and we would expect the NHS to act appropriately regarding HSCT once the evidence is considered and a clinical consensus is reached.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313702,"EventID":"S5W-01167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-30T16:30:29.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-30T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to a recent survey of Scottish Training Federation members, which showed that 25% of respondents would be closing as a direct result of reductions to the Employability Fund. ","AnswerText":"Since its launch in 2013 we have supported more than 52,000 training places through the Employability Fund giving unemployed individuals the support they need to move towards and into work.\r\nThe UK government spending review of November 2015 was hugely challenging to the devolved Scottish budgets, including employability. Despite the severe restrictions imposed I am pleased that we are able to support a further 11,650 Employability Fund training opportunities in 2016-17. This of course sits alongside our wider package of employability support such as Community Jobs Scotland, Scotland’s Employer Recruitment Incentive and Modern Apprenticeships.\r\nIn the event of any training provider closures, Skills Development Scotland will seek to support those affected and ensure that provision of training opportunities in the local area is not compromised.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313703,"EventID":"S5W-01158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-30T16:30:30.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-30T12:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason recent figures from the Chief Statistician regarding children who have experienced living in care show that (a) 8% of them achieved at least one qualification at SCQF level 6 in 2014-15, compared with 60.2% of all school leavers and (b) there has been a drop in their (i) attainment level at SCQF level 5 or higher and (ii) progress from school to further and higher education, and what action it is taking in response.","AnswerText":"The published data for 2016 confirms that while outcomes for looked after children have been improving, the gaps are still big compared to all pupils and progress needs to be accelerated.\r\n\r\nThese differences are, in part, linked to the fact that looked after children tend to leave school at younger ages. In 2014-15 almost three quarters (73 per cent) of looked after school leavers were aged 16 and under compared to over one quarter (27 per cent) of the overall population of school leavers.\r\nSince 2009-10 we have seen improvement in the proportion of looked after children achieving 1 or more qualification at SCQF level 5 (equivalent to a national 5 award), positive destinations, attendance figures for looked after children and exclusion figures. We also know that looked after children with the best outcomes tend to be those children in foster care, or with few placements, and looked after for the full year. However I acknowledge the gap between looked after children and other children is still too wide and regrettably children and young people looked after at home still have the worse outcomes.\r\nTackling inequality is at the heart of this government’s agenda. I informed Parliament on 27 June 2016 of our delivery plan for excellence and equity in Scottish education. This will help looked after children so they can reach their full potential during their educational journey and beyond. In addition, securing a safe, stable, loving and permanent home for every looked after child at the earliest opportunity is key to children succeeding in education. This means addressing our three priority areas, set out in our strategy ‘Getting it Right for Looked After Children’ (published November 2015) of early intervention, early permanence and improving the quality of care. These concepts underpin our work to accelerate recent improvements and close the outcomes gap that exists between looked after children and their peers, including those looked after at home.\r\nMeasures such as the launch of the Scottish Attainment Challenge, backed by the £100 million Attainment Scotland Fund, the development of a National Improvement Framework to improve the evidence available to us, and the introduction of the Education (Scotland) Act 2016, demonstrate our commitment to improving attainment. We want to ensure that action takes place at the right level - much of it local. To ensure this greater control will be given to head teachers and we will work to enable schools and clusters of schools to drive improvement. In addition, our policies aim to reduce the need for school exclusions; and since 2006-07 the rate of exclusions has halved.  Whilst the rate of exclusions among looked after children is much higher than in the general school population it has been falling at a faster rate and continuing to fall.\r\nAttainment is about much more than school: it includes early years opportunities, the experiences within and outwith the family, and youth work. We want every young person – whatever their background – to have an equal chance of attending university. That is why we established the Commission on Widening Access who have set bold proposals which we have committed to implement. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313704,"EventID":"S5W-01168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-30T16:30:31.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-30T15:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government to ensure that the actions of Wave Energy Scotland are aligned with the other UK-wide wave innovation programmes.","AnswerText":"There are currently no other funded wave innovation programmes with which Wave Energy Scotland (WES) can align. The Scottish Government has taken the initiative in the UK by developing this internationally unique programme. \r\nHowever, the Energy Catalyst run by Innovate UK is a general energy fund for early stage technology which has funded some wave projects, and complements WES alongside other early stage funds available to wave developers. This arrangement has proven successful in allowing three projects; Zyber, Checkmate and Artemis, which started with Energy Catalyst funding, to then progress into the WES programme.\r\nWES is also co-ordinating activity with the SuperGen UK Centre for Marine Energy Research (UKCMER), which is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Reasearch Council.  Objectives and priorities are already aligned and the option of a joint research call between the organisations is actively being pursued.\r\nIn addition, WES has been in discussion with other non-UK funders, namely the EU Horizon 2020 programme and the ERANET co-fund to ensure these research and development priority areas are well aligned.\r\nThe UK Government has yet to signal any future commitment to funding wave technology from its available energy innovation funds and there is uncertainty over revenue support for marine renewables. A co-ordinated UK technology programme based on the WES concept would be a clear signal of the UK Government’s continued support for the sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313705,"EventID":"S5W-01161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-30T16:30:31.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-30T14:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total value is of common agricultural policy payments made as at 30 June 2016, and how much and what percentage remains outstanding.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-001160 on 14 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313706,"EventID":"S5W-01159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-30T16:30:33.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-30T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date its review of student support available to nursing and midwifery students will (a) conclude and (b) report to ministers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed to retain the non-means tested, non-repayable nursing and midwifery student bursary at least at its current level. The review will now focus on what additional support students might need to enable wider participation and increased retention. The review findings will now be presented to Scottish Ministers by the end of 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313707,"EventID":"S5W-01160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-06-30T16:30:34.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-30T14:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has met its target to pay all final common agricultural policy payments by 30 June 2016 and, if not, what percentage of the total payment amount remains outstanding.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has now paid common agricultural policy 2015 payments (basic, greening and young farmers) that total almost £311 million to more than 17,800 farms. Over 16,000 businesses have received their full payment.\r\n\r\nOur current estimate of the total number of eligible businesses is 18,137. However, at this stage it is not possible to confirm the value of outstanding payments, and hence the percentage remaining to be paid, because cases are still undergoing processing.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313717,"EventID":"S5W-01177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-01T13:50:19.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-01T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the number of suicides in hospitals.","AnswerText":"Every suicide is a tragedy that has a far reaching impact on family, friends and the community long after a person has died. One of the key themes in the Scottish Government’s Suicide Prevention Strategy (2013 to 2016) is to improve the NHS response to suicide. A range of actions is underway to support this, including work by Healthcare Improvement Scotland to support the NHS in learning from any deaths by suicide and so inform continuing improvements in patient safety, and work on improved use of data and training in accident and emergency departments.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313718,"EventID":"S5W-01147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-01T13:50:20.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are regarding (a) forestry policy, (b) forest enterprise and (c) the administration of trans-border forestry issues, including plant health and forest research.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01146 on 29 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313719,"EventID":"S5W-01151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-01T13:50:21.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform and the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity have met or plan to meet to discuss the forestry and wood processing sector.","AnswerText":"I am in regular discussion with my colleagues, including the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, about matters of mutual interest.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313720,"EventID":"S5W-01175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-01T13:50:22.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-01T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that board members of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have expressed concern that the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow was not constructed to full anti-ligature specification.","AnswerText":"The use of fittings and fixtures that reduce ligature risks is not clinically appropriate in many general hospital rooms, e.g. x-ray, consulting exam and patient toilets and showers, as they would compromise the hospital’s ability to deliver appropriate care to patients who have the freedom to leave at any time. So it would not be appropriate for the whole of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow to be constructed to a full anti-ligature specification.\r\n\r\nScottish Government policy and NHS guidance requires local risk management of patients and their environment. The board should use their appropriate multi-disciplinary skills and expertise to assess the likelihood and impact of all safety risks, including clinical, infection and self-harm, whilst ensuring an accessible, therapeutic environment that promotes care and recovery for all.\r\nFittings and fixtures that reduce ligature risks, are used only as required following a risk assessment which shows a patient vulnerable to self-harm may be left unattended or unobserved for a period of time. For patients assessed as ‘high risk’ of self-harm, local management plans should be agreed, such as keeping a patient under observation.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313721,"EventID":"S5W-01176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-01T13:50:23.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-01T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that all mental health wards should be constructed to full anti-ligature specification.","AnswerText":"A safe and therapeutic environment for service users, staff and visitors is integral to the provision of mental health care. This position is reflected in the guidance which applies to mental health units in NHS Scotland which states:\r\n\r\n3.42 Spaces where service users may not be continually supervised by staff (for example in bedrooms and toilets) should be designed, constructed and furnished to make self-harm or ligature as difficult as possible. All fixtures and fittings should be anti-ligature.\r\n3.43 Spaces that are expected to be continually supervised by staff (for example communal areas or circulation spaces) should be comfortable and therapeutic. They encourage service users to participate in life on the ward and actively engage with staff, but minimise the risk of self-harm or injury to others.\r\n7.24 All fixtures and fittings should be anti-ligature.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313722,"EventID":"S5W-01174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-01T13:50:24.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-01T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that 50 people have died by suicide in hospital in the last four years.","AnswerText":"Every suicide is a tragedy that has a far reaching impact on family, friends and the community long after a person has died. \r\nThe Scottish Government expects NHS boards to provide care to the highest standards of quality and safety whatever the setting, with the person at the centre of all decisions.\r\nSuicides are thoroughly investigated in Scotland. The Scottish Government works closely with its partners, including Healthcare Improvement Scotland, to support the NHS in learning from any deaths by suicide and so inform continuing improvements in patient safety.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313723,"EventID":"S5W-01150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-01T13:50:24.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reviewing the time and cost of applying for an environmental impact assessment for landowners planting commercial woodland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to planting 10,000 hectares of trees every year until 2022 and we will work to hasten the pace of applications and approval of planting. We are already meeting with the sector to identify points in the current process, from application to approval, that could be improved or speeded up and will announce further plans in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313724,"EventID":"S5W-01146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-01T13:50:25.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to (a) increase the role of and (b) give more powers to Forestry Commission Scotland and, if so, in what timescale.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have committed to completing the devolution of the arrangements for the management of forestry in Scotland. As announced in June 2015 by the then Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, this will involve the transfer of Forestry Commissioners’ powers and duties, as they relate to Scotland, to Scottish Ministers. \r\nThe Scottish Government has been working closely with the UK Government and also the Welsh Government through a Forestry Governance Project Board to consider options to achieve this outcome. This has included issues related to legislative options to enable the transfer to happen, financial arrangements and the future of functions currently undertaken on a cross-border basis, such as forestry science. Further details will be made known in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313725,"EventID":"S5W-01148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-01T13:50:26.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-29T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the impact that land reform could have on the establishment of productive woodland in forests.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has an ambitious land reform programme, including implementing the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 and establishing the Scottish Land Commission to consider the effect of law, policies and practices in the management and use of land in Scotland to help from a wider evidence base for future land reform measures.\r\n\r\nThrough Forestry Commission Scotland, we are helping to empower communities across Scotland to use, manage and own woodlands.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313726,"EventID":"S5W-01173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-01T13:50:27.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-01T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that it complies with all (a) legislation relating to patient safety and (b) health and safety at work legislation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to ensuring that the NHS in Scotland delivers high quality, safe, effective and person-centred care to all patients every-time they access health services. \r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland is responsible for the scrutiny and inspection of healthcare, which drives improvements in patient care, in line with a plan agreed by Scottish Ministers.\r\nNHS boards are responsible for complying with all relevant statutory obligations, including the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The Scottish Government requires all NHS boards to have assurance mechanisms in place as part of their corporate governance mechanisms.\r\nThe Health and Safety Executive is responsible for the enforcement of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in NHSScotland and, together with local authorities, the social care sector in Scotland as well as throughout the UK.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313736,"EventID":"S5W-01181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:11:59.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-01T15:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what major capital spending projects are planned for the north east during the current parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"Major projects in the north east which will be in progress or which are planned to be in progress during the current parliamentary session and which are funded or part funded by the Scottish Government, include the following: \r\nAberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty road scheme;\r\nAberdeen to Inverness Rail Improvements;\r\nA90/A96 Haudagain Junction Improvement;\r\nA9 Dualling programme Perth to Inverness;\r\nA96 Dualling programme Inverness to Aberdeen;\r\nAberdeen Baird Family Hospital and ANCHOR Centre;\r\nNew elective treatment centres at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital, Dundee;\r\nNHS Scotland’s Pharmaceutical Specials Service;\r\nInverurie Health Care Hub and Foresterhill Health Centre;\r\nScotland’s Schools for the Future Programme (including South of the City Secondary and Stoneywood Primary in Aberdeen, Inverurie Academy in Aberdeenshire, Harris Academy, Baldragon Academy and a Dundee Joint Campus in Dundee, Forfar Academy, Hayshead Primary, Muirfield Primary and Ladyloan Primary in Angus);\r\nAberdeen City Region Deal (including a new energy innovation centre and expansion of Aberdeen harbour);\r\nV&A Museum of Design, Dundee; and Dundee Waterfront (including Dundee Railway Station concourse and wider station development, further support for developing the V&A Dundee and redeveloping two civic spaces at Discovery Plaza and Waterfront Place).","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313737,"EventID":"S5W-01188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:01.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the analogue systems run by BT and used by the majority of present telecare providers in Scotland to be switched off.","AnswerText":"Ofcom are fully aware and accept that the analogue infrastructure is not sustainable and cannot be supported long term. However, in ongoing discussions with Ofcom, it has been confirmed that there is currently no timetable in place for the replacement programme to commence. The accepted view is that once the replacement programme does commence, it will take between five and ten years to complete across the UK.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313738,"EventID":"S5W-01199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:02.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T13:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the environmental benefits of the requirement for nutrient management plans have been on permanent grassland.","AnswerText":"The nutrient management plan requirement was introduced in order to ensure that common agricultural policy (CAP) greening rules in Scotland include at least one measure to help mitigate agriculture’s contribution to climate change, by encouraging efficient use of inorganic nitrogen fertilisers. It was introduced in 2016 under the ‘greening equivalence’ rules, which allow member states some flexibility to tailor EU greening requirements to national priorities. \r\nEnsuring the efficient use of nitrogen-based fertilisers is an important part of the shift in farming practices needed for Scotland to meet its world-leading climate change targets. When too much nitrogen-based fertiliser is applied to soils, it creates a nitrogen excess which is either passed into the atmosphere in the form of nitrous oxide (a highly potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 298 times greater than that of carbon dioxide over 100 year life span) or into watercourses via runoff and leaching from the soil as nitrates.\r\nThe Scottish Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2014 report shows that agriculture and the related land use sector is Scotland’s main contributor to emissions of nitrous oxide. It indicates that of the 3.3 MtCO2e of nitrous oxide that Scotland emitted, 89% of this (2.7 MtCO2e) came from agriculture and related land use. These emissions are largely produced by agricultural practices on soils, and to a lesser extent by animal manures.\r\nThe nutrient management plan greening requirement is a light-touch measure designed to encourage efficient use of nitrogen-based fertilisers by requiring farmers in receipt of CAP direct payments to estimate the quantity of inorganic nitrogen fertiliser and lime they intend to apply on permanent grassland fields (excluding fields which also contain rough grazing or arable land) each year. This aims to drive behaviour change by encouraging farmers to consider whether they are using fertilisers efficiently.\r\nAccompanying guidance also encourages farmers to test the pH of their soil. If the soil pH is too low, applying lime can help to improve the efficiency with which grass takes up the nitrogen applied in fertiliser. This, in turn, has the potential to improve the productivity of the grass sward and to reduce nitrous oxide emissions. The EU Regulation does not provide the scope to make soil pH testing a mandatory part of the requirement, since it requires greening rules to apply every year, whereas a more appropriate frequency for soil pH testing is every five to six years. However, the benefits of soil pH testing are promoted in guidance.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313739,"EventID":"S5W-01206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:03.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding provision it has made for rural homes that have exchange only broadband cables and would therefore not be upgraded to Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) in order to receive superfast broadband, broken down by parliamentary constituency. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and our partners are investing over £410 million in the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) Programme, which will extend access to fibre broadband to at least 95% of premises in Scotland by the end of 2017. \r\nThe DSSB programme deploys a range of technology solutions to meet these targets. Although more technically challenging and time consuming than standard Fibre-To-The-Cabinet deployments, the DSSB programme is delivering fibre broadband solutions at scale to premises on exchange only (EO) lines. Over 200,000 such premises have been connected across Scotland to date and we anticipate that more than 320,000 EO lines will have been upgraded by the end of the DSSB programme.\r\nAs the DSSB programme is a national programme, the budget is not segmented or allocated by parliamentary constituency. In addition, the programme has not made specific budget provision for individual technology solutions, rather it assesses and funds the most appropriate solution as the roll-out progresses.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to ensuring 100% superfast broadband access across Scotland by 2021.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313740,"EventID":"S5W-01179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:04.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-01T15:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what major road and rail projects are planned for the north east to be completed (a) in the current parliamentary session and (b) after 2021.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s proposals for the north east include a number of significant projects. Investment and delivery in future years will depend on budget availability. There is currently an approved budget for 2016-7 and budgets for future years will be determined by the spending review process.\r\nRoad:\r\nThe major road investment plans which will benefit the north east of Scotland include: the £745 million Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR)/Balmedie-Tipperty Project; the £24 million new grade-separated junction at Laurencekirk as part of a package of additional investment alongside Aberdeen City Region Deal; the commitment to starting improvements to the A90/A96 Haudagain roundabout once the AWPR is completed; and the commitment to dualling of the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen.\r\nWork is well underway on the AWPR and this will be completed within the currently parliamentary session with new roads on programme to be open to traffic in winter 2017-18. A commitment has been given to dual the A96 by 2030. Actions to progress Laurencekirk and Haudagain Roundabout are ongoing.\r\nRail:\r\nThe rail infrastructure programme for Scotland includes a full programme of major enhancement projects, which includes the first phases of the Aberdeen to Inverness and Aberdeen to Central Belt projects. Despite recent challenges the Scottish Government expects Network Rail to deliver all of these projects within the current regulatory control period to March 2019. By 2018 ScotRail will also deliver the additional seats and new and faster services for the north east that were committed to as part of the Revolution in Rail timetable change announced by the Scottish Government in March.\r\nA further £254 million was committed to support key infrastructure in the north east, alongside the Aberdeen City Region Deal, which includes the £200 million investment in rail to improve journey times and increase capacity on the strategic rail route to Aberdeen. This investment will be delivered over a period of up to 10 years with clear benefits over and above those that will be realised from the current rail enhancements programme.\r\nDecisions in rail investment beyond 2019 are still to be made. By summer 2017, the Scottish Government will set out its rail investment priorities for the period of 2019 to 2024 in line with the timetable set out by the rail regulator, the Office of Rail and Road. We expect to consult with all relevant stakeholders on those priorities later in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313741,"EventID":"S5W-01193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:05.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the article in the Sunday Herald on 12 June 2016 relating to proposals to extract peat from a site at Auchencorth Moss in Midlothian, whether it will call in the application for its own determination, and what the reason is for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have a general power to intervene by calling in an application for their own determination. In practice though, ministers will exercise this power very sparingly, recognising and respecting the important role of local authorities in making decisions on the future development of their areas.\r\n\r\nAt this time it is not ministers’ intention to call in this application.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313742,"EventID":"S5W-01194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:06.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Midlothian Council and (b) SNH regarding proposals to extract peat from a site at Auchencorth Moss in Midlothian.","AnswerText":"The current application is to review the operational conditions around peat extraction, not for the principle of peat extraction. The application is for Midlothian Council to determine in the first instance. The Scottish Government has sought updates from Midlothian Council on the status of the case. The Scottish Government has not discussed the case with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) but has received information on SNH’s position with regard to the proposals.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313743,"EventID":"S5W-01211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:06.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T14:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses have seen a reduction or remission in non-domestic rates through the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. ","AnswerText":"This information will be collated at a local authority level as part of our regular monitoring arrangements and will be available later in the year.\r\nThe Scottish Government understands that Perth and Kinross Council has decided to make use of its power, brought in by the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act, to reduce non-domestic rates in respect of 2016-17.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313744,"EventID":"S5W-01183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:07.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-01T15:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value is of mobile and broadband investment planned for the north east in (a) 2016-17 and (b) the current parliamentary session, and how this compares with the previous parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"Mobile and broadband investment is made by both commercial suppliers and through publicly funded programmes. There are a number of publicly funded programmes being delivered that will extend the availability of mobile and broadband services in the north east. These include the Scottish Government’s Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband and Community Broadband Scotland programmes, the Aberdeen City Region Deal and the Home Office-led Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme. As these are national programmes, it is not possible to separate investment levels on a regional basis. \r\nDuring the course of this parliamentary session we will invest further in mobile and broadband services. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring 100% superfast broadband access by 2021 and, although reserved to Westminster, doing everything we can, with the powers and funding available to us, to improve mobile coverage across Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313745,"EventID":"S5W-01190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:08.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has provided to telecare commissioners and providers regarding possible issues regarding continuity of service arising from the pending analogue switch-off by BT. ","AnswerText":"The reports mentioned in the answer to question S5W-01189 on 29 July 2016 contain this advice. The Scottish Government is acutely aware that continuity of services is paramount to the estimated 160,000 people who rely on a telecare service.\r\nFollowing discussion with the Swedish Government and Swedish providers, where this shift has already commenced, we are aware that a small number of existing analogue devices do not function correctly on a digital network. Individual services would therefore need to test each legacy device to ensure its safety. Part of the trial site developments going forward will involve such testing as required to ensure that continuity of service provision is maintained throughout any transition that needs to take place.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313746,"EventID":"S5W-01197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:09.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that all historic horticultural peat extraction planning consents are reviewed for their acceptability against current policy and legislation. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01192 on 20 July 2016, planning applications are determined in accordance with the relevant development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Scottish Planning Policy (2014) paragraph 248 is clear that the review of mineral permissions every 15 years should be used to apply up-to-date operating and environmental standards. As a statement of ministers’ priorities the content of Scottish Planning Policy is a material consideration that carries significant weight.\r\n\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313747,"EventID":"S5W-01208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:10.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out an assessment of Police Scotland's estate and, if so, when  and whether it will provide details. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not carried out an assessment of Police Scotland's estate. Assessment and maintenance of the police service are matters for the Scottish Police Authority.\r\n\r\nIn June 2015, the Scottish Police Authority approved an estate strategy for Police Scotland, to support improved service delivery by transforming the police estate into one which was modern, flexible and fit for future policing across Scotland.\r\nWork continues to implement this strategy, a key element of which is an evaluation of the current police estate. The evaluation is built upon an assessment of service demand. The supply of premises from the existing estate is considered to assess whether it matches that demand and whether buildings are the right size, in the right place and in the right condition to support the effective and efficient delivery of police services to the communities of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313748,"EventID":"S5W-01185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:12.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-01T15:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the need for investment in mobile and broadband coverage in the north east.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to delivering 100% superfast broadband by 2021 and further details will be available in due course. The current focus is on finalising the coverage footprints that will be delivered by the two Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) projects, and then undertaking an open market review(s) to confirm a new intervention area for the next phase. \r\nAll telecoms suppliers capable of delivering projects within the intervention area will be eligible to bid for the contracts, and any decisions to break the programme down by region will be determined after the DSSB coverage footprint has been finalised and the open market review(s) has been completed. This process will help to determine the need for investment in the north east and indeed, in other parts of Scotland.\r\nTelecommunications, including mobile telephony, is a reserved matter for which the UK Government has responsibility to ensure adequate coverage and to fund improvements and developments. The Scottish Government is committed to using devolved levers where appropriate to improve the commercial case for investment. We recently agreed an action plan with the mobile network operators (MNOs), which sets out a range of actions aimed at extending coverage. As part of this work, the MNOs have agreed to share with us their future network plans which will help us identify areas in the north east, and across Scotland, where further investment in mobile may be required.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313749,"EventID":"S5W-01187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:13.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is continuing to support procurement of analogue telecare services in light of the pending analogue switch-off by BT and, if so, for what reason. ","AnswerText":"Support for procurement of telecare services is currently provided by Scotland Excel, who manage the Telecare and Telehealth Technologies Procurement Framework (see http://www.scotland-excel.org.uk/contract.aspx?contract=0614). This is used by all 32 local authorities and a number of Health boards and housing associations to purchase the majority of their telecare equipment. The framework runs until December 2016, and mainly consists of analogue devices. Discussions are underway with Scotland Excel on the scope of the framework post-2016, and a decision will be made in October 2016. \r\nWhilst the Scottish Government has no direct authority around local procurement procedures, officials will continue to work with organisations providing advice and guidance where applicable around future provision of telecare services.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313750,"EventID":"S5W-01202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:14.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for consent have been determined by Marine Scotland since 2010, how many (a) were refused, (b) required environmental impact assessment and (c) required appropriate assessment of their effect on European wildlife sites.","AnswerText":"Marine Scotland issues a variety of consents, licences and other permissions relating to a wide range of marine activities.\r\nThe following table summarises those issued by Marine Scotland Sea Fisheries, Licensing Operations Team , Science and Aquaculture divisions from 2010 to date.\r\n\r\nTotal since 2010\r\n(a) were refused\r\n(b) required environmental impact assessment\r\n(c) required appropriate assessment of their effect on European wildlife sites\r\n\r\nSea fisheries licences\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNo new sea fisheries licences have been issued since 1990\r\nAuthorisations to fishing vessels to enter Scottish administration\r\n106\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFrom 2013 when the official application process was introduced\r\nAuthorizations to fishing vessels to leave Scottish administration\r\n80\r\n4\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFrom 2013 when the official application process was introduced\r\nFishing Derogations\r\n192\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDerogations are issued for research purposes: Records start September 2010. Derogations are generally issued once an applicant has provided sufficient detail of the proposed trial.\r\nLicences under the Marine Scotland Act (includes FEPA licences issued between 01/01/2010 and 31/01/2011 which are deemed marine licences)\r\n3143\r\n12\r\n30\r\n60\r\nDetails are held on the Marine Licence Register\r\nConsents under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989\r\n15\r\n0\r\n15\r\n15\r\n\r\nLicences under The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 and the Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2007\r\n101\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nDisturbance of marine European Protected Species (EPS)\r\nConsent to introduce Fish, Fry or Ova to Scottish Inland waters\r\n2838\r\n6\r\n0\r\n4\r\n\r\nConsent to fish using otherwise illegal methods/during the close season/fishing for eels\r\n887\r\n6\r\n0\r\n9\r\nLicences are issued on an individual basis rather than per application (one application can cover multiple licences)\r\nFish farms consented through the Audit and Review process since 2010\r\n364\r\n0\r\n4\r\n23\r\nCopies of permissions issued are available on the Audit and Review webpages\r\nNo farms have been refused permission through this process but 57 applications have been withdrawn or not been progressed\r\nAuthorisations of aquaculture production businesses\r\n176\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nThe register of Aquaculture Production and Processing Business in Scotland is available to view on line\r\nAuthorisations of processing establishments\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\nPermissions to move live or dead fish, personnel and equipment from sites subject to movement restrictions\r\n426\r\n9\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\nLicences to import from third countries\r\n5\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nThe issue of licences to import ceased during 2010 due to harmonisation of EU legislation\r\nLicences to deposit lobsters\r\n13\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAnnual licence renewal","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313751,"EventID":"S5W-01204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:15.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public representations in (a) support of and (b) opposition to the application to construct and operate the Strathy South windfarm it has received.","AnswerText":"To date, the Scottish Government has received 27 public representations in support of the application and 245 in opposition.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313752,"EventID":"S5W-01189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:16.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it gives to telecare providers and those who commission such services regarding the relative suitabilities of analogue as opposed to digital systems. ","AnswerText":"The decision on what individual devices and systems to procure is entirely a matter for individual authorities and commissioners. There is nothing to suggest that existing analogue devices are insufficient, as they work well across the existing analogue telephony network. It is only once the move to a digital telephony infrastructure commences that there may be a potential conflict between analogue devices and a digital network.\r\nIn exploring what is involved in the shift from analogue to digital systems, the Scottish Government, via the Scottish Centre for Telehealth & Telecare, commissioned a feasibility study. The first part of this audited the current digital status of telecare solutions in Scotland and examined the potential benefits that a move to digital telecare may deliver. This was published in October 2015 and can be accessed at http://sctt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/NHS24D3V3_0-Final-Report-Updated-12th-Oct-2015.pdf.\r\nThis report confirmed that no Scottish telecare solution currently meets the definition of ‘end-to-end’ digital telecare. There are examples of deployments based on digital technology, for example geofencing and video camera use, but these are limited in scale and number and tend to be deployed as standalone solutions, separate to the main telecare systems. The report also set out a number of benefits of moving to digital systems.\r\nAn implementation guide on the move to digital systems is due to be published late July 2016. This sets out the technical requirements and options. The next stage will be developing a number of test sites to explore the service possibilities. The Scottish Government is working on this with COSLA, the Improvement Service, the Scottish Centre for Telehealth & Telecare and the Digital Health & Care Institute.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313753,"EventID":"S5W-01191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:17.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its procurement policies for telecare and its advice on procurement of telecare by public bodies takes account of the pending analogue switch-off by BT.","AnswerText":"As mentioned in the answer provided to question S5W-01187 on 29 July 2016, discussions are ongoing with Scotland Excel. A working group has been established and will continue to review the ongoing procurement policies in light of recent changes in procurement legislation.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313754,"EventID":"S5W-01196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:19.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consents for peat extraction for horticulture are extant but not yet fully exploited and what estimate it has made of the carbon loss that would occur should all extant consents for peat extraction for horticulture be fully exploited.","AnswerText":"Decisions on peat extraction are made by individual planning authorities and the number of extant but not fully exploited consents for peat extraction is not held centrally. No estimate of the total carbon emissions or loss of carbon sequestration potential from all existing consents has been undertaken.\r\nHowever, peat extraction is counted in the Scottish Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2014 data. Whilst this includes peat extraction beyond that used for horticulture, the contribution of peat extraction to Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions was 0.1 MtCO2e; 0.2% of total Scottish emissions in 2014.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313755,"EventID":"S5W-01198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:20.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) discourage the sale of peat for horticulture and (b) encourage the continued development and sale of sustainable alternatives to peat for use in horticulture.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-001195 on 20 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313756,"EventID":"S5W-01200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:21.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T13:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) when and (b) how it will review greening measures established under the Common Agricultural Policy. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is continuing to engage via Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with the current greening Simplification Review undertaken by the European commission. We anticipate that this may result in changes to the detailed implementation rules for greening, to be announced by the commission later in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313757,"EventID":"S5W-01184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:21.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-01T15:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what major mobile and broadband projects are planned for the north east to be delivered (a) in the current parliamentary session and (b) after 2021.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and our partners are delivering a number of national mobile and broadband projects that will benefit the north east. \r\nThe Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband Programme will extend fibre broadband access to at least 95% of premises in Scotland by the end of 2017. In parallel, Community Broadband Scotland is supporting community-led broadband projects, including the Mearns Internet Initiative which has connected 160 premises in the Marykirk area with plans to connect a further 120 premises. The Scottish Government is committed to building on the success of these programmes and achieving 100% superfast broadband coverage by 2021. \r\nDigital infrastructure projects will also form part of the £250 million Aberdeen City Region Deal that was agreed between the Scottish Government, UK Government and regional partners earlier this year. The Scottish Government is providing an additional £254 million, over and above the City Deal, to help deliver a more significant step change to the economy of the north east. \r\nAlthough reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government is committed to doing everything we can, with the powers and funding available to us, to improve mobile coverage across Scotland. We recently agreed an action plan with mobile operators, which sets out a range of actions aimed at extending coverage. We are also working with UK Government to maximise the impact of the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme, which will deliver a number of new mobile masts across Scotland in the coming years, including in the north east.\r\nUnderpinning all of this is our commitment to developing a world class digital infrastructure that will deliver high quality connectivity across Scotland. The Scottish Government, along with Scottish Futures Trust, is assessing how government can best incentivise industry to invest in a world class infrastructure that will support the future evolution of digital technologies beyond 2021.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313758,"EventID":"S5W-01186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:22.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Highland Self Builld Loan Fund will be made available in Argyll and Bute. ","AnswerText":"The Highland Self Build Loan Fund is a £4 million, two-year pilot that began operating in April 2016 and will be regularly reviewed to understand the limitations and opportunities it provides. A full evaluation will be carried out to help inform whether this funding mechanism should be expanded to other parts of the country in 2018-19.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313759,"EventID":"S5W-01201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:23.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish details of the stakeholder event that the then Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn, agreed to during stage 3 of the Mental Health Bill on 24 June 2015 (Official Report, col. 121).","AnswerText":"This government is committed to undertake a review to determine whether people with learning difficulties and autism should be removed from the definition of ‘mental disorder’ under the provisions of the Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.\r\n\r\nDuring the progress of the Mental Health Bill (now the Mental Health (Scotland) 2015 Act), Mr Hepburn made clear that he was open to a stakeholder event to help move the process forward. He also stated that the review will be participative and that stakeholders would be involved in shaping its remit.\r\nThe Mental Welfare Commission in partnership with the Scottish Commission for Learning Difficulties are currently undertaking a scoping exercise on behalf of the Scottish Government to gauge opinion from service users as well as representative bodies which will help shape the remit of the official review. This will in turn ensure that the design of the official review acknowledges the complexities, includes the full range of stakeholders and leads to practical proposals with as much consensus as can reasonably be achieved.\r\nPart of the official review process will be to hear the views of the people of Scotland and once the scope and engagement strategy has been agreed it will be made public.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313760,"EventID":"S5W-01203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:24.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to make a decision on the application to construct and operate the Strathy South windfarm.","AnswerText":"The consideration that officials and Ministers have been required to give to this proposal has been complex and time consuming. Now that the Public Local Inquiry is complete Scottish Ministers are considering the terms of the report and should be in a position to make a decision in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313761,"EventID":"S5W-01180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:25.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-01T15:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the need for investment in road and rail in the north east between 2016 and 2026.","AnswerText":"The recommendations of the Strategic Transport Projects Review sets out 29 investment priorities across the country over the period to 2032 which will be delivered subject to the transport allocation within future spending reviews and affordability. The interventions included improvements to the Aberdeen to Inverness and Aberdeen to Central Belt rail services and route management on road corridors including the A90 north of Aberdeen. These interventions are in addition to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR)/Balmeddie to Tipperty project and the clear commitment to dual the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen by 2030.\r\nAs part of the Aberdeen City Region Deal the UK and Scottish Government have committed a total of £5 million towards a transport appraisal and the two councils have committed a further £1 million each. The appraisal will take a long-term strategic view of the transport implications of the investment unlocked by this deal across modes including road and rail. This work has now commenced and will scope out transport requirements for the next 20 years, building on the completion of the AWPR and other planned investments.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313762,"EventID":"S5W-01182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:26.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-01T15:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is planning to use its new tax raising powers to increase investment in connectivity in the north east.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to using the tax powers devolved to the Scottish Parliament, including those devolved by the Scotland Act 2016, to grow Scotland's economy and to provide additional investment in public services. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313763,"EventID":"S5W-01205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:27.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what activities consent is determined by Marine Scotland.","AnswerText":"Marine Scotland issues a variety of consents, licences and other permissions relating to a wide range of marine activities including;\r\n\r\nSea Fisheries:\r\nSea fisheries licences\r\nAuthorisations following requests for fishing vessels to change the country of administration\r\nDerogations issued for research purposes\r\nMarine Licensing:\r\nLicences under the marine (Scotland) Act 2010\r\nA range of activities including;\r\nConstruction\r\nDredging\r\nMarine Farms\r\nMarine Sediment Removal\r\nMoorings\r\nRenewables construction\r\nScientific Deployment\r\nWellboat discharges\r\nCables\r\nSeal licences\r\nConsents under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for which Scottish Ministers determine applications for offshore electricity generating stations\r\nOver 1 MW in size within Scottish territorial waters (between 0 and 12 nautical miles) and over 50 MW in the offshore region (between 12 and 200 nautical miles).\r\nLicences under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 and the Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2007 in relation to disturbance of Marine European Protected Species.\r\nFreshwater:\r\nConsents to introduce fish to Scottish inland waters\r\nConsents to fish using otherwise illegal methods/ during the close season\r\nConsents to fish for/take eels.\r\nAquaculture:\r\nPlanning permission made through the Scottish Government Audit and Review process, managed by Marine Scotland\r\nAquaculture production and processing business in Scotland\r\nPermissions to move live or dead fish, personnel and equipment from sites subject to movement restrictions\r\nLicences to deposit lobsters\r\n Further information can be found on our website pages: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Licensing\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Fish-Shellfish/18716\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Licensing/fishintros\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Licensing/marine/guidance/EPSbackground","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313764,"EventID":"S5W-01207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:28.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T14:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the implementation of new legislation that gives effect to water and sewerage charges; how it will support village halls in their application for charitable status so that they are eligible for exemption from such charges, and what discussions it has had on this matter with the (a) Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and (b) Office for the Scottish Charity Regulator. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers’ principles of charging statement sets out the basis for calculating water and sewerage charges. It also sets out the terms upon which the Exemption Scheme is available to charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs.\r\nThe terms of the new Exemption Scheme, which was introduced on 1 April 2015, were the subject of a consultation: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2013/11/9119 at the end of 2013. Over 140 organisations responded including many voluntary organisations and their umbrella organisations. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and the Office for the Charity Regulator (OSCR) were closely involved in the design and implementation of the new scheme and have publicised the consultation and the scheme as agreed by ministers.\r\nMy officials have spoken to officials at OSCR and SCVO to discuss how further assistance can be provided where village halls wish to obtain charitable status. In the light of these discussions, I have decided that, provided that these village halls obtain charitable status within the current financial year and meet all of the eligibility criteria, exemption will be back-dated to 1 April 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313765,"EventID":"S5W-01178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:29.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-01T15:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value is of road and rail investment planned for the north east in (a) 2016-17 and (b) the current parliamentary session, and how this compares with the previous parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"Project investment and delivery in future years will depend on budget availability. There is currently an approved budget for 2016-17 and budgets for future years will be determined by the spending review process.\r\nTable 12.01 of Scotland’s Spending Plans and Draft Budget 2016-17:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00491140.pdf sets out the overall investment in transport including road and rail for the current parliamentary year compared to the previous parliamentary year.\r\nThe road budget includes: progressing construction of the Aberdeen western peripheral route/Balmedie to Tipperty project; progressing design and development work on dualling the A96; and progressing design and development work on the A90 Haudagain roundabout. \r\nThe Scottish Government’s investment to support Network Rail’s operation, maintenance, renewal and enhancement of the rail infrastructure in Scotland, and to deliver the economic and social benefits of the ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper franchise contracts, is not split by region. As part of the broader five-year £5 billion programme of investment in rail infrastructure in services to 2019, investment during 2016-17 will support improved rail services across the north east, including progress towards the delivery of the first phases of the Aberdeen to Inverness and Aberdeen to central belt rail improvement projects.\r\nThis investment will help to better connect our communities and support sustainable economic growth and jobs across the country.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313766,"EventID":"S5W-01192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:30.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that legislation relating to existing peat extraction consents reflects national planning policy protection for peatlands.","AnswerText":"Planning applications are determined in accordance with the relevant development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Scottish Planning Policy (2014) paragraph 248 is clear that the review of mineral permissions every 15 years should be used to apply up-to-date operating and environmental standards. As a statement of ministers’ priorities the content of Scottish Planning Policy is a material consideration that carries significant weight.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313767,"EventID":"S5W-01195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:31.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that new peat extraction for horticulture does not occur.","AnswerText":"The use of peat as a source horticultural compost is a global issue requiring action at the international level as peat sourced for horticultural use comes from a number of different countries. The Scottish Government has offered its support to the market-led initiatives to reduce the demand and use of peat in horticulture.\r\n\r\nThe National Peatland Group, set up by the Scottish Government and Scottish Natural Heritage to deliver the plan, has identified phasing out the horticultural use of peat as a priority in it work programme. \r\nScottish Planning Policy confirms that planning authorities should use their development plans to protect areas of peatland and only allow commercial extraction in very limited circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313768,"EventID":"S5W-01209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:32.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for implementation of the governance review of the Scottish Police Authority, which was published earlier in 2016.","AnswerText":"The chair of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) published his review of governance in policing on 23 March 2016: http://www.spa.police.uk/about-us/governancereview. The publication included an indicative timescale for delivery. Updates on the review are being presented at SPA public board meetings on a quarterly basis.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313769,"EventID":"S5W-01210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-04T15:12:33.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total payment to producers in Shetland is under the Basic Premium Scheme in comparison to the final year pay-out of Single Application Form payments.","AnswerText":"Total single farm payments made in 2014 was 3,631,066.01 euros. \r\nTotal 2015 Basic Payment Scheme payments made to Shetland producers 2015 at 8 July 2016 was 3,035,355.31 euros.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313788,"EventID":"S5W-01214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:17.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to evaluate and improve the experience for victims reporting rape to the police.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01213 on 22 July 2016. We have also legislated, through the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014, to ensure that those who report sexual offences should be able to choose the gender of their police interviewer. Additionally, last year, we awarded just under £2 million to Rape Crisis centres to enhance the support available for survivors of sexual violence (including advocacy), and in June the Equalities Secretary announced £844K of support for Rape Crisis Scotland and local centres.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313789,"EventID":"S5W-01216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:18.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many employers have notified the Energy Jobs Taskforce of employees in the oil and gas industry in Scotland and its supply chain who are at risk of redundancy.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Energy Jobs Taskforce was created by the First Minister early in 2015 to help tackle the immediate challenges facing the energy sector. The role and remit of the taskforce was to bring together a strong partnership of industry, public sector and trade union representatives to develop solutions to mitigate the immediate effects on the workforce from the oil and gas downturn, but also to take a longer-term look at the structural challenges affecting the industry. As part of its work, the task force receives regular updates on the number of employees in the oil and gas industry who may be at risk of redundancy. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313790,"EventID":"S5W-01227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:19.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much medical research funding it has provided to (a) motor neurone disease, (b) multiple sclerosis (MS), (c) stroke, (d) heart disease and (e) cancer since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports medical research financially by three routes: (1) through research and infrastructure support allocations to the NHS Boards, (2) by its contribution to the Office for the Strategic Co-ordination of Health Research which allows Scottish researchers to bid for National Institute for Health Research Grants and (3) through the research funding committees and fellowship schemes run by the Chief Scientist Office. The Scottish Government does not routinely hold information of funding allocated for research into specific health conditions via routes 1 and 2.\r\nThe following table shows the figures for funding awarded via the Chief Scientist Office research funding committees and fellowship schemes for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2016. The figures also include the Chief Scientist Office contribution to a number of co-funding initiatives with medical research charities.\r\nMotor Neurone Disease\r\n£75,000\r\nMultiple Sclerosis\r\n£211,433\r\nStroke\r\n£3,864,934\r\nCardiovascular Disease\r\n£1,927,025\r\nCancer\r\n£9,709,622\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313791,"EventID":"S5W-01228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:20.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value has been of its medical research budget in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Details of the Scottish Budget are available online at the following address: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18127/Documents. Information specific to Health Research can be found in the supporting information of the published support documents. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313792,"EventID":"S5W-01226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:21.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether priorities for its Policy Priorities scheme for grant funding via the Chief Scientist Office have been identified and, if so, whether it will publish these.","AnswerText":"The planned grant scheme for research proposals to address specific Scottish Government policy priorities has not yet been introduced. Once introduced, calls for research proposals will be published by the Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313793,"EventID":"S5W-01229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:21.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is doing to support Scottish-based medical researchers following the EU referendum result.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office continues to support Scottish-based medical researchers and all of its research funding and support mechanisms remain in place.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313794,"EventID":"S5W-01217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:22.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the i6 contract between Police Scotland and Accenture, what the agreed total contract price was and how much had already been paid to Accenture at the time that the contract was cancelled on 1 July 2016. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Executive to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313795,"EventID":"S5W-01219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:23.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that cancellation of the i6 contract between Police Scotland and Accenture resulted in “no financial detriment” to the Police Scotland budget, who is liable for meeting the costs of the contract (a) to date and (b) on cancellation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01217 on 27 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313796,"EventID":"S5W-01236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:25.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17 toward the provision of cars for road traffic collision training and how many cars this funding has helped provide, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. The allocation of resources is for the Boards of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the Scottish Ambulance Service and the Scottish Police Authority, according to their assessment of needs and priorities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313797,"EventID":"S5W-01165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:25.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-30T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which trade unions the Minister for Employability and Training has met; when, and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"The STUC, and its affiliate trade unions, are key stakeholders with an interest in a wide range of government policy. The Government's Memorandum of Understanding with the STUC recognises the particular and important contribution that trade unions can make to the development and implementation of those policies, and it recognises our shared values and common goals. Unions members have for example played a key part in the Fair Work Convention, and the General Secretary of the STUC sits on the newly established Standing Council on Europe. I continue to maintain these relationships and will be meeting with the PCS later this month.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313798,"EventID":"S5W-01215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:27.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training is available to police officers regarding the handling of rape cases, including officers carrying out first response. ","AnswerText":"The training of police officers is a matter for the Chief Constable. Police Scotland’s policing response is victim focused at all times and every police officer is given 'First Responder Training' during their initial course at the Police College of Scotland, this includes training which highlights the issues a victim faces when reporting sexual crime to the police. Police Scotland also has a cadre of experienced and dedicated Sexual Offences Liaison Officers who are specially trained to interview victims of sexual crime and provide the critical link between the victim and the enquiry team.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313799,"EventID":"S5W-01222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:29.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of the cancellation of the i6 contract between Police Scotland and Accenture will be on plans for the creation of a virtual service centre in place of existing police control rooms and service centres.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01217 on 27 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313800,"EventID":"S5W-01164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:30.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-30T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it uses external staff to fill temporary vacancies and, if so, who provides the staff.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does use external staff to fill temporary vacancies. The suppliers are: - Pertemps; Brightwork; ASA Resourcing; Harvey Nash Group; Parity Professionals and Spring Technology.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313801,"EventID":"S5W-01166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:32.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-30T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contingency planning it has undertaken to protect (a) the economy, (b) jobs, (c) mortgages and (d) pensions as a result of the outcome of the EU referendum and what action it plans to take.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to protecting Scotland’s relationship with the EU, following Scotland’s unequivocal vote to retain the wide range of economic and social benefits membership provides.\r\nSince 23 June, the First Minister has spoken to the Governor of the Bank of England, discussing implications of the EU referendum for financial markets and the economy.\r\nIn addition, Scottish Ministers, officials, and the Enterprise Network have been in regular contact with businesses, employers, trade unions, and social partners. This work will continue. Through the Enterprise Network we are gathering information from businesses across Scotland, and ensuring access to the information and support that companies need. The Federation of Small Businesses has suggested we establish an EU Business Hub to act as a single point of contact, and we will take that forward.\r\nWe welcome the statement issued jointly by Scotland’s main business organisations on 8 July, which confirmed that businesses need continued access to the single market and free movement of labour. The Scottish Government will continue to work with business bodies and sectors – as well as with individual companies – to share information, listen and understand business priorities and concerns, and make clear – here and internationally – that Scotland remains a stable and attractive place to do business, with a fundamentally strong economy. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313802,"EventID":"S5W-01221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:33.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the delay will be to the full implementation of the IT systems included in the i6 contract with Accenture that was cancelled by Police Scotland on 1 July 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01217 on 27 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313803,"EventID":"S5W-01223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:35.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00421 by Shona Robison on 15 June 2016, when it plans to start discussions to identify key areas of research need in relation to the promised PhDs in multiple sclerosis (MS) and motor neurone disease and when it expects to be able to make an announcement regarding its findings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office is currently initiating discussions to identify key areas of research to ensure these studentships have the maximum impact. It is expected that an announcement will be made within the next few months.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313804,"EventID":"S5W-01225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:36.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been identified as being at risk of redundancy in the oil and gas industry in Scotland and its supply chain.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to monitor the impact that low oil prices is having on the oil and gas industry and its wider supply chain. This includes an update on labour market information. This was discussed at the Energy Jobs Taskforce meeting on the 23 March 2016. The State of the Economy report from the chief economist, published on 3 June 2016, provides an update on the oil and gas sector, including notifications of jobs at risk. A link to the report, detailing this information, can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy/state-economy/latestSofE.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313805,"EventID":"S5W-01230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:37.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when its Policy Priorities scheme for grant funding via the Chief Scientist Office will be launched.","AnswerText":"It is intended that a grant scheme for research proposals to address Scottish Government policy priorities be introduced by the Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office by the end of 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313806,"EventID":"S5W-01218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:38.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the i6 contract between Police Scotland and Accenture, whether Police Scotland or the Scottish Police Authority are liable for financial penalties for cancelling the contract.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01217 on 27 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313807,"EventID":"S5W-01220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:39.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a new tender will be published for the IT systems covered by the i6 contract with Accenture that was cancelled by Police Scotland on 1 July 2016 and, if so, when that tender will be open to bids.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01217 on 27 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313808,"EventID":"S5W-01235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:41.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that homes and premises not in the immediate vicinity of exchange cabinets will be able to benefit from superfast broadband. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring 100% superfast broadband access across Scotland by 2021. We intend to launch new procurement activity aimed at pushing coverage beyond what will be delivered by our existing Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband Programme. Part of this will be engagement with suppliers to determine the most appropriate solution for premises out-with the immediate vicinity of exchange cabinets.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313809,"EventID":"S5W-01237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:42.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact a 15% rate of corporation tax would have on (a) employment, (b) tax yield and (c) the funding of public services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"As set out in Scotland’s Economic Strategy, the Scottish Government believes that changes to corporation tax should focus on creating a long-term competitive advantage by using targeted changes in tax allowances to encourage higher levels of investment in capital or research and development and encourage the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, not through a blanket approach to further reducing the headline rate. \r\nThe economic impact of a reduction in corporation tax to 15%, as proposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, would depend on the timeframe over which it was implemented, the manner in which it is funded and any accompany reforms. To date, the UK Government has not provided this information","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313810,"EventID":"S5W-01163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:43.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-30T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it commissioned legal advice on Brexit; whether it was sought from external parties, and whether it will publish it.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ministerial code is clear that Ministers must not divulge either the source or content of legal advice. However, the Scottish Government has committed to being as open and as frank as possible – with the Scottish people, as well as with the Scottish Parliament – as it explores all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313811,"EventID":"S5W-01213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:45.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will conduct research into police response to rape at a national level.","AnswerText":"Rape is a heinous crime, and the Scottish Government is committed to supporting victims and tackling perpetrators. The police prioritise a strong response to rape; Police Scotland, after its creation in 2013, established the National Rape Task Force and Domestic Abuse Task Force to target the most prolific perpetrators, as well as ensuring there are Divisional Rape Investigation Units in every local policing division in Scotland.\r\n\r\nAs the First Minister advised in response to your question at FMQs on 2 June 2016, the Scottish Government has prioritised the allocation of resources to review how health boards undertake forensic medical examinations of sexual offence victims. This work will shortly be underway so as to help understand the current provision including in relation to the locations of the examinations in different parts of Scotland and also the gender of the examiner in different parts of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313812,"EventID":"S5W-01224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:46.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00421 by Shona Robison on 15 June 2016, which (a) organisations and (b) individuals will be involved in the discussions to identify key areas of research needed in relation to the promised PhDs in multiple sclerosis (MS) and motor neurone disease.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office is currently initiating discussions with individuals representing organisations which include research charities, the Scottish Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease Network and the National Advisory Committee on Neurological Conditions.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313813,"EventID":"S5W-01231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T13:40:48.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-04T17:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the future of protected designation of origin and protected geographical indication products.","AnswerText":"The EU schemes known as ‘protected designation of origin’ and ‘protected geographical indication’ promote and protect names of quality agricultural products and foodstuffs from misuse and imitation, and help consumers by giving them information concerning the specific character of the products. Scotland currently boasts 14 such products, including Scottish Farmed Salmon, Scotch Beef and Native Shetland Wool. In addition, Scotch Whisky is also registered as a Geographical Indication in many countries across the globe, including the EU.\r\nThe UK Government have confirmed to the Scottish Government that applications for products to be awarded protected designation of origin and protected geographical indication status will continue to be processed for as long as the UK remains part of the EU. The UK Government have also confirmed that they are looking at options for when the UK formally leaves the EU, including a potential British protected food name status scheme. The Scottish Government’s intention is to seek ways to remain within the EU, in line with the wishes of the Scottish people, and thereby to continue to enjoy the benefits of the EU’s arrangements for protected geographical indication products.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313814,"EventID":"S5W-01238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-05T15:59:05.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers to be the division of responsibilities between Police Scotland and local authorities in relation to animal welfare and enforcement issues. ","AnswerText":"The Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 confers similar powers on Police Scotland and local authorities regarding enforcement. Local authorities, however, have specific responsibilities for licensing of pet shops, dog breeders and dealers, and enforcement of animal welfare during transport and on farms. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313819,"EventID":"S5W-01232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:47:43.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T08:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what international fisheries agreements Scotland is party to both in its own right and via the UK or EU; who the signatories are to each; how many vessels registered in Scotland receive quota allocations as a result, and what the economic benefit to Scotland is.","AnswerText":"Scotland is an integral part of the UK delegation at those international negotiations from which the Scottish quota derives. These include the annual EU December Fisheries Council (at which the UK negotiates with other EU member states in its own right), and the pure coastal states negotiations and bilateral coastal states negotiations with Norway and with the Faroe Islands (at which the UK negotiates as part of the EU delegation). \r\nThe EU December Fisheries Council gives rise to the annual fishing opportunities regulation which is binding on all EU member states with fishing interests, including the UK. The pure coastal states agreements are signed by various combinations of the EU, Norway, Faroe, Iceland and the Russian Federation, depending on the stock in question. The bilateral coastal states agreements between the EU and Norway and the EU and Faroe Islands are signed by those parties respectively.\r\nThere were 1,957 active licences under Scottish administration on 1 January 2016. All licence holders are eligible to receive a quota allocation through membership of a producer organisation or through the nationally managed non-sector pools.\r\nThe provisional total value of all landed species to Scotland in 2015 was £437 million, of which quota species comprised £364 million.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313820,"EventID":"S5W-01255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:47:45.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what areas it provides funding for orchestras.","AnswerText":"In 2016-17 the Scottish Government is providing grant funding of £3.96 million to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) based in Glasgow and £1.99 million to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra based in Edinburgh, two of the five Scottish Government-funded national performing companies who both perform regularly throughout Scotland, the UK and internationally. In addition, the orchestras have received capital funding allocations, most notably £9.2 million for the new RSNO home at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall which opened in 2015. \r\nThe Scottish Government also support Sistema Scotland which has three Big Noise centres in Raploch, Govanhill and Torry and our recently announced £2.5 million four-year funding package will enable the youth orchestra programme to sustain and build on its work to enhance the health, wellbeing and prospects of young people in the communities of Stirling, Glasgow and Aberdeen. \r\nIn addition the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland (NYOS) both receive Regular Funding from Creative Scotland who also support various orchestral activities through project funding including:-\r\nSupport for recording projects – an award to the RSNO and NYOS to record the symphonic music of Sally Beamish\r\nSupport for new commissions – an award to voluntary group Peebles Orchestra for commission from Esther Swift\r\nSupport for sector development and research – an award to Association of British Orchestras for research into youth ensembles","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313821,"EventID":"S5W-01257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:47:46.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for funding schemes to encourage young musicians.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports a number of music initiatives for young musicians, across a range of organisations.\r\nThe Youth Music Initiative (YMI) programme is receiving £10 million of government support in 2016-17. Reporting indicates that this level of investment in 2014-15 enabled music opportunities for 225,000 children across Scotland and independent evaluation published last year indicated that the YMI fosters and develops children's and young people's musical skills and supports more than 300 projects each year across all 32 local authorities.\r\nAll of the five Scottish Government-funded National Performing Companies also have initiatives to encourage cultural activity and participation, with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera orchestra musicians and creative learning teams providing a range of programmes to encourage young musicians.\r\nWe are also providing support to give children greater access to cultural opportunities – as evidenced by the announcement, in March 2016, of an additional £2.5 million of funding for Sistema Scotland and the recent launch of the Theatre in Schools Scotland Project supported through the National Theatre of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313822,"EventID":"S5W-01264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:47:47.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T09:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to increase the volume and effectiveness of carbon sinks.","AnswerText":"Development of the third report on policies and proposals (RPP3), setting out how we will meet targets to 2032, is underway across the Scottish Government. Work is on-going, and contributions from individual sectors have not yet been finalised.\r\n\r\nFor RPP3 we will take a system wide view on how we can most cost effectively deliver our targets, including carbon sequestration through peatland restoration and woodland creation.\r\nThe draft of RPP3 is due to be laid in the Parliament in December 2016, but this will be kept under review in the coming months.\r\nThe draft report will be subject to a 60 day period for parliamentary consideration. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313823,"EventID":"S5W-01266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:47:48.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T09:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been allocated from the bus route development fund to each local authority in each of the last five years, also expressed on a per capita basis.","AnswerText":"The Bus Route Development Fund specific grant was rolled up and included in the general revenue grant funding from 1 April 2008 and, as a result, there are no allocations for individual local authorities. From that date it has been the responsibility of each local authority to manage their own budget and to allocate the total financial resources availableto them on the basis of local needs and priorities, including any funding for bus route development, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313824,"EventID":"S5W-01249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:47:50.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on reductions to the provision of free music tuition for children.","AnswerText":"Information on local authority instrumental music tuition charges can be found at the attached links:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Education/Schools/curriculum/InstrumentalMusic/ImplementationGroup","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313825,"EventID":"S5W-01256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:47:51.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Creative Scotland about supporting young musicians.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular discussions with Creative Scotland on a wide range of subjects including developments around the Youth Music Initiative which allows young people to take part in music in and outside of school in all 32 local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313826,"EventID":"S5W-01263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:47:52.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T17:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to address the impact of poor air quality on health inequalities in Central Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports a number of measures, both local and national, to successfully tackle air pollution and its impacts on health. These measures, which are applied across the country, include the establishment of a statutory framework and clear strategic aims for both air quality and transport; supporting the development of renewable energy; providing grant funding for local authority actions; and providing advice and information through the Scottish Air Quality Website and Scotland’s Environment Web.\r\nThese initiatives will continue to be taken forward in the context of Cleaner Air for Scotland - The Road to a Healthier Future - Scotland's first distinct air quality strategy which was published in 2015. The strategy sets out six key policy objectives, including one for health which is for 'A Scotland which protects its citizens from the harmful effects of air pollution, reducing health inequalities'.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313827,"EventID":"S5W-01239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:47:53.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00643 by John Swinney on 16 June 2016, when it expects to introduce the clothing grant regulations.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers continue to discuss the provision of school clothing grants and appropriate timescales for implementation with COSLA. We intend to achieve this in partnership with COSLA rather than by imposing regulations, in the same way that we have successfully implemented universal free school meals for Primary 1 to 3. However, the regulation-making power provides an alternative route should this not prove possible. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313828,"EventID":"S5W-01248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:47:54.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what priority it will give to the provision of free music tuition for children.","AnswerText":"Decisions about the provision of instrumental music tuition, including policies for access, concessions and charging, are for each local authority according to local priorities, demands, circumstances and traditions. \r\n\r\nInformation on the government’s work on instrumental music can be viewed at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Education/Schools/curriculum/InstrumentalMusic","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313829,"EventID":"S5W-01250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:47:55.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is guidance for local authorities on charging for music tuition.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not provide guidance to local authorities on charging for music tuition.\r\n\r\nLocal authorities determine their own polices on, for example, tuition costs, concession rates, selection procedures, available instruments and hire and additional activities. The improvement service yearly (since 2012) survey is a key tool which enables local authorities to reflect on their policies and practices:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Education/Schools/curriculum/InstrumentalMusic/ImplementationGroup","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313830,"EventID":"S5W-01243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:47:56.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to change the criteria to qualify for free school meals and, if so, how.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is continuing to consider how eligibility to free school meals will be determined in the context of the UK Government’s programme for welfare reform. As an interim arrangement, the Education (School Lunches) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2013 prescribed the receipt of universal credit as an eligibility criterion for free school meals to ensure that no child will lose their entitlement during the early stages of the universal credit roll-out. The Scottish Government is currently working with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to consider the eligibility criteria for free school meals under universal credit in the future. \r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government has also committed to extending universal free school meals to all two, three and four year olds in funded early learning and childcare as part of the expansion to 1140 hours of early learning and childcare by the end of this parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313831,"EventID":"S5W-01244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:47:57.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities run the free school meals programme for children in P1 to P3.","AnswerText":"On 5 January 2015, free school meals were extended to primary 1 to 3 children in Scotland to help ensure every child has the best possible start in life and gets every chance to succeed at school. The policy has had a huge take up with latest figures showing that over 134,500 primary 1 to 3 children (81.7%) across all 32 local authorities in Scotland are taking a nutritious free school meal, saving families around £380 a year for each eligible child. The Scottish Government is fully funding this policy and is providing £54 million revenue funding in 2016-17, building on the £70.5 million of revenue funding provided over 2014-16 and the £24.8 million of capital funding which was provided to support implementation. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313832,"EventID":"S5W-01261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:47:58.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils, on average, each educational psychologist has supported in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Educational psychologists are employed directly by education authorities; it is for authorities to take decisions around the numbers they need and employ, and how they fulfil their duty to provide an educational psychology service.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313833,"EventID":"S5W-01262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:47:58.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T17:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what mental health professionals and organisations were invited to the Education Summit on 15 June 2016.","AnswerText":"Driving up attainment levels across Scotland’s schools is this government’s priority, and we will seek out and listen to all new ideas and innovative approaches to deliver results in education for all young people.\r\nThe summit brought together a small group of experts from across Scotland and beyond including politicians, teachers, parents, pupils and other representatives of the education sector. The purpose of the summit was to discuss the practical steps to drive forward our plans to close the attainment gap to ensure our schools are world leading. The summit discussions informed the Delivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education – A Delivery Plan for Scotland which I published on 28 June 2016. It sets out clear milestones for our next steps towards closing the attainment gap and can be viewed at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Education/Schools.\r\nThe summit was attended by a number of organisations representing children’s rights and interests including the Commissioner for Children and Young People, Children in Scotland, Young Scot and Youthlink. The delivery plan is the beginning of a wider process in which we would welcome engagement with any organisation or professional wishing to contribute to raising attainment and closing the equity gap.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313834,"EventID":"S5W-01254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:47:59.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many children are admitted to the El Sistema orchestra in each area.","AnswerText":"There are nearly 1,800 children and young people engaging regularly with the three established Sistema Scotland Big Noise centres. Big Noise Raploch works with almost 500 children and young people on a regular basis, Big Noise Govanhill works with almost 800 children and Big Noise Torry works with almost 500 children and young people. In addition to the Big Noise orchestras attended by children, Sistema Scotland run Baby Noise and Adult Noise programmes which enable the Sistema Scotland programme to reach across the communities where they are based.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313835,"EventID":"S5W-01267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:00.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T09:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of bus routes are subsidised in each local authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold data on the number of routes subsidised. The Scottish Transport statistics do provide information on the levels of government spend on bus services. Table 2.9 gives figures for central and local government support for bus services between 2004-05 and 2014-15. Table 10.3 gives information on the net revenue expenditure on roads and transport by council and type. Table 10.5 provides the gross capital account expenditure on local authority roads and transport by council.\r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/sites/default/files/documents/rrd_reports/uploaded_reports/j415388/j415388.pdf\r\nPublic Transport support and other bus expenditure across local authority can be found in the Provisional Outturn & Budget Estimates 2014-15 Workbook\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Local-Government-Finance/ReturnPOBE/POBE2014Workbook","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313836,"EventID":"S5W-01269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:01.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T09:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it measures the amount of time taken by non-emergency patient transfers by accident and emergency ambulances and, if so, what the most recent result is, broken down by ambulance station or equivalent.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01268 on 29 July 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313837,"EventID":"S5W-01271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:03.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T09:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) accident and emergency ambulances and (b) patient transfer vehicles are based in each NHS board area, also expressed (i) on a per capita basis and (ii) as a ratio to number of patients treated by each board.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01268 on 29 July 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313838,"EventID":"S5W-01242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:04.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many families have qualified for free school meals in each year from 2007.","AnswerText":"Information about the number of families who have qualified for free school meals is not held centrally. However, latest statistics on free school meals were published on 22 June 2016 in the Scottish Government statistics publication - Summary statistics for attainment, leaver destinations and healthy living, No. 6: 2016 Edition. Table 1 in the accompanying supplementary data, provides details of the number of children and young people in primary, secondary and special school registered for free school meals in each year from 2007. This can be accessed at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/MealsSD/mealspesd/mealspesd2016.\r\n\r\nWe are undertaking a data transformation project for children in early learning and childcare to ensure we have data that reflects recent policy changes and ongoing transformation. This includes looking at free school meal uptake in early learning and childcare as increasing flexibility results in more children attending during lunch times. In addition, under the Education (Scotland) Act 2016, children receiving their funded entitlement to early learning and childcare at partner providers are now eligible for a free school meal where they meet the criteria and have a session in the middle of the day. This will also need to be added to our consideration of data collections and analysis once this part of the Act is fully commenced in 2017 (this can currently be delivered on a voluntary basis by local authorities).","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313839,"EventID":"S5W-01246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:05.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide guidance on the eligibility criteria and awarding of clothing grants.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will ensure that all local authorities and schools are aware of the eligibility and award criteria for school clothing grants following discussions with COSLA. Guidance will be provided as appropriate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313840,"EventID":"S5W-01259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:07.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the minute of the meeting between Transport Scotland and Orchard Brae Ltd and their agents on 26 January 2016 and what information it has on the meeting hosted by North Lanarkshire Council Planning and Roads officers and attended by NLC, Transport Planning Ltd and CBRE on 24 March 2016.","AnswerText":"No formal minutes were taken at either meeting and we are therefore unable to publish the details.\r\nThe second meeting was held on 13 April 2016 and was hosted by North Lanarkshire Council Planning and Roads officers with attendance from Transport Scotland officers, Transport Planning Ltd, CBRE and Scott Gillespie, who we understand to be a director of Orchard Brae Ltd. The developer’s team outlined the emerging Euro Park proposals and their proposed approach to consultation and assessments to support a planning application. Transport Scotland officers outlined the standard approach to consideration of strategic transport impacts in line with the published transport appraisal and assessment guidance.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313841,"EventID":"S5W-01260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:07.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T16:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students have been offered a place for an MSc in Educational Psychology in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"The number of students offered a place for an MSc in Educational Psychology in each year since 2010 is shown in the following table.\r\n\r\nIntake Year\r\nUniversity\r\nNumber of Places Offered\r\n2016\r\nDundee\r\n19\r\n2015\r\nStrathclyde\r\n12*\r\n2014\r\nDundee\r\n24\r\n2013\r\nStrathclyde\r\n22\r\n2012\r\nDundee\r\n24\r\n2011\r\nStrathclyde\r\n24\r\n2010\r\nDundee\r\n22\r\nSource: Data provided by the University of Dundee and University of Strathclyde.\r\n*Note: In 2015 Strathclyde University made 17 conditional offers initially which were subsequently reduced to 12 confirmed offers.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313842,"EventID":"S5W-01234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:08.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T08:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what nationalities of fishing vessels are entitled to fish in Scottish territorial seas.","AnswerText":"12 non-Scottish nations fish in the seas around Scotland: Spain, France, Germany, Netherlands, Faroe, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Belgium, Ireland and the rest of the UK.\r\n\r\nOf these, France, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands also have limited access for particular stocks in specific areas of UK territorial waters under Scottish jurisdiction between 6 and 12 nautical miles from the base line.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313843,"EventID":"S5W-01251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:09.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it provides to (a) El Sistema and (b) the Big Noise programme in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"Based on the methods of Venezuela’s ‘El Sistema’ movement, Sistema Scotland develop orchestra centres which are known in the community as ‘Big Noise’. The Scottish Government is supporting Sistema Scotland over the next four years with £2.5million investment to extend the programme's reach at the Big Noise Centres at Raploch, Govanhill and Torry. The four-year funding package will enable the youth orchestra programme to sustain and build on its work to enhance the health, wellbeing and prospects of young people in parts of Stirling, Glasgow and Aberdeen. The funding breakdown of the Scottish Government's support over the next four years is as follows though a breakdown for each centre is not available:-\r\n2016-17\r\n£415,000\r\n2017-18\r\n£455,000\r\n2018-19\r\n£780,000\r\n2019-20\r\n£850,000","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313844,"EventID":"S5W-01253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:10.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how children are selected for the Big Noise programme.","AnswerText":"Each of the Big Noise centres deliver an intensive, immersive and inclusive programme with Sistema Scotland working with the relevant local authorities and identified schools and nurseries in the areas that Big Noise centres operate in Raploch, Govanhill and Torry to select the children for the programme. You may wish to contact Sistema Scotland directly for more detailed information:-\r\n\r\nColin McKerchar\r\nInterim Chief Executive\r\nSistema Scotland\r\nRaploch Community Centre\r\nDrip Road\r\nRaploch\r\nStirling\r\nFK8 1RD","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313845,"EventID":"S5W-01268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:11.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T09:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patient transfers between hospitals have been undertaken by accident and emergency ambulance vehicles in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) ambulance station and (b) category of patient transfer, and what average length of time or distance was travelled.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring the provision of high quality, safe and effective NHS services in Scotland. The decision on whether or not a patient requires an inter Hospital transfer and the details of this transfer are made by trained clinicians.\r\nThe specific information you have requested is not held centrally by Scottish Government. I have asked the Scottish Ambulance Service to provide you with a response directly.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313846,"EventID":"S5W-01270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:13.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T09:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patient transfers between hospitals are undertaken by non-accident and emergency ambulance vehicles, broken down by ambulance station or equivalent.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01268 on 29 July 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313847,"EventID":"S5W-01233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:14.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T08:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many countries have an interest in the coastal states fisheries negotiations; what stocks are involved; what vessels registered in Scotland are involved, and what the estimated commercial value is of each quota.","AnswerText":"Five parties have a direct interest in coastal states negotiations: the EU group (comprising 28 member states), Norway, Faroe Islands, Iceland and the Russian Federation. In addition, other fishing parties such as Greenland regularly attend as observers. \r\n\r\nThe pure coastal states negotiations agree the management of the main pelagic stocks including mackerel, blue whiting and Atlanto-Scandian herring. The bilateral coastal states negotiations with Norway and with the Faroe Islands agree the management of a significant number of key demersal stocks including cod, haddock, whiting and saithe.\r\nFor the pure coastal states negotiations, there are currently 22 active Scottish administered pelagic vessels that are affected. For the bilateral coastal states negotiations, the remaining 1,935 vessels in the Scottish administered fleet are affected in one way or another.\r\nThe provisional total value of all landed pelagic quota species in 2015 was £160 million of which mackerel comprised £131 million. The provisional total value of all landed demersal and shellfish quota species in 2015 was £204 million.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313848,"EventID":"S5W-01240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:15.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the criteria are to qualify for free school meals and when these last changed.","AnswerText":"The criteria to qualify for free school meals is provided for in section 53 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. A summary of the criteria can be accessed from the Scottish Government website at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Education/Schools/HLivi/schoolmeals/FreeSchoolMeals. \r\n\r\nA number of changes have been made to the criteria in recent years:\r\nOne of the criteria to qualify for free school meals is the receipt of child tax credit (and not working tax credit) where the award of child tax credit is based on an income not exceeding an amount specified by Regulations under the Tax Credits Act 2002. The Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2015 increased the first income threshold for the receipt of child tax credit from £16,010 to £16,105 on 6 April 2015. The increase in this threshold resulted in a change to the qualifying criteria for a free school meal.\r\nPrior to that, on 5 January 2015, amendments to section 53 of the Education Act (Scotland) 1980 made via the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 commenced giving education authorities new powers to provide school meals free of charge to pupils who satisfy such conditions as the authority thinks fit. On the same day, universal free school meals were introduced to children in primary 1 to 3. This policy is being delivered in partnership with local government.\r\nYoung children registered for their early learning and childcare entitlement are also entitled to a free school meal, in the middle of the day, under the same criteria as those children from primary 4 onwards. This criteria, was extended on 1 August 2015 through the Education (School Lunches) (Scotland) Regulations 2015 in early learning and childcare only, to include children who are or have been at any point since their second birthday looked after by the local authority or subject to a kinship care or guardianship order, as well as those with a parent in receipt of incapacity or severe disablement allowance or state pension credit. This was to bring the free school meal criteria in line with the eligibility criteria for a funded 2 year old early learning and childcare place. The extended free school meal criteria applies to all two, three and four year olds who meet the criteria in funded early learning and childcare.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313849,"EventID":"S5W-01247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:16.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Creative Scotland regarding funding to support contemporary musicians.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular discussions on a wide range of subjects with Creative Scotland but has not recently discussed specific support for contemporary musicians. Occasionally musicians write to the Scottish Government about opportunities for support for them and they are directed to Creative Scotland's advice service.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313850,"EventID":"S5W-01258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:17.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-05T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been removed from the Scottish Tobacco Retailers Register due to offences under the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 in each year, broken down by category of offence.","AnswerText":"In total there have been five tobacco banning orders in the five years since the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 has been introduced.\r\nIn 2012–2013 one banning order was issued to a retailer who persistently sold illicit and counterfeit tobacco. In 2013–2014 two banning orders were issued to two different retailers who had sold packets of cigarettes to persons under 18 years old. In 2014–2015 one banning order was issued to a retailer who had sold tobacco to a person under 18 years old. In 2015–2016 one banning order was issued to a retailer selling tobacco in a premises which was not registered.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313851,"EventID":"S5W-01265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T13:48:18.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T09:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions it plans to take to protect peatland from rising salt levels.","AnswerText":"Rising sea levels and contact with salt water can slow down the rate of peat accumulation. Recent research has been published on this topic which estimates the risk to coastal peatlands of sea-level rise attributable to climate change, while confirming the value of healthy peatlands in limiting the effects of climate change. The Science and Monitoring Group established to support delivery of the National Peatland Plan will consider evidence such as this in its efforts to help protect Scotland’s valuable peatland resource and target future restoration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313858,"EventID":"S5W-01284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T15:49:21.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that no changes are made to the SCQF qualifying criteria for applications by colleges in the Highlands and Islands for European funding under the Developing Scotland's Workforce programme. ","AnswerText":"The programme guidance and qualifying criteria for applications to secure funding as part of the European Social Fund Operational Programme 2014 to 2020 were published on the Scottish Government website on 8 January 2015 \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/support/17404/EuropeanStructuralFunds/ProgrammeDocumentation/europeanstructuralfundsoperationalprogrammes2014-2\r\nNo changes have been made to the criteria since they were published and there are no plans to revisit the criteria at this time.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313859,"EventID":"S5W-01286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T15:49:22.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact would be on opportunities for people in the Argyll and Bute area of proposals to exclude from any European funding application for the Developing Scotland's Workforce programme SCQF courses at levels 5 and 6.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to submit applications for access to European funding as part of the Developing Scotland’s Workforce Strategic Intervention. SFC and SDS must ensure that their applications align with the thematic objectives and priorities of the European Social Fund Operational Programme 2014 to 2020 and adequately tackle skills shortages and key sector needs in each region of Scotland. The Scottish Government can confirm the continuation of SCQF level 5 and 6 courses as part of the Developing Scotland’s Workforce Strategic Intervention.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313860,"EventID":"S5W-01285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T15:49:23.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of proposals to exclude from any European funding application for the Developing Scotland's Workforce programme SCQF courses at levels 5 and 6. ","AnswerText":"The programme guidance and qualifying criteria for applications to secure funding as part of the European Social Fund Operational Programme 2014 to 2020 does not propose to exclude SCQF level 5 and 6 courses. Each application for funding will be carefully assessed to ensure that the skills that are proposed to be delivered align with the objectives of the programme and adequately tackle skills shortages and key sector needs in each region of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313861,"EventID":"S5W-01283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-06T15:49:24.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take urgent steps to secure the continuation of SCQF Level 5 and 6 courses funded under the Developing Scotland's Workforce programme. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government can confirm the continuation of SCQF level 5 and 6 courses as part of the Developing Scotland’s Workforce Strategic Intervention.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313868,"EventID":"S5W-01311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T10:20:31.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will start tendering for the next town centre Gourock-Dunoon Ferry Services contract, which is due to begin in June 2017.","AnswerText":"The contract notice for the town centre Gourock to Dunoon Ferry Services was submitted to Public Contracts Scotland today for publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This is the first formal step in taking forward a competition for the next Gourock to Dunoon Ferry Services contract. The Contract Notice invites potential operators to provide evidence of their suitability to tender for the public service contract to operate these services for a period of up to twelve years, effective from 30 June 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313880,"EventID":"S5W-01275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:17:46.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T13:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is evaluating the success of the Work Choice programme in advance of assuming responsibility for employability support programmes.","AnswerText":"In addition to examining all available literature on Work Choice, the Scottish Government has had a series of meetings with DWP and current providers, including sub-contractors, to gain a clear understanding of the current service, its cost and its efficacy. \r\nDuring the consultation on future services which ran during the summer of 2015, a number of stakeholder events, including those specifically for disabled people and their representatives were held. Inclusion Scotland were key partners in these events. As new services are being developed, we are again working with small groups of disabled people to understand their views on the on the nature of new employment support for disabled people. In addition to this, we will be undertaking a programme of customer insight in the coming months to help shape the delivery of devolved employment programmes.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313881,"EventID":"S5W-01280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:17:47.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T13:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role it anticipates not-for-profit and social enterprise service providers having in the delivery of its employability programmes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware that social enterprises, the third sector, SME business and other partners make a significant contribution to their communities and the economy by supporting people into work – either as employers in their own right or as providers of employment support and training.\r\nIn March 2016, we published “A New Future for Employability Support in Scotland” which sets out our vision and principles for the delivery of employability programmes that are devolved to Scotland. Our commitment to work with partners, supporting the development of partnership and collaborative approaches to the delivery of devolved employability programmes, means that social enterprises and others will have the opportunity to engage and bid to deliver these services either as part of supply chains or consortia. This will be actively encouraged to help ensure better local integration and alignment and will help enable social enterprises to feature in the future service delivery landscape.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313882,"EventID":"S5W-01282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:17:47.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether condition management support for people with health conditions will be part of its employability programmes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that many of those who want to work – including those claiming Jobseekers Allowance as well as those receiving Employment Support Allowance - suffer from long lasting health conditions. To be able to enter and sustain work, they need support to help them manage their conditions, alongside any necessary adjustments to the workplace. \r\nWe are exploring how this type of service could be part of devolved employment support.\r\nIn the longer term, Scottish ministers have an ambition for greater integration of employability support with other services such as health and skills. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313883,"EventID":"S5W-01305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:17:48.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people under 21 have been prescribed antidepressant drugs in each year since 1999, broken down by (a) age and (b) NHS board.","AnswerText":"The number of people under 21 prescribed antidepressant drugs from calendar year 2009 to 2015 is shown in the following table.\r\n\r\nInformation on the number of patients prescribed antidepressant drugs before calendar year 2009 is not available because Community Health Index numbers were not captured in sufficient volumes before this date to allow for patient based analysis.\r\nThese figures exclude people prescribed drugs in hospital. It is not possible to identify the reason the drug was prescribed, so the figures also include people who have been prescribed antidepressant drugs for conditions other than depression, such as nocturnal enuresis (bed wetting).\r\nAges 0 to 14 have been presented as an aggregate total due to the possibility of a disclosure risk from small numbers.\r\nNHS Orkney, NHS Shetland and NHS Western Isles have been presented as the aggregated NHS Islands due to the possibility of a disclosure risk from small numbers.\r\nDue to some patients being prescribed drugs in multiple NHS boards, the NHSScotland total will not always equate to the aggregated NHS board total.\r\n\r\n\r\nAge\r\n\r\nNHS Board\r\nYear\r\n0-14\r\n15\r\n16\r\n17\r\n18\r\n19\r\n20\r\nTotal\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n2009\r\n        34\r\n       28\r\n        60\r\n      110\r\n      215\r\n      262\r\n      364\r\n      1,073\r\nNHS Borders\r\n2009\r\n        23\r\n       13\r\n        28\r\n        43\r\n        56\r\n      102\r\n        87\r\n        352\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n2009\r\n         6\r\n       12\r\n        22\r\n        39\r\n        54\r\n        66\r\n        83\r\n        282\r\nNHS Fife\r\n2009\r\n        36\r\n       18\r\n        61\r\n      114\r\n      225\r\n      289\r\n      337\r\n      1,080\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n2009\r\n        36\r\n       18\r\n        35\r\n        88\r\n      172\r\n      220\r\n      267\r\n        836\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n2009\r\n      108\r\n       60\r\n        95\r\n      169\r\n      258\r\n      330\r\n      429\r\n      1,449\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n2009\r\n      104\r\n       68\r\n      162\r\n      341\r\n      581\r\n      886\r\n      999\r\n      3,141\r\nNHS Highland\r\n2009\r\n        43\r\n       31\r\n        70\r\n      115\r\n      166\r\n      184\r\n      205\r\n        814\r\nNHS Island Health Boards\r\n2009\r\n         6\r\n       12\r\n        15\r\n        25\r\n        32\r\n        39\r\n        49\r\n        178\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n2009\r\n        37\r\n       39\r\n        80\r\n      162\r\n      298\r\n      395\r\n      478\r\n      1,489\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n2009\r\n        86\r\n       46\r\n      107\r\n      227\r\n      379\r\n      598\r\n      717\r\n      2,160\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n2009\r\n        49\r\n       31\r\n        83\r\n      158\r\n      225\r\n      324\r\n      336\r\n      1,206\r\nNHSScotland\r\n2009\r\n      560\r\n      373\r\n      814\r\n     1,567\r\n     2,615\r\n     3,624\r\n     4,263\r\n     13,816\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n2010\r\n        49\r\n       27\r\n        63\r\n      146\r\n      244\r\n      322\r\n      362\r\n      1,213\r\nNHS Borders\r\n2010\r\n        27\r\n       11\r\n        36\r\n        59\r\n        71\r\n        95\r\n      105\r\n        404\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n2010\r\n        15\r\n       16\r\n        26\r\n        36\r\n        70\r\n        77\r\n        88\r\n        328\r\nNHS Fife\r\n2010\r\n        38\r\n       29\r\n        59\r\n      135\r\n      241\r\n      345\r\n      420\r\n      1,267\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n2010\r\n        39\r\n       23\r\n        40\r\n        85\r\n      147\r\n      269\r\n      268\r\n        871\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n2010\r\n      114\r\n       70\r\n      112\r\n      211\r\n      336\r\n      455\r\n      507\r\n      1,805\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n2010\r\n      124\r\n       79\r\n      154\r\n      339\r\n      689\r\n      913\r\n     1,139\r\n      3,437\r\nNHS Highland\r\n2010\r\n        48\r\n       34\r\n        67\r\n      124\r\n      188\r\n      249\r\n      252\r\n        962\r\nNHS Island Health Boards\r\n2010\r\n        13\r\n       14\r\n        23\r\n        30\r\n        38\r\n        46\r\n        40\r\n        204\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n2010\r\n        40\r\n       30\r\n      112\r\n      195\r\n      326\r\n      461\r\n      534\r\n      1,698\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n2010\r\n        71\r\n       64\r\n      112\r\n      248\r\n      473\r\n      663\r\n      820\r\n      2,451\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n2010\r\n        42\r","AnswerDate":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313884,"EventID":"S5W-01307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:17:49.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time has been for babies to be seen by a cleft lip specialist in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The Cleft Care Network began reporting cleft service audit outcomes by NHS board from 2013-14. Prior to that, the Network reported on Scotland wide performance. The most recently available information on the quality and performance of cleft care services is set out in the Cleft Care Scotland Report 2013-14 which can be accessed at:\r\nhttp://www.knowledge.scot.nhs.uk/child-services/communities-of-practice/cleft-care-scotland---mcn-for-cleft-lip-and-palate-in-scotland/ccs-reports.aspx\r\nData for 2014-15 will be available once validated by the Cleft Care Network.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313885,"EventID":"S5W-01314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:17:50.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T12:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to formally respond to the report, Independent Review of Scottish Aquaculture Consenting.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the report, Independent Review of Scottish Aquaculture Consenting, as a positive step forward in identifying opportunities to streamline, simplify and speed up the planning and consenting regime.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government intends to publish a formal response to the report later in 2016, following engagement with key stakeholders.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313886,"EventID":"S5W-01277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:17:52.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T13:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Individual Placement and Support will be part of its employability programmes to help people with mental health conditions into lasting employment.","AnswerText":"It is important we consider all options for new services which might help people with mental health conditions into work. Scottish Government officials are meeting with mental health employment support providers to learn more about delivery of Individual Placement and Support and examine outcomes from existing services in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313887,"EventID":"S5W-01278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:17:53.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T13:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering \"distance travelled\" systems of performance management, in which intermediate steps to employment are recognised in paying providers and assessing success, in relation to its employability programmes.","AnswerText":"The option of measuring distance travelled for customers accessing the new services was a feature of the 2015 consultation. \r\nFor the transition services in 2017-2018, we will ask providers to gather and share collated and anonymised customer data on distance travelled to help inform future planning.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313888,"EventID":"S5W-01292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:17:54.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when section 32 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 will come into effect.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will ensure that commencement dates for the relevant sections of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 allow the Scottish Land Commission and Tenant Farming Commissioner to be operational from 1 April 2017. This includes all the powers relating to the inquiry function of the Tenant Farming Commissioner (in Part 2, sections 29-35 of the Act). A Commencement Order for Part 2 will be laid shortly after recess.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313889,"EventID":"S5W-01295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:17:55.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the delays to electrification of the Glasgow to Edinburgh rail line are a result of financial considerations.","AnswerText":"Financial considerations are not the reason for the delays to the electrification of the Edinburgh Glasgow line now being reported by Network Rail. The reasons will be set out in full following the conclusion of the Transport Scotland led review. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313890,"EventID":"S5W-01296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:17:56.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on (a) temporary accommodation and (b) hostels.","AnswerText":"The Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, as amended, gives all those assessed as homeless the right to temporary accommodation.\r\nScottish Government policy is that temporary accommodation should be of a good standard and the stay there should be as short as possible. Households in temporary accommodation should be given appropriate support for the duration of their stay, and helped to move on to settled accommodation in accordance with their rights. \r\nSince the closure of large scale hostels in Scotland some years ago, the Scottish Government has been clear that modern hostels, provided by local authorities, housing associations and third sector agencies, should be small scale, increasing the range of options available in providing short term temporary and supported accommodation.\r\nHostels can meet the immediate needs of some homeless households by providing additional support while options for settled accommodation are considered. A person centred approach is important and different models of hostel provision may be required to meet the needs of different households.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313891,"EventID":"S5W-01309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:17:57.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many young carers are at college or university.","AnswerText":"The 2011 census shows that there were 9,825 young carers and young adult carers (aged 16 to 24) in further or higher education.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government is working with colleges, universities, and other bodies to better identify students who also have caring responsibilities.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313892,"EventID":"S5W-01274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:17:58.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T13:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what international best practice in helping disabled people and people with health conditions into work it is examining in advance of assuming responsibility for employability support programmes.","AnswerText":"In 2015, the Scottish Government carried out a consultation on future devolved employment support and in March 2016, we published our response to that consultation - A New Future for Employability Support in Scotland (http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/3009) which sets out our vision for future employability services in Scotland. \r\nA literature review conducted for the Scottish Government by the Learning and Work Institute in 2015 (http://www.employabilityinscotland.com/media/519601/scotlands_future_employment_services_-_literature_review_-_cesi_-_january_2016.pdf) points to the value of highly skilled advisers with small caseloads to successfully support those with disabilities into work. We are keen to understand more about this and in our transitional year, have asked providers to gather data on adviser caseloads.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313893,"EventID":"S5W-01281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:17:59.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T13:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its employability programmes will have defined minimum services standards.","AnswerText":"Yes. From April 2017, Scottish Government’s transitional employability services will have clear levels of the service to be provided for each customer. These will be detailed within the statement of requirement documents that will be issued within the tender documentation for the transitional services. \r\nThe Scottish Government is currently developing the service requirements for 2018 onward, and anticipate them also having defined minimum service standards.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313894,"EventID":"S5W-01288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:17:59.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will make an announcement about goose management payments for 2016-17 and any new or developed scheme for goose management on Islay.","AnswerText":"The date for the announcement about goose management payments for 2016-17 has still to be agreed. It was noted at the last National Goose Management Review Group meeting that the Scottish Government would not be in a position to have State Aid approval secured ahead of the new Scheme year starting in October. Therefore, it is likely that single-year Scheme agreements will be needed, following a similar approach to that used last year. The Schemes are expected to have the same budget and levels of financial support as last year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313895,"EventID":"S5W-01299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:00.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T19:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the restructuring of BBC senior management announced on 6 July 2016 will place the BBC senior manager in Scotland nearer, or further from, significant decision-making structures within the organisation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01298 on 2 August 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313896,"EventID":"S5W-01306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:02.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many compensation payments for clinical neglect have been made in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The following table details the total number of clinical negligence payments made across NHSScotland in each year since 1999:\r\n\r\n1999-00\r\n2000-01\r\n2001-02\r\n2002-03\r\n2003-04\r\n2004-05\r\nCompensation Payments\r\n156\r\n176\r\n166\r\n207\r\n175\r\n186\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\nCompensation Payments\r\n182\r\n199\r\n150\r\n155\r\n147\r\n132\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n\r\nCompensation Payments\r\n179\r\n191\r\n176\r\n213\r\n251\r\n\r\nSource: NHS National Services Scotland\r\nThe number of compensation payments made in any one year does not reflect the year in which the incident took place. The number of cases settling from year to year varies due to some claims taking several years to conclude. This can be down to disputes around liability; the readiness for both sides to negotiate a settlement and the access to legal aid. However, the length of time taken to settle cases is reducing, due to a number of factors including more rigorous case management by the Courts.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313897,"EventID":"S5W-01313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:02.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to update the professions listed as registered medical practitioners for the purposes of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recently consulted on the Scottish Law Commission’s review of the Adults with Incapacity legislation. Analysis of the responses to this consultation are available at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/07/5000 and officials are now working towards developing revised legislation. This work will involve an extensive review of the current practices and processes for dealing with Adults with Incapacity, including consideration of which professionals may be included on the list of registered medical practitioners.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313898,"EventID":"S5W-01155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:03.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-06-30T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that deer management plans are environmentally responsible and deliver positive outcomes for deer populations and for the natural heritage.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is undertaking a review of deer management at the request of the Scottish Government. This will address areas of public interest, with a specific focus on the natural heritage, and will summarise available evidence on social and economic costs and benefits. The review will draw on both scientific knowledge and expert judgement to ensure that its conclusions and recommendations are evidence-based and balanced. A report of the review will be submitted to the Scottish Government by the end of October 2016. \r\nSNH have been working closely with deer management groups to update baseline assessment data and have introduced a two-stage check of the evaluation of plans to ensure that the assessment is robust and defensible. This has necessitated some flexibility to accommodate delays in the production of some plans.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313899,"EventID":"S5W-01289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:04.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with regard to (a) establishing a new scheme to assist farmers and crofters on Islay with goose management and (b) compensating them for damage caused by geese to grasslands and crops. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have any plans to establish a new scheme to assist farmers and crofters on Islay with goose management. The Islay Goose Management Strategy was developed with the full participation of farming representatives on Islay and implementation of the Strategy was started last year, through adaption of the current local goose scheme. The Strategy aims to reduce agricultural damage in the long term through a process of controlled population reduction alongside a range of other management actions to ensure the conservation status of populations of goose are not put at risk. The Scottish Government remains committed to the Management Strategy and believes it provides the best long-term solution for maintaining a balance between protecting internationally important populations of geese which support an important economic sector for the island, alongside a productive agricultural sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313900,"EventID":"S5W-01291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:05.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) SNH, (b) Islay Goose Management Scheme local members, (c) farmers and crofters on Islay and (d) the European Commission with regard to state aid issues that may arise in any new or developed scheme for goose management on Islay. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has worked closely with Scottish Natural Heritage to prepare the state aid submission. No detailed discussions have taken place with farmers and crofters on Islay, though they are aware of the process that is taking place. While the submission seeks approval to roll forward the existing scheme, which we don’t anticipate needing to change, potentially the European Commission could seek amendments to the scheme. As the focus of recent activity has been to finalise the background materials and prepare the state aid application, no discussions have taken place with the European Commission at this stage.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313901,"EventID":"S5W-01298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:06.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T19:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it expects to have with the BBC director of nations and regions and what guarantees about such consultation the BBC's director general has given.","AnswerText":"BBC Scotland informed Scottish Government Officials on the day of the announcement. The Scottish Government have subsequently sought a meeting with the Director in Scotland to address our immediate and clear concerns on this issue.\r\nWe believe that it is a backwards step that will place the Director for Scotland further from significant decision–making structures at a critically important time for the BBC. We are disappointed that the BBC has made this decision and would argue that a loss of a distinct and representative voice from Scotland on the Executive Team is an unhelpful response to the political and social realities of devolution across the U.K. and one which so clearly counters the consensus that has emerged in Scotland around the requirement for greater and fairer representation across the operations of the BBC. \r\nNonetheless, we would expect to have substantive consultation with the new Director of Nations but have yet to receive any guarantees about such consultation from the Director General. This is especially disappointing given his assertion before the Scottish Parliament Culture and Education Committee, earlier in January, that he wanted the Director of Scotland to have a ‘powerful voice in determining what the BBC does as a whole’. This decision appears to undermine that ambition.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313902,"EventID":"S5W-01300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:08.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T19:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it was informed that the senior BBC manager in Scotland would no longer sit on the BBC's executive board and what its reaction was.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01298 on 2 August 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313903,"EventID":"S5W-01287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:09.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost was of the First Minister's visit to Brussels following the EU referendum result, including the costs for her team, and from what budget these costs will be met.","AnswerText":"First Minister Nicola Sturgeon travelled to Brussels for a series of meetings with senior figures to set out Scotland's position following the result of the EU referendum, and to ensure Scotland's voice is heard in the negotiation process. During a full day of engagements, the First Minister met the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, as well as the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, and the leaders of a number of political groups in the European Parliament. The First Minister also held a press conference for a group of international journalists. More details on the First Minister’s visit can be found on the Scottish Government website at: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Protecting-Scotland-s-EU-interests-25d1.aspx\r\nThe total costs of this engagement are still being processed and finalised and the costs of this engagement are being met by the Scottish Government’s administration budget. The Scottish Government proactively publishes the travel and subsistence costs for Ministers undertaking official international engagements on its website at:http://www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/travel/visitsoverseas/visitsoverseas\r\nThe Scottish Government also publishes the travel and subsistence costs of Strategic Board members, including Director Generals, at the following link:http://www.gov.scot/About/People/strategic-board/business-expenses","AnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313904,"EventID":"S5W-01302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:10.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time has been to see a paediatrician in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The specific information is not available centrally. Information on the median wait for a patient to see a consultant in the specialties of paediatric and paediatric surgery for the calendar years 2010 to 2015 by NHS Board is provided in the following table.\r\nMedian Waiting Time To See A Paediatrician By NHS Board For The Calendar Years 2010 to 2015\r\nNHS Board\r\n2010\r\n(Days)\r\n2011\r\n(Days)\r\n2012\r\n(Days)\r\n2013\r\n(Days)\r\n2014\r\n(Days)\r\n2015\r\n(Days)\r\nAyrshire & Arran\r\n45\r\n59\r\n71\r\n69\r\n68\r\n68\r\nBorders\r\n45\r\n27\r\n38\r\n49\r\n41\r\n44\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n35\r\n26\r\n26\r\n39\r\n42\r\n40\r\nFife1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n38\r\n48\r\nForth Valley\r\n60\r\n33\r\n36\r\n42\r\n54\r\n57\r\nGrampian\r\n42\r\n43\r\n33\r\n42\r\n40\r\n50\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n45\r\n33\r\n41\r\n54\r\n47\r\n42\r\nHighland\r\n43\r\n46\r\n33\r\n45\r\n40\r\n50\r\nLanarkshire\r\n48\r\n61\r\n72\r\n67\r\n64\r\n45\r\nLothian\r\n36\r\n35\r\n37\r\n35\r\n50\r\n55\r\nOrkney\r\n31\r\n47\r\n44\r\n40\r\n50\r\n56\r\nShetland\r\n26\r\n21\r\n31\r\n37\r\n32\r\n46\r\nTayside2\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n57\r\nWestern Isles\r\n23\r\n17\r\n16\r\n20\r\n35\r\n26\r\nNHSScotland\r\n40\r\n34\r\n36\r\n44\r\n49\r\n48\r\n1 Fife – no data available prior to 2014 due to data quality issues.\r\n2 Tayside – no data available prior to 2015 due to data quality issues with the paediatric data.\r\nSource: ISD Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313905,"EventID":"S5W-01304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:11.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been treated for the effects of exposure to organophosphates in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313906,"EventID":"S5W-01276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:11.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T13:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether supported employment approaches will be part of its employability programmes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the benefits of the Supported Employment Framework in enabling disabled people enter paid employment. Since launching A Working Life for All Disabled People: the Scottish Framework for Supported Employment (http://www.gov.scot/resource/doc/303584/0095164.pdf) in February 2010 we have taken a range of action to promote its use across Scotland.\r\nFor new devolved services, we are considering how Supported Employment approaches might be incorporated in the new model to widen access and improve the number of sustained job outcomes for disabled people that are achieved.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313907,"EventID":"S5W-01279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:12.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T13:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is considering in relation to its employability programmes to avoid the so-called parking of participants with high support needs.","AnswerText":"Evidence from the Work Programme, and to a lesser extent Work Choice, shows that those further from the labour market have not been adequately supported to help enter work. A National Audit Office report on The Work Programme published in July 2014 (https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/The-work-programme.pdf) highlighted that average DWP spend on those who were harder to help was less than on those who were deemed closer to the labour market. \r\nEvaluation of the Work Programme has indicated that the payment model – which rewarded providers only for sustained job outcomes - skewed provider behaviour and resulted in parking of clients who needed additional support. The Scottish Government is clear that addressing this is a priority for the new services. \r\nWe are considering a range of options to ensure that those who need the support and can benefit from it will be able to access the new devolved employment services. We recognise the challenges and will monitor this aspect of delivery carefully from the outset.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313908,"EventID":"S5W-01293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:13.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the reasons for the delay of the electrification of the Glasgow to Edinburgh rail line.","AnswerText":"At my instruction, Transport Scotland are undertaking an intensive review of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme. This work is expected to conclude in September 2016. In my statement of 5 July 2016, I made clear my intention to bring the review findings and senior Network Rail officials before the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee to answer any questions and to set out clearly when they will deliver the promised improvements and how much they will cost.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313909,"EventID":"S5W-01294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:14.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the current improvements to Glasgow Queen Street rail station will be completed to allow the station to reopen to the public in early August 2016.","AnswerText":"Network Rail advise us that the work in Queen Street Tunnel is making good progress. The tunnel remains on schedule to re-open as planned on 8 August 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313910,"EventID":"S5W-01312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:15.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are employed by the NHS as (a) audiologists, (b) cardiac physiologists, (c) gastrointestinal physiologists, (d) neurophysiologists, (e) respiratory physiologists and (f) sleep physiologists.","AnswerText":"Information on the Healthcare Science clinical group, which these staff work within, is not held by ISD Scotland at this level of detail.\r\nHowever, the latest published ISD Scotland statistics show that the overall number of Healthcare Science staff in NHSScotland has increased by 51.2 per cent under this Government, to 5,458.1 Whole Time Equivalent.\r\nFurther information on the latest published Healthcare Science staff in post figures, can be found in the data tables of the Workforce Statistics website at:-\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2016-06-07/HCS_Staff_M2016.xls","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313911,"EventID":"S5W-01310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:16.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of patients under 65 living with (a) dementia, (b) motor neurone disease, (c) Parkinson's, (d) multiple sclerosis and (e) progressive supranuclear palsy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides policies, frameworks and resources to NHS boards for the delivery of healthcare services to meet the assessed needs of their resident populations. It is, therefore, the responsibility of NHS boards (and integration joint boards) to provide a range of relevant services, taking into account national guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313912,"EventID":"S5W-01290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:17.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-06T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that any plans for a new or developed scheme for goose management on Islay is state aid compliant. ","AnswerText":"The preparation of an application for new state aid cover for the goose scheme on Islay and elsewhere is well advanced. We expect to enter into informal discussions with the European Commission in the coming months, ahead of a formal submission for state aid approval.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313913,"EventID":"S5W-01308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:18.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many carers have received a respite break as provided for under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016.","AnswerText":"The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 will be commenced on 1 April 2018, and therefore data about carers receiving short breaks as provided for under the Act is not available.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government has made a commitment to monitoring and evaluation of the Act’s provisions. Data will be shared publicly and to the Parliament when available.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313914,"EventID":"S5W-01315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:19.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T12:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its announcement to end the vacant non-domestic property water charge exemption, how much of the predicted £15 million charge will be raised in each local authority.","AnswerText":"Licensed providers, also known as retailers, are responsible for billing and collecting charges from non-domestic properties across Scotland. The £15 million additional revenue was calculated on an all-Scotland basis based on data held by Scottish Assessors Valuation Roll on 1 April 2013. It has been broken down by local authority area in the following table:\r\nLocal Authority\r\nPredicted Revenue (£ millions)\r\nAberdeen City\r\n      0.8\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n      0.2\r\nAngus\r\n      0.2\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n      0.1\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n      0.1\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n      0.2\r\nDundee City\r\n      0.7\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n      0.1\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n      0.1\r\nEast Lothian\r\n      0.1\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n      0.1\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n      2.9\r\nEilean Siar\r\n      0.0\r\nFalkirk\r\n      0.3\r\nFife\r\n      1.2\r\nGlasgow City\r\n      3.5\r\nHighland\r\n      0.4\r\nInverclyde\r\n      0.1\r\nMidlothian\r\n      0.2\r\nMoray\r\n      0.1\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n      0.2\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n      0.9\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n      0.0\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n      0.2\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n      0.6\r\nScottish Borders\r\n      0.0\r\nShetland Islands\r\n      0.0\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n      0.3\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n      0.6\r\nStirling\r\n      0.3\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n      0.1\r\nWest Lothian\r\n      0.9\r\nTotal\r\n     15.6\r\nSource: Scottish Assessors Valuation Roll, 1st April 2013","AnswerDate":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313915,"EventID":"S5W-01301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:20.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have had baby teeth removed due to tooth decay in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information on extractions of deciduous teeth (''baby-teeth'') due to tooth decay is not collected. We are able to provide information on deciduous and permanent tooth extraction in children which is shown in the following table. \r\nNHS Board\r\n00-01\r\n01-02\r\n02-03\r\n03-04\r\n04-05\r\n05-06\r\n06-07\r\n07-08\r\nAyrshire & Arran\r\n6814\r\n6975\r\n6646\r\n6354\r\n5888\r\n5724\r\n5889\r\n5529\r\nBorders\r\n1428\r\n1329\r\n1186\r\n1213\r\n1151\r\n1180\r\n1058\r\n1087\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n2396\r\n2280\r\n2270\r\n2220\r\n2000\r\n1877\r\n1723\r\n1603\r\nFife\r\n3867\r\n3710\r\n3764\r\n3447\r\n3170\r\n3102\r\n3147\r\n3325\r\nForth Valley\r\n4159\r\n4012\r\n3925\r\n3351\r\n3215\r\n3032\r\n3034\r\n3009\r\nGrampian\r\n7317\r\n7196\r\n7110\r\n6072\r\n4939\r\n4864\r\n4773\r\n4799\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n26355\r\n24729\r\n23629\r\n22540\r\n20933\r\n21108\r\n19469\r\n17967\r\nHighland\r\n3820\r\n3330\r\n3529\r\n3918\r\n3887\r\n3455\r\n3175\r\n3242\r\nLanarkshire\r\n10514\r\n10658\r\n10359\r\n10517\r\n10088\r\n9702\r\n9221\r\n8351\r\nLothian\r\n9636\r\n9198\r\n9282\r\n9393\r\n8864\r\n8857\r\n9266\r\n8643\r\nOrkney\r\n85\r\n82\r\n71\r\n103\r\n181\r\n189\r\n257\r\n192\r\nShetland\r\n89\r\n90\r\n148\r\n201\r\n176\r\n196\r\n230\r\n243\r\nTayside\r\n5755\r\n5718\r\n5548\r\n5273\r\n5220\r\n4728\r\n4537\r\n4703\r\nWestern Isles\r\n158\r\n137\r\n133\r\n109\r\n132\r\n121\r\n164\r\n189\r\n\r\nNHS Board\r\n08-09\r\n09-10\r\n10-11\r\n11-12\r\n12-13\r\n13-14\r\n14-15\r\n15-16\r\nAyrshire & Arran\r\n5471\r\n5148\r\n5313\r\n4964\r\n4615\r\n4456\r\n4274\r\n4134\r\nBorders\r\n1128\r\n1208\r\n1053\r\n1017\r\n998\r\n927\r\n981\r\n1041\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n1633\r\n1586\r\n1665\r\n1760\r\n1526\r\n1463\r\n1394\r\n1337\r\nFife\r\n3173\r\n3237\r\n3355\r\n3488\r\n3698\r\n3479\r\n3049\r\n3051\r\nForth Valley\r\n2926\r\n2933\r\n2939\r\n3240\r\n3116\r\n2495\r\n2708\r\n2475\r\nGrampian\r\n4575\r\n4301\r\n3911\r\n4398\r\n4829\r\n4387\r\n4191\r\n4903\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n16892\r\n17025\r\n15869\r\n15398\r\n14011\r\n13257\r\n12842\r\n12516\r\nHighland\r\n3188\r\n3353\r\n3350\r\n3440\r\n3172\r\n2951\r\n2907\r\n2713\r\nLanarkshire\r\n8346\r\n9065\r\n8774\r\n8163\r\n8395\r\n8916\r\n8376\r\n8068\r\nLothian\r\n8692\r\n8450\r\n8081\r\n8584\r\n8390\r\n7581\r\n8153\r\n8118\r\nOrkney\r\n165\r\n143\r\n174\r\n227\r\n211\r\n167\r\n213\r\n201\r\nShetland\r\n270\r\n184\r\n269\r\n217\r\n193\r\n155\r\n139\r\n174\r\nTayside\r\n4515\r\n4292\r\n4324\r\n4656\r\n4477\r\n4222\r\n4133\r\n4377\r\nWestern Isles\r\n161\r\n130\r\n135\r\n148\r\n178\r\n211\r\n170\r\n146\r\nSource: ISD Scotland\r\nNotes:\r\nThe table shows in total the number of children undergoing tooth extractions in primary care, secondary care, and as an out-patient, for financial years 2000-2001 to 2015-2016, broken down by NHS board. Data is only available from the year 2000.\r\nChildren are defined as dental patients under the age of 18.\r\nReasons for extractions can include decay, trauma and orthodontic treatment. \r\nTeeth extracted from dental patients under the age of 18 may be deciduous teeth, or permanent teeth. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313916,"EventID":"S5W-01303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T14:18:21.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs have undertaken social prescribing in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally.\r\nIndividual GPs are responsible for assessment, diagnosis and treatment of their patients. In addition, GPs may signpost/refer patients who require non-medical support to community and third sector services but often they do not have the capacity and knowledge to do this appropriately. Therefore, the Scottish Government has committed to recruiting 250 community Links Workers in GP practices to ensure that patients in disadvantaged areas receive the support they need.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313918,"EventID":"S5W-01323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T15:41:57.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what areas are being considered for the location of the Scottish Land Commission and whether South Uist is being considered as a possible location.","AnswerText":"In line with the established Scottish Government policy and as stated in the Financial Memorandum which accompanied the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill on introduction, we are considering options for locating the commission within the existing Scottish Government estate. \r\nCo-location with other public bodies or agencies makes it easier to achieve value for money and results in enhanced collaboration opportunities across the public sector and reduced CO2 emissions.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313919,"EventID":"S5W-01316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T15:41:59.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T13:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS staff have been suspended on pay in each year since 1999 in each NHS board and at what cost.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. \r\nThe Management of Employee Conduct PIN Policy sets out the rights and responsibilities of boards, managers, employees and trade unions/professional organisations in respect of employees who are subject to any disciplinary action and includes guidance on the suspension of staff. Decisions relating to disciplinary action and how any related statistics are collected are matters for each individual Health Board within the framework of the relevant conduct policy and procedures. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313920,"EventID":"S5W-01322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T15:41:59.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to protect the status of EU citizens in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is exploring all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the European Union, which includes the right of all EU citizens resident here to continue to live and work freely in this country.\r\nThe First Minister has made representations to the UK Government, seeking assurances that the immigration status and rights of EU nationals currently living in Scotland will not change in the future.\r\nThe Scottish Government welcomes those EU nationals who have chosen to make Scotland their home and who make an important and valuable contribution to our economy and society. The First Minister wrote an open letter to EU nationals living in Scotland, reiterating her belief that EU citizens’ treaty rights should be upheld and guaranteed for the longer term. Universities Scotland and the Scottish Government have published a joint statement reassuring EU students already studying in Scotland or commencing their studies in the coming months, that they will continue to benefit from free tuition and associated support for the duration of their course.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313921,"EventID":"S5W-01320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T15:42:01.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reconsider plans for national testing in light of reports that 53% of pupils in England reached the expected standard. ","AnswerText":"Like all other assessment activities used in schools, the national standardised assessments for Scotland will be designed to create an understanding of how children are progressing. They will provide information for teachers on where children are doing well, and where further support might be required. That information will be used by teachers to plan future learning; to help parents understand their child’s progress, and how best to support them to progress further; and to improve outcomes for individual children. Alongside a range of other evidence, the information will also provide consistent and robust information to help to inform teachers’ professional judgement of a child’s progress towards curriculum for excellence levels in literacy and numeracy.\r\nThe Scottish Government is not introducing a national testing regime or ‘high stakes’ tests. National standardised assessments are being put in place to support improvement, not to create more statistics. Children will not be expected to revise or prepare for the new national standardised assessments, other than by undertaking routine classroom learning activities. Teachers will decide the appropriate time within the school year for individual children to sit the assessments.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313922,"EventID":"S5W-01321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-07T15:42:02.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considered seeking additional evidence on national testing following reports that only four pieces of written evidence were received. ","AnswerText":"More than 5000 people were involved in shaping the National Improvement Framework, over three months of widespread consultation. The approach to national standardised assessment was developed after extensive engagement with teachers, parents, children and academics. We have drawn evidence from a range of advice and publications, including from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development – specifically their publications Synergies for Better Learning: An International Perspective on Evaluation and Assessment and Education Policy Outlook 2015.\r\nIt is important to note that the Scottish Government is not introducing a national testing regime or ‘high stakes’ tests. The national standardised assessments will be designed to provide information for the teacher on where a child is doing well, and where further support might be required. That information will be used by teachers to plan future learning; to help parents understand their child’s progress, and how best to support them to progress further; and to improve outcomes for individual children.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313925,"EventID":"S5W-01325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:42:52.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria are used to determine the eligibility of pupils for a free school meal in Primaries 1 to 3.","AnswerText":"On 5 January 2015, free school meals were extended to all Primary 1 to 3 children in Scotland to help ensure that every child has the best possible start in life and gets every chance to succeed at school. The policy has had a huge take up with latest figures showing that over 134,500 primary 1 to 3 children (81.7%) across Scotland are now taking a nutritious free school meal, saving families around £380 a year for each eligible child. The Scottish Government is fully funding this policy and is providing £54 million revenue funding in 2016-17, building on the £70.5 million of revenue funding provided over 2014-16 and the £24.8 million of capital funding which was provided to support implementation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313926,"EventID":"S5W-01329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:42:53.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its timetable is for completing Scotland’s marine protected area network.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers must report to Parliament on the status of the marine protected area network by the end of 2018. This will report on progress on the work programme to complete designation of required sites, as well work to deliver requisite management measures. Details of action being undertaken by Marine Scotland can be found on the Scottish Government website at www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/marine-environment/mpanetwork\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313927,"EventID":"S5W-01343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:42:55.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T12:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what planning (a) has been conducted and (b) is anticipated for the possibility that there will be a reduction in the number of NHS boards.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01336 on 29 July 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313928,"EventID":"S5W-01344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:42:56.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T12:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to paragraph 2.14 of the Annual Report of the Chief Surveillance Commissioner to the Prime Minister and to the Scottish Ministers for 2015-2016, whether the appointment of the Scotland-based Commissioner has been made.","AnswerText":"The Right Honourable Lord Bracadale accepted appointment as a Surveillance Commissioner, in accordance with the terms of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act, on 20 June 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313929,"EventID":"S5W-01328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:42:57.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T08:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people resident in Scotland have received healthcare from the NHS in England in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Information is provided in the following table on the number of finished admission episodes for patients resident in Scotland who have received healthcare from the NHS in England in each of the last five years.\r\nYear\r\nFinished Admission Episodes\r\n2010-11\r\n7,811\r\n2011-12\r\n7,574\r\n2012-13\r\n7,449\r\n2013-14\r\n7,201\r\n2014-15\r\n7,020\r\nSource: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313930,"EventID":"S5W-01345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:42:58.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T12:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what occasions between 2011 and 2016 it met the Chief Surveillance Commissioner and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for Justice met the Chief Surveillance Commissioner once, on 19 January 2016. This was an introductory meeting at which a number of general investigatory powers issues, such as appointment of commissioners and the Investigatory Powers Bill, were discussed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313931,"EventID":"S5W-01346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:42:59.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T12:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comment in paragraph 5.28 of the Annual Report of the Chief Surveillance Commissioner to the Prime Minister and to the Scottish Ministers for 2015-2016, that “We are concerned that one police force in the United Kingdom finds itself in a different position to its counterparts across the border,” [in relation to authorisation for covert activities for the purposes of identifying any source of journalistic material] what steps have been taken to review the impact of differing procedures across the UK.","AnswerText":"A process for authorising the acquisition of communications data in accordance with the requirements of the Acquisition and Disclosure of Communications Data Code of Practice has been agreed between the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and Police Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313932,"EventID":"S5W-01340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:43:00.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T12:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will (a) start and (b) conclude its review of the number, structure and regulation of NHS boards; what this involves; who will be consulted, and on what date it will announce the outcome.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01336 on 29 July 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313933,"EventID":"S5W-01347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:43:01.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T12:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have (a) accessed and (b) successfully completed the government-supported SACRO diversion from prosecution programmes in each of the last five years, broken down by age.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to keeping people out of the criminal justice system whenever possible. Diversionary schemes are designed to prevent the re-occurrence of offending through early or intensive intervention outwith court. Decisions to refer an accused to a diversion scheme are taken by prosecutors after full consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case reported by the Police.\r\nThe Scottish Government supported Sacro Anti-Sectarian Services (SASS) diversion from prosecution programme was developed in late 2013 and began working with referrals in May 2014. The service is open to a wide range of organisations to make referrals although participation is voluntary, and if the client decides against participation the matter is returned to the referring body. If this is a Procurator Fiscal, Sheriff or Early and Effective Intervention team then the client may face prosecution or another disposal. I will be seeking a meeting with the Lord Advocate in the near future to further discuss the diversionary approach.\r\nData provided to the Scottish Government by Sacro shows the number of people that have accessed and completed the diversion programme. \r\n2014 - 2015\r\n\r\nAge of participant\r\nAccessed Sacro programme\r\nCompleted Sacro programme\r\n<16\r\n1\r\n1\r\n16-20\r\n4\r\n2\r\n21-30\r\n3\r\n3\r\n31-40\r\n2\r\n2\r\n41-50\r\n1\r\n1\r\n>50\r\n1\r\n1\r\nTotals\r\n12\r\n10\r\n\r\n2015 - 2016\r\n\r\nAge of participant\r\nAccessed Sacro programme\r\nCompleted Sacro programme\r\n<16\r\n1\r\n1\r\n16-20\r\n4\r\n4\r\n21-30\r\n1\r\n1\r\n31-40\r\n5\r\n4\r\n41-50\r\n-\r\n-\r\n>50\r\n2\r\n2\r\nTotals\r\n13\r\n12\r\n\r\n2016 - Present date\r\n\r\nAge of participant\r\nAccessed Sacro programme\r\nCompleted Sacro programme\r\n<16\r\n5\r\n5\r\n16-20\r\n2\r\n(1 on-going)\r\n21-30\r\n1\r\n(1 on-going)\r\n31-40\r\n1\r\n(1 on-going)\r\n41-50\r\n-\r\n-\r\n>50\r\n-\r\n-\r\nTotals\r\n9\r\n5\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313934,"EventID":"S5W-01358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:43:02.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which legal responsibilities that lie only with local authorities it is proposing to offer schools.","AnswerText":"Driving up attainment levels is this government's priority and we will seek out and listen to all new ideas and innovative approaches to deliver results in education for all young people. I launched Delivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education - A Delivery Plan for Scotland on 28 June 2016 which sets out clear milestones for our next steps to towards closing the attainment gap. It can be viewed at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/06/3853\r\nThe delivery plan includes a commitment to launch a governance review of the education system in September 2016 which will involve widespread engagement and consultation across the education sector and beyond. The findings of the review will inform our consideration of where the legal responsibilities for the delivery of education lie.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313935,"EventID":"S5W-01317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:43:03.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will achieve its stated commitment to comply with EU law by 2020 through its strategy, Cleaner Air for Scotland, if low emission zones will not be operational until after the end of 2018.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, together with its partners, is implementing a range of actions to improve air quality at local and national level. These actions are set out in Cleaner Air for Scotland and also in the joint UK action plans which have been submitted to the European Commission outlining how we propose to comply with EU requirements. The intention is that these measures will collectively deliver compliance by 2020.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313936,"EventID":"S5W-01324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:43:05.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it (a) has or (b) has had plans to introduce a loan fund for communities seeking to upgrade roads to a standard that would allow them to be adopted by local authorities and, if so, whether it will provide details.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not introduced a loan fund specifically for communities seeking to upgrade roads to an adoptable standard and has no current plans to establish one for this purpose.The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (\"the 1984 Act\") places the statutory responsibility for local roads, including private roads, with local road authorities. While local road authorities are responsible for the improvement, maintenance and repair of public roads on its list of roads, section 14 of the 1984 Act - Power to contribute to, or carry out, work on private roads, enables them to contribute to the maintenance of private roads. Whether there are funds available to assist in any particular case is a matter for the relevant local roads authority. The Local Government Finance Settlement for 2016-17 is over £10.3 billion. It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities. You may find the Communities Channel Scotland Website (www.communityscot.org.uk/resources/grow-your-community) helpful, funded by the Scottish Government and hosted by the Scottish Community Development Centre, it has useful information for community groups, including information on funding and support. You will also find links to other Community Funds on the Scottish Government website here: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/regeneration/communityfunds. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313937,"EventID":"S5W-01338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:43:06.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T12:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments on page 2 of the 2016 SNP manifesto, what NHS board services and functions it has identified as being (a) unnecessary backroom duplication and (b) structural impediments to better care; for what reason, and how it plans to address these.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01336 on 29 July 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313938,"EventID":"S5W-01342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:43:07.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T12:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) compulsory and (b) voluntary redundancies it has calculated could result from reducing the number of NHS boards.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01336 on 29 July 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313939,"EventID":"S5W-01318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:43:08.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-00826 and S5W-00829 by Humza Yousaf on 30 June 2016, whether it plans to provide funding to local authorities to support the establishment and maintenance of low emission zones and, if so, how much, and for what reason the previous answers did not address this issue.","AnswerText":"The answer to SW5-00829 highlighted existing Scottish Government financial support towards transport measures that deliver air quality benefits; many, if not all, of these will continue to be relevant to actions involved within, or in support of, low emission zones. In addition, this answer identified specific funding that has been made available to support transport data collection. This data is an essential tool in establishing the evidence base to define any zone, both in terms of geography and specific measures.\r\nIt would be premature to go further in identifying specific costs at this stage, as these will be determined by requirements of the National Low Emission Framework (NLEF), which will be published later in 2016, and the outcome of specific discussions with the low emission zone pilot area, which is still to be identified. The Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy sets out a phased approach to implementing actions such as low emission zones. It is important that we successfully complete each phase before moving on to the next stage. Without such an approach there is a significant risk that the whole NLEF could fail to deliver, in terms of both policy interventions to improve air quality and support from the public and business. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313940,"EventID":"S5W-01335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:43:09.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will instruct Transport Scotland to collect data from 1 August 2016 for a period of 12 months on (a) unsuccessful attempts to book vehicles on CalMac Ferries to Islay, Coll, Tiree, Colonsay and Mull and the reasons; (b) cancellations of sailings on these routes and the reasons for such cancellations, (c) space on each sailing on these routes pre-booked by hauliers or other regular major users and not taken up and (d) utilisation of such space by unbooked or weight-listed vehicles and any such space left unfilled at the time of sailing.","AnswerText":"CalMac Ferries Limited, as the current operator of the Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Services collect a range of data to forecast and evaluate demand on all the services they provide. Much of this data is, however, commercially confidential. Evaluation reports of the impact of the Road Equivalent Tariff pilots have been published on the Transport Scotland website. Transport Scotland will continue to monitor the impact of the network-wide roll out of Road Equivalent Tariff in October 2015 and discuss this with the operator.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313941,"EventID":"S5W-01337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:43:10.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T12:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it has that reducing the number of NHS boards would improve the service to patients.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01336 on 29 July 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313942,"EventID":"S5W-01339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:43:11.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T12:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to comments on page 2 of the 2016 SNP manifesto, what barriers to planning local services effectively are presented by the existing boundaries between health and integration bodies.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01336 on 29 July 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313943,"EventID":"S5W-01341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:43:12.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T12:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of (a) how much money would be saved and (b) what reduction in staff would result from reducing the number of NHS boards.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01336 on 29 July 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313944,"EventID":"S5W-01319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:43:13.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long after the notice of low emission zones has been given to relevant parties will the zones be fully operational.","AnswerText":"Our approach to supporting the delivery of Low Emission Zones in Scotland is described in the National Low Emission Framework (NLEF) within the Cleaner Air for Scotland (CAFS) strategy. NLEF will allow local authorities and partners to appraise, justify the business case for, and implement, a range of air quality improvement options related to transport and associated land use, including Low Emission Zones, based on clear evidence.The current National Low Emission Framework (NLEF) programme, is as follows.Data collection and evidence gathering to be complete by mid-2017.Appraisal of sites from mid-2017, with the first NLEF scheme decisions, including any Low Emission Zones, to be confirmed, and notice given to the relevant parties, by the end of 2018.Implementation and operation of first schemes, such as Low Emission Zones, by 2020.This timeline for delivering the NLEF is ambitious and we will ensure continuous engagement with all stakeholders at each stage, on evidence gathering, analysis, and the detail of the NLEF options, including Low Emission Zones, as we progress. Our approach is aimed at maximising partner and public buy-in and ensuring that those who have to adjust their actions and activities are allowed to do so. This pragmatic approach is essential to deliver air quality improvements, whilst recognising the legitimate needs and expectations of local communities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313945,"EventID":"S5W-01336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-08T14:43:14.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T12:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to reduce the number of (a) territorial and (b) special NHS boards and, if so, (i) by how many and (ii) how.","AnswerText":"This Government is committed to reviewing the number, structure and regulation of both territorial and special health boards and their relationships with local councils. The detail of this work has yet to be finalised but will be subject to engagement with Parliament and broader consultation.\r\nWe need to create an NHS Board structure that reflects the new health and social care landscape and which better supports the provision of excellent hospital and specialist care for Scotland’s population. That means a structure that will lead NHSScotland forward while ensuring the focus is on patients rather than on structures and bureaucracy and which maximises the opportunities for a ‘Once for Scotland’ where that creates efficiencies and reduces duplication.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313954,"EventID":"S5W-01383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T11:32:39.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-11T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the First Minister on 25 May 2016 (Official Report, c. 2) when it will publish the membership and remit of the group that will oversee the enterprise and skills review.","AnswerText":"The Ministerial Review Group for the enterprise and skills review holds its first meeting today. The membership of the group is outlined below. Membership has been drawn from a wide range of key stakeholders, each of whom will bring an important level of perspective and challenge. \r\nMembership:\r\nCrawford Beveridge - Council of Economic Advisers\r\nFrances Ruane - Council of Economic Advisers; ESRI\r\nIan Walker - Johnson and Johnson\r\nStephen Boyle - Chief Economist, RBS\r\nLynne Cadenhead - Bio ID Security; Women’s Enterprise Scotland\r\nRoss Martin - SCDI\r\nLiz Cameron - Chambers of Commerce\r\nSusan Love - FSB\r\nGrahame Smith - STUC\r\nJim Duffy - Entrepreneurial Spark\r\nHugh Hall - Chair, Colleges Scotland\r\nAndrea Nolan - Convener-elect, Universities Scotland\r\nVonnie Sandlan - NUS Scotland President\r\nCouncillor Stephen Hagan – COSLA Spokesperson Development, Economy and Sustainability\r\nMhairi Harrington - Principal, West Lothian College\r\nProfessor Sir Ian Diamond - Principal, Aberdeen University\r\nSuzanne Burns – HR Director, STV; Board member, Developing the Young Workforce National Employer Group\r\nThe remit of the Group, tabled for agreement at today’s meeting, is attached below. This remit will be published on the Scottish Government website: www.gov.scot/topics/economyGroup Remit.\r\nThe Ministerial Review Group will play a vital role in ensuring that the enterprise and skills review is robust, produces sound and evidence-based recommendations, and is driven forward with energy and creativity.\r\nThe board will meet three times in total: the first meeting will be on the 12 July 2016, the second and third are planned for 17 and 31 August 2016. \r\nThroughout the review the board members will:\r\nProvide a high level of informed debate and challenge which draws on members’ experience\r\nUse their own networks to test assumptions and gather input and evidence to inform the work of the review\r\nConsider findings and analysis of work and agree strategic direction and next steps\r\nMeet at key stages to discuss the progress and direction of the review, ensuring it remains on track to deliver high quality, robust outcomes.\r\nAt the conclusion of this short life working group, the board will shape emerging conclusions and suggest ways in which those should be taken forward. \r\nIn conducting this review, the Scottish Government will follow these principles:\r\nThe review will be outcome-focused, and help us make a step-change in Scotland’s economic performance and productivity\r\nIt will be evidence-based, open and transparent, with an opportunity for everyone with an interest to contribute.\r\nIt will put service users at its heart and aim for increased clarity and user simplicity in a system of support designed to meet current and future challenges.\r\nIt will be robust and independent of any individual organisation.\r\nIt will benchmark nationally and internationally against best practice.\r\nAs responses, ideas and options for the way ahead start to emerge, we will take into account that a good outcome needs to ensure:\r\nA common vision and performance framework for all to maximise economic growth and productivity and support more inclusive growth, with full geographical access\r\nA modern system of support that is fit for the 21st century, simple and clear for users to access, and supported by the right agency roles, services, skills and behaviours. \r\nAffordability – Making the best use of all public resources, financial and other assets to impact on outcomes, with funding matching priority services and flowing through the minimum number of levels and organisations to the user. \r\nNote - For these purposes, ‘user’ means all those who use or work within the Scottish system of enterprise and skills support - whether as students, businesses, service providers, partners - or those that use the services provided by our agencies or otherwise interact with them.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313965,"EventID":"S5W-01365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:35.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which health and social care partnerships will be supported by Healthcare Improvement Scotland to test and implement improvements in the identification and care coordination of those who can benefit from palliative and end-of-life care, as set out in its Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care.","AnswerText":"East Ayrshire, Glasgow City, Perth and Kinross, Western Isles/ Eilean Siar and Fife Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs) will be supported to test and implement improvements in the approaches taken to the identification of needs and coordination of palliative and end of life care for people who need this. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313966,"EventID":"S5W-01372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:36.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the workplan of the National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions contains and when it will be published.","AnswerText":"The National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions met for the first time on 11 July 2016. A work plan is now being developed with the aim of being agreed by the committee at the next meeting in the autumn period.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313967,"EventID":"S5W-01369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:37.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the work programme is of the National Implementation Support Group that it has set up, as referred to in its Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care.","AnswerText":"The National Implementation Advisory Group met for the first time on 3 June. At this meeting they identified subject matter experts to lead on each of the commitments outlined in the Strategic Framework. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313968,"EventID":"S5W-01371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:38.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the first annual learning and improvement report into palliative and end-of-life care, referred to in its Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care, will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government plans to issue the first annual learning and improvement report into palliative and end of life care in spring 2017. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313969,"EventID":"S5W-01331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:39.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T11:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that Scotland is able to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 and by what date it expects to have eliminated it.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular discussions with NHS boards through the Scottish Health Protection Network’s Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Programme. A number of the framework sub-groups, which meet regularly, are involved in action relevant to this aspiration, including the prevention, diagnoses, testing and treatment, and information and data. On 28 May 2016 the World Health Assembly adopted the first ever Global Viral Hepatitis Strategy and made a commitment to the elimination of viral hepatitis as a major public health threat by 2030. The Scottish Government supports this international commitment and is working towards elimination by 2030.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313970,"EventID":"S5W-01367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:39.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support greater public and personal discussion of bereavement, death, dying and care at the end of life, as set out in its Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has asked the Chief Executive of Ardgowan Hospice to identify learning from work such as ‘Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief’, ‘Compassionate Inverclyde’ and ‘To Absent Friends’ and provide advice on how best to support the spread of this work and address any gaps. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313971,"EventID":"S5W-01374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:40.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the National Advisory Committee on Neurological Conditions will develop a methodology for collecting and publishing robust and reliable data on the prevalence of neurological conditions in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions will consider data and information requirements to support clinical care for people living with neurological conditions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313972,"EventID":"S5W-01381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:41.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ensure that people with neurological conditions are assigned a specific individual, such as a specialist nurse, to support them in navigating the health and social care system.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects NHS boards to ensure that people have access to a relevant range of health and social care professionals which meets their individually assessed needs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313973,"EventID":"S5W-01330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:42.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T11:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to ensure the introduction of opt-out blood borne virus testing in prisons.","AnswerText":"Opt-out blood borne virus testing (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV) for all new prisoners is being phased into the Scottish Prison estate. This service has already been introduced in HMP Shotts, HMP Perth, HMP Glen Ochil and HMP Kilmarnock, and we are working with NHS boards to deliver it in other prisons over the life of the framework.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313974,"EventID":"S5W-01364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:43.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities provide specialist residential respite care for people with neurological conditions and how many people have accessed these services in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for individual local authorities. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313975,"EventID":"S5W-01366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:43.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide strategic commissioning guidance on palliative and end-of-life care to health and social care partnerships, as set out in its Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government plans to issue the strategic commissioning guidance on palliative and end of life care this winter. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313976,"EventID":"S5W-01368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:44.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it has done to support clinical and health economic evaluations of palliative and end-of-life care models, as set out in its Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working to ensure that health economic expertise is available to Health and Social Care Partnerships to support them in developing and testing improved care processes.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313977,"EventID":"S5W-01370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:45.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it published implementation and improvement plans for palliative and end-of-life care by April 2016, as set out in its Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is supporting the development of locally owned improvement and implementation plans through the commissioning of additional improvement support, support for a new educational framework, and guidance for developing plans that take account of local needs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313978,"EventID":"S5W-01326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:46.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T18:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it expects to make a decision on the recommendations of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland's Fifth Electoral Reviews.","AnswerText":"The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland published and submitted to Scottish Ministers on 26 May its reports and final recommendations for the number of councillors and the electoral ward boundaries in each of Scotland's 32 local authorities, following completion of its Fifth Electoral Reviews. Ministers are now considering those recommendations, and will take decisions on whether to implement them once that consideration has been completed. There is no statutory deadline by which such decisions must be taken. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":313979,"EventID":"S5W-01361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:47.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will meet its legal duty to involve equality groups in setting its equality outcomes for 2017-21.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government works with a number of organisations which provide a coordinating or intermediary role across the different equality communities. They play an important role in informing the policy making process, in supporting and engaging communities, and in developing capacity and leadership. The Scottish Government will work with these organisations and will meet them shortly in order to establish the plan and details for involving people with protected characteristics in setting its equality outcomes for 2017-21.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313980,"EventID":"S5W-01362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":74,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:48.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T15:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take regarding the Scottish Information Commissioner's finding that NHS Dumfries and Galloway breached the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 by refusing to issue chronic pain waiting times information and \"wrongly\" claiming that it did not hold the information.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Information Commissioner's finding is a matter for NHS Dumfries and Galloway to respond to. The Scottish Government recognises the importance of transparency for all public bodies and, as such, all NHS Boards are expected to full comply with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313981,"EventID":"S5W-01376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:49.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities provide specialist day respite care for people with neurological conditions and how many people have used these services in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for individual local authorities. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313982,"EventID":"S5W-01379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:50.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the health and care services provided for people with neurological conditions meet their needs and whether it would consider a review of service provision to identify any gaps and inform strategic planning of services.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01310 on 26 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313983,"EventID":"S5W-01327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:51.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-07T18:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the results of research into the suitability of underground coal gasification in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has appointed Professor Campbell Gemmell, Professor of Environment Research, Policy, Regulation and Governance at the University of Glasgow, to lead an independent examination of the issues and evidence surrounding underground coal gasification.\r\n\r\nProfessor Gemmell is currently working closely with stakeholders and communities while undertaking this independent examination of the issues and evidence. The review is expected to report its findings later in summer 2016","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313984,"EventID":"S5W-01359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:52.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of the Independent Advisory Group on Hate Crime, Prejudice and Community Cohesion.","AnswerText":"We received the findings of the Independent Advisory Group on Hate Crime, Prejudice and Community Cohesion at the end of July. We expect the findings will be published in the autumn, once Parliament has returned from recess.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313985,"EventID":"S5W-01360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:53.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contribution it made to the most recent UK state party report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination regarding the representation of black and minority ethnic communities in (a) the police service, (b) employment, (c) health and (d) mental health.","AnswerText":"The UK Government is responsible for providing the State Party report to the UN CERD. The Scottish Government provided an update to the UK Government in relation to the race equality work being carried out. This input was informed by its on-going work around race equality, including dialogue with communities, and drew on the relevant available data and information.\r\nOur ‘Race Equality Framework for Scotland’ published on 21 March 2016, sets out clear goals to support minority ethnic communities in representation across a range of areas, including the police service, employment, health and mental health.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313986,"EventID":"S5W-01363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":74,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:54.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T15:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out a review of the role played by the Information Services Division (ISD) in NHS Dumfries and Galloway's breach of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 with regard to chronic pain waiting times information and whether the ISD needs to play a more proactive role in ensuring proper handling of freedom of information requests.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is not intending to carry out a review of the role of Information Services Division (ISD). National Services Scotland (within which ISD sits) and NHS Dumfries and Galloway, like other public bodies, are responsible for implementing the Freedom of Information Act and the Commissioner is responsible for enforcing and promoting FoI. The Scottish Information Commissioner's finding is a matter for NHS Dumfries and Galloway to respond to. The Scottish Government recognises the importance of transparency for all public bodies and, as such, expects all NHS Boards to fully comply with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313987,"EventID":"S5W-01377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:55.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to collect robust and reliable data on the number of people with neurological conditions.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01374 on 26 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313988,"EventID":"S5W-01378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:56.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to develop a national strategy for care and support for people with neurological conditions.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01372 on 26 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n\r\nThe National Clinical Strategy, published in February 2016, sets the direction of travel for health and healthcare services for the next 10 to 15 years.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313989,"EventID":"S5W-01375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:57.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards provide specialist physiotherapy for people with neurological conditions; how many people have used these services in each year since 2010-11, and what the average waiting time has been.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313990,"EventID":"S5W-01380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:58.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Clinical and Care Governance Framework aimed at the new health and social care partnerships will ensure that people with neurological conditions will receive seamless, quality care that reflects their needs and aspirations.","AnswerText":"The Clinical and Care Governance Framework for integrated Health and Social Care Services in Scotland provides the ranges of professionals and staff involved in the planning and delivery of integrated health and social care services with clear governance arrangements which identifies their roles, responsibilities, actions and accountabilities. In addition one of the frameworks central principles places an emphasis on empowering people to use their experiences to shape, monitor and improve the safety and quality of their care.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313991,"EventID":"S5W-01382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T14:00:59.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-11T11:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01000 by Angela Constance on 8 July 2016, whether it will undertake a review of whether it should assess how public authorities meet their obligations to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees and service users.","AnswerText":"Enforcement is the role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (a statutory body established under the Equality Act and accredited by the UN) and we will not, therefore, be carrying out a review. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313992,"EventID":"S5W-01385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T15:06:44.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-11T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report from Information Services Division Scotland showing that, between December 2015 and March 2016, the number of vacant NHS consultant posts rose by 9.8%, and what action it is taking to reverse this trend.","AnswerText":"Under this Government we currently have the highest NHS staffing levels ever, with numbers of consultants increasing by a record 42.9% to over 5,000 Whole Time Equivalent. \r\nWhile there is indeed a 9.8% difference between the two published statistics in December 2015 and March 2016, this comparison represents a percentage difference between two date ranges but does not reflect the overall rate at which consultant vacancies as a percentage of Establishment are recorded.\r\nThe most reliable data on consultant vacancies as a percentage of Establishment shows that consultant vacancy rates have decreased over the past year, dropping from 7.7% in March 2015 to 6.5% in March 2016.\r\nIt is normal to expect some fluctuation in vacancies throughout the year, and this is linked to our efforts to increase capacity by recruiting even more staff.\r\nThe Scottish Government is fully committed to a sustainable NHS and works closely with NHS Boards as they continue to proactively recruit to available posts.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313993,"EventID":"S5W-01384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T15:06:44.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-11T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to recruit more additional support needs teachers across Scotland.","AnswerText":"The recruitment of teachers is a matter for local authorities. Additional Support Needs teaching is a supplementary qualification which is studied by a teacher who has been teaching for a number of years.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313994,"EventID":"S5W-01386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-11T15:06:46.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-11T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report from Information Services Division Scotland showing that, between December 2015 and March 2016, the number of NHS consultant posts that had been vacant for six months or more had increased by 14.2%, and what action it is taking to reverse this trend.","AnswerText":"Under this Government we currently have the highest NHS staffing levels ever, with numbers of consultants increasing by a record 42.9% to over 5,000 Whole Time Equivalent. \r\nWhile there is indeed a 14.2% difference between the two published statistics in December 2015 and March 2016, this comparison represents a percentage difference between two date ranges but does not reflect the overall rate at which consultant vacancies as a percentage of Establishment are recorded.\r\nThe most reliable data on consultant vacancies as a percentage of Establishment shows that the number of consultant posts vacant for six months or more was 3% as at March 2016.\r\nIt is normal to expect some fluctuation in vacancies throughout the year, and this is linked to our efforts to increase capacity by recruiting even more staff.\r\nThe Scottish Government is fully committed to a sustainable NHS and works closely with NHS Boards as they continue to proactively recruit to available posts.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313997,"EventID":"S5W-01405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:53:42.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T13:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what targeted support it will give to areas that are less developed in terms of their renewables potential to ensure that they can make the most of future opportunities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01407 on 8 August 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313998,"EventID":"S5W-01407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:53:43.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T13:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to the renewable energy sector and how this support benefits the economy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government strongly supports the development of the renewable energy sector and decarbonisation of our electrical generation and wider energy sector. In order to facilitate its development, the Scottish Government provides a range of support for the renewable energy sector, including funding to support renewable energy projects and technology development; a planning policy which strikes a careful balance between utilising Scotland's significant renewable energy resources whilst protecting our finest scenic landscapes, natural heritage and residential amenity; and a well-developed structure of partnership with the Scottish agencies, the private sector and academia, which has helped shape our renewable energy policies.Scottish Government makes available a range of impartial advice and financial support for communities, rural businesses, and non-profit distributing organisations across Scotland who wish to generate their own renewable energy and benefit from commercial operations. This information is available through the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES). Further information is available on the Local Energy Scotland website at http://www.localenergyscotland.org/We also fund the Energy Saving Trust to provide energy advice and support to businesses and consumers. For example, working with partners including Resource Efficient Scotland, support for businesses is available to allow them to participate effectively in the supply chain for energy efficiency measures and installations and to help businesses attain accreditation with registered bodies to allow them to access funds available via Scottish and UK Government support schemes.The Energy Saving Trust’s network of local area advice centres across Scotland offers free, impartial advice relevant to consumers in their geographical areas. Specialist advisors can visit consumers at home, and provide advice on relevant renewable technologies which are available and appropriate and in most cases can provide details of several potential installers, with a focus on local businesses. Further information on support available from the Energy Saving Trust is available at http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ScotlandOur delivery partners for these programmes have a key role to play in promoting renewable and low carbon energy opportunities at both national and local level, including through their websites, local events, and annual conferences.The renewable energy sector makes a significant contribution to the Scottish economy.Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that in 2014, more than 21,000 people were employed directly in the low carbon and renewable energy economy in Scotland and this, through multiplier effects will have supported thousands FTE jobs In the form of indicant and induced employment throughout Scotland. Further information is available on the ONS website at\r\n\r\nhttp://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20160105160709/http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/environmental/uk-environmental-accounts/low-carbon-and-renewable-energy-economy-survey--2014/rpt-low-carbon.html\r\nFigures published by the UK Government in April 2014 show that since 2010 the renewable energy industry has announced around £14.2 billion of investment in Scotland and this has supported many jobs in the supply chain and wider economy. Further information is available on the UK Government website at\r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-investment-report-april-2014\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":313999,"EventID":"S5W-01389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:53:44.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T10:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many fuel poor households were identified in the most recent Scottish Household Survey.","AnswerText":"The most recent statistics on fuel poverty were published in December 2015 Scottish House Condition Survey: Key Findings 2014 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/8460) and show that there were around 845,000 fuel poor households in Scotland in 2014.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314000,"EventID":"S5W-01391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:53:46.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T10:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum; when the forum last met, and whether it plans to continue with it.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum is chaired independently by Alan B Ferguson. Representatives from the following organisations are members of the group:\r\nAge Scotland\r\nAssociation for the Conservation of Energy\r\nChild Poverty Action Group\r\nCitizens Advice Scotland\r\nCOSLA\r\nEnergy Action Scotland\r\nEnergy Saving Trust\r\nExisting Homes Alliance Scotland\r\nPublic Health Scotland/NHS Scotland \r\nPoverty Alliance\r\nScottish Gas\r\nScottish Federation of Housing Associations\r\nScottish Power\r\nShelter\r\nSSE\r\nScottish Housing Energy Efficiency Network (SHEEN) \r\nOfgem (as observers)\r\nScottishPower Energy Networks (as observers)\r\nScottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution Networks (as observers)\r\nChair of Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force (until group is dissolved)\r\nChair of Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group (until group is dissolved)\r\nThe Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum last met on 27 April 2016 and will meet again on 24 August 2016.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to work with stakeholders, including the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum to tackle fuel poverty.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314001,"EventID":"S5W-01398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:53:47.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason vouchers are required to access the Survivors Support Fund.","AnswerText":"The Survivor Support Fund for people who were abused while in care as children will not require vouchers to gain access.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314002,"EventID":"S5W-01395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:53:49.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the capacity of (a) housing associations, (b) local authorities and (c) the building industry to assist in the delivery of the target to build 50,000 new affordable homes in each of the next five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government works closely with all housing stakeholders to ensure that we make the best use of all our resources and expertise to deliver more affordable homes. The Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group brings together stakeholders from across housing and the group’s delivery plan captures a crucial set of delivery actions which we collectively agree are vital at this time.\r\n\r\nWe have listened to what housing partners need to increase the pace and momentum of housing delivery. These discussions have helped us to develop our More Homes Scotland approach.\r\nThrough this approach, the following additional measures will further support the increase in the supply of homes with focus on four key areas:\r\nmore investment for more housing - we will invest over £3 billion in affordable housing to deliver at least 50,000 affordable homes over the next five years - a 76% increase on our current five-year investment;\r\na flexible grant and loan Housing Infrastructure fund with up to £50 million available in 2016-17\r\na wide-ranging review of the planning system to improve the effectiveness of planning processes; and identify with stakeholders any critical skills and expertise gaps that could prevent delivery of our ambition\r\nWe are determined to increase and accelerate housing supply across all tenures and support the industry and local authorities to deliver their housing priorities with quality homes in mixed communities that fit local needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314003,"EventID":"S5W-01396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:53:51.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the Historic Child Abuse Inquiry is wholly independent.","AnswerText":"This Government established Scotland’s inquiry into the abuse of children in care with statutory powers and independence from the outset and this will continue.\r\nAs in this and all previous public inquiries, the Scottish Government has specific, focussed statutory duties, particularly under the Inquiries Act 2005. This does not change the independence of the Inquiry to deliver on its remit including, for example, in deciding what issues to pursue, what material to require from public authorities and others, and what witnesses to take evidence from.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314004,"EventID":"S5W-01393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:53:53.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new affordable homes it plans to deliver in each of the next five years.","AnswerText":"Over the next five years, the Scottish Government will deliver at least 50,000 affordable homes. While the majority of these will be new build homes, the Affordable Housing Supply Programme includes initiatives such as the Town Centre Empty Homes Fund which encourages owners of empty homes to bring these properties back into use as affordable housing. The Open Market Shared Equity Scheme allowing people on low to moderate incomes to buy existing homes for sale on the open market also contributes towards the Affordable Housing Supply Programme.\r\n\r\nThe exact number of homes delivered in each year of the next five years is dependent upon progress made by councils and housing associations in each local authority area over the five year period. For the current year, we expect to deliver around 8,000 affordable homes. All councils are required to submit their strategic housing investment plans in November 2016, and this will give a clearer indication of delivery in future years.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314005,"EventID":"S5W-01394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:53:55.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many housing associations there are, and how many have live housebuilding development projects (a) in place and (b) planned for each of the next five years, broken down by the number of units.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Housing Regulator publishes a directory of all registered social landlords which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttps://www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk/find-and-compare-landlords/directory-social-landlords\r\nInformation on housing associations currently developing and in receipt of grant is published annually within the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme Outturn Reports, the most recent of which is for 2014-15. Outturn information for 2015-16 will be published in due course. The outturn reports can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/investment/ahip\r\nFor information on the number of planned projects for each of the next five years I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01393 on 26 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314006,"EventID":"S5W-01387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:53:57.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T10:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has provided to (a) each airport and (b) support air travel in each of the last five years, and what information it has on how this has been used.","AnswerText":"a) Table 1 outlines the funding that the Scottish Government has provided to airports in the last five years. Funding for Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports is to support business development. The bulk of funding to Glasgow Prestwick Airport is in the form of loans at a commercial rate of interest to meet the airport’s operational costs following the Scottish Government’s acquisition of the airport on 22 November 2013. We expect all loan funding, including interest, will be repaid. Remaining funding was provided to assist in business development. Funding provided to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) is to meet its operating costs and to fund its capital investment programme.\r\n Table 1: Scottish Government funding to airports 2011-12 to 2015-16\r\nAirport\r\n2011-12 (£)\r\n2012-13 (£)\r\n2013-14 (£)\r\n2014-15 (£)\r\n2015-16 (£)\r\nAberdeen\r\n\r\n5,000\r\n\r\n\r\n500\r\nEdinburgh\r\n\r\n\r\n7,368\r\n\r\n\r\nGlasgow\r\n\r\n10,448\r\n15,107\r\n26,220\r\n\r\nGlasgow Prestwick\r\n20,481\r\n2,925\r\n4,500,000\r\n6,300,000\r\n10,005,500\r\nHighlands and Islands Airports Ltd\r\n26,714,000\r\n22,333,000\r\n21,788,074\r\n34,093,946\r\n38,434,150\r\nb) Table 2 outlines the funding that the Scottish Government has provided to support air travel in the last five years. The Scottish Government used the bulk of this funding to operate the Air Discount Scheme and fund the Glasgow to Campbeltown, Tiree and Barra air services. Those areas also account for the majority of the increase in spend over the period. Destination marketing campaigns drive demand for travel to Scotland which in turn supports airlines serving those destinations. Part of that activity involves funding partnership marketing campaigns in which airlines choose to participate. As part of our efforts to improve Scotland’s air connectivity, the Scottish Government also funds research and promotional work to encourage more direct air services to Scotland. Funding of the marketing campaigns and research work is also included within the amounts shown in Table 2.\r\nTable 2: Scottish Government funding to support air travel 2011-12 to 2015-16\r\nYear\r\n2011-12 (£)\r\n2012-13 (£)\r\n2013-14 (£)\r\n2014-15 (£)\r\n2015-16 (£)\r\nFunding Provided\r\n7,433,000\r\n7,978,000\r\n9,520,000\r\n10,119,000\r\n11,177,000\r\nFigures in both Tables 1 and 2 include cash funding provided by Transport Scotland, VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314007,"EventID":"S5W-01402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:53:57.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to inform and engage the public regarding the use of armed police and what its response is to the suggestion made on Radio Scotland on 12 July 2016 that “we have got to have an informed debate\" regarding the operation of armed officers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s position on armed policing was made clear in my statement to Parliament on 16 June. That statement followed a Police Scotland briefing for opposition justice spokespersons to explain the basis for the uplift in armed police officer numbers.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314008,"EventID":"S5W-01388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:53:59.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T10:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide additional funding to local authorities and housing associations to help meet the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing and, if so, how much.","AnswerText":"Social landlords can use a wide range of funding to pay for the investment needed to bring tenants’ homes up to the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH). This comprises Scottish and UK Government schemes including the Energy Company Obligation. The Scottish Government for example introduced a new £5m Home Energy Efficiency programme for Scotland (HEEPS) loan scheme in 2016 to assist Registered Social Landlords deliver the EESSH. Appropriate on-going levels of financial support will be considered during next year’s planned review of EESSH. This review will support the wider development of Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme the cornerstone of our designation of Energy Efficiency as a National Infrastructure Priority.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314009,"EventID":"S5W-01390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:54:01.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T10:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the interim finding of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group that the target to eradicate fuel poverty by 2016 will not be met, what plans it has work to work with stakeholders to reset the target.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to tackling fuel poverty. Last year we designated energy efficiency as a National Infrastructure Priority, which will be delivered through Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP).We will now develop a longer-term approach to tackling fuel poverty as part of SEEP, and set this out in legislation by introducing a new Warm Homes Bill.\r\nThis new approach will be informed by stakeholders, in particular the Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group and the Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force, which are both due to report by the end of 2016 and make recommendations on, among other things, the effective use of newly devolved powers (both obligations on energy suppliers and fuel poverty related benefits), the current definition of fuel poverty, and how to deal with the particular issues facing rural and remote households.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314010,"EventID":"S5W-01397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:54:03.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money will be distributed by the Survivors Support Fund and who is involved in the delivery of this.","AnswerText":"The In Care Survivor Support Fund for people who were abused while in care as children has a total budget of £13.5 million over the next five years. \r\nThe consortium of organisations who won the tender to administer the fund, Penumbra, Health in Mind, The Mental Health Foundation and Glasgow City Health and Care Partnership will work together to deliver the fund. The fund is supported by a further 26 individual survivor support organisation from across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314011,"EventID":"S5W-01392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:54:04.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T10:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the devolution of some social security benefits, what analysis it is carrying out or plans on the (a) operation and (b) impact on claimants of the system of mandatory reconsideration of appeals.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials are assessing the available evidence, including the Social Security Advisory Committee’s July 2016 report, to understand whether the recent decline in the number of social security appeals in Scotland that followed the introduction of mandatory reconsideration is attributable to improved decision making and early resolution of disputes, or is a result of changes in claimant behaviour.Our approach will be further informed by the current consultation on social security in Scotland, where we are seeking input from people who have experienced the mandatory reconsideration process to ensure that the system of appeals for devolved benefits is transparent and accessible.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314012,"EventID":"S5W-01399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:54:05.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a time bar for child abuse cases prior to 1964 and, if so, for what reason it decided not to change this when it accepted the time bar for post-1964 cases was to be amended.","AnswerText":"Yes. There are two types of time bar in personal injury cases – prescription and limitation. Claims for personal injuries sustained prior to 26 September 1964 were extinguished by the law of prescription after 20 years unless a claim was made or acknowledged before 25 September 1984. Claims for personal injuries sustained on or after 26 September 1964 do not prescribe after 20 years but are subject to a three year “limitation” period. Chapter 2 of the Scottish Government’s consultation on ‘The removal of the three year limitation period from civil actions for damages for personal injury for in care survivors of historical child abuse” (see http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/5970 ) explains the difference between these two types of time bar and their application to claims prior to 26 September 1964. See in particular, paragraphs 2.4 to 2.13 of the consultation paper.\r\nFor the reasons detailed in Chapter 3 of the consultation, whilst the Scottish Government gave serious consideration to a legislative solution to the application of the law of prescription on cases of abuse which occurred before 26 September 1964 the legal issues relating to the removal of the law of prescription for these cases proved too difficult to overcome. In particular, that the Scottish Government considers that it would not be compatible with Article 1 of the First Protocol (A1P1) to the ECHR to reverse the law that was put in place in 1984. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314013,"EventID":"S5W-01406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T13:54:07.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T13:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the implementation of a smart card system for public transport similar to the Oyster card.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to its vision that all journeys on Scotland’s bus, rail, ferry, subway and tram can be made using a single type of smart ticketing, the saltirecard system. Good progress is being made to deliver this vision, summarised by mode below.Rail - The entire ScotRail network is now Smart enabled to be part of the saltirecard system. We have made sure that the new franchise contract requires smart tickets to be made available across the network, for all types of ticket by 2019. ScotRail is delivering a significant programme to make this possible. For example, saltirecard smart season tickets are available on all routes and by April 2019, ScotRail has committed to achieving a 60% uptake for all ScotRail passenger journeys using Smart ticketing.Subway - Smart tickets are already in use on the Glasgow Subway, and it will be possible to use the same smartcards on both the Subway and ScotRail.Ferries - We have already completed successful user trials. The recently awarded Clyde and Hebrides ferry contract requires saltirecard smart tickets to be available for foot passengers.Bus – More than 1.3 million smart concessionary travel saltirecards have been issued which can be used across bus operators across Scotland. 35% of bus journeys undertaken already use the smart saltirecard through the Scottish Government's concessionary travel schemes.Building on this investment, the major Scottish bus operators have agreed to work to deliver the vision of compatible smart ticketing across all modes in Scotland with a programme that dovetail’s with ScotRail’s plans. These developments will see the launch of interoperable, bus-to-bus, saltirecard smart ticketing across Scotland’s largest cities starting with Aberdeen and Dundee this summer, with Glasgow and Edinburgh to follow. The major Scottish bus operators are also committed to work in collaboration with other modes and support a national e-purse for Scotland which will work on the basis of pay as you go similar to the Oyster Card system. Further developments will include the acceptance of contactless bank cards on bus.This inter-operator, multi-modal capability is being made possible by the Scottish Government promoting one compatible system across all modes, the \"ITSO\" system, allowing integration to be delivered in phases as each mode implements its co-ordinated plans. Work to develop this system further is already underway to integrate the ITSO saltirecard system with smartphones and contactless bank cards.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314023,"EventID":"S5W-01411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:09.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates since 5 May 2016 (a) its officials, (b) the First Minister and (c) other ministers have held discussions with (i) China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group, (ii) SinoFortone and (iii) any other organisation that could potentially be involved in activities further to the signing of the memorandum of understanding with these companies on 21 March 2016; what was discussed, and whether it will place a copy of the minutes in SPICe.","AnswerText":" There have been no discussions between the First Minister or other Ministers and China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group or SinoFortone since 5 May 2016.At his request, Scottish Government officials participated in a short teleconference with the Chair of the Asia Scotland Institute, Roddy Gow, and Sir Richard Heygate of SinoFortone on 30 June. SinoFortone highlighted their conversations with third parties about potential investment opportunities. No other issues were discussed and a minute of the teleconference was not taken.Officials met with the Chair of the Asia Scotland Institute on 29 July. The Memorandum of Understanding was discussed along with a range of issues relating to Scotland’s relationship with Asia. A note of the meeting has been placed in SPICe (Bib No. 58117).","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314024,"EventID":"S5W-01412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:10.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the activities of China Railway No.3 Engineering Group since it became aware of allegations of human rights abuses and the risk of gross corruption; what this assessment involved; whether (a) ministers or (b) officials have discussed these allegations with (i) the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global or (ii) Amnesty International; what the assessment concluded, and whether it now considers that it would be appropriate to agree investment with this company.","AnswerText":"The memorandum of understanding between the Scottish Government, China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone is focused on developing a relationship to explore possible investment in Scotland. It signals that Scotland is open for business and investment in line with the guiding principles of the Scottish Government's ‘Working with China’ Strategy. This Strategy has four guiding principles that underpin all of Scotland’s dealings with China and against which success will be measured. One of those principles is Respect for Human Rights and the Rule of Law - supporting China’s process of modernisation and internal reform and the need to balance the demands of economic development with social justice. Scotland is justly proud of its reputation for ethical business practices, and knows that human rights and the rule of law are key to long-term economic success and social stability. We will continue to share our experiences and values in our dealings with China.China Railway No.3 Engineering Group is one of 46 subsidiaries of the China Railway Group. The allegations of human rights abuses made in the June 2013 Amnesty International report were against the Congo International Mining Corporation (CIMCO), a subsidiary of China Railway Group, and relate to activity by CIMCO and CRG in August 2011 and April 2012. The allegations of gross corruption in the December 2014 report by the Council on Ethics for the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global relate to the China Railway Group. There is no reference to China Railway No.3 Engineering Group in the report.Scottish Government officials have considered publicly available information regarding the actions taken by the Chinese Government to tackle corruption; key sources of information on corruption and human rights abuses; and other publicly available information, including company databases, on the activities of China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group.Following this consideration, the Scottish Government notes that:(i) The UK Government’s May 2016 advice to businesses on key risks they may face when operating in China states that:\r\n\"China is currently listed as a country of concern in the FCO’s annual Human Rights and Democracy Report… Since coming to power in China, President Xi Jinping has launched a wide-ranging anti-corruption drive. China has enacted extensive anti-bribery legislation”.\r\n(ii) The World Bank specifies firms and individuals who are ineligible to be awarded a World Bank-financed contract for set periods because they have been sanctioned under the Bank's fraud and corruption policy either as a result of specific examination by the bank or because other development banks (Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Inter-American Development Bank, and African Development Bank) have sanctioned them. China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group is not ineligible for World Bank financed contracts.\r\n(iii) Publicly available information, including the websites and associated reports of the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, Human Rights Watch, and Transparency International, provides no evident reference to allegations of corruption or human rights abuses by China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group.\r\nThe Scottish Government welcomes and values Amnesty International’s role and expertise in promoting and protecting human rights. Officials considered Amnesty International’s June 2013 report, ‘Profits and Loss: Mining and Human Rights in Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo” which was sent to the Scottish Government by Amnesty International on 19 May. The First Minister replied to Amnesty International on 12 June. A copy of that letter has been placed in SPICe (Bib No. 58118).\r\nThere have been no discussions between Ministers and the Norwegian Government Pension Fund. E-mail correspondence between Scottish Government officials and Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), the Bank now responsible for managing the Investment Fund, and the Norwe","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314025,"EventID":"S5W-01426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:11.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to spend income generated as a result of the apprenticeship levy. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has yet to receive final details of the financial settlement that it will get from the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in April 2017. However, we want to take full account of employers’ views on how Levy funding coming to Scotland can be used to benefit employers, individuals and the economy as a whole.\r\nOn 13 July, we launched a consultation with employers and wider stakeholders to develop a distinctly Scottish approach which supports apprenticeships and wider skills development. It can be found at https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/employability-and-training/apprenticeship-levy\r\nWe will use the findings from the consultation which closes on 26 August to inform our forthcoming spending review decisions.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314026,"EventID":"S5W-01348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:13.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what statutory basis Police Scotland has collected a reported 852,507,524 number plate records and whether this process was debated by the Parliament.","AnswerText":"There is no specific statutory power for the collection of number plate records by Police Scotland. However, Police Scotland is required to comply with all relevant legislation in the collection, use and retention of data. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314027,"EventID":"S5W-01350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:14.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, as reported in The Ferret on 7 July 2016, officials told Police Scotland “We do not want you to provide us with detailed answers to all of the questions Ms McInnes asks\" and, if so, for what reason and what action it will take.","AnswerText":"A number of the Parliamentary Questions asked by the former MSP Alison McInnes in March 2016 sought information on the governance and regulation of policing activity whilst others sought detailed information on the delivery of operational policing activity. Responsibility for the delivery of operational policing activity lies with Police Scotland with oversight of the Scottish Police Authority and the Scottish Government’s approach to requesting information reflected this position.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314028,"EventID":"S5W-01414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:15.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reconsidered its decision not to suspend the memorandum of understanding with China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone that was signed on 21 March 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01412 on 9 August 2016, on what assessment it made of the activities of China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314029,"EventID":"S5W-01416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:16.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00028 by Keith Brown on 31 May 2016, whether it will provide the answer to the question that was asked.","AnswerText":" Written information provided was included in the material released by the Scottish Government on 31 May 2016 and which was placed in SPICe (Bib No. 57958). The broad activities of China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone were discussed with officials.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314030,"EventID":"S5W-01408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:17.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the First Minister stating on 2 June 2016 (Official Report, c.13) that “the Scottish Parliament would have the opportunity to scrutinise” any contracts involving projects agreed with China Railway No.3 Engineering Group, whether it anticipates that this opportunity would occur before or after the contract was signed. ","AnswerText":"The Memorandum of Understanding between the Scottish Government, China Railway No.3 Engineering Group (CR3) and SinoFortone is focused on developing a working relationship to explore possible investment in Scotland.If and where such investment involves CR3, SinoFortone and third parties then any contract would be a matter for those parties.The Scottish Government has not identified any specific projects for potential investment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314031,"EventID":"S5W-01415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:18.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00024 by Keith Brown on 31 May 2016, whether it has now undertaken full due diligence as a precaution or whether this will only occur once legal, contractual or funding obligations or commitments on its behalf are agreed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01412 on 9 August 2016, on what assessment the Scottish Government made of the activities of China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314032,"EventID":"S5W-01422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:19.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans there are for future training on head injury for prison NHS services and prisoners.","AnswerText":"The National Prisoner Healthcare Network’s Brain Injury and Offending report recommendation to carry out a training needs analysis will be taken forward by the Network in collaboration with relevant organisations, such as the School of Forensic Mental Health, the Scottish Prison Service and NHS Education for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314033,"EventID":"S5W-01355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:20.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) parliamentary scrutiny and (b) legislative approval there was for Police Scotland's automatic number plate recognition system.","AnswerText":"a) Automatic Number Plate Recognition has been the subject of a number of parliamentary questions, including: S2W-29947 and S2W-29948 answered on 17 November 2006 and S3W-28482 answered on 29 October 2009, as well as the more recent questions from Alison McInnes of which the member is already aware; b) Information from Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology must be used and retained in compliance with relevant legislation including the Data Protection Act 1998, the Human Rights Act 1998, the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000.\r\n\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314034,"EventID":"S5W-01357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:22.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who has been appointed to Police Scotland's short-life working group to tackle automatic number plate recognition issues, as reported in The Ferret on 7 July 2016; when it will meet, and what will be discussed.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, with the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314035,"EventID":"S5W-01423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:23.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the extent to which brain injuries should be taken into account as a mitigating factor in sentencing.","AnswerText":"Sentencing in any given case is a matter for the court. They will take into account the full facts and circumstances of a case before deciding upon an appropriate sentence. This includes any relevant injuries or conditions affecting the offender. The Scottish Government has not undertaken any specific assessment in terms of the extent to which brain injuries should be taken into account when sentencing. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314036,"EventID":"S5W-01425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:24.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the apprenticeship levy it expects to receive. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has yet to receive final details of the financial settlement that it will get from the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in April 2017. However, we want to take full account of employers’ views on how Levy funding coming to Scotland can be used to benefit employers, individuals and the economy as a whole.\r\nOn 13 July, we launched a consultation with employers and wider stakeholders to develop a distinctly Scottish approach which supports apprenticeships and wider skills development. It can be found at https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/employability-and-training/apprenticeship-levy\r\nWe will use the findings from the consultation which closes on 26 August to inform our forthcoming spending review decisions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314037,"EventID":"S5W-01351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:25.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what bodies have access to information collected by Police Scotland via the automatic number plate recognition system.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, with the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you. Information from Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology must be used and retained in compliance with relevant legislation including the Data Protection Act 1998, the Human Rights Act 1998, the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314038,"EventID":"S5W-01353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:26.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether senior Police Scotland officers were aware in 2013 of the legal requirement to delete all automatic number plate recognition data over two years old; whether they did so, and what the reason is for their position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, with the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314039,"EventID":"S5W-01419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:28.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to implement preventative measures and psychological interventions for people with brain injury in (a) general and (b) offender populations.","AnswerText":"Where a person with a brain injury also has a mental illness, psychological therapy may be part of appropriate treatment. Whether someone is part of the offender population or not, NHS Boards are responsible for working with partners to provide mental health services which meet the assessed needs of the individual. Care should be provided on the basis of a multi-disciplinary care plan which is regularly reviewed and which sets out all the arrangements for the individual’s care and support.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314040,"EventID":"S5W-01421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:29.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to develop a 6 to 8 bed low secure brain injury rehabilitation unit.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01420 on 8 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314041,"EventID":"S5W-01409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:30.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress toward the possibility of China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone investing in projects across Scotland in accordance with the memorandum of understanding signed with the Scottish Government on 21 March 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware that since 21 March 2016 representatives of China Railway No. 3 and SinoFortone have had conversations with a number of third parties about possible investment opportunities. The Scottish Government has had no role in those conversations. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314042,"EventID":"S5W-01410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:31.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00024 by Keith Brown on 31 May 2016, whether its officials (a) sought advice from the Scottish Development International team in China on the background of China Railway No.3 Engineering Group and (b) conducted or requested any other assessment of the credibility of the company.","AnswerText":"As indicated in the answer to question S5W-00024, as the Memorandum of Understanding does not involve any legal, contractual or funding obligations or commitments on behalf of the Scottish Government, full due diligence was not undertaken.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314043,"EventID":"S5W-01413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:32.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00019 by Keith Brown on 31 May 2016, whether it will answer the question that was asked regarding whether (a) China Railway No.3 Engineering Group or (b) SinoFortone (i) has previously or (ii) will in future receive privileged access to information not already publicly available and, if so, what access.","AnswerText":" Neither company has had access to privileged Scottish Government information. Any information provided by other parties which SinoFortone and/or China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group have had discussion with is a matter for them.China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone will receive the same access to information as any potential significant investor in Scotland. Some of that information is available publicly. Other information is provided to help and encourage investors to invest in Scotland to create jobs and economic growth.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314044,"EventID":"S5W-01349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:33.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland (a) has consulted or (b) will consult the Information Commissioner's Office on its automatic number plate recognition retention policies and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, with the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314045,"EventID":"S5W-01356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:34.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce specific legislation to improve the management of automatic number plate recognition data held by Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government keeps these matters under review but has no current plans to introduce legislation relating to Automatic Number Plate Recognition.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314046,"EventID":"S5W-01417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:36.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of brain injury on the life of prisoners.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Prison Service and NHS Boards are carrying out a study to seek to identify the prevalence of head injury in prisoners in Scotland. A second study, beginning later this year, will investigate the usefulness of two screening tools, which will be piloted in two prisons and two police custody sites. This will also estimate the number of prisoners with a disability arising from brain injury.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314047,"EventID":"S5W-01424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:37.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that income received from the apprenticeship levy will be kept in the further education sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has yet to receive final details of the financial settlement that it will get from the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in April 2017. However, we want to take full account of employers’ views on how Levy funding coming to Scotland can be used to benefit employers, individuals and the economy as a whole. \r\nOn 13 July, we launched a consultation with employers and wider stakeholders to develop a distinctly Scottish approach which supports apprenticeships and wider skills development. It can be found at https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/employability-and-training/apprenticeship-levy\r\nWe will use the findings from the consultation which closes on 26 August to inform our forthcoming spending review decisions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314048,"EventID":"S5W-01352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:38.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when information held by Police Scotland's automatic number plate recognition system dating back longer than two years will be deleted.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, with the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314049,"EventID":"S5W-01354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:39.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-08T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Police Scotland automatic number plate recognition standard operating procedure document published in March 2015 made reference to the amount of archive data held.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, with the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314050,"EventID":"S5W-01401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:40.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been made available under the young farmers' start-up grant scheme for 2014-20; how much has been spent, and what the projected spend is for each of the remaining years.","AnswerText":"Under the Scottish Rural Development Programme 2014-20, £6 million was allocated to the Young Farmer Start-up Grant Scheme. To date £5.23 million has been committed to fund 90 successful applications.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":314051,"EventID":"S5W-01418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:41.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recommendation in the National Prisoner Healthcare Network final report, Brain Injury and Offending, that a single question about brain injury is added to the NHS (Vision) interview in prison reception.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the recommendation to add a single question regarding brain injury to the NHS Vision interview tool.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314052,"EventID":"S5W-01420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-12T15:49:42.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what budget implications there would be in implementing the recommendations in the National Prisoner Healthcare Network final report, Brain Injury and Offending.","AnswerText":"It is the role of the Scottish Government to provide policies, frameworks and resources to NHS Boards so they can deliver services that meet the needs of their local populations. The actual provision of healthcare services, including in prisons, is the responsibility of local Boards, taking into account national guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314059,"EventID":"S5W-01427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5587,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:19.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T15:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people under 18 voted in the last Scottish parliamentary election and what representations it will continue to make to the UK Government that 16 should be the voting age for all UK elections and referenda.","AnswerText":"Due to the secrecy of the ballot, information on voting patterns is not centrally recorded. The Electoral Commissions report on the Scottish Parliamentary Election, due in September 2016, may give further information on voter participation, which they gather from their own surveys. \r\nThe Scottish Government continues to make representations to the UK Government that 16 should be the voting age for all elections, having legislated for those elections which it had the power to do so.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314060,"EventID":"S5W-01428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:20.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T16:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the cancellation of the i6 contract between Police Scotland and Accenture will have on (a) plans to reduce and detect crime and protect vulnerable people, (b) the restructuring and development of Police Scotland as a national police force, (c) plans to improve support for operational analysis and performance reporting and (d) plans to revamp Police Scotland’s ICT, and whether there will be a revaluation of efficiency savings.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Executive to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314061,"EventID":"S5W-01445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:21.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00691 by John Swinney on 21 June 2016, whether it will provide a breakdown of the figures by local authority.","AnswerText":"The number of practising trained educational psychologists (full time equivalent), broken down by local authority and year since 2010, is shown in the following table:\r\n\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nAberdeen City\r\n16\r\n20\r\n22\r\n22\r\n20\r\n15\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n23\r\n23\r\n23\r\n22\r\n22\r\n20\r\nAngus\r\n8\r\n8\r\n7\r\n8\r\n8\r\n6\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n9\r\n7\r\n7\r\n8\r\n6\r\n7\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n4\r\n4\r\n6\r\n6\r\n5\r\n4\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n11\r\n9\r\n9\r\n10\r\n9\r\n8\r\nDundee City\r\n8\r\n10\r\n11\r\n10\r\n10\r\n9\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n8\r\n9\r\n9\r\n9\r\n10\r\n11\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n8\r\n8\r\n7\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\nEast Lothian\r\n7\r\n8\r\n7\r\n7\r\n6\r\n6\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n12\r\n13\r\n12\r\n12\r\n12\r\n10\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n33\r\n28\r\n37\r\n42\r\n38\r\n30\r\nEilean Siar\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\nFalkirk\r\n10\r\n11\r\n10\r\n8\r\n7\r\n7\r\nFife\r\n27\r\n19\r\n24\r\n26\r\n26\r\n25\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGlasgow City\r\n45\r\n46\r\n51\r\n46\r\n47\r\n46\r\nHighland\r\n13\r\n12\r\n12\r\n10\r\n14\r\n11\r\nInverclyde\r\n10\r\n8\r\n7\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\nMidlothian\r\n7\r\n7\r\n7\r\n6\r\n7\r\n6\r\nMoray\r\n4\r\n7\r\n6\r\n4\r\n7\r\n6\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n13\r\n14\r\n12\r\n12\r\n13\r\n9\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n28\r\n28\r\n28\r\n28\r\n27\r\n25\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n3\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n9\r\n9\r\n10\r\n9\r\n9\r\n9\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n11\r\n9\r\n9\r\n9\r\n9\r\n10\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nScottish Borders\r\n9\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\nShetland Islands\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n6\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\n7\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n26\r\n25\r\n26\r\n25\r\n24\r\n23\r\nStirling\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\n9\r\n8\r\n7\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n9\r\n9\r\n9\r\n9\r\n11\r\n8\r\nWest Lothian\r\n14\r\n13\r\n14\r\n14\r\n12\r\n13\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nScotland\r\n401\r\n390\r\n411\r\n407\r\n405\r\n370\r\n\r\nSource: From 2012 onwards, this information is available in table 10.3 of the supplementary tables of the annual Teacher Census, http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/teachcenssuppdata","AnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314062,"EventID":"S5W-01446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:22.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T09:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been prescribed omeprazole in each year since 2010 and at what cost, and what projections it has made for each of the next five years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01436 on 9 August 2016. All answers to Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314063,"EventID":"S5W-01442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:23.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T09:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent action it has taken to reduce violence in prisons.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe reduction in violence amongst prisoners remains an on-going priority for the SPS. Attempts to prevent violence are reviewed through the analysis and assessment of emerging trends across the prison estate which in turn, supports the SPS Violence Reduction Strategy.\r\nThe Strategy contains a number of physical security counter measures which includes the use of body scanners, cell sense detectors and mobile phone signal denial technology. These measures are used in addition to officer searching, dog unit tactical searches, intelligence gathering and joint operations with Police Scotland. These operations can be proactive by using intelligence to prevent violence or post incident to enable investigation or analysis of an event. Case conferencing is also used to prevent bullying alongside family conferencing and victim support which are integral in SPS’ approach to reducing violent incidents.\r\nAll staff are also provided with appropriate training in order to detect, deter, de-escalate and, if necessary, protect themselves, prisoners and others from violent acts. Operational Staff are trained in Control and Restraint techniques which are a recognised safe system of work designed to enable staff to manage violent situations in an appropriate manner where intervention is necessary. Staff will wherever possible use communication skills and other non-physical techniques to gain the co-operation of prisoners in an attempt to de-escalate a situation.\r\nAs part of our commitment to ensuring policies, processes and procedures reflect best practice and support Scottish Government’s commitment to creating a safer and stronger Scotland, the existing SPS Violence Reduction Policy is currently under review; the policy will be fully refreshed and implemented nationally by the end of 2016. Further reviews will take place bi-annually thereafter. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314064,"EventID":"S5W-01449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5598,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":139,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:23.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans over the next five years take to encourage learning foreign languages in (a) schools and (b) communities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to full implementation of the 1+2 languages policy in schools by 2021, leading to more and earlier language learning, as a normal part of a broad, relevant school education. We will continue to support local authorities in securing this significant change in the coming five years, including funding. Since 2013 we have already provided £16.2m of additional developmental funding and have supported Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT) and the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS), which both provide practical support for language learning and teaching. A Strategic Implementation Group leads this process and is working with local authorities, Education Scotland, SCILT and other bodies in planning, delivery and raising expectations of enhanced language learning in schools.\r\nScottish Government’s strategy New Scots: Integrating Refugees in Scotland’s Communities has an active group for Education which works to identify the role of refugees in promoting linguistic diversity in Scotland’s communities. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314065,"EventID":"S5W-01436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:24.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T17:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what conditions omeprazole is prescribed by the NHS.","AnswerText":"Omeprazole is a drug prescribed for reducing stomach acid in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers, dyspepsia and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. In addition, omeprazole is increasingly recommended to prevent the side-effects from treatments for patients with arthritis and chronic pain.Increases in prescribing volumes are consistent with those attributable to an aging population with more complex medical needs. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have recently recommended prescribing omeprazole for patients receiving treatment for arthritis who may require gastro-protection, leading to further increases.The number of people prescribed omeprazole in each year since 2010-11 is set out in the following table:-\r\nFinancial Year\r\nNumber of Patients\r\n2010-11\r\n564,743\r\n2011-12\r\n624,569\r\n2012-13\r\n657,270\r\n2013-14\r\n677,520\r\n2014-15\r\n707,464\r\n2015-16\r\n724,424\r\nThe figures include only those patients for whom a Community Health Index (CHI) number has been captured from the patient’s prescription form. CHI capture rate on prescriptions, while improving, is currently less than 100%. There will, therefore, be a degree of discrepancy between actual patient numbers and prescription items dispensed, more so in the earlier years.The Scottish Government has not undertaken any projections for the next five years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314066,"EventID":"S5W-01438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:25.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T08:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Education Scotland regarding the frequency of inspections in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools.","AnswerText":"The frequency of both primary and secondary school inspection will form part of the Government publication Standards and Evaluation Framework in June 2017 as signalled within Delivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education: A Delivery Plan for Scotland. \r\nIt is anticipated that the frequency of school inspection will increase over coming years as signalled by Dr Bill Maxwell, Chief Executive of Education Scotland, in his article within the Herald newspaper on 21 January 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314067,"EventID":"S5W-01451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5598,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":139,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:26.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the potential benefits are to young people of learning a foreign language in terms of (a) future employment prospects and (b) increasing cultural awareness.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that language learning offers key life skills and should be available to all as part of school education. \r\nSpecifically language skills help young people’s future employment prospects by equipping them with a range of skills which employers value highly: the ability to communicate effectively, but also cultural understanding and an openness to new experiences and global opportunities. Many global companies now view language skills as essential to career development.\r\nYoung people learning languages more effectively therefore underpins a more successful Scotland, with opportunities for all to flourish through increasing internationalisation and sustainable economic growth.\r\nLanguage learning also contributes to an increasing cultural awareness, helping people understand how to live and work with people from different backgrounds. The benefit to the individual is complemented by a wider societal impact, encouraging tolerance, awareness of the wider world and a greater understanding and respect of others’ beliefs and attitudes.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314068,"EventID":"S5W-01453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:27.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the finding of the Independent Advisor on Poverty and Inequality's report, Shifting the Curve, that some services perceive themselves as \"race blind\" and “unlikely to deliver a high quality service\", whether it will introduce anti-poverty initiatives that are focused on minority ethnic communities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed to consider measures to tackle poverty across all ethnicities, reflecting our approach to social justice and our response to the report from the Independent Adviser on Poverty and Inequality. In the Race Equality Framework, we committed to filling evidence gaps on how and to what extent people from minority ethnic groups are accessing the benefits they are entitled to and to ensuring that all relevant policy and programme areas – such as benefits take-up policy and access to advice services (including financial advice) - are fully impact-assessed for equality, as is our legal duty.Our starting point is that services must be accessible and work for all. However, in some instances, there may be a need for targeted action that focuses specifically on minority ethnic communities. For example, we are aware that people from minority ethnic groups may be under-represented as applicants of the Scottish Welfare Fund: we are therefore looking to work with relevant organisations and to target publicity for these communities, so as to improve their access to the fund across Scotland. We will continue to look for opportunities to support people from minority ethnic groups, particularly those on low incomes, in all our work going forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314069,"EventID":"S5W-01432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:28.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T16:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what operational disruption will be caused to ICT users as a result of the cancellation of the i6 contract between Police Scotland and Accenture.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01428 on 27 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314070,"EventID":"S5W-01434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:29.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in refreshing its internet safety action plan.","AnswerText":"We are currently working across government to update the internet safety action plan, ensuring it is linked to both our Digital Participation and Cyber Resilience strategies. We are also taking steps to ensure the refreshed action plan is linked to work being taken forward in schools. In addition to this, we are engaging with key external stakeholders who will be crucial in the development of a refreshed action plan.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314071,"EventID":"S5W-01455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:30.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the finding in the Equal Opportunities committee report in session four, Removing Barriers: race, ethnicity and employment, (SP paper 890), that “initiatives such as ‘unconscious bias’ training are not the solution and can serve to mask underlying negative attitudes towards people from an ethnic minority background\", whether it continues to provide such training for (a) ministers, (b) its officials and (c) its directorates.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government offers “unconscious bias” training for all its staff. This is part of comprehensive range of measures implemented to help us provide a fair and inclusive workplace and complement our fair and open approach to resourcing.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314072,"EventID":"S5W-01440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:31.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value is of (a) food and drink and (b) all other goods from Scotland that are exported via ports in (i) Scotland and (ii) the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government produces a National Statistics publication, Export Statistics Scotland, which estimates the nominal value of Scottish exports, including food and drink and other goods. It does not contain information on the ports through which Scottish exports exit the UK.\r\nLatest published figures for 2014 estimate that Scottish exports from sectors involved in the manufacture of food and drink products were worth £4.8 billion, while other goods were worth £12.2 billion.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314073,"EventID":"S5W-01447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:32.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T09:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many asthma nurses have been employed each year since 2010, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to centrally quantify the number or contribution of nurses across Scotland that are involved in the provision of care to asthma patients.Asthma care services are delivered in a variety of settings in both primary and secondary care, and nurses involved in the delivery of those services may be directly employed either by NHSScotland or by general practices.Furthermore, nurses can be involved in delivering specialist care either wholly or as part of their role. Whilst some GP practices employ a dedicated asthma nurse, in others this function is covered by the practice nurse. In a hospital setting, patients may be seen by an asthma nurse or a specialist respiratory nurse.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314074,"EventID":"S5W-01443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:33.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to support Hamilton Business Improvement District and what financial support it will provide to Hamilton town centre in the short to medium term.","AnswerText":"The Hamilton Business Improvement District (BID) has received £75,525 in funding from the Scottish Government. This consists of:\r\nA BID Seedcorn Development Grant of £20,000 in 2011 to develop the BID’s business proposal and prepare it for ballot.\r\nFunding from Zero Waste Scotland of £35,000 in 2013 to fund a project manager to oversee a waste and recycling project aimed at ensuring businesses in Hamilton had the opportunity to recycle as much of their recyclable materials as possible from their premises as well as help them save money and ensure compliance with the new Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012.\r\nFunding from the Town Centre Communities Capital Fund of £20,525 in 2015 to enable the BID to install town centre Wi-Fi infrastructure and associated software.\r\nWe continue to support the development and growth of BIDS through our contract with Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) Scotland. We encourage all operational BIDS to engage the services of BIDS Scotland to discuss local challenges to help identify further support available.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to fund Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) to \r\nco-ordinate learning and share good practice on town centre activity in Scotland. STP have agreed to meet with Hamilton’s Community Planning Partnership along with Architecture and Design Scotland to discuss how to progress Hamilton’s town centre regeneration strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314075,"EventID":"S5W-01444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:34.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support children and young people affected by bereavement.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the impact bereavement can have on people’s lives, whether young or older, and where children and young people in particular are concerned it is supporting a broad programme of action to improve services including: Work across NHS Scotland to improve training and education for staff, patients, families and carers. Led by NHS Education Scotland, new education resources and a bespoke “Support Around Death” website for professionals are in place; The provision of funding to support third sector organisations who play a vital role in informing, supporting and counselling, including: Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland and their work to assist with the re-integration of children and young people into society after a bereavement; and Richmond’s Hope, to extend their successful Edinburgh based model of child bereavement services to the west of Scotland with a new Glasgow centre due to open next month; Through the Named Person provisions of Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC), providing a clear point of contact for children, young people and parents making it more straightforward to get help and advice; The establishment of more efficient and receptive support services around mental health services for bereaved children and young people as part of the additional £150m investment in mental health services over the next 5 years;Specific action is planned as part of the new Mental Health Strategy, which will be published later this year, aimed at ensuring that young people have good mental health and that agencies act early enough when issues such as grief and bereavement emerge and impact young lives.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314076,"EventID":"S5W-01439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:35.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been allocated by sportscotland to each local authority area in each of the last five years, also expressed on a per capita basis.","AnswerText":"As the national agency for sport, sportscotland invests Scottish Government and National Lottery resources to build a world class sporting system for everyone in Scotland. They continually strive to ensure these resources are invested wisely so as to achieve best value and maximum impact.\r\n\r\nsportscotland has invested in excess of £130 million across Scotland’s local authority areas over the past five years. sportscotland investment highlighted in the following table includes:\r\nIntegrated investment into Local Authorities (including Active Schools, Physical Education; School Sport Competitions; Young People/Leadership; Community Sports Hubs; Swim Top-Up; Active Girls; Positive Coaching Scotland)\r\nDirect Club Investment in Local Authority areas\r\nFacilities investment in Local Authority areas (including Sports Facilities Fund; Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund; sportsmatch; Cashback; Awards for All)\r\n\r\nLocal Authority\r\n Area\r\n2011-12 Investment\r\n£ per capita*\r\n2012-13 Investment\r\n£ per capita\r\n2013-14 Investment\r\n£ per capita\r\n2014-15 Investment\r\n£ per capita\r\n2015-16 Investment\r\n£ per capita\r\nAberdeen City\r\n£475,783\r\n£2.14\r\n£672,007\r\n£3.02\r\n£1,201,871\r\n£5.39\r\n£853,083\r\n£3.83\r\n£628,697\r\n£2.82\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n£1,286,685\r\n£5.09\r\n£1,120,995\r\n£4.43\r\n£2,054,767\r\n£8.12\r\n£1,127,445\r\n£4.46\r\n£1,380,076\r\n£5.45\r\nAngus\r\n£372,246\r\n£3.21\r\n£535,449\r\n£4.62\r\n£641,781\r\n£5.53\r\n£451,755\r\n£3.89\r\n£685,197\r\n£5.91\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n£796,699\r\n£9.03\r\n£627,794\r\n£7.12\r\n£591,767\r\n£6.71\r\n£815,590\r\n£9.25\r\n£434,488\r\n£4.93\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n£394,957\r\n£7.68\r\n£182,576\r\n£3.55\r\n£204,132\r\n£3.97\r\n£433,182\r\n£8.43\r\n£208,720\r\n£4.06\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n£487,058\r\n£3.22\r\n£1,008,780\r\n£6.67\r\n£1,879,774\r\n£12.42\r\n£669,055\r\n£4.42\r\n£711,036\r\n£4.70\r\nDundee\r\n£726,518\r\n£4.93\r\n£498,538\r\n£3.38\r\n£720,190\r\n£4.89\r\n£924,959\r\n£6.28\r\n£451,142\r\n£3.06\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n£988,517\r\n£8.06\r\n£756,863\r\n£6.17\r\n£459,843\r\n£3.75\r\n£826,824\r\n£6.74\r\n£474,931\r\n£3.87\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n£554,283\r\n£5.28\r\n£388,261\r\n£3.70\r\n£393,872\r\n£3.75\r\n£437,834\r\n£4.17\r\n£885,396\r\n£8.43\r\nEast Lothian\r\n£322,121\r\n£3.23\r\n£1,086,912\r\n£10.90\r\n£515,119\r\n£5.17\r\n£580,008\r\n£5.82\r\n£629,023\r\n£6.31\r\nEast Renfrewshire \r\n£316,822\r\n£3.50\r\n£706,544\r\n£7.80\r\n£500,042\r\n£5.52\r\n£319,559\r\n£3.53\r\n£395,988\r\n£4.37\r\nEdinburgh City \r\n£1,051,975\r\n£2.21\r\n£1,315,799\r\n£2.76\r\n£2,277,574\r\n£4.78\r\n£1,499,682\r\n£3.15\r\n£1,329,013\r\n£2.79\r\nFalkirk \r\n£369,689\r\n£2.37\r\n£511,446\r\n£3.28\r\n£816,266\r\n£5.23\r\n£937,391\r\n£6.01\r\n£734,818\r\n£4.71\r\nFife \r\n£777,785\r\n£2.13\r\n£1,520,293\r\n£4.16\r\n£1,584,519\r\n£4.34\r\n£1,708,520\r\n£4.68\r\n£2,285,179\r\n£6.26\r\nGlasgow City \r\n£1,552,277\r\n£2.62\r\n£1,950,511\r\n£3.29\r\n£1,864,998\r\n£3.14\r\n£2,411,992\r\n£4.07\r\n£1,509,341\r\n£2.54\r\nHighland \r\n£1,377,920\r\n£5.94\r\n£1,812,707\r\n£7.81\r\n£1,555,229\r\n£6.70\r\n£2,043,836\r\n£8.81\r\n£2,447,168\r\n£10.54\r\nInverclyde \r\n£371,179\r\n£4.55\r\n£617,065\r\n£7.57\r\n£483,416\r\n£5.93\r\n£527,702\r\n£6.47\r\n£427,985\r\n£5.25\r\nMidlothian \r\n£231,341\r\n£2.78\r\n£277,016\r\n£3.33\r\n£474,481\r\n£5.70\r\n£370,295\r\n£4.45\r\n£288,744\r\n£3.47\r\nMoray \r\n£290,529\r\n£3.11\r\n£409,140\r\n£4.39\r\n£346,829\r\n£3.72\r\n£476,637\r\n£5.11\r\n£625,407\r\n£6.70\r\nNorth Ayrshire \r\n£941,058\r\n£6.81\r\n£1,301,222\r\n£9.42\r\n£554,011\r\n£4.01\r\n£1,307,820\r\n£9.46\r\n£491,161\r\n£3.55\r\nNorth Lanarkshire \r\n£1,287,323\r\n£3.81\r\n£1,879,166\r\n£5.56\r\n£1,666,527\r\n£4.93\r\n£1,088,526\r\n£3.22\r\n£1,342,103\r\n£3.97\r\nOrkney \r\n£291,364\r\n£13.62\r\n£368,484\r\n£17.22\r\n£216,664\r\n£10.12\r\n£254,114\r\n£11.87\r\n£173,580\r\n£8.11\r\nPerth and Kinross \r\n£501,999\r\n£3.42\r\n£710,806\r\n£4.85\r\n£1,713,512\r\n£11.68\r\n£963,226\r\n£6.57\r\n£821,389\r\n£5.60\r\nRenfrewshire \r\n£1,449,005\r\n£8.28\r\n£510,769\r\n£2.92\r\n£584,675\r\n£3.34\r\n£936,928\r\n£5.36\r\n£944,192\r\n£5.40\r\nScottish Borders \r\n£641,812\r\n£5.63\r\n£1,189,760\r\n£10.45\r\n£759,586\r\n£6.67\r\n£617,146\r\n£5.42\r\n£1,121,959\r\n£9.85\r\nShetland \r\n£204,678\r\n£8.82\r\n£520,648\r\n£22.44\r\n£376,030\r\n£16.21\r\n£264,998\r\n£11.42\r\n£782,369\r\n£33.72\r\nSouth Ayrshire \r\n£488,958\r\n£4.33\r\n£466,608\r\n£4.14\r\n£825,688\r\n£7.32\r\n£529,348\r\n£4.69\r\n£944,775\r\n£8.38\r\nSouth Lanarkshire \r\n£907,628\r\n£2.89\r\n£1,020,539\r\n£3.25\r\n£1,468,831\r\n£4.68\r\n£1,150,409\r\n£3.67\r\n£1,462,808\r\n£4.66\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314077,"EventID":"S5W-01441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:36.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce guidance to ensure that the needs of children in mainstream schools requiring toilet assistance are satisfactorily supported, as recommended by the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in the final stages of developing guidance on the provision of healthcare in schools. This guidance provides advice to NHS Boards and education authorities on a range of issues including intimate care. The guidance has been developed with a range of key stakeholders including representatives from the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland. It will be published shortly for full public consultation. Finalised guidance will be published following the consultation. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314078,"EventID":"S5W-01448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:37.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all (a) food and drink and (b) other goods from Scotland that are exported via ports in the rest of the UK are identified as Scottish exports.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government produces a National Statistics publication, Export Statistics Scotland, which estimates the nominal value of Scottish exports, including food and drink and other goods. These estimates are based on the economic activity of the Scottish branches/operations of companies and are, therefore, independent of the ports through which goods exported from Scotland leave the UK.\r\nHM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) also publish quarterly estimates of Scottish goods exports by commodity and destination country. Trade is allocated by the postcode associated with a company’s VAT registration and again, independent of any port used to export.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314079,"EventID":"S5W-01450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5598,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":139,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:38.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils will be taught a foreign language in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nAs an indication of progress, two thirds of all Scottish local authorities (21 of 32) report that they are now providing learning in a first additional language for P1 pupils.\r\nThere is a growing expectation that all young people will have an entitlement to learn modern languages from P1 to S3 with full implementation anticipated by 2021.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314080,"EventID":"S5W-01435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:39.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00423 by Michael Matheson 16 June 2016, on what date it will announce its conclusion on the practical implications of introducing drug-driving limits in Scotland.","AnswerText":"This is a very complex area with individual limits proposed for 17 different drug types. While no specific timescale has been set, we understand there is likely to be an evaluation of the new drug driving limits introduced in England and Wales that is due to be published in 2017. This evaluation will likely prove helpful in understanding the full practical implications of setting drug driving limits and whether the potential benefits of drug driving limits have been realised in England and Wales. This will help inform our own consideration of whether drug driving limits should be introduced in Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314081,"EventID":"S5W-01437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:40.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T17:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the reasons for the reported increase in the prescribing of omeprazole.","AnswerText":" I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01436 on 9 August 2016. All answers to Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314082,"EventID":"S5W-01452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:41.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its upcoming programme for government will be subject to an equality impact assessment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to incorporating equality practices across its activities, both in developing policy and as an employer. The work of the Scottish Government is underpinned by the principle that no one should be denied opportunities because of their race or ethnicity, their disability, their gender or sexual orientation, their age or religion.\r\nIn May 2012, equality duties came into effect which mean the Scottish Government must equality impact assess its new or revised policies and practices and must also, within a reasonable period, publish the results of such assessments. An equality impact assessment should be an integral part of the policy making process, to shape and inform policy.\r\nThe programme for government illustrates the policies, actions and legislation that the Scottish Government will take forward to deliver its core purpose. It does not play a part in the development or implementation of policy or practices, therefore it will not be subject to an equality impact assessment. Instead, equality impact assessments will be undertaken by the accountable policy areas as part of the policy making process.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314083,"EventID":"S5W-01454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T13:44:42.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will be represented at ministerial level at the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’s review of the UK's 21st to 23rd periodic reports in August 2016 and, if so, by whom.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will participate fully in the examination of the UK's record by the UN Committee. The Scottish Government provides a contribution to formal UK written submissions to United Nations Committees as part of the reporting cycle under international human rights treaties. Normal practice is for the UK delegation at the oral session in Geneva to be headed by a senior UK official and Scotland will be represented, by a Scottish Government official with appropriate policy knowledge and experience. In this instance the relevant official will be the Scottish Government's Head of Equality Strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314084,"EventID":"S5W-01459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T15:11:15.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent action it has taken to assess the affordability of feminine hygiene products and the cost of periods to women and girls; whether it considers feminine hygiene to be a health issue; what action it is taking to tackle the stigma around periods, and whether it plans to introduce free access to feminine hygiene products.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has done no specific work to assess the costs of periods to women and girls. However there are undoubtedly genuine costs for women and girls associated with feminine hygiene and over an entire lifetime these could be significant.Feminine hygiene is not a health issue. Menstruation is normal. Where it becomes abnormal – excessive or infrequent – and potentially does become a health issue, treatments exist to help with this.While there is undoubtedly embarrassment and taboo about periods, we are not aware of any research evidence identifying particular stigma in relation to periods in Scotland.The Government currently has no plans to introduce free access to feminine hygiene products. However, we have invested in a range of other services to support people on low income or facing an acute income crisis. This includes the £33 million a year Scottish Welfare Fund which provides a safety net for vulnerable people on low incomes; investment in a range of advice services specifically designed to maximise income, support the transition on to new benefits, support lone parents and tackle unmet debt and financial capability; and our £1 million a year Fair Food Fund which will support community projects that help people access affordable food and develop skills, confidence and social networks.We are aware that food banks in Scotland will often provide sanitary products, usually as part of a broader offer of other personal hygiene products such as nappies or soap.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314085,"EventID":"S5W-01460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-13T15:11:16.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the recent incidence of misogynistic hate crime; whether it will publish all relevant data, and whether it considers that Police Scotland has sufficient powers to identify and act against such crimes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls, which includes ensuring a strong Justice response to protect victims and tackle perpetrators. Women and girls are protected from harassment and abuse through the criminal law, such as the general offence of threatening and abusive behaviour. Our courts do take into account all the facts and circumstances of a case before deciding an appropriate sentence in a given case. This means that where an offence is committed against a backdrop of misogynistic behaviour, the court can take this into account if they so choose. We regularly publish data, including the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey which provides details of people’s experiences of harassment and abuse.\r\nUnder Equally Safe, our violence against women girls strategy, officials have had discussions with women’s organisations regarding the issue of misogynistic hate. We will consider carefully what more can be done to tackle this, and we will continue to liaise with Police Scotland and others on how we can work together to tackle all forms of violence against women and girls. We anticipate that the findings of the Independent Advisory Group on Hate Crime, Prejudice and Community Cohesion will be published in the autumn, once Parliament returns from recess.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314104,"EventID":"S5W-01487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:27.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which (a) sectors, (b) businesses and (c) organisations have provided placements to facilitate Fiscal Work Orders, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nWhere possible, local Fiscal Work Order (FWO) schemes should harness the potential of local organisations to both provide activities and be involved in carrying them out. Local authorities are required to appoint a supervising officer in relation to each individual made subject to a FWO, and it is the responsibility of the supervising officer to determine the nature of work which that individual is required to perform. As with other community disposals, local authorities may provide and manage the prescribed activities themselves, or contract with another agency or agencies to do so on their behalf.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314105,"EventID":"S5W-01473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:28.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the current percentage of superfast broadband coverage is in Aberdeenshire and what it is expected to be by (a) the end of 2017 and (b) April 2021.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to delivering 100% superfast broadband access by 2021.\r\nAs a first step, we are investing over £410 million alongside our partners in the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) Programme, which will extend access to fibre broadband to at least 95% of premises in Scotland by the end of 2017. At present, 78% of premises in Aberdeenshire are connected to fibre broadband. By the end of 2017 at least 89% of premises in Aberdeenshire will have fibre access, of which 69% will have access to superfast speeds (24Mbps or above). This figure assumes that commercial rollout is completed on time and in line with plans submitted to the Scottish Government. It also assumes that superfast speeds will be delivered to all premises connected commercially.\r\nCommunity Broadband Scotland is also supporting the development of a number of community-led projects in Aberdeenshire. In total, these projects could deliver a broadband solution to over 2,000 premises.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314106,"EventID":"S5W-01475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:29.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) plans and (b) funding programmes are in place to prioritise rural and remote areas not already included in the current phase of its Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband rollout.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and our partners are delivering a number of national broadband projects that will benefit rural and remote areas.\r\nThe £410m Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) Programme will extend fibre broadband access to at least 95% of premises in Scotland by the end of 2017. In parallel, Community Broadband Scotland is a £16.5m initiative supporting community-led broadband projects across rural Scotland. The Scottish Government is committed to building on the success of these programmes and achieving 100% superfast broadband coverage by 2021. \r\nThe importance of digital infrastructure to regional economies is recognised in city deals. Digital infrastructure projects form part of the Aberdeen and the Inverness City Region Deals which were agreed between the Scottish Government, UK Government and regional partners earlier this year. Digital infrastructure investment also forms part of the additional £254 million investment, over and above the City Deal, committed by the Scottish Government to help deliver a more significant step change to the economy of Aberdeen and the north east. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314107,"EventID":"S5W-01480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:30.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T17:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the self-certification system used to approve school building works and ensure that all school buildings are compliant with the relevant building standards.","AnswerText":"The Building (Self-Certification of Structural Design) (Scotland) Regulations 1992 which permitted the self-certification of the structural design of buildings under building regulations were revoked with the introduction of the Building (Scotland) Act 2003. \r\nThere are no current plans to change the system of building standards certification under the Building (Scotland) Act 2003, which includes certification of the design of building structures.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314108,"EventID":"S5W-01482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:31.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) assessment it has made of and (b) discussions it has had with the Department for Work and Pensions regarding the impact of Fiscal Work Orders on the requirements of (i) out-of-work and (ii) means tested social security benefits. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s assessment is that the imposition of a Fiscal Work Order (FWO) should not adversely impact an individual’s ability to meet the requirements of either (i) out-of-work or (ii) means tested social security benefits. As such, we have not had specific discussions with Department for Work and Pensions in relation to FWOs.\r\nAn individual made subject to a FWO is given six months in which to complete their order which can carry a maximum of 50 hours. The National Guidelines on Fiscal Work Orders, which were issued to all local authorities in advance of the national rollout, make it clear that prescribed activities should take into account any outstanding obligations, including those relating to employment, education or domestic circumstances, which the individual made subject to the order may have. This includes the provision of activities at various times throughout the week (including evenings and weekends) and throughout the geographical area covered by the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314109,"EventID":"S5W-01484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:32.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Fiscal Works Order (a) referrals, (b) placement starts, (c) completions and (d) hours there have been, broken down by (i) local authority and (ii) offence type since rollout in April 2015.","AnswerText":"This information is not currently available.\r\nDetailed statistics for Fiscal Works Orders (FWOs) will be included in the annual Criminal Justice Social Work Statistics in Scotland bulletins from 2015-16 onwards. This will include data on the number of assessments undertaken by local authorities; the number of orders commenced; the number of orders completed/terminated; and the number of orders commenced broken down by the number of hours involved. This data will be available at a local authority level, and the Scottish Government currently anticipates that the 2015-16 statistics will be published in February or March of 2017.\r\nThe Criminal Proceedings in Scotland bulletin will also include data on FWOs from 2015-16, including information on the offence types for which FWOs have been imposed. We currently anticipate that the data for 2015-16 will be published in December 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314110,"EventID":"S5W-01463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:34.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve rail commuter times between Inverurie and Aberdeen and, if work is to be carried out, when it will take place.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s investment in Phase One of the Aberdeen to Inverness Rail Improvements project will deliver greater connectivity for both passenger and freight services operating on this corridor. As announced by the Transport Minister on 15 March 2016, the rail revolution will deliver 2 trains per hour in each direction between Inverurie and Aberdeen from 2019. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314111,"EventID":"S5W-01477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:35.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has in place or is planning, to improve basic mobile phone coverage in Aberdeenshire.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01476 on 1 August 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314112,"EventID":"S5W-01478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:36.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value was of public investment to improve mobile phone coverage in Aberdeenshire in the previous parliamentary session and what the value is of planned investment in the current session.","AnswerText":"Mobile investment to date in Aberdeenshire, and indeed throughout Scotland, has largely been made by commercial suppliers. However the Home Office-led Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme is expected to extend the availability of mobile services in Aberdeenshire. As this is a national programme, it is not possible to break down investment levels on a regional basis. During the course of this parliamentary session we will invest in mobile and broadband services. We have recently agreed an action plan with the operators. Although reserved to Westminster, we are doing everything we can, with the powers and funding available to us, to improve mobile coverage across Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314113,"EventID":"S5W-01495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:37.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T12:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, under the Non-Domestic Rating (Unoccupied Property) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2013 (SSI 2013 No. 37) paragraph 6, which inserts “Lands and Heritages to be treated as unoccupied” at 4 (f), it is mandatory that an application has been submitted, in particular that failure by a previous occupant to formally submit an application would prohibit an incoming tenant from accessing a rates discount under the Fresh Start initiative.","AnswerText":"It is for the Local Authority to determine whether the conditions in the regulation are met.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314114,"EventID":"S5W-01483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:38.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of Fiscal Work Orders since the publication of its report, Summary Justice Reform: Evaluation of Fiscal Work Order Pilots, in 2011.","AnswerText":"The national rollout of Fiscal Work Orders (FWOs), which commenced in April 2015, was a direct response to a recommendation of the final report of the Commission on Women Offenders which was published in 2012. In that report, the Commission highlighted that FWOs were a useful addition to the wider suite of diversion from prosecution measures and that FWOs had been found to have high completion and low breach rates. The Commission therefore recommended that 'Fiscal Work Orders are made available throughout Scotland for male and female offenders'. The Scottish Government accepted this recommendation, and made additional funding available to Community Justice authorities to support the rollout.\r\nIn addition, to further support and inform the rollout, the Scottish Government established a National Implementation Group with membership from a range of Justice agencies involved in the delivery of these orders. As part of their considerations, the Implementation Group received informal and time-limited feedback from local authorities which confirmed that FWOs were being used in every authority, albeit in small numbers, and that the rollout was not impacting on service delivery.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314115,"EventID":"S5W-01490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:39.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00926 by Aileen Campbell on 18 July 2016, whether it will provide the same information for each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"This information can be provided from 31 March 2000 and is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 58085).","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314116,"EventID":"S5W-01457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:40.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in North East Scotland who have been made redundant in the oil and gas sector are being or have been (a) retrained as teachers and (b) (i) retained, (ii) reskilled (iii) re-employed under the schemes that it has introduced to support the sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is doing all it can under devolved powers to support the oil and gas industry during these challenging times.\r\nAs part of its wide-ranging efforts to support the oil and gas sector, the Energy Jobs Taskforce has provided significant levels of support under the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) initiative, including support for 8,800 individuals who have received a PACE Guide from their employer and those who have received a face to face service such as an “Introduction to PACE” presentation, a workshop or a guidance interview. Under the SDS Enhanced Adopt An Apprentice Scheme, 39 apprentices who had been made redundant in the oil and gas sector have been supported to find a new position and a further 25 apprentices have found a new position through other means. 54 apprentices have not yet found a new apprenticeship and Skills Development Scotland continue to offer them support.\r\nThe Transition Training Fund was announced by the First Minister on 1 February, which provides an opportunity for workers at risk of redundancy, or who have lost their jobs, from the oil and gas sector to retrain and redeploy. Since the Fund was announced, over 1,900 individuals have registered interest in the Fund, with over 300 individuals receiving offers of financial support for training courses from this group, thus far. \r\nIn addition to providing support on an individual basis, the Transition Training Fund also offers support through procured training packages and for special training projects. For example, the innovative The Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) Internship Programme was developed to provide support for 20 former oil and gas workers to transition into teaching in the North East. However, due to the level of interest shown, this has been extended up to 25 places.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314117,"EventID":"S5W-01464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:41.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the rebuilding of Kintore railway station will be completed; when the station will be open for public use; what the timetable is for each stage of the work, and which body will be responsible for delivering each stage of the project.","AnswerText":"The responsibility for the planning and the delivery of Kintore railway station rests with third party promoters and funders, which includes Aberdeenshire Council and the North East Regional Transport Partnership (Nestrans). The expected completion date is March 2019.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314118,"EventID":"S5W-01466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:42.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans, or is discussing, an expansion of agricultural subsidies to (a) dairy and (b) pig farmers in the current parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"Active dairy and outdoor pig producers are currently eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme provided they meet the eligibility criteria and Scottish Government is intent on pursuing all options to maintain Scotland's EU status to help support all our farmers. \r\nThe European Commission announced a 500 package of support to the livestock sector at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 18 July 2016. The United Kingdom's share of this allocation is around 30 million and the government will seek to ensure that Scotland receives its fair share of this allocation and are discussing with stakeholders how the funding should be used to boost resilience in the sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314119,"EventID":"S5W-01489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:43.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many offenders who have completed Fiscal Work Orders have moved into work as a result of their placement since rollout in April 2015, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nLocal authorities are encouraged to develop programmes which will reduce the likelihood of individuals engaging in future offending behaviour. For example, programmes which increase the individual's awareness of the impacts of their offending; challenge antisocial attitudes or assumptions; and encourage personal and social responsibilities and self respect, and/or the development of life skills and problem solving.\r\nFurthermore, while it is generally intended that unpaid work activities should constitute the bulk of the time an individual spends on a Fiscal Work Order, up to 10% of the order (where appropriate) may be used for educational activities. This can include activities which would encourage development of employability skills.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314120,"EventID":"S5W-01491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:44.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training it provides to (a) members of and (b) advisers to its health steering groups regarding avoiding a conflict-of-interest between their roles and issues affecting NHS boards that they might be associated with.","AnswerText":"Every health board publishes a Code of Conduct for their board members. Their Code is based on the Model Code of Conduct that was published by the Scottish Government following a period of consultation and the approval of the Scottish Parliament in December 2013. The Model Code is available to view at http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0044/00442087.pdf. The Code highlights the importance of avoiding conflicts of interest and focusses on the key principles of public life for members of public bodies. All members of an NHS board have a responsibility to ensure that they are familiar with, and that their actions comply with, the provisions of the Code of Conduct.In addition to the requirements of the Code, all health board members undertake induction training, which includes highlighting their responsibilities around the issue of conflicts of interest. An easy to read booklet on the important aspects of induction for health board members, including conflicts of interest, was published by the Scottish Government in August 2015 and is available to view at http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00487869.pdf. NHS Boards will also make other opportunities available to both new and existing members to further understand their role in providing good governance through the provision of additional local training and development.The provisions for dealing with alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct is set out in Part 2 of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000. This also sets out the sanctions that shall be applied if the Standards Commission finds that there has been a breach of the Code.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314121,"EventID":"S5W-01469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:45.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses in (a) the Aberdeen city area and (b) Aberdeen city centre pay business rates and how that compares with each of the previous five years.","AnswerText":"The following table shows all properties liable for business rates within Aberdeen City Council area for the current year and for each of the previous five years. Information is not held at a city centre level.\r\n\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nNumber of Properties\r\n8,415 \r\n8,378 \r\n8,359 \r\n8,407 \r\n8,409 \r\n8,646 \r\nSource: Valuation Roll as at 1st April each year\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNote: Includes zero rated properties and properties in receipt of relief\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314122,"EventID":"S5W-01471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:46.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it raises through business rates in (a) the Aberdeen city area and (b) Aberdeen city centre and how that compares with each of the previous five years.","AnswerText":"The following table shows how much money has been raised through business rates within the Aberdeen City Council area for each of the previous 5 years. Information is not held at a city centre level.\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n162.7\r\n170.6\r\n178.3\r\n193.2\r\n200.3\r\n216.5\r\nNote. The figures for 2011-15 represent final audited figures; 2015-16 and 2016-17 are provisional figures.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314123,"EventID":"S5W-01486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:47.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the target number of Fiscal Work Orders is for each local authority since rollout in April 2015.","AnswerText":"No such targets are set for local authorities. The provision of Fiscal Work Orders is governed by the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, as amended, which provides that both the decision to send a work offer, and the subsequent decision to impose a work order, is one for Prosecutors to consider on a case by case basis.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314124,"EventID":"S5W-01488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:48.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether local authorities receive contributions from (a) businesses and (b) organisations that provide Fiscal Work Order placements and, if so, how much each has received since rollout in April 2015.","AnswerText":"Where possible, local Fiscal Work Order (FWO) schemes should harness the potential of local organisations to both provide activities and be involved in carrying them out. Local authorities do not, however, receive contributions from businesses or organisations that provide FWO placements.\r\nLocal authorities may contract with another agency or agencies to provide and manage the prescribed activities undertaken as part of a FWO. Where this takes place, the contract should be in the form of a Service Level Agreement and local authorities must make arrangements to ensure that the agency fulfils its contractual obligations.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314125,"EventID":"S5W-01456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:49.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in North East Scotland have been made redundant in the oil and gas sector in each of the last six months.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to monitor the impact that low oil prices are having on the oil and gas industry and its wider supply chain, and the impact on the North East of Scotland in particular. Official redundancy figures are produced by the Office for National Statistics via the Labour Force Survey, however this source is based on a sample survey and it is not possible to reliably produce estimates for smaller geographic areas within Scotland or industry sectors. Furthermore, information on exact number of redundancies made by individual firms is commercially sensitive.\r\nGiven the nature of the oil and gas industry, a significant proportion of offshore employment is from outwith the North East of Scotland, and is also composed of a significant number of contractors whose employment status is challenging to identify.\r\nInformation is held on the number of notified potential redundancies and the Scottish Government monitors this data by industry, including the oil and gas sector. The latest State of the Economy report from the Chief Economist, published on 3 June 2016, provided an update on the oil and gas sector, including the number of advanced notifications of potential redundancies. A link to the report, detailing this information, can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy/state-economy/latestSofE.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314126,"EventID":"S5W-01474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:50.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what areas of Aberdeenshire that do not have access to superfast broadband are not included in the current phase of its Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband rollout and will not receive superfast broadband coverage before the end of 2017.","AnswerText":"The upgrades to be delivered by the Digital Scotland Superfast Programme will extend access to fibre broadband as widely as possible across Aberdeenshire. The majority of areas within Aberdeenshire will see improved access as a result of our investment. \r\nThe Scottish Government is currently working with BT to finalise the coverage footprint to be delivered by the DSSB programme. This will be confirmed later this year, once residual funds within the contract are modelled. At that point, we will confirm which premises are not included in DSSB rollout. These premises will form the basis of our intervention area for new procurement activity aimed at delivering our commitment to extend superfast broadband access to 100% of premises across Scotland by the end of 2021.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314127,"EventID":"S5W-01481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:51.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T17:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with local authorities to ensure that required school building inspection standards are met.","AnswerText":"The Government has regular discussions with local authorities on a range of matters relating to their school estate. However, the responsibility for issues relating to health and safety and the structural condition of schools, along with all their other buildings, rests with local authorities. National Guidance is provided to assist local authorities in assessing the condition of their school buildings.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314128,"EventID":"S5W-01492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:52.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report that Information Services Division (ISD) assisted NHS Dumfries and Galloway in responding to a freedom of information (FOI) request, and what action it will take to ensure that ISD acts wholly independently of NHS boards that supply it with statistics and does not intervene when FOI requests are made to NHS boards.","AnswerText":"Our expectation is that Freedom of Information (FoI) is fully complied with by all NHS Boards. We also recognise that the Information Services Division’s (ISD) role as producers of official and national statistics means that, on occasion, it is appropriate for Health Boards and ISD to discuss FoI requests. National Services Scotland (within which ISD sits) and NHS Dumfries and Galloway, like other public bodies, are responsible for implementing the FoI Act and the Commissioner is responsible for enforcing and promoting FoI. The Scottish Information Commissioner's finding is a matter for NHS Dumfries and Galloway to respond to. The Scottish Government recognises the importance of transparency for all public bodies and, as such, expects all NHS Boards to fully comply with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314129,"EventID":"S5W-01461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:53.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects a new railway station at Newtonhill to be opened and what the timetable is for the project. ","AnswerText":"I understand that a railway station at Newtonhill remains a long term aspiration for the North East Regional Transport Partnership (Nestrans) and can confirm that officials from Transport Scotland regularly engage with representatives from Nestrans to discuss rail improvements within the North East and the wider Scottish network.\r\nWe are committed to improving rail services and connectivity across the Scottish network which is demonstrated in our ambitious £5 billion investment in the rail network to 2019. Furthermore we are willing to consider proposals for new stations and services where there is clear evidence of benefits, subject to affordability and taking into account the potential impact on the rail network.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314130,"EventID":"S5W-01462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:54.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a grade separated junction at Laurencekirk will be (a) started and (b) completed.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is currently procuring a design consultant to take forward the next phases of design for the Laurencekirk junction upgrade including route option assessment and the development of preferred junction option, leading to the preparation of draft road Orders. It is expected that the design consultant will be appointed later this summer and work will immediately commence on the next phase of design. \r\nDelivery of the scheme itself can only commence when the scheme is approved under the statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for construction can be determined.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314131,"EventID":"S5W-01476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether improving mobile phone coverage for rural and remote communities in Aberdeenshire is a priority and, if so, what programmes are or will be in place to deliver that priority.","AnswerText":"Although reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government is committed to doing everything we can, with the powers and funding available to us, to improve mobile coverage for rural and remote areas across Scotland. We recently agreed an action plan with mobile operators, which sets out a range of actions aimed at extending coverage. We are also working with UK Government to maximise the impact of the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme, which will deliver a number of new mobile masts across Scotland in the coming years, including in Aberdeenshire.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314132,"EventID":"S5W-01479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:55.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-13T17:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the remit of Education Scotland to include, in school inspections, the quality condition of school buildings.","AnswerText":"The responsibility for assessing the state of school buildings lies with local authorities. Any robust quality assurance and scrutiny needs to come from examination by technical specialists in building standards and health and safety. Education Scotland is not staffed, and nor was HMIE in the past, with specialists with the skills to give that sort of assurance either through direct inspection or through examining any technical documents schools might provide.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314133,"EventID":"S5W-01494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T13:49:56.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T12:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve the transfer of information regarding head injuries between A&E units and (a) police custody units and (b) prisons.","AnswerText":" When any patient attends A&E their electronic patient record in the hospital will be updated and upon discharge will receive a discharge letter outlining the treatment received. This will be the case for those transferring to police custody units and prisons and allow receiving staff to take appropriate action if necessary.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314136,"EventID":"S5W-01496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-14T15:10:58.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T14:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the July 2014 report, Further advice to Scottish Government on the selection of Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas for the development of the Scottish MPA network; whether it plans to consult on establishing these areas and, if so, (a) when and (b) what the reason is for the delay in launching this.","AnswerText":"Progress of these Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area proposals has been paused to address EU obligations regarding protection of harbour porpoise and bird species, and to focus efforts on delivering management measures for existing protected areas. ","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314149,"EventID":"S5W-01433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-15T14:45:27.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-12T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a new family law Bill and what plans it has to introduce legislation to give grandparents rights to contact with their grandchildren.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to reviewing the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 to ensure the interests of children and their need to form and maintain relationships with key adults in their lives, such as grandparents, are at the heart of any new statutory measures. In reviewing the 1995 Act, the Scottish Government will continue to ensure that the welfare of the child in these cases remains paramount. The Scottish Government is currently considering how best to carry out this review.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314150,"EventID":"S5W-01497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-15T14:45:28.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will produce its final report on the outcomes of the Mental Health Strategy for Scotland 2012-15; what progress it has made toward meeting each of the 36 commitments in the strategy, and when each commitment (a) has been and (b) will be fulfilled.","AnswerText":"Progress updates on the last Mental Health Strategy are available on the Scottish Government’s website at the following link:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Services/Mental-Health/Strategy\r\nWe will publish a new ten-year Mental Health Strategy later in 2016, following a further phase of public engagement. It will build on the successes of the previous Mental Health Strategy 2012 to 2015, with ongoing work on existing commitments being included where appropriate. We therefore have no plans to publish a separate report.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314151,"EventID":"S5W-01533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-15T14:45:29.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review exemptions to right to roam on sporting ground under the provisions of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.","AnswerText":"Under Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, people have a right of access to most land and inland water in Scotland, so long as they act responsibly as detailed in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.\r\nWith regard to sports or playing fields, the Act provides that access rights are not exercisable on:\r\ngrass sports pitches or playing fields whilst they are in use for their intended purpose;\r\ngolf greens, bowling greens, cricket squares, lawn tennis courts or other similar area on which grass is grown and prepared for a particular recreational purpose, whether or not in use;\r\nsports pitches or playing fields with certain types of artificial surfaces, whether or not in use.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not have any plans to review Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314152,"EventID":"S5W-01540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-15T14:45:30.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-15T12:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is responsible for monitoring compliance in Scotland with the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.","AnswerText":"The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 places a number of duties on Responders identified in the legislation. It is the responsibility of the individual responder agencies to ensure compliance with the legal duties placed upon them by the Act. Structures which support responders in Scotland to carry out those duties - the North, East and West Regional Resilience Partnerships - are set out in the associated Civil Contingencies Act (Contingency Planning) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2013. The Regional Resilience Partnerships bring together senior representatives of all the statutory responders to ensure effective multi agency collaboration, provide strategic direction and agree priorities, in order to make Scotland more resilient.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314153,"EventID":"S5W-01535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-15T14:45:30.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take through the new national mental health strategy to address concerns that people with mental health issues can die up to 20 years earlier than the rest of the population because of physical health problems.","AnswerText":"The National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 states that Scottish Ministers have a duty to secure improvements in the physical and mental health of the people of Scotland. The NHS has a duty to promote the improvement of health – a duty that extends equally to the areas of physical and mental health.\r\n\r\nWe know that people with mental health challenges often die younger, which is why a key theme of the forthcoming Mental Health Strategy will be ensuring that mental health conditions and physical health conditions are treated with parity, re-enforcing existing legislation. It will also ensure that we strengthen our efforts to tackle preventable physical health problems within an overall approach to population health.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314154,"EventID":"S5W-01498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-15T14:45:31.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for the (a) development and (b) publication of its updated mental health strategy.","AnswerText":"We will shortly begin a further phase of public engagement to inform the next Mental Health Strategy. This will involve a series of public events, together with the publication of an engagement paper on which we will seek comments. Following this public engagement, we will publish the new ten-year Mental Health Strategy later in 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314155,"EventID":"S5W-01532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-15T14:45:32.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a land reform Bill and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"The focus of the Scottish Government’s work on land reform is on implementing the provisions of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016, which received Royal Assent on 22 April 2016, and on our commitment to promote and facilitate community land ownership across the whole of Scotland. \r\nSome of the provisions in the Act have already been commenced and our next implementation steps include appointing Scottish Land Commissioners by the end of 2016 and having a Scottish Land Commission operational by April 2017, the publication of a draft Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement for consultation this autumn before laying it before the Scottish Parliament in autumn 2017, publishing guidance in 2017 for landlords on how to engage with community groups, and consulting this summer on a register of persons with controlling interests in landowners and tenants, before laying draft Regulations in the Scottish Parliament. \r\nThere are no plans to introduce another Land Reform Bill to the Scottish Parliament at this stage. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314156,"EventID":"S5W-01534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-15T14:45:33.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the conclusion of the Blackfriars Consensus Statement that healthy lifestyle factors are effective in reducing the risk of developing dementia.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government endorsed the Blackfriars Consensus Statement and its focus on continuing collaborative effort on addressing potential dementia risk and protective factors at an individual and population level.\r\nWe also recognise the complexity in identifying connections between lifestyle factors and those risk and protective factors, not least because of the increasing understanding among researchers, clinicians and others about the number of dementias and differentiation between those dementias.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314157,"EventID":"S5W-01536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-15T14:45:34.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will develop a plan for dementia prevention that will build and learn from efforts to prevent cancer, heart disease and stroke.","AnswerText":"While the Scottish Government has no current intention to develop a national dementia-prevention plan, it retains a concerted national focus on promoting good public health and helping to reduce the risk ill-health and illness (including dementia) in key areas such as smoking cessation, alcohol reduction, improved dietary choices and increasing exercise.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314158,"EventID":"S5W-01538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-15T14:45:35.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has asked the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland to investigate the causes of the reported 8.5% increase in mortality in 2015 and whether it will publish the results of any such investigation.","AnswerText":"Official statistics show that there was a 6.2% increase in deaths in 2015. The reason for the increase in the number of deaths is not entirely clear but the winter of 2014-15 saw a high number of deaths from a variety of conditions including respiratory and circulatory diseases. This trend was the same across the whole of the UK and an increase in winter mortality was seen across 14 European countries. Our experts will continue to review the trends in mortality rates and the drivers behind any changes. Their conclusions will continue to inform operational and policy work.\r\nHealth Protection Scotland also routinely monitors excess all-cause mortality and investigates any association with influenza. In partnership with the other UK countries Health Protection Scotland publishes annual reports on these investigations.\r\nFigures for the first quarter of 2016 show a 6.6% decrease in the number of deaths compared to the same period in 2015 in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314159,"EventID":"S5W-01545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-15T14:45:35.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-15T12:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the £250 million announced for social care by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport on 26 February 2016 will be allocated.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is distributing the £250 million to health Bbs via their annual allocations, using the same allocation formula as was used for distribution of the Integrated Care Fund. This approach takes account of funding formulae used for the NHS and local government, using a 1:1 ratio of the National Resource Allocation Committee formula for the NHS and grant aided expenditure formula for local government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314160,"EventID":"S5W-01546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-15T14:45:36.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-15T12:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Royal College of General Practitioners on the new GP contract.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has ensured opportunities for engagement, particularly as part of a wider debate on the future of general practice, and are grateful for the contribution that the Royal College General Practitioners has already made and look forward to continuing to engage with them, as well as with other stakeholders who share our common desire to further improve the quality of primary care services for the benefit of patients.The profession's representative body for contract negotiations is the Scottish General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association, however there is a shared commitment around the future vision for the delivery of primary care services, and the Scottish Government fully recognises the important contribution of all key stakeholders in taking this agenda forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314161,"EventID":"S5W-01542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5877,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-15T14:45:37.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-15T12:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which of its departments will be responsible for the operation of the Baby Box scheme; what items will be included in the boxes; who will be responsible for their distribution, and how much the scheme will cost each year to run.","AnswerText":"The Directorate of Children and Families, Creating Positive Futures Division will be responsible for the operation of the Baby Box Scheme in close partnership with other policy areas across the organisation. The Scottish Government are working with a variety of stakeholders and with parents to agree which items will be included in the boxes. Options for distribution are being considered and will form part of the procurement exercise in the coming weeks. The proposal is for a Scottish baby box of the same standard as the Finnish model costing in the region of £6 million (or approximately £100 per box) per annum. Further information on the Finnish model can be found at: http://www.kela.fi/web/en/maternitypackage.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314162,"EventID":"S5W-01543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-15T14:45:38.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-15T12:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of all NHS (a) targets and (b) treatment guarantees.","AnswerText":" Local Delivery Plans (LDP) form the performance contract between the Scottish Government and NHS Boards. LDP standards are priorities that are reviewed and agreed between the Scottish Government and NHS Boards each year. The current standards are available at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Quality-Improvement-Performance/NHS-Performance-Targets","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314163,"EventID":"S5W-01544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-15T14:45:38.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-15T12:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the new posts announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport on 7 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 8) will (a) represent additional staff and (b) be reallocation from existing positions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed to increasing the number of training places for Doctors, Nurses and Midwives and Paramedics across the NHS in Scotland. This includes an extra 50 places which have been allocated to Scottish medical schools for new entrants from 2016 onwards which will result in an additional 250 medical trainees created by 2020-21.100 new GP training places will be advertised in a further recruitment round opening at the end of July. This will take the total number of GP training posts advertised across Scotland in 2016 to 439, an increase of 134 on 2015, and beyond the First Minister’s commitment to increase the numbers to 400. Trainees will start in these posts in February 2017.The Scottish Government has committed to providing an extra 1,000 new Nursing and Midwifery training places in addition to the commitment to train 500 additional Advanced Nurse Practitioners. A proportion of these Advanced Nurse Practitioners will be existing staff along with new posts. The numbers will be confirmed when NHS Boards undertake service and training needs analysis.In addition, the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) will train 1,000 new paramedics over the next five years, enhancing the clinical skill mix of staff and introducing new ways of working to better meet the needs of patients in all communities. As part of the “Towards 2020: Taking Care to the Patient” strategy, the Scottish Government has invested £5m in SAS for 2016-17. This investment will allow these new paramedics to be recruited from the current cohort of ambulance technicians, supported by the recruitment and training of 200 new technicians to backfill those posts.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314167,"EventID":"S5W-01553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-18T15:14:18.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-17T21:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many places will be made available on its temporary replacement for the Work Choice scheme, and how this compares with the number of Work Choice scheme places in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The commercial process for the transitional employment support for disabled people in 2017-2018 has commenced and until that is complete we cannot confirm the final numbers. However, the Scottish Government is looking to match the current level of starts on the Work Choice programme. We will be able to announce details of the agreed volumes when the contracting process is complete by the end of this year.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314168,"EventID":"S5W-01555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5669,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-18T15:14:19.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-18T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the potential benefits are to young people of being taught Scots or Gaelic.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is clear that there are many benefits to young people being taught Scots or Gaelic. It has the potential to create a secure future for the languages in Scotland and also enriches Scottish education and cultural life. It provides language learning that appeals to families and communities and, in the case of Gaelic, provides a successful bilingual education for young people. In addition, the teaching of Gaelic and Scots provides young people with the opportunity to learn about Scotland’s culture and identity and to appreciate Scotland’s rich literary and linguistic heritage.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314169,"EventID":"S5W-01551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5669,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-18T15:14:20.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-15T21:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils will be taught (a) Scots and (b) Gaelic in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"(a) The Scottish Government does not collect or hold data on pupils taught Scots in schools. The number of entries for the SQA’s Scots Language Award in 2015-16 was 127, though not all pupils taught Scots will be entered for a qualification in the subject.\r\n(b) Information on pupils taught Gaelic in 2016-17 is not currently available. Statistics for 2015-16 show that there were 6,745 pupils undertaking a Gaelic learner class. In addition, Gaelic medium (GM) statistics gathered by Bòrd na Gidhlig shows that there were 1003 children in GM nursery, 3004 children in GM primary and 1193 in GM secondary.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314170,"EventID":"S5W-01558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-18T15:14:21.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-18T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the lifting of the ban on overseas trading of skates and rays quotas will have on fishermen based at (a) Peterhead and (b) other Scottish ports.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01557 on 15 July 2016. \r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314171,"EventID":"S5W-01557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-18T15:14:23.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-18T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with UK Government regarding the lifting of the ban on overseas trading of skates and rays quotas.","AnswerText":"In May and June 2016 I wrote to and spoke with UK Government Ministers about their decision to ban export of certain skates and rays quota from the United Kingdom. \r\nThis ban had the effect of preventing valuable monkfish quota from being imported into Scotland by the Scottish Fishermen’s Organisation (SFO), which had organised an international swap that involved the export of 1 per cent of one of the UK’s skates and rays quotas, in return for over 200 tonnes of monkfish quota.\r\nI wrote to Ministers in the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in June 2016 and held a number of follow up meetings, in person and by telephone. I insisted that the Scottish fleet be able to access the full amount of Monkfish quota available internationally, and rejected UK suggestions that the ban continue over the summer 2016.\r\nI was pleased that the UK Government relaxed the ban, allowing SFO vessels to resume monkfish fishing on 10 July 2016, so that they can now land the additional monkfish quota, which has a value of up to £600,000. This additional supply will also be welcomed by fish processors and through the supply chain. It is clear that, without the intervention of the Scottish Government, resolution of this unnecessary problem could well have been postponed for months.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314172,"EventID":"S5W-01539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-18T15:14:24.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-15T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Brimmond Primary School in Bucksburn is showing signs of subsidence; what discussions it has had or plans with Aberdeen City Council regarding the issue; what contingencies are in place should the school face a period of closure, and whether it will carry out an investigation into the matter and, if so, when the results of this will be made public.","AnswerText":"I shall reply to the member as soon as possible.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":314173,"EventID":"S5W-01550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-18T15:14:25.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-15T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the NHS Centre for Integrative Care.","AnswerText":"The Centre for Integrative Care (CIC) is a facility run by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde which offers a range of treatments and therapies. NHS Boards in Scotland retain the option of referring people to the CIC for treatment.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314174,"EventID":"S5W-01552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5669,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-18T15:14:26.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-15T21:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote the teaching of (a) Scots and (b) Gaelic in (i) schools and (ii) communities.","AnswerText":"(a)(i) The Scottish Government has appointed a number of Scots Language Co-ordinators to work in Education Scotland with the specific remit of developing and promoting the use of Scots in schools. Scottish Language Dictionaries also contributes to this work by providing high quality dictionaries on the Scots language. In 2014, they produced an app of the Essential Scots Dictionary to help children studying the Scots language Award. In 2015, the Scottish Government launched its Scots Language Policy, a key aim of which is to recognise the important role that school education has in promoting the use of Scots. The introduction of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Scottish Studies and Scots Language Awards, as well as the set Scottish texts for National 5 and Higher English courses also contribute to the promotion of Scots in schools.\r\n(ii) In 2015, Creative Scotland published a Scots Policy which sets out its position on the Scots language and identifies ways in which it can be promoted and celebrated in the arts and in communities. This policy included the announcement of an appointment of a Scots Scriever. The Scriever works in partnership with Creative Scotland and the National Library of Scotland and is responsible for producing original creative works in Scots, as well as raising awareness, appreciation and use of Scots in communities. The Scottish Government also funds the Scots Language Centre and Scottish Language Dictionaries and both promote Scots in communities. \r\n(b)(i) The Scottish Government is taking a number of important steps to promote Gaelic in schools. This includes providing funding to local authorities, support for teachers and provision of Gaelic resources. In 2015-16, the Scottish Government has provided grant funding totalling £4.484m to various local authorities to support costs associated with the delivery of Gaelic medium education, as well as up to £4m through the Gaelic Schools Capital Grant to support the growth of Gaelic medium education in schools. In addition, the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 contains a number of Gaelic provisions, including a duty on local authorities to promote Gaelic education, a parental right to request GME for their child where sufficient demand exists and a duty on Bòrd na Gidhlig to produce Guidance on Gaelic education.\r\n(ii) The Scottish Government provides funding to Bòrd na Gidhlig to promote Gaelic in Scotland’s communities. This support is allocated to Gaelic organisations such as Fèisean nan Gidheal, Comunn na Gidhlig and An Comunn Gidhealach. The promotion of Gaelic in communities also features in local authority and Public Body Gaelic language plans which Bòrd na Gidhlig is also responsible for.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314175,"EventID":"S5W-01554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-18T15:14:26.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-17T21:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it will make available for devolved employment programmes in 2017-18 and what information it has regarding how this compares to the actual spend by the UK Government on similar schemes in 2015-16 and the estimated spend for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Comparable spend by the UK Government, on Work Programme and Work Choice in Scotland, in 2015-16 and 2016-17 is currently unavailable. However, the Scottish Government estimates that spend on both programmes will decrease to around £54m in 2016-17. The Scottish Government’s indicative Fiscal Framework settlement of £7m in 2017-18 therefore represents a circa 87% reduction on this level of expenditure. As announced on 22 March 2016, to mitigate these cuts the Scottish Government will provide up to £20m additional funding on transitional devolved employment services in 2017-18. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314177,"EventID":"S5W-01541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-19T15:04:33.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-15T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what environmental risk assessment Police Scotland has made of the transportation of nuclear weapons on the country's roads.","AnswerText":"The transportation of nuclear weapons is a reserved matter. The Ministry Of Defence produces guidance entitled “Local Authority and Emergency Services Information (LAESI)” and any environmental risk assessment required in relation to these matters would be the responsibility of the MOD. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314192,"EventID":"S5W-01570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-20T15:16:07.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-20T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had or plans with the UK Government to ensure that the \"greening” element of the common agricultural policy will not be weakened before the UK leaves the EU.","AnswerText":"The approach to the greening element of the common agricultural policy(CAP) in Scotland is a matter for Scottish Ministers.\r\nThe European Commission has recently published proposals for simplifying the greening measures, and we are currently engaging with key stakeholders to discuss these proposals and to consider if any changes should be made to the greening measures in Scotland.\r\nScotland remains part of the EU and is required to comply with the greening rules set out in the CAP regulations. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314193,"EventID":"S5W-01556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5591,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-20T15:16:09.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-18T12:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress it is making on improving (a) broadband and (b) 3G coverage across rural areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and its partners are investing over £410 million in the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) Programme, which will extend access to fibre broadband to at least 95% of premises in Scotland by the end of 2017. We are also investing up to £16.5 million in Community Broadband Scotland to support innovative community-led broadband projects in areas least likely to have superfast broadband delivered through the DSSB programme. We are committed to going beyond this, and extending access to 100% of premises by 2021. We will set out further details of our delivery approach in the coming months. Our immediate priority is to finalise the coverage footprint of the DSSB programme, utilising residual resources within both contracts. We will then undertake an open market review(s) to confirm commercial investment plans and enable us to confirm an intervention area for our new investment programme. Once completed, we will launch new procurement activity.\r\nAlthough reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government is committed to doing everything it can, with the powers and funding available, to improve mobile coverage for rural and remote areas across Scotland. Recently we agreed an action plan with mobile operators that sets out a range of actions aimed at extending coverage. Additionally we are working with the UK Government to maximise the impact of the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme. This will deliver a number of new 4G-capable mobile masts across Scotland in the coming years.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314194,"EventID":"S5W-01567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-20T15:16:09.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-20T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether Police Scotland should send representatives to (a) community council and (b) other similar public meetings as part of its community engagement obligations.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01572 on 17 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314195,"EventID":"S5W-01560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-20T15:16:10.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-18T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value is of Scottish fish and seafood exports to the EU and what percentage this is of its total food exports to the EU.","AnswerText":"IIn 2015, Scotland exported £438 million of fish and seafood to the European Union. This accounted for 62% of the total value of its food exports to the European Union.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314196,"EventID":"S5W-01563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-20T15:16:11.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-20T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the accident involving a lorry and the central reservation of the M8 on 19 July 2016 was handled; how many lanes were closed and for how long, and what action was taken by (a) Transport Scotland and (b) other departments to inform the public about the incident.","AnswerText":"The incident on 19 July 2016 led to the closure of three lanes of the M8, two eastbound and one westbound, from 11:29 am to 8:23pm. Travel information was provided through the Transport Scotland and Traffic Scotland websites, variable message signs, media outlets and social media.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314197,"EventID":"S5W-01561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-20T15:16:12.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-18T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it has supported the development of the fishing, processing and aquaculture sectors through the previous European Fisheries Fund.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has supported the development of the fishing, processing and aquaculture sectors by delivering £77 million grant assistance through the European Fisheries Fund, between 2007 and 2015. This has created/safeguarded up to 2000 jobs while delivering £180 million total investment within these sectors. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314198,"EventID":"S5W-01562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-20T15:16:12.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-18T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money Scotland receives from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.","AnswerText":" The Scottish Government will receive up to 107 million euros from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. This will be converted to sterling, at the appropriate rate, at various points up to 2023. This represents 46% of the UK allocation. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314199,"EventID":"S5W-01559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-20T15:16:13.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-18T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how European funding supports the science, data and compliance costs for the sea fisheries sector.","AnswerText":"The newly reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides a set of rules for managing European fishing fleets and for conserving fish stocks. The implementation of the CFP is directly supported by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund for the period 2014-20. EU fisheries management relies on data collected, managed and supplied by EU countries under the aligned Data Collection Framework Current Marine Scotland fisheries programme budgets supported by European funding are as follows:\r\nProgramme (2014-20) Scotland Allocation*\r\n Fisheries Innovation Scotland awards £330,000 \r\nData Collection Framework £16,718,186\r\nCompliance/control costs £15,927,666\r\nEuropean funding also supports international applied science projects that has Scotland as a partner or project co-ordinator. In the current year, Marine Scotland is a partner in eight projects funded by the European Commission or Horizon 2020, with a total project value to Scotland of £0.600 million. Scottish Universities are involved in at least another three sea fisheries projects with a total value to Scotland of over £0.600 million.\r\n*Subject to exchange rate fluctuation £/","AnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314200,"EventID":"S5W-01566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-20T15:16:14.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-20T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Transport Scotland redirects traffic on the (a) A8 and (b) M8 following incidents that lead to lanes being blocked.","AnswerText":"When a situation arises that requires closure of part of the trunk road and motorway network, the relevant operating company implements the agreed standard incident diversion routes. These contingency routes are part of a clear strategy for all trunk roads and motorways, devised in conjunction with Police Scotland and adjacent local authorities, as safe and suitable for all traffic that would normally use the trunk road.\r\nOur diversion routes and responses to incidents are subject to regular review by our Operating Companies and while road closures are in place, Traffic Scotland use variable message signs to process and distribute real time information, helping road users to plan their journeys.\r\nPolice Scotland may occasionally have to react to particular circumstances and use a non-standard diversion route.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314201,"EventID":"S5W-01565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-20T15:16:15.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-20T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans there are to deal with incidents that lead to traffic being brought to a standstill on stretches of the (a) A8 and (b) M8 that are being upgraded.","AnswerText":"Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP), the contractor for the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project, has an emergency response plan in place that has been agreed with Transport Scotland. The plan details SRP’s response for various incidents that can occur on the trunk road network, including the closure of a carriageway.\r\nThis emergency response plan includes the agreed standard incident diversion routes. These contingency routes are part of a clear strategy for all trunk roads and motorways, devised in conjunction with Police Scotland and adjacent local authorities, as safe and suitable for all traffic that would normally use the trunk road.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314202,"EventID":"S5W-01572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-20T15:16:16.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-20T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comments by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on 10 May 2012 (Official Report, c. 8769) that the Police and Fire Reform Bill would “improve performance by retaining local services for local communities” and that it is “essential to safeguard the vital front-line services on which communities depend” and on 27 June 2012 (Official Report, c. 10659) that the Bill would “create the sort of world-class, public-focused services that we want for Scotland…strengthening the connection between the services and communities” and that it would “provide an enhanced focus on delivery of local services”, for what reason representatives of Police Scotland will no longer (a) attend and (b) provide a report for Kemnay Community Council meetings because of staffing shortages and whether it considers that this is consistent with the comments made by the cabinet secretary.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority are taking forward work to strengthen the community focus of policing.\r\nThe Scottish Government is achieving this through our ongoing review of the Strategic Police Priorities whilst the Scottish Police Authority continues to take forward work following its recent Review of Governance in Policing, ensuring that local interests are effectively represented in the planning, delivery and scrutiny of police services across Scotland.\r\nThe authority assesses the effectiveness of local engagement through its annual review process whilst Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland report on engagement with local communities as part of its local policing inspections.\r\nPolice Scotland senior officers regularly report to Aberdeenshire Scrutiny and Audit Committee, however decisions on attendance at specific local meetings and events is a matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314203,"EventID":"S5W-01569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-20T15:16:17.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-20T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to protect the funding that is currently provided to land managers carrying out agri-environment scheme work under pillar two of the common agricultural policy after the UK leaves the EU. ","AnswerText":" I am engaging in discussions with key stakeholders to emphasise that we are still firmly in the EU and EU funded investment in Scotland continues, and I will be seeking clarity from UK Government on the funding of EU projects following a UK exit from the EU.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s priority, following a strong, unequivocal Scottish vote to remain in the EU is to protect Scotland’s interests and we are intent on pursuing all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU, and seeking to negotiate the best way forward for our farmers, crofters, land managers and for Scotland. European funding, such as the Scottish Rural Development Programme funding will clearly be a key part of those negotiations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314204,"EventID":"S5W-01571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-20T15:16:18.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-20T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ensure that the system that will replace the common agricultural policy after the UK leaves the EU will tie direct payments to delivering wider social and environmental aims. ","AnswerText":"Tying direct payments to delivering environmental benefits is currently included as part of the common agricultural policy  through the greening element, that requires farmers and crofters to deliver measures beneficial for the climate and the environment.\r\nFarmers and crofters rely, above almost anyone else in Scotland, on EU funding as part of their incomes, which helps them to deliver those environmental benefits and other public goods, and we are actively seeking clarity from UK Government on the provision of funding in the event that Scotland is removed from the EU as part of the UK.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s priority, following a strong, unequivocal Scottish vote to remain in the EU is to protect Scotland’s interests, and, we are intent on pursuing all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU, and seeking to negotiate the best way forward for our farmers, crofters and for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314232,"EventID":"S5W-01589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-21T13:59:38.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-21T12:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police officers have been fully trained in the handling of sniffer dogs since 2007.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. \r\nThe training of police dog handlers is an operational matter for Police Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314233,"EventID":"S5W-01577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-21T13:59:39.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-20T18:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00877 by Angela Constance on 24 June 2016, which local authorities are still to settle their outstanding equal pay claims, also broken down by the (a) number of staff affected and (b) stage the claims are at in each council.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes it is completely unacceptable that any equal pay claims against local authorities have not yet been settled. We believe that there is no excuse for any councils continuing to avoid their responsibilities, and that this is something they should address as a priority. However, local authorities are independent bodies responsible for matters relating to employment of their staff. The Scottish Government therefore does not hold the information requested.\r\nThe Overview of Local Government Report published by the Accounts Commission in March 2016, which is available at http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/report/an-overview-of-local-government-in-scotland-2016, said that councils currently estimate that about 30,000 equal pay cases remain outstanding. The Overview Report also said that the Accounts Commission plans to look at equal pay issues across local government in more detail during 2016-17. It is hoped that this will provide more detailed information about equal pay claims against local authorities across Scotland, and Scottish Government officials are keeping in close touch with Audit Scotland about the progress of this work.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314234,"EventID":"S5W-01574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-21T13:59:40.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-20T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had or plans with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding issues arising in the current common agricultural policy (CAP) payments cycle; the continuity of CAP payments over the next five years, and the introduction of a similar system should the UK leave the EU.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials are in regular contact with officials from other UK common agricultural policy (CAP) paying agencies, and from the UK Co-ordinating Body for CAP payments, on issues relating to the current cycle of payments. The Scottish Government is calling on the UK Government to provide urgent clarity about future funding.\r\nFarmers and crofters rely, above almost anyone else in Scotland, on EU funding for their incomes, which helps them to deliver those environmental benefits and other public goods. Following an unequivocal Scottish vote to remain in the EU, the First Minister has committed to working to protect all of Scotland’s interests, and has committed to pursuing all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU and seeking to negotiate the best way forward for our farmers, crofters and for Scotland.\r\nIn addition, we are currently engaging with key stakeholders to emphasise that we are still firmly in the EU, and it is business as usual whilst we pursue all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314235,"EventID":"S5W-01581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-21T13:59:42.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-21T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support GP practices that are unable to recruit sufficient numbers of GPs.","AnswerText":"The number of GPs in Scotland has increased by 7% under this Government, and we want to go further to boost GP numbers as part of a building a strong, multi-disciplinary Community Health Service. In Scotland we are transforming primary care, supported by £85 million of extra investment to put in place long-term, sustainable change within GP services that can better meet changing needs and demands. As part of this, over £2 million is being invested in work to explore with key stakeholders the issues surrounding GP recruitment and retention. We have pledged to increase GP training places for medical students from 300 to 400 a year and are expanding schemes to encourage trained GPs to return to practice in the NHS. We are working closely with the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Royal College of GPs to reduce workload, including our pioneering agreement to abolish the bureaucratic system of GP payments, and work towards a brand new Scottish GP contract from 2017. A £20 million package to support GPs will also help ease pressures on workload in the short term, and contribute to putting general practice on a more long-term sustainable footing.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314236,"EventID":"S5W-01579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-21T13:59:42.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-21T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on charging students from EU member states university fees following the UK's exit from the EU.","AnswerText":"Funding arrangements will be determined as part of wider discussions on Scotland's membership of the EU in the light of the outcome of the Referendum.\r\nWe welcome the contribution EU students make to our society, culture and economy. EU students add to the diversity of our communities, enrich the learning experience and support local businesses and jobs.\r\nWe moved swiftly to reassure students that there has been no change to the current funding arrangements. Eligible EU students already studying in Scotland or commencing their studies in the coming academic year, will continue to benefit from free tuition for the duration of their course.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314237,"EventID":"S5W-01580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-21T13:59:44.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-21T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that GP practices in Edinburgh, including Parkgrove & East Craigs Medical Practice and Southside Surgery, are unable to recruit the GPs they require.","AnswerText":"In Scotland we are transforming primary care, supported by £85 million of extra investment to put in place long-term, sustainable change within GP services that can better meet changing needs and demands. We have also pledged to increase GP training places for medical students from 300 to 400 a year and are expanding schemes to encourage trained GPs to return to practice in the NHS. We are working closely with the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Royal College of GPs to reduce workload, including our pioneering agreement to abolish the bureaucratic system of GP payments, and work towards a new Scottish GP contract from 2017. A £20 million package to support GPs will also help ease pressures on workload in the short term, and contribute to putting general practice on a more long-term sustainable footing.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314238,"EventID":"S5W-01573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5598,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":139,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-21T13:59:44.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-20T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be of the ban on cash payments for scrap metal on smaller metal dealers and how it will monitor this. ","AnswerText":"Metal theft is a severe problem in Scotland. That is why we included, in the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015, provisions to tighten up the controls on the metal dealer licensing regime. \r\nThere was widespread support for the ban on cash payments. Which in order to be fully effective needs to apply to all metal dealers. \r\nFollowing extensive awareness raising, the bulk of the metal dealer provisions in the 2015 Act, including the ban on cash transactions, will come into force on 1 September 2016. \r\nThe 2015 Act also provides Scottish Ministers the power to establish a national register of metal dealers and itinerant metal dealers via secondary legislation which will allow us to monitor metal dealer numbers. The Scottish Government is currently considering this.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314239,"EventID":"S5W-01575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-21T13:59:45.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-20T16:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01160 by Fergus Ewing on 14 July 2016, by what date the remaining eligible businesses will be paid in full.","AnswerText":"As at 22 July 2016, the  Scottish Government has now paid common agricultural policy 2015 payments (Basic, Greening and Young Farmers) that total £312 million to more than 17,800 farms. Over 16,000 businesses have received their full payment (figures to be revised when known).\r\nAt this stage it is not possible to confirm a date for all remaining eligible businesses to be paid, as cases are still undergoing processing.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":314240,"EventID":"S5W-01582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-21T13:59:46.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-21T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) NHS Lothian and (b) the Royal College of General Practitioners following reports that GP practices in Edinburgh are unable to recruit the GPs that they require.","AnswerText":"NHS boards have various means of supporting independently contracted practices which request assistance. We expect health boards to work with practices as constructively and as flexibly as is appropriate to ensure that all patients have access to GP services.\r\nNHS Lothian has made the Scottish Government aware of concerns around particular recruitment issues in Lothian which will be taken into account as the 2017 General Medical Services contract negotiations go forward.\r\nThe Scottish Government has had no discussions with the Royal College of General Practitioners following the recent reports, however the Scottish Government has ensured opportunities for engagement, particularly as part of a wider debate on the future of general practice, and are grateful for the contribution that the Royal College of General Practitioners has already made and look forward to continuing to engage with them, as well as with other stakeholders who share our common desire to further improve the quality of primary care services for the benefit of patients.\r\nOver three years, the Scottish Government is investing £85 million, as part of the Primary Care Fund. As part of this, £2.5 million will be invested in work to explore with key stakeholders the issues surrounding GP recruitment and retention which can be particularly challenging in remote and rural areas. This will support a range of initiatives over the next two years including the development of a locum pool of retired GPs in Lothian.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314241,"EventID":"S5W-01588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-21T13:59:47.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-21T12:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28989 by Shona Robison on 5 January 2016, whether the equality impact assessment has carried out on the proposal and, if so, when the results will be published.","AnswerText":"Yes. An Equality Impact Assessment of the cleft surgery review has been carried out. It will be published on the NHS National Services Scotland, National Services Division, website (www.nsd.scot.nhs.uk) in early August 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314242,"EventID":"S5W-01576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-21T13:59:47.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-20T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will be in a position to provide the initial common agricultural policy payments for the latest cycle by October 2016 and, if so, whether it will do so.","AnswerText":"The window for making 2016 Basic and Greening Payments is from 1 December 2016 to 30 June 2017. We remain determined to put the common agricultural policy payments on a sound footing for 2016 and a further update will be provided to Parliament in September 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":314243,"EventID":"S5W-01583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-21T13:59:48.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-21T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many vacant GP positions there are, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":" Numbers of vacancies for GP posts are not held centrally as this is a matter for individual independent GP contractors as employers. However, as part of the move towards better quality, more regular, and more consistent information, a workforce survey was published on 14 June 2016.One in five (22%) responding GP practices reported current GP vacancies at 31 August 2015. This is an increase from 9% of practices reporting current vacancies in 2013. In 2015, half of the vacancies reported had been vacant for over 6 months.In Scotland we are transforming primary care, supported by £85 million of extra investment to put in place long-term, sustainable change within GP services that can better meet changing needs and demands. We have also pledged to increase GP training places for medical students from 300 to 400 a year and are expanding schemes to encourage trained GPs to return to practice in the NHS. We are working closely with the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Royal College of GPs to reduce workload, including our pioneering agreement to abolish the bureaucratic system of GP payments, and work towards a new Scottish GP contract from 2017. A £20 million package to support GPs will also help ease pressures on workload in the short term, and contribute to putting general practice on a more long-term sustainable footing.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314244,"EventID":"S5W-01590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-21T13:59:49.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-21T12:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many sniffer dogs have been in active service for police services across Scotland since 2007.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government.\r\nThe deployment of police dogs is an operational matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314251,"EventID":"S5W-01619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-22T14:43:12.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities regarding the right of access to children in cases when physical and/or sexual violence took place at home before the parents separated. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01617 on 18 August 2016. In addition, the Scottish Government provides local authorities with the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland to support practitioners when a child protection concern has been identified. The national circumstances raised by the member. The guidance stresses that decisions relating to children should be placed firmly in the context of Getting it Right for Every Child, and that the GIRFEC approach means that the risks and needs of individual children should be understood in terms of the child’s wellbeing. \r\nThe Scottish Government has put together a working group of stakeholders in order to create national guidance on contact for children who are looked after away from home. This contact can be with the child’s parents, siblings or other family members or important people in the child’s life. Representatives from local authorities are a part of this group to ensure key aspects such as the assessment and planning for contact arrangements are clearly outlined. Within the guidance we intend to include a general reminder to practitioners to be aware of the impact of domestic abuse between parents, in addition to physical, sexual and emotional abuse – as well as neglect – has on the child and that this must inform the arrangements for contact.\r\nThe guidance is now at an advanced stage with the intention to publish this in autumn 2016.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314252,"EventID":"S5W-01611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-22T14:43:13.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms there are to allow (a) local authorities, (b) the Scottish Futures Trust, (c) independent schools and (d) other developers to deliver schools through housing development section 75 agreements.","AnswerText":"Section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) is a mechanism to allow local authorities to restrict or regulate development or the use of land. Section 75 agreements, otherwise known as planning obligations can be entered into by planning authorities and persons with an interest in the land. \r\nPlanning obligations have a limited but useful role to play in the planning process where they can be used to overcome obstacles to the grant of planning permission, (which could include lack of school capacity), where the tests set out in Circular 3/2012: Planning Obligations and Good Neighbour Agreements are satisfied. \r\nUnder the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, responsibility for the provision, management and maintenance of the school estate rests with the education authorities. The Scottish Futures Trust is not responsible for the provision of or delivery of schools. The responsibility for the management of independent schools including any capital projects is a matter for individual proprietors.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314253,"EventID":"S5W-01612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-22T14:43:14.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many schools have been delivered by (a) local authorities, (b) the Scottish Futures Trust, (c) independent schools and (d) other developers through housing development section 75 agreements in each year since 2011, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not gather data on the nature or levels of contributions secured through section 75 agreements.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314254,"EventID":"S5W-01606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-22T14:43:15.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) estimated and (b) maximum level of support will be provided each year through Housing Infrastructure Fund grants, broken down by (i) unit, (ii) development and (iii) developer, and how many it estimates will receive support.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01605 on 16 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314255,"EventID":"S5W-01617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-22T14:43:16.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on abusive parents who have separated from their partners having unsupervised access to their children.","AnswerText":"In cases involving children, the Scottish Government considers that the key issue is the welfare and wellbeing of the child. Where possible, the views of the child should be taken into account. When there is a dispute about whether or not a separated parent should have contact with their children, an application can be made to the courts to determine the matter. The relevant legislation is section 11 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. Section 11 provides that in considering whether or not to make an order, the court shall regard the welfare of the child concerned as its paramount consideration. Section 11 also makes provision on the voice of the child being heard so far as practicable, taking account of the child’s age and maturity. Section 11 was amended by the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 to make it clear that when carrying out its duties under section 11, the court must have regard to the need to protect the child from abuse or the risk of any abuse which affects or might affect the child. 'Abuse' is defined widely, and includes abuse of a person other than the child.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314256,"EventID":"S5W-01609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-22T14:43:16.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that its map-based land register (a) establishes a national register of all brownfield land and (b) helps progress development. ","AnswerText":"The Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 prescribes the information that the Keeper is required and empowered to include in the map-based Land Register of Scotland. We have no plans to prescribe the inclusion of information about brownfield land.\r\nWe continue to support development on brownfield sites though our £7.835m Vacant and Derelict Land Fund provided to local authorities through the Local Government settlement.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314257,"EventID":"S5W-01614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-22T14:43:17.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will use (a) a national or regional infrastructure levy and (b) other new funding mechanisms to support an “infrastructure first” approach to development.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is commissioning research to explore options for the introduction of an infrastructure charging mechanism within Scotland. This research project will inform a white paper, which we intend to fully consult on in winter 2016.\r\nEarlier in 2016 the Scottish Government announced the introduction of a five year Housing Infrastructure Fund, to enable the delivery of housing on strategically important sites. More information on the operation of the fund is available at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/supply-demand/housing-infrastructure-fund.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314258,"EventID":"S5W-01616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-22T14:43:18.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will protect the built environment while delivering development.","AnswerText":"Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) sets out national planning policies for the protection and enhancement of the built environment. These promote the care and protection of the designated and non-designated historic environment whilst enabling positive change. Change should be sensitively managed to avoid or minimise adverse impacts on the fabric or setting of a historic environment asset and ensure that its special characteristics are protected, conserved or enhanced in development proposals.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314259,"EventID":"S5W-01608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-22T14:43:19.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether public bodies will be required to prepare, maintain and publish a register of land wholly or partly within their area that is of a prescribed description, or satisfies prescribed criteria, with regard to brownfield land.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to require public bodies, or local authorities, to produce registers of brownfield land. A register of each urban vacant and derelict site surveyed by local authorities in the 2015 Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey is available on the Scottish Government website at \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Planning/SVDLSSiteRegister.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314260,"EventID":"S5W-01615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-22T14:43:20.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will adopt an “infrastructure first” approach to development and, if so, whether it will fully-fund this.","AnswerText":"Infrastructure investment is central to the Scottish Government’s economic strategy and our vision for a prosperous, fair and well-connected Scotland. The Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015, published 16 December 2015, builds on the achievements delivered through our previous infrastructure plans and sets out a refreshed programme of long-term investment.\r\nAs set out in the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015, the Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting and facilitating the delivery of infrastructure.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314261,"EventID":"S5W-01610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-22T14:43:22.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions it has had with and (b) reassurances it has given to registered social landlords regarding the availability of credit to support its 50,000 homes target.","AnswerText":"We have listened to what registered social landlords need to increase the pace and momentum of housing delivery and are continuing to work closely with them and with all of our partners from across the housing sector to ensure the stable supply of more affordable homes.\r\nWe are committed to investing over £3 billion over the next five years to deliver at least 50,000 affordable homes and in January grant subsidies for housing associations were increased by up to £14,000 for each home.\r\nThe Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group (JHPDG) brings together stakeholders from across housing, including the Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations (GWSF), the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations SFHA) and the Council of Mortgage lenders. This group is working together to ensure that we make the best use of all our resources and expertise to deliver more homes and to collectively agree what delivery actions are vital at this time.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314262,"EventID":"S5W-01613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-22T14:43:23.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to a statutory duty to include young people in the preparation of local development plans.","AnswerText":"On 11 July 2016, the Scottish Ministers issued our response to the independent review of planning. The response states that we agree with many of the panel’s recommendations and outlines both the immediate and longer term actions we will take to bring about planning improvement and reform. \r\nWe are committed to working in collaboration with key stakeholders and will be setting up themed working groups to consider the options in more detail. This work will inform a White Paper, which we intend to fully consult on in Winter 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314263,"EventID":"S5W-01605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-22T14:43:24.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) estimated and (b) maximum level of support will be provided each year through Housing Infrastructure Fund loans, broken down by (i) unit, (ii) development and (iii) developer, and how many it estimates will receive support.","AnswerText":"We are working with local authorities to finalise this information. Up to £50 million is available in 2016-17 for the Housing Infrastructure Fund for both loans and grant and we are working closely with local authorities as part of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) process to identify strategically important projects that could be supported by the fund in 2016. We have also invited local authorities, as part of their SHIP submissions, to identify projects they would wish to prioritise for consideration for funding over the five year period.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314264,"EventID":"S5W-01618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-22T14:43:24.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the appropriateness of a child being forced to have unsupervised meetings with a parent who has either been sexually and/or physically abusive to them or who has been abusive to the other parent in front of the child.","AnswerText":"The paramount consideration in any recommendation or decision about a contact arrangement is the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child. Where children are looked after by the local authority away from their parents’ care, local authority social work practitioners must make recommendations on what level of contact (if any) is appropriate and if there is a need for contact to be supervised.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314265,"EventID":"S5W-01620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-22T14:43:25.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce changes to the guidance that it provides to local authorities regarding the rights of access to children after parental separation (a) generally and (b) after incidences of abuse.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01619 on 19 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314266,"EventID":"S5W-01624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T09:26:54.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-25T08:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its report on the recent consultation on whether there should be new offences for employers under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.","AnswerText":"The report on the analysis of responses to the consultation on the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007: section 35(2) and (3) and the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (removal of barred individuals from regulated work) Regulations 2010 will be published on the Scottish Government’s website at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/Recent.\r\nA copy of the consultation report will be placed in the Scottish Parliament’s Information centre (bib number – 58092).","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314267,"EventID":"S5W-01631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T12:59:26.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-25T12:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it can provide regarding the ministerial visit to the United States in April 2016.","AnswerText":"Scotland Week 2016 ran from April 2 to 9 April, during which time Ms Margaret Burgess, the then Minister for Housing and Welfare, undertook ministerial engagements in New York City between 6 and 9 April 2016.\r\n\r\nThe overall purpose of Scotland Week 2016 was to showcase Scotland’s cultural contribution to the world, and especially the United States, as well as strengthening the relationships we have created with key US contacts. \r\nOver the course of the week, the minister participated in a number of engagements to show government support of the relationships the Scottish Affairs Office, Scottish Development International and VisitScotland have fostered.\r\nThe minister addressed the VisitScotland Diaspora breakfast which was attended by representatives from the key ancestral and diaspora societies and associations based in the New York area. This provided an opportunity to update this key audience on the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design and to introduce the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.\r\nThe minister hosted a lunch for Scottish Development International in New York with key members of the GlobalScots network. The event presented an opportunity to recognise the valuable contribution made by this influential group to the Scottish business economy and hear at first-hand about future plans for engagement.\r\nThe minister’s visit included several cultural engagements: a visit to the ‘Scots Who Built New York’ exhibition which celebrates the iconic and historic buildings of New York built by Scottish architects; the promotion of the Scottish creative sector at a Scottish Music Festival in Bryant Park and attendance at the opening ceremony of the John Muir Exhibit on Ellis Island. The exhibit celebrates the life and legacy of Scots-born naturalist, John Muir, who founded the US National Park Service, which marks its 100th anniversary in 2016.\r\nThe minister was the guest of honour at the St Andrew’s Society of New York’s Tartan Day celebration where she made a speech to congratulate and thank the Society for their tremendous philanthropic efforts both in the USA and in Scotland. \r\nOn behalf of the Scottish Government the minister hosted an event with the National Theatre of Scotland, which included a performance of “The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart”. This provided a great opportunity to promote Scottish arts and showcase Scotland’s international cultural impact.\r\nThe Minister also hosted a reception for Scottish University alumni in the US and spoke on the importance of building a strong Scottish Alumni network across North America. Alumni are advocates, not just for the Scottish higher education sector, but for Scotland as a whole and can help develop key networks.\r\nThe minister met with the Executive Director of New York Centre for Economic Opportunity, Matt Klein, and discussed respective efforts to combat poverty and foster new opportunities for economic prosperity, as well as further areas of mutually beneficial collaboration. She also met with Paul Heckler from the High Line to discuss urban regeneration projects and the fostering public-private partnerships for community restoration in New York and Scotland.\r\nDuring the week the minister also laid a wreath in memory of all those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attack, which of course included a number of Scots. She then toured the 9/11 Museum and Memorial.\r\nThe week ended with the St Andrew’s Society of New York’s Kirkin’ ‘O the Tartan, followed by the Tartan Day Parade down 6th Avenue, one of the longest running Scotland Week events.","AnswerDate":"2016-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314272,"EventID":"S5W-01592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:38.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T08:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its budget has been for (a) international development and (b) overseas development assistance in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government International Development Fund began in 2005, with a budget of £3 million for Malawi. From 2008-09 the International Development Fund budget was doubled to £6 million per annum, fulfilling the commitment in the Scottish National Party’s 2007 election manifesto. From 2010-11 onwards the budget for the fund was further increased to its current £9 million per annum.\r\nThe Scottish Government also established its world-leading Climate Justice Fund in 2012, to provide an additional budget £6 million through that fund between 2012 and 2015 for international development work. The fund aims to lessen the impacts of climate change on some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people in Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania and Rwanda. In December 2015, the First Minister committed a new additional £12 million budget for the Climate Justice Fund over the next four years.\r\nIn terms of overseas development assistance (ODA) in each year since 2007, the Scottish Government notifies its ODA spend annually to the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID). The UK Government then includes Scottish Government funded ODA within overall UK ODA, towards its UN 0.7% commitment. Scottish Government ODA includes both spend under both its International Development Fund and any overseas humanitarian aid assistance during that year; since 2012, Scottish Government ODA also includes the additional spend under its Climate Justice Fund. The Scottish Government has notified the following ODA to DFID in each calendar year since 2007: \r\nYear\r\nOverseas Development Assistance  (£'thousands)\r\n2007\r\n3 898\r\n2008\r\n5 829\r\n2009\r\n5 298\r\n2010\r\n9 275\r\n2011\r\n10 001\r\n2012\r\n10 340\r\n2013\r\n11 275\r\n2014\r\n11 675\r\n2015\r\n11 019\r\nTOTAL\r\n78 610\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314273,"EventID":"S5W-01599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:39.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposed Planning Bill will include fundamental reform of the system.","AnswerText":"The planning review covered a wide range of complex issues. Over the coming months, we will investigate the detail and implications of the review recommendations and will identify which improvements require legislative change. We will publish a White Paper in Winter 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314274,"EventID":"S5W-01602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:40.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the level of (a) capital and (b) other expenditure has been in each local authority planning department in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"All of Scotland's 32 local authorities make annual service level expenditure and income statistical returns, which include planning, to the Scottish Government and these are published on the Scottish Government's website and are available via the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Local-Government-Finance/PubScottishLGFStats","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314275,"EventID":"S5W-01604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:41.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will prioritise development of brownfield land through its Housing Infrastructure Fund.","AnswerText":"It is for local authorities to put forward sites they consider to be a priority for support in line with the eligibility criteria for the fund:http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/supply-demand/housing-infrastructure-fund.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314276,"EventID":"S5W-01621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5621,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:42.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T19:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in compiling the Land Register of Scotland.","AnswerText":"Registration of the Scottish Governments’ land and property in the Land Register of Scotland is underway. Currently 21% of the Scottish Governments’ eligible land and property has been registered; applications for a further 12% have been submitted to Registers of Scotland. The Scottish Government aims to have 70% of its land and property registered by the end of 2016 with all of its relevant property registered by the end of 2018, within the five year target for registration of public land.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314277,"EventID":"S5W-01597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:43.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to (a) bring forward proposals to strengthen and (b) review the Scottish Historic Environment Policy and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"Scottish Historic Environment Policy 2011 (SHEP 2011) was replaced by a new policy statement from Historic Environment Scotland (HES) on 01 June 2016. The Historic Environment Scotland Policy Statement updates the operational policy that was set out in SHEP 2011 and reflects the legislative changes that were introduced by the Historic Environment Scotland Act 2014 and its attendant secondary legislation. This policy statement represents a strengthening of the operational policy and guidance framework which informs our collective management of the historic environment and complements the strategic framework and vision set out in Our Place in Time, Scotland’s historic environment strategy, which was published in March 2014.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314278,"EventID":"S5W-01601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:44.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of financial assistance (a) it has provided since 2011 and (b) will be provided to each local authority to strengthen their skills and capacity for housing delivery.","AnswerText":"(a) None.\r\n(b) I refer the member to the answer to his previous question S5W-01600 on 16 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314279,"EventID":"S5W-01595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:45.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) sites of allocated land there are and (b) housing unit consents remain outstanding where development has not been brought forward in each local authority.","AnswerText":"Scottish Planning Policy (2014) sets out the Scottish Government's policy on enabling the delivery of new homes. It sets out that local authorities, through their development plans, should address the supply of land for all housing, maintaining at least a five-year supply of effective housing land at all times. Planning authorities should prepare an annual housing land audit as a tool to review and monitor the availability of effective housing land, the progress of sites through the planning process, and housing completions. This information is not collated centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314280,"EventID":"S5W-01596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:46.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Housing Infrastructure Fund can be used to establish (a) renewable electricity and (b) district heating solutions in off-grid locations.","AnswerText":"We are working closely with local authorities as part of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan process to identify strategically important projects that could be supported by the fund. The definition of what infrastructure can be supported is intentionally wide and could include on site and off site elements.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314281,"EventID":"S5W-01594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:47.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to deliver a national infrastructure agency with statutory powers to support development.","AnswerText":"The independent planning review panel recommended that a national infrastructure agency or working group with statutory powers should be established. In our response to the review, which we published on 11 July 2016, we committed to looking at the detail of this, and the other recommendations, in more detail over the coming months.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314282,"EventID":"S5W-01629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:48.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-25T12:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it can give that funding that provides environmental and public benefits, which are currently provided for by the EU, for example through LEADER and LIFE programmes, will be protected into the future.","AnswerText":"I am engaging in discussions with key stakeholders to emphasise that we are still part of the EU and EU funded investment in Scotland continues. We are actively seeking clarity from UK Government on the provision of funding in the event that Scotland is removed from the EU as part of the UK.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s priority, following a strong, unequivocal Scottish vote to remain in the EU is to protect Scotland’s interests, and, we are intent on pursuing all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU. We are seeking to negotiate the best way forward for rural communities, farmers, other land managers and for Scotland. European funding, such as the Scottish Rural Development Programme will clearly be a key part of those negotiations.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314283,"EventID":"S5W-01603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:49.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many planning practitioners have been employed in each local authority in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"Data on planning authority staffing have only been collected since 31 March 2013 as part of Planning Performance Frameworks. The information collected is staffing at all levels across planning authorities including planning staff, planning technicians and administrators. Not all authorities have provided information.\r\n\r\nStaffing Numbers\r\nAuthority\r\n2015-16\r\n2014-15\r\n2013-14\r\n2012-13\r\nAberdeen City\r\n57.9\r\n58.5\r\n53.5\r\n58\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n134.7\r\n162.2\r\n95\r\n108\r\nAngus\r\n33\r\n33.5\r\n33\r\nN/A\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n43\r\n44.5\r\n44.5\r\n49.5\r\nCairngorms NP\r\n10\r\n11\r\n9.5\r\n10\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n7\r\n6.5\r\n7.5\r\nN/A\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n40.9\r\n40.9\r\n46.75\r\n50.25\r\nDundee City\r\n24.5\r\n25.5\r\n25.5\r\n30.5\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\nN/A\r\n32.5\r\n32.5\r\n28\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n28\r\n29\r\n32\r\nN/A\r\nEast Lothian\r\n26\r\n24.6\r\n24.6\r\n24.2\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n29.5\r\n27.3\r\n24.3\r\n30\r\nEdinburgh\r\nN/A\r\n151\r\n165\r\n137\r\nFalkirk\r\n36.7\r\n41\r\n44.5\r\n43\r\nFife\r\n67.5\r\n79\r\n66\r\n73.4\r\nGlasgow City\r\n97.5\r\n112.4\r\n119.95\r\n148\r\nHighland\r\nN/A\r\n87\r\n84\r\nN/A\r\nInverclyde\r\n20\r\n20\r\n21\r\n20\r\nLLTNP\r\n17\r\n18.6\r\n20.6\r\n23.2\r\nMidlothian\r\n29.63\r\n27.83\r\n27.4\r\n54\r\nMoray\r\n27.5\r\n27.5\r\n27.5\r\n25.5\r\nNa h-Eileanan Siar\r\n16.6\r\n16.5\r\n16.5\r\n19.5\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n22.2\r\n22.2\r\n22.2\r\n22.2\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n54\r\n56.5\r\n82.8\r\n71\r\nOrkney\r\n20.9\r\n20.3\r\n20.3\r\n20.3\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n55\r\n51\r\n53\r\n53\r\nRenfrewshire\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\n28.3\r\n35.5\r\nScottish Borders\r\n70\r\n72\r\n31\r\nN/A\r\nShetland\r\n26.5\r\n23.97\r\n25\r\n22.97\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\nN/A\r\n30.5\r\n30.5\r\n27.5\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n55\r\n53\r\n59\r\n60\r\nStirling\r\n28.8\r\n27.8\r\n27.8\r\n21\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n15.5\r\n14.5\r\n14.5\r\n18\r\nWest Lothian\r\n24.02\r\n23.02\r\n30\r\n25\r\nAll Scotland\r\n1118.9\r\n1471.6\r\n1445.5\r\n1308.5\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314284,"EventID":"S5W-01622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5621,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:50.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T19:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many homes were powered by renewable energy in (a) 2014 and (b) 2015.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. However, we do have some information that may be useful. The reply refers to electricity and heat, both of which can be generated from renewable sources.It is estimated that, in 2015, Scotland generated enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of around 4.6 million households - close to double the number of households in Scotland. A year earlier, in 2014, this figure was just over 4 million households. Provisionally, 56.9% of Scotland’s gross electricity consumption came from renewables in 2015.Figures published by the Energy Saving Trust in October 2015, on behalf of the Scottish Government, estimate over 1 gigawatt of renewable heat capacity was in operation in Scotland in 2014. This accounts for an estimated 3.8 per cent of the total non-electrical heat demand.The Scottish Government does not hold a complete dataset of the number of homes heated from renewable sources. Latest data on the number of domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) accreditations in Scotland, which represents a proportion of renewably heated homes, shows there have been 10,280 accreditations to the domestic RHI scheme from April 2014 (when the scheme commenced) up to end of June 2016. This equates to 21% of all UK installations as at end of June 2016.Further information is also available in the Energy Saving Trust’s Renewable Heat Report. Additionally a proportion of homes are heated via district heating supplied with renewable heat. Further data on the scale of deployment of district heating is expected later this year.It should be noted that renewable generated energy will be used both domestically and non-domestically\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314285,"EventID":"S5W-01591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:50.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T08:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its funding for overseas development assistance contributes to the UK Government’s 0.7% target for aid spending and, if so, by how much.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government notifies its overseas development assistance (ODA) spend annually to the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID). The UK Government includes Scottish Government funded ODA within overall UK ODA that it reports to the organisation for economic, cooperation and development (OECD). Scottish Government ODA spend therefore counts towards the UK Government’s 0.7% commitment. The UK Government’s DFID publishes international development statistics each year, and this includes all ODA which contributes to the overall UK total, including that of the Scottish Government.\r\nFor the period January to December 2015, the Scottish Government notified £11,019,208.42 of ODA spend to DFID. This included ODA spend from the Scottish Government’s International Development Fund, Climate Justice Fund, and overseas humanitarian aid during 2015. According to DFID’s Provisional UK Official Development Assistance as a Proportion of Gross National Income 2015 (published 1 April 2016), the Scottish Government’s ODA equated to 0.1% of overall UK ODA.\r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/512978/Provisional-UK-Official-Dev-Ass-Proportion-Gross-Nat-Income2015a.pdf\r\nAs regards to the Scottish Government contributing to UK ODA to Malawi, DFID’s annual report and accounts 2015-16 shows that the Scottish Government contributed the second highest spend in Malawi after DFID itself, spending 9% of the total UK ODA to Malawi in 2014. \r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/537437/annual-report-accounts-201516.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314286,"EventID":"S5W-01600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:52.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what mechanism will be used to allocate financial assistance to local authorities to strengthen their skills and capacity in housing delivery.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed over £3 billion of grant funding to support the delivery of 50,000 affordable homes in Scotland (35,000 for social rent), during this parliamentary session. As part of its on-going engagement with local authorities in their role as strategic housing authorities, the Scottish Government has recently held discussions to identify any areas where more support could be provided to strengthen skills and capacity on housing delivery in the short term. The Scottish Government is currently considering the outcome of these discussions and the range of support it may provide, including, where appropriate, financial assistance. Further details on this, including any financial assistance that has been identified, will be set out this autumn.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314287,"EventID":"S5W-01623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5621,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:53.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-22T19:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many churches are powered by renewable energy. ","AnswerText":"We do not hold information directly regarding churches and their energy sources and this information might best be sought from central contacts for each denomination in Scotland. However, the Energy Saving Trust has supported four churches with funding to install renewable technologies through the Resource Efficient Scotland SME loan while other groups, such as Eco-congregations, have been active in the promotion of renewable energy through engagement with a number of Climate Challenge Fund projects.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314288,"EventID":"S5W-01625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-25T15:11:53.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-25T08:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated unitary charge costs are for the 25-year private contract period for HM Prison Addiewell.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: \r\nThe estimated unitary charge costs for the total of the 25 year contract period for HMP Addiewell is £955 million.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314294,"EventID":"S5W-01636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:30.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what administrative and legal steps it (a) has taken, (b) is taking and (c) will take to prepare for a second referendum on Scottish independence.","AnswerText":"On 24 June 2016 the First Minister announced that in order to keep open all options to protect Scotland’s place in Europe, officials would be instructed to prepare the legislation that would be required to enable a new independence referendum to take place. That draft legislation is currently being prepared.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314295,"EventID":"S5W-01638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5587,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:32.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T10:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has provided to registered social landlords in each year since 2007 to carry out home adaptions for (a) older and (b) disabled people, also broken down by the number of homes that have received this support.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides an annual funding allocation to help registered social landlords (RSLs) meet the needs of their tenants who require housing adaptations. Funding is not ring-fenced for specific client groups and no target number of adaptations is set for individual RSLs. Instead, each RSL, with the assistance of suitably qualified experts such as occupational therapists, will determine the relative priority of each individual application for an adaptation.\r\nThe following table sets out the total funding provided to RSLs in Scotland for adaptations from 2007-08 to 2015-16.\r\nYear\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nSpend (£m)\r\n13.172\r\n11.154\r\n12.144\r\n10.318\r\n12.124\r\n10.916\r\n12.961\r\n13.065\r\n13.221\r\n\r\nMonitoring of the RSL adaptations programme was introduced in 2012-13. Whilst it is not possible to provide details on the number of homes that have received adaptations supported by Scottish Government funding, the following table sets out the number of separate adaptations for each client group from 2012-13 to 2014-15 as reported by RSLs.\r\nClient Group\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nDisabled person\r\n2359\r\n2716\r\n3099\r\nOlder person\r\n2980\r\n2865\r\n3027\r\nNot reported\r\n200\r\n221\r\n94\r\nTotal number of adaptations\r\n5539\r\n5802\r\n6220\r\nWe will provide SPICe with the number of adaptations for 2015-16 by client group before the end of the calendar year.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314296,"EventID":"S5W-01642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:33.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) prevent and (b) tackle homelessness among ex-prisoners and their families.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to addressing homelessness amongst ex-prisoners and their families. All those assessed as unintentionally homeless by local authorities, including prisoners who face homelessness upon liberation, are entitled to settled accommodation.\r\nThe Scottish Government recognises the particular challenges that may be faced by ex-prisoners and their families and the support that may be required to help sustain tenancies. Local authorities work with ex-prisoners through the housing options approach, which looks at an individual’s full circumstances. Housing options may consider issues of particular importance in preventing homelessness amongst ex-prisoners and their families, such as employability, the need for mediation or the development of life skills.\r\nThe housing options hubs and individual local authorities, have developed a range of links to prisons and practice across Scotland to help prevent homelessness on liberation.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314297,"EventID":"S5W-01649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:34.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact reductions in local government budget settlements have had on poverty rates, broken down by local authority. ","AnswerText":"Despite the significant cuts that Westminster has imposed on the Scottish Budget, local government funding has been given a degree of protection with core funding protected and new money provided for additional responsibilities in each of the four years (2012-16). The total settlement for 2016-17 still amounts to over £10.3 billion and, taking into account the addition of £250 million to support the integration of health and social care, as a percentage of estimated total revenue expenditure, this year’s reduction in local authority overall estimated expenditure is less than one per cent. It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.\r\nI believe, therefore, that such a marginal reduction should have minimal impact on poverty rates as Scotland's councils should be able to address these challenges from a healthy base.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314298,"EventID":"S5W-01643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:35.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the local authority funding settlement for 2016-17 will have on homelessness in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"In 2016-17 Glasgow City Council is receiving its fair share of total funding which this year will amount to almost £1,344 million.\r\nThe vast majority of this funding is provided by way of a block grant and it is the responsibility of each local authority to manage their own budget and to allocate the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, including any funding to combat homelessness, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314299,"EventID":"S5W-01644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:36.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much support it has provided to Glasgow City Council in addition to the annual local government settlement in each of the last five years, and what information it has on how much of this the council subsequently allocated to (a) employment schemes, (b) welfare reform measures, (c) reducing poverty, (d) providing free school meals, (e) maintaining teacher numbers, (f) capital investment, (g) integrating health and social care and (h) other support.","AnswerText":"The vast majority of the funding the Scottish Government provides to Glasgow City Council is through the annual local government settlement, including all of the funding for most of the services requested.\r\nAll of Scotland's 32 local authorities, including Glasgow City Council, make annual service level expenditure and income statistical returns to the Scottish Government and these are published on the Scottish Government's website and are available via the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Local-Government-Finance/PubScottishLGFStats\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314300,"EventID":"S5W-01647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:37.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact fuel poverty has on children’s academic attainment and what action it is taking to address this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect statistics on the impact of fuel poverty on children’s academic attainment. \r\nThis Government remains committed to tackling both fuel poverty and child poverty and ensuring that children from low income households live in high quality sustainable housing.\r\nOur national fuel poverty scheme Warmer Homes Scotland recognises that children are amongst the most vulnerable in our society. Applicants can benefit from energy efficiency measures available under the scheme that will make the property warmer and more sustainable where a member of the household is pregnant, or has a child under the age of 16 years of age. This is subject to all other scheme qualify criteria being met.\r\nWe have also committed to extend the eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment to families with children in receipt of the highest care component of Disability Living Allowance.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314301,"EventID":"S5W-01645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:38.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many households are in fuel poverty.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01389 on 27 July 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314302,"EventID":"S5W-01646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:39.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to support people affected by in-work poverty.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to tackling poverty and inequality, including in-work poverty. The First Minister's Independent Advisor on Poverty and Inequality, Naomi Eisenstadt, raised in-work poverty as a priority in her report, Shifting the Curve, when it was published in January 2016. We are already making progress with a number of the specific recommendations made. \r\nOne recommendation was that we build on Living Wage Accreditation. We have set a new target of 1,000 accredited employers by Autumn 2017. We have also increased funding for the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative to £300,000 to achieve this and to target larger employers.\r\nThe report also recommended encouraging pay ratio disclosure as a way of tackling pay inequality. We have already ensured public authorities with more than 20 employees publish their gender pay gap every two years and provide an equal pay statement every four. We will extend this legal duty to include disability and race pay gap reporting.\r\nWe included information on family friendly and flexible working in the business pledge in direct response to the recommendation to make family flexible working more explicit within the business pledge. We have also planned a joint Scottish Business Pledge/Family Friendly Working Scotland event for National Work Life Week, which will run from 3-7 October 2016.\r\nWe know that to promote inclusive growth and to provide opportunities for all, we need to encourage a fair and inclusive jobs market and promote regional cohesion.\r\nWe will do this by focussing on creating more jobs, better quality jobs and jobs that work for every individual in terms of skills, pay, security, and prospects.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314303,"EventID":"S5W-01632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:40.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-25T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) black and minority ethnic (BME), (b) non-BME, (c) male and (d) female staff it has employed in each pay grade on 6 April in each year since 2011, broken down by (i) age and (ii) directorate.","AnswerText":"We remain committed to increasing the diversity of our people within the organisation and diversity and equality considerations continue to underpin all of our employment policies and practices. Ethnicity is self-declared by Scottish Government staff and has not been disclosed by 15% of our staff and as such we may not have the full picture. The table shows the number of black and minority ethnic staff on 6 April each year in each pay band in the Scottish Government main staff group, broken down by age group where ethnicity has been declared. We are unable to provide a breakdown by directorate as changes to the directorate structure over time make comparisons invalid. In addition, we have excluded senior civil service as this category is too small to disaggregate without potentially identifying individual staff members. The table is available in the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre under BIB number 58139. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314304,"EventID":"S5W-01634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:41.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-25T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average hourly earnings were of its (a) black and minority ethnic (BME), (b) non-BME, (c) male and (d) female employees in each year since 2011-12, broken down by (i) age and (ii) directorate.","AnswerText":"We remain committed to increasing the diversity of our people within the organisation and diversity and equality considerations continue to underpin all of our employment policies and practices. Ethnicity is self-declared by Scottish Government staff and has not been disclosed by 15% of our staff and as such we may not have the full picture. The table shows average hourly pay for known BME and non-BME staff on 6 April each year in each pay band, broken down by age group. We are unable to provide a breakdown by directorate as changes to the directorate structure over time make comparisons invalid. In addition, we have excluded senior civil service as this category is too small to disaggregate without potentially identifying individual staff members. The average hourly earning information provided is the average figure from across all pay bands and is reflective of the distribution of staff across the organisation. We actively publish pay gap information in our Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming report which includes a breakdown by each individual pay band. This demonstrates that our policy towards equality of pay for work of equal value is delivered by our pay policy. The table is available in The Scottish Parliament’s Information centre under BIB number 58141. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314305,"EventID":"S5W-01633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:43.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-25T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) black and minority ethnic and (b) gender pay gap was among its staff expressed in (i) percentage and (ii) real-terms prices in each year since 2011-12, broken down by (A) age and (B) directorate.","AnswerText":"We remain committed to increasing the diversity of our people within the organisation and diversity and equality considerations continue to underpin all of our employment policies and practices. Ethnicity is self-declared by Scottish Government staff and has not been disclosed by 15% of our staff and as such we may not have the full picture. The following table shows the mean salary pay gap for those of known ethnicity on 6 April each year in the Scottish Government main staff group, broken down by age group. We are unable to provide a breakdown by directorate as changes to the directorate structure over time make comparisons invalid. In addition, we have excluded senior civil service as this category is too small to disaggregate without potentially identifying individual staff members. The pay gap information provided is the average figure from across all pay bands and is reflective of the distribution of staff across the organisation. We actively publish pay gap information in our Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming report which includes a breakdown by each individual pay band. This demonstrates that our policy towards equality of pay for work of equal value is delivered by our pay policy. Notable factors contributing to gaps are that new staff members start on lower points of the progression scale and that males are more likely than females to work past 60 in Band C. The tables show the pay gaps, with positive numbers indicating where black or minority ethnic / female staff have a pay lead and negative numbers indicating where non-black or minority ethnic / male staff have a pay lead. The table is available in the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre under BIB number 58140.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314306,"EventID":"S5W-01640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:44.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) prevent and (b) tackle youth homelessness.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that young people can be at particular risk of homelessness and that preventing and tackling the reasons for this are a priority.\r\nRecorded homelessness amongst young people aged 16 to 24 has been falling in Scotland since 2009-10. In 2015-16, approximately 7700 young people (28% of all applicants) made a homelessness application to local authorities, a reduction of 9% on the previous year. This compares to over 15,000 applications (35% of all applicants) back in 2005-06.\r\nThe Scottish Government supports the five regional local authority led housing options hubs to progress the prevention of homelessness across Scotland. This is supported by recent guidance, which addresses the issue of youth homelessness, and will be strengthened by the forthcoming Housing Options Training Toolkit. \r\nThe Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group has the issue of youth homelessness as a standing item on its agenda to ensure homelessness policy maintains links to developments in other policy areas working to address the needs of young people, such as those leaving care.\r\nThe Scottish Government also funds a number of third sector organisations addressing youth homelessness.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314307,"EventID":"S5W-01639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:45.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T11:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it uses to determine the eligibility of pupils in P1 to P3 for a free school meal.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314308,"EventID":"S5W-01641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:46.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have been (a) placed in (i) foster and (ii) kinship care and (b) classified as homeless as a result of parental imprisonment in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect data on the sub-reasons for children becoming looked after, so it is not possible to provide specific data on the numbers of children being placed in kinship and foster care due to parental imprisonment.The annual totals of children becoming looked after in foster care and kinship care (some of whom may have entered the care system due to parental imprisonment) are presented here:\r\n\r\n2010-2011\r\n2011-2012\r\n2012-2013\r\n2013-2014\r\n2014-2015\r\nStarting to be looked after in kinship care\r\n842\r\n967\r\n960\r\n884 \r\n890 \r\nStarting to be looked after in foster care\r\n1,097\r\n1,404\r\n1,421\r\n1,443 \r\n1,237 \r\nAll children starting to be looked after\r\n4,746\r\n4,811\r\n4,470\r\n4,295 \r\n4,198 \r\nThe most relevant figures to homelessness available are in the following table, which details the number of children in households applying as homeless, where the main applicant had previously been in prison:\r\n\r\n2008-2009\r\n2009-2010\r\n2010-2011\r\n2011-2012\r\n2012-2013\r\n2013-2014\r\n2014-2015\r\n2015-2016\r\nMale Children\r\n69\r\n75\r\n88\r\n94\r\n64\r\n46\r\n30\r\n32\r\nFemale Children\r\n69\r\n81\r\n72\r\n85\r\n73\r\n39\r\n30\r\n30\r\nAll Children\r\n138\r\n156\r\n160\r\n179\r\n137\r\n85\r\n60\r\n62\r\nIt should be noted that the applicant’s earlier imprisonment may only be one of a number of factors leading to a homelessness application.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314309,"EventID":"S5W-01650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:47.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the UK Government's decision to suspend payments from the £3 billion European Regional Development Fund will have on Scotland.","AnswerText":"The 2007-13 European Regional Development Fund programme for Lowlands and Uplands Scotland was suspended by the European Commission in 2015. This means that the commission is withholding circa 110 million in re-payments due to the Scottish Government. Following detailed consultation and discussions with the commission it is likely that the suspensions will be lifted in the next few weeks and the funds released to the Scottish Government. \r\nThe current 2014-20 European Structural Funds  programmes are unaffected.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314310,"EventID":"S5W-01635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-26T15:05:48.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-25T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much land classified as PGRS has been removed from that category in Shetland between the final year of the single farm payment system and the first year of the Basic Payment Scheme. ","AnswerText":"Under the EU regulations that support common agricultural policy subsidy payments, it is the responsibility of the applicant to accurately declare the area of land claimed for support and the appropriate land cover.\r\nIn the context of Shetland a total of 24,401.65 hectares of PGRS was declared by 909 direct support applicants in 2014, by comparison a total of 25230.79 hectares of PGRS was declared in 2015, by 939 direct support applicants.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314314,"EventID":"S5W-01657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:32.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) people have been arrested on and (b) times the police have been called to NHS sites in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314315,"EventID":"S5W-01659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:33.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many recorded cases there have been of property being stolen at NHS sites in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314316,"EventID":"S5W-01664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:34.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve (a) road safety on and (b) the surface of the (i) A702 and (ii) A71.","AnswerText":"The following A702 road safety schemes have been constructed this financial year:\r\nEaster Howgate which was completed in April 2016 – This scheme involved the removal of a parking lay-by and a change in camber to the carriageway to reduce the possibility of vehicles leaving the carriageway. The scheme cost was £175k.\r\nCarlops gateway treatment was partially completed in June 2016 – This scheme involves upgrading the gateway road markings and relocating two vehicle activated signs. The gateway road markings are complete and the relocation of the signs is programmed for later in 2016.\r\nThe following A702 road safety schemes are planned:\r\nGarvald Bus Layby provision – This scheme involves the installation of a new bus lay-by and associated facilities (bus/ shelter) and will include resurfacing due to the change in alignment. This will be constructed in late summer/autumn 2016.\r\nBiggar 20mph provision – This scheme was identified as part of Transport Scotland’s Pilot 20mph areas. The promotion of the pilot 20 mph limits proposed for the trunk road network is intended to support road safety generally, but target safety benefits for vulnerable road users in particular. We held an exhibition to consult with the community on our proposals. The next stage is to formally promote the orders for the proposed changes through the traffic regulation order statutory process. Before promoting the order we will consult with the community council and other stakeholders to gain their views now the proposals are finalised.\r\nHillend – We are currently looking to promote a no waiting/loading/unloading traffic regulation order at Hillend to improve junction visibility, reduce indiscriminate parking and improve traffic flow through the A720 Lothianburn junction. We are also considering feedback from the community regarding the installation of an uncontrolled crossing traffic island near the chiropractor clinic on the A702.\r\nIn addition to the previously completed works this year on the A702 there are a number of maintenance schemes programmed for the A702 for the remainder of this financial year. These include resurfacing schemes at:\r\nNorth of Boghall Farm\r\nRoman Road\r\nSilverburn\r\nJoppa Wood\r\nWest Water\r\nCandymill\r\nBiggar High Street\r\nDouglas Hill\r\nWandel Railway Bridge\r\nDuneatonfoot\r\nLawhead farm\r\nNorth of Flotterstone\r\nLamington Toll House\r\nLamington Kennels\r\nIn addition to these resurfacing schemes there is a £185,000 Structural Maintenance scheme programmed for Hazlieburn to Rutherford.\r\nAs always, these programmed works are subject to available budgets and competing priorities across the network.\r\nThe A71 is not a trunk road and as such is the responsibility of the local authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314317,"EventID":"S5W-01666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:35.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish an updated suicide prevention strategy.","AnswerText":"On 29 July 2016 we published an engagement paper on our proposed framework and priorities to transform mental health in Scotland. The engagement paper states that, in addition to transforming mental health, progress on the priorities set out in the paper will also contribute to reducing death by suicide, and that we will reflect this in the final Mental Health Strategy. We will also build on these priorities in a separate Suicide Prevention Strategy which we will publish in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314318,"EventID":"S5W-01668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:36.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many phone calls have been received each year by Breathing Space.","AnswerText":"The Breathing Space telephone and web service for people experiencing low mood, depression and anxiety is run by NHS24. NHS24 hold the information requested; the question should therefore be addressed to NHS24.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314319,"EventID":"S5W-01689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:36.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T08:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the payments made under the Schedule 8 scheme by Network Rail to ScotRail for disruption to services in each year since 2008.","AnswerText":"Schedule 8 forms part of the Track Access Agreement between ScotRail and Network Rail. The Scottish Government is not a signatory to the Agreement and therefore does not hold the information.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314320,"EventID":"S5W-01691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:37.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) average and (b) longest wait has been for patients to receive subsequent pain relief procedures following their initial pain relief treatment in each NHS board area in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30489 on 21 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314321,"EventID":"S5W-01655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:38.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prescriptions for (a) paracetamol, (b) ibuprofen, (c) aspirin, (d) sun cream and (e) eye drops have been issued in each year since 1999, and what the average cost was to the NHS to issue these.","AnswerText":"The information requested for the years 2000-01 to 2015-16 is available in the annual Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) Reports. The annual PCA report, published by National Services Scotland Information Services Division, can be found on their website at www.isdscotland.org/.\r\nThe PCA report was first published for the year 2000-01.The information requested for the year 1999-2000 is not readily available.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314322,"EventID":"S5W-01670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:39.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training to all public sector employees. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of early bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as part of the ‘chain of survival’ to improve outcomes from Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA). The Minister for Public Health launched “Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A strategy for Scotland” in March 2015, which is available at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/03/7484 The Scottish Government is working with a range of partners to provide training and support for CPR for communities across Scotland. Our ‘Save a Life for Scotland’ (SALFS) initiative provides the public with the opportunity to find out where they can take part in CPR training in their local area. CPR training opportunities have been supported by SALFS partners in various locations including schools, NHS and community premises. Further information can be found at: http://savealife.scotWe published research earlier this year to provide baseline data on CPR training, which highlights that most people are trained through their employment. We are using the survey findings to roll out activity aimed at encouraging bystander CPR.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314323,"EventID":"S5W-01672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:40.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recommendation in the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s report, Concluding observations on the fifth periodic report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, that (a) mental health legislation should be reviewed to ensure that the interests of under 16-year-olds are taken into account, (b) the prescription of psychotropic drugs to children with behavioural problems should only be used as a last resort and that data should be collected on the amount and regularity that these are prescribed, (c) data should be collected on the food security of children in order to identify the root causes of child food insecurity and malnutrition and (d) restraint and seclusion in schools on children with learning disabilities should only be used as a last resort.","AnswerText":"The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child published its Concluding Observations on the fifth periodic report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on 9 June 2016. The Scottish Government is considering carefully the full range of conclusions and recommendations raised by the committee and will engage with relevant stakeholders shortly on next steps.Actions following from the Concluding Observation will be taken forward in line with Ministers’ specific responsibilities in relation to children’s rights under Part 1 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. On the specific issues raised by the Member:\r\na) Legislation in Scotland already requires that practitioners must seek the consent of the child to mental health treatment, if the child is considered capable of understanding the nature and possible consequences of the procedure or treatment. Patients under the age of 18 also have specific rights and protections, including that practitioners must carry out their functions under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003 so as to best secure the welfare of the child and ensure that their views are considered. \r\nb) Psychotropic prescribing is annually reported by the NHS Information Services Division (ISD).The attached link refers: \r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Prescribing-and-Medicines/Community-Dispensing/Mental-Health/. Evidence-based guidelines for such prescribing in Scotland are also in place.\r\nc) The Independent Short Life Working Group on Food Poverty, in its report “Dignity: Ending Hunger Together in Scotland”, published in June 2016, made a similar recommendation to Scottish Ministers that relevant data should be collected each year to enable estimates to be made of the number of children affected by food insecurity. A copy of the Group’s report is available through this link: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00502395.pdf.\r\nThe Scottish Government is considering this recommendation and will publish its response in due course.\r\nd) On issues of restraint and seclusion, I refer the Member to the answer to question S5W-01671 on 5 August 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314324,"EventID":"S5W-01687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:41.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T08:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of passenger train services operated with only one member of staff on board in (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2015-16, also broken down by class of rolling stock.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Abellio ScotRail for 2015-16 and First ScotRail who operated the franchise during 2014-15. Transport Scotland does not hold this information.\r\nHowever, within the Service Quality Inspection Reporting Regime (SQUIRE) Transport Scotland Inspectors conduct audits on a random sample of approximately 180-200 trains per four weekly cycle during both the current franchise and the previous one. For Period 3 2015 to Period 3 2016 these sample audits have discovered an average of 0.9% of services audited were operating without a second member of staff. I refer the member to S5W-01080 answered on 25 July 2016 for the breakdown of results from the sample surveys conducted within the SQUIRE regime.\r\nFor 2014-15 we do not hold the information to that level of detail as the results are a combination of all sub-components recorded under the Service Schedule audited.The Franchise Agreement (Schedule 1.4) mandates ScotRail to use all reasonable endeavours to maintain a minimum staffing level for every train service of two members of staff. However, Transport Scotland are currently working with ScotRail to agree more detailed reporting and monitoring of this obligation. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314325,"EventID":"S5W-01661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:41.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board has raised from the sale of (a) land and (b) property in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The net book value of properties and land disposed of by NHS Boards since 2004-05 is detailed in the following table:\r\n\r\n\r\n2004-05\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\nNHS Board\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\nNHS Argyll and Clyde\r\n407\r\n818\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n117\r\n83\r\n0\r\n4\r\n45\r\n8\r\nNHS Borders\r\n13\r\n0\r\n752\r\n22\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n325\r\n451\r\n1,567\r\n367\r\n6\r\n67\r\nNHS Fife\r\n414\r\n50\r\n23\r\n35\r\n15\r\n127\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n0\r\n214\r\n4,366\r\n2,266\r\n1,799\r\n222\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n1,702\r\n6,042\r\n2,353\r\n306\r\n513\r\n2,350\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow\r\nand Clyde\r\n278\r\n3,606\r\n15,420\r\n185\r\n4,623\r\n1,599\r\nNHS Highland\r\n1,718\r\n2,573\r\n3,562\r\n1,703\r\n618\r\n139\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n222\r\n50\r\n12,294\r\n673\r\n2,076\r\n374\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n148\r\n322\r\n5,639\r\n0\r\n1,237\r\n4\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n47\r\n8\r\n1,004\r\n58\r\n40\r\n28\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n38\r\n0\r\n0\r\n98\r\n37\r\n62\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n169\r\n3,865\r\n2,539\r\n288\r\n0\r\n529\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n0\r\n123\r\n251\r\n180\r\n180\r\n0\r\nSpecial Health Boards\r\n371\r\n380\r\n946\r\n3,069\r\n1,818\r\n189\r\nTotal\r\n5,969\r\n18,585\r\n50,716\r\n9,254\r\n13,007\r\n5,698\r\n\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nNHS Board\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\nNHS Argyll and Clyde\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNHS Borders\r\n3\r\n0\r\n0\r\n43\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n16\r\n50\r\n70\r\n30\r\n14\r\n53\r\nNHS Fife\r\n10\r\n18\r\n26\r\n12\r\n55\r\n96\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n1,088\r\n728\r\n1,445\r\n1,833\r\n3,205\r\n1,516\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n173\r\n432\r\n682\r\n2,513\r\n94\r\n34\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow\r\nand Clyde\r\n9,375\r\n2,251\r\n517\r\n4,210\r\n4,521\r\n242\r\nNHS Highland\r\n203\r\n154\r\n231\r\n634\r\n63\r\n336\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n159\r\n10\r\n0\r\n771\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n22\r\n175\r\n465\r\n149\r\n250\r\n8\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n3\r\n19\r\n13\r\n0\r\n17\r\n19\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n0\r\n23\r\n0\r\n0\r\n45\r\n1\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n41\r\n51\r\n22\r\n318\r\n78\r\n10\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n200\r\n199\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSpecial Health Boards\r\n224\r\n876\r\n149\r\n213\r\n1,251\r\n298\r\nTotal\r\n11,517\r\n4,986\r\n3,620\r\n10,726\r\n9,593\r\n2,613\r\n Prior to 2004-05, disposals of NHS land and property were disclosed in NHS Trust accounts.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314326,"EventID":"S5W-01662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:42.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to expand the ‘tell me once’ service for bereaved families in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"Tell Us Once is a UK-wide programme administered by the Department for Work and Pensions, designed to save bereaved families work and stress during a difficult time by sharing data on a person’s death with a range of public sector bodies. In Scotland, it is supported by National Records of Scotland and local authority registrars. Presently, 30 out of 32 Scottish local authorities participate in the scheme, with the remaining two – Orkney and Highland – due to begin participating by the end of 2016 and early 2017, respectively.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314327,"EventID":"S5W-01679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:43.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T08:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01080 by Humza Yousaf on 15 July 2016, whether it will provide a breakdown of the fines incurred for each failure.","AnswerText":"Since June 2015, ScotRail’s performance within Schedule 33 of the Service Quality Inspection Reporting Regime (SQUIRE) has been at a level which resulted in a financial penalty on three occasions. Period 13 - £100. Period 9 - £3200 and Period 8 - £100.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314328,"EventID":"S5W-01680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:44.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T08:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01080 by Humza Yousaf on 15 July 2016, how many (a) non-driver only control and (b) driver-only controlled trains were in service in each period.","AnswerText":"During the period covered by the answer to S5W-01080, the following numbers of trains were booked to run:\r\n\r\n\r\nAll trains booked to run\r\nTrains run on a DCO- basis\r\nAll else\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 3\r\n58,065\r\n29,613\r\n28,452\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 4\r\n57,341\r\n29,244\r\n28,097\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 5\r\n58,858\r\n30,002\r\n28,826\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 6\r\n58,466\r\n29,818\r\n28,648\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 7\r\n58,391\r\n29,779\r\n28,612\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 8\r\n58,073\r\n29,617\r\n28,456\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 9\r\n58,274\r\n29,720\r\n28,554\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 10\r\n50,520\r\n25,765\r\n24,755\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 11\r\n58,262\r\n29,714\r\n28,458\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 12\r\n58,315\r\n29,741\r\n28,574\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 13\r\n53,137\r\n27,100\r\n26,037\r\n2016-17\r\nPeriod 1\r\n60,533\r\n30,872\r\n29,661\r\n2016-17\r\nPeriod 2\r\n56,268\r\n28,697\r\n27,571\r\n2016-17\r\nPeriod 3\r\n53,484\r\n27,277\r\n26,207\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314329,"EventID":"S5W-01694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:45.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its report, Provisional Outturn 2015-16 and Budget Estimates 2016-17, records (a) an underspend in the financial transactions budget and (b)  a £128 million overspend in the health line.","AnswerText":"Financial transactions, through rules set by HM Treasury, are ring-fenced for loans and equity investment outside the public sector. The nature of the programmes and projects mean that such expenditure within this area is generally demand led, for example within housing development and regeneration schemes, and as such is sensitive to a number of planning and delivery variables through the year. The reported 2015-16 provisional underspend is being carried forward into 2016-17 in full.\r\n\r\nThe apparent overspend within the Health budget does not relate to general health spending in Scotland, rather this situation has arisen as a consequence of ministers recognising the financial impact of classifying a number of non-profit distributing projects to the public sector. This matter required the recognition of the capital value of health projects during their construction period, rather than the associated revenue funding over the contractual period during which cash payments will actually be made. Despite these issues, the Scottish Government has been clear that these projects would progress as planned and sufficient budgetary cover was managed during 2015-16 within overall portfolio programmes to deal with the impact of the decision. There are no changes to the overall cash costs of the projects.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314330,"EventID":"S5W-01682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:46.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T08:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01080 by Humza Yousaf on 15 July 2016, how it assesses the endeavours to maintain the minimum staffing level.","AnswerText":"On average 180 services are audited each four weekly period as part of the regular SQUIRE monitoring process.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314331,"EventID":"S5W-01667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:47.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many mental health organisations it has provided funding to in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the costs of locating, retrieving and providing the information requested would exceed the upper cost limit of £600. This is because we file our information according to the subject matter, not by reference to organisations with whom we have corresponded, and to retrieve that information would require a search of all of the Scottish Government’s records.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314332,"EventID":"S5W-01681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:48.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T08:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01078 by Humza Yousaf on 15 July 2016, for what reasons the service quality incentive regime does not include the safety-critical operational duties of a second member of crew on driver-control operated routes.","AnswerText":"Both Ticket Examiners and Conductors have identical passenger facing duties which are audited within SQUIRE (Service Quality Inspection Reporting Regime) under Schedule 33 and 36. The SQUIRE regime focuses on monitoring the performance of the franchisee from a passenger’s perspective with particular reference to front line customer service provision. Railway safety is a UK level reserved matter for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to manage across the UK. I recently wrote to the ORR for specific reassurance in a Scottish context that driver controlled trains are a safe method of operation. I have subsequently received that assurance from the rail regulator's Director of Railway Safety.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314333,"EventID":"S5W-01692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:49.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring it carries out in respect of waiting times for subsequent treatments for chronic pain relief procedures after a patient has had an initial pain relief treatment.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30489 on 21 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314334,"EventID":"S5W-01693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:49.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the process will be for the selection of the new commissioner of the Scottish Fiscal Commission and by what date the appointment will be announced.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has appointed Professor Charles Nolan as a member of the non-statutory Scottish Fiscal Commission for the period 1 July 2016 to 30 March 2017. \r\n\r\nI proposed the appointment of Professor Nolan in a letter to the Finance Committee on 28 June 2016. The Finance Committee considered the appointment at its meeting on 29 June 2016, at which I gave evidence.\r\nI had previously written to the Committee on 22 June 2016, notifying the Committee of my intention to make a fixed term interim appointment to the Scottish Fiscal Commission following the resignation of Professor Andrew Hughes Hallett and to commence the process of appointing two new members to the statutory Commission with effect from 1 April 2017. Appointments to the statutory Commission will be made in accordance with the Scottish Fiscal Commission Act 2016, which provides that appointments will be made by Ministers, regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland, and subject to the approval of the Scottish Parliament. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314335,"EventID":"S5W-01660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:50.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been raised from hospital car parking charges in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"At the point when car parking charges were abolished from December 2008, NHS Scotland hospitals (with the exception of three private finance initiative (PFI) run car parks) were estimated to collect £3.6 million of income each year from car parking charges. From 2009 onwards, NHS Boards have not received any income from car parking charges and it is estimated that this policy has saved patients and staff over £27 million.\r\nPrior to 2008, the Scottish Government did not collect details on how much income was raised through car parking charges.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314336,"EventID":"S5W-01663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:51.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much it costs Edinburgh City Council to host events linked to its capital city status.","AnswerText":"The costs associated with hosting events is a matter for Edinburgh City Council, however, I can confirm that the Scottish Government is providing Edinburgh City Council with total funding in 2016-17 amounting to £786.3 million, which includes £11 million additional funding that Edinburgh receives through the new funding floor mechanism and £3.9 million in recognition of its position as capital city.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314337,"EventID":"S5W-01677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:52.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T08:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask Scottish Government how many wind farm applications, which have been determined as a result of the project being either close to, or inside, an area of wild land under both section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, have been (a) consented and (b) refused since the wild land map was published in June 2014.","AnswerText":"Wind farms of more than 50 megawatts are determined by Scottish Ministers through section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, while those of less than 50 megawatts are determined by planning authorities under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended). Planning applications are generally determined by planning authorities in Scotland and the information requested is not held centrally in respect of those sites. In certain circumstances an appeal can be made to Scottish Ministers against the decision by the planning authority. The vast majority of these decisions are made by reporters from Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA).\r\nIt is my understanding that a total of 21 wind farm determinations have been made under the Electricity Act since Scottish Planning Policy 2014 (SPP) (with reference to wild land maps) was published. Of these 21 determinations, 13 were consented. The DPEA have made decisions on 123 proposed wind farm developments for either single or multiple turbines in this period, 67 of which were allowed. In relation to the requested information regarding whether wild land was a determinative factor, this information is not routinely collated. All of the section 36 wind farm decision letters are available from Scottish Government’s Energy and Consents webpage http://www.energyconsents.scot/. Decisions made by DPEA can be searched for at this address: http://www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/Default.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314338,"EventID":"S5W-01678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:54.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T08:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01080 by Humza Yousaf on 15 July 2016, what proportion of and how many services are permitted to run in a month without a second person on board before the operator incurs penalties.","AnswerText":"No services are ‘permitted’ to run without a second person, all services are scheduled to have a second member of staff to be on board. This is reflected in the Franchise Agreement (Schedule 1.4) mandating ScotRail to use all reasonable endeavours to maintain a minimum staffing level for every train service of two members of staff. I refer the member to S5W-01680 on 23 August 2016 that related to the number of services planned to operate each period. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314339,"EventID":"S5W-01696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:55.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the (a) First Minister, (b) Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution and (c) other Cabinet members last had discussions with the Governor of the Bank of England and what matters were raised.","AnswerText":"The First Minister last had discussions with the Governor of the Bank of England on 13 July 2016 to discuss the economic outlook following the EU referendum.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314340,"EventID":"S5W-01652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:56.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cancer patients have been offered cryopreservation of (a) eggs, (b) sperm and (c) embryos in each year since 1999, and whether it plans to extend this.","AnswerText":"Information on how many cancer patients have been offered cryopreservation of (a) eggs, (b) sperm and (c) embryos in each year since 1999 is not held centrally. An expert Gametes Group will shortly begin work to look at protocols for patients who require fertility preservation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314341,"EventID":"S5W-01654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:57.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of food poisoning have been recorded in each year since 1999. ","AnswerText":"The following table shows the data Health Protection Scotland (HPS) collated on food poisoning from 1999-2009.\r\nYear\r\nNumber of Notifications\r\n1999\r\n8517\r\n2000\r\n9263\r\n2001\r\n8640\r\n2002\r\n7693\r\n2003\r\n6892\r\n2004\r\n6804\r\n2005\r\n6918\r\n2006\r\n7335\r\n2007\r\n7186\r\n2008\r\n7625\r\n2009\r\n8813\r\n\r\nSource: Health Protection Scotland,\r\nhttp://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/publichealthact/annualdata2009.aspx\r\nFood poisoning was not included in the list of notifiable diseases in the Public Health etc (Scotland) Act 2008, and HPS do not provide data in this format after 2009. This change was made because many symptoms could fall under the umbrella term of food poisoning without actual confirmation of being caused by food or water or having laboratory confirmation of the cause of the illness. However, HPS do collect information on laboratory confirmed pathogens which can be caused by consumption of contaminated food or water, or have other modes of transmission (e.g. environmental or person-to-person spread), and this information is provided on the HPS website, at:\r\nhttp://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/giz/annualdatatables.aspx. \r\nIt should be noted that laboratory confirmed pathogens will only capture a small proportion of food poisoning cases each year as they require that a patient present for healthcare and that a sample is submitted.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314342,"EventID":"S5W-01669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:58.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many under 18s requiring mental health services have been admitted to adult wards in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland began publishing standardised data on the admission of young people to adult wards on the implementation of the 2003 Act in October 2005. The data has been published annually since then and is publicly available at http://www.mwcscot.org.uk/publications/statistical-monitoring-reports/.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314343,"EventID":"S5W-01671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:58.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending positive behaviour support as an alternative to restraint and seclusion measures to all schools working with children and young people with learning disabilities.","AnswerText":"We have made clear that the Scottish Government is committed to incorporating further guidance on physical restraint and seclusion within the refreshed ‘Included, Engaged and Involved Part 2: A Positive Approach to Preventing and Managing Schools Exclusions’ (IEI2). This guidance is for all children, including children with complex additional support needs, including those arising from learning disabilities. This is in line with the petition responses stating that restraint and seclusion should be seen within the context of early intervention, positive relationships and behaviour.The purpose of the guidance is to support local authorities, mainstream and special schools and other learning establishments and their partners to keep all children and young people fully included, engaged and involved in their education wherever this takes place; and to improve outcomes for those most at risk of exclusion. The guidance focuses on prevention, early intervention and responses to individual need, incorporating staged interventions and additional support to prevent problems escalating.The draft guidance is clear that ‘it is only acceptable to physically intervene or to restrain a child or young person where the member of staff reasonably believes in all the circumstances that if he/she does not physically intervene or restrain the child or young person, the child or young person’s actions are likely to cause physical damage or harm to that pupil or to another person.’ It also highlights that ‘The use of physical intervention, physical restraint and seclusion should all be included in an agreed plan and be used as a last resort. Where seclusion is used it should be used under supervision and should take into account the additional support needs of the child or young person.’ ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314344,"EventID":"S5W-01688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:46:59.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T08:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with (a) the UK Government and (b) Network Rail regarding the extension of driver-controlled operations on ScotRail services.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland meets regularly with a range of industry stakeholders including Network Rail and the Department of Transport to discuss a range of topics including industrial relations issues. The Minister for Transport and Islands has also recently had a number of discussions with both the RMT and the ScotRail Alliance to encourage both parties to continue to talk in order to find an operational solution.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314345,"EventID":"S5W-01651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:47:00.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-26T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-30300 by Maureen Watt on 17 March 2016, whether it plans to vaccinate older children against meningitis B.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to protecting youngsters against Meningitis B (Men B) and this is why Scotland is one of the first countries in the world to have introduced a national Men B vaccination programme. \r\nOn vaccination policy, the Scottish Government is advised by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). As with all vaccination programmes, the JCVI keeps its advice under continual review, and recently reconsidered the evidence for vaccinating older children with Men B. Following discussion of the matter, the JCVI did not recommend a catch up programme for older children. The full detail of the JCVI advice is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/joint-committee-on-vaccination-and-immunisation\r\nShould the advice of the JCVI change in the future the Scottish Government will of course consider it carefully.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314346,"EventID":"S5W-01683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:47:01.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T08:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01080 by Humza Yousaf on 15 July 2016, how many services breached the minimum threshold for (a) the provision of customer care and (b) ticket inspection by staff in each four-weekly reporting period since June 2015, also broken down by the fines incurred.","AnswerText":"With regard to (a) I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01080 on 15 July 2016 and S5W-01679 on 22 August 2016. (b)Ticket Inspections on Train\r\n\r\n\r\nTrains audited\r\nFails recorded\r\nPenalty\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 3\r\n186\r\n2\r\n\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 4\r\n187\r\n1\r\n\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 5\r\n187\r\n1\r\n\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 6\r\n178\r\n2\r\n\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 7\r\n185\r\n1\r\n\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 8\r\n180\r\n4\r\n\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 9\r\n179\r\n5\r\n-£2,000\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 10\r\n183\r\n4\r\n\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 11\r\n192\r\n1\r\n\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 12\r\n187\r\n3\r\n\r\n2015-16\r\nPeriod 13\r\n197\r\n0\r\n\r\n2016-17\r\nPeriod 1\r\n191\r\n3\r\n\r\n2016-17\r\nPeriod 2\r\n193\r\n0\r\n\r\n2016-17\r\nPeriod 3\r\n191\r\n3\r\n-£473\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314347,"EventID":"S5W-01690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T13:47:02.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the pain management budget has been in each NHS board area in each year since 2010. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. It is the role of the Scottish Government to provide policies, frameworks and resources to NHS boards so they can deliver services that meet the needs of their local populations. Within this context, it is a matter for NHS boards to plan, budget for and deliver the services required to meet the assessed needs of their resident populations.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314349,"EventID":"S5W-01701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T15:10:14.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the number of private tutors of 14 to 18-year-olds there are in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314350,"EventID":"S5W-01697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T15:10:15.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it allocates funding to allow 14 to 18-year-olds from poorer backgrounds access to private tutoring and, if so, how much.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not offer funding for the purposes of accessing private tutors.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314351,"EventID":"S5W-01698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T15:10:16.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the private tutoring of 14 to 18-year-olds, including how this impacts on equalities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not advocate the use of private tutors. This is matter for parents and local authorities. We recognise that children affected by poverty can face barriers to accessing education. That is why the Scottish Government has prioritised closing the educational attainment gap between children from the most and least deprived areas. To support this ambition, we will allocate an additional £750 million over the lifetime of this parliament. The funding will be available to schools and authorities to provide additional support to children affected by poverty. A key priority for schools and authorities is to encourage and support parents and families to engage with their children’s learning and to help them access the extra support and advice they need.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314352,"EventID":"S5W-01699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-27T15:10:17.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it offers guidance on the private tutoring of 14 to 18-year-olds and, if so, whether this includes its position on how much tutors should charge.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not offer guidance on the use of private tutors.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314353,"EventID":"S5W-01703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-28T15:05:46.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recommendations in the National Prisoner Healthcare Network report, Brain Injury and Offending.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government notes the recommendations of the National Prisoner Healthcare Network report, ‘Brain Injury and Offending’. NHS Boards are responsible for the provision of healthcare in prisons, in line with national guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314354,"EventID":"S5W-01705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-28T15:05:47.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T16:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that changes to the Scottish Welfare Funding mechanism that are informed by the Income Domain of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation will adequately respond to any acute downturns in the economy of North East Scotland.","AnswerText":"Whilst the distribution model for the Scottish Welfare Fund changed 2016-17, it was agreed through the (Convention of Scottish local authorities) COSLA and local authorities, to phase this new method in over a three year period to assist local authorities in adjusting to the change. For 2016-17 the distribution method is split: 80% informed by historic DWP (Department of Work and Pension) spend, and 20% informed by the Income Domain of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. The Scottish Government is monitoring the new distribution closely, and will review the funding model if necessary. We have in place a range of support for local Scottish Welfare Fund teams, and this includes budget management as needed.Ultimately however, it is for local authorities to manage their annual Scottish Welfare Fund budget, as they have done since April 2013, taking into account any changes in local circumstance.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314355,"EventID":"S5W-01628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-28T15:05:49.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-25T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendations in the Report of the Inaugural Quinquennial Review of the Operation of Seal Licensing System under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, what action it is taking to increase the recovery of carcasses under the licence system.","AnswerText":"We have had some initial internal discussions about whether or not the guidance in the Scottish Seal Management Code of Practice on this might be revised.\r\nWe know, however, that it is a complex area involving an extremely delicate balance between carcass recovery and the health and safety of individuals being asked to recover any carcasses.\r\nWe need to be aware that it may not, ultimately, prove possible to do more than encourage carcass recovery where it is safe to do so.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314356,"EventID":"S5W-01710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-28T15:05:50.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-28T13:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have arrived in Scotland through the Syrian Resettlement Programme.","AnswerText":" As of 31 July 2016, Scotland has received over 900 people through the Syrian Resettlement Programme since October 2015.The most recent official statistics, published by the Home Office on 26 May 2016, showed that, of the 1,602 people accepted by the UK under the Programme up to 31 March 2016, 610 (38%) were received by Scottish local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314357,"EventID":"S5W-01706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-28T15:05:50.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-28T09:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask Scottish Government when it will announce its decision to approve or to put out to formal consultation, the proposed Clyde regulating order. ","AnswerText":"The Sustainable Inshore Fisheries Trust were notified of the Scottish Ministers decision not to support their application for a Firth of Clyde Regulating Order on 28 July 2016.\r\nHaving carefully considered the application Scottish Ministers decided that due to a number of factors the application will not be approved. \r\nIt is our view that there are practical difficulties in managing quota within the scope of an order in the Clyde, as well as issues such as fleet flexibility, which could undermine the quota allocation system.\r\nWe believe that a Regulating Order would also add an additional layer of management and cost to the fishing industry, and are also concerned that this could undermine current initiatives and established structures such as the Inshore Fisheries Group and Marine Planning Partnership.\r\nThere has also been a low level of support from those who would be directly managed by the Regulating Order, raising concerns that this could hinder or prevent its successful operation.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government has recently introduced management measures in marine protected areas in the Clyde. These measures include spatial restrictions on certain types of fishing and it is my view that we should allow these measures to bed in and review their impact before introducing any further measures.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314358,"EventID":"S5W-01707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-28T15:05:52.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-28T09:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the membership of the Clyde Marine Planning Partnership achieves parity between all stakeholders; who will be responsible for this and, if applications for membership are rejected, what appeal process will be available.","AnswerText":"The Marine Scotland Act 2010 requires that any group to whom marine planning powers are delegated should include representatives with an interest in the protection and enhancement of the region, its use for recreation and its use for commercial purposes. Scottish Ministers intend to delegate regional marine planning powers to the Clyde Marine Planning Partnership (CMPP) by a ministerial direction, which will require the CMPP to set out its governance arrangements within its constitution, and for Scottish Ministers to be notified of any changes in membership. The CMPP constitution and details of current membership is available on Marine Scotland’s webpage at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/seamanagement/regional/partnerships/Clyde and will also be available on the new CMPP website expected to be launched in August 2016. http://www.clydemarineplan.scot/\r\nMembership of the CMPP is open to the previous Firth of Clyde Forum members and any other body or person that meets the criteria set out in the constitution and wishes to apply. Decisions on applications for membership are for the CMPP to make. Should a membership application be rejected, the CMPP will provide reasons for the decision and the applicant is free to reapply if they wish to do so.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314359,"EventID":"S5W-01709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-28T15:05:53.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-28T09:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what regulations apply to the use of gas gun bird scarers.","AnswerText":"There are no regulations which are specific to gas gun bird scarers.\r\nResponsibility for dealing with the majority of complaints about noise, including from bird scarers/gas guns, rests with local authorities who have a duty to investigate such complaints under the statutory nuisance provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA). Part III of the EPA enables local authorities to take action to secure the abatement of a statutory nuisance. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314360,"EventID":"S5W-01704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-28T15:05:54.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-27T16:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce offending by people with acquired brain injury.","AnswerText":"In October 2014 the Scottish Government tasked the National Prisoner Healthcare Network (NPHN) to consider the health needs and services required by people with brain injury who are involved in the criminal justice system. The NPHN's workstream on brain injury and offending reported in March 2016. The Scottish Government welcomes this report and we look forward to examining how the recommendations can be taken forward by NHS health boards in due course.The Scottish Prison Service and NHS boards have jointly funded a study to identify the prevalence of head injury in prisoners in Scotland, and a second study is to be undertaken later this year, in prison and police custody sites, to investigate the usefulness of two screening tools to identify individuals with brain injury.The provision of healthcare services, including in custodial and other criminal justice settings, are the responsibility of local NHS boards, taking into account national guidance, local service needs, and priorities for investment.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314361,"EventID":"S5W-01626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-28T15:05:54.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-25T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many carcasses have been recovered each year under the seal licences introduced by the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010; how many post-mortems were subsequently carried out, and what the results of these were with regard to the (a) cause and (b) duration of deaths.","AnswerText":"The number of seal carcasses recovered and the numbers examined at post mortem each year is as follows:\r\n\r\n\r\nRecovered\r\nPost-mortems\r\n2011-12\r\n36\r\n3\r\n2012-13\r\n26\r\n19\r\n2013-14\r\n10\r\n4\r\n2014-15\r\n16\r\n6\r\n2015-16\r\n3\r\n8*\r\n2016 to date\r\n2\r\n0\r\n\r\nThe information on carcasses recovered is derived from statutory seal licence returns submitted quarterly by seal licence holders. The information on post-mortems is derived from the Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme.\r\nThere are several reasons why not all animals recovered are examined at post-mortem:- firstly not all carcasses recovered are in a fresh enough condition for post-mortem, second in many cases cause of death is very clear from physical inspection making post-mortem less of a priority and lastly expensive post-mortems are reserved for a random sample of cases or for cases where a cause of death is unclear.\r\nThe cause of death in all cases examined at post-mortem was physical trauma due to shooting and death was almost immediate in 34 out of 40 cases. In the remaining 6 cases, the evidence regarding immediate death was unclear with potential welfare concerns in, perhaps, 2 of these 6 cases.\r\n*In some cases, carcasses, which cannot be recovered at the time of shooting, will later come ashore and be reported by members of the public.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314362,"EventID":"S5W-01708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-28T15:05:55.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-28T09:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how regularly Clyde 2020 wii report formally to the Clyde Marine Planning Partnership and what format will the report take. ","AnswerText":"The agreed minutes from all Clyde 2020 Steering Group and Research Advisory Group meetings are shared with Clyde Marine Planning Partnership (CMPP) members by email. A written report on Clyde 2020 is also provided at each meeting of the CMPP. The Clyde 2020 project and the CMPP share a common Chairperson and member of staff which ensures information is shared appropriately. There is also overlap with some members of the CMPP also sitting on the Clyde 2020 Steering Group.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314380,"EventID":"S5W-01715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-29T14:30:16.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-28T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the funding available for the Young Farmers Start Up Grant has already being allocated; how this will impact on applications to the Scottish Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, and whether it will make additional funds available to ensure that new applicants receive an assessment and grant that is in line with prior applications.","AnswerText":"Under the Scottish Rural Development Programme 2014-20, £6 million was allocated to the Young Farmer Start-up Grant Scheme. To date £5.23 million has been committed to fund 90 successful applications. The current funding round opened on the 1 July 2016. Given the popularity of the scheme we are currently examining options to provide additional funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314381,"EventID":"S5W-01723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-29T14:30:18.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital takes place, how many additional ambulances would be required for the NHS Lanarkshire area.","AnswerText":"The number and deployment of ambulances are operational matters for the Scottish Ambulance Service, in liaison with its planning partners such as NHS boards. NHS Lanarkshire has provided assurances that they have engaged directly with the Ambulance Service as part of the planning process for their interim changes to local trauma and orthopaedic services. This work will continue as part of the implementation plan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314382,"EventID":"S5W-01732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-29T14:30:19.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-05555 by Shona Robison on 11 February 2016 (Official Report, c. 2), whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to increase the number of GPs in rural areas, including the incentives that are made available to rural practices.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting primary care, including GPs, and ensuring that all communities in Scotland, including remote and rural, receive safe, reliable and sustainable health care services.\r\nOver three years, the Scottish Government is investing £85 million, as part of the Primary Care Fund. As part of this, over £2 million will be invested in work to explore with key stakeholders the issues surrounding GP recruitment and retention which can be particularly challenging in remote and rural areas. This will support a range of initiatives over the next two years including the establishment of a Scottish rural medicine collaborative in seven health boards. This initiative will bring together recruitment strategies and support networks for GPs working in remote and rural areas.\r\nSince 11 February 2016, the Scottish Government has also updated the Directions around the Golden Hello scheme which incentivises GPs to work in rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314383,"EventID":"S5W-01719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-29T14:30:19.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-28T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response would be to a sharp drop in the number of police officers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01717 on 25 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314384,"EventID":"S5W-01721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-29T14:30:20.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding visitor transport services for patients who are admitted to (a) Hairmyres Hospital and (b) Wishaw General Hospital.","AnswerText":"It is important to remember that outpatient appointments account for greater than 85% of all orthopaedic patient contacts and orthopaedic outpatient services will remain at all three of the main acute hospitals in Lanarkshire, including Monklands Hospital, following the implementation of the interim changes. The board, as supported by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland, has been clear that the status quo is unsustainable and that the interim changes are necessary in order to ensure the safety and resilience of local services. \r\n\r\nIn relation to visitor transport, the health board has confirmed that, of all the presentations to NHS Lanarkshire sites, around 15% are by public transport. NHS Lanarkshire has provided assurances that, to address the transport needs of this group, they are taking forward a number of initiatives including: active engagement with transport providers, through Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), to ensure that the routes and timings offered reflect the requirements of patients, visitors and carers; significant engagement with SPT and community transport providers to develop alternative options for transport, such as evening visitor service and volunteer driver schemes; and improving access to up to date accurate live information on public transport at NHS sites and via the NHS Lanarkshire website. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314385,"EventID":"S5W-01720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5868,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-29T14:30:21.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-28T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much sportscotland has invested in para-sports in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) has the lead role for developing the quality of disability sport for disabled people in Scotland. Since 2007, sportscotland has invested over £5.18million into SDS. A breakdown is in the following table. Breakdown of sportscotland investment into Scottish Disability Sport (includes Scottish Government and National Lottery funding):\r\nYear\r\nInvestment\r\n2016-17\r\n£653,600\r\n2015-16\r\n£653,600\r\n2014-15\r\n£633,600\r\n2013-14\r\n£645,600\r\n2012-13\r\n£543,600\r\n2011-12\r\n£541,000\r\n2010-11\r\n£538,500\r\n2009-10\r\n£436,500\r\n2008-09\r\n£276,750\r\n2007-08\r\n£250,750\r\n\r\n£5,182,500\r\nIn addition to the direct investment into SDS, sportscotland’s investment in Scottish governing bodies of sport also supports disability and its integration through the sport. Sportscotland’s Institute of Sport also supports over 50 Paralympic and Commonwealth Games para-athletes, providing specialist support and expertise.In addition, £12 million is being invested into the redevelopment of the sportscotland National Centre Inverclyde to become Scotland’s first fully-inclusive residential facility which will provide more opportunities for hosting national and international sporting events, particularly in para-sport.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314386,"EventID":"S5W-01722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-29T14:30:22.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many emergency admissions there have been in each NHS board area in each year since 2006, also broken down by hospital. ","AnswerText":"The following tables shows the number of emergency admissions in each financial year since 2006-07 broken down by Health Board of Treatment and by hospital.\r\n\r\nNumber of emergency admissions since 2006-07 by Health Board of Treatment. \r\n\r\nFinancial Year\r\nHealth Board of Treatment\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n40,239\r\n42,886\r\n42,716\r\n43,238\r\n44,349\r\n46,095\r\n47,454\r\n47,479\r\n49,705\r\nNHS Borders\r\n12,379\r\n12,447\r\n12,587\r\n12,524\r\n13,162\r\n13,726\r\n13,758\r\n14,421\r\n14,074\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n13,018\r\n14,107\r\n14,385\r\n14,421\r\n14,287\r\n14,223\r\n14,843\r\n15,303\r\n15,849\r\nNHS Fife\r\n26,737\r\n27,882\r\n28,718\r\n28,418\r\n27,718\r\n27,154\r\n29,254\r\n31,088\r\n31,860\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n24,572\r\n26,233\r\n26,026\r\n25,493\r\n24,248\r\n24,916\r\n27,020\r\n26,831\r\n29,232\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n46,549\r\n48,110\r\n48,855\r\n47,832\r\n49,036\r\n50,126\r\n49,397\r\n48,164\r\n48,134\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n136,246\r\n142,353\r\n147,417\r\n144,883\r\n147,510\r\n150,529\r\n146,651\r\n154,835\r\n157,054\r\nNHS Highland\r\n27,754\r\n28,306\r\n28,834\r\n27,710\r\n28,543\r\n28,420\r\n27,786\r\n28,457\r\n27,763\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n55,340\r\n55,294\r\n58,363\r\n60,364\r\n63,850\r\n62,342\r\n65,554\r\n65,366\r\n66,275\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n71,927\r\n76,691\r\n74,408\r\n73,549\r\n75,023\r\n78,691\r\n78,867\r\n79,423\r\n80,295\r\nNHS Orkney Islands\r\n1,590\r\n1,781\r\n1,717\r\n1,603\r\n1,625\r\n1,588\r\n1,707\r\n1,769\r\n1,863\r\nNHS Shetland Islands\r\n1,982\r\n1,796\r\n1,825\r\n1,859\r\n1,901\r\n2,260\r\n2,259\r\n2,131\r\n2,179\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n43,821\r\n44,708\r\n46,412\r\n46,071\r\n44,643\r\n44,277\r\n44,702\r\n44,804\r\n45,622\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n2,264\r\n2,724\r\n2,933\r\n2,803\r\n2,556\r\n2,659\r\n2,900\r\n2,628\r\n2,446\r\nGolden Jubilee National Hospital\r\n5\r\n84\r\n979\r\n667\r\n581\r\n725\r\n755\r\n576\r\n427\r\nNon-NHS Provider\r\n90\r\n114\r\n166\r\n107\r\n94\r\n201\r\n293\r\n287\r\n336\r\n\r\nNumber of emergency admissions since 2006-07 by Hospital. \r\n\r\nFinancial Year\r\nHospital Name\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nGlasgow Royal Infirmary\r\n23,330\r\n24,903\r\n26,068\r\n26,811\r\n26,472\r\n34,948\r\n34,637\r\n42,107\r\n41,849\r\nRoyal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France\r\n31,164\r\n34,143\r\n32,539\r\n32,869\r\n34,336\r\n35,170\r\n35,597\r\n35,666\r\n36,062\r\nNinewells Hospital\r\n32,506\r\n33,275\r\n34,729\r\n34,587\r\n33,369\r\n33,270\r\n33,571\r\n33,976\r\n35,174\r\nAberdeen Royal Infirmary\r\n28,958\r\n30,520\r\n30,864\r\n31,407\r\n31,558\r\n32,501\r\n33,663\r\n33,958\r\n33,412\r\nUniversity Hospital Crosshouse\r\n24,275\r\n26,947\r\n26,272\r\n26,930\r\n27,521\r\n29,205\r\n29,619\r\n30,016\r\n31,299\r\nVictoria Hospital\r\n12,193\r\n12,349\r\n12,598\r\n12,448\r\n9,994\r\n11,463\r\n28,279\r\n30,072\r\n30,810\r\nRoyal Alexandra Hospital\r\n23,308\r\n24,288\r\n24,946\r\n24,520\r\n25,549\r\n28,899\r\n26,532\r\n29,094\r\n30,207\r\nForth Valley Royal Hospital\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n23\r\n17,651\r\n26,968\r\n26,826\r\n29,225\r\nWishaw General Hospital\r\n22,884\r\n22,775\r\n23,208\r\n24,047\r\n25,705\r\n25,659\r\n27,311\r\n27,420\r\n27,359\r\nWest Glasgow/Gartnavel General\r\n23,017\r\n23,269\r\n24,560\r\n23,928\r\n27,366\r\n30,078\r\n30,178\r\n24,980\r\n25,904\r\nMonklands District General Hospital\r\n18,540\r\n19,619\r\n20,278\r\n21,005\r\n21,583\r\n20,605\r\n21,249\r\n20,611\r\n21,663\r\nSt John's Hospital\r\n16,121\r\n17,945\r\n18,139\r\n17,707\r\n17,868\r\n19,221\r\n18,923\r\n19,114\r\n20,132\r\nRaigmore Hospital\r\n15,845\r\n15,908\r\n16,296\r\n15,919\r\n16,114\r\n16,642\r\n16,930\r\n17,545\r\n17,695\r\nUniversity Hospital Ayr\r\n14,815\r\n14,820\r\n15,269\r\n15,175\r\n15,659\r\n15,864\r\n16,776\r\n16,568\r\n17,457\r\nNew Victoria Hospital\r\n16,859\r\n18,042\r\n18,112\r\n17,394\r\n17,593\r\n18,552\r\n17,685\r\n17,449\r\n17,269\r\nHairmyres Hospital\r\n13,804\r\n12,894\r\n14,844\r\n14,913\r\n16,173\r\n16,039\r\n16,930\r\n17,272\r\n17,253\r\nWestern General Hospital\r\n18,017\r\n16,758\r\n15,795\r\n15,339\r\n15,314\r\n16,682\r\n16,782\r\n17,524\r\n16,993\r\nRoyal Hospital for Children\r\n8,319\r\n8,054\r\n8,416\r\n8,377\r\n7,633\r\n8,228\r\n8,467\r\n13,464\r\n15,016\r\nDumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary\r\n11,696\r\n12,495\r\n12,707\r\n12,721\r\n12,801\r\n12,549\r\n13,229\r\n13,606\r\n14,376\r\nBorders General Hospital\r\n11,836\r\n11,952\r\n12,222\r\n12,127\r\n12,828\r\n13,573\r\n13,722\r\n14,421\r\n14,074\r\nQueen Elizabeth University Hospital\r\n16,416\r\n17,984\r\n18,683\r\n17,711\r\n17,725\r\n16,217\r\n15,964\r\n14,052\r\n12,629\r\nInverclyde Royal ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314387,"EventID":"S5W-01713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-29T14:30:23.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-28T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will cost to train public sector staff as Named Persons.","AnswerText":"The resources required for implementation of Part 4 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act (the Act), relating to Named Person duties, are set out in the financial memorandum to the Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill. This can be accessed at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_Bills/Children%20and%20Young%20People%20(Scotland)%20Bill/b27s4-introd-en.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314388,"EventID":"S5W-01712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-29T14:30:25.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-28T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public sector staff who are expected to become a Named Person (a) have received training, (b) are being trained and (c) have yet to be trained, broken down by employer.","AnswerText":"Under Part 4 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act), the duty to provide a Named Person service sits with health boards, local authorities, independent or grant-aided schools, secure accommodation services and the Scottish Prison Service, depending on the circumstances of the child.These organisations are responsible for identifying the individual who will carry out the named person functions who must be a person who meets requirements as to training, qualifications, experience or position. The Scottish Government held master classes in March and April 2016, focusing on the implementation of Part 4 of the Act, for local authorities, health boards and the other organisations required to provide the Named Person service under the Act. The focus was on training, disseminating practice materials and showcasing good practice. The Named Person service builds on the supportive role teachers and health visitors offer to children, young people and parents and is delivered within existing roles. That means that health visitors and promoted teachers have also already had the required training through their education and professional development to enable them to provide the advice, help and support required to fulfil the functions of the Named Person.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314389,"EventID":"S5W-01730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-29T14:30:26.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that inspections of claimants by its Agriculture, Food and Rural Communities Directorate and any subsequent issue of sanctions for non-compliance are carried out on a legal basis.","AnswerText":"The management of expenditure under the common agriculture policy is shared by the member state and the commission with aid paid by the designated national authority the so called paying agency which in Scotland is the Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate who are then reimbursed by the commission. The final recognition of expenditure by the commission is determined through a procedure called the ‘clearance of accounts’.\r\nThe purpose of this procedure is set out in the financial regulations applicable to the general budget of the European communities and its implementing rules. Article 53b (4) of the financial regulations states that the objective of the procedure is to ensure the funds are used in accordance with the applicable rules to enable the commission to assume final responsibility for the implementation of the budget. The Scottish Government (as a paying agency) is subject to various audit scrutiny including internal audit, Audit Scotland and commission audit reviewing the compliance with the above regulation thus ensuring that the functions of the paying agency are undertaken on a legal basis. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314390,"EventID":"S5W-01717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-29T14:30:27.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-28T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains committed to its pledge to maintain 1,000 extra police officers from the 16,234 police officers recorded in March 2007. ","AnswerText":"As at 30 June 2016, there were 17,242 full time equivalent police officers in Scotland – 1,008 more than on 31 March 2007. The Scottish Government budget for 2016-17 made a commitment to retain police officer numbers at 1,000 higher than in 2007 while at the same time working with the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) to consider the implications of changing demands on Scottish policing. That work is currently on-going and no conclusions have been reached on implications for the future shape and size of the police workforce. We are committed to ensuring that the police have more specialists, such as experts in cyber-crime and counter-fraud and that the service has the right mix and numbers of staff for the future. We are also committed to protecting the police revenue budget in real terms for the entirety of this parliament – delivering an additional £100 million of investment by 2020-21.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314391,"EventID":"S5W-01724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-29T14:30:28.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the 10 busiest A&E departments have been in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) hospital and (b) the number of admissions.","AnswerText":"The following tables shows for the ten busiest Emergency Departments that have had the most admissions in each of the last five financial years.\r\n\r\nFinancial Year 2015-16\r\nLocation\r\nNumber of Admissions\r\nRoyal Infirmary Of Edinburgh At Little France\r\n33,906\r\nUniversity Hospital Crosshouse\r\n31,349\r\nGlasgow Royal Infirmary\r\n29,132\r\nQueen Elizabeth University Hospital 1\r\n24,780\r\nRoyal Alexandra Hospital\r\n23,054\r\nMonklands District General Hospital\r\n22,769\r\nHairmyres Hospital\r\n17,647\r\nUniversity Hospital Ayr\r\n17,055\r\nVictoria Hospital\r\n16,339\r\nAberdeen Royal Infirmary\r\n15,464\r\nSource: A&E Datamart, Information Services Division Scotland\r\n1 This figure is based upon 11 months’ worth of data starting from 02 May 2015 08:00.\r\n\r\nFinancial Year 2014-15\r\nLocation\r\nNumber of Admissions\r\nRoyal Infirmary Of Edinburgh At Little France\r\n34,523\r\nUniversity Hospital Crosshouse\r\n30,106\r\nGlasgow Royal Infirmary\r\n25,977\r\nRoyal Alexandra Hospital\r\n23,428\r\nMonklands District General Hospital\r\n20,212\r\nWestern Infirmary/Gartnavel General\r\n18,621\r\nVictoria Infirmary\r\n18,548\r\nUniversity Hospital Ayr\r\n16,648\r\nHairmyres Hospital\r\n16,387\r\nVictoria Hospital\r\n16,206\r\nSource: A&E Datamart, ISD Scotland\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFinancial Year 2013-14\r\nLocation\r\nNumber of Admissions\r\nRoyal Infirmary Of Edinburgh At Little France\r\n33,950\r\nUniversity Hospital Crosshouse\r\n29,032\r\nGlasgow Royal Infirmary\r\n27,036\r\nRoyal Alexandra Hospital\r\n23,339\r\nWestern Infirmary/Gartnavel General\r\n19,838\r\nMonklands District General Hospital\r\n19,212\r\nVictoria Infirmary\r\n18,770\r\nVictoria Hospital\r\n16,054\r\nUniversity Hospital Ayr\r\n16,017\r\nHairmyres Hospital\r\n15,935\r\nSource: A&E Datamart, ISD Scotland\r\n\r\nFinancial Year 2012-13\r\nLocation\r\nNumber of Admissions\r\nRoyal Infirmary Of Edinburgh At Little France\r\n33,495\r\nUniversity Hospital Crosshouse\r\n28,633\r\nRoyal Alexandra Hospital\r\n22,550\r\nGlasgow Royal Infirmary\r\n21,188\r\nMonklands District General Hospital\r\n19,782\r\nWestern Infirmary/Gartnavel General\r\n19,020\r\nVictoria Infirmary\r\n18,348\r\nAberdeen Royal Infirmary\r\n16,848\r\nUniversity Hospital Ayr\r\n16,295\r\nHairmyres Hospital\r\n15,848\r\nSource: A&E Datamart, ISD Scotland\r\n\r\nFinancial Year 2011-12\r\nLocation\r\nNumber of Admissions\r\nRoyal Infirmary Of Edinburgh At Little France\r\n32,975\r\nUniversity Hospital Crosshouse\r\n27,824\r\nGlasgow Royal Infirmary\r\n22,908\r\nMonklands District General Hospital\r\n19,605\r\nWestern Infirmary/Gartnavel General\r\n18,593\r\nVictoria Infirmary\r\n18,556\r\nAberdeen Royal Infirmary\r\n16,566\r\nUniversity Hospital Ayr\r\n15,513\r\nHairmyres Hospital\r\n14,919\r\nWishaw General Hospital\r\n14,636\r\nSource: A&E Datamart, ISD Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314392,"EventID":"S5W-01731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-29T14:30:29.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action its Agriculture, Food and Rural Communities Directorate takes to (a) identify and (b) support claimants who have dyslexia or poor literacy, and whether it takes these into account when errors in record keeping are discovered.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting farmers and crofters with dyslexia and literacy challenges, this includes our work with the Farming and Dyslexia Working Group.\r\nAny farmer or crofter with literacy challenges or dyslexia can contact the Scottish Government for support. To ensure we are providing an inclusive service, we have enhanced the level of customer support available in our local area offices. Customers can schedule an appointment with a member of our staff and receive one-to-one help with using our online services or support with form completion.\r\nAny errors made by the applicant are reviewed on a case by case basis and action taken or amendments made as necessary taking account of the relevant EU legislation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314393,"EventID":"S5W-01716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-29T14:30:29.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-28T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to reduce the number of police officers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01717 on 25 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314394,"EventID":"S5W-01718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-07-29T14:30:30.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-28T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains committed to its pledge in the 2016-17 Budget to “retain police officer numbers at 1,000 higher than in 2007”. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01717 on 25 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314405,"EventID":"S5W-01748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-01T12:51:21.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-01T12:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the outcome of the recent extraordinary meeting of the British-Irish Council.","AnswerText":"On 22 July 2016, the Welsh Government hosted an extraordinary meeting of the British-Irish Council in Cardiff. The Summit was attended by Ministers from all eight Member Administrations and was chaired by the Welsh First Minister. The Scottish Government was represented by the First Minister and myself.\r\nThe extraordinary meeting was called in light of the outcome of the UK Government’s referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union and provided a first opportunity, since the vote, for BIC Members to meet. \r\nThe First Minister took the opportunity to express the concerns felt by many in Scotland. Scotland voted to remain in the EU in every local authority area and every area will be affected by the UK’s decision to leave. \r\nThe First Minister advised the Council that given the consequences of being removed from the EU, the Scottish Government will explore every option to protect Scotland's interests.\r\nAlong with the representatives of the other devolved administrations and Crown Dependencies, she stressed the importance of being fully involved in the development of the UK approach and objectives and the subsequent negotiations.\r\nThe Communiqué that was issued by the British-Irish Council, after the meeting, can be found here:\r\nhttps://www.britishirishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/communiqu%C3%A9s/Cardiff%20Communique%20FINAL.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314406,"EventID":"S5W-01738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-01T15:29:15.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what activities will be funded as part of the £5 million to address inequalities in screening outlined in its cancer strategy, Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action.","AnswerText":"Funding will be allocated over the next five years to support new activities which identify, address and reduce inequalities of access to screening services in Scotland.\r\nOfficials are currently working to establish an NHS Scotland network, including stakeholders and experts from across NHS Scotland, which will develop and share new ways of working.\r\nPilot activities with the ability to improve access to screening will be considered by the Scottish Government and if approved will be subject to evaluation. If successful they will be carefully considered for wider roll out.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314407,"EventID":"S5W-01742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-01T15:29:16.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce any delays in setting up a care package after a hospital admission.","AnswerText":"Tackling the number of delayed discharges is a key priority of this government, and we are working closely with health boards and their local authority partners to address this issue. We are encouraging the continued development of Intermediate Care across Scotland. These services can provide a safe and effective alternative to hospital admission (step-up care), and ensure timely discharge back to the community (step-down care). Providing this type of short-term intensive rehabilitation, or reablement, following a hospital admission can ultimately reduce, or eliminate, the need for longer term packages of care.\r\nAnother key solution to delayed discharge is better joint working between health and social care services. To ensure this we have legislated, through the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014, to bring together local health and social care systems, with the key aim of improving people’s experience of health and care services and the outcomes that services achieve. \r\nWe are also providing financial support to all health and social care partnerships in the form of £90 million over three years, specifically to tackle delayed discharge plus an additional £250 million for investment in social care in 2016-17. The funding will help support partnerships achieve the National Integration Indicators, one of which is a commitment to increase the number of people discharged within 72 hours of being ready for discharge.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314408,"EventID":"S5W-01537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-01T15:29:18.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-14T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has met its target to pay all final common agricultural policy payments by 30 June 2016 and, if not, what percentage of the total payment amount remains outstanding, broken down by Rural Payments and Inspections Division local office.","AnswerText":"In response to the first part of your question, I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01160 on 17 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nAs outlined in that response, it is not possible to confirm the value of outstanding payments, and hence the percentage remaining to be paid, as cases are still undergoing processing and the number of businesses eligible for payment is subject to change while that processing continues. However, details of the number of currently eligible businesses either fully paid, partially paid or not paid, broken down by area office as at 14 September 2016 is in the following table:\r\nArea Office\r\nEligible\r\nFull\r\nPart\r\nUnpaid\r\nAyr\r\n1817\r\n1774\r\n14\r\n29\r\nBenbecula\r\n624\r\n590\r\n6\r\n28\r\nDumfries\r\n1373\r\n1309\r\n27\r\n37\r\nElgin\r\n474\r\n464\r\n2\r\n8\r\nGalashiels\r\n1599\r\n1507\r\n29\r\n63\r\nGolspie\r\n443\r\n429\r\n8\r\n6\r\nHamilton\r\n765\r\n749\r\n7\r\n9\r\nInverness\r\n1332\r\n1298\r\n14\r\n20\r\nInverurie\r\n2750\r\n2673\r\n33\r\n44\r\nKirkwall\r\n679\r\n660\r\n9\r\n10\r\nLerwick\r\n882\r\n855\r\n18\r\n9\r\nOban\r\n891\r\n841\r\n18\r\n32\r\nPerth\r\n2567\r\n2475\r\n24\r\n68\r\nPortree\r\n501\r\n479\r\n4\r\n18\r\nStornoway\r\n892\r\n842\r\n8\r\n42\r\nThurso\r\n711\r\n689\r\n9\r\n13\r\nOther\r\n37\r\n0\r\n0\r\n37\r\nTotal\r\n18337\r\n17634\r\n230\r\n473\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314409,"EventID":"S5W-01737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-01T15:29:20.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many mobile breast cancer screening units have been in operation in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. This is a matter for the NHS boards and the six regional breast screening centres.\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314410,"EventID":"S5W-01739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-01T15:29:21.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to facilitate consistent access to the Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment, ataluren (Translarna), through NHS boards and the peer approved clinical system for ultra-orphan medicines.","AnswerText":"The manufacturer’s route to market for Ataluren is through the long standing independent Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) process. In April 2016 the SMC decided not to recommend Ataluren for routine use in Scotland because the balance of costs and benefits meant it was not considered to offer value for money. We understand the company will be making a resubmission and would urge them to do so at a fair price to ensure access is as wide as possible. We do think more can be done to build on the progress to date on access to medicines which is why we asked Dr Brian Montgomery to conduct an independent review which will report later in the summer.The initial pilot of the Peer Approved Clinical System for ultra-orphan medicines has been extended to cover all NHS boards. This means that access to licensed ultra-orphan medicines, such as Ataluren, that have not been recommended for use by SMC, can be considered across Scotland through a standard and consistent process. Where such alternative prescribing options are used the Scottish Government’s New Medicines Fund is available to cover the cost. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314411,"EventID":"S5W-01744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-01T15:29:22.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether ministers have issued any guidance to Keep Scotland Beautiful regarding applications for Blue Flag beaches from 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not issued any guidance nor been involved in any discussions regarding Keep Scotland Beautiful's (KSB) decision not to offer the Blue Flag in 2016.\r\nKSB has now focused on a new scheme to encourage visitors to Scotland's beaches - Scotland's Beach Award. This has been developed to specifically suit Scottish circumstances, especially Scotland's remote beaches. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314412,"EventID":"S5W-01741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-01T15:29:24.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve specialist respiratory support for people with muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular conditions.","AnswerText":"Access to specialist respiratory support for people with muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular conditions would form part of an individual care package, agreed with relevant healthcare professionals.\r\nRespiratory Managed Clinical Networks across NHS boards work to improve the respiratory health and quality of life of patients; ensuring that they have equitable access to high quality respiratory services.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314413,"EventID":"S5W-01743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-01T15:29:25.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the next meeting of its stakeholder review group on appropriate hospice and respite facilities for young disabled adults is taking place.","AnswerText":"The group which met in response to Petition PE1499: ‘Creating Suitable Respite Services for Younger Disabled Adults with Life-Limiting Conditions’ agreed that the immediate focus for this group would be the young adults over the age of 21 who are currently using Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) services. \r\nThe medium to longer term focus was to generate a range of options that could meet a wider range of needs. To this end the CHAS transition team continues to explore with young disabled adults and others the potential for further collaborative projects which could enable young adults with life limiting conditions to have short breaks outwith a hospice environment. \r\nMore recently, as part of the Health and Sport Committee’s inquiry, ‘We need to talk about Palliative Care’ and in the Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care, I am considering how this area of work can continue to be taken forward. \r\nI will ensure that the relevant interests involved in the stakeholder review group continue to be involved in wider considerations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314414,"EventID":"S5W-01740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-01T15:29:27.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the provision in Scotland of hydrotherapy pools for people with muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular conditions.","AnswerText":"In answer to enquiries made of NHS boards, as of December 2015 there were a total of 16 hydrotherapy pools across Scotland. All NHS boards provide access to hydrotherapy pools.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314415,"EventID":"S5W-01745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-01T15:29:29.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions ministers have had with (a) Keep Scotland Beautiful, (b) other environmental organisations and (c) tourism organisations regarding applications for Blue Flag beaches from 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01744 on 11 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314416,"EventID":"S5W-01746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-01T15:29:31.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-01T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with universities and colleges in the north east regarding flexibility in entrance requirements for unemployed oil workers and what its position is on measures to allow these workers such flexibility for certain courses via the Transition Training Fund.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not directly held such discussions with academic institutions in the North East but I understand that Skills Development Scotland has met with its academic partners to discuss the Transition Training Fund (TTF).\r\nThe TTF was set up to help those at risk of redundancy from the oil and gas sector to transition into alternative employment through retraining. This can be done either through individuals applying directly for funding to support their training requirements to help secure alternative employment, or through one of a number of procured training packages being delivered by training partners. \r\nThe TTF is also supporting innovative projects such as the development of a new Initial Teacher Education programme that allows for suitably qualified individuals from the oil and gas sector to be employed while they undertake teacher training. While this is a new route to teaching, all successful applicants must meet the nationally agreed entry requirements for teaching courses. This programme has been developed by the Scottish Government in conjunction with University of Aberdeen, Skills Development Scotland, the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and both Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Councils.\r\nMore broadly we are committed to working with the GTCS to explore options to bring further flexibility into teacher registration while ensuring that our high level of teacher professional standards are maintained.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314421,"EventID":"S5W-01736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:15:45.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T12:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether ministers took advice on the potential for their plans to break data protection laws and, if so, whether it will be made public.","AnswerText":"The information sharing provisions in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 do not break the Data Protection Act 1998. The Supreme Court judgment released on the 28 July 2016, ruled that the information-sharing provisions of the 2014 Act are incompatible with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and that changes are needed to make those provisions compatible with Article 8. It is standard practice for the Scottish Government not to state whether legal advice has been sought or received or to reveal the content of that advice. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314422,"EventID":"S5W-01753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:15:46.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-01T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff in Scotland will be employed to implement the newly devolved welfare powers from 5 September 2016.","AnswerText":"The transfer of powers in September marks the start of a journey to establish the Scottish social security system and changes will be implemented on a phased basis over the coming years. The transfer of social security powers to Scotland will require a large-scale programme of transition and implementation. This will be on a scale unlike anything experienced since devolution.We are currently assessing the options for delivery of our Scottish social security system, and part of this work will help establish the scale of staff required to resource the agency.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314423,"EventID":"S5W-01755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:15:48.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-01T15:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the next Northern Isles ferry services contract will be subject to EU state aid rules in light of the Brexit vote.","AnswerText":" I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01754 on 23 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314424,"EventID":"S5W-01770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:15:49.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been paid to patients in clinical negligence payments in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The amounts paid out in respect of clinical negligence claims since 1999, broken down by NHS board, are as follows:\r\nNHS Health Board\r\n1999-00\r\n(£M)\r\n2000-01\r\n(£M)\r\n2001-02\r\n(£M)\r\n2002-03\r\n(£M)\r\n2003-04\r\n(£M)\r\nArgyll & Clyde\r\n0.1\r\n0.1\r\n0.3\r\n1.6\r\n0.3\r\nAyrshire & Arran\r\n-\r\n0.2\r\n0.8\r\n0.7\r\n0.2\r\nBorders\r\n0.1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n0.1\r\n0.4\r\n0.7\r\n0.4\r\n0.2\r\nFife\r\n0.1\r\n0.3\r\n0.1\r\n0.1\r\n0.5\r\nForth Valley\r\n-\r\n0.4\r\n0.3\r\n1.1\r\n2.5\r\nGrampian\r\n0.4\r\n0.2\r\n0.2\r\n0.1\r\n0.2\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n0.5\r\n1.0\r\n2.9\r\n2.1\r\n1.5\r\nHighland\r\n0.3\r\n-\r\n0.2\r\n0.2\r\n1.3\r\nLanarkshire\r\n0.1\r\n0.7\r\n0.1\r\n0.4\r\n0.6\r\nLothian\r\n0.9\r\n0.2\r\n0.8\r\n1.9\r\n0.9\r\nOrkney\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nShetland Isles\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0.1\r\n-\r\nTayside\r\n0.3\r\n1.9\r\n0.1\r\n0.4\r\n0.1\r\nWestern Isles\r\n-\r\n0.1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nSpecial Health Boards\r\n0.1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0.1\r\n\r\nNHS Health Board\r\n2004-05\r\n(£M)\r\n2005-06\r\n(£M)\r\n2006-07\r\n(£M)\r\n2007-08\r\n(£M)\r\n2008-09\r\n(£M)\r\n2009-10\r\n(£M)\r\nArgyll & Clyde\r\n1.2\r\n0.2\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nAyrshire & Arran\r\n0.2\r\n0.2\r\n-\r\n0.4\r\n0.4\r\n0.1\r\nBorders\r\n0.2\r\n0.1\r\n0.3\r\n1.6\r\n-\r\n0.1\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n0.1\r\n0.2\r\n0.1\r\n0.1\r\n0.2\r\n0.3\r\nFife\r\n0.3\r\n0.1\r\n1.7\r\n0.5\r\n4.6\r\n1.8\r\nForth Valley\r\n0.6\r\n0.3\r\n4.5\r\n0.1\r\n3.5\r\n2.3\r\nGrampian\r\n0.9\r\n0.4\r\n0.2\r\n2.0\r\n4.3\r\n0.9\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n1.4\r\n4.2\r\n5.4\r\n6.3\r\n8.8\r\n5.3\r\nNHS Highland\r\n0.2\r\n1.8\r\n2.5\r\n0.9\r\n0.3\r\n0.1\r\nLanarkshire\r\n0.3\r\n0.2\r\n0.5\r\n1.9\r\n1.7\r\n10.2\r\nLothian\r\n0.4\r\n0.2\r\n7.2\r\n0.8\r\n1.5\r\n10.3\r\nOrkney\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nShetland Isles\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nTayside\r\n2.7\r\n0.6\r\n0.6\r\n0.2\r\n0.7\r\n0.1\r\nWestern Isles\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nSpecial Health Boards\r\n-\r\n0.1\r\n0.3\r\n0.2\r\n-\r\n-\r\n\r\nNHS Health Board\r\n2010-11\r\n(£M)\r\n2011-12\r\n(£M)\r\n2012-13\r\n(£M)\r\n2013-14\r\n(£M)\r\n2014-15\r\n(£M)\r\n2015-16\r\n(£M)\r\nArgyll & Clyde\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nAyrshire & Arran\r\n6.0\r\n1.1\r\n5.0\r\n0.6\r\n2.1\r\n1.9\r\nBorders\r\n0.1\r\n0.1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2.3\r\n0.6\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n0.4\r\n-\r\n0.6\r\n0.4\r\n-\r\n0.3\r\nFife\r\n1.1\r\n3.7\r\n0.7\r\n2.8\r\n0.1\r\n1.4\r\nForth Valley\r\n0.8\r\n0.4\r\n0.9\r\n1.2\r\n0.4\r\n1.8\r\nGrampian\r\n0.6\r\n1.4\r\n0.6\r\n1.0\r\n4.4\r\n2.3\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n16.8\r\n10.7\r\n7.1\r\n9.9\r\n7.0\r\n6.6\r\nHighland\r\n5.6\r\n0.4\r\n0.5\r\n0.1\r\n1.3\r\n0.8\r\nLanarkshire\r\n7.8\r\n1.5\r\n2.7\r\n1.7\r\n5.2\r\n9.4\r\nLothian\r\n8.6\r\n4.6\r\n1.3\r\n11.3\r\n7.6\r\n3.6\r\nOrkney\r\n0.1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0.1\r\n-\r\n-\r\nShetland Isles\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0.1\r\n-\r\n0.3\r\nTayside\r\n0.6\r\n1.2\r\n1.1\r\n2.9\r\n6.8\r\n6.1\r\nWestern Isles\r\n-\r\n0.1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0.4\r\nSpecial Health Boards\r\n-\r\n0.1\r\n-\r\n0.2\r\n0.8\r\n1.3\r\n\r\nSource: NHS National Services Scotland \r\n\r\nTo protect patient anonymity, payments made by the special health boards have been grouped together for the purposes of this table.\r\nFluctuations in the sums paid from year to year can be affected by the number of high value settlements made in any one year. These tend to relate to birth cases where the sums paid can be substantial.\r\nIt should also be noted that the year in which a payment is made does not necessarily reflect the year in which the corresponding incident took place. This is due to the fact that many claims take several years to conclude.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314425,"EventID":"S5W-01772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:15:50.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to make it compulsory to register children with a dentist.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to make it compulsory to register children with a dentist. We have put in place a series of arrangements, via Health visitors and Childsmile dental health support workers, to encourage the registration of children with an NHS dentist.\r\nAs at March 2016, 93.7% of children in Scotland are registered with an NHS dentist.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314426,"EventID":"S5W-01785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:15:51.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T13:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has received that beavers are being persecuted in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Between 31 December 2012 and 19 November 2015, the Scottish Government is aware of 23 beavers on Tayside that are known to have been collected for post mortem examination. Of these, 21 beavers had been shot and the remaining 2 were killed in road traffic accidents. No dead animals reported to Scottish Natural Heritage since October 2015 have shown signs of having been shot. The Scottish Government is aware of anecdotal reports of the killing of beavers this year, but has no further firm evidence of such activity.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314427,"EventID":"S5W-01773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:15:52.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) goods and (b) information will be included in the baby box.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with a variety of stakeholders, including parents’ groups, to agree which items will be included in the boxes. The Scottish baby boxes will be based on the model first developed in Finland, and will provide a range of baby clothing, equipment and simple, consistent information for new parents. The box will also double as a cot for new born babies, should parents wish to use it in this way.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314428,"EventID":"S5W-01775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:15:52.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it will seek to ensure that any change to current fishing quotas, as a result of the recent EU referendum vote, is backed up with scientific evidence. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to the sustainable harvesting of fish stocks, and to the setting of catch limits in line with scientific advice.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314429,"EventID":"S5W-01765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:15:53.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many households received grants from the flooding fund last year, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The unprecedented scale of flooding that took place over the winter required substantive and immediate action to support those communities affected. In January 2016 the First Minister announced that the Scottish Government would provide funding to local authorities to allow them to pay out grants of £1,500 to people whose properties were flooded at any point from July 2015 to 31 March 2016. \r\nThe number of grants paid out by local authorities as of 15 August 2016 to households and also to businesses, community groups or charitable organisations (listed as ‘other’) is given in the following table:\r\nLocal Authority\r\nHouseholds\r\nOther\r\nTotal\r\nAberdeen City\r\n51\r\n2\r\n53\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n897 \r\n145 \r\n1042\r\nAngus\r\n83 \r\n18 \r\n101\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n10 \r\n2 \r\n12\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n253 \r\n227 \r\n480\r\nDundee City\r\n4 \r\n3 \r\n7\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n38 \r\n21 \r\n59\r\nFife\r\n4 \r\n0 \r\n4\r\nGlasgow City\r\n3 \r\n0 \r\n3 \r\nHighland\r\n14 \r\n3 \r\n17\r\nInverclyde\r\n4 \r\n0 \r\n4\r\nMidlothian\r\n0 \r\n6 \r\n6\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n4 \r\n0 \r\n4\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n2 \r\n0 \r\n2\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n134 \r\n69 \r\n203\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n7 \r\n0 \r\n7\r\nScottish Borders\r\n165 \r\n117 \r\n282\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n31 \r\n5 \r\n36\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n8 \r\n2 \r\n10\r\nStirling\r\n41 \r\n23 \r\n64\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n6 \r\n2 \r\n8\r\nWest Lothian\r\n1 \r\n0 \r\n1\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314430,"EventID":"S5W-01776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:15:54.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in light of the commitment in the 2016 SNP manifesto to consider the availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), it is planning a national roll-out of PrEP.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01777 on 29 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314431,"EventID":"S5W-01760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:15:55.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether meningitis B vaccines are available to children born before 1 July 2015 and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is guided on vaccination policy by the independent expert body, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Following the JCVI's advice, the Scottish Government introduced the Meningitis B (Men B) vaccine on 1 September 2015 with infants aged 2 months (born on or after 1 July 2015) being eligible. The JCVI also advised that there should be one off catch up programme for infants aged 3 and 4 months (infants born between 1 May 2015 - 30 June 2015) who were attending their GP practice for their routine immunisations at that time.\r\nThe JCVI recommendation is based on epidemiological evidence that the number of Men B cases in infants peaks at around 5 months of age. After 5 months of age the number of cases decline. It is important therefore to provide protection to infants before they are 5 months old. After administration, the vaccine can take a number of weeks to take effect and for immunity to be established in the host. Therefore, by giving the Men B vaccine at or around 2 months of age, before the peak in incidence of disease at 5 months of age, it allows for infants to be protected when the risk is greatest.\r\nInfants covered by the routine childhood programme are those born from 1 May 2015 onwards. While the routine childhood programme does not extend to older children, there are certain children who should receive the vaccination on clinical grounds due to increased risk of infection and disease. The full list of clinical grounds for those eligible for the Men B vaccination can be found in chapter 22 on the Green Book, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/541186/2905559_Green_Book_Chapter_22.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314432,"EventID":"S5W-01763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:15:57.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the NHS has spent on agency nurses in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The use of nursing agency staff in Scotland is very low and represents 0.4 per cent of the total Nursing and Midwifery workforce in 2015-16, representing 276.7 whole time equivalent (WTE) out of a total capacity of 66,143.9 WTE nursing establishment. 99.6% of all care is delivered by staff on NHS contracts. The collection of agency costs began for year ending 31 March 2001. Information prior to this is not available. \r\nYear ending\r\nCost (£)\r\n2001\r\n19,028,372\r\n2002\r\n24,527,939\r\n2003\r\n28,138,989\r\n2004\r\n29,709,181\r\n2005\r\n26,408,948\r\n2006\r\n26,472,237\r\n2007\r\n18,396,365\r\n2008\r\n12,149,686\r\n2009\r\n10,385,825\r\n2010\r\n8,182,083\r\n2011\r\n4,353,286\r\n2012\r\n3,939,107\r\n2013\r\n6,390,142\r\n2014\r\n9,325,810\r\n2015\r\n16,001,526\r\n2016\r\n23,483,306\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314433,"EventID":"S5W-01764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:15:58.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have not been registered with a GP in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nInformation Services Division of National Services Scotland produce practice population size reports every quarter. These can be accessed at the following web site:http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/Workforce-and-Practice-Populations/Practices-and-Their-Populations/","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314434,"EventID":"S5W-01777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:15:59.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that a decision on making pre-exposure prophylaxis available on the NHS should be a public health priority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that reducing HIV transmission is a public health priority. The Scottish Government is clear that the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) should consider pre-exposure prophylaxis as soon as possible, and therefore as soon as drugs are licenced for pre-exposure prophylaxis we will ask the manufacturer to submit an application to the SMC.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314435,"EventID":"S5W-01778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:16:00.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit funding to continue with the current pillar 1 schemes set out in the common agricultural policy until 2020, in particular the Basic Payment Scheme.","AnswerText":"The UK Government is responsible for this funding and has confirmed that common agriculture policy (CAP) Pillar One subsidy schemes will be guaranteed until 2020. However contracts for CAP Pillar Two projects beginning after the autumn statement will receive no such treatment.\r\n\r\nEuropean funding is vital to our farmers, and it also makes a valuable contribution to the fishing industry and the wider rural economy. We therefore will continue to urge the UK Government to guarantee crucial EU funding streams to end uncertainty and help bring stability to the economy.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":314436,"EventID":"S5W-01757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:16:01.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-01T16:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, following the EU referendum result, it will commit to continue with the Scottish Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020, including the spending commitments.","AnswerText":"It is for the UK Government to provide further clarity on future Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party (CAP) funding. The recent announcement from HM Treasury provides some reassurance, particularly in relation to the continuation of Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party (CAP )Pillar 1 funding until the end of the Multiannual Financial Framework in 2020. However, it fails to provide comprehensive, long-term guarantees for any Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party (CAP) Pillar 2 commitments under the Scottish Rural Development Programme arising after the UK Government’s Autumn Statement. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution Derek Mackay and I have written to our UK Government counterparts seeking urgent discussions on these matters.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":314437,"EventID":"S5W-01766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:16:02.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have received cataract operations in (a) an NHS and (b) a private hospital in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"The following tables show the number of patients who have received cataract operations in (a) an NHS and (b) a private hospital in each calendar year since 1999 broken down by NHS board of residence. NHS boards have taken steps to improve the completeness of data recording on activity carried out in the independent sector since 2011. Therefore interpreting trends in the independent sector from these statistics should be treated with caution.\r\nNumber of patients undergoing cataract operations in an NHS hospital each year, 1999 - 2015, broken down by health board of residence.\r\nHealth Board of Residence\r\nCalendar Year\r\n1999\r\n2000\r\n2001\r\n2002\r\n2003\r\n2004\r\n2005\r\n2006\r\nNHS Ayrshire & Arran\r\n1,603\r\n1,483\r\n1,665\r\n1,990\r\n1,980\r\n2,231\r\n2,102\r\n2,308\r\nNHS Borders\r\n590\r\n483\r\n664\r\n631\r\n606\r\n584\r\n665\r\n710\r\nNHS Dumfries & Galloway\r\n804\r\n860\r\n856\r\n812\r\n902\r\n1,041\r\n938\r\n896\r\nNHS Fife\r\n1,158\r\n1,136\r\n1,159\r\n1,298\r\n1,553\r\n1,694\r\n1,698\r\n1,802\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n939\r\n1,021\r\n1,064\r\n1,097\r\n1,304\r\n1,303\r\n1,446\r\n1,822\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n1,569\r\n1,372\r\n1,665\r\n1,307\r\n1,434\r\n1,711\r\n1,941\r\n2,407\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n3,868\r\n3,892\r\n4,603\r\n4,699\r\n4,788\r\n5,028\r\n5,442\r\n5,392\r\nNHS Highland\r\n1,144\r\n1,247\r\n1,389\r\n1,407\r\n1,495\r\n1,786\r\n2,015\r\n2,069\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n1,260\r\n1,769\r\n1,780\r\n1,843\r\n2,152\r\n2,185\r\n2,180\r\n2,796\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n2,915\r\n3,080\r\n2,537\r\n2,388\r\n2,006\r\n2,213\r\n2,518\r\n2,632\r\nNHS Orkney Islands\r\n60\r\n52\r\n77\r\n79\r\n76\r\n84\r\n152\r\n133\r\nNHS Shetland Islands\r\n79\r\n60\r\n59\r\n60\r\n82\r\n94\r\n69\r\n86\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n1,852\r\n1,844\r\n1,747\r\n1,709\r\n1,899\r\n2,249\r\n2,415\r\n2,184\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n123\r\n137\r\n156\r\n214\r\n215\r\n220\r\n215\r\n189\r\nOther\r\n19\r\n19\r\n21\r\n21\r\n32\r\n21\r\n36\r\n36\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n17,983\r\n18,455\r\n19,442\r\n19,555\r\n20,524\r\n22,444\r\n23,832\r\n25,462\r\nSource: SMR00 & SMR01, Information Services Division. \r\nHealth Board of Residence\r\nCalendar Year\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nNHS Ayrshire & Arran\r\n2,524\r\n2,708\r\n2,694\r\n2,330\r\n2,483\r\n2,779\r\n2,982\r\n3,321\r\n3,170\r\nNHS Borders\r\n771\r\n683\r\n794\r\n814\r\n975\r\n964\r\n946\r\n1,200\r\n909\r\nNHS Dumfries & Galloway\r\n1,146\r\n1,280\r\n1,333\r\n1,182\r\n1,079\r\n943\r\n1,071\r\n1,176\r\n1,265\r\nNHS Fife\r\n1,734\r\n1,645\r\n1,787\r\n1,787\r\n1,858\r\n1,785\r\n1,693\r\n1,917\r\n2,210\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n1,659\r\n1,524\r\n1,595\r\n1,676\r\n1,810\r\n2,040\r\n1,777\r\n1,752\r\n1,843\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n2,029\r\n2,150\r\n2,400\r\n2,287\r\n2,109\r\n2,580\r\n2,659\r\n2,624\r\n2,864\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n5,021\r\n5,126\r\n5,151\r\n5,538\r\n5,745\r\n6,670\r\n7,073\r\n7,566\r\n7,513\r\nNHS Highland\r\n1,746\r\n1,851\r\n2,041\r\n2,012\r\n2,142\r\n2,105\r\n2,349\r\n2,429\r\n2,106\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n2,765\r\n3,078\r\n2,906\r\n2,869\r\n3,005\r\n3,072\r\n3,632\r\n3,785\r\n3,199\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n3,333\r\n3,612\r\n3,904\r\n4,084\r\n4,455\r\n4,658\r\n4,721\r\n4,460\r\n4,343\r\nNHS Orkney Islands\r\n137\r\n88\r\n76\r\n90\r\n72\r\n90\r\n106\r\n101\r\n114\r\nNHS Shetland Islands\r\n90\r\n107\r\n71\r\n70\r\n60\r\n91\r\n113\r\n115\r\n90\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n2,080\r\n2,011\r\n2,428\r\n2,874\r\n2,963\r\n3,088\r\n3,165\r\n3,368\r\n3,238\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n186\r\n158\r\n227\r\n193\r\n160\r\n119\r\n169\r\n224\r\n211\r\nOther\r\n51\r\n46\r\n79\r\n59\r\n68\r\n71\r\n75\r\n73\r\n31\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n25,272\r\n26,067\r\n27,486\r\n27,865\r\n28,984\r\n31,055\r\n32,531\r\n34,111\r\n33,106\r\nSource: SMR00 & SMR01, Information Services Division. \r\nNumber of patients undergoing cataract operations in a private hospital each year, 1999 - 2015, broken down by health board of residence.\r\nHealth Board of Residence\r\nCalendar Year\r\n1999\r\n2000\r\n2001\r\n2002\r\n2003\r\n2004\r\n2005\r\n2006\r\nNHS Ayrshire & Arran\r\n5\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Borders\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Dumfries & Galloway\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n8\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\nNHS Fife\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Highland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\n-\r\n*\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\n-\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Shetland Islands\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nOther\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\n-\r\n*\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n5\r\n-\r\n149\r\n-\r\n8\r\n147\r\n250\r\n309\r\nSou","AnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314438,"EventID":"S5W-01768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:16:02.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government to what projects or initiatives funding has been committed from the £150 million mental health improvement fund, showing the amount in each case.","AnswerText":"Commitments to date from the additional £150 million investment to improve mental health include:£54.1 million to support delivery of the Local Delivery Plan (LDP) access standards for both Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and psychological therapies to further reduce waiting times. This comprises £24.7million to NHS boards to increase capacity to deliver services; £24.6million to support development of the mental health workforce to deliver evidence-based therapies; and £4.8million to deliver the Mental Health Access Improvement Support Programme. £10 million to support new ways of improving mental health in primary care settings.A £15 million Mental Health Innovation Fund to support better access to CAMHS and to develop innovative approaches to delivering mental health services.£1 million to support people with mental health problems to become more physically active. £4.2 million to support people in distress who turn to frontline services.We are considering the priorities for the remainder of the funding as part of the development of the new mental health strategy due to be published later this year.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314439,"EventID":"S5W-01761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:16:03.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on the basis of what scientific evidence it has set a date for eligibility for meningitis B vaccine.","AnswerText":"The position is based on independent expert scientific advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The JCVI considered all of the available information on epidemiology, vaccine efficacy, strain coverage, duration of protection, and protection against meningococcal carriage, safety, dose-scheduling, vaccine availability, and cost-effectiveness modelling before reaching their recommendation.\r\nThe full detail of the JCVI advice in relation to recommending Men B is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/294245/JCVI_Statement_on_MenB.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314440,"EventID":"S5W-01762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:16:05.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what circumstances a child born before 1 July 2015 would qualify for the meningitis B vaccine.","AnswerText":"Infants covered by the routine childhood programme are those born from 1 May 2015 onwards. While the routine childhood programme does not extend to older children, there are certain children who should receive the vaccination on clinical grounds due to increased risk of infection and disease. The full list of clinical grounds for those eligible for the Men B vaccination can be found in chapter 22 of the green book, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/541186/2905559_Green_Book_Chapter_22.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314441,"EventID":"S5W-01779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:16:07.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the National Litter Strategy has had on reducing littering in (a) North Lanarkshire and (b) Scotland.","AnswerText":"Our litter strategy is a five year plan that sets out how Scotland can significantly reduce litter and flytipping and support cleaner, safer communities. It is vital that organisations with roles in helping to tackle litter and flytipping play their part.\r\nAs a result of the strategy, we have supported community clean ups, boosted communication to highlight that people should dispose of waste responsibly and since 2011 we have funded the installation of over 4,200 Recycling on the Go bins across Scotland. We have also strengthened the deterrent effect of enforcement by raising the litter and flytipping fixed penalties, from £50 to £80 and £200 and introduced a charge on single use carrier bags, a highly visible form of litter.\r\nOver the next year, we will explore new ways to encourage people to properly dispose of and recycle waste and publish revised guidance for our delivery partners that will expand the focus of tackling litter from expensive clean-up operations to support for more preventative measures. These actions will continue to support reducing littering behaviour in North Lanarkshire and throughout Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314442,"EventID":"S5W-01749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:16:07.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-01T15:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its progress in achieving its equality outcomes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has a statutory duty to report progress on its equality outcomes. A progress report was published in April 2015 and a further report will be published by 30 April 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314443,"EventID":"S5W-01756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:16:08.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-01T15:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the potential impact of the Brexit vote on the next Northern Isles ferry services contract tendering process and future such tendering exercises.","AnswerText":" I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01754 on 23 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314444,"EventID":"S5W-01774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:16:09.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many extractions of deciduous teeth there have been on children (a) under one, (b) between one and two, (c) between two and three, (c) between three and four and (d) between four and five years of age in each year since 2000, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of teeth extracted is not collated. Information on the number of children undergoing tooth extraction is collated. The information has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICE), under Bib number 58127. The table shows the number of children (0-5 years) undergoing tooth extraction, for financial years 2000-01 to 2015-16, broken down by age and NHS board of treatment.Source: ISD Scotlan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314445,"EventID":"S5W-01735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:16:10.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-07-29T12:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it took legal advice regarding the information sharing proposals in the named person legislation and, if so, who gave the advice and when it was received.","AnswerText":"It is standard practice for the Scottish Government not to state whether legal advice has been sought or received or to reveal the content of that advice. On introduction, the Presiding Officer stated that the Children and Young People Bill would, in her opinion, be within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314446,"EventID":"S5W-01752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:16:11.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-01T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff are receiving training in the implementation of welfare payments ahead of the transfer of powers on 5 September 2016.","AnswerText":"For social security, this stage of transfer focusses around the powers to create new benefits or top up existing ones and not around the transition of benefits currently being paid to people in Scotland. All the changes will be implemented on a phased basis over the coming years and we will work with the UK Government to ensure the transfer of powers takes place as quickly as possible, but with the clear premise that our top priority is the safe and secure transfer of these powers.All of the staff engaged in the implementation of the newly devolved social security powers will take part in appropriate training and development as required over this period of transition.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314447,"EventID":"S5W-01754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:16:12.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-01T15:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provision it has made regarding negotiations on the forthcoming Northern Isles ferry services contract in light of the Brexit vote.","AnswerText":"At present, the UK remains a Member State of the European Union. The Scottish Government's priority is to protect all of our interests, and we are considering all options to protect Scotland's relationship with Europe. At present, trade and business should continue as normal and we remain of the view that European law and State aid rules require Scottish Government subsidised ferry services, such as those to the Northern Isles, to be tendered on a non-discriminatory basis.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314448,"EventID":"S5W-01769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:16:14.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its consultation, Mental Health in Scotland – a 10 year vision.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently seeking views on the new Mental Health Strategy.\r\nWe published a paper on Friday 29 July 2016  which summarises our proposed priorities for the new Mental Health Strategy which will cover a 10 year period.\r\nThe paper can be viewed and downloaded at the Scottish Government’s Citizen Space website via the link below.\r\nhttps://consult.scotland.gov.uk/mental-health-unit/mental-health-in-scotland-a-10-year-vision","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314449,"EventID":"S5W-01771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:16:15.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the number of children under the age of two registered with a dentist.","AnswerText":"Health visitors support families and act as a gateway to other services, including dentistry. The Universal Health Visiting Pathway for Scotland was published in October 2015: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/10/9697 which presents a core home visiting programme to be offered to all families by health visitors. The core home visiting programme requires health visitors to introduce the Childsmile programme, and emphasise the importance of baby’s registration.\r\nIn addition, Childsmile dental health support workers assist our most vulnerable families register and attend the dentist. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314450,"EventID":"S5W-01786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-02T15:16:16.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the study commissioned by the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism in May 2015 to examine the role of the various pub models operating in Scotland and when the findings will be published.","AnswerText":"Research into the tied pub sector is expected to be completed and published in autumn 2016. Its findings will be published on the Scottish Government website.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314469,"EventID":"S5W-01759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-03T15:17:55.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-01T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it makes of the number of citizens from the rest of the UK working in NHSScotland based on information from the Office for National Statistics.","AnswerText":"Data on the citizenship of employees of NHSScotland is not collated or held centrally.\r\nFurther information on the statistics, including information on how the data are collected and notes to aid interpretation, is given in the 'FAQs' section of the Workforce Statistics website at http://www.isdscotland.org/workforce/\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314470,"EventID":"S5W-01791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-03T15:17:56.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish (a) a summary and (b) all of the responses to the consultation on the law of succession that closed on 18 September 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is considering the analysis of responses to the consultation on the law of succession together with the findings of a survey of public attitudes towards succession law of just over 1000 people representative of the Scottish population and a targeted Survey Monkey on disinheritance which received over 800 responses. The analysis of, and the responses to, the consultation will be published when that consideration is concluded.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314471,"EventID":"S5W-01758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-03T15:17:57.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-01T17:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number and nation of origin of NHS Scotland staff from the rest of the UK in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Data on the nation of origin of employees of NHS Scotland is not collated or held centrally.\r\nFurther information on NHSScotland statistics, including information on how the data are collected and notes to aid interpretation, is given in the 'FAQs' section of the Workforce Statistics website at:- http://www.isdscotland.org/workforce/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-08-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314483,"EventID":"S5W-01789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:31.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T14:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of access there is in Scotland to pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV transmission.","AnswerText":"To date, no manufacturer has received a marketing authorisation for pre-exposure prophylaxis and so it is not routinely available. As with all other medicines that have not been licensed or have not yet been considered by the Scottish Medicines Consortium, NHS boards have guidance and procedures in place for off-label prescribing. A decision to recommend the use of a medicine off-label depends on the clinical judgement of the prescriber concerned, taking account of safety and efficacy risks. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314484,"EventID":"S5W-01802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:32.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding the official response to the proposals from the Scottish Ambulance Service.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314485,"EventID":"S5W-01804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:34.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding whether there are enough staff employed for the Hospital at Home service.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314486,"EventID":"S5W-01819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:35.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many oil and gas workers have been assisted by Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE); how many of them (a) attended information events and (b) received an in-depth service, and what service these received.","AnswerText":"To support individuals who have been made redundant, or are at risk of redundancy, in the oil and gas industry and other sectors affected by the downturn, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) organised four high-profile PACE events held in Aberdeen in March, June and September 2015 and also in June 2016, with three,165 unique individuals attending these events.\r\nAs part of a wider programme of engagement through the Energy Jobs Taskforce, SDS has also provided in-depth support to individuals affected by the downturn in the sector and who have taken up an offer of support. This amounts to an estimated 1,620 individuals. This support includes workshops on CV preparation, careers guidance interviews, one-to-one employability support and coaching.\r\nThe Honourable Member may also be aware of the £12 million Transition Training Fund to support individuals and help the sector retain talent. The latest figures show more than 500 people have had applications approved from the fund, with more than 650 applications currently being processed, we expect this number will increase substantially.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314487,"EventID":"S5W-01783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:37.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reported concerns that there has been an increase in ministers intervening in local authority decisions regarding planning applications.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have a general power to intervene in the determination of a planning application but only where it appears there may be some matter of genuine national interest at stake. In practice, Ministers will exercise this power very sparingly, recognising and respecting the important role of local authorities in making decisions on the future development of their areas. As at 31 March 2016 there were approximately 788 live cases over one year old in the planning system, creating uncertainty for not only developers but the communities in which they are proposed. In year 2015-2016, planning authorities in Scotland determined 29,766 applications for planning permission. Through their power of call-in, Scottish Ministers intervened in 5 (0.02%) of those. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314488,"EventID":"S5W-01790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:38.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01024 by Fergus Ewing on 15 July 2016, whether it will provide a response that addresses the specific issues raised in questions S5W-00104 and S5W-01024.","AnswerText":"I met with representatives of Graham’s Dairy on 5 December 2014 at Grahams Bridge of Allan site where I received a tour of the Dairy and a brief outline of their development plans at Hill of Drip and Airthrey Kerse. I should like to address the specific point on S5W-00104 by explaining that due to a Parliament’s Chamber Desk system problem we did not have this question in our system for which I should like to apologise.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314489,"EventID":"S5W-01801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:39.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding whether paramedics will have portable X-ray equipment to diagnose fractures.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314490,"EventID":"S5W-01808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:40.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which stakeholders the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport referred to in the response to question S5O-00001 on 8 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 2).","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314491,"EventID":"S5W-01815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:41.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T10:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is helping ScotRail to meet its service arrival targets, broken down by (a) region and (b) journey.","AnswerText":"For 2016-17, the PPM (Public-performance-measure) targets by region are as follows:\r\nService category\r\nPPM target\r\nComment\r\nExpress Group\r\n86.5%\r\nIntercity services\r\nEdinburgh & Glasgow\r\n89.3%\r\nTrains between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Falkirk High\r\nRural services\r\n85.3%\r\nTrains to the Far North from Inverness, and to Oban and the Kyle of Lochalsh\r\nSuburban East\r\n92.5%\r\nEdinburgh-area trains\r\nSuburban West - Peak\r\n84.9%\r\nGlasgow-area trains\r\nSuburban West - offpeak\r\n92.5%\r\nGlasgow-area trains\r\nOverall\r\n91.3%\r\n\r\n Officials from Transport Scotland meet regularly with ScotRail and Network Rail, to review system performance and to challenge both the operator and the network to improve their service standards.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314492,"EventID":"S5W-01795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:41.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding whether other specialties will have to be transfered from Hairmyres and Wishaw hospitals to accommodate the redesign.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314493,"EventID":"S5W-01796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:42.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding whether the three emergency departments in North Lanarkshire will be able to cope with the impact of the proposals.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314494,"EventID":"S5W-01813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:43.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on the administration of the Scottish rate of income tax of the proposed staffing cuts and office closures at HM Revenue and Customs in Scotland; whether it has discussed this with the UK Government, and, if so, whether it will provide details of such discussions.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01811 on 17 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314495,"EventID":"S5W-01788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:46.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T14:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, noting the High Court ruling regarding NHS England’s funding for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), what its position is on the funding of PrEP by NHS Scotland to prevent HIV transmission.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question SW5-01777 on 29 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314496,"EventID":"S5W-01803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:47.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding whether there will there be enough beds at Hairmyres and Wishaw hospitals to allow the proposed changes to go ahead.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314497,"EventID":"S5W-01805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:48.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding whether there will be an increase in homecare staffing.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314498,"EventID":"S5W-01782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:49.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the involvement of a representative on its Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group in asking for the Scottish Government to assist in relation to the planning application by Sandlaw Farming for a housing development in Banchory represented a conflict of interest.","AnswerText":"The Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group includes representatives from 28 national housing related organisations. The Group offers Ministers advice on national strategic policy and delivery issues relating to housing. Members of the Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group are expected to declare any conflicts of interest with respect to any topic being discussed by the Group. Specific housing developments are not discussed in the Group.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314499,"EventID":"S5W-01784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:50.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider publishing a register of cases in which ministers make contact, offer assistance or intervene in planning applications.","AnswerText":" In the few cases where ministers intervene by recommending call-in of planning applications the reasons are publicly available. It is part of the day to day operation of the planning service that stakeholders, including government, communicate and it would not be practical to record and publish every case where there is discussion with government or its agencies. It would be for the planning authority in reporting to its Planning Committee to reflect any brokerage discussion relevant to the progress of any particular planning application and that would be both a proportionate and transparent reflection open to planning authorities. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314500,"EventID":"S5W-01807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:51.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding when the last review of its major incident policy took place.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314501,"EventID":"S5W-01809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:52.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will halt the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital prior to the planned implementation date of 31 October 2016 to allow full consutlation on the changes with the public and staff.","AnswerText":"At its board meeting on 14 July 2016, NHS Lanarkshire agreed interim plans to concentrate orthopaedic elective and trauma surgery at Hairmyres and Wishaw hospitals, as part of a phased approach to improve patient safety and the quality of care. It is important to note that there are no proposals to close orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, outpatient appointments account for over 85% of all orthopaedic patient contacts and will be maintained at all three of the main acute sites in Lanarkshire.\r\nNHS Lanarkshire is clear that it continues to work closely with its planning partners, such as the Scottish Ambulance Service and Health and Social Care Partnerships, to ensure that there are robust operational systems and protocols in place - as well as sufficient capacity and resources - to effectively support their interim plans; with no detriment to other clinical specialties or performance. Within this context, it is important to note that NHS Lanarkshire's interim plans will not materially impact on the provision of A&E services at any of the three main hospitals in Lanarkshire. The A&E Department at Monklands sees around 66,000 patients per year and the board are estimating that 98% of patients will be unaffected by the interim changes, and that the number of individuals who will be treated at either Hairmyres or Wishaw General as a result of the interim changes will amount to three or four patient referrals each day. The Government expects the health board to keep the actual activity information under close review.\r\nNHS Lanarkshire has also repeatedly given assurances that it is committed to retaining three district general hospitals with full A&E departments as part of these longer term plans. I would encourage all local stakeholders to play a full part in this consultation in order to help shape the future of local services. It was this Government that saved the A&E at Monkland’s Hospital from closure and we are committed to its future.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314502,"EventID":"S5W-01816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:53.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what specific actions it will take to tackle nuisance calls following its nuisance calls summit on 29 June 2016.","AnswerText":"To continue the momentum gained by the summit, the Scottish Government will convene a short life Nuisance Calls Commission which aims to find practical solutions to the problem of unwanted calls which make long term differences and reduce their impact on people’s lives.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314503,"EventID":"S5W-01818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:54.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the redevelopment of brownfield sites of high environmental quality will be ineligible for funding through the Housing Infrastructure Fund.","AnswerText":" It is for local authorities to put forward sites they consider to be a priority for support in line with the eligibility criteria for the fund http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/supply-demand/housing-infrastructure-fund. This can include brownfield sites of high environmental quality.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314504,"EventID":"S5W-01781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:55.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what policy position determines its use of powers to become involved in non-strategic/non-infrastructure planning applications that have not become stalled in the planning process.","AnswerText":"Scottish Planning Policy provides the policy context for Ministers’ expectations for the planning system. This underlines the importance of all those involved working together constructively and proportionately to achieve quality places. Whilst Scottish Ministers and planning authorities have respective formal roles which need to be respected, clear communication between all parties, including statutory agencies and Government can facilitate discussion and support efficient operation of the planning service. The Chief Planner’s brokerage role was reflected in the Government’s Economic Strategy (2011). However, any brokerage or discussion on individual cases is only progressed with the agreement of the principal parties and respecting the statutory role of both Ministers and planning authorities in the planning process.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314505,"EventID":"S5W-01792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:55.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding whether the three hospitals in North Lanarkshire will continue to meet trauma network requirements.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314506,"EventID":"S5W-01799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:56.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding whether paramedics will be responsible for diagnosing orthopaedic fractures and deciding which need surgery, so that they can decide which hospital to take patients to.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314507,"EventID":"S5W-01806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:57.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding whether this is considered a major service redesign.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314508,"EventID":"S5W-01817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:58.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that brownfield sites of high environmental quality will be protected from redevelopment.","AnswerText":"Scottish planning policy makes provision for the protection of sites of high environmental quality.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314509,"EventID":"S5W-01824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:08:59.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T14:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Police Scotland, (b) local authorities and (c) housing associations about reforming and modernising the system for managing sex offenders.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular dialogue with Police Scotland, the criminal justice sector, and a wide range of stakeholders relative to the management of sex offenders to ensure that policy, guidance and legislation, including the National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders remains fit for purpose.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314510,"EventID":"S5W-01780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:09:01.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-02T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it made contact with Aberdeenshire Council in relation to the non-strategic/non-infrastructure planning application by Sandlaw Farming for a housing development in Banchory and whether it considers that this action was appropriate.","AnswerText":"Contact between the Scottish Government and planning authorities is commonplace. In this instance contact was made in connection with a major housing proposal for private rented accommodation to request an update on the planning application and to enquire whether facilitated discussion had any role in the process. In the event, the planning authority were content to progress the application to planning committee and no further discussion took place.\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314511,"EventID":"S5W-01794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:09:01.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding whether there will be additional pressure on other specialties in the three hospitals in the region.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314512,"EventID":"S5W-01797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:09:02.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding whether theatres will need to be reconfigured to accommodate the redesign at Hairmyres and Wishaw hospitals.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314513,"EventID":"S5W-01811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:09:03.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the impact on employment and the administration of the Scottish rate of income tax, whether it has been provided with a copy of a business plan or other analysis to support the closure of 17 HM Revenue and Customs offices in Scotland and, if so, whether this will be published and when it last discussed this issue with the UK Government.","AnswerText":"HMRC continues to be responsible and accountable for the efficient and effective administration of income tax for Scottish taxpayers. \r\nWhen HMRC announced the next stage of their Building our Future transformation programme on 12 November 2015, the First Minister personally spoke to the second Permanent Secretary at HMRC to relay her grave concerns over job losses. Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, wrote to David Gauke MP, Financial Secretary to HM Treasury, on 5 July 2016, to relay the Scottish Governments concerns over the HMRC office closures.\r\nWe are fully committed to working with all interested parties at local, national and UK level, including the trades unions, to mitigate the impact of HMRC office closures and job losses in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314514,"EventID":"S5W-01793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:09:05.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding the low medical staffing level identified in the 2013 Health Improvement Scotland report and whether this will be addressed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314515,"EventID":"S5W-01798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:09:06.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding whether there will be enough theatre capacity at Hairmyres and Wishaw hospitals to accommodate the redesign.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314516,"EventID":"S5W-01800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:09:07.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure of trauma and orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital, what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding whether paramedics will receive further training to use new pathways for the planned redesign.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01809 on 1 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314517,"EventID":"S5W-01825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-04T15:09:08.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress the expert group assessing all forms of electronic monitoring of sex offenders has made and when its findings will be published.","AnswerText":"The expert Working Group on Electronic Monitoring in Scotland was established by the Scottish Government to consider a range of important issues, including how electronic monitoring can best be used at different points in the criminal justice system; how best to support monitored individuals in the community, while maintaining public protection; and the opportunities that new technologies can provide. We know from international evidence that electronic monitoring is a useful tool that can aid reducing reoffending when set within a wider package of support. International research commissioned by the Scottish Government provides evidence to support the use of GPS, not as a replacement for the current radio frequency technology, but as an additional tool for people who have been convicted of a range of offences. The Working Group’s report and recommendations are now with the Justice Secretary for consideration and will be responded to in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314533,"EventID":"S5W-01829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-05T14:28:26.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance has been provided to local authorities to ensure consistent reporting of the number of pupils with additional support needs (ASN) and what percentage of pupils are recorded as having ASN.","AnswerText":"The ScotXed Unit within the Scottish Government provide guidance notes to schools in Scotland responsible for reporting on the school/pupil census. This includes the reporting of pupils with additional support needs.The Scottish Government is committed, through the Advisory Group for Additional Support for Learning, to improve guidance to authorities on the reporting of pupils with additional support needs. Work to agree this is ongoing.The Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland No.6: 2015 Edition indicates that 22.5% of pupils in Scotland's local authority primary, secondary and grant-aided schools were identified as having additional support needs.The current guidance notes can be accessed at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/ScotXed/SchoolEducation/SchoolPupilCensus/SurveyDocumentation","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314534,"EventID":"S5W-01830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-05T14:28:27.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-05T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made any (a) within-year payments, (b) loans or (c) grants to Police Scotland in the last two years and, if so, when and what for.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made no payments, loans or grants directly to Police Scotland in the last two years.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314535,"EventID":"S5W-01810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-05T14:28:28.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what feedback from the Information Commissioner’s Office in relation to sections 26 and 27 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill the Minister for Children and Young People was referring to in evidence to the Education and Culture Committee on 7 January 2014 (Official Report, c. 3247).","AnswerText":"On 16 December 2013, Ken Macdonald, Assistant Commissioner (Scotland & Northern Ireland) at the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), wrote to the Education and Culture Committee, setting out the ICOs feedback on the proposed Scottish Government amendments to the information sharing sections of the Children and Young People Bill. The Scottish Government’s amendments on information sharing were discussed at the Education and Culture Committee on the 7 January 2014, where the Minister referred to the ICO feedback of 16 December 2013.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314536,"EventID":"S5W-01821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-05T14:28:29.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what correspondence it has had with alleged victims of illegal and unethical undercover police operations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has received and replied to a number of enquiries around the issues under consideration by the Pitchford Inquiry.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314537,"EventID":"S5W-01820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-05T14:28:30.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Scotland it considers have been victims of alleged illegal or unethical undercover police operations since 1968.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314538,"EventID":"S5W-01822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-05T14:28:31.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Government not extending the terms of reference of its inquiry into undercover policing, how any victims of unethical or illegal undercover police operations in Scotland can seek access to the truth and justice.","AnswerText":"The options available will depend on the individual’s specific circumstances and could include a complaint to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, a complaint to the relevant police force, or a civil court action.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314539,"EventID":"S5W-01827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-05T14:28:33.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01495 by Derek Mackay on 3 August 2016, whether the insertion by paragraph 6 of the Non-Domestic Rating (Unoccupied Property) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2013 (SSI 2013 No. 37) at 4(e) and (f) of “and the person entitled to possession of the lands and heritages has submitted an application to the rating authority” means that submitting an application is a mandatory condition to establish that a property has been unoccupied and therefore entitled to empty property relief; what guidance has been issued to local authorities on the implementation of the conditions to be met to access the Fresh Start initiative, and whether fresh start relief is unavailable if no application for empty property relief has been made.","AnswerText":"Two of the conditions for rates relief under regulation 4 of The Non-Domestic Rating (Unoccupied Property) (Scotland) Regulations 1994, referred to as 'Fresh Start', are submission of an application to the rating authority, and that for a continuous period of 12 months immediately prior to being occupied the person or persons entitled to possession of the lands and heritages during that period were in receipt of relief under section 24 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1966. There is no statutory requirement for an application to the rating authority for empty property relief, although in practice councils make application forms available to enable ratepayers to notify vacancies. Information on rates reliefs for local authorities is published by the Scottish Government at: www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/local-government/17999/11203/nondomratesinfo\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314540,"EventID":"S5W-01828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5877,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-05T14:28:34.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the amount owed in unpaid council tax and rent by local authority employees, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Information on the amount owed by individual council tax payers, and by individual local authority tenants, is a matter for local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314541,"EventID":"S5W-01826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5877,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-05T14:28:35.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance has been provided to local authorities to ensure consistent reporting of the number of pupils with additional support needs.","AnswerText":"The ScotXed Unit within the Scottish Government provide guidance notes to schools in Scotland responsible for reporting on the school/pupil census. This includes the reporting of pupils with additional support needs.The Scottish Government is committed, through the Advisory Group for Additional Support for Learning, to improve guidance to authorities on the reporting of pupils with additional support needs. Work to agree this is ongoing.The current guidance notes can be accessed at the following link:http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/ScotXed/SchoolEducation/SchoolPupilCensus/SurveyDocumentation","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314542,"EventID":"S5W-01823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-05T14:28:36.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-04T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will hold an inquiry into alleged unethical and illegal undercover police operations since 1968.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is extremely disappointed that the UK Government has indicated it will not extend the remit of the Pitchford Inquiry to consider the activities of undercover Metropolitan Police units in Scotland. We continue to believe that a single inquiry across the UK is the most effective approach to provide a comprehensive and coherent investigation into these matters. We are considering how best to take this matter forward.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314554,"EventID":"S5W-01837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-08T09:51:27.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-08T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Registrar General will publish his annual report for 2015.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Population 2015: the Registrar General’s Annual Review of Demographic Trends’ will be published at 9:30am. on 10 August 2016. The Report contains information about births, deaths and marriages during the year, together with other demographic information. A copy of the report will be available in the Scottish Parliament Reference Centre, or from the Registrar General’s website at www.nrscotland.gov.uk, from 9:30am on 10 August 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314555,"EventID":"S5W-01831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-08T15:07:40.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-05T14:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the City of Edinburgh introducing a citywide 20mph speed limit and the reported support of the Minister for Transport and the Islands for a national 20mph speed limit, whether all local authorities should include consideration of such a speed limit in their road safety plans.","AnswerText":"In 2015 the Scottish Government published the Good Practice Guide on 20mph speed restrictions, and revised it earlier in 2016. The Guide encourages local authorities to introduce 20mph speed limits near schools, in residential areas and in other areas of towns and cities where there is a significant volume of pedestrian and/or cyclist activity.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314556,"EventID":"S5W-01832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-08T15:07:41.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-05T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide substantive answers to questions S5W-00870, S5W-00863, S5W-00864, S5W-00865 and S5W-00866, which received holding answers on 1 July 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers to questions S5W-00863 and S5W-00865 on 11 August 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314569,"EventID":"S5W-01841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-09T15:22:14.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much will be invested in major NHS projects in each of the next four years.","AnswerText":"At this stage, the NHS capital budget is not known beyond 2016-17, therefore there is an element of uncertainty as to what major NHS projects will be undertaken over the next four years.\r\nNHS capital projects in development (with a capital value over £5 million) are listed below along with the expected cost and estimated completion date. The various projects have been grouped into Public Capital, Non-Profit Distribution (NPD) and Revenue financed Hub investments. Major capital projects usually span more than one financial year, therefore the expected completion date is noted below. It should also be noted that the completion date is an estimate which may be subject to change.\r\nNHS boards have also submitted a number of projects to the NHS Capital Investment Group (CIG) for consideration and these projects are progressing through the business case approval process. However until the CIG approve a business case, it will not be included as a planned investment.\r\nPublic Capital\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran – Building for Better Care (£28 million), Completion expected 2017\r\nNHS Grampian – Baird Family Hospital and ANCHOR Centre (£145 million), Timescales TBC\r\nNHS Highland - Raigmore Critical Care and Theatres (£29 million), Completion expected 2019\r\nNHS Lanarkshire - Monklands Hospital Theatres and ICU (£20 million), Completion expected 2018\r\nNHS Western Isles - St Brendans Hospital (circa £9 million), Timescales TBC\r\nScottish Ambulance Service - Fleet Replacement for period 2016/2021 (circa £80 million), Ongoing\r\nNHS Scotland – Elective centres (circa £200 million), Timescales TBC\r\nNPD\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran - Acute Mental Health and North Ayrshire Community Hospital (£55 million), Completion expected 2016\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway - Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary (£274 million), Completion expected 2018\r\nNHS Lothian - Royal Hospital for Sick Children / Department of Clinical Neurosciences (£230 million), Completion expected 2017\r\nNHS Orkney - New Balfour Hospital (£67 million), Completion expected 2018\r\nNational Services Scotland - Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service National Centre (£38 million), Completion expected 2017\r\nRevenue-financed Hub projects\r\nNHS Forth Valley – Stirling Care Village (circa £35 million), Completion TBC.\r\nNHS Grampian - Inverurie Health and Care Hub (£14 million), Completion expected 2018\r\nNHS Grampian - Foresterhill Campus - Foresterhill Health Centre (£8 million), Completion expected 2018\r\nNHS Grampian - Primary Healthcare Priorities in Grampian (£19 million), Completion TBC\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – Maryhill and Eastwood Health Centres (£25 million), Completion expected 2016\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow andClyde – Gorbals and Woodside Health Centres (circa £33 million), Completion expected 2017\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow andClyde – Inverclyde Continuing Care for Adults and Older People (£8.5 million), Completion expected 2017\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – Clydebank and Greenock Health Centres (circa £38 million), Completion expected 2019\r\nNHS Highland - Community Hospitals for Skyle, Lochalsh and South West Ross and Badenoch and Strathspey (circa £30 million), Timescales TBC\r\nNHS Lothian – Partnership Centres – Blackburn, NW Edinburgh, Firhill (circa £25 million), Completion expected 2018\r\nNHS Lothian – East Lothian Community Hospital (circa £72 million), Completion expected 2020\r\nNHS Lothian - Royal Edinburgh Campus Redevelopment (Phase 1 £49 million, further phases circa £120 million), Phase 1 expected completion 2016, further phases TBC\r\nNHS Tayside - NHS Scotland Pharmaceuticals Specials Service (£26 million), Timescales TBC\r\nNHS Tayside - Dundee Community Care (circa £20 million), Timescales TBC","AnswerDate":"2016-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314570,"EventID":"S5W-01843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-09T15:22:15.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) action it is taking and (b) resources and support it is providing to the relevant local authorities in light of the reported shortfall of 260 teachers in the north of Scotland.","AnswerText":"While it is ultimately the responsibility of individual local authorities, the Scottish Government is taking a number of actions to help recruit and retain teachers.\r\nWe have delivered our #inspiringteachers campaign to encourage more people into teaching and are committed to developing on that in the recently published Delivery Plan. We have increased student teacher intake targets for the fifth year in a row and are setting targets to train teachers in the subjects where they are needed most. In addition we are also supporting innovative ways to encourage more graduates to come into teaching in areas that are have difficulty recruiting teachers. This includes Aberdeen University’s distance learning programme, which allows council employees to retrain as teachers while staying in work. Five councils are already benefiting from this. In June, we also announced that part of our £12 million Transition Training Fund will be used to enable 25 oil and gas workers to train to become Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) teachers.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314571,"EventID":"S5W-01848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-09T15:22:16.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage further investment in the Carstairs Junction area to accommodate the service demand until 2043 that was forecast by Network Rail in its report, Scotland Route Study.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is funding Network Rail’s on-going development and detailed design of options to enhance Carstairs junction to improve line speeds and increase capacity and performance levels. Final decisions on investment will be subject to confirmation of the business case and affordability as well as agreement on a suitable funding model to reflect the distribution of financial benefits, the vast majority of which will accrue to UK Government sponsored cross-border franchises.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314572,"EventID":"S5W-01850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5868,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-09T15:22:17.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in rolling out superfast broadband in the Renfrewshire South constituency.","AnswerText":"The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme has delivered fibre broadband to more than 13,000 homes and businesses in Renfrewshire.  At present 68% of premises in Renfrewshire are connected to fibre broadband. By the end of March 2018 at least 96% will have fibre access.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314573,"EventID":"S5W-01845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-09T15:22:18.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) primary and (b) secondary teacher vacancies in each local authority have been filled in each year since 2010-11, also broken down by the number filled by supply teachers.","AnswerText":"The information requested is currently not collated centrally. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314574,"EventID":"S5W-01846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-09T15:22:19.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) it and (b) each local authority has spent on supply teachers in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not collated centrally. Supply teachers are employed by each individual local authority, depending on their local needs and circumstances throughout the year.\r\nWe are working with our partners in local government and teacher organisations through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers to establish a national system through which councils can more easily source and book supply teachers when cover is required, thus maximising existing supply resources and minimising costs for local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314575,"EventID":"S5W-01838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-09T15:22:20.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-08T17:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00074 by Jeane Freeman on 29 June 2016, what process will be used to identify the location for the social security agency; what the timeline will be, and when the final decision will be announced.","AnswerText":"As set out in our response to question S5O-00074, we are not yet at the stage of making a decision on the location of the new social security agency. We are undertaking a detailed business case to explore how the agency and wider social security system will work in Scotland. This will consider how each benefit might be delivered and how people will access the service, including staffing and accommodation requirements. This work will also be informed by the results of the social security consultation published on 29 July 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314576,"EventID":"S5W-01842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5622,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-09T15:22:21.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the NHS will use nivolumab in the treatment of skin cancer. ","AnswerText":"On 8 August 2016 the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) approved nivolumab as a single treatment for advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma for restricted use within NHS Scotland. Details of that decision are available at: www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/SMC_Advice/Advice/1120_16_nivolumab_Opdivo/nivolumab_Opdivo_Resubmission\r\nWhere SMC recommend medicines for restricted use there is an expectation that health boards will make the medicine or an equivalent available to patients within those restricted conditions. Decisions on whether to prescribe the medicine is a matter for the clinical judgement of the patient’s doctor, in consultation with the patient, informed by advice and guidance about the drug.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314577,"EventID":"S5W-01849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5868,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-09T15:22:22.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage active travel in the Renfrewshire South constituency.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides direct funding to local authorities for active travel through the Cycling, Walking, Safer Streets (CWSS) ring fenced budget within the local authority settlement. The CWSS has allocated £720,000 to Renfrewshire over the last three financial years. In addition, the Scottish Government provides grant funding to a number of organisations to support sustainable and active travel initiatives. These include Cycling Scotland, Paths for All and Sustrans Scotland. Since 2014-15, the following projects have been taken forward in the Renfrewshire South area. Cycling Scotland has distributed £32,000 to projects under the Cycle Friendly and Sustainable Communities, Cycle Friendly Campus and Cycle Friendly Service Centre programmes. These include funding for Ride 63 in Lochwinnoch, the Neilston Development Trust and the University of the West of Scotland. Renfrewshire Council has been allocated over £320,000 in 2015-16 and 2016-17 through the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme, administered by Paths for All. Projects supported include improving signage on cycleways, promotional events for walking and cycling, the printing of maps and posters, and personal travel planning. Finally, Sustrans has provided £44,000 for a project to make access improvements on the NCN75 / NCN7 Paisley to Bridge of Weir walking and cycling route.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314578,"EventID":"S5W-01840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-09T15:22:23.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the NHS targets review.","AnswerText":"I will shortly appoint the independent chair for the review and regular updates on the progress of the review will be provided thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314579,"EventID":"S5W-01844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-09T15:22:24.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) primary and (b) secondary teacher vacancies there have been in each year since 2010-11, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The information requested is currently not collated centrally. \r\nThe Scottish Government is working with COSLA to ensure that teacher vacancy information is used to inform and strengthen the annual teacher workforce planning exercise.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314580,"EventID":"S5W-01847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-09T15:22:25.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its response to the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland's recommendations for the number of councillors and wards arising from the 5th Reviews of Local Government Electoral Arrangements, and whether it will implement the recommendations in full.","AnswerText":"The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland published and submitted to Scottish Ministers on 26 May 2016 its final recommendations for the number of councillors and the electoral ward boundaries in each of Scotland's 32 local authorities, following completion of its Fifth Electoral Reviews. Ministers have been considering those recommendations, and will announce their decisions on whether to implement them in early course.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314581,"EventID":"S5W-01839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-09T15:22:26.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage active travel in the Rutherglen constituency.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides direct funding to local authorities for active travel through the Cycling, Walking, Safer Streets (CWSS) ring fenced budget within the local authority settlement. The CWSS has allocated £1.3 million to South Lanarkshire over the last three financial years.In addition, the Scottish Government provides grant funding to a number of organisations to support sustainable and active travel initiatives. These include Cycling Scotland Paths for All and Sustrans Scotland. Since 2014-15, the following projects have been taken forward in the Rutherglen area.Cycling Scotland has distributed £18,000 to projects including: Cycle Friendly and Sustainable Communities; Cycle Friendly Campus at South Lanarkshire College; Play on Pedals training at local nurseries; and Bikeability Scotland on-road training at local primary schools.In addition, South Lanarkshire Council has been allocated £438,000 in 2015-16 and 2016-17 through the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Programme, administered by Paths for All. Projects funded in South Lanarkshire include sustainable travel workshops with schools (with a focus on air quality), market research, feasibility studies for street design to increase cycling, promotion events and led rides.Finally, Sustrans has distributed the following funding for infrastructure improvements in and around Rutherglen.£110,000 in 2014-15 for the development of the Hamilton to Rutherglen Cycle Route£4,522 in 2015-16 for cycle and scooter parking at St Bride's Primary School in Rutherglen. £2,250 in 2016-17 for additional cycle and scooter parking at St Bride's Primary School in Rutherglen.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314612,"EventID":"S5W-01873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:29.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates since April 2016 Marine Scotland vessels have sailed without a full complement of crew, also broken down by the members of crew who were absent.","AnswerText":"Since April 2016 Marine Scotland vessels have sailed with less than the full complement of mariners on three occasions. \r\n8 May 2016 - Cook/Steward absent\r\n30 May2016 - Seaman absent\r\n18 July 2016 - Seaman absent.\r\nIn addition, over that same period, there were nine occasions when mariners had to be put ashore during trips for reasons of illness or domestic issues requiring a vessel to operate for a period with less than its full complement of crew. Where possible and practical absent crew are replaced by other suitably qualified mariners.\r\nMarine Scotland vessels, like all UK registered vessels, are operated under the supervision of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). One part of their certifications is a \"Safe manning\" certificate which lays down the minimum crewing to allow the vessel to navigate safely at sea. As Marine Scotland vessels have specific tasks whilst at sea they generally operate with a higher level of staffing.\r\nWhilst short term crew absences may temporally affect operational capability the vessels are never at sea with less than the staff numbers and grades specified in their respective Safe Manning Certificates.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314613,"EventID":"S5W-01861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:30.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01347 by Annabelle Ewing on 2 August 2016, what guidance it gives to stakeholders regarding referring people convicted under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act (Scotland) Act 2012 to the programmes.","AnswerText":"As a condition of funding from the Scottish Government, we require Sacro to promote and provide guidance to potential referrers to ensure that awareness of these programmes is high.\r\nThe scheme is designed for individuals accused of offensive behaviour at football, and referrals can come from a range of sources including Criminal Justice Social Work teams; Early and Effective Intervention teams; and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. We look to these partners to decide, based on the facts and circumstances of individual cases, whether to make use of these programmes or if appropriate to prosecute individuals in court.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314614,"EventID":"S5W-01862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:31.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01347 by Annabelle Ewing on 2 August 2016, what its position is on the number of people participating in the programmes, and what action it is taking to increase this.","AnswerText":"The ability to refer those who have or who are likely to commit offences related to the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act nationwide is still new and these schemes inevitably take time to prove their worth. The initial number of referrals to the Sacro Anti-Sectarian Service diversion from prosecution programme does not undermine the validity of the scheme.\r\nIn recognition of the important role that education plays in tackling offensive and abusive behaviour, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has given a commitment to considering diversion schemes for individuals accused of offensive behaviour at football whenever possible, particularly those under 18 years of age. The Crown Office considers each case and decides based on the facts and circumstances of the offence and the accused whether to prosecute or refer to Sacro. I will meet shortly with the Lord Advocate, James Wolffe QC, to discuss how more suitable young people can be referred to this valuable scheme as a diversion from prosecution.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314615,"EventID":"S5W-01851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:33.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings of mental health tribunals there were in the last year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\nThe Mental Health Tribunal Scotland is an independent organisation which reports to Scottish Ministers and whose aim is to provide a responsive, accessible, independent and impartial service when making decisions on the compulsory care and treatment of people with mental disorders.\r\nThe Mental Health Tribunal Scotland publishes an annual report which can be accessed using the following link and contains details on the number of tribunals held during 2014-15:\r\nhttp://www.mhtscotland.gov.uk/mhts/Annual_Reports/Annual_Reports_main","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314616,"EventID":"S5W-01858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:33.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in how many cases a mental health tribunal's decision was contrary to the views of the patient's responsible medical officer in the last year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\nThe Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland is an independent organisation which reports to Scottish Ministers and whose aim is to provide a responsive, accessible, independent and impartial service when making decisions on the compulsory care and treatment of people with mental disorders.\r\nThe Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland publishes and annual report which can be accessed using the following link and contains statistics relating to its work during 2014-15:http://www.mhtscotland.gov.uk/mhts/Annual_Reports/Annual_Reports_main","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314617,"EventID":"S5W-01865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:35.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people were detained on mental health grounds in hospital and at what cost in the last year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"http://www.mwcscot.org.uk/publications/\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314618,"EventID":"S5W-01876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:36.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to mandatory country of origin labelling for milk and meat in processed foods.","AnswerText":"The EU has produced reports on the possible extension of mandatory country of origin requirements to other meats, dairy products and meat and dairy when used as key ingredients in other foods, however the commission favours a voluntary approach. The Scottish Government continues to work with Food Standards Scotland and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that Scottish interests are reflected in on-going EU discussions on country of origin labelling. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314619,"EventID":"S5W-01852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:36.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients were placed on a compulsory treatment order without the agreement of a tribunal in the last year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"The Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 specifies that a Compulsory Treatment Order (CTO) can only be granted by the Mental Health Tribunal Scotland (MHTS) and once an application has been received by a Mental Health Officer.\r\nA CTO will expire after 6 months if it is not renewed, however a Responsible Medical Officer (RMO) can renew the order without variation and without referring it to MHTS. Renewal is for a period of 6 months and thereafter for periods of more than 12 months. Where a CTO has not been referred to MHTS, it must be reviewed by MHTS every 2 years.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314620,"EventID":"S5W-01856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:37.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people were detained on the basis of an emergency detention certificate issued by a GP in the last year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested however the Mental Welfare Commission is an independent organisation, which reports to Scottish Ministers and was set up to find out whether individual care and treatment is in line with the law and good practice. As part of this role they produce statistics and analysis on the use of mental health and incapacity legislation. They have a statutory responsibility to monitor the use of the Mental Health Act, and their website contains statistical reports its use in 2014-2015.You can access their site using the following link: http://www.mwcscot.org.uk/publications/","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314621,"EventID":"S5W-01869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:38.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people were given electroconvulsive therapy against their will in the last year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"Data on people who have been given electroconvulsive treatment against their will in the last year is available in the Mental Welfare Commission Annual Monitoring Report 2014-15.\r\nThe report can be accessed here: http://www.mwcscot.org.uk/media/240677/mha_monitoring_report_2014-15.pdf\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314622,"EventID":"S5W-01871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:39.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether non-consensual electroconvulsive therapy was administered for any reason other than to treat severe depression in the last year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"Information on patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is available from the Scottish ECT Accreditation Network (SEAN) database.\r\nThe SEAN annual report for 2015: http://www.sean.org.uk/docs/SEAN-Report-2015-web.pdf includes Figure 3.1 which shows, for 2014, the number and percentage of episodes by primary diagnosis. This includes patients who lacked capacity to consent to treatment as well as those with capacity to consent.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314623,"EventID":"S5W-01860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:40.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients who were detained on the basis of an emergency detention certificate were subsequently detained under a short-term detention certificate in the last year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested however the Mental Welfare Commission is an independent organisation, which reports to Scottish Ministers and was set up to find out whether individual care and treatment is in line with the law and good practice.\r\nAs part of this role they produce statistics and analysis on the use of mental health and incapacity legislation. They have a statutory responsibility to monitor the use of the Mental Health Act, and their website contains statistical reports its use in 2014-15. \r\nYou can access their site using the following link:http://www.mwcscot.org.uk/publications/","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314624,"EventID":"S5W-01867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:41.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people were subject to community-based compulsory treatment orders and at what cost in the last year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"  2014-15.You can access their site using the following link: \r\n\r\nhttp://www.mwcscot.org.uk/publications/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314625,"EventID":"S5W-01874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:42.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the pay of a (a) cook, (b) chief steward and (c) worker on the 1B pay scale by CalMac compares with the equivalent by Marine Scotland.","AnswerText":"Marine Scotland and Caledonian MacBrayne perform different functions, and operate under different terms and conditions. This means that rates of pay are not directly comparable. Different arrangements for pensions, levels of leave and National Insurance also make direct comparisons difficult.\r\nThe pay rates and scales for Marine Scotland and Caledonian MacBrayne seafarers are show in the following tables. These do not show any allowances that might also be paid.\r\nCALEDONIAN MACBRAYNE\r\n\r\nJob Title\r\nAnnual Salary (£)\r\nChief Steward\r\n37675\r\nCook\r\n29782\r\nSeaman 1B\r\n32998\r\n\r\nMARINE SCOTLAND\r\n\r\nGrade\r\nSalary Scale* (£)\r\nChief Steward\r\n28465 to 29579\r\nCook\r\n26937 to 28287\r\nSeaman 1B\r\n24318 to 25543\r\n* From 1 August 2016, only two increments for each grade\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314626,"EventID":"S5W-01857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:43.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in how many cases a mental health tribunal at its first consideration of a patient's appeal agreed that the patient should no longer be subject to compulsory measures in the last year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\nThe Mental Health Tribunal Scotland is an independent organisation which reports to Scottish Ministers and whose aim is to provide a responsive, accessible, independent and impartial service when making decisions on the compulsory care and treatment of people with mental disorders.\r\nThe Mental Health Tribunal Scotland publishes and annual report which can be accessed using the following link and contains statistics relating to its work during 2014-15:http://www.mhtscotland.gov.uk/mhts/Annual_Reports/Annual_Reports_main","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314627,"EventID":"S5W-01859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:43.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much was spent on mental health tribunals in the last year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\nThe Mental Health Tribunal Scotland is an independent organisation which reports to Scottish Ministers and whose aim is to provide a responsive, accessible, independent and impartial service when making decisions on the compulsory care and treatment of people with mental disorders.\r\nThe Mental Health Tribunal Scotland publishes and annual report which can be accessed using the following link and contains statistics relating to its work during 2014-15:http://www.mhtscotland.gov.uk/mhts/Annual_Reports/Annual_Reports_main\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314628,"EventID":"S5W-01863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:44.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01347 by Annabelle Ewing on 2 August 2016, how much it allocated to the programmes and how this was spent. ","AnswerText":"Between 2013 to 2015 the Scottish Government provided £195,500 to Sacro. This funding was used to research and develop the Sacro Anti-Sectarian Service (SASS), a six module cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme to tackle sectarianism and to pilot a six module CBT programme to target racial attitudes and behaviours. Staff were recruited and appointed to facilitate the programmes, they held open days and met with relevant stakeholders such as Social Work, Police Scotland, British Transport Police and the Crown Office to raise awareness and promote the programmes.\r\nIn 2015-16, a further £143,333 was provided to continue to run the SASS programmes and develop a national four module CBT programme for individuals accused of offensive behaviour at football, particularly those under 18 years of age. Staff were trained in all Sacro offices to ensure national coverage across Scotland. A sectarianism awareness raising programme for prison professionals was also developed and ran in HM Prison Cornton Vale and HM Prison and Young Offenders Institute Polmont. Sacro also continued to promote and liaise with relevant agencies and stakeholders.\r\nIn 2015-16, £85,000 has been provided to SACRO to continue to promote, raise awareness, and facilitate the programmes, providing coverage across the country for those suitable for referral.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314629,"EventID":"S5W-01864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:45.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people were detained on the basis of a short-term detention certificate in the last year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested however the Mental Welfare Commission is an independent organisation, which reports to Scottish Ministers and was set up to find out whether individual care and treatment is in line with the law and good practice.\r\nAs part of this role they produce statistics and analysis on the use of mental health and incapacity legislation. They have a statutory responsibility to monitor the use of the Mental Health Act, and their website contains statistical reports its use in 2014-2015. \r\nYou can access their site using the following link:\r\nhttp://www.mwcscot.org.uk/publications/","AnswerDate":"2016-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314630,"EventID":"S5W-01877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:46.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been a delay in publishing details of ministerial travel since December 2015 on its website and, if so, for what reason, and when it will publish them.","AnswerText":"The delay in publishing details of Ministerial travel was due to pre-election publication restrictions. All travel for the previous administration has now been published at: http://www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/travel\r\nMinisterial travel from May 2016 onwards will be published shortly on: https://beta.gov.scot/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314631,"EventID":"S5W-01870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:47.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what proportion of cases non-consensual electroconvulsive therapy cured depression in the last year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"Information on the proportion of cases of non-consensual electroconvulsive therapy where depression was cured is not available centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314632,"EventID":"S5W-01872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-10T15:38:48.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether psychiatrists are required to inform patients of the risks associated with electroconvulsive therapy.","AnswerText":"All patients who receive electroconvulsive therapy must either give informed consent or be protected by the legal safeguards in legislation. Consent must be in writing and be based on an understanding of the treatment, the reasons why it is being offered and possible risks and side effects.\r\nFurther information about consent and legal status can be found in the Scottish ECT Accreditation Network Annual Report. The latest report can be accessed here http://www.sean.org.uk/docs/SEAN-Report-2015-web.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314633,"EventID":"S5W-01879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:29.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T12:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how much the National Chronic Pain Steering Group spent each year on (a) functions, (b) conferences, (c) salaries and expenses, broken down by grade, (d) travel and (e) other items.","AnswerText":"Prior to April 2014, the National Chronic Pain Steering Group (NCPSG) was operated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS). The information requested for that period is not held centrally. The NCPSG also ended in November 2014, when it was renamed the National Chronic Pain Improvement Group (NCPIG).\r\nDuring the period it was directly supported by the Scottish Government, the NCPSG held a total of two meetings. However, the costs for these meetings (venue hire, catering, videoconference facilities, etc.) were covered by NHS Dumfries & Galloway (NHS D&G) from an annual allocation granted by the Scottish Government to cover several items and work associated with the group. This included protected time for the NCPSG Chair (an NHS D&G employee), protected staff time for admin support and covering meeting costs. The allocation for the 2014-15 financial year was £13,073, but only a percentage of this is applicable to the NCPSG as the group was renamed. The rest of this allocation applies to the NCPIG, and I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01880 on 7 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. A specific breakdown of the £13,073 between the NCPSG and NCPIG, as well as individual meeting costs, is not available centrally.\r\nIt is important to note that the NCPSG did not have its own budget during the period it was directly supported by the Scottish Government. The NCPSG did not have any salaried employees, with policy support being provided by Scottish Government officials as part of their duties and other posts being held by NHS D&G staff, as outlined above.\r\nFinally, travel expenses for the NCPSG during this period were only offered to patient members, and I understand that no claims were made. Any such expenses incurred by group members from the NHS, the third sector, the Scottish Government or the national officers (National Lead Clinician for Chronic Pain and National Chronic Pain Co-ordinator) would be covered by their own organisations as part of their wider operational costs.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314634,"EventID":"S5W-01880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:30.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T12:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how much the (a) National Chronic Pain Improvement Group and (b) Ministerial Steering Group on Chronic Pain has spent each year on (i) functions, (ii) conferences, (iii) salaries and expenses, broken down by grade, (iv) travel and (v) other items.","AnswerText":"The National Chronic Pain Improvement Group (NCPIG), a renamed version of the National Chronic Pain Steering Group (NCPSG), operated from December 2014 until March 2016. During this period, it held five meetings and one development day. The total cost for these events was £7,836.25 (this figure includes venue hire, catering, videoconference facilities, etc.).\r\nThe Ministerial Steering Group on Chronic Pain (MSG) has so far held four meetings since its inaugural conference in March 2015. The total cost of these meetings has been £111.66 (catering being the only expense incurred).\r\nIt is important to note that neither the NCPIG nor the MSG had or has their own budget, with all costs being paid for by the Scottish Government. Neither group had or has salaried employees, with admin and policy support being provided by Scottish Government officials as part of their duties.\r\nIn addition, an annual allocation was provided to NHS Dumfries and Galloway to cover several items and work associated with the group. This allocation of £13,073 was initially provided for the financial year 2014-15, but spanned the existence of both the NCPSG and the NCPIG. This allocation was to cover protected time for the NCPSG and NCPIG Chairs (an NHS D and G employee), and initially admin support for the NCPSG. When the group became the NCPIG, admin duties were passed to Scottish Government officials, with the corresponding allocation amount instead being used to support work on the national chronic pain website: (http://chronicpainscotland.org/).\r\nA second, reduced allocation of £5,285 was given to NHS D and G for the 2015-16 financial year. Specific breakdowns of these allocations are not available centrally.\r\nFinally, travel expenses for both groups were and are offered only to patient members, and the total reimbursement claimed so far is £10.80 (for the NCPIG). Any such expenses incurred by group members from the NHS, the third sector, the Scottish Government or the national officers (National Lead Clinician for Chronic Pain and National Chronic Pain Co-ordinator) would be covered by their own organisations as part of their wider operational costs.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314635,"EventID":"S5W-01894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:31.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T19:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish the full minute of the meeting between the First Minister and the German Government's Minister of State for Europe, which was held on 9 August 2016.","AnswerText":"On 28 June 2016 the Scottish Government received a clear mandate from Parliament to pursue all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU. Acting on this, the First Minister met with Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe at the German Federal Foreign Ministry on 9 August 2016 in Berlin. This meeting was not seeking decisions or conclusions but rather ensuring that Scotland’s voice was heard and that Mr Roth, on behalf of the German Government, understood Scotland’s position.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to regularly reporting progress on its EU engagement to Parliament including through regular engagement with relevant committees. However, the Scottish Government has no plans to publish a minute of this meeting, in view of the need to protect diplomatic conversations which is the normal practice for government to government meetings internationally.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314636,"EventID":"S5W-01897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:32.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it is providing (a) nationally and (b) to local authorities to ensure a long-term commitment to cycling. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Government funding for active travel (a) nationally is £39.2 million in 2016-17. This figure includes both capital and revenue funding from the Support for Sustainable and Active Travel budget, capital funding from the Future Transport Fund and the Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets ringfenced budget within the local authority settlement.\r\nLocal authorities (b) will therefore receive an allocation of £5.681 million in 2016-17 to support improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure in their areas. In addition, local authorities are encouraged to bid for funding for walking and cycling infrastructure improvements through the Community Links and Community Links PLUS programmes administered by Sustrans.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314637,"EventID":"S5W-01885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5587,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:32.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage active travel in the Angus North and Mearns constituency.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides direct funding to local authorities for active travel through the Cycling, Walking, Safer Streets (CWSS) ring fenced budget within the local authority settlement. The CWSS has allocated £475,000 to Angus and over £1million to Aberdeenshire over the last three financial years.In addition, the Scottish Government provides grant funding to organisations to encourage sustainable and active travel. These include Sustrans Scotland, Cycling Scotland and Paths for All. Since 2014-15, the following projects have been taken forward in this area.Cycling Scotland has distributed £30,000 for projects including a Cycle Friendly Development Grant in 2016 to the Angus Bike Hub and for a Cycle Friendly campus for Dundee and Angus college, as well as supporting Bikeability on-road training at primary schools in the area.Angus and Aberdeenshire have been allocated £214,000 and £526,000 respectively in 2015-16 and 2016-17 through the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Programme, which is administered by Paths for All. Projects funded in Angus and Aberdeenshire have included support for the development of school travel plans, workplace travel plans, walking and cycling signage, information and publicity, path promotion, bike recycling, WOW (walk once a week with schools) and a cycle hire scheme.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314638,"EventID":"S5W-01892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:33.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that childcare is available for children of parents who work unsociable hours.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to providing high quality, flexible early learning and childcare that meets the needs of children and their families. That is why we have increased the amount of funded early learning and childcare to 600 hours a year for all three and four year olds, and extended this to over a quarter of all two year olds, through the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. The Act has also placed flexibility on a statutory footing for the first time, and has placed a duty on local authorities to consult with local groups of parents every two years on patterns of hours that will best suit their needs. \r\nIncreased flexibility will allow more parents to work, train or study, however the priority is to improve the outcomes of children so it is intended that children access their funded hours at a time of day that best suits their learning and development, as well as at times that provide consistency for the child.\r\nThe Act also introduced a requirement on education authorities to consult on ‘if and how’ they could best deliver or support additional unfunded hours of early learning and childcare and out of school care for school aged children. The purpose of this is to create an opportunity to co-ordinate consultation and planning of all mandatory early learning and childcare, day care and out of school care along-side discretionary provision which local authorities have powers to deliver or support.\r\nThe Scottish Government recognises the challenges facing parents who work unsociable hours and provides funding to organisations such as the Care and Learning Alliance who provide tailored solutions to childcare needs, including for those parents who work unsociable hours. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314639,"EventID":"S5W-01899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:34.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the transport budget is allocated to cycling policy (a) nationally and (b) at a local authority level.","AnswerText":"In 2016-17 the Scottish Government has committed to matching record levels of funding for active travel and the percentage of the (a) national transport budget will be 1.9%. We have also committed to matching record levels of funding for active travel over the course of this parliamentary session.\r\nInformation on (b) the percentage of the transport budget allocated to active travel at a local authority level is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314640,"EventID":"S5W-01875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:35.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-09T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24253 by Derek Mackay on 30 January 2015, what the on-board cycle storage space is on the West Highland Line; what its position is on whether this is sufficient; what analysis it has carried out regarding whether this meets passenger demand, and whether it plans to increase the capacity.","AnswerText":"The specification in the ScotRail Franchise agreement is for a minimum of two bookable spaces per train. There are currently six bookable spaces on the West Highland Line. Transport Scotland and ScotRail are aware that bookable cycle spaces will reduce on the West Highland Line services, and are working to understand the changes to on-train cycle capacity on the West Highland Line planned from December 2018, and how to deliver solutions which will balance the needs of all passengers who wish to travel on the route in conjunction with Sustrans and other relevant stakeholder groups.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314641,"EventID":"S5W-01882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5587,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:35.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the renewables industry regarding a coordinated regional approach to improve efficiency and maximise the benefits of offshore wind development on the east coast. ","AnswerText":"Since May's election, both my officials and I have undertaken an intense programme of engagement to meet with all the Scottish offshore developers and many of the companies within the related Scottish supply chain. Through my co-chairmanship of the Offshore Wind Industry Group, and as part of my keynote address and bilateral meetings with industry stakeholders and developers at Global Offshore Wind in Manchester, I have emphasised the importance of utilising our indigenous supply chain. Whilst visiting Bifab, Global Energy Group, Babcock International and CS Wind I have also offered support to ensure that these key Scottish supply-chain companies are as competitive as possible when bidding for contracts both in Scotland and further afield. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314642,"EventID":"S5W-01884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5587,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:36.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to give communities the opportunity to have a say in the future design of their areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to empowering communities and involving them in the planning process.\r\nOn 3 August 2016, I announced funding of £300,000 across two grant schemes – the Design Charrettes Programme and the Activating Ideas Fund. These funds provide a way of enabling people across Scotland to have their say on the long-term future of their community.\r\nWe continue to support communities in the use of The Place Standard, an innovative new tool to support the delivery of high quality places.\r\nThe Scottish Government is also currently considering the report of the independent planning review which contains recommendations designed to support community inclusion and empowerment. We intend to consult on a white paper in winter 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314643,"EventID":"S5W-01907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:37.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action a complainer can take under the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 if a local authority fails to offer self-directed support options.","AnswerText":"The act places duties on local authorities to offer individuals a range of options for how their social care services are delivered and to ensure that individuals are given the relevant support and information to allow them to make informed choices.\r\nThe Self-directed Support Act gives individuals the right to request an assessment at any time and review their care plan. At this stage, if the individual is assessed as eligible for funded social care support they should be offered a choice of the four options. If this does not happen an individual, family or carers should contact their social work department in the first instance then follow the local authorities complaints procedure. \r\nIf a complaint is not resolved through the local authority complaints procedure, a complaint can be made to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314644,"EventID":"S5W-01909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:38.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action a complainer can take under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 if an older person sustains an injury because a local authority has failed to provide suitable and adequate residential accommodation.","AnswerText":"Complaints raised under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 are to be handled by local authorities in accordance with the Local Authorities Complaints Procedures Directions (SWSG 5/1996), which are published on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/1035/0017124.pdf\r\nFrom 1st April 2017, following the passage of the Public Services Reform (Social Work Complaints Procedure) (Scotland) Order 2016, complaints under the Social Work (Scotland) Act will be subject to a revised procedure, with stage 3 of complaints proceeding direct to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO). The Ombudsman's role has been enhanced to allow him to consider the merits of decisions made by local authorities in relation to social work services. \r\nThe SPSO will publish model complaints handling procedures in advance of April 2017. These are likely to specify a timebar for complaints about social work services similar to that in place for local authorities: the complaint must be raised within six months of the person becoming aware of the issue.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314645,"EventID":"S5W-01887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:38.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24253 by Derek Mackay on 30 January 2015, in light of the plan to replicate the approach in the Netherlands to reduce the pressure on on-board cycle spaces, for what reason the West Highland Line is not served by the ScotRail Bike & Go scheme. ","AnswerText":"ScotRail have introduced Bike & Go at stations based on criteria, such as footfall, local plans for cycle access, proximity of cycle destinations (leisure and employment) etc, and are engaging with third parties in order to extend Bike & Go to other locations across the country.In addition ScotRail have put in place arrangements with local cycle hire companies in Fort William and Oban which offer discounted cycle hire to ScotRail customers travelling to these destinations.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314646,"EventID":"S5W-01889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:39.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on encouraging rail operators to give peak-time discounts to students who are 16-25 Railcard holders when travelling (a) for educational purposes and (b) to their part time employment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to making rail services more affordable for all and encourages ScotRail to offer innovative ticketing products to passengers. In addition the Scottish Government supports the Young Persons Concessionary travel scheme. More information regarding this scheme can be found at: http://www.transport.gov.scot/young-scot-national-entitlement-card","AnswerDate":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314647,"EventID":"S5W-01904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:40.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to attract investment in South Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is involved in a wide range of activities to attract investment in South Scotland. These activities include boosting export performance to attract foreign investment, developing transport links to help maximise the potential of the area as well as working with the South of Scotland Alliance to raise the profile of the South of Scotland and to identify and develop opportunities for growth. \r\nProjects identified in the South of Scotland Alliance's Rural Regional Economic Development Programme as significant in supporting economic growth include four key areas of activity to maximise opportunities: Borders Railway and Central Borders Business Park, Mountain Biking, M74 Economic Development Strategy, and the Stranraer Waterfront. The Scottish Government is committed to creating a more inclusive form of growth that tackles inequalities whilst driving competitiveness and we are committed to working with the Alliance as these projects develop.\r\nOver the last three years seven Regional Selective Assistance grants worth a combined £2,146,300 have been awarded to businesses in the South of Scotland, helping to create 175 new jobs. In the same timeframe six inward investments have been secured for the South of Scotland, creating 531 new jobs and safeguarding a further 67 jobs.\r\nWe also recognise that good digital infrastructure has an important role to play in attracting new investment. The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme is delivering over £410 million of investment to extend fibre broadband access across Scotland to areas where the market would not otherwise go, and over 95% of premises across the south of Scotland will have access to fibre broadband by the end of 2017 as a result of this investment. However, we want to push coverage even further and, as set out in the Programme for Government, the Scottish Government has committed to delivering 100% superfast broadband coverage by 2021 and we expect new procurements - to deliver new investment to meet our 100% target - to begin from 2017.\r\nWe will continue to work with partners to ensure that the South of Scotland continues to attract new investment.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314648,"EventID":"S5W-01881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:41.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T12:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 28 April 2014, New national chronic pain centre, how much of the additional £1.3 million investment has been allocated, and to where.","AnswerText":"The £1.3 million investment referred to in the 28 April 2014 news release was pump-prime funding provided to NHS boards in order to support Service Improvement Groups/Managed Clinical Networks for chronic pain. The allocations were based on an assessed proposal submitted by each Board, and funding was provided as follows:\r\nNHS Board\r\nTotal\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n£100,000\r\nNHS Borders\r\n£100,000\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n£100,000\r\nNHS Fife\r\n£100,000\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n£99,300\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n£100,000\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n£100,000\r\nNHS Highland\r\n£100,000\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n£100,000\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n£100,000\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n£70,000\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n£70,000\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n£100,000\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n£70,000\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314649,"EventID":"S5W-01895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:41.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the STEMEC group (a) last met and (b) will next meet.","AnswerText":"The independent STEMEC group was set up to take forward work arising from the earlier Science and Engineering Education Advisory Group report on school science and to help improve Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and learning in Scotland’s schools. The group last met on 18 December 2015 in Edinburgh. The purpose of that meeting was to agree the committee’s final report to the government which has now been received. Further meetings of the committee are a matter for the chair to determine. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314650,"EventID":"S5W-01896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:42.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24381 by Derek Mackay on 19 February 2015, what percentage of journeys was made by bicycle in each of the last six years and whether it will provide an update on progress with meeting the target of at least 10% of journeys by 2020, including by what date it expects this to be achieved.","AnswerText":"The following table, taken from the Transport and Travel in Scotland, Scottish Household Survey 2014 and published on the Transport Scotland website here http://www.transport.gov.scot/statistics/j389989-10.htm outlines cycling levels for the last six years. The figures for 2015 will be published later in 2016: \r\nMODE SHARE - BICYCLE\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nALL JOURNEYS\r\n0.9\r\n0.8\r\n1.3\r\n1.2\r\n1.0\r\n1.4\r\nUSUAL MODE OF TRAVEL TO WORK (ADULTS)\r\n2.4\r\n2.3\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.5\r\n2.6\r\nUSUAL MODE OF TRAVEL TO SCHOOL (CHILDREN)\r\n1.0\r\n1.4\r\n1.4\r\n0.8\r\n1.2\r\n1.7\r\nAs stated in the answer to question S4W-24381 on 19 February 2015, the shared vision of 10% is for every day journeys which are functional trips to work, school, shopping and other places of interest that you might otherwise get to by motorised transport. The table above shows that we are making some progress and the next refresh of the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland will further outline what we need to do to achieve this ambitious vision by 2020. \r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314651,"EventID":"S5W-01886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:43.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24253 by Derek Mackay on 30 January 2015, what action ScotRail has taken to ensure that all on-train staff on the West Highland Line are briefed both on on-board cycle capacity procedures and how to provide additional ad-hoc spaces. ","AnswerText":"ScotRail advise that staff are expected to act flexibly and use discretion to accommodate additional bikes where there is demand, without compromising passenger safety and this forms part of their training.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314652,"EventID":"S5W-01888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:44.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Governmen, further to the answer to question S4W-24253 by Derek Mackay on 30 January 2015, in light of the plan to replicate the approach in the Netherlands, what action ScotRail has taken to reduce pressure on on-board cycle spaces on the (a) Borders Railway and (b) West Highland Line. ","AnswerText":"ScotRail are progressing with their programme to deliver an additional 3,500 cycle spaces across the network by spring 2018. ScotRail will continue to work with SESTRANS, HITRANS, local authorities and key stakeholders to identify suitable locations for cycle parking on the Borders Railway and West Highland Line.Sheltered cycle facilities have been installed at every station on the Borders railway, and ScotRail have put in place arrangements with local cycle hire companies in Fort William and Oban which offer discounted cycle hire.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314653,"EventID":"S5W-01903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:45.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage more girls to study STEM subjects at (a) Higher, (b) Advanced Higher, (c) college and (d) university level. ","AnswerText":" I refer the member to my answer to S5O-00046 on 15 June 2016.\r\nThe Scottish Government is fully committed to encouraging more girls, and young people more generally, to study STEM subjects. STEM is vital to Scotland’s future economic growth and prosperity. There are some very encouraging signs of greater participation by women in STEM subjects at college and university. For example, between 2007 and 2015 the numbers of entries by girls to the main science Higher qualifications, including computing, were up by 10%.We are supporting projects to tackle gender stereotyping in STEM education at school and equality projects across Scottish colleges and universities. These include the Improving Gender Balance initiative that aims to challenge STEM stereotypes from young people in the early years of their education through to S6.The Scottish Funding Council has prioritised STEM across the college and university sectors, including uptake by young women. There are many examples of colleges helping young women develop the necessary skills, ambition and interest to break down the barriers for those who, traditionally, had been put off by a male dominated environment. In 2014-15 there were 27% more female full-time equivalent science and maths students and 55% more full-time equivalent female engineering students in colleges, compared with 2006-07. Our forthcoming STEM Strategy will promote action to encourage a better gender balance of those studying STEM subjects and courses.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314654,"EventID":"S5W-01905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:45.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans the Scottish Investment Bank has to (a) prioritise Dumfries and Galloway and (b) establish a South Scotland enterprise area.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I have asked the Chief Executive to contact you with the information you have requested and my understanding is that this will be with you soon.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314655,"EventID":"S5W-01883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5587,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:46.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in rolling out superfast broadband in the Angus North and Mearns constituency.","AnswerText":"The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme has delivered fibre broadband to more than 7,000 homes and businesses in Angus. At present 59% of premises in Angus are connected to fibre broadband. By the end of March 2018 at least 93% will have fibre access. Community Broadband Scotland is also supporting the development of a small number of community-led projects in Angus. In total, these projects could deliver a broadband solution to over 2,000 premises.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314656,"EventID":"S5W-01890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:47.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-01469 and S5W-01471 by Derek Mackay on 3 August 2016, (a) how much and (b) what percentage of the revenue generated each year was retained by (i) the council and (ii) it.","AnswerText":"With effect from 1 April 2011 all local authorities, including Aberdeen City Council, retain 100 per cent of the business rates collected within their area. As a result of this change in policy the amount of business rates retained by Aberdeen City Council in each of the last six years is the same as that collected, as set out in the answer to question S5W-01471.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314657,"EventID":"S5W-01901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:48.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what efforts it makes to encourage (a) its civil servants and (b) other public sector staff to cycle to work.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's vision is of a more active Scotland. Our national Physical Activity Implementation Plan, \"A More Active Scotland\", includes commitments to support employers to create opportunities for people to be more active during their working day. We are leading by example, taking steps to become an active employer by encouraging physical activity in the workplace and promoting opportunities for staff to travel actively to and from work, and during their working day.\r\nWe encourage cycling to work by a range of means. We hold sustainable travel road shows in our main buildings, and we offer personalised travel plans that include active travel options. Twice a year we run a cycle to work scheme to enable staff to buy a bike to ride to work. We provide free cycle maintenance sessions and sheltered and accessible cycle parking, along with lockers, drying and changing facilities and showers. There are clearly marked cycle lanes to access our buildings. We hold the Cycle Friendly Employer award for our Victoria Quay, St Andrew’s House and Saughton House buildings.\r\nThe Scottish Government provides grant funding to external bodies to work with all employers to encourage more people to travel actively to work. A number of public and private sector organisations, including the Scottish Government, are participating in a pilot Exemplar Physical Activity Employer (EPAE) Award. Run by NHS Health Scotland, it aims to recognise employers who promote physical activity in the workplace, including active travel.\r\nCentral government and health bodies can use an existing Scottish Government collaborative framework for the provision of Voluntary Employee Benefits. As well as employee discounts, the framework provides the salary sacrifice scheme for cycle to work. The framework is used by more than 60 public sector organisations in Scotland. A new framework agreement is now also open to the whole Scottish public sector. It includes provisions for staff who were previously excluded from cycling, by way of access to specially adapted bicycles.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314658,"EventID":"S5W-01908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:49.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what penalties can be applied to a residential care service provider when an older person is injured because of a lack of adequate protection, and under what legislation.","AnswerText":"All care home residents are entitled to receive high-quality care, support and protection from harm in a safe and secure setting. The penalties which can be placed on a care service provider who fails to provide adequate protection for people in their care include the Care Inspectorate issuing an improvement notice or taking action to cancel registration under Part five of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010. Section 315 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 includes an offence which applies where a person with a mental health disorder (including dementia) is ill-treated or wilfully neglected in the course of provision of their care. The current maximum penalty for this offence on indictment is two years' imprisonment. \r\nThis is being extended to five years under the Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016. Part three of this Act will further protect vulnerable people across our communities through the establishment of offences relating to the ill-treatment or wilful neglect of adults receiving health care or social care. There are two main offences which come into force in April 2017: an offence that applies to care workers, and an offence that applies to care providers. The Act provides penalties which are at an appropriate level proportionate with the breach of trust in such crimes.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314659,"EventID":"S5W-01891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:49.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to encourage businesses to adapt older properties to make them fully accessible for disabled people.","AnswerText":"Businesses are required under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people do not experience substantial disadvantage compared with nondisabled people. \r\nThe duty is ‘anticipatory’. An organisation cannot wait until a disabled person wants to use its services, but must think in advance (and on an ongoing basis) about what disabled people might reasonably need.\r\nExamples of reasonable adjustments would include ramps and stairway lifts, making doorways wider, installing automatic doors, more lighting and clearer signs. If a disabled person would be at a substantial disadvantage compared with a nondisabled person, not providing reasonable adjustments would be unlawful discrimination and could result in a discrimination claim under the act.\r\nMore examples are provided on the EHRC’s website at: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/multipage-guide/reasonable-adjustments-practice","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314660,"EventID":"S5W-01893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:50.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-10T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Scottish Investment Bank has invested (a) nationally and (b) in Dumfries and Galloway in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I have asked the Chief Executive to contact you with the information you have requested and my understanding is that this will be with you soon.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314661,"EventID":"S5W-01898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:51.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it educates children about the benefits of cycling.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that educating young people about the benefits of cycling, and indeed of active travel and physical activity in general, is fundamental to the current and future health and wellbeing of the country. We support various organisations in Scotland to deliver a number of programmes that provide the knowledge and training required to live a safe, healthy and active life. These include:\r\nRoad Safety Scotland\r\nRoad Safety Scotland's free road safety learning resources, closely linked to Curriculum for Excellence and made available to schools and other educational establishments across the country. This is a lifelong learning approach to road safety for young people aged 3 to 18 years, with a view to developing responsible road use among young people. The learning resources encourage safer road use and good practice across all road user groups, including child cyclists. \r\nSustrans Scotland\r\nI Bike is a programme working directly with pupils designed to increase rates of cycling and support all modes of active travel to and from schools. Sustrans officers work with teachers and parents, supported by local authority school travel planning initiatives, road safety and active school teams to deliver a tailored programme of curriculum led activities to encourage schools to deliver cycling activities over a three year period. Champions are identified within each school and bike crews made up from pupils who promote the activities to their peers. \r\nThe School cycle and scooter parking programme is a match funded grant programme available to local authorities. The programme installs new or improved cycle and scooter parking within school grounds. The new facilities are also subject to local promotion and campaigns so that the whole school community are aware of the benefits.\r\nSustrans manage the School Travel Professional Network; a forum for local authority officers to share experiences and learn from each other when rolling out school travel campaigns and activities. This also includes developing and rolling out school travel plan templates and other initiatives linked with ‘Healthier Routes’ which support teachers to involve pupils in the development of school travel plans and active travel promotion.\r\nThere are a number of free resources to schools to raise awareness about the benefits of cycling including the Big Street Survey; lesson plans and activities designed to encourage children to identify opportunities for cycling and walking infrastructure improvements around their school. The Big Shift is a six week programme designed for teachers to run activities to encourage cycling to and from school and this can culminate in taking part in the annual Big Pedal, a UK wide competition based on participation of pupils logging journeys to and from school, which is supported by curriculum linked resources. For younger pupils, Sustrans Superheroes provides inspiration for children to learn and practice skills essential for safe, fun and sustained active travel.\r\nCycling Scotland\r\nCycling Scotland manages the national Bikeability Scotland cycle training programme on behalf of the Scottish Government, funded through Transport Scotland and the Education Department. This programme is delivered across 29 local authority areas, to over 32,000 primary aged pupils. The most recent available data for 2014-15 shows that 40.1% of schools delivered an on-road training programme promoting confidence and skills to make trips by bike. In addition to practical cycle training, the scheme includes teaching resources and classroom packs to embed cycling across the Curriculum for Excellence. Bikeability Scotland aligns with the UK National Standard for Cycling.\r\nThe ‘Give Everyone Cycle Space’ is a road safety campaign asking drivers to give people on bikes enough space when passing – as much space as they’d give a car. Again, Transport Scotland is working in partnership with Education colleagues to jointly fund this campaign. Local","AnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314662,"EventID":"S5W-01900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T12:43:51.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of its civil servants deal with cycling policy.","AnswerText":"There are 49 staff members of the Transport Policy Directorate in Transport Scotland working on various policy areas including cycling policy. In addition, a number of staff within other Transport Scotland Directorates deal with cycling issues in relation to public transport and trunk road policy to ensure cycling is considered across all transport areas. Furthermore, in the wider Scottish Government, a number of civil servants in Health, Education, Planning, and Environment Directorates deal with aspects of cycling and active travel. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314663,"EventID":"S5W-01910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T13:37:21.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T13:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to hasten the pace of application and approval of forestry planting.","AnswerText":"I am determined to achieve a step change in pace and scale of new planting to ensure long-term availability of timber and to meet our climate change commitment to plant 10,000 hectares per year. Following discussions with stakeholders, I have asked Jim Mackinnon CBE, a former Scottish Government Chief Planner, to provide an analysis of the current arrangements for the consideration and approval of forestry planting proposals and to make recommendations for improvements to the process. I expect to discuss progress with the forestry sector at the summits I am planning to hold in the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314664,"EventID":"S5W-01920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T15:16:42.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the claim by the EIS that the system of unit assessments in schools is \"unsustainable in its current form\".","AnswerText":"The Assessment and National Qualifications Group was established in January 2016 to consider and make recommendations (based on emerging evidence and experience) to Ministers and the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board on (i) the policy framework (including design principles) within which qualifications are developed and operate, and (ii) on assessment policy and practice from age 3 to 18, and the best means of supporting improvements. Educational Institute of Scotland is a member of the group. As was made clear in Delivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education: A Delivery Plan for Scotland (June 2016), the Scottish Government will work with the Assessment and National Qualifications Group to consult on the design of assessment within the qualifications system - involving teachers, parents, young people, employers, national partners and other stakeholders. The Deputy First Minister chaired the first meeting of the reconvened group on 17 August 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314665,"EventID":"S5W-01917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T15:16:44.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of teachers from ethnic minority backgrounds.","AnswerText":" While it is ultimately the responsibility of individual local authorities, as employers, to ensure they undertake fair and inclusive recruitment activity for all posts, the Scottish Government is taking a number of actions to increase the number of teachers from ethnic minority backgrounds.We have established the Strategic Board for Teacher Education which includes universities, local authorities and professional associations to oversee and evaluate reform to teacher education. We have tasked this board to investigate the barriers to wider representation in the teaching profession and to come forward with suggestions to support diversity in order to ensure that the teaching workforce within schools reflects the communities that they serve.The recently published delivery plan “Delivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education” details a number of actions the Scottish Government will take with its partners to address issues related to minority ethnic groups which are under-represented in teaching. This includes extending our #inspiringteachers recruitment campaign, building on the positive work of the current campaign.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314666,"EventID":"S5W-01915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T15:16:45.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS patients have been treated in private hospitals in each year since 2011, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":" I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29600 on 21 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314667,"EventID":"S5W-01919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T15:16:46.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Qualification Authority's findings that 88.7% of teachers believe unit assessments \"work badly\". ","AnswerText":"We are carefully considering the findings of the SQA evaluation reports, published in May 2016, and the main issues identified are being explored by the Assessment and National Qualifications Group.As was made clear in Delivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education: A Delivery Plan for Scotland (June 2016), the Scottish Government will work with the Assessment and National Qualifications Group to consult on the design of assessment within the qualifications system - involving teachers, parents, young people, employers, national partners and other stakeholders. I chaired the first meeting of the reconvened group on Wednesday 17 August 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314668,"EventID":"S5W-01921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T15:16:47.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage an increase in the number of secondary school teachers in STEM subjects.","AnswerText":"While it is ultimately the responsibility of individual local authorities, the Scottish Government is taking a number of actions to help recruit and retain teachers.\r\nWe have delivered our #inspiringteachers campaign to encourage more people into teaching in the Science,Technology ,Engineering and Mathematics subjects and are committed to developing on that in the recently published delivery plan. We have increased student teacher intake targets for the fifth year in a row and are setting targets to train teachers in the subjects where they are needed most, including the STEM subjects. In addition we are also supporting innovative ways to encourage more graduates to come into teaching in areas which have difficulty recruiting teachers and have asked teacher training institutions for suggestions.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314669,"EventID":"S5W-01911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T15:16:48.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to begin processing applications for the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme.","AnswerText":"Processing of applications for the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme has already commenced.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314670,"EventID":"S5W-01912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T15:16:49.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of farmers has received their 2015 Basic Payment Scheme payment in full.","AnswerText":"As at 31 August 2016, The Scottish Government has paid CAP 2015 payments (Basic, Greening and Young Farmers) that total almost £323 million to more than 17,704 farms. Of that, 17,330 businesses have received their full payment. The remainder (374) have received partial payment. \r\nOur estimate of the total number of eligible businesses is 18, 479. This means that 93.7 per cent of the current total number of eligible business have received their full payment with 95.8 per cent having received either full or partial payment.\r\nHowever, at this stage it is important to note that the total number of eligible businesses, and therefore the percentage figures is still subject to change until all claims have been fully validated.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314671,"EventID":"S5W-01916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T15:16:50.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01550 by Shona Robison on 9 August 2016, whether it would intervene in decisions that would change the centre's capacity for inpatient care and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"It is right that all NHS boards keep services under review to ensure they remain safe, sustainable and of the highest quality. The planning and provision of local healthcare services are for NHS boards and their planning partners, in line with national policies, guidelines and frameworks.\r\nThe legal basis used to underpin the current authorisation regime and guidance on service change is founded in NHS boards’ statutory duties of participation, i.e. the public involvement duties given to them in the NHS Reform (Scotland) Act 2004. The Scottish Health Council (part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland) was established in statute to support and advise NHS boards’ practice and to quality assure the public involvement process.\r\nWithin this context, NHS boards adhere to national guidance (CEL (2010) 4) which can be accessed at: http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2010_04.pdf. This guidance details expectations around appropriate public engagement in potential service change. Such potential changes are designated either major or non-major. Cases designated as major must be informed by formal public consultation (usually no less than three months) and are ultimately subject to ministerial approval.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314672,"EventID":"S5W-01918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T15:16:50.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has (a) taken and (b) plans to provide support for students whose mental health and attainment has been affected by stress caused by the new structure for assessment. ","AnswerText":"We take the mental health of all our young people extremely seriously. All schools should ensure that young people understand the importance of mental wellbeing and will have measures in place to support learners. If there is evidence to suggest that a pupil is facing mental health issues, then the school should take steps to provide the right support for that pupil. This includes discussing any stress a young person may be feeling, and support around how this can best be managed.\r\nDelivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education: A Delivery Plan for Scotland, published on 28 June 2016, sets out the actions we are taking to clarify and de-clutter the curriculum for teachers and to help reduce workload for teachers and young people. The Plan makes clear that the Scottish Government will work with the reconvened Assessment and National Qualifications Group to consult on the design of assessment within the qualifications system - involving teachers, parents, young people, employers, national partners and other stakeholders. Work is already underway to streamline the qualifications.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314673,"EventID":"S5W-01913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T15:16:52.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been in each year since 2007 for the sale of tobacco products to under-18-year-olds. ","AnswerText":"The number of people prosecuted and convicted in Scottish Courts for offences under the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 Section 18(1) and Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 Section 4(1) is given in the following table.\r\nPeople prosecuted for sale of tobacco products to people under 18¹, 2006-07 to 2014-15\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nChildren And Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 Section 18(1)\r\n-\r\n2\r\n13\r\n27\r\n17\r\n14\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nChildren And Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 Section 18(1)(A)\r\n7\r\n9\r\n2\r\n5\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nTobacco And Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 Section 4(1)\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n3\r\n2\r\nAll\r\n7\r\n11\r\n15\r\n32\r\n17\r\n15\r\n-\r\n3\r\n2\r\n1. Where the main offence\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database\r\nPeople convicted for sale of tobacco products to people under 18¹, 2006-07 to 2014-15\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nChildren And Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 Section 18(1)\r\n-\r\n2\r\n10\r\n20\r\n12\r\n8\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nChildren And Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 Section 18(1)(A)\r\n5\r\n7\r\n2\r\n5\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nTobacco And Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 Section 4(1)\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n3\r\n1\r\nAll\r\n5\r\n9\r\n12\r\n25\r\n12\r\n9\r\n-\r\n3\r\n1\r\n1. Where the main offence\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314674,"EventID":"S5W-01914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-11T15:16:52.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been in each year since 2011 for the purchase of tobacco products by under-18-year-olds.","AnswerText":"There were no prosecutions for the purchase of tobacco products by under 18-year-olds since 2011-12.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314684,"EventID":"S5W-01929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-12T11:49:15.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-12T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a report of the Scotland’s Census 2021 - Topic Consultation will be made available.","AnswerText":"The Registrar General for Scotland has published Scotland’s Census 2021 – Topic Consultation Report on 15 August 2016 and it is available from the Scotland's Census website: www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/consultation\r\nScotland’s Census 2021 is being designed and managed in Scotland to best meet the needs of its users. This consultation represents the first step in helping National Records of Scotland understand these needs and how they are changing.\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314685,"EventID":"S5W-01926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-12T14:31:56.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-12T09:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01434 by Mark McDonald on 27 July 2016, within what timeframe the internet safety plan will be (a) completed and (b) implemented.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish a refreshed internet safety action plan by March 2017. A timeframe for implementation has not yet been agreed; however this will be established in discussions with stakeholders in the coming months. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314686,"EventID":"S5W-01930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-12T14:31:56.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-12T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what new roads schemes are planned for the (a) A7, (b) A75, (c) A76, (d) A77 and (e) A701 trunk road within the boundaries of Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"Over the past eight years, we have invested over £65 million in a variety of projects to improve safety and journey times on the trunk road network in the Dumfries and Galloway area. We will further assess recommendations for strategic transport infrastructure priorities in Dumfries and Galloway and for the rest of Scotland as part of the an update to the strategic transport projects review which will follow the new review of the National Transport Strategy. This will allow us to consider how to better connect Dumfries with its links north and south through a variety of road and rail interventions, ensuring that we strike the right balance of transport investments in the region.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314687,"EventID":"S5W-01922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-12T14:31:57.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T17:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce greater regulation in the building trade.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s approach to Better Regulation focuses on five key principles – that regulation should be transparent, proportionate, consistent, accountable and targeted only where needed.\r\nThe regulatory environment should also encourage and support sustainable economic growth, competitiveness and innovation while maintaining a level playing field.\r\nThe construction industry is already statutorily required to hold specific licences or permits in order to carry out certain types of work and its practices are controlled by a wide range of regulations.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314688,"EventID":"S5W-01923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-12T14:31:58.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T17:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce regulations to introduce licensing for companies carrying out building works. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01922 on 21 September 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314689,"EventID":"S5W-01925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-12T14:31:59.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-12T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS whistleblowers have had disciplinary action taken against them or have experienced detriment to their career since the Whistleblower Champions scheme was introduced.","AnswerText":"Disciplinary action against any member of staff is a contractual issue between an employee and their employer and we do not hold information centrally.\r\nThe Management of Employee Conduct and Implementing and Reviewing Whistleblowing Arrangements in NHS Scotland PIN policies set out the rights and responsibilities of boards, managers, employees and trade unions/professional organisations in respect of both employees who are subject to any disciplinary action and the procedures and legal protections covering staff who wish to raise concerns. \r\nThe whistleblowing policy makes clear that if a member of staff raises a genuine concern, they will not be at risk of losing their job or suffering any detriment.\r\nWe have also worked closely with the UK Government to ensure that NHS Scotland employers are included within new legislation to protect whistleblowers applying for jobs within NHS Scotland from discrimination from prospective employers.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314690,"EventID":"S5W-01927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-12T14:32:00.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-12T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01111 by Humza Yousaf on 26 July 2016 and in light of Audit Scotland's report, Maintaining Scotland's roads: a follow-up report, which ranked Dumfries and Galloway second among local authorities for the percentage of roads deemed unacceptable, what steps it will take to liaise with the council to bring roads up to standard and whether it would consider providing additional ring-fenced funding for this.","AnswerText":"A meeting of the Road Maintenance Strategic Action Group has been scheduled to discuss the Group’s response to the recommendations of the Audit Scotland report. We will continue to co-fund the Roads Collaboration Programme and use that forum to engage with all councils in Scotland to explore opportunities to share services. \r\nWith regard to funding, the Scottish Government has allocated over £10.3 billion to local government for 2016-17. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives.\r\nOn 22 August 2016, the Deputy First Minister and I hosted a groundbreaking Transport Summit in Dumfries at which a variety of important issues were discussed including the condition of both national and local roads in Dumfries and Galloway. We have committed to publishing a draft report of the summit within four weeks. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314691,"EventID":"S5W-01932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-12T14:32:01.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-12T12:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to create new national parks and whether it has considered establishing a national park in Galloway.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to designate new national parks in Scotland. We believe that it is essential to focus support on our two existing national parks to ensure that they continue their valuable contribution to tourism and sustainable rural economic development.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314692,"EventID":"S5W-01924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-12T14:32:02.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-11T17:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce legislation that would allow builders who carry out substandard work and cause properties to become dangerous to be charged with a criminal offence.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no such plans currently for further legislation. Under building standards legislation, constructors and building owners have statutory responsibility for works carried out to buildings. A person carrying out work without a building warrant where a warrant should have been obtained, or a person not building in accordance with a building warrant, is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £5,000 (level 5 on the standard scale).","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314693,"EventID":"S5W-01931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-12T14:32:02.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-12T12:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost per (a) local authority and (b) integration joint board of paying the living wage to care workers.","AnswerText":"We have made national estimates on the cost of increasing wages to the Living Wage level. This analysis has been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib number 57809). Health and Social Care Partnerships will work closely with providers to assess the cost of implementation in their area.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314711,"EventID":"S5W-01947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-15T13:55:59.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-15T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) special advisers or (b) ministerial private offices have shared restricted briefing material with parliamentary liaison officers since June 2016.","AnswerText":"Restricted is not a recognised Scottish Government security classification. The Ministerial code sets out what government information parliamentary liaison officers are allowed to receive on a strictly confidential basis in order to allow them to discharge their role effectively. The code has been fully complied with at all times.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314712,"EventID":"S5W-01951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-15T13:56:00.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-15T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which parliamentary liaison officers are included on the circulation list of material it produces pertaining to the business of parliamentary committees. ","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314713,"EventID":"S5W-01937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-15T13:56:01.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-12T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to remove the barriers that prevent patients from Scotland being able to access addiction Tier 4 facilities in the (a) rest of the UK and (b) European Economic Area.","AnswerText":"Alcohol and Drug Partnerships and health boards allocate their budgets according to local service needs. Decisions regarding access to Tier four services (both within and outwith Scotland) and the levels of resource and funding allocated to these services are therefore made locally across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314714,"EventID":"S5W-01942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-15T13:56:02.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-15T10:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported high level of \"no awards\" for students sitting Higher Media at Inverness College UHI and what action it is taking to prevent this being repeated.","AnswerText":"I understand that Inverness College is working with the Scottish Qualifications Authority to identify how this position occurred, and to establish what action may be necessary to address any identified problems. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314715,"EventID":"S5W-01949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-15T13:56:03.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-15T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many restricted documents have been shared with each parliamentary liaison officer since June 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01947 on 8 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314716,"EventID":"S5W-01936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-15T13:56:04.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-12T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that there is suitable aftercare available for patients with alcoholic liver disease following acute hospital treatment, and what its response is to the reported concerns that this is not being made readily available.","AnswerText":"It is the role of the Scottish Government to provide policies, frameworks and resources to NHS boards to support them in delivering services that meet the assessed needs of their resident populations. The provision of healthcare services is the responsibility of local NHS boards, taking into account national guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment. Within this context, Scottish Government expects all NHS boards to ensure there is suitable aftercare available for people with alcoholic liver disease following acute hospital treatment.\r\nIf appropriate services and/or standards of care is not being provided to patients, this should be raised with individual NHS boards in the first instance. Scottish Government expects boards to listen, and act on, feedback in relation to the provision of services and/or standards of care.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314717,"EventID":"S5W-01938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-15T13:56:04.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-15T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a full breakdown of the cost to NHS Grampian of the suspensions of Professor Zygmunt Krukowski and Doctor Wendy Craig.","AnswerText":"This information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314718,"EventID":"S5W-01941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-15T13:56:05.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-15T10:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are on waiting lists for treatment at Woodend Hospital, broken down by department, and what action is taking to reduce the number.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of patients on the first outpatient waiting list and the inpatient and day case waiting list at Woodend Hospital on 30 June 2016 by specialty is provide in the following tables.\r\nWaiting list for a first outpatient appointment at Woodend Hospital on 30 June 2016 by specialty.\r\nSpecialty\r\nNumber on Waiting List\r\nGeriatric Medicine\r\n45\r\nRehabilitation Medicine\r\n46\r\nTrauma and Orthopaedics\r\n4,662\r\nAll Specialties\r\n4753\r\nWaiting lists for inpatient and day case treatment at Woodend Hospital on 30 June 2016 by specialty.\r\nSpecialty\r\nNumber on Waiting List\r\nPain Management\r\n5\r\nTrauma and Orthopaedics\r\n1,251\r\nAll Specialties\r\n1,256\r\nThe Scottish Government has already committed to invest £200 million to create five new elective centres including one in Aberdeen. These new centres will carry out procedures like hip and knee surgery and will allow people to be seen more quickly for planned surgery. This will also help the NHS to meet increasing demand from a growing elderly population, taking pressure off unplanned and emergency treatment.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314719,"EventID":"S5W-01943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-15T13:56:06.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-15T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to consult on the introduction of national guidance for care charges and, if so (a) when it will commence and (b) whether it will consider the option of a cap on care charges that takes account of the cost of disability-related expenditure.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed to considering how best to address the issues raised around charges for social care. We have already made significant progress in reviewing the fairness of charging in the social care system.\r\nAs a result, from 1 April 2015, no-one in the last six months of a terminal illness should be charged for the social care that they receive at home.\r\nFor 2016-17 the Scottish Government provided additional funding of a quarter of a billion pounds for social care. This offer included £6 million to cover changes in the charging thresholds used by local authorities as a first step towards making charging fairer. Local authorities received this additional funding to raise the income threshold at which point people begin to pay charges, and we will seek to make further progress on this, by taking an anti-poverty approach by prioritising support for those on low incomes first, including around how war pensions and guaranteed income payments for veterans are assessed for calculating social care charges.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314720,"EventID":"S5W-01948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-15T13:56:08.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-15T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many departmental meetings with ministers have been attended by each parliamentary liaison officer since June 2016, and who was in attendance at each. ","AnswerText":"Jenny Gilruth MSP met Mark McDonald MSP, Minister for Childcare and Early Years and Aileen Campbell MSP, Minister for Public Health and Sport on 14 June 2016 with Scottish Government (SG) officials. \r\nJenny Gilruth MSP met John Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills on 21 June 2016 with SG officials.\r\nAngus Macdonald MSP met Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform on 29 June 2016 with SG officials.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314721,"EventID":"S5W-01950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-15T13:56:09.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-15T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which parliamentary liaison officers have (a) received copies of ministerial briefing material and (b) attended ministerial meeting regarding matters pertaining to the work programmes of Scottish Parliament committees. ","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314722,"EventID":"S5W-01934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-15T13:56:10.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-12T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve awareness and prevention of stroke.","AnswerText":"We are committed to ensuring that people who have had a stroke have access to the best possible care as quickly as possible. Our Stroke Improvement Plan published in 2014; http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/08/9114 continues to support the FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) test in Scotland. The FAST test aims to raise public awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke to encourage people to dial 999 if they think someone is having a stroke. Further details can be found at; http://www.thinkfast.org.uk/. \r\nThe Stroke Improvement Plan, published in 2014 also reaffirms our commitment to improve stroke treatment and care in Scotland. The plan is underpinned by a commitment to improving data collection and the Scottish Government continues to fund the Scottish Stroke Care Audit (SSCA), carried out annually by Information Services Division. The Scottish Government provided funding for the SSCA of £167,000 in 2015-16 and is a key focus for raising awareness of stroke as well as driving improvements in stroke care, prevention, skills and knowledge across the whole of Scotland; http://www.strokeaudit.scot.nhs.uk/Publications/Main.html.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314723,"EventID":"S5W-01945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-15T13:56:10.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-15T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take following the launch of the Shared Ambition for the Future of Social Care Support In Scotland on 27 July 2016 at an event that was attended by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport.","AnswerText":"I will meet with representatives from Inclusion Scotland, Independent Living in Scotland, the Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living, Scottish Independent Living Coalition and the Coalition for Carers in Scotland in the near future to discuss the Shared Ambition for the Future of Social Care Support in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314724,"EventID":"S5W-01946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-15T13:56:12.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-15T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set up a national commission to look at the changes required to establish a system of social care that lives up to Scotland’s social justice and human rights ambitions. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with COSLA, providers and other partners to deliver a major programme of reform to adult social care. This will consider the commissioning of residential care and the role of new models of care and support in home care. This will enable progress towards our aim to end ‘time and task’ based care and shift to care that focuses on outcomes.\r\nWe are currently refreshing the national care standards to help everyone understand what they have a right to expect when they access health and social care services, and are continuing to empower individuals to have choice and control in deciding how their support is delivered, and take ownership of their own health and wellbeing through self-directed support.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314760,"EventID":"S5W-01954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:01:53.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-15T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that its current approach to funding and support to colleges is sufficient and has no negative impact on the existing college programmes.","AnswerText":"Over the last Parliament we maintained the commitment we made in 2011 – to deliver 116,000 Full-time Equivalent college places. We will continue this commitment, focused on purposeful, job-focused learning.\r\nIn 2014-15, our colleges delivered 97% of learning hours on courses leading to a recognised qualification – an eight percentage point on 2006-07. Meanwhile, over that same period, the average hours of learning per student has increased by 63%.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314761,"EventID":"S5W-01956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:01:54.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-15T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Funding Council report, Learning for All: Measures of Success, which recorded that the proportion of students completing further education courses at college fell from 77.3% in 2013-14 to 74.6% in 2014-15; what it believes the reasons are for the reduction, and what action it is taking.","AnswerText":"The figures in the question show continuing high standards when compared to 2008-09, the first year with which we can compare the current statistics. In 2014-15 almost 11,000 more college students across Further Education and Higher Education successfully completed full-time courses leading to recognised qualifications than in 2008-09 – a 24% increase.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314762,"EventID":"S5W-01969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:01:55.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to assist NHS (a) Grampian and (b) Tayside in reducing dependency on agency staff.","AnswerText":"In order to reduce the reliance on agency staff, the Scottish Government and NHS National Services Scotland have launched a nationally coordinated programme for the effective management of all temporary staffing. The team are working with NHS Grampian and NHS Tayside to establish Regional and National Staff Banks to allow boards access to a high quality, flexible, workforce of appropriately qualified, experienced and competent staff when required, who work on NHS contracts and provide better value for money than alternative methods of filling the gaps.\r\nWe are investing in front line staffing, which has resulted in an increase in the medical and nursing workforce in these areas. In NHS Tayside there are 44% more Consultants and 4.2% more nurses. In NHS Grampian there are 38.7% more Consultants and 0.8% more nurses.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314763,"EventID":"S5W-01971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:01:57.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T10:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01478 by Fergus Ewing on 1 August 2016, whether it will publish the action plan.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's Mobile Action Plan, developed and agreed with the four UK mobile network operators, was published on 12 June 2016. It is available at the following link:  http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy/digital/Publications/SGMAP","AnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314764,"EventID":"S5W-01973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:01:58.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that around quarter of college students are not completing their programmes, and what it believes the reasons for this are. ","AnswerText":"Compared with 2008-09, in 2014-15 almost 11,000 more college students across Further Education (FE) and Higher Education successfully completed full-time courses that lead to recognised qualifications – an increase of 24%.\r\nOur FE college students are supported with record levels of support. The 2016-17 budget of over £106 million in college bursaries, childcare and discretionary funds is a real-terms increase of 30% since 2006-07; and this year, FE students will be able to receive non-repayable bursary of up to £95.94 per week – the best level anywhere in the UK.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314765,"EventID":"S5W-01953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:01:59.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-15T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on concerns that there is a connection between the funding reductions to colleges and the reduction in students completing their studies.","AnswerText":"Our 2016-17 budget protected college resource funding at £530 million. Since 2007, we have provided over £5 billion of resource investment to the college sector to deliver job-focused learning to our current, and future workforce.\r\nIn 2014-15 almost 11,000 more college students across Further and Higher Education successfully completed full-time courses leading to recognised qualifications than in 2008-09 – an increase of 24%.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314766,"EventID":"S5W-01955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:00.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-15T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Funding Council report, Learning for All: Measures of Success, which recorded that the proportion of students completing higher education courses at college fell from 84.2% in 2013-14 to 82.7% in 2014-15; what it believes the reasons are for the reduction, and what action it is taking.","AnswerText":"Successful completion rates for students on full-time recognised Higher Education (HE) qualifications remained stable at 71.3% in 2014-15 compared to a record high of 71.4% in 2013-14. In addition, 2014-15 saw the highest number of full-time HE students successfully complete recognised qualifications (23,717). As a result, the number of students progressing from college to university with advanced standing increased by 29% between 2011-12 and 2014-15 (from 3,099 to 3,999).","AnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314767,"EventID":"S5W-01970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:02.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T10:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to assist NHS (a) Grampian and (b) Tayside in (i) recruiting and (ii) retaining staff.","AnswerText":"There are a range of actions that are already being taken to support NHS boards to recruit in remote and rural areas, from abroad and also to encourage those who trained or worked in NHS Scotland to return and work in the health service. We will continue to look at how we can build on this. \r\nWhilst the Scottish Government works closely with boards to support their recruitment efforts it is up to boards to plan and deliver clinical services and to ensure that they have the correct staff in place to meet the needs of their services and deliver high quality patient care.\r\nNHS Grampian\r\nAs part of their Recruitment and Attraction Strategy, the board continues to run local recruitment fairs throughout Scotland and utilises external websites, microsites and social media. This includes the offer of relocation expenses and short term accommodation. Other actions include the development of their two year “Newly Qualified Nurse Development” programme for new nurse graduates which has resulted in NHS Grampian recruiting 101 nurses all of whom will commence between mid-September and late October. A comprehensive induction programme for health care support workers is currently being developed alongside the return to practice for midwifery programme.\r\nIn 2016-17, NHS Grampian’s resource budget has increased by 6.6% to £882.3 million, an above inflation increase – the highest uplift of any territorial board, having previously increased by 6.3% in 2015 16.\r\nNHS Tayside\r\nWorking in collaboration with local authorities and other partners NHS Tayside has an Attraction and Recruitment Strategy. This is designed to support the implementation of the corporate workforce plan in relation to the resourcing of the required workforce to deliver their strategic aims. This includes use of external websites, microsites and social media for recruitment. The board also continues to promote the further development of Modern and Foundation Apprenticeships.\r\nIn 2016-17, NHS Tayside’s resource budget has increased by 5.8% to £699.1 million, an above inflation increase, having previously increased by 2.5% in 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314768,"EventID":"S5W-01972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:03.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of consultant posts at each hospital in NHS Grampian that specialise in medicine for older people are vacant.","AnswerText":"Centrally held workforce information identifies staff employed by NHS Scotland health board, not by hospital. Specific local information may be available from NHS Grampian.\r\nThe latest available information on the number and percentage of vacancies for consultants specialising in geriatric medicine in NHS Grampian is shown in the following table:- \r\nNumber (Whole Time Equivalent) of consultants, vacancies and vacancies as a percentage of establishment in NHS Grampian as at 30 June 2016.\r\n\r\nConsultant staff in post\r\nTotal vacancies\r\nVacant 6 months or more\r\nTotal vacancies as % of establishment2\r\nGeriatric Medicine1\r\n12.3\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0.0%\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System, Information Services Division Scotland\r\nNotes:Consultants who specialise in medicine for older people are currently recorded under the GMC specialty heading ‘Geriatric Medicine’.\r\nEstablishment is calculated as number of staff in post plus total vacancies.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314769,"EventID":"S5W-01975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:04.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) quad bikes and (b) other similar single-person operated vehicles have been reported stolen (i) across Scotland and (ii) in Fife in each of the last five years, and how many were recovered.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland report that a total of 972 quad bikes were stolen across Scotland over the past five years, with 276 of those being recovered. For the Fife area, 177 quad bikes were stolen over the same period with 54 of those being recovered. Due to restrictions in searching facility, and the scope of the question posed, the figures provided in response to this question have been limited to quad bikes alone.\r\nA breakdown of the data provided to us by Police Scotland for each year is provided in the following tables. The period of data collection in both tables runs from 1 April until 31 March 2016.\r\nScotland:\r\nYear\r\nNo. of Quad\r\nBikes Stolen\r\nNo. of Quad\r\nBikes Recovered\r\n2011-12\r\n243\r\n72\r\n2012-13\r\n173\r\n63\r\n2013-14\r\n173\r\n65\r\n2014-15\r\n234\r\n62\r\n2015-16\r\n149\r\n34\r\nTotal\r\n972\r\n296\r\nFife:\r\nYear\r\nNo. of Quad\r\nBikes Stolen\r\nNo. of Quad\r\nBikes Recovered\r\n2011-12\r\n35\r\n12\r\n2012-13\r\n29\r\n15\r\n2013-14\r\n24\r\n6\r\n2014-15\r\n48\r\n13\r\n2015-16\r\n41\r\n8\r\nTotal\r\n177\r\n54\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314770,"EventID":"S5W-01977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:05.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote the responsible selling of (a) quad bikes and (b) other similar single-person operated vehicles. ","AnswerText":"The selling and ownership of quad bikes and other similar single-person operated vehicles has not been devolved to Scottish Ministers and remains an issue that is reserved to the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314771,"EventID":"S5W-01957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:07.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T09:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the departure of consultants, what steps it is taking to ensure that people in the NHS Grampian area with Parkinson's disease have access to (a) a locally-based consultant and (b) nursing care at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin.","AnswerText":"It is for NHS boards and health and social care partnerships to plan and provide services that meet the needs of local people, whilst being consistent with national policies and frameworks established by the Scottish Government.\r\nNHS Grampian has confirmed however, that for patients aged 65 or less, a visiting clinic is being provided by its specialist neurology team which is normally based at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. This service will be via video conferencing with a clinical nurse specialist on site with patients. A part-time clinician has been responsible for patients aged over 65 with Parkinson’s disease within the Moray area. This staff member began a years sabbatical on 31 August 2016 and the post is currently being covered by a full-time locum.\r\nNHS Grampian advises that it currently has one Parkinson’s disease clinical nurse specialist based in Seafield Hospital, Buckie, who covers the Moray population and receives referrals from Dr Gray’s Hospital. There is a weekly clinic held at Dr Gray’s Hospital along with a range of clinics delivered locally at other locations across Moray. The board is planning to train two advanced nurse practitioners to support the neurology service in Moray.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314772,"EventID":"S5W-01959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:09.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T09:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consultant posts in each NHS board specialise in Parkinson's disease, also expressed as a ratio to the (a) population and (b) number of people with the condition, and (i) how many and (ii) what percentage of the posts are vacant.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. \r\nSpecialist care of patients with Parkinson’s disease is likely to be led by consultants in neurology. However it is not possible to specifically identify those who specialise in Parkinson’s disease in the data centrally held.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314773,"EventID":"S5W-01966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:10.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is responsible for the clear up of waste from evicted Gypsy/Traveller sites on land that is owned (a) privately and (b) by a local authority.","AnswerText":"Private land owners are responsible for the removal of waste from their land. Section 179 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 enables a local planning authority to require the owner and occupier of land to take specific steps to remedy the land’s condition, if they consider that it adversely affects the local area. Section 59 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 gives local authorities and Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) powers to require occupiers of land to remove unlawfully deposited waste.\r\nGuidance produced by the Scottish Flytipping Forum ('Flytipping in Scotland: A Guide to Prevention and Enforcement') for local authority and SEPA waste enforcement officers recognises that the owners of flytipped land are the victims of crime. It encourages local authorities and/or SEPA to investigate flytipping on public and private land and to offer assistance. This may be in the form of advice to prevent the problem in the future or help to uplift or dispose of waste if local circumstances allow.\r\nSection 89 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 places a duty on local authorities to keep their land clear of litter. As independent organisations how they go about fulfilling their duties and what resources they use is entirely up to them, providing they meet the standards in the Code of Practice on Litter and refuse.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314774,"EventID":"S5W-01968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:11.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T10:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers local authorities have to (a) deal with and (b) move on Gypsy/Traveller sites on land that is owned (i) privately and (ii) by the councils.","AnswerText":"There are a range of civil and criminal powers in relation to unauthorised Gypsy/Traveller sites, some of which fall under legislation relating to trespass and roads. Landowners, whether private or a local authority, are also able to take legal action in relation to removing people from their property. We encourage local authorities to develop strategies for managing unauthorised sites in their area, together with the police. It would be for the police to investigate any reported offences, and for the Crown Office to decide whether to take forward a prosecution. More information about the legal framework around unauthorised sites can be found online at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2004/12/20417/48831. \r\nThe Scottish Government issued guidelines on managing unauthorised sites in 2004 to assist local authorities and the police to develop policies on responding to unauthorised sites. The guidelines are based on two key principles: that unauthorised sites should be managed to minimise disruption; and the same standards of behaviour are expected from all, whether that is Gypsy/Travellers living on an unauthorised site, or the settled population living around such a site. We are currently reviewing the guidelines and have sought views from the Police, local authorities, Gypsy/Travellers, and others. We plan to publish revised guidelines later this year.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314775,"EventID":"S5W-01963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:12.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T09:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consultant posts there are at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin; how many of the posts are vacant, and how this compares to other hospitals in (a) NHS Grampian and (b) Scotland.","AnswerText":"Centrally held workforce information identifies staff employed by NHS Scotland health board, not by hospital. Specific local information may be available from NHS boards.\r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01962 on 9 September 2016 for the latest published staff in post and vacancy figures for NHS Grampian and NHS Scotland as at 30 June 2016.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314776,"EventID":"S5W-01964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:13.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T09:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many nurses in (a) Moray, (b) Aberdeen and (c) Aberdeenshire specialise in Parkinson's disease, also expressed as a ratio to the number of people with the condition, and how many vacancies there are.","AnswerText":"Centrally held workforce information identifies staff employed by NHS Scotland health board, not the locations of work for nurses. Specific local information may be available from individual NHS boards.\r\nDue to the multidisciplinary nature of some nursing roles, a nurse may work in more than one specialty, however only one specialist area is recorded for each nurse. \r\nNurses specialising in Parkinson’s disease are known to be under-recorded in the centrally held data, therefore it is not possible to accurately report on the numbers of specialist Parkinson’s nurses or vacancies in each NHS board.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314777,"EventID":"S5W-01978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:15.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that its current approach to funding and support to local authorities is sufficient to maintain its commitment to improving and increasing high quality, flexible early learning and childcare for free and has no negative impact on this pledge.","AnswerText":"Recent engagement with local authorities indicates that the majority have already increased flexibility, including full days and year round provision. There is a therefore a significant shift in the range of choice and flexible models that parents now have access to.\r\nThe Scottish Government is fully funding this expansion to 600 hours of early learning and childcare. We have already provided an additional £500 million in revenue and capital funding since 2014 and revenue funding is set to increase year on year until 2019-20 to support increasing flexibility of provision. We have also committed to fully funding the expansion to 1140 hours by the end of this parliament.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently undertaking a financial review to better understand early learning and childcare finance and expenditure, which will inform our estimates of the costs of delivering this expansion. The review will be published in September.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314778,"EventID":"S5W-01958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:16.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T09:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of consultant posts at each hospital in NHS Grampian specialise in medicine for older people.","AnswerText":"Centrally held workforce information identifies staff employed by NHS board, not by hospital. Specific local information may be available from NHS Grampian.\r\nInformation on the number of Geriatric Medicine Consultants in NHS Grampian is published by Information Services Division Scotland and is available in the following table:-\r\nNumber (whole time equivalent) and percentage of consultants in NHS Grampian as at 30 September 2006 and 30 June 2016.\r\n\r\nSep-06\r\nJun-16\r\nWTE change from Sep- 06 to Jun-16\r\n% change (WTE) from Sep-06 to Jun 16\r\nGeriatric medicine consultants\r\n10.2\r\n12.3\r\n2.1\r\n20.6%\r\nGeriatric medicine as % of all medical consultants\r\n2.8%\r\n2.5%\r\n\r\n\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314779,"EventID":"S5W-01965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:17.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers Police Scotland has to (a) deal with and (b) move on Gypsy/Traveller sites on land that is owned (i) privately and (ii) by a local authority.","AnswerText":"The main responsibility for dealing with unauthorised encampments lies with the local authority where the unauthorised encampment is situated. The local authority or the landowner may apply to a court for an eviction notice to remove any unauthorised encampment. Police Scotland will liaise with local authorities when they are made aware of unauthorised encampments. Police Scotland can also offer advice to private landowners regarding what steps they are required to take if they wish to remove unauthorised encampments.\r\nIn exceptional circumstances a senior police officer could consider utilising powers derived from sections 61 and 62 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, but only where specific circumstances are present. These circumstances include where property has been damaged, threatening or abusive behaviour has been used towards the occupier of the land or six or more vehicles have been taken onto that land, provided the occupier of the land has first taken all reasonable steps to ask the members of the encampment to leave.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314780,"EventID":"S5W-01976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:18.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote the responsible ownership of (a) quad bikes and (b) other similar single-person operated vehicles. ","AnswerText":"The legislation governing the usage of quad bikes on our roads has not been devolved to Scottish Ministers and remains reserved to the UK Government.\r\nPolice Scotland uses this UK Government legislation along with the additional powers available through the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 to deal with the irresponsible use of quad bikes or similar vehicles. Through engagement with communities and partner organisations at a local level Police Scotland seek to educate and encourage the responsible ownership and usage of this type of vehicle.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314781,"EventID":"S5W-01961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:19.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T09:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what incentives are being offered to attract applicants to the vacant consultant posts at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin.","AnswerText":"When advertising consultant posts at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin, NHS Grampian offer flexibility within the consultant terms and conditions of service in particular on job planning and programmed activities. \r\nNHS Grampian also connect posts linking work between Dr Gray's Hospital and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to develop special interests and further education as well as offering opportunities for research with Aberdeen University.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314782,"EventID":"S5W-01962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:21.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T09:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average time is for consultant posts at (a) Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin, (b) Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and (c) Scotland to remain vacant.","AnswerText":"Centrally held workforce information identifies staff employed by NHS Scotland health board, not by hospital. Specific local information may be available from individual NHS boards.\r\nInformation on consultant vacancies and total consultant posts vacant for six months or more are published by Information Services Division Scotland (ISD), however information on the exact duration of each vacancy is not collected. It is therefore not possible to provide an average time that a post has remained vacant.\r\nThe latest published consultant staff in post and consultant vacancy figures for NHS Grampian and NHS Scotland as at 30 June 2016 are shown in the following table:-\r\n\r\nConsultant Staff in Post\r\nTotal Vacancies\r\nVacant for 6 months or more\r\nTotal Vacancies as % of Establishment1\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n513.7\r\n41.7\r\n16.7\r\n7.5%\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n5077.0\r\n414.2\r\n188.7\r\n7.5%\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System.\r\n1. Establishment is calculated as number of staff in post plus total vacancies.\r\nUnder this government, the number of consultants employed in NHS Grampian have increased by 36.5%, to 513.7 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE).* \r\nThe number of consultants employed in NHS Scotland have increased by 40.1 per cent, to 5077.0 WTE.*\r\nAny fluctuation in consultant vacancies is linked to our efforts to increase capacity by recruiting even more staff.\r\n(*Source: ISD Scotland, figures as at June 2016)","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314783,"EventID":"S5W-01979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:22.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Fair Funding for our Kids report, Where's my Nursery Place?, which recorded that (a) 65% of all nursery places were half days only, (b) 89% of all council nursery places for 3 to 5-year-olds were half days only and (c) local authorities are underfunding places in private nurseries by up to £492 per child.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Childcare and Early Years met with Fair Funding for our Kids on 30 August 2016 to discuss their report and welcomed their interest. There is evidence of local authorities such as Edinburgh City and Fife offering a wider range of choice including full days in around 25% of their settings; and 38% of Glasgow City Council nurseries are open extended hours, but demand continues to outstrip supply. Through the Early Learning and Childcare Strategic Evidence group we are considering how best to monitor and evaluate the implementation of early learning and childcare provisions under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act including flexibility and choice.\r\nIn terms of local authorities underfunding private nurseries by up to £492 per child, the Scottish Government is aware of concerns about current funding levels and is conducting a financial review, including a detailed review of partner providers, in order to better understand funding arrangements and costs.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314784,"EventID":"S5W-01960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:23.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T09:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many nurses in each NHS board specialise in Parkinson's disease, also expressed as a ratio to the number of people with the condition.","AnswerText":"Due to the multidisciplinary nature of some nursing roles, a nurse may work in more than one specialty, however only one specialist area is recorded for each nurse. \r\nNurses specialising in Parkinson’s disease are known to be under-recorded in the centrally held data, therefore it is not possible to accurately report on the numbers of specialist Parkinson’s nurses or vacancies in each NHS board.\r\nSpecific local information may be available from NHS Scotland health boards.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314785,"EventID":"S5W-01967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:25.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T09:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if Gypsy/Traveller halting sites are made available by a local authority, what powers Police Scotland has to (a) deal with and (b) move on sites on land that is owned (i) privately and (ii) by the council.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01965 on 6 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314786,"EventID":"S5W-01974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T14:02:26.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) quad bikes and (b) other similar single-person operated vehicles have been (i) seized and (ii) destroyed by the police (A) across Scotland and (B) in Fife in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland have legislative authority, provided for by part ten of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004, to seize vehicles for a variety of reasons including antisocial behaviour and road traffic offences. A police officer has authority to seize a vehicle if it is being driven in a manner which is causing, or is likely to cause, alarm, distress, or annoyance; in circumstances where the person has been warned to stop using the vehicle in such a manner; and the officer has reasonable grounds to believe their warning has not been complied with.\r\nThe data contained in the following tables, for antisocial behaviour and road traffic offences, can only be provided for the period from 2 February 2015 until 25 August 2016. Historically, the eight legacy police forces each had separate contracts with various vehicle recovery agents to process vehicle recovery. On 2 February 2015, these arrangements were centralised and data for Police Scotland was thereafter compiled in one place.\r\nAntisocial Behaviour seizure figures from 2 February 2015 until 25 August 2016\r\nAntisocial Behaviour\r\nLegislation seizures\r\nQuad Bikes\r\nSeized\r\nQuad Bikes\r\nDestroyed\r\nMotorcycles\r\nSeized\r\nMotorcycles\r\nDestroyed\r\nScotland\r\n4\r\n4\r\n26\r\n14\r\nFife\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nRoad Traffic Offence seizure figures from 2 February 2015 until 25 August 2016\r\nRoad Traffic\r\nLegislation seizures\r\nQuad Bikes\r\nSeized\r\nQuad Bikes\r\nDestroyed\r\nMotorcycles\r\nSeized\r\nMotorcycles\r\nDestroyed\r\nScotland\r\n23\r\n15\r\n352\r\n180\r\nFife\r\n2\r\n2\r\n16\r\n16\r\nThe following table contains information on the number of quad bikes and motorcycles seized in Fife over the past five years due to antisocial behaviour incidents or road traffic offences. However, we cannot provide a breakdown because the vehicle recovery company with whom Fife Constabulary had the recovery contract did not detail the reason for each vehicle uplift. Also, the company did not maintain records of how many seized vehicles were subsequently destroyed.\r\nVehicle seizures in Fife\r\nPeriod\r\nQuad Bikes\r\nSeized\r\nMotorcycles\r\nSeized\r\nTotal Vehicles\r\nSeized\r\n1 August 2011 - 31 July 2012\r\n3\r\n96\r\n99\r\n1 August 2012 - 31 July 2013\r\n1\r\n67\r\n68\r\n1 August 2013 - 31 July 2014\r\n3\r\n76\r\n79\r\n1 August 2014 - 1 February 2015\r\n5\r\n49\r\n54\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314788,"EventID":"S5W-01986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T15:04:04.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T13:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to local authorities in (a) Mid Scotland and Fife and (b) the rest of the country to improve the condition of roads and pavements.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has allocated over £10.3 billion to local government for 2016-17. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government's key strategic objectives. \r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to working with local government to help improve the condition of roads and pavements throughout the country. We do this through the Road Collaboration Programme which is supporting all councils in Scotland to explore opportunities to share services. A number of regional partnerships have now been established including the Edinburgh, Lothians, Borders and Fife Forum and the Tayforth Roads Collaboration Forum. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314789,"EventID":"S5W-01982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-16T15:04:05.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times tasers have been (a) deployed and (b) discharged by the police in each year since 2013, broken down by (i) reason for deployment, (ii) distance that they were discharged from and (iii) the number of (A) injuries and (B) deaths that have arisen from their use.","AnswerText":"The deployment of tasers is an operational matter for Police Scotland and are deployed in accordance with the current national UK practices as directed by the College of Policing and National Armed Policing and approved by the National Police Chiefs' Council. Since the establishment of Police Scotland the number of times a taser has been deployed and discharged is set out in the following table.\r\nAll incidents of Police Scotland's use of firearms, including tasers, must be referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner for independent investigation and the subsequent reports can be found at: http://pirc.scotland.gov.uk/investigations. \r\nPolice Scotland do not record the specific deployment distances for each incident. There have been no deaths due to the use of tasers with only one injury attributed to the use of a taser.\r\nPeriod\r\nTasers deployed\r\nTasers discharged\r\nApril 2013 to March 2014\r\n67\r\n8\r\nApril 2014 to March 2015\r\n48\r\n8\r\nApril 2015 to March 2016\r\n13\r\n0\r\nApril 2016 to 17 August 2016\r\n11\r\n0\r\nTotals\r\n139\r\n16\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314793,"EventID":"S5W-01998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-17T15:23:05.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-17T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides towards educational programmes that encourage pupils in the Highlands and Islands to consider working as a GP in remote and rural areas.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have invested £2.5 million over three years in a GP Recruitment and Retention Fund. The aim of the fund is to support the recruitment, retention and return of GPs in NHS Scotland. \r\nOne of the bids, a Scottish Rural Medical Collaborative, is made up of rural health boards from across Scotland: NHS Highland, NHS Grampian, NHS Shetland, NHS Western Isles, NHS Orkney, NHS Dumfries and Galloway and NHS Ayrshire and Arran. These boards have joined together as they share common issues that affect recruitment and retention of GPs in rural areas. As part of their bid they have identified the importance of Career Events in rural schools. The collaborative will promote a national programme to provide resources and to link with educational institutions and local authorities. This will help school pupils decide if they wish to apply to medicine (or another healthcare profession). The collaborative will provide appropriate support in terms on mentoring, work observation and advice for people with rural links in making an application. For initiatives to be successful work will need to be done in partnership with the local authorities, Scottish School of Rural Health and Wellbeing and the academic institutions.\r\nWe have also made widening access to medicine a key priority as part of our strategic approach towards achieving a more sustainable medical workforce. Officials are developing proposals for a pre-medical entry programme to assist secondary school students prepare for the requirements of a medical degree, and are in discussion with Scotland’s medical schools on how best to deliver a sustainable programme. A key element will be insight into the requirements and opportunities of community-based practice.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314794,"EventID":"S5W-01952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-17T15:23:07.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-15T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29352 by Annabelle Ewing on 29 January 2016, whether it will provide an update on how the scheme will apply in Scotland.","AnswerText":"While we have yet to receive final details of the financial settlement that the Scottish Government will receive from the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in 2017, we are aware of the importance of engaging with employers in Scotland in shaping our response.\r\nOur engagement with employers has focused on developing an approach which covers a range of ways in which the use of Levy funding coming to Scotland might support our wider social and economic ambitions while protecting our current Modern Apprenticeship commitments.\r\nOver the summer we undertook further consultation with employers and other interested parties, the terms of which were informed by the prior engagement. We received over 350 responses to this consultation which closed on 26 August 2016. \r\nWe will consider responses as swiftly to ensure arrangements are in place to use the levy as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314795,"EventID":"S5W-01990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-17T15:23:08.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-17T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the guidance letter to be issued to all schools for the first day of the new academic year on curriculum for excellence was not delivered as scheduled and when schools will receive this guidance.","AnswerText":"The new teacher guidance provides an emphatic statement of priorities for Scotland's schools that addresses all of the relevant issues and provides the clarity that teachers need.\r\nWe consulted widely across the teaching profession to ensure that it would be as beneficial as possible. This included engagement with the Scottish Government's Teacher Panel, the Assessment and National Qualifications Working Group and the Curriculum for Excellence Management board, which includes representatives of the teacher unions and a range of other partners.\r\nWe agreed that to publish the guidance at the end of August 2016 to coincide with publication of the new benchmark guidance. We believed this would be of most value to teachers. The statement and guidance was distributed to teachers on 29 August 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314796,"EventID":"S5W-01988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-17T15:23:09.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-17T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many speeding offences within 20 mph zones surrounding school facilities in Lothian have been recorded in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The Scottish Government publishes annual statistics on speeding offences recorded by the police, however we do not hold this data for specific speed limits or for geographies other than local authority level. As the Chief Constable of Police Scotland is responsible for the policing of Scotland, it would be best to contact Police Scotland directly at PO Box 21184, Alloa, FK10 9DE.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314797,"EventID":"S5W-02005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-17T15:23:10.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-17T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action NHS Fife is taking to support (a) Forth Valley Royal and (b) Victoria Hospital in meeting the target of at least 98% of people waiting no longer than four hours from arrival to admission, discharge or transfer for accident and emergency treatment.","AnswerText":"In terms of how NHS Fife is supporting Forth Valley Royal Hospital the Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.\r\nHowever, the Scottish Government is working closely with health boards, including NHS Fife and NHS Forth Valley, as part of an improvement approach to ensure improvements are made on a sustainable basis. This approach aims to minimise long waits in A&E and Assessment Units and ensure the whole NHS system works together effectively - beginning from a patient’s first contact with the NHS right through to, if they require admission, their discharge from hospital. \r\nThrough the National Unscheduled Care - six Essential Actions Improvement Programme NHS Fife has implemented a number of actions at the Victoria Hospital, which has seen performance at, around or above 95% over the last few months. The board has developed an integrated team of Nurses, allied health professions (AHP’s) (Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists) and Frailty Practitioners (support workers), who share skills to provide a comprehensive assessment of patients screened as frail who attend the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) as well as the acute admissions areas within the acute hospital. It enables the frailty team to gather as much relevant details from the patients and their family/carers on their previous level of function, as well as how they are functioning presently; which in turn aids timely clinical decision making on the best pathway for the patient. This work has supported the continued reduction in the length of time these patients spend in hospital.\r\nNHS Forth Valley has seen some variable performance but often performs at, around or above 95%. The Hospital has also implemented a number of actions to support sustainable improvement against the four hour A&E target. They have recently standardised the emergency referrals process to the acute medical unit, which has led to a reduction in delays for patients attending this unit.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314798,"EventID":"S5W-01987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-17T15:23:11.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-16T16:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of all ministerial visits to (a) Orkney and (b) Shetland since May 2007.","AnswerText":" All official Ministerial visits are published at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/Events-Engagements/MinisterialEngagements/MinisterialEngagements\r\nVisits from May 2016 onwards will be published shortly on: https://beta.gov.scot/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314799,"EventID":"S5W-01989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-17T15:23:12.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-17T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many speeding offences within 30 mph zones in Lothian have been recorded in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The Scottish Government publishes annual statistics on speeding offences recorded by the police, however we do not hold this data for specific speed limits or for geographies other than local authority level. As the Chief Constable of Police Scotland is responsible for the policing of Scotland, it would be best to contact Police Scotland directly.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314800,"EventID":"S5W-01992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-17T15:23:13.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-17T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date Scottish agriculture producers will receive a communication detailing their final 2015 Basic Payment Scheme details including eligible field parcels, and whether there will be an appeal mechanism available to producers on the contents of this letter and the length of that appeal period.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government issued letters to all Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) claimants in Scotland detailing their initial allocation of BPS entitlements. All claimants can view their definitive BPS entitlements by Payment Region on the Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID), Rural Payments and Services website. For those who are not registered with the Rural Payments and Services online, arrangements can be made to book an appointment at the local Area office to assist with the registration and login process.\r\nAll Scottish BPS claimants will be sent a letter with the details of the BPS payment they have received. BPS claimants who have incurred penalties will also receive a reductions and exclusions letter detailing the ineligible areas they claimed and the penalty calculation. Any penalty that has been incurred can be appealed under RPID’s EU Rural Payments Appeals procedure. To do this the claimant must submit a written request to RPID which must be received by them within 60 days from the date of the reductions and exclusions letter.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314801,"EventID":"S5W-01999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-17T15:23:14.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-17T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 20 August 2016, Drive to recruit GP trainees, how (a) much it will spend in and (b) many training places will be available to each constituency in the Highlands and Islands, and when the project will end.","AnswerText":"The 100 GPST (GP Specialty Training) posts are additional to current training posts located around Scotland, substantially increasing the overall number of GPST posts that will be advertised in subsequent years. Funding of GPST posts (e.g. salaries, Trainers’ grants etc.) is shared between NHS Education for Scotland and the health boards where they are placed, and such costs are met from the funding allocations for each board.\r\nThe Scottish Government has committed to fund all new GPST posts that fill from February 2017, including those that are eligible for the £20,000 bursary. The exact spend will only be known once the recruitment round, being managed by NHS Education for Scotland (NES), is complete.\r\nFive of the new GPST posts have been advertised in The North region for a February 2017 start date - three in Grampian and two in Caledonian (mainly covering NHS Highland) and all five attract a bursary.\r\nIn parallel with establishing these new GPST posts, NES will work with Scotland’s health boards to review the current four year GPST posts to make them more attractive.\r\nThe end date of this recruitment initiative is when trainees take up their new posts, i.e. the project end will depend on the recruitment fill rate.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314802,"EventID":"S5W-01991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-17T15:23:15.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-17T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01210 by Fergus Ewing on 14 July 2016, whether it will provide a breakdown of the payments made under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme in region (a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 for Shetland producers.","AnswerText":"The total 2015 Basic Payment Scheme payments made to Shetland producers as at 2 September 2015 was 3,275,396.92, broken down to region as follows:\r\nRegion 1 1,175,271.18\r\nRegion 2 1,651,314.64\r\nRegion 3 448,811.10\r\nTotal direct payments made to Shetland producers as at 2 September 2015 was 5,948,923.98 broken down as follows:-\r\nBasic Payment Scheme 3,275,396.92\r\nGreening 2,286,123.26\r\nYoung Farmer 15,606.89\r\nVCS Beef- Island 235,988.77\r\nVCS Sheep 151,415.03","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314803,"EventID":"S5W-01993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-17T15:23:17.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-17T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, under the Basic Payment Scheme, any field parcel that is judged to contain 50% rough grazing and 50% permanent grassland (classified as PGRS) has received a region 1 payment.","AnswerText":"Officials in Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID), using objective criteria, assessed land parcels with either 40% or more Single Farm Payment Scheme (SFPS) eligible arable crops and rotational grass (excluding permanent grass) or 50% or more permanent grass and Land Cover of Scotland 1988 (LCS88) smooth grassland to be Payment Region one. Some land parcels with 50% rough grazing and 50% permanent grassland (classified as PGRS) will have been assessed as Payment Region one but the Scottish Government does not hold the information at the level of detail that has been requested.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314826,"EventID":"S5W-02006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:14:41.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-17T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many radiotherapy specialists have been recruited since May 2016; where they have been placed, and by what date it will meet its pledge to recruit an extra 100 specialists.","AnswerText":"Exact plans for where, when and the range of disciplines that will make up this figure will depend on radiotherapy demand and capacity plans and delivery over the next five years as part of the implementation of the Scottish cancer strategy. Our Radiotherapy Sub-Group is now up and running and will make investment recommendations across the Scottish radiotherapy service.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314828,"EventID":"S5W-02019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:14:42.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people from Scotland have received treatment in hospitals in other parts of the UK in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The following tables shows the number of people from Scotland who have received treatment in hospitals in other parts of the UK in each year since 1999. The data across the UK is not directly comparable due to differences in data definitions.\r\nInformation is provided in the following table on the number of finished admission episodes for patients resident in Scotland who have received healthcare from the NHS in England since 1999.\r\nYear\r\nFinished Admission Episodes\r\n1999-2000\r\n5,427\r\n2000-2001\r\n5,804\r\n2001-2002\r\n5,628\r\n2002-2003\r\n5,851\r\n2003-2004\r\n6,548\r\n2004-2005\r\n6,998\r\n2005-2006\r\n7,378\r\n2006-2007\r\n7,518\r\n2007-2008\r\n7,371\r\n2008-2009\r\n7,326\r\n2009-2010\r\n7,671\r\n2010-2011\r\n7,811\r\n2011-2012\r\n7,574\r\n2012-2013\r\n7,449\r\n2013-2014\r\n7,201\r\n2014-2015\r\n7,020\r\nSource: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), NHS Digital (England)\r\nInformation is provided in the following table on the number of patients resident in Scotland who have received healthcare from the NHS in Wales since 1999.\r\nYear\r\nPatients\r\n1999-2000\r\n145\r\n2000-2001\r\n164\r\n2001-2002\r\n146\r\n2002-2003\r\n171\r\n2003-2004\r\n152\r\n2004-2005\r\n132\r\n2005-2006\r\n140\r\n2006-2007\r\n164\r\n2007-2008\r\n154\r\n2008-2009\r\n137\r\n2009-2010\r\n119\r\n2010-2011\r\n107\r\n2011-2012\r\n147\r\n2012-2013\r\n132\r\n2013-2014\r\n128\r\n2014-2015\r\n102\r\nSource: Patient Episode Database Wales (PEDW), NHS Wales Informatics Service\r\nInformation is provided in the following table on the number of patients resident in Scotland who have received healthcare from the NHS in Northern Ireland since 1999.\r\nYear\r\nPatients\r\n1999\r\n127\r\n2000\r\n95\r\n2001\r\n95\r\n2002\r\n110\r\n2003\r\n87\r\n2004\r\n104\r\n2005\r\n100\r\n2006\r\n83\r\n2007\r\n98\r\n2008\r\n118\r\n2009\r\n99\r\n2010\r\n80\r\n2011\r\n75\r\n2012\r\n87\r\n2013\r\n95\r\n2014\r\n102\r\n2015P\r\n115\r\nSource: Hospital Inpatient System, Northern Ireland Health Department\r\nP -Provisional","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314830,"EventID":"S5W-02021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:14:44.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many intensive home treatment teams have attended call-outs to patients requiring emergency mental health support in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Data on how many intensive home treatment teams have attended call-outs to patients requiring emergency mental health support in each year since 1999 is not provided to the Scottish Government as a matter of course.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314832,"EventID":"S5W-02023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:14:45.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been treated for self-harm in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"Individuals can be treated for self-harm in a number of different settings, including hospital inpatient care or A&E attendances. Self-harm may also be managed in primary care or community settings; however, we do not currently have data on these attendances. Since 2007, the national source of A&E information has been Information Services Division’s A&E DataMart. Within the A&E DataMart, the facility exists to record attendances at accident and emergency departments due to self-harm. However, the fields which can be used to identify self-harm are all optional for completion by NHS boards and the level of recording is not sufficient for accurate national reporting of attendances due to self-harm.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314834,"EventID":"S5W-02036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:14:46.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff each alcohol and drug partnership has employed in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. This is a matter for the NHS boards and the individual Alcohol and Drug Partnerships.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314836,"EventID":"S5W-02038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:14:48.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) average and (b) longest waiting time to begin drug or alcohol treatment (i) was in each year since 2011-12 and (ii) has been since April 2016.","AnswerText":"Table one includes information on the average wait for treatment and the length of time that 95 and 99 people out of 100 waited to begin their first treatment, between 1st April 2011 and 31st March 2016.\r\nThe requested information for longest waiting times could not be provided as the quality of the data could not be assured. Instead, data has been provided that gives a more accurate representation than the longest wait figures as it excludes any outliers which may be due to data quality issues.\r\nTable 1 \r\nYear\r\nAverage wait\r\n(Days)\r\n95 out of\r\n100 waited\r\n(days)\r\n99 out of\r\n100 waited\r\n(days)\r\n2011-12\r\n13\r\n41\r\n95\r\n2012-13\r\n9\r\n27\r\n46\r\n2013-14\r\n8\r\n21\r\n35\r\n2014-15\r\n8\r\n21\r\n37\r\n2015-16\r\n8\r\n21\r\n49\r\nSource: ISD Scotland Ref: IR2016-01751","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314838,"EventID":"S5W-02015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:14:49.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time is to see a GP, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) GP practice. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information for independently contracted practices. It does expect patients to be offered an appointment with a member of GP practice staff within two days; the latest figures (Health and Care Experience Survey 2015-16) show that nearly 92% of people were able to get a consultation within that time.\r\nThe figures on the percentage of patients able to arrange an appointment with a member of GP practice staff within two days by board are given in the following table:\r\nHealth board\r\n\r\nPercentage of patients able to access healthcare professional within two working days\r\nNHS Ayrshire And Arran\r\n90.7\r\nNHS Borders\r\n92.9\r\nNHS Dumfries And Galloway\r\n95.8\r\nNHS Fife\r\n90.7\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n91.4\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n90.7\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow And Clyde\r\n92.3\r\nNHS Highland\r\n94.4\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n89.0\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n91.5\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n97.8\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n95.2\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n94.3\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n95.2\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n91.8\r\nFigures broken down by GP practice are held at the following website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Health/GPPatientExperienceSurvey/HACE2015-16/LDP-GP","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314840,"EventID":"S5W-02026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:14:50.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reliability of how health statistics are recorded, and whether it plans to review this.","AnswerText":"The vast majority of Scotland’s health statistics are collected and published in accordance with the UK National Statistics Code of Practice. National Services Scotland (through Information Services Division) is the main producer of Scottish health statistics.\r\nThe UK statistics authority works in partnership with amongst others, the Scottish Government’s Chief Statistician and the Head of Profession at National Services Scotland, to ensure compliance against this code. The code emphasises key aspects of quality and the Scottish Government welcomes the assurance that this provides to all users of Scottish health statistics.\r\nThe statisticians and data experts involved in the collection, analysis and publication of health statistics work closely with users of their statistics. User feedback is welcomed and is important to the continuous improvement agenda that is key to the work of those producing Scotland’s health statistics. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314842,"EventID":"S5W-02033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:14:51.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to each alcohol and drug partnership in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) are funded through contributions from NHS Boards and local partners. NHS Boards provide funding from their general resource allocation and the specific funding allocation for ADPs provided by the Scottish Government. \r\nFor each of the financial years from 2011-12 to 2015-16, approximately £69 million per annum was made directly available to NHS Boards to allocate to ADPs. The breakdown by NHS Board for this period is provided in Table 1.\r\nTable 1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nAyrshire & Arran\r\n4,401,643\r\n4,401,652\r\n4,450,017\r\n4,495,964\r\n4,527,872\r\nBorders\r\n1,342,783\r\n1,342,790\r\n1,348,645\r\n1,354,207\r\n1,352,190\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n1,986,178\r\n1,986,179\r\n1,989,092\r\n1,991,860\r\n1,983,834\r\nFife\r\n4,271,478\r\n4,271,469\r\n4,271,475\r\n4,271,481\r\n4,258,881\r\nForth Valley\r\n3,336,088\r\n3,336,087\r\n3,347,556\r\n3,358,451\r\n3,389,704\r\nGrampian\r\n5,734,063\r\n5,734,063\r\n5,752,649\r\n5,770,305\r\n5,788,922\r\nGreater Glasgow\r\n19,546,267\r\n19,546,267\r\n19,546,267\r\n18,692,642\r\n18,629,576\r\nHighland\r\n3,650,515\r\n3,650,516\r\n3,653,000\r\n3,655,361\r\n3,655,485\r\nLanarkshire\r\n5,862,810\r\n5,862,805\r\n5,935,993\r\n6,859,148\r\n6,937,386\r\nLothian\r\n11,503,005\r\n11,503,005\r\n11,510,276\r\n11,517,184\r\n11,469,681\r\nOrkney\r\n567,720\r\n567,720\r\n567,720\r\n567,720\r\n558,443\r\nShetland\r\n604,412\r\n604,412\r\n605,426\r\n606,389\r\n600,591\r\nTayside\r\n5,346,534\r\n5,346,534\r\n5,356,012\r\n5,365,016\r\n5,363,523\r\nWestern Isles\r\n703,343\r\n703,343\r\n703,343\r\n703,343\r\n692,982\r\nTotal Scotland\r\n68,856,839\r\n68,856,842\r\n69,037,471\r\n69,209,071\r\n69,209,071\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPolicy responsibility for the drugs element of ADPs transferred from the Justice to Health portfolio on 1 April 2016 as part of the 2016/17 budget setting process in order to allow us to correctly address alcohol and drug misuse as a health issue.\r\nThe Cabinet Secretary for Health wrote to Chief Executives of Health Boards on \r\n7 January 2016 clearly setting out our expectations for Boards to ensure that overall spending on supporting the treatment of alcohol and substance misuse is maintained.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314844,"EventID":"S5W-02044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:14:53.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been (a) charged, (b) prosecuted and (c) convicted in each year since 2010-11 for a suspected drug trafficking or drug supply offence.","AnswerText":"Information on number of people charged is not held centrally.\r\nFor information on number of people charged, I would refer the member to contact The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.\r\nThe available information is shown in the following table.\r\nPersons prosecuted and convicted in Scottish courts for drugs trafficking¹, 2010-11 to 2014-15.\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nNot Guilty\r\n557\r\n577\r\n542\r\n538\r\n430\r\nGuilty\r\n2,384\r\n2,373\r\n2,292\r\n2,132\r\n1,890\r\nTotal Prosecutions\r\n2,941\r\n2,950\r\n2,834\r\n2,670\r\n2,320\r\n1 - Where main charge. \r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings database","AnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314846,"EventID":"S5W-02020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:14:55.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage the fitting of particle filters on all public sector vehicles, and whether it plans to make this compulsory.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provide an air quality grant scheme to support local authorities in retrofitting their vehicles with emissions reduction equipment. The forthcoming National Low Emission Framework (NLEF) will signpost diesel particle filter (DPF) retro-fitting as an option for all pre-Euro 5/V vehicles in relation to low emission zone criteria. Compulsory fitting of particle filters on all public sector vehicles is not being considered by the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314848,"EventID":"S5W-02022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:14:56.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in developing a text message service for GP practices. ","AnswerText":"It is for independently contracted practices to decide how best to communicate with their patients. There are no current plans to introduce a national text appointments service. Decisions at practice or NHS board level allow solutions to integrate with existing processes and systems, and to be responsive to local circumstances.\r\nThe Scottish Government outlined plans on 11 March 2016 to provide £2 million additional funding to improve or upgrade IT infrastructure in GP practices as part of a £20 million package for GPs to ease pressures on the workforce over the next year. This is in addition to the primary care digital services delivery fund, announced in June 2015, which is providing £6 million over three years to improve access to GP digital and online services, enhance GP systems, and encourage innovation and research in GP digital services.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314850,"EventID":"S5W-02037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:14:57.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been (a) referred to and (b) treated by each alcohol and drug partnership in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"Table one shows the number of (a) referrals to drug and alcohol treatment services and (b) the number of clients who have started first treatment for drug or alcohol misuse between 1 April 2011 2016 and 31 March 2016. \r\nThe figures given are for total number of referrals and treatments not number of individuals, as many clients will be referred and treated multiple times in different Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs). The figures also only include data for first treatments not for any subsequent treatments the client may have.\r\nTable 1\r\n\r\nFinancial Year\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nArea\r\nNumber of referrals\r\nNumber starting first treatment\r\nNumber of referrals\r\nNumber starting first treatment\r\nNumber of referrals\r\nNumber starting first treatment\r\nNumber of referrals\r\nNumber starting first treatment\r\nNumber of referrals\r\nNumber starting first treatment\r\nScotland\r\n76912\r\n45671\r\n70676\r\n45245\r\n72797\r\n48073\r\n71144\r\n47591\r\n67181\r\n46451\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAberdeen City ADP\r\n1809\r\n1033\r\n2053\r\n1368\r\n2 166\r\n1549\r\n1901\r\n1367\r\n2 135\r\n1563\r\nAberdeenshire ADP\r\n2031\r\n1284\r\n1817\r\n1115\r\n1779\r\n1105\r\n1747\r\n1204\r\n1882\r\n1379\r\nAngus ADP\r\n990\r\n497\r\n1048\r\n698\r\n1041\r\n700\r\n910\r\n639\r\n892\r\n611\r\nArgyll & Bute ADP\r\n887\r\n466\r\n809\r\n486\r\n794\r\n526\r\n756\r\n509\r\n770\r\n511\r\nBorders NHS/ADP\r\n1 091\r\n666\r\n979\r\n589\r\n1081\r\n633\r\n989\r\n580\r\n955\r\n538\r\nClackmannanshire ADP\r\n2410\r\n1252\r\n2071\r\n1186\r\n1990\r\n1231\r\n2011\r\n1169\r\n1911\r\n1058\r\nDumfries and Galloway NHS/ADP\r\n1829\r\n1294\r\n1575\r\n1183\r\n1872\r\n1321\r\n1900\r\n1320\r\n1934\r\n1324\r\nDundee City ADP\r\n2312\r\n1260\r\n2602\r\n1613\r\n2698\r\n1699\r\n2214\r\n1328\r\n2156\r\n1365\r\nEast Ayrshire ADP\r\n1842\r\n996\r\n1482\r\n928\r\n1632\r\n983\r\n1592\r\n915\r\n1499\r\n840\r\nEast Dunbartonshire ADP\r\n391\r\n236\r\n571\r\n412\r\n662\r\n487\r\n550\r\n401\r\n606\r\n429\r\nEast Renfrewshire ADP\r\n377\r\n250\r\n442\r\n264\r\n392\r\n271\r\n412\r\n290\r\n370\r\n259\r\nEdinburgh City ADP\r\n6413\r\n3185\r\n6321\r\n3417\r\n6336\r\n3597\r\n5822\r\n3306\r\n5471\r\n3448\r\nFalkirk ADP\r\n785\r\n338\r\n681\r\n324\r\n666\r\n370\r\n531\r\n293\r\n522\r\n348\r\nFife NHS/ADP\r\n4369\r\n3131\r\n3343\r\n2556\r\n4147\r\n3012\r\n4451\r\n3168\r\n4756\r\n3536\r\nGlasgow City ADP\r\n17652\r\n11696\r\n15552\r\n10734\r\n16596\r\n11682\r\n16556\r\n11567\r\n14738\r\n10674\r\nHighland ADP\r\n2653\r\n1420\r\n2816\r\n1474\r\n2556\r\n1343\r\n2561\r\n1460\r\n2090\r\n1189\r\nInverclyde ADP\r\n2100\r\n1252\r\n1444\r\n1070\r\n1328\r\n965\r\n1166\r\n904\r\n1149\r\n864\r\nLanarkshire NHS/ADP\r\n10862\r\n7007\r\n10909\r\n7156\r\n11442\r\n7741\r\n12078\r\n8493\r\n10909\r\n7831\r\nMidlothian and East Lothian ADP (MELDAP)\r\n1884\r\n884\r\n1524\r\n934\r\n1420\r\n867\r\n1169\r\n761\r\n1252\r\n842\r\nMoray ADP\r\n1486\r\n553\r\n861\r\n503\r\n351\r\n344\r\n324\r\n327\r\n354\r\n349\r\nNorth Ayrshire ADP\r\n1988\r\n1084\r\n1971\r\n1169\r\n1938\r\n1146\r\n1562\r\n1017\r\n1504\r\n1040\r\nOrkney NHS/ADP\r\n54\r\n35\r\n66\r\n36\r\n90\r\n68\r\n71\r\n49\r\n49\r\n39\r\nPerth & Kinross ADP\r\n1202\r\n568\r\n1227\r\n659\r\n1401\r\n745\r\n1453\r\n733\r\n1156\r\n810\r\nRenfrewshire ADP\r\n1915\r\n1244\r\n1747\r\n1212\r\n1986\r\n1529\r\n2433\r\n1910\r\n2417\r\n1877\r\nShetland NHS/ADP\r\n190\r\n158\r\n154\r\n146\r\n142\r\n117\r\n108\r\n97\r\n112\r\n95\r\nSouth Ayrshire ADP\r\n1405\r\n865\r\n1475\r\n1014\r\n1376\r\n1015\r\n1435\r\n928\r\n1394\r\n888\r\nStirling ADP\r\n552\r\n305\r\n419\r\n235\r\n426\r\n275\r\n416\r\n307\r\n504\r\n348\r\nWest Dunbartonshire ADP\r\n1725\r\n1080\r\n1630\r\n997\r\n1799\r\n1049\r\n1760\r\n1044\r\n1504\r\n931\r\nWest Lothian ADP\r\n3246\r\n1263\r\n2626\r\n1379\r\n2293\r\n1358\r\n1968\r\n1250\r\n1885\r\n1187\r\nWestern Isles NHS/Outer Hebrides ADP\r\n462\r\n369\r\n461\r\n388\r\n397\r\n345\r\n298\r\n255\r\n305\r\n278\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314852,"EventID":"S5W-02013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:14:59.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T00:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to (a) farmers, (b) crofters and (c) other businesses affected by delays in making common agricultural policy payments. ","AnswerText":"Government officials held extensive discussions with industry and the banking sector, to design a support scheme to help ease cash flow for those farmers and crofters who had not received a first instalment payment.\r\nThe Scottish Government backed loan scheme opened for applications on 22 February 2016, and under the scheme those farmers and crofters who could not access support from their bank will be able to apply to the Scottish Government.\r\nThe Scottish Government also earmarked up to £200 million of national funds to be used to fund the National Basic Payment Scheme so that anyone who had not received an instalment by the end of March 2016 could receive a nationally-funded payment of up to 80 per cent of their CAP claim.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314854,"EventID":"S5W-02014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:01.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many libraries have closed in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The Scottish Government funds the Scottish Library and Information Council to provide independent advice to the Scottish Government on library and information services and to act as a leadership body for the sector. Details of library closures for all parts of the UK since 2010 is provided in the following table: \r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nChange over the period\r\nPercentage (%)\r\nScotland\r\n619\r\n610\r\n606\r\n609\r\n602\r\n-17\r\n-2.75\r\nEngland\r\n3469\r\n3320\r\n3261\r\n3226\r\n3169\r\n-300\r\n-8.65\r\nNorthern Ireland\r\n126\r\n127\r\n122\r\n122\r\n*\r\n-4\r\n-3.17\r\nWales\r\n378\r\n327\r\n324\r\n325\r\n288\r\n-90\r\n-23.81\r\nUK\r\n4592\r\n4384\r\n4313\r\n4282\r\n4059\r\n-533\r\n-11.61\r\n*No return in 2014-15. Libraries across NI operate as single service. Confirmed current figure is 98.\r\n(information provided by SLIC utilising CIPFA data) \r\nSLIC can provide information on the local library landscape in Scotland, and can be contacted using the details below:\r\nPamela Tulloch\r\nChief Executive Officer\r\nScottish Library and Information Council\r\nSuite 2.4\r\nTurnberry House\r\n175 West George Street\r\nGlasgow\r\nG2 2LB\r\nt: 0141 202 2999\r\ne: p.tulloch@scottishlibraries.org\r\nw: www.scottishlibraries.org\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314855,"EventID":"S5W-02028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:03.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides regarding hearing loops being installed in all public sector-funded building projects. ","AnswerText":"Scottish building regulations require new non-domestic buildings, not just public sector-funded building projects, to be fitted with hearing enhancement systems, including induction loops. Amongst other things, the guidance supporting the regulations advises that they should be provided in auditoriums, meeting rooms over 60 square metres and at public service counters. Depending on the nature of conversion and alteration work being undertaken, these arrangements also apply to new work carried out in an existing non-domestic building.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314856,"EventID":"S5W-02031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:04.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent announcement by the UK Government, whether it plans to cap the salary of its special advisers.","AnswerText":"Appointments of special advisers will continue to be made in line with the requirements of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 and the Scottish Government Ministerial Code. There are no plans to change these arrangements. This is consistent with practice in the UK Government. \r\nA list of special advisers in post, their paybands and the total salary cost is published on an annual basis. I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00837 on 20 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314857,"EventID":"S5W-02045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:05.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T12:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, to allow councils more flexibility in making decisions that suit the needs of their area, what its position is on reviewing the statutory requirement for every local authority to implement a Gaelic language plan.","AnswerText":"The statutory requirement for public authorities to produce Gaelic language plans aims to support and enhance the use of Gaelic across the whole of Scotland, ensuring that users of the language have access to services through the language of their choice. All plans are produced by public authorities in co-operation with Bord na Gaidhlig. This process provides the public authority with sufficient flexibility to meet its local obligations in a proportionate manner to the area in which it operates. The Scottish Government, therefore, has no plans to review the legislation.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314858,"EventID":"S5W-02016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:05.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the guidance to NHS boards regarding the provision of fertility preservation and the cryopreservation of eggs, sperm, and embryos for cancer patients.","AnswerText":"NHS funded fertility preservation is currently offered to patients diagnosed with cancer on a case-by-case basis. This is for clinical reasons, and referring clinicians should take into account a patient's diagnosis, prognosis of cancer treatment and age.\r\nA Scottish Government led working group is being set up to look at access and draw up protocols for fertility preservation for patients with serious medical conditions, prior to fertility compromising treatment or surgery. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314859,"EventID":"S5W-02018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:06.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what review it has carried out of the patient information that is provided by GP practices.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has agreed with Scottish General Practitioners Committee to begin extracting data this transitional year (01 April 2016 to 31 March 2017). This has two purposes: \r\nThe creation of an anonymised extraction process at a practice cluster level will support quality improvement activities across a group of practices within a cluster.\r\nThe creation of an anonymised extraction process will support service planning and delivery in the new integrated partnerships.\r\nThis extraction of patient information follows the abolition of the quality of outcomes framework and will begin towards the end of September 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314860,"EventID":"S5W-02043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:07.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28992 by Aileen McLeod on 11 January 2016, on what date the gamebird licensing and legislation report will be published.","AnswerText":"Further to the answer to question S4W-28992 by Aileen McLeod on 11 January 2016, the review of gamebird licensing and legislation is currently being finalised and will be published in Autumn 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314861,"EventID":"S5W-02017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:08.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will announce its decision regarding the future of the Edinburgh cleft lip and palate surgical service.","AnswerText":"I am currently considering all of the information put before me regarding the recommendation on cleft surgery and will announce my decision soon.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314862,"EventID":"S5W-02024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:09.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government many people have been referred each year under the cross-border health directive.","AnswerText":"Patients are not referred under the terms of the European Cross-border Healthcare Directive. They are exercising an EU Treaty right that allows them to travel throughout the European Economic Area (EEA) to receive treatment that is the same as or equivalent to treatment that is provided by the state in their home country, and to be reimbursed on return to that country.\r\nThe home healthcare provider has no responsibility for the quality, safety, outcome or governance of the treatment sought in another part of the EEA. In considering reimbursement (which is restricted to the amount the treatment would have cost if it had been provided by the state at home) the home healthcare provider - in Scotland the relevant NHS board - must ensure that the treatment was medically necessary and that prior authorisation has been agreed (if the patient travelled for specialist treatment). The NHS board must also be satisfied with the supporting documentation from the country of treatment, before reimbursement can be paid. Scotland's European Cross-border Healthcare National Contact Point, administered by NHS inform, provides further guidance on the operation of the directive at: http://www.nhsinform.co.uk/rights/europe/.\r\nThe directive was transposed in October 2013, although since then Cross-border healthcare activity has been modest. The 14 local NHS boards would be best placed to provide numbers for both outgoing and incoming patients who have used the Directive to travel in the EEA for treatment.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314863,"EventID":"S5W-02035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:10.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what services will be (a) withdrawn and (b) downgraded because of the reduction in funding for alcohol and drug partnerships in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02032 on 20 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314864,"EventID":"S5W-02012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:10.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T00:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been allocated each month from the Scottish Attainment Fund, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Funding from the Attainment Scotland Fund is allocated by specific grant to local authorities on an annual basis, and paid quarterly on receipt of appropriate grant claims. To date, the amounts allocated per authority over the past two financial years is set out in the following tables.\r\nFurther allocations will be made for the secondary programme shortly.\r\nYear 1: 2015-16\r\nLocal Authority\r\nInnovation Fund\r\n(Fast Track)\r\nChallenge Authority Primary Programme\r\nPrimary School Programme\r\nTotal\r\nAberdeen City\r\n£69,500*\r\n\r\n£157,500\r\n£227,000\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n£0\r\nAngus\r\n£10,000\r\n\r\n\r\n£10,000\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n\r\n\r\n£20,000\r\n£20,000\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n£10,000\r\n£718,000\r\n\r\n£728,000\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n£18,900\r\n\r\n£45,000\r\n£63,900\r\nDundee\r\n\r\n£2,145,000\r\n\r\n£2,145,000\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n\r\n\r\n£291,470\r\n£291,470\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n£2,500\r\n\r\n\r\n£2,500\r\nEast Lothian\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n£0\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n£0\r\nEdinburgh\r\n\r\n\r\n£304,645\r\n£304,645\r\nEilean Siar\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n£0\r\nFalkirk\r\n\r\n\r\n£73,000\r\n£73,000\r\nFife\r\n\r\n\r\n£416,112\r\n£416,112\r\nGlasgow\r\n£80,000\r\n£3,030,000\r\n\r\n£3,110,000\r\nHighland\r\n£13,300\r\n\r\n£92,700\r\n£106,000\r\nInverclyde\r\n\r\n£592,000\r\n\r\n£592,000\r\nMidlothian\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n£0\r\nMoray\r\n£76,000**\r\n\r\n\r\n£76,000\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n\r\n£1,965,000\r\n\r\n£1,965,000\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n\r\n£2,241,000\r\n\r\n£2,241,000\r\nOrkney\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n£0\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n£0\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n\r\n\r\n£231,120\r\n£231,120\r\nScottish Borders\r\n\r\n\r\n£66,650\r\n£66,650\r\nShetland\r\n£6,980\r\n\r\n\r\n£6,980\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n\r\n\r\n£150,400\r\n£150,400\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n\r\n\r\n£548,690\r\n£548,690\r\nStirling\r\n\r\n\r\n£45,600\r\n£45,600\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n\r\n£1,024,000\r\n\r\n£1,024,000\r\nWest Lothian\r\n£10,000\r\n\r\n£26,197\r\n£36,197\r\nTotals\r\n£297,180\r\n£11,715,000\r\n£2,469,084\r\n£14,481,264\r\n* On behalf of Northern Alliance, which is a partnership between Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highland, Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland Councils who share knowledge and look to tackle pertinent issues together.\r\n**Includes £66,000 on behalf of Northern Alliance\r\nYear 2: 2016-17\r\nLocal Authority\r\nInnovation Fund\r\nChallenge Authority Primary Programme\r\nPrimary School Programme\r\nTotal\r\nAberdeen City\r\n£47,122\r\n\r\n£258,562\r\n£305,684\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n£15,040\r\n\r\n\r\n£15,040\r\nAngus\r\n£35,500\r\n\r\n\r\n£35,500\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n£71,279\r\n\r\n£19,944\r\n£91,223\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n£20,000\r\n£953,999\r\n\r\n£973,999\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n£151,253\r\n\r\n£60,533\r\n£211,786\r\nDundee\r\n£20,000\r\n£3,314,605\r\n\r\n£3,334,605\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n£115,877\r\n\r\n\r\n£115,877\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n£63,700\r\n\r\n\r\n£63,700\r\nEast Lothian\r\n£43,050\r\n\r\n\r\n£43,050\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n£50,780\r\n\r\n\r\n£50,780\r\nEdinburgh\r\n£208,194\r\n\r\n£396,366\r\n£604,560\r\nEilean Siar\r\n£85,605\r\n\r\n\r\n£85,605\r\nFalkirk\r\n£171,200\r\n\r\n£84,000*\r\n£255,200\r\nFife\r\n£264,376\r\n\r\n£451,034\r\n£715,410\r\nGlasgow\r\n£29,445\r\n£6,007,262\r\n\r\n£6,046,387\r\nHighland\r\n£266,408\r\n\r\n£282,765\r\n£549,173\r\nInverclyde\r\n\r\n£1,562,375\r\n\r\n£1,562,375\r\nMidlothian\r\n£75,688\r\n\r\n\r\n£75,688\r\nMoray\r\n£44,679\r\n\r\n\r\n£44,679\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n£85,951\r\n£2,749,809\r\n\r\n£2,835,760\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n£32,800\r\n£5,252,660\r\n\r\n£5,285,460\r\nOrkney\r\n£113,320\r\n\r\n\r\n£113,320\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n£54,990\r\n\r\n\r\n£54,990\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n£275,000\r\n\r\n\r\n£275,000\r\nScottish Borders\r\n£84,629\r\n\r\n£69,527\r\n£154,156\r\nShetland\r\n£49,700\r\n\r\n\r\n£49,700\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n£187,658\r\n\r\n£221,292\r\n£408,950\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n£306,066\r\n\r\n£825,505\r\n£1,131,571\r\nStirling\r\n£65,511\r\n\r\n£73,534\r\n£139,045\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n£34,000\r\n£1,322,450\r\n\r\n£1,356,450\r\nWest Lothian\r\n£235,851\r\n\r\n£82,826\r\n£318,677\r\nTotals\r\n£3,304,672\r\n£21,163,160\r\n£2,825,888\r\n£27,293,720\r\n*This figure may change once we receive further information from Falkirk Council","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314865,"EventID":"S5W-02029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:11.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of Lyme disease have been recorded in each year since 1999. ","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of laboratory confirmed diagnoses of borrelia infection each year but there will be cases which are not captured by surveillance. This is because current guidance states that if a patient presents to their healthcare professional with a history of a tick bite and erythema migrans (rash), antibiotic treatment should be recommended immediately. This treatment renders subsequent samples non-diagnostic and therefore not recorded by surveillance systems.\r\nYear\r\nBorrelia (Lyme Disease) Notifications\r\n1999\r\n11\r\n2000\r\n27\r\n2001\r\n17\r\n2002\r\n40\r\n2003\r\n42\r\n2004\r\n57\r\n2005\r\n96\r\n2006\r\n171\r\n2007\r\n230\r\n2008\r\n285\r\n2009\r\n228\r\n2010\r\n308\r\n2011\r\n229\r\n2012\r\n207\r\n2013\r\n176\r\n2014\r\n224\r\n2015\r\n200 (provisional)\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314866,"EventID":"S5W-02030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:12.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many administration staff have been employed by the NHS in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"Information on administrative services staff from 1999 can be found on the workforce statistics web site at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Historic-Data/WFG01_HB_REG.xls\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314867,"EventID":"S5W-02025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:13.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the Supreme Court ruling, Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board, regarding the information provided to patients.","AnswerText":"Obtaining informed consent, which is primarily a matter for clinicians working in NHS Scotland and their patients, can only be achieved through partnership and joint decision making. The General Medical Council (GMC) has produced comprehensive guidance, Good Medical Practice and Consent: patients and doctors making decisions together. This sets out the principles on which good clinical decisions should be based. It also provides a framework for good practice that covers the various situations that doctors may face in the course of their work. The guidance can be found at: http://www.gmcuk.org/guidance/ethical_guidance/consent_guidance_how_guidance_applies_to_you.asp\r\nThe Scottish Government expects all NHS boards and their clinicians to adhere to the GMC guidance and to have clinical governance arrangements in place to ensure that the principles and framework contained in the guidance are applied by all doctors when seeking informed consent to treatment from patients.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314868,"EventID":"S5W-02027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:14.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to provide BSL interpretation services in hospitals.","AnswerText":"The responsibility for compliance with legislation is a specific responsibility of individual NHS boards. Our commitment is to help boards understand these requirements and to encourage the practical steps they must take to comply with the law.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314869,"EventID":"S5W-02032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:15.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the reduction in funding for alcohol and drug partnerships in 2016-17 will have on their interventions aimed at harm reduction and reducing drug-related deaths.","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Shona Robison, wrote to the Chief Executives of Scotland’s Health boards on 7 January 2016 confirming that ADPs are to maintain services and performance in 2016-17 at 2015-16 levels utilising the funding available. NHS boards provide funding from their general resource allocation and the specific funding allocation for ADPs provided by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314870,"EventID":"S5W-02034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T14:15:15.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the statistics published in August 2016 that reported a record number of drug-related deaths in 2015, and whether it will increase the funding for drug and alcohol services as a result.","AnswerText":"Any drug related death is a tragedy - for the individual, family and community involved. We are continuing to tackle the damaging impact of drugs in Scotland and making recovery a reality through our national drugs strategy, the Road to Recovery.\r\nThe National Records of Scotland (NRS) drug related death report shows that we have an ageing group of drug users who are experiencing increasingly poor health. To help address this, we have funded the Scottish Drugs Forum to investigate the issues associated with older drug users and report back to the Scottish Government.\r\nWe have invested over £630 million to tackle problem alcohol and drug use since 2008. Alcohol and Drug Partnerships are to maintain services and performance in 2016-17 at 2015-16 levels utilising the funding available. Drug taking in Scotland is falling, the number of young people taking drugs is the lowest in a decade and the NRS report confirms that the number of people under the age of 24 dying from a drug related death has fallen.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314872,"EventID":"S5W-02047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T15:16:39.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much NHS Grampian has spent in the last 12 months on filling consultant posts at (a) Dr Gray's Hospital and (b) Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.","AnswerText":"Over the last 12 months NHS Grampian has spent £90,000 on advertising costs to fill consultancy vacancies across all of its hospitals. The cost is not broken down on an individual basis.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314873,"EventID":"S5W-02053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T15:16:41.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training and placement schemes it has in place for people who have left the Armed Forces.","AnswerText":"Ex-Service personnel have full access to training and placement schemes that are available to those seeking employability support in Scotland, subject to eligibility.\r\nIn September 2015 the Scottish Government provided an additional £1.3 million to the Community Jobs Scotland (CJS) pilot scheme to help more people with barriers to employment into jobs. The funding was to develop and deliver 100 additional CJS places this included up to 50 early service leavers from the Armed Forces. Following the changes made to the CJS programme in light of the Scottish Veteran Commissioner’s recommendations, up to £6.1m was committed for Phase six in 2016-17 to support 700 CJS jobs lasting up to 12 months for vulnerable 16-29 year olds; including ex service personnel and the partners of veterans.\r\nThis year veterans will also be helped transition to civilian life through a range of projects delivering employability and health and wellbeing services following the award of £120,000 of grant funding through the Scottish Veterans Fund.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently working with Business in the Community Scotland and Salute My Job to promote veterans recruitment by private sector employers. In addition to a dedicated online recruitment fair, an employers summit has been arranged for later this year.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":314874,"EventID":"S5W-02046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T15:16:42.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times consultancy vacancies have been advertised by NHS Grampian in the last 12 months, broken down by the (a) length of time of the vacancy and (b) location of each post.","AnswerText":"NHS Grampian has advertised 66 consultant vacancies over the last 12 months and of these, 20% have been re-advertised. 28 of these vacancies were vacant for more than six months.\r\nIn the past 12 months consultant posts across NHS Grampian have been advertised in the following locations: Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital; Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin; Aberdeen Royal Infirmary; Royal Cornhill Hospital; Roxburgh House and Summerfield House.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314875,"EventID":"S5W-02054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T15:16:43.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which of the recommendations made by Scottish Veteran Commissioner in the document (a) Report on the Provision of Information on Housing for Service Leavers and Veterans in Scotland and (b) Transition in Scotland it has implemented.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to work with stakeholders to ensure that the Commissioner’s findings and recommendations are central to our current and future work programme.\r\nWe have taken forward a number of recommendations made by the Scottish Veteran Commissioner in his reports and an outline of our programme and priorities in support of Scotland’s Armed Forces and veterans community is set out in the publication Renewing Our Commitments; available at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/02/1650. I also refer you to the answer to question S5W 02056 on 7 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":314876,"EventID":"S5W-02056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T15:16:44.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it provides to veterans seeking (a) accommodation and (b) employment.","AnswerText":"Through its affordable housing supply programme, the Scottish Government provides grant funding to build homes to support ex-Service personnel. The Scottish Government awarded £2.59 million to Scottish Veterans Residences’ to provide affordable rental homes exclusively available for former Armed Forces members and their families, as well as temporary accommodation for veterans in need of dedicated support. The Scottish Government has also awarded grant funding of £1.3 million to the Scottish Veterans Garden City Association to build 38 new homes across six local authority areas to support impaired ex-Service personnel. Twenty homes have now been completed. \r\nPriority access is provided to veterans who are looking to buy a home with assistance from the Scottish Government’s Low Cost Initiative for First Time buyers schemes. For 2016-17, the Scottish Government allocated £80 million to the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme to help up to 2,000 first time buyers. Priority access to these schemes is provided to serving members of the Armed Forces, those who have left within the past two years and to widows, widowers and other partners of personnel for up to two years after their partner has lost their life whilst serving.\r\nThe Scottish Government has legislated to allow ex-Service personnel to establish a local connection to the area in which they served, enabling them to be treated fairly in homelessness assessments by local authorities. The Scottish Government has produced a tailored housing guide for veterans and for support organisations that provide advice and support to veterans to help them to understand their housing options. Housing options guidance, published earlier this year, also highlights the importance of taking into account the particular needs of people leaving the Armed Forces in the delivery of local authorities’ housing options services.\r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00253 on 6 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nEx-Service personnel have full access to training and placement schemes that are available to those seeking employability support in Scotland, subject to eligibility. In September 2015 the Scottish Government provided an additional £1.3 million to the Community Jobs Scotland (CJS) pilot scheme to help more people with barriers to employment into jobs. The funding was to develop and deliver 100 additional CJS places this included up to 50 early service leavers from the Armed Forces. Following the changes made to the CJS programme in light of the Scottish Veteran Commissioner’s recommendations, up to £6.1m was committed for Phase six in 2016-17 to support 700 CJS jobs lasting up to 12 months for vulnerable 16-29 year olds; including ex service personnel and the partners of veterans. This year veterans will also be helped to transition to civilian life through a range of projects delivering employability and health and wellbeing services following the award of £120,000 of grant funding through the Scottish Veterans Fund. The Scottish Government is currently working with Business in the Community Scotland and Salute My Job to promote veterans recruitment by private sector employers. In addition to a dedicated online recruitment fair, an employers summit has been arranged for later this year.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":314877,"EventID":"S5W-02050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T15:16:45.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many veterans live in each local authority area, also broken down by how many are (a) in employment and (b) homeless.","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work (Keith Brown): On 19 May 2016, the Ministry of Defence published the most recent analysis of the Annual Population Survey produced by the Office of National Statistics in 2014, which contains information on the number of veterans living in Scotland. This analysis is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-population-survey-uk-armed-forces-veterans-residing-in-great-britain-2014\r\nBased on this analysis of the Annual Population Survey, in 2014 there were 231,000 veterans residing in Scotland, an estimated 5.2% of the population in Scotland. The Annual Population Survey was only asked of those residing in households and therefore excluded individuals who were homeless or living in communal establishments such as care homes or prisons. Information is not broken down by local authority area. \r\nStatistics on those who have applied to local authorities and are assessed as being homeless or threatened with homelessness, including those who have identified themselves as veterans, are published online at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/RefTables/RefTables. Numbers of homelessness applications overall have fallen steadily over the past five years, including from those declared as a former member of the Armed Forces. \r\nApplicants are entitled to temporary accommodation whilst waiting for settled accommodation to be found and to assistance to help them secure alternative accommodation. A number of Charities and organisations offer assistance specifically to veterans who are threatened with homelessness, with support from the Scottish Government and local authorities. Organisations include the Scottish Veterans Housing Association which provides high quality, supported accommodation for veterans.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":314878,"EventID":"S5W-02049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-18T15:16:46.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it provides to veterans with mental health issues.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies, including NHS boards and local authorities, to support implementation of policy. The management of local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local spending priorities are the responsibility of relevant local agencies. It is therefore the responsibility of NHS boards and local authorities to work with their partners and regularly review spending decisions to deliver fit for purpose services which respond to local needs.\r\nDirect funding this year to support veterans mental health from the Scottish Government includes: £1.224 million to Combat Stress to provide specialist mental health services at the Hollybush House facility in Ayr for Veterans resident in Scotland through commissioned service arrangements with NHS Scotland;£200,000 to Combat Stress to support community outreach across Scotland; and £200,000 to Veterans First Point Lothian, a one-stop-shop to support veterans and their families living in Lothian no matter what their need may be. \r\nVeterans First Point Scotland continues to develop a network of local services based on the Lothian model to support veterans and their families across Scotland. Of the seven additional services being developed – four are currently operational (Borders; Fife; Highland and Tayside). The other three are at an advanced stage of development and are expected to be operational soon (Ayrshire & Arran; Grampian; and Lanarkshire).","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":314880,"EventID":"S5W-02061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T13:00:21.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the continued requirement of a house seller to acquire and pay for a home report.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government carried out a full policy review after five years of operation of the home report. The findings of a public consultation were published on the Scottish Government website on 7 May 2014, and of a research study on 7 January 2015. We have no plans to undertake a further policy review at this stage.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314881,"EventID":"S5W-02062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T13:00:22.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to receive the results of its assessment of the impact of shale drilling and whether it plans to publish the findings in full.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking a cautious and evidence-led approach to unconventional oil and gas. Our moratorium ensures that no hydraulic fracturing (fracking) or coal bed methane extraction can take place in Scotland. The Scottish Government has commissioned a series of independent research projects to examine potential environmental, health and economic impacts to inform our evidence-led approach. The reports are due to be published later in 2016, with the public consultation taking place during winter 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314882,"EventID":"S5W-02059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T13:00:23.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what incentives there are in public procurement frameworks that encourage waste minimisation and reuse.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government uses procurement and climate change policy, law and practice to drive waste minimisation and reuse in public contracts and frameworks. \r\nTechniques such as Life Cycle Impact Mapping are outlined in the statutory guidance on the Sustainable Procurement Duty that is a core part of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. Products and services specifications routinely include environmental standards, while environmental evaluation criteria contribute to contract award decisions.\r\n‘Making Things Last – A circular economy strategy for Scotland’ commits to working with public organisations to identify the products and services where innovation and best practice in public procurement can have the greatest benefit in promoting circular approaches such as leasing, repair and remanufacture, while delivering value for money. It also addresses how to expand that best practice, e.g. through collaborative procurement, guidance or regulation.\r\nWhile the Scottish Government does not hold details of resource efficiency incentives in public procurement frameworks in the wider public sector, the Scottish Government’s Facilities Management contract is an example of environmental impact reduction. Since 2012, this has led to significant improvements in recycling rates, with a consequent reduction in tonnage to landfill sites of over 11%.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314883,"EventID":"S5W-02066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T13:00:24.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T20:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will respond to the recommendations of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland, which were submitted in May 2016.","AnswerText":"The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland published and submitted to Scottish Ministers on 26 May 2016 its final recommendations for the number of councillors and the electoral ward boundaries in each of Scotland's 32 local authorities, following completion of its fifth electoral reviews.\r\nMinisters have been considering those recommendations, and will announce their decisions for all local authority areas included in the recommendations, on whether to implement them in early course and at the same time.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314884,"EventID":"S5W-02068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T13:00:25.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-19T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is in place for community projects funded by the Climate Challenge Fund whose funding ends in March 2017. ","AnswerText":"A key element of the Climate Challenge Fund is the delivery of the Community Action Support Programme, which develops the capacity of community groups (not just those with Climate Challenge Fund funding) wishing to tackle climate change by providing workshops, peer-to-peer networking opportunities and other resources. In a recent review of the Climate Challenge Fund (http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/11/4383), support provided by the Climate Challenge Fund was widely acknowledged as a strength of the scheme. \r\nThe Climate Challenge Fund also makes available development grants (up to £1,500) to help community-led organisations develop an application for future climate action funding or to support peer-to-peer learning activities that build their capacity to tackle climate change.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314885,"EventID":"S5W-02060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T13:00:26.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T15:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of home reports on the property market.","AnswerText":"A full five-year policy review of the Home Report was launched on 5 December 2013 and consisted of a public consultation (the findings from which were published on 7 May 2014) and a research study (published on 7 January 2015).  Overall, the Review found that the home report is supported and valued. A clear majority of the respondents to the consultation felt that the home report was continuing to meet its original objectives and that these remained appropriate. The review found that while the home report had an impact on buyers and sellers, the impact on the wider housing market was more limited.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314886,"EventID":"S5W-02067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T13:00:26.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T20:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland view that Glasgow City Council should be comprised of 85 councillors representing seven three-member wards and sixteen four-member wards.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02066 on 8 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314887,"EventID":"S5W-02058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T13:00:27.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages local authorities to adopt good practice on waste minimisation and reuse. ","AnswerText":"Waste minimisation and reuse are core to delivering a more circular economy, and the Scottish Government has set out its priorities for a circular economy in its strategy ‘Making Things Last’, published in February 2016. Local authorities and other bodies have a statutory duty to apply the waste hierarchy, prioritising waste prevention and reuse. The Scottish Government, through Zero Waste Scotland, is supporting local authorities to improve reuse collection, storage, retail and communications. This includes activity at Household Waste Recycling Centres and through bulky waste services; and through the National Reuse Phone line, making it easier to donate items. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314888,"EventID":"S5W-02065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T13:00:28.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T20:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recommendations of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland for Glasgow City, which were submitted in May 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02066 on 8 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314889,"EventID":"S5W-02069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T13:00:29.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-19T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Climate Challenge Fund will be continued beyond the current round of funding, which ends in March 2017.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers will make an announcement on the future of the Climate Challenge Fund later this year as part of the draft budget 2017-18 process.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314890,"EventID":"S5W-02063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T13:00:30.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T18:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the recent announcement by the UK Government, in relation to leaving the EU, to continue agricultural funding to 2020 applies equally to Scotland, and which CAP payments are covered by this announcement.","AnswerText":"The recent announcement from HM Treasury provides some reassurance, particularly in relation to the continuation of common agricultural policy (CAP) Pillar 1 funding until the end of the Multiannual Financial Framework in 2020.However, it fails to provide comprehensive, long-term guarantees for any CAP Pillar 2 commitments under the Scottish Rural Development Programme arising after the UK Government’s autumn statement.The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution, Derek Mackay, and I have written to our UK Government counterparts seeking urgent discussions on these matters.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314891,"EventID":"S5W-02064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T13:00:31.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T18:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the recent announcement by the UK Government that EU structural and investment fund projects signed before the Autumn Statement will be guaranteed after the UK leaves the EU, applies equally to Scotland, and which schemes under the Scottish Rural Development Programme are covered by the announcement. ","AnswerText":"The announcement by the HM Treasury does apply to Scotland, and includes all CAP Pillar two schemes under Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP). However, it fails to provide comprehensive, long-term guarantees for any SRDP commitments after the UK Government’s autumn statement.\r\nThe Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution Derek Mackay and I have written to our UK Government counterparts seeking urgent discussions on these matters.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314892,"EventID":"S5W-02070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T13:00:32.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-19T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to review the work of the Climate Challenge Fund since its inception, and what scope there is to extend its remit to include community-led climate change mitigation projects. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has commissioned two external reviews of the Climate Challenge Fund, in 2011 and 2015. Both independent reviews highlighted that the Climate Challenge Fund has been a success on many levels.\r\n2011 Review: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2011/06/28142552/0\r\n2015 Review: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/11/4383\r\nIn addition, since its inception in 2008, the Climate Challenge Fund has supported community-led climate change mitigation projects.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314899,"EventID":"S5W-02076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T14:37:22.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-19T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01335 by Humza Yousaf on 5 August 2016, whether it will ask Cal Mac Ferries to release the information requested on the basis of a non-disclosure agreement with named individuals in communities served by these routes in order to allow research into, and informed development of, policy on present and future ferry needs. ","AnswerText":"The public service contract for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services was signed on 22 August 2016 and Cal Mac, as the successful bidder, is subject to the terms and conditions of that contract. The contract will be made available in due course, on the Transport Scotland website. Commercially sensitive data will be redacted from the published contract. The Scottish Government has no plans at present to ask Cal Mac to release the commercially sensitive information requested in S5W-01335, or to ask Cal Mac Ferries to provide more detail regarding the precise commercial risks that are anticipated, if the requested information was made available to communities. The Scottish Government will continue to engage with Cal Mac on those issues in pursuance of the delivery of the contract and the formulation of ferries policy. As part of that process, the Scottish Government notes Cal Mac’s intention to improve levels of engagement with the communities served by the company.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314900,"EventID":"S5W-02075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T14:37:24.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-19T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers it has to ensure that service reductions recently proposed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are not implemented.","AnswerText":"The planning and provision of local healthcare services are for NHS boards and their planning partners, in line with national policies, guidelines and frameworks.\r\nWhilst Ministers are conferred with over-arching powers of direction, there is nothing in statute which specifically gives Ministers authorising powers in relation to NHS service change. The legal basis used to underpin the current authorisation regime and guidance on service change is founded in NHS boards’ statutory duties of participation, i.e. the public involvement duties given to them in the NHS Reform (Scotland) Act 2004. The Scottish Health Council (part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland) was established in statute to support and advise NHS boards’ practice and to quality assure the public involvement process.\r\nWithin this context, NHS boards adhere to national guidance (CEL (2010) 4) which can be accessed at: http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2010_04.pdf. This guidance details expectations around appropriate public engagement in potential service change. Such potential changes are designated either major or non-major. Cases designated as major must be informed by formal public consultation (usually no less than three months) and are ultimately subject to Ministerial approval.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314901,"EventID":"S5W-02077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T14:37:25.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-19T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01335 by Humza Yousaf on 5 August 2016, whether it will ask Cal Mac Ferries to provide more detail regarding the precise commercial risks that are anticipated if the requested information was made available to communities given that there is a publicly subsidised contract in place for these routes and no competitor on them. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02076 on 7 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314902,"EventID":"S5W-02074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T14:37:26.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-19T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many bus companies are currently operating and, of these, how many it considers to be SMEs.","AnswerText":"In 2015-16 Transport Scotland received Bus Service Operators Grant claims relating to 165 individual commercial transport operator licences, 142 of which relate to bus companies which are considered to be SMEs.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314903,"EventID":"S5W-02071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T14:37:27.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-19T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what circumstances local bus services could be transferred to community control under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.","AnswerText":"The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 provides new rights for community bodies to participate in the design and delivery of public services and to request the transfer of public sector land and buildings. It does not provide a mechanism to transfer local bus services to community control.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314904,"EventID":"S5W-02073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T14:37:28.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-19T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the market for bus services is fair to small operators.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government maintains on-going contact with smaller operators and has just recently completed a series of meetings with both local authorities and smaller operators to discuss the operation of the bus sector. The Scotland Act 2016 now enables the government to refer in certain circumstances a market for investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314905,"EventID":"S5W-02078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T14:37:29.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-19T14:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason current and former councillors are excluded from applying for roles in the Scottish Land Commission.","AnswerText":"Section 12 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 sets out those groups of people who are disqualified from being appointed as a member of the Scottish Land Commission. The list comprises those who are, or have been in the previous 12 months, elected representatives at local, national, UK and European level and Scottish Government officials. Local authority councillors are included at 12(1)(3).The Scottish Land Commission is being established to provide an independent source of advice on any matter relating to land in Scotland and the exclusions will help to demonstrate the independence of the commission.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314906,"EventID":"S5W-02072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-19T14:37:30.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-19T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the (a) market share and (b) profitability of operators providing local bus services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government uses information collated by industry sources on market share and profitability to inform policy development in the Scottish bus sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314929,"EventID":"S5W-02090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-22T15:09:01.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the descriptors for each of the 42 wild land areas identified in Scottish Natural Heritage’s map of wild land areas from June 2014 will be published and for what reason they have not been published.","AnswerText":"The descriptions of the Wild Land Areas identified on the Scottish Natural Heritage 2014 map are currently in preparation. The descriptions are detailed and require technical input. We expect that these descriptions will be published later in 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314930,"EventID":"S5W-02079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-22T15:09:02.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-21T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what circumstances local authorities are allowed to charge for music tuition held in school during the normal school day as an option on the timetable.","AnswerText":"It is the duty of every education authority to provide adequate and efficient provision of school education without payment of fees. An education authority may charge fees for the provision of an extra-curricular activity that it is not legally obliged to provide.\r\nThe Scottish Government considers music tuition in schools that takes place during the course of the school day to constitute 'school education'. Regardless of who is teaching the pupils, such tuition should therefore be provided free of charge.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314931,"EventID":"S5W-02084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-22T15:09:03.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T09:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) Higher and (b) Advanced Higher examination markers the SQA employed in each year between 2010 and 2016, broken down by subject.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). I have asked the Chief Executive of SQA to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314932,"EventID":"S5W-02086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-22T15:09:04.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T09:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address the reported 25% decline in the number of computing teachers in schools between 2005 and 2015.","AnswerText":"While it is ultimately the responsibility of individual local authorities, the Scottish Government is taking a number of actions to help recruit and retain computing teachers. We have increased student teacher intake targets for the fifth year in a row and are setting targets to train teachers in the subjects where they are needed most. Over £2 million funding is being made available to train an extra 260 teachers in 2016-17. The 2016-17 target is 66% above 2011-12 target.\r\nWe have delivered our #inspiringteachers campaign to encourage more people into the profession, We also support innovative ways to encourage more graduates into teaching in areas with particular challenges.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314933,"EventID":"S5W-02088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-22T15:09:05.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its strategy is to recruit for any unfilled psychiatrist posts and encourage more people into the profession and what specific action it is taking to recruit for NHS (a) Grampian and (b) Tayside.","AnswerText":"It is for health boards to plan and deliver clinical services and ensure that they have the correct staff in place to meet the needs of their services and ensure high quality patient care.\r\nThe Scottish Government works closely with all boards to support their staff recruitment efforts.\r\nUnder this Government, the number of consultants with psychiatry specialties in NHS Grampian has increased by 18 per cent. The number of consultants with psychiatry specialties in NHS Tayside has increased by 42.6 per cent.\r\nIn 2016-17, NHS Tayside’s resource budget has increased by 5.8% to £699.1 million, an above inflation increase, having previously increased by 2.5% in 2015-16. Decide if we are putting into background or answer.\r\nIn 2016-17, NHS Grampian’s resource budget has increased by 6.6% to £882.3 million, an above inflation – the highest uplift of any territorial board, having previously increased by 6.3% in 2015-16.\r\nThe Scottish Government recognise that Scotland does experience particular recruitment and retention difficulties due to the remote and rural nature of parts of the geographic landscape. To address this, boards can use either the UK or the Scotland only Shortage Occupation List (SOL) to recruit internationally to any of the medical occupations listed, including Psychiatrists where evidence of shortages exist.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314934,"EventID":"S5W-02087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-22T15:09:06.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many psychiatrists are employed and operational and how many psychiatrist posts are vacant at (a) NHS Grampian and (b) NHS Tayside.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of psychiatric consultants employed by NHS Grampian and NHS Tayside and the number of vacant psychiatric consultant posts in NHS Grampian and NHS Tayside are shown in the following tables:-\r\nTable 1. Number (whole time equivalent) of psychiatric consultants in NHS Grampian and NHS Tayside as at 30 June 2016.\r\n\r\nConsultants\r\n% change from Sep-06 to Jun-16\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n54.4\r\n18.0%\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n51.9\r\n42.6%\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS), ISD Scotland\r\nNotes\r\nFigures for all medical staff, including consultants.\r\nTable 2. Number (whole time equivalent) of psychiatric consultant vacancies in NHS Grampian and NHS Tayside as at 30 June 2016.\r\n\r\nTotal Vacancies\r\nTotal vacancies as % of establishment\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n6.7\r\n11.0%\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n10.9\r\n17.4%\r\nSource: ISD(M)36, Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS), ISD Scotland\r\nNotes\r\nEstablishment is calculated as number of staff in post plus total vacancies.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314935,"EventID":"S5W-02089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-22T15:09:07.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many trainee psychiatrists are registered with the NHS and how many trainee psychiatrist posts are vacant in (a) NHS Grampian, (b) NHS Tayside and (c) the rest of the NHS.","AnswerText":"The information is not available in the format requested.\r\nAll doctors in training require to be fully registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) to undertake training in Scotland and the rest of the UK. There are circa 5,700 doctors in training in any one year.\r\nNHS Education for Scotland manages GMC approved training programmes in psychiatry for core and higher specialty training, which require individuals to acquire a range of medical training experiences. These programmes are advertised and recruited to at a UK level which enables programmes in Scotland to be advertised to a wider pool of potential applicants. Psychiatric trainees are not allocated to individual boards but to training programmes which involve placing trainees in several NHS boards to ensure that they gain the appropriate range of clinical experience.\r\nAt the end of the national 2016 recruitment rounds, fill rates for each of the Psychiatry specialties across Scotland was as follows:\r\nSpecialty\r\nPosts advertised\r\nPosts accepted\r\nTotal Establishment\r\nVacancies as percentage of establishment\r\nCore Psychiatry\r\n59\r\n47\r\n161\r\n7%\r\nChild & Adolescent Psychiatry\r\n8\r\n4\r\n28\r\n14%\r\nForensic Psychiatry\r\n7\r\n5\r\n15\r\n13%\r\nGeneral Psychiatry\r\n31\r\n19\r\n61\r\n20%\r\nOld Age Psychiatry\r\n13\r\n5\r\n25\r\n32%\r\nPsychiatry of Learning Disability\r\n4\r\n2\r\n13\r\n15%\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314936,"EventID":"S5W-02081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-22T15:09:07.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-21T18:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with representatives of (a) Highland and Universal Land Limited, (b) Highland Global Transport Limited and (c) Gloag Investment Properties Limited; who was in attendance, and what was discussed, in each of the last two years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no meetings with representatives of these companies in the last two years.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314948,"EventID":"S5W-02048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:42.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions it has had with the UK Government and (b) action it can take to match the funding provide by the EU for rural and environmental initiatives through the (i) LEADER, (ii) LIFE and (iii) other programmes if the UK leaves the EU. ","AnswerText":"While we welcomed the Chancellor’s announcement on EU funding on 12 August 2016, it still left considerable uncertainty. The UK guarantee is limited only to some schemes for a few short years, leaving Scotland almost £750 million short of what we are due to receive as members of the EU. This includes no assurances on any CAP Pillar two contracts (including LEADER) which are signed after the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement later in 2016. \r\nThe Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity and I have both written to UK Ministers setting out our significant concerns that the guarantees provided do not go far enough, asking the UK Government to extend these. We have sought urgent discussions to resolve the remaining funding issues at the earliest opportunity. \r\nScottish Government and HM Treasury officials have met once since the Chancellor’s announcement and will continue to engage with HM Treasury to seek to resolve this uncertainty around EU funding.\r\nThe Scottish Government will be considering future funding arrangements for these and other programmes, alongside all other funding commitments, as part of the forthcoming budget process and future Spending Review.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314949,"EventID":"S5W-02097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:43.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T16:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents of alleged hate crime have been recorded in each of the last three years. ","AnswerText":"A hate crime is defined as being where an offence is committed by a perpetrator motivated by prejudice on the grounds of one or more of the following - race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. \r\nThe Scottish Government currently produces official statistics on the number of racist incidents recorded by the police in Scotland, including information on any crimes associated with those incidents. In 2013-14, Police Scotland recorded 4,807 racist incidents. We are currently investigating the feasibility of changing the racist incidents publication into a new and broader product on police recorded hate crime. This would include a race element, and we will inform users as this work progresses.\r\nThe Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal produce separate statistics that cover all protected characteristics. Since 2013, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service have reported 5180 cases (2013-14), 5428 cases (2014/15) and 5544 cases (2015-16. Further details can be found on the Crown Office website at:http://www.crownoffice.gov.uk/publications/equality-and-diversity.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314950,"EventID":"S5W-02098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:44.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many attempted prosecutions of alleged hate crime in the last three years have resulted in (a) a conviction and (b) an aquittal, broken down by (i) charges marked as having been aggravated by prejudice and (ii) having no marking for being aggravated by prejudice.","AnswerText":"All figures provided are based on data extracted from the The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) case management system on 6 May 2016, which was the basis of the 2016 report on hate crime in Scotland.\r\nThe following tables contain information in respect of the number of charges reported to the Procurator Fiscal for hate crime offences between April 2013 and March 2016. In addition, the tables provide a breakdown of how these offences were dealt with by the Procurator Fiscal.\r\nLine three provide the number of cases that are still ongoing so it is not yet known whether they will lead to a conviction or an acquittal.\r\nSome statutory charges may also include hate crime aggravations, which will be included in their respective aggravation category. For example a race charge might also have an aggravation for disability. The disability aggravation will be included in the total number for that category and the race charge will be included in the total number for race charges.\r\nAction taken\r\nre Charge\r\nOutcome\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nGrand Total\r\n1. Court\r\n1. Conviction\r\n1876\r\n1670\r\n1159\r\n4705\r\n\r\n2. No Conviction\r\n701\r\n554\r\n318\r\n1573\r\n\r\n3. Ongoing\r\n115\r\n376\r\n1466\r\n1957\r\n\r\n4. No Further\r\nCourt Action\r\n288\r\n229\r\n110\r\n612\r\n1. Court Total\r\n\r\n2980\r\n2829\r\n3052\r\n8861\r\nTable 1. Conviction and acquittal information for charges containing at least one aggravation by prejudice\r\nAction taken\r\nre Charge\r\nOutcome\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nGrand Total\r\n1. Court\r\n1. Conviction\r\n1371\r\n1163\r\n671\r\n3205\r\n\r\n2. No Conviction\r\n534\r\n365\r\n156\r\n1055\r\n\r\n3. Ongoing\r\n65\r\n199\r\n852\r\n1116\r\n\r\n4. No Further\r\nCourt Action\r\n189\r\n159\r\n58\r\n405\r\n1. Court Total\r\n\r\n2159\r\n1886\r\n1737\r\n5782\r\nTable 2. Conviction and acquittal information for statutory Racial charges under Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 Section 50, Public Order Act 1986 Sections 18, 19 and 23and Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act 2012, sections one and six.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"James Wolffe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314951,"EventID":"S5W-02111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:45.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the reconviction rate was for people leaving young offender institutions in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The reconviction rate for offenders released from a Young Offenders Institution between 2009-10 and 2013-14 is presented below. The rate measures the proportion of offenders who were reconvicted within a year.\r\nReconviction rates for those released from a Young Offenders institution, 2009-10 to 2013-14\r\n\r\nNumber of offenders\r\nReconviction rate\r\n2009-10\r\n1139\r\n51.4%\r\n2010-11\r\n993\r\n49.2%\r\n2011-12\r\n965\r\n48.1%\r\n2012-13\r\n851\r\n47.7%\r\n2013-14\r\n693\r\n46.5%\r\nSource: Scottish Offenders Index","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314952,"EventID":"S5W-02112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:47.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many young people convicted of an offence in each of the last five years stated that (a) alcohol and (b) substance misuse was as a cause of their offending behaviour.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: There is no data held by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) which can categorically attribute alcohol or substance misuse as a cause of offending behaviour in young people 21 years of age or under held in custody. SPS does collect general data on alcohol and substance misuse among young people (16 to 21) held in custodial care, gathered every second year through self-report in the Prisoner Survey Series. Through self-report, young people do admit that they have been either drunk or under the influence of drugs at the time they committed the offence. SPS does not hold any information on the use of alcohol or drugs by young people 21 years of age or under who have been given community disposals by the Scottish courts. \r\nInformation over the last five years indicates that alcohol use at the time of the commissioning of the offence has been declining from 78% in 2011 to 68% in 2013 to 60% in 2015. The overall comparator for the rest of the SPS estate (adults over 21) has also declined from 50% in 2011 to 45% in 2013 to 41% in 2015. \r\nSubstance misuse at the time of the commissioning of the offence has, by and large, remained static at 54% in 2011 to 49% in 2013 to 55% in 2015. The overall comparator for the rest of the SPS estate (adults over 21) has also remained static at 44% in 2011 to 39% in 2013 to 40% in 2015. \r\nTable 1\r\n“I was drunk at the time of my offence”\r\n\r\n2015\r\n2013\r\n2011\r\nYoung people\r\n(21 or under in custody)\r\n60\r\n68\r\n78\r\nOverall comparator (adults over 21)\r\n41\r\n45\r\n50\r\nTable 2\r\n“I was under the influence of drugs at time of my offence”\r\n\r\n2015\r\n\r\n2013\r\n2011\r\nYoung people\r\n(21 or under in custody)\r\n55\r\n49\r\n54\r\nOverall comparator (adults over 21)\r\n40\r\n39\r\n44\r\nSource: SPS Prisoner Surveys 2015; 2013; 2011","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314953,"EventID":"S5W-02115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:48.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many young people convicted of an offence in each of the last five years were involved with child and adolescent mental health services at the time of their offence.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314954,"EventID":"S5W-02091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:49.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to address the level of problem online gambling.","AnswerText":"Betting, gaming and lotteries are reserved matters and their regulation is therefore primarily the responsibility of the UK Government. The Gambling Commission was set up by the UK Government under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling. Further information about online gambling legislation can be found on the commission’s website: http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/Gambling-sectors/Online/Remote.aspx\r\nIn the context of the Smith Commission, the Scottish Government argued for the full devolution of gambling policy to Scotland on the grounds that this would enable problem gambling in Scotland to be tackled more effectively. However, the subsequent Scotland Act 2016 included only a limited power in respect of the number of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals in new betting shops.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314955,"EventID":"S5W-02093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:49.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T15:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in relation to Police Scotland officers having second jobs.","AnswerText":"The Police Service of Scotland Regulations 2013 set out that officers can only hold a business interest with the consent of the Chief Constable, or in the case of a Senior Officer, the Scottish Police Authority. Police officers are not able to take on any second job that might conflict with their policing duties.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314956,"EventID":"S5W-02100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:50.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents of alleged hate crime have been taken to court in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The following table contains the total number of hate crime charges reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) from April 2013 to March 2016 where court proceedings were commenced. All figures provided are based on data extracted from the COPFS case management system on 6 May 2016, which was the basis of the 2016 report on hate crime in Scotland. \r\nFinancial Year\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n5104\r\n4677\r\n4740\r\n14521\r\nTable one. All hate crime charges taken to court during the last three financial years.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"James Wolffe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314957,"EventID":"S5W-02102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:51.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents of alleged hate crime (a) have been marked as (i) having been aggravated by prejudice and (ii) charged under another offence with no marking for being aggravated by prejudice and (b) resulted in no charge being brought forward in each of the past three years. ","AnswerText":"All figures provided are based on data extracted from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service case management system on 6 May 2016, which was the basis of the 2016 report on hate crime in Scotland.\r\nThe following table contains information in respect of the total number of charges reported to the Procurator Fiscal for hate crime offences between April 2013 and March 2016 that were not prosecuted and figures for charges still awaiting a marking decision. It also provides a breakdown of how these offences were dealt with by the Procurator Fiscal.\r\nDirect measures include fiscal fines, compensation orders, personal or written warnings and referrals to diversion from prosecution schemes and referrals to the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration.\r\nThe direct measures figures include a small number of charges which were not actioned, but where the accused was given a direct measure in respect of other charges within the same case. In some cases the charges which were given a direct measure may have included details from the charges which were not actioned.\r\nThe not separately actioned figures include charges which were not prosecuted, but where other charges for the same accused within the same case were prosecuted. In some cases, the charges which were prosecuted may have included details from charges which were not prosecuted i.e. some charges could have been merged together.\r\nMarking Decision\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nNo Action\r\n222\r\n229\r\n174\r\nDirect measures\r\n151\r\n120\r\n156\r\nAwaiting decision\r\n\r\n15\r\n165\r\nNot separately actioned\r\n378\r\n357\r\n353\r\nNon-Court Total\r\n751\r\n721\r\n848\r\nTable 1. Number of charges not prosecuted during the last three financial years","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"James Wolffe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314958,"EventID":"S5W-02104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:53.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T09:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns in the independent care home sector regarding the viability of businesses in the sector, and what recent discussions it has had with independent care home sector representatives on these concerns.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving the quality of care in Scotland and we meet regularly with COSLA, Scottish Care, Coalition of Care and support Providers in Scotland and other key stakeholders in order to do this.\r\nAs part of this partnership approach the Scottish Government is a member of the National Contingency Planning Group, which includes providers and is chaired by COSLA. The group works with stakeholders in identifying potential risks which could lead to the disruption of adult social care provision in Scotland.\r\nWe are also working with COSLA and care providers to deliver a major programme of reform to adult social care. These reforms will maintain the continuity, stability and sustainability of residential care provision while embedding greater local flexibility, maximising efficiency, improving quality, enhancing personalisation and promoting innovation. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314959,"EventID":"S5W-02106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:53.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T09:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of care home places that will be needed in the next two decades.","AnswerText":"Each Health and Social Care Partnership is required by the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 to put in place a strategic commissioning plan for the integrated functions and budgets that they control.\r\nBefore undertaking the strategic commissioning plan, partnerships are required to undertake a strategic needs assessment which considers: needs; population dynamics and projections; service activity; supply and demand; and gaps in provision. This informs their strategic commissioning plan and shapes services and support to deliver better outcomes. It will be for partnerships to determine the need for care home places in their localities and to work collaboratively with others, including providers, to meet that need.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314960,"EventID":"S5W-02039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:54.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action is taken when a potential client of the Scottish Legal Aid Board is unable to find a suitable solicitor or advocate.","AnswerText":"If an individual is unable to find a suitable solicitor to represent them, the Law Society of Scotland provides a solicitor locator on their website at: http://www.lawscot.org.uk/find-a-solicitor/. This provides the option to search for a solicitor registered to provide legal aid. If the person does not have access to the internet they can call the Law Society on 0131 226 7411.\r\nAlternatively, the Scottish Legal Aid board (‘the board’) provides information on the nearest solicitors who offer help through legal aid, or other advice providers funded by the board at: http://www.slab.org.uk/public/solicitor-finder/. For civil matters it is possible to search by case type. Although a firm is registered for legal aid work, they are not obligated to offer services to any client or offer to take on a case on legal aid.\r\nThere are also a number of specific grant-funded projects around Scotland, administered by the board on behalf of the Scottish Government, that are in place to provide help, advice and some representation. These can provide an alternative way for individuals to resolve their legal issues.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314961,"EventID":"S5W-02103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:55.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T17:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has issued to farmers and crofters on treating Mycobacterium Avium subspecies Paratuberculosis.","AnswerText":"There is no effective treatment for Mycobacterium Avium subspecies Paratuberculosis, which causes Johne’s disease in individual cattle and other ruminants, however, the Scottish Government provides advice on preventing, controlling and eradicating the disease in herds. That advice is available on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/animal-welfare/Diseases/disease/johnes.\r\nIn 2010 the Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council provided £800,000 to a consortium led by the Scottish Agricultural College (now part of SRUC) to develop the Paraban project, a knowledge exchange initiative to improve control of Johne’s disease in Scottish cattle. Following this the Scottish Government provided approximately £84,500 funding via the Scottish Rural Development Programme skills development scheme for the Paraban Reloaded project. This was run by Quality Meat Scotland to provide training and support directly to cattle farmers, to encourage them to review and improve their management of Johne’s disease. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314962,"EventID":"S5W-02105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:56.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T09:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01490 by Aileen Campbell on 26 July 2016, to what factors it attributes the decline in care home places since 2000, and what its position is on this matter.","AnswerText":"In line with our vision, Scottish Government policies are enabling more people to live longer and more independently in their own homes, which results in fewer people needing residential care.\r\nOur legislation to integrate health and social care has provided a platform for health boards and local authorities, along with third and independent sectors, to work together to ensure people are supported to live as independently as possible, for as long as possible, in their own homes.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314963,"EventID":"S5W-02040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:57.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-18T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made to the Scottish Legal Aid Board in each year since 2011; how many were rejected, and what the reasons were for rejection.","AnswerText":"The number of applications made to the Scottish Legal Aid board (SLAB) each year since 2011 are in the following table. The data includes the numbers of applications which were not completed. These were applications which were abandoned by the applicant or which SLAB had to reject due to information being missing from the application which prevented it from being assessed. The reasons for rejection will differ depending on the type of case. Applications may be refused by SLAB on the basis of:\r\nA merits test which differs for civil, criminal, and children’s cases,\r\nA means test i.e. the applicant not being financially eligible for legal aid\r\nA combination of the two.\r\n\r\nLegal Aid Applications To SLAB 2011 - 2016\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCivil Legal Aid\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal applications received\r\n20,016\r\n20,721\r\n20,170\r\n18,853\r\n18,827\r\nFinal decision:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGranted\r\n12689\r\n13431\r\n12787\r\n12721\r\n12853\r\nApplication not completed\r\n4097\r\n4303\r\n4107\r\n3511\r\n3582\r\nRefused\r\n3230\r\n2987\r\n3276\r\n2621\r\n2392\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSummary Criminal Legal Aid\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal applications received\r\n58320\r\n52626\r\n58686\r\n57797\r\n57340\r\nFinal decision:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGranted\r\n52602\r\n46908\r\n51935\r\n48356\r\n48299\r\nApplication not completed\r\n2848\r\n2878\r\n3810\r\n5909\r\n5789\r\nRefused\r\n2870\r\n2840\r\n2941\r\n3532\r\n3252\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSolemn Criminal Legal Aid\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal applications received\r\n13076\r\n11906\r\n12853\r\n13333\r\n12412\r\nFinal decision:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGranted\r\n12340\r\n11212\r\n11907\r\n12093\r\n11105\r\nApplication not completed\r\n569\r\n528\r\n671\r\n936\r\n1023\r\nRefused\r\n167\r\n166\r\n275\r\n304\r\n284\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCriminal Appeals\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nFull legal aid applications received\r\n1784\r\n1603\r\n1476\r\n1365\r\n637\r\nFinal decision:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGranted\r\n1541\r\n1414\r\n1256\r\n1180\r\n310\r\nApplication not completed\r\n211\r\n119\r\n76\r\n50\r\n142\r\nRefused\r\n32\r\n70\r\n144\r\n135\r\n185\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nChildren's Legal Aid\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal applications received\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n1957\r\n3235\r\n3227\r\nFinal decision:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGranted\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n1640\r\n2668\r\n2677\r\nApplication not completed\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n229\r\n409\r\n400\r\nRefused\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n88\r\n158\r\n150\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314964,"EventID":"S5W-02094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:58.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish information gathered from the GP test pilot in Inverclyde.","AnswerText":"Information gathered from the Inverclyde test site will be published as part of the final evaluation of the Primary CareTransformation Fund being carried out by the Scottish School of Primary Care (SSPC). As yet no formal date has been agreed for the publication of this report but it is likely to be at the end of the current funding for the SSPC (March 2018). ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314965,"EventID":"S5W-02101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:34:59.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents of alleged hate crime have resulted in a prosecution in each of the last three years. ","AnswerText":"The following table contains the total number of hate crime charges reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) from April 2013 to March 2016 where the decision made was prosecution. All figures provided are based on data extracted from the COPFS case management system on 6 May 2016, which was the basis of the 2016 report on hate crime in Scotland.\r\nFinancial Year\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n5104\r\n4677\r\n4740\r\n14521\r\nTable 1. All hate crime charges prosecuted during the last three financial years.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"James Wolffe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314966,"EventID":"S5W-02108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:35:00.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the new community hub at the Parkhead Hospital site will be fully functioning and able to provide services to patients currently served by Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"Whilst it is right for health boards to keep services under review to ensure they remain of the highest quality, no final decisions have been made about the future of Lightburn Hospital. \r\nThe board must now engage with the affected local communities, staff and other stakeholders on their proposals, so they can carefully consider their views. Part of this work will involve the board and its planning partners being clear about what alternative services they would offer, for the benefit of local people. This includes the development of a new community hub at the Parkhead Hospital site.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314967,"EventID":"S5W-02107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:35:01.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T09:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of care home places.","AnswerText":"In line with our vision, Scottish Government policies are enabling more people to live longer and more independently in their own homes, which results in fewer people needing residential care. We are providing more than £0.5 billion additional funding over three years to help Health and Social Care Partnerships establish new ways of working, and investing a further £250 million per year to protect and grow social care services.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314968,"EventID":"S5W-02109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:35:02.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of people in young offender institutions in each of the last 12 months was (a) on remand and (b) awaiting sentencing. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: As a proportion of the average total young offender population over the last 12 months this equates to (a) 25% being remand and (b) 10% being convicted awaiting sentence.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314969,"EventID":"S5W-02116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:35:03.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of people in young offender institutions comes from areas of deprivation.","AnswerText":"The latest data released by Scottish Government shows that on 31 March 2014, 42% of young persons under 21 in prison custody came from the 15% most deprived data zones.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314970,"EventID":"S5W-02118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:35:04.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Kadcyla will be made available on the NHS and what plans it has to improve access to new cancer medicines. ","AnswerText":"The manufacturers route to market for Kadcyla is through the long standing independent Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) process. In October 2014 the SMC decided not to recommend Kadcyla for routine use in Scotland because the balance of costs and benefits meant it was not considered to offer value for money. We understand the company will be making a resubmission to SMC this autumn and we would encourage them to do so at a fairer price so that patients across Scotland can have the opportunity to benefit from more treatment options which could give them precious extra time with their families and loved ones.\r\nIn recent years the Scottish Government have made significant reforms and investment to improve access to newly licensed medicines. As a result Scotland is now one of the top nations in the world for accessing new medicines for cancer. However, we do think that more can be done to build on the progress made to date which is why we asked Dr Brian Montgomery to conduct an independent review which will report soon. \r\nFollowing an SMC decision not to recommend a medicine, NHS boards do have systems in place which can provide access to newly licensed medicines on an individual patient basis and where the patient’s clinician considers this to be appropriate. Where such alternative prescribing options are used the Scottish Government’s New Medicines Fund is available to support the cost of Kadcyla.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314971,"EventID":"S5W-02092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:35:05.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01618 by Annabelle Ewing on 18 August 2016, whether it will respond to the specific issue raised in relation to children living with one parent, rather than looked-after children.","AnswerText":"The relevant legislation makes it clear that the child must be at the centre of these cases. Section 11 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, on court orders relating to parental responsibilities etc, provides that in considering whether or not to make an order and what order to make, the court shall regard the welfare of the child concerned as its paramount consideration. Section 11 also provides that the court shall not make any such order unless it considers that it would be better for the child that the order be made than that none should be made at all. Section 11 also makes provision on hearing the voice of the child in these cases. In relation to practicalities, the Relationships Scotland network provides contact centres. The Relationships Scotland website contains information on supported contact, where the contact centre is a venue, and supervised contact, where a trained member of staff observes and supervises the contact between the child and the non-resident parent to ensure the safety of those involved.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314972,"EventID":"S5W-02099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:35:05.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents of alleged hate crime have been reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in each of the last three years. ","AnswerText":"The following table contains the total number of hate crime charges reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) from April 2013 to March 2016. All figures provided are based on data extracted from the COPFS case management system on 6 May 2016, which was the basis of the 2016 report on hate crime in Scotland.\r\nFinancial Year\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n5855\r\n5398\r\n5588\r\n16841\r\nTable one. All hate crime charges reported to COPFS during the last three financial years.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"James Wolffe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314973,"EventID":"S5W-02110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:35:06.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people leaving each young offender institution in each of the last five years moved on to positive destinations, broken down by the nature of the positive destination. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: Comprehensive records of positive destinations of young people leaving young offenders’ institutions are not held by Scottish Prison Service (SPS) or other agencies.\r\nSPS is giving high priority to improving the life chances of young people in its care. Working with partner organisations, SPS is implementing its Vision for Young People in Custody, which aims ‘to use the time a young person spends in custody to enable them to prepare for a positive future’ and so achieve a positive destination.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314974,"EventID":"S5W-02117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:35:07.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are serving at least 12 months in custody in young offender institutions, broken down by (a) offence and (b) age.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: There are currently 203 young offenders in custody within the SPS estate who are serving at least 12 months.\r\n(a) The following table shows the breakdown of young offenders by offence.\r\nIt should be noted that a number of young offenders will have been convicted for more than one offence so the totals for the offence table will be greater than the number of individual young offenders.\r\nOffence\r\nNo. of Young Offenders convicted of Offence\r\nAbduction\r\n1\r\nAbduction and Assault to Injury\r\n1\r\nAbduction, Assault to Injury and Robbery\r\n1\r\nAntisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004,S9(1)\r\n1\r\nAssault\r\n42\r\nAssault plus Abduction\r\n1\r\nAssault plus Attempted Robbery\r\n8\r\nAssault by Threats and Robbery\r\n1\r\nAssault plus Robbery\r\n13\r\nAssault Severe Injury, Permanent Disfigurement, Danger of Life, Attempted Murder and Robbery\r\n1\r\nAssault to Injury\r\n51\r\nAssault to injury and danger of life and did rob \r\n2\r\nAssault to Injury and Permanent Disfigurement \r\n4\r\nAssault To Injury and Robbery\r\n6\r\nAssault to Severe Injury\r\n12\r\nAssault to Severe Injury plus Attempted Robbery\r\n1\r\nAssault to Severe Injury plus Danger of Life\r\n4\r\nAssault To Severe Injury, Disfigurement, Permanent Impairment and Danger To Life\r\n1\r\nAssault To Severe Injury, Per Disfigurement, Per Impairment, Danger To Life and Attempted Murder\r\n3\r\nAssault to Severe Injury plus Permanent Disfigurement\r\n2\r\nAssault to Severe Injury, Permanent Disfigurement \r\n11\r\nAssault To Severe Injury, Permanent Disfigurement plus Danger Of Life\r\n3\r\nAssault to Severe Injury, Permanent Disfigurement, Danger of Life and Attempted Murder \r\n3\r\nAssault to Severe Injury, Permanent Disfigurement and Danger to Life \r\n3\r\nAssault to Severe Injury, Permanent Disfigurement and Impairment, Attempt to Rob, Attempted Murder \r\n1\r\nAssault to Severe Injury, Permanent Disfigurement and Permanent Impairment \r\n3\r\nAssault to Severe Injury and Permanent Impairment \r\n2\r\nAssault to Severe Injury, Permanent Impairment, Permanent Disfigurement and Danger of Life \r\n2\r\nAssault to Severe Injury plus Robbery\r\n2\r\nAssault with Intent to Rob\r\n6\r\nAttempted Housebreaking with intent to Steal \r\n2\r\nAttempted Housebreaking with intent to Steal \r\n2\r\nAttempted Open Lock fast Place with intent\r\n1\r\nAttempted Robbery\r\n2\r\nAttempted Theft\r\n1\r\nAttempted Theft of motor vehicle\r\n2\r\nAttempt to Defeat the Ends of Justice\r\n1\r\nAttempt to Pervert the Course of Justice\r\n5\r\nBreach Of Order\r\n1\r\nBreach of the Peace \r\n8\r\nCivic Government (Scotland) Act 1982,S51A(1)\r\n1\r\nCivic Government (Scotland) Act 1982,S52(1)(a)\r\n2\r\nCivic Government (Scotland) Act 1982,S52(1)(b)\r\n2\r\nCivic Government (Scotland) Act 1982,S52(1)(c)\r\n1\r\nCivic Government (Scotland) Act 1982,S52A(1)\r\n2\r\nCommunications Act 2003,S127(1)(a)\r\n4\r\nCommunications Act 2003,S127(1)(B)\r\n1\r\nCommunications Act 2003,S127(2)(a)\r\n1\r\nCommunications Act 2003,S127(2)(c)\r\n1\r\nCon Road Traffic Act 1988 Sec 1\r\n3\r\nConspiracy \r\n1\r\nContempt of Court \r\n3\r\nCriminal Justice And Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 S 38(1)\r\n66\r\nCriminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995,S47(1)\r\n18\r\nCriminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995,S49(1)\r\n27\r\nCriminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995,S49A(1)\r\n2\r\nCriminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995,S49A(2)\r\n1\r\nCriminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995,S49C(1)(B)\r\n1\r\nCriminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995,S50A(1)(b)and(5)\r\n10\r\nCriminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995,S52(1)and(3)\r\n17\r\nCriminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995,S102A(1)(a)\r\n4\r\nCriminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995,S27(1)(a)\r\n4\r\nCriminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995,S27(1)(b)\r\n55\r\nCulpable Homicide\r\n4\r\nCulpable and Reckless Conduct \r\n5\r\nCulpable plus Reckless Discharge of Firearm\r\n1\r\nCulpable plus Reckless Fireraising\r\n1\r\nDisplay obscene material\r\n1\r\nEmergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 S1(1)\r\n1\r\nEmergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005,S1(1)\r\n2\r\nEmergency Workers (Scotland) Act ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314975,"EventID":"S5W-02095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:35:09.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish details of the new GP contract that comes into force in 2017.","AnswerText":"The GP contract is formulated through a process of bilateral discussion, and agreement, between the Scottish General Practitioners Committee and the Scottish Government. These negotiations are commercially sensitive; details will be published once they have concluded.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314976,"EventID":"S5W-02096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:35:09.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-22T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to bring forward legislation to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses.","AnswerText":"As announced on 6 September 2016, the Scottish Government’s programme for government for 2016-17 includes the introduction of a Bill that will ban the use and exhibition of wild animals in travelling circuses in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314977,"EventID":"S5W-02113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:35:10.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in young offender Institutions have children.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: The Scottish Prison Service does not currently hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":314978,"EventID":"S5W-02114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-23T13:35:11.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in young offender institutions have mental health problems.","AnswerText":"Data on how many people in young offender institutions have mental health problems is not provided to the Scottish Government.\r\nThe SPS prisoner survey will identify mental health issues via self-reporting. Prisoners are asked questions on mental health by way of an instrument known as the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS). There is a specific young persons report which covers HMYOI Polmont only. http://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Publications/Publication-3908.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315000,"EventID":"S5W-02141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:11.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to address the variation in the uptake of self-directed support between people with physical and learning impairments that was recorded in the July 2016 report, Self-directed Support, Scotland, 2014-15.","AnswerText":"The Social Care (Self-directed Support) Act 2013 introduces a range of options for how social care support is delivered and to give individuals the support and information required to enable them to make informed choices. This has opened up support to all individuals requiring social care support.\r\nOf the uptake of self-directed support by client group included in the report, 32% of people have physical difficulties and 10% have learning difficulties, which is in line with the Social Care Survey 2015 as a whole.\r\nThrough the Self-directed Support Support in the Right Direction Fund, 13 projects are receiving over £1 million during 2016-2017 to provide support and information to people with learning disabilities.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315001,"EventID":"S5W-02143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:14.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to increase the number of people being offered choice under self-directed support from the 20% figure recorded in the July 2016 report, Self-directed Support, Scotland, 2014-15.","AnswerText":"The Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 became Scotland’s approach to social care on 1 April 2014. It places firm duties on local authorities to offer a range of options for how social care support is delivered. The Statutory Guidance that accompanies the Act states that all options must be described in full and that all options are equal.\r\nThe Self-directed Support, Scotland, 2014-2015 report highlighted data recording issues which the Scottish Government’s analytical services is working with local authorities to improve. \r\nEmpowering people to have choice and control of their social care support is a long term cultural and systemic change. Since 2011 the Scottish Government has invested £58.8 million to aid the implementation of self-directed support across Scotland. This has included:\r\n£32 million to local authorities to support system and culture change.\r\n£12.7 million to the Support in the Right Direction Fund to ensure people are supported in setting their personal outcomes and able to make informed decisions (34 organisations received a share of £2.8 million in 2016/17).\r\n£8.6 million to the Innovation Fund to enable third sector social care providers to deliver flexible and creative support and promote culture change through the workforce (21 projects received a share of £1.1m in 2016/17).\r\n£2.8 million to embed self-directed as the approach to social care across the workforce. \r\n£2.7 million on various projects including engagement, evaluation and independent living.\r\nThe Scottish Government, COSLA and Social Work Scotland are currently carrying out a survey of local authorities about their implementation. The finding of this will inform a structured improvement programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315002,"EventID":"S5W-02119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:16.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland and, if so, when this will be carried out.","AnswerText":"The Cycling Action Plan for Scotland is currently being reviewed by Transport Scotland following receipt of Cycling Scotland's progress report on the 2013 Cycling Action Plan. An updated plan will be published by the end of 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315003,"EventID":"S5W-02126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:17.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) score is for each of the Climate Challenge Fund grants for the 116 projects announced on 23 March 2016, and what the SIMD score is for all grants announced to prior to the 22nd round of grants.","AnswerText":"The Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) delivers a range of environmental and community benefits and support local action across the country, including in Scotland’s most deprived communities.\r\nOf the projects announced on 23 March 2016, 70 of the 116 awards were to projects based in the lowest five Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) deciles. The value of these awards was £5,727,683, which is 60% of the total CCF budget. In addition, the decile receiving the highest number of awards was decile one with 20 awards, with the value of these awards at £1,627,847 (17% of the total CCF awards).\r\nA detailed breakdown of all Climate Challenge Fund grants, since 2008, by SIMD is included below:\r\nNumber of Awards per SIMD decile*:\r\n\r\nCCF Awards per SIMD Decile\r\n\r\n1\r\n2\r\n3\r\n4\r\n5\r\n6\r\n7\r\n8\r\n9\r\n10\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCCF TOTAL\r\n92\r\n61\r\n94\r\n76\r\n120\r\n118\r\n101\r\n98\r\n47\r\n66\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCCF 2008-11\r\n25\r\n16\r\n28\r\n32\r\n50\r\n51\r\n48\r\n31\r\n21\r\n30\r\nCCF 2011-12\r\n12\r\n4\r\n16\r\n14\r\n17\r\n22\r\n14\r\n18\r\n6\r\n9\r\nCCF 2012-16\r\n35\r\n24\r\n37\r\n24\r\n39\r\n34\r\n31\r\n31\r\n16\r\n22\r\nCCF 2016-17\r\n20\r\n17\r\n13\r\n6\r\n14\r\n11\r\n8\r\n18\r\n4\r\n5\r\nValue of Awards (£) per SIMD decile*:\r\n\r\nCCF £ per SIMD Decile\r\n\r\n1\r\n2\r\n3\r\n4\r\n5\r\n6\r\n7\r\n8\r\n9\r\n10\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCCF TOTAL\r\n11,248,677\r\n5,526,273\r\n1,828,549\r\n1,944,104\r\n3,921,648\r\n3,981,240\r\n3,235,674\r\n3,499,546\r\n1,951,857\r\n2,378,424\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCCF 2008-11\r\n2,095,293\r\n1,223,564\r\n1,828,549\r\n2,858,949 \r\n3,137,201 \r\n2,704,841 \r\n3,107,207 \r\n1,709,809 \r\n2,389,524 \r\n2,318, 587 \r\nCCF 2011-12\r\n1,266,314\r\n321,045\r\n912,110\r\n1,117,174\r\n896,386\r\n1,352,490\r\n577,413\r\n498,260\r\n376,190\r\n778,931\r\nCCF 2012-16\r\n6,259,223\r\n2,453,530\r\n4,018,815\r\n1,944,104\r\n3,921,648\r\n3,981,240\r\n3,235,674\r\n3,499,546\r\n1,951,857\r\n2,378,424\r\nCCF 2016-17\r\n1,627,847\r\n1,528,134\r\n861,004\r\n394,225\r\n830,960\r\n800,860\r\n758,122\r\n1,099,145\r\n330,078\r\n573,214\r\n* Please note: CCF postcode information is gathered from fund applicants. As far as possible this postcode will represent a focus of project activities (be this a community centre, allotment or office) rather than a home address of the applicant.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315004,"EventID":"S5W-02133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:18.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how integration joint boards account for Integrated Care Fund spending.","AnswerText":"Allocations from the Integrated Care Fund (ICF) are part of the overall resources available to Health and Social Care Partnerships and sit within the context of Partnerships’ strategic commissioning plans. From 2016-17 reporting on ICF spend, and outcomes achieved, will be through Health and Social Care Partnerships’ annual performance reports. These will be published from July 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315005,"EventID":"S5W-02144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:19.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-24T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the feedback to its consultation on international development policy, Meeting Global Challenges & Making a Difference - Aligning our International Development Policy with the Global Goals, was not published on the expected date of 31 July 2016, and on what date this will now be made available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s public consultation on future shape of its International Development Policy (Meeting Global Challenges & Making a Difference - Aligning Our International Development Policy with the Global Goals) ran from 24th February 2016 until 20 May 2016. As part of the consultation process, a number of sectorial events were led by the Minister for International Development, for non-governmental organisations, academics, diaspora communities, and public bodies. Scottish Government officials also ran a further series of events around Scotland aimed at the general public to support the consultation. \r\nThe stated purpose of the consultation was to consider, in light of the key milestones of the advent of the new Global Goals and the 10th anniversary of the Scottish Government’s international development programme, how best we might refine our international development programme going forward. It was highlighted that we were keen to arrive at a refreshed Scottish Government international development policy that embraces and seeks to deliver on our commitment to the Global Goals, and is in line with good development practice. We also highlighted that, through the consultation and resultant decision-making process, we wanted to ensure that the refreshed international development policy preserves and builds on the best elements of our current international development work and partnerships, whilst more effectively targeting and focusing our activity to achieve the greatest impact.\r\nA total of 129 valid responses were received, and have since been independently analysed with a view to publishing the Analysis of Responses Report. The anticipated date for initial feedback was 31 July, however we received a large number of detailed responses, which we were keen to consider in depth. The Report is currently being finalised and will be published this month. As indicated in the consultation document, the responses form a key part of the ensuing policy development and decision-making process.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315006,"EventID":"S5W-02120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:20.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the electrification of the rail service between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Falkirk will be completed on time and on budget.","AnswerText":"On 5 July 2016 I announced that Network Rail had informed Transport Scotland that the Edinburgh Glasgow via Falkirk High line will not be ready for the introduction of electric services until July 2017, seven months later than scheduled but still in advance of new electric trains arriving from September 2017. Network Rail have further advised that project cost will increase beyond the previous £742 million estimate.\r\nAt my instruction, Transport Scotland are undertaking an intensive review of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme. This work is expected to conclude in September 2016. I have also already made clear my intention to bring the review findings and senior Network Rail officials before the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee to answer any questions and to set out clearly when Network Rail will deliver the promised improvements and how much they will cost.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315007,"EventID":"S5W-02122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:21.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve the integration between active and public transport.","AnswerText":"Interconnectivity of rail passenger services with other transport modes, including active travel, is key to encouraging people to travel by train. ScotRail are progressing with their ambitious programme to deliver an additional 3,500 cycle spaces across the network by spring 2018, and have installed Bike and Go facilities at ten locations across Scotland. Additionally ScotRail continue to engage with local authorities and expert sustainable travel organisations to improve walking and cycling routes to stations.\r\nThe next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services Contract, due to commence on 1 October 2016 for a period of eight years, was awarded to CalMac Ferries Limited and was formally signed on 22 August 2016. As part of their contractual obligations the operator will endeavour to provide improved customer service and transport integration. Calmac have also committed to a Transport Integration Manager who will specifically engage with all transport modes to ensure, where possible, better customer connections. \r\nThe regional transport partnerships and local authorities continue to work in partnership with wider delivery bodies and fund programmes of work to improve uptake and integration of public transport with other modes. For example, the roll out of real time passenger information, funding of active travel paths between trip attractors and public transport, bikes on buses projects, and installation of bike shelters and bike parking at train stations. Behaviour change projects including promotion of active and public transport are funded through the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315008,"EventID":"S5W-02137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:22.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the current estimated final cost is of the refurbishment of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service control room in Dundee. ","AnswerText":"This information is contained in Scottish Fire and Rescue Service board papers which can be found on the SFRS website at:www.firescotland.gov.uk","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315009,"EventID":"S5W-02139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:24.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to address the take up of options 1 and 2 of self-directed support that was recorded in the July 2016 report, Self-directed Support, Scotland, 2014-15.","AnswerText":"The Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 became Scotland’s approach to social care on the 1 April 2014. It places firm duties on local authorities to offer a range of options for how social care support is delivered. The Statutory Guidance that accompanies the Act states that all options must be described in full and that all options are equal.\r\nThe Self-directed Support, Scotland, 2014-2015 report highlighted data recording issues which the Scottish Government’s analytical services is working with local authorities to improve. \r\nEmpowering people to have choice and control of their social care support is a long term cultural and systemic change. Since 2011 the Scottish Government has invested £58.8 million to aid the implementation of self-directed support across Scotland. This has included:\r\n£32 million to local authorities to support system and culture change.\r\n£12.7 million to the support in the Right Direction Fund to ensure people are supported in setting their personal outcomes and able to make informed decisions (34 organisations received a share of £2.8 million in 2016-17).\r\n£8.6 million to the Innovation Fund to enable third sector social care providers to deliver flexible and creative support and promote culture change through the workforce (21 projects received a share of £1.1 million in 2016-17).\r\n£2.8 million to embed self-directed as the approach to social care across the workforce. \r\n£2.7 million on various projects including engagement, evaluation and independent living.\r\nThe Scottish Government, COSLA and Social Work Scotland are currently carrying out a survey of local authorities about their implementation. The finding of this will inform a structured improvement programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315010,"EventID":"S5W-02121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:25.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with its plans to extend cycling training (bikeability) schemes. ","AnswerText":"Cycling Scotland manages the national Bikeability Scotland cycle training programme on behalf of the Scottish Government, funded through Transport Scotland and the Directorate for Learning. The following table contains the latest data available and outlines progress for levels one and two. Level three training take place in secondary schools, however Cycling Scotland does not currently have data on delivery of Level three. \r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nPercentage of schools offering level one\r\n15.5% (273 schools)\r\n21.2% (398 schools)\r\n25.2% (470 schools)\r\nPercentage of schools offering level two\r\n35.2% (662 schools)\r\n37.4% (701 schools)\r\n40.1% (749 schools)\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315011,"EventID":"S5W-02123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:26.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the implementation of the national walking strategy.","AnswerText":"The National Walking Strategy Action Plan was launched on 3 March 2016, along with a website (www.stepchangescot.scot) and supporting infographic. This action plan is a high level plan that has been developed to assist in the delivery of National Walking Strategy. A National Walking Strategy Delivery Forum is overseeing the delivery of the action plan and has met three times to date, most recently on 23 August 2016.\r\nThe forum is seeing strong progress against the strategy’s overarching aim to create a culture where everyone walks more often as we look to build on the increase in the proportion of adults walking for recreational purposes as evidenced in the Scottish Household Survey (from 56% in 2008 to 64% in 2014). ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315012,"EventID":"S5W-02136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:27.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated cost of the refurbishment of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) control room in Dundee was (a) at the time the decision was made to move to three control rooms in January 2014 and (b) at the time the refurbishment of the Dundee control room was approved by the SFRS in August 2015. ","AnswerText":"This information is contained in Scottish Fire and Rescue Service board papers which can be found on the SFRS website at: www.firescotland.gov.uk","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315013,"EventID":"S5W-02138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:29.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the newly refurbished Scottish Fire and Rescue Service control room in Dundee to be fully operational.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service expect the refurbished control room in Dundee to be fully operational by March 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315014,"EventID":"S5W-02140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:30.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to further publicise option 1 of self-directed support.","AnswerText":"The Social Care (Self-directed Support) Act 2013 is founded on the principles of dignity, empowerment and collaboration. It places firm duties on local authorities to offer a range of options for how social care support is delivered and to give individuals the support and information required to enable them to make informed choices. This includes the option of a direct payment. The Statutory Guidance that accompanies the Act states all options must be described in full.\r\nThrough the support in the Right Direction Fund the Scottish Government has invested £12.7 million since 2011 in third sector organisations to support people to set their personal outcomes and to make informed decisions about their social care support. This includes information on option one, direct payments, and support to manage direct payments if this is the chosen option. The current fund of £2.8 million per annum is currently supporting 34 organisations. In the six months between October 2015 and March 2016: \r\n3,200 people were supported to access their existing community resources;\r\n2,400 individuals received training and development support;\r\n1,000 people received brokerage support;\r\n950 people were helped to set up and manage their care packages;\r\n800 people were helped to employ and manage personal assistants.\r\nThese 34 projects continue to receive a share of £2.8 million in 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315015,"EventID":"S5W-02128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:32.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the results of its assessment of whether smaller and rural businesses are able to complete on an even playing field for energy efficient measures.","AnswerText":"In 2015, the Scottish Government funded Energy Saving Trust to commission an assessment of the barriers and issues preventing SMEs in rural areas from maximising opportunities from the energy efficiency market. The report can be found here: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/reports/EST%20remote%20rural%20and%20island%20supply%20chain%20research%20March%202015.pdf\r\nWe have designated the energy efficiency of buildings as a national infrastructure priority – Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP). This will deliver a number of economic benefits including opportunities to create a substantial Scottish market and supply chain for businesses of all sizes and from all parts of the country. There will be consideration of the skills and training required to develop the necessary capacity in the sector as the new SEEP programme is piloted and developed.\r\nThe development of SEEP will complement learning already gained from the previous research and from the Scottish Government’s existing programmes of support to SMEs on energy efficiency, such as:\r\nThe Energy Saving Trust supply chain support programme. Through ongoing seminars and training events at different locations, and a social media network, this programme provides networking and collaboration opportunities for SMEs on a range of topics that can support their effective participation in the market for energy efficiency and small-scale renewables measures. This has included the development and publication of a procurement guide to help SMEs bid for public sector contracts in the energy efficiency and renewables marketplace. http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/businesses-organisations/supply-chain\r\nThe Resource Efficient Scotland advice and support service, SME resource efficiency loans, and the Green Business Network, which provide advice, networking and financial support to SMEs to improve their own energy efficiency and install renewables. \r\nThe contract for the Scottish Government’s flagship national fuel poverty scheme Warmer Homes Scotland which was awarded to Warmworks Scotland in May 2015. Warmworks have a supply chain of 32 installation contractors made up of: \r\n4 Large firms (250+ employees)\r\n9 medium firms up to 249 employees\r\n19 small firms up to 49 employees\r\nOf the small firms, five are micro business with ten or fewer direct employees. Ten of the 32 installers are based in rural locations, mainly across the islands and the highlands and borders regions.\r\nOur area based fuel poverty schemes provide funding to all of Scotland’s local authorities which in turn provides economic opportunities to smaller and rural business across the country.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315016,"EventID":"S5W-02131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:33.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the investment made by integration joint boards through the Integrated Care Fund.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently examining information provided by Health and Social Care Partnerships on use of the Integrated Care fundin 2015-16. Going forward partnerships will report on their investments and outcomes through their annual performance reports. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315017,"EventID":"S5W-02129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:33.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will introduce the mandatory public register of land and how the register will be implemented.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a mandatory requirement to complete the land register. In May 2014, Scottish Ministers invited the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland to complete the land register by 2024 and committed to registering all public land by 2019.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315018,"EventID":"S5W-02130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:35.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it (a) has had and (b) plans with local authorities regarding the Land Scotland organisation that was referred to on page 18 of the 2016 SNP manifesto.","AnswerText":"Our legislative programme for 2016-17, set out in our programme for government, includes a bill to complete the devolution of forestry and to facilitate the establishment of a forestry and land management body. We have not consulted with local authorities on this proposal; however our consultation on the Future of Forestry (https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/forestry/future-of-forestry) proposes that this agency would have an initial focus on the management of the National Forest Estate and seeks views on how its remit might be extended in future to maximise the benefits of publicly owned land. We welcome views from all those with an interest in the remit, whether individuals or organisations, including local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315019,"EventID":"S5W-02125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:36.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many acres of woodland are required to help prevent flooding and assist in water basin management, and what is the estimated cost of this planting.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has identified priority catchments where woodland should be planted to help prevent flooding and assist in water basin management. This information is available on the following website at: http://www.sepa.org.uk/environment/water/flooding/flood-maps/. This however does not specify the area of woodland needed to meet these objectives.\r\nIn 2016-17 the Scottish Government has allocated a budget of £30 million towards the costs of woodland planting including a bespoke ‘Woodlands for Water’ grant that provides an increased level of grant in priority catchments equivalent to 90% of standard costs.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315020,"EventID":"S5W-02127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:37.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide (a) an update on its actions toward developing a district heating system and (b) details of the budget allocated to the loan fund for this purpose.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00903 on 4 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nOur Heat Policy Statement, published in June 2015, sets a clear policy framework for investment in decarbonisation of heat. The Heat Policy Statement announced that we would designate energy efficiency as a National Infrastructure Priority. The cornerstone of this will be the Scottish Energy Efficiency programme. It also maintained our ambition for 1.5 terra watt hours of affordable low carbon heat to be supplied through district or communal heating by 2020.\r\nThe Heat Network Partnership, funded by Scottish Government, supports a strategic approach to deliver a step change in the scale of heat networks in Scotland through supporting local authorities to develop district heating strategies as well as providing advice and support to businesses, the public sector, local authorities and community groups.\r\nTo deliver on our district heating ambitions, project specific support is provided through our programmes such as the District Heating Loan Fund, which is specific to district heating, and broader low carbon programmes such as the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, which has supported a number of district heating projects.\r\nThe District Heating Loan Fund commenced in 2011 and, to date, has committed over £10 million in loans to 40 projects across Scotland. A list of the projects can be found on the Energy Savings Trust website:\r\nhttp://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/grants-loans/district-heating-loan).\r\nThe Special Working Group (SWG) of the Expert Commission on District Heating, established to consider potential regulatory frameworks for district heating, reported this Summer (http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/7493). We welcome the report from the SWG and are considering these recommendations as part of the development of Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme with our commitment to SEEP having been reiterated in the programme for government announced by the First Minister on 6 September 2016. We will work with industry, local government and heat user representatives to develop regulations in such a way that they support development and do not act as a barrier at this early stage in the growth of the heat supply market, nor place excessive costs on the sector that could be passed on to consumers.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315021,"EventID":"S5W-02132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:38.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the Integrated Care Fund has been invested each year in third sector organisations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. Distribution of the Integrated Care Fund is a matter for local Health and Social Care Partnerships based on their strategic plan and the needs of the local communities that they serve.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315022,"EventID":"S5W-02134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:38.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether each integration joint board reports on the outcomes achieved through Integrated Care Fund spending.","AnswerText":"The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 requires each Integration Joint board (Health and Social Care Partnership) to publish an annual performance report setting out an assessment of performance in planning and carrying out the integration functions for which they are responsible. Health and Social Care Partnerships will report on the use of the Integrated Care Fund through their annual performance reports.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315023,"EventID":"S5W-02135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:39.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is financing the cost of the refurbishment of the Dundee control room.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is financing the refurbishment of the Dundee control room using the grant in aid funding it received from the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315024,"EventID":"S5W-02142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-24T13:14:40.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote self-directed support as an option to unpaid carers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the extremely important role of unpaid carers and the valuable contribution they make within their local communities. The Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 provides local authorities with a statutory discretionary power to support carers in their own right. This assessment should focus on the personal outcomes of the carer and can lead to services for the carer or the supported person. \r\nThrough the Self-directed Support in the Right Direction Fund, five projects are receiving over £440,000 during 2016-2017 to provide support and information to unpaid carers.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315032,"EventID":"S5W-02151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-25T13:06:10.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-25T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its labour market strategy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government wants Scotland to be a more successful and fairer country, with opportunities for all to flourish. To do this we need a strong economy, underpinned by a vibrant labour market. We will today (26 August 2016) publish Scotland’s Labour Market Strategy, to sit alongside our Economic Strategy. This strategy sets out our vision for a strong labour market that drives inclusive, sustainable economic growth, characterised by growing, competitive businesses, high employment, a skilled population capable of meeting the needs of employers, and where fair work is central to improving the lives of individuals and their families.Government, employers, employees and trade unions must work together to ensure that the labour market remains healthy, strong and resilient now and in the future.To ensure our approach remains dynamic and can evolve over time, we will establish a Strategic Labour Market Group, which will work alongside the Fair Work Convention, to review, mitigate and flex our approach.We will also work with partners to improve the range and quality of labour market data and develop new indicators which will set out a more comprehensive view of how we are able to assess progress.This will ensure our strategy remains current, adaptable to change and delivers a fair, inclusive and successful labour market in Scotland.The strategy can be found at: www.gov.scot/labourmarketstats.","AnswerDate":"2016-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315033,"EventID":"S5W-02147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-25T13:49:51.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-24T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will assess the impact of its cancer strategy on people with kidney cancer and, if it concludes that there has not been a significant improvement in outcomes, whether it will introduce further measures.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02145 on 21 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315034,"EventID":"S5W-02145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-25T13:49:52.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-24T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its cancer strategy will tackle the incidence of kidney cancer.","AnswerText":"Our ‘Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action’ strategy and the accompanying £100 million investment over 5 years, serves as a blueprint for the future of cancer services in Scotland, improving the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and aftercare of people affected by all cancers. This work links with our tobacco control strategy and the Prevention of Obesity Route Map as we know that smoking and obesity are two of the biggest risk factors for renal cancer.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315035,"EventID":"S5W-02146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-25T13:49:53.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-24T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the £5 million in its cancer strategy to improve waiting times performance will be used to tackle reports of people with metastatic kidney cancer experiencing clinically significant delays between diagnosis and the beginning of treatment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring all patients receive timely access to cancer tests and diagnostics. The funding identified in ‘Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action’ will ensure additional diagnostic, scope, imaging and treatment capacity is made available to everyone with a suspected and/or cancer diagnosis.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315036,"EventID":"S5W-02152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-25T13:49:54.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-25T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings in the Audit Scotland report, Scotland's colleges 2016, whether it will conduct an assessment into college reform impacts on student populations to take account of the 48% reduction in the number of part-time students at colleges. ","AnswerText":"Over the last Parliament, we maintained 116,000 Full-time Equivalent college places. We shall continue this commitment, focused on purposeful, job-focused learning. We shall also continue to support a range of part-time and full-time provision: short courses leading to progression remain available, and the number of part-time college enrolments in Higher Education and further education has remained stable since 2012-13.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315037,"EventID":"S5W-02124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-25T13:49:55.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-23T15:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in terms of the impact on the bee population in Scotland, what its response is to the article published on 16 August 2016 by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, which details \"long-term, large scale\" detrimental impacts through the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology's (CEH) recent article which reported correlations between wild bee populations and neonicotinoid insecticide seed treatments use in oilseed rape.\r\nWe consider this an interesting and useful piece of research, and note that the authors acknowledge that many factors are linked to pollinator decline.\r\nWe await the results from the soon to be published CEH large-scale European field trials. These results are expected to address some of the scale and replication challenges of previous field studies which investigated the potential impact of neonicotinoids on pollinators. \r\nThe results from the upcoming CEH report will also feed into the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) assessment of all the new research findings on the use of neonicotinoids. EFSA are expected to publish a report summarising their findings by the end of January 2017, which we will carefully consider.\r\nIn the meantime, the Scottish Government supports Europe's precautionary approach and the continuation of the current restrictions on the use of the three neonicotinoids.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315038,"EventID":"S5W-02149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-25T13:49:56.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-25T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will incorporate the findings of the recent Scottish Youth Parliament report, Our generation's epidemic, into its work on mental health. ","AnswerText":"We welcome the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP)’s latest research - ‘Our Generation’s Epidemic: Young people’s awareness and experience of mental health information, support and services’. This research has been undertaken as part of the SYP’s 'Speak Your Mind' campaign on mental health.\r\nWe have taken note of the recommendations that are for the Scottish Government, and will consider these as part of our on-going public engagement on the new Mental Health Strategy. During that public engagement, we have worked closely with the Scottish Youth Parliament to ensure that young people have the opportunity to contribute their views on matters that affect them. We have found the SYP’s work, including a discussion day event on 19 March 2016, hugely valuable in ensuring we have the views of a cross-section of young people in Scotland on mental health issues.\r\nFollowing our careful consideration of all the views we have received, the new Mental Health Strategy will be published in late 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315039,"EventID":"S5W-02153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-25T13:49:58.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-25T13:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings in the Audit Scotland report, Scotland's colleges 2016, whether it will conduct an assessment of the impact that its college reform policies have had on women and over-25s who have been mostly affected by these.","AnswerText":"Learners over 25 years old are well represented in our colleges. In 2014-15, 27% of all learning hours were delivered to such learners, representing an investment of £104 million. Moreover, full-time students aged 25 and over at colleges have increased by 31% since 2006-07.\r\nThe Audit Scotland report highlights that gender balance is broadly equal, with women accounting for the majority of the college population – 52% in 2014-15. The Scottish Funding Council continues to monitor gender imbalance on college courses as part of its Gender Action Plan published on 12 August 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315049,"EventID":"S5W-02163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:19.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-25T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with (a) BT and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise regarding the (i) location and (ii) timetable for installation of new cabinets to provide superfast broadband. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government regularly liaises with BT and Highlands and Islands Enterprise regarding delivery of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband projects. \r\nRecent discussions have focussed on the modelling of Gainshare resources – additional funding generated by higher than anticipated take-up, which will help extend coverage further than originally anticipated. \r\nBT provides information on planned cabinet deployments to the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise through quarterly contractual reports, which are scrutinised by the respective delivery teams.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315050,"EventID":"S5W-02150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:21.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-25T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report in the Stirling Observer on 24 August 2016, which states that in NHS Forth Valley over the last year (a) 20,000 people did not turn up for appointments, (b) 5,500 people did not attend nurse-led outpatient appointments and (c) nearly 1,000 people did not attend appointments with allied health professionals; what the cost of this has been to the NHS board, and what support it is providing to encourage people to attend appointments.","AnswerText":"It is every patient's responsibility to keep their NHS appointment and it is important that they let their primary care team or the hospital know when they cannot attend. However, we also recognise that the NHS has to be flexible in helping make appointments convenient to patients.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to supporting health boards implement policies to reduce missed appointments such as providing reminder services through text, emails and social media. This will allow reminders services to be tailored for patients who are most likely to not attend.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315051,"EventID":"S5W-02182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:22.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-26T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the special team set up by Police Scotland to examine the the implications of the EU Referendum vote (a) will report to Parliament and (b) will provide a timeline of its meetings and reports, and if so, when.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware that Police Scotland has established an EU Measures review team to consider the implications of the referendum result. The review team reports to the Chief Constable and the timing of its meetings and reports is a matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315052,"EventID":"S5W-02184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:23.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-26T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the delay in the construction of the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh; what contingency plans were in place to deal with such a situation, and what action it is taking to hire new contractors to take over the work.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working closely with NHS Lothian to ensure that the delay in the construction of the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh is kept to a minimum.\r\nNHS Lothian had prepared a comprehensive and well developed commissioning and migration plan for the transfer of services from existing facilities based on the contractual handover date to the Board. This is now subject to review on receipt of a revised handover date from the Project Company. While it is disappointing not to be moving from existing facilities as previously anticipated, NHS Lothian recognise the cause of the delay and will respond in a positive manner to a revised programme demonstrating that neither health and safety, nor quality will be compromised in its delivery.\r\nThe hiring of new contractors is the responsibility of the consortium building the new facilities and they have a number of contingency plans in place to deal with the delay. This includes actions such as keeping a dialogue open with other sub-contractors who had bid for the original contract, dialogue with suppliers of the sub-contractors so they can take over supply of material and or labour if necessary and constant interaction with the workforce so they have the ability to hire personnel in the short term.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315053,"EventID":"S5W-02154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:24.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-25T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the remit is of the Phase 2 Borders Railway Feasibility Study.","AnswerText":"Procurement of the study is underway and it is currently expected that the study will be complete by the end of 2017, after which reports will be made available on the Transport Scotland website.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315054,"EventID":"S5W-02156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:25.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-25T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work has been carried out by the Phase 2 Borders Railway Feasibility Study.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02154 on 15 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315055,"EventID":"S5W-02171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:26.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-26T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether someone boarding a train at (a) an unstaffed station or (b) a station without a ticket machine can be fined for pre-meditated fraud.","AnswerText":"This is not pre-meditated fraud and would not be treated as such by ScotRail. Where there are no ticket issuing facilities at the station, tickets will be available for sale during or at the end of the journey. This is in accordance with the National Rail Conditions of Carriage, which apply to all train operating companies in the UK, and Byelaw 18 (Ticketless travel in a non-compulsory ticket area). \r\nI refer the Member to the answer to question S5W-02167 on 20 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315056,"EventID":"S5W-02157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:27.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-25T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with (a) Scottish Borders Council and (b) Transport Scotland to discuss the Phase 2 Borders Railway Feasibility Study.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland, the national transport agency, meets regularly with both Scottish Borders Council and SEStran to discuss a range of railway issues including the pre-appraisal study on the proposed extension to the Borders Railway. I also recently met with the Campaign for Borders Rail.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315057,"EventID":"S5W-02159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:28.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-25T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the contribution is of the Scotch Whisky industry to Scottish GDP.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have disaggregated Gross Value Added (GVA) figures explicitly covering the 'whisky' industry. However, GVA figures for the 'spirits' industry, which is heavily dominated by the whisky industry, are published in the Scottish Government’s ‘Scottish Annual Business Statistics’ report. The latest figures show that the ‘spirits’ industry directly generated £1.8 billion in GVA in Scotland in 2014.\r\nThe Scottish Whisky Association (SWA) also produce estimates of the economic impact of the Whisky sector. Their latest report estimates that the industry directly generated a GVA of £3.3 billion in Scotland in 2014. The variation in the above estimates reflects differences in the estimation methodologies employed and the definition of the whisky industry.\r\nThe economic contribution of the Whisky industry to the Scottish economy in future years will depend in part on the UK’s future relationship with the EU, a market worth over £1 billion to the sector. Prior to the referendum, the Scottish Whisky Association warned that the UK leaving the EU could put Scottish Whisky exports at risk.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315058,"EventID":"S5W-02161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:29.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-25T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people it estimates are employed by the Scotch Whisky industry.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02162 on 14 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315059,"EventID":"S5W-02166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:30.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-26T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) raise awareness of and (b) tackle mesothelioma.","AnswerText":"We know that the earlier cancer can be diagnosed, the better the chance of a positive outcome. Scottish Government initiatives such as the Detect Cancer Early programme aim to raise awareness of all cancers amongst the public and health care practitioners, so as to lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment.\r\nOur ‘Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action’ strategy and the accompanying \r\n£100 million investment over 5 years serves as a blueprint for the future of cancer services in Scotland, improving the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and aftercare for people who may be suspected to have/or who have a confirmed diagnosis of cancer of any type.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315060,"EventID":"S5W-02168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:31.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-26T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many passengers have been fined for pre-meditated fraud on the railways in each month since fines were introduced.","AnswerText":"The current franchise agreement does not allow the franchisee to introduce penalty fares on either the ScotRail or Caledonian Sleeper franchises.\r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02167 on 20 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315061,"EventID":"S5W-02160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:32.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-25T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the contribution is of the Scotch Whisky industry to Scottish exports.","AnswerText":"The latest published figures from Export Statistics Scotland estimated international exports of Scotch Whisky at £4.0 billion in 2014. This equates to 14% of Scotland's international exports.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315062,"EventID":"S5W-02167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:32.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-26T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether someone boarding a train with the intention of buying a ticket onboard can be fined for pre-meditated fraud.","AnswerText":"Under the National Rail Conditions of carriage customers who board at a station without ticket buying facilities will access the full range of fares inclusive of discounted tickets. Boarding a train where ticket buying options are in place and operational, customers give up the right to discounted fares as described above. \r\nThere are various pieces of legislation or Common Law with which rail companies and British Transport Police can seek to recover the value of the journey or to prosecute and recognise the dishonest actions of the errant passenger. This can be pursued through either Common Law Fraud means, or via railway-specific legislation and Byelaws (as below).\r\nCommon Law Fraud -\r\nA catch-all offence, including attempts that can cover the same elements as the Regulation of Railways Act 1889 offences (see below) whilst recognising a level of felonious intent perhaps missing in some statutory offences.\r\nMight recognise level of planning or activity involved in avoiding payment, or misrepresenting the extent of a journey paid for, the altering of tickets.\r\nHigher tariff penalties including imprisonment.\r\nRegulation of Railways Act 1889 - Section five creates the following offences\r\nTravelling/attempting to travel on the railway without having previously paid the fare and with intent to avoid payment;\r\nHaving paid the fare for a certain distance, knowingly and willingly proceeding by train beyond that distance without paying the additional fare and with intent to avoid payment; \r\nHaving failed to pay the fare, giving a false name and address in reply to a request from an officer of the railway.\r\nRailway Byelaws 2005 -\r\nThe byelaws cover various ticket offences whilst describing circumstances whereby a passenger may start a journey without a ticket (no provision of purchase/validation facilities etc).","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315064,"EventID":"S5W-02185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:35.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-26T13:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many climate officers (or equivalent job role) each local authority has employed in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The relevant information is not centrally held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315065,"EventID":"S5W-02155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:36.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-25T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the preliminary findings of the Phase 2 Borders Railway Feasibility Study.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02154 on 15 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315066,"EventID":"S5W-02172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:37.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-26T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many train stations (a) are unstaffed and (b) do not have a ticket machine.","AnswerText":"The total number of ScotRail stations is 354 of which 214 are unstaffed. 149 of the 214 unstaffed stations do not have a ticket vending machine. In total 185 of 354 ScotRail operated stations do not yet have ticket vending Machines.\r\nThere are also ticket vending machines at non-ScotRail locations such as Glasgow Central high level, Edinburgh Waverley, Edinburgh tourist information, Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow Airport.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315067,"EventID":"S5W-02162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:38.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-25T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people it estimates are employed in the supply chain of the Scotch Whisky industry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have disaggregated figures explicitly covering the supply chain of the 'whisky' industry. However, for the 'wines and spirits' industry, which is heavily dominated by the whisky industry, the Scottish Government Input-Output model estimates that there were around 9,000 full time equivalent (FTE) employees directly employed in 2013, supporting a further 9,200 FTEs in Scottish supply chain industries. If the re-spending of wages and salaries are taken into account (the induced effect), a further 6,700 FTEs are supported, giving a total of approximately 25,000 FTEs.\r\nThe Scottish Whisky Association also produce estimates of the economic impact of the whisky sector. Their latest report estimates that the industry employs around 10,800 people in Scotland directly in 2014, supporting a further 19,200 jobs in the Scottish supply chain and a further 6,800 through the re-spending of wages. This gives a total of approximately 36,800 employees.\r\nThe variation in the above estimates reflects differences in the estimation methodologies employed, the definition of the whisky industry and the time period used. The economic contribution of the whisky industry to the Scottish economy in future years will depend in part on the UK’s future relationship with the EU, a market worth over £1 billion to the sector. Prior to the referendum, the Scottish Whisky Association warned that the UK leaving the EU could put Scottish Whisky exports at risk.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315068,"EventID":"S5W-02165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:38.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-26T09:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps Education Scotland has taken to share with other schools the innovative practice identified in its inspection report on Drumduan Upper School, on which it indicated its intention to work with the school, and whether it will provide further information on the best practice referred to in the report.","AnswerText":"During an inspection of Drumduan Upper School, HM Inspector identified a great example of innovative practice. At a follow up visit to look at this in more detail, HM Inspector found that the school’s approach to creative learning also included a focus on developing skills for learning, life and work and this included daily singing lessons. This whole school approach aimed at benefiting young people’s health and work ethic.\r\nHM Inspectors have been pleased to share this practice with other similar independent schools across Scotland, through professional engagement visits where the practice would be beneficial. As a result, we are aware of at least one other independent school, which has since visited this School to learn more about their practice in developing the curriculum and embedding creative approaches to learning and teaching.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315069,"EventID":"S5W-02158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:40.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-25T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the non-domestic rates contribution is of the Scotch Whisky industry.","AnswerText":"Distilleries in the valuation rolls in Scotland have a total non-domestic rates liability of around £13.5 million for 2016-17. This figure excludes any separate properties associated with the Scotch Whisky industry.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315070,"EventID":"S5W-02169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:41.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-26T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it defines pre-meditated fraud on Scotland’s railways.","AnswerText":"Pre-meditated fraud in Scotland’s railways is defined by the Regulation of Railways Act 1889 (Section 5.3(a)), and Railway byelaws. \r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02167 on 20 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315071,"EventID":"S5W-02183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-26T14:13:42.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-26T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the delay in the construction of the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, how it will ensure that construction companies involved in its infrastructure projects are financially robust.","AnswerText":"The main contractors in infrastructure projects are required to submit a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) to ensure that only eligible bidders with the requisite financial and technical capacity and capability are invited to proceed to the tendering stage. In respect of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children project, a minimum financial standing was set for each applicant’s construction contractor and each of the three consortia bidding for the contract met that requirement.\r\nIt should be recognised that the Royal Hospital for Sick Children is a Non Profit Distribution (NPD) project, where a fundamental feature is that an element of risk is transferred to the Project Company and that their Rate of Return reflects this transfer. Sub-contractors are managed by the main Project Company as per the agreed contract and while the two sub-contractors that went into administration has resulted in a delay to the project, the new construction timetable will not result in any additional costs to NHS Lothian.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315084,"EventID":"S5W-02003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:00.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-17T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of other countries doing so, for what reason Scotland does not audit longer-term rehabilitation in stroke care.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme report published on 12 July contains data collected on stroke rehabilitation. From November 2015 to January 2016 a rehabilitation sprint audit was conducted in all acute and integrated stroke units and is again a focus for the Scottish Stroke Care Audit in 2016. The Stroke Improvement Plan, published in 2014 contains priorities on services focussed on transition to the community as well as supported self-management and living with stroke. Progress on the status of each NHS Board in relation to the priorities and actions in the improvement plan is closely monitored by the National Advisory Committee for Stroke.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315085,"EventID":"S5W-02188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:01.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the running costs are each year of the NHSScotland confidential alert line.","AnswerText":"The running costs for the NHS Scotland Confidential Alert Line (NCAL) pilot (2 April 2013 to 31 July 2014) were £18,666. The running costs for the period 1 August 2014 to 31 July 2016 were £31,600.\r\nPublic Concern at Work, the charity that provides the NCAL service were awarded £120,660 in total from 2 April 2013 to 31 July 2016 to cover a range of services including whistleblowing training for NHS Sotland staff, reporting, communication and running costs of the NCAL.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315086,"EventID":"S5W-02190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:01.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) revenue and (b) capital grants sportscotland has received in each year since 2013.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer for question S5W-02189 on 21 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315087,"EventID":"S5W-02203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:03.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in establishing a dairy farmers' crisis task force to address challenges facing the sector.","AnswerText":"The Government has been working with key stakeholders to consider the most effective means to support the dairy sector. It has been decided that the Dairy Growth board will address the challenges facing the sector moving forward.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315088,"EventID":"S5W-02205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:04.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to ensure that the Scottish fishing quota is retained by active fishermen.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to taking steps to ensure that Scottish fish quota is held only by persons that have an contemporary and positive link to the fishing industry, whether directly or as part of a wider structure of support. The Government expects to make an announcement about its quota allocation policy, in the coming months, which will include new steps to pursue this objective.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315090,"EventID":"S5W-02201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:06.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that all farmers applying for CAP funding in 2017-18 receive the correct materials to carry out the required mapping processes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government proactively review mapping information utilising Aerial Photography, information from Ordinance Survey and data gathered from land inspections as part of the claim validation process. In addition claimants of CAP funding have for a number of years been encouraged to review their land maps and ensure that they are up to date and accurate. \r\nGuidance is available from the Rural Payments and Inspections Division detailing the mapping rules, online facilities are available for farmers to view their maps to ensure their accuracy and we proactively encourage claimants to engage with their local Rural Payments and Inspections offices who are able to provide assistance and guidance in maintaining their mapping information.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315091,"EventID":"S5W-02208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:08.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a Scottish landings target will be set for fishermen.","AnswerText":"The government will establish a Scottish landings target after discussion with fishermen, representatives of processors in Scotland and others with an interest. Government officials have in particular commenced discussions with pelagic fishermen and processing companies to seek agreement on how landings into Scotland might be increased over the 2016-17 winter fishing season. Progress in increasing landings over this period will be monitored.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315092,"EventID":"S5W-02219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:09.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the details of its plans to introduce the joint food industry supply-chain and public sector procurement taskforce referred to at page 26 of the SNP manifesto, including how the group will be constituted.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02216 on 9 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315093,"EventID":"S5W-02198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:10.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T09:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has asked the COSLA distribution group for flood prevention to ensure that applicants comply with National Standards of Community Engagement.","AnswerText":"The agreement the Scottish Government has reached with COSLA means that funding for Flood Protection Schemes will be distributed to councils via the General Capital Grant in accordance with the priorities set out in the Flood Risk Management Strategies published by SEPA in December 2015. There is no application process. However, the formal statutory process for confirmation of a flood protection scheme will still need to be completed. This process will provide an opportunity for people to lodge objections to the proposals, which the council concerned will then be obliged to seek to address. The National Standards for community engagement set out best practice principles for the way that councils and other public bodies engage with communities. They are not compulsory, but they are good practice and can help deliver the outcomes we wish to achieve.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315094,"EventID":"S5W-02212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:11.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its commitment at page 26 of the SNP manifesto, what stage it has reached in taking forward the recommendations of the report, Building on Success: Deepening Collaboration, Food and Drink in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The board of Scotland Food and Drink, the industry leadership body, is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the recommendations contained with the collaboration report to ensure they align and support the development of the new food and drink industry strategy. Good progress is being made to date, and this progress will be summarised in the board’s formal progress report it will produce at the end of 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315095,"EventID":"S5W-02215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:12.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to appoint the national chef referred to on page 26 of the 2016 SNP manifesto.","AnswerText":"We are currently considering options to deliver the commitment to appoint a National Chef. In doing so we will consult with stakeholders including the Scottish Food Commission who have a key role in advocating the importance of good food to Scotland’s health and wellbeing, environment and quality of life.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315096,"EventID":"S5W-02187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:13.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-27T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has evidence that homes in close proximity to wind farms can be devalued as a result of this, if so, what obligation there is on developers to provide compensation. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has commissioned ClimateXChange (CXC) to conduct a study on the impact of house prices from wind farm developments. We expect this report, which has been prepared following detailed and exhaustive analysis, to be published shortly.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315097,"EventID":"S5W-02189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:15.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget line for sport was in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15, also broken down by spend area.","AnswerText":"The following table provides a consolidated response to S5W-02189, S5W-02190 and S5W-02191 answered on 21 November 2016. The increased capital budget in 2015-16 reflects the budget profile for the now completed National Sports Performance Centre, Oriam, at Heriot Watt University.\r\n£M\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\nsportscotland - Resource\r\n34.2\r\n32.2\r\n38.0\r\n32.0\r\nActive Scotland and Commonwealth Games Legacy\r\n0.0\r\n1.0\r\n3.4\r\n9.4\r\nTotal Sport and Active Resource\r\n34.2\r\n33.2\r\n41.4\r\n41.4\r\nProvision for depreciation\r\n1.1\r\n1.1\r\n1.1\r\n1.1\r\nsportscotland - Capital\r\n1.0\r\n4.0\r\n26.0\r\n0.0\r\nTotal Sport and Active Capital\r\n1.0\r\n4.0\r\n26.0\r\n0.0\r\nTotal Sport budget (Level 3)\r\n36.3\r\n38.3\r\n68.5\r\n42.5\r\n\r\nSportscotland – National Lottery\r\n27.5\r\n31.7\r\n31.3\r\n33.7\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315098,"EventID":"S5W-02204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:16.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what communications it has had with the UK Government relating to releasing CAP convergence funds to Scottish farmers.","AnswerText":"I raised the issue of releasing CAP convergence funds to Scottish farmers in a letter to the Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, on 24 June 2016.\r\nDespite this, and assurances earlier this year from Defra Minister, George Eustice, that Defra would carry out a review of how the UK CAP budget is distributed, there has been no reply to my letter so far.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315099,"EventID":"S5W-02206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:18.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with representatives of the Scottish fishing industry on the phased implementation of the discard ban.","AnswerText":"My officials last met with our Scottish Discards Steering Group on 24 June 2016 to discuss the discard ban, including the continued phased implementation of the ban in 2017. Further discussions on phasing will take place with the fishing industry when developing discard plans for 2018 which will be taken forward by Member States as part of the Regionalisation process.\r\nI have met with a range of representatives from the fishing industry over the summer, including as part of the Fisheries Innovation Scotland conference on 22-23 August 2016 during which the implementation of the discard ban was discussed.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315100,"EventID":"S5W-02186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:19.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-27T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what investment it has made in sports facilities in each of the last five years, also broken down by local authority. ","AnswerText":"As the national agency for sport, sportscotland invests Scottish Government and National Lottery resources.\r\nsportscotland has invested in excess of £81.5 million in sports facilities across Scotland’s local authority areas over the past five years.\r\nsportscotland investment highlighted in the following table includes:\r\nFacilities investment in Local Authority areas (including Sports Facilities Fund; Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund; sportsmatch; Cashback; Awards for All).\r\nLocal Authority Area\r\n2011-12 Investment\r\n2012-13 Investment\r\n2013-14 Investment\r\n2014-15 Investment\r\n2015-16 Investment\r\nAberdeen City\r\n£69,940.00\r\n£199,164.00\r\n£615,478.00\r\n£345,916.00\r\n£76,330.00\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n£613,635.00\r\n£362,195.00\r\n£1,242,967.00\r\n£360,645.00\r\n£610,536.00\r\nAngus\r\n£38,891.00\r\n£150,094.00\r\n£252,426.00\r\n£63,400.00\r\n£311,842.00\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n£501,235.00\r\n£211,683.00\r\n£368,950.00\r\n£328,498.00\r\n£75,528.00\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n£250,205.00\r\n£9,574.00\r\n£20,130.00\r\n£209,680.00\r\n£7,750.00\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n£11,500.00\r\n£452,496.00\r\n£1,249,176.00\r\n£64,497.00\r\n£120,978.00\r\nDundee City\r\n£360,871.50\r\n£75,392.00\r\n£273,544.00\r\n£367,210.00\r\n£37,996.00\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n£608,231.00\r\n£325,827.00\r\n£24,307.00\r\n£389,788.00\r\n£34,895.00\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n£222,772.00\r\n£8,000.00\r\n£14,111.00\r\n£58,073.00\r\n£526,846.00\r\nEast Lothian\r\n£56,639.00\r\n£783,930.00\r\n£136,387.00\r\n£241,026.00\r\n£159,041.00\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n£50,513.00\r\n£398,985.00\r\n£120,983.00\r\n£10,500.00\r\n£51,398.00\r\nEdinburgh City\r\n£243,110.00\r\n£376,933.50\r\n£1,207,299.40\r\n£354,729.00\r\n*£336,413.00\r\nFalkirk\r\n£21,043.00\r\n£115,300.00\r\n£345,855.00\r\n£542,745.00\r\n£389,858.00\r\nFife\r\n£58,400.96\r\n£714,159.00\r\n£737,885.00\r\n£876,386.00\r\n£1,443,802.00\r\nGlasgow City\r\n£495,575.00\r\n£755,559.00\r\n£490,437.00\r\n£1,111,740.00\r\n£144,889.00\r\nHighland\r\n£399,354.00\r\n£693,641.00\r\n£424,163.00\r\n£753,270.00\r\n£1,262,268.00\r\nInverclyde\r\n£65,850.00\r\n£268,486.00\r\n£45,674.00\r\n£97,960.00\r\n£9,480.00\r\nMidlothian\r\n£925.00\r\n£10,100.00\r\n£200,565.00\r\n£83,579.00\r\n£0.00\r\nMoray\r\n£11,803.00\r\n£85,414.00\r\n£24,103.00\r\n£153,911.00\r\n£287,433.00\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n£576,108.00\r\n£881,771.90\r\n£126,561.00\r\n£820,870.00\r\n*£40,211.00\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n£427,000.00\r\n£903,843.00\r\n£674,204.00\r\n£47,278.00\r\n£364,397.00\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n£140,250.00\r\n£186,620.00\r\n£22,300.00\r\n£67,250.00\r\n£2,330.00\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n£146,225.00\r\n£297,532.00\r\n£1,213,238.00\r\n£421,952.00\r\n£288,115.00\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n£1,017,500.00\r\n£16,014.00\r\n£52,326.00\r\n£398,583.00\r\n£393,547.00\r\nScottish Borders\r\n£327,855.00\r\n£822,053.00\r\n£305,379.00\r\n£210,939.00\r\n£734,752.00\r\nShetland Islands\r\n£2,000.00\r\n£282,470.00\r\n£125,852.00\r\n£11,820.00\r\n£522,149.00\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n£146,525.00\r\n£77,175.00\r\n£401,255.00\r\n£134,915.00\r\n£515,447.00\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n£246,337.89\r\n£265,499.00\r\n£628,401.30\r\n£334,369.00\r\n£708,118.00\r\nStirling\r\n£131,272.00\r\n£375,510.00\r\n£344,039.00\r\n£437,873.00\r\n£93,632.00\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n£33,878.00\r\n£439,670.00\r\n£73,211.00\r\n£18,500.00\r\n£269,751.00\r\nWest Lothian\r\n£475,336.00\r\n£312,242.00\r\n£367,484.00\r\n£380,915.00\r\n£340,172.00\r\nWestern Isles\r\n£538,417.00\r\n£215,278.00\r\n£36,400.00\r\n£107,020.00\r\n£12,859.00\r\n*Excludes the £24 million for the development of the National Performance Centre for Sport (Edinburgh City) and £6 million allocated for the development of the National Para-sports Centre (North Ayrshire)","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315101,"EventID":"S5W-02207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:20.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to set up a new entrants scheme for fishermen.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to taking steps to encourage new entrants into the fishing industry. The Government expects to make an announcement about its quota allocation policy in the coming months, which will include new steps to pursue this objective.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315102,"EventID":"S5W-02209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:22.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with organisations relating to the repatriation of the seafish levy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with the other UK Fisheries administrations with the aim of giving Scotland a greater say on how levy raised in Scotland is used. In addition to these on-going discussions, meetings have also been held with Seafish.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315103,"EventID":"S5W-02211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:23.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made toward the implementation of its first national marine plan.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s first National Marine Plan was adopted in March 2015. The plan provides a framework for planning and regulatory decisions affecting the marine environment. Implementation has therefore focussed on raising awareness of the plan’s policies and monitoring their impact on licensing decisions. We have also undertaken a series of activities to inform relevant authorities of their obligations. These activities have included attendance at relevant conferences and training events; consideration of material submitted to the Scottish Government Development plan gateway; publication of Planning Circular 1/2015 on the relationship between statutory land use planning system and marine planning and licencing; supporting the development of regional marine planning; and publication of guidance material on National Marine plan online - http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/seamanagement/national. Information on implementation will be fed into the review of the plan in 2018.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315104,"EventID":"S5W-02216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:24.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its commitment at page 26 of the SNP manifesto, how it will encourage local authorities to procure Scottish produce.","AnswerText":"The public sector in Scotland has made good progress increasing their sourcing of Scottish produce through their catering contracts with an estimated 40% increase since 2007. We are now in discussion with local authorities, and other parts of the public sector, to agree how we can work together to increase this further, including through the proposed joint industry/public sector taskforce. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315105,"EventID":"S5W-02218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:25.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the details of its plans to revisit the health and nutrition legislative framework for school meals referred to at page 26 of the SNP manifesto.","AnswerText":"We plan to share details with stakeholders as early in the process as possible. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315106,"EventID":"S5W-02213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:27.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will put in place the £5 million fund to promote island and regional food and drink brands referred to on page 26 of the 2016 SNP manifesto.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to continuing to support the food and drink industry, which has achieved great success in recent years. We are considering options of how to target the £5 million investment fund so that it has the greatest impact in supporting the growth of the Scottish food and drink sector and support of rural communities, and will set out our plans by spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315107,"EventID":"S5W-02214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:28.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its commitment at page 26 of the SNP manifesto, what plans it has to increase the supply and demand for organic food.","AnswerText":"We are working closely with a range of stakeholders to take forward the actions contained within ‘Organic Ambitions’, Scotland’s Next Organic Action Plan, that was published in January 2016. As part of this, we recently launched the new Organic Ambitions Fund to support the delivery of the plan and, specifically, to strengthen the organic supply chain and increase the demand for organic food.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315108,"EventID":"S5W-02192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:29.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T09:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the refreshed National Standards of Community Engagement will be published; which body will be responsible for monitoring compliance with them, and what information it has regarding (a) whether adherence to these will be made a condition of funding for large projects and (b) what sanctions could be imposed on public bodies that fail to follow these, including (i) whether this could include the withholding of national funding and (ii) what course of action will be open to communities affected by any such failure.","AnswerText":"We expect the refreshed National Standards for Community Engagement to be published in late September 2016. The National Standards are a practical tool to help improve the experience of all participants involved in community engagement. The National Standards are not compulsory and as such there is no body responsible for monitoring compliance. There is also no current policy intention to make adherence to the National Standards a necessary condition of funding for large projects.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315109,"EventID":"S5W-02199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:30.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T09:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has met Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding the local authority’s reported failure to comply with National Standards of Community Engagement regarding the proposals for the Whitesands’ flood prevention scheme.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials are in regular contact with Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding the proposed Flood Protection Scheme for the Whitesands in Dumfries, and I understand that the Council has carried out several public engagement exercises around the development of the proposed Scheme. The Scottish Government encourages all public sector bodies to engage effectively with communities about decisions that affect them, and has provided the National Standards for community engagement as a tool to help bodies develop their own practice. They are not compulsory. Councils are independent organisations accountable to their own electorate, and it is for them to determine how to conduct appropriate consultation and engagement for particular projects. \r\nHowever, there is a formal statutory process which leads to confirmation of a flood protection scheme. Once Dumfries and Galloway Council has started this process, it will provide another opportunity for people to lodge objections to the proposals, which the council will then be obliged to seek to address.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315110,"EventID":"S5W-02210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:31.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will designate the Haaf Net fishery as a historic fishery.","AnswerText":"As the Programme for Government made clear, we will continue discussions about the designation of the Haaf Net fishery on the River Annan. It is anticipated that any future legislative provisions required to deliver this commitment would be included within the planned Wild Fisheries Bill.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315111,"EventID":"S5W-02217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:32.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the details of its plans to increase access to land for food growing purposes referred to at page 26 of the SNP manifesto.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government anticipates that, once brought into force, Part nine of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 will give communities more access to land for food growing purposes. Part nine introduces new duties on local authorities which will increase transparency around the actions they take to provide allotments and growing spaces in their area and limits waiting times for an allotment.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315112,"EventID":"S5W-02000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:34.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-17T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason The Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme 2016 Report records that 22 out of 29 hospitals did not achieve the 90% stroke unit standard, and what action it is taking to (a) address this and (b) improve equality in access to care across all NHS boards.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's Stroke Improvement Plan (2014) sets out actions and priorities which aim to improve the experience and clinical outcomes for patients living with stroke across Scotland by supporting the community to adopt a seamless approach to the delivery of care across the recognised pathway for stroke for all patients regardless of where they live or are treated in Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Stroke Improvement Plan Lead and Scottish Stroke Care Audit (SSCA) National Clinical Coordinator continue to work closely with each Health board’s stroke Managed Clinical Network (MCN) to ensure that the key priorities from the Stroke Improvement Plan and the Scottish Stroke Care Standards are implemented and monitored. This involves supporting the MCN in taking forward improvements through coaching and developing mechanisms for improving local services. The Improvement Plan Lead and SSCA Coordinator visit all Health boards at least once per year facilitating a formal Health board Annual Review Meeting to assess performance, discuss where standards are not being met and formulate an improvement plan with clearly identified actions where necessary. Data is reviewed six monthly and where necessary, a walkthrough of the patient pathway is conducted to identify areas where improvements in care can be made.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315113,"EventID":"S5W-02002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:34.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-17T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Scottish Stroke Care Audit was renamed as the Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Stroke Care Audit (SSCA) is managed by Information and Statistics Division (ISD) Scotland under that name. The Scottish Stroke Care Audit Annual Report was renamed as the Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme Report to reflect the inclusion of reporting on the quality improvement priorities in the Stroke Improvement Plan (2014) in addition to the stroke data measured against the Scottish Stroke Standards. Reporting on the actions in the Stroke Improvement Plan are closely monitored by the National Advisory Committee for Stroke.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315114,"EventID":"S5W-02191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:35.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the sport and legacy budget line is for (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17, also broken down by spend area.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer for question S5W-02189 on 21 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315115,"EventID":"S5W-02200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:36.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are employed (a) full-time and (b) part-time by NHS as (i) audiologists, (ii) cardiac physiologists, (iii) gastro-intestinal physiologists, (iv) neurophysiologists, (v) respiratory physiologists and (vi) sleep physiologists. ","AnswerText":"Information on the Healthcare Science clinical group, which these staff work within, is not held by ISD Scotland at this level of detail. However, the latest published ISD Scotland statistics show that the total number of full-time Healthcare Science staff has increased by 3.6 per cent under this Government, to 4,428.0 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE). The total number of part-time Healthcare Science staff has increased by 16.3 per cent under this Government, to 1,019.5 WTE.\r\nFurther information on the latest published Healthcare Science staff in post figures can be found in the data tables of the Workforce Statistics website at:- https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2016-09-06/HCS_Staff_J2016.xls\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315116,"EventID":"S5W-02202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-29T15:30:38.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to secure a fair share of the red meat levy.","AnswerText":"After taking up my position of Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy I wrote to the Defra Minister of State, George Eustice in June 2016 asking if he agreed in principle to the repatriation of the levy. I also confirmed that I was in favour of moving ahead with the Levy Body Forum proposal, and urged that we should now move forward rapidly with a legislative measure that gives full effect to the Forum's solution to this long standing issue, in particular to identify a primary legislative vehicle which can achieve the repatriation. Mr Eustice recently replied to this letter and we are to meet to discuss this along with other important areas of work. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315134,"EventID":"S5W-02229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-30T15:38:30.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T15:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is the First Minister’s intention to publish a new edition of the Scottish Ministerial Code.","AnswerText":"In line with the convention that the Scottish Ministerial Code is revised both at the commencement of each new Parliamentary term and following the appointment of a new First Minister, the 2016 edition will be published today. The Code, which was last revised in June 2015, provides a code of conduct and guidance on procedures for members of the Scottish Government and Junior Scottish Ministers. A copy of the 2016 edition of the Scottish Ministerial Code may be found on the Scottish Government’s website at: www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/684. As well as some minor updates the revised code now provides that Parliamentary Liaison Officers may not serve on the Parliamentary Committee which scrutinises the Cabinet Secretary to whom they are appointed. ","AnswerDate":"2016-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315135,"EventID":"S5W-02224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-30T15:39:47.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T16:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02020 by Humza Yousaf on 15 September 2016, how much it has provided to each local authority to retrofit their vehicles.","AnswerText":"The funding provided is shown in the following table. Funding is provided at 30% of the total cost and is only available for retrofitting equipment that has been independently tested and conforms to specified air pollutant emissions standards. Although funding remains available for this purpose, local authorities have prioritised other actions for improving local air quality in recent years, thus there have been no recent requests for funding.\r\n2009-10\r\n£\r\nAberdeen\r\n70,278\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n35,139\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n37,240\r\nDundee\r\n44,024\r\nEdinburgh\r\n4,350\r\n2010-11\r\n£\r\nDundee\r\n42,372\r\nEdinburgh\r\n177,198\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n47,500\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315136,"EventID":"S5W-02176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-30T15:39:48.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-26T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the ruling by the Court of Session to quash the ministers’ planning appeal on the proposed expansion plans of Mossend Railfreight Terminal, whether it plans to (a) continue to uphold the appeal of the applicant and, if so, whether it will appoint a new reporter, (b) launch an inquiry into the reasons ministers overruled the reporter and (c) publish all of the minutes and notes of its meetings involving (i) ministers, (ii) MSPs, (iii) officials and (iv) the reporter relating to this planning matter.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers note the court’s opinion and will carefully consider its implications. It would not therefore be appropriate to comment on the merits of the court’s decision or any planning application that may come before Ministers in the future.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315137,"EventID":"S5W-02223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-30T15:39:49.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any fisheries legislation introduced in 2015-16 will affect net and coble fishing and, if so, which.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government introduced the following regulations which may affect net and coble fishing depending on the categorisation of the conservation status:\r\nThe Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) Regulations 2016 prohibits the killing of wild salmon within in-land waters in areas below a defined conservation limit. Salmon stocks are managed on annual basis according to their conservation status e.g. the retention of salmon is permitted in category one and two area (where the probability of the stock meeting its conservation limit is above 60%) and introduces mandatory catch and release in category three areas (where the corresponding figure is less than 60%).\r\nThe Salmon Carcass Tagging (Scotland) Regulations 2016 introduce provision any net caught salmon in-river to be carcass tagged – tags can only be issued to net fisheries operating in category one and two areas; and \r\nAn extension to the close time was brought into force across Scotland in 2015 ensuring that any salmon caught prior to 1 April (and 1st May 2016 in the Esk district) each year must be released. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315138,"EventID":"S5W-02222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-30T15:39:50.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many kill licences for fishing have been issued in Dumfries and Galloway since January 2016.","AnswerText":"None. \r\nThe Scottish Government has not introduced kill licences for salmon fishing. Marine Scotland consulted on such a proposal in 2015 but following extensive stakeholder engagement elected to introduce conservation limits instead. This was introduced through the Conservation of Salmon Regulations (Scotland) 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315139,"EventID":"S5W-02225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-30T15:39:50.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the case for a new Moray sports centre and what (a) practical and (b) financial assistance it can provide toward this.","AnswerText":"I understand sport Scotland are processing a funding application for a new Moray sports centre. As well as providing advice on funding, sport Scotland are supporting the applicant in the design and potential use of this facility.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315161,"EventID":"S5W-02252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T10:34:17.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the priorities and objectives for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) will be set over the next few years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (Framework) Order 2016 will be laid in Parliament on 5 September 2016. This Order will bring the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2016, which was published on the Scottish Government’s website today, into effect from 4 October 2016. \r\nThe Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2016 sets out the priorities and objectives for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) going forward. The Framework is structured around protecting communities in terms of risk, prevention and response; the evolving role of the SFRS; and the governance, accountability and performance arrangements for the Service.\r\nIt is now for the SFRS to set out in its second Strategic Plan how it will deliver the priorities identified in the Framework.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315162,"EventID":"S5O-00091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:43.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T09:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Scotland’s onshore revenue compares with the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315163,"EventID":"S5O-00092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:44.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution has had with Colleges Scotland and Universities Scotland regarding the forthcoming spending review. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315164,"EventID":"S5O-00093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:45.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution last met the Treasury and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315165,"EventID":"S5O-00094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:46.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in implementing the recommendations of the Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services, which was chaired by Campbell Christie, calling for the prioritisation of preventative spend and an outcomes focus in delivering more effective and efficient public services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315166,"EventID":"S5O-00095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:47.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Scotland's deficit is, both as a percentage of GDP and in cash terms, according to the latest GERS figures. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315167,"EventID":"S5O-00096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:48.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T00:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact its spending plans for 2016-17 will have on Glasgow and Renfrewshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315168,"EventID":"S5O-00097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:48.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking in light of recent GERS figures to ensure that Scotland’s deficit does not increase further.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315169,"EventID":"S5O-00098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:49.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution last met MG Alba to discuss funding for Gaelic broadcasting.","AnswerText":"I met Neil Graham, Director of Finance and Operations at MG Alba on 10 August 2016. We discussed a wide range of matters about MG Albas operations and this included the matter of funding. I am also aware MG Alba has met other Cabinet Secretaries.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315170,"EventID":"S5O-00099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:50.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact would be on Scottish tax revenues of leaving the EU.","AnswerText":"On 23 August 2016 the Scottish Government published analysis showing that if Scotland is taken out of the EU there is a significant risk to Scottish tax revenues. \r\nFigures based on a range of UK level studies suggest that Scottish tax revenues could be between £1.7 billion and £3.7 billion lower a year by 2030 than if Brexit did not occur. That is equivalent to cutting the budget overseen by the Scottish Parliament by between 6% and 13%. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315171,"EventID":"S5O-00100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:51.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact withdrawal from the EU single market could have on Scotland's public finances.","AnswerText":"The Member will be familiar with the paper published last month by the Scottish Government’s Office of the Chief Economic Adviser, which summarised the potential impact that leaving the EU could have on Scotland’s GDP and public spending based on recent studies. For example, Treasury analysis suggests that by 2030 funding for public services could be between £20 billion and £43 billion a year lower under Brexit compared to circumstances where the UK remained in EU. \r\nLooking at direct funding flows, EU funding benefits Scotland significantly, supporting jobs, delivering infrastructure and providing valuable support for the farming and fishing industries. This should have benefited Scotland to the tune of over £5 billion over the life of the current EU budget round (2014-2020) but this is now at significant risk due to the UK Government’s unwillingness to guarantee continuity for all funds.\r\nWhilst the arrangements announced by the Chancellor on 13 August 2016 are to be welcomed, this still leaves around £750 million of funding that remains at risk. It puts at risk significant investment and jobs, revealing the reality of Brexit and demonstrates that the best way to guarantee the jobs, investment, services and projects all over the country which depend on this funding beyond 2020 is by maintaining Scotland's relationship with the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315172,"EventID":"S5O-00101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:52.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support the Moray economy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315173,"EventID":"S5O-00102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:53.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T18:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage employers to pay the living wage and provide secure employment.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315174,"EventID":"S5O-00103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:54.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T16:12:25.523","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Fair Work Framework fits into the recently published labour market strategy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315175,"EventID":"S5O-00104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:55.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish guidance on the implementation of the apprenticeship levy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315176,"EventID":"S5O-00105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:57.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it and its agencies are taking to promote Eurocentral at Newhouse as a place for business and innovation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315177,"EventID":"S5O-00106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:57.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in implementing the recommendations in the Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce final report.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315178,"EventID":"S5O-00107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5669,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:59.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support the establishment of Orkney as a centre for excellence or living laboratory in relation to energy storage and transformation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315179,"EventID":"S5O-00108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:58:59.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the Department for International Trade's recently published figures on inward investment in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and its enterprise agencies continually analyse inward investment data, including data from the Department of International Trade. \r\nWe also engage with existing and potential investors to understand and respond to their needs and priorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315180,"EventID":"S5O-00109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:59:01.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with SSE regarding the possibility of fibre being laid as part of planned work to upgrade sub-sea cabling in Orkney.","AnswerText":"I recognise and welcome Mr McArthur’s sustained interest in this issue. Scottish Government officials have had preliminary discussions with SSE on this subject, with further talks planned in the coming weeks. I have asked to be kept updated on progress, and I hope that a positive conclusion can be reached and that any such opportunities are taken forward where possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315181,"EventID":"S5O-00110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:59:02.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the strategic market labour group will be established. ","AnswerText":"The establishment of the new Strategic Labour Market Group was announced as part of the Labour Market Strategy, published on 26 August 206. This group will be established as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315182,"EventID":"S5O-00111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:59:03.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that its proposals on changes to council tax comply with its treaty obligations under the European Charter of Local Self-Government.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315183,"EventID":"S5O-00112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:59:04.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Trussell Trust opening its 50th foodbank in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315184,"EventID":"S5O-00113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:59:05.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it contributes to international development.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315185,"EventID":"S5O-00114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:59:06.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on the creation of new national parks and what consideration it has given to creating one in Galloway.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315186,"EventID":"S5O-00115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:59:07.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T16:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take action to prevent NHS Lanarkshire from closing trauma and inpatient orthopaedic services at Monklands Hospital.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315187,"EventID":"S5O-00116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5591,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:59:07.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T14:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to Highland Games.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315188,"EventID":"S5O-00117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:59:08.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the expected completion date is for the upgrading of the junction of the A937 with the A90 at Laurencekirk.","AnswerText":"As announced yesterday, Transport Scotland has now appointed a design consultant to take forward the next phases of design for the Laurencekirk junction upgrade including the identification of a preferred junction option, and preparation of draft road orders. Delivery of the scheme itself can only commence when the scheme is approved under the statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for construction can be determined.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315189,"EventID":"S5O-00118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:59:09.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how sport can help improve health, education and wellbeing.","AnswerText":"There is clear evidence to show the value of sport and physical activity in improving physical and mental health. That is why we are committed to getting more people more active, more often. But we also know that being active improves education outcomes. A recent study by researchers at Strathclyde and Dundee Universities has shown a clear link between increased exercise and improved exam success in English, Maths and Science.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315190,"EventID":"S5O-00119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:59:10.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the impact will be on Scotland's universities of the UK Government's decision to limit the new post-study work visa pilot scheme to graduates of Imperial College London and the universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Bath.","AnswerText":"The Tier four pilot scheme falls far short of our calls for a post study work visa and I am deeply troubled that this was introduced without any consultation with the Scottish Government or Scottish institutions. And I know that Scotland’s institutions share my concern about the precedent this sets for future changes.\r\nUniversities Scotland has estimated that Scotland has lost out on at least £254 million of revenue since 2012 as a direct result of the closure of the Tier one post-study work visa. I welcome former First Minister Jack McConnell’s recent comments on this issue and share his concern that Scotland is losing out on the talents of graduates who could make a real contribution to our economic and social well-being.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315191,"EventID":"S5O-00120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T13:59:11.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T14:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent figures suggesting that the number of drug-related deaths is at a record level, what action it is taking to tackle drug dependency. ","AnswerText":"Each and every one of the drug related deaths in Scotland is tragic. We are continuing to tackle the devastating impact that drugs have for individuals, families and communities, and making recovery a reality, through our national drugs strategy, the Road to Recovery. The Scottish Government is continuing to invest significant resources to support this strategy and to tackle problem alcohol and drug use, having provided £630 million since 2008.\r\nWhilst drug taking among the general population is falling and the number of young people taking drugs is at the lowest in a decade, we remain determined to tackle problem use. With our partners, we are engaged in a range of activities to reduce the harm caused by problem drug use, both in understanding the problem, supporting innovation in services and examining alternative approaches.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315193,"EventID":"S5W-02261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:01:11.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes have been made to parliamentary liaison officer appointments following changes to the Ministerial Code.","AnswerText":"The First Minister has made changes to the appointed parliamentary liaison officers (PLOs) following the recent update of the Ministerial code. The revised list of PLOs are set out in the following table. PLOs will assist in developing and maintaining a positive and constructive relationship between the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government. PLOs are unpaid, are not members of the government and are not, therefore, bound by collective responsibility.\r\n\r\nParliamentary Liaison Officer\r\nPortfolio\r\nBen Macpherson MSP\r\nGail Ross MSP\r\nOffice of the First Minister\r\nMairi Evans MSP\r\nCommunities, Social Security and Equalities\r\nAsh Denham MSP\r\nCulture, Tourism and External Affairs\r\nIvan McKee MSP\r\nEconomy, Jobs and Fair Work \r\nJenny Gilruth MSP\r\nEducation and Skills\r\nGillian Martin MSP\r\nEnvironment, Climate Change and Land Reform\r\nKate Forbes MSP\r\nFinance and Constitution\r\nFulton MacGregor MSP\r\nHealth and Sport\r\nTom Arthur MSP\r\nJustice\r\nEmma Harper MSP\r\nRural Economy and Connectivity\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315194,"EventID":"S5W-02237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:16:55.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01402 by Michael Matheson on 9 August 2016, for what reason the answer did not address steps to \"inform and engage the public regarding the use of armed police.\"","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02233 on 28 September 2016 which is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315195,"EventID":"S5W-02239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:16:57.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 27 January 2016, Common Land to be reviewed, what progress it is making with the review of the Division of Commonties Act 1695, and what discussions it has had with the Scottish Law Commission regarding the matter.","AnswerText":"Following a request by the Scottish Government, the Scottish Law Commission has agreed to consider the Division of Commonties Act 1695 as part of its next tranche of statute law repeals work. General information on the statute law repeals work is on the Commission’s website at: http://www.scotlawcom.gov.uk/law-reform/law-reform-projects/joint-projects/statute-law-repeals/. In line with the Commission’s normal practice, the Commission will undertake research and then consult formally on the repeal proposal. I have asked the Commission to ensure that when it sends out its consultation covering the 1695 Act it includes the member as one of the people receiving the consultation.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315196,"EventID":"S5W-02254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:16:58.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it can take to encourage alternative finance provision, including the promotion of community development finance initiatives, credit unions and peer-to-peer lending, for low income consumers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is keen to encourage alternative finance provision, with a range of models designed to suit the circumstances of individuals as part of our wider approach to tackling financial exclusion and creating a fairer Scotland. \r\nWe welcome the work of others in this area, including the Carnegie UK Trust which published ‘Gateway to Affordable Credit – The Report of the Affordable Credit Action Group’ earlier in 2016. The report examined the challenges faced by Scotland’s credit unions and Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) and set out recommendations to help grow not-for-profit alternative finance providers.\r\nWe have also supported credit unions in recognition of their role in tackling financial exclusion; and in providing financial services and products to a wide range of customers. The report of the Credit Union Working Group “Scotland’s Credit Unions: Investing in Our Future” was published on 10 February 2016 (http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00493888.pdf). One of the recommendations related to increasing the number of sustainable, junior savers schemes in partnership with schools across Scotland. I recently announced how a £300,000 fund to support Junior Savers Schemes will be disbursed in 2016-17.\r\nThere are already three CDFIs in Scotland: DSL Finance; Social Investment Scotland; and Scotcash, and discussions have taken place with the Community Development Finance Association to consider how the CDFI model might be developed here.\r\nLastly, Accountant in Bankruptcy operates a Scottish Financial Health Service website (https://www.scotlandsfinancialhealthservice.gov.uk/). This contains links to a range of organisations who offer information and advice on debt, managing money, housing, homelessness and ethical lending.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315197,"EventID":"S5W-02256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:16:58.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to tackle gender inequality of opportunity in the workplace.","AnswerText":"Creating a fairer workplace is essential to a sustained, long-term prosperous economy. Scotland’s labour market strategy launched on 26 August 2016, sets out a vision for a strong labour market where fair work drives inclusive, sustainable economic growth and is central to improving the lives of individuals and their families.\r\nThis government is driving forward a range of activity to tackle gender inequality in the workplace including:\r\nWe appointed an independent Fair Work Convention which published its Fair Work Framework 2016 on 21 March 2016. The framework recognises Fair Work as work which offers: Security, Opportunity, Fulfilment, Respect and Effective Voice. The programme for government reinforces our commitment of up to £500,000 to support the Fair Work Convention to embed their framework in workplaces across Scotland.\r\nEnsuring greater pay transparency by lowering the threshold for listed public authorities to publish their gender pay gap and equal pay statements, from those with more than 150 employees to those with more than 20. \r\nPromoting the 'Partnership for Change' initiative, a key Scottish Government policy aimed at improving the percentage of women and other under-represented groups in the boardroom in Scotland.\r\nEncouraging employers to support payment of the real Living Wage by signing up to the Scottish Business Pledge or achieving Living Wage accreditation.\r\nAs part of our 2016-17 budget we are investing a further £250 million per year through health and social care partnerships, to protect and grow social care services. It will allow councils to commission care from the independent and voluntary sectors on the basis that people are being paid £8.25 an hour – giving up to 40,000 care workers, mainly women, doing some of the most valuable work in Scotland a pay rise.\r\nWe are working with the Equality and Human Rights Commission to tackle pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace and the Minister for Employability and Training will chair a working group whose remit will include creating guidelines for employers to ensure best practice, as well as improving access to guidance for pregnant women and new mothers.\r\nWe have committed to abolishing fees for employment tribunals to improve women's access to justice, when we are clear on how the transfer of powers and responsibilities will work.\r\nWe will develop a Workplace Equality Fund to support equality groups including women, where the labour market does not provide good outcomes.\r\nWe are providing £205,000 to 'Close the Gap' in 2016-17, a partnership initiative working across Scotland with employers and employees, to encourage and enable action to address the gender pay gap. It works strategically with employers, employees and policymakers to encourage and enable action to narrow the gender pay gap by reducing horizontal and vertical occupational segregation, reducing discrimination embedded within pay systems and increasing flexible working opportunities. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315198,"EventID":"S5W-02238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:16:59.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01402 by Michael Matheson on 9 August 2016, what steps are being taken to inform and engage the public regarding the use of armed police.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02233 on 28 September 2016 which is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315199,"EventID":"S5W-02253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:01.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with the UK Government, regulators, consumer organisations, charities and other stakeholders to reduce the impact of the poverty premium on low income consumers.","AnswerText":"The poverty premium was raised as an issue of particular concern by many people during our Fairer Scotland discussions last year. We will shortly be publishing our Fairer Scotland Action Plan which will respond to this and other key issues that were raised during that discussion.\r\nUnder the Scotland Act 2016, the Scottish Government has taken on responsibility for consumer advocacy and advice. It is working with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that consumer advocacy and advice improves outcomes for consumers in Scotland, including those where the poverty premium applies, such as energy, where vulnerable consumers are supported by the Extra Help Unit. The Scottish Government will also be undertaking a survey to establish the extent of switching and the barriers that consumers face, and use the results to identify the characteristics of different types of switchers, such as those on low incomes, with the aim of developing targeted policy interventions.\r\nWe are determined to tackle fuel poverty. An independently chaired Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group is currently considering a range of issues such as how we ensure those who most need help get it. In the meantime, of our £113 million fuel poverty budget allocation for 2016-17, around 70% is targeted via grants at the poorest households in Scotland to make their homes warmer and cheaper to heat. The remaining 30% is allocated to advice and support for all consumers and loans to help those able to pay to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. We are satisfied that the majority of our HEEPS programme is aimed at those who are subject to the poverty premium. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315200,"EventID":"S5W-02255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:02.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it can take to ensure that people without internet access are empowered to be active consumers and use online tools, such as comparison websites, to ensure that they are finding the best deals for essential goods and services.","AnswerText":"Since measurement began in 2007, the percentage of people in Scotland using the internet has steadily increased by over 19%. 82% of citizens are now online and reaping the economic, social and cultural benefits that the internet can bring them. \r\nRecent research has confirmed that households on average can save between £500 and £750 a year by being online, but Scottish Government appreciate that not everyone has access to a computer at home or the skills and confidence to use it. \r\nThe Scottish Government has provided funding for 486 public libraries in Scotland to be fitted with free Wi-Fi and trained members of staff to ensure those individuals who need support and encouragement to use online tools have a local, trusted community hub available to them.\r\nIn addition, there are a number of free open access points available for citizens across Glasgow. In 2016, the Scottish Government provided £110,000 of funding to help refurbish, increase and grow the effectiveness of the 35 community 'click and connect centres' which are operated by the Wheatley Group. \r\nWe are working in partnership with organisations across private, public and third sector ensure those isolated in the community have access to affordable broadband, and to raise the profile of the help and support that is available to get people online so that everyone can enjoy the benefits that the internet can bring.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315201,"EventID":"S5W-02257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:03.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent reports of a gender pay gap in Scotland of 29.9%, what steps it is taking to reduce this. ","AnswerText":"We do not recognise the figures quoted. The long-term trends in relation to the gender pay gap in Scotland are positive. The official source of UK earnings estimates is the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), 2015. ASHE provides evidence to support policy making in a variety of areas including: low pay; the gender pay gap, and regional economic analysis. ASHE data is published annually and is based on a 1% sample of the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system. The most recent estimates of gender pay gap sourced from the ASHE data (based on median hourly earnings excluding overtime) show that both the full time pay gap and overall pay gap (full and part-time) have narrowed considerably in Scotland since 1999 - the full-time pay gap from 16.7% in 1999 to 7.3% in 2015 and the overall pay gap from 24.6% in 1999 to 16.8% in 2015. However, there is clearly still more to do, and we are working hard to address the complex drivers and causes of the pay gap. We are providing £205,000 in funding to the 'Close the Gap' partnership in 2016-17, to encourage and work with employers to enable actions to address the gender pay gap. Under the programme for government we have committed to almost double the level of free childcare for three and four year olds by 2020; we actively promote the living wage because we know that women are disproportionately likely to be in low paid jobs, we have brought more transparency to pay issues by lowering the threshold for public authorities in Scotland to publish their pay gap. We also support fair work practices, including flexible working, which can be crucial in helping women and men combine career development with family responsibilities.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315202,"EventID":"S5W-02231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:04.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T16:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to meeting the cost of membership registration for support workers in care at home and housing support services who are required to register with the Scottish Social Services Council from 2017.","AnswerText":"The responsibility of individual registered workers to pay their registration fees has been in place since registration first started in 2003 and we have no plans to change this. Scottish Government does however contribute towards meeting the costs involved in the registration, regulation and development of the social services workforce through grant in aid provided to the Scottish Social Services Council.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315203,"EventID":"S5W-02232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:05.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it will put in place for support workers in care at home and housing support services who, from 2017, are required to register with the Scottish Social Services Council.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of individual registered workers to pay their registration fees and of their employers to support them to develop the skills needed for their roles. The Scottish Government is providing resource to enable delivery of the living wage commitment which will directly support care workers for adults in care at home and housing support settings.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315204,"EventID":"S5W-02245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:06.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all criminal convictions are a matter of public record and, if so, how the public can access full details of these, including with regard to sentencing and the charges that led to the conviction.","AnswerText":"Our criminal courts are open courts with access available to the public and the media to observe court proceedings. The only exceptions to this rule relate to where the court rules that restrictions on reporting should operate and/or where the law expressly provides that the privacy of some/all participants in the proceedings should be protected. The Data Protection Act 1998, which is UK Parliament legislation, provides the general legal framework in relation to the processing of data held about living individuals. This includes information relating to a person’s criminal convictions, sentencing arising from convictions and charges that led to convictions.\r\nIn addition, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, individuals do not have to disclose certain convictions once a specified period of time has elapsed. All authorities that have records of conviction information are required to adhere to the law including the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.\r\nAll criminal case information preserved with the National Records of Scotland will ultimately become publically available at the point at which access would not be prejudicial to the interests of any living person named in the records. In relation to those directly involved in a case, the Scottish Government has legislated, through the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014, to establish new rights for victims and witnesses to access certain information about their case – including details of the charges libeled against a person and the final decision of a court in a trial. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315205,"EventID":"S5W-02246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:07.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes have been made to the application criteria for the Transition Training Fund since February 2016.","AnswerText":"The downturn in the oil and gas sector presents a unique set of challenges given the diverse skills and company base that have been affected. The Transition Training Fund has been designed to be a flexible and dynamic response to these challenges as they emerge.\r\nThis was clearly demonstrated by the previous Energy Minister, announcing in the parliamentary chamber on 10 March 2016, a change to the Transition Training Fund criteria, clearly stating that funding was no longer dependent on individuals securing a job outcome.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315206,"EventID":"S5W-02247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:09.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications to the Transition Training Fund have been (a) received, (b) approved and (c) rejected in each month since February 2016, also broken down by the grounds for rejection.","AnswerText":"The latest figures from the Transition Training Fund show that more than 500 people have had applications approved from the fund, with more than 650 applications currently being processed. This number I expected to increase substantially.\r\nThe numbers of applications to the Transition Training Fund that have been a) received, b) approved and c) rejected in each month since February 2016 are detailed in the following tables:\r\na) applications received broken down by month\r\nApplications received\r\nCount of customers\r\nMar\r\n5\r\nApr\r\n22\r\nMay\r\n268\r\nJun\r\n341\r\nJul\r\n465\r\nAug\r\n388\r\nTotal\r\n1489\r\nSource: SDS\r\nb) applications approved broken down by month\r\nApplications approved\r\nCount of customers\r\nApr\r\n17\r\nMay\r\n52\r\nJun\r\n121\r\nJul\r\n149\r\nAug\r\n182\r\nTotal\r\n521\r\nSource SDS\r\nc) applications rejected broken down by month and grounds for non-approval\r\nGrounds for non-approval\r\nApr\r\nMay\r\nJun\r\nJul\r\nAug\r\ntotal\r\n\r\nApplicant Disengaged\r\n\r\n3\r\n17\r\n15\r\n53\r\n88\r\n\r\nApplicant Withdrew\r\n1\r\n3\r\n12\r\n39\r\n69\r\n124\r\n\r\nIneligible (evidence insufficient)\r\n1\r\n3\r\n21\r\n30\r\n41\r\n96\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n2\r\n9\r\n50\r\n84\r\n163\r\n308\r\n\r\nSource: SDS\r\nNotes:\r\n1 - Definitions of case criteria \r\nApplicant disengaged\r\n- Disengaged: An applicant has initially responded to an advisor, submitted limited or full details of training. This applicant subsequently disengages and cannot be contacted after three follow up attempts over a 30 working day period. Each follow-up is to include at least three attempted contacts via telephone. \r\n- Applicants can re-apply to the fund if they disengage\r\nApplicant Withdrew: \r\n- An applicant informs an advisor they wish to withdraw their application. \r\nIneligible \r\n- An applicant cannot provide evidence of meeting entry criteria to the fund.\r\nThe current entry criteria are:\r\nYou must be resident in Scotland \r\nYou have been made redundant or currently at risk of redundancy from the Oil and Gas Sector or its' supply chain \r\nYou have worked in the Oil and Gas sector or the supply chain as an employee or contractor \r\nYou must be able to show that the training will help you get a new job \r\nYou must be actively seeking employment \r\nApplicants can always re-apply following a non-approved application decision. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315207,"EventID":"S5W-02226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:10.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of correspondence each (a) minister and (b) cabinet secretary received (i) since May 2016 and (ii) from January to April 2016 (A) has not been answered, (B) received a holding response only and (C) received an initial holding response before being responded to in full.","AnswerText":"Cabinet Secretary/ Minister\r\nCorrespondence Received between 1 May and 31 August 2016\r\nTotal added to MACCS\r\nReply not yet issued (%)\r\nInterim Reply – no final reply issued (%)\r\nInterim Reply – Final reply issued (%)\r\nFirst Minister\r\n2439\r\n23.0\r\n0.4\r\n1.0\r\nDFM and Education and Skills\r\n674\r\n26.7\r\n3.3\r\n1.2\r\nFinance and Constitution\r\n129\r\n45.7\r\n1.5\r\n1.5\r\nEconomy, Jobs and Fair Work\r\n266\r\n29.7\r\n0.4\r\n1.9\r\nRural Economy and Connectivity\r\n351\r\n39.6\r\n1.1\r\n2.3\r\nEnvironment, Climate Change and Land Reform\r\n326\r\n28.5\r\n0.3\r\n1.5\r\nHealth and Sport\r\n879\r\n23.0\r\n0.1\r\n1.9\r\nJustice\r\n298\r\n34.6\r\n0.3\r\n2.3\r\nCulture, Tourism and External Affairs\r\n264\r\n31.4\r\n0.4\r\n0.7\r\nCommunities, Social Security and Equalities\r\n294\r\n20.7\r\n0.3\r\n0.3\r\nChildcare and Early Years\r\n99\r\n31.0\r\n2.0\r\n1.0\r\nFurther and Higher Education and Science\r\n81\r\n27.1\r\n0.0\r\n2.5\r\nParliamentary Business\r\n61\r\n8.2\r\n0.0\r\n1.6\r\nBusiness Innovation and Energy\r\n196\r\n47.4\r\n0.5\r\n1.5\r\nEmployability and Training\r\n89\r\n28.4\r\n0.0\r\n1.1\r\nTransport and Islands\r\n611\r\n19.9\r\n0.0\r\n0.8\r\nMental Health\r\n121\r\n28.1\r\n0.0\r\n0.8\r\nPublic Health and Sport\r\n179\r\n35.8\r\n0.0\r\n2.5\r\nCommunity Safety and Legal Affairs\r\n33\r\n39.4\r\n3.0\r\n0.0\r\nInternational Development and Europe\r\n90\r\n20.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nLocal Government and Housing\r\n272\r\n29.0\r\n0.0\r\n1.1\r\nSocial Security\r\n34\r\n64.7\r\n0.0\r\n2.9\r\nScottish Ministers (general)\r\n1723\r\n12.5\r\n0.3\r\n0.6\r\nAll\r\n9509\r\n24.2\r\n0.6\r\n1.1\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315208,"EventID":"S5W-02233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:12.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01402 by Michael Matheson on 9 August 2016, for what reason this did not address the matter of the remarks made on Radio Scotland on 12 July 2016.","AnswerText":"Since 12 July 2016, the Scottish Government has received one representation from a member of the Scottish Parliament only. Senior officials from the Scottish Government meet regularly with senior officers to discuss a range of issues including armed policing. I also meet regularly with the Chief Constable to discuss a range of issues, most recently on 7 September 2016.\r\nAs I said in my statement to Parliament on 16 June 2016 Police Scotland keeps its policy on the deployment of armed police officers under constant review. The Chief Constable is advised on armed policing by its armed policing monitoring group. The Scottish Government’s position continues to be that any future consideration by Police Scotland of any proposed change to the model of deployment should be subject to wide consultation by Police Scotland and take into account the views of the public, stakeholders and Parliament. The vast majority of Scotland’s police officers are not routinely armed and we have made an unequivocal commitment that that position will not change.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315209,"EventID":"S5W-02244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:13.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T19:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it has provided to (a) third sector organisations and (b) local authorities to conduct research to support the development of potential projects through the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance process.","AnswerText":"In the last eight years, the Scottish Government has provided in the region of £211,000 to a variety of organisations including Nestrans, Highland/North Ayrshire/Perth and Kinross Council and Glasgow Airport. The Scottish Government has also committed to contribute to funding through the Longannet Task Force and the Aberdeen City Region Deal.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315210,"EventID":"S5W-02258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:14.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made with its plans to require public authorities to publish their gender pay gap every two years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government introduced mandatory gender pay gap reporting for listed public authorities with more than 150 employees in 2012. The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 requires listed public authorities to publish information on the percentage difference among its employees between men’s average hourly pay (excluding overtime) and women’s average hourly pay (excluding overtime), every two years from April 2013.\r\nIn March 2016, the Scottish Government amended The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 to lower the threshold for listed public authorities to report their gender pay gap, from those with more than 150 employees to those with more than 20 employees. The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2016 came into force on 18 March 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315211,"EventID":"S5W-02227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:15.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many freedom of information requests it is dealing with, and what percentage of these has not been answered within 20 working days of receipt.","AnswerText":"The numbers of requests being dealt with by the Scottish Government vary from day to day as requests are received and answered. Information about the number of requests made to the Scottish Government, and how many were answered within 20 working days, is available from the FOI Annual Reports which are published on our website at: http://www.gov.scot/About/Information/FOI/Reporting.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315212,"EventID":"S5W-02234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:16.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01402 by Michael Matheson on 9 August 2016, whether it has reconsidered any aspect of its policy on armed policing since 12 July 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02233 on 28 September 2016 which is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315213,"EventID":"S5W-02236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:18.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01402 by Michael Matheson on 9 August 2016, whether it has received representations from any (a) MPs and (b) MSPs on armed policing since 12 July 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02233 on 28 September 2016 which is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315214,"EventID":"S5W-02259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:19.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the flooding that took place across Scotland during the 2015 festive period, what it is doing to encourage the implementation of preventative flood measures. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, local authorities, Scottish Water and others to deliver the flood risk management actions set out in the 14 Flood Risk Management Strategies published in December 2015. Taken together, the strategies form the first ever national flood risk management plan for Scotland. The strategies are supported by the 14 Local Flood Risk Management Plans which were published in June 2016. These local plans provide additional local detail on the funding and delivery timetable for actions between 2016 and 2021. The Scottish Government has reached agreement with COSLA on a ten year funding plan to deliver the actions set out in these plans, including 40 new flood protection schemes aimed at protecting around 10,000 properties across Scotland, and 134 flood protection studies to help find potential solutions for another 26,000 residential properties currently at risk. This agreement will give local authorities the certainty they need to deliver the actions set out in their Local Flood Risk Management Plans to help protect individuals, business and communities from the danger of flooding.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315215,"EventID":"S5W-02241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:20.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T18:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish or make available the annual environmental assessments submitted to it as part of the Basic Payment Scheme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will consider the practicalities, including the cost, and the Data Protection Act implications of making these assessments more readily available in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315216,"EventID":"S5W-02243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:21.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T19:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any reports produced by its Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) in relation to the planning permission appeal PPA-390-2029 will form part of its commissioned research into coal bed methane.","AnswerText":"Work was suspended by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) in relation to the planning permission appeal PPA-390-2029 in January 2015 following the announcement of the moratorium on granting consents for unconventional oil and gas developments in Scotland. \r\nTherefore, given that no finalised reports exist, it is not possible to reference this work as part of the commissioned research into unconventional oil and gas including coal bed methane.\r\nHowever, in any responses that are submitted to the consultation following publication of the research, parties may choose to refer to any of their own research that was undertaken in the course of preparing for the appeal.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315217,"EventID":"S5W-02235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:22.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01402 by Michael Matheson on 9 August 2016, whether it has had discussions with senior officers of Police Scotland concerning public information about its policy on armed policing since 12 July 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02233 on 28 September 2016 which is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315218,"EventID":"S5W-02242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:23.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-30T18:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish or make available the 2015 environmental assessment submitted to it by the Invermark Estate in Angus as part of the Basic Payment Scheme.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02241 on 23 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315219,"EventID":"S5W-02249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-08-31T15:17:24.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the Transition Training Fund, which was announced in February 2016, (a) was spent in 2015-16 and (b) has been spent in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland (SDS) have advised that in 2015-16, which covered the first two months of the TTF there has been a committed spend of £6,133 for individual applications to the fund in early stages following its establishment. In 2016-17, following the establishment of the dedicated website there has been a marked increase in take-up and it is estimated that there has been a total of £1,185,624 in total cash payments delivered to the 28 September 2016, with a further estimated committed spend of £2 million.\r\nThe Transition Training Fund was announced as a £12 million fund available over three years. This clearly shows that we are on course to delivering on our commitment to fully utilise the fund in its first year of delivery.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315234,"EventID":"S5W-02251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:36.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T10:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many valid claims under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme on the basis of having submitted an environmental assessment were made in each local authority area, broken down by the (a) name and location of the landholding, (b) extent in hectares of the claim and (c) amount (i) claimed and (ii) awarded.","AnswerText":"Further details will be released in due course.\r\nThe following table provides an interim summary at 26 September, showing the number of locations by local authority area with estimated eligible areas and resulting BPS payments.\r\nLocal Authority\r\nNumber of locations\r\nHectares claimed\r\nBPS claimed\r\nAberdeen City\r\n1\r\n5\r\n£243\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n5\r\n36\r\n£3,526\r\nAngus\r\n4\r\n9964\r\n£115,688\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n2\r\n5838\r\n£136,158\r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\n2\r\n7\r\n£768\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n1\r\n148\r\n£5,448\r\nEast Dumbartonshire\r\n1\r\n8\r\n£164\r\nEast Lothian\r\n1\r\n2\r\n£303\r\nHighland\r\n24\r\n67748\r\n£2,249,391\r\nMidlothian\r\n1\r\n2\r\n£11\r\nMoray\r\n5\r\n4942\r\n£172,651\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n2\r\n66\r\n£1,618\r\nOrkney\r\n9\r\n158\r\n£11,766\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n6\r\n15614\r\n£871,659\r\nScottish Borders\r\n4\r\n1821\r\n£17,146\r\nShetland\r\n1\r\n53\r\n£4,304\r\nStirling\r\n4\r\n13509\r\n£138,967\r\nWestern Isles\r\n4\r\n8812\r\n£649,502\r\nGrand Total\r\n77\r\n128732\r\n£4,379,314\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315235,"EventID":"S5W-02269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:37.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities have implemented rent caps in areas of their responsibility since the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 came into force.","AnswerText":"The Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 is not yet in force. It is expected to commence in December 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315236,"EventID":"S5W-02283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:39.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-01T15:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had, or plans to have, with the developers of the proposed golf course at Coul Links in Sutherland, and what its position is on this matter.","AnswerText":"I am not aware of any such discussions having taken place or scheduled to take place as this is a matter for Highland Council, as planning authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315237,"EventID":"S5W-02263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:40.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many homes have received support from the Rural Poverty Task Force. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force has not delivered any direct support to homes. \r\nThe Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force is an independent short life group set up by Scottish Ministers with the remit of exploring issues around fuel poverty in rural areas in Scotland and to make recommendations to Ministers. The group will publish its findings later in 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315238,"EventID":"S5W-02264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:41.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times it has protected tenants against excessive rent rises in the private rented sector in each year since 2007, broken down by the type of action taken.","AnswerText":"Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988, a tenant with a short assured tenancy or statutory assured tenancy can refer a case to the Private Rented Housing Panel (PRHP) for a determination on market rents. The PRHP is an independent judicial body and we do not hold information centrally on the number of cases it considers each year. Information on rent cases can be found in the PRHP's annual reports published here: https://www.prhpscotland.gov.uk/who-we-are/annual-reports. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315239,"EventID":"S5W-02281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:42.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-01T14:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the review of the role of the Scottish Funding Council.","AnswerText":"The current review of enterprise and skills is considering the support offered by our enterprise and skills agencies, including the Scottish Funding Council, with a view to ensuring that they provide the joined-up support that young people, universities, colleges, training providers, businesses and the workforce need. The review will report shortly.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315240,"EventID":"S5W-02282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:43.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-01T15:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Scottish Ministers’ decision to call-in for determination consideration of, and their subsequent decision to grant, planning consent for the Trump International Golf Links Scotland development in Aberdeenshire, sets a precedent for the consideration of any future planning application at Coul Links in Sutherland, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"Ministers intervene in the processing of planning applications in exceptional circumstances where issues of genuine national importance are at stake. There is no definitive list of criteria used to decide whether to call-in a planning application as each case is considered on its own merits.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315241,"EventID":"S5W-02271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:44.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the call on 30 August 2016 from the Existing Homes Alliance for the forthcoming budget to significantly increase public investment in home energy efficiency measures.","AnswerText":"This Government has allocated almost £650 million since 2009 and, as announced in the programme for government we will make available, through Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme, a further half a billion pounds over the next four years, meaning over £1 billion will have been committed by 2021 to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency.\r\nThe programme for government also announced a further £10 million for domestic energy efficiency helping make Scotland’s homes cheaper to heat and reducing the costs of energy bills for householders. Including this investment, in 2016 we are making available £113 million to improve the energy efficiency of Scotland’s homes, building on the one million energy efficiency measures delivered to almost one million Scottish households since 2008.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315242,"EventID":"S5W-02273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:46.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the call on 30 August 2016 from the Existing Homes Alliance for it to publish a delayed consultation on the regulation of energy efficiency in private sector.","AnswerText":"We recognise that action is needed to stimulate demand for energy efficiency improvements, and the programme for government sets out our intention to consult this winter on the regulation of private rented sector housing to increase energy efficiency standards as part of the development of Scotland’s Energy Efficiency programme. We will also, in due course, consult on phased regulation of other existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency to support the aims of the programme as well as looking at what financial incentives may be appropriate. Further detail on Scotland’s Energy Efficiency programme will be set out in the draft energy strategy in winter 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315243,"EventID":"S5W-02267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:47.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the condition of the current housing stock. ","AnswerText":"Private home owners and landlords are primarily responsible for improving their own property. Social landlords, including local authorities, are responsible for improving social housing. The Scottish Government requires local authorities to produce a local housing strategy which must, in particular, set out their strategy to address houses that do not meet the statutory tolerable standard, and their strategy for providing assistance for improving houses. The performance of social landlords against outcomes in the Scottish Social housing Charter is monitored by the independent Scottish Housing Regulator who will engage with landlords who are at risk of not meeting standards.\r\nThe Scottish Government includes an element for private sector housing activities in the general capital and revenue grant made to local authorities. However, it is for each local authority to decide what actions should be taken to improve housing, with regard to local priorities and resources\r\nAs social landlords, local authorities are expected to use rental income and prudential borrowing to ensure social housing owned by the authority complies with the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and to plan to meet the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing by 2020.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315244,"EventID":"S5W-02274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:48.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it attributes all of the increase in fuel poverty since the introduction of the fuel poverty target to above-inflation energy prices, as reported in Holyrood on 30 August 2016, and, if not, what other factors it believes are the reason for this.","AnswerText":"If fuel prices had only increased in line with inflation since 2002, the fuel poverty rate in Scotland would have been 9.5 per cent in 2014, instead of 35 per cent. \r\nOther factors such as an increased ageing population or those with limiting long term illnesses, which require a higher heating regime under the fuel poverty definition, are also contributing to higher reported fuel poverty rates. Conversely, improvements in the energy efficiency in the housing stock and increases in average household incomes since 2002 are contributing to lower fuel poverty rates. Changes in the technical energy modelling, used to derive fuel poverty, also impact on the estimates. \r\nAs a fuel poverty rate of 9.5 per cent is lower than the 13 per cent reported in 2002, the net effect of all other factors combined over the period from 2002 to 2014 was a small decrease in the fuel poverty rate. On this basis, we can attribute all of the increase in fuel poverty rates since the introduction of the fuel poverty target in 2002 to above-inflation energy prices.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315245,"EventID":"S5W-02275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:49.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the (a) quality and (b) capacity of trains serving (i) Musselburgh and (ii) Wallyford station.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government manage and monitor the quality and capacity of trains that ScotRail is required to deliver through the franchise agreement at regular meetings. \r\nRail services serving Musselburgh and Wallyford station are operated with Class 380 trains which were introduced in 2010 and delivered many passenger benefits such as Wi-Fi, accessible toilets, wheelchair spaces, cycle spaces and power sockets. The on-train facilities are monitored to assess the condition under the Service Quality Incentive Regime, and where standards fail to meet the prescribed level of service, penalties are levied against the franchisee.\r\nWith regard to capacity, an investment of £475 million in train improvements is being made resulting in more trains, more seats and more services across Scotland. By early 2018 the new longer, greener, quicker Class 385 trains will serve communities in East Lothian. On peak services when the new six car Class 385 replace Class 380 trains, more than 40% extra seats will be provided. From now until then, ScotRail are committed to ensuring they lay on as much capacity as possible from their current rolling stock to meet passenger demand.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315246,"EventID":"S5W-02284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:50.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-01T15:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Ministers will call in any future planning application for a golf course at Coul Links in Sutherland for their determination, and what its position is on this matter.","AnswerText":"Ministers do have the power to call in any undetermined planning application. However, as I am sure you will appreciate, as there is no current planning application, it would be inappropriate for Ministers to comment on the merits of call in at this stage as that could potentially prejudice any future involvement they may have.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315247,"EventID":"S5W-02262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:51.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is using its powers under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 to improve the standard of private sector housing.","AnswerText":"Private home owners are primarily responsible for improving their own property. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 gave local authorities discretionary powers to require owners to carry out work on substandard houses and to provide assistance with repairs and improvements to private property. The 2006 Act also set standards for private rented housing and gave tenants the rights to apply to the Private Rented Housing Panel. \r\nThe Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 made some amendments to these powers to make them more effective in response to consultation with local authorities and other stakeholders, and also added additional safety elements to standards in private rented housing and third party reporting for local authorities to apply to the Private Rented Housing Panel on behalf of vulnerable tenants. It is for each local authority to determine how best to make use of those powers in order to meet its statutory duties and strategic aims, with regard to local priorities and resources.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315248,"EventID":"S5W-02265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:52.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many homes have been purchased under the Help to Buy scheme.","AnswerText":"Sales data for the Help to Buy (Scotland) schemes is published on the Scottish Government website quarterly in arrears. From the launch of Help to Buy (Scotland) in September 2013 to the end of December 2015 7,720 homes had been purchased using the scheme.\r\nFurther update to the published data is expected shortly.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315249,"EventID":"S5W-02280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:53.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-01T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the appointment of an independent review panel for the i6 programme.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Executive to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315250,"EventID":"S5W-02266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:54.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long the Help to Buy scheme is scheduled to run. ","AnswerText":"Funding for the Help to Buy (Scotland) Affordable New Build and Smaller Developers schemes has been committed to 2018-19, bringing total support through our Help to Buy (Scotland) schemes to £0.5 Billion over 6 years.\r\nFunding breakdown\r\nScheme Year\r\nCeiling Price\r\nBudget\r\n2016-17\r\n£230,000\r\n£80 million\r\n2017-18\r\n£200,000\r\n£65 million\r\n2018-19\r\n£175,000\r\n£50 million\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315251,"EventID":"S5W-02268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:55.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the suggestion in the Scottish Housing Condition Survey 2014 that the main cause of failing to meet the standard in all tenures relates to poor energy efficiency, what measures it plans or has introduced to improve energy efficiency in (a) social housing and (b) the private sector. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has allocated almost £650 million since 2009 and we will make available a further half a billion pounds over the next four years, meaning over £1 billion will have been committed by 2021 to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency.\r\nThis record investment is reflected in the big improvements in the energy efficiency of Scotland’s housing. The share of homes in the top three energy efficiency ratings has increased by 71% since 2010, and 11% in the last year (EPC Band C or better); and we now have proportionately 35% more homes with the top three EPC ratings (A-C) than England.\r\nTo improve the energy efficiency in social rented houses in Scotland, the Scottish Government launched the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) in March 2014. Achievement by the first milestone set for 2020 will mean that in the main, no social property will be lower than a ‘C’ or ‘D’ energy efficiency rating and social landlords are already making good progress. Compliance with EESSH is monitored by the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) who reports that 68.6% of social housing already met the EESSH in 2015/16. A review of the operation of EESSH is scheduled to take place in 2017 and, will also allow for consideration of options for a new standard beyond 2020. We have made available £10 million in grant and loan funding over the last two years to help social landlords meet EESSH.\r\nThe Programme for Government sets out our intention alongside consultation on a new Energy Strategy to consult this winter on the regulation of private rented sector housing to increase energy efficiency standards. We will also, in due course, consult on phased regulation of other existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency as well as looking at what financial incentives may be appropriate. Further detail on the scope and timing of regulations and standards as part of the development of Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (the cornerstone of our commitment to designate Energy Efficiency as a National Infrastructure Priority) will be set out in the draft energy strategy. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315252,"EventID":"S5W-02270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:56.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the provision of maintenance and repairs for social housing. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has set out minimum standards for maintenance and repair that can be expected by tenants in social housing. These standards are set out in the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) and, by 2020, landlords will also have to meet the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH). We have made available £10 million in grant and loan funding over the last two years to help social landlords meet EESSH.\r\nThe performance of social landlords is monitored by the independent Scottish Housing Regulator who will engage with landlords who are at risk of not meeting standards. The Regulator’s most recent report found that 91.4% of social housing met the SHQS, and 68.6% of social housing already met the EESSH, in 2015-16. The report also found that tenants’ satisfaction with their landlord’s repairs and maintenance has improved, and that landlords are responding faster to emergency repairs.\r\nIn some cases maintenance and repairs to social housing in tenements are blocked by owners who are unable or unwilling to consent to common works. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 introduced a discretionary power for local authorities to pay missing shares, and we are seeking views from stakeholders on extending this power to registered social landlords. The Scottish Government has also established a stakeholder forum to consider a single condition standard for all housing tenures, and I announced earlier this week the launch of a pilot equity loan scheme to assist home owners with essential energy efficiency works and repairs.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315253,"EventID":"S5W-02272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-01T16:12:57.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-31T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the call on 30 August 2016 from the Existing Homes Alliance for the forthcoming programme for government to set an objective for a national infrastructure programme that supports every home to reach at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C by 2025.","AnswerText":"The programme for government reaffirms our commitment to develop a very significant energy efficiency and low carbon heat generation programme and includes a commitment to make available over half a billion pounds to Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme over the next four years. \r\nA one-size fits all target may not be appropriate for something as diverse as Scotland’s housing stock. We are currently undertaking analysis as part of the development of the Climate Change Plan which will inform the long term objectives of the National Infrastructure Priority. Further details will be set out in the draft Energy Strategy, which will be published for consultation alongside the draft Climate Change Plan winter 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315279,"EventID":"S5W-02297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-02T15:11:55.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-02T10:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of comments made in The Press and Journal on 2 September 2016 by David Hamilton that “if we [police officers] had something (a taser) that did not look like a gun, it might be more acceptable\", what plans are there to introduce tasers that do not resemble a firearm. ","AnswerText":"The deployment of tasers is an operational matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland. The specific make and model available must be approved by the Home Secretary.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315280,"EventID":"S5W-02298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-02T15:11:57.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-02T13:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00390 by Fergus Ewing on 15 June 2016, when the IT system will be able to deal with entitlement transfers for CAP payments. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":315281,"EventID":"S5W-02295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-02T15:11:58.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-02T10:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what fee payment rate has been paid to Scottish Qualifications Authority invigilators for a standard four-hour session in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). I have asked the Chief Executive of SQA to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315282,"EventID":"S5W-02296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-02T15:11:59.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-02T10:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to inform and engage the public regarding the use of conductive energy devices by British Transport Police officers at major rail stations in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is an operational policing matter for the British Transport Police. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your questions and I have requested that he writes to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315283,"EventID":"S5W-02288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-02T15:12:00.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-01T15:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its strategy is to reduce the drop-off rate in teenage sports participation by LGBTI people.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer for question S5W-02286 on 22 September. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315284,"EventID":"S5W-02290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-02T15:12:01.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-01T17:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Basic Payment Scheme payments are outstanding, broken down by local authority. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not categorised by local authority and I am therefore supplying the best alternatives available at present which is the information relating to each Rural Payments and Inspections Division local area office as at 14 September 2016. \r\nArea Office\r\nEligible\r\nFull\r\nPart\r\nUnpaid\r\nAyr\r\n1817\r\n1774\r\n14\r\n29\r\nBenbecula\r\n624\r\n590\r\n6\r\n28\r\nDumfries\r\n1373\r\n1309\r\n27\r\n37\r\nElgin\r\n474\r\n464\r\n2\r\n8\r\nGalashiels\r\n1599\r\n1507\r\n29\r\n63\r\nGolspie\r\n443\r\n429\r\n8\r\n6\r\nHamilton\r\n765\r\n749\r\n7\r\n9\r\nInverness\r\n1332\r\n1298\r\n14\r\n20\r\nInverurie\r\n2750\r\n2673\r\n33\r\n44\r\nKirkwall\r\n679\r\n660\r\n9\r\n10\r\nLerwick\r\n882\r\n855\r\n18\r\n9\r\nOban\r\n891\r\n841\r\n18\r\n32\r\nPerth\r\n2567\r\n2475\r\n24\r\n68\r\nPortree\r\n501\r\n479\r\n4\r\n18\r\nStornoway\r\n892\r\n842\r\n8\r\n42\r\nThurso\r\n711\r\n689\r\n9\r\n13\r\nOther\r\n37\r\n0\r\n0\r\n37\r\nTotal\r\n18337\r\n17634\r\n230\r\n473\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315285,"EventID":"S5W-02286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-02T15:12:02.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-01T15:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle (a) homophobia, (b) biphobia and (c) transphobia in sport.","AnswerText":"The Active Scotland Outcomes Framework sets out our ambitions for a more active Scotland, and is underpinned by a commitment to equality. Realising our vision of a more active Scotland means that everyone should have access to opportunities to be active, regardless of their race or ethnicity, their disability, their gender or sexual orientation, their age or religion.\r\nIn the recently published Programme for Government, we have stated that we are committed to improve overall health by encouraging the removal of barriers to participation in sport, including the LGBTI community.\r\nBuilding on work already in place via the Scottish LGBT Sports Charter launched in May 2015, sportscotland will ensure that funding for all sports including specific actions to tackle LGBTI discrimination. We have provided £38,000 to Leadership Equality and Active Participation (LEAP) Sports for 2016-17 to challenge homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in sport.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315286,"EventID":"S5W-02291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-02T15:12:03.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-02T10:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it gave British Transport Police (BTP) prior to the decision to deploy officers with conductive energy devices at major rail stations in Scotland; on what dates it met BTP, and whether it will publish the minutes of those meetings.","AnswerText":"The decision to deploy Taser conductive energy devices at railway stations in Scotland was an operational policing decision for the British Transport Police Chief Constable. Ministers have been briefed on the changes, which are intended to strengthen security at major stations, but are not in response to any specific threat. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315287,"EventID":"S5W-02293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-02T15:12:04.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-02T10:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many British Transport Police officers will be equipped with conductive energy devices at major rail stations in Scotland, broken down by policing division.","AnswerText":"The information requested is an operational policing matter for the British Transport Police. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your questions and I have requested that he writes to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315288,"EventID":"S5W-02285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-02T15:12:05.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-01T15:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of females working full-time in the labour market.","AnswerText":"For many women, part-time work can offer the flexibility they desire. However, we know there are fewer women in full-time medium-high and high-skilled jobs compared to men and that women are more likely to work part-time and in lower paid occupations. We therefore want to ensure that women are able to participate in the labour market in ways which suit their circumstances and best utilise their skills. In order to help achieve this we are committed to supporting actions which can help remove barriers and promote flexibility.\r\nOur Labour Market Strategy was launched on 26 August 2016 and sets out our commitment to tackling inequalities around pay gaps and occupational segregation for equality groups, including women. Through this Strategy we will put in place new activity and funding to support the promotion and implementation of the Fair Work Framework and foster responsible business. For example we are establishing a Returner’s Project so that women can get help updating skills and knowledge and employers can retain skilled staff after a career break.\r\nWe are also working with the Equality and Human Rights Commission to tackle pregnancy and maternity discrimination. I will chair a working group whose remit will include creating guidelines for employers to ensure best practice, as well as improving access to guidance for pregnant women and new mothers. We have also committed to establishing an Advisory Council on Women and Girls, which will inform our action to tackling gender inequality. The Advisory Council will complement existing Scottish Government groups which have a focus on issues relating to women’s inequality, such as the Strategic Group on Women and Work.\r\nAdditional actions to remove women’s barriers to the labour market include the introduction of the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 on 1 April 2018; our steps to increase childcare provision; and our promotion of the development of family-friendly workplaces across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315289,"EventID":"S5W-02292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-02T15:12:06.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-02T10:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training and guidance will be provided to British Transport Police officers equipped with conductive energy devices at major rail stations in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The information requested is an operational policing matter for the British Transport Police. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your questions and I have requested that he writes to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315290,"EventID":"S5W-02287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-02T15:12:08.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-01T15:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to widen access to sport for young LGBTI people.","AnswerText":" I refer the member to the answer for question S5W-02286 on 22 September. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315291,"EventID":"S5W-02289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-02T15:12:09.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-01T15:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle the occupational gender divide in the labour market.","AnswerText":"We recognise that occupational segregation reinforces gender stereotypes, helps drive the gender pay gap and holds back women’s opportunity to thrive economically. It is also holding back our economy.\r\nBut good progress is being made. The numbers of passes by girls in STEM subjects at school has increased between 2007 and 2016. Between 2007 and 2016 the numbers of entries by girls to the main science Higher qualifications, including computing were up by 3%. The number of passes for girls in Higher chemistry and physics is up 8% and 10%, respectively. Passes by girls in biology are down 16.9% but this is in the context of a 62% increase in passes in human biology for girls.\r\nWe are tackling gender stereotyping in STEM at school through funding for the Institute of Physics Improving Gender Balance project and are investing up to £1.5 million over the next three academic years, through the Scottish Funding Council, in a programme of equality projects across Scottish colleges and universities. The Scottish Funding Council has published its Gender Action Plan to set out the actions they will undertake in collaboration with colleges, universities and other partners to address gender imbalances and significantly reduce gender gaps in college and undergraduate courses. \r\nAddressing under-representation in our Modern Apprenticeship programme is also a key priority for the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to address, in partnership with industry and delivery partners. The Equalities Action Plan for Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland, published on 2 December 2015 includes specific improvement targets for MA participation by disabled people, minority ethnic groups, care leavers and gender balance. Improvement targets have been included for each group to be achieved by 2021. SDS will report on these annually.\r\nWe have committed to bring forward legislation on gender balance on public sector boards and we will continue to champion our Partnership for Change 50/50 by 2020 campaign, encouraging organisations from across the public, third and private sectors to make a voluntary commitment to work towards gender balance on their boards by 2020.\r\nOur Programme for Government also contains ambitious commitments in support of women's equality, including creating a new Advisory Council for Women and Girls and a Returners project to enable women who have had a career break to re-enter the workforce. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315292,"EventID":"S5W-02294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-02T15:12:10.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-02T10:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when operational deployment of conductive energy devices to British Transport Police officers at major rail stations in Scotland will commence. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is an operational policing matter for the British Transport Police. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your questions and I have requested that he writes to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315309,"EventID":"S5W-02279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:33.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-01T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01888 by Humza Yousaf on 29 August 2016, for what reason it has not provided an answer with regard to on-board cycle facilities and whether it will now provide the information requested.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to my previous answer S5W-01875 on 7 September 2016, in relation to the West Highland Line. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nThe ScotRail franchise is required to provide a minimum of two bookable spaces on trains across the network, and cycles are carried free of charge. The day to day operation of the train fleet operating on the borders route and how they assist passengers on board rests with ScotRail. Their on-train staff are trained in cycle capacity procedures, and how to provide additional ad-hoc spaces where there is demand, without compromising passenger safety. \r\nInvestment in cycle parking facilities has been made at all seven stations on the borders route to reduce demand for taking bikes on trains.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315310,"EventID":"S5W-02315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:34.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to providing funding for charitable trusts to carry out maintenance on public walkways.","AnswerText":"A variety of funding sources are available for charitable trusts and other bodies to upgrade and carry out maintenance on public footpaths. \r\nGrants to support the costs of the maintenance of urban public amenity areas in existing woodlands are available under the ‘Sustainable Management of Forests – Public Access’ option under the Woods In and Around Towns scheme, which is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP). Details can be found at the following link: https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/all-schemes/forestry-grant-scheme/sustainable-management-of-forests/public-access-woods-in-and-around-towns/.\r\nIn addition, the improving public access fund, which is part of the SRDP Agri-Environment-Climate Scheme, aims to support new and upgraded paths for public use: (https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/management-options-and-capital-items/improving-public-access/).\r\nScottish Natural Heritage has provided funding to support Paths for All to run a community grant scheme and Volunteering Matters to run an ‘Action Earth’ grants scheme. The Paths for All Community Paths Grants scheme is now closed for 2016 but offered up to £1,500 to help community groups maintain, as well as improve and promote, their local community paths: (http://www.pathsforall.org.uk/pfa/support/community-path-grants.html).\r\n‘Action Earth’ grants range from £50 to £250 (up to £500 on a Local Nature Reserve) to purchase tools and materials or to cover volunteer expenses, for practical activities that involve volunteers in improving outdoor spaces: (http://www.communityscot.org.uk/news/article/action-earth-grab-grant/).","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315311,"EventID":"S5W-02300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:36.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-02T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Lord Advocate has developed guidelines in relation to suspect interviews, in line with recommendations in the Post-corroboration Safeguards Review.","AnswerText":"The requirement on the Lord Advocate to issue a code of practice will be commenced in the summer of 2017, along with the other provisions within Part one of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016. The code of practice will come into effect, once a full review and consultation process are carried out by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal service.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315312,"EventID":"S5W-02302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:37.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-02T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of suspects of crime have been offered the Solicitor Access Recording Form in each year since 2013-14. ","AnswerText":"Police Scotland do not currently hold this information centrally. However the Solicitor Access Recording Form is provided to every individual detained under section 14 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, or is arrested but not charged with an offence, and being detained in custody (i.e. held in custody, not detained under section 14) at a police station for the purposes of being questioned in connection with an offence. \r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02299 on 14 September 2016 for more detail about the national custody system. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315313,"EventID":"S5W-02301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:38.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-02T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland has revised the Solicitor Access Recording Form and, if so, what changes have been made, and when the revised form will available at suspects of crime interviews. ","AnswerText":"The Solicitor Access Recording Form has not been recently revised, but the process is currently under review and will continue until Part one of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 is commenced in summer 2017. The Solicitor Access Recording Form will not be necessary once the National Custody System has been introduced on commencement of Part one of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016. \r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02299 on 14 September 2016 for more detail about the national custody system. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315314,"EventID":"S5W-02308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:40.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-03T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on preventing plastic microbeads from entering the marine environment.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Marine Litter Strategy sets out the Scottish Government’s policy to reduce and prevent litter entering the sea, including plastic microbeads. The strategy includes over 40 actions such as raising public awareness, encouraging companies to produce alternatives to plastic microbeads, as well as undertaking research to address gaps in knowledge.\r\nThe Scottish Government are also supportive of the recent announcement by the UK Government to ban microbeads in cosmetics and personal care products. This is consistent with Scotland’s Marine Litter Strategy and we will work with the UK Government in developing these proposals.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315315,"EventID":"S5W-02319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:41.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the vicarious liability provisions in the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not made any formal assessment of the impact of the vicarious liability provisions in the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011. There have been two successful prosecutions under these provisions so far. It is likely that the provisions will have had a positive effect as landowners and their agents have put in place arrangements to ensure that their staff and contractors have appropriate training, and understand and comply with the law in this area. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315316,"EventID":"S5W-02309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:42.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-03T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00029 by Roseanna Cunningham on 24 May 2016, when it will make a decision on the status of the European beaver.","AnswerText":"A decision on the status of the European beaver in Scotland will be announced before the end of 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315317,"EventID":"S5W-02311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:43.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-03T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to strengthen the development of grassroots tennis in Scotland since the Davis Cup was won by Great Britain in 2015.","AnswerText":"Through sport Scotland, we have invested £3.3 million in tennis facilities over the last five years, which has generated a total investment of approximately £11 million in match funding across Scotland and has delivered over 100 indoor tennis courts.\r\nMembership of Tennis Scotland has increased by more than 42% since 2009-10 with strong growth in both adult and junior membership predicted and a target of 57,000 by October 2017. The number of people playing tennis within the Disability Tennis Network has seen a 35% increase – from 275 to 372 players.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315318,"EventID":"S5W-02316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:44.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is incorporating proposals to increase the provision of bike sheds in its \"work with Heads of Planning Scotland identifying how permitted development rights could be extended\" as indicated in its document, Review of Planning Scottish Government Response.","AnswerText":"We are committed to working with Heads of Planning Scotland to identify the scope for significantly extending permitted development rights, and to consider where such changes can most effectively be targeted. We will bring forward our detailed proposals for consultation in due course. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315319,"EventID":"S5W-02318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:45.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will complete the review of data relating to satellite-tagged golden eagles, hen harriers and red kites.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government review of data relating to satellite-tagged birds of prey is expected in Spring 2017.\r\nThis will involve a substantial amount of statistical analysis which will examine information from over 200 tagged golden and white-tailed eagles, hen harriers, red kites and ospreys. Once completed, the results of the analysis will provide us with a far greater insight into where these birds are going missing, and that will help to inform future action.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315320,"EventID":"S5W-02304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:46.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-02T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether existing carer services will receive funding from April 2017 to continue providing support to unpaid carers.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government funding for NHS board carer information strategies provides direct support to adult carers and young carers. Subject to spending review decisions, this funding is expected to continue in 2017-18.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315321,"EventID":"S5W-02306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:47.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-03T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00030 by Roseanna Cunningham on 24 May 2016, on what date it will announce its decision regarding extending the powers of the Scottish SPCA to tackle wildlife crime.","AnswerText":"A decision on whether to extend the investigatory powers of the SSPCA will be announced before the end of 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315322,"EventID":"S5W-02299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:48.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-02T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of suspects of crime waived their right for legal assistance at the interview stage in each year since 2013-14.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland do not currently hold this information centrally. However, in June 2013 Police Scotland completed a custody data exercise which captured the solicitor access waiver percentage over a one month period. They were then able to extrapolate for a 12 month period, and concluded that 75% of all persons brought into police custody who had the right of access to a solicitor waived their rights. The final report of Lord Bonomy’s Post Corroboration Additional Safeguards review also refers to analysis of 1000 interviews by Police Scotland in October and November 2014 which showed 71% of those in custody did not seek a consultation with a solicitor.\r\nPolice Scotland are currently developing a national custody system and it is intended that the system will record the number of people who are informed of their rights, including those of intimation to a solicitor, consultation and for solicitor to be present during interview. It will also record the acceptance and waiving of the right, and any reason given for the waiver. The national custody system is expected to be in use across Police Scotland by summer 2017, in conjunction with the implementation of Part 1 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016. \r\nThe Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 extends the rights of those in police custody. It provides that all persons held in police custody have the right to speak to a solicitor, regardless of whether they are going to be interviewed by the police or not. It also introduces a statutory requirement on the police to give everyone who is arrested specific information on their rights, including the right to speak to a solicitor. Suspects receive a letter of rights explaining this, which has been translated into 35 languages and is available in an easy read version.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315323,"EventID":"S5W-02303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:49.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-02T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 will be commenced.","AnswerText":"The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 will be commenced on the 1 April 2018. Certain provisions may be commenced before 1 April 2018 to facilitate full commencement of the Act on that date.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315324,"EventID":"S5W-02310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:50.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-03T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work is being undertaken to devise a framework to support the management of European beavers in Scotland.","AnswerText":"No decision has yet been made on the future of beavers in Scotland. Any framework that may be required to support the future management of beavers in Scotland will be discussed with relevant stakeholders in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315325,"EventID":"S5W-02317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:51.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the response to the chair by the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform on 24 February 2016, what action it is taking to implement the recommendations of the Wildlife Crime Penalties Review Group.","AnswerText":"The Programme for government announced on 6 September 2016 confirmed that the Scottish Government will take forward the implementation of the recommendations of the Wildlife Crime Penalties Review Group as set out in the Scottish Government response: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00494565.pdf\r\nSome of these recommendations will require primary legislation and we are in the process of identifying a legislative vehicle. Relevant discussions are also taking place with other parties.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315326,"EventID":"S5W-02305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:53.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-02T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to ensure the successful implementation of the duty in the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 to invite unpaid carers to be part of the hospital discharge process, and whether this duty will be piloted.","AnswerText":"There are currently some very good examples of successful carer involvement in the discharge process however, this local good practice needs to be Scotland-wide.\r\nAs part of the wider pre-commencement programme for the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, we have commissioned a mapping exercise across Scotland to identify carer involvement in hospital discharge. This will be considered against evidence of what works. The National Carer Organisations will be involved in the mapping and subsequent follow-up work. We have also discussed plans with the Allied Health Professions Directors Scotland Group and will be doing so with other professional groups. We have been seeking the views of carers too.\r\nGoing forward, there is likely to be an emphasis on workforce development to support carer involvement in hospital discharge. The statutory guidance for the Carers Act and revised hospital discharge guidance will include carer involvement in hospital discharge. I will be considering a possible pilot as part of the wider pre-commencement programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315327,"EventID":"S5W-02307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T14:43:54.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-03T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had since February 2016 with the Scottish SPCA regarding extending its powers to tackle wildlife crime.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Dr Aileen McLeod, met with the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on 25 February 2016. Officials had further discussions with SSPCA representatives in March 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315335,"EventID":"S5T-00040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T13:15:39.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in response to the findings of the Audit Scotland report, Scotland’s colleges 2016.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315336,"EventID":"S5T-00043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T13:15:42.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T11:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the cost of the Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315337,"EventID":"S5F-00147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T13:14:31.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-08-29T11:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister, whether the Scottish Government will convene a working group of ScotRail representatives, passenger and disability groups and trade unions to review and report on the delivery of safer train services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":315338,"EventID":"S5F-00153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T13:14:37.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-02T17:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what measures the Scottish Government is taking to reverse the reported decline in inward investment, including as a share of the UK total.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315339,"EventID":"S5F-00159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T13:14:42.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T09:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315340,"EventID":"S5F-00161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T13:14:44.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the cabinet will next meet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315341,"EventID":"S5F-00163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T13:14:46.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister for what reason more than a quarter of training places in GP surgeries were not filled at the end of the 2016 recruitment round.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315342,"EventID":"S5F-00177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T13:14:59.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the new Prime Minister. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315343,"EventID":"S5F-00183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T13:15:06.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is ensuring accelerated funding and additional business support in light of Brexit uncertainty. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315344,"EventID":"S5F-00184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T13:15:07.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will provide an update following the first meeting of the International Council of Education Advisers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315345,"EventID":"S5W-02325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T16:50:44.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it taking to (a) protect and (b) invest in specialist services in (i) the early years that support deaf children and their families and (ii) education for deaf (A) children and (B) young people.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to enabling all children and young people to reach their full potential. To support this we are developing the health visiting services over the next two years to introduce a consistent enhanced service to all families and grow the workforce. In October 2015 we published the new Universal Health Visitor Pathway, which outlines a core home visiting programme to be offered to families with pre-school children. It consists of 11 contact points including formal health reviews of the child at 13-15 months, 27-30 months and prior to starting to school to assess development and report on any issues or concerns. This provides an opportunity for Health Visitors, children and their parents/carers to review development and act as a gateway to other services when needed. This will provide support and timely interventions for deaf children and their families both prior to and following an identification of deafness. It will also aid in how development and outcomes of deaf children in the early years are monitored.\r\nThe Scottish Government recognises the importance of supporting families with a deaf baby and funds the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) to deliver its family sign project. The British Sign Language National Advisory Group has representation from both deaf and hearing parents of deaf children and it is highly likely that support for families of deaf children will feature in the first national plan. The Equality Unit has provided £40,000 (2016-17) to NDCS in connection with the deaf sector partnership, and in particular, to enable parents with a deaf child to contribute to the discussions on the development of the first British Sign Language National Plan.\r\nIn terms of supporting children and young people in school, the Scottish Government works with local authorities to implement the Additional Support for Learning legislation which provides the legal framework for the identification, support and review of the specific learning needs of pupils including those arising from hearing impairment. In addition, the Scottish Government is working with key stakeholders to implement the recommendations of the Scottish Parliament's Education Committee report on the attainment of pupils with sensory impairment. \r\nThe Scottish Government will carefully consider the recommendations from the National Deaf Children's Society’s report “Getting it right from the start: Improving early years support for deaf children in Scotland” to identify areas where it can make a practical difference to families with a deaf child.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315346,"EventID":"S5W-02327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T16:50:45.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a scheme similar to the UK Government initiative, Flood Re, and, if so, whether this will offer support to businesses.","AnswerText":"Flood Re already covers the whole of the UK, including Scotland. It was designed for home insurance purposes as the UK Government felt that there was insufficient evidence to justify government intervention in the provision of insurance cover for small businesses. However, the Scottish Government recognises the challenges that some small businesses in flood risk areas may face, and was pleased to note the commitment given by the UK Government to monitor the insurance market for small businesses and consider the issue with the insurance industry if the situation were to change significantly. The Scottish Government will, of course, continue to work with the ABI, the UK Government and the other devolved administrations on this issue. However, as insurance is a reserved matter, it is for the UK Government to decide whether the scope of Flood Re should be widened to include support to businesses.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315347,"EventID":"S5W-02324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T16:50:46.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the development and outcomes of deaf children in the early years are monitored.","AnswerText":"Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) is the government’s national approach that aims to improve outcomes for all children and young people in Scotland.\r\nThe GIRFEC approach currently operates in many parts of Scotland on a non-statutory basis. The Child’s Plan as set out under Part 5 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, which is not yet commenced, offers a consistent approach to how extra support is planned, delivered and coordinated if a child has more complex needs. Not every child will require a Child’s Plan. It will be available for children who need extra support that is not generally available to address their needs and improve their wellbeing. The child’s plan, developed in partnership with the child and their parent(s), will be coordinated by a lead professional involved in delivering the plan. The child’s plan will contain information about why the plan has been created, what the plan is aiming to achieve, and the actions to be taken to improve the child’s wellbeing.\r\nIn addition, in October 2015, Scottish Government published the new Universal Health Visitor Pathway, which outlines a core home visiting programme to be offered to families with pre-school children. It consists of 11 contact points including formal health reviews of the child at 13-15 month, 27-30 month and prior to starting to school to assess development and report on any issues or concerns. This provides an opportunity for Health Visitors, children and their parents/carers to review development and act as a gateway to other services when needed. This will provide support and timely interventions for deaf children and their families both prior to and following an identification of deafness. It will also aid in how development and outcomes of deaf children in the early years are monitored.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315348,"EventID":"S5W-02326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T16:50:47.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to roll out the local record of deaf children pilot scheme nationally.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to working with local partners and the National Deaf Children’s Society to ensure that the learning from the two pilots set up in Lothian and Tayside is implemented nationally.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315349,"EventID":"S5W-02323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T16:50:48.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides regarding support and timely interventions for deaf children and their families following the identification of deafness.","AnswerText":"Work is already underway to develop Scotland’s first ever BSL National Plan which will include recommendations on improving support for deaf children. This involves a wide range of representation, including the National Deaf Children’s Society, deaf parents and hearing parents of deaf children. \r\nWe are developing the health visiting services over the next two years to introduce a consistent enhanced service to all families and grow the workforce. We published in October 2015, the new Universal Health Visitor Pathway, which outlines a core home visiting programme to be offered to families with pre-school children. It consists of 11 contact points including formal health reviews of the child at 13-15 month, 27-30 month and prior to starting to school to assess development and report on any issues or concerns. This provides an opportunity for Health Visitors, children and their parents/carers to review development and act as a gateway to other services when needed. This will provide support and timely interventions for deaf children and their families both prior to and following an identification of deafness. It will also aid in how development and outcomes of deaf children in the early years are monitored.\r\nIn addition, The Scottish Government has increased the amount of funded early learning and childcare to 600 hours a year for all three and four year olds and some two year olds. Young children with additional support needs, including deaf children, are supported through the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, and in certain circumstances the duties under the act will apply before children reach the age for the entitlement to funded early learning and childcare. This means that children with additional support needs can access funded early learning and childcare potentially from birth and generally before the age they would otherwise become eligible.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315350,"EventID":"S5W-02312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-05T16:50:49.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-04T09:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the future of the Edinburgh cleft lip and palate surgical service.","AnswerText":"I am currently considering all of the information put before me regarding the recommendation on cleft surgery and will announce my decision in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315357,"EventID":"S5W-02339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-06T13:53:58.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T08:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what date it has set for Transport Scotland to report back to the A7 Action Group regarding the A7 Action Plan.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Transport and the Islands is currently reviewing Transport Scotland’s comments on the A7 Action Plan and will report back to the A7 Action group as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315358,"EventID":"S5W-02340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-06T13:53:59.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T08:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a 50 mph speed limit for HGVs on trunk roads.","AnswerText":"There are no current plans to increase the HGV speed limit as we believe that there is currently insufficient evidence in this area to justify a change. \r\nIn conjunction with the A9 average speed camera system we have increased HGV speed limits on single-carriageway sections of the A9 between Perth and Inverness in order to address issues specific to that route.\r\nWith road safety considerations paramount, we will continue to consider any emerging evidence regarding speed limits for HGVs including findings from our on-going monitoring of the A9 and the increased HGV speed limit in England and Wales.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315359,"EventID":"S5W-02355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-06T13:54:00.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what suitable sites it has identified for new hydro-electric schemes.","AnswerText":"It is the role of developers, rather than the Scottish Government, to identify suitable sites for new hydro-electric schemes in Scotland.\r\nHowever, the Scottish Government is committed to encouraging and promoting hydro-electric power and creating a supportive environment. At present, over 70% of the small scale hydro projects in operation in the UK are in Scotland. This includes a number of community hydro projects and the recently consented, 600MW, Coire Glas project.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315360,"EventID":"S5W-02350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-06T13:54:01.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided for each university place in each year since 2010-11 in (a) cash and (b) real terms.","AnswerText":"The answer provided in response to Scottish Parliamentary Question S5W-02349 on 20 September 2016 sets out the number of university places supported by the Scottish Funding Council on behalf of the Scottish Government in each year since 2010-11. A funded place consists of two elements. \r\nA tuition fee element paid to universities through the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). With a relatively small number of specific variations, this has been at a rate of £1,820 per funded place since 2006-07. \r\nThe second element is paid by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) to cover teaching and related costs. The amount allocated by the SFC will vary according to the subject group into which the funded place falls, with certain courses incurring greater costs, such as medicine in group 1, funded at a higher level. Since 2012-13, six subject groups have been employed.\r\n SFC Teaching Price Groups for 2012-13 to 2016-17: \r\nPrice Group\r\n\r\nPrice for\r\n2012-13\r\n2012-13\r\n(2016-17 prices)\r\n2013-14\r\n2013-14\r\n(2016-17 prices)\r\n2014-15\r\n2014-15\r\n(2016-17 prices)\r\n2015-16\r\n2015-16\r\n(2016-17 prices)\r\n2016-17\r\n1\r\n£16,734\r\n£17,549\r\n£16,796\r\n£17,328\r\n£16,946\r\n£17,214\r\n£16,946\r\n£17,200\r\n£16,454\r\n2\r\n£9,495\r\n£9,958\r\n£9,530\r\n£9,832\r\n£9,615\r\n£9,767\r\n£9,615\r\n£9,759\r\n£9,336\r\n3\r\n£8,416\r\n£8,826\r\n£8,447\r\n£8,715\r\n£8,522\r\n£8,657\r\n£8,522\r\n£8,650\r\n£8,274\r\n4\r\n£7,326\r\n£7,683\r\n£7,353\r\n£7,586\r\n£7,418\r\n£7,535\r\n£7,418\r\n£7,529\r\n£7,203\r\n5\r\n£6,476\r\n£6,791\r\n£6,500\r\n£6,706\r\n£6,558\r\n£6,662\r\n£6,558\r\n£6,656\r\n£6,367\r\n6\r\n£5,278\r\n£5,535\r\n£5,298\r\n£5,466\r\n£5,345\r\n£5,430\r\n£5,345\r\n£5,425\r\n£5,190\r\nGDP Deflators at market prices, and money GDP: June 2016\r\n Price Group subject examples:\r\n1 – Clinical Medicine\r\n2 – Chemical Engineering\r\n3 – Chemistry\r\n4 – Nursing and Midwifery\r\n5 – Initial teacher training\r\n6 – Modern languages\r\n Teaching funding for 2011-12 was based on percentage changes applied to teaching funding groups for 2010-11 The units of teaching resource for 2010-11 were:\r\nFunding Subject Group\r\nPrice (2010-11 prices)\r\nPrice (2016-17 prices)\r\n1 Clinical and Veterinary Practice\r\n£16,330\r\n£17,728\r\n2 Engineering and Technology\r\n£8,680\r\n£9,423\r\n3 Science\r\n£8,295\r\n£9,005\r\n4 Computing and Information Science\r\n£7,560\r\n£8,207\r\n5 Pre-Clinical\r\n£8,240\r\n£8,945\r\n6 Creative Arts and Welfare\r\n£7,445\r\n£8,082\r\n7 Education\r\n£7,640\r\n£8,294 \r\n8 Other Health and Welfare\r\n£7,035\r\n£7,637\r\n9 Built Environment\r\n£6,605\r\n£7,170\r\n10 Mathematics, Statistics and OR\r\n£5,590\r\n£6,068\r\n11 Humanities, Languages and Business\r\n£5,065\r\n£5,499\r\n12 Social Sciences\r\n£4,190\r\n£4,549\r\nGDP Deflators at market prices, and money GDP: June 2016\r\n The units of resource and teaching price group figures shown in both tables include cash and real terms information, and both the tuition fee and the teaching elements.\r\n All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315361,"EventID":"S5W-02352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-06T13:54:02.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to young people with Asperger's who are (a) sitting exams and (b) planning to enter work after leaving school.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government want all children and young people to receive the support that they need to reach their full learning potential. This includes support when sitting exams and support for young people planning to enter the workforce.\r\nFor young people with an additional support need such as Asperger's who are sitting exams, a request can be made to the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) for reasonable adjustments to be made to remove barriers or mitigate adverse impacts. Responsibility for making such a request falls to the responsible body involved, as teachers are best placed to assess the specific needs of each young person. Where a request for an adjustment is made, the SQA will determine whether it is reasonable, based on individual need and on the need to maintain the standard and integrity of the qualification.\r\nThe Scottish Government, working in partnership with other agencies, has developed a number of strategies to improve the readiness of young people, including those with Asperger's, to join the workforce. The Scottish government also provides funding for a range of organisations that specialise in providing employment support for people with Autism.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315362,"EventID":"S5W-02345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-06T13:54:03.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase funding to the Scottish Funding Council.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Funding Council’s future budget will be determined as part of the forthcoming spending review.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315363,"EventID":"S5W-02346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-06T13:54:04.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are to increase funding for university places through the Scottish Funding Council. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that investment in the higher education sector supports the excellence of our world-class universities and enables greater equity in access to a university education. Through the Scottish Funding Council, we have invested in excess of £1 billion in Scotland’s higher education sector each year for the last four years, and will invest more than £1 billion in 2016-17. Scottish Government Ministers and officials engage regularly with higher education sector partners and the Scottish Funding Council, including in relation to preparation for the forthcoming Spending Review.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315364,"EventID":"S5W-02349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-06T13:54:05.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many university places the Scottish Funding Council has funded in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the breakdown of full-time equivalent (FTE) funded places supported by the Scottish Funding Council on behalf of the Scottish Government since 2010-11.\r\nAcademic Year\r\nFTE Places\r\n2010-11\r\n129,733.3\r\n2011-12\r\n120,018.3\r\n2012-13\r\n125,736.8\r\n2013-14\r\n125,346.3\r\n2014-15\r\n124,937.6\r\n2015-16\r\n124,315.0\r\n2016-17\r\n126,537.1\r\nThe reduction in FTE funded places in the period since 2010-11 is due primarily to the removal of funded places for students from the rest of the UK (rUK). Funding for these places was removed following the Scottish Government decision to allow Scottish universities to charge rUK students equivalent fees up to the level which they would have been required to pay to attend rUK universities.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315365,"EventID":"S5W-02328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-06T13:54:07.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29286 by Aileen McLeod on 26 January 2016, whether the (a) Sound of Barra Special Area of Conservation management committee is now in place and (b) report has been published.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers agreed with the community to wait for the final report from Voluntary Action Barra and Vatersay before considering whether to put a management committee in place or not. Marine Scotland awaits the final report from Voluntary Action Barra and Vatersay.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315366,"EventID":"S5W-02342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-06T13:54:08.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T08:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what account it takes of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities when bringing forward proposals for revised (a) mental health and incapacity legislation and (b) mental health strategies.","AnswerText":"The United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) requires governments to take action to remove barriers to independent living and enable disabled people to enjoy real freedom, dignity and equality. It is the framework that the Scottish Government uses to improve the lives of disabled people and deliver change.\r\nIn 2015 we published a draft action plan for consultation setting out how we will implement the UNCRPD (2016 to 2020) which commits us to taking practical actions across all areas of Government to make changes for disabled people. We are strengthening and developing the plan on the basis of the consultation responses and will publish the final Disability Action Plan in December 2016.\r\nAs part of the draft plan the Scottish Government committed to consulting on the Scottish Law Commission’s review of Adults with Incapacity (AWI) legislation with particular reference to issues around deprivation of liberty and thereafter to carry out a scoping exercise in relation to a wider review of AWI legislation. That consultation has concluded and the Scottish Government is now actively engaging with service users and stakeholders to determine the focus for areas of reform. \r\nDuring the passage of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2015, the UNCRPD was referenced for example through measures taken to strengthen the provisions in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 which promote supported decision making such as advance statements and advocacy. The new Mental Health Strategy will be subject to an Equality Impact Assessment.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315367,"EventID":"S5W-02351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-06T13:54:09.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of Scotland domiciled students at Scottish universities has come from the bottom (a) decile and (b) quantile of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"Percentage of Scottish domiciled full-time first degree entrants at Scottish universities from the 10% and 20% most deprived areas of Scotland (SIMD10 and SIMD 20), 2010-11 to 2014-15\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nSIMD 10\r\n5.5%\r\n6.0%\r\n5.9%\r\n6.4%\r\n6.8%\r\n7.0%\r\nSIMD 20\r\n11.6%\r\n12.3%\r\n12.1%\r\n13.0%\r\n13.7%\r\n14.0%\r\nSource: Higher Education Statistics Agency\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315368,"EventID":"S5W-02347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-06T13:54:10.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to implement the recommendations in the final report of the Commission on Widening Access. ","AnswerText":"We immediately accepted the Commission’s proposed targets and are working closely with the Scottish Funding Council on how wider progress can be driven through outcome agreements with higher education institutions. Officials are also liaising with SAAS on the system changes necessary to ensure those with a care experience can access full bursaries from 2017-18 onwards. \r\nResponsibility for implementing the Commission's 34 recommendations is distributed across a number of sectors and organisations. Over the summer officials have engaged closely with key partners to ensure that work on implementation is progressing and that plans are being coordinated across the system. \r\nOur current priority is the appointment of a new Commissioner for Fair Access who will scrutinise progress and provide strategic leadership, ensuring that implementation is coherent and systemic. We expect that detailed implementation plans will be finalised once all delivery partners have had an opportunity to discuss these with the new Commissioner. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315369,"EventID":"S5W-02348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-06T13:54:11.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with universities to widen access to higher education for those in the bottom 40% of the Scottish Index for Multiple Deprivation.","AnswerText":"Ministers and officials engage regularly with the university sector on widening access to higher education for students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds. Over the summer we have had a number of positive discussions with both principals and Universities Scotland regarding implementing the recommendations of the Commission on Widening Access. We look forward to continuing this dialogue as we appoint a Commissioner for Fair Access and work together to develop detailed implementation plans.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315384,"EventID":"S5W-02357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-06T17:11:27.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendation by Audit Scotland in its report Scotland's colleges 2016, whether it and the Scottish Funding Council will publish information on the (a) costs that were incurred and (b) savings achieved through the college merger process.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Funding Council’s overarching report Impact and Success of Programme of College Mergers in Scotland was published on 22 August 2016. It reports that the costs of mergers are £69.9 million, off-set by savings of £52.2 million each year.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315385,"EventID":"S5W-02354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-06T17:11:28.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T12:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date and method it will publish the findings of its recent national scoping survey of funding for speech and language therapy services.","AnswerText":"The findings of the survey will be published on the Scottish Government website later in 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315386,"EventID":"S5W-02356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-06T17:11:29.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendation by Audit Scotland in its report Scotland's colleges 2016, whether it and the Scottish Funding Council will announce how they will measure and publicly report progress in delivering all of the benefits that were expected from college regionalisation and mergers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Funding Council’s overarching report ‘Impact & Success of Programme of College Mergers in Scotland’ was published on 22 August 2016. It evaluates the impact of mergers and their success in delivering intended benefits and outcomes. It further concluded that the strategic outcomes of mergers, and the key benefits for students and stakeholders have been, or are in the process of being, achieved.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315399,"EventID":"S5W-02375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T11:10:37.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will support unemployed people toward and into work when contracted employment services are devolved from 1 April 2017.","AnswerText":"As one of the first exercises of devolved powers under the Scotland Act 2016, we will deliver strong and effective continuity of employment support services for those who need it most, whilst building towards a full Scottish programme of support from April 2018. \r\nConsequently, newly devolved powers on employment support will be exercised from 1 April 2017 through the delivery of 12 month transitional services.\r\nThrough Work First Scotland, we will deliver employment support for up to 3,300 disabled people, working with the providers of existing services in Scotland, to help those seeking work to make the most of their skills and to access employment support services that help them progress towards work – and to stay in work. We expect contracts to be signed in November 2016. \r\nThrough Work Able Scotland, we have worked with Skills Development Scotland who will procure and manage up to 1,500 starts for eligible customers with a health condition who want to enter work. This support will be built on a supportive coaching relationship with a dedicated case manager and co-ordinated access to skills & health support. Skills Development Scotland will commence procurement for this service shortly via the Public Contracts Scotland portal.\r\nFollowing the estimated 87% funding cut in employability services from the UK Government, this government have set aside up to £20 million of additional funding in addition to the £7m delivered through transfer of services from DWP, to support these transitional services in 2017.\r\nThis is a significant first step towards developing a Scottish approach to employability: an approach that reflects fair work and social and economic inclusion; that puts an emphasis on partnership delivery; and which treats service users with respect.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315400,"EventID":"S5O-00121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:25.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the importance of deer control in urban settings.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315401,"EventID":"S5O-00122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:27.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed air pollution levels with Dundee City Council.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315402,"EventID":"S5O-00123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:28.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T10:38:15.957","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to protect greenbelt land from developers in order to achieve Outcome 3 of the 2020 challenge for Scotland’s biodiversity.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315403,"EventID":"S5O-00124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:29.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual cost is to local authorities of sending disposable nappies to landfill.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315404,"EventID":"S5O-00125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:29.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making toward compiling an open, transparent and comprehensive land register.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315405,"EventID":"S5O-00127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:30.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T09:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that its land reform legislation does not have a negative impact on young people.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315406,"EventID":"S5O-00128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:32.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to control the trade in puppies.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315407,"EventID":"S5O-00129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:32.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its climate change plan will contain sectoral targets for waste, buildings, heat and transport.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315408,"EventID":"S5O-00130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:33.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage the recycling of household waste.","AnswerText":"The Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 require separate collection of dry recyclable materials and food waste. As well as introducing these regulations, we are taking a range of actions to support and encourage recycling.\r\nFor example, between 2011 and 2015, funding of around £25million was made available to councils to support start-up costs of introducing food waste collections. Three quarters of all households in Scotland now have access to a food waste collection service, up from 300,000 in 2010.\r\nIn December 2015 we launched the Household Recycling Charter, to achieve more consistent local collections, improving quantity and quality of recycling. We believe this will make it easier for people to recycle the right things, and we've put in place support to help Councils with that work.\r\nIn February 2016 published ‘Making Things Last’, our circular economy strategy for Scotland. It sets out our ambitions and priorities to keep products and materials in high value use for as long as possible. This includes measures promoting remanufacture, repair and recycling.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315409,"EventID":"S5O-00131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:34.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the quality of urban broadband.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315410,"EventID":"S5O-00132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:35.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the US Department of Agriculture regarding relaxing the import restrictions on Scottish beef and lamb.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315411,"EventID":"S5O-00133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:36.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in providing high-speed broadband to rural areas and town centres that are served by exchange only lines.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315412,"EventID":"S5O-00134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5598,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":139,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:37.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact withdrawal from the EU would have on the Digital Scotland's superfast broadband project.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315413,"EventID":"S5O-00135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:38.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T18:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to farmers who are in debt.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315414,"EventID":"S5O-00136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:38.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve train services in the Dumbarton parliamentary constituency.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving rail services and connectivity within Dumbarton. We have, through the ScotRail franchise, increased the frequency of passenger services between Glasgow and Dumbarton from four to six services per hour and have continued this level of service following the completion of the Glasgow Queen Street tunnel improvements. Passengers in Dumbarton are now able to enjoy a more frequent level of service to and from Helensburgh, Balloch and Glasgow with improved journey times on the Balloch services.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315415,"EventID":"S5O-00137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:40.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T13:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to reach its target of 100% superfast broadband by 2021. ","AnswerText":"Our investment through the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme will make an important contribution, extending fibre broadband coverage to at least 95% of premises by the end of 2017. As announced in the programme for government, we intend to launch procurement activity to deliver new public investment aimed at meeting our commitment to provide 100% coverage across Scotland, in 2017. As a first step, we published a prior information notice on 9 September 2016 to provide potential suppliers with information on the project and to seek views on their capacity to deliver.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315416,"EventID":"S5O-00138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5868,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:41.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve access to 4G mobile coverage.","AnswerText":"Mobile coverage is a critical element in our digital vision for Scotland. We recognise its importance socially and economically but also in terms of resilience. Following detailed collaboration with the mobile industry, we published a Mobile Action Plan on 12 June 2016 setting out a series of measures specifically designed to improve and increase mobile coverage across Scotland. Furthermore, as set out in the programme for government on 6 September 2016, we will outline plans, by Spring 2017, for a programme to address gaps in 4G coverage.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315417,"EventID":"S5O-00139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:42.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making regarding investment in rolling out superfast broadband to communities in Fife, Clackmannanshire and Perth and Kinross.","AnswerText":"By end of March 2016 , the Scottish Government’s investment in the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme had extended fibre broadband access to at least 89% of premises in Fife, 90% of premises in Clackmannanshire and 67% of premises in Perth and Kinross. By the end of 2017, when DSSB deployment completes, those coverage figures will rise to at least 98% in Fife, 99% in Clackmannanshire and 90% in Perth and Kinross.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315418,"EventID":"S5O-00140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:42.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its detailed delivery plan for the provision of superfast broadband to all commercial and residential premises.","AnswerText":"We will set out our delivery approach later in 2016, once we have finalised the coverage to be delivered through the existing Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme and consulted with the market to confirm future commercial investment plans. \r\nWe expect new procurements, to deliver new investment to meet our 100% target, to begin from 2017. We published a Prior Information Notice on 9 September 2016 to formally start engagement with suppliers ahead of these procurements.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315419,"EventID":"S5O-00141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:43.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T18:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to boost the economy in north Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315420,"EventID":"S5O-00142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:44.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent survey suggesting that 61% of people in Scotland would like to see the country generate all of its electricity from renewables. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315421,"EventID":"S5O-00143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:46.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out an assessment of the impact of the affordability of feminine hygiene products on the health of women and girls.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315422,"EventID":"S5O-00144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5781,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:46.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T09:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the status of each of the city deals.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315423,"EventID":"S5O-00145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5809,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:47.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in response to the Audit Scotland report, Supporting Scotland's Economic Growth,The role of the Scottish Government and its economic development agencies.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315424,"EventID":"S5O-00146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:48.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Enterprise and Skills Review will deliver its commitment to regional cohesion.","AnswerText":"As already highlighted in response to Mr Lockhart’s question earlier, the Enterprise and Skills Review has benefitted from high levels of stakeholder interest and engagement during the summer. Over 320 responses from individuals, representative organisations and institutions have been received to our call for evidence, showing the Review’s critical importance. \r\nAs noted, the first stage of the review will conclude shortly and set out the key recommendations for change across a number of areas. This will include regional considerations. Phase 2 will take forward consideration of these recommendations with key partners, including in the South of Scotland. The timetable for this will be set out alongside the Phase 1 outcomes. \r\nOur Economic Strategy demonstrates our commitment to promoting inclusive growth and creating opportunity for all through a fair and inclusive jobs market and regional cohesion. Ensuring all parts of Scotland benefit from sustainable economic growth and contribute to it is essential to Scotland's prosperity and cohesion.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315425,"EventID":"S5O-00147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:49.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in meeting the target it set in 2007 of raising the rate of new housing supply to 35,000 per year by the middle of the current decade.","AnswerText":"After 2007, the financial crisis completely changed both private and affordable housing markets. This included a collapse in private housing output from 20,641 in 2007 to 9,350 in 2009. Since then we have demonstrated a very strong track record in helping both housing output and the industry to recover. \r\nIn every year since 2007 we have maintained higher build rates in both social and private-led housing than England and Wales and in 2015 we had the highest all-sector build rate in the UK. \r\nOur assistance for private housing has included £0.5 billion Help To Buy (Scotland) to support homebuyers and the industry with access to lower deposit mortgages. Alongside this the LIFT schemes have helped over 22,000 households into homeownership since 2007 and in Highlands area the pilot self build loan fund is helping households design and build a home of their choice while supporting the SME house building industry. The £50million infrastructure fund will remove blockages for both affordable and private housing on strategic sites and the ongoing review of planning has workstreams looking at additional innovative housing delivery.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315426,"EventID":"S5O-00148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:49.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address concerns regarding the recruitment and retention of crew members in retained fire stations in rural and island areas.","AnswerText":"I fully appreciate and value the essential service and vital role Retained Duty System firefighters play in keeping the rural and remote communities of Scotland safe. \r\nHowever, the recruitment and retention of retained firefighters within Scotland’s Fire Service is an operational matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315427,"EventID":"S5O-00149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T14:32:51.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T15:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the feasibility of a universal basic income.","AnswerText":"Tackling poverty and inequality is a top priority for this Government, and we give serious consideration to all ideas that could help us to do so. The Universal Basic Income is an interesting concept and we will certainly pay attention to research being carried out and the different models of UBI being piloted in other countries. We also recognise that there would be significant challenges with piloting a Universal Basic Income in the devolved context, whilst we do not have full control of tax and social security.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315428,"EventID":"S5W-02359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T15:21:05.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with HMRC regarding grazings committees continuing to remain eligible to register for VAT.","AnswerText":"VAT is a reserved matter and as such, matters relating to VAT are between HMRC and the respective grazing committees. The Scottish Government has regular meetings with HMRC but we have not had any discussions regarding the VAT status of common grazing committees.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315429,"EventID":"S5W-02361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T15:21:07.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Crofting Commission regarding grazing committees maintaining their VAT status.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the Crofting Commission about crofting policy and regulatory matters in general, including matters relating to common grazings regulation.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315430,"EventID":"S5W-02371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T15:21:08.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many STEM subject (a) pupils aged 14 to 18 and (b) teachers there have been in each year since 2011, broken down by (i) gender and (ii) subject. ","AnswerText":"The number of entries into SQA qualifications in STEM subjects, broken down by gender since academic year 2010-11 are shown in table one. The number of teachers whose main subject is STEM, broken down by gender, over the same time period, is shown in table two. Please note the caveats presented in the footnotes for each table when interpreting figures.\r\nTable 1: SQA entries into STEM1 subjects2 by gender, 2010-11 – 2015-16, all candidates3, all centers.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFemale\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nBiology\r\n31,308\r\n31,509\r\n31,766\r\n30,187\r\n29,149\r\n26,602\r\nHuman Biology\r\n2,894\r\n2,995\r\n3,006\r\n2,879\r\n3,281\r\n4,216\r\nChemistry\r\n20,289\r\n20,471\r\n20,388\r\n19,581\r\n18,687\r\n17,949\r\nPhysics\r\n8,939\r\n9,235\r\n9,303\r\n8,804\r\n8,202\r\n7,795\r\nComputing Science\r\n6,768\r\n6,508\r\n5,614\r\n3,940\r\n3,182\r\n2,871\r\nMathematics\r\n54,676\r\n55,051\r\n53,442\r\n47,632\r\n44,793\r\n44,494\r\nScience\r\n1,084\r\n937\r\n974\r\n284\r\n316\r\n303\r\nMale\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nBiology\r\n17,108\r\n17,947\r\n18,032\r\n16,543\r\n15,924\r\n14,223\r\nHuman Biology\r\n1,372\r\n1,415\r\n1,267\r\n1,277\r\n1,444\r\n1,775\r\nChemistry\r\n20,649\r\n20,971\r\n21,049\r\n19,984\r\n18,886\r\n17,841\r\nPhysics\r\n24,695\r\n24,874\r\n24,863\r\n24,610\r\n24,359\r\n23,475\r\nComputing Science\r\n15,347\r\n15,402\r\n14,423\r\n13,507\r\n13,293\r\n13,221\r\nMathematics\r\n57,940\r\n58,639\r\n56,489\r\n50,613\r\n46,719\r\n45,789\r\nScience\r\n1,285\r\n1,149\r\n1,151\r\n403\r\n499\r\n424\r\nAll\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nBiology\r\n48,416\r\n49,456\r\n49,798\r\n46,730\r\n45,073\r\n40,825\r\nHuman Biology\r\n4,266\r\n4,410\r\n4,273\r\n4,156\r\n4,725\r\n5,991\r\nChemistry\r\n40,938\r\n41,442\r\n41,437\r\n39,565\r\n37,573\r\n35,790\r\nPhysics\r\n33,634\r\n34,109\r\n34,166\r\n33,414\r\n32,561\r\n31,270\r\nComputing Science\r\n22,115\r\n21,910\r\n20,037\r\n17,447\r\n16,475\r\n16,092\r\nMathematics\r\n112,616\r\n113,690\r\n109,931\r\n98,245\r\n91,512\r\n90,283\r\nScience\r\n2,369\r\n2,086\r\n2,125\r\n687\r\n815\r\n727\r\n1. STEM comprises biology, human biology, chemistry, physics, computing science and mathematics. Other subjects may be considered STEM but the ones chosen here give the best continuity across time\r\n2. Subjects are across SCQF levels 3 to 7 and include Standard Grades, Access 3, National 3, Intermediate 1, National 4, Intermediate 2, National 5, Previous Higher, Higher, Previous Advanced Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications.\r\n3. The data include entries by third, fourth, fifth and sixth year school candidates, Other School candidates (which includes first year, second year and adults attending school), Further Education Colleges, and Other (which covers candidates outwith school or college, for example workplace candidates).\r\nTable 2: Secondary school teachers1 - STEM subjects - Main subject taught2 - FTE – 2010-11-2015-16.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFemale\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nBiology\r\n820\r\n823\r\n832\r\n865\r\n854\r\n854\r\nChemistry\r\n521\r\n538\r\n557\r\n568\r\n584\r\n587\r\nPhysics\r\n244\r\n244\r\n239\r\n240\r\n246\r\n247\r\nComputing\r\n300\r\n304\r\n291\r\n290\r\n276\r\n265\r\nMathematics\r\n1,451\r\n1,390\r\n1,389\r\n1,359\r\n1,347\r\n1,326\r\nScience (general)\r\n88\r\n90\r\n85\r\n66\r\n64\r\n67\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMale\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nBiology\r\n342\r\n334\r\n337\r\n325\r\n325\r\n311\r\nChemistry\r\n415\r\n390\r\n378\r\n367\r\n353\r\n345\r\nPhysics\r\n624\r\n605\r\n598\r\n582\r\n576\r\n560\r\nComputing\r\n398\r\n371\r\n369\r\n359\r\n359\r\n336\r\nMathematics\r\n1,193\r\n1,143\r\n1,115\r\n1,082\r\n1,055\r\n1,024\r\nScience (general)\r\n55\r\n52\r\n58\r\n50\r\n65\r\n61\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nBiology\r\n1,162\r\n1,157\r\n1,169\r\n1,190\r\n1,179\r\n1,165\r\nChemistry\r\n936\r\n928\r\n935\r\n935\r\n937\r\n932\r\nPhysics\r\n868\r\n850\r\n837\r\n822\r\n823\r\n807\r\nComputing\r\n699\r\n675\r\n660\r\n649\r\n636\r\n601\r\nMathematics\r\n2,644\r\n2,533\r\n2,504\r\n2,441\r\n2,403\r\n2,350\r\nScience (general)\r\n143\r\n141\r\n143\r\n116\r\n129\r\n128\r\n1. Excludes head teachers and depute head teachers.\r\n2. Note that some teachers also teach an 'other subject', but this split is not collected by FTE. This data assumes that each teacher spends all of their tim","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315431,"EventID":"S5W-02373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T15:21:09.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many schools (a) have and (b) do not have onsite outdoor sports facilities, also broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Information is not held centrally. I have asked the Chief Executive of sportscotland to write to you regarding the range of outdoor sporting facilities available to schools across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315432,"EventID":"S5W-02364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T15:21:10.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many arrests there have been in connection with football matches in each year since 2013 and under what legislation, also broken down by the number of subsequent (a) charges, (b) prosecutions and (c) convictions.","AnswerText":"Information on arrests is not held centrally.\r\nThe Scottish Government publishes information on charges reported by the police to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), under the 'Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (OBFTC) (Scotland) act 2012', which is available at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/06/5808\r\nIn addition, statistics on numbers of people proceeded against and convicted in court under the OBFTC Act are included in the statistical publication Criminal Proceedings in Scotland in Table A which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/02/6001/downloads.\r\nPlease note that the Criminal Proceedings statistics are not directly comparable with the charges information in the report relating to the OBFTC Act. As Criminal Proceedings statistics only measure the main charge in a court case and the OBFTC report presents individual charges it would be expected that the charges figures would be higher. There will also be timing differences since the figures in this report are based on the year of the report to COPFS, while the Criminal Proceedings figures are based on year of disposal from the courts.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315433,"EventID":"S5W-02370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T15:21:11.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) its and (b) the overall costs were for each new or reinstated train station since 2007, broken down by the number of platforms.","AnswerText":"Since 2007, a total of 13 new stations have been added to the rail network. Some stations were constructed on the operational railway whilst others were built as part of larger rail projects re-establishing former railway lines and, accordingly, with differing circumstances there is a variation in construction costs. The table below provides the costs for each station, in outturn prices, and the number of platforms.\r\nStation\r\nOpened in\r\nCost\r\nGovernment Contribution\r\nThird Party contributions(Councils, RTP's)\r\nNumber of platforms\r\nAlloa\r\n2008\r\n£3.05 million\r\n£3.05 million\r\n***\r\n1\r\nLaurencekirk\r\n2009\r\n£3.5 million\r\n£2,805 million\r\n£695,000\r\n2\r\nBlackridge\r\n2011\r\n£4 million\r\n£2.1 million\r\n£1.98 million\r\n2\r\nCaldercruix \r\n2011\r\n£2.46 million\r\n£2.46 million\r\n\r\n2\r\nArmadale\r\n2011\r\n£3 million\r\n£3 million\r\n\r\n2\r\nConon Bridge\r\n2013\r\n£495,000\r\n£399,000\r\n£96,000\r\n1** (15 metre platform)\r\nShawfair\r\n2015\r\n£2.3 million\r\n£2.3 million\r\n\r\n2\r\nEskbank\r\n2015\r\n£2.2 million\r\n£2.2 million\r\n\r\n1\r\nNewtongrange\r\n2015\r\n£1.1 million\r\n£1.1 million\r\n\r\n1\r\nGorebridge\r\n2015\r\n£1 million\r\n£1 million\r\n\r\n1\r\nStow\r\n2015\r\n£1.7 million\r\n£1.7 million\r\n\r\n2\r\nGalashiels\r\n2015\r\n£1.6 million\r\n£1.6 million\r\n\r\n1 \r\nTweedbank\r\n2015\r\n£2.3 million\r\n£2.3 million\r\n\r\n1* (Island Platform)\r\n***A £4.22 million contribution from third party promoters was made towards the overall cost of the Stirling-Alloa and Kincardine project; there was no hypothecation in respect of the station.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315434,"EventID":"S5W-02372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T15:21:12.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many secondary school careers advisers there have been in each year since 2006, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland (SDS) currently employ 293 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Careers, Information, Advice and Guidance Advisers and 52.7 FTE work coaches who provide services to schools across Scotland. SDS manage and deliver their services using 5 geographical regions in Scotland they have defined which do not follow local authority structures.\r\nDue to changes in the delivery landscape and the changing nature and definition of the role of a careers advisor since 2006, SDS does not hold information on the yearly breakdown of the number of careers advisors.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315435,"EventID":"S5W-02374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T15:21:13.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01899 by Humza Youssaf on 2 September 2016, what percentage of its transport budget has been allocated to cycling policy in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"The percentage of Transport Scotland's budget allocated to active travel is as follows:\r\nFinancial Year\r\nPercentage of Transport Scotland Budget Allocated to Active Travel\r\n2010-11\r\n1.2\r\n2011-12\r\n1.0\r\n2012-13\r\n1.1\r\n2013-14\r\n1.1\r\n2014-15\r\n2.1\r\n2015-16\r\n1.9\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315436,"EventID":"S5W-02360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T15:21:14.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on grazing committees being VAT registered.","AnswerText":"VAT is a reserved matter and as such, any issues with regards to VAT are between HMRC and the respective grazing committees.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315437,"EventID":"S5W-02377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T15:21:15.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Scottish Prison Service’s plan to deliver smoke-free indoor prison facilities.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe National Tobacco Strategy Work stream has recommended that all Scottish prisons should be smoke-free within a timescale of up to five years.\r\nThe smoke-free policy will be comprehensive i.e. smoking will not be permitted indoors or outdoors in Scottish prisons. \r\nSPS will be working closely with NHS Health boards and Scottish Government as well as other partner agencies to develop comprehensive plans in preparation for the change.\r\nSmoking cessation services in prisons are delivered by NHS Health boards. NHS boards do not currently have plans in place for implementation of smoke-free prisons. They will be key stakeholders in the partnership approach with Scottish Government and SPS. Health boards will need sufficient time to model demands on cessation services and required resources (e.g. skilled smoking cessation staff and pharmacotherapy), agree budgets, and put funding in place to expand the service to meet demand.\r\nImplementation of smoke-free prisons will be supported and monitored by a large scale study, which will play a vital role in helping SPS and NHS boards prepare to make changes.\r\nA decision has still to be made on whether e-cigarettes will be allowed. This is being considered by a working group, which includes NHS specialists and leading academics from Scottish universities, to support an informed decision on e-cigarettes.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315438,"EventID":"S5W-02362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T15:21:17.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-06T21:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Scottish salmon farming industry is compliant with new regulations adopted by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration prohibiting imports from fisheries where marine animals are intentionally harmed.","AnswerText":"Compliance with import regulations in another country is a matter for companies exporting to that market. The seal licensing system in Scotland enables fish farms to control seal predation as a means of last resort. Having a licence is not mandatory, and some fish farms choose to use only non-lethal deterrents instead.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315461,"EventID":"S5W-02384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:02:59.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement of the Scottish Growth Scheme, which emerging markets it will prioritise in awarding loans and guarantees to applicant companies.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315462,"EventID":"S5W-02386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:00.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement of the Scottish Growth Scheme, how it will define “high growth potential” when assessing applications.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315463,"EventID":"S5W-02338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:01.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01595 by Kevin Stewart on 8 August 2016, whether strategic housing investment plans require local authorities to advise how many (a) sites of allocated land there are and (b) housing unit consents remain outstanding where development has not been brought forward.","AnswerText":"Scottish Planning Policy (2014) sets out the Scottish Government's policy on enabling the delivery of new homes. It sets out that local authorities, through their development plans, should address the supply of land for all housing, maintaining at least a five-year supply of effective housing land at all times. Planning authorities should prepare an annual housing land audit as a tool to review and monitor the availability of effective housing land, the progress of sites through the planning process, and housing completions. This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. Local authorities are not required to provide this information in their Strategic Housing Investment Plans.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315464,"EventID":"S5W-02387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:02.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it was consulted on the reported plan by the Oil and Gas Authority to use £2.5 million of money received from the Treasury to fund new analysis of seismic data harvested 25 years ago, and what its position is on reports that this is for the purpose of increasing the search for oil and gas in the Minch and Firth of Clyde.","AnswerText":"Exploration drilling has fallen substantially over the past few years with only nine exploration and appraisal wells drilled so far in 2016 compared to a total of 26 in 2015. The Scottish Government takes the view that it is crucial that the Oil and Gas Authority concentrates on actions to help encourage and attract investment in exploration opportunities across the UKCS. Investment in seismic data such as this, will help to maintain the rate of potential field developments – and to enable employment to be sustained over the longer term. As the Oil and Gas Authority have already highlighted, areas such as the Minch and Firth of Clyde have not benefitted from the latest industry acquisition and processing techniques. These basins may offer an extra pathway to extending the life of the UKCS, however, consideration of balancing socio economic, health and safety and the increasingly highly sensitive environmental issues to support the on-going future of the oil and gas industry across Scottish waters is of utmost interest to Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315465,"EventID":"S5W-02333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:03.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01610 by Kevin Stewart on 8 August 2016, whether the Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group plans to consider the Wheatley Group's credit downgrade by Standard & Poor's on 6 July 2016.","AnswerText":"The agenda for the next meeting of the Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group in November has not yet been finalised. The agenda for this meeting will be published on the Scottish Government website in November 2016, after the meeting has taken place. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315466,"EventID":"S5W-02369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:04.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the UK Government regarding development of its 2012 report, BIS Retail Strategy, and its 2013 report, A Strategy for Future Retail, Industry and Government delivering in partnership, in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Department for Business Innovation and Skills published both the 2012, BIS Retail Strategy and 2013, A Strategy for Future Retail, in response to the Mary Portas independent review into the future of UK high streets and in support of work they were undertaking to revitalise high streets and town centres. At that time, the Scottish Government were undertaking their own independent review of town centres with a focus that went beyond retail.\r\nThe UK Government did not consult with the Scottish Government on these strategies as town centre regeneration, which both of these strategies address, is devolved to the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315467,"EventID":"S5W-02383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:05.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement of the Scottish Growth Scheme, how it will define “new and early-stage” when determining loans and guarantees to applicant companies.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315468,"EventID":"S5W-02337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:06.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Land and Buildings Transaction Tax was paid by (a) registered social landlords, (b) local authorities and (c) the Scottish Ministers since April 2015.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Revenue Scotland, a non-ministerial department and officeholder in the Scottish Administration, which is responsible for the collection and management of the devolved taxes and publication of related statistics.\r\nStatistics on residential, non-residential and aggregate LBTT revenues are published on a monthly basis by Revenue Scotland on its website. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315469,"EventID":"S5W-02329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:07.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01610 by Kevin Stewart on 8 August 2016, whether the Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group has raised concerns about the availability of credit (a) to increase the pace and momentum of housing delivery to meet the 50,000 new homes target, and (b) since the UK voted to leave the EU.","AnswerText":"Minutes from previous meetings of the Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group can be viewed on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/reform/jhpdg/jhpdg-meetings\r\nThe most recent meeting of the Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group was on 22 June 2016. The Group has not met in plenary since the UK voted to leave the European Union. The next meeting of the Group will be in November 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315470,"EventID":"S5W-02330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:07.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01610 by Kevin Stewart on 8 August 2016, whether it and the Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group have determined the level of credit required to increase the pace and momentum of housing delivery in order to meet the 50,000 new homes target.","AnswerText":"Minutes from previous meetings of the Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group can be viewed on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/reform/jhpdg/jhpdg-meetings\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315471,"EventID":"S5W-02379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:08.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement of the Scottish Growth Scheme, which body will judge if an applicant company has a clear export growth plan.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315472,"EventID":"S5W-02380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:09.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement of the Scottish Growth Scheme, how its assessment of applicant companies’ growth plans will take into account the impact of the UK's decision to leave the EU.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315473,"EventID":"S5W-02334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:11.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of its 33,490 affordable homes were delivered by the Wheatley Group in the fourth parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"During the last parliamentary term, a total of 1362 affordable homes were delivered by the Wheatley Housing Group.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315474,"EventID":"S5W-02336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:11.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether acquisitions made by registered social landlords are subject to Land and Building Transaction Tax if those acquisitions are made without the assistance of grants or other financial assistance.","AnswerText":"Schedule six of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Scotland) Act 2013, as amended by The Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Addition and Modification of Reliefs) (Scotland) Order 2015, provides relief for certain acquisitions by registered social landlords. Paragraph two of schedule six sets out the qualifying conditions. If these conditions are not met then relief will not be available.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315475,"EventID":"S5W-02397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:12.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many families have been eligible for free childcare in each year since 2010-11, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Between August 2007 and July 2014 all three and four year olds were entitled to 475 hours a year of funded early learning and childcare. This increased to 600 hours a year in August 2014 through the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act).\r\nIn 2012, local authorities were provided with £4.5 million over three years to provide early learning and childcare to looked after two year olds on a non-statutory basis. In 2014 the Act made 600 hours funded early learning and childcare a statutory entitlement for 2 year olds who are looked after, or under a Kinship Care or Guardianship Order, along with two year olds with a parent in receipt of out of work benefits. In 2015 this was extended further to those two year olds who meet the free school lunch criteria. \r\nThe following table sets out the estimated number of eligible children (excluding deferrals) by local authority. It is important to note that these figures are not the same as the early learning and childcare census as published in the Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland. This is because the figures below state the number of eligible children over the course of the whole year, i.e. at term 3, whereas the census records those children registered; and, only at term 1.\r\nEstimated Eligible children by LA (3 + 4s, 2s from 2012)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nAberdeen City\r\n4,200\r\n4,300\r\n4,700\r\n4,800\r\n5,200\r\n5,300\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n5,800\r\n6,000\r\n6,300\r\n6,600\r\n6,900\r\n6,700\r\nAngus\r\n2,400\r\n2,500\r\n2,500\r\n2,400\r\n2,600\r\n2,600\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n1,600\r\n1,700\r\n1,700\r\n1,700\r\n1,900\r\n1,900\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n1,100\r\n1,200\r\n1,200\r\n1,100\r\n1,300\r\n1,400\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n3,100\r\n3,100\r\n3,100\r\n3,100\r\n3,400\r\n3,300\r\nDundee City\r\n2,900\r\n3,000\r\n3,200\r\n3,200\r\n3,600\r\n4,000\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n2,600\r\n2,700\r\n2,800\r\n2,800\r\n3,000\r\n3,300\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n2,100\r\n2,100\r\n2,200\r\n2,100\r\n2,400\r\n2,500\r\nEast Lothian\r\n2,400\r\n2,400\r\n2,500\r\n2,400\r\n2,700\r\n2,800\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n2,100\r\n2,100\r\n2,100\r\n2,200\r\n2,400\r\n2,500\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n9,200\r\n9,800\r\n10,700\r\n10,600\r\n10,900\r\n10,900\r\nEilean Siar\r\n600\r\n600\r\n600\r\n500\r\n1,200\r\n1,600\r\nFalkirk\r\n3,600\r\n3,700\r\n3,800\r\n3,900\r\n4,100\r\n4,200\r\nFife\r\n8,000\r\n8,200\r\n8,500\r\n8,600\r\n9,500\r\n9,800\r\nGlasgow City\r\n12,100\r\n12,500\r\n13,000\r\n13,000\r\n15,300\r\n16,700\r\nHighland\r\n5,000\r\n5,200\r\n5,300\r\n5,100\r\n5,300\r\n5,500\r\nInverclyde\r\n1,700\r\n1,700\r\n1,700\r\n1,700\r\n1,900\r\n1,900\r\nMidlothian\r\n1,900\r\n2,000\r\n2,100\r\n2,100\r\n2,400\r\n2,500\r\nMoray\r\n2,000\r\n2,200\r\n2,200\r\n2,100\r\n2,200\r\n2,200\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n3,000\r\n3,000\r\n3,100\r\n3,000\r\n3,400\r\n3,600\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n8,100\r\n8,300\r\n8,400\r\n8,300\r\n9,000\r\n9,300\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n400\r\n400\r\n500\r\n400\r\n500\r\n500\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n2,800\r\n3,000\r\n3,000\r\n3,000\r\n3,200\r\n3,300\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n3,700\r\n3,800\r\n3,900\r\n3,900\r\n4,300\r\n4,400\r\nScottish Borders\r\n2,300\r\n2,400\r\n2,400\r\n2,300\r\n2,500\r\n2,600\r\nShetland Islands\r\n600\r\n500\r\n500\r\n600\r\n600\r\n600\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n2,200\r\n2,300\r\n2,300\r\n2,200\r\n2,600\r\n2,600\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n6,900\r\n7,000\r\n7,100\r\n7,000\r\n7,700\r\n8,100\r\nStirling\r\n1,900\r\n1,800\r\n1,800\r\n1,800\r\n1,900\r\n2,000\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n2,000\r\n2,100\r\n2,200\r\n2,100\r\n2,400\r\n2,500\r\nWest Lothian\r\n4,600\r\n4,700\r\n4,800\r\n4,600\r\n5,000\r\n5,100\r\nScotland\r\n112,700\r\n116,200\r\n120,500\r\n119,300\r\n131,300\r\n136,300\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315476,"EventID":"S5W-02398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:14.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00878 by Shona Robison on 19 July 2016, in light of the number of vacancies, what its response is to midwifery graduates from Scotland taking up offers of full-time places in England. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring a sustainable supply of midwives and providing attractive employment opportunities for newly qualified midwives in Scotland. In addition to the One Year Job Guarantee Scheme for newly registered midwives and better pay for Agenda for Change staff in Scotland compared to anywhere else in the UK, Scottish Government reintroduced a national Return to Practice scheme from April 2015 to attract former nurses and midwives back into the profession, enabling them to retrain and re-enter employment. There were 111.6 WTE Band 5 midwives employed in NHS Scotland at 30 June 2016, compared to 71.9 WTE employed at 30 June 2014 (Source: ISD Scotland National Statistics release, 6 September 2016:  http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/data-tables.asp)","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315477,"EventID":"S5W-02335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:14.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Wheatley Group since the UK voted to leave the EU regarding its credit downgrade by Standard & Poor's on 6 July 2016.","AnswerText":"I attended a meeting with the Wheatley Housing Group (WHG) on 13 July 2016. At this meeting, the Chief Executive of WHG emphasised that, despite recent changes, the WHG still has a strong credit rating and had enough liquidity to borrow significant sums in future.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315478,"EventID":"S5W-02378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:15.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement of the Scottish Growth Scheme, when it expects to invite applications from companies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that there is strong interest in the criteria, eligibility, and operational delivery of the Scottish Growth Scheme. As stated in the Programme for Government – A Plan for Scotland – we will work with business organisations, the UK Government and Scottish Parliament to establish the \r\n£500 million Scottish Growth Scheme. We will also work with banks to develop the scheme and their role in it. \r\nUnderstandably, we do not wish to make any pre-judgements or be prescriptive on operational detail until the outcome of this work is concluded.\r\nThe delivery approach is currently under development and it is important to note that appropriate due diligence work will be undertaken on each company to assess whether support is appropriate in each individual case. This will include all relevant aspects that are likely to impact on an individual company’s growth or exporting plans, whether exports are to the EU or non-EU countries. There are no pre-designated export markets, it will depend on the commercial prospects.\r\nAn investment guarantee is a legal agreement between a guarantor and a financial intermediary (usually a bank) whereby the guarantor covers a proportion of the losses incurred by the financial intermediary, for example, on loans. The purpose of a guarantee is to allow the release of more debt financing to individual companies by the sharing of risk with the financial intermediary. The guarantee is a percentage of individual company loan finance, and total losses paid by the guarantor to the financial intermediary are usually capped. Contingent liabilities are legally enforceable undertakings given in the form of a guarantee or indemnity which would bind the Scottish Government into providing the resources in the event of the guarantee or indemnity maturing.\r\nThe due diligence will be undertaken by specialists with the appropriate skills to provide a sufficiently robust examination of the prospects and finances of each company applying under the scheme.\r\nIt is anticipated that the support will mainly be in the form of guarantees but if appropriate, loans may be offered. This will be dependent on the proposals that come forward. It is therefore not possible, at this time, to set out what proportion would be loans and guarantees.\r\nThe types of applicant companies will vary, depending on the specific sector, and stage of development, the principal key criteria will be growth delivery and entering new markets. It is too early to provide figures on any anticipated level of default. Any cost associated with defaults will be partially offset by fees charged for providing guarantees and interest on any loan extended. Following the conclusions of discussions with lenders, we will consider whether it is appropriate for companies receiving support to provide some level of security to offset risk of default.\r\nBefore the scheme can invite applications, a change to parliamentary procedures associated with approving Scottish Government guarantees will be required. Importantly, co-operation is also required from the UK Government in agreeing the budgeting treatment of the guarantees. Both are progressing and the Scottish Parliament will be updated on developments.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315479,"EventID":"S5W-02385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:16.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement of the Scottish Growth Scheme, which body it expects will assess and approve applications for loans and guarantees.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315480,"EventID":"S5W-02331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:17.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01610 by Kevin Stewart on 8 August 2016, what the date of its last meeting was with the Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group when the availability of credit was (a) on the agenda or (b) discussed.","AnswerText":"‘Risk and capital lending – delivery challenges for affordable housing providers’ was an agenda item at the most recent Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group meeting (22 June 2016). The minutes of this meeting will be available on the Scottish Government website once they have been approved by the group in November 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315481,"EventID":"S5W-02332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:18.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-05T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01610 by Kevin Stewart on 8 August 2016, whether the Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group advises it on the borrowing commitments of the industry.","AnswerText":"The remit of the Joint Housing Policy and Delivery group is to promote collaboration and joint working across the sector with a specific focus on the Joint Housing Delivery Plan for Scotland, and to advise Ministers on new and existing housing policy and legislation. Although there is no specific action in the plan which directly covers the borrowing commitments of the social housing sector, access to finance is key to delivering many of the actions and, as such, may be discussed by the group in general terms from time to time.\r\nThe Joint Housing Delivery Plan for Scotland can be viewed here: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/05/3392","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315482,"EventID":"S5W-02363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:19.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness of foetal alcohol spectrum disorders. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00971 on 11 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315483,"EventID":"S5W-02381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:20.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement of the Scottish Growth Scheme, whether it will assess applicant companies’ export growth plans separately in terms of exports to EU and non-EU countries.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315484,"EventID":"S5W-02382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:21.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement of the Scottish Growth Scheme, what proportion of the total funding it expects will be (a) loans and (b) guarantees.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315485,"EventID":"S5W-02396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:22.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many workers who provide early childcare there have been in each year since 2010-11, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The following table sets out the number of workers who provided Early Childcare in each year since 2010-11, broken down by local authority.\r\nThis information covers those registered with the Scottish Social Services Council, including Childminders. Not all of those registered as working in childcare are actually providing care to the service user. Therefore, the data in the following table excludes those working in Early Learning and Childcare settings who are administrative/support workers or in ancillary roles.\r\nLocal Authority Area\r\nHeadcount of Day Care of Children staff (excluding admin/ancillary staff) plus Childminders\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nAberdeen City\r\n1573\r\n1512\r\n1533\r\n1517\r\n1530\r\n1633\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n1669\r\n1642\r\n1696\r\n1780\r\n1836\r\n2003\r\nAngus\r\n770\r\n779\r\n762\r\n735\r\n790\r\n842\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n491\r\n476\r\n458\r\n470\r\n481\r\n502\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n309\r\n293\r\n312\r\n296\r\n322\r\n332\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n689\r\n686\r\n687\r\n684\r\n749\r\n769\r\nDundee City\r\n1016\r\n1018\r\n1044\r\n1002\r\n1108\r\n1171\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n663\r\n656\r\n674\r\n712\r\n750\r\n770\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n701\r\n705\r\n751\r\n729\r\n793\r\n878\r\nEast Lothian\r\n642\r\n655\r\n628\r\n625\r\n690\r\n730\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n647\r\n654\r\n658\r\n645\r\n720\r\n770\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n3599\r\n3638\r\n3631\r\n3670\r\n3987\r\n4128\r\nFalkirk\r\n902\r\n905\r\n933\r\n900\r\n931\r\n965\r\nFife\r\n2141\r\n2168\r\n2221\r\n2127\r\n2256\r\n2354\r\nGlasgow City\r\n4149\r\n4101\r\n4182\r\n4161\r\n4264\r\n4285\r\nHighland\r\n1522\r\n1425\r\n1411\r\n1479\r\n1577\r\n1570\r\nInverclyde\r\n431\r\n431\r\n428\r\n428\r\n472\r\n490\r\nMidlothian\r\n608\r\n629\r\n621\r\n643\r\n667\r\n747\r\nMoray\r\n525\r\n515\r\n531\r\n518\r\n549\r\n590\r\nNa h-Eileanan Siar\r\n161\r\n156\r\n194\r\n151\r\n154\r\n165\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n772\r\n760\r\n751\r\n711\r\n742\r\n723\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n1862\r\n1882\r\n1730\r\n1706\r\n1840\r\n1876\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n104\r\n100\r\n127\r\n121\r\n124\r\n124\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n1001\r\n977\r\n982\r\n951\r\n1026\r\n1077\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n1252\r\n1227\r\n1233\r\n1222\r\n1288\r\n1345\r\nScottish Borders\r\n644\r\n635\r\n648\r\n650\r\n676\r\n677\r\nShetland Islands\r\n161\r\n161\r\n162\r\n143\r\n159\r\n170\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n627\r\n628\r\n609\r\n613\r\n667\r\n668\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n1913\r\n1908\r\n1866\r\n1835\r\n1975\r\n2033\r\nStirling\r\n679\r\n653\r\n652\r\n648\r\n647\r\n671\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n576\r\n581\r\n576\r\n573\r\n616\r\n602\r\nWest Lothian\r\n1225\r\n1212\r\n1228\r\n1271\r\n1346\r\n1440\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315486,"EventID":"S5W-02399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-07T17:03:23.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00878 by Shona Robison on 19 July 2016, how many midwifery vacancies are currently advertised by each NHS board at the band that is open to new graduates, band 5.","AnswerText":"The number of vacant Midwifery posts per NHS Board is published by ISD Scotland at quarterly intervals. The most recent available Midwifery vacancy data is published as at 30 June 2016.\r\nA vacancy is defined as a post which has been cleared for advertisement after going through the redeployment process (internal or external advertisement) and remains a vacancy until an individual starts in post.\r\nISD Scotland do not hold information on the number of Midwifery posts currently being advertised by NHS Boards.\r\nFurther information on the latest published Midwifery Vacancy figures can be found in the data tables of the Workforce Statistics website at:\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2016-09-06/Nursing_and_Midwifery_Vacancies_J2016.xls.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315494,"EventID":"S5W-02389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:10:53.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T14:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public libraries have (a) had their opening hours reduced or (b) closed in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally, however I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02014 on 13 September 2016 which contains information on the number of libraries in Scotland. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nThe Scottish Government funds the Scottish library and information council to provide independent advice to the Scottish Government on library services and to act as a leadership body for the sector. SLIC can provide information on the local library landscape in Scotland, and may be contacted using the details below:\r\nPamela Tulloch\r\nChief Executive Officer\r\nScottish Library & Information Council\r\nSuite 2.4\r\nTurnberry House\r\n175 West George Street\r\nGlasgow\r\nG2 2LB\r\nt: 0141 202 2999\r\ne: p.tulloch@scottishlibraries.org\r\nw: www.scottishlibraries.org\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":315495,"EventID":"S5W-02404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:10:55.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with local police commanders since 2013 regarding policing priorities.","AnswerText":"The setting of local policing priorities is a matter for local police commanders in partnership with the relevant local authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315496,"EventID":"S5W-02406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:10:56.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the next update to the report, Equality and Diversity in Police Scotland 2013 will be published.","AnswerText":"Equality and diversity within Police Scotland is a matter for the Chief Constable. We understand, that in line with the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012, Police Scotland will publish their next report into Equality and Diversity in 2017. This report follows the publication of their Equality and Diversity Update in 2014 and their Equality and Diversity Mainstreaming Progress Report in 2015. Police Scotland's equality and diversity publications can be found at the following link: http://www.scotland.police.uk/about-us/equality-and-diversity.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315497,"EventID":"S5W-02421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:10:57.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what cost savings have been made by each legacy police force area in each year since 2013.","AnswerText":"Legacy police forces ceased to exist from on 1 April 2013 following the commencement of the new single service and therefore the information requested is not available.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315498,"EventID":"S5W-02423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:10:58.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it would cost to carry out the outstanding repairs to fixtures and fittings in property belonging to each Police Scotland local region.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Executive to your question and I have asked him to write to you. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315499,"EventID":"S5W-02438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:10:59.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost per unit was for new social housing built by local authorities for (a) one-, (b) two- and (c) three-bedroom properties in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Funding for Council House Building was introduced in April 2009, the aim of which was to incentivise local authorities to build new homes. Cost information on the new homes delivered was not held on our recording system.\r\nFrom 2012-13, we have recorded total project costs based on information provided by councils. The following table therefore shows the average cost to deliver a new home for social rent by councils since 2012-13, together with the average number of bedspaces per unit: \r\nFinancial Year\r\nAverage cost\r\nper unit\r\nAverage no. of\r\nbedspaces\r\nper unit\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n£122,866\r\n3.89\r\n2013-14\r\n£124,651\r\n3.61\r\n2014-15\r\n£123,956\r\n3.40\r\n2015-16\r\n£117,114\r\n3.65\r\nThe figures within this table are from programme management information only and are not published","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315500,"EventID":"S5W-02400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:00.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what immediate plans it has to introduce new benefits using section 28 of the Scotland Act 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government set out its priorities for the coming year in \"A Plan For Scotland: The Scottish Government's Programme For Scotland 2016-17\" published on 6 September.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315501,"EventID":"S5W-02402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:01.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the policing priorities have been in each year since 2013, broken down by division.","AnswerText":"Local policing priorities are set out in local police plans, prepared by local police commanders in partnership with the relevant local authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315502,"EventID":"S5W-02434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:02.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to meet its target for new forestry planting.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking decisive action to stimulate new forestry planting to meet our ambitious annual planting target of 10,000 hectares. This includes delivering our new Forestry Grant Scheme and commissioning an independent review of the forestry planting approvals process to identify improvements which will help achieve, over the next few years, a step change in the pace and scale of new planting to ensure the long-term availability of timber and to meet our climate change targets. I will be discussing progress with the forestry sector at summits being held in the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315503,"EventID":"S5W-02436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:03.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the British Medical Association and Police Scotland regarding the renewal of shotgun licenses.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials have met with the Scottish General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association (Scotland) and with Police Scotland on several occasions to discuss the sharing of information between general practitioners and the police for the purposes of firearms and shotgun licensing. Discussions are continuing in order to ensure the appropriate and timely sharing of information and the safety of individuals and the public.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315504,"EventID":"S5W-02440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:03.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a forward loan scheme for single farm payments in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"As I announced in Parliament on 13 September 2016, the Scottish\r\nGovernment has set up the 2016 National Basic Payment Support Scheme.\r\n \r\nUnder this scheme, eligible farmers and crofters will be able to receive\r\na loan of 80 per cent of their expected eligible CAP Basic Payment and Greening 2016 up\r\nto a maximum of €150,000.\r\n \r\nMore information is available at:\r\nhttps://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/all-schemes/national-loan-schemes/loans-for-2016-17-payments/","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315505,"EventID":"S5W-02455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:04.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to mitigate the impact on business during upgrades to older buildings under the Assessment of Energy Performance of Non-domestic Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2016.","AnswerText":"The regulations provide for mitigation of impact. Within a framework, building owners decide the improvement measures they will undertake within three and a half years. Should they not be in a position to do the work, it may be deferred by the reporting of operational energy use.\r\nFurther to this, in delivering our national infrastructure priority for energy efficiency, the Scottish Government will be consulting stakeholders in the development of proposals for Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme, including those around new or additional regulation and standards, as part of a wider package of financial incentives, advice and support for building owners and tenants.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315506,"EventID":"S5W-02457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:05.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T11:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average grant awarded by the Student Award Agency for Scotland was for support to students with dyslexia in (a) further and (b) higher education institutions in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) administer the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) which is a needs led funding based on demand. DSA helps support equality for individual students.\r\nThe following table shows the average DSA award granted by SAAS for students who have declared they have dyslexia.\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nAll\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAmount of support (£ million)\r\n3.803\r\n3.962\r\n3.126\r\n3.53\r\n3.223\r\nAverage support per student (£ thousand)\r\n1,500\r\n1,400\r\n1,300\r\n1,300\r\n1,200\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nUniversities\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAmount of support (£ million)\r\n2.964\r\n3.07\r\n2.311\r\n2.555\r\n2.473\r\nAverage support per student (£ thousand)\r\n1,400\r\n1,400\r\n1,200\r\n1,300\r\n1,200\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nColleges\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAmount of support (£ million)\r\n0.84\r\n0.893\r\n0.815\r\n0.975\r\n0.749\r\nAverage support per student (£ thousand)\r\n1,800\r\n1,800\r\n1,800\r\n1,700\r\n1,400\r\n\r\nNotes: DSA funding from SAAS is available to those undertaking a course of higher education at eligible colleges, universities and private institutions. The data provided for colleges includes publicly funded colleges and private institutions.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315507,"EventID":"S5W-02431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:06.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of records in the Scottish National Archives have been withdrawn as unfit for production in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"National Records of Scotland holds over 80 linear km of archive material comprising millions of individual items in a wide variety of formats. 7562 of these items are currently marked as “unfit for production” and a further 1494 are marked as “record at risk”. Annual figures are not kept. As the national archives holdings are measured in linear kilometres, it is not possible to express these items as a percentage of the total collection.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315508,"EventID":"S5W-02432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:07.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of records in the Scottish National Archives are considered vulnerable.","AnswerText":" I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02431 on 15 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315509,"EventID":"S5W-02463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:08.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01955 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 2 September 2016, whether it considers that a 71.3% successful completion rate for students on full-time recognised higher education qualifications is satisfactory, and what it is doing to increase this rate.","AnswerText":"The 71.3% successful completion rate for college students on full-time recognised Higher Education (HE) qualifications in 2014-15 is relatively unchanged from the record high of 71.4% in 2013-14. It represents a 7.4 percentage point increase from 2008-09.\r\nMoreover, 2014-15 saw the highest ever number of full-time HE students successfully complete recognised qualifications: 23,717 compared to 23,121 the previous year. And there has been a 29% increase in the number of students progressing from college to university with advanced standing between 2011-12 and 2014-15 (from 3,099 to 3,999).","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315510,"EventID":"S5W-02464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:09.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the completion rate was for students on part-time recognised (a) higher and (b) further education qualifications in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"The information requested is published by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) in its annual publication College Performance Indicators.\r\nData for 2014-15 is available in the most recent edition of the publication:\r\nhttp://www.sfc.ac.uk/communications/Statisticalpublications/2016/SFCST012016.aspx (Chart 2 and Chart 5)\r\nData for all years is reproduced in the following table for reference:\r\nCollege completion rates for student enrolments on part-time recognised qualifications 2010-11 to 2014-15\r\n\r\nFurther Education (FE)\r\nHigher Education (HE)\r\n\r\nCompletions\r\nAll\r\nCompletion Rate\r\nCompletions\r\nAll\r\nCompletion Rate\r\n2010-11\r\n115,321\r\n129,210\r\n89.3%\r\n15,546\r\n17,243\r\n90.2%\r\n2011-12\r\n95,853\r\n105,764\r\n90.6%\r\n12,264\r\n13,662\r\n89.8%\r\n2012-13\r\n86,743\r\n97,073\r\n89.4%\r\n11,422\r\n12,636\r\n90.4%\r\n2013-14\r\n94,357\r\n103,683\r\n91.0%\r\n10,907\r\n11,906\r\n91.6%\r\n2014-15\r\n101,141\r\n110,108\r\n91.9%\r\n11,216\r\n12,157\r\n92.3%\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council (SFC), College Performance Indicators\r\n\r\nNote: Completions include Completed Successfully and Partial Success.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315511,"EventID":"S5W-02403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support and guidance it provides to local authorities prior to them setting their local policing priorities.","AnswerText":"The collaborative statement of Good Scrutiny and Engagement provides guidance for local authorities on their responsibilities under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, including the scrutiny of local police plans.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315512,"EventID":"S5W-02410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:12.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the expenditure was on the outsourcing of NHS services in each year since 2007, also broken down by NHS board. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315513,"EventID":"S5W-02417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:13.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of proposals to remove inpatient services at the Centre for Integrative Care at Gartnavel Hospital.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02416 on 21 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315514,"EventID":"S5W-02428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:14.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent and reduce the risk of suicide on the transport network.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government are supportive of the excellent partnership work that British Transport Police, the Railway Industry, NHS Greater Glasgow and other external bodies are undertaking to reduce fatalities, suicidal behaviour and disruption upon the rail network. In addition we work with the trunk road Operating Companies, Police Scotland, local authorities, health boards and stakeholders to introduce a range of mitigation measures, monitor activity and help prevent self-harming across the trunk road network.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315515,"EventID":"S5W-02435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:14.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met its target for new forestry planting.","AnswerText":"Scotland has delivered over 70% of all new forestry plantings in the UK since 2012 when the new planting target of 100,000 hectares by 2022 was introduced. The Scottish Government is taking decisive action to stimulate new forestry planting to meet this ambitious annual planting target of 10,000 hectares which is still to be achieved.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315516,"EventID":"S5W-02453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:15.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Brexit, what steps it is taking to assess and protect the body of Scots law that is underpinned or connected to EU law, and what (a) timescale and (b) resources it proposes for this work to be carried out. ","AnswerText":"The result of the EU referendum clearly has considerable potential consequences for Scots law. For example, the Faculty of Advocate’s recent evidence to the European and External Relations Committee of the Parliament identified a number of legal issues that will need to be addressed. Consideration of the impact on Scots law is therefore a key element of the Scottish Government’s work on the options for Scotland’s future relationship with the EU and the rest of the UK following the EU referendum. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315517,"EventID":"S5W-02401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:16.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what immediate plans it has to introduce discretionary payments that top up reserved benefits using section 24 of the Scotland Act 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02400 on 21 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315518,"EventID":"S5W-02419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:17.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects Police Scotland to return balanced accounts.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects all public bodies to work towards returning balanced accounts.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315519,"EventID":"S5W-02426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:17.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many attempted suicides have been recorded in (a) hospitals and (b) prisons in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"a) This information is not held centrally.\r\nb) The following table provides the number of attempted suicides in prison as recorded within the SPS Prisoner Records reporting system (PR2):\r\nYear\r\nNumber of Attempted Suicides in Prison\r\n2007\r\n26\r\n2008\r\n21\r\n2009\r\n18\r\n2010\r\n18\r\n2011\r\n23\r\n2012\r\n24\r\n2013\r\n13\r\n2014\r\n38\r\n2015\r\n47\r\n2016 (to 15-09-16)\r\n20\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315520,"EventID":"S5W-02433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:18.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Goverment how much funding it has given to the Scottish National Archives in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Funding for National Records of Scotland since 2012 and for its predecessor bodies, including National Archives of Scotland, is set out in budget documents available at:http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18127/Documents. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315521,"EventID":"S5W-02444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:19.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many overseas trips have been taken by civil servants accompanying the First Minister since 23 June 2016.","AnswerText":"On 29 June 2016, the First Minister travelled to Brussels and was supported by Scottish Government civil servants. On 9 August 2016, the First Minister travelled to Berlin and was supported by Scottish Government civil servants.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315522,"EventID":"S5W-02409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:20.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the spend was on locum doctors in each year since 2007, also broken down by NHS board. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is held by NHS Boards. The Scottish Government does not hold the information centrally.\r\nWe do however know that the annual spend on agency medical locums in NHSScotland is £103 million. When compared to the NHS England overall spend of £3.3 billion for the year 2014-5 on Medical and Nursing agency, NHSScotland spends proportionately 1/3 of what is spent in England on medical and nursing agency staff at £127.5 million. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315523,"EventID":"S5W-02411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:21.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what proportion of the intake in medical schools since 2011 were from (a) state schools, (b) private schools and (c) overseas, also expressed as a percentage.","AnswerText":"Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data shows that between 2011-12 and 2014-2015 there were 3,795 entrants to pre-clinical medicine in Scottish HEIs. 2,150 (60%) were from state schools, 850 (24%) were from independent schools, and 555 (16%) were from overseas.\r\nExcluding overseas, 72% were from state schools.\r\nNote: Percentage calculations are based on rounded data and exclude the 245 UK domiciles whose previous education establishment was unknown. Data rounded to nearest 5.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315524,"EventID":"S5W-02416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:21.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions ministers have had regarding the future of the Centre for Integrative Care at Gartnavel Hospital regarding the retention of inpatient services.","AnswerText":"These are matters for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, who are responsible for planning and delivering services to meet the assessed needs of their resident population.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315525,"EventID":"S5W-02418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:22.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to centrally funding the Centre for Integrative Care at Gartnavel Hospital to ensure that it can continue to provide its services.","AnswerText":"It is not a matter for the Scottish Government to designate a centre or facility as a national resource to receive centralised funding. The Centre for Integrative Care is operated by NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, and is therefore commissioned and funded by the NHS Board via their annual revenue allocation. \r\nA highly specialised clinical service may be considered for national designation through application to the National Specialist Service Committee. Full information about highly specialised services and the application process for national designation is available at the following website:\r\nhttp://www.nsd.scot.nhs.uk/about/nssc.html.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315526,"EventID":"S5W-02420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:23.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what reassurances it have sought from Police Scotland regarding the force's financial projections for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government maintains regular contact with the Scottish Police Authority on a range of financial matters. This includes regular reporting and review of expected outturn for the financial year.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315527,"EventID":"S5W-02450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:24.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what projections Transport Scotland has made of future vehicle numbers on the (a) A76, (b) A75, (c) A7 and (d) A701 between Dumfries and Moffat. ","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland maintain a range of traffic forecasts on all trunk roads in Scotland using the national transport model, The Transport Model for Scotland. It has a base year of 2014 and produces forecasts for a number of future years. Future forecasts of demand are based upon a range of assumptions including population growth, fuel prices, economic activity, land-use changes. There is uncertainty associated with these assumptions which increases over time.\r\nDetails of current and forecast traffic flows on the selected trunk roads in Dumfries and Galloway are shown in the table below The current traffic flows are taken from Automatic Traffic Counters at the locations described in 2014.\r\n\r\n\r\nAll Flows are Vehicles per day\r\n\r\n\r\nCurrent Flows\r\nPrimary Scenario Forecast Traffic Flows\r\n\r\n\r\nYear\r\nRoad No.\r\nTraffic Count Location \r\n2014\r\n2022\r\n2032\r\n(a) A76 \r\nNorth of Newbridge Drive\r\n9880\r\n9600\r\n9300\r\n(b) A75\r\nWest of Annan\r\n10280\r\n11800\r\n12900\r\n(b) A75 \r\nEast of Crocketford\r\n10160\r\n11500\r\n12100\r\n(c) A7\r\nA7 South of Canonbie\r\n\r\n4180\r\n5400\r\n5600\r\n(d) A701\r\nNorth of Locharbriggs\r\n5720\r\n6400\r\n6500\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315528,"EventID":"S5W-02452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5809,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:25.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards provide or commission dedicated palliative care services that are accessible to patients and their families 24/7.","AnswerText":"This information is not centrally available.\r\nHealth and Social Care Partnerships are responsible for commissioning palliative and end of life care services that best meet the needs of their local population.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315529,"EventID":"S5W-02412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:25.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T18:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the survey by City & Guilds, which showed that 14 to 19-year-olds in Scotland were considering 67 out of 369 jobs listed by the UK Government, the lowest among UK countries.","AnswerText":"We welcome the report’s findings that Scots children are optimistic about their future, and we want to build upon this to support them in raising and meeting their aspirations. \r\nIn implementing our Youth Employment Strategy ‘Developing the Young Workforce’, work is already underway across Scotland to make sure all children and young people develop a greater understanding of the world of work and the opportunities on offer. This includes much earlier access to career information advice and guidance, increasing employer involvement with schools and increasing opportunities for young people to learn about work within school and in work placements. ‘A Plan for Scotland – the Scottish Government’s Programme for Scotland 2016-17’ sets out how we will continue to build on this work by –\r\nExtending the reach of careers advice to younger school pupils through the embedding of the Career Education Standard (3-18)\r\nEmbedding a new work placement standard\r\nExpanding the number of foundation apprenticeships\r\nContinue to develop graduate level apprenticeships\r\nFunding and supporting the development of employer led DYW regional groups across the country to encourage and support more employers to engage with education and to recruit more young people.\r\nThe conclusions drawn by the City and Guilds research support the direction of travel we are taking through our Youth Employment Strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315530,"EventID":"S5W-02415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:27.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T20:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Scotland have sought protection each year under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, as amended by the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2011 by way of a (a) civil and (b) criminal court, and what proportion of cases have led to the court to (i) award damages, (ii) grant an interdict or interim interdict and (iii) issue a non-harassment order.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have all of the information requested by the member as the data held on damages and interdicts does not specifically identify cases relating to protection from harassment. However, the information that is available is shown in the following table.\r\nIn relation to civil cases, the following table shows cases initiated and disposed for non-harassment orders under sections 8 and 8A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.\r\nFinancial Year\r\nInitiated\r\nDisposed\r\nGranted\r\n2014-15\r\n6\r\n9\r\n3\r\n2013-14\r\n20\r\n8\r\n6\r\n2012-13\r\n12\r\n4\r\n2\r\n2011-12\r\n13\r\n4\r\n2\r\n2010-11\r\n3\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2009-10\r\n4\r\n3\r\n3\r\n2008-09\r\n4\r\n8\r\n3\r\n\r\nThe 1997 Act was amended by the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2011 which came into effect in July 2011. It is possible that this has led to the rise in the number of non-harassment orders initiated since 2011-12.\r\nThese statistics relate to the “principal crave” only. An individual case can involve a number of different case types. The case type which is listed first on the writ/summons is normally known as the “principal crave”. More information about this, and other explanations about the data, can be found in sections 11-14 of the latest publication on Civil Justice Statistics in Scotland, which can be accessed at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/6429\r\nThe number of cases disposed of may be an underestimate. In addition, around a fifth of ordinary cause cases are sisted (suspended).\r\nCases may be initiated and disposed in different years, so the statistics for initiated and disposed for a particular year do not necessarily represent the same cases.\r\nData prior to 2008-09 is not available.\r\nThe data in the table above relates to number of cases and may not necessarily equal the number of people seeking an order.\r\nSection 234A of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 provides that where a person is convicted of a criminal offence involving harassment of the victim, the prosecutor may apply to the court to make a non-harassment order against the offender, requiring the offender to refrain from such conduct in relation to the victim as may be specified in the order. The court may, if it is satisfied on a balance of probabilities that it is appropriate to do so in order to protect the victim from harassment, make a non-harassment order.\r\nFinancial Year\r\nNumber of Non-Harassment Orders Issued in Scotland during criminal proceedings\r\n2008-09\r\n33\r\n2009-10\r\n47\r\n2010-11\r\n49\r\n2011-12\r\n101\r\n2012-13\r\n183\r\n2013-14\r\n386\r\n2014-15\r\n640\r\n2015-16\r\n938\r\n2016-17 YTD\r\n412\r\nYTD = April-August 2016.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Court Service uses a live operational case management system for the processing of court business. The information held on the system is structured for these operational needs, rather than for statistical reporting or research purposes. The information provided is based on the best information available from the case management system as at 15 September 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315531,"EventID":"S5W-02429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:28.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have received electroconvulsive therapy in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Information on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is available in the annual reports published by the Scottish ECT Accreditation Network (SEAN) http://www.sean.org.uk/AuditReport/Main.html.\r\nThese reports summarise data that have been collected from an electronic care pathway installed in all ECT treatment clinics in Scotland. Data are collected on every aspect of patient care, including the number of patients, episodes and treatments relating to ECT to ensure compliance with SEAN standards.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315532,"EventID":"S5W-02430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:29.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has cost it to provide mental health treatment in each year since 2007. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Health Service Costs is published annually by Information Services Division Scotland and provides a detailed analysis of where its resources are spent (http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Finance/).","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315533,"EventID":"S5W-02447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:30","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many miles of (a) trunk road and (b) dual carriageway in (i) Scotland and (ii) Dumfries and Galloway are under the responsibility of Transport Scotland.","AnswerText":"The following table sets out the length of each trunk road managed and maintained by the Scottish Ministers in (i) Scotland and (ii) Dumfries and Galloway.\r\n\r\nScotland\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nAll trunk roads\r\n3508km\r\n346km\r\nDual carriageways\r\n520km\r\n7km\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315534,"EventID":"S5W-02462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:30.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students in further education institutions have changed their programmes of study from full-time to part-time in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nThe Scottish Funding Council publishes annual statistics on colleges in Scotland, however they do not collect information on changes in students’ mode of study during the academic year.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315535,"EventID":"S5W-02388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:32.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T14:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to make the recommended books listed in the First Minister’s Reading Challenge available in public libraries.","AnswerText":"100 places to start your reading journey was shared with public libraries ahead of the First Minister’s Reading Challenge being launched. This allowed librarians to consider their current children’s book stock in light of the new programme before schools began to take part. The Scottish Book Trust is running regional events where teachers and librarians can come together to see how they can work in partnership on the Reading Challenge. Public libraries are represented on the Advisory Group for the Challenge by the CEO of the Scottish Library and Information Council.\r\nPublic libraries, which already hold a wide range of children’s titles, are an essential part of supporting access to reading materials. Everybody can join their local library service. Young people will be able to access a wide range of free books in all sorts of formats through their local library, as well as advice and recommendations from library staff.\r\n100 places to start your reading journey is not a mandatory list. The First Minister’s Reading Challenge recognises the importance of personalisation and choice in reading for pleasure. It is therefore flexible so that children can read any books or other reading materials which interest them.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":315536,"EventID":"S5W-02390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:33.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T14:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has given to providing organisational infrastructure and resources for the First Minister’s Reading Challenge.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has allocated £334,144 to enable the Scottish Book Trust to develop, promote and administer the First Minister’s Reading Challenge. This includes teacher resources and marketing materials for every primary school and branch library in Scotland, Reading Passports that are free on request upon registration for the Challenge, the 100 places to start your reading journey resource, prizes for schools and pupils, and a website. Schools can use the new website to register, access resources, interact with the book collection, submit their own reading recommendations, order passports and submit entries for challenges.\r\nThis funding also pays for Inspiring Classrooms, which gives schools the opportunity to apply for a small grant to pay for an author to visit their school and buy books or other reading materials for the children taking part, and a dedicated full time outreach worker with a background in primary school teaching. She is visiting schools and libraries across the country and speaking at events and parents’ evenings to provide information and support involvement in the First Minister’s Reading Challenge. She will also be gathering examples and case studies from schools taking part to share online, providing additional support and ideas for other schools.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":315537,"EventID":"S5W-02405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:34.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has had with each local police commander since 2013.","AnswerText":"I meet regularly with the Chief Constable and other senior officers from Police Scotland to discuss a range of policing and public safety matters.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315538,"EventID":"S5W-02422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:35.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost of policing has been in the Dumfries and Galloway Council area in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315539,"EventID":"S5W-02424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:36.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many suicides have been recorded in (a) hospitals and (b) prisons in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Suicides in Hospitals \r\nRecords do not provide precise enough information on the location where the suicidal act occurred to identify those event that happened in hospital. Whilst data can identify people who are in hospital at the time that they died from suicide, it is anticipated that a large number of these will be due to suicidal acts occurring outside of hospital, after which the individual is taken to hospital.\r\nSuicides in Prisons\r\nInformation relating to Prisoner Deaths is published on the SPS Website under Freedom of Information. \r\nAny death in prison custody may lead to a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) under the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976 however the decision to hold an FAI is a matter for the Lord Advocate/Procurator Fiscal. No cause of death is recorded where a death has not yet been determined following FAI.\r\nFor information the term 'Event of Undetermined Intent' is an outcome where the exact intent of the individual concerned cannot be ascertained.\r\nThe table below shows the number of suicides in prison determined by Fatal Accident Inquiry, recorded in calendar years 2007 to 2016.\r\nYear\r\nNumber of Suicides in Prison\r\n2007\r\n10\r\n2008\r\n6\r\n2009\r\n6\r\n2010\r\n10\r\n2011\r\n6\r\n2012\r\n8\r\n2013\r\n5\r\n2014\r\n3\r\n2015\r\n0\r\n2016 (Jan-Aug)\r\n0\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315540,"EventID":"S5W-02439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:37.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost per unit was for (a) one-, (b) two- and (c) three-bedroom properties built under the Rural Homes for Rent pilot grant scheme in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the average cost per unit to deliver new homes under the Rural Homes for Rent pilot grant scheme, together with the average number of bedspaces per unit since 2007-08:\r\nFinancial Year\r\nAverage cost\r\nper unit\r\nAverage no. of\r\nbedspaces\r\nper unit\r\n2009-10\r\n£171,853\r\n4.67\r\n2010-11\r\n£144,272\r\n4.67\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315541,"EventID":"S5W-02454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:37.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it offers to businesses so that they can meet new energy efficiency obligations under the Assessment of Energy Performance of Non-domestic Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2016.","AnswerText":"In common with most regulations no specific financial support is offered for compliance. However, the level of improvement set out by these regulations is relatively modest, with investment paid back within a few years. The resulting improved buildings should be more marketable, in that occupiers will benefit from the efficiency gains generated, reinforcing our message that “energy efficiency makes sound business sense”.\r\nWider funding for the installation of energy efficiency measures is currently available through our Resource Efficient Scotland SME loan scheme, which provides interest free loans to Scottish businesses to assist with the costs of purchasing and installing measures with the aim of reducing their energy costs and increasing their competitiveness.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315542,"EventID":"S5W-02456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T14:11:39.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T11:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) applications have been received and (b) grants have been awarded by the Student Award Agency for Scotland in respect of support to students with dyslexia in each year since 2010-11, broken down by (i) further and (ii) higher education institutions.","AnswerText":"The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) administer the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) which is a needs led funding based on demand. DSA helps support equality for individual students.\r\nThe following table shows the number of DSA awards provided by the Student Awards Agency Scotland for students who have declared they have dyslexia.\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nAll\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNumber of students\r\n2,560\r\n2,755\r\n2,380\r\n2,620\r\n2,610\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nUniversities\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNumber of students\r\n2,095\r\n2,255\r\n1,920\r\n2,030\r\n2,065\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nColleges\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNumber of students\r\n465\r\n500\r\n460\r\n590\r\n545\r\n\r\nNotes: DSA funding from SAAS is available to those undertaking a course of higher education at eligible colleges, universities and private institutions. The data provided for colleges includes publicly funded colleges and private institutions.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315543,"EventID":"S5W-02442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T16:58:53.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hours its civil servants have spent preparing (a) analysis and briefings and (b) draft legislation in relation to Scottish independence since 23 June 2016.","AnswerText":"This work has been carried out by existing members of staff as part of their normal duties. No-one is dedicated exclusively to this work and no additional staff have been employed or redeployed to take forward the work at this stage. In line with usual practice, the number of hours staff have spent on individual tasks has not been recorded.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315544,"EventID":"S5W-02460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T16:58:54.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what basis the two indicators on end of life care to be used by health and social care partnerships will be most effective in improving care.","AnswerText":"The current core suite of integration indicators was developed in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders across all sectors, including NHS Scotland, COSLA and a wide variety of third and independent organisations to ensure that they would be effective in driving forward improvement across the National Health and Wellbeing Outcomes.\r\nThe two indicators on palliative and end of life care were included in order to reflect Health and Care Partnerships’ key role in commissioning high quality palliative and end of life care services. The indicators will help ensure that there is a focus on more planned approach to palliative and end of life care which reflects best practice and, as far as is practicable, is in accordance with the needs and wishes of patients, carers and their families.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315545,"EventID":"S5W-02443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T16:58:56.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hours its civil servants have spent preparing analysis and briefings in relation to overseas travel by the First Minster since 23 June 2016, broken down by visit. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government do not hold this information. Analysis and briefings for overseas travel by the First Minister are prepared by civil servants during normal working hours.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315546,"EventID":"S5W-02445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T16:58:57.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hours its civil servants have spent preparing (a) analysis and briefings and (b) draft legislation in relation to land reform since 6 May 2016.","AnswerText":"Taking forward the implementation of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 is a key part of the current programme for government. Scottish Government resources are allocated in accordance with government priorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315547,"EventID":"S5W-02407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T16:58:58.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T17:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public contracts were placed with supported employment workplaces for disabled people through its procurement process and what their value was in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government Framework for Supported Factories and Businesses was awarded in September 2012.\r\nThe number of contracts placed from financial year 2011-2012, via Public Contract Scotland (PCS) prior to the Framework Agreement is 17. As referred to in the answer to question S4W-14309 on 26 April 2013.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nSince 2012, spend and orders placed through the Framework Agreement across all Scottish sectors (Central Government, Health, Education, Local Authority and Charities), has totalled £1.9m. Orders placed totalled 389, with a sectoral breakdown provided in the following tables. However, those figures do not include any public contracts placed with supported businesses by public bodies outwith the Scottish Government framework.\r\nThe current framework agreement has recently been extended for a further year and will now expire on 11 September 2017.\r\nAnnex A – Spend breakdown by Sector/by year since 2012 via Framework.\r\nSum of Value of spend - nearest £\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2012-13.\r\n2013-14.\r\n2014-15.\r\n2015-16.\r\n2016-17 (so far).\r\nGrand Total\r\nAffordable Housing\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n£632\r\n\r\n£632\r\nCentral Government incl. NDPB and Agency\r\n£81,028\r\n£134,536\r\n£185,471\r\n£286,863\r\n£44,727\r\n£732,626\r\nCharities/3rd Sector\r\n£2,520\r\n£5,367\r\n£2,665\r\n£3,394\r\n\r\n£13,947\r\n\r\nHealth\r\n\r\n£31,945\r\n£1,635\r\n£69,979\r\n£176,430\r\n£279,989\r\nLocal Authority\r\n£116,939\r\n£293,296\r\n£169,144\r\n£213,279\r\n£96,826\r\n£889,484\r\nUniversities and Colleges\r\n\r\n£91\r\n£140\r\n£10,087\r\n\r\n£10,317\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n£1,926,994\r\n\r\nAnnex B – Orders placed breakdown by Sector/by year since 2012 via Framework.\r\n\r\nNo. of contracted orders placed\r\nby sector\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2012-13.\r\n2013-14.\r\n2014-15.\r\n2015-16.\r\n2016-17 (so far).\r\nGrand Total\r\nAffordable Housing\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\nCentral Government incl. NDPB and Agency\r\n16\r\n39\r\n46\r\n77\r\n29\r\n207\r\nCharities/3rd Sector\r\n1\r\n3\r\n1\r\n3\r\n0\r\n8\r\nHealth\r\n0\r\n3\r\n6\r\n24\r\n7\r\n40\r\nLocal Authority\r\n12\r\n17\r\n17\r\n47\r\n31\r\n124\r\nUniversities and Colleges\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n7\r\n0\r\n9\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n389\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315548,"EventID":"S5W-02437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T16:58:58.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Governmentwhat the average cost per unit has been for (a) 1-, (b) 2- and (c) 3-bedroom social housing built by registered social landlords in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government records units by bedspace rather than number of bedrooms.\r\nThe following table shows the average cost per unit to deliver new homes for social rent by registered social landlords since 2007-08, together with the average number of bedspaces per unit:\r\nFinancial Year\r\nAverage cost\r\nper unit\r\nAverage no. of\r\nbedspaces\r\nper unit\r\n2007-08\r\n£126,954\r\n3.95\r\n2008-09\r\n£130,717\r\n3.89\r\n2009-10\r\n£130,058\r\n3.94\r\n2010-11\r\n£117,720\r\n3.78\r\n2011-12\r\n£112,057\r\n3.69\r\n2012-13\r\n£109,976\r\n3.50\r\n2013-14\r\n£114,098\r\n3.61\r\n2014-15\r\n£119,939\r\n3.46\r\n2015-16*\r\n£120,585\r\n3.39\r\n* Programme management information only – not published as yet and as such, could be subject to change.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315549,"EventID":"S5W-02408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T16:58:59.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T17:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it monitors the number and value of public contracts that it and other public bodies in Scotland award to supported employment workplaces for disabled people.","AnswerText":"Public bodies should publish a contract award notice for contracts that are in scope for procurement regulations. Generally these are contracts for £50,000 or more for goods and services and £2 million for construction. In addition public bodies are required to publish and maintain a public contracts register setting out such details as the name of the contractor, the subject matter of the contract and the estimated value of the contract.\r\nPublic bodies with procurement spend of £5 million or more per annum are required to publish a procurement strategy. Part of that strategy will set out how the public body will consider how it can undertake procurements in a way which facilitates the involvement of supported businesses. Such bodies must also produce an annual procurement report that will set out the steps the public body has taken to facilitate the involvement of supported businesses in regulated procurements. These reports will be published by the individual public bodies and will form the basis for an annual report on procurement activity in Scotland to be prepared by Scottish Ministers. Financial year 2017-18 will be the first full year subject to annual procurement reports under the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014.\r\nThe Scottish Government Framework for Supported Factories and Businesses was awarded in September 2012. The answer to question S5W-02407 on 20 September 2016 provides details of spend through that Framework. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315550,"EventID":"S5W-02451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T16:59:00.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many accidents on the (a) A76, (b) A75, (c) A7, (d) A701 between Dumfries and Moffat and (e) whole road network have been recorded by Transport Scotland in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT\r\nWRITTEN ANSWER\r\n21 September 2016\r\nIndex Heading: Transport Scotland\r\nOliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many accidents on the (a) A76, (b) A75, (c) A7, (d) A701 between Dumfries and Moffat and (e) whole road network have been recorded by Transport Scotland in each of the last five years.\r\nS5W-02451\r\nHumza Yousaf: A76\r\n\r\nYear\r\n\r\nFatal\r\nSerious\r\nSlight\r\nTOTAL\r\n2011\r\n0\r\n6\r\n31\r\n37\r\n2012\r\n0\r\n10\r\n18\r\n28\r\n2013\r\n2\r\n3\r\n32\r\n37\r\n2014\r\n1\r\n6\r\n30\r\n37\r\n2015\r\n1\r\n6\r\n35\r\n42\r\nTOTAL\r\n4\r\n31\r\n146\r\n181\r\n\r\nA75\r\nYear\r\n\r\nFatal\r\nSerious\r\nSlight\r\nTOTAL\r\n2011\r\n4\r\n7\r\n30\r\n41\r\n2012\r\n1\r\n5\r\n28\r\n34\r\n2013\r\n3\r\n8\r\n31\r\n42\r\n2014\r\n2\r\n6\r\n36\r\n44\r\n2015\r\n3\r\n4\r\n36\r\n43\r\nTOTAL\r\n13\r\n30\r\n161\r\n204\r\n\r\nA7\r\nYear\r\n\r\nFatal\r\nSerious\r\nSlight\r\nTOTAL\r\n2011\r\n1\r\n6\r\n14\r\n21\r\n2012\r\n0\r\n3\r\n9\r\n12\r\n2013\r\n0\r\n3\r\n17\r\n20\r\n2014\r\n2\r\n2\r\n9\r\n13\r\n2015\r\n2\r\n5\r\n8\r\n15\r\nTOTAL\r\n5\r\n19\r\n57\r\n81\r\n\r\nA701\r\nYear\r\n\r\nFatal\r\nSerious\r\nSlight\r\nTOTAL\r\n2011\r\n2\r\n4\r\n7\r\n13\r\n2012\r\n0\r\n0\r\n8\r\n8\r\n2013\r\n1\r\n4\r\n8\r\n13\r\n2014\r\n0\r\n3\r\n6\r\n9\r\n2015\r\n0\r\n4\r\n1\r\n5\r\nTOTAL\r\n3\r\n15\r\n30\r\n48\r\nThese figures relate to the trunk section of the A701 between Dumfries and the M74. The remainder of the A701 is a local road for which we do not hold data.\r\n\r\nTrunk Road Network\r\nYear\r\n\r\nFatal\r\nSerious\r\nSlight\r\nTOTAL\r\n2011\r\n51\r\n279\r\n1362\r\n1692\r\n2012\r\n37\r\n274\r\n1301\r\n1612\r\n2013\r\n63\r\n229\r\n1211\r\n1503\r\n2014\r\n62\r\n235\r\n1174\r\n1471\r\n2015\r\n53\r\n255\r\n1206\r\n1514\r\nTOTAL\r\n266\r\n1272\r\n6254\r\n7792\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315551,"EventID":"S5W-02458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T16:59:01.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made developing the two indicators on end of life care to be used by health and social care partnerships.","AnswerText":"Health and Social Care Integration Indicator 15 on the “Proportion of last 6 months of life spent at home or in a community setting” is now fully developed and will be reported on by all Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs) as part of their Performance Reports. All HSCPs will publish their 2016-17 reports by the end of July 2017 and annually thereafter.\r\nWork is on-going to ensure availability of robust data for indicator 23, “Expenditure on end of life care”. The recently announced review of health and social care targets and indicators will include further consideration of this indicator.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315552,"EventID":"S5W-02459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T16:59:03.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when health and social care partnerships will begin publishing the data required by the two indicators on end of life care.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02458 on 21 September 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315553,"EventID":"S5W-02461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T16:59:05.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering developing further indicators on end of life care for use by health and social care partnerships.","AnswerText":"A review of health and social care targets and indicators was announced in September 2016. This review will be chaired by the University of Strathclyde Professor of Global Public Health, Sir Harry Burns, and will ensure targets and performance indicators lead to the best outcomes for people being cared for, whether in hospital, primary care, community care or social care services. The current indicators on palliative and end of life care, as well as potential additional or alternative indicators, will be considered as part of this review.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315554,"EventID":"S5W-02413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-08T16:59:07.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T18:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to (a) raise awareness among and (b) the possibility of 14 to 19-year-olds entering a career outside traditional industries.","AnswerText":"As outlined in our recently published Labour Market Strategy, Sectoral and Regional Skills Investment Plans provide important careers intelligence for our all age careers service which is delivered by Skills Development Scotland.\r\nThrough our Youth Employment Strategy ‘Developing the Young Workforce’ work is already underway across Scotland to make sure all children and young people develop a greater understanding of the world of work and the opportunities on offer. This includes much earlier access to career information advice and guidance, increasing employer involvement with schools and increasing opportunities for young people to learn about work within school and in work placements.\r\nTo ensure our young people receive the right support to consider all the future career options available to them we have also published the Career Education Standard (3-18).","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315558,"EventID":"S5W-02472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:19:48.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T13:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of properties in (a) the City of Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire has technical access to broadband achieve internet speeds of 24 Mbps or better.","AnswerText":"By the end of April 2016, the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) Programme has delivered speeds of 24Mbps or more to at least 90% of premises in the City of Aberdeen and to 70% of premises in Aberdeenshire. By the end of DSSB deployment, those coverage figures will rise to at least 95% in City of Aberdeen and 79% in Aberdeenshire. These figures assume that commercial rollout is completed on time and in line with plans submitted to the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315559,"EventID":"S5W-02474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:19:49.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T13:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with BT regarding the (a) use of current and (b) building of new infrastructure as part of its commitment to delivering superfast broadband to all premises.","AnswerText":"I shall reply to the member as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315560,"EventID":"S5W-02487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:19:49.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget will be for Returners project that is referred to in its 2016-17 Programme for Government; which agencies will administer it; when it will be established, and how many women it will support in its first year.","AnswerText":"We are currently developing arrangements for a ‘Returners’ project so that women can get help updating skills and knowledge and employers can retain skilled staff after a career break. Further details will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315561,"EventID":"S5W-02489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:19:51.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its replacement for air passenger duty (APD) will impact on people, broken down by socio-economic class, and how this compares with APD.","AnswerText":"Devolution of powers over air passenger duty (APD) provides an opportunity to put in place new arrangements which better support the Scottish Government's objective to boost international connectivity and help generate sustainable growth. The specific impacts associated with the Scottish replacement for APD will be dependent on how a Scottish replacement tax is designed and structured, how our planned 50% reduction in the overall tax burden is implemented and the impact of recent and future changes to UK APD. A Bill to legislate for a replacement APD forms part of the 2016-17 legislative programme and will be introduced to Parliament in due course, along with appropriate impact assessments. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315562,"EventID":"S5W-02491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:19:52.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has commissioned any research since May 2016 on the introduction of a 50p top rate of tax and how this could impact on the country's finances.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has commissioned no new research since May 2016 into the introduction of a 50p top rate of tax and how this could impact on the country’s finances. In March of this year the First Minister invited the Council of Economic Advisers to consider how, and to what extent, revenue risks associated with differential rates of the additional rate of income tax between Scotland and the rest of the UK can be mitigated. This will contribute to the consideration of the setting of the additional rate of income tax in Draft Budget 2018-19.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315563,"EventID":"S5W-02521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:19:53.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time was for patients to see a chiropractor in each year since 1999, also broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not centrally available.\r\nChiropractors are complementary and alternative practitioners who provide services outside that which is offered by the NHS. As such information on waiting times for chiropractors are not collected.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315564,"EventID":"S5W-02466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:19:54.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01830 by Michael Matheson on 30 August 2016, whether there have been any discussions or requests regarding any (a) within-year payments, (b) loans or (c) grants to Police Scotland and, if so, when and what for.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government maintains regular contact with the Scottish Police Authority on a range of financial matters. Any adjustments to policing budgets set through the Budget Act would be undertaken through the normal process of Autumn and Spring Budget Revisions.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315565,"EventID":"S5W-02479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:19:55.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it will provide to the city chosen to have the first low-emission zone.","AnswerText":"The implementation of low-emission zones will be taken forward as set out in the Programme for Government. The Scottish Government will be engaging with local authorities and other key stakeholders to enable Scotland’s first low-emission zone to be put in place by 2018.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315566,"EventID":"S5W-02480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:19:56.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the remit is of the Cleaner Air for Scotland Communications Group.","AnswerText":"As part of the implementation of the Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy, a communications group has been created to support delivery of the strategy and take forward actions such as the commitment to raise public awareness. It will seek to co-ordinate air quality messaging and collaborative opportunities amongst partner organisations. The group will develop a work programme for the future and as an initial action Sniffer, a registered charity supporting work on resilience and sustainability, has been commissioned to deliver a scoping study to improve understanding of general levels of awareness of air pollution and health impacts, and a roadmap showing how and when to engage stakeholders to increase this awareness. This study will be supported by audience testing of the communications and engagement requirements for successful delivery of the National Modelling Framework and National Low Emissions Framework.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315567,"EventID":"S5W-02497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:19:57.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its forthcoming digital strategy will seek to (a) reduce the number of government domain names and (b) develop a one-stop hub for business interaction with all arms of government.","AnswerText":"We are currently engaging with partners to refresh the digital strategy. I can confirm that we remain committed to building on mygov.scot as the single, but not exclusive, point of access to public information and services for citizens and businesses in Scotland. This will enable us to further reduce the number of domain names being used by Scottish Government. Mygov.scot has already enabled us to offer a coordinated information service for businesses, replacing both the Scottish Business Portal and the Finance Hub. I would anticipate that the process of consolidation will accelerate as we continue to improve the online information and services available to businesses across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315568,"EventID":"S5W-02498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:19:58.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date Scottish Enterprise will publish its decommissioning action plan.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise has indicated that its Decommissioning Action plan will be launched by the end of December 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315569,"EventID":"S5W-02512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:19:59.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce NHS bureaucracy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects every public body to deliver efficiency savings of at least 3 per cent per annum. NHS Health Boards have achieved this level, and delivered efficiency savings in 2015-16 in excess of £290 million. This has been reinvested by the Health Boards in frontline services. \r\nNHS Boards achieve efficiency savings in a wide range of areas, including those set out in NHS Scotland Efficiency and Productivity: Framework for SR10: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2011/02/11144220/12. The Framework requires savings to be made through, amongst other means, reductions in senior management, better workforce productivity, and increased use of shared services.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315570,"EventID":"S5W-02470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:00.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications it has received in response to its invitation to prospective providers to submit proposals for expanded mid-market rented housing.","AnswerText":"The Mid-Market Rent Invitation closed on 29 July 2016 with Scottish Government receiving five proposals that are now being assessed.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315571,"EventID":"S5W-02493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:01.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has commissioned on the value and impact of air passenger duty. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government undertook a public consultation between March and June 2016, seeking views on how a Scottish replacement for air passenger duty should be designed and structured to best support our strategic objectives, building on the work of the stakeholder forum which we established in August 2015. Responses to the consultation and an independent analysis of responses have been published on the Scottish Government's website and are available at: https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/fiscal-responsibility/air-passenger-duty\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315572,"EventID":"S5W-02495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:02.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a definition of the (a) investment guarantees and (b) contingent liabilities in the context of the Scottish Growth Scheme that is referred to in its 2016-17 Programme for Government. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315573,"EventID":"S5W-02500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:03.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what specific consideration it gave to the support of cycling in Dumfries and Galloway before the recent transport summit that was held in Dumfries.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland, through grant funding to Sustrans and Cycling Scotland, has facilitated a range of support for cycling in Dumfries and Galloway. This includes advice on the development of the council’s active travel strategy (adopted in March 2015); funding for infrastructure for the period 2013-14 – 2015-16 of £829,912; provision of a dedicated i-bike officer to work in schools in the area and almost £14,475 in grants in 2015-16 and 2016-17 to community organisations through Cycling Scotland’s Cycle Friendly and Sustainable Communities Fund.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315574,"EventID":"S5W-02536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:04.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the signatories to the Scottish Business Pledge and what components each business has signed up to. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is already in the public domain. A list of Scottish Business Pledge signatories entitled \"A to Z of Scottish Business Pledge Companies as of 15 September 2016\" can be found on the Scottish Business Pledge website at: https://scottishbusinesspledge.scot/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Alpha-Pledge-Companies-15-09-16.pdf.\r\nInformation on the Pledge elements met by businesses is given in the table entitled “Business Pledge – Statistical overview – August 2016”, a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 57653). This material is updated and published on a quarterly basis.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315575,"EventID":"S5W-02568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:05.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it proposes to reduce the number of people who develop heart disease. ","AnswerText":"We know that a significant proportion of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is preventable and influenced by modifiable health behaviours. The Scottish Government is taking decisive action to address alcohol consumption, reduce smoking rates, encourage active living and healthy eating. \r\nThe prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the six priorities identified in the Scottish Government’s Heart Disease Improvement Plan (2014), through which we are aiming to provide care which is responsive to the needs of the people of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315576,"EventID":"S5W-02471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:06.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T13:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of coverage the roll-out of superfast broadband has achieved in (a) the City of Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire.","AnswerText":"By the end of April 2016, the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) Programme had extended fibre broadband access to at least 91% of premises in the City of Aberdeen and to 74% of premises in Aberdeenshire. By the end of DSSB deployment, those coverage figures will rise to at least 96% in the City of Aberdeen and 89% in Aberdeenshire. These figures assume that commercial rollout is completed on time and in line with plans submitted to the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315577,"EventID":"S5W-02473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:07.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T13:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to improve the provision of superfast broadband in (a) the City of Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire, and what steps it will take to improve that provision. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and our partners are delivering a number of national broadband projects that will benefit the City of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. \r\nThe Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) Programme will extend fibre broadband access to at least 95% of premises in Scotland by the end of 2017. Following completion of the DSSB Programme at least 96% of premises in the City of Aberdeen and 89% in Aberdeenshire will have fibre access. In parallel, Community Broadband Scotland is supporting community-led broadband projects across the region. \r\nDigital infrastructure projects will also form part of the £250 million Aberdeen City Region Deal that was agreed between the Scottish Government, UK Government and regional partners earlier this year. The Scottish Government is providing an additional £254 million, over and above the City Deal, to help deliver a more significant step change to the economy of the north east.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to building on the success of these programmes and achieving 100% superfast broadband coverage by 2021. Areas within the City of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire which currently receive sub-superfast speeds, and where no commercial investment is planned, will fall within the scope of this programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315578,"EventID":"S5W-02488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:07.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its replacement for air passenger duty will raise more or less revenue than the existing system.","AnswerText":"Devolution of powers over air passenger duty (APD) provides an opportunity to put in place new arrangements which better support the Scottish Government's objective to boost international connectivity and help generate sustainable growth. The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a 50% reduction in the overall burden of air passenger duty by the end of this Parliament, with the reduction beginning in April 2018, and we will work across the Parliament to do so.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315579,"EventID":"S5W-02490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:09.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to freeze the basic rate of income tax throughout the fifth parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"Our Programme for Government, published on 6 September, reaffirmed the plans for income tax in Scotland set out on 22 March to freeze the basic rate of income tax throughout this Parliament. We will announce specific proposals for income tax as part of the 2017-18 Draft Budget, which will be debated and voted on by the Parliament in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315580,"EventID":"S5W-02539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:10.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to support research and development in each year since 2006, also expressed as a percentage of GDP.","AnswerText":"The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes the UK Government Expenditure on Science, Engineering and Technology report. The latest report was published on 15 July 2016 and can be found at: http://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/governmentpublicsectorandtaxes/researchanddevelopmentexpenditure/datasets/scienceengineeringandtechnologystatisticsreferencetables\r\nThe table below shows net expenditure on research and development by the Scottish Government. Note that the figures below exclude Scottish Funding Council grants, to universities for research and development, that are administered on behalf of the Scottish Government. \r\nScottish Government net Expenditure on Research & Development, 2006 to 2014\r\nYear\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nExpenditure (£ millions)\r\n132\r\n137\r\n141\r\n154\r\n167\r\n158\r\n163\r\n164\r\n164\r\nExpenditure (% of GDP)\r\n0.11\r\n0.11\r\n0.12\r\n0.13\r\n0.14\r\n0.12\r\n0.13\r\n0.12\r\n0.12\r\nSource: UK Government Expenditure on Science, Engineering and Technology, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Expenditure figures are in current prices.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315581,"EventID":"S5W-02571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:11.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in implementing Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Strategy for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working in partnership with a range of public and voluntary organisations to deliver the aims set out in Scotland's strategy for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest. A review of progress in implementing the Strategy will be published in autumn 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315582,"EventID":"S5W-02475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:11.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to ensure the repair of 21 street lights on a two-mile stretch of the A77 at Symington. ","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is aware of the issues with lighting on the A77 between Symington and Bogend Toll, and work is continuing to resolve these. Following a recent site inspection and subsequent investigations by Scottish Power, a permanent repair solution is being agreed for the 12 remaining defective lighting units.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315583,"EventID":"S5W-02484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:12.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how details of flood mitigation schemes are shared with the insurance industry and whether it considers this process adequate.","AnswerText":"The details of flood protection schemes owned by local authorities are held on the Scottish Flood Defence Asset Database (SFDAD) administered by SEPA. This database is available for registered users to view through a secure website. The aim of this website is to provide users with a tool to view detailed information on flood protection schemes and their associated assets within Scotland. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) is aware of SFDAD and that it is open for its members and other insurers to register for the service and view the information therein.\r\nAt the moment, SFDAD only includes those schemes that have progressed under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961. However, the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 (the 2009 Act) makes provision for capturing all structures and measures that contribute to flood risk management into one dataset. The Scottish Government is working with SEPA and the local authorities to develop SFDAD so that it can, ultimately, include more the more detailed information required by the 2009 Act.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315584,"EventID":"S5W-02486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:13.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how flood risk communities are involved in the planning and delivery of flood mitigation schemes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that public awareness, participation and community support are essential components of sustainable flood risk management. That is why the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 sets out a framework for coordination and cooperation between all organisations involved in flood risk management, including a formal statutory process which leads to confirmation of a flood protection scheme. This process provides an opportunity for local people to comment on, and lodge objections to, any proposed scheme, which local authorities will then be obliged to seek to address. However, long before a planned flood protection scheme gets to the stage of formal confirmation, local authorities are encouraged to involve local residents, land managers and key community representatives in the scheme planning process. This helps to build understanding and trust locally, which means that communities understand the basis on which decisions about flood risk management actions have been made.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315585,"EventID":"S5W-02509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:14.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it provides to support young carers, and how this compares with 2007. ","AnswerText":"Most funding provided by the Scottish Government is to support both adult and young carers and is not separated out. Between 2008 and 2017 we invested nearly £39 million in Health Boards' Carer Information Strategies for support to adult and young carers.\r\nSince 2012 we have also invested over £300,000 in workforce development which includes programmes working with young carers.\r\nFor young carer specific support, the Scottish Government has provided over £2 million for the annual Young Carers Festival, and for other initiatives. We also fund the Scottish Young Carers Services Alliance to support the development of services for young carers.\r\nThe total amount for supporting carers in 2007 is likely to be less than in any year from 2008, as the existing initiatives were not in place then.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315586,"EventID":"S5W-02511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:15.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Patient Hygiene Inspectors there are in each hospital. ","AnswerText":"Data on the number of Patient Hygiene Inspectors in NHS Scotland is not collated or held centrally by the Scottish Government or NHS National Services Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315587,"EventID":"S5W-02518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:15.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on public health information campaigns in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government campaigns are designed to improve and save lives, and make a measurable contribution to our priorities. Campaign spend from 2004-05 onwards is published on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/About/People/Directorates/Communications/advertising-marketing/spend. \r\nFor details of campaign spend prior to 2004-05 I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-03693 on 4 September 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315588,"EventID":"S5W-02570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:16.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will encourage more people to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation.","AnswerText":"We are committed to improving survival rates from Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) and are working in partnership with a range of public and voluntary organisations to deliver the aims in Scotland's strategy for OHCA published in March 2015.\r\nThe Strategy aims is to have 500,000 people in Scotland trained in the use of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and increase survival rates by 10% across the country by 2020. Learning cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is important in increasing bystander CPR, which in turn is essential to improving survival rates. \r\nThe public-facing campaign to increase CPR ‘Save a Life for Scotland’ was launched on 16 October 2015. Save a Life for Scotland (SALFS) is the partnership of public and voluntary organisations leading on the delivery of the OHCA Strategy aim to increase the number of people who are CPR trained.\r\nWork is now underway to plan and deliver CPR training to the Scottish public over the duration of the next five years.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315589,"EventID":"S5W-02520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:17.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people did not attend NHS dental appointments in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315590,"EventID":"S5W-02523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:18.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on adult cleft lip and palate surgery at St John’s Hospital in Livingston if cleft surgery is centralised.","AnswerText":"All specialist cleft surgery - for both adults and children, to repair cleft lip and palate should be carried out by one of three specialist cleft surgeons, based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.\r\nShould the recommendation to consolidate cleft surgery in Glasgow be supported, this arrangement will continue. Patients will continue to be assessed by the national specialist cleft surgery service. Those who do not require a specialist cleft surgery intervention, will continue to be managed locally, including at St John’s Hospital in West Lothian.\r\nA decision whether to approve the recommendation will be made in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315591,"EventID":"S5W-02538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:19.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much has been spent on research and development in each year since 2006, also expressed as a percentage of GDP.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government publishes the Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) report on an annual basis. The latest report was published on 30 March 2016 and can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00498541.pdf\r\nThe following table shows how much was spent on research and development, performed in Scotland, for each year between 2006 and 2014. Note that GERD includes expenditure by Higher Education, Business, Government and the Private-Non-Profit sector.\r\nGross Expenditure on Research & Development, performed within Scotland, 2006 to 2014\r\nYear\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nExpenditure (£ millions)\r\n1,520\r\n1,656\r\n1,736\r\n1,877\r\n1,855\r\n1,939\r\n1,920\r\n2,202\r\n2,222\r\nExpenditure (% of GDP)\r\n1.32\r\n1.38\r\n1.44\r\n1.53\r\n1.50\r\n1.53\r\n1.48\r\n1.62\r\n1.56\r\nSource: Gross Expenditure on Research and Development 2014, Scottish Government\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Expenditure figures for the private-non-profit sector are only included from 2011 onwards.\r\n2. Expenditure figures are in current prices.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315592,"EventID":"S5W-02540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:20.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what projects it has identified for support from the £20 billion infrastructure programme that it referred to in its 2016-17 Programme for Government. ","AnswerText":"The Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015, published in December 2015, sets out the Scottish Government's infrastructure priorities over the next 20 years. An update on the Scottish Government's plans for infrastructure will be provided in the Budget.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315593,"EventID":"S5W-02515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:21.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many terminally-ill people in each year since 1999 who expressed a preference to die at home, died in a hospital setting.","AnswerText":"This information is not centrally available.\r\nOn 30 August 2016 NHS Information Services Division published information on the percentage of time spent at home or in a community setting in the last six months of life. This information can be viewed at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Health-and-Social-Community-Care/Publications/.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315594,"EventID":"S5W-02516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:22.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on incinerating hospital clinical waste in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315595,"EventID":"S5W-02529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:23.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T19:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project has cost to date.","AnswerText":"The total spend to date on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is £202 million. This includes, land purchase; compensation to landowners; utilities; site investigation and environmental surveys, and the costs of technical / legal / financial support.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315596,"EventID":"S5W-02469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:23.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T13:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will set out its plans for the Scottish Care Information Diabetes Collaboration system.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of the Scottish Care Information Diabetes Collaboration system. It is standard eHealth programme management practice to review the effectiveness of all IT systems in use in NHSScotland and how they are managed. A Strategic Oversight Group is being set up which has the remit of agreeing the future direction of SCI-Diabetes and its associated management and funding. No date has yet been set for the delivery of a plan.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315597,"EventID":"S5W-02494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:24.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the revenue it will receive from the Apprenticeship Levy will be allocated to the provision of (a) skills and (b) employability support.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recently concluded a consultation on the Apprenticeship levy. There were almost 400 responses to the consultation and we are currently analysing the responses. The outcome of the consultation will inform the decisions we will make in the forthcoming spending review. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315598,"EventID":"S5W-02501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:25.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much financial assistance it has provided in each year since 2007 to support cycling. ","AnswerText":"SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT\r\nWRITTEN ANSWER\r\n21 September 2016\r\nIndex Heading: Transport Scotland\r\nOliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how much financial assistance it has provided in each year since 2007 to support cycling.\r\nS5W-02501\r\nHumza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has allocated the following budget to active travel annually since 2007:\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal Active Travel budget\r\n(£ million)\r\n24.9\r\n15.4\r\n14.1\r\n18.1\r\n17.5\r\n20.1\r\n21.35\r\n39.2\r\n39.2\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315599,"EventID":"S5W-02508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:26.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many school nurses there have been in each year since 1999. ","AnswerText":"Due to a number of changes in the recording and collection of school nursing data, figures published by ISD Scotland are not directly comparable between 1999 and 2016 and have been split accordingly:-\r\nInformation on school nurses from 1999 can be found on the workforce statistics web site at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Historic-Data/WFE01_HB_REG.xls\r\nFurther information on school nurses from 2007 onwards can be found on the statistics web site at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2012-11-27/Nursing_and_Midwifery_SIP_S2012.xls?52391154\r\nInformation on school nurses from 2013 onwards can be found on the statistics web site at: https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2016-09-06/Non-Medical_Trend_J2016.xls.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315600,"EventID":"S5W-02519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:27.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many outpatients did not attend NHS appointments in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of new outpatient appointments and the number of Did Not Attends and the rate since 1999 to 2015 is provided in the following table.\r\nIt is every patient's responsibility to keep their NHS appointment and it is important that they let the hospital know when they cannot attend. However, we also recognise that the NHS has to be flexible in helping make appointments convenient to patients. \r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to supporting health boards implement policies to reduce missed appointments such as providing reminder services through text, emails and social media. This will allow reminder services to be tailored for patients who are most likely not to attend. \r\nYear\r\nNew Appointments\r\nDid Not Attend\r\nDid Not Attend Rate\r\n1999\r\n1,433,613\r\n162,399\r\n11.3%\r\n2000\r\n1,420,711\r\n157,838\r\n11.1%\r\n2001\r\n1,411,606\r\n167,230\r\n11.8%\r\n2002\r\n1,429,735\r\n172,515\r\n12.1%\r\n2003\r\n1,423,707\r\n169,906\r\n11.9%\r\n2004\r\n1,435,668\r\n161,720\r\n11.3%\r\n2005\r\n1,467,832\r\n156,136\r\n10.6%\r\n2006\r\n1,431,731\r\n146,035\r\n10.2%\r\n2007\r\n1,526,634\r\n158,329\r\n10.4%\r\n2008\r\n1,622,868\r\n168,602\r\n10.4%\r\n2009\r\n1,697,256\r\n180,638\r\n10.6%\r\n2010\r\n1,679,513\r\n180,456\r\n10.7%\r\n2011\r\n1,696,416\r\n179,410\r\n10.6%\r\n2012\r\n1,724,291\r\n174,750\r\n10.1%\r\n2013\r\n1,727,119\r\n173,914\r\n10.1%\r\n2014\r\n1,739,617\r\n173,846\r\n10.0%\r\n2015\r\n1,763,853\r\n176,917\r\n10.0%\r\nSource: SMR00 ISD Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315601,"EventID":"S5W-02526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:28.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to implement an active traffic management system. ","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is developing a new ITS Strategy for the next ten years which will set out how we continue to efficiently use and develop technology solutions to enhance road capacity and operations on the Scottish Trunk Road Network. The strategy will support the objectives of the National Transport Strategy and the Strategic Road Safety Plan and will build on the active traffic management systems already in use, for example, as part of the Forth Replacement Crossing project.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315602,"EventID":"S5W-02537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:29.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what criteria a business will be eligible to apply to the Scottish Growth Scheme that is referred to in its 2016-17 Programme for Government; which body will determine the businesses that will receive support, and by what date the first guarantees or loans will be issued. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315603,"EventID":"S5W-02449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:30.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what initiatives it has introduced osupport (a) cycling and (b) the cycling infrastructure in (i) Dumfries and Galloway and (ii) nationally in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has introduced a range of initiatives to support (a) cycling and (b) cycling infrastructure in (i) Dumfries and Galloway and (ii) nationally since 2007 as detailed in the following tables.\r\nInitiatives have been assigned to the year in which Scottish Government grant funding was first awarded. In some instances the initiative may have been first announced and applications sought in a previous year and a number of initiatives will have continued over a number of years. Because of this the following tables do not show all initiatives taking place in a given year.\r\nIn (i) Dumfries and Galloway the following initiatives and projects have been introduced in each year since 2007\r\n(a) Cycling\r\nYear\r\nInitiatives Introduced with Scottish Government Support\r\n2007\r\n\r\n2008\r\n\r\n2009\r\n- Dumfries Smarter Choices Smarter Places 3 Year Pilot Project (including a range of cycling behaviour change projects)\r\n- Bikeability Scotland (cycle training for primary school pupils)\r\n- Dumfries and Galloway College Dumfries Campus (grant from Cycle Friendly Employer Scheme)\r\n2010\r\n- Dumfries and Galloway College Stranraer Campus (grant from Cycle Friendly Employer Scheme)\r\n2011\r\n\r\n2012\r\n- Moffat CAN Cycle (grant from Cycle Friendly Communities Scheme)\r\n- Support for an i-bike officer to develop the programme in Dumfries and Galloway schools\r\n2013\r\n\r\n2014\r\n- Support and advice on the development of an Active Travel Strategy for Dumfries and Galloway\r\n- Dalbeattie Community Partnership “Get Active Dalbeattie” (grant from Cycle Friendly Communities Scheme)\r\n- Dalbeattie Clinic (grant from Cycle Friendly Employer Scheme)\r\n2015\r\n- Cycling Dumfries “Bike Message Challenge” (grant from Cycle Friendly Communities Scheme)\r\n- Action for Children “Second Time Around” (grant from Cycle Friendly Communities Scheme)\r\n2016\r\n- Barony College Intern Programme (grant from Cycle Friendly Campus Scheme)\r\n- Gatehouse of Fleet YMCA “Wheels of Fleet” (grant from Cycle Friendly Communities Scheme)\r\n- Better Lives Partnership “Children’s Bike Club” (grant from Cycle Friendly Communities Scheme)\r\n- “The Biker Buddies” (grant from Cycle Friendly Communities Scheme)\r\n\r\n(b) Cycling infrastructure\r\nYear\r\nInitiatives Introduced with Scottish Government Support\r\n2007\r\n- Funding for improvements to cycle infrastructure on Garroch Loaning, Dumfries\r\n- Funding for improvements to the Newton Stewart to Moss of Cree cycle route\r\n- Funding for improvements to the Stranraer to Cairnryan cycle route\r\n2008\r\n- Funding for improvements to cycle routes to Annan Academy and Kecklegirth Primary School\r\n- Funding for improvements to the Newton Stewart to Moss of Cree cycle route\r\n2009\r\n\r\n2010\r\n- Funding for improvements to NCN7 to resolve flooding issues in Fleet Forest, near Girthan\r\n2011\r\n- Funding for improvements to the St Mary’s Industrial Estate Link path in Dumfries\r\n2012\r\n- Funding for improvements to the New Abbey Road to MacMillan Bridge cycle route in Dumfries\r\n- Funding for a feasibility study into the development of a cycle route from Dumfries to Mabie Forest\r\n2013\r\n- Funding for improvements to the Mill Road/Mill green cycle path in Dumfries\r\n- Funding for the final design and construction of a cycle path from Dumfries to Mabie Forest\r\n2014\r\n- Funding for the Queen Street street design project in Dumfries\r\n- Funding for design/feasibility study work on proposed upgrades to NCN7 on Forestry Commission Scotland land near Gatehouse of Fleet\r\n- Funding for design/feasibility study work on a proposed cycle route on Moffat Road in Dumfries\r\n- Funding for design/feasibility study work on a proposed cycle route from Glasgow Street to College Street in Dumfries\r\n2015\r\n- Funding for design/feasibility study work on proposed active travel links to Dumfries General Royal Infirmary Hospital in Dumfries\r\n- Funding for design/feasibility study work on a proposed cycle link from Moffat Road to Dumfries High School and Marchfield in Dumfries\r\n- Funding for design/feasibility study ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315604,"EventID":"S5W-02496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:30.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the (a) roles and (b) responsibilities of (i) Scottish Enterprise, (ii) the Scottish Funding Council and (iii) Skills Development Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The First Minister announced a review of the enterprise and skills support on 25 May 2016. The Enterprise and Skills review is currently considering the role of the support offered by our enterprise and skills agencies, including Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Funding Council, and Skills Development Scotland, with a view to ensuring that they are delivering the joined-up support that young people, universities, colleges, training providers, businesses and the workforce need.\r\nOn 15 September I announced Minister’s decision to take forward the Review in two stages. The EU Referendum result has affected the context since the start of the Review, and the two stage approach allows us to take account of this and build fully on stakeholder views.\r\nThe first stage will conclude shortly and set out the key recommendations for change across a number of areas highlighted as part of the Review. Phase two will take forward consideration of these recommendations with key partners. The timetable for this will be set out alongside the Phase one outcomes. I expect to announce the conclusions of phase one shortly.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315605,"EventID":"S5W-02499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:32.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made towards achieving its aim of creating a smoke-free prison service.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe National Tobacco Strategy Workstream has recommended that all Scottish prisons should be smoke-free within a timescale of up to 5 years.\r\nThe smoke-free policy will be comprehensive i.e. smoking will not be permitted indoors or outdoors in Scottish prisons. \r\nSPS will be working closely with NHS Health Boards and Scottish Government as well as other partner agencies to develop comprehensive plans in preparation for the change.\r\nSmoking cessation services in prisons are delivered by NHS Health Boards. NHS Boards do not currently have plans in place for implementation of smoke-free prisons. They will be key stakeholders in the partnership approach with Scottish Government and SPS. Health Boards will need sufficient time to model demands on cessation services and required resources (e.g. skilled smoking cessation staff and pharmacotherapy), agree budgets, and put funding in place to expand the service to meet demand. Recruitment and training may be required to meet demand.\r\nImplementation of smoke-free prisons will be supported and monitored by a large scale study, which will play a vital role in helping SPS and NHS boards prepare to make changes.\r\nA decision has still to be made on whether e-cigarettes will be allowed. This is being considered by a working group, which includes NHS specialists and leading academics from Scottish universities, to support an informed decision on e-cigarettes.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315606,"EventID":"S5W-02513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:32.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many places on integrated health boards are still to be appointed.","AnswerText":"Appointments to Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) were confirmed following their legal constitution in line with the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Integration Joint Board) (Scotland) Order 2014, which sets out minimum membership requirements of IJBs. As with any board of governance, an interim vacancy may arise from time to time due to a member stepping down or an appointment term coming to an end.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315607,"EventID":"S5W-02514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:33.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints the NHS has received regarding over-intervention in patient treatment.","AnswerText":"These complaint statistics are not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315608,"EventID":"S5W-02569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:34.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages testing for arial fibrillation. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Heart Disease Improvement Plan (HDIP) was published in 2014 and identified six priorities, one of which is Arrhythmias. Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a related condition and can cause events such as heart attacks and strokes; it may produce few or no symptoms so people do not seek medical advice or investigation. NHS Boards are expected to treat those with AF in line with the guidance in Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) Guideline 94 ‘Cardiac Arrhythmias in Coronary Heart Disease’. The expectation is that AF should generally be managed in primary care and a simple pulse check can identify if someone is at risk. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315609,"EventID":"S5W-02467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5809,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:35.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T12:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the large business supplement rate has been for (a) Scotland and (b) the rest of the UK since 2011. ","AnswerText":"The non-domestic rates large business supplement (in pence) in Scotland for each year since 2011-12 is set out in the following table.\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\n0.7\r\n0.8\r\n0.9\r\n1.1\r\n1.3\r\n2.6\r\nThe Scottish Government has no functions in relation to non-domestic rates in the rest of the UK.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315610,"EventID":"S5W-02478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:35.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will hold a competitive bidding process to determine the selection of the city to have the first low-emission zone.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will be engaging with local authorities and other key stakeholders shortly to discuss the methodology that will be used to determine which city will be selected to take forward Scotland’s first low-emission zone by 2018.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315611,"EventID":"S5W-02485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:37.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that SEPA flood map data is not being used inappropriately by insurers to assess flood risk for insurance purposes.","AnswerText":"SEPA's Flood Maps do not show flood risk to individual properties, instead they identify areas which, as a whole, are at risk of flooding and its impacts. Insurance companies have their own flood maps on which to base their decisions, and SEPA’s Flood Maps should have no influence on insurance premiums. SEPA's terms and conditions have to be accepted before anyone can access the Flood Maps online which make it perfectly clear that the Maps must not be used for commercial purposes, or to set insurance premiums. SEPA is working with the Association of British Insurers, to help to increase understanding across the industry of the purpose of the flood maps (i.e. for community level decision making) and stress that they are not suitable for property level assessments. \r\nSEPA has also taken action to inform insurance companies that work across the UK of the differences that exist between England and Scotland in the data available to insurers. Unlike the Environment Agency in England, SEPA does not provide specific flood risk datasets to the insurance industry.\r\nWhen evidence is submitted to SEPA showing misuse of the flood maps, SEPA is proactive in dealing with the issue. In the first instance a letter of concern would be issued to the organisation responsible for the misuse, to reinforce SEPA's terms and conditions and to stipulate that the particular use of the maps brought to SEPA's attention is accountable to legal challenge. If an organisation continues to misuse the maps, and there is sufficient evidence to prove this, SEPA will take legal action against the organisation.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315612,"EventID":"S5W-02492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:37.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will provide the “additional investment in high quality public services” that is refered to in its 2016-17 Programme for Government, and whether includes using the tax powers that were made available by the Scotland Act 2016.","AnswerText":"As noted in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2016-17, the new tax powers delivered by the Scotland Act 2016 will be used to help grow Scotland's economy, promote fairness, and provide additional investment in high quality public services. Specific proposals will be set out in our draft budget 2017-18. Our reforms to the Council Tax will protect household incomes, make local taxation fairer and raise an additional £500 million over the current Parliament which will be provided to head-teachers to invest directly in schools and improve education locally.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315613,"EventID":"S5W-02503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:38.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland use spit hoods and, if so, what published guidance there is on their use.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, and the Scottish Police Authority. Police Scotland has advised that written guidance on the operational use of spit hoods is provided via the Scottish Police College Officer Safety Training Manual and all Police Scotland Officers and Special Constables receive training in their use. Any application of a spit hood must meet the Police Scotland criteria for the use of force.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315614,"EventID":"S5W-02510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:39.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cleaners in the NHS are outsourced from private companies.","AnswerText":"Information on staff outsourced from private companies is not centrally held.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315615,"EventID":"S5W-02528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:40.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T19:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is on schedule to be completed by winter 2017 and the Balmedie to Tipperty section will open in spring 2017. ","AnswerText":"Construction work is continuing across the site of the longest road construction project currently underway in the UK which, over the next 30 years, is expected to generate an additional £6 billion to the north-east economy and create around 14,000 new jobs. As with any major infrastructure project of this scale and complexity, the successful delivery is dependent on a significant number of factors including weather and ground conditions. The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and Balmedie to Tipperty section currently remains scheduled to open to traffic in winter 2017 and spring 2017 respectively.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315616,"EventID":"S5W-02535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T12:20:41.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people it estimates are employed by companies that have signed up to the Scottish Business Pledge.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the table entitled “Business Pledge – Statistical overview – August 2016”, a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib number 57653).","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315641,"EventID":"S5W-02391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:36:39.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01192 by Kevin Stewart on 20 July 2016, what percentage of consents have complied with the requirement for a 15-year review and what action it takes if a council fails to meet this.","AnswerText":"The reviewing of old mineral permissions is a matter for individual Planning Authorities to address. The information requested is therefore not held centrally. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315642,"EventID":"S5W-02393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:36:40.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the motion passed at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in September 2016, which called for a moratorium on peat exploitation, whether it will reconsider its proposals to extract peat from a site at Auchencorth Moss in Midlothian, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is not the promoter of peat extraction at Auchencorth Moss and does not have any proposals to extract peat from the site. \r\nIn terms of proposal to extract peat within Scotland can I refer the member to the answer to questions S5W-01192 and S5W-01197 on 20 July 2016, planning applications are determined in accordance with the relevant development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Scottish Planning Policy (2014) paragraph 248 is clear that the review of mineral permissions every 15 years should be used to apply up-to-date operating and environmental standards. As a statement of Ministers’ priorities the content of Scottish Planning Policy is a material consideration that carries significant weight. \r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315643,"EventID":"S5W-02468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:36:41.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T13:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-00177 by Nicola Sturgeon on 8 September 2016 (Official Report, c. 13), what action it is taking in response to the NSPCC annual review of Childline, which showed that 1,973 children in Scotland called the helpline for suicide and self-harm counselling in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"We take the mental health and wellbeing of our young people very seriously.\r\nNHS boards have put a lot of effort into reducing waiting times for access to psychological therapies and to child and adolescent mental health services and the government is committed to supporting boards to meet their access targets with a funding for a comprehensive programme of improvement.\r\nWe want to continue to improve access to mental health services and have announced an additional £150 million for mental health services over five years. The funding will be partly used to further improve child and adolescent mental health services, help to bring down waiting times and deliver sustainable improvement to services.\r\nOur next mental health strategy will be published later in 2016, and will include a focus on prevention and early intervention, particularly for children and young people.\r\nWe continue to support NSPCC and their Childline service. In 2016-17 we provided £198,000 to Childline aimed at increasing switchboard cover, offering a more interactive service during busy times and making improvements to the website. A further £100,000 was provided in 2016-17 to NSPCC for the ‘Improving Parenting, Improving Practice’ programme.\r\nEvery school has a named contact in specialist children and adolescent mental health service services who can be contacted for advice if they have any concerns about a pupil and can provide ongoing support.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315644,"EventID":"S5W-02525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:36:42.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the levels of traffic on the A720.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Government, maintains a multi-modal model of traffic data which covers the area serviced by the A720. Traffic information is obtained from 39 automatic traffic counters which are located along the route. Information from this model can assist in forecasting future traffic demand on the region’s major roads.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315645,"EventID":"S5W-02527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:36:43.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to upgrade the Sheriffhall Roundabout.","AnswerText":" I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00568 on 17 June 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315646,"EventID":"S5W-02534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:36:44.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that people receiving care and treatment for addiction can access appropriate mental health services.","AnswerText":"Within this additional funding £15 million has also been made available through the Mental Health Innovation Fund during 2015-18 to develop innovative approaches to delivering mental health services.\r\nThe Scottish Government promotes evidence based practice for psychological therapies and has funded NHS Education for Scotland to publish the Matrix, which provides a summary of the information on the current evidence base for various therapeutic approaches and guidance and advice on psychological therapies services. The latest version of the Matrix was published in 2015 and includes a section on the range of treatments available.\r\nThe Matrix includes reference to individually tailored interventions drawn from a range of psychological models. The Matrix and the data tables this is based upon are available online at:\r\nhttp://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-discipline/psychology/the-matrix-(2015)-a-guide-to-delivering-evidence-based-psychological-therapies-in-scotland/the-matrix-(2015)-a-guide-to-delivering-evidence-based-psychological-therapies-in-scotland.aspx.\r\nScotland’s world-leading drugs strategy, the Road to Recovery, focuses on the needs of the individual and provides a range of interventions where needed to support recovery. We are now in the third phase of Road to Recovery – ensuring quality is embedded across all services in Scotland, addressing variations in practice and identifying and addressing areas for improvement. Our strategy aims to ensure that those who need treatment get it as soon as possible and we have developed a set of Quality Principles for individuals accessing alcohol and drug services to ensure that people have access to the highest quality, person centred services to enable and support their recovery.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315647,"EventID":"S5W-02559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:36:45.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) budget and (b) investment target will be for each of the innovation and investment hubs referred to in the 2016-17 Programme for Government in each of the next three years; how many staff each hub will employ, and when the Brussels hub will open.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has budgeted £3.5million in 2016-17 for the initial piloting of the three Innovation and Investment Hubs. As part of the next spending review the Scottish Government will consider budgets for future years. Outcomes for each Hub location will be determined by a careful assessment of the distinct opportunities and potential benefits in each geographical area.\r\nOn the London Hub - these will be based on developing and growing trade links, strengthening government to government relations and supporting collaborations on economic, academic and innovation projects. Detailed planning between the four partners in the London Hub - Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Visit Scotland - is on-going to ensure staffing levels will support those opportunities and reflect our ambitions for Scotland.\r\nOn the Dublin Hub - the focus is on strengthening the economic relationship between Scotland and Ireland, the development and delivery of opportunities for commercial and academic collaboration, and on strengthening our shared cultural and heritage links. There will be three staff employed in the Dublin Hub.\r\nOn the Brussels Hub - Detailed consideration is underway regarding the operation of the Brussels Hub, in line with post referendum planning. There are already two teams operating in Brussels: the Scottish Government’s EU Office and Scotland Europa, who provide services and support to Scottish organisations involved in EU engagement, projects and funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315648,"EventID":"S5W-02561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:36:46.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will establish the ministerial trade board referred to in the 2016-17 Programme for Government; what its (a) budget, (b) remit and (c) membership will be, and when it will first meet.","AnswerText":"As stated in ‘Global Scotland’, Scotland’s Trade and Investment Strategy 2016-21, published in March this year, the Scottish Government is committed to establishing a Ministerial-led Trade Board. We are currently discussing with public and private sector partners a delivery plan. Budget, remit and membership will be considered as part of these discussions.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315649,"EventID":"S5W-02543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:36:48.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will be eligible for support from the £10 million of funding for energy efficiency of public sector buildings referred to in the 2016-17 Programme for Government; what the application process will be, and from what date the support will be made available. ","AnswerText":"The details for how this funding will be directed is currently being finalised. However, any projects will have to meet the following criteria:\r\nSpend to save – a demonstration that investment in energy efficiency measures will generate reduced energy bills in future and thereby a saving to the public purse;\r\nCarbon reduction – the potential to deliver a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption;\r\nEconomic benefits – the project must have the ability to show a positive economic impact on Scotland and demonstrate that it is additional activity -not current planned investment; and\r\nWork on the project must start in financial year 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315650,"EventID":"S5W-02545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:36:50.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will be eligible for support from the £10 million of funding to support the delivery of capital projects for local economic development referred to in the 2016-17 Programme for Government; what the application process will be, and from what date the support will be made available. ","AnswerText":"The First Minister announced on 10 August measures to support and stimulate the economy in the wake of the EU referendum and highlighted that capital spending on projects to support and create employment would be accelerated, with an additional £100 million of funding in this financial year. In launching the Programme for Government, the First Minister confirmed that one of the sixteen projects that formed the £100 million capital investment package would be £10 million to support capital investment in local economic development projects. \r\nThe detail of the specific projects will be announced shortly and will be focused in areas where there has been economic challenge and company closure and will help increase economic resilience, supporting future growth and helping to create and retain jobs in local communities. We are currently working with local authorities to confirm the projects that are to be supported through these capital resources which need to be committed this financial year.\r\nThere has been no formal application process as the resources have been focused on accelerating existing priorities. The projects that are being considered are those that have been identified as priorities through our joint work with local authorities. They will support employment and business activity and will develop infrastructure assets and improvements which will make a significant contribution to the future prosperity in these communities. Key assessment criteria have been growth, including an assessment of the impact on short-term economic growth and business activity and inclusion, including the impact on geography and fit with wider Scottish Government priorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315651,"EventID":"S5W-02550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:36:52.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the £650 million in partner funding in relation to European structural funds that is referred to in the 2016-17 Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has published a full list of all approved operations, including details of match funding arrangements, on its website at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/support/17404/esifoperations.\r\nThe £650 million refers to the total expenditure, of which £290 million is European Structural Funds. The remaining £360 million is being provided by project partners.\r\nThis list is a requirement of EU Regulations, and it will be updated as the Scottish Government makes further approvals.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315652,"EventID":"S5W-02552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:36:54.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the business case for the proposed national manufacturing institute.","AnswerText":"We intend to publish a detailed business plan in Spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315653,"EventID":"S5W-02575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:36:56.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T10:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement by the UK Government that the Autumn Statement will be published on 23 November 2016, on what date it will publish the draft 2017-18 Scottish Budget.","AnswerText":"The timetable for the 2017-18 budget is currently being discussed with the Finance Committee. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315654,"EventID":"S5W-02577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:36:57.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its social advertising budget is for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"The anticipated total for the social advertising budget in 2016-17 is £5,620,000. This will deliver 33 campaigns which are designed to improve or save lives and which will help deliver the Scottish Government’s priorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315655,"EventID":"S5W-02448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:36:58.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T10:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what investment it has made in respect of (a) Lockerbie, (b) Gretna Green, (c) Annan, (d) Sanquhar and (e) Kirkconnel railway station in each year since 2007. ","AnswerText":"Since 2007 the Scottish Government has worked with ScotRail to deliver a number of improvements at these stations. Improvements include:-\r\nLockerbie\r\nInstallation of CCTV, Customer Information Screens, lifts and footbridge, accessibility improvements, waiting shelter, platform validator to support smart ticketing.\r\nGretna Green \r\nInstallation of CCTV and platform validator to support smart ticketing.\r\nAnnan\r\nInstallation of CCTV, platform validator to support smart ticketing, handrails and upgrade to lighting and stairs.\r\nSanquhar\r\nInstallation of platform validator to support smart ticketing.\r\nKirkconnel\r\nUpgrade to car park lighting and installation of platform validator to support smart ticketing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315656,"EventID":"S5W-02530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:36:59.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is legislation in place to ensure that there should be parity of access to treatment between mental and physical health and, if not, what its position is on introducing such measures.","AnswerText":"National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 already states that Scottish Ministers have a duty to secure improvement in the physical and mental health of the people of Scotland. It does not distinguish between the two, nor does it place a higher importance on one over the other. The 1978 Act also states Scottish Minsters have a duty to secure the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness, and for that purpose to provide or secure the effective provision of services in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Illness in the 1978 Act is defined as including mental disorder within the meaning of section 328 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.\r\nWe will also consider how we further improve the physical health of people with mental health problems to address premature mortality as part of ten year vision for mental health in Scotland due for publication later in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315657,"EventID":"S5W-02547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:00.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will be eligible for support from the £10 million of funding to support maintenance of the further education estate referred to in the 2016-17 Programme for Government; what the application process will be, and from what date the support will be made available.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Funding Council. I have asked the Chief Executive to respond.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315658,"EventID":"S5W-02548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:02.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the £3.5 million for refurbishment of Inverclyde Hospital and Glasgow Royal Infirmary referred to in the 2016-17 Programme for Government will be made available.","AnswerText":"The additional capital budget of £3.5 million will be included in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's next allocation letter, due to be issued at the beginning of October 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315659,"EventID":"S5W-02565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:03.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual budget has been for the Inspiring Scotland 14:19 Fund and how many people have received support from it each year.","AnswerText":"A breakdown of the Scottish Government’s funding to the Inspiring Scotland 14:19 Fund and numbers of young people who have been supported is provided in the following table.\r\nYear\r\nFunding\r\nNumber of Young People Supported\r\n2009-2010\r\n£5.44million\r\n3,157\r\n2010-2011\r\n£4million\r\n4,577\r\n2011-2012\r\n£4million\r\n5,242\r\n2012-2013\r\n£4million\r\n6,067\r\n2013-2014\r\n£4million\r\n6,220\r\n2014-2015\r\n£4million\r\n7,531\r\n2015-2016\r\n£4million\r\n8,056\r\nTOTAL\r\n£29.44million\r\n40,850\r\nWe have also provided a further £4million for 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315660,"EventID":"S5W-02566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:05.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the fund to support young people who have been in care into work, training or education, which is referred to in the 2016-17 Programme for Government, will be established; how much funding it will allocate in its first year, and how many people it anticipates will receive support.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with stakeholders on the development of options to deliver a new fund for young people who have been in care, to support them into appropriate work, training or educational opportunities. We aim to announce further detail of the focus and the operation of the new fund by early 2017.\r\nAlongside partners in Local Authorities, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and the Third Sector we will continue to support young people who have experience of being looked after, to participate in education, training and employment. These young people are specifically highlighted as a priority group across Scottish Government funded training and employment programmes, including, Activity Agreements, Employability Fund, Community Jobs Scotland, Scotland’s Employer Recruitment Incentive and Modern Apprenticeships. Our Equalities Action Plan for MAs outlines the actions SDS will undertake with partners to improve the participation of under-represented groups, including care leavers, within the MA programme. An additional package of in-work support is also available to young care leavers through our funded Open Doors In Work support package.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315661,"EventID":"S5W-02584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:07.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has cost each local authority to provide services under the Appropriate Adult scheme in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. It is a matter for local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315662,"EventID":"S5W-02583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:09.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information (a) the Scottish Appropriate Adult Network and (b) Police Scotland has provided regarding the financial impact on local authorities of providing services under the Appropriate Adult scheme.","AnswerText":"During the passage of the Criminal Justice Bill (now Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016), evidence was provided by the Scottish Appropriate Adult Network (SAAN), Police Scotland and others on the current operation of appropriate adult services in Scotland.\r\nIn response to the evidence presented, the Scottish Government committed to continue working with the local authorities, Police Scotland and other interested parties to take the necessary steps to put in place a sustainable model for the long-term delivery of appropriate adult services in Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government is engaging extensively with relevant stakeholders, including SAAN and Police Scotland, to develop such a model. Given the differing arrangements for the delivery of appropriate adult services across the local authorities, this includes ongoing work to ascertain accurate costs for the provision of the current service.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315663,"EventID":"S5W-02392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:10.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent call by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for global action to be taken to halt the loss of and restore damaged peatlands, what action it is taking to ensure that Scotland’s peatlands are (a) protected and (b) restored.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, along with Scottish Natural Heritage, published Scotland's National Peatland Plan in August 2015. The Peatland Plan establishes a framework in which the Scottish Government, along with SNH, are leading the way forward in the management, protection, and restoration of Scotland’s peatlands, and as a consequence, protects its biodiversity and ecosystems. The Peatland Plan established a National Peatland Group which involves partners such as the IUCN Peatland Inquiry to support its delivery and along with a Monitoring and Research Group ensuring an evidence base and helping future actions.\r\nIn addition to the protection afforded by the suite of Natural sites and SSSIs, specific actions in the Plan include Scottish Planning policy which provides protection for peatlands as well as the work funded by the Scottish Government, through its Strategic Research Programme and Centres of Expertise, to deliver multi-disciplinary research to improve our knowledge of peatlands. This knowledge is then used to develop new tools and approaches to support sustainable management and help achieve restoration targets. Funding to support peatland restoration and management is available through the Scottish Rural Development programme and SNH has supported more than 100 projects through its Peatland Action initiative. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315664,"EventID":"S5W-02517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:11.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the cost of hospital clinical waste disposal.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published the Waste Prevention and Re-use Guide which provides practical advice and guidance on implementing effective waste prevention systems within NHS facilities and includes guidance on clinical waste. It is aimed at hospital and healthcare staff including senior management, waste management officers, sustainability officers and any others interested in promoting resource efficiency in a healthcare environment.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315665,"EventID":"S5W-02542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:12.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will be eligible for support from the £10 million of funding for domestic energy efficiency measures referred to in the 2016-17 Programme for Government; what the application process will be, and from what date the support will be made available. ","AnswerText":"We are working with local government to determine how best to utilise the £10m funding for domestic energy efficiency and will provide further information in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315666,"EventID":"S5W-02553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:14.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the use of collective switching models for energy consumption.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that switching energy tariff or supplier can provide significant savings for consumers. However, the Competition and Markets Authority’s recent energy market investigation has highlighted that consumers in Scotland are less likely to be active in the market than when compared with consumers in England and Wales.\r\nIn response to this, the Scottish Government is examining collective switching models and group buying of energy to inform our approach in this area. We will evaluate existing models and identify key elements of successful methods and interventions that may be helpful in promoting Scottish consumer engagement in the energy market. As part of this work, we are engaging with a number of organisations that have operated recent collective switches in Scotland to understand their experiences and those of their consumers - both positive and negative - which will grow our evidence base as we consider our next steps and inform the development of policy within our draft Energy Strategy for Scotland.\r\nIn support of this work, we will also be undertaking a survey to establish the extent of switching and the barriers that consumers face, and use the results to identify the characteristics of different types of switchers, such as those on low incomes, with the aim of developing targeted policy interventions.\r\nOur aim is to better understand within the Scottish context, the potential to increase consumer engagement in the energy market through the promotion of collective switching schemes and the potential for innovative models to reach the most vulnerable and disengaged Scottish energy consumers, in line with the Scottish Government’s call for a fair deal for all Scottish energy consumers.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315667,"EventID":"S5W-02560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:16.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will cost to appoint the new (a) trade envoys and (b) Global Scots referred to in the 2016-17 Programme for Government and how many appointments it plans.","AnswerText":"Further information about Trade Envoys will be made available in due course. Operational costs for supporting the Global Scots network will continue to be around £200k per year. This includes plans to recruit Global Scots in 2016-17 to support activities such as securing new investment and supporting the Connected Scotland campaign.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315668,"EventID":"S5W-02567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:18.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people it will provide assistance to following the devolution of powers regarding employment support in spring 2017.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02375 on 8 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315669,"EventID":"S5W-02394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:20.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with the UK Government in response to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) UK Peatland Programme’s recent call for the UK to restore one million hectares of peatlands by 2020.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government liaises with all UK administrations on matters of common interest such as sharing knowledge and best practice around peatland protection and restoration. Through the National Peatland Plan Scotland has established a programme of action to protect, manage and restore our peatlands and through the Scottish Natural Heritage led Peatland Action the Scottish Government has been able to support of peatland restoration projects delivering around 10,000 hectares since 2012-13 as well as support to projects that enhance our capacity to undertake restoration, such as training and best practice guidance.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315670,"EventID":"S5W-02533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:21.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training and qualifications it expects mental health link workers in GP practices to have.","AnswerText":"Links workers undergo a robust selection process to ensure they can work autonomously, are able to work with patients who have complex issues and prevent issues from being bounced back to the GP. The existing Links Workers funded by the Scottish Government come from a range of backgrounds including community development, nursing and some have counselling qualifications. Training and learning needs are included in their personal development plans and reflect the needs of the patients that Links Workers find themselves working with. This may include ASIST, Safetalk, Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid, motivational interviewing as well as other mandatory training.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315671,"EventID":"S5W-02544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:22.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will be eligible for support from the £1.3 million of funding to support higher education research referred to in the 2016-17 Programme for Government; what the application process will be, and from what date the support will be made available. ","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Funding Council. I have asked the Chief Executive to respond.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315672,"EventID":"S5W-02551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:24.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 15 February 2016, A Manufacturing Future for Scotland, what progress is being made in establishing a centre for manufacturing excellence and skills academy; where it will be located; what its budget will be, and how many staff it will employ.","AnswerText":"As stated in A Plan for Scotland: The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2016-17, a key action for this year will be developing the business case for a new manufacturing centre of excellence and skills academy. We are currently developing this business plan with a range of partners, and this work includes building an evidence base and working closely with the private sector on the detail of the proposition. Clearly, options for the centre's location, budget and staffing will be considered as key issues as part of this business case process. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315673,"EventID":"S5W-02562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:26.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce the package of measures for the labour market referred to in the 2016-17 Programme for Government and what this will consist of.","AnswerText":"The 2016-17 Programme for Government sets out a package of measures to support a resilient and fair labour market. This includes all of the actions set out in Scotland’s Labour Market Strategy which was published on 26 August 2016, meeting the commitment to bring forward a strategy in the first 100 days of this new administration.\r\nSignificant actions set out in the Programme for Government which are already underway include:\r\nWorking with the Fair Work Convention and providing support to take forward the next phase of their work and promote their framework to employers;\r\nSupporting workforce development through the Scottish Union Learning Fund which includes a contribution of £2.2 million this year;\r\nincreasing the number of accredited Living Wage employers, currently 598, making progress on our target of 1,000 accredited Living Wage employers by autumn 2017; and\r\nIncreasing the number of business that have made their Scottish Business Pledge, currently 289, for which we will continue to raise awareness.\r\nIn addition, we are working to create a Trade Union Modernisation Fund, a Returner’s Project to help women returners back into the workplace, and a Workplace Equality Fund alongside the other measures set out. These will be taken forward throughout the course of 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315674,"EventID":"S5W-02576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:27.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that local authorities use the powers available to them under the Disabled Persons’ Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009.","AnswerText":"The role of the Scottish Ministers, under the Disabled Persons’ Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009 (“the 2009 Act”), extends to:\r\nmaking regulations in relation to the content of the applications made by relevant persons;\r\nmaking regulations relating to the content of the report Local Authorities are obliged to produce under section 11(1) of the 2009 Act; and,\r\npreparing a report compiling and collating the information provided by Local Authorities under section 11(1) and laying this report before the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Ministers can also make regulations relating to the content of the reports.\r\nA Scottish Ministers report, for reporting year 2015-16, is due to be laid before parliament by 30 September 2016. It is for local authorities to consider how best to meet their duties.\r\nTransport Scotland officials are setting up a stakeholder group with parking managers from all local authorities in Scotland and issues relating to the Disabled Persons’ Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009 will be discussed at that meeting.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315675,"EventID":"S5W-02504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:29.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what procedures are in place regarding mortuary facilities to ensure that they should (a) be maintained to an appropriate standard and (b) take account of the sensitive issues that need to be considered when making arrangements for people to carry out an identification.","AnswerText":"Scottish Health Planning Note 20, 'Facilities for Mortuary and Post-Mortem Room Services' is published by Health Facilities Scotland and provides guidance to NHSScotland organisations on planning and designing comprehensive Mortuary and Post-Mortem Facilities and includes guidance on:\r\nthe receipt, temporary storage, viewing and removal of bodies;\r\nmaintenance;\r\npost-mortem examinations;\r\nvisiting relatives/friends;\r\nteaching and research.\r\nThe guidance recognises that this can be a sensitive and difficult time and that where possible a 'serene and reassuring environment is desirable' in the waiting room, interview/counselling room, viewing room and bier room.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315676,"EventID":"S5W-02506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:31.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Minister for Public Health and Sport on 7 September 2016 (Official Report, c.89), who gave the Minister the \"categoric assurance\" regarding proposed changes to cleft surgery, and how it plans to retain all specialist outreach clinics if cleft surgery is centralised.","AnswerText":"The consultation document makes it very clear that the proposal relates to cleft surgery only. The consultation document can be accessed at: http://www.nsd.scot.nhs.uk/news/index.html\r\nClear and categoric assurances that, with the exception of surgery, all other cleft services will continue to be delivered locally have been given throughout this process in correspondence with campaigners and MSPs. These assurances have also been given to the National Specialist Services Committee and NHS board Chief Executives, during their consideration of the proposal. The decision whether to accept the proposal rests with Ministers. I will make my decision in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315677,"EventID":"S5W-02555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:32.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Energy Advisory Board last met and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Energy Advisory Board last met on 1 March 2016. There was a substantive discussion in the future direction of energy policy in Scotland which was followed by a discussion on the oil and gas sector that included update on the work of the Energy Jobs Taskforce from Lena Wilson. \r\nSince then, a number of SEAB sub-groups have met, including the Offshore Wind Industry Group, which met on 14 June 2016, and the Oil and Gas Industry Leadership Group, which met on 2 July 2016. Both of these were attended by the Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy. The First Minister, the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work and the Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy continue to engage with stakeholders across the energy sector on a regular basis. There have been a range of meetings with the oil and gas sector since May, most recently with the First Minister meeting senior industry leaders of Oil and Gas UK’s board in Aberdeen on 19 September 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315678,"EventID":"S5W-02557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:34.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it is providing to the Transition Training Fund in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government launched the Transition Training Fund (TTF), on1 February, to support individuals and help the sector retain talent. The £12 million training fund, currently in its eight month will be available over a three year period.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315679,"EventID":"S5W-02572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:35.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T10:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on calls to reopen Eastriggs railway station. ","AnswerText":"Although a new station at Eastriggs does not feature in our current £5 billion investment programme in Scotland’s railways to 2019, we are committed to on-going improvements to rail services and connectivity.\r\nFunding for new railway stations can be considered from the Scottish Government's £30 million Scottish Stations Fund which aims to lever in third party funding to provide new and improved stations. Projects will be considered subject to the Scottish Government’s investment priorities for the strategic transport network, a robust business case, affordability and other competing proposals.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315680,"EventID":"S5W-02574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:36.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T10:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on calls to reopen Beattock railway station. ","AnswerText":"Although a new station at Beattock does not feature in our current £5 billion investment programme in Scotland’s railways to 2019, we are committed to on-going improvements to rail services and connectivity.\r\nFunding for new railway stations can be considered from the Scottish Government's £30 million Scottish Stations Fund which aims to lever in third party funding to provide new and improved stations. Projects will be considered subject to the Scottish Government’s investment priorities for the strategic transport network, a robust business case, affordability and other competing proposals.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315681,"EventID":"S5W-02578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:37.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on using social advertising to highlight the need for people to be aware of the provisions of the Disabled Persons’ Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that disabled persons’ parking places play a vital role in enabling disabled people to carry out day-to-day activities that non-disabled people can take for granted. The disabled person’s parking places provided for blue badge holders at their home and near to shops, services and facilities are generally located close to entrances reducing the required walking distance that many disabled people may find difficulty with. The Scottish Government welcomes all initiatives that highlight how important disabled persons’ parking places are to the lives of Blue Badge holders.\r\nTransport Scotland officials are setting up a stakeholder group with parking managers from all local authorities in Scotland and they will discuss how social media can be used in this regard at the first meeting of the group.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315682,"EventID":"S5W-02603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:38.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many primary school children are registered for free school meals in each local authority, also broken down by month over the last year. ","AnswerText":"The latest statistics on free school meals were published on 22 June 2016 in the Scottish Government Statistics Publication - Summary statistics for attainment, leaver destinations and healthy living, No. 6: 2016 Edition. Table 7 in the accompanying supplementary data provides details of the number of children and young people in primary schools in each local authority who were registered for free school meals in each year from 2007. This can be accessed at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/MealsSD/mealspesd/mealspesd2016.\r\nThe information was collected in February 2016 from all publicly funded schools in Scotland and cannot be broken down on a monthly basis.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315683,"EventID":"S5W-02604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:39.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many free school meals were distributed in each local authority area in the last year. ","AnswerText":"The Local Finance Returns outline the amount of free school meals served in pre-primary, primary, secondary and special education; and are published on a financial year, rather than a calendar year basis. The following table outlines the amount of free school meals served in pre-primary, primary, secondary and special education settings according to the most recent Local Finance Returns for 2014-15:\r\n\r\nTotal number of free school meals\r\nScotland*\r\n22,828,000\r\nAberdeen City\r\n597,000\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n709,000\r\nAngus\r\n417,000\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n330,000\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n262,000\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n714,000\r\nDundee City\r\n773,000\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n697,000\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n445,000\r\nEast Lothian\r\n312,000\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n367,000\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n1,430,000\r\nEilean Siar\r\n75,000\r\nFalkirk\r\n794,000\r\nFife\r\n1,381,000\r\nGlasgow City\r\n3,651,000\r\nHighland\r\n842,000\r\nInverclyde\r\n427,000\r\nMidlothian\r\n422,000\r\nMoray\r\n288,000\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n779,000\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n1,818,000\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n59,000\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n384,000\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n733, 000\r\nScottish Borders\r\n418,000\r\nShetland Islands\r\n57,000\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n494,000\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n1,356,000\r\nStirling\r\n306,000\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n516,000\r\nWest Lothian\r\n979,000\r\n*Scotland total does not equal the sum of components due to rounding to nearest 000.\r\nThis data includes the number of free school meals provided for children in Primary 1-3 in January-March 2015 following the launch of the universal free school meals policy for P1-3 in January 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315684,"EventID":"S5W-02395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:40.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-07T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with the UK Government to meet the UK target to phase out the use of peat in the horticultural sector by 2030, and what steps it is taking to address any historic consents regarding permission to extract peat beyond that year.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials contributed to the work that led to the Sustainable Growing Media Task Force's 2012 report, ‘Towards Sustainable Growing Media’. In 2014 the level of peat sold for horticultural use was 24% lower than the 2011 baseline. At its August meeting Scotland’s National Peatland Group discussed the scope for further work to support phasing out the use of peat in horticulture and the group is considering what further actions it could support to address a global issue. Scottish planning policy confirms that planning authorities should use their development plans to protect areas of peatland and only allow commercial extraction in very limited circumstances; consents from historic consents are a matter for individual planning authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315685,"EventID":"S5W-02532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:41.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce changes to GP and other primary care sector training to ensure that there is parity of access to treatment between mental and physical health. ","AnswerText":"The requirements and content of the GP training curricula is a matter for the Royal College of General Practitioners, and is approved by the General Medical Council as regulator of the medical profession. This approach applies to the training requirements of the other health care professions.\r\nThe Scottish Government has no plans to seek changes to GP and other Primary Care sector training about ensuring parity of access to treatment between mental and physical health, as current training already emphasises equal importance to mental and physical illness and is not discriminatory. NHSScotland Health Boards together with general practice providers are, responsible for the provision of treatment.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315686,"EventID":"S5W-02546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:42.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will be eligible for support from the £23 million of funding to support the maintenance of the higher education estate referred to in the 2016-17 Programme for Government; what the application process will be, and from what date the support will be made available. ","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Funding Council. I have asked the Chief Executive to respond.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315687,"EventID":"S5W-02549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:44.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs will be supported by the £100 million of funding it announced following the EU referendum, and what contribution this will make to economic growth in 2016-17, expressed as a percentage.","AnswerText":"It is estimated that the capital stimulus package funding of £100 million will support around 800 full time equivalent Scottish jobs, with just over half of those in construction.\r\nThe impact on economic growth in 2016-17 will not be known until the projects being funded have been taken forward. However, it is anticipated that this investment will deliver a vital boost to the economy, helping retain skills and activity in key sectors as well as enhancing Scotland's asset base.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315688,"EventID":"S5W-02563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:46.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will be eligible for support from the workplace equality fund that is referred to in the 2016-17 Programme for Government; what the fund's budget will be, and when it will be established.","AnswerText":"In Scotland’s Economic Strategy we said we would address long-standing barriers in the labour market so that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Fairer working practices can help utilise more effectively the skills and talents of groups who do not always get the best deal in the labour market and contribute to inclusive economic growth. This is the context in which we are scoping arrangements for the fund, which will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315689,"EventID":"S5W-02564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:48.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual budget has been for its Opportunities for All initiative and how many people have received support from it each year.","AnswerText":"Opportunities for All is a commitment to an offer of an appropriate place in education or training to all 16 to 19 years olds who need one. In delivering the commitment the Scottish Government contributes to a range of opportunities including:\r\nStaying on at school;\r\nActivity Agreements;\r\nCollege and university courses;\r\nEmployability training programmes;\r\nCommunity Jobs Scotland; and\r\nModern Apprenticeships. \r\nTo deliver the Opportunities for All Commitment the Scottish Government also supports young people through their post-16 transitions into learning, training and employment by providing funding to Local Authorities. A breakdown of the Post-16 Transitions budget, since 2012, is outlined in the following table:\r\nYear\r\nBudget\r\n2012-13\r\n£5.8million\r\n2013-14\r\n£5.328million\r\n2014-15\r\n£4.828million\r\n2015-16\r\n£4.828million\r\n2016-17\r\n£4.828million\r\nOpportunities for all is delivered through Scottish Government programmes and programmes delivered by a number of partners including Local Authorities and the Third Sector. Impact of the commitment is currently measured through the Annual Participation Measure, first published in August 2015, which better enables the Scottish Government to report on all 16-19 year olds participating in Opportunities for All offers of learning, training and employment – not just school leavers. \r\nThe Annual Participation Measure report published in August 2016 shows that, nationally, the number of 16-19 year olds participating in learning, training or work is 201,152 (90.4%). ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315690,"EventID":"S5W-02582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:50.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many appointments have been made under the Appropriate Adult scheme in each year since 2010-11, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information, but statistics on the provision of appropriate adults broken down by local authority area can be found on the Scottish Appropriate Adult Network website. This information covers the years 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15. http://www.scottishappropriateadultnetwork.co.uk/reports-statistics#\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315691,"EventID":"S5W-02505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:51.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports regarding the conditions that the Whyte family from Forres faced when attending Spynie Mortuary near Elgin, and what its position is on the condition of mortuary facilities (a) in Moray and (b) nationally in light of the issues raised.","AnswerText":"It is disappointing that the Whyte family did not receive an appropriate level of care from the Spynie Mortuary, however NHS Grampian have apologised to the Whyte family and they acted promptly with their partners in Police Scotland to ensure there would be no repeat of what was clearly a distressing situation. Alternative arrangements have been put in place locally, so that loved ones are viewed at Dr Gray's Hospital mortuary and NHS Grampian have been in regular contact with the family concerning their experience and the shape of future provision.\r\nIn terms of the national position, Scottish Government officials will pursue this matter with the NHS Scottish Property Advisory Group, which has responsibility for the management of NHS property. Any actions flowing from these discussions will be communicated direct to NHS Chief Executives.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315692,"EventID":"S5W-02507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:52.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the action that it is taking to tackle underage binge drinking.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has taken forward a range of actions through Changing Scotland's Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action. This includes improved substance misuse education in schools through Curriculum for Excellence and improved identification of, and support for, children affected by parental substance misuse. Also, support for diversionary activities for young people and guidance for parents and carers about young people and alcohol.\r\nIn addition the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Act 2010 imposed a mandatory condition onto licences to have an age verification policy (Challenge 25) to make it harder for under-age drinkers to gain access to alcohol and the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 will make it an offence to give alcohol to children or young people in a public place helping the Police to address the scourge of drinking dens.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315693,"EventID":"S5W-02522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:53.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many MS nurses there are in each NHS board area.","AnswerText":"NHS Board\r\nNumber of MS specialists (WTE)\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n15.0\r\nNHS Ayrshire & Arran\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Borders\r\n0.6\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n-\r\nNHS Fife\r\n1.4\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n1.9\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n3.0\r\nNHS Highland\r\n2.0\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n-\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n2.0\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n0.6\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n0.5\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n-\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n1.0\r\nScottish Workforce Information Standard System ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315694,"EventID":"S5W-02524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:54.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to upgrade the A720.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to undertaking improvements on the A720, including at Sheriffhall. We continue to progress the option assessment process to identify a preferred option for the grade separation of Sheriffhall roundabout. I refer the member to the answer provided for S5W-00568 on 17 June 2016 for further information.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315695,"EventID":"S5W-02541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:55.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual budget has been for the Employability Fund and how many people have received support from it each year.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government allocates funding to Skills Development Scotland (SDS) on an annual basis for delivery of training programmes and other activities, including the Employability Fund (EF). In the Budget Bill 2016-17, published on 29 January 2016, SDS was allocated Grant in Aid of £176.1 million which will be used to meet its commitments in 2016-17 including the delivery of 11,650 Employability Fund training places plus £6 million in-year transfers from the Scottish Funding Council to Skills Development Scotland to support delivery of the college ring-fenced places within the sector.\r\nSince its launch in 2013-14, EF has supported 52,030 training starts as shown below:\r\n2013-14 = 17,370\r\n2014-15 = 17,339\r\n2015-16 = 17,321","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315696,"EventID":"S5W-02554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:57.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met Scottish Renewables and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"In my capacity as Energy Minister I have met with Scottish Renewables on a number of occasions in the context of my role, but last met formally on 22 August 2016. This was an introductory meeting between myself and the organisation. In this meeting we discussed engagement with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the recent offshore wind judgements, transmission costs in Scotland, the Scottish Government Energy Strategy and shared ownership.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315697,"EventID":"S5W-02556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:37:59.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to (a) consult on and (b) publish an updated energy strategy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently developing a draft Energy Strategy to be published in early 2017, alongside the Climate Change Plan. A public consultation on the draft Energy Strategy will take place thereafter, seeking the views and insight of industry, academia, public sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and embarking upon a public dialogue with Scottish communities and energy consumers on Scotland’s energy future. The results of the consultation will inform the production of the final Energy Strategy which will be published in the latter half of 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315698,"EventID":"S5W-02573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-09T16:38:01.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T10:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on calls to reopen Thornhill railway station. ","AnswerText":"Although a new station at Thornhill does not feature in our current £5 billion investment programme in Scotland’s railways to 2019, we are committed to on-going improvements to rail services and connectivity.\r\nFunding for new railway stations can be considered from the Scottish Government's £30 million Scottish Stations Fund which aims to lever in third party funding to provide new and improved stations. Projects will be considered subject to the Scottish Government’s investment priorities for the strategic transport network, a robust business case, affordability and other competing proposals.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315702,"EventID":"S5T-00059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T13:20:26.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to tackle homophobic bullying in schools in light of the recent survey by the Time for Inclusive Education group.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315703,"EventID":"S5T-00064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T13:20:30.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure the long-term future of mountain weather-forecasting.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315704,"EventID":"S5W-02477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T15:44:02.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made regarding the recommendations in the Report of the National Review of Primary Care Out of Hours Services on (a) people at the end of life and their carers accessing care and assistance by local helpline on a 24/7 basis and (b) palliative care patients and carers having extended access to responsive and timely community nursing support.","AnswerText":"The National Out-of-Hours Review Report, Pulling together, was published in November 2015. As part of the implementation of the Review, we are currently considering bids from Health and Social Care Partnerships that explore all aspects of the Review’s recommendations including palliative care.\r\nSir Lewis Ritchie will be undertaking a further national engagement programme, building on the initial engagement programme to all board areas in Scotland, carried out as part of the original Primary Care Out of Hours Review process where he will discuss these bids in more detail.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315705,"EventID":"S5W-02586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T15:44:03.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01687 by Humza Yousaf on 23 August 2016, when it expects Abellio ScotRail and Transport Scotland to reach agreement on more detailed reporting and monitoring of the contractual obligation to maintain a minimum staffing level for every train service of two members of staff.","AnswerText":"ScotRail will be providing details of its resource plans to provide evidence that all services are scheduled to be fully staffed; where any service is not covered, a summary of their plans to reduce instances of those services operating without a second staff member for all or part of their journey; and details of the local decision-making process when short notice absences occur. Once received, these plans will be reviewed to assess compliance with the franchise agreement. \r\nScotRail has recently confirmed that an additional ten ticket examiners have now been recruited to improve coverage of staff on electric service routes.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315706,"EventID":"S5W-02595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T15:44:04.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the (a) vehicles and (b) routes that brought Abellio ScotRail below the performance benchmark in SQUIRE Service Schedule (i) 19 (train seats, tables, racks and other passenger facilities), (ii) 20 (train lighting), (iii) 21 (train toilets), (iv) 22 (train graffiti), (v) 24 (train destination boards, passenger info display boards), (vi) 26 (train posters/on-train info), (vii) 27 (train public address), (viii) 28 (train doors) for the first quarter of 2016-17 and (ix) 30 (train seat reservations) and whether the franchisee has incurred penalties for this performance level.\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerText":"Supporting documentation is contained within SPICe - BIB number 58191 \r\nThe reports provide details of every fault recorded during the first Quarter of 2016-17 for Service Schedules, the sub component fail, the train audited and a brief description of the actual fail.\r\nSchedule 19 – Train seats, tables etc – (fails per carriage)\r\nSchedule 20 – Train lights – per carriage\r\nSchedule 21 – Train toilets – per facility\r\nSchedule 22 – Train graffiti – per carriage\r\nSchedule 24 – Train PIS – per carriage\r\nSchedule 26 – Posters – per carriage\r\nSchedule 27 – Train PA – per carriage\r\nSchedule 28 – Train doors – per carriage\r\nSchedule 30 – Seat reservations – per carriage\r\nFails are recorded against different inventories for each service schedule, these are provided above in brackets.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315707,"EventID":"S5W-02590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T15:44:05.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the (a) stations and (b) routes that brought Abellio ScotRail below the performance benchmark in SQUIRE Service Schedule (i) 2 (station shelters and waiting areas) (ii) 5 (station CCTV) and security), (iii) 7 (station litter and contamination), (iv) 12 (station toilets) and (v) 16 (ticket machines, help points etc) for the first quarter of 2016-17, and whether the franchisee has incurred penalties for this performance level.","AnswerText":"The supporting documentation is contained within SPICE BIB number 58192\r\nThe reports provide details of every fault recorded during the first Quarter of 2016/17 for Service Schedules, the sub-component fail, the station audited and a brief description of the actual fault.\r\nSchedule 2 – Shelters – (fails per shelter)\r\nSchedule 5 – CCTV and Security – (fail per station and at the control centre)\r\nSchedule 7 – Station litter and Contamination – (fails per platform)\r\nSchedule 12 – Station toilets – (fails per facility)\r\nSchedule 16 – Help Points, Telephones and TVMs. – (fails per station)\r\nFails are recorded against different inventories for each Service Schedule, these are provided above in brackets.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315708,"EventID":"S5W-02622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T15:44:06.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T18:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding the Centre for Integrative Care at Gartnavel has received each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"This information is not centrally held. \r\nIt is the role of the Scottish Government to provide policies, frameworks and resources to NHS boards so they can deliver services that meet the needs of their local populations. Within this context, it is a matter for NHS boards to plan, budget for and deliver the services required to meet the assessed needs of their resident populations.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315709,"EventID":"S5W-02476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T15:44:06.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-08T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the briefing, Dying Doesn't Work 9-5, by Sue Ryder, which states that there is a lack of out-of-hours emotional, practical and coordinated support for people who are dying and their families.","AnswerText":"The National Out-of-Hours Review Report, Pulling together, was published in November 2015. As part of the implementation of the Review, we are currently considering bids from Health and Social Care Partnerships that explore all aspects of the Review’s recommendations.\r\nWe expect NHS boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs) to use the recommendations in the Review to inform local planning. However, since the integration of health and social care in April 2016, it is the responsibility of HSCPs to coordinate health and care services, commissioning NHS boards and councils to deliver services in line with a local strategic plan to meet the needs of its population. Over time, this will lead to a change in how services are provided with a greater emphasis on preventative services and allowing people to receive care and support in their home or local community rather than being admitted to hospital.\r\nAdditionally, our Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care (SFA), which was published in December 2015, sets out our vision that by 2021 everyone who needs palliative and end of life care will have access to it. The SFA was informed by the recommendations in the Review and sets out a series of commitments to realise that ambition including supporting Healthcare Improvement Scotland in providing HSCPs with expertise on testing and implementing improvements in the identification and care co-ordination of those who can benefit from palliative and end of life care.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315710,"EventID":"S5W-02637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T15:44:07.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will seek to protect the £4 billion worth of trade from Scotland to the US, in light of the recent comments by President Obama regarding Brexit.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s vote in the EU referendum reflected Scotland’s international outlook and the importance of the single market to Scotland’s economy. In order to help stabilise and stimulate the Scottish economy we will step up delivery of our 2016-21 Trade and Investment Strategy, taking further action to boost exports, maintain and attract investment and actively demonstrate that Scotland is open for business. \r\nWe will also widen and deepen our business engagement to shape our response to the EU Referendum and wider trade and investment activity. This will ensure that the Scottish Government effectively represents the distinct needs and priorities of Scotland’s businesses and investors. In particular, we will listen to and engage with businesses through existing engagement structures, sector specific international trade summits and a dedicated Investor Forum for our critical inward investment community.\r\nWe will also be delivering a comprehensive programme of Scottish Development International led trade missions and events and working with others to enhance and complement that programme as well as providing an additional £200k to help businesses help each other through pilot Local Export Partnerships in 4-6 areas across Scotland.\r\nWe have also announced the establishment of a Ministerial Trade Board which will provide advice to Scottish Ministers on the most effective ways to boost Scotland’s exports in the context of the outcome of the EU Referendum.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315711,"EventID":"S5W-02579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T15:44:08.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times a tribunal has been established under section 95 of the Scotland Act 1998 to investigate whether a judge of the Court of Session or the Chairman of the Scottish Land Court is unfit for office by reason of inability, neglect of duty or misbehaviour. ","AnswerText":"No tribunal to consider removal from office has been established under section 95 of the Scotland Act 1998 in order to investigate whether a judge of the Court of Session or the Chairman of the Scottish Land Court is unfit for office by reason of inability, neglect of duty or misbehaviour.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315712,"EventID":"S5W-02580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T15:44:09.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether section 95 of the Scotland Act 1998 applies to all members of the judiciary or is limited to the Court of Session and the Scottish Land Court.","AnswerText":"Section 95(1) to (5) of the Scotland Act 1998 relates to the appointment of the Lord President of the Court of Session, the Lord Justice Clerk, judges of the Court of Session, sheriffs principal and sheriffs. Section 95(6) to (11) provides for the removal of judges of the Court of Session and the Chairman of the Scottish Land Court.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315713,"EventID":"S5W-02581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T15:44:10.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on members of the judiciary resigning instead of facing a tribunal under section 95 of the Scotland Act 1998.","AnswerText":"In terms of section two of the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008, as Head of the Scottish Judiciary, the Lord President is responsible for making and maintaining appropriate arrangements for the investigation and determination of any matter concerning the conduct of judicial office holders. The Lord President will only draw matters to the attention of the First Minister if he wishes her to constitute a tribunal to investigate and report on whether a judge of the Court of Session or Chairman of the Scottish Land Court is unfit to hold that office by reason of inability, neglect of duty or misbehaviour.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315714,"EventID":"S5W-02631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T15:44:12.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in order to preserve access to the US market for fish and fish products, whether it will introduce legislation that prohibits the intentional killing of marine mammals in all of Scotland's fisheries.","AnswerText":"There is already legislation in place to prevent deliberate killing of marine mammals, except under controlled circumstances. This is delivered by the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 for seals, and The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended) for cetaceans.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315715,"EventID":"S5W-02632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T15:44:13.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in shinty in each year since 2007, and how much it plans to invest in each of the next five years.","AnswerText":"Sport Scotland, the national agency for sport, invests both Scottish Government and National Lottery monies into Scottish governing bodies of sport. The Camanachd Association (CA) is the governing body for the sport in Scotland and is responsible for the promotion of its activities.\r\nBetween 2007 and 2015 sportscotland invested £991,770 in the Camanachd Association. sportscotland’s investment into the governing body for the 2015-18 investment cycle is up to £546,000. Investment beyond 2017-18 has not yet been confirmed.\r\n2007-2008\r\n£107,145\r\n2008-2009\r\n£110,000\r\n2009-2010\r\n£150,000\r\n2010-2011\r\n£140,000\r\n2011-2012\r\n£145,000\r\n2012-2013\r\n£146,500\r\n2013-2015*\r\n£193,125\r\n2015-2016\r\n£182,000\r\n2016-2017\r\n£182,000\r\n2017-2018\r\n£182,000\r\n*15 month investment due to sportscotland investment realignment","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315716,"EventID":"S5W-02589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T15:44:14.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the SQUIRE audit of Abellio ScotRail’s performance in the first quarter of 2016-17.","AnswerText":"The SQUIRE audits has shown the ScotRail has performed well in several areas over the first quarter of 2016-17. Where performance has fallen below floor level Transport Scotland have requested formal Remedial Action Plans from ScotRail which are intended to identify specific issues where they are failing to meet required benchmarks and for them to provide plans to ensure performance improves to an acceptable level.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315717,"EventID":"S5W-02623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T15:44:15.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T18:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the feedback from the consultation on the future of the Centre for Integrative Care at Gartnavel.","AnswerText":"These are matters for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, who are responsible for planning and delivering services to meet the assessed needs of their resident population. \r\nAll NHS boards must adhere to national guidance (CEL (2010) 4) which can be accessed at: http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2010_04.pdf. This guidance details expectations around appropriate public engagement in potential service change. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315735,"EventID":"S5F-00202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T13:30:05.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T10:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315741,"EventID":"S5F-00205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T13:30:07.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315742,"EventID":"S5F-00226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T13:30:26.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Scottish Association for Mental Health.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315743,"EventID":"S5F-00228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T13:30:28.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government will seek to make land ownership transparent.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315744,"EventID":"S5F-00232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5621,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T13:30:31.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government will achieve 100% broadband rollout across Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315745,"EventID":"S5F-00216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T13:30:17.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the UK Climate Change Committee's Reducing emissions in Scotland 2016 progress report.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315746,"EventID":"S5F-00218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T13:30:19.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the Faculty of Advocates' reported concerns that the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is under resourced. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315747,"EventID":"S5W-02627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T17:28:19.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the economic impact is of the Edinburgh festivals.","AnswerText":"According to the Edinburgh Festivals 2015 Impact Study the Edinburgh Festivals generate £313 million worth of additional tourism revenue for the Scottish economy each year.\r\nThe Edinburgh Festivals attract audiences of more than 4.5 million annually - a similar level to the FIFA World Cup, with only the Olympic Games having a bigger audience.\r\nAs reported in the Edinburgh Festivals 2015 Impact Study, the total annual economic impact to the city of Edinburgh is £280million. To put this into context the most recent independent economic impact for Golf tourism to Scotland is estimated to be worth £220million annually.\r\nThe Edinburgh Festivals lead to new employment opportunities, with the Festivals sustaining 5,660 full-time equivalent jobs in Edinburgh and 6,021 in Scotland (Scotland figure does not include Edinburgh).\r\nImpact Study\r\nThe most recent Edinburgh Festivals Impact Study was published on 26 July 2016. The Edinburgh Festivals 2015 Impact Study was written by economic and social researchers BOP Consulting, building on the Impact Study in 2010.\r\nThe study was commissioned by the Festivals Forum and funded by the Scottish Government, City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Enterprise, Creative Scotland and EventScotland.\r\nThe study analysed audiences, journalists, delegates, participants, volunteers, temporary staff and teachers at the 12 Edinburgh Festivals which make up Festivals Edinburgh, the strategic umbrella body which takes the lead on the festivals joint direction.\r\nThe 12 participating Festivals, in alphabetical order, were:\r\nEdinburgh Art Festival; Edinburgh Festival Fringe; Edinburgh International Book Festival; Edinburgh International Festival; Edinburgh International Film Festival; Edinburgh International Science Festival; Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival; Edinburgh Mela; Edinburgh’s Hogmanay; Imaginate Festival; Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo; Scottish international Storytelling Festival.\r\nEdinburgh Festivals initial statistics show:\r\nThe Edinburgh Festival Fringe initial figures show a 7.7% rise in ticket sales to over 2.4 million. They hosted 50,266 performances of 3,269 shows in 294 venues across the city.\r\nEIF played host to over 2,400 artists from 36 nations and attracted audiences from 84 countries. The festival took in over £4million in ticket sales for the first time. Free outdoor concert ‘Deep Time’ had approximately 27,000 people attending.\r\nRoyal Edinburgh Military Tattoo sold out for the 16th year, in record breaking time, with 215,800 tickets sold, generating £9.6million in the box office.\r\nEdinburgh International Book Festival hailed this year’s event as the most successful in its history reporting a 3.5% increase in ticket sales and books sales up by 3% - the highest ever sales in the Book Festival’s 33-year history. They sold 62,000 books in 17 days which is more than many high street book stores sell in an entire year.\r\nThe Festivals contributed to increase Edinburgh Airport figures by 12%.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315748,"EventID":"S5W-02634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T17:28:20.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings of the report, Creativity and Effectiveness in the use of electronic monitoring: a case study of five jurisdictions, what its position is on integrating electronic tagging with rehabilitative support.","AnswerText":"We know from international evidence, such as the report 'Creativity and Effectiveness in the use of electronic monitoring', that electronic monitoring is a useful tool that can aid reducing reoffending when it is set within a wider package of support. The Scottish Government established an expert Working Group to look at Electronic Monitoring in Scotland to consider how best we take this forward, specifically looking at how electronic monitoring can be used at different points in the criminal justice system; what level of support can be provided in the community whilst maintaining public protection; and the opportunities that new technologies can provide.\r\nThe Working Group submitted their report to me at the start of the summer, and I plan to publish their report and recommendations shortly. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315749,"EventID":"S5W-02636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T17:28:21.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish the code of conduct for stop and search.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will lay the Code of Practice before Parliament no later than 12 January 2017, as required by Part 2 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016. \r\nA public consultation seeking views on a draft Code of Practice closed on 15 July 2016 and responses to the consultation were published on 15 September 2016. The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with the independent Stop and Search Advisory Group to revise the Code of Practice in light of consultation responses.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315750,"EventID":"S5W-02633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T17:28:22.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will implement the recommendation of the Post-corroboration Safeguards Review to undertake research into jury reasoning and decision-making.","AnswerText":"On 8 September 2015, during the passage of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice announced that the Scottish Government would take forward the recommendations made in Lord Bonomy's Post Corroboration Safeguards Review in relation to jury research.\r\nAs outlined in the Programme for Government, by spring 2017, the Scottish Government will commission independent jury research to consider the dynamics of decision-making by juries, including the current jury majority and three verdict system, helping to inform future proposals for the reform of the criminal justice system.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315751,"EventID":"S5W-02635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T17:28:23.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to people with electronic tagging devices. ","AnswerText":"Currently in Scotland, Electronic Monitoring is available as a Restriction of Liberty Order or for those released from prison on Home Detention Curfew. Electronic Monitoring is also used by the Parole Board as a condition of licence; as a Restricted Movement Requirement as part of Community Payback Order; as a Movement Restriction Condition for young people; or as a condition of a Drug Treatment and Testing Order. Support is dependent on the individual circumstances.\r\nHowever, we know from international evidence that electronic monitoring can be a useful tool that can aid reducing reoffending when set within a wider package of support. The Scottish Government established an expert Working Group to look at Electronic Monitoring in Scotland to consider how best we take this forward specifically looking at: how electronic monitoring can be used at different points in the criminal justice system; what level of support can be provided in the community whilst maintaining public protection; and the opportunities that new technologies can provide.\r\nThe Working Group submitted their report to me at the start of the summer, and I plan to publish their report and recommendations shortly. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315752,"EventID":"S5W-02588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-12T17:28:25.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01679 by Humza Yousaf on 22 August 2016, whether it will list the (a) occasions and (b) amounts on which Abellio ScotRail’s performance within each service schedule of the SQUIRE Regime has been at a level that resulted in a financial penalty, since Reporting Period 3, 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The report is attached to SPICe - BIB number 58193\r\nThe report highlights every service schedule which resulted in a penalty for being below the benchmark. It must be underlined there is a tolerance level between the ceiling level and benchmarks before recorded fails actually result in a financial penalty.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315766,"EventID":"S5W-02615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:13.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that its system of (a) recording and (b) filing records ensures that it meets its obligations under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has an electronic records and document management system, with supporting guidance, which enables us to record and file the records we need to meet our FOI obligations.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315767,"EventID":"S5W-02616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:14.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to raise the £600 exemption threshold set out in the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to raise the £600 exemption threshold.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315768,"EventID":"S5W-02629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:15.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness of the risks and symptoms of blood clots, and what leaflets and materials it provides to patients and medical staff in this regard.","AnswerText":"Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the formation of blood clots in the vein. The Scottish Patient Safety Programme (SPSP) ran a national collaborative during 2014 to reduce hospital associated VTE. As part of this work, SPSP supported health boards to raise awareness among the public of the risks of blood clots and the risks and benefits of thromboprophylaxis with the production of an information leaflet and posters. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network has published guidance for boards on the prevention and management of venous thromboembolism and produced a patient leaflet. http://www.sign.ac.uk/pdf/pat122.pdf\r\nSPSP is now working with NHS Borders to identify further learning for spread across Scotland. This includes work to develop a public facing campaign for VTE.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315769,"EventID":"S5W-02630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:16.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T10:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting international development organisations to expand their work (a) at home and (b) overseas. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's International Development Fund (IDF) began in 2005, with a budget of £3 million for Malawi. Now standing at £9 million per annum, the IDF currently supports projects in our seven priority overseas countries of: Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the three poorest states in India. These projects cover a range of themes, including health, education, economic development, renewable energy, civic governance, water and sanitation.\r\nThe Scottish Government recognises the important role that networking organisations, at home, in Scotland can make to the effectiveness of the international development sector and that is why we provide funding for the Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland (NIDOS) and the Scotland-Malawi Partnership (SMP). Through that core funding from the IDF, NIDOS’s membership has increased to 119 members and the SMP’s membership has grown to more than 700, including local authorities, universities and colleges, schools, churches, hospitals, businesses, charities, NGOs and community-based organisations all over Scotland.\r\nThe Programme for Government 2016-17 confirmed Scotland’s continued commitment to international development and the First Minister’s support of the UN Global Goals through a number of initiatives, including:\r\nAn increased £10 million per annum International Development Fund (IDF) from spring 2017, to continue to take action to help tackle poverty and inequalities in relation to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. This includes funding the Small Grants Programme designed to support smaller NGOs deliver assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. This will strengthen the third sector in Scotland and create more opportunities for people to get involved in quality development work overseas;\r\nA new £1 million per annum humanitarian aid fund from spring 2017, enabling us to continue to respond to the increasing number of rapidly emerging international humanitarian crises; and\r\nIncreasing the Climate Justice Fund to at least £3 million a year for the next five years for international projects where the worst impact of climate change is falling on poor and vulnerable communities. http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/09/2860/8\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315770,"EventID":"S5W-02647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:17.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which vessels in the CalMac fleet will be due for replacement during the period of the next contract for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services.","AnswerText":"The Vessel Replacement and Deployment Plan (VRDP) – Annual Report 2014, published in October 2015, summarises the outputs of work by Transport Scotland, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) and CalMac to develop a programme of vessel retentions, cascades, acquisitions and disposals in order to deliver the Ministerial commitments set out in the 2012 Ferries Plan.\r\nThe Plan is available on the Transport Scotland website\r\nThe initial output of the VRDP was the procurement of two new major vessels by CMAL from Clyde shipbuilder Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd.\r\nThe VRDP foresaw a further 4 new major vessel procurements in the period to 2025, subject to funding availability. An updated Plan will be published shortly. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315771,"EventID":"S5W-02648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:18.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Caledonian MacBrayne regarding the appointment of a director of the community and stakeholder engagement board after 1 October 2016, and how many CalMac staff will be represented on the board.","AnswerText":"The role of Community Director was a specific requirement listed within the Invitation to Tender for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services Public Services Contract. A named person will be appointed to the role in October 2016. I will ask CalMac to contact the member to confirm when the appointment has been made.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315772,"EventID":"S5W-02609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:19.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many requests under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 have been received each year by (a) it and (b) all public authorities, also broken down by how many were answered within 20 days.","AnswerText":"Information about the number of requests made to the Scottish Government, and how many were answered within 20 working days, is available from the FOI Annual Reports which are published on our website at: http://www.gov.scot/About/Information/FOI/Reporting.\r\nSimilar information about requests made to other public authorities is published on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website at: http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/ScottishPublicAuthorities/StatisticsCollection.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315773,"EventID":"S5W-02618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:20.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T17:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it makes available to charities seeking to offer respite care to children with long-term, often terminal illnesses and their families.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government provides funding to the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) through the Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities Fund. In 2016-17 CHAS has been awarded £136,300.\r\nBetween 2010 and 2016 the Scottish Government invested over £17 million towards the voluntary-run Short Breaks Fund. A further £3 million is committed in 2016-17. This fund includes the Better Breaks and Take a Break programmes, providing responsive and creative short break opportunities and personalised leisure activities for disabled children, young people and their families.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315774,"EventID":"S5W-02620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:21.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T17:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many current and former prisoners have smoke-related illnesses, and how this compares with the rest of the general population.","AnswerText":"Information about smoking illness among prisoners and former prisoners is not held centrally so cannot be compared to illness rates in the rest of the general population. Smoking rates are however significantly higher amongst prisoners (72%) compared to the general population (22%) and the consequence of this will be higher rates of smoking related disease in prisoners and former prisoners.\r\nIn line with the Scottish Government’s Tobacco Control Strategy for Scotland, the Scottish Prison Service are working in partnership with government colleagues and local NHS boards to develop plans for indoor smoke-free prison facilities. The Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Michael Matheson, has accepted the recommendations of the National Tobacco Strategy Workstream that all Scottish prisons should be smoke-free within a timescale of up to five years.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315775,"EventID":"S5W-02643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:22.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is available to NHS staff for treating women who have undergone female genital mutilation.","AnswerText":"Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer Letters in 2014, 2015 and 2016 have provided guidance to NHS staff and other professionals delivering sensitive and responsive services. These letters also direct the professionals to the available training, some of which has been developed by relevant third sector organisations and funded by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315776,"EventID":"S5W-02645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:23.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T14:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact closing the Mountain Weather Information Service would have on North East Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer for question S5W-02638 on 27 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315777,"EventID":"S5W-02650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:24.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the age is of each operational vessel in the CalMac fleet. ","AnswerText":"The ferries which are operated by CalMac Ferries Ltd are leased from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL).\r\nDetails of the fleet, including vessel ages, can be found on the CMAL website http://www.cmassets.co.uk/ferries/.\r\nAge range from the oldest, the MV Eigg, built in 1974, to the newest, the MV Catriona which was delivered on 16 September 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315778,"EventID":"S5W-02605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:25.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the drilling of boreholes solely for the purpose of core sampling to assess shale and coal bed methane resource requires planning permission at all times.","AnswerText":"In line with the Scottish Government’s evidence-led approach to unconventional oil and gas, only boreholes to extract core samples are not included in the moratorium. Boreholes for test fracking or hydrocarbon flow testing are prohibited under the terms of the moratorium. Core sampling allows analysis of data including stratigraphy and rock properties.\r\nAny proposal for a borehole would also need to demonstrate that it will be undertaken in collaboration with an independent research body (such as the British Geological Survey) or academic institution.\r\nA company seeking to drill a borehole to acquire a core sample would also need to obtain all the necessary regulatory consents. These would include planning permission from the relevant planning authority and an environmental permit from SEPA. It would then be for regulators to determine whether or not the site is acceptable and whether drilling should be allowed.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315779,"EventID":"S5W-02607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:26.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the effectiveness of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and what action it takes to ensure that it is adhered to and applied by all public authorities in a consistent manner and in the spirit of the law.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Freedom of Information regime is widely recognised as being strong and progressive. Compliance with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 is a matter for the independent Scottish Information Commissioner. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315780,"EventID":"S5W-02624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:27.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-11T14:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual spend for the Detect Cancer Early Programme in (a) Scotland and (b) NHS Grampian (i) will be for 2016-17 and (ii) was in each year since 2013-14.","AnswerText":"£41 million in total has been allocated to the Detect Cancer Early programme since 2013-14.\r\n£5.6 million was made available to territorial NHS boards recurrently from 2014-15 and an additional £2.25 million made available recurrently to NHS boards from 2015/16 (£7.85 million in total to NHS territorial boards).\r\nA further £600k was made recurring to NHS NSS from 2014/15 to support NHS ISD data collection, LDP standards reporting and to support improvements is the cancer screening programmes.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not hold the details regarding the full annual spend on the Detect Cancer Early programme by NHS Board or by NHS Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315781,"EventID":"S5W-02639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:28.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the financial support that it has provided to the owners of Elgin abattoir.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not provided any financial assistance to Dunbia, current owners of the Elgin abattoir. Grant support may potentially be available for investment in capital infrastructure from the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation grant scheme.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315782,"EventID":"S5W-02641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:29.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legislation can assist communities that want to bring housing back into use on privately-owned rural estates in order to promote sustainable development.","AnswerText":"There is a range of legislation available to assist communities throughout Scotland in acquiring housing on privately owned estates.\r\nLegislation that is currently in place includes the Community Right to Buy in Part two of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 which was recently amended by the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2016. This gives a community the opportunity to register a community interest in land and, if successful, the opportunity to purchase that land when is it to be disposed of.\r\nLegislation that is currently being progressed includes: Part four of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2016, which relates to Part 3A of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, which provides for a Community Right to Buy Abandoned, Neglected or Detrimental Land. This legislation is expected to be in force by summer 2017, and; Part five of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2016, which relates to asset transfer requests over land owned by prescribed public bodies. This will provide that any request for an asset transfer which is denied by an ‘authority’ must give reasons for doing so. This legislation is expected to be in force by the turn of the year.\r\nLocal authorities and other bodies currently have compulsory purchase powers.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315783,"EventID":"S5W-02688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:31.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it anticipates policing cross-border travel without disrupting service provision to passengers and railway operators following the integration of the British Transport Police into Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02686 on 27 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315784,"EventID":"S5W-02606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:31.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times planning permission has been given for the drilling of boreholes solely for the purpose of core sampling for shale and coal bed methane (a) prior to and (b) since the moratorium on fracking for shale gas.","AnswerText":"Boreholes for test fracking or hydrocarbon flow testing are prohibited under the terms of the moratorium. Information on individual planning permissions is not held centrally. However, such information is available in the public domain.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315785,"EventID":"S5W-02608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:32.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has commissioned to assess its performance in adhering to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government publishes a report on Freedom of Information performance annually, which can be found on our website at: http://www.gov.scot/About/Information/FOI/Reporting.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315786,"EventID":"S5W-02621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:34.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in considering options to introduce indoor smoke-free prison facilities since this was announced in February 2016.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe National Tobacco Strategy Workstream has recommended that all Scottish prisons should be smoke-free within a timescale of up to 5 years.\r\nThe smoke-free policy will be comprehensive i.e. smoking will not be permitted indoors or outdoors in Scottish prisons. \r\nSPS will be working closely with NHS Health Boards and Scottish Government as well as other partner agencies to develop comprehensive plans in preparation for the change.\r\nSmoking cessation services in prisons are delivered by NHS Health Boards. NHS Boards do not currently have plans in place for implementation of smoke-free prisons. They will be key stakeholders in the partnership approach with Scottish Government and SPS. Health Boards will need sufficient time to model demands on cessation services and required resources (e.g. skilled smoking cessation staff and pharmacotherapy), agree budgets, and put funding in place to expand the service to meet demand.\r\nImplementation of smoke-free prisons will be supported and monitored by a large scale study, which will play a vital role in helping SPS and NHS boards prepare to make changes.\r\nA decision has still to be made on whether e-cigarettes will be allowed. This is being considered by a working group, which includes NHS specialists and leading academics from Scottish universities, to support an informed decision on e-cigarettes.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315787,"EventID":"S5W-02638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:35.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T11:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Isle of Arran not being covered by the Met Office mountain weather forecast, what discussions it has had with sportscotland regarding how the withdrawal of funding for the Mountain Weather Information Service could impact on the safety of climbers on the island.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's priority is to ensure the long-term provision of critical mountain weather forecasting and that is precisely what will be delivered. I can confirm that this includes funding to Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) for the next three years to allow the continuation of this trusted and valued service. \r\nThe future service will be informed by both users and providers such as MWIS to ensure any future service will be enhanced.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315788,"EventID":"S5W-02640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:36.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is putting in place to bring housing back into use on rural estates to address shortages.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Land Fund offers grants of up to £1 million to help communities take ownership of the land and buildings that matter to them, as well as practical support to develop their aspirations into viable projects.\r\nThe £25 million Rural Housing Fund and the £5 million Islands Housing Fund provide support to organisations who wish deliver long term affordable housing by bringing empty properties back into use, as well as other approaches.\r\nThe Scottish Government also funds the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, delivered by Shelter Scotland, which provides practical support to councils and others through Empty Homes Officers and an advice service to bring private sector empty properties back into use.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315789,"EventID":"S5W-02689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:37.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of (a) sheriff court and (b) Justice of the Peace court cases has been dealt with within the 26-week performance target from caution and charge to verdict, in each month since April 2014. ","AnswerText":"The percentage of Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court cases dealt with within 26-weeks (from caution and charge to verdict) for each month since 2014 is in the following table. The last full month’s recorded data currently available is July 2016.\r\n\r\nSheriff Courts\r\nJustice of the Peace Courts\r\nApril 2014\r\n68%\r\n64%\r\nMay 2014\r\n68%\r\n63%\r\nJune 2014\r\n66%\r\n60%\r\nJuly 2014\r\n69%\r\n65%\r\nAugust 2014\r\n67%\r\n62%\r\nSeptember 2014\r\n64%\r\n60%\r\nOctober 2014\r\n64%\r\n61%\r\nNovember 2014\r\n63%\r\n59%\r\nDecember 2014\r\n67%\r\n65%\r\nJanuary 2015\r\n64%\r\n62%\r\nFebruary 2015\r\n62%\r\n57%\r\nMarch 2015\r\n64%\r\n56%\r\nApril 2015\r\n64%\r\n52%\r\nMay 2015\r\n63%\r\n53%\r\nJune 2015\r\n63%\r\n53%\r\nJuly 2015\r\n66%\r\n57%\r\nAugust 2015\r\n64%\r\n59%\r\nSeptember 2015\r\n66%\r\n56%\r\nOctober 2015\r\n64%\r\n56%\r\nNovember 2015\r\n65%\r\n60%\r\nDecember 2015\r\n68%\r\n63%\r\nJanuary 2016\r\n66%\r\n59%\r\nFebruary 2016\r\n63%\r\n53%\r\nMarch 2016\r\n65%\r\n59%\r\nApril 2016\r\n66%\r\n61%\r\nMay 2016\r\n66%\r\n64%\r\nJune 2016\r\n67%\r\n60%\r\nJuly 2016\r\n65%\r\n62%\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315790,"EventID":"S5W-02612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:38.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many requests it has received each year under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 have been subject to a review.","AnswerText":"Information about the number of review requests received by the Scottish Government is available from the FOI Annual Reports which are published on our website at: http://www.gov.scot/About/Information/FOI/Reporting.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315791,"EventID":"S5W-02619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:39.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T17:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action Police Scotland is taking to ensure that the 30 and 40 mph speed zones in Edinburgh are being enforced where there is a roll out of 20 mph zones on nearby roads.","AnswerText":"The enforcement of speed limits is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315792,"EventID":"S5W-02626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:40.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T09:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contact it received from Charlotte Street Partners in the last year, and about what matters.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315793,"EventID":"S5W-02644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:41.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what NHS services are available to support women who have undergone female genital mutilation. ","AnswerText":"The aim was to have a consistent approach to the delivery of multiagency services that was required locally according to assessed need. This is expected to be delivered jointly with other public sector and third sector agencies. As part of the work of the MultiAgency Short Life Working Group for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Guidance for Service Specification for Healthcare to prevent FGM and Healthcare to respond to the needs of survivors of FGM, and service standards to consider, was published in February 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315794,"EventID":"S5W-02687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:42.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provisions it will put in place to deal with any rise in calls from the public following the proposed merger of the British Transport Police and Police Scotland. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02686 on 27 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315795,"EventID":"S5W-02694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":19,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:43.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T12:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the electrification works on the Edinburgh-Falkirk High-Glasgow Queen Street rail line will be completed. ","AnswerText":"In my statement on the delivery of rail projects in Scotland on 5 July 2016, and reiterated in my answer to the recent Topical Question S5T-00043 on 6 September 2016 found at,\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10498&i=96642&c=1929093&s=S5T-00043\r\nI confirmed that Network Rail have advised the introduction of electric services on the Edinburgh-Falkirk High-Glasgow Queen Street line is now planned for July 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315796,"EventID":"S5W-02680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:44.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered appeals made to it by the Friends of the Museum of Fire in Edinburgh to retain the museum in the former Central Fire Station at Lauriston Place in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"Yes. The Scottish Government has been mindful of the appeals made by the Friends of the Museum of Fire in Edinburgh, and recognises the importance of Scotland’s firefighting history, and the role of the Museum in telling this story. The location of the Museum is a matter for the Board of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.\r\nSFRS has committed to retain the Museum of Fire within the City of Edinburgh and will be announcing its new location soon.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315797,"EventID":"S5W-02683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:45.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Police Authority's statement that the agreement it reached with Accenture on the termination of the i6 programme did not result in \"financial detriment to the police budget\" takes account of expenditure on the project over the last four financial years. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Executive to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315798,"EventID":"S5W-02617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:46.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to extend the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to include all (a) private and (b) public contractors that have been contracted by public bodies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government takes an incremental approach to extending coverage of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. The legislation has recently been extended to private prison contractors and further proposals to extend coverage will follow in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315799,"EventID":"S5W-02628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:47.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that patients and those making decisions about medication for minors are fully informed about the possible side effects of antidepressants prior to being taken. ","AnswerText":"Prescribers of any medication, to anyone, are required to explain the rationale for prescribing, the benefits, and the side effects.\r\nNICE clinical guidelines [CG28] cover depression in children and young people, and contain guidance on the use of antidepressants. Information about known-side effects of prescribed medication can be found on the website of the Medicines And Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, at www.gov.uk/mhra.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315800,"EventID":"S5W-02642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:48.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage greater gender balance on boards and whether any further initiatives are planned.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking decisive action to ensure women are represented in senior and decision making roles, including in the boardroom. The government will legislate for gender balance on public sector boards in the first year of this Parliament. Using the new powers transferred through the Scotland Act, the Bill will lock in the gains we have already made to improve the number of women on public boards.\r\nWe also continue to champion our Partnership for Change 50/50 by 2020 campaign, encouraging organisations and businesses from the private, third, and public sectors, to make a voluntary commitment to work towards gender balance on their boards by 2020.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315801,"EventID":"S5W-02685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:49.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a different payment structure for the provision of railway policing to railway operators following the proposed merger of the British Transport Police and Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will set out its proposed approach as part of the Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill and accompanying documents.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315802,"EventID":"S5W-02692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:50.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T12:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the revised cost estimates of the electrification of the Edinburgh-Falkirk High-Glasgow Queen Street rail line.","AnswerText":"The cost estimate for the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) is part of the independent review on major rail projects. That review is expected to conclude later this month following which a revised EGIP cost estimate will be provided to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315803,"EventID":"S5W-02691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:51.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has had sight of the Scottish Police Authority's long-term financial strategy up to 2025-26, and when this will be made publicly available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Police Authority has completed an initial version of its Long Term Financial Strategy and continues to refine and develop it as part of their strategic planning process. Decisions on publication are a matter for the Authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315804,"EventID":"S5W-02690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:51.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average time from caution and charge to verdict for (a) sheriff court and (b) Justice of the Peace court cases has been in each month since April 2014.","AnswerText":"Michael Matheson:The average time from caution and charge to verdict for Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court cases for each month since 2014 is in the following table. The last full month’s recorded data currently available is July 2016.\r\n\r\nSheriff Courts\r\nJustice of the Peace Courts\r\nApril 2014\r\n147\r\n175\r\nMay 2014\r\n143\r\n176\r\nJune 2014\r\n157\r\n188\r\nJuly 2014\r\n140\r\n177\r\nAugust 2014\r\n146\r\n183\r\nSeptember 2014\r\n158\r\n194\r\nOctober 2014\r\n160\r\n192\r\nNovember 2014\r\n165\r\n203\r\nDecember 2014\r\n150\r\n183\r\nJanuary 2015\r\n161\r\n192\r\nFebruary 2015\r\n168\r\n207\r\nMarch 2015\r\n162\r\n212\r\nApril 2015\r\n163\r\n222\r\nMay 2015\r\n167\r\n218\r\nJune 2015\r\n165\r\n223\r\nJuly 2015\r\n164\r\n210\r\nAugust 2015\r\n158\r\n210\r\nSeptember 2015\r\n161\r\n211\r\nOctober 2015\r\n164\r\n209\r\nNovember 2015\r\n166\r\n209\r\nDecember 2015\r\n150\r\n199\r\nJanuary 2016\r\n162\r\n218\r\nFebruary 2016\r\n173\r\n240\r\nMarch 2016\r\n164\r\n220\r\nApril 2016\r\n158\r\n216\r\nMay 2016\r\n156\r\n199\r\nJune 2016\r\n150\r\n218\r\nJuly 2016\r\n165\r\n225\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315805,"EventID":"S5W-02654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:52.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T17:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much construction inflation has been applied in each year of the Forth Replacement Crossing project, and how this compares with the projections at Figure 12 in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) briefing 10/14, The Forth Replacement Crossing, Analysis of Costs. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliament Reference Centre (SPICe) briefing 10/14, 'The Forth Replacement Crossing, Analysis of Costs', identified the total outturn cost range of the Forth Replacement Crossing Project as £1.72 billion to £2.34 billion with a median of £2.044 billion. The inflation estimate included in these figures was an approximate range of £300 million to £750 million with a median of £529 million. This equated to an average median annual inflation rate of 5.3%.\r\nThe construction inflation applied in each year to the Principal Contract of the Forth Replacement Crossing Project from the baseline date of December 2010 to date has been (rounded to the nearest million):\r\nFinancial Year 2011-12 - £3 million\r\nFinancial Year 2012-13 - £7 million\r\nFinancial Year 2013-14 - £5 million\r\nFinancial Year 2014-15 - £6 million\r\nFinancial Year 2015-16 - £4 million\r\nTotal to end of Financial Year 2015-16 - £25 million\r\nThe lower than expected levels of inflation have been incorporated into the updated budget forecasts for the Forth Replacement Crossing Project resulting in the current total outturn cost range being £1.325 billion to £1.35 billion.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315806,"EventID":"S5W-02684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:53.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its report on the consultation process to integrate D Division of the British Transport Police into Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish its report on the consultation ahead of the introduction of the Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315807,"EventID":"S5W-02686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:54.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it anticipates a decrease in the number of railway police officers and staff following the integration of the British Transport Police into Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's plans are based on maintaining capability and capacity in railway policing in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315808,"EventID":"S5W-02613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:55.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many requests it has received each year under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 that have been subject to an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner, broken down by how many times the commissioner ruled in favour of (a) it and (b) the applicant.","AnswerText":"Information about the number of appeals made to the Scottish Information Commissioner in relation to the Scottish Government requests, and their outcome, is available from the FOI Annual Reports which are published on our website at: http://www.gov.scot/About/Information/FOI/Reporting.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315809,"EventID":"S5W-02614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:56.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-09T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the (a) number and (b) types of exemption it has used in each year under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to justify not providing the information that was requested.","AnswerText":"Breakdowns of the number and types of exemption applied by the Scottish Government before 2013 is available from the FOI Annual Reports which are published on our website at: http://www.gov.scot/About/Information/FOI/Reporting. For 2013 onwards, this information is available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website at: http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/ScottishPublicAuthorities/StatisticsCollection.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315810,"EventID":"S5W-02646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5621,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:57.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T15:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on promoting opportunities for 18 to 23-year-olds to experience overseas voluntary work.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's International Development Fund (IDF) began in 2005, with a budget of £3 million for Malawi. In 2008, the IDF was increased and now has a budget of £9 million per annum, currently supporting projects in our seven priority countries of Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the three poorest states in India. These projects cover a range of themes, including health, education, economic development, renewable energy, civic governance, water and sanitation.\r\nThe Scottish Government has previously supported volunteers from Scotland to work in its priority countries, from the IDF. This includes funding to support a partnership between VSO and NHSScotland in finding ways to encourage NHSScotland health professional staff to consider volunteering overseas, to support Malawi and other Sub Saharan African countries to sensitively and holistically tackle their human resource crises. More recently, the Scottish Government provided match funding from the IDF to the McConnell International Foundation for their Livingstone Volunteers 2016 scheme, which helps support the fundraising efforts of young Scots (15-19 year olds), from disadvantaged backgrounds, who are in care or recently left care or those with a disability, who have the chance to volunteer in Africa, but are struggling to meet the costs.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315811,"EventID":"S5W-02649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:58.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what processes with (a) Transport Scotland and (b) Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd will CalMac will be required to go through during the period of the next contract for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services if it wants to change the method that it uses to add to and dispose of vessels.","AnswerText":"Calmac Ferries Limited and Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited as part of the new Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services Contract, due to commence on 1 October 2016, have undertaken and both signed a Fleet Charter Agreement. The Fleet Charter Agreement details the procedures of transfer and of disposal of vessels associated with the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services fleet. Any changes to the method of disposal of vessels will be carried out through mutual agreement through the Fleet Charter agreement or at the request of Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315812,"EventID":"S5W-02681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T13:59:59.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it was made aware of the Scottish Police Authority's decision to terminate the i6 contract with Accenture.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government was made aware of the Scottish Police Authority's decision to terminate the i6 contract with Accenture on 20 June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315813,"EventID":"S5W-02682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T14:00:00.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans have been put in place for an operational policing IT system following the Scottish Police Authority's decision to terminate the i6 project with Accenture.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Executive to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315814,"EventID":"S5W-02696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T14:00:00.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T12:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) public bodies, (b) third sector organisations and (c) private companies have signed up to the Partnership for Change to improve gender balance on boards.","AnswerText":"Since its launch on 25 June 2015, 88 public bodies, 63 third sector organisations, and 35 private companies have signed up to the Partnership for Change 50/50 by 2020 campaign (186 organisations in total as at 14 September 2016).","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315815,"EventID":"S5W-02625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T14:00:02.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T09:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the register of lobbyists will go live.","AnswerText":"Development and implementation of the register of lobbyists is being led by the Scottish Parliament. During the parliamentary passage of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 the Government undertook to agree with the Parliament the timing of the relevant Commencement Orders to ensure that the necessary planning and infrastructure for the lobbying register are in place. Further information on the Parliament’s planning can be obtained from the Clerk to the Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315816,"EventID":"S5W-02693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T14:00:03.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T12:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the Minister for Transport and the Islands was made aware by Network Rail of delays in the electrification works on the Edinburgh-Falkirk High-Glasgow Queen Street rail line. ","AnswerText":"On 24 May 2016 officials made me aware that Network Rail had advised that they were unlikely to deliver the electrification of the Edinburgh-Falkirk High-Glasgow Queen Street line by December 2016, as confirmed in the Office of Road and Rail's Network Rail Monitor. I was not prepared to simply accept this and challenged Network Rail to revisit their analysis. In addition I ordered Transport Scotland to undertake an intensive review of major rail projects being delivered by Network Rail, which will report back shortly. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315817,"EventID":"S5W-02695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T14:00:04.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T12:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when Network Rail’s work on modernisation of the Perth to Inverness Highland mainline and the Aberdeen to Inverness line will be completed, how much this will cost, and whether it will be completed on time and on budget.","AnswerText":"On 5 July 2016 I announced Network Rail had informed Transport Scotland that the delivery of certain major rail projects were at significant risk of not meeting the previously committed delivery milestones and were increasing in costs. \r\nAt my instruction, Transport Scotland has been undertaking an intensive review of the programme, including the governance structures for the delivery of major rail projects. This work is expected to conclude in September 2016.\r\nI have also already made clear to the member my intention to bring the review findings and senior Network Rail officials before the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee to answer any questions and to set out clearly when Network Rail will deliver the promised improvements and how much they will cost.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315839,"EventID":"S5W-02652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:01.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T16:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government since 2010 regarding the number of platform train interface accidents involving passengers boarding or alighting rail services at stations in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had any discussion with the UK Government regarding the number of platform train interface accidents involving passengers boarding or alighting rail services at stations in Scotland.\r\nAccidents on the mainline rail network are relatively rare and the small number of accidents is such that accident statistics are collated and published on a UK network-wide basis and are not available as Scottish specific data. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315840,"EventID":"S5W-02651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:02.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T16:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with (a) the UK Government and (b) Network Rail regarding the funding of (i) the building of new and (ii) improvements to existing stations in Scotland.","AnswerText":"As the principal funder of infrastructure enhancements in Scotland, the Scottish Government has had no recent discussions with the UK Government concerning the funding of new railway stations or improvements to existing stations in Scotland. In terms of engagement with Network Rail, the Scottish Government is in regular dialogue concerning new or improved stations, whether linked to the delivery of major rail projects or in terms of bids made to the £30 million Scottish Stations Fund which was introduced to widen and improve access to the railway network. Most recently this has included discussions regarding the on-going redevelopment of Glasgow Queen Street station.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315841,"EventID":"S5W-02701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:03.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made to the Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP) Pathfinder Fund, and how many were approved.","AnswerText":"19 local authorities submitted applications to the SEEP Pathfinder Fund and 11 are being offered funding. An announcement on successful pilot projects receiving support from the SEEP Pathfinder Fund will be made in the next few weeks once contracts are finalised.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315842,"EventID":"S5W-02726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:04.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the proposed city region deal for Edinburgh, and whether it will make representations to the UK Government supporting this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to supporting a City Region Deal for Edinburgh and South East Scotland and has been consistent in its support for a considerable amount of time. We were proactive in securing a commitment from the UK Government to commence tripartite discussions and we have been working closely with the city region partners as they have developed their proposals. I have also met with the UK Government's Lord Dunlop on a number of occasions to discuss the proposed Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.\r\nWe are currently engaging in detailed discussion with the city region partners and the UK Government to further understand the proposals and to explore how they can make a clear and measurable significant long-term contribution to prosperity and fairness for the region and for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315843,"EventID":"S5W-02655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:05.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T09:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01987 by Derek Mackay on 8 September 2016, in light of the link it supplied giving information from 2008 only, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding the provision of a breakdown of all ministerial visits to (a) Orkney and (b) Shetland in 2007-08, also broken down by (i) location, (ii) date and (iii) the name of the person or group that was met.","AnswerText":"There were eight Ministerial visits to (a) Orkney and five Ministerial visits to (b) Shetland from 2007-08.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315844,"EventID":"S5W-02706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:07.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken on new labour market indicators for Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02707 on 28 September 2016 which is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315845,"EventID":"S5W-02708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:09.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Strategic Labour Market Group will be established; what its membership will be; what its remit will be, and when it will first meet.","AnswerText":"This Group will be established as soon as possible. We are speaking to key stakeholders about the potential membership which will be drawn from a range of sectors as indicated in the Labour Market Strategy. The remit will be finalised once the Group is established, but our aim is to ensure that our approach remains dynamic and responsive to changing economic conditions and evidence. It will inform future policies and advise on how best to deliver our vision as new challenges emerge. It will also consider the commitment in the Strategy to look at improving the labour market data that is collected. The date of the first meeting will be announced in due course, once the membership has been agreed.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315846,"EventID":"S5W-02656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:10.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T09:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01987 by Derek Mackay on 8 September 2016, in light of the link it supplied not providing information regarding the location of every ministerial visit, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding the provision of a breakdown of all ministerial visits to (a) Orkney and (b) Shetland since May 2007, also broken down by (i) location, (ii) date and (iii) the name of the person or group that was met.","AnswerText":"The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315847,"EventID":"S5W-02705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:12.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what new labour market indicators it plans to adopt and what external bodies it has consulted.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02704 on 28 September 2016 which is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315848,"EventID":"S5W-02707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:13.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken on the proposed work quality indicators, referred to in its Labour Market Strategy. ","AnswerText":"We have published extensive analysis of the Labour Market alongside our strategy and this includes aspects of work quality indicators. We have also provided support to a range of work to increase our understanding of this area, such as the Fair Work Convention, the Fair Innovative and Transformative Work project and the Oxfam report into Decent Work.\r\nTo increase this understanding, through the Strategy, we have committed to further work with the Fair Work Convention to develop employment and work quality indicators. This is in addition to the three new labour market indicators we have included in the National Performance Framework around:\r\n(i) reducing underemployment; \r\n(ii) reducing the proportion of employees being paid less than the living wage, and \r\n(iii) reducing the gender pay gap","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315849,"EventID":"S5W-02697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:15.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T12:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it has provided in each of the last five years to women’s aid services that support victims of domestic abuse.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is investing record levels of funding to tackle all forms of violence against women and girls and to ensure that victims receive the support which they need. This includes funding for Scottish Women’s Aid and the Women’s Aid network who provide vital services for women, girls and children who have experienced or who are experiencing domestic abuse. Over the last 5 years, the total funding allocation from the Equality Budget to these organisations is as follows:\r\n2012-13: £5,124,150\r\n2013-14: £5,516,740\r\n2014-15: £5,577,567\r\n2015-16: £5,433,956\r\n2016-17: £6,039,116","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315850,"EventID":"S5W-02698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:17.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how it will spend the £500 million investment on energy efficiency programmes over the next four years that it announced in the 2016-17 Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"Further information on our investment in energy efficiency will be included in the draft Budget Bill which will be introduced to the Scottish Parliament later in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315851,"EventID":"S5W-02716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:18.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding CalMac’s proposal to make more use of Passenger Certificates to adjust crewing levels on its vessels during the life of the next contract for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no such discussions with the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315852,"EventID":"S5W-02653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:19.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T16:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many platform train interface accidents there were in Scotland involving passengers (a) boarding and (b) alighting services run by (i) ScotRail and (ii) other train operators in each year since 2005-06.","AnswerText":"Accidents on the mainline rail network are relatively rare and the small sample size is such that accident statistics are collated and published on a UK network-wide basis and are not available at either a Scottish or train operator level.\r\nThe range in severity of injuries is such that the agreed rail industry approach is to combine injuries of differing levels of seriousness into one composite measure based on ‘weighting’ a multiple number of less serious events as being ‘equal’ to one fatality. The composite measure is termed ‘fatalities and weighted injuries’ or FWI, for short.\r\nUsing these weightings, the number of platform train interface accidents occurring across the whole of the UK mainline rail network in each year since 2005-06 are:\r\nYear\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nFWI\r\n5.0\r\n4.3\r\n4.4\r\n5.3\r\n5.8\r\n6.3\r\n6.9\r\n6.0\r\n5.5\r\n5.9\r\nTo put this level of harm into perspective, there are now over 1.65 Billion passenger journeys per year, which equates to over 3.3 Billion safe traverses between platform and the train each year. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315853,"EventID":"S5W-02703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:20.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the international evidence, which it refers to in its Labour Market Strategy, which shows that countries with more equal societies typically enjoy stronger and more sutainble growth.","AnswerText":"The international evidence is clear - promoting competitiveness and addressing inequality are interdependent. Reducing inequality is not only important in itself, but is vital to creating the conditions to deliver sustainable economic growth over the long term. \r\nScotland’s Economic Strategy, published in March last year, contains relevant evidence on the relationship between inequality and growth (pages 22-23). For example, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) found that lower income inequality is correlated with faster and more sustainable growth. This is supported by work from Professor Joseph Stiglitz concluding that countries that are more unequal grow more slowly and are less stable. Finally, a recent working paper by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimates that rising income inequality in the UK has decreased Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita growth by 9 percentage points between 1990 and 2010.\r\nFurther Information on Scotland’s Economic Strategy can be found at\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/03/5984.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315854,"EventID":"S5W-02728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:21.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with The City of Edinburgh Council to discuss a city region deal, and what was discussed at the meeting.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has met regularly with The City of Edinburgh Council throughout the year. Since July officials have facilitated a series of workshops looking at each of the proposed Deal's themes - Housing, Transport, Digital, Employability and Skills, Culture and Tourism, Low Carbon, and Innovation. The most recent workshop was held on 9 September 2016 and it focussed on the housing proposals.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315855,"EventID":"S5W-02699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:22.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the suggestion in its 2016-17 Programme for Government that it will require £10 billion worth of investment to eliminate energy efficiency as a driver of fuel poverty and its investment of £500 million from capital stimulus funds toward this, how it will fund the additional £9.5 billion required.","AnswerText":"The Programme for Government set out that Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme will be a 15-20 year programme to improve the energy efficiency and increase the use of low carbon heat in Scotland’s homes and our public, industrial and commercial buildings. Resources to fund this programme will need to come from a mix of public and private sources and further detail on the programme will be set out in the draft Energy Strategy which will be subject to public consultation at the end of the year.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315856,"EventID":"S5W-02700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:23.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of the pilot projects that have received support from the Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP) Pathfinder Fund.","AnswerText":"An announcement on successful pilot projects receiving support from the SEEP Pathfinder Fund will be made in the next few weeks once contracts are finalised.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315857,"EventID":"S5W-02702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:24.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £14 million for the Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP) Pathfinder Fund remains unallocated.","AnswerText":"Funding of over £9m is being offered to applicants for projects which met the Pilot criteria. All remaining funding is being recycled back into core domestic and non-domestic energy programmes and will be fully allocated.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315858,"EventID":"S5W-02704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:25.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what labour market data it plans to expand.","AnswerText":"As part of the Labour Market Strategy published on 26 August 2016 we committed to consider what labour market data we might need to improve on that presently collected. These matters will be considered by the Strategic Labour Market Group that the Strategy also committed us to establishing.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315859,"EventID":"S5W-02727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-13T16:53:27.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to support the growth of the fintech sector in (a) Edinburgh and (b) Scotland.","AnswerText":"FinTech offers Edinburgh and Scotland the opportunity to access new markets and attract new entrants to enhance the financial services sector in Scotland, utilising our existing strengths in financial services and our skills and expertise in innovation and digital technology.\r\nThe Scotland CAN DO Innovation Forum focuses on increasing the contribution that innovation can make to the Scottish economy through driving up levels of business innovation in all sectors, including FinTech.\r\nEligible companies in the FinTech sector have access to a wide range of public sector support including equity funding, business development support and support for inward investment through our development agencies.\r\nThe Scottish Government fully supports the industry-led programme of activity to develop the FinTech sector in Edinburgh and across Scotland. Scottish Enterprise is working with the financial services industry body Scottish Financial Enterprise and partners in developing a comprehensive Fintech Strategy for Scotland.\r\nThe Financial Services Advisory Board, chaired by the First Minister, is providing strategic support and will consider progress on development of the Strategy at its next meeting on 4 October 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315870,"EventID":"S5O-00151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:37.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice last met Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315871,"EventID":"S5O-00152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:39.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T09:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to detect, prevent and prosecute dog fighting offences.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315872,"EventID":"S5O-00153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:39.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T11:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will fill the reported £21 million cash shortfall faced by Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315873,"EventID":"S5O-00154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4982,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:40.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the proposed location for the new Highland prison is the most appropriate site.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315874,"EventID":"S5O-00155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:41.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that people given community payback orders complete the hours they are sentenced to.","AnswerText":"Ensuring that people on Community Payback Orders (CPOs) complete the hours that they are sentenced to is the responsibility of the relevant supervising local authority.\r\nThe National Outcomes and Standards for Social Work Services in the Criminal Justice System contains guidance on the procedures involved, and the action that the Social Work Case Manager can take in cases of breach. This can include returning the case to court. \r\nUltimately, anyone who breaches a CPO, and so fails to take up the opportunity that the order presents, can find themselves facing sanctions.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315875,"EventID":"S5O-00156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:42.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reconsider the decision to move jury trials from Forfar to Dundee.","AnswerText":"The administration of the courts is the responsibility of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service under the leadership of the Lord President. The Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 makes clear that the Sheriff Principal is responsible for the efficient disposal of business in the sheriff courts.\r\nThe decision is in line with a broader initiative to create 16 dedicated sheriff and jury centres across Scotland as set out by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service in its 2012 public consultation, “Shaping Scotland’s Court Services”.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315876,"EventID":"S5O-00157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:43.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice last met the chief constable to discuss Police Scotland staffing and resources in East Lothian.","AnswerText":"I met with the Chief Constable on 7 September, where we discussed a range of issues about policing in Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315877,"EventID":"S5O-00158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:44.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T12:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the programme of closures of emergency call centres in Aberdeen and Inverness is progressing.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for delivery of the project to re-structure police call handling rests with Police Scotland, with appropriate oversight by the Scottish Police Authority. Decisions on the allocation of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service resources, including control rooms, is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315878,"EventID":"S5O-00159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:45.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has made of the potential impact of Brexit on the justice system.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s determination to remain in the EU doesn’t simply flow from self–interest; but a commitment to a union of solidarity. EU membership makes us safer and supports the international cooperation necessary to combat cross-border crime and terrorism.\r\nMy officials are considering the implications of the EU referendum and what actions are required to protect Scotland’s interests. They have been discussing these issues with key stakeholders and also their counterparts in the UK Government.\r\nI spoke with the Home Secretary last week and emphasised the value of the EU justice and home affairs measures and the importance of early and continuing engagement on this topic at both Ministerial and official levels.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315879,"EventID":"S5O-00160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:47.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T17:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it offers Police Scotland to deal with online and cybercrime.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government works closely with Police Scotland and a range of business and other stakeholders in relation to cyber-crime and cyber-resilience. \r\nWe launched our cyber-resilience strategy ‘Safe, Secure and Prosperous’ in November last year.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315880,"EventID":"S5O-00161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:48.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its participation in the Brexit negotiations.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315881,"EventID":"S5O-00162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:49.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it is having with the cultural sector regarding the impact of Brexit on the arts.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315882,"EventID":"S5O-00163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:50.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Visit Northumberland, Visit Cumbria and local authorities regarding promoting cross-border tourism.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315883,"EventID":"S5O-00164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:51.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Standing Council on Europe plans to publish a report on Scotland’s relationship with the EU and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315884,"EventID":"S5O-00165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:52.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to develop tourism facilities on the North Coast 500 tourist route.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315885,"EventID":"S5O-00166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:53.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T08:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the impact of Brexit on Scotland's tourism industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315886,"EventID":"S5O-00167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:54.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Maeshowe cairn at the Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site has been closed without consultation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315887,"EventID":"S5O-00168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:55.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports museums in Lothian.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides direct support to National Museums Scotland in Edinburgh and the National Mining Museum of Scotland in Midlothian. The Scottish Government also funds Museums Galleries Scotland to provide support to a range of local authority and independent museums and galleries across Scotland, including in the Lothians.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315888,"EventID":"S5O-00169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5591,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:56.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-12T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the creation and promotion of the North Coast 500 has had on tourism in the North Highlands.","AnswerText":"While anecdotal evidence from VisitScotland and other stakeholders has indicated that the North Coast 500 has been very successful in boosting tourism along its route, firm data is not presently available. The new working group established by Highlands and Islands Enterprise which I referred to in my previous answer has identified the measurement of the benefits arising from this new route as a key action.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315889,"EventID":"S5O-00170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:57.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how culture can be used as a means to promote towns and provide a sense of community.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government places great importance on Culture and Heritage as they make an invaluable contribution to our quality of life and wellbeing, bringing real social and economic benefits to people and our communities, towns and villages. Creative Scotland, EventScotland and Historic Environment Scotland promote the rich local culture and traditions of our towns in many different ways.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315890,"EventID":"S5O-00171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:57.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what type of digital mapping system it uses for making rural payments.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315891,"EventID":"S5O-00172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:58.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages investment in and the development of energy storage systems, and what further support it will offer over the next five years.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315892,"EventID":"S5O-00173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:48:59.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much paying at least the living wage to social care workers from October 2016  will cost health and social care partnerships.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315893,"EventID":"S5O-00174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:49:00.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact changes to the structure of NHS boards will have on the recruitment of GPs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315894,"EventID":"S5O-00175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:49:01.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T09:44:49.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve performance on Scotland's railways. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315895,"EventID":"S5O-00176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5781,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:49:02.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reported views of businesses regarding slow broadband speeds in the Grangemouth area.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315896,"EventID":"S5O-00177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5868,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:49:03.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to empower communities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has taken a number of actions to empower communities. We developed with this Parliament the Community Empowerment Act to give communities new rights. We established the £20m Empowering Communities Fund which gives local groups the money and support they need to make change happen on their own terms. And as part of that fund, we launched the Community Choices programme in June this year. This will support thousands of people to have a real say in budget decisions in their areas.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315897,"EventID":"S5O-00178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:49:03.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on CAP subsidy payments to farmers in Perthshire.","AnswerText":"For the purposes of administering the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Scotland is divided into areas covered by Scottish Government's Area Offices.\r\nThe current position for 2015 Basic and Greening Payments for the area covered by the Perth office, which includes but is not limited to Perthshire is as follows:\r\nTotal number of eligible claims 2567\r\nTotal number of claimants paid in full 2475\r\nTotal claimants who have received a part payment 24\r\nTotal cases unpaid 68","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315898,"EventID":"S5O-00179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:49:04.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on funding for NHS Grampian.","AnswerText":"In 2016-17, NHS Grampian’s resource budget increased to £882.3 million. This was a 6.6% uplift on the previous year - the highest increase of any Territorial Health Board. \r\nAs is the case with all other Health Boards, the NHS Grampian budget for 2017-18 will be agreed as part of the forthcoming Spending Review and Budget Bill process, which will be subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315899,"EventID":"S5O-00180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T11:49:05.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T17:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all of its and its agencies’ employees receive at least the Scottish living wage.","AnswerText":"All public bodies covered by the Scottish Government’s public sector pay policy are required to pay their employees the Scottish Living Wage as part of their annual pay settlements. This requirement has been an integral part of our public sector pay policy since 2011. The policy covers the Scottish Government, its agencies, and the non-departmental public bodies for which we are responsible. It also covers the subsidiaries of these bodies.\r\nThere may be a small number of staff in public bodies subject to Minister’s pay policy still to benefit from the 2016 Scottish Living Wage increase, but this is due to the fact that these bodies are still to conclude pay negotiations with members of staff and their unions this year and Scottish Ministers cannot intervene while these negotiations continue.\r\nWe have also made sure that since [April] 2011, all NHS staff in Scotland earn above living wage rate. All teachers, police officers and Fire Service personnel already earn above the living wage rate.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s public sector pay policy does not extend to local authorities. Local authorities are self-governing bodies and set the terms and conditions under which local government staff are employed. However, I welcome the fact that local authorities do pay the living wage as part of their current pay settlement and the Scottish Government will encourage them to continue to do so for future pay awards.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315900,"EventID":"S5W-02734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:05.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to wheelchair users to help them spend part of the day out of their chairs.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02733 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315901,"EventID":"S5W-02736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:06.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to implement the Health Improvement Scotland recommendation that wheelchair users who are at high risk of developing pressure ulcers should not be seated for more than two hours without a change of position.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02733 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315902,"EventID":"S5W-02710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:07.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the labour productivity figure has been in each year since 2007, expressed in output per hour.","AnswerText":"The latest labour productivity statistics for Scotland are available at:  http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/PROD2014\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315903,"EventID":"S5W-02717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:08.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to provide for the administration and audit of its proposed Scottish Growth Fund and whether independent audit checks will be undertaken.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315904,"EventID":"S5W-02735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:09.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the availability of adjustable, tilt-in-space, wheelchairs.","AnswerText":"The provision of NHS wheelchairs in Scotland, including adjustable, tilt-in-space chairs, is via one of the five NHS Scotland centres in Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Edinburgh or Glasgow. Decisions are made on a clinical basis, in consultation with the patient, taking into account the person’s individual needs to ensure that the most appropriate type of wheelchair is provided in each case.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315905,"EventID":"S5W-02712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:10.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date Skills Development Scotland will publish its regional (a) skills assessments and (b) outcome agreements.","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland (SDS) published Regional Skills Assessments in February 2016. They aim to launch refreshed Regional Skills Assessments in November 2016.\r\nSDS does not publish outcome agreements but do provide information, including Regional Skills Assessments, that inform outcome agreements developed with the Scottish Funding Council.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315906,"EventID":"S5W-02719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:11.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what size of business will be able to apply for a loan or guarantee from its proposed Scottish Growth Fund.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315907,"EventID":"S5W-02751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:13.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T12:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02163 by Fergus Ewing on 8 September 2016, for what reason BT is not required to make cabinet locations public in its quarterly reports.","AnswerText":"In common with other broadband projects across the UK that used the UK Government’s contract framework, the Digital Scotland contracts do not require BT to make cabinet location information public ahead of the build phase. This is to minimise the potential for contradictory information being given to the public, if cabinets subsequently need to be relocated due to planning or other issues. \r\nOnce there is certainty on cabinet locations, these are added to the publicly available interactive map on the Superfast Scotland website each quarter and provides public access to the live cabinet network through a simple post code search. This ensures that the public are able to access the most up-to-date, reliable information in a user friendly format.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315908,"EventID":"S5W-02714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:14.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish details of what assessment it has carried out of skills (a) shortages and (b) underuse.","AnswerText":"The UKCES Employer Skills Survey covers skill shortages and underuse. The Scottish Government is a partner to this research. The survey results were published in January 2016 and the latest results for Scotland are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukces-employer-skills-survey-2015-scotland-toolkit\r\nScottish Government also commission Skills Development Scotland to undertake further Regional Skills Assessments, using information from the UKCES Employer Skills Survey.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315909,"EventID":"S5W-02731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:15.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29137 by Michael Matheson on 13 January 2016, what progress has been made on its commitment to amend legislation to extend planning controls on changing premises into betting shops.","AnswerText":"Amendments to the Use Classes Order in this regard are being considered in the context of the current programme of work to bring forward further reform to the planning system.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":315910,"EventID":"S5W-02732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:15.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set out its response to each of the 11 recommendations for improving young people's mental health information, support and services that was put forward by the Scottish Youth Parliament as part of it's \"Speak Your Mind\" campaign and \"Our Generation's Epidemic\" report.","AnswerText":"As in the answer to question S5W-02149 on 8 September 2016, the Scottish Government welcomes this report from the Scottish Youth Parliament, and will carefully review the recommendations that are for us. We will consider these as part of our public engagement on the next Mental Health Strategy.\r\nDuring that public engagement, we have worked closely with the Scottish Youth Parliament to ensure that young people have the opportunity to contribute their views on matters that affect them. We have found the SYP’s work, including a discussion day event on 19 March, hugely valuable in ensuring we have the views of a cross-section of young people in Scotland on mental health issues.\r\nOther recommendations have been made in the SYP's report for organisations such as Education Scotland, NHS Scotland and NHS Education for Scotland. Those recommendations are for the organisations concerned to consider.\r\nFollowing our careful consideration of the views we have received, the new Mental Health Strategy will be published in late 2016.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315911,"EventID":"S5W-02749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:16.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is taking to address the reported problem with the passage of fish at the Knowes Weir on the River Tyne in East Lothian.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02748 on 27 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315912,"EventID":"S5W-02750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:17.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which (a) weirs and (b) other man-made obstructions on the River Tyne in East Lothian are licensed in accordance with the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02748 on 27 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315913,"EventID":"S5W-02709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:18.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scotland Can Do Scale Programme will be launched; what its budget will be, and how it will be delivered.","AnswerText":"The first iteration of the Scotland CAN DO Scale initiative was launched in June 2015. To date this model has supported 133 innovation-driven high-growth potential companies at residential summer schools held in August 2015 and August 2016. Further, 500 companies have taken advantage of the Massive Open Online Course added for the 2016 iteration of Scotland CAN DO Scale.\r\nDiscussions are under way with agencies and private sector partners to finalise proposals for the expanded and collaborative programme promised in the Programme for Government. When plans have been developed I will be happy to share information on proposed launch date, budget and delivery model.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315914,"EventID":"S5W-02711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:20.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many registered businesses there have been in each year since 2007. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government publishes a count of the number of private sector registered businesses, in the ‘Businesses in Scotland’ report, on an annual basis. The table below is taken from the ‘Businesses in Scotland 2015’ report, which was published on 3 November 2015 and can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Business/Corporate\r\nRegistered businesses, operating in Scotland, 2007 to 2015\r\nYear\r\nRegistered Businesses\r\n2007\r\n151,145\r\n2008\r\n155,285\r\n2009\r\n155,320\r\n2010\r\n155,045\r\n2011\r\n154,365\r\n2012\r\n159,580\r\n2013\r\n160,050\r\n2014\r\n166,525\r\n2015\r\n170,335\r\nSource: Businesses in Scotland 2015, Scottish Government\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Registered businesses are those businesses that are registered for Value Added Tax (VAT) and/or Pay As You Earn (PAYE).\r\n2. Excludes central and local government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315915,"EventID":"S5W-02718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:20.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Scottish banks regarding the delivery of its proposed Scottish Growth Fund.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315916,"EventID":"S5W-02720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:22.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the annual default rate of businesses receiving a loan or guarantee under its proposed Scottish Growth Fund scheme, and how much it expects to pay out due to defaults in each of the three years of the scheme.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315917,"EventID":"S5W-02752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:23.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T12:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02163 by Fergus Ewing on 8 September 2016, on what dates BT is required to submit its quarterly contractual reports.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government receive quarterly reports from BT providing detailed information on number of premises connected to fibre, structures built, marketing activity and broadband speed of properties connected to the fibre. \r\nThe due dates for these reports are dependent on the verification process for each and are not all received at the same time. Each report’s agreed delivery date is based on a fixed number of working days turnaround, calculated from the end of each quarter. The contractual reports for each quarter are received during the following quarter.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315918,"EventID":"S5W-02722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:25.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in relation to its proposed Scottish Growth Fund, businesses in receipt of a loan or guarantee will pay an annual premium to the bank in charge of these.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315919,"EventID":"S5W-02724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:27.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, with regard to its proposed Scottish Growth Fund, whether banks will be taking the lead in funding decisions, and what action it will take to guard against risk to the taxpayer.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315920,"EventID":"S5W-02739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:28.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T10:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the impact of musculoskeletal conditions and what activities it is undertaking to raise awareness of these.","AnswerText":"We know that people with Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions report for support in high volume, in Scotland one in four GP contacts are related to MSK conditions; MSK is the 2nd biggest health issue for patients in receipt of incapacity benefit; MSK AHP services deal with 400,000+ referrals per annum; and orthopaedic services receive over 200,000 referrals per annum of whom approximately 55,000 have a planned surgical procedure. \r\nWe are working closely with Arthritis Research UK around the prevalence and impact of MSK conditions and also, in recognition of the significant impact of MSK conditions, we have a national programme of work that is looking specifically at quality improvements in a number of areas, self referral to enhanced self care and rehabilitation services (now available across all NHS Boards in Scotland); improving access to the right professional and the right advice first time through nationally agreed end to end integrated pathways (involving physiotherapists, podiatrists and surgeons); working towards a target of 90% of MSK patients being seen within 4 weeks (currently being met for 52% of patients); and improving early intervention to avoid chronicity; reduce the need for specialist orthopaedic referrals where conservative treatment is more likely to benefit the patient than surgical intervention; and facilitating people to continue normal activities and stay in or return to work where appropriate.\r\nAwareness raising continues to take place both locally and nationally. NHS Inform is being used as a single point of contact for patient information with the MSK App now having been downloaded over 56,000 times and the NHS Inform MSK pages having reached 1 million views in June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315921,"EventID":"S5W-02715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:29.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget is for the Workplace Innovation Service, and how many businesses will receive assistance.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise launched their Workplace Innovation (WPI) Service on \r\n22August 2016 to enhance established support services for innovation. With a budget of £400,000 this pilot will support up to 100 companies over the next two years.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315922,"EventID":"S5W-02733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:31.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the survey carried out by Leuchie House National Respite Centre suggesting that 71% of wheelchair users spend seven hours or more per day in their chair, 45% spend more than 10, and 43% do not leave their chair.","AnswerText":"I welcome the contribution of this survey to the important issue of pressure area care for wheelchair users.\r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland has recently consulted on revised Standards for Prevention and Management of Pressure Ulcers. The revised Standards will be published later in September and will emphasise the importance of an assessment of the risk of pressure ulcer development being undertaken as part of initial admission or referral to inform care planning and the need for regular re-assessment to ensure safe, effective and person-centred care.\r\nThe care and support provided to wheelchair users will vary according to the unique circumstances of each person, but will always be made taking into account the person's clinical needs as well as what matters to them.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315923,"EventID":"S5W-02748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:32.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many non-licensed weirs there are on the River Tyne in East Lothian; what action the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is taking to ensure that that these become licensed in accordance with the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011; when it expects this task to be completed, and what information it has regarding other man-made obstructions on the river.","AnswerText":"SEPA is aware of six unlicensed weirs on the River Tyne catchment in East Lothian. These redundant weirs were once used to supply water to mills; the industry associated with them has long since gone and current ownership of them is unclear. SEPA is currently undertaking investigations to establish ownership of the weirs. Once ownership has been established, action will be taken to ensure that the weirs are properly authorised in accordance with the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 and that fish passage is provided. These redundant weirs on the River Tyne have been prioritised for action by 2021.\r\nThe Knowes weir is one of those scheduled for improvement by 2021.\r\nThere are also three weirs on the River Tyne that are properly authorised under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011. Of these, only Sandy Mills weir is considered impassable to fish. SEPA will be working with the owner of that weir to ensure fish passage is provided.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315924,"EventID":"S5W-02721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:33.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of security will be provided by businesses that apply for a loan or guarantee from its proposed Scottish Growth Fund.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315925,"EventID":"S5W-02723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:35.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in relation to its proposed Scottish Growth Fund, it will be providing a guarantee of 100% of the loans and guarantees provided.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02378 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315926,"EventID":"S5W-02738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:46:36.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to the carers of wheelchair users to help the people that they care for spend part of the day out of their chairs.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02733 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315927,"EventID":"S5W-02762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T13:48:29.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T13:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on the development of the next mental health strategy.","AnswerText":"On 29 July 2016, the Scottish Government published an engagement paper, ‘Mental Health in Scotland – a 10 year vision’. The paper provides an overview of the priorities that we think will deliver significant improvements to the mental health of the population of Scotland. Our proposed priorities are structured around the life stages of ‘start well’, ‘live well’ and ‘age well’. \r\nWe are currently seeking views on our priorities for transforming mental health in Scotland, the early actions we propose to take to deliver this transformation, and how we should measure success over the ten year period which the new strategy will cover. The deadline for written responses is 16 September 2016, and we are holding a series of public events across Scotland to help us gather views.\r\nWe want the next mental health strategy to focus on the things that will make a real difference to mental health and wellbeing in Scotland. The progress made over summer recess will help ensure that we have a clear understanding of people’s views on how we can best do that.\r\nFollowing our careful consideration of the views we have received, the new Mental Health Strategy will be published in late 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315954,"EventID":"S5W-02759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T17:04:41.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T13:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to end the use of zero- and minimal-hours contracts for public sector social care staff; how it monitors and ensures that all travel time is paid; what its position it is on staff having to purchase their own uniforms or equipment, and what support it can provide to social care staff in the voluntary and private sectors regarding these matters.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government condemn the inappropriate use of zero hour contracts. \r\nThe Scottish Government expects all employers to adopt fair working practices. The Fair Work Framework states that zero hours contracts can be a barrier to providing employees an appropriate level of security. We believe that the operational flexibility offered to employers by zero hours contracts can be gained by offering flexible guaranteed hours contracts that meet the needs of the employer without burdening workers with uncertainty of income.\r\nThe Scottish Government has taken action in a number of ways to discourage the inappropriate use of Zero Hours Contracts and address fair work practices through the measures in the statutory guidance and by encouraging fair work more generally through promotion of the Scottish Business Pledge. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315955,"EventID":"S5W-02761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T17:04:42.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T13:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities have implemented the Unison Ethical Care Charter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on which local authorities have implemented the Unison Ethical Care Charter. \r\nWe are providing significant investment to enable local authorities to commission care services that pay care workers, including in the independent and third sector, the full Living Wage of £8.25 per hour from 1 October 2016, along with other fair work practices, as called for in the Unison Ethical Care Charter.\r\nWe are working with local authorities, providers and other partners to deliver a major programme of reform to adult social care. This will enable progress towards our aim to end \"time and task\" based care and shift to care that focuses on outcomes.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315956,"EventID":"S5W-02768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T17:04:43.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T14:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of funding it will provide for the introduction of standardised assessments for (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in (i) real and (ii) cash terms in each year of the current parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will meet the full costs of the contract for the new standardised assessments for P1, P4, P7 and S3. Exact costs will depend on who is selected through the procurement exercise currently underway.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315957,"EventID":"S5W-02766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T17:04:44.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will lead the review of student support in Scotland, what the terms of reference will be, and when it will (a) start and (b) report.","AnswerText":"As announced in the 2016 Programme for Government, the review of student support will begin in October 2016 and will report by Autumn 2017.\r\nArrangements for conducting the review are being finalised and all key stakeholders will be involved.\r\nA finalised terms of reference will be agreed by the stakeholder group leading this work.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315958,"EventID":"S5W-02754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T17:04:45.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T13:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs have undergone palliative care training and to what level.","AnswerText":"All GPs are expected to demonstrate through both work based learning and self-directed learning, the knowledge and skills in end of life care to satisfy the core competencies of a GP.\r\nThe requirements and content of the GP training curricula is a matter for the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and is approved by the General Medical Council as regulator of the medical profession. \r\nAll Healthcare professionals including GP’s at all levels are expected to assess and address their learning needs to deliver the high quality services required by patients in primary and secondary care and also third party settings; this includes end of life/palliative considerations. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315959,"EventID":"S5W-02753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T17:04:46.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T13:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public sector social care staff have received palliative care training, and what information it has regarding social care staff in the voluntary and private sectors. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315960,"EventID":"S5W-02760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T17:04:47.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T13:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of public sector social care staff are trade union members, and what information it has regarding social care staff in the voluntary and private sectors. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315961,"EventID":"S5W-02767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T17:04:48.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T14:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many additional qualified teachers or childcare graduates it expects to be in place in nurseries in the most deprived areas by 2018.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently working with partners to identify target nurseries for the rollout of the additional graduate or teacher commitment from 2018. This is drawing on new SIMD data published on 31 August 2016 and locally held information, to ensure that the highest possible number of the most disadvantaged young children can benefit from an additional graduate or teacher. We will set out more information autumn 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315962,"EventID":"S5W-02771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T17:04:49.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a Commissioner for Fair Access will be appointed and what the salary will be.","AnswerText":"Appointment of a Commissioner for Fair Access is being taken forward as a matter of priority. Remuneration associated with the role will be determined in line with Public Sector Pay Policy for Senior Appointments.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315963,"EventID":"S5W-02755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T17:04:50.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T13:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to improve palliative training for (a) public sector social care staff, (b) GPs and (c) other NHS staff.","AnswerText":"In December 2015 Scottish Government published the Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care (SFA) which sets out a range of commitments to help achieve our vision that by 2021 everyone who needs palliative and end of life care will have access to it.\r\nOne of the commitments set out in the SFA is to support the workforce by commissioning NHS Education for Scotland and the Scottish Social Services Council to develop a new palliative and end of life care Educational Framework.\r\nThe scope of the framework will include all workers in health and social care across public, third and independent sectors, including GPs, who may be involved or come in contact with people with palliative care needs, their families and carers.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315964,"EventID":"S5W-02757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T17:04:51.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T13:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the median (a) annual wage and (b) hourly pay rate is for public sector social care staff, and what information it has regarding social care staff in the private sector. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. Terms and conditions of employment is a matter for individual employers.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315965,"EventID":"S5W-02772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T17:04:52.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T14:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of funding will be provided to the Commissioner for Fair Access in (a) real and (b) cash terms in each year of the current parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"The Commission on Widening Access recommended that the Commissioner should be allocated a budget to support the commissioning and publication of independent research to expand the evidence base on access. The specific requirements for this will be discussed and agreed with the Commissioner when appointed.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315966,"EventID":"S5W-02756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T17:04:53.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T13:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public sector social care staff there are, and what information it has regarding social care staff in the voluntary and private sectors. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Social Services Council is responsible for the publication of official statistics on social services workforce data. Their recently published Scottish Social Services Workforce Data Report 2015 reports that the workforce has increased to 203,200, an increase of 1.8% on the previous year. 31% of workers are employed in the public sector, 28% in the voluntary sector and 42% in the private sector (note that due to rounding, the percentages sum to more than 100%).\r\nThe full report can be accessed at http://data.sssc.uk.com\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315967,"EventID":"S5W-02758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T17:04:54.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T13:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the work/life balance of public sector social care staff, and what support it can provide to social care staff in the voluntary and private sectors. ","AnswerText":"This is a matter for individual employers.\r\nScottish Government is supporting Scottish Care with their front-line worker project, which includes workers from both the private and voluntary sectors. Part of the programme of work will look at the emotional, personal and physical welling of staff.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315968,"EventID":"S5W-02775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-14T17:04:55.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it will provide for the targeted marketing campaign to recruit additional Early Learning and Childcare workers referred to in the 2016-17 Programme for Government, when it will begin and what form it will take.","AnswerText":"Ahead of any recruitment campaign, the Scottish Government is currently working with delivery partners to explore all existing routes to recruit a high quality and diverse early learning and childcare workforce. A Skills Investment Plan is being developed and research is currently being conducted with target audiences. This work will inform the cost and scope of the recruitment campaign. We will start to target our marketing activity from spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315969,"EventID":"S5W-02657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:21.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether eligibility for the Best Start Grant system, referred to in the Programme for Government, will be based on the current (a) maternity grant or (b) healthy start eligibility rules or on a different form of eligibility rules.","AnswerText":"No decisions have yet been made about the operation of the new integrated Best Start Grant or the provision of Healthy Start Vouchers. This includes decisions on eligibility. We are considering a number of options and are consulting widely with people who have experience of the benefits and other interest groups. As part of our consultation on the Future of Social Security in Scotland, which closes on 28 October 2016, we are seeking views on the integration of Healthy Start into the new Best Start Grant. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315970,"EventID":"S5W-02672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:22.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an increased carers allowance, as referred to in the Programme for Government, will maintain or deviate from the system of uprating Jobseeker's Allowance that is used by the UK Government.","AnswerText":"In line with our response on uprating benefits set out in the answer to S5O-00060 on 16 June 2016, we are taking the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as a starting point for our considerations on uprating and taking views on this, along with other aspects of our social security policy, through the consultation on social security. The consultation ends on 28 October 2016. \r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315971,"EventID":"S5W-02774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:23.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of funding will be provided to the Developing the Young Workforce programme in (a) real and (b) cash terms in each year of the current parliamentary session. ","AnswerText":"Developing the Young Workforce, Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy, published in December 2014, included a commitment to a two year early implementation budget to allow partners to build capacity and test out new approaches in the development phase of the programme. That budget came to an end, as planned, in financial year 2015-16.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to fund DYW implementation through a range of core budgets including those of Skills Development Scotland and Scottish Funding Council. This is in line with Sir Ian Wood’s Commission’s view which advised funding Developing the Young Workforce activity from mainstream budgets. As with all budgets, these will be set in the context of the draft Scottish budget for 2017-18.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315972,"EventID":"S5W-02838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:24.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions ministers have had with Transport Scotland regarding outstanding repair works on the A76.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is part of the Scottish Government and discussions/meetings with Ministers occur regularly in thenormal course of business. This specific issue was most recently discussed in early September.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315973,"EventID":"S5W-02840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:24.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in the A76 in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Since 2007 a total of £39,023,818 has been invested in the A76. This figure includes £5,553,485 investment for the Glen Airlie improvement scheme.\r\n2007-08\r\n4,724,987\r\n2008-09\r\n6,566,315\r\n2009-10\r\n4,581,316\r\n2010-11\r\n7,058,087\r\n2011-12\r\n3,507,476\r\n2012-13\r\n4,446,513\r\n2013-14\r\n2,379,291\r\n2014-15\r\n2,928,613\r\n2015-16\r\n2,831,220\r\nTotal\r\n39,023,818\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315974,"EventID":"S5W-02842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:25.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times have temporary traffic lights in operation on the A76 have failed in the last 12 months.","AnswerText":"The temporary lights on the A76 at Enterkinfoot have ceased to operate as required on five occasions. These were identified through the Operating Company’s daily inspections and were quickly made serviceable again. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315975,"EventID":"S5W-02663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:26.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many households in Scotland receive healthy start vouchers each year.","AnswerText":"In 2015-16 just over 24,000 households in Scotland received Healthy Start vouchers.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315976,"EventID":"S5W-02664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:27.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government where it will base its new social security agency, as referred to in the Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01838 on 26 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315977,"EventID":"S5W-02662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:28.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how much is paid in healthy start vouchers to eligible households in Scotland each year.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government paid £5.2 million for eligible households in Scotland in the year 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315978,"EventID":"S5W-02669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:29.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total expenditure will be on an increased carers allowance, as referred to in the Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"Total expenditure on increased Carer’s Allowance will depend on when the increase is implemented and the number of people receiving Carer’s Allowance at that point in time.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315979,"EventID":"S5W-02676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:30.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much families with severely disabled children will receive through an extended winter fuel payment, as referred to in the Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02675 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315980,"EventID":"S5W-02776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:31.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of funding will be provided to the (a) Play, Talk, Read and (b) Read, Write, Count campaigns in (i) real and (ii) cash terms in each year of the current parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"£700,000 has been allocated to the Play, Talk, Read campaign in the current financial year in cash terms (£689,655.17 in real terms). £1.5 million has been allocated to Read, Write, Count in the current financial year in cash terms (£1,477,832.51 in real terms). Real terms figures are in 2015-16 prices and are calculated using the HM Treasury GDP deflator series. Funding for future years has not yet been decided.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315981,"EventID":"S5W-02837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:32.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it became aware of outstanding repair works on the A76 between Sanquhar and Thornhill.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland were first aware of slope stability issues in Enterkinfoot in mid-September 2014.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315982,"EventID":"S5W-02675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:33.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will commence awarding families with severely disabled children an extended winter fuel payment, as referred to in the Programme for Government, and whether it has investigated the use of its power to create a new benefit to make this payment in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Implementing reforms to existing benefits requires a large-scale programme of transition, legislation and implementation. As part of this programme, a timetable for the commencement of the relevant sections of the 2016 Scotland Act, will be agreed by Scottish Ministers and UK Government Ministers, via the forum of the Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare. Further announcements on future social security policy and delivery will be made at an appropriate stage.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315983,"EventID":"S5W-02677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:34.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether extended winter fuel payments for families with severely disabled children, as referred to in the Programme for Government, will be paid automatically.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02675 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315984,"EventID":"S5W-02679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:35.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many families with severely disabled children will receive an extended winter fuel payment, as referred to in the Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"The commitment made in the Programme for Government is to extend eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments to families in Scotland with children in receipt of the highest care component of the Disability Living Allowance. Currently, in 2016-17, the number of families who would benefit from this extension of eligibility is approximately 14,500, which we estimate will rise to 16,700 in 2020-21.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315985,"EventID":"S5W-02777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:36.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of funding has been provided each year to the (a) Play, Talk, Read and (b) Read, Write, Count campaigns in (i) real and (ii) cash terms.","AnswerText":"The following table provides the level of funding provided each year to the (a) Play, Talk, Read and (b) Read, Write, Count campaigns in (i) read and (ii) cash terms. Real terms figures are in 2015-16 prices and are calculated using the HM Treasury GDP deflator series.\r\n\r\nCash figures\r\nReal terms\r\n\r\nRead, Write, Count\r\nPlay, Talk, Read\r\nRead, Write, Count\r\nPlay, Talk, Read\r\n2011-12\r\n\r\n£708,026.85\r\n\r\n£746,902.67\r\n2012-13\r\n\r\n£830,293.31\r\n\r\n£857,873.39\r\n2013-14\r\n\r\n£827,736.48\r\n\r\n£841,348.96\r\n2014-15\r\n\r\n£1,000,000.00\r\n\r\n£1,000,810.00\r\n2015-16\r\n£1,553,231.47\r\n£1,000,000.00\r\n£1,553,231.47\r\n£1,000,000.00\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315986,"EventID":"S5W-02779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:37.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government to which schools the Read, Write, Count campaign will be extended from April 2017.","AnswerText":"The Read, Write, Count campaign will be extended to P4-P7 in areas of high deprivation from April 2017. No decision has yet been taken on which schools this will include.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315987,"EventID":"S5W-02845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:38.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it will provide toward achieving the aim in the 2016-17 Programme for Government to \"equip all our citizens with the skills they need to gain the full benefits of technology\" and what the timescale for this is.","AnswerText":"The Digital Participation Programme has been in place since 2012. The 2016 programme consists of a Digital Participation budget commitment of £1.9 million to raise the levels of digital participation. Public Library Improvement Funding of £450k has been provided to promote activity within libraries. Additionally, through the Digital Scotland Business Excellence Partnership, we have supported the delivery of the ICT and Digital Technologies Skills Investment Plan with funding of £8.5 million. \r\nThe overall impact of our investment so far is that of the four parts of the UK, Scotland has the highest level of basic digital skills. Since measurement began in 2007, the percentage of people in Scotland using the internet has steadily increased; 82% of citizens now have access to the social, cultural and economic benefits the internet can bring.\r\nExtending Digital Participation is an on-going programme which is innovative and responsive to advances in technology. It offers choice to citizens, delivering options from basic digital skills through to employer recognised qualifications. \r\nThis approach ensures that in addition to being consumers, citizens have the opportunity to become digital makers. The programme therefore moves beyond ensuring basic digital skills to supporting extracurricular coding clubs, promoting the benefits of being on line and in some instances the provision of Wifi and supported learning in libraries and other community hubs to reduce the barriers to getting on line.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315988,"EventID":"S5W-02665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:39.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether staff from the Department of Work and Pensions will be transferred to its new social security agency, as referred to in the Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"It is too early to determine if and how any of the DWP employees currently administering the benefits to be devolved might transfer to the Scottish social security agency. \r\nIn considering the employment issues arising from the Scotland Act 2016, the Scottish Government is in regular contact with trade union colleagues through the Council of Scottish Government Unions, of which PCS, FDA and Prospect are part.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315989,"EventID":"S5W-02666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:40.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what relationship its new social security agency, as referred to in the Programme for Government, will have with local government.","AnswerText":"We are undertaking a detailed business case to explore how the agency and wider social security system will work in Scotland. This will consider both national and local delivery options and aim to make sure services are streamlined and accessible. This work will be informed by the results of the social security consultation published on 29 July 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315990,"EventID":"S5W-02833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:41.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it has given to (a) Dumfries and Galloway Council and (b) Dumfries and Galloway NHS board to ensure that adequate transport infrastructure is in place to support the new Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. ","AnswerText":"Through the £212 million investment in the replacement Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, NHS Dumfries and Galloway will discharge the conditions associated with the planning consent for the new hospital, including required improvements to a major trunk road roundabout and road realignments to allowances to the hospital. \r\nFurther planning conditions have stipulated that improvements are made to some other existing parts of the road network to accommodate traffic impacts of the new hospital and agreement has been reached that a commuted sum of £220k from the health board for these works would be vested in Dumfries and Galloway Council to allow these works to be completed.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315991,"EventID":"S5W-02847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:42.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle funeral poverty.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government commissioned an independent review of funeral poverty in October 2015 and this was published in February 2016. The Scottish Government response accepts almost all of the report’s recommendations and we have been pursuing a coordinated set of activity since then. For example:\r\nDuring autumn 2016 we are undertaking a series of engagement events including three themed round table discussions and a national conference on funeral poverty to promote a debate and develop a shared understanding of the issues. This work will feed in to a funeral costs plan which identifies practical actions.\r\nDeveloping and consulting on options for a Scottish Funeral Payment to produce a benefit which helps more people, is more predictable and provides help more quickly.\r\nConsidering whether a Scottish Funeral Bond could help people plan ahead for their funeral.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315992,"EventID":"S5W-02848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:43.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government and other stakeholders regarding funeral costs, funeral poverty and the funeral payment scheme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has: \r\nWritten to Baroness Altman outlining our concerns regarding the current Department for Work and Pensions Social Fund Funeral Payment.\r\nHad discussions at official level with the Department for Work and Pensions on the Social Fund Funeral Payment.\r\nSet up a Funeral Poverty and Funeral Payment Reference Group to advise on work on funeral poverty and the development of the successor to the DWP Funeral Payment.\r\nHad discussions with COSLA regarding the role of local authorities, and funeral directors and funeral plan providers about the role of the funeral industry.\r\nMet with third sector organisations, advice services, the NHS, older people’s organisations and others with an interest to seek their views.\r\nPublished a consultation on the Future of Social Security in Scotland, which includes a section on the Funeral Payment. The consultation closes on 28 October 2016.\r\nSet up a series of themed round table discussions and a National Conference on Funeral Poverty to progress the public debate.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315993,"EventID":"S5W-02660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:43.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how much is paid out in Sure Start Maternity Grants to eligible households in Scotland each year.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00232 on 15 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315994,"EventID":"S5W-02667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:44.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any underspend for an increased carers allowance will be protected if take-up does not meet estimates.","AnswerText":"Spend on Carer’s Allowance will be demand led, which means the Scottish Government commits to meeting the costs of every valid claim made in each and every year. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315995,"EventID":"S5W-02678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:45.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when families with severely disabled children will begin to receive an extended winter fuel payment, as referred to in its Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02675 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315996,"EventID":"S5W-02778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:46.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in response to the claim in the report State of Nature 2016 Scotland that one-in-11 species of animals and plants in the country are at risk of extinction.","AnswerText":"The State of Nature 2016 Scotland Report has highlighted the challenges which lie ahead in conserving Scotland’s wonderful nature. We are committed to driving forward Scotland’s Biodiversity Strategy - the ‘2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity’ published in 2013, which sets out the major steps needed to improve the state of nature in Scotland - and the accompanying ‘Scotland’s Biodiversity - a Route Map to 2020’ published in 2015. The Route Map helps direct priorities for action and sets out six Big Steps for Nature and a number of priority projects associated with them.\r\nThe planning and implementation of the Route Map takes a cooperative approach between the Scottish Government, its agencies, environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and others with a key role or interest in looking after Scotland’s biodiversity. The work is being led and coordinated by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Implementation of the Route Map will contribute to Scotland meeting our international commitments on biodiversity. Many of the Route Map Priority Projects will help to protect plant and animal species, for example, Priority Project 9 on the conservation of priority species is particularly focussed on delivering this. Work is ongoing to protect species and enhance habitats, including freshwater pearl mussel, breeding seabirds on the Shiant Islands and red squirrels.\r\nProgress under the National Peatland Plan has already exceeded the Route Map target and restored more than 5,000 hectares of peatland. The Peatland Action project, led by SNH, was recently awarded the Best Practice - Large Scale Conservation Award for 2016 by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. We have also achieved and surpassed our action to ensure that at least 18% of land and freshwater is under conservation designation. Indeed Scotland is leading globally with protection of 23% of our land and freshwaters and 16% of our marine waters. The main headline from the recent IUCN World Conservation Congress, which closed last week, highlights that the terrestrial and inland waters figure globally has reached 15%.\r\nAs part of its role on reporting regularly on progress with the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and the Route Map to 2020, SNH published a six month progress report in November 2015. It reported on progress on the Route Map’s 12 Priority Projects and 64 route map actions undertaken through partnerships and collaborative working across the public, private and third sectors. The Route Map to 2020 first year report will be published shortly. Preliminary outcomes of this report suggest that nearly 80% of the actions included in the Route Map are on track to achieve or exceed their target. A report of progress towards the international ‘Aichi’ biodiversity targets will also be published shortly.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315997,"EventID":"S5W-02846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:47.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its view is on the report from Citizens Advice Scotland, The Cost of Saying Goodbye 2016, and its finding that the cost of a basic burial in Edinburgh is the highest in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is concerned about variation in the costs of burial and cremation across Scotland and the impact this can have on people on low incomes. While it is for individual local authorities to set the level of their fees and manage their budgets, the Scottish Government will be working with them and the funeral industry to look at the impacts of variable fees as part of our wider work on funeral poverty. This will include a round table event with local authorities and a national conference on funeral poverty on 16 November 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315998,"EventID":"S5W-02659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:48.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether recipients of the Best Start Grant, as referred to in the Programme for Government, will continue to receive healthy start vouchers at the same level as current recipients.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02657 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":315999,"EventID":"S5W-02661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:49.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many households in Scotland receive Sure Start Maternity Grants each year.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00232 on 15 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316000,"EventID":"S5W-02668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:50.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people (a) claim carers allowance and (b) will be eligible for the increased carers allowance referred to in the Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"In February 2016 67,580 individuals received Carer’s Allowance in Scotland. Source: Department for Work and Pensions Statistics. The number of people eligible for the increased Carer’s Allowance will be the number of people receiving Carer’s Allowance when the increase is implemented.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316001,"EventID":"S5W-02670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:51.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when claimants will receive an increased carers allowance, as referred to in the Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00812 on 29 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316002,"EventID":"S5W-02729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:52.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T15:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many females have been held on remand in each of the last five years, also broken down by how many subsequently received a custodial sentence.","AnswerText":"The average daily female remand population in Scotland over the past five years is shown in the following table\r\n2011-12\r\n108\r\n2012-13\r\n107\r\n2013-14\r\n106\r\n2014-15\r\n105\r\n2015-16\r\n98\r\nSource: Scottish Government (2015) Prison statistics and population projections Scotland 2013-14 for data up to 2013-14.\r\nFigures for 2014-15 and 2015-16 are based on administrative data from the Scottish Prison Service PR2 management information system and are compiled on a slightly different basis from those reported in earlier years. This will not affect the observed trend to any great extent.\r\nScottish Government and Scottish Prison Service data are not held in a way which allows routine identification of the outcome of remand episodes. Earlier analysis carried out by Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services suggests that at least a third of women remanded to prison custody subsequently receive a custodial sentence.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316003,"EventID":"S5W-02658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:53.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether households will qualify for healthy start vouchers for children up to age four under the Best Start Grant system, as referred to in the Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02657 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316004,"EventID":"S5W-02671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:54.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much an increased carers allowance, as referred to in the Programme for Government, will be worth when it is first paid.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00812 on 29 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316005,"EventID":"S5W-02673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:55.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-13T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many assessments for disability benefits will be conducted before (a) it expects the UK Government to commence those powers and (b) reforms referred to in the Programme for Government are (i) announced and (ii) commenced.","AnswerText":"Implementing reforms to existing disability benefits requires a large-scale programme of transition, legislation and implementation. As part of this programme a timetable for the commencement of the relevant sections of the 2016 Scotland Act will be agreed by Scottish Ministers and UK Government Ministers via the forum of the Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare. Further announcements on future social security policy and delivery will be made at an appropriate stage. In the meantime, the Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for disability benefit assessments.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316006,"EventID":"S5W-02839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:56.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made regarding the potential economic impact that road works on the A76 are having on communities in Upper Nithsdale.","AnswerText":"No specific economic impact assessment has been undertaken. However, daily monitoring of the traffic light operation is undertaken to help ensure that any delays to road users are minimised. We continue to engage with local stakeholders such as the local authority and community groups to ensure good communication and to address any concerns.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316007,"EventID":"S5W-02841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T14:20:57.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the A76 between Sanquhar and Thornhill was last open as a two-lane highway without the use of temporary traffic lights.","AnswerText":"This section of the A76 was last open without temporary traffic lights in mid-September 2014 following landslides. The traffic lights at Auchensell Pool and Enterkinfoot are necessary to maintain the integrity of the road embankments, whilst construction solutions are developed. The remedial works at Auchensell Pool are expected to be delivered before the end of 2016. The solution at Enterkinfoot is more complex and will take longer as ground investigation and geotechnical design has to be completed. Every effort is being made to accelerate this process and we will continue to ensure those affected by the traffic lights are kept aware of progress. This includes through the South West Unit Landslide Action Plan page on Transport Scotland’s website: (http://www.transport.gov.scot/road/maintenance/south-west-unit-landslide-action-plan)","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316031,"EventID":"S5W-02851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T16:50:56.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities have exercised their powers to apply discretionary rates relief under the terms of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. ","AnswerText":"This information will be collated at a local authority level as part of regular monitoring arrangements and will be available in due course.\r\nThe Scottish Government understands that Perth and Kinross Council has decided to make use of this power in respect of 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316032,"EventID":"S5W-02862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T16:50:57.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of the town centre investment zones that have been established under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.","AnswerText":"As pledged in our Town Centre Action Plan, we created powers for local authorities to establish a Town Centre Investment Zone using discretionary rates relief to encourage local business. The discretionary rates relief power was established by the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, commenced in October 2015 and has already been used in 2016. It is up to local authorities whether and how to use this power, and we remain keen to discuss options for supporting a pilot Town Centre Investment Zone scheme with interested local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316033,"EventID":"S5W-02858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T16:50:58.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how statutory quality (a) partnerships and (b) contracts for bus services are (i) monitored and (ii) audited. ","AnswerText":"The monitoring of statutory quality partnerships (SQP) and quality contracts are completed by the local transport authority. Once an SQP scheme becomes operational, monitoring becomes an essential component. It is a requirement of SQP legislation to undertake annual reporting to Scottish Ministers on the effectiveness of the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316034,"EventID":"S5W-02850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T16:50:59.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the vacancy for the Commissioner for Widening Access has been advertised, and, if (a) so, where and (b) not, how it will be filled.","AnswerText":"Given the necessity for rapid progress and the level of priority we attach to this agenda, in the first instance the Commissioner for Fair Access will be appointed by Ministers for a fixed term.\r\nFollowing the expiry of this term we will consider reviewing how any subsequent appointments are made. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316035,"EventID":"S5W-02863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T16:51:00.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02361 by Fergus Ewing on 15 September 2016, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding what discussions it has had with the Crofting Commission regarding grazing committees maintaining their VAT status.","AnswerText":"Further to my response to question S5W-02361, I would reiterate that the Scottish Government is in regular contact with the Crofting Commission about crofting policy and regulatory matters in general, including matters relating to common grazings regulation. \r\nOn those occasions where the issue of VAT registration of Grazings Committees has been mentioned, no discussion has taken place beyond the point that VAT is a reserved matter. This has also been covered in my response to questions S5W-02359 and S5W-02360 on 15 September 2016.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316036,"EventID":"S5W-02855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T16:51:01.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many statutory quality (a) partnerships and (b) contracts have been introduced.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of five statutory quality partnerships across Scotland. To date no quality contracts have been introduced.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316037,"EventID":"S5W-02857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T16:51:03.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes statutory quality (a) partnerships and (b) contracts to local authorities and their partners. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continue to promote and highlight the importance of partnership working in relation to the transport sector. Guidance was published to encourage the use of both statutory quality partnerships (SQP) and quality contracts. Dialogue to improve and promote the uptake of these is on-going.\r\nThe Bus Investment Fund was designed to encourage partnership working and was weighted to favour bids which created or worked towards an SQP.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316038,"EventID":"S5W-02859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T16:51:04.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will carry out a review of the Bus Investment Fund and how the findings will be published.","AnswerText":"A review of the Bus Investment Fund process is currently underway. The report will be published and made available on the Transport Scotland website on completion.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316039,"EventID":"S5W-02861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T16:51:05.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made toward implementing each of the action points in the 2006 report, An Action Plan for Buses in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"Following the publication of the Bus Action Plan (BAP) in 2006 a steering group was set up to consider how the 17 action points from the BAP should be delivered and was composed of regulators, public sector representatives and bus operators.\r\nIn June 2010 it was accepted that the actions had been delivered and the steering group was wound up. To maintain progress since then a Bus Stakeholder Group was established to consider and take forward bus policy development and implementation.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316040,"EventID":"S5W-02853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T16:51:06.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there has been a reported decline in the number of journeys across (a) commercial and (b) subsidised bus routes. ","AnswerText":"Bus passenger journeys have generally been falling over the long term, almost halving between 1960 and 1975 and roughly halving again since then. More recently the rate of decline in journey numbers has decreased but we have still seen bus passenger journeys down 12% in the last ten years. \r\nWe have been carrying out engagement with local authorities and across the bus industry to better understand the situation and I discussed this most recently when I chaired a meeting of the Bus Stakeholders Group. It is clear that bus patronage trends vary by geographical area and there is no one element driving a decline in bus patronage. The impact of the financial crisis, low costs of private car ownership, congestion and running changes in travel behaviour such as out of town and internet shopping are all contributory factors. \r\nIn terms of subsidised routes, local authorities have powers to financially support services regarded as socially necessary to meet local needs and make decisions around how to prioritise support for routes.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316041,"EventID":"S5W-02860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T16:51:07.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the Bus Stakeholder Group has met since May 2011; who was present, and what was discussed. ","AnswerText":"The first Bus Stakeholder Group meeting was held on 3 April, 2012. Eight further meetings were held on the following dates:- 26 June 2012; 26 October 2012; 26 February 2013; 30 October 2013; 26 March 2014; 11 November 2014; 26 January 2016 and 31 August 2016.\r\nThe following have been present at meetings: Transport Scotland, Confederation of Passenger Transport, Regional Transport Partnerships, CoSLA, Association of Transport Co-Ordinating Officers, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland, Bus Users Scotland, the Scottish Traffic Commissioner, Community Transport Association and the Scottish Road Works Commissioner. \r\nI chaired the most recent meeting on 31 August 2016.\r\nThe aim of these meetings is to bring together representatives from across the bus industry to discuss bus policy issues. A range of issues have been discussed over the life of the Group with recent focus being on congestion, smart and integrated ticketing and engagement with bus users among other things.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316042,"EventID":"S5W-02871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T16:51:08.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T16:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many referrals to the children’s reporter were made in each year between 2000-01 and 2015-16, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally. This is a matter for the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA).\r\nScottish Children's Reporter Administration\r\nOchil House\r\nSpringkerse Business Park\r\nStirling\r\nFK7 7XE \r\nhttp://www.scra.gov.uk/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316043,"EventID":"S5W-02852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T16:51:09.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it defines as \"wholesale re-regulation\" in relation to bus services. ","AnswerText":"\"Wholesale re-regulation” refers to nationwide re-regulation of bus services done either through a national franchise or by compelling all local authorities to franchise or directly operate bus services.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316044,"EventID":"S5W-02854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-15T16:51:10.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what requirements are placed on bus operators to ensure that services are accessible to disabled people.","AnswerText":"Disability legislation is reserved to the UK Parliament. The timetable by which buses must be fully accessible is set out in the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) 2000. All new buses have had to be fully accessible since 31 December 2000. All other single decker buses had to be fully accessible by 1 January 2016 at the latest, all double decker buses by 1 January 2017 at the latest and all coaches by 1 January 2020. Until then, fleet renewal and deployment is a discretionary operational matter for individual bus operators. The Scottish Government is committed to encouraging bus operators to meet these regulations within the timetable.\r\nThe timetable has been agreed with the transport industry and the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (the Department for Transport's statutory advisers on the transport needs of disabled people).\r\nThat said, the Accessible Travel Framework published on 21 September 2016, includes accessibility issues for bus which will be an important focus of work through the 10 year lifetime of the Framework.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316056,"EventID":"S5W-02789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:11.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many transport infrastructure feasibility studies it has commissioned in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland undertake numerous studies in relation to minor improvements, including bridges and road safety, on the trunk road network each year and this work is undertaken as part of the routine work of the Operating Companies. The following table indicates the number of major studies commissioned on an annual basis since 2007.\r\nYear\r\nNumber of Transport Infrastructure Feasibility Studies\r\n2007\r\n5\r\n2008\r\n3\r\n2009\r\n3\r\n2010\r\n2\r\n2011\r\n1\r\n2012\r\n7\r\n2013\r\n2\r\n2014\r\n4\r\n2015\r\n4\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316057,"EventID":"S5W-02806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:12.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what triggers and warning systems are in place to alert it when delays to essential repair works on trunk roads exceed a (a) six- (b) twelve-month period. ","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland has regular programming meetings with its Operating Companies to ensure all safety-critical work is prioritised, so that risks to delivery and public safety are effectively mitigated and managed. The criteria for inspection and repairs on the trunk road network are set out in the Operating Company contracts, which can be accessed at: http://www.transport.gov.scot/road/maintenance/operating-companies.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316058,"EventID":"S5W-02808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:13.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what investment it has made in the (a) A75, (b) A7 and (c) A701 in each year since 2007. ","AnswerText":"The following table contains the total expenditure each year for each trunk road. This figure includes maintenance and major infrastructure project costs (including land, site supervision, utilities, site investigation and construction costs). Higher annual spend levels represent increased investment associated with the delivery of targeted major infrastructure improvements.\r\ntrunk road investment since 2007-08 (£ millions)\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nA75 (158 km)*\r\n14.881\r\n6.458\r\n8.363\r\n10.868\r\n5.354\r\n11.955\r\n36.863\r\n14.001\r\n7.306\r\nA7 (75 km)*\r\n3.978\r\n5.519\r\n4.61\r\n2.364\r\n2.322\r\n2.578\r\n3.05\r\n2.777\r\n2.458\r\nA701 (30 km)*\r\n0.679\r\n0.923\r\n0.727\r\n1.121\r\n0.854\r\n1.103\r\n1.259\r\n1.597\r\n2.411\r\n*approx. distances","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316059,"EventID":"S5W-02823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:14.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact that sub-standard roads are having on the economy following the recent Audit Scotland report, Maintaining Scotland's Roads, A follow-up report. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that road infrastructure in Scotland is hugely important in promoting sustainable economic growth. Since 2007, over £8.2 billion has been invested in our Motorways and Trunk Road Network and we are currently committed to the largest road investment programme that Scotland has ever seen.\r\nWe also recognise that in order to support this investment in new infrastructure, a considerable part of Transport Scotland's budget must continue to be directed to maintain and safely operate the existing network, despite cuts to the Scottish Government Capital budget by the UK Government. In 2015-16, we allocated £275 million for the maintenance of motorways and trunk roads and strengthened or resurfaced 378 lane-km of trunk road carriageways.\r\nWhile the responsibility for local road repairs lies with local authorities, we are committed to working with local government through the Road Collaboration Programme to improve the condition of roads throughout Scotland.\r\nFurthermore, Transport Scotland has commissioned a study to estimate the contribution of the motorway and trunk road network to the society and economy. This study will seek to quantify the social and economic cost and benefits of roads maintenance spending in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316060,"EventID":"S5W-02825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:15.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to review technical support given to local authorities to assist with local road repairs, following the recent Audit Scotland report, Maintaining Scotland's Roads, A follow-up report. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-02824 on 27 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316061,"EventID":"S5W-02872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:15.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T17:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many premises in each Scottish Parliamentary constituency will have access to broadband speeds of (a) up to and (b) above 40mb/ps by 2018.","AnswerText":"At least 95% of premises across Scotland will have fibre broadband access by the end of 2017, as a result of our investment in the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme and commercial rollout.\r\nIt is not possible to state definitively at this stage what speeds will be accessible by 2018. Much of this is dependent upon the commercial deployment of superfast broadband, which the Scottish Government does not hold information on. \r\nThe Scottish Government plans to launch an Open Market Review, ahead of new procurement activity in 2017, to determine (a) what has been delivered commercially and (b) what will be delivered commercially over the next 3 years. This will require suppliers to provide speed information at premise level. We will use this information to define a new intervention area for future public investment in broadband.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316062,"EventID":"S5W-02785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:17.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with (a) Transport Scotland and (b) Amey regarding the maintenance of (i) pavements, (ii) road signage and (iii) street furniture in Langholm. ","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is part of the Scottish Government and discussions / meetings with occur regularly in the normal course of business.\r\nTransport Scotland continues to have regular and frequent discussions with its Operating Company (Amey) regarding the effective maintenance and management of all trunk roads in the south east of Scotland, including the A7 through Langholm.\r\nThe Minister for Transport and Islands met the A7 Action Group in Parliament on 15 June 2016 to discuss their Action Plan, which set out its aspirations for the route and included a number of improvements in the vicinity of Langholm. Transport Scotland has undertaken a review and identified a range of items within the Action Plan that they now propose to take forward further consideration towards. This will be done alongside on-going maintenance and improvement programmes on the route.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316063,"EventID":"S5W-02821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:18.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that local authorities work together to ensure the viability of strategically important bus services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular ongoing engagement with local authorities and Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) through a range of fora, including the Association of Transport Coordinating Officers (ATCO), RTP lead officer and chairs meetings and the Bus Stakeholder Group.\r\nLocal authorities work together on bus services informally and through formal channels such as ATCO and their RTP's.\r\nThe RTPs work together and with key stakeholders in the bus industry on issues of mutual interest. In particular, these RTPs with public transport responsibilities share good practice, for example, in the procurement of bus services; and the RTPs played a key role in the development of smart, multi-operator ticketing in Aberdeen (Grasshopper), Dundee (ABC), Strathclyde (Zone-card) and Sestran (One-ticket).","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316064,"EventID":"S5W-02828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:18.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that local authorities fulfil their statutory duties regarding roads repairs.","AnswerText":"While local authorities are responsible for ensuring they are fulfilling their statutory obligations regarding the maintenance of local roads in their area, the Scottish Government is committed to working with local authorities to ensure the efficient maintenance of all roads in Scotland. \r\nThe Road Maintenance Strategic Action Group, which I co-chair with COSLA, provides local road authorities and Transport Scotland with strategic direction and oversees partnership working on road maintenance activities and duties.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316065,"EventID":"S5W-02835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:19.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve accessibility on rural public transport. ","AnswerText":"Going Further- Scotland’s Accessible Travel Framework was published on 21 September 2016. Accessibility issues in urban and rural areas will be an important focus of work through the 10 year lifetime of the Framework.\r\nThe Scottish Government is investing in significant access improvements through Abellio ScotRail who have begun major refurbishment of trains operating on rural routes. Access improvements are also being delivered at stations across the country, and all new stations such as those opened on the Borders Railway are step free and fully accessible. Abellio ScotRail are required to provide a range of services dedicated to assisting disabled passengers to facilitate their travel. \r\nThe timetable for all single decker buses to be fully accessible was 1 January 2016, with double decker’s due by 1 January 2017 and coaches by 1 January 2020. Until these dates, fleet renewal and deployment is a discretionary operational matter for individual operators. Disability legislation is reserved to the UK Parliament, however the Scottish Government is committed to encouraging bus operators to meet these regulations within the timetable.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316066,"EventID":"S5W-02878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:20.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how BT calculated the estimated 30% take-up rate of broadband that is referred to at page 10 of the August 2016 Audit Scotland Report, Superfast broadband for Scotland: A progress update.","AnswerText":"BT’s calculation of the estimated take-up rate across both Digital Scotland contracts was based on analysis of historical take-up data, BT’s own deployment experience and BDUK’s assessment of similar projects in other parts of the UK.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316067,"EventID":"S5W-02874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:21.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how it calculated the savings set out at page 10 of the August 2016 Audit Scotland Report, Superfast broadband for Scotland: A progress update.","AnswerText":"The savings outlined on page 10 of the Audit Scotland report emerged due to BT’s actual costs being lower than expected. These calculations were made by BT not by the Scottish Government or Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The budget freed up by lower than expected actual costs will be redirected into extending the coverage footprint of both projects further, reaching more premises than originally anticipated.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316068,"EventID":"S5W-02782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:22.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost per mile is of the work to dual the A9. ","AnswerText":"We will only know the true cost per mile of the A9 once we have taken it to the market, however our current estimates are in the region of £19million per mile, rising to £37million per mile once risk, optimism bias and inflation are included. This produces a £3billion overall estimate (80 miles x £37million). However, this can only be an approximate estimate at this stage in the process.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316069,"EventID":"S5W-02799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:23.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost would be of extending the Borders Railway to Carlisle; what the timescale would be to complete the extension; what financial resources it has set aside to explore whether to proceed with this; what the cost of the feasibilty study would be; what criteria would be used to determine the prefered route, and when the preferred route would be announced. ","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland will lead a multi modal study assessing transport constraints and opportunities in the Borders, including examining the case for extending the railway. Procurement of the study is currently under way, funding will come from existing budgets and it is currently expected that the study will be complete by the end of 2017. As this work is at an early scoping stage it is not currently possible to estimate costs or timescales.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316070,"EventID":"S5W-02813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:24.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the creation of a new rail service using existing lines between Edinburgh/Glasgow and Carlisle that would allow a local service to call at a re-opened Beattock Station. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has considered opportunities to provide services between Carlisle and Glasgow/Edinburgh but found that a ScotRail service could not be supported due to the cost of providing this service, the capacity constraints on the route for additional train services and the anticipated level of patronage. However, the Scottish Government is committed to improving connectivity to promote sustainable economic growth and is willing to review the proposal should circumstances change.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316071,"EventID":"S5W-02814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:24.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding cross-border rail services. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had discussions with the UK Government regarding the Scottish Minister’s aspirations in relation to the specification of cross-border rail franchises, including the Inter City East Coast, Inter City West Coast, TransPennine Express and CrossCountry Franchises.\r\nAdditionally, Transport Scotland officials engage directly with cross-border train operating companies to ensure that Scotland’s interests continue to be met over the course of the Franchise.\r\nMost recently, in response to UK Government’s consultation on the future of the Inter City West Coast franchise, the Scottish Government made clear the aspiration for safe, fast, frequent, reliable, punctual services connecting Scotland to London and intermediate locations, with on-board facilities and fares that attract and retain passengers, underpinned by the strategic aims including enhanced connectivity between the main centres of business on each side of the Border served by this route for the mutual benefit of the Scottish and UK economy, and to maintain and if possible, improve the connectivity for intermediate communities, especially those where connectivity has worsened as a consequence of previous timetable changes.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316072,"EventID":"S5W-02831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:25.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what commitments and undertakings were given by ministers at the transport summit in Dumfries on 22 August 2016. ","AnswerText":"A draft report on the proceedings of the summit was published on the Transport Scotland website on the 19 September. Contained within it were a number of action points that the Scottish Government will take forward.\r\nThis confirms that Transport Scotland will further assess recommendations for strategic transport infrastructure priorities in Dumfries and Galloway and the rest of Scotland as part of an update to the Strategic Transport Projects Review. This will follow the review of the National Transport Strategy and allow us to consider how to better connect Dumfries and Galloway with its links north and south through a variety of road and rail interventions, ensuring that we strike the right balance of transport investments in the region.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316073,"EventID":"S5W-02832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:26.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria was used to decide which local transport groups should be invited to the transport summit in Dumfries on 22 August 2016.","AnswerText":"In order to ensure a focussed discussion took place at the summit invitations were issued to key representatives and stakeholders including local politicians, members of Dumfries & Galloway Council, along with transport and port operators, business groups, the Scottish Rural Parliament, the Third Sector and other local stakeholders.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316074,"EventID":"S5W-02784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:27.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that (a) pavements, (b) road signage and (c) street furniture in towns and villages on trunk routes are maintained. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02786 on 27 September 2016. All written answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/2877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316075,"EventID":"S5W-02786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:28.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Transport Scotland surveys the trunk road network to identify any need for repairs.","AnswerText":"Our inspection regime is designed to ensure that the trunk road network is safe for use and fit for purpose and to provide the data required to support asset maintenance planning. The regime is set out in the Road Asset Management Plan for Scottish Trunk Roads which can be accessed at: http://www.transport.gov.scot/road/maintenance/road-asset-management-plan\r\nWe commission annual machine-based road condition surveys to ensure that we achieve best value from our structural maintenance programme. Deflectograph surveys provide an indication of road structural strength to estimate remaining useful life; Scanner surveys provide an assessment of current surface condition and SCRIM surveys provide a measure of wet skidding resistance.\r\nAlso, in accordance with their contractual requirements, our trunk road operating companies are required to carry out safety inspections, safety patrols, night time survey patrols, detailed inspections and condition surveys. Our operating company contracts can be accessed at: http://www.transport.gov.scot/road/maintenance/operating-companies .","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316076,"EventID":"S5W-02811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:28.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its total investment in rail has been in each year since 2007. ","AnswerText":"Between 2007-08 and 2015-16, we have spent over £7 billion in our Rail Network, including 76km of new railways delivered and 13 new stations opened.\r\nThe budgeted spend on rail in 2016-17 totals a further £0.75 million. The totals for each year are as follows; \r\nYear\r\nActual Spend\r\n£000\r\n2007-08\r\n936,273\r\n2008-09\r\n835,751\r\n2009-10\r\n806,960\r\n2010-11\r\n749,018\r\n2011-12\r\n708,156\r\n2012-13\r\n748,400\r\n2013-14\r\n836,961\r\n2014-15\r\n692,325\r\n2015-16\r\n748,587\r\n2016-17 Budget\r\n740,591\r\nTOTAL\r\n7,803,022\r\nSource: Years 2007-08 – 2015-16: Transport Scotland Annual Report and Accounts, Year 2016-17: published Scottish Budget","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316077,"EventID":"S5W-02818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:29.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the estimated cost of undertaking a feasibility study into dualling the A75.","AnswerText":"The forthcoming review of the Strategic Transport Projects Review will assess recommendations for strategic transport infrastructure priorities in Dumfries and Galloway and the rest of Scotland. Within the review options for the A75 corridor between Gretna and Stranraer will be considered. As this work is at an early scoping stage it is not currently possible to estimate the cost.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316078,"EventID":"S5W-02843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:30.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it has had or sought from Scotland TranServ regarding the timetable for completion of the works on the A76 between Sanquhar and Thornhill.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland meets regularly with Scotland Transerv to review the timetable for the completion of the works and is currently looking for opportunities to accelerate the programme for completion.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316079,"EventID":"S5W-02877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:31.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the £14 million in savings arising from conditions in the contract that is referred to at page 10 of the August 2016 Audit Scotland Report, Superfast broadband for Scotland: A progress update.","AnswerText":"A breakdown of the £14 million is provided on page 10 of the Audit Scotland report. This comprises innovation funds across both contracts, funding originally allocated to deliver non-fibre technology and interest accrued.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316080,"EventID":"S5W-02879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:32.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the shortfall in European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) support that is referred to at page 10 of the August 2016 Audit Scotland Report, Superfast broadband for Scotland: A progress update.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s original application for European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) resources sought £20.5 million for the Rest of Scotland Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband project. The Scottish Government subsequently reduced the funding sought from the ERDF programme in light of revised criteria for calculating eligible capital expenditure. £12 million was subsequently drawn down.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316081,"EventID":"S5W-02864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:33.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it used to reject proposed boundary changes for the (a) Argyll and Bute, (b) Dundee City, (c) Shetland Islands, (d) Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and (e) Scottish Borders council area.","AnswerText":" Schedule six to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 sets out rules to be observed by the Scottish Government or the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland in considering the electoral arrangements for election of councillors for local government areas. Within that context, in reaching decisions on the recommendations submitted by the Commission for each of Scotland's 32 local authority areas following the Commission's Fifth Reviews of local government electoral arrangements the Scottish Government considered the representations received by the Commission as well as those representations made directly to the Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316082,"EventID":"S5W-02867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:34.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the criteria used by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland in its Fifth Reviews of Electoral Arrangements and their suitability for the (a) Argyll and Bute, (b) Dundee City, (c) Shetland Islands, (d) Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and (e) Scottish Borders council area.","AnswerText":"When making recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for a local government area, the Commission must act in accordance with Section 13 and Schedule six of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. Section 13 states that the Commission may make proposals for effecting changes that appear to the Commission desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government, while Schedule 6 sets out rules to be observed by the Commission in considering electoral arrangements. Subject to those provisions, the choice of criteria to use in conducting such reviews is a matter for the Commission. The Commission has published a Guidance Booklet setting out its approach to the Fifth Reviews of Electoral Arrangements, which can be found on the Commission’s website at http://www.lgbc-scotland.gov.uk/includes/downloadfile.asp?file=/reviews/5th_electoral/01_resources/Guidance_booklet.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316083,"EventID":"S5W-02917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:35.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has published for military recruitment visits to schools. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have the responsibility for visits by external parties to schools in Scotland. This responsibility lies with local authorities who have the statutory responsibility to deliver education in their locality.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316084,"EventID":"S5W-02787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:36.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it works with the relevant local authorities to ensure the viability of the (a) A701, (b) A7 and (c) A76.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government through Transport Scotland and its Operating Companies, Amey and Scotland Transerv, formally meet with representatives from Dumfries and Galloway Council, Scottish Borders Council and East Ayrshire Council on a regular basis. The purpose of these meetings is to share knowledge, problems and discuss forward programmes of work to ensure effective co-ordination and minimise potential disruption to road users and local businesses. Notwithstanding this, any urgent issues can be raised by either party between these meetings for discussion and immediate action. The Minister for Transport and the Islands also engages with local authorities and campaign groups. For example, he met with the A7 Action Group on 15 June 2016 when the group presented their A7 Action Plan and he met local politicians and stakeholders at the Dumfries and Galloway Transport Summit held in Dumfries on 22 August 2016 where he and the Deputy First Minister took part in a discussion about the role of transport and associated infrastructure to support the economy and communities in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316085,"EventID":"S5W-02812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:37.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it gave to smaller rural communities when setting the assessment criteria for the Scottish Stations Fund. ","AnswerText":"The assessment criteria for the £30 million Scottish Stations Fund, which aims to lever in third party funding to provide new and improved stations, covers both rural and urban communities. \r\nAll proposals for stations should firstly be directed to the relevant Regional Transport Partnership (RTP) to assess how it fits with their local and regional transport strategies. If appropriate, the RTP will undertake an appraisal to determine the most suitable transport options for the area. The scope and level of detail required in the appraisal is determined by the nature and scale of the transport problems and the impacts of the potential transport options in a particular area. \r\nTransport Scotland officials are always available to offer advice and guidance on the proportionate application of Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance, if requested.\r\nFunding has already been approved through the Stations Fund for improvements at both urban and rural stations benefiting passengers using ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper services.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316086,"EventID":"S5W-02819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:38.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the estimated cost of dualling the A75 between Dumfries and (a) the M74 and (b) Stranraer. ","AnswerText":" As I announced at the Dumfries Transport Summit on the 22 August, we will further assess recommendations for strategic transport infrastructure priorities in Dumfries and Galloway and the rest of Scotland as part of an update to the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR). Any assessment of these recommendations, including the estimated costs will be considered at that stage.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316087,"EventID":"S5W-02826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:38.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to review the financial support given to local authorities to assist with local road repairs following the recent Audit Scotland report, Maintaining Scotland's Roads, A follow-up report. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-02822 on 27 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316088,"EventID":"S5W-02844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:39.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to assist Scotland TranServ with repair works on the A76.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to invest in the maintenance of the A76 trunk road. Investment over financial years 2014-15 and 2015-16 has totalled £5.76 million. This includes continued expenditure on landslip/embankment stability works which include ground investigation, geotechnical design and construction works. So far (from winter 2014) the Scottish Government has committed approximately £456,000 towards the delivery of improvement works to resolve these.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316089,"EventID":"S5W-02869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:40.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its role was in prioritising deprivation in the criteria used by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland in its Fifth Reviews of Electoral Arrangements.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02867 on 30 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316090,"EventID":"S5W-02788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:41.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in road infrastructure in each year since 2007. ","AnswerText":"By the end of 2016-17, we will have spent over £8 billion on our Motorways and Trunk Road Network, including 23 completed major improvements projects such as the M80 Stepps to Haggs and the completion of the M74, and over 254 lane kilometres of trunk road.\r\nAnalysis of spend by year, since 2007-08 can be seen in the following table.\r\nYear\r\nAnnual Motorways And Trunk Road Budget\r\n2007-08\r\n£895.1 million\r\n2008-09\r\n£929.6 million\r\n2009-10\r\n£1,081.6 million\r\n2010-11\r\n£1,167.5 million\r\n2011-12\r\n£553.9 million\r\n2012-13\r\n£651.7 million\r\n2013-14\r\n£711.8 million\r\n2014-15\r\n£677.7 million\r\n2015-16\r\n£734.4 million\r\nSub Total 2007-08 to 2015-16\r\n£7,403.3 million\r\n2016-09-2717 Draft Budget Note 1\r\n£820.3 million\r\nTOTAL\r\n£8,223.6 million\r\nFigures from 2011-12 exclude Cost of Capital which was abolished. Cost of Capital Figures from 2007-08 to 2010-11 are £517.8 million, £546.5 million, £595.5 million and £649.1 million respectively. [1] Figures taken from respective January Scottish Budget Bills.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316091,"EventID":"S5W-02790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:42.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) First TransPennine, (b) Virgin West Coast and (c) ScotRail regarding introducing additional passenger services at Lockerbie station. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that Lockerbie provides a key rail hub, with links both north and south, and therefore aims to protect and enhance the number of stopping services at Lockerbie Station. Lockerbie station is served predominantly by First TransPennine Express services, with additional Virgin Trains services.\r\n(a) First TransPennine Express (TPE): Following meetings between Transport Scotland officials and First Group in 2015, our proposals for greater connectivity for Lockerbie [and Motherwell] have been addressed, and the new franchise will deliver additional early morning/late evening services between Lockerbie and Edinburgh/Glasgow to facilitate commuting and recreational opportunities from 2017. Additionally, TPE has responded to our concerns by, for instance, calling at Carstairs so as to allow Lockerbie commuters to connect with ScotRail’s Edinburgh-bound services.\r\n(b) Virgin West Coast: The Scottish Government’s response to the recent Inter City West Coast refranchising consultation, made clear that there ought to be a focus by Train Operating Companies on working with others to deliver improvements at stations, including Lockerbie, with measures to increase connectivity and attractiveness particularly welcome.\r\n(c) ScotRail: Lockerbie station is managed by ScotRail but their services do not call at the station.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316092,"EventID":"S5W-02805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:42.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what targets it has set for the completion of remedial repairs on trunk roads across the Transport Scotland network. ","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland’s Road Asset Management Plan (RAMP) sets out how our trunk road network is maintained safely, strategically and efficiently to protect our assets and ensure maximum value for money from our road maintenance activities. The RAMP can be accessed at: http://www.transport.gov.scot/road/maintenance/road-asset-management-plan\r\nTrunk road defects are repaired in accordance with the timescales specified in the Operating Company contracts. These can be accessed at: http://www.transport.gov.scot/road/maintenance/operating-companies .","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316093,"EventID":"S5W-02807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:43.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what investment it has made in transport infrastructure in each year since 2007, broken down by local authority area. ","AnswerText":"Total expenditure on transport infrastructure, as reported within The National Transport Statistics 2015 edition and within the Transport Scotland Annual Report and Accounts, totals £18billion since 2007. The totals for each year are shown in the following table. A breakdown of transport infrastructure expenditure by local authority area is not available.\r\nYear\r\nActual Spend\r\n£Million\r\n2007-08\r\n1,764\r\n2008-09\r\n1,685\r\n2009-10\r\n1,753\r\n2010-11\r\n1,701\r\n2011-12\r\n1,652\r\n2012-13\r\n1,834\r\n2013-14\r\n1,878\r\n2014-15\r\n1,782\r\n2015-16\r\n1,935\r\n2016-17 budget\r\n2,218\r\nTOTAL\r\n18,202\r\nSource: Years 2007-08-2014-15 = Scottish National Statistics 2015 edition, Years 2015-16 and 2016-17 = Transport Scotland Annual Report and Accounts 2015-16 and published Scottish Budget.\r\nWhilst total expenditure on transport infrastructure, as reported above, totals £18 billion since 2007 to date, a breakdown by local authority area is not possible. This is in part because some investments are of a national nature (Forth Replacement Crossing) and others span a number of local authority areas, such as the M80, the M74 and the M77 construction projects.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316094,"EventID":"S5W-02822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:44.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the creation of a rural roads repair fund, following the findings of the recent Audit Scotland report, Maintaining Scotland's Roads, A follow-up report. ","AnswerText":"The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places statutory responsibility for local roads, including structures, improvements, maintenance and repair with local roads authorities. The Scottish Government has allocated over £10.3 billion to local government in 2016-17 and it is for individual councils to allocated funding based on local needs and priorities, including funding for road repairs.\r\nIn August 2016, Audit Scotland reported a significant variation in road condition among councils. For example, in 2014-15, the proportion of local roads in acceptable condition ranged from 44% in Argyll and Bute Council to 79% in Orkney Islands Council.\r\nFrom a national perspective the Scottish Government continues to co-fund the Roads Collaboration Programme and uses that forum to actively engage with councils to explore opportunities for the sharing of services for road maintenance activities.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316095,"EventID":"S5W-02824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:45.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what technical advice and support it offers local authorities to assist with local road repairs. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is continuing to co-fund the Road Collaboration Programme. The Programme was established in December 2013 to explore opportunities for road authorities to share services and is overseen by a Board comprising Transport Scotland, members of the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS), SOLACE, COSLA and the Improvement Service. The Programme's aims include encouraging and supporting authorities to share best practice, innovation and expertise.\r\nFurthermore, the Scottish Road Research board meet quarterly to commission and co-ordinate research projects.\r\nto deliver improvements in safety, construction, operation and maintenance to both the trunk and local road network. The Board's objectives include promoting and delivering innovation, sharing new products, techniques and knowledge across Scotland’s road sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316096,"EventID":"S5W-02876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:45.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of the modelling that is referred to at page 12 of the August 2016 Audit Scotland Report, Superfast broadband for Scotland: A progress update that BT is considering to increase broadband coverage.","AnswerText":"The Digital Scotland contracts agreed between the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and BT contain clauses that generate revenue for the public sector if broadband take-up on the new infrastructure exceeds a certain level. BT brought forward almost £18 million of this so-called Gainshare funding in 2015 which can be reinvested in the contracts. BT has modelled this funding, alongside other residual funding within both contracts, in recent months in line with criteria laid out by public sector partners. This process is not yet complete across both contracts. We will announce further details of the coverage impacts arising from the modelling in the coming weeks. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316097,"EventID":"S5W-02875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:47.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with BT regarding how the savings referred to at page 10 of the August 2016 Audit Scotland Report, Superfast broadband for Scotland: A progress update will be used to increase broadband coverage.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise has regular discussions with BT around the management of the Digital Scotland contracts. This includes ensuring that funding within the contract is fully utilised to extend coverage, making use of resources freed up as a result of BT’s actual costs being lower than expected.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316098,"EventID":"S5W-02892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:48.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many arrests were made on the weekend of 10 and 11 September 2016, and how many of these were in relation to the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.","AnswerText":"Investigations into disorder related to the Celtic FC v Rangers FC match on 10 September 2016 are still on-going. Police Scotland has advised that to date one male has been charged with an alleged breach of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012. A further \r\n29 individuals were arrested for various offences directly related to the match. Police Scotland has confirmed that officers are examining footage from both CCTV and the match broadcasters in order to identify those responsible for disorder, vandalism, offensive and antisocial behaviour witnessed at the match.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316099,"EventID":"S5W-02924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:49.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in connection with haggis exports to the United States and what estimate it has made of the likely timescale for current restrictions to be lifted.","AnswerText":"A significant milestone was reached on 16 September 2016 when the US concluded its public consultation on proposals to lift the ban on the importation of lamb from the EU.\r\nDiscussions with United States Department of Agricultureare ongoing, and we are hopeful that the restrictions on the export of lamb and haggis will be lifted during the first half of 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316100,"EventID":"S5W-02793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:51.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to ScotRail regarding the frequency of train services between Dumfries and Carlisle.","AnswerText":"An option for a more frequent weekday service between Dumfries and Carlisle formed part of the recent ScotRail Franchise tendering process.\r\nAs a result ScotRail are scheduled to introduce an enhanced timetable from December 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316101,"EventID":"S5W-02795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:51.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position on the possible electrification of the Dumfries-Kilmarnock rail line; how much it would cost to electrify the line, and what the reduction in journey times would be. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to rail electrification recognising the key benefits it brings in terms of improved journey times and connectivity, environmental benefits and reduced industry costs. As part of this commitment we will include all remaining non-electrified routes, including the Dumfries - Kilmarnock line, in future electrification strategies, however delivery will be subject to consideration against other rail priorities and sufficient resources being available.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316102,"EventID":"S5W-02827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:52.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that local authorities share best practice regarding road repair and maintenance. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-02824 on 27 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316103,"EventID":"S5W-02829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:53.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hours it estimates that its staff spent on preparing for the transport summit in Dumfries on 22 August 2016. ","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland staff do not routinely record the time spent on individual projects, hence we do not hold that information.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316104,"EventID":"S5W-02834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:54.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Transport Scotland staff have been based in each local authority area in each year since 2007. ","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland has two main office locations, one in Glasgow and one in Edinburgh, with additional staff on site at the Forth Replacement Crossing, Fife. Both the main Glasgow and Edinburgh locations are where the bulk of Transport Scotland staff are permanently based. Transport Scotland staff travel across Scotland to fulfil their duties in the planning and delivery of infrastructure projects, engaging with communities as well as providing oversight to the performance and operation of service contracts including those for rail and ferries services.\r\nThe following table details the staff numbers by year and local authority area.\r\nYear\r\nLocal Authority Area\r\nNumber of TS staff\r\n2007\r\nGlasgow\r\n255\r\n2008\r\nGlasgow\r\n291\r\n2009\r\nGlasgow\r\n319\r\n2010\r\nGlasgow\r\n338\r\n\r\nEdinburgh\r\n76\r\n2011\r\nGlasgow\r\nEdinburgh\r\nFife\r\n292\r\n77\r\n14\r\n2012\r\nGlasgow\r\nEdinburgh\r\nFife\r\n284\r\n75\r\n13\r\n2013\r\nGlasgow\r\nEdinburgh\r\nFife\r\n293\r\n82\r\n16\r\n2014\r\nGlasgow\r\nEdinburgh\r\nFife\r\n303\r\n86\r\n15\r\n2015\r\nGlasgow\r\nEdinburgh\r\nFife\r\n284\r\n91\r\n12\r\n2016\r\nGlasgow\r\nEdinburgh\r\nFife\r\n286\r\n96\r\n11\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316105,"EventID":"S5W-02836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:54.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the re-opening of junction 45 to northbound traffic on the M6.","AnswerText":"There have been no direct discussions between the Scottish Government and the UK Government. However there have been on-going discussions over a number of years between Highways England (formerly Highways Agency), Transport Scotland, Local Authorities and Community Councils. An initial meeting took place 13 April 2011 and subsequent meetings were held on 13 December 2013, 15 August 2014, 19 March 2015, 15 April 2016 with the latest held on 15 September 16. As the motorway junction is in England, this is essentially a matter for Highways England.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316106,"EventID":"S5W-02870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:55.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its role was in proposing that there should be no overall increase in the number of councillors in the criteria used by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland in its Fifth Reviews of Electoral Arrangements.","AnswerText":"In the course of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland explaining to the Scottish Government its proposed approach to the Fifth Reviews, Ministers expressed the view that they did not think there would be an appetite for an overall increase in councillor numbers across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316107,"EventID":"S5W-02780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:56.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many sets of temporary traffic lights there are on the Transport Scotland road network (a) nationally and (b) in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"The number of temporary traffic signals on the trunk road network changes daily according to demands. On a typical day such as the 21st September 2019 there were 76 sets of temporary traffic signals three of which were in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316108,"EventID":"S5W-02783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:57.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what commitments it has made regarding (a) the cost and (b) timetable for completing the upgrading works on the A7. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316109,"EventID":"S5W-02798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:58.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what investment it has made in the Dumfries-Kilmarnock rail line in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Investing in rail is a key priority of the Scottish Government, with over £7 billion committed since 2007 to support Network Rail’s operation, maintenance, renewal and enhancement of the rail infrastructure, and to deliver the economic and social benefits of the ScotRail franchise contract across the full network. This core investment is not disaggregated to individual route levels. \r\nWith respect to improvements between Kilmarnock and Dumfries, additional capacity has been provided as patronage levels have grown with longer trains operating at peak periods, and station facilities have been enhanced along the route. Further improvements for passengers are also planned from 2017, with the introduction of refurbished rolling stock and additional weekday and weekend services.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316110,"EventID":"S5W-02815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:58.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made regarding the cost of rail fares between stations in Dumfries and Galloway and the Central Belt.","AnswerText":"Rail fares are set by franchisees on a commercial basis. For the majority of rail services between Dumfries and Galloway and the Central Belt, fares are set by ScotRail.\r\nIn the current franchise period, the Scottish Government has taken action to help keep ScotRail fares down: annual regulated ScotRail peak fares increases are capped at the level of the Retail Price Index (RPI) and off-peak regulated fares increases are capped at one per cent below RPI.\r\nThe regulation of fares on rail services from Glasgow to Lockerbie, operated by the InterCity West Coast franchise, is a matter for the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316111,"EventID":"S5W-02816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:18:59.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many square meters of the land adjacent to the M74 between Moffat and Gretna are in its ownership and what plans it has for this land. ","AnswerText":"The area of land adjacent to the M74 between Moffat and Gretna which the Scottish Government owns is approximately 3.01 million square metres, that includes any area of land which, if found to be surplus to Scottish Government requirements, will be subject to disposal in accordance with appropriate procedures.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316112,"EventID":"S5W-02830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:19:00.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated cost was of its transport summit in Dumfries on 22 August 2016. ","AnswerText":"The total cost of the transport summit was approximately £5,000.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316113,"EventID":"S5W-02865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:19:00.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland prior to its proposal to reduce the number of councillors for Argyll and Bute from 36 to 33.","AnswerText":"The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland kept the Scottish Government informed of the Commission's progress in conducting its Fifth Reviews of local government electoral arrangements up to the Commission's submission to Ministers of its final recommendations. The Scottish Government did not have any discussions with the Commission specifically relating to councillor numbers for Argyll and Bute. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316114,"EventID":"S5W-02866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:19:01.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T15:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish details of all communications it has had with the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland regarding its Fifth Reviews of Electoral Arrangements.","AnswerText":"Correspondence between Ministers and the Chair of the Local Government Commission for Scotland regarding the Commission's Fifth Reviews of Electoral Arrangements have been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib number 58220)","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316115,"EventID":"S5W-02915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:19:02.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to provide secondary schools with discretionary measures to develop employability projects that best reflect their local needs and opportunities.","AnswerText":"The Youth Employment Strategy: Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) sets out our ambitions for reducing youth unemployment in Scotland. This includes a range of milestones around strengthening links between schools and employers; improving the quality of careers education; and ensuring that all young people have access to a range of high quality work related learning opportunities.\r\nLocal collaborative partnership working, which has the flexibility to ensure that all young people in their area have access to a broad range of work relevant education opportunities, is a key aim of the DYW programme. The DYW Regional Groups have been established to support these partnerships and encourage more employers to engage directly with education in their region.\r\nIn addition to a series of national learning events, national guidance on school/employer partnerships, a career education standard (3-18) and a revised work placements standard have been provided on the Education Scotland and Skills Development Scotland’s websites, alongside a range of resources on DYW for local authorities, teachers and other partners.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316116,"EventID":"S5W-02916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T14:19:03.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recording mechanisms it has for the number of children who are at risk of child sexual exploitation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government currently capture information on the causes for concern identified for children on the child protection register. The data is returned by local authorities on an annual basis and is published as part of the Children’s Social Work Statistics Scotland compendia. \r\nThe latest data available is for the period 1 August 2014 to 31 July 2015 and includes information on the number of children with a cause for concern as “child exploitation”, which is used to refer to situations where children are abused – physically, verbally or sexually, or when they are submitted to unsatisfactory conditions as part of their forced or voluntary employment. http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Children/PubChildrenSocialWork\r\nFrom 1 August 2015 information on “sexual exploitation” specifically will be captured as a cause for concern for the first time; subject to assurance of quality, this data will be published as part of the compendia publication scheduled for Spring 2017.\r\nWe are committed to protecting children from abuse including child sexual abuse, and are taking specific action to increase our knowledge of the nature and prevalence of child sexual exploitation across Scotland.\r\nWe have committed to establishing a child protection data and evidence programme as part of the Child Protection Improvement Programme and work to develop our understanding and approach to preventing and tackling child sexual exploitation will be taken forward through this work. \r\nTo improve local problem profiling and in order to build a national profile of child sexual exploitation across Scotland, Action 15 of the Update of the National Action Plan to Prevent and Tackle Child Sexual Exploitation (March 2016), sets out that we will work with Police Scotland and Child Protection Committees to agree a template to capture information about child sexual exploitation and implement across Scotland by December 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316138,"EventID":"S5W-02880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:20.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of the HIE provision of satellite broadband that is referred to at page 10 of the August 2016 Audit Scotland Report, Superfast broadband for Scotland: A progress update.","AnswerText":"Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) initially allocated £300,000 from its contractual innovation fund to support the delivery of vouchers provided as part of the National Satellite Broadband Scheme. Around £50,000 was utilised. This scheme has since been replaced by the UK Government’s Better Broadband Scheme and is now wholly funded by the UK Government. The balance of HIE’s original funding allocation for satellite has since been reallocated back to the innovation fund, and will be used to extend coverage across the region.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316139,"EventID":"S5W-02897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:22.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will publish the findings of its Reaching 100% superfast broadband project team.","AnswerText":"We will set out our delivery approach, once we have finalised the coverage to be delivered through the existing Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme and consulted with the market to confirm future commercial investment plans. We will do this ahead of new procurement activity starting in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316140,"EventID":"S5W-02922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:23.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish stand-alone guidance on de-escalation, restraint, and physical intervention of children at school and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"This government have committed to include guidance on the use of restraint (for all children, including children with complex additional support needs), in the context of de-escalation as part of early intervention approaches in our refreshed guidance ‘Included, Engaged and Involved Part two: A Positive Approach to Preventing and Managing School Exclusions’. \r\nThis refreshed guidance will be published 2016-17.\r\nIn addition, ‘Holding Safely’ (updated 2013) Scottish Government guidance on the use of restraint in residential settings (which is applicable in schools and other establishments) is available.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316141,"EventID":"S5W-02923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:24.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on cases where restraint and other restrictive interventions on children at school have been used in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316142,"EventID":"S5W-02925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:26.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T12:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost of a cancelled or rearranged hospital appointment is.","AnswerText":"The specific information requested is not available centrally. However information on the average cost of an outpatient appointment or inpatient or day case admission can be obtain from Scottish Health Service Cost Book which can be found at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Finance/Costs/\r\n\r\nIt should however be borne in mind that when an appointment is cancelled, this appointment can be offered to another patient.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316143,"EventID":"S5W-02895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:27.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the copper connections used by BT are adequate for the roll-out of superfast broadband.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to press BT to ensure that broadband speeds delivered over copper connections are maximised. BT is currently testing new technologies aimed at maximising broadband performance over copper, including a Long Reach VDSL trial on the Isle of Lewis. If successful, this should improve speeds across rural Scotland. \r\nAny premise unable to receive superfast broadband speeds following the completion of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme, and not part of commercial deployment plans, will be eligible for future phases of public investment to extend superfast access. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316144,"EventID":"S5W-02927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:28.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects an increase in the cost of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project and, if so, (a) how much will this be and (b) what the reasons are.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not expect an increase in the cost of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty Project. The contract value, which is around £530 million in net present value terms, was confirmed following contract award in December 2014 and remains unchanged, and is over £200 million less than the pre-tender estimate.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316145,"EventID":"S5W-02929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:30.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last received an update on the progress of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project from Transport Scotland and whether it will publish this.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is part of the Scottish Government and meetings with Ministers occur regularly in the course of normal business. Progress on major infrastructure projects, including the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, are discussed as a matter of course. As this information is commercially confidential, this advice is not appropriate for publication.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316146,"EventID":"S5W-02918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:32.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the report Concluding observations on the fifth periodic report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, and what plans it has to implement its recommendations.","AnswerText":"The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child published its Concluding Observations on the fifth periodic report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on 9 June 2016. The Scottish Government is considering carefully the full range of conclusions and recommendations raised by the Committee and will engage with relevant stakeholders shortly on next steps. Actions following from the Concluding Observation will be taken forward in line with Ministers’ specific responsibilities in relation to children’s rights under Part 1 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316147,"EventID":"S5W-02920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:33.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland regarding (a) reversing the presumption of sharing children’s confidential information and (b) developing better guidelines for children’s understanding of confidentiality. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular engagement with the Commissioner and his officials. The Commissioner submitted a detailed response to the consultation on the proposal for a Children and Young People Bill, introduced to Parliament in February 2013. Regarding the sharing of children's confidential information, the Commissioner met with officials responsible for Part 4 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 during its development and discussed his views on the provisions in Part 4, and in particular the information sharing duties within sections 26 and 27 of the Act. The Deputy First Minister has recently spoken with the Commissioner about the information sharing duties in the Act as part of his engagement following the Supreme Court judgment on the Named Person judicial review. The Scottish Government remains open to advice from the Commissioner's Office around children's understanding of confidentiality. Currently I am not aware of any official discussions around this matter.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316148,"EventID":"S5W-02894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:35.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of simultaneous use would cause an appreciable break or slowdown in broadband service.","AnswerText":"There are a wide range of factors that can impact broadband speeds or service, not limited to the level of simultaneous use.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316149,"EventID":"S5W-02919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:36.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on consulting on its proposed family justice modernisation strategy, and when it will publish the strategy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government held a Family Justice Modernisation Strategy summit on 17 March 2016. The outcomes of that summit will be published shortly. The Scottish Government is still considering how best to take the Strategy forward, and an announcement will be made in due course. A key part of the Strategy is about the voice of the child being heard in family cases. The Family Law Committee of the Scottish Civil Justice Council, which advises on court rules and procedures, is already taking forward work on the voice of the child in family actions, following a policy paper prepared by the Scottish Government. The Committee is also in the process of commissioning research on case management to inform its work. More details of the work of the Committee can be found on the Scottish Civil Justice Council's website.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316150,"EventID":"S5W-02926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:37.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T12:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hospital appointments in NHS Lanarkshire were rearranged due to cancellations to patient transport arranged through the Scottish Ambulance Service in each year since 2013.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information centrally on the number of re-arranged hospital appointments in NHS boards. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316151,"EventID":"S5W-02896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:38.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with the UK Government regarding the negotiations for a universal service obligation for broadband suppliers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has written to the UK Government, urging them to establish a Working Group to oversee the design of the proposed Universal Service Obligation (USO) for broadband in Scotland. I recently met with Sharon White, Chief Executive of Ofcom, at which the broadband USO was discussed.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316152,"EventID":"S5W-02921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:39.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to develop a system of collecting disaggregated data on the use of restraint and other restrictive interventions on children, in light of the recent report, UK Concluding Observations, by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.","AnswerText":"We have committed to incorporating guidance on restraint in school settings in our refreshed guidance ‘Included, Engaged and Involved Part two: A Positive Approach to Preventing and Managing School Exclusions’. It will be clear that any incident where a decision is made to physically restrain a child or young person must be recorded and monitored. Details on how this should be undertaken should be included in a local authority’s policy on de-escalation, physical intervention and restraint. \r\nThe recording and monitoring of such incidents will help local authorities to monitor the effectiveness of their policy and practice and enable them to review and improve, where appropriate, their policy and also help identify professional learning needs.\r\nThis refreshed guidance will be published 2016-17. It will be clear that the use of physical intervention and physical restraint should be seen within the context of early intervention, positive relationships and behaviour and used only as a last resort, in line with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child recommendations.\r\nIn other non-school settings further work has been done and is being undertaken in relation to restraint:\r\nScottish Government Guidance ‘Holding Safely’ on the use of restraint in residential settings (which is applicable in schools and other establishments) was updated in 2013.\r\nScottish Government has asked the Care Inspectorate to gather information regarding restraint practice in secure care during 2016-17 to inform improvement.\r\nScottish Government also published additional guidance for child protection for disabled children (2014). This applies to all settings, and states that inappropriate restraint, sanctions, humiliation, intimidation, verbal abuse, and having needs ignored; depending on the circumstances, may also be criminal offences, acts of gross misconduct and reportable to Police Scotland and relevant professional regulatory bodies.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316153,"EventID":"S5W-02928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:41.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects any delays to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project and, if so, what the reasons are.","AnswerText":"Construction work is continuing across the site of the longest road construction project currently underway in the UK which, over the next 30 years, is expected to generate an additional £6 billion to the north-east economy and create around 14,000 new jobs. As with any major infrastructure project of this scale and complexity, the successful delivery is dependent on a significant number of factors including weather and ground conditions. The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and Balmedie to Tipperty section remains scheduled to open to traffic in winter 2017 and spring 2017 respectively.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316154,"EventID":"S5W-02935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-16T16:16:42.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the monitoring reports that it receives from NHS boards regarding junior doctor working hours.","AnswerText":"Under the New Deal Contract, Junior Doctors are monitored on a bi-annual basis to ensure that their hours of work comply fully with the New Deal Contract limits. This monitoring shows that 99%+ rotas are compliant with the New Deal contract.\r\nHigh level data from this monitoring is reported into a group consisting of the Scottish Government, the British Medical Association and NHS boards, and is made available to anyone who requests it.\r\nIndividual monitoring reports however contain information relating to individual doctors, and as such we would not wish to release these due to data protection issues as individuals can often be clearly identified.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316172,"EventID":"S5W-02969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T13:06:48.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether PACE teams receive contributions from employers to help fund their work.","AnswerText":"PACE offers free and impartial advice and is available to all individuals affected by redundancy, no matter the size of the business nor how many employees are involved. PACE also works with insolvency practitioners to provide support where a business has gone into administration or liquidation.\r\nEmployers do not provide financial contributions to PACE teams. However in cases of larger redundancies, employers may make a contribution of space and IT equipment for example to provide an onsite resource centre for employees to meet with PACE Advisers.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316174,"EventID":"S5W-02983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:14:36.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T14:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the names of the special advisers in post; what their responsibilities are; what their pay bands are; how many special advisers there are in each pay band, and what the current total salary cost of employing special advisers is.","AnswerText":"Special Advisers are appointed in accordance with Part 1 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 by the First Minister as a Special Adviser for the purpose of providing assistance to the Scottish Ministers.\r\nThere are currently 12 Special Advisers in post and their specific responsibilities are as follows:\r\n\r\nName\r\nRole\r\nLiz Lloyd\r\n\r\nChief of Staff to the First Minister including the co-ordination of the Special Adviser team.\r\nResponsible for the First Minister’s Strategic Programme in Government including European engagement and Inter-governmental relations.\r\n\r\nStuart Nicolson\r\n\r\nHead of Communications.\r\nSenior Political Spokesperson for the First Minister.\r\n\r\nColin McAllister\r\n\r\nHead of Policy.\r\nSenior Special Adviser to the Deputy First Minister.\r\nSpecial Adviser for Education & Skills. \r\nSpecial Adviser for Finance (jointly with Liz Lloyd).\r\nFirst Minister’s Questions, Programme for Government.\r\n\r\nEwan Crawford \r\nSenior Special Adviser supporting Ministers on Government Economic Strategy, Europe and Constitutional issues.\r\nRoss Ingebrigtsen\r\n\r\nCommunications Special Adviser. \r\nDeputy Spokesperson for the First Minister.\r\nStrategic communications planning.\r\n\r\nJohn MacInnes\r\nPolitical Research.\r\nSupport for First Minister’s Questions and parliamentary debates.\r\nSupport to Communications and Policy Special Advisers.\r\n\r\nDavie Hutchison\r\n\r\nSpecial Adviser for Health & Sport and for Broadcasting.\r\n\r\nJohn McFarlane\r\n\r\nSpecial Adviser for Justice, Transport and the Economy. \r\nParliamentary Business.\r\n\r\nJeanette Campbell\r\n\r\nSpecial Adviser for Communities, Social Security, Equalities, Jobs and Fair Work.\r\n\r\nKate Higgins\r\n\r\nSpecial Adviser for the Rural Economy & Connectivity.\r\nSupport to the Head of Policy.\r\n\r\nKaty Bowman\r\n\r\nSupport for the First Minister and the First Minister’s Private Office.\r\nOutreach and stakeholder engagement.\r\nSpecial Adviser for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs and policy support to the Chief of Staff.\r\n\r\nDavid Miller \r\n\r\nSpecial Adviser for Energy, Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform.\r\n\r\nThe Special Adviser Pay Bands and Ranges and the number of Special Advisers within each Pay Band currently in place are:\r\n\r\nPay Band\r\nCurrent Pay Range\r\nNumber of Special Advisers\r\n1\r\n£39,445 - £52,904\r\n7\r\n2\r\n£51,041 - £67,709\r\n1\r\n3\r\n£65,017 - £83,963\r\n4\r\n3 (premium)\r\n£83,549 - £100,942\r\n0\r\n4\r\n£86,965 - £104,462\r\n0\r\n\r\nThe estimated total cost of the current team of the 12 Special Advisers employed for a full 12 month period is £895,135. This includes all salary costs, ERNIC and employer pension contributions and the estimate can be broken down as follows:\r\n\r\nESTIMATED 12 MONTH COST OF CURRENT SPECIAL ADVISER TEAM \r\nNumber of Special Advisers\r\nSalary Costs\r\n*ERNIC\r\n*Employer pension contributions\r\nTotal Cost\r\n12\r\n£669,505\r\n£78,154\r\n£147,476\r\n£895,135\r\n* The level of the employer ERNIC and pension contributions is not a matter for the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316185,"EventID":"S5W-02951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:24.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T16:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00157 by Fergus Ewing on 1 June 2016, what engagement has taken place with \"key stakeholders, including businesses and organisations on how the £5 million investment fund can promote island...produce\" and what conclusions have been reached. ","AnswerText":"We have just concluded an initial engagement process facilitated through the industry leadership body, Scotland Food and Drink, to garner views on options for taking forward this commitment. We will now analyse their comments and consider the next steps, ensuring that our future approach is fully informed by the views of the industry. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316186,"EventID":"S5W-02956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:25.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its estimate is of the (a) total cost and (b) delivery date for the proposed rail link between Glasgow Airport and Glasgow Central station.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02954 on 23 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316187,"EventID":"S5W-02968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:27.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent by (a) national and (b) local PACE teams in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02966 on 3 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316188,"EventID":"S5W-02970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:28.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any local authorities have indicated that they wish to use the powers granted to them by the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 regarding localising the business rate relief scheme and, if so, what support it will provide.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government understands that Perth and Kinross Council is this year using the power to further reduce non-domestic rates under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.\r\nThe Scottish Government has published information for local authorities regarding this and other powers in respect of rates relief – accessible at www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/local-government/17999/11203/nondomratesinfo – and officials have liaised with local authority practitioners in respect of the detail of the legislation. The Scottish Government welcomes dialogue and partnership working with any interested local authorities in respect of this substantial power.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316189,"EventID":"S5W-02955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:29.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will conduct an (a) equality and (b) environmental impact assessment of the proposed rail link between Glasgow Airport and Glasgow Central station.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02954 on 23 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316190,"EventID":"S5W-02957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:30.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its estimate is of the number of jobs that will be created in (a) rail, (b) aviation and (c) other industries in Scotland by the construction and delivery of the proposed rail link between Glasgow Airport and Glasgow Central station.","AnswerText":" I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02954 on 23 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316191,"EventID":"S5W-02946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:31.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to use the proposed Islands Bill to provide for the creation of one or two member wards on islands that are part of local authorities that cover both mainland and islands.","AnswerText":"As set out in the Programme for Government on 6 September 2016, the Government intends to bring forward an Islands Bill in the first year of the new parliamentary session. One of the measures that will be included in that Bill for consideration will be a provision to give the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland greater flexibility to review local government electoral arrangements within island communities, which would enable the creation of one or two member wards covering islands.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316192,"EventID":"S5W-02953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:32.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Network Rail regarding the proposed rail link between Glasgow Airport and Glasgow Central station.","AnswerText":"Glasgow City Council and Renfrewshire council are responsible for delivering the Glasgow Airport Access Project through the Glasgow City Region Deal. Both Transport Scotland and Network Rail sit on the Airport Access Project’s Stakeholder Group which meets on a monthly basis.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316193,"EventID":"S5W-02948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:33.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will launch the nuisance calls commission, as set out in the Programme for Government, and what its membership will be. ","AnswerText":"The first meeting of the Scottish Government’s Nuisance Calls Commission will be held in November 2016 and membership will include regulators, consumer groups and industry. Further details will be available following the official launch in October 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316194,"EventID":"S5W-02965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:35.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff are permanently employed in (a) national and (b) local PACE teams.","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland delivers PACE on behalf of the Scottish Government in conjunction with other key partners including the Department for Work and Pensions. In addition to the National PACE Team, there are 18 local PACE teams across Scotland to ensure speedy and effective responses to redundancy situations. Other agencies also involved in PACE include HM Revenue and Customs, local authorities' employability departments, the STUC and its affiliated Trade Unions, Citizens Advice Bureaux, local training providers, colleges and universities.\r\nSkills Development Scotland’s National PACE Team comprises two full time employees and three employees who work on PACE as part of their main job role. In the Aberdeen area, a full time Employer Support Manager (PACE), a full time Careers Adviser and a Modern Apprentice (Business and Administration framework) have recently been appointed to work solely on PACE due to the high demand for support in the North East. \r\nGiven that PACE is a framework which brings together various organisations to provide a co-ordinated approach to delivery of support for those facing redundancy, it is not possible to quantify a specific number of staff who are permanently employed in PACE activity.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316195,"EventID":"S5W-02966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:36.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget is for PACE teams and whether this has increased in light of demand.","AnswerText":"Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) is the Scottish Government’s strategic framework initiative for responding to redundancy situations. The operation of PACE is overseen by the Ministerial PACE Partnership which I chair and which comprises the Scottish Government together with 21 organisations to oversee a continuous improvement programme to enhance the operation of PACE.\r\nSkills Development Scotland delivers PACE on behalf of the Scottish Government in conjunction with other key partners including the Department for Work and Pensions. In addition to the National PACE Team, there are 18 local PACE Teams across Scotland to ensure speedy and effective responses to redundancy situations. Other agencies also involved in PACE include HM Revenue and Customs, local authorities' employability departments, the STUC and its affiliated Trade Unions, Citizens Advice Bureaux, local training providers, colleges and universities.\r\nGiven that PACE is a framework which brings together various organisations to provide a co-ordinated approach to delivery of support for those facing redundancy, it is not possible to quantify a specific budget for PACE activity.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316196,"EventID":"S5W-02911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:38.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T21:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding implications for the UK and Scotland's relationship with the European Investment Bank following Brexit, and with whom.","AnswerText":"Discussions between European Investment Bank and Scottish Government officials took place immediately after the EU referendum to underline the government's commitment to continue working with the Bank whilst its longer-term relationship with the wider UK is clarified.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316197,"EventID":"S5W-02945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:39.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes in response to negative publicity and the potential impact on exports that arises from the shooting of seals in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 already prohibits the intentional killing of seals, except under strict licence conditions.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316198,"EventID":"S5W-02952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:40.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that trade unions are represented on the high-level steering group overseeing the proposed rail link between Glasgow Airport and Glasgow Central station.","AnswerText":"The Terms of Reference, including membership and remit, for the high-level steering group are currently being drafted in consultation with the two delivery authorities, Glasgow City and Renfrewshire Councils.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316199,"EventID":"S5W-02954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:41.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects work to start on constructing the proposed rail link between Glasgow Airport and Glasgow Central station.","AnswerText":"All aspects of the delivery of the Glasgow Airport Access Project through the Glasgow City Region Deal, including developing the business case, reporting on equality and environmental issues, determination of project costs and programme, are the responsibility of Glasgow City Council and Renfrewshire Council. \r\nThe Glasgow City Region Deal has £1 billion available to fund this project and it is critical that any investment of public funds is as a result of a robust business case to allow well informed decisions to be made. Glasgow City Council and Renfrewshire Council have advised that their business case will be available by the end of this year. I have also set up a high-level steering group involving both councils.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316200,"EventID":"S5W-02949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:43.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will set out the consumer and competition principles, as set out in the Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"A final date has not yet been set for the publication of the consumer and competition principles and policy statement. However, work is progressing towards publication in November, as set out in the Programme for Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316201,"EventID":"S5W-02950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:44.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will establish a Scottish consumer taskforce, as set out in the Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"We anticipate that the Scottish Consumer Taskforce will commence its work early in 2017. Further detail will be included in the consumer and competition principles and policy statement, due to be published in November 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316202,"EventID":"S5W-02967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T14:58:45.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) employers and (b) employees have received support from PACE teams in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"Details are contained in the following table:\r\nPACE Support\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17*\r\nIndividuals\r\n13,017\r\n12,014 \r\n11,674 \r\n12,161 \r\n17,883 \r\n7,483 \r\nEmployers\r\n365 \r\n297 \r\n298 \r\n252 \r\n301 \r\n128 \r\n*April-August \r\nSource: Skills Development Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316203,"EventID":"S5T-00070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T13:06:32.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the teaching practice placements for teacher training students at the University of Strathclyde, which were due to have started on 19 September.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316204,"EventID":"S5F-00242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T13:05:15.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316205,"EventID":"S5F-00243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T13:05:16.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316206,"EventID":"S5F-00247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T13:05:20.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316207,"EventID":"S5F-00248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T13:05:21.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T10:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Government has to honour Scotland’s Paralympians.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316208,"EventID":"S5F-00266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5809,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T13:05:38.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to reduce waiting times for young people referred to mental health services in Forth Valley and across Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316209,"EventID":"S5F-00275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T13:05:45.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet Alzheimer Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316210,"EventID":"S5W-02936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T17:28:24.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to concerns expressed by the Office of Rail and Road regarding delays, whether Transport Scotland has sufficient resources and staff to deliver the upgrades to the Highland Main Line set out in the Strategic Transport Projects Review, and when these upgrades will be completed.","AnswerText":"Network Rail have confirmed that they are on schedule to deliver by March 2019, the Highland Mainline Improvement Project (Phase Two) incorporating journey time improvements averaging around 10 minutes, an hourly service between Inverness and Perth extended to either Glasgow or Edinburgh and also more efficient operations for freight.\r\nTransport Scotland are fully resourced and committed to funding Network Rail to deliver the Highland Mainline Improvement Project (Phase Two) by March 2019.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316211,"EventID":"S5W-02938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T17:28:25.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what methodology and data gathering in the Borders were used to produce the passenger forecasts in Transport Scotland’s Borders Railway Final Business Case.","AnswerText":"The passenger forecasting methodology combined a stated preference survey and a trip generation model. The trip generation model uses the number of trips per thousand head of population within a defined area to forecast demand, while the stated preference survey involved interviewing residents along the Borders Railway line about their potential use of the railway. Transport Scotland keeps forecasting methodology under review to ensure best practice.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316212,"EventID":"S5W-02937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T17:28:26.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that publicly-owned land is not disposed of in a way that could inhibit the growth of the rail or cycle network.","AnswerText":"Prior to disposal to any other party, surplus land owned by Scottish Ministers is subject to a ‘trawl’, whereby other parts of the Scottish Government, including Transport Scotland, are notified of the intention to dispose of it. They have the opportunity to acquire it at that stage.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316213,"EventID":"S5W-02944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T17:28:27.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what design guidelines regarding the positioning of the track, gabion baskets, drains and lineside equipment were applied to the construction of the Borders Railway to facilitate future doubling of the track between Edinburgh and Gorebridge, in particular at Gorebridge station.","AnswerText":"Delivery responsibility for the construction of Borders Railway including the design and future provision for double tracking was transferred to Network Rail by Scottish Ministers on 5 November 2012.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316214,"EventID":"S5W-02943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T17:28:28.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the additional cost would have been to make the overbridge at Cowbraehill double-track width while the Borders Railway was under construction, and how much would it cost to rebuild it to double-track width now the railway is operational.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland has not undertaken this cost analysis. The railway at Cowbraehill is single track as is the accompanying overbridge as under licence conditions imposed on Network Rail by the Office of Road and Rail.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316215,"EventID":"S5W-02940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T17:28:29.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether ScotRail has gathered the opinions of passengers on the Borders Railway regarding the quality of service and reliability.","AnswerText":"Performance of the Borders Railway has fallen below the expectations of passengers and the demanding performance targets set by Scottish Ministers. The Scottish Government has requested ScotRail provide an Improvement Plan which will outline their plans to address performance issues.\r\nIn addition, the ScotRail Franchise Agreement ensures that the opinions of passengers are regularly heard and acted upon. Alongside day to day interaction between passengers and staff, ScotRail have initiated an online panel with over 5,000 subscribed, aimed to give passengers their say on how Scotland's railways are run. 26% of passengers on the panel originate from the Lothians, Borders and Fife.\r\nThe Scottish Government use the results of the National Rail Passenger Survey as a Key Performance Indicator within the ScotRail Franchise Agreement to measure passenger satisfaction. Any sustained fall in this area can result in ScotRail being financially penalised.\r\nSpecifically for the Borders Railway, I can advise that the Borders Blueprint Partnership are planning to undertake passenger surveys on the line. These will further help to understand passengers travel patterns along the line. Membership of the Partnership includes The Scottish Government and ScotRail.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316216,"EventID":"S5W-02942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T17:28:30.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the requirement for 16 miles of double track in Transport Scotland’s 2009 prequalification document for the Borders Railway resulted in only nine miles of double track on the railway delivered in 2015.","AnswerText":"The Borders Railway prequalification document prepared in 2009 was issued to the rail industry as part of Transport Scotland’s Competitive Dialogue Process as an example, and not a requirement, for the bidders to challenge in their bids. Delivery responsibility for the construction of Borders Railway transferred to Network Rail from Scottish Ministers on 5 November 2012.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316217,"EventID":"S5W-02939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T17:28:31.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many passengers used the Borders Railway in its first year of operation, broken down by (a) station and (b) quarters of the year.","AnswerText":"This detailed passenger information for the first year of Borders Railway operation is not available at this time. These figures will be provided by ScotRail in due course.\r\nScotRail confirmed at a one year anniversary event held on 9 of September 2016 that over 1 million passengers have used the Borders Railway","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316218,"EventID":"S5W-02941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-19T17:28:32.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the requirement for a maximum journey time of 55 minutes from Edinburgh to Tweedbank, which was in Transport Scotland’s 2009 prequalification document for the Borders Railway, has changed so that 55 minutes is now the minimum journey time, with a longest scheduled time of 65 minutes.","AnswerText":"The extension of certain journeys beyond 55 minutes between Edinburgh and Tweedbank is a direct result of the rail industry timetable planning process. It addressed conflicts with other services operating on the East Coast Main Line resulting in their extended journey times.\r\nCurrently 82% of scheduled services are timetabled to run at 57 minutes or less and only ONE service out of 68 is timetabled to run at 65 minutes.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316238,"EventID":"S5W-03001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T10:58:55.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when its accessible travel framework will be published.","AnswerText":"Going Further - Scotland’s Accessible Travel Framework was published on 21 September 2016. The document is available in SPICe - Bib number 58195.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316239,"EventID":"S5W-02903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:25.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it (a) has had and (b) plans with the UK Government regarding the impact of Brexit on the rollout of superfast broadband in Scotland.","AnswerText":"There have been no meetings with the UK Government specifically on the impact of Brexit on the rollout of superfast broadband in Scotland. However, Scottish Ministers are liaising with UK counterparts on the wider financial implications of Brexit. The impact of Brexit was also discussed at my meeting with Sharon White, Chief Executive of Ofcom, on 24 August 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316240,"EventID":"S5W-02910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:26.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the pledge in the 2016 SNP manifesto, for what reason it has extended the target date for 100% roll-out of superfast broadband to 2021. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government set out a commitment to extend superfast broadband access to 100 per cent of premises by 2021 in the Programme for Government, published on 6 September 2016. There was no previous Scottish Government commitment around superfast broadband access so there is no question of a target date having been extended. Our 2020 commitment relates to the delivery of world class, future-proofed digital infrastructure, rather than superfast broadband access.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316241,"EventID":"S5W-02960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:27.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-18T19:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to using its new benefit top-up powers to tackle child poverty by increasing Child Benefit.","AnswerText":"Tackling poverty and inequality is a key priority for this Government and we will look seriously at all measures that have the potential to reduce child poverty in Scotland. A huge amount of work is underway to consider options on what we might do differently in Scotland with the new powers, and consultations on social security and child poverty are ongoing.\r\nWe have already made commitments to extend the eligibility for winter fuel payments to families with children in receipt of the highest care component of the Disability Living Allowance, and to replace the Sure Start Maternity Grant with an expanded Best Start Grant.\r\nAll of this is set against the backdrop of a tough financial climate and decisions will be required to ensure we deliver a system that best meets the needs of those most in need – one that is affordable, deliverable, and above all ensure a safe and secure transition for all those who rely on the benefits that will be devolved.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316242,"EventID":"S5W-02971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:28.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T12:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of all grants that have been approved each year by the Climate Challenge Fund, and what criteria are used to determine whether to issue a grant.","AnswerText":"Since 2008, the Climate Challenge Fund has made 873 awards valued at £75.7 million to 588 communities.\r\nApplications to the Climate Challenge Fund are assessed, by an Independent Grants Panel, against a criteria of:\r\nCommunity - community must be at the heart of decision making process of the project; projects must be designed and delivered by communities themselves. \r\nCarbon Reduction – the funded activity should lead to measurable carbon reductions, improve carbon literacy and help communities move to low carbon living.\r\nLegacy – the project should deliver a low carbon legacy, with outcomes that continue after the project is completed.\r\nIn addition, applications are assessed against the following elements:\r\nManagement and governance\r\nProject planning\r\nState Aid\r\nProject finances\r\nInformation on all grants approved by the Climate Challenge Fund can be found on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nFunding rounds 1-19: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Environment/climatechange/howyoucanhelp/communities/ClimateChallengeFund\r\nFunding rounds 20-22: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Environment/climatechange/ccf/projects","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316243,"EventID":"S5W-02985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:30.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support Choose Life co-ordinators in the next five years.","AnswerText":"Support to Choose Life coordinators is currently provided by NHS Health Scotland's National Suicide Prevention Programme team on behalf of the Scottish Government.\r\nIn 2017 we will publish a new Suicide Prevention Strategy; our development of this Strategy will include consideration of local suicide prevention actions and how best to support this in the future.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316244,"EventID":"S5W-02996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:31.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T17:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on ending means-testing of legal support and services in the context of domestic abuse.","AnswerText":"Domestic abuse is an abhorrent crime which causes devastating effects on victims and their families. The Scottish Government recognises that ensuring that women are able to access appropriate and timely legal advice to safeguard their interests and apply for protection of the civil law where necessary is vital. That is why we continue to invest in the Scottish Women’s Right Centre, which included £215,000 for the funding period 1 March 2015 – 30 September 2016, to ensure that women in Scotland affected by gender based violence have timely access to legal advice and representation in ways best suited to their circumstances.\r\nFollowing the judgement in WF v Scottish Ministers [2016] CSOH 27, the Scottish Government has made a determination so that non-means tested legal aid is available to any person, including complainers in domestic abuse cases, whose sensitive records are potentially going to be disclosed in a criminal case. This is to ensure access to justice as the court considers whether disclosure is necessary.\r\nIt is the case that the introduction of non-means tested legal support has been considered previously by Parliament. This was in the context of consideration of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill in 2011. This Member’s Bill included at introduction provision for non-means tested legal aid for people seeking a civil protection order to protect against domestic abuse. Parliament took the view that such an approach did not represent the best use of scarce public resources. In particular, it was noted that such an approach would give rise to an inequality of arms argument which meant that non-means tested legal aid would likely also have to be granted to those defending an action. There was also questions raised about the domestic abuse cases being treated differently from other cases within the legal aid system and about how the proposal would work when a court action covers a domestic abuse civil protection order and other matters such as divorce, or contact and residence orders. In light of these concerns, Parliament decided to remove the relevant provisions at Stage two of the Bill process.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316245,"EventID":"S5W-02906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:32.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will allocate the £0.5 million to support digital business exchanges that was referred to the 2016-17 Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"The funding allocation announced in the Programme for Government is aimed at encouraging more Internet Service Providers, content providers and local businesses with an online dependency and customer base in Scotland to join IXScotland – the first Internet Exchange point in Scotland, which we helped launch in 2013.\r\nWe are currently working up detailed proposals for the scheme, in conjunction with key partners including the IXScotland Steering Group. We will announce more details in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316246,"EventID":"S5W-02908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:33.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had in the last year to discuss extending the 100% roll-out target for superfast broadband to 2021, and who attended.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not extended the timeframe for achieving our 100 per cent superfast broadband commitment, which was set out in the Programme for Government on 6 September 2016. We had no prior commitment to achieving 100 per cent superfast access.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316247,"EventID":"S5W-02959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:34.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-18T19:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to using its new benefit top-up powers to compensate recipients of the Employment Support Allowance work related activity component, who will lose £30 a week from April 2017.","AnswerText":"We have made clear that our priority is the safe and secure transition of the benefit areas that are being devolved to Scotland. To support that, we are currently consulting on how we might use our new social security powers.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316248,"EventID":"S5W-02974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:35.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T12:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02070 by Roseanna Cunningham on 7 September 2016, what (a) monitoring and (b) auditing of the Climate Challenge Fund (i) has been carried out each year, (ii) is being carried out and (iii) is planned.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02973 on 27 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at : http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316249,"EventID":"S5W-02991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:36.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T17:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provision it is making to introduce a travelling domestic abuse court for remote and rural areas. ","AnswerText":"Sheriffs Principal are responsible for court programmes (which include Domestic Abuse Courts) and under their legislative duty, they are tasked to ensuring the efficient disposal of business in their Sheriffdom. Scottish Ministers have no locus of control over decisions relating to court programmes. \r\nMore generally, we recognise that domestic abuse courts can play a valuable role as part of an overall effective court programming approach to dealing with domestic abuse cases. Specialist domestic abuse courts, clustering or fast tracking of these types of cases is happening at courts around the country.\r\nThe Scottish Government has provided an additional overall £2.4 million per year (2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18) to the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. This additional funding is being used to ensure court waiting times for domestic abuse cases are reducing to eight to ten weeks during 2016-17 and onwards. We continue to engage with justice partners and the Sheriff Principal to assist in efforts to explore whether a new pilot domestic abuse court would be appropriate in Grampians and Highlands.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316250,"EventID":"S5W-02881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:38.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking through its Better Broadband Scheme to increase the take-up of standard broadband services; how much of the funding that it allocated to the scheme (a) has been spent and (b) remains unspent, and how many applications to it (i) have been approved, broken down by amount awarded to each applicant, (ii) have been rejected, broken down by the reason, and (iii) are pending a decision.","AnswerText":"The Better Broadband Scheme is a UK Government initiative. Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) funds the scheme; sets the eligibility criteria for vouchers; and approves suppliers to be part of the voucher scheme. All financial transactions are undertaken by BDUK. The Scottish Government’s role is to process applications in Scotland, assess these against BDUK’s eligibility criteria, and issue voucher codes. The Scottish Government has not allocated any funding to the scheme and is not sighted on how much funding remains available. The UK Government has not allocated a specific amount of funding to Scotland.\r\nTo date, the Scottish Government has approved 169 voucher applications. These vouchers do not have a specific fixed value but are capped at £350. As financial transactions are undertaken by BDUK, we are unable to confirm the amounts ultimately awarded to each applicant.\r\nThe Scottish Government has deemed 40 applications ineligible as these did not meet the criteria set by BDUK. Detailed reasons are set out in the following table:\r\nAlready has Satellite\r\n5\r\nAlready connected to fibre\r\n5\r\nPart of CBS project\r\n12\r\nScheduled to receive Fibre within next 6-12 months\r\n9\r\nCan obtain speeds in excess of 2Mbps\r\n9\r\n35 applications are currently pending a decision.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316251,"EventID":"S5W-02900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:39.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its investment priorities are for the new round of procurement for superfast broadband rollout and, if these have not been agreed, by what date it will do so.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring superfast broadband access for 100 per cent of premises across Scotland. Commercial investment will play a key role in delivering this target. We would anticipate that public sector funding will be focused primarily on extending superfast connectivity to rural areas, with commercial roll-out covering urban areas. \r\nPrecise investment priorities will be determined once an Open Market Review (OMR) has been completed and the findings analysed. It is not possible, at this stage, to specify a precise date; though we expect the OMR to begin in the coming months.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316252,"EventID":"S5W-02964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:40.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-18T19:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what employability support will be available from April 2017 for people not eligible for the (a) Work First Scotland and (b) Work Able Scotland programme. ","AnswerText":"There will continue to be a range of employability support in Scotland in 2017-18 for those who are not eligible for Work First Scotland and Work Able Scotland. This includes Scottish Government funded provision, such as the Employability Fund. Our national skills agency, Skills Development Scotland also provides a range of support and training to help people to gain the skills they need to find work, and to stay in work. \r\nThe Scottish Government works in partnership with wide range of Third Sector Organisations and each of Scotland’s Local Authorities to offer a range of local employability services. More detail is at http://www.employabilityinscotland.com/. With the functions of JobCentre Plus remaining reserved, the UK Government continues to have a primary responsibility for supporting those who are unemployed and in receipt of working age benefits back to work.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316253,"EventID":"S5W-02887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:41.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with broadband providers in the last year regarding the speeds that they offer customers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular dialogue with broadband providers on a range of issues, including speeds. I most recently met with BT on 6 September 2016 at which broadband speed issues were discussed. Ofcom, the UK telecoms regulator, has a key role in overseeing the quality of service, and speeds, delivered by broadband providers. I recently met Sharon White, Ofcom’s Chief Executive, where broadband speeds, and wider quality of service issues, were discussed.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316254,"EventID":"S5W-02901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:42.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date 100% rollout of broadband will be achieved.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring superfast broadband access for 100 per cent of premises across Scotland by 2021.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316255,"EventID":"S5W-02962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:43.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-18T19:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of comments made by the Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities in an interview with the Daily Record on 10 September 2016, when it will announce plans to stop sanctions being applied to the participants of Scottish employability programmes when they commence in 2017.","AnswerText":"As was noted in the Parliamentary debate on Employability Services on 5 October 2016, the Scottish Government believes that devolved employment services will be better if they are voluntary, an approach consistent with other devolved skills and employability support. We have now been advised twice by DWP Ministers that this is a matter for the Scottish Government in relation to both our employability services in 2017 and those in the future. We will continue to press the UK Government for confirmation that their benefit conditionality requirements won’t impact on voluntary engagement on devolved services.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316256,"EventID":"S5W-02994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:44.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T17:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce judicial reform in relation to child witnesses to avoid or reduce the need for them having to give evidence in court.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving the experience of children and young people who come into contact with Scotland’s justice system. \r\nThe Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service’s Evidence and Procedure Review made a compelling case for reform, particularly in relation to how child and vulnerable witnesses give evidence in criminal cases. As noted in our Programme for Government, the Scottish Government is working with key stakeholders across the justice system to examine and progress the necessary steps to enable the greater use of pre-recorded evidence, which has the potential to help children and other vulnerable witnesses to avoid the stress and anxiety of appearing in court.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316257,"EventID":"S5W-02898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:45.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to assist the 132,000 premises that were referred to at page 10 of the August 2016 Audit Scotland Report, Superfast broadband for Scotland: A progress update, which will not have broadband access, and how much it would cost to roll out such access to these premises,","AnswerText":"Audit Scotland’s report estimates that 132,000 premises will not have access to fibre broadband following completion of the Digital Scotland programme. In the vast majority of cases, these premises will be able to access basic broadband (minimum of 2Mbps) or access funding, via the Better Broadband Scheme, to improve their service.\r\nThe Scottish Government has made a commitment to deliver 100 per cent superfast broadband access by 2021. All premises that do not have superfast access delivered commercially or via the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme will be eligible for inclusion in our programme for new public investment aimed at extending coverage.\r\nThere are no definitive cost estimates available at this time. This will be dependent on the exact number of premises remaining unserved and the nature of the technology deployed.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316258,"EventID":"S5W-02984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:47.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding was provided to each local authority to implement the suicide prevention strategy, Choose Life, in each year since 2013.","AnswerText":"Provision of £3.298 million per annum was added to the Local Government Finance Settlement baseline from 2008-09 for the \"Choose Life\" Strategy and included within the block grant support from the Scottish Government. It is the responsibility of each individual authority to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them, including funding for the suicide prevention strategy, on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316259,"EventID":"S5W-02997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:48.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T19:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how greenhouse gas savings from the restoration of degraded peat compare with potential savings from tree planting. ","AnswerText":"Both tree planting and peatland restoration can provide greenhouse gas savings. However it is not possible to provide a strict comparison as to the relative scale of greenhouse gas benefits as this will depend on a wide variety of factors such as soil type and condition and type of tree being planted. The level of greenhouse gas sequestration for both will build up over time.\r\nGreenhouse gas estimates for peatland restoration are currently in the process of being finalised but the estimates provided by ClimateXChange for the second Report on Policies and proposals suggested peatland would deliver net emission reductions of 1.5 tCO2e/ha (cumulative) over five years; 12 tCO2e/ha over 15 years, 21 tco2e/ha over 20 years and 32.5 tCO2e over 25 years. We expect to see updated estimates later this year.\r\nOn average the Greenhouse gas savings from tree planting would be 4.25 tco2e/ha (cumulative) over five years; 55.5 tco2e/ha over 15 years; 161.5 tco2e/ha over 20 years and 283 tco2e/ha over 25 years.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316260,"EventID":"S5W-02907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:49.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £20 billion referred to in the 2016-17 Programme for Government that is to be allocated to transport, housing, digital and water infrastructure projects will go to digital projects, broken down by project.","AnswerText":"The Draft Budget document for this financial year sets out the Scottish Government's spending plans for 2016-17, including investment in digital projects.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316261,"EventID":"S5W-02958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:50.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-18T19:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to use its new benefit top-up powers to increase the Employment and Support Allowance to ensure that it keeps pace with inflation, in line with its pledge in its amendment, S5M-00374.3, that disability benefits should be \"increased at least in line with inflation to ensure that they cover the cost of living.\"","AnswerText":"Employment and Support Allowance will remain reserved to the UK Government. Uprating is therefore a matter for that Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316262,"EventID":"S5W-02973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:51.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T12:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02070 by Roseanna Cunningham on 7 September 2016, what (a) monitoring and (b) auditing of the grants that are issued by the Climate Challenge Fund (i) has been carried out each year, (ii) is being carried and (iii) is planned.","AnswerText":"The Climate Challenge Fund is managed on behalf of the Scottish Government, under contract, by Keep Scotland Beautiful. As the Fund’s administrator, Keep Scotland Beautiful operate a continuous monitoring system of all funded projects to ensure grant compliance and measure progress against outcomes agreed in approved applications. Grant recipients submit monthly progress reports which cover financial updates, project progress and support requirements.\r\nIn addition to monthly reports, Keep Scotland Beautiful officers have more regular contact with grant recipients. This includes project visits to verify information provided and assess overall progress of funded projects.\r\nFurthermore, in order for payments to be issued to grant recipients, all items of expenditure must be evidenced and in line with the activities identified in the approved application.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316263,"EventID":"S5W-02990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:52.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T17:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there are sufficient treatment programmes available for domestic abuse offenders. ","AnswerText":"The justice system has an important role in the enforcement of the law and prevention of violence against women and girls. This includes the provision of appropriate perpetrator programmes for domestic abuse offenders where this is deemed a suitable alternative to custody.\r\nThe Caledonian System is available in 13 local authorities across Scotland. It is funded by the Scottish Government in the amount of £2.3 million per year. The Caledonian System runs an integrated service (with parallel men’s, women’s and children’s services) aimed at addressing domestic abuse perpetrated by adult male offenders and improving the lives of women and children. An evaluation of the Programme is expected to be published before the end of 2016. The Scottish Government will consider carefully the recommendations of the Evaluation report within the wider context of work on going to prevent and eradicate violence against women.\r\nThe Scottish Government also funds the Respekt Project which is a part of Safer Families Edinburgh, based within the Children and Families Department of City of Edinburgh Council. It is an intervention for Polish families consisting of a behaviour change programme for perpetrators and a support, advocacy and safety planning service for their partners. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316264,"EventID":"S5W-02992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:54.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T17:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what account it has taken of the provisions in the Serious Crime Act 2015 in preparing its new domestic abuse legislation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will bring forward a Bill in year one of this Parliamentary session which will include a new domestic abuse offence. In discussion and engagement with relevant Scottish stakeholders, a number of views have been offered including on whether the new offence should only be focused on psychological abuse and coercive control (as the offence in the Serious Crime Act 2015 is), or whether the new offence should be wider, encompassing the whole range of abusive behaviour which can occur in a relationship. We will carefully consider these views before introducing the legislation as we are determined to develop that offence in line with the expectations and views of stakeholders. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316265,"EventID":"S5W-02902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:55.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of how it will fund the additional £42 million likely to be necessary to extend broadband that is referred to at page 12 of the August 2016 Audit Scotland Report, Superfast broadband for Scotland: A progress update. ","AnswerText":"The £42 million referred to in the Audit Scotland report has already been confirmed. It comprises a £21 million allocation from the UK Government, which has been matched by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316266,"EventID":"S5W-02904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:56.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Community Broadband Projects (a) there are and (b) it plans, and how it will ensure that these are fully-funded.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s support for community broadband projects is delivered through Community Broadband Scotland (CBS). CBS currently has 14 projects underway and in build; and a further 49 projects either about to enter the procurement or consultation phase. CBS is working with these communities to refine their plans and, in some cases, to determine whether they still want to progress a community owned or managed project. If so, funding will be made available to help deliver that aspiration, where a sustainable business case exists.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316267,"EventID":"S5W-02961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:57.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-18T19:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to a national roll-out of the Healthier, Wealthier Children programme.","AnswerText":"The Healthier, Wealthier Children (HWC) model is being rolled out through our commitment to enable NHS Scotland to support income maximisation because it is known that many families with young children and pregnant women are not aware of the benefits they are entitled too. \r\nThrough the Early years collaborative a number of Community Planning Partnerships including Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Inverclyde and the Lanarkshires are testing income maximisation support involving midwives signposting pregnant women and families with young children to local advice about welfare and benefits. NHS Highland is spreading this activity throughout its midwifery services. This work is now part of a coordinated spread plan.\r\nIn addition, NHS Health Scotland has pledged working in partnership with NHS Boards to develop national referral pathways between NHS services and local advice services to maximise the income of patients by 2018. To aid these commitments NHS Health Scotland have developed a new eLearning module on child poverty health and wellbeing which was launched this month. The module is particularly relevant to health visitors and midwives and is a good example of ways to help raise the awareness of child poverty - and the impact it has on children’s health and wellbeing.\r\nAlso, a key aspect of the support for this kind of activity is the expansion of community Links Workers nationally which shares the same principles as the HWC programme. We will have 250 Links Workers in place by the end of the Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316268,"EventID":"S5W-02963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:58.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-18T19:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether plans to stop sanctions being applied to the participants of Scottish employability programmes will apply to permanent programmes scheduled to commence in 2018.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02962 on 7 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316269,"EventID":"S5W-02993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:28:59.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T17:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates it has met the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service to discuss introducing a travelling domestic abuse court for remote and rural areas, and whether it will publish the minutes. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government meets regularly with the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service (SCTS) to discuss a range of matters. The SCTS is also represented on the Equally Safe Justice Expert Group and the Violence Against Women and Girls Joint Strategic Board which oversee and drive forward progress with Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls. Minutes of these meetings are not published.\r\nGlasgow and Edinburgh Sheriff Courts currently operate specialist domestic abuse courts. Elsewhere across Scotland, a range of cluster courts to deal with domestic abuse cases are held, including at Falkirk, Dunfermline, Livingston and Ayr. Where cluster courts are not in operation, cases known to be domestic abuse related are fast-tracked through court by the allocation of earlier trial diets.\r\nUnder the terms of the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008, responsibility for court programming, including for domestic abuse related cases, is a matter for the senior judiciary.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316270,"EventID":"S5W-02995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:29:01.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T17:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase abuse recovery services nationally for children and their families.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking a number of actions to increase abuse recovery services nationally for children and their families.\r\nWe have commissioned NHS Education Scotland to lead the development of a comprehensive Skills and Knowledge Framework and National Training Plan for those working with those of all ages who are affected by trauma and abuse in Scotland.\r\nIn 2016 we are investing over £3.4million through our Children’s Services Fund to deliver specialist services for children and young people experiencing domestic abuse\r\nThe Equally Safe strategy, published in March 2016, aims to prevent and eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls including children experiencing domestic abuse.\r\nThrough the Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention Fund the Scottish Government funds a number of third sector organisations who deliver prevention services, and provide support for children and young people who have suffered from different forms of abuse\r\nWe have invested £19.8 million over the last seven years to increase the number of psychologists working in specialist CAMHS and to improve mental health services across the whole of Scotland, we’re investing an additional £150 million for mental health over five years.\r\nIn addition, Scotland is one of the few countries in the world that has dedicated funding for support services for adult survivors of child abuse. Since 2007, the Scottish Government has invested £9million to third and voluntary sector organisations which offer a wide range of local services across Scotland that support survivors of child abuse, with a further £1.5million invested in survivor support services for people who experienced abuse whilst in care. The Scottish Government’s Survivor Scotland Innovation and Development fund in 2015-16 provides a further £1million to support services for all survivors.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316271,"EventID":"S5W-02886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:29:02.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how the £20 million advance paid by HIE to BT that is referred to at page 10 of the August 2016 Audit Scotland Report, Superfast broadband for Scotland: A progress update, was spent; for what reason this advance was paid; whether payment of such advances is normal practice, and what (a) its position is on whether this was in line with and (b) action it took to ensure that this did not breach EU state aid rules.","AnswerText":"The £20 million advance payment was made to enable the delivery of the substantial subsea backhaul deployment as part of the Highlands and Islands Digital Scotland contract. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) liaised with the Scottish and UK Governments at that time to confirm that the payment was in line with relevant procurement and State Aid rules. The payment was held in a separate account by BT and the funds were drawn down following evidence of eligible expenditure. The interest earned on the funds, which totalled £606,000, was returned to HIE when the £20 million had been drawn down in full. These funds will be used to extend coverage across the region.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316272,"EventID":"S5W-02888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:29:03.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many breaks in broadband service provision lasting (a) more than and (b) up to one hour there have been in each of the last 12 months in each Scottish Parliamentary (i) constituency and (ii) region, and what information it has regarding how many were due to (A) technical reasons and (B) over-subscription.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold detailed records on breaks in broadband service provision across Scotland. Ofcom, the UK telecoms regulator, is responsible for monitoring the quality of service delivered across the telecoms industry.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316273,"EventID":"S5W-02909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:29:04.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-15T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will carry out its commitment in the 2016-17 Programme for Government that it will \"equip all of its citizens with all of the skills necessary to gain the full benefits of broadband provisions\".","AnswerText":"Extending Digital Participation is an on-going programme that is innovative and responsive to advances in technology. It embraces a cradle to grave approach and offers choice to citizens, delivering options from basic digital skills through to employer recognised qualifications. \r\nThose who would benefit the most from being online are often those who are the more vulnerable in society. We have formed a unique partnership with Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations. An umbrella organisation for charities which already hold a trusted position within their communities to deliver bespoke digital inclusion projects. In addition we work with Housing Associations and other social landlords providing support to help their tenants to gain or improve their digital skills.\r\nLibraries are also valued delivery partners with an important part to play in increasing the levels and quality of digital participation in Scotland. A network of Digital Champions from each of the local authorities help support the investment in training and growing skills within staff and the public. \r\nOur partnership with Scottish Union Learning is increasing skills within the workplace and our support for extracurricular coding clubs encourages young people to increase their digital skills and improve employability.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316274,"EventID":"S5W-02986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:29:05.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it assesses the work done by each local community planning partnership on suicide prevention.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government sets national policy and direction for suicide prevention. It does not formally assess local suicide prevention action as this is a matter for local agencies to plan and implement, taking account of local needs and local circumstances. \r\nSupport to local Choose Life coordinators and their partners in implementing local action is provided by NHS Health Scotland's National Suicide Prevention Programme team on behalf of the Scottish Government.\r\nNationally we monitor annual statistics on deaths by suicide, using five-year rolling averages, which show that in the last ten years, there has been a reduction of 18% in the rate of suicide in Scotland. The work which is being done locally is supporting this reduction.\r\nIn 2017 we will publish a new Suicide Prevention Strategy; our development of this Strategy will include consideration of local suicide prevention actions and how best to support this in the future.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316275,"EventID":"S5W-03018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T13:29:06.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T12:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what minimum level of national broadband coverage by 31 December 2021 it considers will be acceptable, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to extending superfast broadband access to 100 per cent of premises across Scotland by 2021.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316295,"EventID":"S5W-02763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T17:21:31.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will cost to operate the International Education Advisory Panel; whether it will publish the minutes of the panel's inaugural meeting, and on what future dates it is scheduled to meet.","AnswerText":"The costs associated with each meeting of the International Council of Education Advisers, together with the minutes of the meeting will be published on the Scottish Government website at the following address: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Education/Schools/govscot\r\nMembers of the International Council of Education Advisers (ICEA) are appointed on a voluntary and personal basis. They do not receive any direct remuneration related to this role. All reasonable expenses incurred by members in the course of attending the ICEA are met by the Scottish Government. These include air travel, meal allowances and accommodation.\r\nThe ICEA will meet again in February and September 2017, with dates to be confirmed.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316296,"EventID":"S5W-03004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T17:21:32.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T12:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many entries to the Interim Vulnerable Persons Database (iVPD) there have been by each local authority in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. The management of the interim Vulnerable Persons Database is a matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316297,"EventID":"S5W-02742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T17:21:33.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) three- and (b) four-year-olds are on waiting lists for access to early learning and childcare, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Information on waiting lists to early learning and childcare is not held centrally. Local Authorities are under a duty to provide early learning and childcare places to all three and four year olds from set times following their 3rd birthday under the Provision of Early Learning and Childcare (Specified Children) (Scotland) Order 2014. It is for local authorities to manage their own registration and admission policies. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316298,"EventID":"S5W-03021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T17:21:34.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T13:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will monitor the annual impact of marine protected areas on the inshore fishing industry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently gathering evidence to monitor and assess the socioeconomic effect of marine protected area (MPA) management using the following methods:\r\n(a) interviews representatives of various marine user groups;\r\n(b) Marine Scotland compliance enforcement activities;\r\n(c) analysis data on fish landings since introduction of MPA management measures; and\r\n(d) case studies of selected coastal communities. \r\nThe Scottish Government will provide a first report at the end of 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316299,"EventID":"S5W-02741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T17:21:35.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is over the next five years for the delivery of the 1,140 hours of free early learning and childcare for three- and four-year-olds referred to in the Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"We are committed to ensuring that the necessary infrastructure, workforce and delivery models are in place to meet our commitment to expand early learning and childcare entitlement to 1140 hours per year by 2020. As I announced to Parliamentary on 29 September 2016, we will shortly be publishing a Policy Blueprint consultation document which will seek views on the Scottish Government’s vision and principles for the expansion, and will set out a timetable for key next steps.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316300,"EventID":"S5W-03009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T17:21:36.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T12:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) full-time and (b) retained firefighters there have been in each of the last five years, also broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is contained within the following statistical publications:\r\nFire and Rescue Service Fire Safety and Organisational Statistics, Scotland, which is available on the Scottish Government website at: www.gov.scot; and,\r\nFire Safety and Organisational Statistics, Scotland, which are available on the website of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at: www.firescotland.gov.uk\r\nFirefighter numbers by local authority area have only been collected since 2013-14.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316301,"EventID":"S5W-03022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T17:21:37.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work has had with the Treasury on tax relief for oil and gas decommissioning work, and what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has, on many occasions, made representations to the UK Treasury on all matters relating to oil and gas. The Scottish Government is keen to ensure the oil and gas fiscal regime is robust and fit for purpose, with the aim of maintaining the North Sea as an attractive place for investment, but also one that ensures the right assets are in the right hands to prevent premature cessation of production.\r\nWith regard to oil and gas and decommissioning, the Cabinet Secretary met with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 30 June 2016 to discuss this, among other issues of importance to Scotland. The Cabinet Secretary highlighted the need for urgent action on the UK Loan Guarantee Scheme to support investment in oil and gas assets and infrastructure, which was originally announced by the UK Government in the Spring Budget 2016.\r\nIt was also impressed upon the Chief Secretary that decommissioning was a major opportunity, with the potential for Scotland to become a centre of expertise. The Cabinet Secretary stressed the need for the UK Government to do all it could to support this ambition.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316302,"EventID":"S5W-03024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T17:21:38.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T14:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many premises in Shetland do not have access to superfast broadband under the existing or planned infrastructure programmes and will be dependent on the winner of the bid for the contract for the superfast broadband programme that was published on 9 September 2016.","AnswerText":"The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme will deliver 95% fibre broadband access by the end of 2017. Following completion of DSSB deployment, 76% of premises in Shetland will have access to fibre broadband. Only 21% coverage would have been delivered commercially.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to delivering 100% superfast broadband access by 2021. We plan to launch an Open Market Review, ahead of new procurement activity in 2017, to determine (a) what has been delivered commercially and (b) what will be delivered commercially over the next three years. This will require suppliers to provide speed information at an individual premises level. We will use this information to define a new intervention area for future public investment in broadband, comprising those premises that are unable to receive superfast speeds.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316303,"EventID":"S5W-03005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T17:21:40.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T12:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of applications for alcohol premise licenses in each local authority have been refused in each year since 2007-08, also broken down by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation decile.","AnswerText":"At Scotland level, the number of premises licence applications refused under section 23 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 during the years 2010-11 to 2014-15 is in the following table.\r\nThe Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 came fully into force in September 2009 and 2010-11 was the first full year of operation under these new licensing arrangements. Figures from these new arrangements cannot be compared to earlier years' figures due to changes in the way licences are now being administered (for instance, single licences for premises which were previously subject to multiple licences, and registered clubs coming under the responsibility of licensing boards rather than sheriff courts).\r\nFigures for years 2010-11 to 2014-15 at local authority level can be obtained from http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/PubLiquor but numbers by SIMD decile are not collected centrally. On 7 October 2016, the figures at Scotland and local authority level for 2015-16 will be published on the Scottish Government website.\r\nNumber and proportion of premise licence applications refused under section 23 \r\nof the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, 2010-11 to 2014-15\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nNumber of applications refused under section 23\r\n10\r\n21\r\n12\r\n14\r\n15\r\nNumber of applications granted under section 23\r\n327\r\n347\r\n342\r\n444\r\n435\r\nTotal applications under section 23\r\n337\r\n368\r\n354\r\n458\r\n450\r\nPercentage of applications which were refused\r\n3.0\r\n5.7\r\n3.4\r\n3.1\r\n3.3\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316304,"EventID":"S5W-03019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T17:21:41.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T12:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of premises in each Scottish Parliamentary constituency do not have access to broadband.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to state definitely which premises do not have access to broadband. The answer is dependent upon the commercial deployment of broadband, which the Scottish Government does not hold information on.\r\nThe 2016 Ofcom Communications Market Report estimated Scotland's broadband coverage to be 99.86% of all homes and businesses.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316305,"EventID":"S5W-02740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T17:21:42.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will provide in (a) real and (b) cash terms each year toward the provision of the additional 20,000 qualified early learning and childcare workers by 2020 referred to in the Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"Ahead of any recruitment campaign, the Scottish Government is currently working with delivery partners to explore all existing routes to recruit a high quality and diverse early learning and childcare workforce. A Skills Investment Plan is being developed and research is currently being conducted with target audiences. This work will inform the cost and scope of the recruitment campaign. We will start to target our marketing activity from spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316306,"EventID":"S5W-03006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T17:21:43.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T12:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many alcohol premise license applications have been made in each local authority in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The number of premises liquor licence applications received, by local authority area, in each of the years 2010-11 to 2014-15, can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/PubLiquor. \r\nThe Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 came fully into force in September 2009 and 2010-11 was the first full year of operation under these new licensing arrangements. Figures from these new arrangements cannot be compared to earlier years' figures due to changes in the way licences are now being administered (for instance, single licences for premises which were previously subject to multiple licences, and registered clubs coming under the responsibility of licensing boards rather than sheriff courts).\r\nOn 7 October 2016, the figures at Scotland and local authority level for 2015-16 will be published on the Scottish Government website.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316307,"EventID":"S5W-03023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T17:21:44.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the Stranraer taskforce, including when it will next meet.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government established the Stranraer Taskforce to work with Dumfries and Galloway Council and a number of other local partners, to explore the potential for the future of the Stranraer Waterfront, following the relocation of ferry services from the town.\r\nThe Taskforce was intended to be a short-life group. It met on four occasions between February 2012 and April 2013. It was agreed at the last meeting that the partners would continue to work together to deliver the Taskforce's aims.\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council has the primary responsibility for and lead role in implementing plans in relation to the regeneration of Stranraer Waterfront. Officials are kept informed of progress as necessary.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316308,"EventID":"S5W-02747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T17:21:45.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T11:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will provide in (a) real and (b) cash terms each year toward the pledge in the Programme for Government that \"by 2018, nurseries in our most deprived areas will benefit from an additional qualified teacher or childcare graduate\".","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02767 on 26 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316309,"EventID":"S5W-02743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T17:21:46.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-14T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the pilot deposit guarantee scheme for childcare costs referred to in the Programme for Government will operate; how much it will cost to introduce; what the budget will be; on what date it will be introduced, and how many people will be able to access it.","AnswerText":"The pilots will allow us to explore approaches to reducing the burden of upfront childcare costs for parents in low income households. There is a concern that these costs may present a real barrier to some parents starting or returning to work, or increasing their hours, after a period caring for young children.\r\nWe will work with delivery partners to identify potential approaches for delivering the pilots, and will announce more details as to how they will be taken forward in early 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316310,"EventID":"S5W-03020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-20T17:21:47.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T13:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures will be considered as part of a draft inshore fisheries bill that could give greater community control over the economic use of inshore waters.","AnswerText":"It is generally accepted that existing inshore fisheries legislation is somewhat outdated and emanates from legislating dating from 1967 and 1984. Discussions with key stakeholders will be required ahead of any formal work commencing, to help ascertain where improvements may be considered.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316327,"EventID":"S5W-03046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T11:50:18.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, following the decision of the UK Government not to allow the Pitchford inquiry into undercover policing in England and Wales to follow the operational evidence of undercover policing activity by Metropolitan Police units in Scotland, what action it plans to take.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is extremely disappointed that the UK Government has indicated it does not support extending the terms of reference of the Pitchford Inquiry into Undercover Policing to include the activities of undercover Metropolitan Police units in Scotland. We continue to believe that a single coherent inquiry is the most effective approach to provide a comprehensive investigation into these activities.\r\nAn extension of the terms of reference would have been the right thing to do, but in the light of the Home Office’s decision I have today directed Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland to undertake a strategic review of undercover policing in Scotland and to report on the extent and scale of undercover policing in Scotland conducted by Scottish policing since the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 came into force; and the extent and scale of undercover police operations carried out in Scotland by the National Public Order Intelligence Unit and the Special Demonstration Squad in the same period.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316328,"EventID":"S5O-00201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:38:12.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T17:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that there will be a legacy arising from the success of the Scottish competitors at the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316329,"EventID":"S5O-00202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5622,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:38:13.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how many local authorities have outstanding equal pay claims.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316330,"EventID":"S5O-00203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:38:14.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T18:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of high street banks that have retail operations in Scotland and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316331,"EventID":"S5O-00204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5868,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:38:15.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that housing developments do not have a negative impact on the character and infrastructure of villages.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316332,"EventID":"S5O-00205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:38:16.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding tackling hate crime.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316333,"EventID":"S5O-00206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:38:17.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T08:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken since January 2016 to improve air quality in Aberdeen.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316334,"EventID":"S5O-00207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:38:17.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to ensure that the Scottish Ambulance Service supports co-responding of emergency services to road traffic accidents.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316335,"EventID":"S5O-00208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:38:19.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet ScotRail.","AnswerText":"I am due to meet with Scotrail's Managing Director next week.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316336,"EventID":"S5O-00209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:38:20.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking as a result of the recent transport summit in Dumfries and Galloway. ","AnswerText":"We published a report on the 19 September 2016 which detailed 13 actions which cover a range of short, medium and longer term measures, the first of which is a traffic study for the villages of Crocketford and Springholm on the A75. \r\nWe have also committed to review that National Transport Strategy and the Strategic Transport Projects Review which together, will provide a blueprint for transport in Scotland for the 21st Century. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316337,"EventID":"S5O-00210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:38:21.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the results of The Scottish Health Survey. ","AnswerText":"I welcome the results of the Scottish Health Survey which highlighted a number of key areas where we are making progress, for example, the proportion of children of healthy weight (72 per cent) increased in the last year and for boys has increased year on year since 2011. The survey confirmed a significant reduction in smoking prevalence since 2003 (down from 28 per cent to 21 per cent) with smokers smoking fewer cigarettes on average, and in particular, the news that exposure of children to second-hand smoke in the home fell from 11 per cent in 2014 to six per cent, meeting the 2020 target announced at the launch of the smoke-free homes campaign in 2014. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316338,"EventID":"S5O-00181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5587,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:39:58.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its reforms of school governance will contribute to closing the attainment gap between pupils from the poorest and wealthiest backgrounds.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316339,"EventID":"S5O-00182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:39:59.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with the Attainment Scotland Fund.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316340,"EventID":"S5O-00183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:00.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on making it mandatory to train teachers about inclusive education.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316341,"EventID":"S5O-00184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:00.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to help and support students from Scotland who want to study elsewhere in the EU.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316342,"EventID":"S5O-00185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:01.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that there is equality in admissions to university places for people who meet the entrance requirements.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316343,"EventID":"S5O-00186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:02.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the implications of Brexit for the college sector.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316344,"EventID":"S5O-00187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:04.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T17:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the provision of physical education and extra-curricular activity in schools is encouraging children to lead active and healthy lifestyles. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316345,"EventID":"S5O-00188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:04.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T17:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the mechanism will be for distributing monies from the Attainment Scotland Fund to schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316346,"EventID":"S5O-00189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:05.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contribution improving support at school for young children with autism will make towards meeting its ambition to close the educational attainment gap.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316347,"EventID":"S5O-00190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:06.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide an update on the progress of its education governance review.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316348,"EventID":"S5O-00191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:07.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the condition of college buildings.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316349,"EventID":"S5O-00192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:08.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the SQA regarding the future of the Scottish Baccalaureate.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular discussions with the Scottish Qualifications Authority on all of its National Qualifications.\r\nThere has been no recent discussion with SQA regarding the future of the Scottish Baccalaureate.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316350,"EventID":"S5O-00193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:09.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will implement the recommendations arising from its consultation on the Apprenticeship Levy.","AnswerText":"The Apprenticeship Levy was announced by the UK Government without any prior consultation with the Scottish Government, or indeed others who will be liable for paying the levy.\r\nThe consultation undertaken by the Scottish Government closed on 26 August 2016 and independent analysis of the near 400 responses is now underway, once that concludes we will form our response in Scotland. However, initial analysis does suggest broad support from employers and stakeholders to the areas proposed in the consultation.\r\nWe are acutely aware of the need to provide employers and training providers with clarity over our approach to the Levy in Scotland and will be looking to do so as quickly as we can.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316351,"EventID":"S5O-00194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:10.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T14:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage universities to increase the number of Scotland-domiciled medicine undergraduates.","AnswerText":"We are building a sustainable medical workforce for the future. We welcome students from Scotland, the rest of the UK and EU who want to study and work in NHS Scotland and are taking a number of actions to encourage this. To increase supply and widen access we are investing £23 million in an education package which includes an increase of 50 medical undergraduate places from 2016-17, the establishment of Scotland’s first graduate medical entry programme and a pre-medical entry programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316352,"EventID":"S5O-00195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:10.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T09:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that schools have enough teachers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains fully committed to maintaining teacher numbers nationally. We are committed to ensuring we have the right number of teachers, with the right skills, in the right places to educate our young people.\r\nAll 32 local authorities accepted the terms of the local government finance settlement for 2016-17, including a commitment to maintain the pupil teacher ratio nationally at a value of 13.7 – the same as in 2015. A funding package of £88 million has been identified to support this commitment, and to ensure that places are provided for all probationers requiring a place on the teacher induction scheme.\r\nThe Scottish Government conducts an annual teacher workforce planning exercise, in partnership with other educational stakeholders, which determines the number of teachers that need to be recruited at a national level each year. The teacher workforce planning exercise for 2017-18 will commence in October.2016","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316353,"EventID":"S5O-00196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5621,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:11.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to upgrade primary school buildings in the Highlands.","AnswerText":"The 1980 Education (Scotland) Act places a statutory responsibility on local authorities to provide and maintain schools across Scotland. \r\nHowever, through this Government's Schools for the Future programme we are currently replacing three primary schools, Craighill, Knockbreck and St Duthus as part of a new 3 to 18 Campus in Tain including Tain Royal Academy. Further to this we are also replacing another three secondary schools in Highland as part of a significant investment package of almost £63million to the Council, the second largest beneficiary from the programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316354,"EventID":"S5O-00197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:12.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to widen university access.","AnswerText":"We have already delivered substantial progress on access: in 2014-15 there were 1,000 more university entrants from our 20% most deprived communities than there were in 2006-07. \r\nHowever we recognise that there is more to do. That is why we established the Commission on Widening Access and have committed to working with partners to implement its recommendations in full.\r\nIn the meantime we continue to invest more than £51 million every year to support around 7,000 places targeted on disadvantaged learners and those progressing from college.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316355,"EventID":"S5O-00198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5809,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:13.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action Skills Development Scotland is taking to tackle the reported digital skills gap.","AnswerText":"Supported by £8.5 million of Scottish Government funding, Skills Development Scotland are working with with public sector partners and industry representatives to deliver a programme of work built around the recommendations in their Digital Skills Investment Plan.\r\nExamples of this collaborative work include the start-up of CodeClan, an industry-led digital skills academy designed to help meet the immediate digital skills needs faced by Scottish businesses. Another key action is the Digital World marketing campaign, aimed at young people and women in particular, to raise awareness about the careers and opportunities that digital skills and qualifications can create","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316356,"EventID":"S5O-00199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:14.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T09:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of people that choose teaching as a career.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking a series of actions to increase the number of people that choose teaching as a career. These include building on the success of our 'Inspiring Teachers' campaign with a more substantial recruitment campaign to be launched by the end of the year.\r\nIn addition we are working with the university sector and the General Teaching Council for Scotland to introduce new and innovative routes into teaching, including distance learning routes, that are designed to be attractive to a wide range of potential student teachers. Throughout we will ensure that Scotland’s high level of teacher professional standards is maintained while enabling suitably qualified individuals to make a positive contribution in our schools.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316357,"EventID":"S5O-00200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:40:15.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what investment it is making, and plans to make, in school infrastructure in Edinburgh Northern and Leith.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently providing significant investment of £62.5 million to the City of Edinburgh Council through the Government's Schools for the Future programme. The City Council is the third largest beneficiary from the programme, to replace three secondary schools and one primary. These projects were identified by the City of Edinburgh Council as its priority schools for investment.\r\nThe Government committed in our manifesto, that no child should have to learn in a school that is in poor or bad condition. Therefore during this Parliament, we will bring forward new proposals to build upon the success of our school building programme which rebuilt or refurbished 607 schools – almost a quarter of the school estate – between 2007 and 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316358,"EventID":"S5W-02934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:35.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the report in The Herald on 28 August 2015, Junior doctor brain drain gives NHS a headache, (a) how many and (b) what proportion of junior doctors have an average working week of 48 hours or less, broken down by NHS board, and what action it takes to enforce this.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02931 on 30 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316359,"EventID":"S5W-03027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:36.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress Police Scotland is making with regard to the rationalisation of control rooms.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for delivery of the project to re-structure police call handling rests with Police Scotland, with appropriate oversight by the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316360,"EventID":"S5W-03029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:37.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the figures published by the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland in the document, ADES Report on Headteacher Recruitment, which record that 411 teachers with Standard for Headship status were not working as headteachers in 2015, and what it considers the reasons are for this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has invited partners, including ADES and teachers’ representatives, to form a Working Group tasked with taking shared action on the Report’s recommendations. \r\nHolding the Standard for Headship is not, in itself, a ticket to promotion and aspirant headteachers are still required to complete local authority recruitment processes for headteacher posts. The new Into Headship programme, which replaces the Scottish Qualification for Headship and the Flexible Route to Headship, requires local authorities to confirm that their candidates are within two to three years of becoming a headteacher thereby helping to ensure those trained are ready for the role.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316361,"EventID":"S5W-03007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:38.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T12:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the number of households with pre-payment meters.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nHowever, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) publish quarterly information on regional variations in payment methods for domestic energy which is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/quarterly-domestic-energy-price-stastics.\r\nAs at March 2016, BEIS figures show that 20 per cent of Scottish standard electricity customers were paying through prepayment meters, compared to the GB average of 15 per cent. Similarly, 17 per cent of Scottish gas customers paid through prepayment meters, compared to a GB average of 15 per cent.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316362,"EventID":"S5W-03011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:40.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T12:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many apprenticeship opportunities there are in engineering. ","AnswerText":"During 2015-16 there were 1,073 new apprenticeships starts on the Engineering Framework. At the end of the March 2016 there were a total of 4,207 MAs in training on this framework.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316363,"EventID":"S5W-03013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:41.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T12:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the impact of changes to the reported reduction of part-time courses in the further education sector.","AnswerText":"Over the last Parliament, colleges maintained our 2011 commitment to deliver 116,000 Full-time Equivalent college places. We are continuing this commitment, focused on purposeful, job-focused learning.\r\nShort courses leading to work or progression are still available, with the number of part-time college enrolments in Higher (HE) and Further Education (FE) remaining stable since 2012-13.\r\nWe recognise that part-time courses are often favoured by older learners and female returners: our analysis shows these groups are well represented in the college sector. In 2014-15, 27% of all learning hours were delivered to students aged 25 and over, representing an investment of over £100 million. Additionally, in the same year there were over twice the number of part-time female learners in Scotland’s colleges as there were full-time female learners.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316364,"EventID":"S5W-03045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:42.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many entries Police Scotland and its predecessor constabularies have made to the Interim Vulnerable Persons Database (iVPD) in each year since 2010-11, broken down by the local authority that the information was in relation to.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03004 on 29 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316365,"EventID":"S5W-03008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:43.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T12:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to assist people on low incomes in accessing cheaper energy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving the energy efficiency of our homes making them warmer and cheaper to heat, allocating almost £650 million since 2009. \r\nWe also recognise the importance of innovative energy models in the market and last year we backed the launch of ‘Our Power’ with £2.5 million Scottish Government investment. Our funding has enabled over 30 Registered Social Landlords to come together to establish an energy supply company. We are committed to further promoting this social enterprise energy model for councils and housing associations, to help keep costs down for households.\r\nLater this year we will convene a summit of utility companies to challenge them to do more to provide the best rates available for low income households and reduce the need for prepayment meters which result in the poorest in society paying the most for their energy. \r\nThe Scottish Government funds the Home Energy Scotland (HES) advice centres and helpline which provides free and impartial advice on energy saving to all householders. This includes information about specific energy efficiency measures, as well as checking eligibility for government schemes and programmes. Through this service we are also helping consumers to engage with the retail energy market. We recently launched a new partnership for impartial advice on energy supplier switching delivered by the social enterprise Citrus Energy. This pilot is helping HES clients who require additional help and support to explore the option of switching. HES can be contacted on 0808 808 2282 or further information can be found at: www.greenerscotland.org/warm-homes.\r\nSwitching energy tariff or supplier can provide significant savings for consumers. The Scottish Government is examining collective switching and group buying of energy to better understand the potential to increase Scottish consumer engagement in the energy market, and in particular, how to reach the most vulnerable in line with the Scottish Government’s call for a fair deal for all Scottish energy consumers.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316366,"EventID":"S5W-03025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:45.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T14:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the conclusions of morbidity and mortality conferences are considered when deciding whether to carry out fatal accident inquiries.","AnswerText":"Morbidity and mortality conferences, forums or meetings provide a systematic approach to reviewing patient deaths and complications in care, as part of professional learning.\r\nWhere the Procurator Fiscal is carrying out a full investigation in relation to a death, in which there are concerns about the medical care provided to the deceased, it is normal practice for the Procurator Fiscal to request copies of any internal reviews undertaken by the relevant Health board. This may include the outcome of a morbidity and mortality conference.\r\nThe results together with any implementation of learning will be considered by Crown Counsel, when deciding whether or not a discretionary fatal accident inquiry will be instructed. The other relevant material will include the opinions of any independent expert(s) instructed by the Crown as well as the views of nearest relatives.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316367,"EventID":"S5W-03010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:45.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T12:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00068 by Angela Constance on 29 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 10) and in light of its commitment to provide 30,000 modern apprenticeship places by 2020, whether it will provide an update on what steps it is taking to address occupational segregation.","AnswerText":"Occupational Segregation is an area in which we are determined to make progress. We are taking action through Developing the Young Workforce agenda and the Scottish Funding Council. In addition to that we continue to support a range of actions including on family friendly flexible working, high quality and flexible childcare and funding for Equate, Career WISE and Close The Gap. \r\nOn 26 October 2016 I announced funding for the first stage of work to support women returners, awarding nearly £50,000 to Equate Scotland. Their Women Returners Project will help retrain women who have taken career breaks and get them back into work. \r\nIn addition to this Skills Development Scotland’s Equalities Action Plan for Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland sets out our aims to support more young people from diverse backgrounds to take up a Modern Apprenticeship There are gender-specific objectives in the Equalities Action Plan for Modern Apprenticeships to:\r\nReduce gender stereotyping and gender segregation in career choices and occupational routes chosen by young people in education\r\nReduce gender segregation in Modern Apprenticeship frameworks\r\nApprenticeship areas where there are gender imbalances, for example in science, technology, engineering and maths and in childcare related apprenticeships will be tackled by the plan","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316368,"EventID":"S5W-03028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:46.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the figures published by the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland in the document, ADES Report on Headteacher Recruitment, which record that the proportion of promoted posts in primary, secondary and special schools decreased from 27.3% in 2010 to 24.8% in 2015, and what it believes the reasons are for this.","AnswerText":"The decline in the number of promoted posts in Scotland’s schools since 2010 is primarily a result of local authorities moving to create faculties within the secondary sector thereby reducing the need for as many principal teachers.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316369,"EventID":"S5W-02931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:48.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 19 June 2014, Helping junior doctors, (a) how many and (b) what proportion of junior doctors have rotas that compel them to work in line with the working time regulations, broken down by NHS board, and what action it takes to enforce this.","AnswerText":"100% of Junior Doctor rotas in NHS Scotland are designed to comply fully with the limits of the Working Time Regulations, including the 48 hour average working week, as well as meet the Scottish Government requirements that no Junior Doctor will work for seven nights in a row, or will work for more than seven days/shifts in a row. \r\nAll Junior Doctor rotas in NHS Scotland are approved by the Scottish Government’s Medical Workforce Adviser before they can be implemented. Any rota which does not meet the legal, contractual or Scottish Government requirements will not be approved and will have to be amended to meet these requirements before it can be implemented. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316370,"EventID":"S5W-02932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:49.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-16T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 19 June 2014, Helping junior doctors, (a) how many and (b) what proportion of junior doctors have rotas that compel them to work (i) seven night- and (ii) more than seven day-shifts in a row, and what action it takes to enforce this.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02931 on 30 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316371,"EventID":"S5W-03014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:49.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T12:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the maximum parental annual income level has been in each year since 2007 for children to be eligible for free school meals.","AnswerText":"The criteria to qualify for free school meals is provided for in section 53 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. A summary of the criteria can be accessed on the Scottish Government website at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Education/Schools/HLivi/schoolmeals/FreeSchoolMeals. Two of the qualifying criteria for free school meals are linked to the income of a parent of a pupil or of a pupil in Scotland and these particular criteria are prescribed in regulations under section 53(3)(a)(iv) of the 1980 Act (the Education (School Lunches) (Scotland) Regulations 2009).\r\nThe first qualifying criteria for free school meals linked to income is the receipt of child tax credit by a parent or pupil (and not working tax credit) where the award of child tax credit is based on an income not exceeding an amount specified by Regulations under section 7(1)(a) of the Tax Credits Act 2002 (the Tax Credits (Income Thresholds and Determination of Rates) Regulations 2002). These Regulations have been amended a number of times since 2007 by the regulations set out in the following table, to increase the first income threshold for the receipt of child tax credit. These changes in income threshold have resulted in changes to the income threshold qualifying criteria for a free school meal in Scotland.\r\nRegulation\r\nCommencement date\r\nIncome level\r\nThe Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2006\r\n6 April 2006\r\n£14,155\r\nThe Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2007\r\n6 April 2007\r\n£14,495\r\nThe Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2008\r\n6 April 2008\r\n£15,575\r\nThe Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2009\r\n6 April 2009\r\n£16,040\r\nThe Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2010\r\n6 April 2010\r\n£16,190\r\nThe Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2011\r\n6 April 2011\r\n£15,860\r\nThe Tax Credits Up-rating, etc. Regulations 2013\r\n6 April 2013\r\n£15,910\r\nThe Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2014\r\n6 April 2014\r\n£16,010\r\nTax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2015\r\n6 April 2015\r\n£16,105\r\nThe second qualifying criteria for free school meals linked to income is the receipt of child tax credit and working tax credit based on an income not exceeding an amount specified by Regulations under the Tax Credits Act 2002 (the Tax Credits (Income Thresholds and Determination of Rates) Regulations 2002). This qualifying criteria was introduced in Scotland in 2009. The Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2008 increased the income threshold specified in the Tax Credits (Income Thresholds and Determination of Rates) Regulations 2002 from £5,220 to £6,420 and that threshold remains unchanged.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316372,"EventID":"S5W-03031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:50.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T17:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in light of an announcement by the Treasury, it will also underwrite CAP Pillar II payments and other EU environmental funding, such as LIFE projects, that are agreed before publication of the Autumn Statement on 23 November 2016; what the reasons are for its position on this matter, and when it will make further announcements on this issue.","AnswerText":"The UK Government has provided guarantees that any CAP Pillar two projects that have signed contracts or funding agreements in place, or where there are projects and contracts which are due to be signed in the ordinary course of business before the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on 23 November 2016 will be paid in full. These insufficient guarantees do not underwrite any CAP Pillar two monies that are committed after 23 November 2016, leaving Scotland with over £300 million of Pillar two funding at risk and which is without a clear and cohesive plan for resolution. The Scottish Government will be considering future funding arrangements for these and other programmes, alongside all other funding commitments, as part of our budget process and Spending Review. \r\nIn August, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution and I both wrote to UK Ministers setting out our significant concerns that the guarantees do not go far enough. I wrote again to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 23 September 2016 as it is crucial that certainty is provided, so that rural businesses have the confidence to invest, for both economic and environmental reasons. Once we have further guarantees from the UK Government we will be able to provide much needed stability. Driving sustainable economic growth is at the heart of our Programme for Government and I am committed to ensuring this Government does all it can to ensure Scotland’s rural economy remains prosperous for future generations.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316373,"EventID":"S5W-03015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:52.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T12:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on increasing the provision of free school meals.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have already taken action to increase the provision of free school meals in Scotland. Latest statistics on free school meals were published on 22 June 2016 in the Scottish Government Statistics Publication - Summary statistics for attainment, leaver destinations and healthy living, No. 6: 2016 Edition. The figures show that over 134,500 (81.7%) of primary one to three pupils across Scotland are now benefitting from a nutritious free school lunch and over 102,000 more primary school pupils took a free school meal in 2016, compared to 2014.\r\nYoung children in receipt of their entitlement to funded early learning and childcare are eligible for a free school meal where they meet the criteria; and, once relevant provisions of the Education (Scotland) Act 2106 on free school meals are commenced, children in receipt of their early learning and childcare entitlement at partner providers will also be eligible for a free school meal where they meet the criteria.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government has committed to extending universal free school meals to all two, three and four year olds in funded early learning and childcare as part of the expansion to 1140 hours of early learning and childcare by the end of this parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316374,"EventID":"S5W-03016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:53.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T12:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in addressing the reported gap in educational attainment with regard to (a) school qualifications, (b) university places and (c) college places.","AnswerText":"The 2015 Interim Framework Report of the National Improvement Framework for Scottish Education presents a range of evidence which demonstrates that we are making progress in reducing the gap in educational attainment between pupils from our most and least deprived communities. For example, the interim report presents evidence on the attainment gap with regards to school qualifications at SCQF levels three to six, showing that across all levels the gap has decreased slightly between 2011-12 and 2013-14. This report will be updated in December 2016 with data for 2014-15.\r\nThe key issue in relation to colleges and universities is the participation of those from our most deprived areas rather than a gap in attainment. This is an area in which colleges continue to perform strongly: in 2014-15 29.1% of all college students were from Scotland’s 20% most deprived areas. \r\nIn relation to universities, in 2014/15 14% of Scottish domiciled, full-time first degree entrants were from our 20% most deprived areas, up from 11.2% in 2006-07 (an increase of over 1,000 entrants). \r\nDespite this progress, we know there is a need to do more. That is why we expanded the Scottish Attainment Challenge to invest £750 million over the course of this Parliament to reduce the attainment gap in school, and why we have established the Commission on Widening Access to advise on the actions necessary to achieve step change and committed to the full implementation of its recommendations. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316375,"EventID":"S5W-03012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:54.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T12:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent representations it has had from the business sector regarding reported slow broadband service in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not received any specific representations from businesses on slow broadband service in Glasgow. However, we do recognise that some businesses across Scotland are affected by slow speeds and poor quality of service from broadband suppliers. This was highlighted during my recent meeting with CBI Scotland on 29 September 2016.\r\nWe continue to press telecoms providers, as well as Ofcom, on the need for improvements to broadband speeds and quality of service. I made this point in meetings with BT representatives on 6 September 2016 and with Sharon White, Ofcom’s Chief Executive, on 24 August 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316376,"EventID":"S5W-03026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:55.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T14:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has issued regarding holding a morbidity and mortality conference when a person dies while being treated in an NHS hospital, and whether this contains a timeframe that indicates when these conferences should (a) begin and (b) conclude.","AnswerText":"A Morbidity and Mortality Practice Guide for clinicians and health professionals is being developed jointly with NHS Education for Scotland and Health Improvement Scotland which will address governance processes across all specialties and will be consulted on during autumn 2016. This includes a proposed time frame for cases to be reviewed, from event to discussion and sharing of learning, of six weeks; however these timeframes are indicative. The draft guide also includes timelines for resultant improvement actions based on best practice.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316377,"EventID":"S5W-03030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T13:46:56.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T17:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether time spent participating in the active schools programme is included in the two hours of physical education time.","AnswerText":"The Active Schools programme provides opportunities for children to participate in sport and physical activity before, during lunch, and after school. This programme does not contribute to the Physical Education target of two hours per week.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316391,"EventID":"S5W-03066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T14:57:09.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the removal of CTS links in Scotland and whether there be any cross compliance implications for farmers in Scotland.","AnswerText":"CTS links will cease to operate in Scotland at the end of 2016. The Scottish Government has been working with the joint industry working group and invested in ScotEID to develop a new and innovative system, ‘ScotMoves’ which allows the use of an online holding register to record moves within a farm business. To encourage uptake of the ScotMoves system first time breaches incurred by farmers in 2017 will not incur a financial reduction to their direct payments. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316393,"EventID":"S5W-02998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:30.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to strengthen whistleblowing provision in Police Scotland. ","AnswerText":"Whistleblowing policies for Police Scotland are a matter for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316394,"EventID":"S5W-03033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:30.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to amend Scottish mental health and incapacity legislation in line with the general principles set out in Article 3 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including \"Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one's own choices, and independence of persons\". ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliament recently passed the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2015. The 2015 Act is currently being implemented and contains several measures which strengthen the provisions in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 that promote and protect service users’ rights. This includes giving service users more control over their representation and strengthening the position of advance statements and advocacy which help service users express their will and preferences.\r\nThe Scottish Government is engaging with stakeholders about how the work to implement the 2015 Act can be used to further promote the rights of service users, including those in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).\r\nAs part of the draft plan on implementation of UNCRPD, the Scottish Government committed to consulting on the Scottish Law Commission’s review of Adults With Incapacity (AWI) legislation with particular reference to issues around deprivation of liberty and thereafter to carry out a scoping exercise in relation to a wider review of AWI legislation. That consultation has concluded and the Scottish Government is now actively engaging with service users and stakeholders to determine the focus for areas of reform. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316395,"EventID":"S5W-03034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:31.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to modify any laws and regulations that are deemed to constitute discrimination against disabled people as required by Article 4(b) of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to meeting its international human rights obligations, including those arising under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. \r\nWe have recently consulted on a Disability Delivery Plan which addresses key aspects of the rights identified by the Convention and will report to the UN (via the UK) on Scotland’s performance against treaty obligations as part of the Universal Periodic Review process (in 2017) and in due course also to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (date of examination yet to be set).\r\nThe Scotland Act 1998 requires all Acts of the Scottish Parliament to be compatible with core rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights.\r\nThe Equality Act 2010 sets the legal framework for tackling discrimination across Great Britain. The public sector equality duty at section 149 of the Act requires Scottish Ministers to have due regard to the need to – eliminate discrimination which is unlawful under the Act, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316396,"EventID":"S5W-03047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:32.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to extend the boundaries of the national parks and what criteria it uses when reaching such decisions.","AnswerText":"There are no current plans to extend the boundaries of Scotland’s National Parks. Any proposal would require a robust business case demonstrating the benefits, including strong local authority and community support and delivery of the criteria set out in the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000. Proposals would be subject to consultation and require changes to existing National Park Designation Orders to be approved by the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316397,"EventID":"S5W-03048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:33.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T12:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the longest wait has been in each year since 1999 to make an appointment to see a GP, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information for independently contracted practices. It does expect patients to be offered an appointment with a member of GP practice staff within two days; the latest figures (Health & Care Experience Survey 2015/16) show that 91.8% of people were able to get a consultation within that time.\r\nThe figures on the percentage of patients in 2015-16 able to arrange an appointment with a member of GP practice staff within two days by board are given in the following table:\r\nHealth Board\r\n\r\nPercentage of patients able to access healthcare professional within 2 working days\r\nNHS AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN\r\n90.7\r\nNHS BORDERS\r\n92.9\r\nNHS DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY\r\n95.8\r\nNHS FIFE\r\n90.7\r\nNHS FORTH VALLEY\r\n91.4\r\nNHS GRAMPIAN\r\n90.7\r\nNHS GREATER GLASGOW AND CLYDE\r\n92.3\r\nNHS HIGHLAND\r\n94.4\r\nNHS LANARKSHIRE\r\n89.0\r\nNHS LOTHIAN\r\n91.5\r\nNHS ORKNEY\r\n97.8\r\nNHS SHETLAND\r\n95.2\r\nNHS TAYSIDE\r\n94.3\r\nNHS WESTERN ISLES\r\n95.2\r\nNHSSCOTLAND\r\n91.8\r\nFigures broken down by GP practice are held at the following website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Health/GPPatientExperienceSurvey/HACE2015-16/LDP-GP\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316398,"EventID":"S5W-03065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:34.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have received support each year from the Help to Adapt scheme.","AnswerText":"Help to Adapt provides various levels and types of support from initial advice and information about the scheme, through to specialist advice, recommendations and support leading to the installation of an adaptation. Where the homeowner is not eligible for the scheme they are given advice on alternative sources of help such as Care and Repair, Housing Options Scotland, local authority, welfare rights and various third sector organisations.\r\n\r\nFirst Year\r\n(2015 – 2016)\r\nSecond Year\r\n(to 27-09-2016)\r\nTotal number of enquires\r\n289\r\n140\r\nCompleted adaptations\r\n6\r\n3\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316399,"EventID":"S5W-02999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:35.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider establishing new enterprise zones as part of its Enterprise and Skills review to include towns that have seen a decline in the textiles industry.","AnswerText":"As indicated in response to S5O-00145 and S5O-00146 on 15 September 2016 the Enterprise and Skills Review will be taken forward through a phased approach, with phase one reporting shortly on key recommendations for change across a number of areas while phase two will explore the implementation of these recommendations in more detail with partners. Phase two will include exploring the regional dimension in greater depth, with Ministers clear that any long-term approach must take account of the needs of the South of Scotland and all areas across Scotland. \r\nIt is important to think about Enterprise Areas (enterprise zones is the term used in England and Wales) in the context of the wider economic development support available.\r\nIn the South of Scotland for example, where textiles is an important traditional industry, we have confirmed that part of the £10 million economic stimulus package announced in this year's Programme for Government will be used to support delivery of the Hawick Action Plan to revitalise the town. Scottish Enterprise are also working to create the conditions for business growth in the area including through account managing 72 companies across the Borders.\r\nThe answer to S5O-00145 is available on the parliaments website, the Official report can be viewed at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10520\r\nThe answer to S5O-00146 is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316400,"EventID":"S5W-03000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:36.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-20T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for establishing a South of Scotland Enterprise Zone.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's core purpose is to deliver sustainable economic growth with opportunities for all to flourish.\r\nEnterprise Areas (enterprise zones is the term used in England and Wales) are specifically targeted on sites and sectors where there are clear opportunities ready to be developed, and where companies can be anchored in areas and supply chains developed that support growth and jobs in the wider area.\r\nThe mid-term evaluation of Scotland’s Enterprise Areas, published by HIE on 21 March 2016, demonstrated that Enterprise Area incentives complement wider support delivered as a part of our work to foster inclusive growth throughout the Scottish economy. We are currently reflecting on the future direction of the Enterprise Area policy in Scotland and how it relates to the broader economic development support landscape. The merits and evidence for establishing additional Enterprise Areas will considered on an individual case basis.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316401,"EventID":"S5W-03049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:37.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people infected with hepatitis C because of treatment with infected blood or blood products have (a) received a stage 1 payment from the Skipton Fund and (b) died without progressing to stage 2 from the Skipton Fund, also broken down by those who died leaving a widow, widower or partner.","AnswerText":"762 people identified as infected in Scotland with Hepatitis C via NHS blood or blood products have received a Stage 1 lump sum payment of £20,000 from the Skipton Fund, to recognise chronic infection. Of those, the Skipton Fund is aware of 103 people who have been confirmed as deceased without progressing to Stage two. Stage two represents disease progression to more serious associated conditions - cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver transplant and B-cell lymphoma. Stage one represents chronic infection only and the impact on life expectancy is significantly less for the Stage one group. Highly effective treatments for Hepatitis C are now available.\r\nThe Skipton Fund does not have any reliable data on the number who died leaving a widow, widower or partner.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316402,"EventID":"S5W-03050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:38.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of the Enterprise and Skills Ministerial Review Group.","AnswerText":"The Enterprise and Skills Ministerial Review Group, which met for the fourth time on 20 September, agreed to meet again in early October to further explore outputs of the Review and phase one recommendations will be published shortly thereafter.\r\nAs announced in response to S5O-00145 on 15 September 2016 the Review will be taken forward through a phased approach. Phase one will set out key recommendations for change across a number of areas as well as outlining a timeframe for phase two which will take forward consideration of these recommendations with partners.\r\nFollowing the Ministerial Review Group meeting on 20 September we have published the input evidence which has informed the work of the Ministerial Review Group. This includes papers exploring enterprise and skills from an international perspective, a report looking at business and learner user journeys, and a summary of the responses to the Call for Evidence. The responses themselves, where respondents have given permission, have also been published. This information is available at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy/EntandSkillsreview\r\nThe answer to the oral parliamentary question is available on the parliaments website, the official report can be viewed at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10520\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316403,"EventID":"S5W-03064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:40.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it assess the efficacy of local authority homelessness prevention initiatives.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have the duty to ensure that advice and information about homelessness and any services that may assist a homeless person or assist in the prevention of homelessness, is available free of charge to any person within the authority’s area.\r\nThe Scottish Government provides funding to the five local authority led Housing Options Hubs which facilitate the sharing of prevention of homelessness practice across Scotland. The Scottish Government also publishes PREVENT1 data which records local authorities prevention of homelessness activity.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316404,"EventID":"S5W-03067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:41.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce its decision on whether to ban dog shock collars.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers are currently considering all the evidence, including responses to the consultation on electronic training devices which closed earlier this year, and hope to announce a decision on the future of such devices in Scotland before the end of 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316405,"EventID":"S5W-03042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:42.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government following the announcement that Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre will be closed, and what information it has on a closure date.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had any discussions yet with the UK Government, or given any advance warning of the announcement of the closure of Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre. I wrote to the Home Secretary on 9 September 2016 to seek urgent clarification of the implications of this announcement. No response has been received as yet.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316406,"EventID":"S5W-03057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:43.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reverse the reported fall in the number of women attending college.","AnswerText":"The number of women studying full-time college courses is up by 16% since 2006-07, and women account for the majority of the college population – 52% in 2014-15. \r\nAs part of implementing Developing the Young Workforce, our youth employment strategy, the Scottish Funding Council has published a Gender Action Plan setting out actions they will undertake in collaboration with colleges, universities and other partners to address gender imbalances and significantly reduce gender gaps in college and undergraduate courses.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316407,"EventID":"S5W-03059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:44.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had or plans with universities to discuss the impact of the UK leaving the EU.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has engaged closely with the higher education sector on the impact of the EU Referendum on universities in Scotland.\r\nWe have already provided reassurance through two joint statements with Universities Scotland on the tuition fee status of EU students and on EU research collaborations (published 1 and 21 July 2016 respectively).\r\nhttp://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Reassurance-for-EU-students-25e2.aspx\r\nhttp://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Research-excellence-in-Scotland-continues-2754.aspx\r\nScottish Ministers have met or discussed EU Referendum issues with University Principals. We will continue to discuss any issues raised by universities and students on the impact of the referendum result and how we can all ensure Scotland’s universities continue to thrive; remain attractive and enhance their competitiveness.\r\nThe university sector is also represented on the Scottish Government’s Standing Council on Europe which is chaired by the Principal of University of Glasgow, Professor Anton Muscatelli.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316408,"EventID":"S5W-03072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:45.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much direct investment in college estates it has made in (a) real and (b) cash terms in each year since 2007, and how much it will provide in each of the next five years.","AnswerText":"Funding made available by the Scottish Government to invest in college estates from 2007-08 to 2016-17, in cash terms, is shown in the following table. In addition, colleges have been awarded £10 million accelerated capital funding in 2016-17 to help improve existing estates, as included in the recent Programme for Government announcement.\r\nYear\r\nCash Terms \r\n(£m)\r\n2007-08\r\n122\r\n2008-09\r\n92\r\n2009-2010\r\n107\r\n2010-2011\r\n109\r\n2011-2012\r\n50\r\n2012-2013\r\n28\r\n2013-2014\r\n28\r\n2014-2015\r\n27\r\n2015-2016\r\n25.5\r\n2016-2017\r\n27\r\nReal terms figures can be calculated using the GDP deflators available through the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/gdp-deflators-at-market-prices-and-money-gdp\r\nFuture capital budgets for the FE sector will be determined as part of the forthcoming Draft Budget process.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316409,"EventID":"S5W-03074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:46.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many qualified teachers there (a) are in each local authority area and (b) were in Scotland in each year since 2007. ","AnswerText":"The following information is published and available in table 6.1 the teacher census supplementary tables: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/teachcenssuppdata/teachcensus2015\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316410,"EventID":"S5W-03076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:47.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of funding was provided to the Scottish Qualifications Authority in each year in (a) real and (b) cash terms since 2007.","AnswerText":"The information requested is in the following table:\r\n\r\nReal terms\r\n£000\r\nCash terms\r\n£000\r\n2007-08\r\n£17.646m\r\n£15.559m\r\n2008-09\r\n£15.153m\r\n£13.724m\r\n2009-10\r\n£16.173m\r\n£14.850m\r\n2010-11\r\n£18.587m\r\n£17.378m\r\n2011-12\r\n£21.187m\r\n£20.084m\r\n2012-13\r\n£18.805m\r\n£18.200m\r\n2013-14\r\n£22.406m\r\n£22.043m\r\n2014-15\r\n£19.839m\r\n£19.823m\r\n2015-16\r\n£23.120m\r\n£23.120m\r\nReal terms figures are in 2015-16 prices and are calculated using the HM Treasury GDP deflator series.\r\nCash terms figures from 2009-10 onward taken from annual NDPB cash grant in aid returns. Figures for 2007-08 and 2008-09 taken from SQA Annual Accounts.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316411,"EventID":"S5W-03043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:48.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government following the announcement of a facility for immigration removal to be located at Glasgow International Airport, and what information it has on when this will become operational.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had any discussions yet with the UK Government and was not given any advance warning of the announcement of plans to build a short term holding facility near Glasgow Airport. I wrote to the Home Secretary on 9 September 2016 to seek urgent clarification of the implications of this announcement and am due to meet the Immigration Minister on 11 October to discuss this matter further. \r\nThe Home Office has announced that it expects the new facility to open in Autumn 2017, subject to planning consent.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316412,"EventID":"S5W-03086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:49.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will lead the review into learning for 16- to 24-year-olds; what the review's terms of reference will be; when the review will be published, and what level of funding will be provided for the review. ","AnswerText":"The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education will lead a review of the 15-24 learner journey, a commitment set out in the Education Delivery Plan and reaffirmed in our Programme for Government. \r\nThe review will build on the solid foundations of Getting It Right For Every Child, Curriculum for Excellence and Developing the Young Workforce to further improve young people’s experience of moving through school, college, training, university or employment.\r\nThe review process, underway through the commissioning of research into the experience of young people at various points in the system, will consider five themes: careers information, advice and guidance; access; provision; transitions and progression; and funding. The Scottish Government will undertake a process of evidence gathering and extensive engagement with learners and those who work with them to identify improvements. We will publish more detail about that process later this month.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316413,"EventID":"S5W-03088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:50.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many looked-after children went into (a) education, (b) training and (c) employment in each year since 2007. ","AnswerText":"This data has only been available since 2009-10 - it is published in the annual Education Outcomes for Looked After Children official statistics release.\r\nIt should be noted that figures are published based upon two surveys of post-school destinations - at periods of three and nine months after leaving school. It is likely that the follow-up destination (nine months after leaving school) is the more reliable figure to quote - both are provided here.\r\nFurthermore, there are two populations of looked after children for the purposes of this publication. We normally focus on children who were looked after for the whole year in which they left school - this is the basis of the headline figures in the publication, but there is also the group of children who left school at some point during the year: They are presented separately in the publication, but are available here. All of the relevant data is available, both separately and combined.\r\nIt is recommended that for consistency with the annual publication and the most reliability, the quoted figures are those from full year looked after children in their follow-up destination - the second table.\r\nThese figures are also duplicated in the background note for clarity.\r\nPOST-SCHOOL DESTINATIONS FOR LOOKED AFTER SCHOOL LEAVERS\r\nINITIAL DESTINATION - AFTER THREE MONTHS\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLooked after leavers - looked after for the full year\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nHigher Education\r\n6\r\n10\r\n19\r\n20\r\n25\r\n15\r\nFurther Education\r\n173\r\n148\r\n139\r\n168\r\n178\r\n157\r\nTOTAL EDUCATION\r\n179\r\n158\r\n158\r\n188\r\n203\r\n172\r\nTraining\r\n100\r\n72\r\n53\r\n56\r\n47\r\n78\r\nEmployment\r\n37\r\n48\r\n31\r\n51\r\n40\r\n50\r\nOther destination\r\n254\r\n213\r\n140\r\n154\r\n128\r\n127\r\nTotal number of leavers\r\n570\r\n491\r\n382\r\n449\r\n418\r\n427\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFOLLOW-UP DESTINATION - AFTER NINE MONTHS\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLooked after leavers - looked after for the full year\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nHigher Education\r\n4\r\n9\r\n18\r\n19\r\n21\r\n16\r\nFurther Education\r\n123\r\n101\r\n112\r\n139\r\n149\r\n112\r\nTOTAL EDUCATION\r\n127\r\n110\r\n130\r\n158\r\n170\r\n128\r\nTraining\r\n56\r\n57\r\n49\r\n38\r\n46\r\n52\r\nEmployment\r\n39\r\n49\r\n39\r\n62\r\n54\r\n82\r\nOther destination\r\n345\r\n273\r\n161\r\n188\r\n146\r\n165\r\nTotal number of leavers\r\n567\r\n489\r\n379\r\n446\r\n416\r\n427\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nINITIAL DESTINATION - AFTER THREE MONTHS\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLooked after leavers - looked after for part of the year\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nHigher Education\r\n7\r\n10\r\n5\r\n6\r\n15\r\n15\r\nFurther Education\r\n153\r\n128\r\n126\r\n135\r\n117\r\n133\r\nTOTAL EDUCATION\r\n160\r\n138\r\n131\r\n141\r\n132\r\n148\r\nTraining\r\n92\r\n91\r\n64\r\n57\r\n45\r\n48\r\nEmployment\r\n43\r\n57\r\n40\r\n60\r\n56\r\n44\r\nOther destination\r\n323\r\n280\r\n242\r\n248\r\n194\r\n172\r\nTotal number of leavers\r\n618\r\n566\r\n477\r\n506\r\n427\r\n412\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFOLLOW-UP DESTINATION - AFTER NINE MONTHS\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLooked after leavers - looked after for part of the year\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nHigher Education\r\n7\r\n10\r\n6\r\n7\r\n12\r\n11\r\nFurther Education\r\n98\r\n81\r\n84\r\n89\r\n96\r\n80\r\nTOTAL EDUCATION\r\n105\r\n91\r\n90\r\n96\r\n108\r\n91\r\nTraining\r\n57\r\n51\r\n61\r\n50\r\n40\r\n50\r\nEmployment\r\n56\r\n61\r\n50\r\n75\r\n67\r\n67\r\nOther destination\r\n397\r\n358\r\n273\r\n281\r\n211\r\n201\r\nTotal number of leavers\r\n615\r\n561\r\n474\r\n502\r\n426\r\n409\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCOMBINED FIGURES - full and part year\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nINITIAL DESTINATION - AFTER THREE MONTHS\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLooked after leavers - full and part year\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nHigher Education\r\n13\r\n20\r\n24\r\n26\r\n40\r\n30\r\nFurther Education\r\n326\r\n276\r\n265\r\n303\r\n295\r\n290\r\nTOTAL EDUCATION\r\n339\r\n296\r\n289\r\n329\r\n335\r\n320\r\nTraining\r\n192\r\n163\r\n117\r\n113\r\n92\r\n126\r\nEmployment\r\n80\r\n105\r\n71\r\n111\r\n96\r\n94\r\nOther destination\r\n577\r\n493\r\n382\r\n402\r\n322\r\n299\r\nTotal number of leavers\r\n1,188\r\n1,057\r\n859\r\n955\r\n845\r\n839\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFOLLOW-UP DESTINATION - AFTER NINE MONTHS\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLooked after leavers - full and part year\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316414,"EventID":"S5W-03038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:51.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that all people with dementia have access to the minimum one-year post-diagnostic support guarantee and that all NHS boards are meeting this commitment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with partners to support delivery of the national dementia post-diagnostic service offer, which is underpinned by a national target that everyone diagnosed from 1 March 2015 is offered the service.\r\nSince April, Integration Joint Boards are formally responsible for commissioning dementia services, including post-diagnostic services, in their area. Responsibility for the delivery of those services remains with the statutory body tasked with leading the service in each area and this is determined locally.\r\nOther national activity to support service delivery includes work by NHS Education for Scotland and Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s Focus on Dementia Unit to help embed consistent quality principles into post-diagnostic support training and practice; and work by NHS National Services Scotland to ensure post-diagnostic data quality and consistency","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316415,"EventID":"S5W-03061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:51.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce the number of children in temporary accommodation.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s homelessness rights mean households with children are in temporary accommodation while they wait for appropriate settled accommodation. We want this time to be as short as possible and we are increasing housing supply to help with this. We will deliver at least 50,000 affordable homes, backed by more than £3 billion investment by the end of this Parliament.\r\nTime spent in temporary accommodation should be used positively to identify the best possible housing option for a household to ensure a sustainable outcome. We are also working with local authorities and their partners to prevent homelessness for families with children before it occurs through further strengthening of the housing options approach. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316416,"EventID":"S5W-03068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:52.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing legislation regarding the number of dog litters that non-registered owners can breed. ","AnswerText":"The possible need for further regulation on commercial and non-commercial dog breeding will be considered as part of an ongoing review of pet welfare. The Scottish Government has already held a number of meetings with stakeholders around that ongoing review; and will invite further participation from them.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316417,"EventID":"S5W-03070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:53.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will provide in (a) real and (b) cash terms to the Scottish College for Educational Leadership in each of the next five years to support the \"aspiring, new and experienced teachers\" referred to in the Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the Scottish College for Educational Leadership in providing a range of high-quality professional learning opportunities for all teachers and currently gives SCEL up to £1.3 million per year while also supporting the Into Headship programme at a cost of £1.5 million over the next three years. The Programme for Government confirmed that we will work with SCEL to put in place a new package of support for aspiring, new and experienced headteachers. This package is currently under discussion with SCEL and the level of funding will be confirmed further to the Spending Review.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316418,"EventID":"S5W-03056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:54.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the criteria for someone being classified as homeless were last updated.","AnswerText":"The criteria for someone being classified as homeless in Scotland were last updated by the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003 and commenced in January 2004. ","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316419,"EventID":"S5W-03058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:55.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that secondary schools have sufficient resources to provide support for pupils with mental health issues.","AnswerText":"The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) Act (Scotland) 2007 places a number of duties on local education authorities including ensuring that schools are health promoting. This includes promoting physical, social, mental and emotional wellbeing by supporting pupils to make positive lifestyle choices in relation to their health and wellbeing.\r\nIn addition, as part of Curriculum for Excellence, all practitioners are expected to embed aspects of health and wellbeing in their lessons, regardless of what subject specialism they are delivering. It is for the local authority and schools to decide how to develop their own approaches to implement Curriculum for Excellence and they will be using a range of approaches and resources to support children and young people with their mental and emotional wellbeing based on local needs and circumstances.\r\nEducation Scotland have developed a national resource to support the development and practice of nurturing approaches for secondary and primary schools. This aims to ensure that all schools are equipped to support all children and young people to have equal opportunities to learn and develop. Education Scotland is also supporting the delivery of ‘Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid: Young People’ training nationally in secondary school communities. This will complement the range of initiatives and approaches to support mental health and mental wellbeing that local authorities already have in place.\r\nBy working closely with schools, teachers and parents, as well as other professionals, educational psychologists have a key role in building capacity to meet the learning and mental health needs of pupils. In addition, every school has a named contact in specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) who can be contacted for advice if they have any concerns about a pupil and can provide ongoing support.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316420,"EventID":"S5W-03075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:56.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of funding will be provided to the Scottish Qualifications Authority in each year of the current parliamentary session in (a) real and (b) cash terms.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has allocated £12,794,000 of grant in aid to the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) for 2016-17. The SQA’s financial position will continue to be monitored throughout the year and appropriate action will be taken to ensure it has the resources to enable it to deliver its functions and remain financially viable.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316421,"EventID":"S5W-03090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:57.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the re-introduction of the white-tailed eagle.","AnswerText":"The reintroduction of white-tailed eagles, also known as sea eagles, to Scotland since 1975 has been closely monitored by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), with support from land managers and volunteers. In 2015, there were 106 breeding pairs in Scotland. These mainly are in the west, with four pairs in the eastern half of Scotland, and the reintroduction can be considered a conservation success. Background information on the species, including its legal and conservation status and its ecology, can be found on the SNH website at the following link http://www.snh.gov.uk/about-scotlands-nature/species/recent-species-projects/sea-eagle/. \r\nThe white-tailed eagle population is in a strong growth period and SNH has commissioned RSPB to model future population growth and geographical spread to assess how the population may develop. This report will be published in due course. Close monitoring work continues in the east of Scotland as the released birds there are now maturing and settling to breed. Such monitoring is important in fulfilling our obligations under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Reintroduction Guidelines.\r\nThe species also has the highest levels of protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, being listed on Schedules 1, 1A and A1. Schedule A1 lists bird species whose nests are protected at all times from disturbance, including outwith the breeding season. Schedule 1A lists those bird species which are protected from harassment. As a raptor species, the white-tailed eagle is a priority with the Partnership Against Wildlife Crime Scotland.\r\nForestry Commission Scotland (FCS), SNH, and other key stakeholders have developed guidance in relation to managing forests for white-tailed eagle to integrate the presence of the birds with commercial forest management.\r\nSNH and the National Farmers Union of Scotland are currently working with a stakeholder group (which includes RSPB and FCS) to develop an Action Plan for white-tailed eagles. The aim of the Plan is to ensure the population continues to recover and co-exist with land management. \r\nSNH operates a Management Scheme to manage conflict between sheep farming and white-tailed eagles. This provides a range of support measures, including call-off contractors who can respond quickly to provide practical advice and support to help mitigate risks to livestock. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316422,"EventID":"S5W-03037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:58.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the BBC Scotland investigation, which suggests that thousands of dementia patients are missing out on the support that they should be receiving from the NHS.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with partners to support delivery of the national dementia post-diagnostic service offer, which is underpinned by a national target that everyone diagnosed from 1 March 2015 is offered the service.\r\nNational post-diagnostic performance data, subject to a nationally comparative validation process, will be published for the first time in December and will show how many people have been offered the service between 1 April 2014 and 31 March 2015","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316423,"EventID":"S5W-03044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:27:59.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the future use of Dungavel House.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had any discussions yet with the UK Government and was not given any advance warning of the announcement of plans to close Dungavel. I wrote to the Home Secretary on 9 September 2016 to seek urgent clarification of the implications of this announcement and am due to meet the Immigration Minister on 11 October to discuss this matter further.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316424,"EventID":"S5W-03062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:28:00.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many families with (a) children and (b) a pregnant woman who are in B&B accommodation have been so for more than one week.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not currently hold robust data on length of stay in temporary accommodation. A new data collection was introduced in April 2016 which will allow for this type of analysis in the future, following an appropriate development period.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316425,"EventID":"S5W-03069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:28:01.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) full- and (b) part-time college students there have been in each year since 2007, broken down by gender.","AnswerText":"The latest available data on students at college in Scotland are Scottish Funding Council data for 2014-15. Table 1 shows the number of full-time and part-time students at college in Scotland in each year since 2006-07, broken down by gender.\r\nTable 1: Number of full-time and part-time students at college in Scotland, by gender, 2006-07 to 2014-15\r\nMode of study\r\nGender\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nFull-time\r\n\r\nFemale\r\n37,064\r\n37,167\r\n39,068\r\n41,603\r\n42,494\r\n42,968\r\n41,807\r\n42,709\r\n42,974\r\nMale\r\n30,920\r\n30,382\r\n31,600\r\n35,094\r\n37,048\r\n37,880\r\n36,480\r\n37,147\r\n36,241\r\nPart-time\r\n\r\nFemale\r\n177,025\r\n181,947\r\n174,834\r\n155,079\r\n127,603\r\n101,609\r\n91,948\r\n90,105\r\n87,686\r\nMale\r\n132,256\r\n144,610\r\n143,394\r\n128,452\r\n110,222\r\n88,609\r\n82,658\r\n82,935\r\n83,978\r\nSource: InFact Database, Scottish Funding Council\r\nNote: Full-time and part-time headcount figures will not sum to published headcount totals. Students who enrol on both full-time and part-time courses in an academic year will be counted in both categories.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316426,"EventID":"S5W-03035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:28:02.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to take appropriate measures to provide access for disabled people to the support they may require in exercising their legal capacity as required by Article 12.3 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to promoting and protecting equality and human rights for disabled people in Scotland and we are working in co-production with disabled people to shape our policies and services.\r\nThe United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) sets a common international standard of rights and treatment of disabled people across the world, and requires governments to take action to remove barriers to independent living and enable disabled people to enjoy real freedom, dignity and equality. It is the framework that the Scottish Government uses to improve the lives of disabled people and deliver change.\r\nThe Scottish Government published its first Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming Report in April 2013 which outlines how the public sector equality duty is being integrated across Scottish Government functions. It sets out eight equality outcomes which the Scottish Government is working towards, including ‘Disabled people have improved access to justice and to advice in relation to their rights by 2017.’\r\nAn update was published in 2015 which outlined a number of actions that are being taken forward within the Justice sector. The full update can be found here: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/04/7781/7#DAJA. A final report on progress against this outcome will be published in 2017.\r\nIn 2015 we consulted on our Disability Action Plan (formerly Disability Delivery Plan) which includes an outcome of “Equal and inclusive access to the justice system without fear of being unfairly judged or punished, and with the protection of personal and private rights”. We will publish the final plan later this year and the commitments within it will be worked on through the course of the current Parliamentary session.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316427,"EventID":"S5W-03053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:28:03.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T14:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with stakeholders regarding the level of the application fee for (a) firearm and (b) shotgun certificates; how many certificates have been issued in each of the last five years; how much money this raised; how much it cost the police to process the applications, and what action it will take to address any funding gap.","AnswerText":"The setting of fees for firearm and shotgun certificates is reserved to the UK Parliament and there were therefore no formal discussions between the Scottish Government and stakeholders, many of whom responded to the Home Office's consultation paper or were a member of the Home Office Fees Working Group.\r\nThe most recent statistics on firearms and shotgun certificates were published by the Scottish Government in November 2015 and can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/11/9748/0. Information on how much money the licensing system raised is not held centrally.\r\nThe cost of the licensing process is a matter for the police. The Scottish Government has allocated to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) £1,073.4 million for policing services for 2016-17. It is for them to allocate these funds across various strands.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316428,"EventID":"S5W-03060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:28:04.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made with its plan to require public authorities to publish details of their gender pay gap every two years. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316429,"EventID":"S5W-03071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:28:05.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will provide in (a) real and (b) cash terms in each of the next five years to make Educational Maintenance Allowance an entitlement in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is currently an entitlement in Scotland. This means that any applicant who meets the eligibility criteria will be entitled to receive EMA support.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316430,"EventID":"S5W-03085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:28:06.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of funding for promotional and marketing materials will be provided for the First Minister's Reading Challenge in each year of the current parliamentary session in (a) real and (b) cash terms. ","AnswerText":"There is no dedicated budget for Scottish Government promotion and marketing of the First Minister's Reading Challenge. As mentioned in response to S5W-02390 on 22 September 2016, some of the £344,144 funding allocated to enable the Scottish Book Trust to develop, promote and administer the Challenge is being spent on teacher resources and marketing materials. The funds allocated by the Scottish Book Trust to materials aimed solely at promoting and marketing the Challenge for 2016-17 are £22,305. £29,028 has been allocated to resources that are also used for promotion and marketing, such as printed copies of 100 places to start your reading journey sent to schools, MSPs and other stakeholders. A further £89,838 has been allocated to branded resources.\r\nNo budget has been set beyond the current financial year.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316431,"EventID":"S5W-03081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:28:06.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of funding will be provided to the review by HM Inspectors of Education into \"the demands placed on schools by each local authority\" as stated in the Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"Education Scotland used existing resources to allow the review to be planned and carried out by the end of August 2016, and the report published by mid-September 2015 as specified in the Delivery Plan.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316432,"EventID":"S5W-03098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:28:07.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it provided in (a) real and (b) cash terms to increase the proportion of looked-after children moving on from school into (i) education, (ii) training and (iii) employment in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not provide ring-fenced funding for looked after children moving from school into education, training and employment. However, a wide range of provisions to support all young people’s post-16 transitions, including for looked after children and care leavers, have been delivered and funded by a number of partners including Scottish Government, Scottish Funding Council, Skills Development Scotland, Local Authorities and the Third Sector. All funding will have been set out in annual Budget and Spending Reviews and programmes will have contributed to the delivery of the national outcomes aimed at raising standards in schools and closing the attainment gap, and delivering opportunities to our young people regardless of their family background.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government block grant to local authorities also included allocations of funding in support of the Pathways process for looked after children. It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities. I refer the member to the answer to question \r\nS5W-01006 on 1 July 2016 that details expenditure on Children and Families social work by Scottish local authorities for financial years 2007-08 to 2014-15. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316433,"EventID":"S5W-03089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:28:08.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether businesses whose income is affected by prolonged local road closures are able to apply to local authorities or utility companies for compensation and, if so, what the process is.","AnswerText":"There is no statutory requirement for compensation to paid to businesses impacted by road closures associated with road works. There have been one or two reported instances in the past where ex gratia payments may have been made but there is no formal requirement to do so.\r\nThere are, however, existing mechanisms which allow Road Authorities to intervene where they believe road works are taking too long to complete. Those adversely affected by road works should therefore approach the relevant road authority in the first instance.\r\nIn preparation for a Transport Bill later in the Parliament, we are working with stakeholders to develop legislative and other measures to improve the coordination and enforcement of road works across Scotland. This will include new powers for the Scottish Road Works Commissioner.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316434,"EventID":"S5W-03091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-21T17:28:10.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will provide in (a) real and (b) cash terms in each of the next five years to increase the proportion of looked-after children moving on from school into (i) education, (ii) training and (iii) employment. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will set out its spending plans for all areas including for looked after children in its 2017-18 Draft Budget. This will be in week commencing 12 December, after the UK Government’s Autumn Statement.\r\nProposals for 2018-19 and 2019-20 will follow later in the parliament following the conclusions of the joint working group that has been established to look at the budget timetable.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to fund Developing the Young Workforce, Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy implementation through a range of core budgets including those of Skills Development Scotland and Scottish Funding Council. This is in line with Sir Ian Wood’s Commission’s view which advised funding Developing the Young Workforce activity from mainstream budgets.\r\nLooked after young people and care leavers are specific priority groups across the Scottish Government funded training and employment programmes, including Activity Agreements, Employability Fund, Community Jobs Scotland, Scotland’s Employer Recruitment Incentive and Modern Apprenticeships. Our Equalities Action Plan for Modern Apprenticeships (MA) published in November 2015 outlines the actions Skills Development Scotland will undertake with partners to improve the participation of under-represented groups, including care leavers, within the MA programme. An additional package of in-work support is also available to young care leavers through our funded Open Doors In Work support package.\r\nThe Scottish Government is working with stakeholders on the development of options to deliver a new fund, as outlined in the manifesto, for young people who have been in care, to support them into appropriate work, training or educational opportunities. We aim to announce further detail of the focus and the operation of the new fund by early 2017.\r\nFor 2016-17, the Scottish Funding Council has asked colleges to ensure looked after young people and care leaver students receive the maximum further education bursary award of £95.94 per week. This is supported by record levels of funding for all students at £106 million in 2016.\r\nThe Scottish Government will also deliver on our commitments to implement the Commission on Widening Access’s recommendation specifically to support care leavers including ensuring that young people who have experience of care, and who meet the minimum entry standards, will be offered a place at university and, in addition to ensuring they have free tuition like all students, we will support them with a full bursary, currently £7,625, from 2017-18.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316454,"EventID":"S5W-03126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T10:44:08.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve public transport links in the Robroyston area of Glasgow given the growth in new housing development.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has approved an application for funding made to our Scottish Stations Fund (SSF) to support the construction of a new railway station at Robroyston. This is a significant landmark with Robroyston the first new station proposal to be awarded funding under the fund. The total contribution from the Scottish Government for this project is £7.129 million, representing 50% of the current total estimated capital construction costs for the new station. The remaining costs are to be met by the scheme promoters. Although the scheme promoters have yet to finalise the details of their delivery model for the project, the submitted bid envisaged completion of the station by March 2019.\r\nToday`s announcement takes Robroyston railway station one significant step closer towards becoming a reality and forms part of our wider £5 billion investment programme to 2019 that is helping to ensure that as many people as possible have access to the rail network.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316471,"EventID":"S5W-03077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:30.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether food testing facilities available to local authorities are capable of isolating pathogenic E.coli strains, or of detecting the presence of stx genes alone.","AnswerText":"The four Public Analyst laboratories serving all 32 Local Authorities in Scotland have the capability to identify E. coli O157 in food samples. Two of these laboratories (Edinburgh and Tayside Scientific Services) are also able to undertake the test which allows detection of the presence of stx genes. The Scottish E. coli O157/VTEC Reference Laboratory also has a role in supporting the Public Analysts by providing confirmatory analysis for the presence of pathogenic E. coli in food samples during the investigation of outbreaks of illness.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316472,"EventID":"S5W-03079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:31.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of media reports that Food Standards Scotland had no evidence definitively linking recent incidents of E.coli infection with unpasteurised cheese, whether this is the case.","AnswerText":"As is normal practice for the management of outbreaks such as these Health Protection Scotland (HPS) convened an Incident Management Team (IMT). The IMT is a multi-agency team comprising HPS, Food Standards Scotland, NHS Boards, Scottish E. coli O157/VTEC Reference Laboratory and Local Authority Environmental Health Teams. Membership was expanded to include Public Health England when cases were identified in England. It is the role of the IMT to consider all available evidence; epidemiological, microbiological, environmental and food chain investigations and to make recommendations based on this evidence to protect the health of the public.\r\nOn 15 September the IMT issued a statement summarising some of the investigations to date, which reported that epidemiological investigations have identified Dunsyre Blue cheese as the most likely cause of the outbreak. This was based on consideration of all available evidence including that 19 of the 22 confirmed cases had eaten blue cheese prior to becoming ill. Of these, 15 were known to have eaten Dunsyre Blue while others cannot be certain about the brand of blue cheese they have consumed. Investigations are ongoing on the other cases. Despite extensive investigation, no other common link to a majority of cases could be established.\r\nIn food related outbreaks, it is not unusual that the investigation does not directly link all of the cases to the suspected vehicle. This can be for a number of reasons including cases having an incomplete recollection of all the foods eaten prior to becoming unwell, secondary cases (person to person spread) and cross contamination.\r\nDuring investigations of this nature it is not always possible to isolate the same strain of organism from the suspected food vehicle as from the human cases. There are a number of reasons for this, firstly as the time between the consumption of the food vehicle and the laboratory confirmation of the case can take up to three weeks and even longer in some cases, this means that the food consumed by cases is often no longer available for testing. In addition, not all of those who have eaten an implicated product will become ill because the organism may not be evenly distributed throughout the food.\r\nThe IMT has considered all the information available to them, and continue to be of the view that Dunsyre Blue remains the most likely cause of the outbreak.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316473,"EventID":"S5W-03111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:32.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T18:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which European governments it has met since the decision by the UK to leave the EU; when the meetings were held, and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"On 28 June 2016 the Scottish Government received a clear mandate from Parliament to pursue all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU and to engage with EU Member States to explain Scotland’s position, the work it is taking forward to protect its EU relationship and understand their concerns. EU Member State engagement on this basis has been progressing well. Since the referendum, Scottish Government Ministers have met with the Governments of the following fifteen EU Member States:-\r\nAustria\r\nBelgium\r\nCroatia\r\nCzech Republic\r\nDenmark\r\nFinland\r\nFrance\r\nGermany\r\nIreland\r\nItaly\r\nLuxembourg\r\nNetherlands\r\nPoland\r\nSlovakia\r\nSweden\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to regularly reporting progress on its EU engagement to Parliament including through regular engagement with relevant Committees.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316474,"EventID":"S5W-03113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:33.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T18:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it makes of the age of publicly owned infrastructure.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government works with a number of delivery partners including Transport Scotland, local authorities, NHS boards, Scottish Funding Council and Scottish Water who are responsible for managing publicly owned infrastructure and ensuring that their respective infrastructure is fit for purpose and appropriately maintained, upgrading or replacing when required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316475,"EventID":"S5W-03118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:34.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T09:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason no places have been allocated for newly trained GPs under its golden hello scheme to NHS Shetland, Orkney and Highland. ","AnswerText":"In August 2016 Scottish Government advertised 100 new GPST (GP Specialty Training) posts which are additional to current training posts located around Scotland.\r\nOver a third of the 100 new posts have a recruitment bonus to attract trainees into areas that have previously been difficult to recruit to. Five of the new GPST posts have been advertised in the North region for a February 2017 start date - 2 in Caledonian (mainly covering NHS Highland) and 3 in Grampian, all five attract a bursary.\r\nThe exact detail of the location (rotations) of the 2 Caledonian posts is still being planned by the North Region Deanery and the Board. The distribution of rotations is determined locally by training capacity in practices and the availability of posts in hospitals and their ability to deliver the GP curricular requirements.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316476,"EventID":"S5W-03120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:35.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T10:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many organisations in Dumfries and Galloway have received support from its CashBack for Communities scheme.","AnswerText":"Between 2008 and the end of March 2016, £1,037,636 of CashBack activities funding has been invested in the Dumfries and Galloway area, delivering 52,728 activities and opportunities for young people. Information on the organisations in Dumfries and Galloway who have benefited from this investment is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 58209).\r\nSupport has also been provided for facilities. Dumfries and Galloway Council were awarded £600,000 of CashBack facilities funding in 2012 to procure and construct three 3G pitches at Dumfries High School, Stranraer Academy and Annan Athletic. These projects are now managed and operated by three community clubs through service level agreements with the Council. £45,000 of CashBack facilities funding was also awarded in 2012 to Dumfries Saints Rugby Football Club to enable the 3G pitch at Dumfries High School to be suitable for rugby.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316477,"EventID":"S5W-03036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:36.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that proper procedures are not always followed when people are detained under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, and what action it plans to take on this issue.","AnswerText":"The Mental Welfare Commission is an independent organisation and has been tasked with ensuring that the care, treatment and support for people with mental illness, learning disability and related conditions is lawful. \r\nThey carry out statutory duties which involve monitoring the care and treatment of people under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and regularly report their findings. These reports identify any issues with the way the law is used and the Commission will recommend changes to both service providers and the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government reviews these reports and the actions needed to address the recommendations made by the Commission.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316478,"EventID":"S5W-03093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:37.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research and analysis it has carried out on the dangers of e-cigarettes.","AnswerText":"Research and analysis on e-cigarettes is being conducted on a global scale but there is a lack of data on the long-term impacts of use. The Scottish Government commissioned research and analysis which explored awareness, experiences and attitudes towards e-cigarettes among young adults aged 16 - 25. The research was conducted between October 2015 and February 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316479,"EventID":"S5W-03095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:38.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with (a) its agencies, (b) health and medical organisations and (c) industry bodies concerning the use and health and safety of of e-cigarettes. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in regular discussions with its agencies, health and medical organisations as well as third sector bodies with health and industry interests on all aspects relating to e-cigarettes.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316480,"EventID":"S5W-03102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:39.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will provide in the next five years to fund the higher education bursary available to students with an income of up to £19,000, and how much of this money is additional under the new threshold.","AnswerText":"The higher education bursary budget is demand-led and entitlement based. The amount made available each year will vary based on student applications.\r\nThe increase in the threshold for eligibility for the maximum bursary of £1875 from 2016-17 was achieved within the current budget.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316481,"EventID":"S5W-03104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:40.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T17:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in light of the proposed merger between British Transport Police (BTP) and Police Scotland, the number of BTP officers will counted towards its pledge to maintain officer numbers above 17,234.","AnswerText":"BTP officers are not currently included in the figures giving the number of full-time equivalent officers in Scotland. Following the merger between BTP and Police Scotland any comparison of officer numbers in Scotland with the position prior to the merger would need to take account of this.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316482,"EventID":"S5W-03127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:41.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what strategy it has developed in cooperation with Police Scotland to counter cybercrime.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland has developed its cyber strategy which encapsulates the objectives and themes set out in the Scottish Government's cyber resilience strategy, Safe, Secure and prosperous: A Cyber Resilience for Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316483,"EventID":"S5W-03078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:42.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether incidents of E.coli infection in the Carnoustie area have been confirmed as being caused by the same strain of E.coli O157:H7 that caused infections earlier in summer 2016. ","AnswerText":"NHS Tayside Health Protection Team and Angus Council are currently investigating cases of E.coli O157 infection affecting a small number of children in the Angus area. The Incident Management Team for the national outbreak are in contact with those managing this investigation and initial information suggests that there may be a link to the national outbreak and investigations are ongoing. The places of residence of cases with the same strain of E. coli O157 are not being disclosed to protect patient confidentiality.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316484,"EventID":"S5W-03096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:43.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to ban the use of e-cigarettes in enclosed public spaces. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to regulate the use of e-cigarettes in enclosed public spaces. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316485,"EventID":"S5W-03103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:45.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce details of the updated package of support for eligible postgraduate students for academic year 2017-18.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently considering the support available to postgraduate students in Scotland and will ensure any changes are announced in time to allow students and institutions to make necessary preparations for academic year 2017-18.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316486,"EventID":"S5W-03110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:46.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T18:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of jobs in Scotland’s retail sector.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of jobs in the Scottish retail sector from \r\n2009 - 2015. \r\nThe figures are the latest retail jobs figures as published by the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday 28 September. \r\n Table 1: Retail Jobs, Scotland, 2009 to 2015\r\nYear\r\nFull-time employee jobs\r\nPart-time employee jobs\r\nWorking proprietors\r\nAll Retail Jobs\r\n2009\r\n98,300\r\n140,900\r\n12,100\r\n251,300\r\n2010\r\n95,300\r\n142,600\r\n8,500\r\n246,400\r\n2011\r\n93,000\r\n144,600\r\n12,900\r\n250,500\r\n2012\r\n87,400\r\n142,000\r\n11,500\r\n241,000\r\n2013\r\n89,500\r\n139,100\r\n12,400\r\n241,000\r\n2014\r\n100,200\r\n144,400\r\n9,000\r\n253,600\r\n2015\r\n101,500\r\n134,300\r\n8,700\r\n244,400\r\nSource: Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES) Office for National Statistics","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":316487,"EventID":"S5W-03121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:46.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to people who do not complete modern apprenticeships regarding (a) access to other programmes and (b) funding.","AnswerText":"There are a number of reasons why an individual may leave the MA programme including entering full-time further education and training; moving into alternative employment or no longer wishing to continue with the programme. A recent finding from SDS research was that for all MA leavers, including non-completers, the vast majority (85 per cent) were still in work six months after completing or leaving their MA with 90 per cent in either work or education.\r\nPeople who don’t complete a Modern Apprenticeship can access programmes such as Adopt an Apprentice, Employability Fund and start another Modern Apprenticeship subject to normal eligibility rules.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316488,"EventID":"S5W-03128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:47.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the findings of the report, HMICS Crime Audit 2016, and what action it will take to implement its recommendations. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the HMICS 2016 Crime Audit and its overall finding that the quality of most incident and crime recording decisions by Police Scotland is good. This gives the public confidence in Scotland’s statistics on recorded crime. Responsibility for implementing the recommendations linked to the Audit are predominantly a matter for Police Scotland with appropriate oversight by the Scottish Police Authority. In our capacity as a member of the Scottish Crime Recording Board, the Scottish Government will work with partners to consider the recommendation which relates to crime recording practices for cyber-enabled sexual crime and associated victimisation.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316489,"EventID":"S5W-03080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:49.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether decisions by Food Standards Scotland regarding food action alerts in relation to E.coli are made on the basis of isolating pathogenic E.coli strains, or on the basis of detecting the presence of stx genes alone. ","AnswerText":"Decisions taken by Food Standards Scotland are based on consumer protection and it uses all of the evidence available during an outbreak investigation and not on the testing results alone.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316490,"EventID":"S5W-03087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:50.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that people undergoing treatment for mental ill-health in hospitals are being ill-treated without any action being taken against the perpetrators, contrary to section 315 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, and what action it plans to take on this issue.","AnswerText":"All patients receiving care or treatment are entitled to receive high-quality person-centred care in a safe setting, and the vast majority of mental health care and treatment across Scotland is provided with care and compassion. Section 315 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (“the 2003 Act”) provides for an offence which applies where a person with a mental health disorder is ill-treated or wilfully neglected in the course of the provision of their care or treatment. On investigation of a complaint, the police will decide if there is sufficient evidence to submit a report to the Procurator Fiscal.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that the criminal justice system is able to hold individuals and organisations to account where they are responsible for serious and deliberate neglect or ill-treatment in the course of providing care. The Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”), will introduce new offences relating to the ill-treatment or wilful neglect of adults receiving health care or social care (including mental health care or treatment). The 2016 Act introduces two offences: one for care workers; and one in respect of organisations, which will allow neglect or ill-treatment that has resulted from organisational failings to be dealt with effectively. Additionally, the 2016 Act will increase the penalty for the offence set out in section 315 of the 2003 Act, from a maximum of two years imprisonment, on indictment, to a maximum of five years imprisonment, on indictment. These new offences as well as the increase in maximum penalty for the 2003 Act offence will come in to force in April 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316491,"EventID":"S5W-03094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:50.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to conduct any research and analysis into the health impacts of e-cigarettes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to monitor data on the prevalence of e-cigarette use in both adults and young people through the Scottish Health Survey and Scottish Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey. We work closely with Scotland's research community to ensure our policies are based on best evidence on the health impacts of e-cigarettes.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316492,"EventID":"S5W-03105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:52.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T17:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the 33,490 affordable houses delivered in the last parliamentary session were in the Glasgow City Council area.","AnswerText":"7033 of the 33,490 affordable homes delivered during the last parliamentary term were delivered in the Glasgow City Council area.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316493,"EventID":"S5W-03112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:52.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T18:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who it has met from the European Commission since the decision by the UK to leave the EU; when the meetings were held, and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"The First Minister met with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on 29 June 2016 to raise awareness of the result of the EU Referendum vote in Scotland and to highlight Scotland’s desire to protect its relationship with the European Union. In addition, discussions between the European Commission and the Scottish Government take place regularly at both Ministerial and official level. Routine discussions have continued since the EU Referendum to ensure continuation of EU related business and to underline the Scottish Government’s commitment to working with the European Commission.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316494,"EventID":"S5W-03119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:53.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T09:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to encourage newly trained GPs to relocate to NHS (a) Shetland, (b) Orkney and (c) Western Isles.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting primary care, including GPs, and ensuring that all communities in Scotland, including remote and rural, receive safe, reliable and sustainable health care services.\r\nOver three years, the Scottish Government is investing £85 million, as part of the Primary Care Fund. As part of this, over £2 million will be invested in work to explore with key stakeholders the issues surrounding GP recruitment and retention which can be particularly challenging in remote and rural areas. This will support a range of initiatives over the next two years including the establishment of a Scottish Rural Medicine Collaborative in seven health boards. This initiative will bring together recruitment strategies and support networks for GPs working in remote and rural areas.\r\nSince 11 February 2016, the Scottish Government has also updated the Directions around the Golden Hello scheme which incentivises GPs to work in rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316495,"EventID":"S5W-03083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:54.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02524 by Humza Yousaf on 21 September 2016, whether it will set out a detailed timetable for progressing the option assessment process to identify a preferred option for the grade separation of Sheriffhall roundabout, and when it envisages construction work on this project to begin. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to undertaking improvements at Sheriffhall roundabout. We continue to progress the option assessment process to identify a preferred option for the grade separation of Sheriffhall roundabout. The junction improvement options under consideration will be presented to the public for comment later this year and it is expected that the option assessment process will be completed by the end of 2016-17.\r\nDelivery of the scheme itself can only commence when the scheme is approved under the statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for construction can be set in line with available budgets.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316496,"EventID":"S5W-03084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:55.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02525 by Humza Yousaf on 21 September 2016, what assessment it (a) has made and (b) will make on the future capacity of the A720, in light of anticipated population growth in Lothian and the associated increase in vehicle numbers.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland obtains detailed information on levels of development from local planning authorities. This is used as an input to the regional transport model which provides forecast changes in travel demand. A transport appraisal using information from the model in relation to the capacity of strategic routes, including the A720, is currently underway to identify mitigation needed to address the cross boundary impacts of development proposed in the South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316497,"EventID":"S5W-03097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:56.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that e-cigarettes are a safe alternative to tobacco products.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government considers that e-cigarettes are less harmful than tobacco cigarettes and recognises the role that e-cigarettes can play in helping some smokers quit.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316498,"EventID":"S5W-03101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:57.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will provide in (a) real and (b) cash terms over the next five years to make educational maintenance allowance an entitlement. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03071 on 29 September 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316499,"EventID":"S5W-03115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:58.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T18:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in infrastructure in each year since 2007, also given as a percentage of GDP.","AnswerText":"Information on investment since 2007 in infrastructure is included within the annually published draft budget.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316500,"EventID":"S5W-03116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:50:59.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T18:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it (a) takes and (b) has taken to support the retail sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the value of a successful and vibrant retail sector and regularly engages with the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) and its members across a wide range of policy priorities.\r\nWe provide various mechanisms of support to the sector, including zero or reduced rates for around 100,000 properties under the Small Business Bonus Scheme; almost two-thirds of shops benefit from some form of rates relief. The annual cost of the Small Business Bonus Scheme is estimated at around £178 million.\r\nWe also provide skills support for the sector through Skills Development Scotland, with over 2,000 Modern Apprenticeships having started in the sector during the last financial year 2015-16: and wider business advice via Business Gateway. Furthermore, the Scottish Government supports work with the grocery sector through a partnership approach with the food and drink industry. We remain focused on maintaining Scotland’s position as the most competitive environment for business and will continue to work closely with the retail sector.\r\nThe Scottish Government works closely with the independent Regulatory Review Group (RRG) to actively promote an improved regulatory landscape and reduce unnecessary burdens on business. The RRG has members drawn from the main business organisations in Scotland and the retail sector is represented by the Scottish Retail Consortium.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":316501,"EventID":"S5W-03129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:00.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the finding in the report, HMICS Crime Audit 2016, that some crime is being displaced and is now taking place online, and how it is working with Police Scotland to improve capabilities to identify, record, and investigate cybercrime. ","AnswerText":"The increasing use of the internet offers greater opportunities for criminals to conduct their activity at a distance from their intended victims. Police Scotland is investing significant funds in developing its cybercrime infrastructure through the development of a network of state of the art hubs to ensure that knowledge and skills are maintained to a high level.\r\nIt is essential that Police Scotland has all available resources at its disposal to support its efforts to combat the ever increasing threat of cybercrime. It is therefore critical that Police Scotland continues to be able to access the support and expertise available from the European Cybercrime Centre at Europol.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316502,"EventID":"S5W-03040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:01.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the test of capacity in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 has reportedly not been approved by the European Court of Human Rights when the test in the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 has reportedly been approved by the court.","AnswerText":"There is no formal test of capacity set out in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 but in some circumstances different provisions and safeguards of the 2003 Act apply if the patient does not have capacity to make a certain decision in relation to treatment at a certain time. A patient’s capacity to consent to treatment is assessed by experienced, specialist clinicians subject to the safeguards in Part 16 of the 2003 Act, and having regard to guidance issued by the Mental Welfare Commission. \r\nWe believe that the 2003 Act is fully compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The 2003 Act has never been found, in part or in whole, by the European Court of Human Rights to be not compliant with ECHR.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316503,"EventID":"S5W-03106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:02.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T18:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) affordable homes and (b) homes for social rent were demolished in the last parliamentary session in (i) the Glasgow City Council area and (ii) Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold specific information on the number of demolitions of (a) affordable homes and (b) homes for social rent.\r\nInformation on demolitions or closure of (a) Local Authority (b) Registered Social Landlord (RSL) and (c) private housing, is requested from Local Authorities on an annual basis. However, the information provided to Scottish Government is incomplete and subject to the caveats below. In addition, not all Local Authorities provide information split by RSL and private housing, so these categories are often combined.\r\nThe table below shows the information that the Scottish Government holds on the numbers of homes demolished or closed in the Glasgow City Council and Scotland areas across the years 2011-12 to 2015-16, based on the Housing Statistics for Scotland annual data collection from local authorities.\r\nTotal demolitions (total demolished, taken out of use or closed less those previously reported as closed), by financial year\r\nFinancial Year:\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nGlasgow - all tenures\r\n889 (1)\r\n889 e\r\n889 e\r\n889 e\r\n1,005 (2)\r\nGlasgow - housing association dwellings\r\n884 (1)\r\n884 e\r\n884 e\r\n884 e\r\n1,005\r\nGlasgow - private dwellings\r\n5 (1)\r\n5 e\r\n5 e\r\n5 e\r\nnot available\r\nScotland - all tenures\r\n2,925\r\n3,719\r\n2,055\r\n2,108\r\n1,932\r\nScotland - local authority dwellings\r\n1,135\r\n1,579\r\n759\r\n621\r\n649\r\nScotland - other dwellings (housing association or private)\r\n1,790\r\n2,140\r\n1,296\r\n1,487\r\n1,283\r\nSource: Scottish Government Housing Statistics for Scotland\r\nNotes: \r\ne - estimated. Glasgow City Council were not able to submit any figures for the years 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15. Therefore for these years the previous figure for 2011-12 has been used as an estimate.\r\n(1) The Glasgow figures for 2011-12 provided by Glasgow City Council relate to the total number of demolition applications. However this number may not reflect the number of subsequently completed demolitions.\r\n(2) The Glasgow figure for 2015-16 has been provided by Glasgow Housing Association, therefore data for this year relates only to demolitions or closures by this social landlord and excludes any private dwellings.\r\nFigures on demolitions or closures of local authority housing stock are generally accurate, but authorities differ in their ability to provide information on other tenures. For some councils this only includes housing association demolitions or closures, as those for privately owned housing is not available. We advise that these data should be considered as a minimum level of demolition or closure activity in Scotland.\r\nThe Scotland figures include estimates for other local authority areas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316504,"EventID":"S5W-03108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:03.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T18:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on cross-border rail passenger numbers of a 50% reduction in air passenger duty. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of the potential impact on cross-border rail passenger numbers of a 50% reduction in the overall burden of Air Passenger Duty (APD) in Scotland, and is factoring this into policy decisions for the tax which will replace APD in Scotland from 1 April 2018.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316505,"EventID":"S5W-03123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:04.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support Skills Development Scotland offers to small and medium-sized enterprises to provide training for modern apprentices.","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland offer a range of support to all employers recruiting a Modern Apprentice including small and medium sized employers. This includes support and guidance through their Employer Engagement Team, an Employer Helpline for those seeking specific advice and support to identify suitable training providers.\r\nSME’s are also eligible for financial support though Scottish Employer Recruitment Incentive. This provides a contribution of up to £4000 to employers recruiting young people facing the greatest barriers to employment.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316506,"EventID":"S5W-03125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:05.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T10:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many accidents on the A77 have been recorded by Transport Scotland in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"The following table contains details of the personal injury accident statistics on the A77 for the latest five full calendar years (2011 – 2015).\r\nYear\r\nFatal\r\nSerious\r\nSlight\r\nTOTAL\r\n\r\n2011\r\n0\r\n12\r\n47\r\n59\r\n2012\r\n1\r\n8\r\n52\r\n61\r\n2013\r\n5\r\n7\r\n43\r\n55\r\n2014\r\n2\r\n5\r\n37\r\n44\r\n2015\r\n1\r\n12\r\n46\r\n59\r\nTOTAL\r\n\r\n9\r\n44\r\n225\r\n278\r\nTransport Scotland has continued to implement road safety improvements on the A77. In Cairnryan Transport Scotland has worked with the community and recently installed traffic calming measures, along with speed monitoring equipment on the A77 within the village. Transport Scotland is developing a programme to work with hauliers and the ferry company to further improve driver behaviour, particularly for those vehicles using the ferry ports in the area. Also, from Girvan to Symington over £1 million has recently been invested in upgrading the average speed cameras to ensure that the improved safety performance continues on the route.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316507,"EventID":"S5W-03130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:06.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of online child sexual abuse there have been in each year since 2013. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The Scottish Government publishes annual National Statistics on both sexual crimes recorded by the police and convictions in court, however the data we receive is based on a simple count of all crimes and convictions and we cannot distinguish whether these cases both involve children and have an online element. Furthermore one case or incident can involve multiple recorded crimes or convictions or vice-versa.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316508,"EventID":"S5W-03039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:07.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland is failing to act impartially, and what action it plans to take on this issue.","AnswerText":"The Mental Health Tribunal Scotland is an independent organisation which reports to Scottish Ministers. The aim of the Tribunal is to provide a responsive, accessible, independent and impartial service when making decisions on the compulsory care and treatment of people with mental disorders. \r\nThe Tribunal consists of the President and around 300 members. There are three groups of members – legal, medical, and general. Each hearing will have a panel of three members which includes one person from each group. The legal members will chair the hearing. Medical members are psychiatrists. General members are people with a special interest in mental health including psychiatric nurses, social workers, psychologists, service users and carers. None of the panel should have had any previous connection with the patient/service user.\r\nThere is a right under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 to appeal to the Sheriff Principal (with a further appeal right to the Court of Session). It would be for the sheriff principal and then the Court of Session to review a decision made by the Tribunal. The Court may set aside the decision of the Tribunal and can also substitute its own decision.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316509,"EventID":"S5W-03041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:08.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 does not contain a provision for appeal against a decision regarding incapacity, compared to the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000, which does contain such a provision.","AnswerText":"There is not a test in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (“the 2003 Act”) which results in patients being deemed incapable generally. A patient’s capacity to consent to treatment is assessed by experienced, specialist clinicians subject to the safeguards in Part 16 of the 2003 Act and having regard to guidance issued by the Mental Welfare Commission. Under the 2003 Act, judgements of capacity to consent are made in relation to the ability to consent to that treatment at that time. \r\nThe Millan report, which was the basis for the 2003 Act, noted that “there are differences between the typical situation which may arise under the Adults with Incapacity Act, and the use of mental health law. It may be easier to determine that a person with a long-standing condition such as learning disability or dementia does not have capacity, than in the case of someone with an acute mental illness, which may fluctuate above and below the capacity ‘threshold’. Even if incapacity can be established at a particular time, it would seem impractical for an order for compulsory treatment to stop and start if capacity fluctuates perhaps on a daily basis or even more frequently.”","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316510,"EventID":"S5W-03092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:09.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the health impacts of passive smoke from e-cigarettes. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is of the view that the health implications from passively inhaling vapour from e-cigarettes are significantly lower than those from traditional cigarettes. However e-cigarettes are not risk free. More research is required to determine the long-term health consequences of exposure to e-cigarette vapour.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316511,"EventID":"S5W-03109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:10.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T18:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the rail industry in relation to its proposals for a 50% reduction in air passenger duty.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland officials met with representatives from Virgin Trains on 19 November 2015, 17 February 2016, 20 April 2016 and 8 September 2016. The Minister for Transport and the Islands also met with representatives from Virgin Trains on 21 September 2016. During these meetings, the Scottish Government’s proposal for a 50% reduction in the overall burden of an Air Passenger Duty replacement tax by the end of the current session of the Scottish Parliament was discussed.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316512,"EventID":"S5W-03122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:11.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to organisations that use funding from Scotland’s Employer Recruitment Incentive to provide further training and development for modern apprentices.","AnswerText":"Through Scotland's Employer Recruitment Incentive, the Scottish Government offers a package of support to employers recruiting 16-29 year olds, facing barriers to employment, into a new job including a Modern Apprenticeship. Eligible employers receive up to £4,000 to offset the costs of recruiting and sustaining the young person during the first 52 weeks of employment. Specialist employer support, tailored to the needs of the individual, is available from the Open Doors Consortium of Third Sector organisations.\r\nEmployers wishing to offer a Modern Apprenticeship to the person they have recruited will also be able to draw on the full range of support offered, by training providers, to all Modern Apprentices and their employers.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316513,"EventID":"S5W-03124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:12.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many grants were (a) available and (b) awarded through funding from Scotland’s Employer Recruitment Incentive in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Scotland's Employer Recruitment Incentive (SERI) was launched on 24 June 2015 to support 2,200 young people who face the greatest barriers to employment.\r\nUp to March 2016, 1,226 young people were supported into sustainable employment with support available for a further 550 young people in this financial year. Up to end August 2016, 164 young people have started a new job, including or Modern Apprenticeships, with SERI support in 2016-17, bringing the total to date to 1,390.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316514,"EventID":"S5W-03032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:14.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whose responsibility it is to ensure that a person who is subject to a short-term detention certificate is provided with information on appealing to the Mental Health Tribunal.","AnswerText":"A Short Term Detention Certificate (STDC) is granted where the patient is not already subject to compulsory measures. It may also be granted where the patient is subject to an Emergency Detention Certificate (EDC). \r\nThe patient and the patient's named person both have the right to apply to Mental Health Tribunal Scotland (MHTS) under section 50 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003 for a revocation of the STDC.\r\nChapter two of the statutory Code of Practice which accompanies the 2003 Act, provides operational advice for healthcare professionals and states that it is good practice for the Mental Health Officer (MHO), when interviewing the patient, to provide them with an explanation of their right to appeal to the MHTS and with advice on how to access legal support as well as the support of an independent advocate in the event a STDC is granted. \r\nWhen a STDC is granted, best practice would suggest that a MHO should consider ensuring the patient is aware as is possible of their status and rights and has access to information on representation and advocacy service. They should also make sure the patient or the named person remain fully aware of their rights throughout the detention period – for example, in relation to their right of appeal for a revocation of a STDC under section 50 of the 2003 Act or in their relation to their rights to advocacy service.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316515,"EventID":"S5W-03082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:14.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02524 by Humza Yousaf on 21 September 2016, which improvements on the A720, in addition to work at Sherrifhall, it is committed to undertaking, and when these will be made. ","AnswerText":"The work referred to in S5W-02524 and in S5W-00568 answered on 17 June 2016 is currently underway and it would not be appropriate to prejudge the outcome of this work.\r\nIn the meantime, Transport Scotland continues to assess the need for localised improvements on the A720 and has allocated over £2M for improvements on this route during 2016-17. A further £110K has already been spent on a scheme which was designed to improve lane discipline and safety at Sheriffhall Roundabout.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316516,"EventID":"S5W-03099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:15.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reported difficulties being experienced by patients in Rutherglen and Cambuslang due to NHS Glasgow being unable to access their medical records.","AnswerText":"NHS Lanarkshire have advised that there are no changes to hospital flows as a result of the changes to health board boundaries and that patients in Rutherglen and Cambuslang continue to be able to access the same acute hospital services in Glasgow as they always have. \r\nBoth NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have assured Scottish Government that they have IT systems and protocols in place to enable the sharing of relevant patient information.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316517,"EventID":"S5W-03100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:16.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the 2014 transition of patients in Rutherglen and Cambuslang from NHS Lanarkshire to NHS Glasgow.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03099 on 4 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316518,"EventID":"S5W-03114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:17.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-21T18:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the average age of Scotland's (a) roads, (b) pavements, (c) hospitals, (d) schools and (e) colleges was in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for the management of these assets is for a number of delivery partners, including Transport Scotland, local authorities and NHS boards. This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316519,"EventID":"S5W-03117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T14:51:18.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the grant in aid for Skills Development Scotland has been in each year since it was established.","AnswerText":"Grant in Aid to Skills Development Scotland in each financial year from its beginning (2008-9)\r\nFinancial Year\r\nGrant in Aid1 (£m)\r\n2008-09\r\n195.7\r\n2009-10\r\n196.7\r\n2010-11\r\n194.2\r\n2011-12\r\n199.3\r\n2012-13\r\n188.7\r\n2013-14\r\n208.7\r\n2014-15\r\n197.7\r\n2015-16\r\n207.7\r\n1. The figures are taken from the Spring Budget Revision for each financial year. The published documents can be found on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18127/Documents\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316520,"EventID":"S5W-03133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T16:43:54.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T13:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it will give to the Aberdeen City Centre Masterplan.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has a strong record of investment in Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland. Earlier this year the Scottish Government announced a £254 million infrastructure package for the North East on top of the commitment to provide 50:50 funding for the Aberdeen City Region Deal. In addition, the Scottish Government has established a number of different funds which address specific areas of regeneration activity and Aberdeen has thus far benefitted from two rounds of the £25 miilion Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. \r\nAberdeen City Council are responsible for the Masterplan. Scottish Ministers will also have a role to play in the adoption of the Masterplan in order for it to have statutory status in connection with the forthcoming Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":316521,"EventID":"S5W-03139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T16:43:55.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02456 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 22 September 2016, whether it will provide the number of applications for dyslexia support received by the Student Awards Agency Scotland.","AnswerText":"Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) administer the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) which is a needs led funding award based on demand. DSA helps support equality of access to higher education for individual students. \r\nThe following table shows the number of DSA applications to SAAS from students who have declared they are dyslexic.\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nTotal number of students\r\n2,655\r\n2,810\r\n2,585\r\n2,910\r\n2,940\r\nNumber of university students\r\n2,180\r\n2,300\r\n2,095\r\n2,265\r\n2,340\r\nNumber of college students\r\n475\r\n510\r\n490\r\n645\r\n600\r\nSource: SAAS\r\nNote: DSA funding from SAAS is available to students undertaking a course of higher education at universities, colleges and eligible private institutions. The data in the table for colleges also includes private institutions.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316522,"EventID":"S5W-03136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T16:43:56.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in establishing a taskforce on nuisance telephone calls, which was announced in June 2016.","AnswerText":" The first meeting of the Scottish Government’s Nuisance Calls Commission will be held in November and membership will include regulators, consumer groups and industry. Invitations have been issued for the Commission and responses are currently being received Further details will be available following the official launch later this month.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316523,"EventID":"S5W-03138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T16:43:57.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-02405 by Michael Matheson on 22 September 2016, whether it will provide the minutes of those meetings. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not routinely release minutes of private meetings.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316524,"EventID":"S5W-03131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T16:43:58.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02448 by Humza Yousaf on 20 September 2016, what the costs of the improvements were at (a) Lockerbie, (b) Gretna Green, (c) Annan, (d) Sanquhar and (e) Kirkconnel railway station, and the time periods in which the work took place.","AnswerText":"The improvements made were funded from various budgets in the previous and current ScotRail franchise, along with funding from the Department for Transport's Access for All fund. The time period for the works range from 2007 until 2016, with the recent investment being the installation of CCTV cameras at Sanquhar and Kirkconnel stations from the £78k franchise commitment to install CCTV camera at stations across the rail network by March 2016. The actual cost of each station improvement is not known as this is a commercial matter between the franchisee and their contractor.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316525,"EventID":"S5W-03137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-22T16:43:59.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02404 by Michael Matheson on 22 September 2016, whether it will provide information on the input that it has had on the setting of local priorities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02403 on 22 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316539,"EventID":"S5W-03153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:15:58.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new (a) police inspectors and (b) chief inspectors have been recruited by Police Scotland each year since.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316540,"EventID":"S5W-03160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:00.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T13:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many responses to the consultation on proposed amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006 have been received; by what date it will publish an analysis of these, and what policy decisions it has taken regarding the issues raised by the consultation.","AnswerText":"302 responses were received to the consultation on the proposed amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006. These were published online at: www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/12/5990/downloads.\r\nAs set out in answer S5W-00414 on 14 June 2016 and S4W-29921 on 8 March 2016, I will provide to Parliament our analysis of the consultation in due course. No policy decisions have yet been made. We continue to give full and proper consideration to the responses received, options moving forward and our commitment to developing an outcome that protects user privacy.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316541,"EventID":"S5W-03143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:01.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the First Minister on 25 May 2016 (Official Report, c. 9), regarding broadband access that “by 2021, we intend to reach 100 per cent of premises across the country”; what minimum speed of broadband will be available by 2021, and what plans it has to increase speeds beyond then.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to extending superfast broadband access to 100 per cent of premises across Scotland by 2021.\r\nBeyond this, we are working with Scottish Futures Trust to develop our World Class Digital Infrastructure programme. This is looking beyond immediate coverage priorities and taking a longer term view, with the aim of ensuring that Scotland has the underlying infrastructure that can support the future evolution of digital technologies – whether from superfast to ultrafast networks, or from 4G to 5G. This work is identifying key infrastructure requirements, assessing commercial models and determining how the public sector most effectively stimulate commercial investment and activity in these areas.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316542,"EventID":"S5W-03147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:03.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T17:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to simplifying the re-application process for existing Blue Badge holders.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plan to review the blue badge application process which was last reviewed in 2012 and tested by a number of disability organisations before introduction. \r\nLocal authorities are required to undertake a number of checks on every applicant for a blue badge. In cases where a person has previously been issued with a blue badge the local authority must still carry out checks to determine whether the applicant continues to meet the eligibility criteria for a badge and verify the identity of the applicant to reduce the likelihood of fraud. However, in cases where an applicant is assessed as meeting the eligibility criteria and due to the nature of their condition the local authority believes that no improvement over time is likely, the local authority can prescribe that no further assessment of their condition be carried out on future re-application and record this on the blue badge database.\r\nApplicants are required to complete the sections of the application which relate only to their specific circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316543,"EventID":"S5W-03152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:04.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) police inspectors and (b) chief inspectors there have been in Police Scotland each year.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316544,"EventID":"S5W-03154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:06.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) police inspectors and (b) chief inspectors have (i) retired, (ii) resigned or (iii) left their post for other reasons at Police Scotland each year.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316545,"EventID":"S5W-03132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:07.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its announcement on 13 September 2016, what funding mechanism it is using to deliver its £300 million loan scheme for farmers and crofters.","AnswerText":"The loan scheme will be funded, as it was in 2015, by Financial Transactions. As the majority of loans will be paid and then recovered before the end of the 2016-17 financial year, the net expenditure at 31 March 2017 will relate only to loans that are not yet recovered. Funding sufficient to support that net expenditure is being provided from loans recovered from the 2015 scheme during the 2016-17 financial year and smaller underspends elsewhere.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316546,"EventID":"S5W-03149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:08.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02245 by Michael Matheson on 14 September 2016, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding how the public can access full details of criminal convictions, including with regard to sentencing and the charges that led to the conviction, in the form of an extract conviction.","AnswerText":"As noted in answer to S5W-02245, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) are required to handle the release of conviction information in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1988 and other relevant legislation. I am advised by the SCTS that they are in the process of undertaking a review of its policies on the provision of such information and the member may wish to contact SCTS for further information.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316547,"EventID":"S5W-03150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:09.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what bisphosphonates are available for cancer patients. ","AnswerText":"A number of bisphosphonate medicines are licensed and have been accepted for use in Scotland for the treatment of osteoporosis and also for the reduction of bone damage when cancer has already spread to the bone. At this time no bisphosphonate has a license to reduce the risk of cancer spreading to the bone.\r\nWhere a medicine does not have a license for a specific condition NHS boards in Scotland have guidance and procedures in place for off-label prescribing. A decision to recommend a drug off-label should be based on the clinical judgement of the prescriber concerned and must take account of safety and efficacy risks.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316548,"EventID":"S5W-03164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:10.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it took over summer 2016 to help reduce the drop-out rate of students (a) at the University of the West of Scotland and (b) in other institutions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government, published in September 2016, set out measures aimed at improving retention rates across the sector. The Scottish Government has continued to work with universities and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) to embed and improve progress made in recent years. This includes the SFC developing refreshed guidance for university Outcome Agreements, which include measures to improve retention.\r\nFor academic year 2016-17, the SFC has also strengthened and refocused Regional Coherence funding, renaming it the Widening Access and Retention Fund (WARF). This £15 million fund, is allocated to eight higher education institutions, who are expected to continue to demonstrate and maintain a significant commitment to the support, retention and successful outcomes of students from the most disadvantaged and deprived backgrounds. The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) was allocated £3.6 million from the WARF for 2016-17. UWS has implemented a range of initiatives to improve retention rates with help from this funding. Retention rates at UWS have improved in recent years, increasing from 70.6% in 2010-11 to 84.5% in 2014-15.\r\nIn addition, in August 2016, the SFC published its Gender Action Plan, which has as one of its strategic aims to “enhance the retention and completion at a subject level where there is a gap by gender”.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316549,"EventID":"S5W-03155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:11.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T10:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to reduce the number of bats being killed by the condition, barotrauma, as a result of flying near to wind turbines.","AnswerText":"We take the protection of bats seriously. Defra recently published a study looking at the number of bat deaths attributable to wind turbines which has increased understanding of this issue. Currently Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) are working on joint agency guidance on the assessment of the impacts of bats from wind turbines. I understand this will be published by soon.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316550,"EventID":"S5W-03148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:12.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what commitments regarding the (a) cost and (b) timetable for completing the upgrading works on the A7 were given by the Minister for Transport and Islands at his meeting with the A7 Action Group in June 2016.","AnswerText":"I met the A7 Action Group in Parliament on 15 June 2016 to discuss their Action Plan, which set out its aspirations for the route. I committed Transport Scotland to undertake a review of the Action Plan and engage directly with the A7 Action Group regarding this review. The review has now been completed and has identified a range of items within the Action Plan that we will consider further. This will be done alongside on-going maintenance and improvement programmes on the route. We will also continue to monitor road safety on the A7 and through this approach will identify the need for any further road safety investigations or improvements.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316551,"EventID":"S5W-03151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:13.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a national commissioning policy for bisphosphonates for cancer patients, and who is responsible for funding bisphosphonates for cancer patients. ","AnswerText":"In Scotland NHS boards receive funding for the costs of medicines from their Scottish Government baseline funding. \r\nI also refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03150 on 7 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316552,"EventID":"S5W-03165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:14.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when its new water rescue policy will be implemented.","AnswerText":"The development and implementation of responding organisations’ policies and procedures for water rescue lie with the organisations themselves. Different aspects of water rescue in Scotland may involve the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, the Maritime Coastguard Agency, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, as well as a number of other local voluntary organisations.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316553,"EventID":"S5W-03141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:15.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding (a) the services that could be requested under, (b) the timetable for the delivery of, and (c) other matters in relation to the proposed universal service obligation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has responded to both the UK Government and Ofcom consultations regarding the introduction of a proposed broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO). In addition letters have been written to the UK Government and Ofcom, urging them to establish a Working Group involving the Devolved Administration to oversee the design of the proposed USO for broadband. I also recently met with Sharon White, Chief Executive of Ofcom, at which the broadband USO was discussed.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316554,"EventID":"S5W-03156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:17.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost is to the NHS of each patient, broken down by GP practice per year.","AnswerText":"The average costs to the NHS of each patient, broken down by GP practice per year can be found for the financial years 2014-15 and 2013-14 at https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/Publications/2015-11-03/2015-11-03-ScotlandGPPayments2014-15-Report.pdf and https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/Publications/2015-05-26/2015-05-26-ScotlandGPPayments2013-14-Report.pdf. NHS Scotland Payments to General Practice 2015-16 will be published in November 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316555,"EventID":"S5W-03158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5868,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:18.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received any information regarding planned changes to the European Health Insurance Card service following the result of the EU referendum.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has received no information regarding planned changes to the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) service following the result of the EU referendum.\r\nHowever, the EHIC stems from EU legislation (Regulation 883/2004) which sets out European co-ordination of social security arrangements and, as long as it is a member of the EU, the UK must comply with that legislation. \r\nTherefore, at this time, the EHIC remains valid and allows UK residents to receive necessary state healthcare, in the event of illness or accident, during short-term visits to other European Economic Area (EEA) countries. It also allows residents from those countries to receive necessary NHS treatment when visiting the UK.\r\nWe recognise the considerable benefits of having access to state healthcare throughout the EEA whether during a short-term visit, planned healthcare, or as Scottish state pensioners living in other parts of the EEA. We will, therefore, make it clear to the UK Government that our citizens must retain their rights in this regard and that this must be treated as a priority in Brexit negotiations.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316556,"EventID":"S5W-03163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:18.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether addressing the drop-out rate at universities is part of its Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"The programme for government set out a number of measures which aim to support retention. \r\nSince 2006-07 the percentage of UK domiciled full-time first degree entrants not continuing after their first year at a Scottish university has fallen from 10.6% to 8.0%. Although the improvement is welcome, the Scottish Government continues to work with universities and the Scottish Funding Council to secure further progress. This includes a commitment in the Programme for Government to conduct a review of Further Education and Higher Education student support, to ensure that the system is equitable and supports all students throughout their learner journey.\r\nIn addition, the Programme for Government highlights the Scottish Government will review the learner journey for 16-24 year olds to ensure that young people are supported to make well-informed choices, have equal opportunities to access the right options for them, and can move more easily through the education system, towards employment. The review will explore options for improving the learner’s experience, and this will include consideration of retention rates.\r\nIt also announced that the Scottish Government will conclude a review on what additional support nursing and midwifery students might need to enable wider participation and increased retention.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316557,"EventID":"S5W-03140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:20.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the potential impact of the proposed universal service obligation on its plans to roll out superfast broadband to 100% of premises.","AnswerText":"The potential impact of the UK Government’s Universal Service Obligation (USO) for broadband cannot be fully assessed until there is greater clarity on how it will be delivered across the UK. Ofcom is expected to publish its initial findings by December 2016. We have proposed to the UK Government and Ofcom that, in advance of this, they establish a Working Group involving the Scottish Government and other Devolved Administrations, to explore these issues and ensure alignment.\r\nIf designed effectively, the USO could help ensure that every part of the UK has an underlying fibre infrastructure that supports a range of technologies capable of delivering a 10Mbps service initially; but one that is dynamic and future-proofed, keeping pace as technology and service capabilities grow. As such, if designed in this way the USO could usefully support our plans to extend superfast access to 100% of premises.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316558,"EventID":"S5W-03142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:21.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the minimum broadband speed of 10 Mbps that has been suggested by the UK Government under the proposed universal service obligation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has set out a greater level of ambition than that of the UK Government by committing to extending superfast broadband access to 100% of premises across Scotland by 2021. This far surpasses the 10Mbps solution proposed by the UK Government through the Universal Service Obligation.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316559,"EventID":"S5W-03157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:22.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost is to the NHS of each A&E attendance. ","AnswerText":"The average cost to the NHS in Scotland of an attendance at an A&E outpatient consultant-led clinic in 2014-15 was £112. The average cost of an A&E attendance across NHS Lothian was £88 in 2014-15.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316560,"EventID":"S5W-03159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-23T16:16:23.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T12:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02245 by Michael Matheson on 14 September 2016, if full details of criminal convictions, including with regard to sentencing and the charges that led to the conviction, are not routinely a matter for the public record, whether (a) access to these can be made available on request and, if so, to what extent, or (b) the details are protected under (i) the Data Protection Act 1988 and (ii) other legislation.","AnswerText":"As noted in answer to S5W-02245, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) are required to handle the release of conviction information in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1988 and other relevant legislation. I am advised by the SCTS that they are in the process of undertaking a review of its policies on the provision of such information and the member may wish to contact SCTS for further information.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316587,"EventID":"S5W-03166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T14:48:43.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-23T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish data measuring the performance of maternity and neo-natal care against the standards and recommendations on staffing and staff training set out in Neonatal Care in Scotland: A Quality Framework.","AnswerText":"ISD Scotland publish nursing and midwifery staff in post and nursing and midwifery student intakes figures, as well as nursing and midwifery progression rates. The links below provide the latest data as at 30 June 2016:\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2016-09-06/Nursing_and_Midwifery_SIP_J2016.xls\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2015-12-01/Student_intakes_and_students_in_training_S2015.xls\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2015-12-01/Nursing_and_Midwifery_progression_of_students_S2015.xls\r\nTo support implementation of the Framework, the Scottish Government has provided funding almost £2M over the past 5 years to establish three regional neonatal Managed Clinical Networks (MCN’s). Each of the three MCN’s provides an annual report to the Scottish Government, which is followed by a meeting to discuss progress with implementation of the Framework requirements.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316588,"EventID":"S5W-03177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T14:48:44.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-24T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is addressing the barriers that affect the uptake of agroforestry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is encouraging the uptake of agroforestry through a new grant as part of the Forestry Grant Scheme within Scotland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. This is the first time a grant specifically for agroforestry has been available in Scotland. It is also working closely with farming stakeholders to encourage greater levels of woodland planting as part of farming enterprises.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316589,"EventID":"S5W-03179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T14:48:45.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-24T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage recycling and separate food waste collections in rural and island communities.","AnswerText":"The Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 require separate collection of dry recyclable materials and, with the exception of specified rural areas, food waste.\r\nOur circular economy strategy “Making Things Last” was published earlier in 2016, and sets out our ambitions and priorities to keep products and materials in high value use for as long as possible. We have set out an ambition for every household in Scotland to have access to a food waste service, and we will be discussing with local authorities how best to achieve that outcome. We will also be working closely with local authorities, including those in rural and island areas, on the implementation of the Scottish Household Recycling Charter, which will make it easier for people to recycle.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316590,"EventID":"S5W-03171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T14:48:46.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-24T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to overcome barriers in (a) getting agreement and (b) securing finances for communal work on multi-tenanted properties.","AnswerText":"Homeowners are responsible for the maintenance and repairs needed to keep their homes in good condition. The maintenance of a tenement is usually governed by rules and conditions set out in the title deeds for the flats within the block. Title deeds may set out who owns the common parts of the tenement and who is responsible for them, how decisions are to be made and how costs are to be allocated between owners.\r\nIf there is nothing in the title deeds covering maintenance and repair or they are uncertain, the Tenement Management Scheme under the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 makes provision for the maintenance and management of common property in a tenement.\r\nIn some cases, maintenance and repairs to tenements may be blocked or delayed by owners who are unable to contribute to common works. Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, local authorities have broad discretionary powers to offer assistance, although this will be subject to local priorities and resources. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 introduced a discretionary power for local authorities to pay missing shares on behalf of owners, and we recently announced the launch of a pilot equity loan scheme to assist owners with energy efficiency improvements and essential repairs.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316591,"EventID":"S5W-03178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T14:48:47.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-24T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing compulsory soil testing to reduce the use of fertiliser.","AnswerText":"We announced the introduction of compulsory soil testing last year, and since then we have been working on the detail with a range of scientific, environmental and industry stakeholders. We are considering options for compulsory soil testing to be part of the package of measures to reduce emissions from agriculture in the Climate Change Plan, the third report on policies and proposals which will be published in draft in January next year.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316592,"EventID":"S5W-03167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T14:48:48.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-24T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02631 by Roseanna Cunningham on 15 September 2016, whether the deliberate killing of marine mammals under controlled circumstances complies with the US regulations that prohibit imports from fisheries where marine animals are intentionally harmed.","AnswerText":"It is for those individual companies wishing to export fish or fish products to the US to seek their own legal advice on compliance with the relevant US regulations. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316593,"EventID":"S5W-03173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T14:48:49.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-24T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes energy-efficient driving.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government grant funds the Energy Saving Trust for a range of transport programmes, which includes fuel efficient driver training sessions. These sessions are promoted to organisations through the local EST transport advisor network and are usually promoted with further advice to businesses on reducing the carbon impact of their transport. Additionally, individuals can book a session through the Home Energy Scotland advice line.\r\nThese sessions are free to the participant and up to 3,000 places a year are funded. Each session lasts approximately 50 minutes. Sessions are also available for Electric Vehicle drivers, which last approximately 2 hours. More information is available at http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/businesses-organisations/transport/fuelgood-driver-training","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316594,"EventID":"S5W-03175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T14:48:50.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-24T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that its aviation policies comply with international (a) climate obligations and (b) civil aviation organisation agreements.","AnswerText":"While aviation policy is largely Reserved to the UK Government, the Scottish Government ensures that all its policies are compliant with all legal and international obligations through a robust policy development and impact assessment process including Environmental Impact Assessments and public consultations.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":316595,"EventID":"S5W-03168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T14:48:51.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-24T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-02362 by Fergus Ewing on 15 September 2016, whether the US regulations will only allow imports from countries where it is against the law for companies to deliberately kill marine mammals regardless of whether individual exporting companies engaged in such activities.","AnswerText":"As already stated in the answer to question S5W-02631 on 15 September 2016, there is legislation in place to prevent the deliberate killing of marine mammals.\r\nIt is a matter for individual companies wishing to export fish or fish products to the US to seek their own legal advice on compliance with the US regulations.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316596,"EventID":"S5W-03170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T14:48:52.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-24T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes the Non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive to businesses.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government actively promotes the GB-wide non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. Keen to maximise its up-take and its benefits to business, we provide a wide range of support programmes aimed specifically at Scottish businesses.\r\nResource Efficient Scotland (RES) provide free advice and support to businesses looking to implement energy and resource efficiency measures, to reduce costs and increase economic competitiveness. Loans of up to £100,000 are available through the Resource Efficient Scotland SME Loan scheme, providing finance for the installation of energy and resource efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies. The Green Network for Businesses gives SMEs the opportunity to visit green businesses within their area and experience first-hand the installations that help cut energy costs. Administered by Energy Saving Trust (EST), the District Heating Loan Fund offers low-interest loans to local authorities, registered social landlords, small and medium sized enterprises and energy services companies to support the development of district heating networks in Scotland.\r\nAdditionally, we recognise the role of a strong supply chain in facilitating the up-take of renewable technologies. EST delivers our Supply Chain programme, helping Scottish businesses to participate effectively in the supply chain for energy efficiency and renewable measures. This is helping to strengthen the market for renewable technologies, supporting more installations and accreditations under the non-domestic RHI.\r\nThe UK Government has recently proposed a number of changes to both domestic and non-domestic RHI schemes, which has resulted in some uncertainty among Scottish businesses, with many delaying capital investment until clarity is given. Despite this, Scotland continues to punch above its weight in its share of both domestic and non-domestic RHI accreditations, accounting for 20% and 19% of UK totals respectively.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316597,"EventID":"S5W-03172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T14:48:52.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-24T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage the use of electric vehicles, and what support it provides toward the (a) up-front cost and (b) roll-out of preferential road access.","AnswerText":"We are taking forward a range of actions to accelerate the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Our strategy is set out in detail in our EV Roadmap, Switched On Scotland (www.transport.gov.scot/report/j272736-00.htm). The Roadmap is currently being reviewed, with a refreshed document scheduled for publication by Spring 2017. \r\nWith regard to support we provide towards a) the up-front cost, we fund the Energy Saving Trust’s Low Carbon Loan Scheme, which offers interest-free loans of up to £35,000 for individuals and £100,000 for businesses (£35,000 per EV).\r\nThrough our Switched On Fleets programme, we’ve also offered £3.7 million in grants across all 32 community planning partnerships over the past three years. We estimate this will result in around 350 new EVs in the Scottish public sector fleet by Spring 2017.\r\nWith regards to b) roll-out of preferential road access, we are developing a Scottish framework for local EV incentives, scheduled for publication later this year. This will include guidance for local authorities on measures such as opening up bus lanes to EVs. Furthermore, allowing EVs access to areas where more polluting vehicles are restricted or charged, will be a key consideration as we implement our commitment to putting in place a first Scottish low emission zone by 2018.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316598,"EventID":"S5W-03174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T14:48:54.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-24T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to reduce emissions from heavy goods vehicles.","AnswerText":"The types of HGVs being used to transport goods in Scotland are a commercial matter. Nevertheless, the Scottish Government understands the importance - and challenge - of reducing emissions from across transport, including HGVs, and look to work in partnership with industry to address this.\r\nWe do so via our well-established stakeholder group - The Scottish Freight and Logistics Advisory Group (ScotFLAG). Specifically, two ScotFLAG sub-groups have been established - one looking at urban freight deliveries, the second at last mile connections to ports and freight hubs. Both sub-groups, chaired by industry representatives, are considering how to improve the efficiency of, and in so doing reduce emissions from, the transportation of goods across Scotland.\r\nIn addition, Transport Scotland is a member of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) – a UK-wide Government/Industry body that exists to accelerate a sustainable shift to lower carbon vehicles and fuels. The Partnership have run specific programmes for the heavy goods vehicle sector, testing a number of technologies that could help reduce future emissions from the sector. In May 2016, in conjunction with LowCVP, Transport Scotland held a workshop for stakeholders looking at the use of alternative fuels in HGVs.\r\nFurther action to reduce emissions from Heavy Goods Vehicles will be considered as part of our Climate Change Plan which will be published, in draft, in January 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316599,"EventID":"S5W-03176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T14:48:55.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-24T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of the voluntary measures in the agriculture sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.","AnswerText":"The 2016 Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) Technology survey showed that only 4% of farmers had engaged with the programme. This evidence suggests that the programme has a strong record on delivering for those farmers who have taken part. Our focus now lies on helping more farmers access practical advice on sustainable and profitable voluntary measures.\r\nThe UK Climate Change Committee have recommended further steps to assess the effectiveness of Farming For a Better Climate, and we are in discussion with them regarding this.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":316600,"EventID":"S5W-03169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T14:48:56.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-24T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all rail projects considered under the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) process require an assessment of the potential wider economic benefit.","AnswerText":"An assessment of potential wider economic benefits is recommended where wider economic impacts are likely to occur.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316601,"EventID":"S5W-03180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T14:48:57.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-24T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out regarding whether local authorities have the right facilities in place to (a) respond to the municipal bio-degradable waste ban and (b) reduce emissions from non-municipal waste sent to landfill.","AnswerText":"The Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 provided a long lead-in time to ensure that all parties could prepare for the ban on biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill from January 2021. We will continue to work with Councils and waste management companies in preparation for the ban, including through the forthcoming Scottish Materials Brokerage Service residual waste contract which is open to all Councils.\r\nThrough its environmental permitting and regulation, SEPA requires operational landfills accepting bio-degradable waste to be engineered to capture, monitor and treat landfill gas. SEPA is also working with councils and landfill operators to minimise the risks that closed (non-operational regulated) landfills pose to the environment. The Scottish Government made £500k available to councils in 2015-16 to support the capture of methane from closed landfills, and announced a further £500k on 6 October 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316607,"EventID":"S5F-00283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T12:48:50.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316608,"EventID":"S5F-00289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T12:48:54.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316609,"EventID":"S5F-00304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T12:49:09.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to calls by those working with abuse survivors for an urgent investigation into the direction of the National Strategy for Survivors of Childhood Abuse.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316610,"EventID":"S5F-00307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5868,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T12:49:12.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what representations the Scottish Government will make to the UK Government to ensure that reciprocal healthcare arrangements are a priority in Brexit negotiations.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316611,"EventID":"S5F-00309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T12:49:14.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet The National Autistic Society Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316612,"EventID":"S5F-00310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T12:49:15.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the comment by the chief constable that it will \"take a two-to-three-year adjustment period\" to balance Police Scotland's finances.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316613,"EventID":"S5F-00311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T12:49:16.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s position is on reports that there were 729 teacher vacancies the week before the start of the 2016-17 school term.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316614,"EventID":"S5T-00099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T12:49:45.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that NHS staff feel able to raise concerns about the service.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-09-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316623,"EventID":"S5W-03202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:24.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the WASPI campaign's call for fair transitional measures in changes to pensions, and what representations it plans to make to the UK Government regarding the delivery of pension equality and fairness for women in Scotland who were born in the 1950s.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government fully supports the WASPI campaign in their efforts to secure fairness for women affected by the acceleration in the retirement age.\r\nI wrote to Stephen Crabb, the former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, urging him to reconsider the UK Governments decision not to look at transitional arrangements for those women affected by the change. Unfortunately his response was that the UK Government had no plans to bring forward any changes.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316624,"EventID":"S5W-03204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:25.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action (a) it and (b) its agencies can take to reduce the number of house fires caused by electricity.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has a statutory duty to promote fire safety across Scotland. Additionally, in the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2016, Scottish Ministers require SFRS to fully contribute to improving the safety and well-being of Scotland’s communities and to ensure that there is a clear process for working with partners to identify the risks faced by communities and individuals so that the SFRS can target activity on a risk-based approach.\r\nSFRS itself will consider how best to reduce dwelling fires, including those caused by electricity, what the focus of its preventative action will be, and with which partner organisations it will work to achieve this.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316625,"EventID":"S5W-03186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:26.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers have met parliamentary conveners, and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs met with Joan McAlpine MSP, Convener European and External Relations Committee on Tuesday 16 August to discuss European, Tourism and Cultural Matters.\r\nJamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Employability and Training met with Sandra White MSP, Convener to the Social Security Committee on 7 September to discuss Employability and Training matters.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316626,"EventID":"S5W-03188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:27.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in its document, Delivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education; A Delivery Plan for Scotland, whether it has created a \"national forum for academics and practitioners to come together to ensure that cutting-edge evidence is being implemented in practice\" in order to close the attainment gap and, if so, how this has been advertised and how many people have used the forum.","AnswerText":"The national forum forms part of the activity associated with our proposed Research Strategy for school education. The Strategy is being drawn up following engagement with the academic community and stakeholders within the education system, and in light of the deliberations of the International Council for Education Improvement Advisers, which first met on 31 August 2016.\r\nAs part of the process, consideration is being given to the shape of engagement with practitioners and the academic community that will be required to implement the strategy’s objectives in the future, including the structure and role of a national forum.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316627,"EventID":"S5W-03185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:27.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers have met parliamentary liaison officers, and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"Ministers met with parliamentary liaison officers on the dates noted below and discussed a range of issues relevant to their portfolios.\r\nRoseanna Cunningham MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform met with Gillian Martin, MSP on \r\n27 September 2016.\r\nRoseanna Cunningham MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform met with Angus Macdonald MSP on 29 June 2016.\r\nAnnabelle Ewing MSP, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs met with Tom Arthur MSP on 15, 22 and 29 September 2016.\r\nKeith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Employability and Training, and Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy met with Ivan McKee MSP on 21 September and 4 October 2016. \r\nDerek Mackay MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution, holds weekly meetings with Kate Forbes MSP, these started on 15 June 2016.\r\nThe First Minister holds a weekly meeting with Ben Macpherson MSP and Gail Ross MSP, these started on 1 June 2016.\r\nAngela Constance MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities, Jeane Freeman MSP, Minister for Social Security and Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Government and Housing met with Mairi Evans MSP, on 24 May, 2 June, 9 June, 30 June, 8 September, 15 September, 22 September and 6 October 2016. \r\nJohn Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills met with Jenny Gilruth MSP on 21 June 2016. \r\nMark McDonald MSP, Minister for Childcare and Early Years and Aileen Campbell MSP, Minister for Public Health and Sport met with Jenny Gilruth MSP on 14 June 2016","AnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316628,"EventID":"S5W-03203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:28.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing five-yearly electrical safety checks in homes in the social-rented sector. ","AnswerText":"The introduction of five-yearly electrical safety checks in the social rented sector will form part of wider Scottish Government discussions on a common housing quality standard, with a view to conducting a formal public consultation in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316629,"EventID":"S5W-03181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:29.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its announcement on 21 September 2016, how it will strengthen final exams for qualifications at National 5 and Higher level.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) will take forward the new approach and will publish more detail for teachers in due course. As this is an operational matter for SQA, I have asked the Chief Executive to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316630,"EventID":"S5W-03182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:30.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its announcement on 21 September 2016, which subjects at National 5 and Higher level will have externally assessed coursework; how will this be administered, and what impact it will have on teacher workload.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) will take forward the new approach and will publish more detail for teachers in due course. As this is an operational matter for SQA, I have asked the Chief Executive of SQA to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316631,"EventID":"S5W-03199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:31.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of MS nurses in (a) NHS Lothian and (b) Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03198 on 7 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nAdditionally, I would also like to clarify that it is the role of the Scottish Government to provide policies, frameworks and resources to NHS boards to allow them to deliver services that meet the assessed needs of their local populations. Within this context, the actual provision of healthcare services, including staffing, is the responsibility of local boards, taking into account national guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment. We expect all NHS boards to regularly review services (including levels of staffing) to ensure they continue to reflect local needs and provide the best quality healthcare services.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316632,"EventID":"S5W-03200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:32.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides regarding how many MS nurses there should be in each NHS board area.","AnswerText":"Under this Government, the number of NHSScotland staff has increased by over 11,000 WTE and the number of qualified nurses and midwives has increased by over 2,100 WTE.\r\nWhile the Scottish Government provides the policies, frameworks and resources for high quality healthcare, the actual provision of healthcare services – including workforce planning – is the responsibility of local NHS Boards, taking into account national guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment. We expect NHS Boards to plan their facilities and workforce to deliver these services, ensuring the provision of safe, effective and high quality patient care is delivered by the right professional at the right time.\r\nPatient safety is, and will remain, paramount. That is why we have committed to look at placing our innovative workforce planning tools on a statutory footing to ensure safe and sustainable staffing levels. Work will begin this year to engage with stakeholders to shape the consultation.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316633,"EventID":"S5W-03183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:32.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who it consulted prior to its announcement on 21 September 2016 regarding reform of the assessment of National 5 and Higher qualifications.","AnswerText":"The proposal to remove the current mandatory requirement for unit assessment at National 5 and Higher was discussed with the Assessment and National Qualifications Group prior to the announcement on 21 September 2016. The group includes a range of education stakeholders, including teacher unions, head teachers, the National Parent Forum of Scotland, COSLA, the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, college and higher education representatives, and national education bodies. Members of the Teacher Panel were also consulted prior to the announcement.\r\nThe proposal was approved by the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board on 29 September 2016, which agreed that mandatory unit assessments would also be removed from Advanced Higher courses.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316634,"EventID":"S5W-03184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:33.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it shares confidential information with (a) parliamentary liaison officers and (b) any other MSP.","AnswerText":"As set out in section 4.11 of the Scottish Ministerial Code, government information may be shared with parliamentary liaison officers for the purposes of allowing them to discharge their role effectively. Parliamentary liaison officers are required to respect the confidentiality attached to such information.\r\nGovernment information may be shared in confidence with MSPs, including Party Leaders, where it is in the public interest to do so.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316635,"EventID":"S5W-03198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:34.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the MS Trust report, MS Specialist Nursing in the UK 2016: Report on progress towards equitable provision.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government notes the recent report by the MS Trust and recognises the vital role that specialist nurses play in providing support to those who live with multiple sclerosis (MS). That is why we have invested an extra £2.5 million in the Specialist Nursing and Care Fund on a recurring basis, which has already led to an increase in the number of MS specialist nurses across the country.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316636,"EventID":"S5W-03201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:35.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has carried out of (a) gas safety, (b) domestic electrical installation, (c) fire safety and (d) carbon monoxide safety in homes in the social-rented sector.","AnswerText":"Social Landlords must ensure that their tenants’ homes meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) which includes under the section ‘must be healthy, safe and secure’ criteria on safe gas/oil system and appliances (element 46), safe electrical systems (element 45) and safe smoke alarms/detectors (element 44). The independent Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) which is responsible for monitoring the performance of landlords against the SHQS on an annual basis, advises that at August 2016, only 0.78% of social housing was non-compliant with the SHQS and only 0.20% was non-compliant with the ‘must be healthy, safe and secure’ criteria. \r\nCarbon monoxide safety is not included in SHQS but engagement with social landlords suggests that, in the main, they incorporate the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in their housing stock as part of their routine safety activities. Private landlords are required to install carbon monoxide alarms in any property they let to tenants. It is recognised that different standards currently apply in different housing tenures. A working forum set up to consider a single condition standard for all housing tenures in Scotland, will make recommendations to Ministers with a view to conducting a formal public consultation next year.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316637,"EventID":"S5W-03190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:36.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01899 by Humza Yousaf on 2 September 2016, what percentage of the transport budget has been allocated to cycling policy nationally in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316638,"EventID":"S5W-03192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:37.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guarantees it has received from the UK Government on the protection of workers' rights in Scotland following the UK's vote to leave the EU.","AnswerText":"The First Minister has welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to ensure Scotland is fully engaged in discussions around EU negotiations.\r\nOur priority is to protect all of Scotland’s interests, including the protection of workers’ rights. The current common framework for EU law prevents the exploitation or workers and a race to the bottom on a range of issues such as discrimination; maternity leave and parental leave; working time; and health and safety. Our position in discussions with the UK Government will be to ensure that these protections are maintained, with scope for further improvements in the future.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316639,"EventID":"S5W-03207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:38.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it helps older people to live safely in their homes.","AnswerText":"Approximately 77,000 older people in Scotland benefit from the policy of Free Personal and Nursing Care which allows them to receive personal care at home without charge, and through the Social Care (Self-Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013, we are embedding a new approach which gives adults, children and carers more choice and control over how their care and support is delivered.\r\nAdaptations can help older and disabled people live safely and independently at home and make better use of our housing stock. Additionally, housing support services give low level help to allow people manage their home and includes community alarm services in sheltered housing. The type of support provided will aim to meet the specific needs of the individual.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316640,"EventID":"S5W-03209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:39.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have been admitted to hospital as a result of being burned by an electrical product in each of the last five years, broken down by type of product.","AnswerText":"For annual totals of children admitted to hospital as a result of being burned by an electrical product over the last five years, the combined contact with hot household appliances (not necessarily electrical) and contact with hot heating appliances, radiators and pipes (not necessarily electrical) also included supressed values due to the potential risk of disclosure and to maintain patient confidentiality.\r\nThe annual totals for children admitted to hospital as a result of being burned by an electrical product in the categories above were:\r\n2011: 85\r\n2012: 58\r\n2013: 54\r\n2014: 66\r\n2015: 72\r\nThe definition of patients relates to an individual patient. However the same patient can be counted more than once.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316641,"EventID":"S5W-03187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:39.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all schools have clear strategies in place across the curriculum to reduce the vocabulary gap.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of individual schools to develop the most appropriate approach to reducing the vocabulary gap, as they best understand their local needs, context and priorities. However, the Scottish Government have set out in Delivering Excellence and Equity In Scottish Education – A Delivery Plan for Scotland an expectation that all schools have clear strategies in place across the curriculum in school session 2016-17 to reduce the gap in their context. This should include the vocabulary gap where appropriate.\r\nThe Scottish Government, through its education improvement agency, Education Scotland, is working with schools and early years settings to focus the curriculum to meet children’s needs fully including work to close the vocabulary gap. As part of this work, a number of professional learning resources related to education leadership as well as support materials on how schools can develop a literacy-rich curriculum in Primary one to Primary three to help to close the vocabulary gap have been published on the Education Scotland National Improvement Hub. These will support schools in developing their approaches.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316642,"EventID":"S5W-03205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:40.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on collecting more detailed reporting of house fires, including details of housing tenure, to better inform the direction of home safety policy.","AnswerText":"In the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2016, Scottish Ministers require Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to collect, produce and analyse data and other intelligence to promote the safety and well-being of communities.\r\nSFRS works with partners in communities to identify risks and to target fire prevention activities at those most vulnerable and it is SFRS, in collaboration with those partners, who is best placed to identify the data required to inform fire prevention strategies on a local and national basis.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316643,"EventID":"S5W-03189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:41.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many local-action research-based projects regarding closing the attainment gap have been established, and where they are located.","AnswerText":"Local action research projects to close the attainment gap are driven locally and no central register is kept.\r\nThe Scottish Government through its improvement agency, Education Scotland, promotes the use of action research based approaches across all local authorities and is actively engaged in supporting this work, for example through opportunities for local authorities to share their projects and the learning from them. This will build upon a conference held earlier in the summer.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316644,"EventID":"S5W-03206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:42.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the online sale of counterfeit electrical goods.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the work of bodies such as the Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group, Scottish Business Resilience Centre and Trading Standards Scotland in tackling the online sale of counterfeit electrical goods. The Scottish Government's Cyber Resilience Strategy, Safe, Secure & Prosperous: A Cyber Resilience for Scotland, looks to support the work of these and other organisations through the development of clear prevention messages for the wider public and the co-ordination of work to remove the online presence of those who seek to profit through the sale of counterfeit electrical goods.\r\nRegulations concerning counterfeit goods are reserved and I expect the UK Government to take action to help reduce the availability of counterfeit electrical goods not least by opting in to the new Europol Regulation which will ensure that the UK continues to benefit from the significant resources and expertise available from the European Cybercrime Centre.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316645,"EventID":"S5W-03208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-26T17:13:43.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the support that energy supply companies offer to vulnerable customers in Scotland, as part of their Priority Services Register obligations, to help maintain the safety of (a) gas and (b) electrical appliances and installation at home.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nOfgem, the energy regulator, maintain license conditions which electricity and gas suppliers must adhere to. Under license condition 26 suppliers must have a Priority Services Register (PSR) that offers specific, non-financial services to particular groups of people, free of charge.\r\nThis is separate to license condition 29 for gas suppliers which requires that they provide free gas safety checks to certain customers in specific situations as outlined in the license condition. There are no such license conditions requiring safety checks to be performed on electrical appliances.\r\nCurrently, license conditions are specific and stipulate what services suppliers must include as part of their PSR provision. There is no requirement for suppliers to provide other services, but they might do. Thus, all license holders should at least provide the services outlined in current license conditions.\r\nHowever, Ofgem have recently reviewed PSR arrangements and will be publishing relevant license condition modifications at the end of October. The proposed license drafting in gas and electricity supply license conditions, includes a provision for suppliers to provide additional services of a similar non-financial nature as the licensee identifies are appropriate to the needs of the customer and reasonably practicable for the licensee to provide.\r\nAll gas and electricity suppliers, in accordance with license condition 26.8, must publish a statement on their website about their obligations under license condition 26.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316646,"EventID":"S5W-03217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T13:57:51.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost to business will be of the MV Hebrides running aground on 25 September 2016; how much freight traffic will be disrupted; what contingencies it will introduce to allow freight to move during the disruption, and what support it will offer to the businesses affected.","AnswerText":"CalMac Ferries Limited (CFL) worked hard to clear any backlog of freight following the MV Hebrides incident. Business and freight customers should contact CFL direct for the most up to date information and assistance during this period of disruption. CFL put in place a number of contingency measures including vessel redeployment and revisions to timetables to ensure that lifeline services continue to link to the Western Isles during this period of disruption.\r\nThe MV Hebrides resumed service on the Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Services network on Sunday 16 October 2016. This followed full repairs in the Garvel, Clyde, and effective sea trials. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316647,"EventID":"S5W-03195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T13:57:53.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T13:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of allowing universal credit recipients to match the frequency of their benefit payment with fluctuating (a) rates and (b) frequency that they receive in wages.","AnswerText":"Universal Credit is reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Government will use the limited powers we will receive over Universal Credit to make it fairer by ensuring that all eligible claimants have the choice of receiving their UC payments twice monthly instead of a single monthly payment. This will enable claimants to have some control over how often they are paid to suit their financial circumstances and budgeting needs. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316648,"EventID":"S5W-03197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T13:57:54.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T13:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports disadvantaged young people in insecure employment who do not receive housing benefit or universal credit.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports young people who face additional hurdles in entering the jobs market through various schemes such as Community Jobs Scotland, Modern Apprenticeships, Flexible Support Fund and Employer Recruitment Incentive. In work benefits are reserved to the UK Government. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316649,"EventID":"S5W-03196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T13:57:55.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T13:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding minimising the impact on disadvantaged young people in Scotland of losing access to universal credit and housing benefit.","AnswerText":"Universal Credit is available for people 18 and over and includes a housing element which replaces Housing Benefit. The UK Government plans to end automatic entitlement to the housing element of Universal Credit for 18-21 year olds making new claims from April 2017. The Scottish Government continues to have discussions with the UK Government regarding this issue and Ministers have written on a number of occasions to raise concerns about the impact of this policy on young people in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316650,"EventID":"S5W-03210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T13:57:56.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the reason was for the technical failure that caused the MV Hebrides to run aground on 25 September 2016, and what steps it is taking to avoid similar incidents in the future.","AnswerText":"A formal and independent investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is currently underway. Further technical investigations are also on-going. Consequently the reasons for the MV Hebrides incident on 25 September 2016 has yet to be formally determined. Any lessons learnt will be implemented to try and avoid similar issues occurring in the future.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316651,"EventID":"S5W-03220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T13:57:57.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the number of people employed by (a) HM Revenue and Customs and (b) the Department for International Development in East Kilbride.","AnswerText":"We understand that there are approximately 2271 HM Revenue and Customs employees based in East Kilbride. We have no information on the number of Department for International Development employees based there.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316652,"EventID":"S5W-03222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T13:57:58.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) operations in East Kilbride since the announcement of the proposed relocation of HMRC operations to regional centres.","AnswerText":"When HMRC announced the next stage of their Building our Future transformation programme on 12 November 2015, the First Minister spoke personally to the second Permanent Secretary at HMRC to relay her grave concerns over job losses. Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, wrote to David Gauke MP, Financial Secretary to HM Treasury, on 5 July 2016, to relay the Scottish Government’s concerns over the HMRC office closures.\r\nWe are fully committed to working with all interested parties at local, national and UK level, including the trades unions, to mitigate the impact of HMRC office closures and job losses in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316653,"EventID":"S5W-03194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T13:57:59.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact (a) zero-hours contracts and (b) other similar employment arrangements have on the ability of disadvantaged young people to access housing benefit and universal credit.","AnswerText":"Both Housing Benefit and Universal Credit are reserved to the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316654,"EventID":"S5W-03212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T13:58:00.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long the disruption will be to the Uig-Tarbert-Lochmaddy ferry route following the MV Hebrides running aground on 25 September 2016; how many passengers will be affected, and what support it will offer to them.","AnswerText":"The MV Hebrides resumed service on the Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Services network on Sunday 16 October 2016. This followed full repairs in the Garvel, Clyde, and effective sea trials. \r\nThe contingency arrangements put in place by the operator, CalMac Ferries Ltd, during the period of disruption, including repositioning of vessels, ensured that connectivity with the Western Isles was maintained.\r\nAffected customers were encouraged throughout this period to contact the operator if they had any concerns.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316655,"EventID":"S5W-03219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T13:58:01.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with integration authorities about the inclusion of services and support for people with musculoskeletal conditions in their strategic plans.","AnswerText":"Health boards can with agreement from local partners delegate all services and support for people with musculoskeletal conditions to their local Health and Social Care Partnership for inclusion in strategic plans. Where the decision is taken by the Health board not to delegate a specific musculoskeletal service or specialty we expect both parties to work together to ensure that any interactions between delegated and non-delegated services are as seamless as possible.\r\nThe Scottish Government has regular contact with local Health and Social Care Partnerships regarding the implementation of their locally agreed strategic plans and their effectiveness in the delivery of better outcomes.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316656,"EventID":"S5W-03193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T13:58:02.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has been given by the UK Government regarding the future of financial services and how this will impact on Scotland following the UK’s vote to leave the EU.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has received no information from the UK Government regarding the future of financial services and any resulting impact on Scotland following the EU referendum.\r\nThe financial services sector is very important to Scotland, both for its direct contribution to our economy and its indirect contribution in the form of the essential support it provides to consumers and businesses in all economic sectors. Continued uncertainty over the UK Government's negotiating position risks jobs and future investment in the financial services sector across the UK.\r\nIt is absolutely essential, therefore, that the UK Government sets out its position on membership of the Single Market and how it intends to protect the financial services sector and Scotland in the forthcoming negotiations. The Scottish Government will explore differential options for Scotland and is considering all possible steps to ensure Scotland's continuing relationship with the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316657,"EventID":"S5W-03223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T13:58:03.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the availability of its data on (a) the balance of trade and (b) (i) primary and (ii) secondary incomes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government produces a broad range of economic statistics. All statistics are subject to quality assurance of data and results at the time of production, and the methods used and availability of source data are regularly reviewed to ensure continuous improvement.\r\n(a) Estimates of exports and imports (the balance of trade) for the onshore Scottish economy are published as part of the Quarterly National Accounts Scotland (Table G) and annual Supply and Use Tables statistics releases. The latest results can be accessed at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/QNA2016Q1 and http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/Input-Output. The Scottish Government is also developing statistics on the imports and exports of oil and gas from Scottish Adjacent Waters. The latest results can be accessed at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/oilgas. In addition to estimates of the balance of trade, detailed statistics on exports are also published in the annual Export Statistics Scotland publication. This can be accessed at:http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/Exports/ESSPublication.\r\n(b) The Scottish Government publishes estimates of the balances of primary and secondary incomes for the Households and Non-Profit Institutions Serving Households (NPISH) sector as part of the Quarterly National Accounts Scotland statistics release. This information is used in the calculation of Gross Disposable Household Income (GDHI). The latest results can be accessed in Table I of the Quarterly National Accounts Scotland at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/QNA2016Q1.\r\n(i) Estimates of the primary income flows for all sectors of the economy (Government and Corporations) are required for the calculation of Gross National Income (GNI). The Scottish Government published an initial overview of development work on the production of GNI estimates in November 2013, including provisional results for 2010. This work can be accessed at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/snap.\r\n(ii) The Scottish Government does not currently produce estimates of secondary income flows (transfers of income), other than for the Household and NPISH sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316658,"EventID":"S5W-03215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T13:58:04.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will cost to repair of the damage to the pontoons at Lochmaddy harbour following the MV Hebrides running aground on 25 September 2016, and where the funding for this will be sourced.","AnswerText":"The costs to repair the damage to the pontoons at Lochmaddy harbour are a matter for discussion between the harbour operator and CalMac Ferries Limited (CFL). No indicative costs are as yet known, however any such funding for repair will likely be an insurance matter for CFL.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316659,"EventID":"S5W-03216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T13:58:05.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how often equipment safety checks are completed on the ferries that serve the Outer Hebrides.","AnswerText":"CalMac Ferries Limited adhere to strict health and safety procedures including but not limited to maintenance of vessels and operational safety checks. Full details of these and other checks can be found on the operators website - https://www.calmac.co.uk/corporate/policy-documents","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316672,"EventID":"S5W-03231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T17:21:40.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS dental surgeries in each local authority area have full patient lists.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not collected or held by the Scottish Government. \r\nNHS dental patient registrations are at a record high level of 90.7%. Patients looking for a dentist can contact local dental practices to enquire if they are registering NHS dental patients. Addresses of dental practices in an area can be found at: http://www.nhs24.com/findlocal/?postcode=G44+1AB&service=Dentists&page=s11&imageField.x=41&imageField.y=10\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316673,"EventID":"S5W-03232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T17:21:41.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the recommendations in the report, Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme: An independent assessment for the Scottish Parliament, what plans it has to (a) address insufficient data on progress made and (b) implement an effective monitoring regime and timetable of delivery across government directorates.","AnswerText":"We will consider the areas highlighted in the report which recommend the need for further data on progress and work with stakeholders such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Planning Authorities, Scottish Natural Heritage, National Health Service, Health Protection Scotland, Scottish business representatives and Scottish Water to improve these datasets.\r\nThe next Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme, due in 2019, will take into account the recommendation to 'introduce an effective monitoring and evaluation regime, to allow the impact of actions and delivery of each objective to be fully assessed'. This work will be undertaken by Scottish Government in collaboration with a range of relevant stakeholders including ClimateXChange - Scotland's centre of climate change science expertise.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316674,"EventID":"S5W-03230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T17:21:43.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T12:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, on average, how many people does a post-diagnostic dementia link worker support.","AnswerText":"This information is not collected or held centrally.\r\nIntegration Joint Boards are responsible for commissioning dementia services, including post-diagnostic services, in their area. Responsibility for the delivery of those services remains with the statutory body tasked with leading the service in each area and this is determined locally.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316675,"EventID":"S5W-03237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T17:21:44.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T15:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes the (a) Cultural Gifts and (b) Acceptance in Lieu Scheme to help increase the number of cultural artefacts in the public domain.","AnswerText":"Specific UK legislation governs the Cultural Gifts and the Acceptance in Lieu Schemes as tax is reserved and each scheme offers tax incentives. Under executive devolution arrangements the Scottish Ministers take decisions on acceptance and allocation of cases where there is a Scottish Interest. These schemes are administered by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and promoted by HM Treasury. The Scottish Government also promote the allocation of new and important works of art and heritage objects to Scotland, in partnership with relevant collections, through news release, when appropriate opportunities arise. Examples of permanent allocations made possible through these schemes include the following:\r\nAn exceptional eighteenth century French clock from Hamilton Palace which came forward under the Acceptance in Lieu Scheme and is on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. This was announced by National Museums Scotland on 6 July 2016. \r\nA painting by Joan Eardley, Seated Boy, which was gifted under the Cultural Gifts Scheme and is on display at the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow. This was announced by the Hunterian Museum on 17 June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316676,"EventID":"S5W-03233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T17:21:45.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme: An independent assessment for the Scottish Parliament, and what plans it has to implement the report's recommendations.","AnswerText":"I welcome the report from the Adaptation Sub-Committee of the Committee on Climate Change which we commissioned in 2015.\r\nThe Government will consider the Sub-Committee's advice and recommendations for inclusion in our next Climate Change Adaptation Annual Progress Report, due in May 2017. Further recommendations will be taken into account in drafting the second Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme, due for publication in 2019.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316677,"EventID":"S5W-03224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5587,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T17:21:47.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on tourism, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding any requirement to pay for travel visas following the UK’s vote to leave the EU. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular discussion with tourism ministers both from the UK Government and also the other devolved administrations on matters of mutual interest, including travel visas. This will next be discussed in November 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316678,"EventID":"S5W-03229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-27T17:21:47.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T12:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many post-diagnostic dementia link workers there are in each NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not collected or held centrally.\r\nIntegration Joint Boards are responsible for commissioning dementia services, including post-diagnostic services, in their area. Responsibility for the delivery of those services remains with the statutory body tasked with leading the service in each area and this is determined locally.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316697,"EventID":"S5O-00211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:10.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase support for people with Crohn’s disease or colitis. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316698,"EventID":"S5O-00212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:11.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the new East Lothian Community Hospital project.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316699,"EventID":"S5O-00213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4982,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:12.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce waiting times for urology and orthopaedics appointments in NHS Highland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316700,"EventID":"S5O-00214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:13.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T17:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316701,"EventID":"S5O-00215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:14.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to reduce waiting times for initial hospital appointments following GP referrals in NHS Ayrshire and Arran.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316702,"EventID":"S5O-00216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:16.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve working conditions for social care staff.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316703,"EventID":"S5O-00217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:17.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making to ensure that NHS staff receive at least the living wage.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316704,"EventID":"S5O-00218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:18.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the assurances that it has received from Boston Scientific regarding the possible use of counterfeit material in surgical mesh.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316705,"EventID":"S5O-00219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:19.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the construction of the new district general hospital for Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316706,"EventID":"S5O-00220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:20.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T17:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the estimated completion date is for the new East Lothian Community Hospital.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316707,"EventID":"S5O-00221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:21.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it is having with universities to encourage the study of medicine and general practice. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316708,"EventID":"S5O-00222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:22.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T08:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Grampian about the current level of ophthalmic care provided at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin and what plans it has for the future of this service.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials meet regularly with the Board to discuss matters of interest to the people of Grampian. This includes discussions with Grampian’s senior management about waiting times performance and associated service delivery across all specialties.\r\nIt is for NHS boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships to plan and provide services that meet the needs of local people, whilst being consistent with national policies and frameworks established by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316709,"EventID":"S5O-00223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:23.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote telehealth and telecare.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's Technology Enabled Care, or TEC, Programme was set up in 2014 to significantly extend the number of people directly benefiting from technology enabled care and support in Scotland, which includes telehealth and telecare.\r\nFunding from the TEC Programme drives activity within Health boards, Integration Authorities and other delivery partners who remain responsibly for promotion locally. A report of the first year of funding, covering 2015-16, shows that already close to 25,000 additional people have benefited from the Programme. This report will be published later in October.\r\nThe Scottish Government will also publish this month our National Action Plan for Technology Enabled Care, setting out a range of actions to further promote telehealth and telecare as part of service redesign.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316710,"EventID":"S5O-00224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:24.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T11:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether consultant posts that have been unfilled for more than six months are recorded as vacant by ISD Scotland.","AnswerText":"Consultant posts that have been unfilled for more than six months are recorded as vacant by ISD Scotland.\r\nWe continue to work closely with NHS Scotland boards to support their staff recruitment efforts – that is why we have seen the number of Consultants increase by a record 43.1% under this Government, to over 5,200 Whole Time Equivalent.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316711,"EventID":"S5O-00225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:25.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis.","AnswerText":"Truvada, the medicine used for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, or 'PrEP', has been granted a marketing authorisation by the European Commission for its use in the European Union. The next step is for the manufacturer Gilead Sciences International, to make a submission to the Scottish Medicines Consortium on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of Truvada for the purposes of PrEP. SMC will then consider whether the medicine can be accepted for use by the NHS in Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government's Chief Pharmaceutical Officer wrote to the manufacturer on 15 September 2016 asking them to make a submission quickly, and at a fair price, so that the SMC who can then consider it for routine use in NHS Scotland.\r\nWe are now waiting for Gilead to make this application, and I would encourage them do so quickly","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316712,"EventID":"S5O-00226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:25.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on waiting times for people to begin treatment for cancer following an urgent referral.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has two set standards for cancer treatment. \r\nA 62-day standard from' urgent referral with suspicion of cancer', until first treatment. This includes referrals from the national cancer screening programmes and\r\nA 31-day standard from decision to treat until first treatment for all new cancers regardless of route of referral\r\nThese standards have been set to encourage NHS boards, where clinically appropriate, to adopt efficient cancer pathways and reduce avoidable delays between appointments, a 95% target is applied to both standards.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316713,"EventID":"S5O-00227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5598,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":139,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:26.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T13:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in establishing routine enquiry of abuse in the NHS.","AnswerText":"Routine enquiry of domestic abuse is an important means of supporting diagnosis and assessment of peoples’ needs to ensure most appropriate treatment and care. In NHS Scotland, it is being implemented within the priority settings of maternity, mental health, substance misuse, A&E, community nursing and sexual health services, as part of our overall approach to intervening early in cases of domestic abuse and ensuring victims are supported. NHS Health Scotland is supporting health boards to establish routine enquiry across these settings through its Gender Based Violence and Health Programme\r\nTo date, routine enquiry of abuse in the key priority settings has been introduced by some health boards and approximately 4000 staff have completed the national training programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316714,"EventID":"S5O-00228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:27.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T10:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the vacancy rate is for GPs in Fife, and how many posts have been vacant for at least six months.","AnswerText":"The Primary Care Workforce Survey collected information on GP practices reporting current vacancies at 31 August 2015. It showed that the vacancy rate for responding practices in NHS Fife was 5.6%, and nine of those posts had been vacant for over six months.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316715,"EventID":"S5O-00230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:29.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet the chief executive of NHS Ayrshire and Arran and what will be discussed.","AnswerText":"Ministers and Government officials regularly meet with representatives of all Health boards, including NHS Ayrshire and Arran, to discuss matters of importance to local people.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316716,"EventID":"S5O-00231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:30.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to angling clubs and the rural economy following recent changes to the regulation of wild salmon fishing.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316717,"EventID":"S5O-00232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:31.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to make ferries serving Argyll and Bute more accessible for disabled people.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316718,"EventID":"S5O-00233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:32.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T07:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address child homelessness.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316719,"EventID":"S5O-00235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:33.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T14:54:58.797","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent correspondence it has had with the UK Government regarding the impact on Scotland of the expansion of either Heathrow or Gatwick airports.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316720,"EventID":"S5O-00236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:35.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T09:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to require local authorities to carry out additional training for teachers and other school personnel on how to deal with children who have an attachment disorder or are affected by trauma and loss.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316721,"EventID":"S5O-00237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:36.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact leaving the EU and the Single Market could have on Scotland's red meat exports.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316722,"EventID":"S5O-00238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:37.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the BBC regarding an increase in funding for BBC Alba.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has engaged with the BBC throughout the Charter renewal process. I have met with both the Director General and the Head of BBC Scotland on a number of occasions and I am due to meet Lord Hall again later this month where I will again seek a commitment from the BBC to provide increased levels of Gaelic language programming for BBC ALBA.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316723,"EventID":"S5O-00239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:38.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T13:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that community councillors are fit and proper persons and that any codes of conduct that govern them are enforced.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s local authorities have statutory responsibility for community councils under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. This includes the creation and oversight of any codes of conduct.\r\nThe Scottish Government has no statutory role for actively monitoring how local authorities fulfil their community council functions.\r\nThat said, The Scottish Government remains committed to supporting Community Councils to make a full and active contribution to the communities that they represent. Over recent times, the Government has been working with COSLA, the Improvement Service and Edinburgh Napier University to support the role of community councils.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316724,"EventID":"S5O-00240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:36:39.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new jobs it expects the recently announced funding for Hawick to generate and whether it supports the creation of an Enterprise Zone for the town.","AnswerText":"Rather than designating Hawick as an Enterprise Zone, we recently announced over £3.6 million to help regenerate and revitalise the town. Scottish Borders Council is leading the development of the detail of proposals for the funding which will support the retention and creation of jobs through developing business accommodation and an enterprise centre.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316744,"EventID":"S5W-03249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:02.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02663 by Aileen Campbell on 26 September 2016, how many households have (a) been entitled to and (b) received health start vouchers in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Healthy Start Scheme is administered by the Department of Health. Information in the following table was provided by the Healthy Start Issuing Unit (HSIU) and outlines the households entitled and receiving Healthy Start vouchers in Scotland each year since 2011.\r\nScotland\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nHouseholds receiving\r\n32871\r\n32769\r\n33097\r\n31944\r\n29427\r\n26531\r\nHouseholds entitled\r\n43275\r\n44546\r\n44511\r\n43763\r\n39638\r\n36567\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316745,"EventID":"S5W-03250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:03.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported shortfall in the number of radiologists, and whether this will include (a) increasing the training budget and (b) advertising vacancies overseas.","AnswerText":"Under this Government, the number of Consultant Clinical Radiologists in NHS Scotland has increased by 43.1 per cent.\r\nWe continue to work closely with NHS boards to support their efforts in recruiting and retaining Radiologists to meet the needs of patients and to deliver a safe and sustainable service. That is why we have increased the numbers of Radiology trainees by 16 over the past three years and we are working to increase training posts for diagnostic and interventional Radiology in 2017. We are also working to deliver a network of sustainable Radiology services across Health Boards in South East Scotland via a Short Life Group commissioned by NHS Scotland’s Chief Operating Officer.\r\nInformation on a) training budgets and b) advertising vacancies overseas is not held centrally. Specific local information may be available from individual NHS boards, which are responsible for recruiting and retaining the staff they need to deliver safe, high quality services.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316746,"EventID":"S5W-03241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:04.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T17:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the primary care fund budget for (a) 2016-17, (b) 2017-18 and (c) 2018-19 and what plans it has to make additional funding available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed to increasing spending on primary care services to 11% of the frontline NHS spending by the end of this parliament - delivering an extra half a billion pounds in building a Community Health Service with general practice at its heart. \r\nThe 2016-17 budget for Primary Care Fund is £45 million. The Primary Care Fund for 2017-18 and subsequent years will be agreed as part of the Spending Review and Budget Bill processes for those years, which will be subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316747,"EventID":"S5W-03243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:04.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of NHS funding is spent on general practice.","AnswerText":"Information on General Practice (Primary Medical Services) expenditure in 2014-15 is shown in the following table:\r\n\r\nTotal Operating Expenditure1 (£000)\r\nGeneral Practice Expenditure2\r\n(£000)\r\nGeneral Practice Expenditure2\r\n(%)\r\n£10,800,916\r\n£852,570\r\n7.89%\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Health Service Costs (Costs Book) publication analyses around 94% of NHS Scotland net operating costs and reflects health care expenditure within the 14 geographic health board areas and two of the eight special boards, the State Hospital and Golden Jubilee National Hospital.\r\nGeneral Practice Expenditure includes: Global Sum payment, Minimum Practice Income Guarantee, Quality, Enhanced Services, Seniority, Doctors Retainer Scheme Payments, GP Out of Hours Services, Premises, IM&T & Scottish Quality Prescribing Initiative.\r\nSource: 2014-15 Costs Book, report R100: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Finance/Publications/2015-11-24/Costs_R100_2015.xlsx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316748,"EventID":"S5W-03256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:06.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish data measuring the performance of maternity and neo-natal care against the standards and recommendations on staffing and staff training set out in Neonatal Care in Scotland: A Quality Framework.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316749,"EventID":"S5W-03258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:06.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T12:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason data on sustainable urban drainage systems is not collated at a national level.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Planning Policy is clear that the planning system should seek to manage surface water sustainably by minimising the area of impermeable surfaces and through the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). The discharge of surface water to sewer is not allowed unless there is no practicable alternative. We note the recommendation of the Committee on Climate Change that SEPA should ensure the next Flood Risk Management Strategies monitor and report the number and capacity of SuDS installed in new developments. Over the last year Scottish Water and local authorities with support from the Scottish Government, have worked in partnership to develop a collaborative framework for shared sustainable drainage systems. The framework is in the form of a memorandum of understanding which outlines the principles of working together to minimise the costs to roads authorities, Scottish Water and developers. Although not legally binding, all local authorities will be encouraged to adopt the framework and enter into a maintenance agreement with Scottish Water. This type of co-operation and collaboration is fundamental to integrated surface water management and will, in future, provide a record of where SuDS are located.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316750,"EventID":"S5W-03248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:08.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes in response to (a) negative publicity and (b) the potential impact on exports that arises from the shooting of seals.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316751,"EventID":"S5W-03238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:09.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T16:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it measures performance against the Standards of Care for Dementia and how often it does so.","AnswerText":"Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s on-going programme of inspections into older people’s care in acute general hospital settings includes a focus on dementia care and utilises the dementia standards in its inspection methodology.\r\nA 10-point National Action Plan supports implementation of the dementia standards in acute care and is supported by a national improvement programme.\r\nThe Care Inspectorate will carry out 150 dementia-focused inspections in care home for older people in 2016-17. The inspections will focus on how the dementia standards have been applied in practice.\r\nApplication of the dementia standards and the human-rights based principles behind them are also the basis for the implementation of the national dementia health and social services workforce skills and knowledge framework Promoting Excellence and the training and resources to support implementation of the national dementia post-diagnostic support Local Delivery Plan (LDP) Standard.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316752,"EventID":"S5W-03263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:10.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T12:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the full remit is of the review that it announced in its news release of 22 September 2016, HMICS review into undercover policing; who drafted the remit; which stakeholders were consulted; whether the review will examine the role of officers from Police Scotland and its predecessor constabularies when working undercover in conjunction with other jurisdictions, and, in light of the Pitchford Inquiry in England looking at cases from 1968 onwards, what its position is on reconsidering the decision to limit its review to 2000 onwards.","AnswerText":"Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland is developing its terms of reference and will consult on these with relevant stakeholders. The review will cover undercover policing activity in Scotland over the period during which the Scottish Parliament has had responsibility in this area. The Scottish Government has no plans to reconsider the period to be covered.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316753,"EventID":"S5W-03146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:11.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS full-time-equivalent psychiatrists cover the (a) Helensburgh and Lomond and (b) Argyll and Bute area.","AnswerText":"Data on the number of psychiatrists in Helensburgh and Lomond and Argyll and Bute area is not held centrally.\r\nThe workforce information held centrally identifies the employing Health Board but not the locations of work.\r\nSpecific local information may be available from individual NHS boards.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316754,"EventID":"S5W-03246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:13.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T17:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost is of (a) a hospital appointment, (b) an A&E attendance, (c) an overnight hospital stay and (d) a GP appointment.","AnswerText":"a) The average cost of a hospital appointment in 2014-15 was:\r\nInpatient(elective and non-elective, whole stay) - £3204\r\nDay case - £907\r\nConsultant outpatient appointment - £160\r\nb) The average cost of an attendance at an A&E outpatient consultant-led clinic in 2014-15 was £112.\r\nc) The average cost of an overnight inpatient stay at an NHS Scotland hospital, in 2014-15 was £550 (average cost of one night). This is based on the hospital costs of the 14 territorial boards and the two special boards, namely the State Hospital and Golden Jubilee National Hospital.\r\nd) The average cost of a GP appointment is not held centrally.\r\nSources\r\na) 2014-15 Costs Book, report R025: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Finance/Publications/2015-11-24/Costs_D025_2015.xlsx\r\nb) 2014-15 Costs Book, report RO4X:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Finance/Publications/2015-11-24/Costs_R04X_2015.xlsm\r\nc) 2014-15 Costs Book, report R025: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Finance/Publications/2015-11-24/Costs_D025_2015.xlsx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316755,"EventID":"S5W-03253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:14.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to minimise occurrences of the incidental entanglement of cetaceans in fishing nets and to promote effective disentanglement that protects both the animal and fishing equipment where this occurs.","AnswerText":"All cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) are protected in the UK under the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations 1994 (as amended) and the Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations 2007 (as amended), which make it an offence to intentionally kill or injure cetaceans and require the monitoring of incidental capture or killing of those species, including all cetaceans, listed under Annex IVa of the Council Directive (92/43/EEC) on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (the Habitats Directive). They are further protected by mandatory observation, monitoring and bycatch (the incidental catch on fishing gear) mitigation work under Council Regulation 812/2004.\r\nWhile the Council Regulation has direct effect in UK and Scottish law, the Scottish Government introduced the Prevention and Monitoring of Cetacean Bycatch (Scotland) Order 2005 on 8 June 2005, which provides for the creation of penalties, offences and enforcement powers to enable enforcement of this Council Regulation in Scotland. Scotland (in partnership with the other UK fishery administrations) has fully implemented Article 2 of Council Regulation 812/2004.\r\nAll relevant vessel owners and masters have been advised of the provisions of the Regulation, and relevant training for enforcement officers has been provided. No additional legislative measures are considered necessary at present.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316756,"EventID":"S5W-03145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:16.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consultant psychiatry vacancies there are, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Number (whole time equivalent) of psychiatric consultant vacancies by NHS board as at 30 June 2016.\r\n\r\nTotal Vacancies\r\nScotland\r\n55.5\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n4.0\r\nNHS Borders\r\n3.0\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Fife\r\n1.6\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n4.8\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n6.7\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n11.8\r\nNHS Highland\r\n3.0\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n4.0\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n1.7\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n-\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n10.9\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n-\r\nState Hospital\r\n2.0\r\nSource: ISD(M)36, Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS), ISD Scotland\r\nNotes\r\nA vacancy is a post which has been cleared for advert after being through the redeployment process (internal or external advert) and remains a vacancy until an individual starts in the post. Prior to this, a vacancy stopped being classified as such at the point when the post was offered to someone and accepted. The impact of this change is a significant increase in the number of reported vacancies","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316757,"EventID":"S5W-03245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:18.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T17:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve communication between primary and secondary health care.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that improving communication between primary and secondary health care is an integral part of improving patient care. As part of the Primary Care Transformation Programme a working group has been established that will provide recommendations on a number of topics for improvement, one of which is in relation to the complex interface between primary and secondary care. \r\nIn addition as part of the Urgent Care Transformation Programme we are testing a number of different approaches to the multi–disciplinary delivery model recommended in the Sir Lewis Ritchie report “ Pulling Together”. This will include how that multi-disciplinary team will engage and work more closely with secondary care partners. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316758,"EventID":"S5W-03247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:19.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T17:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with GP contract negotiations.","AnswerText":"The GP contract is formulated through a process of bilateral discussion, and agreement, between the Scottish General Practitioners Committee and the Scottish Government. These negotiations are commercially sensitive; details will be published once they have concluded.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316759,"EventID":"S5W-03254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:20.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is doing with fishing communities to minimise the equipment damage and animal injury caused by incidental catches of cetaceans in nets.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has worked closely with the other UK Fisheries Administrations and nature conservation agencies in establishing the UK Small Cetacean Bycatch Response Strategy. This strategy identifies measures, including the use of acoustic deterrents and better monitoring of populations and bycatch, that can be taken to work towards reducing small cetacean bycatch to below the target set by the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans in the Baltic and North Seas (ASCOBANS) in 2000. One of the recommendations of the strategy is to develop an overarching bycatch monitoring system to investigate levels of bycatch in UK fisheries.\r\nMarine Scotland continues to contribute funding to a dedicated protected species bycatch monitoring programme aimed at determining the levels of bycatch per haul in each fishery and thus help identify specific fisheries causing the largest amount of bycatch in each region. This work has focused on monitoring the effectiveness of acoustic deterrent devices in reducing bycatch, and on monitoring a range of fisheries, including some for which monitoring is not required under Council Regulation 812/2004, but where cetacean bycatch is likely to occur at high enough levels to warrant monitoring under Article 12 of the Habitats Directive. This project is carried out under contract by the Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews, who provide an annual report on the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) 812/2004.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316760,"EventID":"S5W-03191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5809,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:21.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-26T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02542 by Shona Robison on 21 September 2016, whether information regarding the provision of 24/7 palliative care and support services for people approaching the end of their lives is recorded as part of the annual (a) review process for each NHS board and (b) performance report for each Health and Social Care Partnership and, if so, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding which boards provide such a service.","AnswerText":"Information on the provision of 24/7 palliative care and support services is not routinely reported through the NHS Board annual review process. \r\nThe current suite of indicators for health and social care, upon which Health and Social Care Partnerships will report annually, makes some provision for palliative care services (relating to Proportion of last 6 months of life spent at home or in a community setting and Expenditure on end of life care), but does not include the requirement to report on 24/7 palliative care and support specifically. Therefore details of which areas provide such services are not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316761,"EventID":"S5W-03240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:22.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T16:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish data on how NHS services are performing against the standards set out in the Standards of Care for Dementia.","AnswerText":"Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s (HIS) on-going programme of inspections into older people’s care in acute general hospital settings includes a focus on dementia care and utilises the dementia standards in its inspection methodology. Their reports are published and available on the HIS website.\r\nThe Care Inspectorate will carry out 150 dementia-focused inspections in care home for older people in 2016-17. The inspections will focus on how the dementia standards have been applied in practice. An overall inspection report will be published and available on the Care Inspectorate’s website in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316762,"EventID":"S5W-03257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:23.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T12:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason data on new-build on flood plains is not collated at a national level.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Planning Policy is clear that development plans, which guide decision making on new development, should take account of flood risk management strategies. We note the recommendation of the Committee on Climate Change that SEPA should ensure the next Flood Risk Management Strategies monitor and report on the number of planning applications for new developments in the floodplain that were granted. We have continued to engage with flood risk matters and in 2015 published the report ‘Mapping Flood Disadvantage in Scotland’. A finding of the report is that of around 100,000 properties noted in the OS AddressBase dataset with a start date on or after 1 January 2009, a very small proportion (single-digit percentage) could potentially be located in areas affected by flooding, although there are significant caveats attached to that finding. The report is available from the Scottish Governments’ website: www.gov.scot. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316763,"EventID":"S5W-03144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:24.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the adjustments to Council Tax bands E, F, G and H will continue to include the 25% single person's discount.","AnswerText":"There would be no changes to the eligibility criteria for 25% single person’s discount as a result of the Government’s reform of Council Tax, including for those in Bands E to H.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316764,"EventID":"S5W-03244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:26.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-27T17:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve GP retention.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting primary care, including GPs, and ensuring that all communities in Scotland, including remote and rural, receive safe, reliable and sustainable health care services.\r\nOver three years, the Scottish Government is investing £85 million, as part of the Primary Care Fund. As part of this, £2.5million will be invested in work to explore with key stakeholders the issues surrounding GP recruitment and retention which can be particularly challenging in remote and rural areas. This will support a range of initiatives over the next two years including the establishment of a Scottish Rural Medicine Collaborative in seven health boards, including NHS Grampian. This initiative will bring together recruitment strategies and support networks for GPs working in remote and rural areas.\r\nWe have established short-life working groups with partners, including both British Medical Association (BMA) and Royal College of General Practitioners(RCGP), to explore ways to improve sustainability of practices, and make recommendations on tackling workload pressures and addressing issues with GP premises.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316765,"EventID":"S5W-03255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:27.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to establishing a working group to examine the impact of incidental cetacean entanglement on (a) the whale population and (b) fishing communities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans at this time to establish a working group to examine the impact of incidental cetacean bycatch. We will continue to monitor fishing operations and bycatch reporting through the established UK bycatch monitoring programme and our own at sea inspections carried out by Marine Scotland Compliance.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316766,"EventID":"S5W-03262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T14:44:28.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T12:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what internal procedures Police Scotland must follow when (a) establishing and (b) carrying out undercover police investigations.","AnswerText":"All authorisations of undercover police officer must comply with the provisions contained in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Authorisation of Covert Human Intelligence Sources) (Scotland) Order 2014, and have regard to the Covert Human Intelligence Sources Code of Practice. Any additional internal procedures are an operational matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316783,"EventID":"S5W-03135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T16:56:00.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the the Faroe Islands Government regarding the impact of whaling on cetacean populations in Scottish waters.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no discussions with the Faroese Government on the issue of whaling. International relations are a reserved matter for the UK Government. \r\nScottish Government policy on whaling is to fully support the UK Government in seeking a permanent worldwide ban through the International Whaling Commission.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316784,"EventID":"S5W-03260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T16:56:02.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T12:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle ScotRail's performance regarding delays to train services in Mid Scotland and Fife.","AnswerText":"ScotRail’s performance as a whole, has fallen below the expectations of passengers, and the demanding performance targets set by Scottish Ministers. The contractual targets are intentionally challenging, demanding a consistent improvement in punctuality and reliability over the life of the franchise, leading to 92.5% of trains being at their destination on time, as measured by the rail industry’s Public Performance Measure, by April 2019. ScotRail’s current performance here nationally is 89.6% over the last twelve months, against a target for the end of the second year of the franchise of 91.3 percent.\r\nThe mid-Scotland and Fife area falls into the ‘Suburban East’ franchise sector. In this sector, ScotRail’s current performance is sitting at a moving-annual-average of 89.5 percent, against a specific target for that sector for the end of the second year of the franchise, of 92.5 percent.\r\nUnder the terms of the Franchise Agreement, Transport Scotland (an agency of the Scottish Government) requested that ScotRail provide an Improvement Plan, which will outline their plans to address performance issues and achieve their contractual targets. This was received by Transport Scotland on 16th September, and is now being reviewed, with the actions within the plan to be monitored.\r\nThe Improvement Plan has three points of focus: infrastructure, fleet and operations:\r\nFor the infrastructure, much is being done to improve signalling and cabling:\r\nFor the fleet, the emphasis is now much more on focussed maintenance initiatives, especially for the radiators on the Class 158 rolling stock, as these have been a particular source of concern;\r\nFor the operations, a specific focus on reviewing staff and passenger behaviours on the lines which are known to facing significant levels of delay.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316785,"EventID":"S5W-03271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T16:56:02.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T13:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers it has to direct tenancy deposit scheme administrators to reassign unclaimed funds.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have approved three tenancy deposit schemes in Scotland on the basis that their proposals met the requirements of the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011.\r\nThe laws governing the Schemes allow tenants to reclaim money owed to them at any time after the end of a tenancy. There is no statutory time limit. Nothing in the scheme rules provides for unclaimed money to be paid to anyone. If a deposit is unclaimed, scheme administrators must continue to protect it. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316786,"EventID":"S5W-03277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T16:56:04.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its role is in ensuring appropriate health and safety in schools.","AnswerText":"The health and safety of all pupils whilst at school in Scotland is of paramount importance to us.\r\nHowever, health and safety legislation is not devolved to Scottish Government. The Health and Safety Executive has UK wide responsibility for enforcement of the related legislation and regulations.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316787,"EventID":"S5W-03134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T16:56:05.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-22T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on cetacean populations in Scottish waters of the slaughter of whales in the Faroe Islands.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not undertaken any assessment of the potential impact of Faroese whaling on cetacean populations in Scottish waters.\r\nThe cetacean species targeted by Faroese whaling are part of wider North Atlantic populations. It is therefore not possible to accurately assess potential impacts on the variable portion of these wider North Atlantic populations that might also make use of Scottish waters at any particular time. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316788,"EventID":"S5W-03261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T16:56:06.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T12:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle reported GP shortages in NHS Forth Valley.","AnswerText":"Under this Government, the number of GPs employed in Scotland has risen by 7.4 per cent to nearly 5,000 – the highest ever on record. Investment in GP services has gone up every year under this Government and we are committed to an increasing share of the NHS budget going to Primary Care in each year of this parliament.\r\nWe recognise recruitment into General Practice is an on-going challenge. We are supporting health boards to encourage GP recruitment and retention with a number of short and long term investments. We are investing £85 million over three years to develop Primary Care workforce and infrastructure. Additionally, in March we announced a further £20 million investment to ease workforce pressures over the next year.\r\nWe are testing community hub models in NHS Forth Valley and NHS Fife. By offering community hub fellowships in Fife and Forth Valley we have been able to attract young, recently qualified GPs to areas to which it has previously been difficult to recruit through the offer of portfolio careers and extended roles in the hubs.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316789,"EventID":"S5W-03272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T16:56:07.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T13:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long unclaimed funds in tenancy deposit schemes must be retained by scheme administrators.","AnswerText":"Scheme administrators must hold a tenant’s deposit until it falls to be repaid at the end of the tenancy. If it is unclaimed they must hold it indefinitely in case it is claimed at a later date.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316790,"EventID":"S5W-03273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T16:56:08.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reconsider the decision to move jury trials from Forfar to Dundee.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5O-00156 on 21 September 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316791,"EventID":"S5W-03259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T16:56:09.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T12:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason waiting time targets for treatment for cancer are reportedly not being met in Mid Scotland and Fife.","AnswerText":"Cancer waiting times data for quarter 2 (April - June) 2016 published by ISD on 27 September 2016 show 95.7% of cancer patients across Scotland received treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat with the median wait being only six days.\r\nChallenges remain to the 62-day pathway with known capacity pressures for diagnostic scopes and radiological investigations. The Scottish Government continues to support improved performance across NHS Scotland and are actively engaging NHS Boards where there are challenges to sustained delivery against the 62-day standard. This is backed by additional funding of £5 million in 2016-17.\r\nBreakdown of performance by NHS board can be found in the quarterly ISD statistical publications.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316792,"EventID":"S5W-03274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5757,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T16:56:10.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T13:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when during the first year of the next contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services it expects CalMac to introduce new smart ticketing products for (a) passengers and (b) commercial vehicles.","AnswerText":"Discussions are already underway with CalMac Ferries Ltd to obtain a new system to deliver a Smart and Integrated Ticketing and Booking System for passengers and freight. We will continue to work with CalMac and other operators in the development and roll out of Smart products across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316793,"EventID":"S5W-03276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T16:56:11.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it provides for parents who are concerned about health and safety in a school.","AnswerText":"Health and safety legislation is not devolved to Scottish Government. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has UK wide responsibility for this matter. \r\nThe HSE’s current schools guidance can be found online at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/services/education/index.htm. Moreover, information about managing health and safety in school grounds can be found on Education Scotland's website at: http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/learningandteaching/approaches/outdoorlearning/placestolearnoutdoors/schoolgrounds/managingsafety.asp\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316794,"EventID":"S5W-03267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T16:56:12.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T13:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much is held in tenancy deposit schemes that has not been reclaimed within one year of the tenancy ending; what it expects the amount will be in (a) 3, (b) 5, (c) 10, (d) 15 and (e) 20 years, and what the legal position is regarding how this unclaimed money can be used.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on the current or expected future value of deposits remaining unclaimed more than one year after the tenancy end date.\r\nScheme administrators are required to hold a tenant's deposit in a designated account until it falls to be repaid. There are strict conditions for withdrawal of sums from these designated accounts. Nothing in the scheme rules provides for unclaimed money to be paid to anyone.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316795,"EventID":"S5W-03268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-28T16:56:13.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T13:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) analysis it has carried out of and (b) advice it has received regarding investing in housing stock unclaimed funds from tenancy deposit schemes.","AnswerText":"The laws governing the Schemes allow tenants to reclaim money owed to them at any time after the end of a tenancy. There is no statutory time limit. Nothing in the scheme rules provides for unclaimed money to be paid to anyone.\r\nUnder the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, Scottish Ministers must review each approved scheme from time to time and may take steps to secure the revision of the reviewed scheme, if appropriate. I have decided that a review of tenancy deposit schemes should take place. The issue of unclaimed deposits will be included for consideration as part of the review process. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316796,"EventID":"S5W-03291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T10:47:35.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T10:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposals by the Scottish Ambulance Service to make changes to the classification of certain calls, which were paused by the Chief Medical Officer in February 2016, pending further discussions.","AnswerText":"Since February, the Chief Medical Officer has been engaging with the Scottish Ambulance Service regarding its approach to change. Following an extensive clinically evidenced review of patient data, the Service has proposed changes to its overall response model, ensuring that all patients receive the right response first time. The Chief Medical Officer has discussed these changes with the Service and is content that there is sound clinical evidence to support these proposals. The Chief Medical Officer has recently written to the Service asking them to develop a one year pilot ahead of winter, in line with similar tests of change being carried out in Wales and some parts of England. This pilot will look at improvements to clinical outcomes for patients whilst ensuring that patient safety remains the main priority.","AnswerDate":"2016-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316798,"EventID":"S5W-03295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:14.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02387 by Paul Wheelhouse on 28 September 2016, whether it will answer the question that was asked regarding whether it was consulted on the reported plan by the Oil and Gas Authority to use £2.5 million of money received from the Treasury to fund new analysis of seismic data that was harvested 25 years ago. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not been directly or formally consulted by the OGA on the recent new analysis of seismic data, but officials have engaged with the OGA to discuss the Authority’s support for seismic surveying and analysis, including discussing the reprocessing of legacy seismic data in Scottish western inshore waters. \r\nOfficials discussed the concept that one of the aims of reprocessing the existing seismic data is to provide context for seismic interpretations in other, geologically connected parts of the offshore area, and so not necessarily to encourage exploration activity in the specific areas covered by the data. For example, the Minches and Skye data is analogous to, and therefore aids in interpretations of, more distant offshore areas.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316799,"EventID":"S5W-03297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:16.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26363 by Fergus Ewing on 4 August 2015, what the latest estimate is of jobs' potential, including modern apprenticeships in the energy sector, through the roll-out of smart meters. ","AnswerText":"This information is not centrally held.\r\nHowever, Skills Development Scotland and the Energy Skills Partnership through their engagement with employers have forecast the need for approximately 2,000 Smart metering engineers in Scotland, as a result of the roll-out of smart meters.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316800,"EventID":"S5W-03302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:19.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many permanent warning signs there are on the A75.","AnswerText":"There are approximately 3,500 permanent warning signs on the A75 trunk road.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316801,"EventID":"S5W-03329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:21.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will conduct a large-scale study on the effectiveness of mindfulness cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not itself conduct scientific research. However, the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of the Scottish Government funds health research projects directly through a competitive process to assess applications generated by the research community in Scotland. Applications are accepted for research across any health-related discipline or area, including mindfulness cognitive behavioural therapy and inflammatory bowel disease. \r\nCSO also contributes about £10million annually to the Department of Health National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) that allows researchers based in Scotland to apply through a competitive process for funding via the majority of the large NIHR research programmes that together cover a similar wide spectrum of health-related research.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316802,"EventID":"S5W-03279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:24.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the mental health issues in (a) rural and remote areas and (b) farming communities, including ease of accessibility to treatment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies – including NHS Boards and Local Authorities – to support implementation of policy.\r\nThe management of local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local spending priorities, are the responsibility of relevant local agencies. This includes assessing the needs of local populations. It is therefore the responsibility of NHS Boards and local authorities to work with their partners and regularly review spending decisions to ensure they deliver fit for purpose services which respond to the needs of their local population, including those in rural and remote areas and farming communities.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316803,"EventID":"S5W-03311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:26.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what best practice it issues to local authorities regarding assessment of support for children with additional learning needs. ","AnswerText":"The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 places strict duties on local authorities to meet the additional support needs for all children for whose school education they are responsible, and to tailor provision according to their individual needs.\r\nThe \"Supporting Children’s Learning\" code of practice explains these duties, providing guidance to local authorities on the Act's provisions as well as on the supporting framework of secondary legislation. Chapter three of the code of practice, \"Meeting Additional Support Needs\", focusses on the assessment of children with additional support needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316804,"EventID":"S5W-03281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:28.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing the recycling of crutches, walking sticks and other support aids to help save the NHS money.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government issued Guidance on the Provision of Equipment and Adaptations in 2008, which emphasises the importance of recycling community equipment. We have also published a report highlighting the benefits and potential savings to be made through effective recycling.\r\nDecisions around which specific items of equipment are recycled remains a matter for individual health boards and local authorities to determine.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316805,"EventID":"S5W-03282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:32.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider publishing clear and accessible guidance to raise awareness of the options available to secure financial and practical support for broadband connectivity.","AnswerText":"The £400M Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme is delivering broadband connectivity to 95% of premises across Scotland by the end of next year. Further information can be found on the DSSB website at www.scotlandsuperfast.com. \r\nFor those not covered by the programme, guidance is publicly available which outlines the options available for securing financial and practical support for broadband connectivity.\r\nInformation on financial support for a broadband connection through the Better Broadband scheme, which offers voucher codes to help with connection costs, is available through the DSSB website. Information on the Community Broadband Scotland initiative, which provides financial and technical support for communities who wish to pursue their own connectivity solutions, can be accessed through the Highlands & Islands Enterprise website.\r\nInformation on the Better Broadband scheme can be found at https://www.scotlandsuperfast.com/where-when/the-programme/better-broadband-scheme/, and on the Community Broadband Scotland initiative at http://www.hie.co.uk/community-support/community-broadband-scotland/.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316806,"EventID":"S5W-03299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:36.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26366, what the estimated cost is of the roll-out of smart meters to every household.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nEnergy is a matter reserved to the UK Government who have responsibility for the policy, regulatory and commercial framework that underpins the roll-out of smart metering. The UK Government’s latest Impact Assessment published in January 2014 reports an expected small bill increase in the short term, and it is estimated, by Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), that this peaked at an average increase of around £6 per household in 2015.\r\nThe Impact Assessment is available at the following link:\r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/276656/smart_meter_roll_out_for_the_domestic_and_small_and_medium_and_non_domestic_sectors.pdf\r\nGiven delays to the Data Communication Company since publication of the Impact Assessment, the Scottish Government has called for the calculations to be reviewed and an updated cost / benefits analysis to be published.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316807,"EventID":"S5W-03300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:38.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many square metres of land in Dumfries and Galloway are owned by Transport Scotland, also broken down by the land adjacent to the A75 between Dumfries and Gretna.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland do not own any land in Dumfries and Galloway.\r\nLand required for improvements to the trunk road network is acquired by Scottish Ministers. The full extent of land held by Scottish Ministers in connection with the trunk road network is not centrally held.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316808,"EventID":"S5W-03331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:40.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending the remote outpatient care scheme for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is in place at NHS Highland and NHS Tayside to the other NHS boards.","AnswerText":"The Remote Outpatient Care (ROC) scheme has been developed between NHS Highland and third sector organisations, and was trialled in NHS Highland and NHS Tayside areas. Best practice recommendations related to e-health tools are contained within ‘Scotland Leading the Way: a National Blueprint for IBD in Scotland’, published in 2016 by Crohn’s and Colitis UK with support from the Scottish Government. ROC has been highlighted within the Blueprint as an example of an innovative solution which can support people with IBD. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316809,"EventID":"S5W-03332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:42.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on increasing the faecal protection testing that is required to differentiate between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).","AnswerText":"We welcome the publication of ‘Scotland Leading the Way: a National Blueprint for IBD in Scotland’, published in 2016 by Crohn’s and Colitis UK with support from the Scottish Government, which recommends the use of faecal calprotectin testing (FCP) as an option to support clinicians in ensuring timely referral for IBD diagnosis. This recommendation is supported by current clinical evidence of the value of FCP in preventing the need for more invasive investigations for people with a diagnosis of IBS. We will continue to work with C&CUK to engage with NHS boards and encourage improvements as set out in the Blueprint.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316810,"EventID":"S5W-03278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:44.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) what measures it has introduced and (b) how much it has allocated to tackle mental health issues in (i) rural and remote areas and (ii) farming communities.","AnswerText":"Spending on mental health by NHS Scotland has increased under this Government, from £651.4 million in 2006-07 to £904.9 million in 2014-15 – an increase of 38.9%.\r\nThe Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies – including NHS Boards and Local Authorities – to support implementation of policy. The management of local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local spending priorities, are the responsibility of relevant local agencies. This includes assessing the needs of local populations. It is therefore the responsibility of NHS Boards and local authorities to work with their partners and regularly review spending decisions to ensure they deliver fit for purpose services which respond to the needs of their local population, including those in rural communities.\r\nThe Scottish Government has made available £150m additional investment over five years to support improvement in, and transformation of mental health services, including in rural and remote areas and in farming communities. From this funding, we have announced:\r\nA £54.1 million package of support over 5 years to improve access to mental health services.\r\n£10 million over 2 years to support over 30 innovative tests of change in primary care mental health services, many of which focus on improving the physical health of people with severe and enduring mental illness; improving support available in rural areas and in areas of high social-deprivation. The third sector, including link workers will have a key role to play in this, signposting people to local community resources such as peer support, and helping them manage their own conditions.\r\nA £15 million Mental Health Innovation Fund to support better access to CAMHS and to develop innovative approaches to delivering mental health services.\r\n£1 million over 3 years to the Scottish Association of Mental Health to improve the physical health of those withmental health challenges.\r\n£4.2 million over 4 years to test and develop the effectiveness of distress brief interventions to better support people in distress who turn to frontline services.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316811,"EventID":"S5W-03285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:47.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01873 by Roseanna Cunningham on 10 August 2016, how long the vessel remained in port before resuming duties on each of the nine occasions that mariners had to be put ashore, also broken down by how many times (a) suitably qualified replacement mariners were hired and (b) the vessel resumed sailing without a full complement of crew.","AnswerText":"Marine Scotland vessels are certificated by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency with a Safe Manning Document. This specifies the safe manning complement for each vessel. At no time has Marine Scotland sailed any of its vessels below the safe manning complement. \r\nIn addition to the safe manning complement each vessel has an operational complement. This is set higher than the safe manning complement to ensure operational flexibility. This allows Marine Scotland to sail vessels when a crew member calls off at the last minute or requires to be landed during the course of a voyage. The occasions where mariners had to be put ashore, from the start of April 2016 to date, are listed in the following table. No delays in sailing have occurred due to shortage of operational complement.\r\nVessel\r\nDate From\r\nDate To\r\nNumber of days\r\nDelays / replacements\r\nMinna\r\n29-4-16\r\n9-5-16\r\n10\r\n\r\nNo delay or replacement. Cover provided by existing crew member.\r\nMinna\r\n8-6-16\r\n13-6-16\r\n5\r\nNo delay. Replacement crew member put on board vessel after 5 days to complete voyage.\r\nHirta\r\n5-6-16\r\n22-6-16\r\n17\r\nNo delay or replacement. \r\nHirta\r\n5-7-16\r\n13-7-16\r\n8\r\nNo delay or replacement. \r\nJura\r\n5-4-16\r\n8-4-16\r\n3\r\nNo delay or replacement. \r\nJura\r\n7-5-16\r\n19-5-17\r\n13\r\nNo delay or replacement. \r\nJura\r\n10-7-16\r\n21-7-16\r\n11\r\nNo delay or replacement. \r\nJura\r\n3-8-16\r\n11-8-16\r\n8\r\nNo delay or replacement. \r\nScotia\r\n5-7-16\r\n16-7-16\r\n12\r\nNo delay or replacement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316812,"EventID":"S5W-03289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:49.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will produce a new child and adolescent health and wellbeing strategy and whether it will be subject to consultation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently working to develop a new Child and Adolescent Health and Wellbeing strategy. This will be produced in Autumn 2017 following a period of consulting with key stakeholders.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316813,"EventID":"S5W-03296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:50.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of transport infrastructure feasibility studies that it has commissioned in each year since 2007, and how many of these were in the Dumfries and Galloway area.","AnswerText":"The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR), commissioned in 2007, gave thorough consideration to the strategic transport infrastructure needs of Dumfries and Galloway. STPR was the first nationwide, multi-modal, objective led and evidence based review of the existing performance and future requirements of Scotland’s national strategic transport networks. This considered 20 strategic transport corridors across Scotland, including the following four which are within or pass through Dumfries and Galloway :\r\nGlasgow to Stranraer and SW Scotland (A77 Corridor);\r\nStranraer to NW England and beyond (A75 Corridor);\r\nGlasgow to NW England and beyond (A74(M) Corridor); and\r\nEdinburgh to NW England and beyond (A7 Corridor).\r\nOver the past 8 years, we have invested over £65m in a major road improvement projects to improve safety and journey times on the trunk road network in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316814,"EventID":"S5W-03303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:52.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many miles of central double-white lines there are on the A75.","AnswerText":"There is approximately 11.2 miles of carriageway with central double-white lines on the A75 trunk road.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316815,"EventID":"S5W-03335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:56:56.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T15:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) regarding sediment management and extraction in the River Esk. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Government is in regular discussion with SEPA with regard to the water environment but has had no discussions regarding sediment management and extraction in the River Esk.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316816,"EventID":"S5W-03283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:57:03.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has not responded in full to the findings in the paper, Taught Postgraduate Review: Working Group Final Report, which was published on 21 December 2015, and by what date it will issue its response.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government wants to increase participation in postgraduate study and has considered the recommendations made in Professor MacGregor's final report.\r\nThe Programme for Government made clear an updated package of support will be available to eligible students in academic year 2017-18 and Ministers will announce further detail on this soon.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316817,"EventID":"S5W-03284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:57:05.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T15:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to widen access to postgraduate study for people from deprived backgrounds.","AnswerText":"Under current postgraduate support arrangements, all eligible postgraduate students are able to access a total student loan support package of £7900, comprising a tuition fee loan of £3400 and a living cost loan of £4500 if studying from a wide ranging course list. In the current academic year all universities were invited to add a further ten taught postgraduate diploma courses to the list currently eligible for support.\r\nAnd, as the Programme for Government made clear, the Scottish Government will be announcing further changes to the support package available to all eligible students in academic year 2017-18.\r\nAlthough the Commission on Widening Access’s primary focus was undergraduate level study, it recommended that the Commissioner for Fair Access consider what further work is required to support equal outcomes after (undergraduate) study for those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with a care experience. This is a matter that the Commissioner can examine with regard to postgraduate study. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316818,"EventID":"S5W-03298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:57:07.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-26367, S4W-26368 and S4W-26369 by Fergus Ewing on 4 August 2015, what further meetings it has had with (a) Smart Energy GB, (b) Ofgem, (c) the energy companies and (d) relevant third-sector organisations to further discuss the impact on low-income and vulnerable consumers, including those at risk of being in fuel poverty, of the smart meter roll-out, and whether it is satisfied that people who cannot install, or refuse to install smart meters, will not receive higher bills.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to engage extensively with Smart Energy GB, UK Government, Ofgem, energy suppliers and a range of consumer bodies to discuss the impact of the smart meter roll-out, not only on low-income and vulnerable consumers but Scottish consumers as a whole.\r\nAlthough supportive of the aims of the smart meter programme, the Scottish Government continues to have concerns in relation to the costs and anticipated benefits of the programme.\r\nOn 6 June 2016 I responded to the Competition Markets Authority (CMA) Energy Market Investigation reiterating concerns including but not limited to the lower specifications of meters currently being installed (Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications (SMETS) 1 rather than SMETS 2), delays to the communication platform and technical issues limiting the coverage of the programme particularly in remote and rural areas.\r\nOn 29 June 2016 I delivered a key note speech at a Citizens Advice Scotland consumer conference highlighting the risks associated with a project of this scale and complexity, stressing the need for adequate safeguards to ensure those who do not have smart meters installed - whether for technical reasons or because they refuse to do so - are not unfairly penalised.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to press the UK Government to ensure the programme is delivered to the greatest number of Scottish consumers, at the lowest possible cost, whilst enhancing the benefits to the most vulnerable in our society and those at risk of fuel poverty.\r\nThe Scottish Government is planning a summit of utility companies to challenge them to do more for low income households which will include a discussion on the smart meter roll-out programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316819,"EventID":"S5W-03301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:57:09.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many miles of the A75 are dual carriageway.","AnswerText":"Approximately 4.3 miles of the A75 trunk road is dual carriageway in one direction.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316820,"EventID":"S5W-03333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:57:11.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Centre for Deep Brain Stimulation will be established.","AnswerText":"Preparatory work for the Scottish Centre for Deep Brain Stimulation is being carried out by the host board NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.\r\nThe Scottish Government expects the service to be implemented in Spring 2017, but this will be dependent on key posts being recruited and equipment being in place.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316821,"EventID":"S5W-03334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:57:13.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding potential cross-border arrangements for British Transport Police operations between (a) Lockerbie and (b) Gretna Green and Carlisle. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's approach is to ensure cross border arrangements for railway policing offer a seamless service to all operators, passengers, goods and staff. We continue to work with the UK Government, BTP, BTPA, Police Scotland and other key stakeholders to deliver this objective.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316822,"EventID":"S5W-03290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:57:15.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T09:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of food outlets in Wales and Northern Ireland being required to display food hygiene certificates, what plans it has to introduce such a measure.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) operate the Food Hygiene Information Scheme (FHIS) in partnership with local authorities. The scheme is intended to help consumers choose where to eat out or shop for food by providing at-a-glance information about food hygiene compliance. The scheme is assessed by local authorities during their food law inspections at catering and retail outlets. FHIS applies to all food outlets that supply food to consumers, including restaurants, takeaways and food shops, and is based on a simple, two-tier ‘Pass’ or ‘Improvement Required’ format. \r\nWhile FSS strongly encourages food businesses to display their FHIS certificate and/or sticker publicly in their premises it is not currently mandatory to do so. All results are published and can be found on the Food Standards Scotland website at http://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/fhis/search.\r\nFSS is currently conducting a full review of the scheme in Scotland and the potential for a mandatory scheme is being considered as part of this process. Any formal consultation on proposals for a revised scheme would be carried out by FSS during 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316823,"EventID":"S5W-03307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:57:17.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to attract GPs to rural communities in Dumfriesshire. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting primary care, including GPs, and ensuring that all communities in Scotland, including remote and rural areas, receive safe, reliable and sustainable health care services.\r\nOver three years, the Scottish Government is investing £85 million, as part of the Primary Care Fund. As part of this, over £2 million will be invested in work to explore with key stakeholders the issues surrounding GP recruitment and retention which can be particularly challenging in remote and rural areas. This will support a range of initiatives over the next two years including the establishment of a Scottish Rural Medicine Collaborative between NHS Dumfries and Galloway and six other health boards. This initiative will bring together recruitment strategies and support networks for GPs working in remote and rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316824,"EventID":"S5W-03309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:57:19.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cross-border farmers have received their full CAP payment.","AnswerText":"Of the 93 cases for which the Scottish Government is the paying agency, 87 have been paid in full as at 17 October 2016, and the remaining 6 payments are expected to be made by the end of this month.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316825,"EventID":"S5W-03287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:57:21.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-28T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the UK Chief Medical Officers' Alcohol Guidelines Review and what action it will take to (a) tackle excessive alcohol consumption and (b) help people to make informed choices about their alcohol consumption.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is supportive of the review, and we have taken considerable action to reduce alcohol harm through our Alcohol Framework to help prevent problems arising in the first place, and ensuring support and treatment for those who are already experiencing problems. As part of the Alcohol Framework we have taken forward education programmes and social marketing campaigns to raise awareness of the risks associated with alcohol and will continue to do so through the next phase of the Alcohol Framework.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316826,"EventID":"S5W-03305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:57:22.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it is making to the UK Government regarding state aid rules as part of Brexit negotiations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to protecting Scotland’s relationship with the EU, including state aid rules, following Scotland’s unequivocal vote to retain the wide range of economic and social benefits membership provides. We are considering all possible steps to ensure Scotland’s continuing relationship with the EU and are engaged at ministerial and official level with the UK Government to ensure the best outcome for Scotland following the EU referendum.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316827,"EventID":"S5W-03312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:57:24.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will support local authorities in providing educational support for children with additional learning needs. ","AnswerText":"The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 was put in place to ensure that all children and young people with additional support needs receive the support they require to achieve their potential.\r\nThe Act places strict duties on local authorities to meet the additional support needs for all children for whose school education they are responsible, and to tailor provision according to their individual needs.\r\nThe \"Supporting Children’s Learning\" code of practice explains these duties, providing guidance to local authorities on the Act's provisions as well as on the supporting framework of secondary legislation.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316828,"EventID":"S5W-03330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:57:26.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve the capacity of the NHS to deal with the psychological aspects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects NHS boards to respond to the clinical and mental health needs of their population. To assist in providing effective, evidence-based treatments, the Scottish Government provides funding to NHS Education for Scotland (NES) to host the ‘The Matrix: A Guide to Delivering Evidence-based Psychological Therapies in Scotland’, an evidence-based guide for NHS boards on effective psychological treatments for a range of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, which people with effects from inflammatory bowel disease may experience.\r\nIf there is an absence of strong evidence for the treatment of a particular condition, the Matrix advises that clinical judgment should be used if considering interventions which have been shown to be effective for similar problems in other adult populations.\r\nCrohn’s and Colitis UK’s report ‘Scotland Leading The Way: a National Blueprint for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Scotland’, launched with the support of the Scottish Government in June 2016, also contains best practice recommendations related to improving psychological support for IBD patients. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316829,"EventID":"S5W-03306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:57:29.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of any potential benefits associated with leaving the EU.","AnswerText":"Following the outcome of the referendum on the UK's membership of the EU, the Scottish Government has been undertaking extensive work to assess the implications of leaving the EU. This includes internal analysis, advice from the First Minister's Standing Council on Europe, consideration of other specialist opinions as well as direct and wide-ranging stakeholder engagement across a number of sectors. This analysis is evidence-led and takes into account all aspects of leaving the EU.\r\nIt is clear that there is an increasing body of evidence, such as the economic analysis published by the Scottish Government on 23 August and the recently leaked Treasury analysis, which demonstrates that any potential benefits in areas would be heavily outweighed by negative long-term ramifications.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316830,"EventID":"S5W-03308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:57:31.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help meet the needs of children with autism.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to meeting the needs of children with autism. We want all children and young people to reach their full potential. \r\nEducation authorities and other agencies have duties under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 (as amended) to identify, provide for and keep under review the additional support needs of pupils, including children and young people with autism.\r\nIn addition the Scottish Government launched the Autism Toolbox website in April 2014, to help teachers and educational support staff (both in primary and secondary schools) meet the needs of pupils with autism. This online tool identifies best practice for all education staff in schools to support pupils with autism.\r\nThrough the Scottish Strategy for Autism we have funded a range of projects to support children and young people with autism. Two young girls involved in one of the funded projects can be seen in the video below:\r\nhttp://www.autismstrategyscotland.org.uk/news/autism-europe-congress-highlights-video-released.html\r\nWe will continue to build on the work that the strategy has achieved in order to further support the needs of children with autism.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316831,"EventID":"S5W-03310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T15:57:32.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff it employs, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Figures on Scottish Government staff headcount are collated regularly for the Quarterly Public Sector Employment Survey published by the Office for National Statistics, at Scotland level. The same Scotland-level headcount data are also published as part of the Scottish Government Workforce Information quarterly release.\r\nThese reports show that, at 30 June 2016, there were 5,416 directly-employed staff in the Scottish Government core directorates.\r\nWhen this Scotland-level information is broken down by local authority area using management information from the HR system, we find that these staff are based in offices in 20 local authority areas in Scotland and 2 overseas offices, and that the staff headcount by the local authority area of the office is as follows:\r\nLocal authority\r\nStaff headcount\r\nAberdeen City\r\n265\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n86\r\nAngus\r\n5\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n42\r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\n3,723\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n34\r\nDundee City\r\n22\r\nFalkirk\r\n45\r\nFife\r\n2\r\nGlasgow City\r\n729\r\nHighland\r\n127\r\nMoray\r\n16\r\nNa h-Eileanan Siar\r\n33\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n16\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n115\r\nScottish Borders\r\n41\r\nShetland Islands\r\n15\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n47\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n25\r\nWest Lothian\r\n20\r\nOutside Scotland\r\n8\r\nTotal\r\n5,416\r\nThere are no staff based in Clackmannanshire, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Stirling, and West Dunbartonshire.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316866,"EventID":"S5W-03313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:05.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T12:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on providing access to adapted vehicles to people with xeroderma pigmentosum who are reliant on them, regardless of their care component rating.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has set out plans to continue to work with Motability, the independent charity that provides vehicles to recipients of qualifying disability benefits, to ensure the scheme can continue to operate in Scotland when powers over disability benefits are devolved. \r\nThe Scottish Government is currently consulting on its approach to Social Security in Scotland. However, until the necessary legislation and delivery mechanisms are in place, the United Kingdom Government will continue to set the qualifying criteria for disability benefits.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316867,"EventID":"S5W-03317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:07.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T12:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the specialist medical clothing and equipment needs of people with xeroderma pigmentosum in order to make these available through prescription or social services.","AnswerText":"There are no current plans to undertake a review. Xeroderma Pigmentosum is an extremely rare disease affecting around 100 people across the UK. Treatment and supervision for this condition is highly specialised which is best delivered through specialist hospital services who can advise on appropriate protective garments and equipment to fit the particular needs for the patient concerned.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316868,"EventID":"S5W-03327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:10.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T13:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of farmers and landowners in the North East Scotland parliamentary region that received over £100,000 per annum in CAP farming subsidies in 2015-16 or the latest period for which data is available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is obligated to comply with the requirements set out in EC Regulation 1307/2013 regarding the publication of beneficiaries. Those requirements mean that we are publishing, as figures become available: the name of the person or business the location by postcode, the details of amounts under each scheme and a description of those schemes. The EC requirements include publishing information on a single website per member state: details from the Scottish government to date can be found by using the following link: http://cap-payments.defra.gov.uk/","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316869,"EventID":"S5W-03336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:12.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is its policy to provide a vehicle and passenger ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon town centres.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government would welcome a vehicle and passenger ferry service on the Gourock to Dunoon town centre route. A Contract Notice, formally beginning the procurement process, issued on 8 July 2016. It is for potential participants to assess the commercial viability and risk of providing a vehicle-carrying service. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316870,"EventID":"S5W-03338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:14.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has instructed David MacBrayne Ltd to bid for the Gourock to Dunoon ferry service.","AnswerText":"It is for the board of David MacBrayne Ltd to decide whether to bid for the Gourock-Dunoon ferry service contract. Ministers would not ordinarily issue such an instruction on a specific business decision.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316871,"EventID":"S5W-03315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:17.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T12:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on promoting the use of sunscreen in schools.","AnswerText":"Health and wellbeing in Curriculum for Excellence is the responsibility of all school staff and promotes pupils' understanding of their own health and wellbeing.\r\nSchools and local authorities are required to ensure that health promotion is at the heart of a school’s activities by the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007. A school is health promoting if it provides activities, environment and facilities which promote physical, social, mental and emotional health and wellbeing of pupils. It is for local authorities and schools, in partnership with the NHS Board and wider school communities, to identify their priorities for learning and health promotion. This may include learning about sun safety and the promotion of the use of sunscreen.\r\nGuidance on the Administration of Medicines in Schools, was published in 2001 to support NHS boards, education authorities and schools to develop policies on managing healthcare needs in schools, including individual healthcare planning. These policies may include the use of sunscreen in schools. The Scottish Government intends to consult on new guidance on supporting the healthcare needs of children and young people in schools later this year.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316872,"EventID":"S5W-03316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:18.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T12:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on promoting education and awareness in schools of rare diseases.","AnswerText":"Further to the response provided to the answer to question S5W-03315 on 18 October 2016, it is for local authorities and schools, in partnership with their NHS Board and wider school communities, to identify their priorities for learning and health promotion. This may include learning and awareness raising about rare diseases.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316873,"EventID":"S5W-03351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:20.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the target timescale is for power of attorney to be issued after submission of the completed application to the Office of the Public Guardian. ","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316874,"EventID":"S5W-03324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:22.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T13:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that large landowners do not exploit the current system of CAP payments to accrue excessive farming subsidies, and how it proposes to address this issue after 2020, when the current system ends.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has ensured that farmers who are actively farming receive the support they need to produce food and provide other public benefits. At the same time, we have taken a number of steps under the recent CAP reforms to address the issue of landowners exploiting the system to accrue excessive farming subsidies. It is worth recalling that the minimum activity clause in the current CAP regulations came about because of Scottish Government action, hence why it is called the “Scottish clause”.\r\nFor example, the minimum activity clause requires farmers to demonstrate activity on poor quality land where they either have to keep some livestock or carry out an environmental audit. In addition, with the introduction of payment regions linked to land quality, payment entitlements can only be claimed in the region they were allocated so that farmers cannot claim high value entitlements on poor quality land. A windfall tax prevents farmers from trying to cash in by consolidating their high value entitlements on a smaller area of land and, in 2018, we will apply a cap on basic payments at 600,000. \r\nThere was more the Scottish Government would have liked to do, for example we intended to limit eligibility to payment entitlements to the area of land held in 2013 or 2015 whichever was the lowest. This was to address concerns about landowners terminating leases and taking land back in hand to maximise their own allocation of payment entitlements. However, this was disallowed by the European Commission who argued it was incompatible with our proposal to widen access to New Entrants - another key priority. \r\nThe Scottish Government pushed for and is using flexibilities in the Regulations to ensure our CAP package is targeted to reward genuinely active farmers and, through a suite of measures, helps address Scotland’s slipper farming issue. \r\nThis Government is working hard to protect all of Scotland’s interests which is why we continue to explore all options to maintain our relationship with the EU, membership of the single market and freedom of movement. The recently published Vision for Agriculture provides the core themes and aspirations we have for our farming sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316875,"EventID":"S5W-03326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:24.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T13:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total value is of CAP subsidies to farm businesses in the North East Scotland parliamentary region.","AnswerText":"The total amount of CAP Direct Payments (Basic Payment Scheme/Greening/Young Farmer and Voluntary Coupled Support) paid by the Scottish Government to businesses in the North East Scotland parliamentary constituency is £94,971,486.39 as of 10 October 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316876,"EventID":"S5W-03341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:26.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the outcomes were of the recent timber summit held near Moffat. ","AnswerText":"The forestry summit at Moffat was attended by a broad cross section of the industry who shared their views on how best the Scottish Government can assist them in growing the £1 billion sector. Topics covered included planting targets, transport, skills and the Future of Forestry in Scotland consultation.\r\nA similar summit to explore opportunities and barriers is being held with the forestry sector in the north of Scotland on 24 October 2016.\r\nThe discussions at these summits will help inform how we drive forward the rural economy. I intend to hold further meetings next year to discuss progress.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316877,"EventID":"S5W-03343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:30.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS boards to increase the number of surgeons working in rural areas.","AnswerText":"Consultant numbers in NHS Scotland are at a record high, with 5,202.3 WTE in place - a 43.1% increase under this Government.\r\nWhile the Scottish Government provides the policies, frameworks and resources for high quality healthcare, it is for each NHS board to plan its workforce to meet the needs of its population.\r\nWe are fully committed to providing sustainable, high quality patient-centred services in remote and rural areas, ensuring that care is delivered as close to the patient as possible when appropriate. That is why we are supporting the development of flexible networks between rural and urban hospitals.\r\nPatient safety is, and will remain, paramount. We have committed to placing our innovative workforce planning tools on a statutory footing to ensure safe and sustainable staffing levels, including within remote and rural areas. Work will begin this year to consult with stakeholders on how best to take forward our commitment.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316878,"EventID":"S5W-03337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:33.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Gourock to Dunoon ferry contract is due to expire on 30 June 2017.","AnswerText":"The current contract for the subsidised town centre service between Gourock and Dunoon is due to expire on 29 June 2017 at 00:00. Full details of the contract can be found at http://www.transport.gov.scot/water/ferries/gourock-dunoon","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316879,"EventID":"S5W-03344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:35.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to increasing incentives for trainee surgeons to take up placements in rural and remote hospitals.","AnswerText":"As part of ongoing analysis of the annual outcome of Trainee recruitment and selection in Scotland, the Scottish Government discusses with NHS Education for Scotland(NES) whether different approaches may be required to make training posts more attractive, while being mindful of the need for every post to provide the educational experiences and opportunities that fulfil the educational standards required by the General Medical Council. \r\nWe are clear that more innovation and flexibility in our recruitment approaches for Trainees is needed, and to then retain them upon completion of training. A key challenge is to ensure that surgical teams in remote areas can maintain their skills when patient numbers are small, and this is being addressed by developing networks between rural and urban hospitals. In a highly competitive recruitment environment for medical trainees where multiple choices exist, the Scottish Government is clear that concerted efforts are needed by NES, Health boards and Medical Royal Colleges to make training posts as educationally attractive as possible, that offer the job flexibilities and enhanced skill opportunities Trainees now seek, and where appropriate offer local recruitment incentives to Trainees. In remote and rural circumstances, such incentives might include offering assistance towards accommodation costs, employment offers to partners, travel and subsistence to attend learning events. \r\nThere is widespread recognition of the need for transformational change to enhance the quality of care, improve outcomes and ensure we have a sustainable service for all. As implementation of the National Clinical Strategy progresses, it is inevitable that the restructuring of service provision at national, regional and local levels will drive new approaches to how surgical training is configured, and the new national and regional workforce planning system will need to ensure training placements adapt to such change.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316880,"EventID":"S5W-03314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:37.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T12:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will categorise xeroderma pigmentosum as a genetic DNA repair disorder, as opposed to a skin condition, to enable people with the condition to claim middle rate Disability Living Allowance.","AnswerText":"While we will have powers over disability benefits in the future, the Scottish Government does not yet have the power to amend the qualifying criteria for Disability Living Allowance. We are consulting on our approach to Social Security in Scotland. However, until the necessary legislation and delivery mechanisms are in place, the UK Government will continue to set the qualifying criteria for disability benefits.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316881,"EventID":"S5W-03328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:39.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T13:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many farmers and landowners in the North East Scotland parliamentary region received under (a) £10,000 and (b) £30,000 in CAP farming subsidies per annum in 2015-16 or the latest period for which data is available.","AnswerText":"In terms of CAP Direct Payments (Basic Payment Scheme/Greening/Young Farmer and Voluntary Coupled Support) paid by the Scottish Government to businesses in the North East Scotland parliamentary constituency to date, the number of business by the requested value bands were is:- \r\nThe number of businesses receiving less than £10,000 = 1,193; and\r\nThe number of businesses receiving less than £30,000 = 2,202\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316882,"EventID":"S5W-03339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:41.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the MV Coruisk will be deployed on the Gourock to Dunoon route over the winter period, as in 2014.","AnswerText":"I have discussed the potential deployment of the MV Coruisk on the \r\nGourock-Dunoon route over the 2016-17 winter period with local stakeholders. As yet no decisions have been made. \r\nThe operational availability of the MV Coruisk is a matter for CalMac Ferries Limited as the ferry operator of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service.\r\nThe MV Coruisk has been used as an additional vessel, in passenger only mode in the morning and afternoon periods and also for standby relief cover during winter 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316883,"EventID":"S5W-03325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:44.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T13:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent reports of excessive farming subsidies being accrued by large landowners, what it is doing to ensure that good and efficient use is made of agricultural land, and how it will monitor good land use after 2020 when the current CAP subsidy system ends.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to S5W-03324 on 27 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316884,"EventID":"S5W-03340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:46.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to support a local social enterprise company to bid for the Gourock to Dunoon ferry route.","AnswerText":"Procurement rules would not allow the Scottish Government or Transport Scotland to support a bid from any individual company. The Contract Notice, which was the first step in the procurement process for the Gourock-Dunoon ferry service, was published on 8 July 2016 on the Public Contracts Scotland website and in the Official Journal of the European Union. As such it was available to all interested parties.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316885,"EventID":"S5W-03342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-29T17:15:48.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the number of medical students that are not Scottish domiciled, what it considers the challenges are in recruiting surgeons to rural and remote areas, and what action it is taking to address these.","AnswerText":"There are numerous reasons which contribute to recruitment and retention challenges in such areas of Scotland, and actions and solutions require the sustained and combined efforts of the Scottish Government, NHS boards, Medical schools and Medical Royal Colleges.\r\nProviding a quality, sustainable health service is one of the Scottish Government’s top priorities, and the National Clinical Strategy provides the strategic framework for transformational change in the NHS over the next 10-15 years, based upon providing services around the needs of local communities; supporting people to manage their own conditions; working in multidisciplinary teams and restructuring how our hospitals can best serve the people of Scotland. It follows that the restructuring of service provision must drive the future workforce requirement, and workforce planning must adapt to better match our workforce capacity to overall demand in a sustainable and affordable way taking into account of the skill sets required.\r\nIn the short to medium term, there are a range of actions already being taken to support NHS boards recruit in remote and rural areas, from abroad, and also to encourage those who trained or worked in NHS Scotland to return and work in the health service. For example, we are supporting the development of flexible networks between rural and urban hospitals. This can be seen by the reciprocal surgeon rotation between Belford Hospital and Edinburgh or NHS Highland and Caithness. NHS boards can also use either the UK or the Scotland specific Shortage Occupation List to permits recruit from abroad where evidence of shortages exists, and we are regularly reviewing these lists to ensure boards can use these where the need exists. In terms of a more sustainable medical workforce, we have increased by 50 the SG-funded medical school places from 2016, and announced Scotland’s first graduate entry medical programme with 40 additional places starting from August 2018. The aims of these initiatives are to boost future supply, but also to increase the amount of time spent learning in remote and rural settings as such experience may help influence future career choices.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316886,"EventID":"S5W-03369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T11:12:52.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will conclude the pre-qualifying stage of the tender for the next town centre Gourock-Dunoon Ferry Services contract, which is due to begin in June 2017.","AnswerText":"The pre-qualification stage is now complete and we have written to four participants to inform them that they have been successful. This has allowed us to seek confirmation from those participants that they wish to continue with their interest in the competition. Further details will be made available when we issue the Invitation to Tender.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316887,"EventID":"S5W-03382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5591,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T12:49:25.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T12:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in delivering the national CAP loan scheme.","AnswerText":"The National Basic Payment Support Scheme 2016 was announced to Parliament on 13 September 2016. Delivery of the scheme has proceeded on the timescale set out in the announcement. Loan letters were posted to 17,324 farmers and crofters, the vast majority of potential applicants, on 27 September 2016. These letters offered a loan of 80 per cent of each individual’s estimated 2016 Basic and Greening payments up to a maximum of 150,000 euros. Recipients of these letters are invited to respond by 12 October 2016, in order to receive their loan in the first half of November 2016. \r\nRegrettably, after the letters were sent, the Scottish Government uncovered a miscalculation affecting a small percentage of businesses which had not been picked up during the sample checking carried out in advance. In these cases, the loan calculation did not take full account of their Region three land, resulting in them being offered a smaller loan amount than they were entitled to.\r\nSwift action has been taken to ensure this does not affect the timetable for getting the correct loan payments to those farmers. Area offices began phoning affected businesses on 28 September 2016 to explain and apologise for the situation. Revised loan letters will be issued to the affected farmers and crofters during the week beginning 3 October 2016, with a new return deadline. As long as they respond to the second letter by the new deadline of 19 October 2016, there will be no impact on the timing of their loan and they will receive a payment for the correct loan amount in the first half of November. If any affected farmer or crofter is unable to respond by the new deadline, the Government will still honour the correct loan amount but the timing of the payment will depend on the time taken to respond.\r\nThe Government has also checked that for other businesses with Region three land, and for all region one and Region two land, the calculation has been carried out correctly.\r\nAs set out in the initial announcement, the small number of businesses for whom it was not possible to make a loan offer at this stage, because the complexity of their case required further work to be carried out, will receive their offer at a later date, and the Government will also write to any Basic Payment applicants who are not eligible for CAP payments and are therefore also not eligible for a loan.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316888,"EventID":"S5W-03319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:20:37.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take (a) prior to the implementation of and (b) as part of the new community justice system to provide prisoners and former prisoners with housing support and advice to sustain or find a tenancy when they leave prison.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the challenges that prisoners and their families may face, and the support that may be required, to sustain tenancies. Housing was a key focus of the Ministerial Group for Offender Reintegration. The Group commissioned research published in January 2016, in order to gain a fuller picture of the scope and provision of housing advice and support services available for those leaving custody. This can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/01/6920\r\nLocal authorities have developed a range of links to prisons and practice across Scotland to help prevent homelessness, and assist access to appropriate housing on liberation. Discussion of an individual’s housing needs and circumstances is incorporated into the Scottish Prison Service's induction and pre-release planning work, and those requiring housing support are referred to housing support services.\r\nUnder the new model for community justice, which will come into effect on 1 April next year, Community Justice Partners in each local authority will have a responsibility to consult, plan and deliver services that meet the needs of their local communities. This will be supported by a new National Strategy for Community Justice and an Outcomes and Performance Indicators Framework which will be published shortly. Building on the work of the Ministerial Group for Offender Integration, these documents will highlight the importance of housing amongst a range of factors for Partners to address to prevent and reduce reoffending. A new national body, Community Justice Scotland, will also be established to provide leadership across the country. It will work will Community Justice Partners, and provide advice to Scottish Ministers, on any areas it identifies for improvement.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316889,"EventID":"S5W-03362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:20:39.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T17:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02378 by Keith Brown on 28 September 2016, which other guarantee schemes it was referring to when it stated that “total losses paid by the guarantor to the financial intermediary are usually capped”.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03360 on 12 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316890,"EventID":"S5W-03361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:20:41.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T17:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02378 by Keith Brown on 28 September 2016, whether it expects the first loans benefiting from its guarantee scheme to be paid to companies before 6 September 2017.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03360 on 12 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316891,"EventID":"S5W-03363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:20:43.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T17:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02378 by Keith Brown on 28 September 2016, whether it expects the specialists that will examine the prospects and finances of each company that applies to be public sector employees.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03360 on 12 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316892,"EventID":"S5W-03322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:20:45.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what housing support and advice services are available for prisoners in each prison to ensure that they have suitable accommodation on their release.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nWe have captured the housing support and advice arrangements in each establishment through a current position audit and these are described in the following table;\r\n\r\nPrison\r\nHousing Support Service\r\nHMP Addiewell\r\nWest Lothian Council\r\nHMP Barlinnie\r\nHomeless casework team (Glasgow) & ASPIRE(Ayrshire)\r\nHMP Castle Huntley\r\nSPAN (Shelter )\r\nHMP YOI Cornton Vale\r\nGlasgow City Council, Sacro, Falkirk housing \r\nHMP Dumfries\r\nCitizens Advice Bureau (CAB)\r\nHMP Edinburgh\r\nEHAP (Edinburgh Housing Advice Service) to all prisoners who have an Edinburgh postcode only.\r\nHMP Glenochil\r\nLocal authority Housing officers from the following areas Stirling, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Fife attend on a demand basis.\r\nHMP Grampian\r\nAberdeen City Council Housing department attend four days a week.\r\nAberdeenshire Council Housing department attend if requested\r\nHMP Greenock\r\nInverclyde Homeless, ASPIRE (Ayrshire).\r\nHMP Inverness\r\nCAB \r\nHMP Kilmarnock\r\nASPIRE(Ayrshire)\r\nHMP Low Moss\r\nHomeless casework team (Glasgow), Renfrewshire Homeless & West Dunbartonshire, Falkirk (FK post codes only)\r\n\r\nHMP Perth\r\nAngus, Dundee, Fife and Perth and Kinross Councils deal with all issues for prisoners within their areas.\r\nDundee North Law centre provide independent advice and assistance for local prisoners and for those from other local authorities.\r\nHM YOI Polmont\r\nShelter Scotland\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316893,"EventID":"S5W-03352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:20:47.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T16:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have multiple sclerosis, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nThe MS Register, operated by NHS National Services Scotland’s Information Services Division (ISD) and supported by the Scottish Government, gives a figure of 2,731 people who reported to the Register within the period January 2010 to December 2015. It should be noted, however, that the MS Register refers to new diagnoses only and is therefore not reflective of the total number of people who live with MS in Scotland.\r\nThe following figures, published on 13 September 2016, give a breakdown of the 2,731 figure by NHS boards (it is also important to note the data caveats below the table).\r\nNHS Board\r\nYear of Diagnosis\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n16\r\n29\r\n34\r\n37\r\n33\r\n36\r\nNHS Borders\r\n8\r\n7\r\n7\r\n7\r\n7\r\n7\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n12\r\n16\r\n15\r\n25\r\n17\r\n13\r\nNHS Fife\r\n28\r\n28\r\n34\r\n39\r\n34\r\n49\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n17\r\n23\r\n25\r\n26\r\n29\r\n36\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n54\r\n49\r\n60\r\n65\r\n53\r\n57\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n95\r\n83\r\n82\r\n83\r\n75\r\n92\r\nNHS Highland\r\n36\r\n23\r\n29\r\n37\r\n44\r\n42\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n48\r\n30\r\n46\r\n29\r\n25\r\n60\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n60\r\n54\r\n50\r\n74\r\n67\r\n76\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n5\r\n5\r\n5\r\n* \r\n* \r\n* \r\nNHS Shetland\r\n* \r\n6\r\n* \r\n* \r\n* \r\n* \r\nNHS Tayside\r\n42\r\n42\r\n56\r\n51\r\n59\r\n60\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n5\r\n* \r\n* \r\n* \r\n* \r\n* \r\nTotal\r\n430\r\n397\r\n447\r\n480\r\n447\r\n530\r\n* Following ISD Statistical Disclosure Control Protocol, any cells with count values of four or less have been suppressed in order to protect the confidentiality of potentially personally identifiable information. Note also that nine patients were excluded from this table due to an incomplete/missing date of confirmed diagnosis.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316894,"EventID":"S5W-03354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:20:49.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people without a fixed address have been discharged from hospital in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of patients discharged from hospital where no fixed abode was recorded in each calendar year since 1999.\r\nYear\r\nNo fixed Abode\r\n1999\r\n203\r\n2000\r\n194\r\n2001\r\n216\r\n2002\r\n169\r\n2003\r\n145\r\n2004\r\n118\r\n2005\r\n110\r\n2006\r\n133\r\n2007\r\n130\r\n2008\r\n137\r\n2009\r\n133\r\n2010\r\n146\r\n2011\r\n226\r\n2012\r\n219\r\n2013\r\n359\r\n2014\r\n373\r\n2015\r\n342\r\nSource: SMR01, ISD\r\nNo-one should be discharged from hospital to a position of homelessness. When a patient is identified as being homeless, it is the responsibility of the local authority to carry out an assessment under homelessness legislation. While the assessment is being carried out they will be entitled to temporary accommodation. Following assessment, if they are regarded as unintentionally homeless they will be entitled to settled accommodation.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316895,"EventID":"S5W-03381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:20:51.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T12:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many outpatients in NHS Lanarkshire in each year since 1999 did not attend appointments.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of new outpatient consultant appointments in NHS Lanarkshire where the patient did not attend in each calendar year since 1999 is provided in the following table.\r\nIt is every patient's responsibility to keep their NHS appointment and it is important that they let the hospital know when they cannot attend. However, we also recognise that the NHS has to be flexible in helping make appointments convenient to patients.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to supporting health boards implement policies to reduce missed appointments such as providing reminder services through text, emails and social media. This will allow reminder services to be tailored for patients who are most likely not to attend.\r\nYear\r\nNew Outpatient Did Not Attends\r\n1999\r\n17,160\r\n2000\r\n16,981\r\n2001\r\n16,942\r\n2002\r\n18,672\r\n2003\r\n17,846\r\n2004\r\n16,532\r\n2005\r\n14,651\r\n2006\r\n13,190\r\n2007\r\n15,126\r\n2008\r\n18,184\r\n2009\r\n17,889\r\n2010\r\n16,704\r\n2011\r\n19,722\r\n2012\r\n16,502\r\n2013\r\n15,327\r\n2014\r\n15,648\r\n2015\r\n15,725\r\nSource: SMR00 ISD Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316896,"EventID":"S5W-03318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:20:53.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are classed as homeless on (a) entering and (b) leaving prison.","AnswerText":"(a) In 2015-16 prison was the accommodation occupied following final discharge of duty or closure of the homelessness case for 529 applicants.\r\n(b) In 2015-16 1,955 people submitted a homelessness application where they became homeless/ threatened with homelessness from prison. Of these applicants 1,615 (83%) were assessed as homeless and therefore entitled to temporary accommodation. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316897,"EventID":"S5W-03321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:20:55.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many former prisoners who are homeless on release go on to reoffend, broken down by (a) prison, (b) region and (c) local authority.","AnswerText":"While Scottish Government collect data on those who have applied as homeless after release from prison, these are not held in a way which allows routine linkage with the reconvictions data held by Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316898,"EventID":"S5W-03353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:20:56.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many deaths from alcoholic liver disease there have been in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"Information collected by National Records of Scotland is set out in the following table.\r\nDeaths where Alcoholic Liver Disease [1] was the underlying cause, Scotland, 1999 to 2015\r\n\r\nYear [2]\r\nDeaths\r\n1999\r\n638\r\n2000\r\n779\r\n2001\r\n866\r\n2002\r\n957\r\n2003\r\n976\r\n2004\r\n876\r\n2005\r\n976\r\n2006\r\n1003\r\n2007\r\n920\r\n2008\r\n936\r\n2009\r\n820\r\n2010\r\n814\r\n2011\r\n764\r\n2012\r\n646\r\n2013\r\n682\r\n2014\r\n658\r\n2015\r\n650\r\n\r\n[1] Deaths classified under the International Classification of Diseases. 1999 figures based on the 9th revision (ICD-9) using codes 571.0 to 571.3. 2000 figures onwards based on 10th revision (ICD-10) using code K70.\r\n[2] Deaths registered during the calendar year.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316899,"EventID":"S5W-03364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:20:58.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T17:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02378 by Keith Brown on 28 September 2016, how its Scottish Growth Scheme will differ from the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme that is operated by the British Business Bank.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03360 on 12 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316900,"EventID":"S5W-03365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:21:00.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T17:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02378 by Keith Brown on 28 September 2016, what consideration it has given to the economic evaluation of the British Business Bank’s Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme that was published in February 2013.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03360 on 12 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316901,"EventID":"S5W-03366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:21:02.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T17:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02378 by Keith Brown on 28 September 2016, which organisations it anticipates will come forward with proposals to pay loans instead of guarantees.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03360 on 12 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316902,"EventID":"S5W-03323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:21:04.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people begin a prison sentence with a tenancy and how many are supported to keep their tenancy for when they leave prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nInformation on how many people begin a prison sentence with a tenancy and how many are supported to keep their tenancy for when they leave prison, is not centrally held by the Scottish Prison Service.\r\nHowever, SPS ensure that through initial screening at both the induction and pre-release stage those requiring housing support are referred to housing support services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316903,"EventID":"S5W-03357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:21:05.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government many Scotland-domiciled students there have been at each university medical school in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The number of First-degree, Scottish-domiciled students studying pre-clinical or clinical medicine at a Scottish Higher Education Institution is included in the following table.\r\nFirst Degree Students, domiciled in Scotland, studying pre-clinical or clinical medicine, by Scottish Higher Education Institution, 1999-00 to 2014-15\r\n\r\n1999-00\r\n2000-01\r\n2001-02\r\n2002-03\r\n2003-04\r\n2004-05\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\nThe University of Aberdeen\r\n525\r\n545\r\n535\r\n540\r\n515\r\n525\r\n535\r\n575\r\nThe University of Dundee\r\n385\r\n395\r\n400\r\n445\r\n505\r\n555\r\n540\r\n570\r\nThe University of Edinburgh\r\n550\r\n480\r\n350\r\n410\r\n440\r\n435\r\n500\r\n540\r\nThe University of Glasgow\r\n820\r\n825\r\n850\r\n765\r\n780\r\n820\r\n780\r\n745\r\nThe University of St Andrews\r\n145\r\n170\r\n175\r\n160\r\n155\r\n165\r\n180\r\n195\r\nAll\r\n2,430\r\n2,410\r\n2,310\r\n2,320\r\n2,390\r\n2,500\r\n2,535\r\n2,630\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nThe University of Aberdeen\r\n560\r\n540\r\n545\r\n590\r\n575\r\n550\r\n565\r\n570\r\nThe University of Dundee\r\n580\r\n585\r\n565\r\n540\r\n565\r\n560\r\n530\r\n505\r\nThe University of Edinburgh\r\n570\r\n585\r\n600\r\n605\r\n645\r\n620\r\n590\r\n545\r\nThe University of Glasgow\r\n750\r\n735\r\n715\r\n690\r\n675\r\n700\r\n730\r\n735\r\nThe University of St Andrews\r\n195\r\n205\r\n210\r\n210\r\n220\r\n195\r\n180\r\n175\r\nAll\r\n2,655\r\n2,650\r\n2,640\r\n2,640\r\n2,680\r\n2,630\r\n2,595\r\n2,535\r\nSource: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFigures in this table have been rounded to the nearest 5.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316904,"EventID":"S5W-03359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:21:07.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities charge for providing a personal medical alarm service for older people, broken down by the amount charged.","AnswerText":"I shall reply to the member as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316905,"EventID":"S5W-03356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:21:09.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have been taken off methadone treatment in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"I shall reply to the member as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316906,"EventID":"S5W-03360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T14:21:11.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T17:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02378 by Keith Brown on 28 September 2016, when it expects the outcome of its work on the establishment of the Scottish Growth Scheme will allow for operational details to be considered.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working on designing the most effective scheme possible, and engaging with business and financial institutions. The operational delivery approach is currently being progressed, and this work is expected to be concluded over the next few months. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316921,"EventID":"S5W-03385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:02.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what processes it has put in place to ensure that each integration joint board has adequate funding to meet the Scottish Living Wage commitment to social care workers.","AnswerText":"We have made a national assessment of the cost of implementing this policy and have asked health and social care partnerships to make their own assessment of cost with providers.\r\nThe cost of implementing was always going to vary across authorities in Scotland depending on their individual circumstances such as the balance of care delivered in-house and externally and progress some had already made towards payment of the Living Wage.\r\nHealth and Social Care Partnerships will provide financial information through their Annual Performance Report and we are working jointly with COSLA and with Chief Finance Officers to develop a dataset to support collection for both of these.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316922,"EventID":"S5W-03377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:05.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage the private sector to build more homes to alleviate housing shortages.","AnswerText":"In every year since 2007 we have maintained higher build rates than England and Wales and in 2015 had the highest all-sector build rate in the UK.\r\nOur assistance for the private sector has included £0.5 billion investment in Help To Buy (Scotland) to support home buyers and the industry with access to lower deposit mortgages.\r\nAlongside this the Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (LIFT) schemes have helped over 22,000 households into home ownership since 2007 and in the Highlands area the two year £4million pilot Self Build Loan Fund is helping households design and build a home of their choice while supporting the SME house building industry.\r\nScottish Investment Bank have recently agreed to support funding for SME house builders to encourage them to increase supply and the £50million infrastructure fund in 2016-17 has been set up to remove blockages for both private and affordable housing on strategic sites.\r\nScottish Ministers welcomed the recommendations of the Independent Review of Planning in July 2016 and aim to produce a White Paper by the end of 2016 which will contain proposals to assist housing and infrastructure delivery amongst other issues.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316923,"EventID":"S5W-03379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:08.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many companies have signed up to the Scottish Business Pledge.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the table entitled Business Pledge – Statistical overview – August 2016, a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib number 57653). This material is updated and published on a quarterly basis. There is currently 296 companies listed on the Pledge website.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316924,"EventID":"S5W-03386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:10.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has in place to ensure that Police Scotland is equipped to ensure spectator safety at the Rangers v Celtic football match on 31 December 2016. ","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316925,"EventID":"S5W-03358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:14.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) GP surgeries and (b) dentists have a text message service for patients, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally: it is for independently contracted general medical practices and dental surgeries to decide how best to communicate with their patients. There are no current plans to introduce a national text appointments service for GP surgeries or dentists. Decisions at practice or NHS board level allow solutions to integrate with existing processes and systems, and to be responsive to local circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316926,"EventID":"S5W-03373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:16.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to retract the under-occupancy penalty, introduced through the Welfare Reform Act 2012, in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is planning to remove the under-occupancy reduction through Universal Credit (UC), and as such implementation will be dependent on the roll-out of UC, which the UK Government expects to be completed by 2022. Officials are working with the Department for Work and Pensions to consider how best to implement these changes in Scotland and Discretionary Housing Payments will continue to be available for those affected until implementation is complete.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316927,"EventID":"S5W-03375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:18.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many, and which, local authorities have implemented rent caps in areas of their responsibility under the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02269 on 12 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316928,"EventID":"S5W-03355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:20.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time is for pain relief injection (a) therapy and (b) review by physiotherapists, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316929,"EventID":"S5W-03380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:22.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with the UK Government regarding closing tax loopholes created by Scottish limited partnerships.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that the current governance arrangements around the registration and operation of Scottish Limited Partnerships allows for their inappropriate use by organisations intent on carrying out criminal activity or avoid tax. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Constitution wrote on 9 August to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and we are currently considering the response. My officials also met recently with officials from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and HM Revenue and Customs to discuss SLPs.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316930,"EventID":"S5W-03387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:24.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T13:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to offset the reported lack of parking provision at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"Provision of parking facilities at hospitals is the responsibility of Health Boards. Scottish Government officials are in on-going dialogue with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on the issue of parking at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. They are closely monitoring recent improvements which have been introduced by the board who, following a review carried out by them following introduction of the improvements, have confirmed that there has been a substantial increase in parking spaces available on-site for staff (both permit and non-permit), patients and visitors.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316931,"EventID":"S5W-03370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:26.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to mitigate the impact of the council tax freeze on budgets.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has provided local government with an additional £70 million each year to fully mitigate the impact of the council tax freeze and fully fund it over the nine years it has been in place saving the average Band D household around £1,550 in total over the period 2008-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316932,"EventID":"S5W-03372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:28.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to prevent excessive rents and excessive rises in rents in the private sector.","AnswerText":"The provisions in the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 (the 2016 Act) will enable a tenant to refer a rent increase to a rent officer for adjudication if he or she considers that a proposed rent increase is unreasonable. A local authority can also apply to Scottish Ministers to have rent increases in a particular area capped if rents in that area are causing undue hardship to tenants and having a detrimental effect on the authority's broader housing system. The 2016 Act is expected to commence in December 2017.\r\nWe are currently consulting on proposals for regulations and policy to support the 2016 Act. You can view the consultation on the Scottish Government's consultation web pages.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316933,"EventID":"S5W-03383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:31.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter of 27 September 2016 from the Director of Health and Social Care Integration to the integration joint boards regarding the new arrangements for the payment of the Scottish Living Wage to social care workers from 1 October 2016, what its position is on the reported concerns that these arrangements will be disadvantageous to workers who are required to work sleepovers with the most vulnerable clients compared with those who work day shifts.","AnswerText":"Our commitment will see care workers being paid the Living Wage for all ‘waking’ hours including holiday and travel time. What we have agreed with stakeholders is that hours where an individual is sleeping (sleepovers) must be compliant with the 2014 Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling and therefore within working time directive. Due to an outstanding appeal on this ruling not all providers had implemented this. Therefore our commitment will provide a pay increase to those who were currently receiving less for these hours. This approach has been agreed with our partners group, including UNISON.\r\nThis is a positive step which will increase pay for care workers whilst maintaining the continuity of care for some of the most vulnerable care users. However, this is for a transitional period and our expectation is that in the future sleepover hours will be paid at Living Wage.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316934,"EventID":"S5W-03384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:34.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter of 27 September 2016 from the Director of Health and Social Care Integration to the integration joint boards regarding the new arrangements for the payment of the Scottish Living Wage to social care workers from 1 October 2016, what its position is on the reported concerns that the decision to exclude hours of work spent during sleepovers from the Scottish Living Wage commitment is evidence that the funding for the policy in 2016-17 was inadequate, and what plans it has to address this for future years.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government allocated a further £250 million to health and social care partnerships to protect and grow social care services and deliver on our shared priorities, including paying the Living Wage to adult care workers. \r\nWe recognise the challenges of implementing this commitment and in particular in sleepover hours and took action to ensure continuity of care for some of the most vulnerable would not be impacted whilst still enabling a pay increase for some of the lowest paid workers caring for adults.\r\nThis is for a transitional period to allow for constructive reform to take place and our expectation is that in the future sleepover hours will be paid at the Living Wage. In providing this flexibility, for a transitional period, our central concern was, and is to maintain continuity of care for vulnerable people. This approach has been agreed with our partners group, including UNISON.\r\nWe are aware that the on-going delivery of the Living Wage commitment has implications for future budgets and this will be considered in our future spending review negotiations with COSLA.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316935,"EventID":"S5W-03374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:37.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the number of funded university places.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, through the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), has invested in excess of £4 billion in the higher education sector in the last four years, and will invest over £1 billion in 2016-17. This sustained investment since 2012-13 also means that the SFC is now supporting more funded places (full-time equivalents) than it did in that year.\r\nAcademic Year\r\nFTE Funded Places\r\n2012-13\r\n125,736\r\n2016-17\r\n126,537\r\nSource: SFC\r\nWe have established a Strategic Funding Group, consisting of Principals nominated by Universities Scotland, the SFC and Scottish Government officials to consider how increased excellence and equity can be achieved by the higher education sector in future.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316936,"EventID":"S5W-03376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:39.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of its planned 35,000 homes for the social rented sector will be built to wheelchair accessibility standards.","AnswerText":"The number of social rented homes built to wheelchair accessibility standard over the current target period will depend on the priorities of local authorities as identified in their Housing Need and Demand Assessments (HNDA), Local Housing Strategies (LHS) and Strategic Housing Investment Plans (SHIPs).\r\nLocal authorities are required by law to prepare an LHS, supported by an assessment of housing need and demand. Scottish Government guidance on LHS notes that the strategy has to clearly set out the current need for specialist provision (accommodation and care/support services) that will help to support people to live independently, the likely requirement for this provision over the next 5 years, how current needs are being met using a range of accommodation types, and what more is planned to meet future need.\r\nStrategic Housing Investment Plans (SHIPs) are produced every two years by local authorities. These are the key documents which identify the strategic housing projects to assist the achievement of the 50,000 target. SHIPs will be directly informed by the councils LHS and developed in consultation with key stakeholders. SHIP documents are due to be returned to the Scottish Government at the end of November.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316937,"EventID":"S5W-03371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:41.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many houses have been (a) built and (b) upgraded using the Rural Housing Fund.","AnswerText":"The Rural Housing Fund was launched on 26 February 2016. To date, three organisations have had capital funding approved. None of these projects have completed so, at this stage, no houses have been built or upgraded using the fund.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316938,"EventID":"S5W-03378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:44.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending the Scottish Housing Quality Standard to (a) the private rented sector and (b) tied housing.","AnswerText":"Different standards currently apply in different housing tenures and between social and private rented tenancies in Scotland. A stakeholder forum was set up in December 2014 to consider a single condition standard for all housing tenures (including social and private rented houses and tied houses) with a view to conducting a formal public consultation in 2017. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316939,"EventID":"S5W-03389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-09-30T16:04:46.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Energy Jobs Taskforce last met; who attended, and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"The Energy Jobs Taskforce last met on 14 September 2016. During the meeting there was a substantive discussion on the longer term vision for the sector, work which the Oil and Gas Authority is leading alongside Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) and the Energy Jobs Taskforce. This was followed by a discussion on the work undertaken through the Support to Individuals and Retaining Talent and Skills work stream, an update was also provided by the UK Government’s Department of Work and Pensions detailing their support to the sector in Scotland.\r\nThe minutes of this meeting will be approved at the next Taskforce meeting, due to take place in Winter, and will then be published on the Scottish Government website. The minutes of the previous Energy Jobs Taskforce meetings are published on the Scottish Government website for viewing and can be accessed through the link below:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/resources/working-groups/energy-advisory-board/Energy-Jobs-Taskforce/Minutes\r\nThe First Minister, the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work and the Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy continue to engage with stakeholders within the oil and gas sector on a regular basis. The First Minister most recently met senior industry leaders at the opening of Statoil’s new headquarters, and at a meeting with Oil and Gas UK’s board in Aberdeen on 19 September 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316942,"EventID":"S5T-00102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T12:54:21.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T09:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what environmental assessment it has made of the leak from the Clair oil platform, west of Shetland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316943,"EventID":"S5T-00117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T12:54:48.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress that it has made in delivering the national CAP loan scheme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316944,"EventID":"S5F-00317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T12:52:37.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T13:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316945,"EventID":"S5F-00318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T12:52:39.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T14:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to tackle the rise in the number of drug-related acute hospital stays.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316946,"EventID":"S5F-00321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T12:52:44.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T08:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government is having with the governing bodies of contact sports regarding head injuries.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316947,"EventID":"S5F-00336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T12:53:12.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the recent Scottish Social Attitudes survey, which shows that levels of prejudice in Scotland are falling.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316948,"EventID":"S5F-00337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T12:53:14.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T11:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the proposed deadline of March 2017 for the triggering of Article 50.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316949,"EventID":"S5F-00341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T12:53:22.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet HIV Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316950,"EventID":"S5F-00343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T12:53:26.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what impact the breaching of EU spending rules has had on the funding of infrastructure projects.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316951,"EventID":"S5F-00346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T12:53:33.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316952,"EventID":"S5W-03391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T14:47:33.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has received regarding changing the target date for dualling the A9.","AnswerText":"No advice has been received regarding changing the target date.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316953,"EventID":"S5W-03348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T14:47:35.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-00972 and S5W-00973 by Keith Brown on 12 July 2016, whether it will publish its assessment of the possible impact on Scotland of the Section D provisions of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes in free and open trade and we welcome the benefits that trade agreements can bring, in CETA, particularly the elimination of nearly all import duties and strengthened cooperation between European and Canadian standard setting bodies. However we must take the greatest care to ensure that issues about which the public are rightly concerned are dealt with. \r\nNHS Scotland has not been specifically listed as exempt from the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).\r\nAs indicated in response to S5W-00972, the Scottish Government carried out an initial assessment of the Section D provisions of CETA and considered it unlikely that these would to any appreciable extent restrict the legislation which the Scottish Parliament can pass in the interests of the public and the environment. Since then, it was announced on 29 February 2016 that the European Commission and the Canadian Government have agreed to include a new approach on investment protection and investment dispute settlement, the investor Court System in CETA. \r\nWhilst this goes some way to addressing concerns about ISDS, the Scottish Government remains of the view that, given the established legal systems and strong rule of law in the EU and Canada, disputes between investors and states should be settled in domestic courts. Furthermore, the Scottish Ministers have emphasised that Governments must be free to act and regulate in the public interest and that CETA must not include anything which enables companies to sue because they disagree with democratic public policy. We understand that the Commission will work with Canada to further elaborate some of the parameters of this new system and look forward to seeing the outcome of that work. \r\nOur initial assessment constituted legal advice and, as such, we would not publish that advice.\r\nIn September 2016, the former Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment wrote to the UK Government's Secretary of State for Agriculture, Rural Affairs and the Environment seeking an explanation as to why, when other countries have sought protection, the UK Government does not appear to have put forward any Protected Food Names for inclusion in CETA to give Scottish producers protection in Canada. However we welcome the fact that the agreement means the EU can add other products' names to the list in the future.\r\nNow that Canada and the EU have signed the agreement it will be laid before the UK Parliament for ratification. Now is an opportune time to re emphasise to the UK Government that our ability to regulate and our ability to determine how the national health service should operate in our country should in no way be compromised by trade agreements and I have written today to Secretary of State for International Trade in those terms. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316954,"EventID":"S5W-03346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T14:47:37.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS Scotland has been listed as exempt from the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03348 on 16 November 2016. \r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316955,"EventID":"S5W-03403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T14:47:39.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS-related meetings and seminars were held off NHS campuses in 2016, and at what cost.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316956,"EventID":"S5W-03414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T14:47:41.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm the difference between classroom music lessons and instrumental music tuition in terms of what local authorities can charge for in schools.","AnswerText":"It is the duty of every education authority to provide adequate and efficient provision of school education without payment of fees. This covers class music lessons, including when any instrument is taught on a whole class basis, regardless of who is teaching the class. By contrast, an education authority may charge fees for the provision of an extra-curricular activity that it is not obliged to provide as an entitlement. Local authorities around Scotland adopt a wide range of approaches to providing optional extra-curricular instrumental music tuition, some of which involve making charges to help cover the costs involved.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316957,"EventID":"S5W-03349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T14:47:43.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding keeping protected food names for Scottish products in the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03348 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316958,"EventID":"S5W-03345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T14:47:45.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it (a) has carried out and (b) plans regarding the potential impact of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on (i) each economic sector and (ii) workers' rights in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government monitors a wide range of information and sources relating to the impact of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and is engaging with the Department for International Trade on aspects of CETA and potential future trade agreements.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316959,"EventID":"S5W-03347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T14:47:46.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-29T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the legal impact would be of it introducing a complete ban on fracking if the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is agreed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03348 on 16 November 2016. \r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316960,"EventID":"S5W-03390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T14:47:48.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication in 2014 of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Waiting for assessment - Executive Summary, what the current waiting times are for diagnosing children with autism spectrum conditions, and whether the targets set out in The Scottish Strategy for Autism are being met.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to meeting the needs of children with autism. We want all children and young people to be diagnosed early. \r\nWhilst reducing waiting times is a priority, the Scottish Strategy for Autism does not set out targets for waiting times. An assessment of waiting times was undertaken and improvements were identified to support services to redesign pathways and process to reduce waits. \r\nInformation on waiting times is not held centrally. Information Services Division does not collect Autism Spectrum Disorders waiting times information. Information Services Division receives waiting times information from NHS boards for all referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services but this is not broken down by condition.\r\nWe will continue to build on the work that the strategy has achieved in order to further support the needs of children with autism.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316979,"EventID":"S5W-02988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:51:26.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to mitigate the impact of the increase in part-time employment and the use of fractional contracts.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03664 on 27 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316980,"EventID":"S5W-03420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:51:29.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many criminal trials have been adjourned broken because of (a) a crown motion, (b) a defence motion, (c) a failure to appear by an accused, (d) a failure to appear by a witness, (e) a lack of court time and (f) another reason at each court in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316981,"EventID":"S5W-03422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:51:31.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jury trials were called but adjourned because of a lack of court time at each court in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316982,"EventID":"S5W-03367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:51:33.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long its Help to Buy (Scotland) schemes are scheduled to run.","AnswerText":"The Help to Buy (Scotland) Affordable New Build and Smaller Developers Schemes are due to run until 31 March 2019.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316983,"EventID":"S5W-03368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:51:35.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many homes have been purchased using its Help to Buy (Scotland) schemes.","AnswerText":"The three year Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme which ended on 31 March 2016 assisted in the purchase of 8160 new build homes. The current Help to Buy (Scotland) Affordable New Build Scheme and Smaller Developers Scheme has to date assisted in the purchase of 861 homes.\r\nHelp to Buy Scotland in all forms since launch in September 2013 has therefore assisted in the purchase of 9021 new build homes to date","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316984,"EventID":"S5W-03417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:51:37.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the consumer principles outlined in the Programme for Government will include details of a one-stop-shop for consumers, as recommended by the Working Group on Consumer and Competition Policy for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The full range of recommendations from the Working Group will be a key consideration in that work.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316985,"EventID":"S5W-03418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:51:39.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, as part of its Nuisance Calls Commission, it will investigate the potential for further funding for call blocking technologies for vulnerable people.","AnswerText":"The second session of the Nuisance Calls Commission, in January 2017, will look to empower and support companies that want to do the right thing, for example by providing guidance or finding ways to share best practice and find effective ways to tackle persistently offending companies or individuals. Part of this session will be considering potential technological solutions including call blocking technologies.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316986,"EventID":"S5W-03435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:51:41.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the findings of the consultation paper, Developments in environmental justice in Scotland; what analysis it is carrying out of the responses, and whether it will publish this analysis.","AnswerText":"The analysis of responses to the consultation \"Developments in environmental justice in Scotland\" is being drafted by the Scottish Government and will be published shortly. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316987,"EventID":"S5W-03421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:51:43.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many summary procedures without a jury were called but adjourned because of lack of court time at each court in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316988,"EventID":"S5W-02987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:51:45.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T16:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve conditions for people in poverty who are in paid employment.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01646 on 23 August 2016. Since then the Fairer Scotland Action Plan was published on 5 October 2016, with 50 government actions for this parliamentary term and a call for everyone to get involved in delivering a fairer and more prosperous country. As well as responding to the Fairer Scotland discussions, the Plan sets out progress to date on meeting the recommendations of the report of Naomi Eisenstadt the Independent Adviser on Poverty and Inequality.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316989,"EventID":"S5W-03419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:51:47.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jury trials there have been at each court in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316990,"EventID":"S5W-03416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:51:49.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government about the funding that was allocated in its March 2015 Budget to tackling nuisance calls, and how much of this was allocated to Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recently held conversations with the UK Government regarding the funding that was allocated in its March 2015 Budget to tackling nuisance calls. This funding is to provide call blocking devices to people identified as being at high risk of financial damage and personal distress as a result of nuisance calls. The National Trading Standards Scams Team will administer the funding and will provide equipment to the whole of the UK over the next two years.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316991,"EventID":"S5W-03434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:51:51.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T14:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities have changed their recycling services to comply with the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012, also broken down by how much they received from Zero Waste Scotland to roll out these changes.","AnswerText":"Information on which local authorities have changed their recycling services since the introduction of the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 is not held centrally. It is for local authorities to satisfy themselves that they have met their statutory duties.\r\nLocal authorities have received funding from Zero Waste Scotland to support implementation of food waste and kerbside collection services.\r\nThe following table indicates the level of funding awarded since 2011 to each council in this respect.\r\nLOCAL AUTHORITY\r\nFUNDING (£)\r\nAberdeen\r\n1,429,517 \r\nAberdeenshire\r\n1,590,467 \r\nAngus\r\n203,367 \r\nClackmannanshire \r\n347,831 \r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n1,653,283 \r\nDundee\r\n213,791 \r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n1,006,675 \r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n806,673 \r\nEast Lothian\r\n221,840 \r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\n2,477,961 \r\nFalkirk \r\n776,280 \r\nFife\r\n556,645 \r\nGlasgow\r\n3,243,470 \r\nHighland\r\n957,541 \r\nInverclyde\r\n685,000 \r\nMidlothian\r\n537,816 \r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n886,370 \r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n1,400,000 \r\nRenfrewshire\r\n1,733,383 \r\nScottish Borders\r\n113,583 \r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n1,031,269 \r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n708,649 \r\nStirling\r\n268,000 \r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n370,060 \r\nWest Lothian\r\n1,084,462 \r\nTOTAL\r\n24,303,933 \r\nIn addition, the Scottish Household Recycling Charter sets out a consistent approach to delivering the requirements of the Regulations. To date 19 Councils have voluntarily signed the Charter and it is expected that these Councils will outline their transition plans over the coming months.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316992,"EventID":"S5W-02989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:51:53.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-19T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of large employers that are signed up to the Living Wage accreditation scheme.","AnswerText":"The First Minister's Independent Advisor on Poverty and Inequality, Naomi Eisenstadt, published her report, Shifting the Curve, in January 2016. One recommendation in the report was that we build on Living Wage Accreditation. On 12 March 2016 the First Minister set a new target of 1,000 accredited employers by Autumn 2017 and we are supporting this by increasing funding for the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative to £300,000 and we are working with them and their leadership group to support their efforts to target larger employers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316993,"EventID":"S5W-03423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:51:55.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many days each court has sat in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316994,"EventID":"S5W-03425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:51:59.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many domestic abuse cases have been heard by each (a) domestic abuse and (b) other court in each of the last five years, and how many convictions there were.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold specific information about the number of domestic abuse cases heard in each domestic abuse court.\r\nStatistics on the number of people proceeded against and the numbers convicted, in all types of courts in Scotland, with a domestic abuse aggravator recorded are presented in the following table.\r\nTotal persons proceeded against and convicted for offences1 with a Domestic Abuse aggravator recorded \r\nYear\r\nTotal proceedings\r\nConvicted\r\n2010-11\r\n10,046 \r\n8,565\r\n2011-12\r\n10,502 \r\n8,873\r\n2012-13\r\n10,909 \r\n9,291\r\n2013-14\r\n13,593 \r\n11,074\r\n2014-15\r\n15,619 \r\n12,432\r\n1 - Where main charge in a case\r\nSource: Criminal proceedings database\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316995,"EventID":"S5W-03424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:52:01.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many indictments have been registered at each court in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316996,"EventID":"S5W-03426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:52:03.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had with Perth and Kinross Council regarding funding for improvements to the A9/A85 junction.","AnswerText":"There have been many meetings between officials at Transport Scotland and Perth and Kinross Council to discuss the Council’s proposal to redesign the junction of the A85 Crieff Road and the A9, the primary purpose of the proposal being to enable development of land to the west of Perth.\r\nThese meetings have discussed a range of issues, including strategic land-use planning, road and bridge design standards, existing road networks and access and egress arrangements at McDiarmid Park. Transport Scotland and its operating company BEAR Scotland continue to work with Perth and Kinross Council on the development and agreement of the detailed design and delivery of the Council’s scheme as the works will take place on, adjacent to or tying into the trunk road network.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316997,"EventID":"S5W-03427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:52:06.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what resources have been allocated to improvements to the A9/A85 junction in Perth and Kinross.","AnswerText":"In order to assist Perth and Kinross Council with its project which links to the trunk road network, a Minute of Agreement (MoA) has been entered into by the Council and the Scottish Government. This Minute facilitates the involvement of Transport Scotland and its operating company (BEAR Scotland) in providing technical comment and/or approval to the Council (plus any site supervision requirements) for any works on, or linking to, the trunk road network.\r\nThese resources have been regularly deployed as and when required throughout the process in continuing to provide support to the Council in the delivery of its project.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":316998,"EventID":"S5W-03436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-03T16:52:08.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T15:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02892 by Annabelle Ewing on 27 September 2016, how many arrests were made in relation to the Aberdeen v Rangers match of 25 September 2016, and how many of these were in relation to (a) the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 and (b) various offences directly related to the match.","AnswerText":"Investigations into disorder related to the Aberdeen FC v Rangers FC match on 25 September 2016 are still on-going. Police Scotland has advised that to date two individuals have been charged with alleged breaches of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 and a further two individuals have been arrested for other offences directly related to the match. Police Scotland has confirmed that officers are examining footage from the match in order to identify those responsible for disorder, vandalism, offensive and antisocial behaviour.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317006,"EventID":"S5W-03395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:44:49.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comments in the paper, Review of ICT Infrastructure in the Public Sector in Scotland (the McLelland report), regarding e-procurement, for what reasons hospitals and health centres continue to submit sourcing requests using handwritten forms and faxes.","AnswerText":"Spend on electronic requisitioning has increased significantly over the last ten years with throughput on PECOS (the core NHS purchase ordering system) now at £1.9billion per annum and all pharmacy ordering being processed through electronic ordering systems (approx. £350m per annum). This equates to over 90% of all NHS procurement being electronically tracked through these two control systems. Residual legacy systems for the remaining spend are constantly under review to develop a migration to the electronic routes. \r\nFor example, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are currently working with NHS National Procurement to develop a potential ‘single instance’ ordering system which would improve the throughput of re-ordering.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317007,"EventID":"S5W-03397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:44:51.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) nursing and (b) other staff there have been in each NHS board in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"Under this Government, the number of Qualified Nurses and Midwives has increased by over 2,100 WTE, or 5.2%, to 43,166.2 WTE.\r\nThe number of staff working in NHS Scotland has increased by over 11,000 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE), or 8.7 per cent, to 138,125.4 WTE.\r\nFurther information on: a) the latest published NHS Nursing and Midwifery staff in post figures by board can be found in the data tables of the workforce statistics website at: https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2016-09-06/Nursing_and_Midwifery_SIP_J2016.xls\r\nFurther information on: b) the latest published overall NHS staff figures by board can be found in the data tables of the Workforce Statistics website at: https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2016-09-06/Overall_staff_J2016.xls","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317008,"EventID":"S5W-03402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:44:53.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how often the NHS procurement process is audited and by whom, also broken down by the outcome of last audit for each NHS board.","AnswerText":"NHS National Procurement are the appointed Centre of Expertise for auditing procurement processes at each Health Board as part of the annual capability review. In addition to this, all Health Boards have Internal Auditors, who will include procurement in their routine programme of work. \r\nThe Scottish Government does not hold the information regarding the latest audit for each Health Board – this information is retained locally.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317009,"EventID":"S5W-03404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:44:55.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that the NHS procurement process is robust and that those who place orders have no financial or other connection with the suppliers.","AnswerText":"The NHS procurement process complies with the Scottish Government Procurement Journey. This is public sector wide guidance which provides all contracting authorities with information on how to procure, including appropriate steps to ensure separation of duty. \r\nWe require Boards to have SFIs, updated annually and these must include a section on declarations of interest.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317010,"EventID":"S5W-03406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:44:57.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date the new research manager to support reducing HIV transmission will be appointed and how much research funding the appointee will be provided with in each of the next five years, also expressed in real terms.","AnswerText":"The intention is to recruit a new research manager to be in post by March 2017 at the latest. \r\nThe research manager will not have their own research budget. As set out in updated Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework, published in September 2015, the role of the research manager will be to co-ordinate research across the Framework (including on HIV prevention); to support the NHS and other partners in accessing funding and grants from other sources; to collate and share evidence of what works; and to develop a research strategy for the Framework.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317011,"EventID":"S5W-03429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:44:59.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the outline business case for a new Monklands District General Hospital.","AnswerText":"Before NHS Lanarkshire submit an outline business case for a new Monklands District General Hospital, they are required to complete an Initial Agreement and that is what they are working on at this point. When the Initial Agreement has been completed, it will be submitted to the Scottish Government for review by the NHS Capital Investment Group in early 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317012,"EventID":"S5W-03398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:01.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on NHS boards sharing procurement services; what information it has on (a) how often this occurs and (b) what savings are made, and whether it considers any savings that are made should be reinvested in clinical services.","AnswerText":"a) NHS Scotland has a mature shared service capability within National Services Scotland, via the National Procurement Organisation. This has increased the value of national/shared procurement arrangements significantly over the last 10 years with the annual value of national/shared procurement arrangements increasing from approximately £350m p.a. in 2005 to approximately £1.3bn p.a. in 2016. Additionally the National Distribution Centre provides a single logistics service for NHS Scotland with a stock holding of approx 9000 products and a throughput of approximately £150m per year. \r\nb) Savings of £35m - £40m are secured every year from the use of national arrangements. These savings are for re-investment in frontline services.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317013,"EventID":"S5W-03433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:02.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review patient travel provision from the Monklands District General Hospital catchment area to the proposed sites at Wishaw and Hairmyres when orthopaedics and trauma services are moved there. ","AnswerText":"NHS Lanarkshire has assured the Scottish Government that it continues to work with planning partners including the Scottish Ambulance Service and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to ensure that services, routes and timings reflect the requirements of patients, visitors and carers. It is, however, important to note the context that NHS Lanarkshire’s interim plans will not materially impact on the provision of A&E services at any of the three main hospitals in Lanarkshire. The A&E Department at Monklands sees around 66,000 patients per year and the Board are estimating that 98% of patients will be unaffected by the interim changes; as such, the number of individuals who will be treated at either Hairmyres or Wishaw General as a result of the interim changes will amount to 3 or 4 patient referrals each day.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317014,"EventID":"S5W-03451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:04.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS locum consultants (a) have and (b) have not passed their consultant exams, also broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"There is no such thing as a consultant exam, or any exam specifically linked to Locums. The end point for all UK medical specialty training in the UK is called the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), and all training programme are approved by the GMC as regulator of the profession. While the specialty training pathway varies in length depending on the medical specialty chosen, successful completion of the full programme must be demonstrated by accumulated evidence of achieving required standards and passing of relevant College exams before the award of a CCT. Achievement of a CCT formally recognises the individual as a Specialist in whatever specialty they’ve chosen, and permits a doctor to request their name be entered onto the relevant GMC specialty register, and apply for posts, including Consultant posts where the individual meets the specified criterion of the post advertised.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317015,"EventID":"S5W-03399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:06.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of NHS procurement employees is qualified in procurement, also broken down by the proportion holding Chartered Institute of Procurement accreditation.","AnswerText":"Personnel employed within procurement across NHSScotland hold a wide variety of qualifications ranging from NVQ/SVQ certificates to degrees in law, engineering, business studies and clinical competencies. Approximately 30% hold accreditation with the Chartered Institute of Procurement (CIPS) with a number of others studying for the qualification. Not all posts require CIPS and based on the nature of the role the job specification will describe the required minimum qualification and/or experience requirements.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317016,"EventID":"S5W-03432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:08.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the location of the new Monklands District General Hospital be announced.","AnswerText":"Site selection for a new Monklands District General Hospital has not yet been finalised, though we would expect this to form a key part of the development of the Outline Business Case which is due to be submitted to Scottish Government in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317017,"EventID":"S5W-03450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:10.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T11:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many claims Transport Scotland has received in each of the last three years for damage to cars arising from potholes on each trunk road, broken down by how many claims (a) were approved and the annual amount of compensation paid, (b) were rejected and (c) are to be resolved.","AnswerText":"No such claims have been approved or rejected by Transport Scotland. Under the terms of the contracts between Transport Scotland and the Trunk Road Operating Companies, the relevant Operating Company is required to indemnify the Scottish Ministers’ against all third party claims on the network within their area. This is set out in the Operating Company Contracts which can be accessed on the Transport Scotland website via the following link: http://www.transport.gov.scot/road/maintenance/operating-companies . ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317018,"EventID":"S5W-03393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:12.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the NHS spent on non-contracted suppliers in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15.","AnswerText":"Health boards manage their own expenditure and there may be times when a board opts to use local activity as opposed to the national solution that is in place. The Scottish Government does not hold specific details of this as this is managed directly by the Health boards.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317019,"EventID":"S5W-03408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:14.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses participate in the Healthy Working Lives Award Programme, broken down by bronze, silver and gold awards.","AnswerText":"The number of organisations currently registered to take part in the Healthy Working Lives Award Programme is 1048. This includes organisations that are working towards the Bronze Award.\r\nThe number of organisations currently holding a Healthy Working Lives Award is:\r\nBronze 205\r\nSilver 132\r\nGold 213\r\nTotal 550","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317020,"EventID":"S5W-03410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:15.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses participating in the Healthy Working Lives Award Programme have more than ten employees.","AnswerText":"940 organisations participating in the Healthy Working Lives Award Programme have more than 10 employees.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317021,"EventID":"S5W-03440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:17.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T17:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many journeys have been made by the prisoner and custody escort services in each of the last three years, broken down by prison establishment. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe following table shows the number of journeys for core and non-core services for the period from 1 April 2013 until 30 September 2016. \r\n\r\n2013-2014\r\n2014-2015\r\n2015-2016\r\n2016-2017\r\nEstablishment\r\nCore\r\nNon Core\r\nCore\r\nNon Core\r\nCore\r\nNon Core\r\nCore\r\nNon Core\r\nAberdeen\r\n1348\r\n157\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAddiewell\r\n4876\r\n966\r\n5093\r\n1093\r\n5228\r\n1059\r\n2336\r\n575\r\nBarlinnie\r\n12195\r\n1876\r\n11554\r\n2147\r\n10606\r\n2362\r\n5489\r\n1385\r\nCastle Huntly\r\n18\r\n3983\r\n31\r\n4688\r\n17\r\n3769\r\n8\r\n1877\r\nCornton Vale\r\n2763\r\n605\r\n2586\r\n685\r\n2345\r\n751\r\n853\r\n283\r\nDumfries\r\n582\r\n293\r\n616\r\n263\r\n614\r\n335\r\n246\r\n151\r\nEdinburgh\r\n7008\r\n1465\r\n7367\r\n1441\r\n6657\r\n1446\r\n3048\r\n820\r\nGlenochil\r\n764\r\n1118\r\n621\r\n933\r\n738\r\n907\r\n336\r\n444\r\nGrampian\r\n80\r\n17\r\n2825\r\n389\r\n3317\r\n472\r\n1357\r\n311\r\nGreenock\r\n994\r\n734\r\n1087\r\n805\r\n831\r\n849\r\n497\r\n406\r\nInverness\r\n1579\r\n213\r\n1420\r\n196\r\n1311\r\n204\r\n725\r\n110\r\nKilmarnock\r\n2630\r\n660\r\n2578\r\n754\r\n2658\r\n824\r\n1309\r\n410\r\nLow Moss\r\n4717\r\n827\r\n4887\r\n1008\r\n4853\r\n1306\r\n2493\r\n674\r\nPerth\r\n4945\r\n1001\r\n5464\r\n1066\r\n4940\r\n1093\r\n2407\r\n636\r\nPeterhead\r\n193\r\n108\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPolmont\r\n6525\r\n696\r\n6090\r\n526\r\n6356\r\n695\r\n3159\r\n325\r\nShotts\r\n355\r\n1125\r\n379\r\n1103\r\n431\r\n993\r\n160\r\n426\r\nTOTAL\r\n51572\r\n15844\r\n52598\r\n17098\r\n50902\r\n17065\r\n24423\r\n8833\r\nWhile the core service is the escorting service to and from court, the non-core service covers various services such as inter-prison transfers and attendance at hospital appointments. For the core service, each separate journey is counted as one journey. Thus, the same person going to court, and then returning from court on the same day shows as 2 journeys. For non-core services, a return trip is counted as 1 journey. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317022,"EventID":"S5W-03442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:20.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T17:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hospital and court appointments have been (a) delayed and (b) cancelled in each of the last three years due to problems with the provision of prisoner and custody escort services.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe contract contains a number of performance measures which capture instances of failure by the escort contractor. Due to the requirements of the contract, data is not captured which allows a specific response to both areas in question. The following tables show the data insofar as it can be gathered. \r\nDelays to Court\r\nThe following table shows instances where a late arrival at court delayed proceedings. No data is held in relation to where any proceedings may have been cancelled. \r\n\r\n1 April 2013 - 31 March 2014\r\n1 April 2014 - 31 March 2015\r\n1 April 2015 - 31 March 2016\r\n1 April 2016 - 31 August 2016\r\nLate Arrival of a person at Court which delays the proceedings of the court\r\n69\r\n195\r\n133\r\n11\r\nDelays to hospital Appointments\r\nA hospital appointment is part of the non-core service delivery and the data is for all types of non-core services. These numbers relate to non-core events which resulted in: cancellation of the event/appointment; the person not appearing or participating in the event/appointment or the event/appointment being delayed awaiting the individual’s arrival. \r\n\r\n1 April 2013 - 31 March 2014\r\n1 April 2014 - 31 March 2015\r\n1 April 2015 - 31 March 2016\r\n1 April 2016 - 31 August 2016\r\nLate Arrival of a person for non-core services\r\n8\r\n14\r\n14\r\n4\r\nThe total number of movements within the contract for the period referred to in this question were 610,628 therefore delays to court proceedings and hospital appointments equate to 0.07% of the overall contract movements.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317023,"EventID":"S5W-03431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:22.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made by NHS Lanarkshire in raising funds to pay for the new Monklands District General Hospital. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has welcomed the proposal from NHS Lanarkshire to embark on the process of seeking funding for the redevelopment of the hospital. NHS Lanarkshire continue to work on the business case and the Scottish Government look forward to considering their proposals when it is submitted in early 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317024,"EventID":"S5W-03438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:24.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times parents who refused the advice of their child's Named Person have been subject to legal proceedings, and under what circumstances.","AnswerText":"The Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) approach has been national policy since 2010 and as part of their existing work, public authorities in many parts of Scotland already operate a “named person” approach.\r\nPart 4 (Provision of Named Persons) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act) has not yet commenced.\r\nAs the Scottish Government works towards commencement of Part 4 of the Act, named person service providers, including local authorities, health boards, and partners, will continue to progress the GIRFEC approach and to develop and deliver named person services.\r\nUnder Part 4 of the Act, a Named Person has a responsibility to respond to a request for help or a concern about a child's or young person's wellbeing but there is no requirement on children, young people or parents to take up any offer of advice or support. The rights and responsibilities of parents to raise their children and provide for their wellbeing needs remain the same. Named Persons have no new legal powers to compel parents, children or young people to accept advice, support or help.\r\nThe provisions of Part 4 of the Act do not change current child protection procedures and the police and/or social work should continue to be contacted immediately if a child is believed to be at risk of significant harm.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317025,"EventID":"S5W-03411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:26.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the statistical monitoring reports for 2015-16 published by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland regarding the levels of compulsory mental health treatment, and for what reasons these levels have risen.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government values the work undertaken by the Mental Welfare Commission in monitoring the use of mental health and incapacity legislation. There are many positives in the report to focus on. The Commission have welcomed the greater use of community-based compulsory treatment orders and a sharp and welcome decline in the use of police stations as a place of safety. \r\nThe report is statistical and does not suggest a reason for the increase in use of compulsory mental health treatment. The figures should be seen against a backdrop of rising demand for mental health services, and a greater awareness of mental health issues leading to more people coming forward and asking for help. We will continue to work with the Mental Welfare Commission and stakeholders both to ensure the legislation is used correctly, and to promote patients’ rights more generally.\r\nIn certain circumstances, compulsory treatment is essential to provide protection to the patient and others. Where compulsory treatment is used, the rights of patients are safeguarded by legislation – these include a right to independent advocacy, and an efficient Mental Health Tribunal system which grants and reviews orders for compulsory treatment.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317026,"EventID":"S5W-03413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:28.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase mental health officer support in light of the finding from the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland that nearly 44% of emergency detentions initiated by a doctor did not have the support and expertise of a mental health officer at the point that the decision was made.","AnswerText":"Mental Health Officers (MHO) are employed by local authorities and ultimately, it is the responsibility of local authorities to plan their MHO workforce, ensuring they have the appropriate levels of staff in place to provide services for their residents. \r\nThe recent report by Scottish Social Services Council http://data.sssc.uk.com/data-publications/23-mental-health-officers-reports/127-mental-health-officers-scotland-report-2015states that the number of practicing MHOs has increased since last year. It is also encouraging that there are the highest number of MHOs in training at any time since 2008, and a reduction in the number leaving the workforce.\r\nEmergency detention under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003 is only permissible where it is necessary as a matter of urgency because of a significant risk to the health, safety or welfare of the patient or the safety of others. Medical practitioners are required to seek agreement from a MHO officer unless it is impractical for them to do so, for example where there is immediate, serious or life-threatening danger to the patient and/or others around the patient. Consent by MHOs is an important safeguard and it is essential that Local Authorities ensure they have the appropriate levels of staff in place to meet statutory duties.\r\nFollowing last year’s report, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport asked the Mental Welfare Commission (MWC) to investigate the undertake an analysis of the reasons for low level MHO consent for Emergency Detention Certificates. The MWC produced a report in June 2016,http://www.mwcscot.org.uk/media/321062/edc_report_2016.pdf finding no single reason for lack of consent in any of the health boards and most had the same pattern of reasons for lack of consent. The MWC made a total of eight recommendations. Two were specifically for the Scottish Government which we have accepted and are taking forward. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317027,"EventID":"S5W-03445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:30.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00491 by Shona Robison on 16 June 2016, what communication it has had with the (a) Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and (b) UK Government regarding action that is being taken to ensure that counterfeit medical products and medicines are not being used in the NHS.","AnswerText":"The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating medical devices in the UK. Any allegations regarding the use of counterfeit material, or any other adverse event, are investigated by the MHRA and device and drug alerts are issued as required.\r\nWith reference to the alleged use of counterfeit material in Boston Scientific's trans-vaginal mesh products, I can confirm that the Scottish Government has contacted the MHRA on more than one occasion, most recently at the beginning of October. To date, the alleged use of counterfeit material has not led to any reported adverse events associated with the devices, and the MHRA has not therefore been required to take enforcement action or to issue any device alerts.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317028,"EventID":"S5W-03396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:32.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many employees in the mental health sector it expects to retire in 2016-17, and how many of these posts will be subsequently advertised.","AnswerText":"In accordance with current legislation we can no longer presume a retiral age as this is discriminatory. As a result, information relating to numbers of Mental Health staff expected to retire in 2016-17 is not available. \r\nHowever, despite record levels of staffing in NHS Scotland, we acknowledge that we need to plan carefully to prepare for the challenges we face. That is why we have committed to producing a National and Regional Workforce Planning system that will help deliver a sustainable Health and Social Care system.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317029,"EventID":"S5W-03428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:34.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the decision to move orthopaedic and trauma services from Monklands District General Hospital will be called in for a formal consultation that allows for public questions.","AnswerText":"Further to the response to S5W-01809 answered on 1 September 2016, the Board's longer term service plans, which will constitute major change, are currently the subject of formal, public consultation running until 1 November and I would encourage all local stakeholders to play a full part in this. \r\nAs in all cases of major service change, Ministers will make the final decision on these proposals. Local people can be assured that Ministers take all the available information and representations into account before making such decisions. \r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317030,"EventID":"S5W-03439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:36.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T17:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the remaining £4.9 million of Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme budget will be spent, in light of £9.1million having been allocated on 30 September 2016, and how the money can be applied for. ","AnswerText":"The balance of funding has been reallocated within existing funding programmes in 2016-17 for both the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) and the Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Schemes (ABS). As part of a call to use unallocated ABS funds, including the balance of SEEP funding, 21 councils received additional ABS funding (see funding breakdown below). Further Information on LCITP can be found here http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Action/lowcarbon/LCITP\r\nReallocation of unused SEEP and HEEPS: ABS funding\r\n\r\nCouncil\r\nAdditional Funding £k\r\nPurpose\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n500,000\r\nEWI and CWI extraction\r\nAngus\r\n500,000\r\nEWI\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n417,000\r\nEWI and IWI\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n500,000\r\nEWI \r\nDundee\r\n429,000\r\nEWI\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n500,000\r\nEWI \r\nFalkirk\r\n37,000\r\nEWI\r\nGlasgow\r\n500,000\r\nEWI and IWI\r\nHighland\r\n500,000\r\nEWI\r\nInverclyde\r\n500,000\r\nEWI and Low Cost Measures\r\nMidlothian\r\n50,000\r\nEWI\r\nMoray\r\n205,000\r\nEWI, IWI\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n500,000\r\nEWI \r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n500,000\r\nEWI, Radiator Panels\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n762,000\r\nEWI\r\nShetland\r\n318,000\r\nEWI\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n500,000\r\nEWI \r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n740,000\r\nEWI\r\nStirling\r\n474,000\r\nEWI \r\nWest Lothian\r\n500,000\r\nEWI\r\nWestern Isles\r\n499,000\r\nIWI, RnR\r\nTOTALS\r\n9,431,000 (1)\r\n\r\nEWI (External Wall Insulation), IWI (Internal wall Insulation) RnR (Room in roof Insulation),\r\nCWI (Cavity wall Insulation)\r\n1) Total allocated funding exceeds the £4.9m remaining from SEEP as it includes additional unallocated HEEPS: Area Based Schemes funding ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317031,"EventID":"S5W-03446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:38.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the number of counterfeit medical products and medicines that have been seized in the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for regulating medicines, medical devices and blood components in the UK, and the Scottish Government does not therefore hold the information sought.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317032,"EventID":"S5W-03394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:40.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what saving targets the NHS has identified for each of the next five years, also broken down by NHS board. ","AnswerText":"Individual NHS Boards are not given a savings target, although collectively NHS Boards are expected to deliver efficiency savings equivalent to 3% per annum to be reinvested in NHS care.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317033,"EventID":"S5W-03405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:42.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how many vacated hospital buildings there are in each NHS board, also broken down by when each building will be emptied of all re-useable equipment and furnishings.","AnswerText":"That information is not held centrally by Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317034,"EventID":"S5W-03430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:44.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the budget for the replacement or refurbishment of Monklands District General Hospital, and how much it estimates the cost will be.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has welcomed the proposal from NHS Lanarkshire to embark on the process of seeking funding for the redevelopment of the hospital. As NHS Lanarkshire develop and progress the scope of the project, the budgetary requirement will become clearer and the Scottish Government will make a further announcement at that point.\r\nNHS Lanarkshire are currently working on producing the Initial Agreement and at that point we would expect to receive an estimate as to how much it will cost.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317035,"EventID":"S5W-03444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:46.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T09:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for how long scaffolding has been in place at Dumbarton Castle and when it anticipates it will be removed.","AnswerText":"The Historic Environment Scotland Act 2014 created a new public body, Historic Environment Scotland (HES), to carry out the regulatory and other functions which were formerly delivered by, or on behalf of, Scottish Ministers.\r\nThe information you requested is not held centrally and is an operational matter for Historic Environment Scotland who are responsible for delivering Scottish Ministers’ functions relating to the properties in their care. I have therefore referred your question to the HES Chief Executive who will reply to you directly.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317036,"EventID":"S5W-03392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:50.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in implement the recommendations regarding procurement set out in the paper, Review of ICT Infrastructure in the Public Sector in Scotland (the McLelland report).","AnswerText":"The Review of ICT Infrastructure in the Public Sector in Scotland published in 2011, recommended that the public sector embrace an integrated approach to ICT procurement, apply effective oversight and governance to the procurement process and ensure Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) have appropriate access to public sector opportunities.\r\nThe Scottish Government strategic approach to ICT procurement is outlined in Scotland’s Digital Future: Delivery of Public Services which also includes a National Digital & ICT Portfolio Procurement Plan. A Central Government ICT Assurance Framework is also in place to ensure appropriate approvals and assurances are aligned to enable successful project delivery.\r\nThe Scottish Government has continued to deliver a number of national collaborative ICT procurement frameworks in areas such as ICT Hardware, Fixed Telephony and Digital & ICT Services. These frameworks are extensively utilised across the Scottish public sector. Another example of effective collaborative procurement has been the Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN) Programme which has delivered a single public services network available for the use of any, and potentially all, public services organisations within Scotland; with aggregated demand delivering both cost and performance advantages.\r\nEnsuring SMEs have access to public sector contract opportunities is a key objective. The Procurement Reform (Scotland ) Act 2014 and the Scottish Model of Procurement, are designed to make our public procurement contracts readily accessible to SMEs, many of which are currently providing high quality ICT products and services to the Scottish public sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317037,"EventID":"S5W-03409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:51.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-09-30T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many calls were made to the Healthy Working Lives Adviceline in the last three years, and how many of these calls were regarding mental health advice.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of enquiries to the Healthy Working Lives Adviceline including calls and emails.\r\nDate\r\nTotal enquiries\r\nCalls\r\nMental Health Calls\r\nE-mails\r\nMental Health e-mails\r\n01-4-2013 – 31-03-2014\r\n2284\r\n1712\r\n91\r\n572\r\n14\r\n01-04-2014 – 31-03-2015\r\n3672\r\n2466\r\n119\r\n1206\r\n18\r\n01-04-2015 – 31-03-2016\r\n3812\r\n2696\r\n167\r\n1116\r\n17\r\n01-04-2016 – 30-09-2016\r\n2170\r\n1571\r\n82\r\n599\r\n12\r\nMental Health calls are recorded under a variety of sub-categories as follows - Mental Health & Wellbeing-Anxiety-Depression-Distress-Stress.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317038,"EventID":"S5W-03441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:53.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T17:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average time taken was for a person to be transported by prisoner and custody escort services in each of the last three years, broken down by prison establishment. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe following table shows the average length of time from leaving the establishment to arriving at court. There is no data available for the duration of non-core service journeys from establishments. \r\nEstablishment\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nHMP Aberdeen\r\n00:34:46\r\n00:21:13\r\n\r\n\r\nHMP Addiewell\r\n00:55:18\r\n01:07:25\r\n00:58:59\r\n01:09:52\r\nHMP Barlinnie\r\n00:38:54\r\n00:48:56\r\n00:44:50\r\n00:57:06\r\nHMP Castle Huntly\r\n01:50:53\r\n01:25:48\r\n01:33:00\r\n01:40:00\r\nHMP & YOI Cornton Vale\r\n01:34:43\r\n01:34:44\r\n01:21:47\r\n01:36:48\r\nHMP Dumfries\r\n01:09:53\r\n01:18:45\r\n00:46:26\r\n01:16:39\r\nHMP Edinburgh\r\n00:37:33\r\n00:48:01\r\n00:38:51\r\n00:56:42\r\nHMP Glenochil\r\n01:06:39\r\n01:15:49\r\n01:08:24\r\n01:08:35\r\nHMP Grampian\r\n\r\n01:19:31\r\n01:07:46\r\n01:16:43\r\nHMP Greenock\r\n01:19:56\r\n01:11:54\r\n01:00:39\r\n01:17:56\r\nHMP Inverness\r\n00:48:15\r\n00:51:48\r\n00:50:38\r\n01:01:58\r\nHMP Kilmarnock\r\n00:37:04\r\n00:51:05\r\n00:34:45\r\n00:41:26\r\nHMP Low Moss\r\n01:01:20\r\n01:08:39\r\n00:59:52\r\n01:08:42\r\nHMP Perth\r\n00:56:11\r\n01:07:14\r\n00:54:23\r\n01:05:43\r\nHMP Peterhead\r\n01:13:59\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHMP & YOI Polmont\r\n01:25:56\r\n01:35:20\r\n01:30:44\r\n01:37:21\r\nHMP Shotts\r\n00:57:12\r\n01:13:50\r\n00:59:02\r\n01:15:42\r\nOverall Average\r\n00:54:36\r\n01:04:54\r\n00:57:04\r\n01:08:21\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317039,"EventID":"S5W-03443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:56.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-03T17:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints have been made with regard to prisoner and custody escort services in the last year.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: \r\nThe following table shows the number of complaints made in the past year. The total figure for each month include complaints from service users as well as public sector partners to the contract. \r\nMonth\r\nNumber of Complaints\r\nOct-15\r\n56\r\nNov-15\r\n35\r\nDec-15\r\n44\r\nJan-16\r\n18\r\nFeb-16\r\n68\r\nMar-16\r\n18\r\nApr-16\r\n45\r\nMay-16\r\n23\r\nJun-16\r\n41\r\nJul-16\r\n29\r\nAug-16\r\n49\r\nSep-16\r\n38\r\nYear Total \r\n464\r\nThe total number of movements within the contract for the period referred to in this question were 158,049 therefore complaints regarding the contract for court custody and prisoner escort services in Scotland equate to 0.30% of the overall contract movements.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317040,"EventID":"S5W-03458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T13:45:58.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many nursing staff working days in each NHS board have been lost due to illness in each of the last five years, and what information it has on how many times the absence was covered by colleagues.","AnswerText":"The welfare of NHS staff is critically important with every health board required to have policies in place and to comply with national policies on managing health at work. The Scottish Government is actively addressing the sickness absence challenge. \r\nUnder this Government, the number of qualified Nurses and Midwives have increased by 5.2% to over 43,100 Whole Time Equivalent.\r\nIt is for health boards to plan and deliver clinical services and ensure that they have the correct staff in place to meet the needs of their services and ensure high quality patient care.\r\nThis level of sickness absence information is not held centrally. NHS National Services Scotland, Information Services Department collect and publish sickness absence data at a national and board level once a year:\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2016-06-07/Sickness_Absence_M2016.xls","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317042,"EventID":"S5W-03453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T17:03:44.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T12:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00175 by Humza Yousaf on 22 September 2016 (Official Report, c. 100), on what date the minister wrote to the ScotRail Alliance to request the improvement plan; whether it will publish a copy of the letter; when the plan was agreed; whether it will publish the plan in full; by what date customers will see improved services, and what the improvements will consist of.","AnswerText":"In line with the franchise’s agreed provisions, Transport Scotland wrote to ScotRail on 26 August 2016 to request the improvement plan. ScotRail’s response was received by Transport Scotland on 16 September.\r\nThe plan has now been published by ScotRail:\r\nhttps://www.scotrail.co.uk/sites/default/files/assets/download_ct/performanceimprovementplanoctober2016.pdf\r\nScotRail have also provided a background statement: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/about-scotrail/news/scotrail-alliance-publishes-details-performance-improvement-plan","AnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317043,"EventID":"S5W-03459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T17:03:47.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03132 by Fergus Ewing on 3 October 2016, what the estimated net expenditure for the scheme will be at 31 March 2017.","AnswerText":"The majority of the payments for the 2016 National Basic Payment Support Scheme will be paid and recovered before the end of the financial year 2016-2017, therefore the net spend at 31 March 2017 cannot be estimated at this time.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317044,"EventID":"S5W-03473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-04T17:03:49.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03132 by Fergus Ewing on 3 October 2016, whether it will provide a breakdown of the funding division between the loans recovered from the 2015 scheme and the underspends, also broken down by the origin of each underspend.","AnswerText":"The funding breakdown for the scheme equates to £54 million expected to be recovered throughout the financial year from prior year loans, with the remainder to be met by underspends that will emerge from the budget monitoring management process.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317067,"EventID":"S5W-03467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:02:59.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T15:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many inpatient beds there are for children and adolescents with mental health problems; what immediate action it is taking to provide additional provision; whether it aims to meet the recommendation by Royal College of Psychiatrists that there should be 125 to 208 beds, and, if so, when this will be achieved.","AnswerText":"Unit\r\n\r\nNo of beds\r\n\r\nArea served\r\n\r\nNational Child Inpatient Psychiatric Service for under 12 years, Glasgow\r\n\r\n6\r\nScotland\r\nRoyal Edinburgh Hospital\r\n12\r\nSouth East of Scotland\r\nLothian, Fife and Borders\r\nSkye House, \r\nStobhill, Glasgow\r\n24\r\nWest of Scotland \r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde, Forth Valley, Lanarkshire, Dumfries and Galloway\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\nDudhope House,\r\nDundee\r\n12\r\nNorth of Scotland \r\nTayside, Grampian, Highland, Shetland, Orkney and Western Isles\r\nTotal \r\n54\r\n\r\nThe 125 to 208 beds figure in the question will likely be derived from the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Report CR182, Building and sustaining specialist CAMHS to improve outcomes for children and young people.\r\nIt is the responsibility of health boards to provide services appropriate to the needs of their local population. Children and young people referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) will be generally treated in the community. There may however be times when it is necessary to admit them to hospital for specialist treatment. Should this be the case they would be admitted to one of the 3 regional CAMHS inpatient units or the national unit for under 12s. These units are a highly specialist service. The young people’s units are planned on a regional basis, with the boards collaborating across three regions. The under 12s unit is planned on a national basis.\r\nThere are no current plans to increase the bed base of the 6 place unit for 5-12 years olds following a review of this service in November 2014 which found that, since 2009, the bed occupancy (excluding day patient beds) ranged from 47% in both 2009-10 and 2010-11 to 28% at its lowest.\r\nThe bed base for the North of Scotland region for 12 to 18 year olds increased from 6 to 12 in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317068,"EventID":"S5W-03499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:01.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times police officers have been called to attend incidents at licensed betting shops in each of the last five years and how many (a) had a female lone worker on duty at the time, (b) incidents involved assault on a member of staff, (c) incidents involved assault on a customer, (d) incidents involved damage to a fixed-odds betting terminal and (e) people charged were convicted of the chargeable offence.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317069,"EventID":"S5W-03474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:03.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Edinburgh Airport Airspace Change Programme will be subject to a (a) strategic environmental assessment and (b) habitats regulations appraisal. ","AnswerText":"Control of airspace is reserved to Westminster and governed by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. It is for Edinburgh Airport to ensure that their Airspace Change Programme complies with all relevant legislation. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317070,"EventID":"S5W-03476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:05.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that people with kidney cancer have equal access to all systemic therapies approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium regardless of where they live.","AnswerText":"Where the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) accepts a medicine for routine use in the NHS in Scotland, there is a clear expectation that NHS Boards will consider it and will make it (or its equivalent) available.\r\nThere are a number of medicines which have been accepted by the SMC for routine use within the NHS in Scotland for the treatment of kidney cancer.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317071,"EventID":"S5W-03491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:08.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it took account of when deciding to increase the upper age limit for eligibility for a student maintenance loan from 55 to 60.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government took a wide range of evidence into account when considering its policy in this area including data from the Student Awards Agency Scotland, the Student Loan Company, and the Higher Education Statistics Agency. In addition, labour market and population data, the age cap policies in place elsewhere in the UK, the estimated cost to the Scottish Government of any change to the age cap, the findings of the EQIA and changes to the state pension and retirement age, were also considered.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317072,"EventID":"S5W-03493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:11.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide substantive answers to questions S5W-00346, S5W-00758, S5W-00759, which received holding responses on 15 June, 29 June, and 29 June 2016 respectively, and what the reason is for the delay in providing answers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317073,"EventID":"S5W-03447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:13.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T09:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which stakeholder groups were invited to consultation events regarding the report, Consultation on Social Security in Scotland, and to which of these groups it provides funding.","AnswerText":"We have worked in partnership with a range of organisations during the consultation on social security to ensure we reached people with lived experience and those that support them.\r\nAs part of our commitment to host an inclusive and accessible consultation, funding was provided to organisations working with individuals who will be directly impacted by the powers to come such as Inclusion Scotland, Citizens Advice Scotland, Glasgow Disability Alliance and Engender amongst others, to ensure that key people and organisations were given the opportunity to have their say and input fully into the different parts of the consultation.\r\nFunding was primarily provided to organisations when it was a requirement in order for the event to go ahead and to ensure engagement was accessible and people had the chance to have their say.\r\nBy the consultation’s conclusion, at least 494 responses have been received and just over 120 events have been held as part of the engagement process. Part of the success of the response was down to the support of the wide range of stakeholder groups and the audiences they were able to reach. \r\nWe plan to include information about the events held in our report on responses to the consultation.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317074,"EventID":"S5W-03479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:15.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what input the First Minister had in (a) selecting the books chosen for and (b) setting the criteria of each of the seven elements of the First Minister’s Reading Challenge, and which of the books in the challenge the First Minister (i) has read and (ii) recommended personally for inclusion.","AnswerText":"Following discussions with the First Minister, an Advisory Group was set up to help develop the detail of the First Minister's Reading Challenge. The group includes representation from education, libraries, authors, booksellers, parents and community reading groups.\r\nThe Advisory Group agreed a process by which the Scottish Book Trust would compile a non-mandatory book list, which would be used as inspiration for those taking part in the Challenge. This list was compiled following consultation with children, teachers, librarians, community groups and the First Minister, who suggested a favourite book from childhood, Five on a Treasure Island by Enid Blyton. The resulting '100 places to start your reading journey' was agreed by the Advisory Group and by the First Minister.\r\nThe Advisory Group also recommended an expanded range of ways to take part in the First Minister's Reading Challenge, with detail including specific criteria then developed by the Scottish Book Trust, in addition to those originally announced on World Book Day. This gives schools and pupils flexible options that mean they can take part in the way that is best for them. This was agreed with the First Minister and resulted in the seven elements recently launched by the First Minister.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317075,"EventID":"S5W-03448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:18.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T09:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consultation events were held regarding the report, Consultation on Social Security in Scotland; how many of these events were open to the public, and how many members of the public attended each event.","AnswerText":"Just over 120 events have been held as part of the engagement in relation to Consultation on Social Security in Scotland. \r\nMany of the events were hosted by partner organisations with a view to ensuring those with lived experience and those who support them were able to have their say. It was important for many of the engagement activities that individuals were able to have their say in a safe space therefore these were not public facing. However, there were other events which were widely promoted and that were open to the public. \r\nOn occasions, where individuals asked to attend events, the Scottish Government worked closely with partners to ensure that appropriate events were identified where possible. \r\nThe engagement has reached thousands of people across Scotland with the Scottish Government working in partnership with key organisations to engage fully with those who receive benefits and have experience of the current system.\r\nThe events have been a mix of large events, some with over 350 attendees, and smaller focus groups where we have been able to talk in depth about people’s experiences and our plans for social security in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317076,"EventID":"S5W-03465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:20.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the implementation of the public sector equality duty and whether it analyses the information and data that is provided under the duty.","AnswerText":"Monitoring and compliance of the public sector equality duties falls to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The Commission published a series of reports entitled ‘Measuring Up’ between June 2013 and August 2016. These can accessed online:https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/public-sector-equality-duty-scotland/scotland-public-sector-equality-duty-projects/measuring","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317077,"EventID":"S5W-03466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:22.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the compliance of businesses that have signed up to the Scottish Business Pledge.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Business Pledge is a commitment made voluntarily by firms in recognition of shared values and ambition to boost productivity and competitiveness through innovation, internationalisation and progressive workplace practices. Information on the Pledge elements met by businesses is given in the quarterly “Business Pledge – Statistical overview” which is placed in the Scottish Parliament’s Reference Centre. Formal evaluation of the Business Pledge, scheduled for 2017, will provide further evidence of company behaviours. \r\nAs of 3 November there are 296 Scottish Business Pledge companies.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317078,"EventID":"S5W-03460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:25.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether introducing a requirement for fair work practice for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise account-managed businesses is being considered as a condition of support.","AnswerText":"As part of Phase 2 of the enterprise and skills review, we will explore the feasibility of introducing a requirement for fair work practice for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise account-managed businesses.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317079,"EventID":"S5W-03475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:28.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that each NHS board is able to manage potential treatment capacity challenges as a result of a rise in the incidence of kidney cancer.","AnswerText":"Our ‘Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action’ strategy and the accompanying £100 million investment over five years, serves as a blueprint for the future of cancer services in Scotland, improving the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and aftercare of people affected by all cancers. This work links with our tobacco control strategy and the Prevention of Obesity Route Map as evidence shows that smoking and obesity are two of the biggest risk factors for renal cancer.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317080,"EventID":"S5W-03477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:31.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its recently-launched initiative to encourage primary schoolchildren to read is called the First Minister’s Reading Challenge; what other names were considered, broken down by reason for rejection, and, when selecting the name, whether it considered any similar initiatives that are named after heads of government, and, if so, (a) which and (b) what lessons it learned from these.","AnswerText":"The current First Minister's personal love of reading and her commitment to improving literacy levels for children and young people across Scotland have been key factors in driving the development and launch of this initiative. While not the only factor that may affect success of initiatives like this, the Office of the First Minister can also bring a significance and profile that a reading challenge might otherwise not achieve - the success in the uptake of the Challenge in the short time since the launch is an indicator of this. The initiative was named the First Minister's Reading Challenge without consideration or rejection of alternatives.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317081,"EventID":"S5W-03490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:33.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will conduct an equality impact assessment of the proposed increase of the upper age limit for eligibility for a student maintenance loan from 55 to 60.","AnswerText":"An Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) was conducted as part of the policy review process that led to this increase. Going forward, it will be refreshed as required to assess the on-going impact of the new policy and to take into account any relevant matters, such as further increases in the state pension age. In addition, the Programme for Government commitment to review the entire system of student support to make sure that it is fair and effective, will look at student loans and will include an EQIA.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317082,"EventID":"S5W-03492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:35.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the proposed increase of the upper age limit for eligibility for a student maintenance loan, from 55 to 60, does not breach the European Convention of Human Rights.","AnswerText":"Having a policy which contains a blanket rule, such as an age cap, is justifiable under the European Convention of Human Rights, provided that it is shown to be a rational and proportionate response to a particular aim of the policy.\r\nThe Scottish Government is satisfied that setting an age cap of 60 in relation to student maintenance loans is a rational and proportionate way to meet the aim of providing a student support system which is balanced and sustainable.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317083,"EventID":"S5W-03461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:38.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the implementation of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 and associated guidance.","AnswerText":"The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 contains a number of measures to increase transparency of public procurement including requiring contracting authorities with an annual regulated procurement spend of £5 million or more to produce and publish annual procurement strategies, setting out how each authority will meet the obligations of the Act. Authorities must publish their first strategy by 31 December 2016, covering the remainder of their current Financial Year and the next full Year. At the end of this period, authorities are required to publish an annual report, setting out whether their regulated procurements complied with their strategies. Once the authorities have published their annual reports, the Act then requires Scottish Ministers to produce a report providing an overview of procurement activity in Scotland, based on the information contained in contracting authorities' annual reports. It is anticipated that the first such report will be published in early 2019.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317084,"EventID":"S5W-03463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:41.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to collect its own data on the labour market by sector rather than by relying on UK data and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"Scottish data on the labour market by sector is produced by the Office of the National Statistics (ONS) on behalf of the Scottish Government and we will continue to use these National Statistics for headline labour market and sector analysis. Scotland’s Labour Market Strategy has committed to work with relevant bodies to review the availability and robustness of Scottish labour market intelligence on skills, job quality and sectors to ensure we have the most accurate possible picture of the labour market.\r\nThe second phase of the Enterprise and Skills review will also consider how to improve data and evaluation functions to support the Enterprise and Skills system, including working to make the best use of labour market information from official sources and from the agencies direct engagement with businesses","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317085,"EventID":"S5W-03472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:43.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the national social isolation strategy, committed to in its Programme for Government, will include measurable outcomes by which its success can be judged over a defined period of time.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government analysts have been working with NHS Health Scotland on a review of evidence on social isolation and loneliness. This will help identify the adequacy of data collection in this area and will feed into our strategic approach to social isolation, which will be developed over 2017. We plan to consult with stakeholders in early 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317086,"EventID":"S5W-03497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:45.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reducing the maximum stake per spin of fixed-odds betting terminals from £100 to (a) £50, (b) £10 and (c) £2.","AnswerText":"The power to legislate on the maximum stake permitted on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals is reserved to the UK Government. \r\nOn 24 October 2016 the UK Government announced a review of gaming machines and social responsibility measures. The review covers a number of areas including maximum gaming machines stakes and prizes, allocations of gaming machines in licensed premises, and social responsibility measures to minimise the risk of gambling related harm.\r\nThe Scottish Government encourages any actions that can help to reduce the harmful impact of problem gambling.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317087,"EventID":"S5W-03464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:47.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses have signed up to (a) the Scottish Business Pledge and (b) components other than the requirement to pay employees at least the living wage, broken down by each element.","AnswerText":"The information requested is already in the public domain. \r\nInformation on the Pledge elements met by businesses is given in the table entitled “Business Pledge – Statistical overview – August 2016”, a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib number 57653). This material is updated and published on a quarterly basis. https://scottishbusinesspledge.scot/.\r\nThere are currently 296 Scottish Business Pledge companies.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317088,"EventID":"S5W-03471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:50.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the national social isolation strategy, committed to in its Programme for Government, will have increased funding beyond that provided to the current Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund.","AnswerText":"We will be considering any funding implications as part of the development and delivery of our strategic approach to social isolation. No decisions on funding for the Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund have been made beyond 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317089,"EventID":"S5W-03489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:52.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it consulted independent organisations before proposing an increase of the upper age limit for eligibility for a student maintenance loan from 55 to 60.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government consulted a number of independent organisations, including Universities Scotland, NUS Scotland and the Scottish Older Person’s Assembly.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317090,"EventID":"S5W-03496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:54.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last corresponded with the UK Government regarding the devolution of limited powers over fixed-odds betting terminals and what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government last corresponded with the UK Government prior to the passing of the Scotland Act 2016. The Scottish Government called for the full responsibility for the law on gambling to be devolved to Scotland.\r\nThe Scotland Act 2016 however only included a limited power in respect of the number of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals in new betting shops only. This does not include any powers in respect of existing premises, or those found in premises other than betting shops.\r\nThe Scottish Government had been intending to consult on this limited power before the end of this year. On 24 October 2016, however, the UK Government announced a review of gaming machines and social responsibility measures. The review covers a number of areas including maximum gaming machines stakes and prizes, allocations of gaming machines in licensed premises, and social responsibility measures to minimise the risk of gambling related harm.\r\nWe will consider the outcome of the UK consultation before taking a view on what further use of the limited powers available in Scotland might be proposed.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317091,"EventID":"S5W-03462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:56.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has that guidance on either (a) the living wage or (b) fair work has been considered and had an impact on the outcome of public sector procurement as a result of the implementation of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014.","AnswerText":"The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 requires contracting authorities to produce and publish a procurement strategy setting out how they will meet the obligations of the Act. Procurement strategies must include a statement of their general policy on the payment of a living wage to people involved in delivering public contracts. Authorities must publish their first strategy by 31 December 2016, covering the remainder of their current Financial Year and the next full Year. At the end of this period, contracting authorities must also produce an annual report on whether their procurement activities complied with the strategy, and where they didn’t, how they intends to ensure compliance in the future. Scottish Ministers will then produce an annual report on procurement activity based upon public bodies individual annual reports. It is anticipated that the first such report will be published in early 2019.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317092,"EventID":"S5W-03469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:03:59.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-04T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will develop the national social isolation strategy, committed to in its Programme for Government, and what consultation will take place in its development.","AnswerText":"Following on from the Programme for Government, we committed in the Fairer Scotland Action Plan, to developing a new approach to social isolation over 2017. We intend that this will build on existing work, that it will draw on the findings of the previous Parliament’s Equal Opportunities Committee’s Inquiry into Social Isolation and Loneliness as well as the Befriending Networks Summit held in September 2016 and that it will be informed by the best available evidence and research. We will engage with partners and a wide range of interests in the development of our approach.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317093,"EventID":"S5W-03494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:04:01.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03019 by Fergus Ewing on 3 October 2016, what information it has on (a) how many and (b) what percentage of premises in each Scottish Parliamentary constituency has access to broadband speeds of no more than (i) 5, (ii) 10 and (iii) 24Mbps.","AnswerText":"The following table lists the numbers and percentages of superfast (24Mbps+) coverage per constituency in relation to the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband roll-out, as of the end of Q1 2016-17. Information regarding the number and percentage of premises receiving 5mbps and 10mbps is not recorded by the Scottish Government. Likewise, the Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of premises connected through commercial deployment of superfast broadband and, as such, cannot provide those figures. The percentage coverage figure provided in the following table assumes that commercial rollout is completed on time and in line with plans submitted to the Scottish Government through the Open Market Review conducted in 2012. It also assumes that all commercial coverage will be capable of delivering superfast speeds. The Scottish Government plans to launch an Open Market Review, ahead of new procurement activity next year, to determine (a) what has been delivered commercially and (b) what will be delivered commercially over the next 3 years. This will require suppliers to provide speed information at premise level. We will use this information to define a new intervention area for future public investment in broadband.\r\n\r\nConstituency\r\nCurrent number of premises connected to fibre broadband by DSSB\r\nCurrent number of premises connected to fibre broadband by DSSB capable of receiving speeds of more than 24Mbps\r\n%\r\nAberdeen Central\r\n5,989\r\n5,942\r\n99.2%\r\nAberdeen Donside\r\n8,617\r\n8,036\r\n93.3%\r\nAberdeen South & North Kincardine\r\n11,473\r\n9,988\r\n87.1%\r\nAberdeenshire East\r\n20,145\r\n16,070\r\n79.8%\r\nAberdeenshire West\r\n25,900\r\n21,031\r\n81.2%\r\nAirdrie & Shotts\r\n9,063\r\n8,379\r\n92.5%\r\nAlmond Valley\r\n4,808\r\n4,566\r\n95.0%\r\nAngus North & Mearns\r\n6,287\r\n5,004\r\n79.6%\r\nAngus South\r\n5,770\r\n4,706\r\n81.6%\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n16,300\r\n13,327\r\n81.8%\r\nAyr\r\n3,057\r\n2,737\r\n89.5%\r\nBanffshire & Buchan Coast\r\n20,170\r\n18,338\r\n90.9%\r\nCaithness, Sutherland & Ross\r\n25,680\r\n20,376\r\n79.3%\r\nCarrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley\r\n20,317\r\n18,266\r\n89.9%\r\nClackmannanshire & Dunblane\r\n7,856\r\n7,510\r\n95.6%\r\nClydebank & Milngavie\r\n6,865\r\n6,650\r\n96.9%\r\nClydesdale\r\n8,602\r\n7,165\r\n83.3%\r\nCoatbridge & Chryston\r\n4,950\r\n4,797\r\n96.9%\r\nCowdenbeath\r\n7,659\r\n7,256\r\n94.7%\r\nCumbernauld & Kilsyth\r\n1,129\r\n1,013\r\n89.7%\r\nCunninghame North\r\n12,568\r\n11,617\r\n92.4%\r\nCunninghame South\r\n1,731\r\n1,625\r\n93.9%\r\nDumbarton\r\n2,496\r\n2,383\r\n95.5%\r\nDumfriesshire\r\n23,509\r\n19,615\r\n83.4%\r\nDundee City East\r\n914\r\n872\r\n95.4%\r\nDundee City West\r\n2,163\r\n1,970\r\n91.1%\r\nDunfermline\r\n7,404\r\n6,726\r\n90.8%\r\nEast Kilbride\r\n1,837\r\n1,451\r\n79.0%\r\nEast Lothian\r\n7,087\r\n6,345\r\n89.5%\r\nEastwood\r\n3,670\r\n3,082\r\n84.0%\r\nEdinburgh Central\r\n3,794\r\n3,772\r\n99.4%\r\nEdinburgh Eastern\r\n854\r\n828\r\n97.0%\r\nEdinburgh Northern & Leith\r\n1,330\r\n1,330\r\n100.0%\r\nEdinburgh Pentlands\r\n2,260\r\n2,176\r\n96.3%\r\nEdinburgh Southern\r\n969\r\n967\r\n99.8%\r\nEdinburgh Western\r\n3,296\r\n3,200\r\n97.1%\r\nEttrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire\r\n16,790\r\n13,789\r\n82.1%\r\nFalkirk East\r\n1,997\r\n1,896\r\n94.9%\r\nFalkirk West\r\n2,443\r\n2,032\r\n83.2%\r\nGalloway & West Dumfries\r\n18,121\r\n14,998\r\n82.8%\r\nGlasgow Anniesland\r\n6,869\r\n6,643\r\n96.7%\r\nGlasgow Cathcart\r\n4,606\r\n4,595\r\n99.8%\r\nGlasgow Kelvin\r\n6,176\r\n5,891\r\n95.4%\r\nGlasgow Maryhill & Springburn\r\n7,302\r\n7,201\r\n98.6%\r\nGlasgow Pollock\r\n7,925\r\n7,870\r\n99.3%\r\nGlasgow Provan\r\n12,432\r\n11,764\r\n94.6%\r\nGlasgow Shettleston\r\n7,931\r\n7,671\r\n96.7%\r\nGlasgow Southside\r\n7,437\r\n7,142\r\n96.0%\r\nGreenock & Inverclyde\r\n4,421\r\n4,213\r\n95.3%\r\nHamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse\r\n4,216\r\n4,038\r\n95.8%\r\nInverness & Nairn\r\n15,421\r\n12,954\r\n84.0%\r\nKilmarnock & Irvine Valley\r\n5,260\r\n4,925\r\n93.6%\r\nKirkcaldy\r\n2,011\r\n1,854\r\n92.2%\r\nLinlithgow\r\n5,581\r\n5,255\r\n94.2%\r\nMid Fife & Glenrothes\r\n4,245\r\n4,047\r\n95.3%\r\nMidlothian North & Musselburgh\r\n2,673\r\n2,575\r\n96.3%\r\nMidlothian South, Tweedale & Lauderdale\r\n7,586\r\n6,654\r\n87.7%\r\nMoray\r\n22,186\r\n18,489\r\n83.3%\r\nMotherwell & Wishaw\r\n3,199\r\n3,107\r\n97.1%\r\nNa h-Eileanan an lar\r\n6,052\r\n4,463\r\n73.7%\r\nNorth East Fife\r\n22,332\r\n20,191\r\n90.4%\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n7,070\r\n5,4","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317094,"EventID":"S5W-03498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T14:04:04.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with stakeholders regarding the current maximum stake of £100 per spin on fixed-odds betting terminals.","AnswerText":"The power to legislate on the maximum stake permitted on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals is reserved to the UK Government. \r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03497 on 27 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317118,"EventID":"S5W-03507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T16:57:25.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated to the (a) New Medicines Fund and (b) Rare Conditions Medicines Fund in each year since 2012-13.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government allocated £21.7million to the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund for the period 1 March 2013 to 31 March 2014, £21.5million to the New Medicines Fund for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015, and £85million to the New Medicines Fund for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016, with scope for further allocations of £5 million if required.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317119,"EventID":"S5W-03509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T16:57:27.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the (a) New Medicines Fund and (b) Rare Conditions Medicines Fund has spent in each year since 2012-13, also broken down by expenditure on medicines (i) not yet assessed, (ii) approved, (iii) not approved but requested and (iv) approved by the Scottish Government but not approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium.","AnswerText":"Information on the requested breakdown of expenditure is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317120,"EventID":"S5W-03505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T16:57:29.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, when it will provide substantive answers to questions S5W-02189 and S5W-02190, which received holding responses on 26 September 2016, and what the reason is for the delay in providing the answers.","AnswerText":"The questions were answered on 21 November 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317121,"EventID":"S5W-03512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T16:57:31.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported reduction in the number of (a) educational psychologists across local authorities and (b) applicants to MSc programmes in educational psychology. ","AnswerText":"It is for local authorities to take decisions around the number of educational psychologists they employ and how they fulfil their duty to provide a psychology service.\r\nThe National Scottish Steering Group for Educational Psychologists is continuing to monitor workforce planning data and trends including the number of applications to the MSc Educational Psychology courses. The group is taking action to ensure a sustainable and regular supply of educational psychologists.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317122,"EventID":"S5W-03503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T16:57:35.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many \"never events\" there have been in the NHS in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"NHS Scotland operates independently from the rest of the UK and does not refer to Never Events for data capturing purposes.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317123,"EventID":"S5W-03514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T16:57:37.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider reinstating the bursary for studying for an MSc in educational psychology, in light of the reported reduction in the number of applicants since it was removed in 2012. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Government funding for educational psychology students was introduced at a time when there was a significant shortage in the supply of educational psychologists compared to demand.\r\nWe are working with the National Scottish Steering Group for Educational Psychologists to take action, including exploring training provision, to ensure a sustainable and regular supply of educational psychologists to meet future needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317124,"EventID":"S5W-03495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T16:57:39.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding was provided to each NHS board from the £6.6 million investment in the Scottish Vision Strategy; how much of this funding has been spent by each NHS board, and what was it spent on.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the huge part played by the Scottish Vision Strategy in developing eye care services across Scotland over the last few years. This strategy was created in partnership by a number of key stakeholders such as RNIB, Eyecare Scotland and Optometry Scotland but has not received direct investment from the Scottish Government.\r\nTo further develop eyecare services in Scotland, in August 2016 I announced a Review of community eyecare services. This is in the context of developments we are making to primary care and will look at what more can be done to ensure that patients can receive more treatment in a community setting where appropriate, improving patient outcomes and removing some of the burden from secondary care. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317125,"EventID":"S5W-03504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T16:57:41.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T14:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of the medicine, Sativex, in the NHS.","AnswerText":"Sativex is currently licensed to treat patients with moderate to severe spasticity due to Multiple Sclerosis. In Scotland, the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) provides advice to NHS Scotland on the clinical and cost effectiveness of all new medicines. They do this following submissions made by the manufacturer. For Sativex, whilst the manufacturer does hold a product licence, they have not yet made a submission to the SMC to have Sativex considered for routine availability on the NHS in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317126,"EventID":"S5W-03506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T16:57:43.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the future of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government Officials meet with officials from the Department of Health and the other Devolved Administrations on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues including the operation of the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme. The last meeting was held on Monday 12 September 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317127,"EventID":"S5W-03500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T16:57:45.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T13:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the £5 million funding announced on 15 March 2016 to support cancer waiting times performance will be spent; when it will announce where the funding will be targeted, and how much of the funding will be used to deliver improvements to the time between a person being diagnosed and starting treatment.","AnswerText":"The new Scottish Government cancer strategy Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action was published in March 2016 and is a blueprint for the future of cancer services in Scotland, improving the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and aftercare of those affected by the disease.\r\n£5 million investment has been allocated directly to NHS boards in 2016-17. This revenue is targeted to patient need, as determined at NHS board level, and is particularly focused on the breast, colorectal and urological cancer pathways. This will support immediate improvement in diagnostic, imaging and treatment capacity and ensure timely access that patients deserve.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317128,"EventID":"S5W-03517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T16:57:47.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it understands to be the reasons for the departure of CalMac’s chief executive on 31 March 2017, which was announced on 5 October 2016.","AnswerText":"Mr Martin Dorchester’s reasons for departing CalMac in March 2017 were set out in David MacBrayne Ltd’s press statement of 5 October 2016.\r\nThe statement indicated that Mr Dorchester has been with the company since 2012 and, having led CalMac Ferries Ltd during its successful bid for the new Clyde and Hebrides Ferry service contract, he wishes to pursue new opportunities once that contract has bedded in.\r\nI would like to thank Martin for his contribution to David MacBrayne Ltd and wish him well with his future endeavours.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317129,"EventID":"S5W-03508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T16:57:49.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been supported by the (a) New Medicines Fund and (b) Rare Conditions Medicines Fund in each year since 2012-13, also broken down by the (i) average and (ii) largest contribution toward the cost of treatment.","AnswerText":"The New Medicines Fund provides financial support to NHS boards for End of Life, Orphan and Ultra Orphan medicines which can be accessed by patients in a number of ways such as by Individual Patient Treatment Requests, Peer Approved Clinical System or appropriate medicines accepted by Scottish Medicines Consortium. The Scottish Government does not hold all of this information centrally in the format requested. However, the treatment of more than 1,000 patients has been supported through the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund and its replacement, The New Medicines Fund.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317130,"EventID":"S5W-03510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T16:57:51.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has received from the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme rebate each year since 2013-14, and how much it expects to receive in each of the remaining years of the scheme.","AnswerText":"We have received a share of UK PPRS receipts amounting to £8.5 million (2013-14), £49.8 million (2014-15) and £80.6 million (2015-16). Receipts include amounts relating to the 2009 and 2014 PPRS agreements and historic cash payments. Final income for 2016-17 is not currently available.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317131,"EventID":"S5W-03502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T16:57:53.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T13:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to produce guidance on specific cancers as part of its cancer strategy and, if so, which types of cancer will be covered.","AnswerText":"Our ‘Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action’ strategy and the accompanying £100 million investment over five years, serves as a blueprint for the future of cancer services in Scotland, improving the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and aftercare of people affected by all types of cancer.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317132,"EventID":"S5W-03515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T16:57:55.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the National Scottish Steering Group for Educational Psychology met in each of the last three years, and whether it will provide the minutes of those meetings.","AnswerText":"The National Scottish Steering Group for Educational Psychologists met on: 11 February, 2 June and 11 October 2016; 26 January, 17 June and 18 November 2015; and 7 March and 8 September 2014. \r\nThe minutes for meetings up to June 2016 are available in SPICe, Bib number 55570. The minutes for the meeting of 11 October 2016 have yet to be finalised and will be available in SPICe in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317133,"EventID":"S5W-03516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-05T16:57:57.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T15:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school head teachers there have been in each year since 2013-14, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The number of head teachers in publicly funded primary schools between 2013 and 2015 is shown in table 1. The number of head teachers in publicly funded primary schools between 2013 and 2015 is shown in table two. Please note the caveats presented in the footnotes for each table when interpreting figures.\r\nTable 1: Primary school head teachers, 2013-2015\r\n\r\n2013\r\n2014(1)\r\n2015\r\nAberdeen City\r\n43\r\n42\r\n40\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n138\r\n138\r\n137\r\nAngus\r\n44\r\n44\r\n41\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n61\r\n56\r\n59\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n17\r\n19\r\n19\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n85\r\n67\r\n66\r\nDundee City\r\n32\r\n34\r\n30\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n41\r\n40\r\n40\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n36\r\n31\r\n31\r\nEast Lothian\r\n30\r\n32\r\n31\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n22\r\n22\r\n21\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n84\r\n83\r\n79\r\nEilean Siar\r\n18\r\n19\r\n16\r\nFalkirk\r\n43\r\n45\r\n38\r\nFife\r\n133\r\n129\r\n122\r\nGlasgow City\r\n139\r\n132\r\n130\r\nHighland\r\n139\r\n130\r\n121\r\nInverclyde\r\n20\r\n21\r\n19\r\nMidlothian\r\n29\r\n26\r\n29\r\nMoray\r\n43\r\n41\r\n41\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n50\r\n42\r\n40\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n116\r\n112\r\n121\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n12\r\n11\r\n12\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n65\r\n65\r\n64\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n47\r\n46\r\n47\r\nScottish Borders\r\n41\r\n41\r\n41\r\nShetland Islands\r\n24\r\n23\r\n24\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n38\r\n37\r\n35\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n119\r\n118\r\n118\r\nStirling\r\n32\r\n32\r\n34\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n32\r\n31\r\n32\r\nWest Lothian\r\n62\r\n62\r\n64\r\nAll local authorities\r\n1,832\r\n1769\r\n1740\r\nGrant aided\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1) 2014 teacher figures were revised in February and December 2015, see background notes 3.5a and 3.5b to the published data for details. The published data can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/7925\r\nTable 2: Secondary school head teachers, 2013-2015\r\n\r\n2013\r\n2014(1)\r\n2015\r\nAberdeen City\r\n11\r\n12\r\n12\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n17\r\n18\r\n17\r\nAngus\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n11\r\n9\r\n9\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n16\r\n15\r\n13\r\nDundee City\r\n9\r\n9\r\n7\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n9\r\n10\r\n9\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\nEast Lothian\r\n6\r\n6\r\n6\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n7\r\n8\r\n7\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n22\r\n23\r\n23\r\nEilean Siar\r\n3\r\n2\r\n3\r\nFalkirk\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\nFife\r\n19\r\n19\r\n19\r\nGlasgow City\r\n29\r\n27\r\n30\r\nHighland\r\n28\r\n29\r\n28\r\nInverclyde\r\n6\r\n6\r\n6\r\nMidlothian\r\n6\r\n5\r\n6\r\nMoray\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n9\r\n9\r\n9\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n23\r\n22\r\n27\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n4\r\n4\r\n4\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n10\r\n10\r\n10\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n11\r\n11\r\n11\r\nScottish Borders\r\n9\r\n8\r\n9\r\nShetland Islands\r\n5\r\n4\r\n4\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n17\r\n17\r\n17\r\nStirling\r\n7\r\n7\r\n7\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n5\r\n5\r\n5\r\nWest Lothian\r\n11\r\n11\r\n11\r\nAll local authorities\r\n353\r\n349\r\n351\r\nGrant aided\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1) 2014 teacher figures were revised in February and December 2015, see background notes 3.5a and 3.5b to the published data for details. The published data can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/7925","AnswerDate":"2016-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317145,"EventID":"S5W-03518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T09:28:04.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the actions that it is taking to deliver its target to meet 11% of non-electrical heat demand from renewable sources by 2020, as initially set in the Renewable Heat Action Plan and reaffirmed in the Heat Policy Statement, published in 2015.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce I laid a report in Parliament today, which provides an update on the actions the Scottish Government is taking to help our renewable heat target is met. The report is now available on the Scottish Government web-site, at http://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781786525222. \r\nThis demonstrates significant progress towards meeting Scotland’s renewable heat target by 2020. During the 2015 calendar year, an estimated 5.3 – 5.6% of Scotland’s non-electrical heat demand was supplied from renewable sources, up from 3.8% in 2014. In addition, renewable heat capacity increased by 47% and renewable heat generation increased by 37%, when compared with 2014. While we continue to make positive progress, we recognise there is work to be done. That’s why we continue to develop new and existing avenues of support in this important area.\r\nIn addition, the Energy Saving Trust have published today the report Renewable Heat in Scotland 2015, which provides further details on these figures. The Energy Saving Trust report is now available by searching for “Renewable Heat in Scotland 2015” at http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/resources/reports.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317160,"EventID":"S5W-03486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:35:54.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02503 by Michael Matheson on 22 September 2016, what procurement criteria are used by the police when sourcing spit hoods, and which companies supply these.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317161,"EventID":"S5W-03488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:35:56.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02503 by Michael Matheson on 22 September 2016, how many (a) deaths and (b) injuries have been attributed to the use of spit hoods by the police, and what other data on their use is collected by (i) Police Scotland and (ii) the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. Operational policing is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) advises that it has no management information on the use of spit hoods use as they are not a ‘weapon’ as defined by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Investigations Procedure, Serious Incidents and Specified Weapons) Regulations 2013. PIRC has never investigated a death or serious injury attributable to the use of a spit hood.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317162,"EventID":"S5W-03545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:35:58.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria are used to determine whether proposed activities are likely to have a significant effect and require screening in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999.","AnswerText":"The selection criteria for projects having significant effects on the environment are detailed in Schedule 3 of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999. These criteria include the characteristics and location of the project and the characteristics of the potential impact on the environment, such as probability, duration and reversibility of the impact.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317163,"EventID":"S5W-03547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:00.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to determine the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment guidance issued to Forestry Commission Scotland area office staff to ensure that the purpose of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 is met.","AnswerText":"Forestry Commission Scotland Internal Audit services are used to test for compliance with procedures under the Environmental Impact Assessment legislation. The last audit was carried out in 2014 and this gave substantial assurance that guidance was being complied with and that objectives were being achieved.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317164,"EventID":"S5W-03554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:02.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Forestry Commission Scotland is meeting (a) national and (b) international biodiversity obligations across the forest estate.","AnswerText":"Forest Enterprise Scotland, an agency of Forestry Commission Scotland, manages Scotland’s National Forest Estate (NFE) on behalf of Scottish Ministers. FES uses - at a national level - the National Strategic Directions publication, which sets out how the conservation of biodiversity is delivered across the NFE in line with the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act (2004). In prioritising biodiversity related work programmes, Forest Enterprise Scotland is guided by the Scottish Forestry Strategy, as well as the biodiversity guidelines contained within the UK Forestry Standard. The actions taken, and progress achieved, are reported annually in the published Forest Commission Scotland Annual Review, as required by the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011). In addition, the independent certification of the NFE under the UK Woodland Assurance Standard provides assurance that the management of biodiversity on the estate follows industry best practice.\r\nThe delivery of Scottish Biodiversity Strategy objectives on the NFE also contributes to the international biodiversity targets set out in the EU Biodiversity Strategy and in the Convention on Biological Diversity's Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 (Aichi targets). To ensure that the EU Habitats and Birds Directives are met, all nature conservation features of special interest on designated sites on the NFE are also monitored in collaboration with Scottish Natural Heritage under the national Site Condition Monitoring programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317165,"EventID":"S5W-03556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:04.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason grant support for native woodland (a) management and (b) expansion has been reduced.","AnswerText":"The Forestry Grant Scheme continues to offer support for native woodland management and expansion. Overall the grants available for the management of existing native woodland have not decreased.\r\nHowever, changes to different elements, including the standard costs, of the Forestry Grant Scheme means that the total grant support available for individual schemes may now differ from that which would have been available under the previous Scottish Rural Development Programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317166,"EventID":"S5W-03528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:07.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the average level of Independent Living Fund Scotland (ILFS) support for people in supported accommodation compares with ILFS support for people living at home, and what action it is taking to close any difference.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. \r\nIn general, Independent Living Fund (ILF) Scotland does not support people in supported accommodation as it is tasked with supporting disabled people in an independent living setting. There are some limited exceptions to this, where an ILF assessor judges that someone lives sufficiently independently in a shared care environment; however the ILF Scotland management information system does not provide sufficient level of detail to allow separate data on support to these individuals to be extracted.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317167,"EventID":"S5W-03539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:09.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for consent under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 have been determined by Forestry Commission Scotland since 2010, and how many (a) were determined not to require assessment, (b) were refused, (c) required environmental impact assessment and (d) required appropriate assessment of their effect on European wildlife sites.","AnswerText":"Since 2010 the number of Environmental Impact Assessment cases determined by Forestry Commission Scotland was 1466.\r\nThe number of applications determined not to require assessment was 1440. The number of applications determined to need an Environmental Impact Assessment and subsequently consent was not given, was zero. The number of applications that subsequently required environmental impact assessment was 26. The number of applications that required appropriate assessment of their effect on European wildlife sites was 3.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317168,"EventID":"S5W-03546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:11.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is available to Forestry Commission Scotland staff to enable them to determine what a “significant impact” is, as defined under Article 3 of the EnvironmentaI Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) 1999 Regulations. ","AnswerText":"Forestry Commission Scotland provides internal guidance to staff in the form of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Code, which contains information on all of the steps in the Environment Impact Assessment process and on policy and legislation. Within this document, guidance is provided on assessing sensitivity, magnitude and significance. Forestry Commission Scotland also provides a training course to staff using this guidance.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317169,"EventID":"S5W-03553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:13.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Natural Heritage responses to environmental impact assessment consultations are accessible to the public.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) responses to environmental impact assessment consultations are open to the public via the competent authority responsible for carrying out the consultation, for example Forestry Commission Scotland if the EIA relates to forestry.\r\nResponses received from other parties to environmental impact assessment's carried out directly by SNH are available on their website at:http://www.snh.gov.uk/","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317170,"EventID":"S5W-03541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:15.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many woodland expansion proposals have been consented without an approved environmental impact assessment by each Forestry Commission Scotland conservancy since 2007 for woodland planting (a) below two, (b) between two and 10, (c) from 10 to 100 and (d) above 100 hectares. ","AnswerText":"All applications that require Environmental Impact Assessment consent need to submit a full Environmental Statement. Therefore, since 2007 no woodland planting has been consented by Forestry Commission Scotland without an approved environmental impact assessment (Environmental Statement) for any woodland, whether below 2 hectares, between 2 and 100 hectares, or above 100 hectares.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317171,"EventID":"S5W-03543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:18.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it records the potential cumulative impact of new commercial afforestations and how these records help to inform decisions for assessment criteria. ","AnswerText":"The cumulative impact of projects is taken into account during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) determination screening phase. Information on existing woodland creation projects is recorded and is available to Forestry Commission Scotland staff and the public through the publically available web browsers at the following: http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/supporting/communication-consultation/map-viewer-guidance","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317172,"EventID":"S5W-03558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:20.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what checks are in place to ensure that land use balance in regions is prioritised for woodland expansion.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, through planning policy, encourages planning authorities to prepare forestry and woodland strategies, in consultation with stakeholders, to inform the development of forests and woodlands in relation to other land uses within their area. In 2010, Forestry Commission Scotland published The Right Tree in the Right Place, providing guidance on the development of forestry and woodland strategies. These regional forestry and woodland strategies are used to inform the suitability of applications to the Scotland Rural Development Programme Forestry Grant Scheme.\r\nIn addition, Forestry Commission Scotland published guidance in 2013 that requires specific measures to be taken when considering ‘larger or more sensitive’ woodland creation proposals on farmland. These measures include informing those managing neighbouring land of the proposal and requesting advice from the local Rural Payments and Inspections Division office on the local patterns of agriculture.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317173,"EventID":"S5W-03482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:22.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02503 by Michael Matheson on 22 September 2016, how many times spit hoods have been used by the police in each of the last three years, and how many complaints there have been about their use.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. Operational policing is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317174,"EventID":"S5W-03532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:24.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance there is regarding the number of safety mats required in residential care accommodation.","AnswerText":"There is no specific guidance on the number of safety mats required in residential care accommodation. A safety mat should be provided where an individual has been assessed and a requirement for one has been identified. The Care Inspectorate expect people's needs to be assessed before they move into a care home and if a safety mat or pressure mat is needed, that this is provided.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317175,"EventID":"S5W-03549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:26.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training it provides to Forestry Commission Scotland conservancy office staff with regard to the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 and what the content is of such training.","AnswerText":"Forestry Commission Scotland provides bespoke Environmental Impact Assessment staff training which covers all aspects of Environmental Impact Assessment legislation, procedures, and assessment.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317176,"EventID":"S5W-03550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:28.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for reviewing and updating the Scottish Forestry Strategy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has stated its commitment to reviewing the Scottish Forestry Strategy (SFS) during the period of the current Land Use Strategy (2016-2021). The review will aim to ensure the SFS reflects changing priorities and aligns with that key Strategy and other Scottish Government policies.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317177,"EventID":"S5W-03530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:30.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role falls assessments will play in tailoring care for older patients.","AnswerText":"Falls assessments already play an important role in tailoring care for older people, across a range of settings. Work is ongoing in both hospitals and the community to ensure people at risk of falls have the opportunity for individualised treatment, support and care, based on the findings of a comprehensive falls risk assessment.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317178,"EventID":"S5W-03544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:32.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it assesses the (a) site and (b) cumulative environmental impacts for proposals for woodland expansion.","AnswerText":"Forestry Commission Scotland assesses the site of proposals for woodland expansion and their environmental impacts using the Selection Criteria (stated in Schedule 3 of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999) and the information supplied by the applicant. The cumulative impact of projects is taken into account during the Environmental Impact Assessment determination screening phase.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317179,"EventID":"S5W-03548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:34.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Forestry Commission Scotland staff involved in determining screening applications under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 are required to hold chartered forester status and, if not, how their competence to assess such applications is assured. ","AnswerText":"Forestry Commission Scotland does not require staff involved in determining screening applications under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 to hold chartered forester status.\r\nForestry Commission Scotland staff are appointed on merit through fair and open competition. They are assessed against the essential criteria for a specific job. For woodland officers, this includes a forestry or equivalent environmental qualification. In addition, Environment Impact Assessment determinations are reviewed and countersigned by a senior member of the Conservancy team to ensure consistency, and to ensure that expert advice has been used where needed.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317180,"EventID":"S5W-03555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:36.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring is in place to ensure that new woodland planting schemes are delivering biodiversity outcomes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government requires that all new woodland planting schemes, funded under the Scottish Rural Development Programme Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS), comply with the UK Forestry Standard and its Forest and Biodiversity Guidelines. Under the FGS applicants can propose to deliver specific biodiversity outcomes. Those applications are monitored to ensure that the biodiversity-related works the applicant proposed are completed. Site inspections are on a sample basis. A failure to carry out the required works can result in a breach of the FGS terms and conditions and monies may be recovered.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317181,"EventID":"S5W-03562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:38.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of tree felling licenses are issued with a condition to restock.","AnswerText":"The proportion of conditional stand-alone felling licenses which contain a restocking condition issued since 1 April 2012 is 97%. In addition 100% of forest plans which include a felling license have a requirement to restock.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317182,"EventID":"S5W-03483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:41.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to quesiton S5W-02503 by Michael Matheson on 22 September 2016, what (a) technical and (b) medical evaluation has been carried out regarding the use of spit hoods by Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317183,"EventID":"S5W-03484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:43.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02503 by Michael Matheson on 22 September 2016, how the use of spit hoods by the police is (a) monitored and (b) evaluated.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. As mentioned in the Scottish Government's answer to S5W-02503, any application of a spit hood must meet the Police Scotland criteria for the use of force.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317184,"EventID":"S5W-03533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:45.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance there is on providing best care for people with dementia in residential care.","AnswerText":"The Standards of Care for Dementia in Scotland provide guidance on standards expected when provding care in all dementia care settings, including residential care.\r\nThe Care Inspectorate will carry out 150 dementia-focused inspections in care home for older people in 2016-17. The inspections will focus on how the dementia standards have been applied in practice. An overall inspection report will be published and available on the Care Inspectorate’s website in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317185,"EventID":"S5W-03551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:48.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for updating the forestry consultation process.","AnswerText":"An independent assessment of the forestry approval process is underway and a final report should be submitted to Scottish Ministers by the end of October 2016. The finding of this assessment will inform the review of the current processes, including the forestry consultation process.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317186,"EventID":"S5W-03552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:50.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what environmental checks are in place for woodland planting schemes that do not require an environmental impact assessment. ","AnswerText":"All woodland planting applications are screened against the Environmental Impact Assessment legislation. Those that do not require an Environmental Impact Assessment but are seeking grant funding are carefully assessed to ensure compliance with the UK Forestry Standard.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317187,"EventID":"S5W-03531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:53.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance there is on the level of training required by nursing staff working with people with dementia.","AnswerText":"The Promoting Excellence dementia skills and knowledge framework for health and social care staff provides baseline, enhanced and expert training for nursing and other staff working with people with dementia and covers education, pre-registration training and on-going staff development. \r\nThe Scottish Government provides on-going national funding for the implementation of the framework.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317188,"EventID":"S5W-03538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:54.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for activities that require to be screened in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 have been (a) received and (b) approved by each Forestry Commission Conservancy office in each year since 2012.","AnswerText":"Since 2012 the number of applications received for activities that required screening in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 was 979. The number received by each Forestry Commission Scotland Conservancy is detailed in the following table.\r\n\r\n\r\nCENTRAL SCOTLAND\r\nGRAMPIAN\r\nHIGHLAND\r\nPERTH AND ARGYLL\r\nSOUTH SCOTLAND\r\nSCOTLAND TOTAL\r\n2012\r\n13\r\n30\r\n112\r\n70\r\n41\r\n266\r\n2013\r\n37\r\n12\r\n61\r\n56\r\n52\r\n218\r\n2014\r\n9\r\n6\r\n48\r\n49\r\n39\r\n151\r\n2015\r\n6\r\n12\r\n44\r\n69\r\n42\r\n173\r\n2016\r\n29\r\n22\r\n46\r\n30\r\n44\r\n171\r\nTotal:\r\n94\r\n82\r\n311\r\n274\r\n218\r\n979\r\n\r\nSince 2012 the number of applications approved for activities that required screening in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 was 967. The number received by each Forestry Commission Scotland Conservancy is detailed in the following table.\r\n\r\n\r\nCENTRAL SCOTLAND\r\nGRAMPIAN\r\nHIGHLAND\r\nPERTH AND ARGYLL\r\nSOUTH SCOTLAND\r\nSCOTLAND TOTAL\r\n2012\r\n12\r\n30\r\n112\r\n65\r\n41\r\n260\r\n2013\r\n36\r\n12\r\n61\r\n56\r\n51\r\n216\r\n2014\r\n9\r\n6\r\n48\r\n48\r\n37\r\n148\r\n2015\r\n6\r\n12\r\n44\r\n69\r\n42\r\n173\r\n2016\r\n29\r\n22\r\n46\r\n30\r\n43\r\n170\r\nTotal:\r\n92\r\n82\r\n311\r\n268\r\n214\r\n967\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317189,"EventID":"S5W-03561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:57.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average time is for approval of a new woodland creation scheme from submission.","AnswerText":"The average time for approval of woodland creation schemes is 17.7 weeks from submission of the grant application to final approved scheme.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317190,"EventID":"S5W-03563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:36:59.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03118 by Shona Robison on 6 October 2016, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding the reason that no places have been allocated for newly trained GPs under its golden hello scheme to NHS Shetland and Orkney, and whether it will confirm for what reason no places were allocated to NHS Western Isles.","AnswerText":"The financial incentive available for certain GP trainee posts is described as the Scottish Targeted Bursary Scheme; golden hello payments relate to recruitment of trained GPs.\r\nIt is NHS Education for Scotland (NES) which manages GMC approved training programmes, and it is important to clarify that trainees are not actually placed within individual Boards but to training programmes which involve placements in several NHS Boards to ensure that they gain the appropriate breadth of clinical experiences required to fulfil the GMC’s educational requirements within the general practice training curricula. This includes the availability of Clinical and Educational Supervisors.\r\nIn developing this additional recruitment initiative, and with a view to maximising its chances of success, NES had to have regard to the GMC’s educational requirements, ensure these placements would be educationally attractive to prospective trainees for the 3-year duration, and take account of the smaller size of hospitals/practices, particularly within the Island Boards. Each of the additional posts are in programmes which include rotations in previously hard to recruit to GP training practices.\r\nTwo bursary eligible places were allocated to the Caledonian programme which, via rotations in different hospitals/surgeries, mainly covers the Highlands and Islands. Of the two posts recruited for the Caledonian Programme, one is centred around Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and the local Culloden Practice. The details of the second are still being finalised, but will comprise hospital-based training and placement within the Portree GP Practice.\r\nIn addition to the Caledonian Programme, NES also operates the GP Rural Track programme, which provides trainees with an opportunity to undertake GPST in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. There are rotations in Orkney and Shetland as well as Fort William, Oban, Western Isles and Caithness. The number of trainees currently placed through this rural focused programme, are: One in Orkney, Six in Shetland and Five in the Western Isles.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317191,"EventID":"S5W-03540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:37:01.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many woodland expansion proposals have been consented without an approved environmental impact assessment by each Forestry Commission Scotland conservancy since 2010 for new woodland planting on (a) sensitive and (b) non-sensitive sites.","AnswerText":"All applications that require Environmental Impact Assessment consent need to submit a full Environmental Statement. Therefore, since 2010 no woodland planting on sensitive and non-sensitive sites have been consented without an approved environmental impact assessment (Environmental Statement).","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317192,"EventID":"S5W-03542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:37:03.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment criteria and procedures are used before consent for new woodland planting is issued to ensure that significant negative environmental effects will not arise.","AnswerText":"Schedule 3 of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999, states the Selection Criteria for Projects having significant effects on the environment – this includes the characteristics and location of the project. The procedures used by Forestry Commission Scotland are contained in the published guidance available at the following website: http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/images/corporate/pdf/EIAGeneral09.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317193,"EventID":"S5W-03557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:37:05.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how suitable areas for woodland expansion are (a) identified and (b) prioritised.","AnswerText":"Scottish Local Authorities publish Forest and Woodland Strategies which are used to identify suitable areas for woodland expansion. Applications for woodland expansion are prioritised using target areas and scoring criteria contained within the Forestry Grant Scheme.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317194,"EventID":"S5W-03559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T13:37:08.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of land approved for woodland expansion is (a) agricultural, (b) BAP priority open habitat and (c) an other category of land.","AnswerText":"Between 2007 – 2014 the Scotland Rural Development Programme Rural Priorities Grant Scheme, approved 37,718 hectares for woodland creation, of which 33,808 hectares were eligible for farmland premium. Therefore approximately 90% of woodland expansion was on agricultural land.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not collate information on the proportion of woodland expansion taking place on BAP priority open habitats. Woodland expansion applications are considered on a site by site basis and information is therefore contained in each individual case file. BAP priority open habitats are a major consideration in assessing woodland expansion cases.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not collate information on other categories of land which has been approved for woodland expansion.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317195,"EventID":"S5W-03536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T17:11:44.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress the Scottish Ambulance Service is making with regard to changes to its service.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service recently undertook a rigorous review of its clinical data involving analysis of over 500,000 patient cases. The Scottish Governments Chief Medical Officer has engaged with the service to review this clinical evidence and has asked SAS to conduct a year long pilot ahead of winter this year. This pilot will focus on making improvements to clinical outcomes for patients whilst ensuring that patient safety remains the main priority.\r\nThe Scottish Ambulance Service is now in the process of taking the necessary steps to commence this pilot. An on-going review will be carried out by the Scottish Government to ensure that we are seeing the improvements to patient safety and patient outcomes that are expected.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317196,"EventID":"S5W-03524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T17:11:46.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to reports that 3% of the high-growth companies assisted by Scottish Enterprise are led by women.","AnswerText":"The latest Equality Mainstreaming Report from 2015 showed that the overall proportion of companies with female ownership rose from 40% in 2012-13 to 46% in 2013-14. \r\nThe 3% figure quoted relates to a subset of SE account managed companies contained within the report representing less than 20% of the account managed portfolio. Whilst this is a disappointing figure, it cannot be taken as representative of the overall picture.\r\nThe Scottish Government remains committed to ensuring that all of Scotland’s people can benefit from participation in enterprising activity. That is why in 2014 we launched a co-developed policy framework and action plan for women in enterprise which we are currently reviewing to ensure it remains effective. This remains the only Framework of its kind in the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317197,"EventID":"S5W-03520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T17:11:49.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the gender pay gap for self-employed people, and what action it can take to close this. ","AnswerText":"The gender pay gap for self-employed people in Scotland is not published in official sources. However total earnings by gender for self-employed individuals in Scotland is published in ‘Table 3.11 Income and tax by gender, region and country’ of the HMRC publication Personal Incomes Statistics 2013-14 table 3.1-3.11 which can be located at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/503472/SPI_National_Statistics_T3_1_to_T3_11.pdf\r\nAlthough the Scottish Government does not, itself, hold the information requested as this is instead gathered by HMRC through its HMRC Survey of Personal Incomes, from which the above data is derived; we recognise that enterprises started and led by women often demonstrate different support requirements and display different growth trajectories to other businesses. As noted in answer to S5W-03525 on 27 October 2016, we are working with partners across all sectors, including Women’s Enterprise Scotland, to deliver a co-developed policy framework and action plan for women in enterprise.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317198,"EventID":"S5W-03522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T17:11:52.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what gender-specific training is provided for (a) Business Gateway advisers and (b) Scottish Enterprise account managers.","AnswerText":"Ensuring that Business Gateway Advisers have the training they need to deliver the Business Gateway Service is the responsibility of local authorities which are responsible for the operational delivery of the service.\r\nTraining for Scottish Enterprise account managers is an operational matter for the enterprise agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to contact you with the information you have requested and my understanding is that this will be with you in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317199,"EventID":"S5W-03564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T17:11:55.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that cotton purchased by public services is sourced from fairtrade providers. ","AnswerText":"The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 requires a public body’s annual procurement strategy to include a statement of their general policy on the procurement of fairly and ethically traded goods and services and report on this annually.\r\nThe Act also introduced a sustainable procurement duty, which places sustainable and socially responsible purchasing at the heart of public procurement processes. The duty requires public bodies to consider how in conducting the procurement process it can improve the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of their area.\r\nPublic bodies have been supported to deliver social and environmental benefits through its public procurement activity through an extensive programme of training and mentoring, over 700 staff have received training. The in-depth approach to ethical sourcing of uniforms adopted for the London 2012 Games was used for procuring uniforms for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. We are also working with the Scottish Fair Trade Forum to progress the uptake of fair and ethically traded goods and services through public procurement.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317200,"EventID":"S5W-03525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T17:11:57.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the growth of women's enterprises, including how much funding it provides toward this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all of Scotland’s people are able to benefit from participation in enterprising activity. To this end, we launched a co-developed policy framework and action plan for women in enterprise in March 2014. This is the only one of its kind in the EU. We are working with partners across all sectors, including Women’s Enterprise Scotland, to deliver this framework. This financial year (2016-17) £200,000 has been committed to projects underpinning the Women in Enterprise Framework. More broadly, delivered by local authorities, Business Gateway offers a first point of contact for all publicly funded business support to pre-start, early stage and growth businesses regardless of location, gender, age, ethnicity, ability or type of business. The service includes a nationally consistent start-up and growth service with flexibility and discretion to meet local needs and opportunities.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317201,"EventID":"S5W-03527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T17:12:00.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the equality impact assessment it carries out of spending by (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are responsible for carrying out Equality Impact Assessments of their own policies and practices. They publish the assessments on their respective websites.\r\nLinks to the relevant pages are provided below:\r\nhttps://www.scottish-enterprise.com/about-us/transparency/equality-and-diversity\r\nhttp://www.hie.co.uk/about-hie/equality-and-diversity/equality-impact-assessment.html\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317202,"EventID":"S5W-03519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T17:12:03.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what gender-disaggregated data on the economy it collects, and what plans it has to fill any data gap.","AnswerText":"Within the Economy Theme the Scottish Government holds a range of gender-disaggregated data on the Labour Market including: The Labour Force Survey, Annual Population Survey and the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. The Scottish Government also collects information on employment in local government by gender. These sources provide gender disaggregated estimates of economic status and earnings alongside a range of other socio-economic characteristics. \r\nFurther information disaggregated by gender is published on the Scottish Government Equality Evidence Finder.\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Equality/Equalities/DataGrid\r\nThe Scottish Government reviews statistical data requirements on the Economy through the Scottish Economic Statistics Consultants Group and fills evidence gaps where required.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317203,"EventID":"S5W-03523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T17:12:06.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what gender-disaggregated statistics are collected regarding people accessing Business Gateway.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the valuable role that the local authority delivered Business Gateway service offers to support a wide range of businesses. The service offers a first point of contact for all publicly funded business support to pre-start, early stage and growth businesses regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, ability or type of business. Support includes a nationally consistent start-up and growth service with flexibility and discretion to meet local needs and opportunities. \r\nDelivery of the Business Gateway (BG) service is the responsibility of local authorities and they are not required to report operational information on the delivery of Business Gateway to the Scottish Government.\r\nWe understand from the Business Gateway Management Unit based in COSLA that the provision of equal opportunity monitoring data, including gender data, is self-declared by BG clients and is provided on a voluntary basis. The percentage of records that hold gender disaggregated data sits at around 54%-60% per year. In 2014-2015, where gender had been recorded, the percentage of Business Gateway assisted start-ups which were women-led (defined as majority owner or equally owned by women) was over 38%.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317204,"EventID":"S5W-03537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T17:12:09.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T11:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle the reported high prevalence of addiction to (a) anti-depressants and (b) other prescription drugs in the NHS Forth Valley area.","AnswerText":"It is generally agreed that antidepressants are not classed as addictive medicines. They can, however, cause a discontinuation syndrome in someone taking them for a prolonged period of time if stopped abruptly. Prescribed medicines known to be addictive include benzodiazepines and some pain relieving medicines.\r\nAll NHS Boards monitor a range of prescribing indicators and against each they agree an appropriate action with practitioners. Drugs with the potential for addiction, such as benzodiazepines, are very commonly included in that process.\r\nDecisions on the type of treatment to prescribe are for clinicians to make in discussion with their patients and to agree upon within the context of the patient’s long-term recovery.\r\nAll prescribing decisions should be in line with good clinical and prescribing practice, and clinicians are encouraged to review a patient’s medications regularly to ensure their continued clinical appropriateness, and to achieve the best possible health outcomes from the medicines they are prescribed.\r\nIn keeping with good clinical practice, clinicians should be providing on-going support and advice to patients who are prescribed medicines that are known to be addictive or with other long term effects. Where patients are concerned about the effects their medicines are having on their general wellbeing they should contact their GP as soon as possible and discuss alternative treatments that may be available.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317205,"EventID":"S5W-03534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T17:12:11.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many agency nursing staff are employed by NHS (a) Fife, (b) Tayside and (c) Forth Valley, and how much this costs, broken down by each NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information on agency nursing staff usage and costs is routinely published at\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2016-06-07/Bank_and_Agency_comp_M2016.xls\r\nThe latest published related to this question is reproduced in Table 1.\r\nTable 1. Number (average whole time equivalent) and cost (£) of agency nursing and midwifery staff for financial period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016.\r\n\r\nAverage WTE\r\nCosts (£)\r\nNHS Fife\r\n14.7 \r\n1,155,144\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n52.4 \r\n5,062,099\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n6.6 \r\n560,916\r\nSources: ISD Scotland (ISD(M)18)\r\nIn 2015-16 agency nursing represented just 0.4% of the total nursing and midwifery staffing in the NHS in Scotland (276.7 WTE out of total capacity of 66,143.9 WTE).\r\nThe Scottish Government and NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) have launched a nationally coordinated programme for the effective management of all temporary staffing (Managed Staffing Network Project). The aim establish Integrated Regional and National Staff Banks which allow NHS Boards to access a shared pool of NHS staff who are flexible, appropriately qualified and experienced and provide better value for money than alternative methods of filling the gaps.\r\n Notes:\r\nAgency nursing and midwifery staff are employed by private organisations which respond to requests by NHSScotland.\r\nTo calculate the average WTE, 1 WTE is taken as a contribution of 37.5 hours per week x 52 = 1950 hours per year.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317206,"EventID":"S5W-03535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-06T17:12:13.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to Police Scotland to help tackle drug-related crime.","AnswerText":"Operational decisions about measures to tackle drug-related crime are a matter for the Chief Constable, under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. The Scottish Government is committed to working with all its partners to reduce the damaging impacts of substance misuse. This includes the ‘Choices for Life’ schools based substance misuse education programme, delivered in partnership with Police Scotland and Young Scot.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317224,"EventID":"S5W-03574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:06.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many child witnesses have given evidence in (a) sheriff and b) high courts in each of the last five years, broken down by the alleged offence.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317225,"EventID":"S5W-03593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:08.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the evidence regarding the potential vulnerability of hen harriers to wind turbines, which has been published since the close of the public inquiry into the proposed Strathy South wind farm, will be considered in the determination of the wind farm's application.","AnswerText":"Ornithological matters were a key feature of the Public Local Inquiry. However, the Scottish Government will continue to take into account representations on the application received regarding any relevant matter, including hen harriers, until a decision is taken. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317226,"EventID":"S5W-03565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:10.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish any assessment that it has made on the likely modal shift from rail to air should air passenger duty be reduced by 50%.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish information on the full range of impacts of a 50% reduction in the overall burden of Air Passenger Duty in Scotland when we publish our proposals on how the 50% reduction should be implemented.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317227,"EventID":"S5W-03583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:13.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T09:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on tourism, what plans it has to discuss with the UK Government regulating the use of online holiday home marketplaces, such as Airbnb.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government wrote to the UK Government on 10 March 2016. This was to:\r\n(i) update the UK Government on the work by the Regulatory Review Group and;\r\n(ii) seek details of UK Government proposals to ensure that a consistent and proportionate regulatory response to the collaborative economy was developed across all respective regulatory vires within the UK.\r\nThe letter was copied to Tourism Ministers in other Devolved Administrations, the Conveners of the Cross Party Groups in the Scottish Parliament on Tourism and Recreational Boating and Marine Tourism, the relevant Enterprise Agencies and major tourism stakeholders within Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government received a reply from the UK Government on 27 April and will seek to discuss progress with the UK Government and other Tourism Ministers at a suitable date in the future. \r\nSpecifically on regulation, the independent Regulatory Review Group is also undertaking a review of the regulatory environment within Scotland for key sectors.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317228,"EventID":"S5W-03584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:15.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T10:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many residential properties in the (a) Dumfries and Galloway Council area and (b) Galloway and West Dumfries parliamentary constituency have the broadband infrastructure capacity to receive speeds in excess of 24mbps.","AnswerText":"The following table lists the numbers and percentages of superfast (24Mbps+) coverage in (a) the Dumfries and Galloway Council area and (b) Galloway and West Dumfries parliamentary constituency, in relation to the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband roll-out, as of the end of Q1 2016-17. The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of premises connected through commercial deployment of superfast broadband and, as such, cannot provide those figures. The percentage coverage figures provided in the tables below assume that commercial rollout is completed on time and in line with plans submitted to the Scottish Government through the Open Market Review conducted in 2012. It also assumes that all commercial coverage will be capable of delivering superfast speeds.\r\nThe Scottish Government plans to launch an Open Market Review, ahead of new procurement activity next year, to determine (a) what has been delivered commercially and (b) what will be delivered commercially over the next 3 years. This will require suppliers to provide speed information at individual premises level. We will use this information to define a new intervention area for future public investment in broadband.\r\nLocal Authority\r\nCurrent number of premises connected to fibre broadband by DSSB\r\nCurrent number capable of delivering 24Mbps+\r\n%\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n41,630\r\n34,294\r\n82.4\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nParliamentary Constituency\r\nCurrent number of premises connected to fibre broadband by DSSB\r\nCurrent number capable of delivering 24Mbps+\r\n%\r\nGalloway and West Dumfries\r\n18,121\r\n14,998\r\n82.8\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317229,"EventID":"S5W-03601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:18.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cross-border farm businesses are still awaiting balancing payments for 2015 payments, and what the reasons are for the delays.","AnswerText":"Of the 93 cases for which the Scottish Government is the paying agency, 87 have been paid in full as of 17 October 2016, and the remaining 6 will be settled by the end of this month. All elements of the business’ application must be confirmed as eligible by each administration involved. By their nature, these cases are more complex than single country cases because they have to be judged against the specific CAP rules in each part of the UK in which they have made a claim.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317230,"EventID":"S5W-03602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:19.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T13:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the new district general hospital in Dumfries and Galloway will have sufficient capacity to cope with an ageing population.","AnswerText":"The planning of local health care services is a matter for NHS Dumfries and Galloway, in line with national policy, frameworks and guidance. The Board's Business for the new hospital contained activity forecasts based on the region's anticipated changing demography into the mid 2030s. This informed the planning of the inpatient capacity for the facility. \r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway further advise that their capacity planning and bed projections take account of forecast demographic changes, particularly in the over 90’s age group. Service models are designed around the whole system working across health and social care services, which will include treatment of patients in more appropriate settings, thereby reducing reliance on acute hospital beds.\r\nIn addition, the Board advise that the new hospital has sufficient capacity available to use in future years as necessary, to support projected increases in demand as a result of changing demographics and profile of need.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317231,"EventID":"S5W-03581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:21.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T09:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02771 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 28 September 2016, what progress has been made to appoint a commissioner for fair access, and what the deadline is for this. ","AnswerText":"This is a key appointment that will play a pivotal role in achieving the Government’s ambitions on widening access to higher education. It is therefore essential that we identify a candidate with the necessary skills, experience and availability to succeed. \r\nThe Commission on Widening Access recommended that an appointment be made by the end of the year; but we are working to progress this as a matter of priority. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317232,"EventID":"S5W-03586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:23.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial or other support there is for people seeking to obtain an educational psychology degree.","AnswerText":"Eligible students on the MSc in Educational Psychology at Strathclyde or Dundee Universities can apply for a total support package of £7,900 for each year of their course. This support package comprises a £3,400 postgraduate tuition fee loan and a £4,500 living cost loan. The MSc in Educational Psychology is the only two year full-time postgraduate course in Scotland for which eligible students receive this funding for both years. Postgraduate students can also apply for financial support from the Discretionary Funds at the higher education institution at which they study.\r\nStudents may also be eligible for a Professional and Career Development Loan to help pay for vocational training leading to employment in the UK or EU. This bank loan can cover up to two years of learning and can be between £300 and £10,000.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317233,"EventID":"S5W-03588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:26.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have obtained an educational psychology qualification in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, the Universities of Dundee and Strathclyde offer 2 year Masters of Science (MSc) courses in educational psychology with outputs in alternate years. The number of students obtaining an educational psychology qualification each year since 2010 is shown in the following table:\r\n\r\nYear Obtained\r\nUniversity\r\nNumbers Obtaining an Educational Psychology MSc\r\n2016\r\nDundee\r\n23\r\n2015\r\nStrathclyde\r\n16\r\n2014\r\nDundee\r\n21\r\n2013\r\nStrathclyde\r\n20\r\n2012\r\nDundee\r\n21\r\n2011\r\nStrathclyde\r\n27\r\n2010\r\nDundee\r\n26\r\nSource: Data provided by Dundee University and Strathclyde University","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317234,"EventID":"S5W-03582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:28.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that, because of a backlog of 14,000 operations, NHS Lothian has decided to reverse its previous position on reducing its use of the private sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises there has been some deterioration in waiting time performance in NHS Lothian and are aware that the Board has decided to make use of the private sector to ensure patients are seen as quickly as possible. This is in line with the Scottish Governments policy that Boards can make use of the private sector in the margins to address short-term capacity issues and reduce waits for patients. \r\nTo support NHS Lothian the Scottish Government has also made available £2.5 million to help support NHS Lothian deliver waiting times standards and guarantee during 2016-17. In addition, the Scottish Government has already committed to invest £200 million to create five new elective centres including one in Edinburgh and also at St John's in Livingston. This network of new centres will ensure sustainable delivery of waiting time standards and guarantee in the future and will help drive down the use of the private sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317235,"EventID":"S5W-03585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:31.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that there are 1,770 fewer full-time students in colleges in 2016-17 compared with the previous year.","AnswerText":"The number of college student enrolments on full-time recognised qualifications is published by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) in the National Statistics publication ‘College Performance Indicators’. \r\nData for 2016-17 is not available as the most recent publication covers 2014-15.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317236,"EventID":"S5W-03599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:33.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the decisions by Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee, Fife and Falkirk councils to support the Frank's Law campaign by passing motions to extend free personal care to people under 65.","AnswerText":"In the Programme for Government, we set out our intention to conduct a feasibility study to consider the possibility of extending free personal and nursing care to those under the age of 65 with a diagnosis of dementia.\r\nLocal authorities have the ability to exercise discretion in the application of charges for social care, and are able to reduce or fully waive charges for social care based on the individual circumstances of the service user.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317237,"EventID":"S5W-03573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:35.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many pre-recorded joint investigative interviews of children have been used as evidence in chief in courts in the last five years. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317238,"EventID":"S5W-03580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:38.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T18:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it has provided to NHS Forth Valley to help reduce waiting times.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has recently made available an additional £500,000 to NHS Forth Valley to help deliver elective waiting times as well as £300,000 to specifically improve cancer waits. To further support improvements in waiting times I announced at the end of August a further £2 million will be made available to NHSScotland specifically to address long waits for outpatient consultation - this money will be allocated shortly to NHS Boards including NHS Forth Valley.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317239,"EventID":"S5W-03587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:40.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have enrolled on educational psychology courses in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, the Universities of Dundee and Strathclyde offer 2 year Master of Science (MSc) courses in educational psychology with intakes in alternate years. The number of new students enrolling on the course each year since 2010 is shown in the following table:\r\n\r\nYear Enrolled\r\nUniversity\r\nNew Students Enrolling on an Educational Psychology MSC Course\r\n2016\r\nDundee\r\n17\r\n2015\r\nStrathclyde\r\n12\r\n2014\r\nDundee\r\n24\r\n2013\r\nStrathclyde\r\n17\r\n2012\r\nDundee\r\n21\r\n2011\r\nStrathclyde\r\n22\r\n2010\r\nDundee\r\n22\r\nSource: Data provided by Dundee University and Strathclyde University","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317240,"EventID":"S5W-03598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:42.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to consult with (a) disabled people and (b) people with long-term conditions on what would make non-residential social care charges fairer.","AnswerText":"In the Programme for Government, the Scottish Government committed to undertaking a feasibility study into the possibility of extending free personal and nursing care to those under the age of 65 with a diagnosis of dementia.\r\nAs part of that feasibility study we will engage with stakeholders at appropriate stages of that work.\r\nWe have already provided £6m to local authorities in 2016-17 to increase the threshold at which point people become eligible to pay towards the cost of their care.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317241,"EventID":"S5W-03577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:44.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many joint investigative interviews of children were conducted in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information; it is an operational matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317242,"EventID":"S5W-03590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:46.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of college students have been (a) female, (b) male, (c) in employment and (d) not in employment at the time of registration in each year since 2013-14.","AnswerText":"Details of student enrolments in college is published by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and made publicly available on the SFC’s Infact database. \r\nCollege Student Enrolments by Gender and Category of Student*, \r\n2013-14 and 2014-15\r\n\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nGender\r\nFemale\r\n52%\r\n51%\r\nMale\r\n48%\r\n49%\r\nCategory of Student*\r\nPermanent or Temporary Employment *\r\n29%\r\n27%\r\nOther categories*\r\n71%\r\n73%\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council: Infact database \r\n\r\nhttps://stats.sfc.ac.uk/infact/index.htm\r\n\r\n\r\n* ‘Category of student’ captures college students’ primary status at time of application. Those recorded as ‘Permanent or Temporary Employment’ will be in employment. ‘Other categories’ of student may include some applicants in some form of employment, but this is not captured alongside their primary status (e.g. school based students).","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317243,"EventID":"S5W-03594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:49.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have expressed (a) concerns and (b) support regarding the proposed Strathy South wind farm.","AnswerText":"To date, the Scottish Government has received 27 public representations in support of the application and 245 in opposition.\r\nScottish Ministers are also aware of representations RSPB Scotland has received from its supporters who object to the proposed wind farm. RSPB Scotland has informed the Scottish Government of the details of 653 objections it has received by postcard, and 1425 objections via its website.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317244,"EventID":"S5W-03571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:51.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider funding in full complex optical prescription lenses through the NHS.","AnswerText":"There are currently no plans for patients to be given full funding towards the cost of complex prescription lenses. However, children, those under 19 who are still in full time education and adults who are in receipt of certain state benefits are entitled to optical vouchers to help towards the cost of glasses and/or contact lenses. The value of these vouchers range from £86.90 to £215.50 dependent on the patients prescription. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317245,"EventID":"S5W-03589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:54.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the survey that found that more than half of Scotland’s colleges have not met enrolment targets.","AnswerText":"The latest year for which the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) hold official data on full-time student numbers is 2014-15.\r\nThe number of college student enrolments on full-time recognised qualifications is published by the SFC in the National Statistics publication ‘College Performance Indicators’.\r\nIn 2014-15 there were over 79,000 full-time students at Scotland’s colleges – 16.5% more than in 2006-07. Over the last Parliament we maintained the commitment we made in 2011 – to deliver 116,000 Full-time Equivalent college places. We will continue this commitment, focused on purposeful, job-focused learning.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317246,"EventID":"S5W-03596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:58.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the recent extension to the Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve will be considered in the determination of the application for the Strathy South wind farm, which would be on a site adjacent to the reserve boundary.","AnswerText":"Scottish Planning Policy states that development which affects a National Nature Reserve should only be permitted where the objectives of designation and the overall integrity of the area will not be compromised; or any significant adverse effects on the qualities for which the area has been designated are clearly outweighed by social, environmental or economic benefits of national importance. The Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve overlaps with the Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands Ramsar site, Natura 2000 sites and Sites of Special Scientific Interest which are protected under the relevant statutory regimes.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to take into account all material considerations and representations on the application received regarding any relevant matter, until a decision is taken.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317247,"EventID":"S5W-03603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:38:59.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T13:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are contingency plans to retain beds at the current Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary beyond the initial transfer period to the new district general hospital. ","AnswerText":"NHS Dumfries and Galloway advise that they are currently finalising detailed transfer plans for the migration of patients to the new facility. The Board envisage that this will take a small number of days and that a degree of 'double running' will be necessary during this period. \r\nThe Board also advise that there are no plans to retain inpatient beds on the current Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary (DGRI) site once the new hospital opens. However, a range of ambulatory care services, including ophthalmology and renal day-care, will continue to be delivered from the Cresswell Building immediately adjacent to DGRI.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317248,"EventID":"S5W-03570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:39:01.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) JDRF, (b) Diabetes Scotland and (c) academics about bio-banking data from all new Type 1 diabetes cases to aid medical research.","AnswerText":"Officials from the Scottish Government met with representatives from JDRF on 28 June 2016 to discuss areas of mutual interest, including possible collaborative research. Contact between the Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office and JDRF is on-going.\r\nThe Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office is the co-funding partner with Diabetes UK (Diabetes Scotland's parent organisation) of the Scottish Diabetes Research Network Type-1 Bioresource. Over 6100 Type 1 patients consented to take part in the study, thereby creating the largest bio-bank of Type 1 Diabetes adults in Europe with blood, urine and DNA available for further study.\r\nThe Chief Scientist Office is represented on the Type-1 Bioresource executive steering committee and participates in discussions with academics on how to maximise the outputs of the study. The role of CSO as a research funder is well-known among the Scottish Diabetes research community. CSO would welcome discussions on potential further Type 1 Diabetes bio-banking initiatives.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317249,"EventID":"S5W-03572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:39:05.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of NHS patients who require a complex optical prescription lens is entitled to funding towards the cost of their prescription.","AnswerText":"Under General Ophthalmic Services regulations, all patients who require a complex prescription lens of either plus or minus 10 dioptres or more are entitled to help towards the cost of their prescription.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317250,"EventID":"S5W-03595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:39:08.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding the proposed Strathy South wind farm since February 2016 with (a) the applicants, (b) Scottish Natural Heritage, (c) The Highland Council and (d) the European Commission.","AnswerText":"A key function of the Public Local Inquiry was to allow all interested parties to engage in debate on the issues of key importance in an open forum. The Scottish Government wishes to avoid disadvantage to any interested party through holding closed discussions on substantive points outside of the inquiry, although we will continue to take into account representations on the application received regarding any relevant matter until a decision is taken.\r\nThe applicant has on numerous occasions requested updates on the timescale for a decision however no information has been given. The Scottish Government requested confirmation of the description of the development from the applicant which was received.\r\nThere have been no discussions with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) about the proposal but SNH has provided the Scottish Government by email with a pro-forma appraisal of the impacts of the proposed development on the Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands SPA, SAC and Ramsar site consolidating the information it presented to the Public Local Inquiry. SNH has also informed the Scottish Government of the publication of a final version of a report presented to the Public Local Inquiry on Greenshank collision mortality estimates.\r\nNo discussions have been had with the Highland Council or the European Commission.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317251,"EventID":"S5W-03604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-07T15:39:10.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T14:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason NHS Lothian has reportedly reversed its decision to stop using the private sector for operations.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03582 on 4 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317269,"EventID":"S5W-03627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T14:06:03.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T12:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what assessment it makes of IT features lost and not replicated during IT upgrades.","AnswerText":"Before an IT upgrade is undertaken, an initial assessment is made of the impact of the proposed changes.  Upgrades are then typically tested with a small number of users to help identify, and rectify, any issues prior to a wider deployment.  If any important features are lost and not replicated during deployment of IT upgrades, feedback is used to direct efforts of the IT team to try and resolve the issue or where this is not practical, to establish alternative solutions.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317282,"EventID":"S5W-03605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:24.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T15:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of train (i) routes run by ScotRail and (ii) stations have wifi available.","AnswerText":"Currently just under 50% of the ScotRail train fleet has wifi fitted on train. The train fleet serve inter-city routes, Ayrshire, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, North Berwick/ Dunbar, Central Scotland, Fife and Far North routes.\r\nThere are 59 stations with wifi available from 358 stations which equates to around 16%. Stations with wifi available include a mix of busy stations, interchange and key stations.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317283,"EventID":"S5W-03612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:26.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on young people having to use adult intensive psychiatric care units for treatment.","AnswerText":"It may be clinically judged to be more appropriate to admit young people to adult wards or the young person and their family may have a preference for an admission to a local adult ward. Most of these admissions will be young people aged 16 or 17.\r\nIt is the responsibility of the NHS Health Boards to provide services appropriate to the needs of their local population.\r\nWork has previously been carried out on behalf of NHS Directors of Planning and the conclusion was that CAMHS IPCU capacity should be developed at regional level. We expect the NHS Health Board regions to deliver on this.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317284,"EventID":"S5W-03637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:28.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the implications of Brexit on (a) local and (b) national nature reserves.","AnswerText":"At present there are no apparent implications of Brexit on (a) local and (b) national nature reserves.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317285,"EventID":"S5W-03597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:30.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what effect the commitment set out in the Programme for Government to “implement all of the recommendations of the independent Poverty Adviser and...commence the socio-economic duty contained in the 2010 Equalities Act” will have on its policy on non-residential social care charges.","AnswerText":"‘Shifting the Curve’, the report of the Independent Poverty Adviser published in January 2016, included a recommendation that the Scottish Government should introduce a socio-economy duty on public authorities. The Fairer Scotland Action Plan (October 2016) committed to introduce such a duty in 2017. The duty will ensure that public authorities, including the Scottish Government, take full account of socio-economic disadvantage when making key strategic decisions. The Scottish Government will consult on the detail of the duty in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317286,"EventID":"S5W-03629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:32.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there is no mechanism for care providers to appeal the grades assigned to their quality of care during an inspection by the Care Inspectorate, and what its position is on introducing such a process.","AnswerText":"Under the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, the Care Inspectorate has a statutory duty to improve the quality of care services. It does this by undertaking a variety of scrutiny and improvement activities, including inspections. \r\nDuring an inspection, the care service is given the opportunity to provide all of the evidence required for the inspection team to carry out its evaluation. Upon completion of the draft inspection report, it is shared with the provider which is invited to comment on, and to identify, any factual inaccuracies. Any comments or queries the provider may have are then carefully considered by the Care Inspectorate before a final report is published.\r\nThis process allows both parties an opportunity to raise any concerns within the inspection report in advance of publication. It does not however extend to the grade awarded as to do so could undermine the inspection process and ultimately the inspectorate’s statutory requirement to evaluate the effectiveness of the provision of care services under inspection.\r\nThe Care Inspectorate plans to review and refine the current scrutiny model during 2017-2018 to support the implementation of the forthcoming National Health and Social Care Standards. This review will include a focus upon the continuous improvement of engagement and dialogue with service providers.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317287,"EventID":"S5W-03631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:34.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) revenue and (b) capital budget has been for (i) Police Scotland, (ii) the Scottish Police Authority and (iii) the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Details are as follows:\r\n\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n\r\nRDEL\r\nCDEL\r\nTotal\r\nRDEL\r\nCDEL\r\nTotal\r\nRDEL\r\nCDEL\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\nPolice Central Government\r\n96.1\r\n17.9\r\n114.0\r\n101.3\r\n0.0\r\n101.3\r\n88.1\r\n10.0\r\n98.1\r\nScottish Police Authority (Includes Police Scotland)\r\n1068.1\r\n18.3\r\n1086.4\r\n1057.4\r\n25.2\r\n1082.6\r\n1035.8\r\n28.1\r\n1063.9\r\nScottish Fire and Rescue Service\r\n277.8\r\n15.3\r\n293.1\r\n310.2\r\n0.0\r\n310.2\r\n283.9\r\n25.3\r\n309.2\r\n*Source: Draft Budgets\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317288,"EventID":"S5W-03636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:36.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role Scottish Natural Heritage plays in the identification of areas suitable for designation as national nature reserves.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03634 on 1 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317289,"EventID":"S5W-03619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:38.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been made redundant by each Scottish public body outwith voluntary redundancy schemes in each year since 2011. ","AnswerText":"Since 2007, the Scottish Government has been committed to a policy of no compulsory redundancy across those bodies covered by Ministers’ Public Sector Pay Policy and since 2011, NHS Scotland. The no compulsory redundancy policy has been extended until 2016-17. Information for local government and the limited number of devolved public bodies not covered by the Pay Policy is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317290,"EventID":"S5W-03633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:41.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to establish further national parks.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5O-00114 on 8 September 2016 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10502","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317291,"EventID":"S5W-03634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:44.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to help establish national nature reserves.","AnswerText":"The establishment of National Nature Reserves (NNRs) is a matter for Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Proposals for the establishment of NNRs should be made by the owners and/or managers of the land in question to the National Nature Reserve Partnership (administered by SNH). Further information is available via the following web link: \r\nhttp://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/national-designations/nnr/","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317292,"EventID":"S5W-03614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:46.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the independent testing and certification system for textile products, Oeko-Tex, is a requirement in all relevant public sector tenders.","AnswerText":"The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 introduced improved rules on social and environmental matters. Public bodies are able to include relevant social and environmental characteristics as part of the procurement process, this can include factors directly linked to the production process.\r\nIn addition the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 introduced a sustainable procurement duty, which places sustainable and socially responsible purchasing at the heart of public procurement processes. The duty includes a requirement for public bodies to consider how in conducting the procurement process it can improve the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of their area.\r\nWhilst the Scottish Government has implemented the legal framework, it is for individual public bodies to determine, on a case by case basis, what selection and award criteria are relevant and proportionate, in order to assess the capacity and capability of bidders to deliver the public contract.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317293,"EventID":"S5W-03621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:48.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to provide secure/locked provision for mental health patients aged 18 and under. ","AnswerText":"Intensive Psychiatric Care Units (IPCU) can offer locked facilities.\r\nWork has previously been carried out on behalf of NHS Directors of Planning and the conclusion was that CAMHS IPCU capacity should be developed at regional level. We expect the NHS Health Board regions to deliver on this.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317294,"EventID":"S5W-03628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:50.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, what responsibilities the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) has in the reviewing of complaints made about the Care Inspectorate and what information it has regarding whether the SPSO plans to review these.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Public Bodies Ombudsman (SPSO) reports directly to the Scottish Parliament therefore this is not a matter for the Scottish Government. The member might wish to write to the SPSO directly on this issue.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317295,"EventID":"S5W-03607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:52.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T15:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to roll out wifi to more train (a) routes and (b) stations.","AnswerText":"Wifi is currently being rolled out on the Class 334 electric fleet with installation taking place shortly on the Class 320 and Class 318 fleet. By the end of 2017, around 90% of trains and 8 further stations will benefit from wifi. The remaining 10% of trains will be fitted with wifi by the end of 2018.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317296,"EventID":"S5W-03609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:54.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T15:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints ScotRail has received in the last 12 months regarding wifi services, broken down by month.","AnswerText":"Month\r\nNumber of wifi complaints\r\nSeptember 2015\r\n12\r\nOctober 2015\r\n19\r\nNovember 2015\r\n11\r\nDecember 2015\r\n11\r\nJanuary 2016\r\n9\r\nFebruary 2016\r\n6\r\nMarch 2016\r\n11\r\nApril 2016\r\n1\r\nMay 2016\r\n9\r\nJune 2016\r\n6\r\nJuly 2016\r\n1\r\nAugust 2016\r\n5\r\nSeptember 2016\r\n1\r\nThis represents a decrease of 92% between September 2015 and September 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317297,"EventID":"S5W-03626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:56.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to ensure that NHS boards optimise the savings made from HCV discounted medicines in order to treat more patients.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has established the Treatment and Therapies sub-group to provide Ministers with advice on the use of new highly effective therapies for hepatitis C. As a result of the sub-group’s advice the Government has committed to an elimination of hepatitis C as a public health concern, and has increased the annual treatment target for hepatitis C to 1,500 treatment initiations per year from 2015-16. \r\nDecisions on the use of NHS funding are a matter for NHS Boards locally. However as the treatment landscape for hepatitis C continues to evolve, and as the price of hepatitis C therapies reduce, the Scottish Government will keep annual targets for hepatitis C treatment under review to ensure we continue to make progress towards our elimination goal. The Treatment and Therapies sub-group has recently provided updated advice to Ministers for 2017-18. A decision on targets for 2017-18 will be announced later this year.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317298,"EventID":"S5W-03608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:32:58.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T15:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average wifi connection speed is on ScotRail trains.","AnswerText":"The bandwidth available to the train will vary from 0 to 50 Mbps+ depending on route, location, train speed, network contention and cellular network performance. In areas of good connectivity passengers have access to 1.5 Mbps.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317299,"EventID":"S5W-03610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:33:00.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government its position on the recommendation by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland in its paper, Young Person Monitoring Report 2015-16, that \"Ward managers should ensure that young people are informed how to seek independent advice within 24 hours of admission (and as often as required) and are supported in their use of advocacy services.\"","AnswerText":"Recommendations regarding ward managers are for the NHS Health Boards to respond to.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317300,"EventID":"S5W-03618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:33:02.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Skills Development Scotland has split the country into four broad areas for the delivery of its Work Able Scotland programme.","AnswerText":"During 2017-18 we will operate a transitional programme where we want to start to move away from the very large prime contractor approach of the Work Programme, where Scotland was one contract package area (CPA). There were two key considerations in determining the 4 CPA approach.\r\nBy aligning with the 4 Work Choice CPAs, the data we gather on each of the two transitional services will be co-terminus and therefore be easier to analyse in terms of geography. This data will help inform the new programme from 2018;\r\nIt was essential that the contracts be viable, particularly in rural areas where there was a real risk of market failure. With four contracts which require bidders to be able to offer a service across the whole geographic area of the contract, we are able to ensure a service offer is in place across Scotland.\r\nThe 4 CPA approach has only been defined for the transitional year so far. We are giving further consideration to the optimal geographical structure for the delivery of devolved employment services from 2018 onwards.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317301,"EventID":"S5W-03632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:33:04.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) revenue and (b) capital budget has been for (i) the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, (ii) the Scottish Prison Service and (iii) legal aid in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Details are as follows:\r\n\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n\r\nRDEL\r\nCDEL\r\nTotal\r\nRDEL\r\nCDEL\r\nTotal\r\nRDEL\r\nCDEL\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\nCrown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service\r\n105.5\r\n2.7\r\n108.2\r\n104.5\r\n3.6\r\n108.1\r\n104.5\r\n3.6\r\n108.1\r\nScottish Prison Service\r\n318.0\r\n47.5\r\n365.5\r\n325.1\r\n75.5\r\n400.6\r\n342.0\r\n22.5\r\n364.5\r\nLegal Aid\r\n153.9\r\n0.2\r\n154.1\r\n155.7\r\n0.1\r\n155.8\r\n149.2\r\n0.1\r\n149.3\r\n\r\n\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n\r\nRDEL\r\nCDEL\r\nTotal\r\nRDEL\r\nCDEL\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\nCrown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service\r\n105.1\r\n3.6\r\n108.7\r\n108.5\r\n3.6\r\n112.1\r\nScottish Prison Service\r\n368.9\r\n13.4\r\n382.3\r\n356.2\r\n40.0\r\n396.2\r\nLegal Aid\r\n142.3\r\n0.5\r\n142.8\r\n146.7\r\n0.1\r\n146.8\r\n*Source: Draft Budgets","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317302,"EventID":"S5W-03635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:33:06.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria are used in determining suitability for national nature reserve designation.","AnswerText":"In summary, to be considered for the National Nature Reserve accolade a site will: \r\n1. Be nationally important for one or preferably a range of natural features.\r\n2. Be very well managed to ensure the continuity and, where necessary, the enhancement of these features in the long term.\r\n3. Be suitable for presentation or demonstration of these features in an appropriate way to the public.\r\n4. Be likely to inspire people to value and enjoy Scotland’s natural environment.\r\nCriteria for the selection of National Nature Reserves are published and available via the following web link: http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A1576100.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317303,"EventID":"S5W-03579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:33:08.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T17:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many men aged 65 and over have (a) been invited to attend and (b) participated in an aortic aneurysm screening.","AnswerText":"Men in their 65th year are invited to attend Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening. Implementation of the screening programme was phased across Scotland from June 2012. Table 1 presents invite and uptake rates for men eligible for screening from implementation up to 31 March 2014 and includes screening activity for these men to 30 November 2015.\r\nTable 1: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening in Scotland: Invite and uptake rates for men who reached 65 years of age by 31 March 2014\r\n(Source: Scottish AAA Call Recall System at 1 December 2015)\r\nNumber of men eligible for initial screening\r\nOffered screening\r\nAttended screening (uptake)\r\nNumber\r\nPercentage\r\nNumber\r\nPercentage\r\n72,237\r\n72,237\r\n100.0\r\n61,942\r\n85.8\r\nMen eligible for screening up to 31 March 2014 consisted of men who were aged 65 on the NHS Board implementation date, and men who turned 65 years following the NHS Board implementation date and before 1 April 2014.\r\nThis information and further details, including figures presented by NHS Board, are published at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Public-Health/AAA-Screening/","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317304,"EventID":"S5W-03611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:33:10.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the provision of specialist inpatient services for young people with (a) forensic mental health needs and (b) learning difficulties.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of the NHS Health Boards to provide services appropriate to the needs of their local population.\r\nCurrently, NHS Ayrshire and Arran are taking forward a proposal for a secure forensic Mental Health inpatient unit for young people to develop an application for consideration by the National Professional Patient and Public Reference Group and the National Specialist Services Committee in early 2017.\r\nThe Scottish Government is funding a report into a 5 year survey of need for mental health inpatient care for children and young people in Scotland with Learning Disability and/ or Autism; this is in progress.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317305,"EventID":"S5W-03613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:33:12.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recommendation by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland in its paper, Young Person Monitoring Report 2015-16, that \"Hospital Managers should ensure that a range of age-appropriate activities are available to a young person while they remain and in-patient.\"","AnswerText":"Recommendations regarding availability of age-appropriate activities are actions for NHS Health Boards to respond to.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317306,"EventID":"S5W-03620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-10T15:33:14.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which Scottish public bodies have made staff redundant outwith voluntary redundancy schemes in each year since 2011. ","AnswerText":"Since 2007, the Scottish Government has been committed to a policy of no compulsory redundancy across those bodies covered by Ministers’ Public Sector Pay Policy and since 2011, NHS Scotland. The no compulsory redundancy policy has been extended until 2016-17. Information for local government and the limited number of devolved public bodies not covered by the Pay Policy is not held centrally. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317319,"EventID":"S5W-03692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:08.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent in each year since 1999 to support pupils at St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh as part of the aided places scheme under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold all of the information requested. As set out in the Scottish Public Finance Manual, financial records should normally be retained for six years.\r\nThe Scottish Government holds the information requested from 2004 onwards. The following table sets out how much has been spent as part of the aided places scheme at St Mary’s Music School since 2004. \r\nFinancial Year\r\nTotal Amount (£)\r\n2004-05\r\n1,025,045\r\n2005-06\r\n1,132,487\r\n2006-07\r\n1,150,332\r\n2007-08\r\n1,229,012\r\n2008-09\r\n1,230,589.93\r\n2009-10\r\n1,314,142.89\r\n2010-11\r\n1,331,923.74\r\n2011-12\r\n1,234,258\r\n2012-13\r\n1,252,,891.48\r\n2013-14\r\n1,258,398.40\r\n2014-15\r\n1,281,258.90\r\n2015-16\r\n1,289,134.02\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317320,"EventID":"S5W-03691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:09.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cancer survival outcomes are for (a) children and (b) young adults, broken down by type of cancer.","AnswerText":"Information on cancer survival at one and five years after diagnosis in Scotland for children, teenagers and young adults who were diagnosed with cancer between 2007 and 2011 has been placed with the Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 58278).","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317321,"EventID":"S5W-03511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5757,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:12.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research has been carried out since 2012 into the economic impact of the Lamlash Bay No Take Zone.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not undertaken any research into the economic impact of the Lamlash Bay No Take Zone.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":317322,"EventID":"S5W-03513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5757,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:13.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-05T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research has been carried out into the economic impact on communities on Arran and the Ayrshire coast of a decline in the Clyde whitefish sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of economic analysis by environmental non-governmental organisations on the potential economic benefits of recovery of whitefish in the Clyde. It has not undertaken own economic research into impacts on communities from the historical decline (mid-1990s) of the whitefish sector in the Clyde.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317323,"EventID":"S5W-03615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:15.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will increase the resources available to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to carry out sustainable deer management pending the outcome of the SNH deer management review.","AnswerText":"The proposed budget for Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) for the next financial year will be set out by the Scottish Government when it publishes details of Scotland’s Spending Plans and Draft Budget 2017-18 in December. There are no plans to submit a budget revision to the SNH budget during 2016-17. A report of the review into deer management in Scotland is due to be submitted to Scottish Ministers by the end of this month. Scottish Ministers will consider the report carefully and respond to it in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317324,"EventID":"S5W-03681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:17.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03141 by Fergus Ewing on 5 October 2016, whether it will publish all of its correspondence with the UK Government regarding the proposed broadband universal service obligation. ","AnswerText":"The information requested can be found in SPICe. The relevant BIB number is 58279.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317325,"EventID":"S5W-03690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:19.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what investment it is making in research on rare tumours, also broken down by type of tumour. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Government investment in cancer research is primarily through the Chief Scientist Office (CSO). CSO supports cancer research through a number of mechanisms. These are:\r\nOver £40 million annually in the NHS to meet the additional costs of hosting research. Of this around £10 million per annum supporting the cost of cancer research (including research into rare tumours) carried out in the NHS. This figure is not routinely broken down into tumour type.\r\nCSO invests £350,000 per annum in the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres Network (in collaboration with a number of other funders) to assist in delivery of early phase cancer studies. This figure is not broken down into tumour type\r\nCSO also invests £438,000 annually in the Scottish Cancer Research Network to increase and sustain clinical trial activity in cancer care. This figure is not broken down into tumor type\r\nFunding of cancer research studies submitted to the Chief Scientist Office research committees. Applications generated by the research community are assessed based on scientific excellence. The funding level is subject to quality of applications submitted.\r\nAn analysis of currently active studies funded though the CSO committees shows that the following amounts have been committed for projects specifically aimed at rare cancers. The definition of rare is a tumour not included in the 10 most common cancers listed by incidence in the ISD report Cancer Incidence in Scotland (2014) published on May 17 2016.\r\nClassical Hodgkin Lymphoma £226,312\r\nMalignant Pleural Mesothelioma £194,556\r\nOesophagogastric Carcinoma £143,624\r\nAcute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia £176,624\r\nGlioblastoma £174,582\r\nFurther indirect support is provided through an annual contribution (currently around £10 million) from CSO to the major National Institute for Health Research programmes that cover a broad range of health research including cancer research across the UK","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317326,"EventID":"S5W-03617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:21.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Scottish Natural Heritage has spent on deer management in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Estimates of Scottish Natural Heritage costs attributed to deer management are provided in the following table:\r\n\r\nTotal £M*\r\n2012-13\r\n0.904\r\n2013-14\r\n0.607\r\n2014-15\r\n0.917\r\n2015-16\r\n1.231\r\n2016-17\r\n1.139\r\n*includes project and paybill costs but excludes indirect costs such as vehicles, Travel and Subsistence, accommodation.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317327,"EventID":"S5W-03667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:23.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what penalties can be imposed under the conditions of the ScotRail franchise for the cancellation of a train at (a) peak and (b) off-peak hours, and what service obligations must be followed, including the length of notice required.","AnswerText":"Under the Abellio franchise, ScotRail is required to maintain a very high level of service provision overall, including for delays, cancellations and other Key Performance Indicator (KPIs). If it does not succeed in maintaining the volume of service it is required to, then various sanctions are brought to bear, including a default of the whole franchise.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317328,"EventID":"S5W-03682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:25.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T17:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many inmates have been returned to prison by prisoner and custody escort services after \"lights out\" in each of the last three years, broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nData is not routinely recorded regarding the time that individual prisoners return to the prison, and modern prisons do not have a “lights out” time. In the Court Custody and Prisoner Escort Services (CCPES) contract, a performance measure is recorded each time that a prisoner arrives after the time when the prison’s prisoner reception would ordinarily close. This time varies between establishments.\r\nThe following data shows the number of times this performance measure has been recorded, including instances of excusable failure as well as service provider failure.\r\nEstablishment\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016 to 30-9-16\r\nGrand Total\r\nHMP Addiewell\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\nHMP Barlinnie\r\n9\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n11\r\nHMP Castle Huntly\r\n\r\n20\r\n\r\n\r\n20\r\nHMP Cornton Vale\r\n3\r\n3\r\n1\r\n\r\n7\r\nHMP Edinburgh\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n0\r\nHMP Glenochil\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n2\r\nHMP & YOI Grampian\r\n\r\n\r\n4\r\n\r\n4\r\nHMP Greenock\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nHMP Low Moss\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2\r\nHMP Perth\r\n\r\n1\r\n4\r\n\r\n5\r\nHMYOI Polmont\r\n4\r\n\r\n15\r\n\r\n19\r\nGrand Total\r\n18\r\n26\r\n28\r\n0\r\n72\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317329,"EventID":"S5W-03616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:27.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been employed by Scottish Natural Heritage to undertake deer management in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Details of the number of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) staff for whom deer management is the majority of their work is set out in the following table. There are other SNH staff who undertake work on or related to deer management.\r\nYear\r\nPosts (FTE)\r\n2012-13\r\n10\r\n2013-14\r\n7\r\n2014-15\r\n6\r\n2015-16\r\n10\r\n2016-17\r\n12\r\nIn addition, other members of staff will undertake aspects of deer management work as part of their wider roles within SNH.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317330,"EventID":"S5W-03666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:29.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the legal process does not discourage rape victims from reporting the crime. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that rape victims are able to access justice through our legal system. It is the case that crimes such as rape and domestic abuse are under-reported when compared to other types of crime and that an efficient, victim-centred legal process has a significant role to play in encouraging more victims to come forward.\r\nThe Scottish Government has significantly reformed the criminal law to modernise the law on rape and sexual assault including providing a wider definition of rape and a statutory definition of consent defined as “free agreement” through the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009. Next year, the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 will, once in force, require judges to give specific directions to juries in sexual offence cases concerning circumstances where there is a delay by the alleged victim in reporting the offence, and where the alleged victim does not physically resist their attacker or the alleged perpetrator does not use physical force to overcome their victim.\r\nIn recognition of the vital role that support services play in helping victims to come forward and engage with the legal process, the Scottish Government has invested record levels of funding in the violence against women and girls agenda including providing an additional £1.85m (2015-18) to Rape Crisis Scotland to enhance the capacity of RCS’ advocacy support project and £69,000 (2016-17) to deliver the Support to Report scheme, which offers 24 hour on-call advocacy support to women and men reporting rape in Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317331,"EventID":"S5W-03638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:32.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much support it has provided to agricultural organisations in each of the last five years to teach school pupils about the agriculture sector, broken down by organisation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has given the following funding to the Soil Association Scotland’s Crofting Connections project to help teach young people about crofting past, present and future through Curriculum for Excellence:\r\n2012-13 £52,000\r\n2013-14 £30,000\r\n2014-15 £30,000\r\n2015-16 £10,000\r\n2016-17 £79,980\r\nTotal £201,980\r\nThe Scottish Government has also given the Royal Highland Education Trust the following funding to carry out its Food and Farming Event Programme to run a series of hands-on, interactive, engaging sessions for school children focusing on food and farming:\r\n2012-13 £58,284\r\n2013-14 £51,846\r\n2014-15 £52,446\r\n2015-16 £44,700\r\n2016-17 £79,034\r\nTotal £286,310\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government is investing £423,000 per annum in Lantra (the Sector Skills Council for Scotland’s land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation industries). Lantra’s work includes promoting the sector as a positive career choice and approximately 22% of this funding helps to teach school pupils about agriculture and the wider rural sector:\r\n2012-13 £423,000 (£93,060)\r\n2013-14 £423,000 (£93,060)\r\n2014-15 £423,000 (£93,060)\r\n2015-16 £423,000 (£93,060)\r\n2016-17 £423,000 (£93,060)\r\nTotal £2,115,000 (£465,300)","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317332,"EventID":"S5W-03663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:33.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages local authorities to end the use of zero-hour contracts. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government promotes the benefits of Fair Work. While employment law remains reserved to the UK Government, the Scottish Government is doing everything it can to promote good working practices with the powers available to us. This includes publishing Statutory Guidance Addressing Fair Work Practices. This guidance makes it clear that a positive approach to fair work practices can have an impact on the quality of services, goods and works.\r\nPublic bodies must now consider, before undertaking a procurement exercise, whether it can include a question on fair work practices, including the inappropriate use of zero hours contracts as part of the competition. Local authorities are independent corporate bodies whose powers are set out in statute. As long as they act lawfully, it is up to each local authority how it manages its day to day business and decision making processes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317333,"EventID":"S5W-03665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:35.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Scottish Centre for Population Health recently suggesting that payday lending as a public health concern, what measures it can take to provide alternatives to the practice.","AnswerText":"The Financial Conduct Authority introduced a price cap on what high-cost short-term credit lenders can charge on 2 January 2015. While recent evidence relating to these changes suggests a reduction in payday lending activity, the Scottish Government remains committed to encouraging the provision of alternatives to high cost lending.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317334,"EventID":"S5W-03670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:37.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the funding it provides for scientific research.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, through the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), has invested in excess of £4 billion in the higher education sector in the last four years. A further £1 billion is being invested in 2016-17, with core research funding maintained at a level of £232 million in 2016-17, representing a continued key investment in Scotland’s future.\r\nWe have also established a Strategic Funding Group, consisting of Principals nominated by Universities Scotland, the SFC and Scottish Government officials to consider how increased excellence and equity can be achieved by the higher education sector in future.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317335,"EventID":"S5W-03672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:39.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many care workers receive at least the living wage.","AnswerText":"We do not hold information on individuals employment terms and conditions. However, our commitment will enable all care workers supporting vulnerable adults to be paid at least the Living Wage. \r\nIn this year alone we estimate that up to 40,000 workers, mainly women, will benefit from a well deserved pay rise directly because of this policy.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317336,"EventID":"S5W-03673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:41.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T16:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the decision by the Scottish Police Authority to hire an interim chief financial officer via a service company; whether it is satisfied that this decision complies with the Scottish Public Finance Manual and for what reason, and whether it will publish all correspondence that it has had with the authority regarding the appointment.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority and it will be for the Chief Executive in his role as Accountable Officer to satisfy the SPA's auditors that the actions taken in this case were compliant with the Scottish Public Finance Manual \r\nScottish Ministers were not requested to approve the approach taken by the Scottish Police Authority or to agree any special arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317337,"EventID":"S5W-03680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:44.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03143 by Fergus Ewing on 5 October 2016, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding what minimum speed of broadband will be available by 2021.","AnswerText":"The minimum speed of broadband that will be available by 2021 will be determined following procurement of contracts relating to delivery of the 100% superfast broadband commitment. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317338,"EventID":"S5W-03639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:46.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages young people to consider working in the agriculture sector.","AnswerText":"Agriculture is amongst the most diverse, dynamic and rewarding sectors in Scotland. Through, in particular, our funding of Lantra we promote the sector as a positive career choice by raising the awareness and understanding of the range of rewarding careers available. This includes engaging with school pupils, careers influencers, distributing promotional material alongside Royal Highland Education Trust, Crofting Connections and other key partners. Also, my statement of 5 October 2016 to Parliament confirmed further funding of £20,000 to the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs to encourage working in the sector.\r\nIn addition a fundamental purpose of the education system is to provide children and young people with a range of learning experiences which meet their individual needs and aspirations and prepare them for learning, life and work. The Developing the Young workforce programme builds on the key aims of Curriculum for Excellence to ensure that children and young people have this wide range of learning experiences by encouraging education and employers to work in partnerships. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317339,"EventID":"S5W-03664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:48.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to encourage universities to end the use of fractional contracts.","AnswerText":"The terms and conditions of employment of staff is a matter for individual universities as autonomous institutions. However, the Scottish Government would encourage every university to adhere to the principles of fair work, set out in the Fair Work Framework, published in April 2016. Ministers commitment to this was further highlighted in the Interim Letter of Guidance issued to the Scottish Funding Council on 29 September 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317340,"EventID":"S5W-03671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:50.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what outpatient neuro-physiotherapy services are available to people in Glasgow who have experienced stroke.","AnswerText":"Neuro-rehabilitation for patients who have suffered a stroke is predominantly provided by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's community based stroke team which include physiotherapists who have specialised in stroke rehabilitation. This allows rehabilitation to be undertaken in a home environment negating the need for individuals and carers to travel to an out-patient clinic. The majority of patients are seen within 24 hours of hospital discharge with a maximum waiting time of 4 days. \r\nFor patients for whom an out–patient clinic appointment would be more appropriate NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have a stroke specific physiotherapy service at both Stobhill and Victoria Acute Care Hospitals which operate 4 sessions a week between the two sites. Average waiting time for this service is 5 weeks. There is also an option to be seen by a physiotherapist in one of the day hospitals across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317341,"EventID":"S5W-03689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T13:24:52.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5O-00104 and S5O-00193 by Jamie Hepburn on 7 September (Official Report, c. 15) and 28 September 2016 respectively, whether the independent analysis of the responses to its consultation of the Apprenticeship Levy has been completed and, if not, by what date it expects this to be finalised; whether it will publish the findings of the analysis, and when it would then publish guidance on implementing the levy.","AnswerText":"The consultation undertaken by the Scottish Government closed on 26 August and independent analysis of the near 400 responses has concluded. A report of the findings will be published shortly and will inform our response in Scotland, which we will look to provide as quickly as we can.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317342,"EventID":"S5W-03679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T15:02:57.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish details of its updated strategy on diet and obesity, and how will this align with its commitment to a Good Food Nation Bill. ","AnswerText":"One of the core objectives for Scotland to become a Good Food Nation is for diet related disease to be in decline. This aligns with our intention announced in the Programme for Government to set out and consult in 2017 on the development of a new Diet and Obesity Strategy and the content of a Good Food Nation Bill.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317343,"EventID":"S5W-03676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T15:02:58.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to implement the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights' recommendation for a framework plan to protect and progress the right to food. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government participated actively in the June 2016 examination conducted in Geneva by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and welcomes the emphasis placed by the Committee to the need for practical action to protect and progress the right to food.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s response to the report of the Independent Short Life Working Group on Food Poverty will be published in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317344,"EventID":"S5W-03693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T15:03:00.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T13:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on the tourism sector, what plans it has to discuss with the UK Government regulating the use of online holiday home marketplaces such as Airbnb.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317345,"EventID":"S5W-03678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T15:03:03.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the work of the Farm Advisory Service will support its ambition to be a world leader in green farming and help farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions.","AnswerText":"Access to the best and most up-to-date advice is essential to any business. Aimed specifically at farmers and crofters across Scotland the new Farm Advisory Service, provides a faster and less complicated entry point to a range of relevant practical advice, information and tools including business efficiency, green farming and climate change advice.\r\nFull details are available at: https://www.fas.scot/","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317346,"EventID":"S5W-03677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-11T15:03:05.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will issue a response to the Concluding Observations of the Sixth Periodic Report on the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which was published by UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on 14 July 2016. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government participated actively in the June 2016 examination conducted in Geneva by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. \r\nIn addition to the Scottish Government contribution to the formal state party report submitted on behalf of the UK in advance of the examination, a full Scottish Government position statement was published in March 2016 in response to the List of Issues identified by the Committee in November 2015. Further information can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Justice/policies/human-rights/internationaltreatyobligations/ICESCR\r\nThe Committee's 2016 Concluding Observations cover a broad range of policy areas, encompassing both reserved and devolved matters, and the Scottish Government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations. Many of these interface with existing government initiatives and commitments in areas such as gender equality, fair work, social security and child poverty. \r\nA response will be issued in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317377,"EventID":"S5W-03645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:02:47.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the growth in aviation (a) passengers, (b) flights, (c) destinations and (d) emissions has been in each of the last 10 years, and how much it anticipates each would grow in each of the next 10 years were a third runway (i) to be built and (ii) not to be built at Heathrow Airport.","AnswerText":"Data on growth in aviation passengers, flights and destinations is available from Scottish Transport Statistics 2015, Chapter 8, which is available from the links below:\r\nPublication: http://www.transport.gov.scot/sites/default/files/documents/rrd_reports/uploaded_reports/j415388/j415388.pdf\r\nDatasets: http://www.transport.gov.scot/report/scottish-transport-statistics-no-34-datasets-8914\r\nEmissions data for Scotland is available from the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory report Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: 1990-2014, which is available from the following link: http://naei.defra.gov.uk/reports/reports?report_id=894\r\nThe impact on future years will be determined by how airlines and passengers respond to increased capacity being available.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317378,"EventID":"S5W-03647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:02:51.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the potential new capacity at Heathrow Airport that would result from a third runway would (a) benefit and (b) be to the detriment of each Scottish airport and its nearby communities and environment, broken down by airport.","AnswerText":"The benefits or any detrimental impact on each Scottish Airport will be determined by how airlines and passengers respond to increased capacity being available.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317379,"EventID":"S5W-03654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:02:53.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 10 October 2016, Support for Heathrow expansion, where the 16,000 new jobs it claims would be generated would be located, broken down by (a) sector and (b) type of employer; when they will be created, and how this figure was calculated.","AnswerText":"The Airports Commission concluded that expansion at Heathrow would deliver up to 180,000 jobs across the UK. Heathrow Airport produced a regional disaggregation of this to arrive at an estimated 16,000 jobs in Scotland through to 2050. These jobs will come from a number of sectors relating to i) the introduction of new routes including tourism, exports, inward investment and at the airports themselves and ii) from manufacturing related to construction and the logistics hub concept.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317380,"EventID":"S5W-03656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:02:56.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 10 October 2016, Support for Heathrow expansion, how many Scotland-based firms currently do business with tier 1 Heathrow suppliers and how many more it believes would do so as a result of the procurement event that it refers to.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on how many Scottish based firms are doing business with Heathrow Airport's tier 1 suppliers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317381,"EventID":"S5W-03688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:02:58.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T09:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff have left the Scottish Prison Service in each year since 2006, broken down by reason for leaving.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nLeaving Reasons\r\nFinancial Years\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\nDeath In Service\r\n2\r\n3\r\n7\r\n3\r\n6\r\nDismissal\r\n50\r\n55\r\n33\r\n29\r\n28\r\nEnd of Contract\r\n27\r\n79\r\n24\r\n14\r\n13\r\nResignation\r\n175\r\n168\r\n151\r\n95\r\n69\r\nRetirement\r\n46\r\n40\r\n52\r\n49\r\n41\r\nVoluntary Exit Scheme\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n16\r\n9\r\nPublic Sector Transfer\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\n300\r\n345\r\n270\r\n206\r\n166\r\nIn 2006-07 and 2007-08, figures relating to Voluntary Exit Scheme leavers were not held separately therefore any leavers in this category have been subsumed into the Retirement leaver figures.\r\nLeaving Reasons\r\nFinancial Years\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nDeath In Service\r\n5\r\n4\r\n5\r\n5\r\n3\r\nDismissal\r\n41\r\n35\r\n37\r\n25\r\n34\r\nEnd of Contract\r\n23\r\n14\r\n19\r\n22\r\n15\r\nResignation\r\n73\r\n99\r\n98\r\n141\r\n117\r\nRetirement\r\n54\r\n59\r\n58\r\n59\r\n71\r\nVoluntary Exit Scheme\r\n0\r\n1\r\n9\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPublic Sector Transfer\r\n249\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\n445\r\n212\r\n226\r\n252\r\n240\r\nFor 2011-12, the 249 leavers are attributed to a Public Sector Transfer where SPS Nursing Staff were transferred to the employment of the NHS.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317382,"EventID":"S5W-03651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:01.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the concept of unlimited expansion of aviation travel.","AnswerText":"We will continue to support Scotland's airports' ambitions to grow the number of direct routes because of the economic benefits that arise from more passengers travelling through the terminals, better business connectivity and more inbound tourism. We want all Scotland's airports to thrive and we will continue to support their ambitions and growth where it makes sense to do so. That includes working to secure more direct flights minimising the need for connections, while recognising that frequent links to World hubs are also essential. All Scotland's airports take steps to minimise the overall environmental impact of their business and we intend to continue to make progress on the already substantial achievements of the Scottish Government and its partners in meeting our climate change targets.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317383,"EventID":"S5W-03652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:04.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what limits to the expansion of aviation travel will be necessary for Scotland to meet its climate change targets.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking an economy wide approach to emissions reduction. While we recognise that policies to boost economic growth by improving Scotland’s air connectivity may lead to an increase in aviation emissions, we are prepared to work harder in other areas to ensure we are driving down overall emissions. Our Climate Change Plan, to be published in draft in January 2017, will set out the package of policies and proposals to meet our existing ambitious targets out to 2032 under the 2009 Climate Change Act. \r\nNext generation aircraft technology that improves performance and provides increased fuel efficiency will play a part in managing the environmental impact of the aviation industry. Indeed, the industry is constantly researching improvements that can deliver even greater efficiency and reduce future aviation emissions.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317384,"EventID":"S5W-03683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:07.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T09:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on training (a) prisoners and (b) prison staff in each year since 2006.","AnswerText":" I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nYear\r\nPrisoner Vocational Training Costs\r\n2006-07\r\n£239,145.14\r\n2007-08\r\n£253,268.31\r\n2008-09\r\n£299,644.76\r\n2009-10\r\n£283,261.37\r\n2010-11\r\n£361,800.17\r\n2011-12\r\n£398,190.73\r\n2012-13\r\n£391,672.50\r\n2013-14\r\n£352,342.58\r\n2014-15\r\n£412,971.76\r\n2015-16\r\n£335,480.56\r\nThe table represents the cost of delivering Vocational Training only within the SPS over the last ten years. This figure includes purchase of VT Materials, Equipment and Tools and the cost of the Training Fees and the cost of maintenance of the Equipment and Tools.\r\nThis figure does not include the cost of SPS staff involved or the overhead costs of delivering the activity, as this cannot be separately identified or costed. The SPS does not record its expenditure in such a way to provide that breakdown. Nor does it include other costs such as education.\r\nThe SPS cannot provide an overall cost of training for prisoners across all areas in the estate as this can be embedded in other Purposeful Activity areas, and cannot be separately quantified or costed.\r\nThe Scottish Prison Service College has an annual operating budget to cover staff training that builds and maintains professional standards across the business. Included in that suite of corporate training is our operational risk management training, which minimises risk for operational staff working in custodial environments and those within our care. Annual expenditure also includes any upskilling, professional or vocational training required for specialist roles in the Service and the provision of all management and leadership training.\r\nThe following table shows annual expenditure on staff training in the SPS since 2006-07, and includes College staffing, facilities and overheads, and the cost of any external training provision.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSPS College Expenditure*\r\nStaff Development Costs Across Organisation\r\nTotal\r\nExpenditure on Staff Training in SPS\r\n2006-07\r\n£3,319,034\r\n£285,314\r\n£3,604,348\r\n2007-08\r\n£3,023,517\r\n£283,114\r\n£3,306,631\r\n2008-09\r\n£3,129,004\r\n£274,181\r\n£3,403,185\r\n2009-10\r\n£1,992,465\r\n£244,954\r\n£2,237,419\r\n2010-11\r\n£3,062,848\r\n£230,215\r\n£3,293,063\r\n2011-12\r\n£3,043,948\r\n£285,102\r\n£3,329,050\r\n2012-13\r\n£3,876,274\r\n£348,775\r\n£4,225,049\r\n2013-14\r\n£4,174,437\r\n£631,190\r\n£4,805,627\r\n2014-15\r\n£4,578,548\r\n£608,434\r\n£5,186,982\r\n2015-16\r\n£4,413,909\r\n£665,096\r\n£5,079,005\r\n*Figures include staffing, depreciation charges and exclude income","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317385,"EventID":"S5W-03684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:10.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T09:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many assaults there have been on prison staff in each year since 2006, also broken down by how many were recorded as \"serious\".","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nPrisoner on Staff Assaults from 2006 to 2017 (Present) broken down by Establishment and injury criteria:\r\nSerious Assaults\r\n\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\nAberdeen\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAddiewell\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nBarlinnie\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCornton Vale\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\nDumfries\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEdinburgh\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n1\r\nGlenochil\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n0\r\n0\r\nGrampian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nGreenock\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nInverness\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nKilmarnock\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nLow Moss\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nOpen Estate\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPerth\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\nPeterhead\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPolmont\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nShotts\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nTotals\r\n0\r\n4\r\n2\r\n3\r\n8\r\n5\r\n1\r\n2\r\n9\r\n4\r\n3\r\nMinor/No Injury Assaults\r\n\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-2016\r\n2016-2017\r\nAberdeen\r\n6\r\n2\r\n6\r\n8\r\n7\r\n2\r\n10\r\n7\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAddiewell\r\n0\r\n0\r\n14\r\n48\r\n22\r\n13\r\n17\r\n12\r\n5\r\n10\r\n15\r\nBarlinnie\r\n32\r\n19\r\n28\r\n21\r\n29\r\n22\r\n12\r\n20\r\n27\r\n22\r\n21\r\nCornton Vale\r\n23\r\n23\r\n49\r\n41\r\n66\r\n50\r\n43\r\n13\r\n30\r\n42\r\n6\r\nDumfries\r\n0\r\n3\r\n3\r\n1\r\n1\r\n3\r\n2\r\n4\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\nEdinburgh\r\n15\r\n13\r\n9\r\n14\r\n67\r\n13\r\n28\r\n9\r\n15\r\n9\r\n9\r\nGlenochil\r\n4\r\n8\r\n3\r\n3\r\n2\r\n3\r\n4\r\n13\r\n3\r\n11\r\n0\r\nGrampian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n16\r\n29\r\n12\r\nGreenock\r\n5\r\n1\r\n0\r\n4\r\n3\r\n3\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\nInverness\r\n3\r\n3\r\n1\r\n0\r\n5\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n5\r\n2\r\n1\r\nKilmarnock\r\n12\r\n19\r\n11\r\n9\r\n11\r\n21\r\n20\r\n13\r\n8\r\n14\r\n7\r\nLow Moss\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n15\r\n20\r\n7\r\n9\r\n4\r\nOpen Estate\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\nPerth\r\n9\r\n14\r\n11\r\n15\r\n11\r\n5\r\n20\r\n13\r\n13\r\n26\r\n5\r\nPeterhead\r\n4\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n7\r\n2\r\n2\r\n5\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPolmont\r\n17\r\n7\r\n7\r\n14\r\n8\r\n19\r\n19\r\n23\r\n22\r\n17\r\n10\r\nShotts\r\n8\r\n3\r\n10\r\n6\r\n15\r\n5\r\n9\r\n7\r\n6\r\n8\r\n5\r\nTotals\r\n138\r\n116\r\n154\r\n184\r\n254\r\n161\r\n203\r\n161\r\n161\r\n204\r\n98\r\nThe figures for 2016-17 denotes figures to date.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317386,"EventID":"S5W-03701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:13.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to address each of the areas of concern raised by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland in its paper, Young Person Monitoring Report 2015-16. ","AnswerText":"With regards to recommendation 1, for Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland (RCPysch) – the Scottish Government have already tasked the CAMHS lead Clinicians group to consider standards. RCPsych and the MWC are represented on the group.\r\nRecommendation 2 within the report was for the Scottish Government; recommendations 3-6 are for NHS Health Boards to respond to.\r\nWith regards to recommendation 2, work has previously been carried out on behalf of NHS Directors of Planning and the conclusion was that CAMHS intensive psychiatric care units (IPCU) capacity should be developed at regional level. We expect the NHS Board regions to deliver on this.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317387,"EventID":"S5W-03702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:15.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what month it will introduce its proposed Domestic Abuse Bill.","AnswerText":"The First Minister announced in the Scottish Government's Programme for Government in September 2016 that legislation to create a specific offence of domestic abuse will be introduced in this Parliamentary year.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently considering the responses received to the consultation on the draft offence of domestic abuse and, as a part of this work, has published a document outlining a number of proposed reforms to criminal procedure that relate to the creation of a specific offence of domestic abuse. This document can be viewed at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/10/3259/0. \r\nThe Bill will be introduced following the outcome of this further work.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317388,"EventID":"S5W-03640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:18.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) copies of all correspondence and minutes of meetings it has had with Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport in the last 12 months.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will place in SPICe all documents which are considered not to be commercially confidential or covered by other areas which are exempted from release under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317389,"EventID":"S5W-03661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:25.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 10 October 2016, Support for Heathrow expansion, what (a) environmental, and (b) other organisations it consulted prior to deciding whether to support a third runway, and on what dates, broken down by which (i) ministers and (ii) officials attended.","AnswerText":"The report of the Airports Commission published in July 2015 sets out its environmental considerations on expansion of London Heathrow. The Scottish Government did not carry out a separate consultation process.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317390,"EventID":"S5W-03695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:28.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the 42 formal flood protection schemes or engineering works referred to in the Floor Risk Management Plan for Scotland, which were planned to start between 2016 and 2021.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03694 on 1 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317391,"EventID":"S5W-03697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:30.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated to flood prevention schemes in each local authority since April 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03694 on 1 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317392,"EventID":"S5W-03704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:32.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish Court Service (SCS) staff have (a) had training to support and (b) supported the function of domestic abuse courts in each year since 2011, and what percentage of the SCS workforce this represents.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317393,"EventID":"S5W-03706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:35.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many sheriff court staff have (a) had training to support and (b) supported the function of domestic abuse courts in each year since 2011, and what percentage of the sheriff court workforce this represents.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317394,"EventID":"S5W-03648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:38.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to it signing the memorandum of understanding with Heathrow Airport on 10 October 2016 and the announcement of the £10 million route development fund, whether it has identified new domestic routes that should be created; for what reason it has identified these routes; what guarantees it has that these routes will be established, and how the fund will operate.","AnswerText":"Applications for funding under Heathrow's fund for new domestic routes will be for airlines to progress with the support of airports. Securing funding will be a competitive process but we would anticipate that new routes from Dundee and Glasgow Prestwick Airports will be promoted and supported.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317395,"EventID":"S5W-03655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:41.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 10 October 2016, Support for Heathrow expansion, how the £200 million of construction-related spend it claims would be allocated, broken down by the (a) areas, (b) sectors and (c) types of company that would benefit, and how this figure was calculated.","AnswerText":"The commitment on £200 million of construction-related spend in Scotland was made by Heathrow Airport Ltd. The spend would relate to potential new business for a wide array of companies with capabilities in the construction of airport and associated infrastructure.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317396,"EventID":"S5W-03662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:44.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will (a) publish and (b) place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) the evidence that it has to support the claim made on 10 October 2016 by the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work on Good Morning Scotland that attracting more long-haul flights to and from Scotland would reduce the number of short-haul connections.","AnswerText":"Scotland needs a stronger offering of direct routes to international destinations as well as good connectivity to world hubs like Heathrow and Amsterdam. We recognise that there will always be a number of destinations around the world that will only be accessible via a hub connection due to limited demand from Scotland. However, there are also other international routes where the potential passenger numbers could sustain a direct connection to Scotland and this could serve to reduce the need for hub connectivity for these destinations.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317397,"EventID":"S5W-03687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:46.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T09:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoner suicides there have been in each year since 2006.","AnswerText":"2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\n9\r\n10\r\n6\r\n6\r\n10\r\n6\r\n8\r\n5\r\n3\r\n1\r\n0\r\nInformation relating to death in custody is published on the SPS website. A link to the website is provided here: SPS Prisoner Deaths","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317398,"EventID":"S5W-03698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:49.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28860 by Aileen McLeod on 5 January 2016, what funding it has allocated to (a) the natural flood management (i) studies and (ii) ground works since April 2016 and (b) its “research to better understand how actions such as wetland creation, re-meandering and woodland planting can contribute to slowing and storing flood waters and help alleviate flooding to communities downstream\", and who will deliver this research.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03694 on 1 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317399,"EventID":"S5W-03646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:51.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many additional (a) domestic, (b) international, (c) short-haul and (d) long-haul flights would (i) arrive in and (ii) depart Scotland each year if (A) a third runway is built at Heathrow Airport, (B) it proceeds with its plan to reduce air passenger duty, (C) both of these occur and (D) neither of these occur, and how many additional passengers each of these would carry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested.\r\nA third runway at Heathrow and a reduction in Air Passenger Duty (APD) are just two of a number of factors that would affect air route development in Scotland. Any additional capacity will be subject to how both passengers and airlines respond to these changes.\r\nAnalysis will, however, be undertaken to help consider how the reduction in APD should be implemented to best maximise the Scottish Government’s environmental and other strategic objectives.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317400,"EventID":"S5W-03653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:54.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its definition is of a (a) short- and (b) long-haul flight.","AnswerText":"Definitions vary among airlines but generally we regard flights between Scotland the rest of Europe to be short haul and those between Scotland and other continents to be long haul.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317401,"EventID":"S5W-03696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:57.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what agreement it reached with COSLA regarding the funding of flood prevention schemes from April 2016 onwards.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03694 on 1 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317402,"EventID":"S5W-03703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:03:59.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish an updated evaluation report on domestic abuse courts and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published an evaluation of the pilot domestic abuse court in Glasgow in 2007. That report can be viewed at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/173485/0048418.pdf. The Scottish Government will keep this issue under review.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317403,"EventID":"S5W-03716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:02.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T09:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been employed in the (a) fishing, (b) farming, (c) textiles, (d) manufacturing, (e) renewable energy and (f) tourism industries and (g) as teachers in each year since 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.","AnswerText":"The information requested has been lodged with SPICe - Bib number 58299. Seven tables have been lodged with SPICe as follows: \r\nFor a) fishing, table 1 shows the level of fishing and aquaculture jobs in each parliamentary constituency from 2009 to 2015. The data are sourced from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES). The BRES commenced in 2009.\r\nFor b) farming, table 2 shows the agricultural workforce in each parliamentary constituency from 2007 to 2015. The data are sourced from the Scottish Agricultural Census.\r\nFor c) textiles, table 3 shows the level of textile jobs in each parliamentary constituency from 2009 to 2015. The data are sourced from BRES, with textiles defined as Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 2007 codes 13 (manufacture of textiles), 14 (manufacture of wearing apparel) and 15 (manufacture of leather and related products).\r\nFor d) manufacturing, table 4 shows the level of manufacturing jobs in each parliamentary constituency from 2009 to 2015. The data are sourced from BRES.\r\nFor e) renewable energy, the ONS now publish official statistics annually from the Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Economy Survey. Data at parliamentary constituency level between 2009 and 2015 is available for the wider energy sector (which includes renewables) – these estimates, sourced from BRES, are provided in table 5. \r\nFor f) tourism, table 6 shows the level of tourism jobs in each parliamentary constituency from 2009 to 2015. The data are sourced from BRES, with tourism defined according to the Scottish Government Growth Sector Sustainable Tourism definition – details of the SIC 2007 codes used in this definition are available at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Business/Publications/GrowthSectors/Database\r\nFor g) as teachers, table 7 shows the level of teaching jobs in each parliamentary constituency in 2015. These figures are sourced from the Teacher Census, and are expressed in terms of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs. Table 7 shows data for the 2015 year only, for previous years the school location data held is not suitable for matching to parliamentary constituency.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317404,"EventID":"S5W-03733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:04.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a substantive answer to question S5W-02033, which received a holding response on 15 September 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02033 on 11 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317405,"EventID":"S5W-03713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:06.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many radiotherapy specialists there are, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The number of consultant clinical radiologists in NHS Scotland has increased by 43.1 per cent under this Government, to 320.0 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE). The number of therapeutic radiographers has also increased, by 22.1 per cent to 274.2 WTE. \r\nIt is not possible to accurately identify all staff defined as ‘radiotherapy specialists’ – either wholly or as part of their role – from centrally held data due to the multi-disciplinary roles involved in the delivery of radiotherapy services.\r\nHowever, we are continuing to work closely with NHS Boards to support their efforts in recruitment within cancer services to meet the needs of patients, and to deliver a safe and sustainable service.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317406,"EventID":"S5W-03715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:08.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T22:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking regarding the reported concerns about rising charges being imposed for policing music festivals in Dumfries and Galloway. ","AnswerText":"Police Scotland follows the standard approach to setting charges for public services as set out in the Scottish Government's Scottish Public Finance Manual - which is based on full cost recovery. \r\nThe policing of events are dealt with on a case by case basis by the local Area commanders, in discussion with event organisers, local authorities and other relevant interested parties.\r\nPolice forces have always been obliged to charge for their services. Prior to the establishment of Police Scotland, the legacy forces all had agreed charging rates but the application of these rates and associated charging methodology varied. The establishment of the single service provide the opportunity to put in place a consistent charging policy for policing services across Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317407,"EventID":"S5W-03649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:10.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to it signing the memorandum of understanding with Heathrow Airport on 10 October 2016, whether the establishment of the £10 million route development fund to help support new domestic routes is compatible with its (a) environmental and climate commitments and (b) ambition to reduce the number of short-haul connections.","AnswerText":"Applications for funding under Heathrow's fund for new domestic routes will be for airlines to progress with the support of airports.\r\nWhilst we recognise that support for some policies designed to promote economic growth may lead to an increase in emissions, we are prepared to work even harder in other areas to ensure we are driving down overall emissions. Scotland is a world leader in tackling climate change with ambitious statutory targets, strong progress to date and a commitment to maintain this. As of 2014, we had delivered a 45.8% reduction from baseline levels, meeting our annual target for that year and exceeding the level of our 2020 target for a 42% reduction, six years early. We have included both domestic and international aviation in our emissions reduction targets.\r\nOur policy on air route development is that we want to secure more direct international flights minimising the need for connections. We do need to maintain links to global hub airports such as Heathrow in view of the extended international reach they provide.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317408,"EventID":"S5W-03650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:12.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has set a target for increasing the number of (a) international and (b) domestic aviation (i) passengers, (ii) flights and (iii) destinations and, if so, what this is.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have identified route development priorities for the next four years. These priorities include routes to the USA, China, India and Europe. No specific targets have been set in terms of numbers of new flights, passengers and destinations.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317409,"EventID":"S5W-03686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:15.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T09:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many prisoners there have been and (b) what the prison capacity was in each year since 2006.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nYear\r\nAverage Total Design Capacity\r\nAverage Prisoner Population\r\n2006\r\n6405 \r\n7027\r\n2007\r\n6899 \r\n7258\r\n2008\r\n7274 \r\n7761\r\n2009\r\n7470 \r\n7842\r\n2010\r\n7496 \r\n7806\r\n2011\r\n7287 \r\n7993\r\n2012\r\n7742 \r\n8136\r\n2013\r\n7820 \r\n7841\r\n2014\r\n8157 \r\n7795\r\n2015\r\n8088 \r\n7652\r\n2016\r\n7883*\r\n7605\r\n* Capacity at both Grampian and Cornton Vale reduced in-year. Shows actual capacity with effect from 1 September 2016.\r\nThe table provides the annual averages for design capacity and prisoner population.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317410,"EventID":"S5W-03700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:18.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the availability and affordability of flood insurance.","AnswerText":"Insurance is a reserved matter, and the Scottish Government is working in co-operation with the UK Government and the other devolved administrations to ensure flood insurance remains widely available and affordable. As a result of this work, the flood reinsurance scheme, known as “Flood Re”, was launched on 4 April 2016 and should ensure that flood insurance remains affordable to those who need it.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317411,"EventID":"S5W-03732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:20.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it maintains a record of EU law transposed into Scots law.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government submits a report to the Scottish Parliament twice a year, detailing the Scottish legislation transposing EU law in devolved areas. The reports are published on the Scottish Parliament website. This does not include EU law that has direct effect – i.e. EU obligations which do not require transposition.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317412,"EventID":"S5W-03731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:22.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action Skills Development Scotland is taking to ensure that Shetland will be able to benefit from the recent contracts awarded under the (a) Third Sector Employability Fund and (b) Work Able Scotland programme. ","AnswerText":"As a result of the ring-fenced element of the Highlands & Islands contract not being fully met for the National Third Sector Fund, a fresh procurement exercise is now underway which is exclusively for the Highlands & Islands area. This action has been taken to try and ensure that bids will be received from all geographical areas in Highlands and Islands, including Shetland.\r\nThe Work Able Scotland programme will have four contract package areas. Area One, which includes the Highlands & Islands, Clyde Coast and Grampian is not split into Local Authority areas. Instead SDS have created a Sub-Contract Package Area and indicated the volumes that will apply. This is intended to encourage the successful contractor to work with a network of sub-contractors thus ensuring that there is appropriate provision for areas with smaller numbers, such as Shetland.\r\nAdditionally, and to support rural areas like Shetland, a rural supplement of an additional £250 per person per sub-contract package area has also been added to the service fee payment for delivery of the Work Able Scotland contract.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317413,"EventID":"S5W-03705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:27.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) staff have (a) had training to support and (b) supported the function of domestic abuse courts in each year since 2011, and what percentage of the COPFS workforce this represents.","AnswerText":"The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has developed specialist training for prosecutors on the nature, dynamics and impact of domestic abuse as well as the legal and evidential considerations in prosecuting these cases. Of the 565 prosecutors working for COPFS on 30 September 2016, 301 or 53% have attended specialist domestic abuse training since 2011.\r\nStaff working within the Victim Information and Advice (VIA) service of COPFS also undertake specialist training on domestic abuse. Of the 103 VIA staff working for COPFS as at 25 October 2016, 87 or 84% have undergone specialist domestic abuse training since 2011.\r\nSome of those prosecutors and VIA staff will have completed more than one course on domestic abuse. It is important to note that these figures reflect training centrally recorded by COPFS and do not include the element of specialist training that is delivered locally.\r\nSpecialist domestic abuse courts operate in some but not all areas of the country. Information is not held by COPFS on the number of prosecutors or VIA staff who have worked in specialist domestic abuse courts since 2011.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alison Di Rollo ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317414,"EventID":"S5W-03712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:30.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new training places have been created to meet its pledge to recruit an extra 100 radiotherapy specialists.","AnswerText":"Additional specialist posts for radiotherapy healthcare professionals will be created over time to meet projected demand. Planning for these including training capacity will be a matter for NHS Boards based on the advice of the recently established radiotherapy subgroup. This group is responsible for identifying and agreeing a national direction of travel for access to modern radiotherapy treatments and agreeing a collaborative approach to delivering these treatments across all five Scottish Cancer Centres.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317415,"EventID":"S5W-03730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:32.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the First Minister on 5 January 2016 (Official Report, c. 15) that figures on the uptake of entitlement to funded early learning and childcare for two-year-olds were “already out of date”, for what reason the same figures were referred to in the publications, Financial Review of early learning and childcare in Scotland: the current landscape, which it published on 27 September 2016 and, Implementing Early Learning and Childcare under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014: Progress Update, which it published on 11 October 2016, and, in light of the First Minister's comments, for what reason new figures have not been collated.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has previously acknowledged that because there is a staggered intake of two year olds across all three school terms, the full level of uptake for each annual cohort is not known at the time when the official census is undertaken. Registration of children for early learning is also more flexible because it is not compulsory and children can therefore be registered at any time, e.g. between the date of the census and the date of publication of census data in 2015, Glasgow City Council advised the Scottish Government that an additional 861 two years olds were receiving early learning and childcare.\r\nThe statistics based on the 2015 census findings were included in the Financial Review and in the Progress Update because these are the current official statistics available.\r\nIn the longer term, we are undertaking a data transformation project to make sure the census fully reflects the early learning and childcare policy changes and user needs. As part of this process, a national consultation has been carried out with those who collate and/or use the data. Scottish Government officials are currently considering findings from this work with a view to making changes to the Early Learning and Childcare census, including on its timing.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317416,"EventID":"S5W-03642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:36.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many additional tonnes of aviation emissions will be generated by flights (a) arriving in and (b) departing Scotland if (i) a third runway is built at Heathrow Airport, (ii) it proceeds with its plan to reduce air passenger duty and (iii) both of these occur, broken down by (A) domestic, (B) international, (C) short-haul and (D) long-haul flights.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland published initial analysis in September 2014 which estimated that reducing Air Passenger Duty (APD) in Scotland by 50% would generate a small net annual increase in emissions of between 0.05 and 0.06 Mega Tonnes of carbon dioxide. The Scottish Government is undertaking a Strategic Environmental Assessment alongside the development of its proposals for a replacement tax. This will be published for consultation in 2017.\r\n\r\nThe Airports Commission published analysis of the environmental impacts of a new third runway at Heathrow. The Airports Commission: final report (www.gov.uk/government/publications/airports-commission-final-report)\r\ndid not provide a breakdown of the impacts in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317417,"EventID":"S5W-03644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:38.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, prior to it signing a memorandum of understanding with Heathrow Airport on 10 October 2016, what information it had regarding the potential impact of a third runway at the airport on the environment and emissions, broken down by the potential impact (a) worldwide, (b) in the UK (c) in the south east of England and (d) in Scotland, and where this information came from.","AnswerText":"The environmental assessment of airport expansion in the South East of England is set out in the report of the Airports Commission published in July 2015. The report can be accessed at:www.gov.uk/publications/airports-commission-final-report.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317418,"EventID":"S5W-03657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:41.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 10 October 2016, Support for Heathrow expansion, what the value of the long-term marketing campaign signed as part of the memorandum of understanding would have been had it been obtained on the open market, and what this would involve.","AnswerText":"The marketing campaign would be worth £1.5million and would promote investment and tourism in Scotland. As with previous campaigns Heathrow and Visit Scotland will work together to ensure the marketing campaign is a success.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317419,"EventID":"S5W-03659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:43.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has set a target for controlling the levels of emissions from (a) international and (b) domestic aviation and, if so, what this is.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that policies to boost economic growth by improving Scotland’s air connectivity may lead to an increase in aviation emissions, we are prepared to work harder in other areas to ensure we are driving down overall emissions. Our Climate Change Plan, to be published in draft in January 2017, will set out the package of policies and proposals to meet our existing ambitious targets out to 2032 under the 2009 Climate Change Act.\r\nImprovements in the next generation of aircraft will also play a part in helping to manage the environmental impact of aviation emissions.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317420,"EventID":"S5W-03710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:46.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T15:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has evaluated the method of producing Whole of Government Accounts as produced for the UK by the Treasury and, if so, whether it will publish the results, and what plans it has to publish a version of Whole of Government Accounts for Scotland.","AnswerText":"In a letter of 2 November 2016, the Permanent Secretary wrote to the Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee, in advance of her attendance at the Committee on 10 November 2016: http://www.parliament.scot/S5_Finance/PAPLS_Papers_10_November.pdf\r\nAnnex A (Developing budget financial and performance reporting) of this letter sets out the Scottish Government’s response to planning for further developments in financial reporting. Page 36 of the above link provides information about the proposals for further publications.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317421,"EventID":"S5W-03641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:48.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) a copy of the memorandum of understanding signed with Heathrow Airport on 10 October 2016.","AnswerText":"We have arranged for a copy of the MoU to be placed in SPICe (BIB number 58294).","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317422,"EventID":"S5W-03643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:51.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the creation of a third runway at Heathrow Airport will make it easier or harder to meet its environmental and climate targets.","AnswerText":"Scotland is showing global leadership by including both domestic and international aviation in its emissions reduction targets. While we recognise that policies to boost economic growth by improving Scotland’s air connectivity may lead to an increase in aviation emissions, we are prepared to work harder in other areas to ensure we are driving down overall emissions.\r\nWith the next generation of aircraft comes improvements on performance and better fuel efficiency. This will have a significant impact on how the aviation industry manages its environmental impact. Combined with research into alternative biofuels, there are a number of developments being pursued to help mitigate the impact of aviation emissions.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317423,"EventID":"S5W-03658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:53.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 10 October 2016, Support for Heathrow expansion, what guarantees it has been given that Glasgow Prestwick Airport could be a logistics hub to support the building of a third runway; for what reason the airport has been chosen as a possible candidate to compete for this, and what information it has regarding what other locations or companies (a) are being considered and (b) have been rejected for this work, broken down by reason.","AnswerText":"Heathrow Airport Ltd has agreed that a supply chain hub will be located in Scotland. Heathrow will work with the Scottish Government to identify the optimal location for the hub, considering Glasgow Prestwick Airport in the first instance. We do not hold information on the reason for Heathrow identifying Glasgow Prestwick Airport as a candidate, not do we hold information on any other site that may have been considered by Heathrow.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317424,"EventID":"S5W-03660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:56.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-10T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 10 October 2016, Support for Heathrow expansion, when it first discussed the proposed third runway with representatives of Heathrow Airport, on what dates subsequent meetings took place, broken down by which (a) ministers and (b) officials attended.","AnswerText":"Proposals were first discussed in 2013. Meetings with Heathrow took place on 7 November 2013 with the Minister for Transport and Veterans; 13 November 2014 with the Minister for Transport and Veterans; 12 December 2014 with Transport Scotland officials; 25 March 2015 with Transport Scotland officials; 28 May 2015 with the Minister for Transport and Islands; 21 October 2015 with the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities and the Minister for Transport and Islands; 27 October 2015 with Transport Scotland officials; 3 August 2016 with Transport Scotland officials; 22 September 2016 with Transport Scotland officials; and 10 October 2016 with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work.\r\nMeetings also took place with London Gatwick Airport on 8 October 2013 with the Minister for Transport and Veterans; 28 January 2014 with the Minister for Transport and Veterans; 21 October 2015 with the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities and the Minister for Transport and Islands; 29 October 2015 with Transport Scotland officials; and 25 May 2016 with the Minister for Transport and Islands.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317425,"EventID":"S5W-03694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T14:04:58.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to local authorities to make property-level protection products available at an affordable price to properties at risk of flooding.","AnswerText":"On 18 July the First Minister announced the agreement with COSLA of a 10 year flood funding strategy, with the local authority capital settlement, to deliver priorities identified in the Flood Risk Strategies published in December 2015. The agreed funding will amount to a minimum of £42 million per year with any underspends in one year being re-profiled within the next years allocation. 80% of the annual funding will support delivery of the flood protection schemes identified in the Flood Risk Strategies; a full list of these can be found at http://www.sepa.org.uk/media/163528/42-flood-protection-schemes.pdf.\r\nThe allocations to individual local authorities in 2016-17 for flood protection schemes are set out in the following table; funding for future years will reflect progress with design and development of the scheme.\r\nFlooding capital grant - Funding Allocations for Flood Protection Schemes 2016-17.\r\nCouncil\r\nAllocation for Flood Prevention Schemes\r\n£m\r\n\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n6.919\r\nAngus\r\n2.003\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n0.080\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n1.536\r\nDundee City\r\n5.699\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n0.880\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n0.080\r\nEast Lothian\r\n0.696\r\nEilan Siar\r\n0.320\r\nFalkirk\r\n1.782\r\nFife\r\n0.000\r\nGlasgow\r\n0.560\r\nHighland\r\n2.593\r\nInverclyde\r\n0.372\r\nMoray\r\n1.480\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n1.680\r\nOrkney\r\n1.388\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n0.813\r\nScottish Borders\r\n1.342\r\nStirling\r\n1.156\r\nScotland\r\n31.379\r\nThe remaining funding is distributed amongst all Scottish local authorities based on their share of properties at risk of flooding. How this money is allocated is a matter for individual local authorities but it is expected that it would be used to support actions identified in the strategies such as property level protection and natural flood management works and studies. In addition local authorities are able to use their wider funding allocation to support flood risk management where they consider this to be a local priority.\r\nIn addition to support through the local authority settlement the Scottish Government provides support and tools to responsible authorities. For example the Scottish Government has provided funding to the Tweed Forum (working with Dundee University) to support the Eddleston Water research project which will assess the flood risk, water quality and habitat benefits of working with the natural environment across the catchment. This financial year we are committing £200,000 to the project. These funds are used to engage with land managers in the catchment, carry out natural flood management works and collect scientific evidence through an extensive monitoring programme. The Eddleston Water project is now part of the EU Interreg North Sea Region Building with Nature project and will receive funds of up to 400,000 over the next 4 years.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317426,"EventID":"S5W-03735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T15:35:31.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how much is invested in the manufacture, development or marketing of arms by the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer to his previous Questions, S4W-25996 on 17 June 2015, S4W-27614 on 30 September 2015 and S4W-28556 on 1 December 2015.\r\nThe Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Act 2009 (the Act) introduced new rules for the governance of the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme (the Scheme). The Act transferred ownership of the existing Scottish Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund (the Fund) “and all functions, rights, liabilities and obligations in relation to that Fund” from the SPCB to the Fund Trustees. \r\n\r\nThe Scheme rules place a specific duty on the Fund Trustees “to manage and apply [the Fund’s] assets” in accordance with the rules. That includes decisions on investment policy, which the Fund Trustees take independently, taking account of advice provided to them by their professional advisers who are appointed by the trustees in accordance with the Act. \r\n\r\nThe Member may wish to note that in addition to responsibility for investment policy the Fund Trustees have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of scheme members as a whole. Consequently, should their investment decisions have an adverse effect on investment returns and overall valuation of the fund then the Fund Trustees can be held publicly accountable. The last triennial fund valuation as at 31 March 2014 returned a surplus of £8.4 million. Should the Fund Trustees investment decisions be a factor in the fund returning a shortfall then the options for making up the shortfall would include increasing scheme member contributions, reducing member benefits or asking the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body for additional funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317427,"EventID":"S5W-03734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T15:56:01.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to dispose of land held as part of the National Forest Estate.","AnswerText":"Since 2005, Forest Enterprise Scotland has been selling land and forests from the National Forest Estate which are contributing least to delivery of public benefits and using the proceeds to invest in projects, particularly land acquisition for woodland creation, which contribute significantly to the delivery of the Scottish Government’s objectives.\r\nDetailed information of land sold and acquired since that time can be found at: http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/managing/work-on-scotlands-national-forest-estate/land-and-building-management/re-positioning-programme.\r\nForest Enterprise Scotland notifies land and forest sales to give communities a prior opportunity to express an interest in using the National Forest Land Scheme for community acquisition. Sites currently notified for sale can be viewed at: http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/managing/work-on-scotlands-national-forest-estate/land-and-building-management. \r\nIncome from these currently notified sales will be used to complete a pipeline of some 2,500 hectares of new woodland creation.\r\nThe Scottish Government has yet to decide on any further sales programme beyond those areas already notified.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317428,"EventID":"S5W-03708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T15:56:03.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether private landlords carrying out repairs and improvements to their properties themselves without appointing or registering as a factor are breaking the law.","AnswerText":"There is no legal obligation for a private landlord to appoint a property factor to carry out repairs and improvements to their property.\r\nThere is no legal obligation on a private landlord to register as a property factor unless they fall under the meaning of property factor specified under section 2 of the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011. It is an offence for a person to operate as a property factor whilst unregistered.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":317429,"EventID":"S5W-03745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T15:56:05.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T15:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to dispose of land under the re-positioning programme; whether any additional targets have been set and, if so, what these are and what the timescale is for disposal.","AnswerText":"Forest Enterprise Scotland notifies land and forest sales to give communities a prior opportunity to express an interest in using the National Forest Land Scheme for community acquisition. \r\nSites currently notified for sale can be viewed at:\r\nhttp://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/managing/work-on-scotlands-national-forest-estate/land-and-building-management.\r\nIncome from these currently notified sales will be used to complete a pipeline of some 2,500 hectares of new woodland creation.\r\nThe Scottish Government has yet to decide on any further sales programme beyond those areas already notified.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317430,"EventID":"S5W-03707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T15:56:07.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-11T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to amend the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011.","AnswerText":"There are no current plans to review the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011, but a review of the code of conduct for registered property factors established under the Act is currently underway. The current code sets out minimum standards of practice which all registered property factors are obliged to comply with. \r\nAny revised code prepared as part of that review would be subject to public consultation and approval by the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":317431,"EventID":"S5W-03736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-12T15:56:09.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what public funds that it has responsibility for have supported development, manufacture or marketing in the arms trade in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has supported a range of activities in businesses that may be targeting defence contracts as part \r\nof their operating strategy. As well as direct financial support, various graduate placements, summer placements and specialist advice services have also been supported by HIE.   \r\nScottish Enterprise (SE) supports companies to address the defence market through the relevant deployment of all of its support mechanisms including financial support through grants and equity investment.  \r\nThe financial support provided by SE and HIE, to businesses operating in the defence market since 2006-7 is shown in the table below:   SE & HIE – Financial Support to the Defence Industry in the last 10 years\r\n\r\nYear\r\nSE Defence £\r\nHIE Defence £\r\nTotal\r\n2006-07\r\n1,520,964\r\n10,826\r\n1,520,964\r\n2007-08\r\n1,253,030\r\n116,880\r\n1,369,910\r\n2008-09\r\n1,290,064\r\n1,241\r\n1,291,305\r\n2009-10\r\n1,494,426\r\n19,881\r\n1,514,307\r\n2010-11\r\n1,764,547\r\n364,042\r\n2,128,589\r\n2011-12\r\n773,456\r\n69,875\r\n843,331\r\n2012-13\r\n479,535\r\n125,063\r\n604,598\r\n2013-14\r\n3,164,587\r\n593,574\r\n3,758,161\r\n2014-15\r\n3,091,504\r\n782,871\r\n3,874,375\r\n2015-16\r\n276,379\r\n869,119\r\n1,145,498\r\nTotal\r\n15,108,4922\r\n2,942,546*\r\n18,051,038\r\n \r\n*The total figure for ‘HIE Corrected’ equals £2,942,546 whereas the correct amount should actually be £2,942,547 due to rounding (to the £).  The individual totals per financial year have not been affected by this issue.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317441,"EventID":"S5W-03567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:09:19.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T16:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the possible environmental and safety risks, what assessment it has made of the implications of the transport of enriched uranium from Dounreay to the USA and the upgrade of Wick John O’Groats Airport to handle this, and what discussions it had had with (a) the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, (b) The Highland Council and (c) The Moray Council regarding this.","AnswerText":"Nuclear materials stored at Dounreay are owned by the UK Government. The transportation of nuclear materials is a reserved matter. Before any move, there is robust consideration of safety and security, involving as appropriate Scottish agencies including Police Scotland and SEPA. The Scottish Government has been kept regularly informed of progress with the programme of movements of nuclear materials from Dounreay. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, which is responsible to Scottish and UK Ministers for their activities in Scotland, carry out a thorough programme of stakeholder communication ahead of any moves.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317442,"EventID":"S5W-03749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:09:22.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T16:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02137 by Annabelle Ewing on 12 September 2016, when it received its most recent update on the estimated final cost of the refurbishment of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Control Room in Dundee, and what the estimated cost was.","AnswerText":"The most recent update on the estimated final cost of the refurbishment of the SFRS control room in Dundee was received in March 2016. This information is contained in Scottish Fire and Rescue Service board papers which can be found on the SFRS website at www.firescotland.gov.uk. This included the cost of providing a temporary control facility whilst the refurbishment works are undertaken.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317443,"EventID":"S5W-03750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:09:25.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the 86 performance measures are for Highland and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerText":"Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) use performance measures to help monitor the contribution they make in terms of their economic and social impact on the longer term goals of Scotland’s Economic Strategy. These performance measures are set out in their Operating Plan.\r\nThe 2016-19 Operating Plan can be found here:\r\nhttp://www.hie.co.uk/about-hie/policies-and-publications/operating-plan.html","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317444,"EventID":"S5W-03747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:09:32.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T16:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03009 by Annabelle Ewing on 29 September 2016, whether it will provide a breakdown of how many (a) full-time and (b) retained firefighters there have been in each local authority area in each year since 2013-14.","AnswerText":"The information requested is contained in the tables specified within the following statistical publications:\r\nFire and Rescue Service Fire Safety and Organisational Statistics, Scotland, (table 7) for 2013-14 which is available on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/02/9404/21; and, Fire Safety and Organisational Statistics, Scotland, for both 2014-15 and 2015-16 which are available on the website of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at: www.firescotland.gov.uk. Specifically the information requested can be found at table 3 in both documents on page 26 and page 28 respectively. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317445,"EventID":"S5W-03754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:09:36.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it spent delivering its strategic priorities in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government publishes Scotland’s Spending Plans and Draft Budget which sets out the Scottish Government’s spending plans on their Strategic Priorities for a specific period and most recently in 2016-17 publication (http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00491140.pdf) a strategic vision for Scotland’s public finances over the Spending Review period to 2019-20.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317446,"EventID":"S5W-03756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:09:42.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the efficiency savings targets of its Strategic Forum have been in each year since the establishment of the Efficiency Programme.","AnswerText":"Strategic Forum efficiency savings targets from 2012-13 through to 2016-17 totalled £165 million. A breakdown on each year is provided in the following table.\r\n2012-13\r\n(£m)\r\n2013-14\r\n(£m)\r\n2014-15\r\n(£m)\r\n2015-16\r\n(£m)\r\n2016-17\r\n(£m)\r\n20\r\n25\r\n40\r\n40\r\n40\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317447,"EventID":"S5W-03591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:09:49.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who it consulted regarding kidney cancer when preparing its cancer strategy, and for what reasons the strategy did not include specific actions on improving outcomes for people with kidney cancer.","AnswerText":"A range of health care professionals, third sector and advocacy groups were involved during the drafting of the strategy.\r\nOur ‘Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action’ strategy and the accompanying \r\n£100 million investment over 5 years, serves as a blueprint for the future of cancer services in Scotland, improving the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and aftercare of people affected by all cancers. This work links with our tobacco control strategy and the Prevention of Obesity Route Map as evidence shows that smoking and obesity are two of the biggest risk factors for renal cancer.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317448,"EventID":"S5W-03725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:09:51.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T10:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason sound-proofing barriers have been installed as part of the M8 M73 M74 Improvement Plan at the M8 near the Showcase Business Park.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03724 on 31 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317449,"EventID":"S5W-03742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:09:53.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of objections from over 700 people and the decision of the local planning authority, what its position is on reviewing the decision of its reporter to uphold the appeal to extend the excavation area at Hillend Quarry, Caldercruix.","AnswerText":"In keeping with the majority of planning appeals to Scottish Ministers a reporter from the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) of the Scottish Government was appointed by Ministers to make a delegated decision on their behalf.\r\nOnce a reporter issues a decision on an appeal, the decision is final and neither the reporter, nor Scottish Ministers, have any further jurisdiction in the matter, nor do Scottish Ministers have any power to review that decision. Any interested party aggrieved with the decision has a right of appeal to the Court of Session, within \r\n6 weeks of the date of the decision.\r\nThe reporter fully considered all of the information submitted by all parties in relation to the proposal, including the appellant's grounds of appeal, the council's reasons for refusal, all letters of representation received from interested parties as well as a visit to the site.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317450,"EventID":"S5W-03759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:09:55.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the 44 performance measures are for Scottish Enterprise.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise (SE) use performance measures to help monitor the contribution they make in terms of their economic impact focused on the longer-term goals of Scotland’s Economic Strategy and highlighting their future direction over the 2015-18 period. These performance measures are set out in their Business Plan.\r\nTheir 2015-18 Business Plan can be found here:\r\nhttps://www.scottish-enterprise.com/about-us/what-we-do/business-plan","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317451,"EventID":"S5W-03761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:02.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of the Transport Scotland consultation on the potential raising of the speed limit on the A77 between the Symington turn-off and the Monkton roundabout.","AnswerText":"A draft order revoking the 50mph speed limit between Bogend Toll and Dutch House Roundabout was published on 16th December 2015, eighteen objections were received. Following engagement with objectors and further investigations sixteen objections have been maintained. In accordance with the Secretary of State’s Traffic Orders (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 1987 it is now for Ministers to undertake a review of these objections in advance of making their recommendation.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317452,"EventID":"S5W-03723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T10:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason sound-proofing barriers have been installed as part of the M8 M73 M74 Improvement Plan at Maxim Park, Eurocentral; how much these cost, and what (a) consideration it made of the costs and (b) noise levels were recorded at the site prior to making the decision.","AnswerText":"For sound proof barrier, I also refer to the answer to question S5W-03724 on 2 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. \r\nThe £500m M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project is a DBFO contract awarded using the Non-Profit Distributing model and as such the cost of providing individual items of infrastructure - such as the acoustic barrier at this location - are not identified within the contract for the project.\r\nThe findings for the noise assessments undertaken at Eurocentral can be found on the following table.\r\nLocation\r\nDakota Hotel, Eurocentral\r\nDakota Hotel, Eurocentral\r\nDate\r\n10-12-2013\r\n19-01-2014\r\nPeriod\r\nMorning\r\nEvening\r\nFree Field or façade\r\nFree Field\r\nFree Field\r\nTime\r\n2h\r\n1hr 58min\r\nMeasured Sound Level at façade (where free-field 3dB have been added to the measurement results)\r\nLAeq(T\r\n64.5\r\n69.1\r\nLAeq,(T) (rounded to the neared 5dB under criteria BS 5228-1:2009+A1:2014 Table E.1)\r\nLAeq(T)\r\n65\r\n70\r\nPermissable Construction noise level (Morning: LAeq,12h,09:00-19:00 Workday/LAeq,5h,08:00-13:00 Saturday. Evening: LAeq,3h,19:00-22:00)\r\nLAeq(T)\r\n75\r\n80\r\nPermissaible Construction Noise Level (LAmax(fast))\r\nLAmax\r\n96\r\n90\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317453,"EventID":"S5W-03737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:05.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that public bodies make the maximum possible use of reserved contracts for supported factories and businesses under the Scottish Sustainable Action Plan.","AnswerText":"The Sustainable Procurement Action Plan called on organisations to produce their own, individual, Delivery Plans setting out how, and by when, improvements in sustainable procurement will be made. Since the publication of that Action Plan in 2009, the Scottish Government has introduced the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. The Act places a statutory obligation on contracting authorities to consider, before starting a procurement competition, how, by the way in which it conducts the procurement process, it might facilitate the involvement of supported businesses, and then to act in a way to best bring that about. To support the implementation of the Act, we issued Statutory Guidance, and delivered training that addressed this requirement.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317454,"EventID":"S5W-03748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:07.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T16:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02136 by Annabelle Ewing on 12 September 2016, on what date it was informed about the estimated costs of the refurbishment of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Control Room in Dundee, and what the estimated cost was at the time of the (a) decision being made to move to three control rooms in January 2014 and (b) refurbishment of the control room being approved by the SFRS in August 2015.","AnswerText":"The most recent update on the estimated final cost of the refurbishment of the SFRS control room in Dundee was received in March 2016. \r\n(a) – The estimated capital cost for the Dundee control room option, as outlined in the SFRS Board paper, Fire Control - Options Appraisal for Final Locations, published in January 2014, was £2.192m. This information is contained in Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board papers which can be found on the SFRS website at www.firescotland.gov.uk\r\n(b) – The estimated capital cost for the Dundee control room option, as outlined in the SFRS Board paper, Dundee Control, published in July 2015, was £1.96m. This information is contained in Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board papers which can be found on the SFRS website at www.firescotland.gov.uk","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317455,"EventID":"S5W-03755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:11.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it spent on the growth sectors that it identified in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Support for Growth Sectors as set out in our Economic Strategy is delivered in a variety of ways across Government departments and our partner agencies, it is therefore not possible to provide a full measure of spend to support them individually or to differentiate spend in the manner requested. The Growth Sector Database however, shows the performance of the growth sectors. http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Business/Publications/GrowthSectors","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317456,"EventID":"S5W-03762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:18.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on giving people with type 1 diabetes free access to blood glucose monitoring technology such as the Abbott Freestyle Libre.","AnswerText":"We expect clinicians to follow appropriate national clinical guidelines and standards to ensure that continuous blood glucose monitoring technology is accessible to those who would clinically benefit from it.\r\nWork is currently on-going to develop a national approach for the use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices in Scotland, as we recognise the speed of development of this technology.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317457,"EventID":"S5W-03592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:19.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-07T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will improve treatment waiting times for people with kidney cancer to ensure that the renal Quality Performance Indicator target for 70% of patients with advanced or metastatic kidney cancer to receive systemic therapy within 12 months of their diagnosis is met.","AnswerText":"The roles and responsibilities of NHS Boards and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) in delivering the National Cancer Quality Programme are set out in CEL 6 (2012) which can be found at: http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2012_06.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317458,"EventID":"S5W-03724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:21.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T10:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason sound-proofing barriers have not been installed as part of the M8 M73 M74 Improvement Plan near (a) the M74 and (b) residential houses.","AnswerText":"The environmental assessments undertaken as part of the development of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project considered the change in traffic noise level expected as a result of the project and consequently any requirement for noise mitigation measures.\r\nWhere these assessments found that the predicted change in noise levels (as a consequence of the project) was to be less than one decibel, properties are not eligible for mitigation in accordance with relevant national road design standards and legislation. Where the assessment predicted a change in noise level greater than one decibel, noise mitigation was provided.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317459,"EventID":"S5W-03726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:23.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what sound level recordings have been taken on the site of the M8 M73 M74 Improvement Plan and what action it has taken to ensure that the noise levels do not exceed the agreed acceptable levels.","AnswerText":"Scottish Roads Partnership, the project contractor, undertook a pre-construction noise assessment on the project. \r\nThe contractor will continue to consult with the relevant local authorities in relation to the permissible construction noise levels, and in relation to the use of best practice construction methods. They will also continue to monitor noise levels to ensure they remain at acceptable limits.\r\nAll construction plant used for the works are selected with noise suppression as a consideration in order to minimise any impacts whilst works are carried out.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317460,"EventID":"S5W-03741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:25.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the Framework for Supported Factories and Businesses and whether a new framework will be launched after the expiry of the current agreement in September 2017.","AnswerText":"Work is currently on going to determine the appropriate course of action on the expiration of the framework agreement. The Scottish Government is in discussions with stakeholders on how we best facilitate market access for supported businesses in line with the changed definition under the European procurement legislation and taking account of the legislative requirements within the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 which have come into force this year. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317461,"EventID":"S5W-03743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:27.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which body would be held liable for any damage to health from air pollution from a project that a local planning committee refused planning permission for but that went ahead following an appeal by the Scottish Ministers’ reporter.","AnswerText":"The Glasgow and Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan identifies that aggregates minerals are a significant natural resource and are essential to sustainable economic growth and development of the city region. However the Scottish Government recognises that the operation of quarries can give rise to land use and environmental issues which require to be mitigated and controlled through the planning system.\r\nOperators of sites such as these need to demonstrate that both dust and particle emissions from the site are adequately controlled and are within acceptable limits. In this instance, the DPEA reporter's decision was issued subject to 43 planning conditions. Those planning conditions include the necessary implementation of mitigation measures to prevent dust creation at source, control times of operations, control noise, blasting and restoration of the site and mitigate potential impacts in respect of dust, odour and noise. Those conditions also make it clear to the operator what is expected of them while allowing the outcomes to be monitored by the relevant planning authority. Other sources of dust (and odour) such as rock crushing and the asphalt plant would be regulated by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), who did not object to the proposed development, under separate legislation and monitored by SEPA to meet EU standards of operation whilst setting out conditions the operators must meet.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317462,"EventID":"S5W-03760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:29.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many secondary school home economics (a) teachers and (b) students there have been in each year since 2007, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"How many secondary school home economic (a) teachers there have been in each year since 2007, broken down by local authority can be found in the Scottish Government's published teacher census supplementary tables 8.9 http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/teachcenssuppdata and historical datasets: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/PubTeacherCensus and is shown in this table:\r\nTable 8.9: Secondary school teachers where main subject taught is 'Home Economics'\r\n\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nAberdeen City\r\n32\r\n29\r\n27\r\n25\r\n25\r\n24\r\n24\r\n23\r\n24\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n42\r\n36\r\n40\r\n37\r\n35\r\n34\r\n35\r\n35\r\n35\r\nAngus\r\n28\r\n28\r\n26\r\n25\r\n25\r\n23\r\n27\r\n23\r\n23\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n21\r\n23\r\n21\r\n20\r\n18\r\n19\r\n16\r\n16\r\n15\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n11\r\n9\r\n11\r\n11\r\n11\r\n11\r\n11\r\n11\r\n9\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n36\r\n40\r\n35\r\n35\r\n32\r\n32\r\n30\r\n34\r\n29\r\nDundee City\r\n30\r\n29\r\n28\r\n25\r\n28\r\n29\r\n28\r\n26\r\n29\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n26\r\n27\r\n25\r\n24\r\n24\r\n20\r\n22\r\n19\r\n18\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n22\r\n23\r\n22\r\n21\r\n22\r\n21\r\n21\r\n22\r\n22\r\nEast Lothian\r\n10\r\n17\r\n17\r\n16\r\n15\r\n16\r\n16\r\n14\r\n15\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n18\r\n18\r\n19\r\n21\r\n19\r\n19\r\n20\r\n19\r\n19\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n56\r\n62\r\n61\r\n58\r\n59\r\n54\r\n52\r\n57\r\n53\r\nEilean Siar\r\n9\r\n9\r\n9\r\n8\r\n8\r\n9\r\n9\r\n8\r\n9\r\nFalkirk\r\n31\r\n29\r\n30\r\n28\r\n31\r\n30\r\n27\r\n28\r\n28\r\nFife\r\n70\r\n65\r\n59\r\n53\r\n57\r\n56\r\n58\r\n61\r\n59\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGlasgow City\r\n79\r\n81\r\n78\r\n79\r\n78\r\n74\r\n70\r\n63\r\n66\r\nHighland\r\n47\r\n48\r\n47\r\n44\r\n38\r\n37\r\n38\r\n33\r\n34\r\nInverclyde\r\n19\r\n18\r\n17\r\n16\r\n15\r\n17\r\n16\r\n15\r\n12\r\nMidlothian\r\n20\r\n18\r\n19\r\n17\r\n16\r\n16\r\n17\r\n17\r\n15\r\nMoray\r\n22\r\n21\r\n18\r\n19\r\n18\r\n19\r\n18\r\n18\r\n16\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n29\r\n28\r\n25\r\n23\r\n23\r\n21\r\n21\r\n21\r\n19\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n88\r\n80\r\n76\r\n75\r\n73\r\n69\r\n72\r\n66\r\n60\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n6\r\n6\r\n5\r\n5\r\n4\r\n4\r\n4\r\n5\r\n4\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n26\r\n29\r\n25\r\n25\r\n27\r\n27\r\n25\r\n28\r\n27\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n34\r\n30\r\n29\r\n28\r\n27\r\n27\r\n26\r\n25\r\n26\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nScottish Borders\r\n27\r\n22\r\n22\r\n23\r\n22\r\n21\r\n22\r\n20\r\n20\r\nShetland Islands\r\n9\r\n9\r\n8\r\n8\r\n7\r\n6\r\n6\r\n7\r\n6\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n24\r\n25\r\n26\r\n24\r\n24\r\n23\r\n21\r\n21\r\n22\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n47\r\n55\r\n55\r\n55\r\n55\r\n56\r\n57\r\n57\r\n54\r\nStirling\r\n16\r\n14\r\n13\r\n12\r\n13\r\n12\r\n13\r\n11\r\n13\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n22\r\n21\r\n19\r\n20\r\n18\r\n16\r\n16\r\n16\r\n16\r\nWest Lothian\r\n34\r\n35\r\n31\r\n31\r\n31\r\n34\r\n32\r\n28\r\n28\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll local authorities\r\n990\r\n988\r\n943\r\n908\r\n896\r\n875\r\n870\r\n845\r\n825\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGrant aided\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n(1) Excludes head teachers and depute head teachers.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHow many secondary school home economic (b) students there have been in each year since 2007, broken down by local authority is not collected. However, the SQA website http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/64717.4239.html. has information on exam entries to each subject as well as grades and passes and historical data back to 2007 is at: http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/57518.4241.html which may be of interest.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317463,"EventID":"S5W-03729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:31.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on installing railings or barriers near St John the Baptist Primary School, Uddingston, in light of its proximity to the site of the M8 M73 M74 Improvement Plan.","AnswerText":"The improvements to the M74 being undertaken as part of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project will provide 4 traffic lanes on the M74 at this location, with the new carriageway located approximately 20m away from the edge of the school playground.\r\nAll road restraint barriers are designed in accordance with relevant national road design standards.\r\nScottish Roads Partnership, the contractor, has confirmed that a permanent vehicle restraint barrier will be installed between the carriageway and the school.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317464,"EventID":"S5W-03738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:33.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that public bodies have at least one contract with supported factories and businesses; whether it is aware of any that do not and, if so, which; for what reason and what action it is taking.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold details of all contracts awarded by all public bodies in Scotland. However, since 18 April this year, all public bodies are required to publish a contracts register detailing regulated contract awards. For those bodies that have an annual procurement spend of £5 million or more, the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 will require them to publish an annual procurement report, which should contain a summary of any steps taken to facilitate the involvement of supported businesses.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317465,"EventID":"S5W-03740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:34.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes the Framework for Supported Factories and Businesses.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government sees its responsibility as promoting contracting with all supported businesses and not just those on the Framework. The Scottish Government has raised awareness across the buying community and will continue to do so. Details of the Framework are publicised on the Scottish Government website. In addition, Public Contracts Scotland has a facility within the portal that automatically alerts buyers when a supported business can fulfil the requirements of their planned contract and has helped buyers identify suitable third sector/supported business organisations.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317466,"EventID":"S5W-03763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:36.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had with (a) NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (b) the Scottish Health Council regarding (i) Lightburn and (ii) the Vale of Leven Hospital since May 2015.","AnswerText":"Ministers and Government officials regularly communicate with representatives of all health boards, including NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde; to discuss matters of importance to local people. As part of this, any discussions about potential service change take place within the context of the well-established and long-standing process, set out in the national guidance 'Informing, Engaging and Consulting People in Developing Health and Community Care Services' (2010) available at: www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2010_04.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317467,"EventID":"S5W-03728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:38.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what sound level recordings have been taken at Burnacre Gardens, Uddingston, near the site of the M8 M73 M74 Improvement Plan and what action it has taken to ensure that the noise levels do not exceed the agreed acceptable levels.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03726 on 31 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317468,"EventID":"S5W-03739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:41.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers the £1.9 million awarded in the last four years through the Framework for Supported Factories and Businesses to have been sufficient, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Framework Agreement for Supported Factories and Businesses was put in place by the Scottish Government in 2012 as a means of helping public sector buyers quickly access a range of good and services from those supported businesses on the framework. However, public bodies operate independently from Scottish Ministers for their procurement activities and are free to run their own procurement exercises outside of the Framework. \r\nSince the establishment of that Framework, and in recognition of the importance that Scottish Ministers place on supported businesses, the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 introduced by the Scottish Government contains a number of provisions relating to supported businesses. The Act places a statutory obligation on contracting authorities to consider, before starting a procurement competition, how, by the way in which it conducts the procurement process, it might facilitate the involvement of supported businesses, and then to act in a way to best bring that about.\r\nThe answer to question S5W-02408 on 20 September 2016 provides further details of relevant provisions contained within the Act. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317469,"EventID":"S5W-03746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:43.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-12T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland regarding the ban on GM crops.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made a commitment to maintaining its opt out from growing GM crops for the lifetime of this Parliament in order to protect the clean, green image of Scotland's £14 billion food and drink sector. I receive regular advice and updates on key issues related to my portfolio, including GM, from the Chief Scientific Adviser for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment who, in turn, liaises with the Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland in order that she is sighted on Rural Economy and Environment portfolio issues.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":317470,"EventID":"S5W-03753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:45.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the membership of its Strategic Forum has been since it was established.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03752 on 10 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317471,"EventID":"S5W-03757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:52.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the efficiency savings of its Strategic Forum have been in each year since the establishment of the Efficiency Programme, also broken down by the percentage of the total savings that was attributed to each Strategic Forum partner.","AnswerText":"2012-13\r\n(£m)\r\n2013-14\r\n(£m)\r\n2014-15\r\n(£m)\r\n2015-16\r\n(£m)\r\n15\r\n25\r\n40\r\n40\r\nPercentage of the total savings achieved that was attributed to each Strategic Forum partner.\r\nBody\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n\r\n(£m)\r\n(£m)\r\n(£m)\r\n(£m)\r\n\r\nScottish Enterprise\r\n58%\r\n43%\r\n43%\r\n43%\r\n\r\n\r\nHighlands and Islands Enterprise \r\n11%\r\n8%\r\n8%\r\n8%\r\n\r\nVisitScotland\r\n18%\r\n14%\r\n14%\r\n14%\r\n\r\n\r\nSkills Development Scotland\r\n0%\r\n6%\r\n5%\r\n5%\r\n\r\nScottish Funding Council\r\n13%\r\n29%\r\n29%\r\n29%\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317472,"EventID":"S5W-03566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:10:59.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-06T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how often it meets the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and what the date was of the most recent meeting.","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform last had a meeting with the Chair of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on 25 October 2016. We aim for these meetings to occur annually. Scottish Government officials meet frequently with Nuclear Decommissioning Authority staff.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317473,"EventID":"S5W-03751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:11:01.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what was discussed at each meeting of its Strategic Forum, and whether it will provide minutes of the meetings.","AnswerText":"The Strategic Forum met 20 times between November 2007 and April 2015 to consider topics of strategic importance to the Scottish economy and to align actions in addressing these issues to deliver the maximum impact.\r\nTopics covered at meetings of the Strategic Forum, many discussed at more than one meeting over this period, include:\r\nState of the economy\r\nEconomic Strategy or Recovery Plan\r\nKey / growth sectors including tourism, oil & gas and food & drink.\r\nInnovation\r\nLeadership and ambition\r\nSkills\r\nWorkforce / place development\r\nHigher Education contribution to growth / post-16 education reform\r\nYouth employment\r\nInternationalisation\r\nDigital economy\r\nMinutes for meetings have been place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICE) under 58315.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317474,"EventID":"S5W-03752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:11:08.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the remit is of its Strategic Forum.","AnswerText":"The Strategic Forum fosters a culture of collaboration between our economic development and skills agencies. Economic strengths since the establishment of the Strategic Forum were recognised in the recent Enterprise and Skills Review report. However, to deliver the step change necessary to realise our ambitions for Scotland to become a top performing OECD nation a refreshed and enhanced approach is required, as requested by stakeholders within the Ministerial Review Group. The Enterprise and Skills Review report, arising from Phase I of the Review, sets out this framework.\r\nThe decisions reached by the review will further drive alignment by establishing a new statutory board to coordinate the activities of SE, HIE, SDS and SFC, improve the measurement of their impact on delivering outcomes, establish a new vehicle to focus on the specific enterprise support needs of the South of Scotland and protect HIE’s delivery of support in the Highlands and Islands. The review also made decisions to promote Scotland as an open and international economy, streamline the innovation landscape and undertake a review of the learning journey focused on sustained employment.\r\nThe Review builds on successes delivered by the Strategic Forum which has a remit to provide strategic leadership and set the direction of travel for public and private sector bodies. It explores the most significant, cross-cutting strategic issues and agrees how to respond. By establishing shared future priorities, the Strategic Forum has provided a platform to develop coherent, united leadership within member organisations and to wider Team Scotland partners with which individual bodies closely engage.\r\nThe co-chairs of the Strategic Forum, when its remit was last revised in 2014, were the Cabinet Secretary Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth and the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning.\r\nCore Membership includes the Chairs and Chief Executives of the main economic development and employment agencies: Scottish Enterprise; Highlands and Islands Enterprise; Scottish Funding Council; Skills Development Scotland; and VisitScotland. Scottish Government directors with lead responsibility for each of the agencies, along with the Chief Economist and Director General Energy, Enterprise and Digital are also members.\r\nMinisterial membership of the Strategic Forum has evolved with portfolio responsibilities. It is co-chaired by Cabinet Secretaries with responsibility for the economy and for education. Membership has included the Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for infrastructure and the Minister with responsibility for enterprise or business. Depending on agenda topics, other ministers have attended individual meetings.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317475,"EventID":"S5W-03766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:11:16.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the capital investment in Lightburn Hospital since May 2007, including the work that was carried out and the total cost.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317476,"EventID":"S5W-03769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-13T16:11:18.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what communication the Scottish Health Council has had with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde regarding (a) Lightburn and (b) the Vale of Leven Hospital since May 2015.","AnswerText":"The independent Scottish Health Council (SHC) works with NHS Boards and communities across Scotland to promote and support the involvement of people in NHS Scotland: that includes instances where changes to NHS services are being considered by a Board or Boards. The Health Council's support and advice on potential service changes is offered within the context of the well-established and long-standing process set out in the national guidance: \"Informing, Engaging and Consulting People in Developing Health and Community Care Services\" (CEL 4(2010)). Specific communications with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on proposals in respect of Lightburn and Vale of Leven Hospitals are a matter for the independent SHC.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317491,"EventID":"S5W-03778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T14:37:43.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03363 by Keith Brown on 12 October 2016, for what reason the answer did not address the matter of the engagement of specialists that was raised in the question, and whether it will now provide an answer. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03775 on 1 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317492,"EventID":"S5W-03789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T14:37:46.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the Chief Scientific Adviser prior to, and in relation to, its decision to ban underground coal gasification. ","AnswerText":"Chief Scientific Adviser for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment, Professor Louise Heathwaite, was engaged in the review from the outset and throughout. Since coming into post, the Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland, Professor Sheila Rowan, has met officials and Professor Heathwaite to discuss this issue.\r\nThe Scottish Government values the contribution of the scientific advisors, and our evidence-led approach to unconventional oil and gas underlines the value the Scottish Government places on robust science.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":317493,"EventID":"S5W-03785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T14:37:48.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T10:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is advising Scottish companies that need loan guarantees to approach the British Business Bank or to wait for the establishment of the Scottish Growth Fund.","AnswerText":"Scottish Companies seeking advice should in the first instance contact Business Gateway, or if account managed the relevant Enterprise Agency. In addition, Scottish Enterprise delivers a Scotland-wide Finance Readiness Programme to assist businesses to identify the most appropriate sources of finance and prepare the business case. Businesses should not delay investment plans and should continue to seek appropriate advice on potential sources of funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317494,"EventID":"S5W-03786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T14:37:50.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) financial and (b) in-kind support it provided to the Commission on Local Tax Reform.","AnswerText":"The Commission on Local Tax Reform was jointly sponsored by the Scottish Government and COSLA. The Scottish Government’s financial contribution totalled £167,000. This covered a range of financial outlays incurred by the Commission ranging from Commissioners’ travel and subsistence costs to purchased analysis and research. Additionally, the Scottish Government and COSLA loaned staff to the secretariat of the Commission for the nine months it was in existence.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317495,"EventID":"S5W-03775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T14:37:52.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03366 by Keith Brown on 12 October 2016, for what reason the answer did not address the matter of applications for loans instead of guarantees that was referred to in the question, and whether it will now provide an answer.","AnswerText":"It is anticipated that major lenders to the target cohort of companies could be a conduit for the Scottish Growth Scheme. In the interest of the potential applicant businesses, we will not pre-empt the solution, all lender options will be explored in the due diligence process.\r\nWe are also keen to ensure that we maximise flexibility so that we can meet the needs of different businesses in different circumstances, helping lenders to provide the capital required by the companies concerned. The main form of support will be guarantees, although loans may be appropriate in certain circumstances in line with the specific needs of the individual company and the best funding solution. Where a loan is an option, we would expect some disbursement before 6 September 2017.\r\nThe capping of total losses paid by the guarantor to the lender is a common characteristic of similar guarantee schemes, for example the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme and most European Investment Bank products. The operational delivery approach is currently under development and will require both public and private sector input. Appropriate due diligence work will be required to be undertaken on each company to assess what type of support is appropriate. It is likely that this will be undertaken through the engagement of specialists with the appropriate skills and capacity to provide a sufficiently robust examination of the prospects and finances of each company.\r\nThe Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) Scheme can support lending up to £1.2m. The new scheme will complement EFG by providing guarantees above that threshold to a maximum of £5m by individual company. My officials have considered a range of evidence on SME access to finance, including the evaluation of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme which was published in February 2013. Officials have discussed the scheme with the British Business Bank, to learn from their experience and wider knowledge in the delivery of guarantees.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317496,"EventID":"S5W-03777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T14:37:55.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03362 by Keith Brown on 12 October 2016, for what reason the answer did not address the matter of similar schemes that was referred to in the question, and whether it will now provide an answer. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03775 on 1 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317497,"EventID":"S5W-03774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T14:37:57.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03024 by Fergus Ewing on 4 October 2016, whether there is a difference between the speeds described in the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme and the actual speeds that customers can access.","AnswerText":"The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme publishes predicted speeds that premises have access to on the Digital Scotland postcode checker. These speeds are calculated based on the infrastructure in place, namely the distance between the cabinet and the individual premises served, and the rate at which speeds decrease on copper lines over distance. The actual speeds that premises receive will vary due to a number of factors ranging from technology constraints, the nature of the service being delivered by the internet service provider, and the equipment being used by customers to access the network.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317498,"EventID":"S5W-03776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T14:38:01.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03361 by Keith Brown on 12 October 2016, for what reason the answer did not confirm whether it expects any companies to receive loans guaranteed through the Scottish Growth Fund before 6 September 2017, and whether it will now provide an answer. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03775 on 1 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317499,"EventID":"S5W-03791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T14:38:04.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact that its moratorium on unconventional gas extraction has had on geothermal energy exploration. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03790 on 31 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":317500,"EventID":"S5W-03772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T14:38:06.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the original target of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme with BT was too low.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not consider that the original target of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme with BT was too low.\r\nThe approach taken across both contracts was to maximise fibre broadband coverage within the available budget. This delivered higher than anticipated coverage across the board, with 95% of premises having fibre access, compared to just 66% through commercial investment. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317501,"EventID":"S5W-03773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T14:38:10.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03024 by Fergus Ewing on 4 October 2016, which providers would have delivered the 21% superfast broadband coverage in Shetland without the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme.","AnswerText":"There was no commercial rollout out of fibre broadband planned for Shetland prior to the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme.\r\nCommercial coverage across the Highlands and Islands would have been 21% had the Scottish Government not intervened. BT was the only infrastructure provider deploying commercially in the region at the time of the 2012 Open Market Review.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317502,"EventID":"S5W-03780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T14:38:14.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03365 by Keith Brown on 12 October 2016, for what reason the answer did not address whether it has considered the economic evaluation of the British Business Bank’s Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme that was published in February 2013, and whether it will now provide an answer. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03775 on 1 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317503,"EventID":"S5W-03787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T14:38:16.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its formal response to the final report of the Commission on Local Tax Reform.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s response to the Commission was announced by the First Minister on 2 March, 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317504,"EventID":"S5W-03779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T14:38:18.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-03364 by Keith Brown on 12 October 2016, for what reason the answer did not address the matter of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme that is operated by the British Business Bank, and whether it will now provide an answer. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03775 on 1 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317505,"EventID":"S5W-03788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T14:38:21.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last consulted its Chief Scientific Adviser on fracking and for what reason.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials have met with the Chief Scientific Advisor and Chief Scientific Advisor for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment a number of times to provide a summary of the unconventional oil and gas work underway. The Scottish Government values the contribution of the scientific advisors, and our evidence-led approach to unconventional oil and gas underlines the value the Scottish Government places on robust science.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":317506,"EventID":"S5W-03790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T14:38:22.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that investment in geothermal energy technologies is not discouraged by its moratorium on unconventional gas extraction.","AnswerText":"The moratorium on unconventional gas extraction does not cover geothermal energy and should therefore not discourage investment in geothermal energy technologies or have an impact on geothermal energy exploration.\r\nThe Scottish Government is keen to develop the potential of a geothermal industry in Scotland which will help reduce carbon emissions while providing additional security of energy supplies. The Scottish Government has been working with stakeholders to explore the capacity of geothermal and its viability as a self-sustaining, economically attractive investment prospect with local community support for the principles of the project, including an understanding of its potential environmental impact.\r\nDuring 2015-16, the Scottish Government made £179,000 grant available to explore the technical feasibility, environmental sustainability and economic viability of four locations in Scotland: Fife, North Lanarkshire, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City. The findings of these studies are available on the Scottish Government website at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Action/lowcarbon/LCITP/geothermal. A technical appraisal of the feasibility study reports has been undertaken, and a further grant of £37,000 has been awarded to the University of St Andrews for development work in Fife.\r\nThe roles of the regulatory authorities in relation to these developments is outlined in the Scottish Government guidance document available at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Energy-sources/19185/GeothermalEnergy/RegulatoryGuidance. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":317517,"EventID":"S5W-03782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T15:12:30.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T10:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many two-year-old children entitled to funded early learning and childcare in 2015 (a) were looked after, (b) were in kinship care or had a guardian, (c) had a parent on qualifying benefits or (d) were in need, vulnerable or under local priorities, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The information requested is included in the annual Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland, published December 2015, table 4. http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00490594.xlsx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317518,"EventID":"S5W-03783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T15:12:34.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T10:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of three- and four-year-olds are registered for more than one early learning or childcare setting, and how this figure is calculated.","AnswerText":"We do not hold this information centrally.\r\nWe are aware that children can be offered split placements and could therefore be registered with more than one provider. We are seeking to address issues in the data by undertaking a data transformation project to make sure the census fully reflects early learning and childcare policy changes and user needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317519,"EventID":"S5W-03784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T15:12:37.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T10:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its analysis that showed that 46% of parents who do not use the childcare they are entitled to cite a lack of availability, how it will increase the provision of childcare in large urban areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to providing high quality, flexible early learning and childcare that meets the needs of children and their families. That is why we have increased the amount of funded early learning and childcare to 600 hours a year for all 3 and 4 year olds, and extended this to over a quarter of all 2 year olds, through the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. The Act has also placed flexibility on a statutory footing for the first time, and has placed a duty on local authorities to consult with local groups of parents every 2 years on patterns of hours that will best suit their needs. It is therefore through this consultation process that any specific needs, such as availability in large urban areas, will be identified and addressed. \r\nMore broadly, provision has increased nationally through additional hours. The Care Inspectorate’s overview of initial expansion, published in March 2016, indicated that “Local authorities have generally succeeded in making available 600 hours for all eligible children” and, “The clear progress being made by local authorities to measure and meet parental demand for early learning and childcare is welcome, and there is a need to embed effective and widespread methods for consulting parents”. We will continue to work with local authorities to increase and accelerate choice and access to early learning and childcare.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317520,"EventID":"S5W-03781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-14T15:12:40.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T10:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many parents of three- and four-year-olds are not using the free childcare they are entitled to.","AnswerText":"We do not collect specific data on the number of parents not using funded early learning and childcare. We do collect data on the number of funded registrations through an annual census in September which is published in December. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317521,"EventID":"S5W-03792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:50:58.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the review, Delivering a Strategy for Purposeful Activity in the Scottish Prison Service, in 2014, whether it will provide an update on the progress of carrying out purposeful activity in prisons.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe SPS provided an update on our progress in respect to Purposeful Activity in our recently published SPS Annual Report and Accounts 2015-2016.\r\nThe specific information is contained within the SPS Annual Report and Accounts 2015-2016 page 18 -19. This information can be accessed via the SPS Website at the following address:\r\nhttp://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Publications/Publication-4206.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317522,"EventID":"S5W-03794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:51:00.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) spends on carrying out purposeful activity in prisons, given in (a) cash terms and (b) as a percentage of the SPS budget, also broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe SPS does not collect financial information in the format requested. Financial information related to Purposeful Activity is available within SPS Annual Report and Accounts 2015-2016. This information can be accessed via the SPS Website at the following address:\r\nhttp://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Publications/Publication-4206.aspx\r\nThe specific financial information is contained within pages 40 – 50 of this document.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317523,"EventID":"S5W-03811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:51:03.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided for Glasgow Prestwick Airport in each year since it assumed ownership.","AnswerText":"By the end of the last financial year (31st March 2016) the Scottish Government had invested £20.8 million in loan support in Glasgow Prestwick Airport. The breakdown of this investment by year is £4.5 million invested in 2013-14, £6.3 million invested in 2014-15, and £10.0 million invested in 2015-16.\r\nWe expect all loan funding will be repaid, plus interest.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317524,"EventID":"S5W-03824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:51:10.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which colleges operate a technical deficit in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"The audited accounts of incorporated colleges for the year ended 31 July 2016 are not due to be received by the Scottish Funding Council until the end of December 2016. \r\nThe financial health of the college sector in 2014-15 is reported in paragraphs 59-62 of the Audit Scotland report Scotland’s colleges 2016 , which is at http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/uploads/docs/report/2016/nr_160825_scotlands_colleges.pdf\r\nExhibit 10 of the report indicates that while the sector reported an overall deficit of £28 million in 2014-15, after taking account of adjustments (including technical accounting adjustments), the deficit decreases to £3 million, representing less than one per cent of income.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317525,"EventID":"S5W-03826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:51:16.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the maintenance budget has been for each college in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The distribution of funding to individual colleges is an operational matter for the Scottish Funding Council. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to respond.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317526,"EventID":"S5W-03828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:51:24.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost is of meeting all assessed maintenance requirements for each college, broken down by individual college.","AnswerText":"In light of the findings of the Audit Scotland report, the SFC is currently working with the sector to establish the up-to-date maintenance requirements of the colleges' estate. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317527,"EventID":"S5W-03799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:51:31.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the waiting list time is for prisoners accessing purposeful activity, broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe SPS does not collect this information in the format requested.\r\nFollowing the admissions process, everyone received into a Scottish prison following conviction is afforded the opportunity to participate in Purposeful Activity.\r\nSome of the activities provided, such as education, do however require specific planning and coordination and this is planned by taking into account local circumstances and the particular needs of the individual. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317528,"EventID":"S5W-03800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:51:33.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how often methadone users are offered a review of their treatment.","AnswerText":"Decisions on the type of Opioid Replacement Therapy (ORT), including methadone, to prescribe are for clinicians, in close discussion with their clients. The use of ORT is done in line with UK guidelines on the Clinical Management of Drug Misuse and Dependence. These guidelines state that for those individuals who are in receipt of longer-term prescriptions, that they should be reviewed at regular intervals (usually at least three-monthly), and should be part of a broader programme of care planned social and psychological support.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317529,"EventID":"S5W-03803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:51:35.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people will benefit from its commitment to pay all care workers in adult social care at least the living wage.","AnswerText":"Up to 40,000 care workers, mainly women, in 2016-17 will benefit from our commitment to pay the Living Wage to care workers in adult social care.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317530,"EventID":"S5W-03817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:51:38.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the expansion of Heathrow Airport will have on Scottish airports.","AnswerText":"The impact on each Scottish Airport will be determined by how airlines and passengers respond to increased capacity being available. Potentially, airports with no service or limited services to London Heathrow could benefit, with wider benefits for Scotland from improved connectivity for business and new opportunities for inbound tourism.\r\nExpansion at Heathrow Airport offers the potential for the establishment of a new supply chain hub at Glasgow Prestwick Airport to support the building of the third runway. Heathrow Airport will work with the Scottish Government to investigate this opportunity.\r\nThe Scottish Government announced its support for a third runway at Heathrow after securing a number of other key commitments for Scotland, including the creation of up to 16,000 new jobs and a minimum of £200 million worth of construction-related spend during planning and construction. There will also be a significant marketing campaign at Heathrow Airport worth £1.5m and beginning in 2017 to promote all that Scotland has to offer. To support existing services and incentivise new ones, from January 2017 there will be a reduction of £10 per passenger on charges paid by airlines operating services from Heathrow to Scotland. There will also be a £10 million route development fund to further help support new domestic routes.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317531,"EventID":"S5W-03818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:51:45.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many deaths by suicide there have been in each year since 2011, broken down by (a) gender, (b) age and (c) local authority area.","AnswerText":"Statistics on Probable Suicides (Deaths which are the Result of Intentional Self-harm or Events of Undetermined Intent) are published annually on the National Records of Scotland website. The following workbook contains trends by gender (worksheet 1), age-group (worksheet 3) and local authority (worksheet 5). http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/files//statistics/probable-suicides/suicides-2015-all-tables.xlsx\r\nNew coding rules were introduced by NRS in 2011, and the workbook contains figures from 2011 onwards based on both old and new coding. Any comparisons with suicides before 2011 should be based on old coding rules. Further information about the classification of suicide deaths is available on the following webpage: http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/vital-events/deaths/suicides/the-definition-of-the-statistics","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317532,"EventID":"S5W-03813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:51:52.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which airline carriers have flown from Glasgow Prestwick Airport in each year since 2011. ","AnswerText":"Ryanair has provided scheduled services from Glasgow Prestwick in each year since 2011. Wizz Air also provided scheduled services in 2011, 2012 and 2013. A wide range of other airlines use the airport for training, charter flights, technical stops, diversions and emergencies. In addition, the airport has handled a range of cargo aircraft in each year including services by Cargolux and Air France.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317533,"EventID":"S5W-03815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:51:59.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what freight has been transported from Glasgow Prestwick Airport in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The volume of freight transported through the airport in each year since 2011 is:\r\nYear\r\nTonnes\r\n2011\r\n11,846 \r\n2012\r\n10,314\r\n2013\r\n9,526\r\n2014\r\n12,540\r\n2015\r\n11,242\r\nSource: CAA","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317534,"EventID":"S5W-03820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:52:06.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the level of anti-depressant prescribing has been in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Information and Statistics Division (ISD) annual report “Prescribing in Mental Health” provides summary information on antidepressant use in Scottish Health Boards. This report is published online and is available at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Publications/. Included within the data tables as part of this publication is a summary of the number of patients and a frequency count of the items by patient at NHS Scotland level – this data is published from 2009-10 onwards.\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nNumber of Dispensed Items\r\nNumber of Patients\r\nNumber of Dispensed Items\r\nNumber of Patients\r\nNumber of Dispensed Items\r\nNumber of Patients\r\nNumber of Dispensed Items\r\nNumber of Patients\r\nNumber of Dispensed Items\r\nNumber of Patients\r\nNumber of Dispensed Items\r\nNumber of Patients\r\n1,249,599\r\n204,119\r\n1,388,211\r\n219,071\r\n1,510,193\r\n234,899\r\n1,604,047\r\n246,925\r\n1,726,141\r\n259,747\r\n1,843,352\r\n273,903\r\n4,023,964\r\n633,791\r\n4,444,925\r\n675,948\r\n4,806,276\r\n718,330\r\n5,059,941\r\n747,158\r\n5,377,924\r\n778,180\r\n5,710,539\r\n814,181\r\nThe figures for antidepressants for 2015-16 in the latest publication by ISD are for high level national figures for number of items and Gross Ingredient Cost(GIC)only, following the identification of a data processing issue. More detailed analysis and a supplementary data excel file in line with the analysis presented for other classes of medicines for mental health in this publication will be published in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317535,"EventID":"S5W-03822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:52:13.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what EU funding is being provided to colleges for 2016, broken down by college.","AnswerText":"EU\r\nSFC match\r\nAyrshire College\r\n£640,000\r\n£426,624\r\n£213,376\r\nGlasgow College Region\r\n£6,123,802\r\n£4,082,126\r\n£2,041,676\r\nLanarkshire College Region\r\n£3,891,238\r\n£2,593,899\r\n£1,297,339\r\nWest College Scotland\r\n£2,451,097\r\n£1,633,901\r\n£817,196\r\nTotal funding under YEI\r\n£13,106,137\r\n£8,736,551\r\n£4,369,586\r\nESF - Developing Scotland's Workforce\r\nLowlands & Uplands Scotland\r\nBorders College\r\n£210,642\r\n£84,257\r\n£126,385\r\nDundee and Angus College\r\n£2,362,999\r\n£945,200\r\n£1,417,799\r\nFife College\r\n£1,014,702\r\n£405,881\r\n£608,821\r\nForth Valley College\r\n£656,981\r\n£262,792\r\n£394,189\r\nNorth East Scotland College\r\n£1,004,495\r\n£401,798\r\n£602,697\r\nWest Lothian College\r\n£318,283\r\n£127,313\r\n£190,970\r\nSRUC\r\n£149,210\r\n£59,684\r\n£89,526\r\nTotal funding under DSW (LUPS)\r\n£5,717,312\r\n£2,286,925\r\n£3,430,387\r\nHighlands & Island\r\nUHI partner colleges (including Perth)\r\n£1,610,029\r\n£805,015\r\n£805,015\r\nTotal funding under DSW (H&I)\r\n£1,610,029\r\n£805,015\r\n£805,015\r\nOVERALL TOTAL FUNDING ALLOCATED THROUGH ESF PROGRAMMES \r\n£20,433,478\r\n£11,828,490\r\n£8,604,988\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council, October 2016","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317536,"EventID":"S5W-03798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:52:21.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what income has been generated from external sales of products and services created through Scottish Prison Service Industries in each of the last ten years, broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nOver the last 10 years, sales of products and services from Scottish Prison Service industries have generated total income of £11.2m.\r\nThis is broken down by prison as follows:\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n2015-16\r\n2014-15\r\n2013-14\r\n2012-13\r\n2011-12\r\nEstablishment\r\n£000\r\n\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\nHMP Barlinnie\r\n506\r\n\r\n28\r\n18\r\n6\r\n14\r\n1\r\nCentral Stores\r\n10,184\r\n\r\n1,019\r\n1,166\r\n897\r\n773\r\n1,044\r\nHMP YOI Cornton Vale\r\n94\r\n\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n18\r\nHMP Dumfries\r\n45\r\n\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHMP Edinburgh\r\n2\r\n\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nHMP Glenochil\r\n271\r\n\r\n6\r\n14\r\n17\r\n23\r\n25\r\nHMP YOI Grampian\r\n0\r\n\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHMP Greenock\r\n0\r\n\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHMP Inverness\r\n2\r\n\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHMP Low Moss\r\n10\r\n\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nOpen Estate\r\n48\r\n\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHMP Perth\r\n3\r\n\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nHMP Peterhead\r\n1\r\n\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHM YOI Polmont\r\n2\r\n\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHMP Shotts\r\n56\r\n\r\n11\r\n9\r\n14\r\n1\r\n1\r\nTotal\r\n11,224\r\n\r\n1,064\r\n1,207\r\n934\r\n813\r\n1,092\r\n\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2009-10\r\n2008-09\r\n2007-08\r\n2006-07\r\nEstablishment\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\nHMP Barlinnie\r\n15\r\n34\r\n138\r\n143\r\n109\r\nCentral Stores\r\n1,105\r\n1,259\r\n1,136\r\n864\r\n921\r\nHMP YOI Cornton Vale\r\n28\r\n11\r\n16\r\n9\r\n10\r\nHMP Dumfries\r\n1\r\n2\r\n7\r\n18\r\n17\r\nHMP Edinburgh\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHMP Glenochil\r\n35\r\n46\r\n29\r\n39\r\n37\r\nHMP YOI Grampian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHMP Greenock\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHMP Inverness\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nHMP Low Moss\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n8\r\nOpen Estate\r\n0\r\n0\r\n11\r\n16\r\n21\r\nHMP Perth\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHMP Peterhead\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nHM YOI Polmont\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHMP Shotts\r\n3\r\n2\r\n6\r\n4\r\n5\r\nTotal\r\n1,189\r\n1,356\r\n1,343\r\n1,095\r\n1,131\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317537,"EventID":"S5W-03805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:52:23.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will use any budget underspend to help third sector organisations meet their living wage commitments.","AnswerText":"The fiscal departmental expenditure limit (DEL) cash underspend for 2015-16, which is provisional at this stage, is being carried into the current financial year in full. In the context of continued post-Brexit economic challenge and uncertainty this is helping to fund the £100 million capital stimulus and other initiatives announced as part of the Programme for Government which will boost confidence, stimulate economic activity and support business in Scotland. We have maintained our core third sector budget at £24.5 million, and across the Scottish Government there are significant sums being invested in third sector organisations.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317538,"EventID":"S5W-03812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:52:25.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list all senior staff employed to assist with the development of Glasgow Prestwick Airport since it assumed ownership.","AnswerText":"The current Executive Management Team comprises:\r\nRon Smith – Chief Executive Officer\r\nDerek Banks – Finance and Commercial Director\r\nJules Matteoni – Operations Director\r\nMike Stewart – Business Development Director\r\nSonia Rafferty – Human Resource Director\r\nThe Chief Executive Officer, Chief Commercial Officer and Finance Director appointed by the previous owners left the business in September 2015, August 2015 and May 2016 respectively. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317539,"EventID":"S5W-03823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:52:33.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many EU nationals are enrolled in colleges in 2016, broken down by college.","AnswerText":"\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCollege\r\nEU Enrolments\r\n\r\nAyrshire College\r\n255\r\n\r\nBorders College\r\n212\r\n\r\nDumfries and Galloway College\r\n152\r\n\r\nDundee and Angus College\r\n836\r\n\r\nEdinburgh College\r\n3,220\r\n\r\nFife College\r\n610\r\n\r\nForth Valley College\r\n488\r\n\r\nCity of Glasgow College\r\n982\r\n\r\nGlasgow Clyde College\r\n975\r\n\r\nGlasgow Kelvin College\r\n518\r\n\r\nInverness College\r\n361\r\n\r\nLews Castle College\r\n59\r\n\r\nMoray College\r\n104\r\n\r\nOrkney College\r\n77\r\n\r\nPerth College\r\n291\r\n\r\nShetland College of Further Education\r\n105\r\n\r\nWest Highland College\r\n119\r\n\r\nSabhal Mor Ostaig\r\n81\r\n\r\nNew College Lanarkshire\r\n699\r\n\r\nSouth Lanarkshire College\r\n176\r\n\r\nNorth East Scotland College\r\n2,704\r\n\r\nNorth Highland College\r\n132\r\n\r\nSRUC Land Based\r\n308\r\n\r\nWest College Scotland\r\n1,052\r\n\r\nWest Lothian College\r\n324\r\n\r\nTotal \r\n14,840\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council, October 2016","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317540,"EventID":"S5W-03793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:52:39.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which department and minister have overall responsibility for children and families affected by the imprisonment of a parent or other family member.","AnswerText":"The Directorate for Children and Families lead on policy for children and families affected by the imprisonment of parent or other family member.\r\nHowever given the cross-cutting nature of this policy, they work very closely in collaboration with Directorates in Justice and Health.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317541,"EventID":"S5W-03825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:52:42.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether colleges are prevented from tendering for local government contracts if they operate a deficit.","AnswerText":"There is no legislative requirement that would prevent a college from bidding for and being awarded a contract by a local authority because the college was in deficit.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317542,"EventID":"S5W-03827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:52:49.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the classification is in the risk register of each college property.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for individual colleges. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317543,"EventID":"S5W-03795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:52:56.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many third sector organisations are involved in purposeful activity in prisons.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe SPS engages with a wide range of third sector organisations in the delivery of Purposeful Activity. SPS believe that the third sector has an important role to play in progressing the delivery of PA. We have provided a breakdown prison by prison and the third sector organisations currently engaged with establishments.\r\nThird sector agencies involved in Purposeful Activity in the Scottish Prison Service: October 2016\r\nEstablishment\r\n3rd sector agencies\r\n\r\n\r\nBarlinnie\r\nAdult learning\r\nAlcoholics Anonymous\r\nCitizens’ Advice\r\nCornerstone\r\nCroft\r\nEarly years intervention\r\nFaith in Throughcare\r\nPrison Fellowship\r\nGlasgow Life\r\nNarcotics Anonymous\r\nNew Routes\r\nScottish Canine Concern\r\nScottish Phoenix Trust\r\nTheatre Nemo\r\nToy Box\r\nCornton Vale\r\nStirling Interfaith Partnership\r\nShine\r\nStirling Addiction Services\r\nTomorrow’s women\r\nWomen’s Justice Centre\r\nWomen’s Aid\r\nPaws for progress\r\nScottish Youth Hostel Assoc’n\r\nShelter\r\nSalvation Army\r\nPDSA\r\nSue Ryder\r\nRobertson Group\r\nACE recycling\r\nAdult Literacy Link Project – City of GlasgowCollege\r\nOpen secret\r\nAlcoholics anonymous\r\nSamaritans\r\nDumfries\r\nOpen Secret\r\nADDACTION\r\nILS\r\nCommunity Learning and Development\r\nSamaritans\r\nOral Health\r\nAdult Support and Protection\r\nAPEX\r\nSACRO\r\nSHELTER\r\nThroughcare Addictions Service (TAS)\r\nPositive Routes/ New Routes/ Routes out of Prison\r\nBethany Housing\r\nRelationships Scotland\r\nEarly Years Scotland\r\nFamilies Outside\r\nEdinburgh\r\nFour Square/PHASE\r\nHOPE\r\nOpen Secret\r\nArmed Services Advice Project\r\nVeterans First Point\r\nWILDAS\r\nNew Routes\r\nAdvocard\r\nWillow\r\nSHINE\r\nSACRO Veterans\r\nHousing Agency Referral (Non Edinburgh &Fife)\r\nLifeline\r\nThera-pet project\r\nEdinburgh Bike-station\r\nConservation Foundation\r\nPrison Fellowship\r\nBarclay Viewforth Church\r\nSalvation Army\r\nGlenochil\r\nSamaritans\r\nSignpost recovery\r\nFamilies Outside\r\nFamily Mediation\r\nPrison Fellowship\r\nGamblers Anonymous\r\nGlasgow School of Art\r\nLive Literature\r\nMakers Gallery Alloa\r\nMothers Union\r\nNarcotics Anonymous\r\nOpen Secret\r\nReading Agency\r\nGrampian\r\nNarcotics Anonymous\r\nAlcoholics Anonymous\r\nStation House Media Unit\r\nAPEX\r\nTurning point\r\nEarly years Scotland\r\nGreenock\r\n218 Project\r\nAlcoholics Anonymous\r\nApex\r\nMoving On\r\nOpen Secret\r\nPrison Fellowship\r\nShine/New Routes\r\nStreet Cones\r\nTheatre Nemo\r\nThroughcare/Addiction Services, Dumbarton\r\nTomorrow’s Woman\r\nWomen’s Aid\r\nInverness\r\nThe Liberty Project\r\nNew Start Highland\r\nBlythsewood\r\nApex\r\nSMART UK\r\nHighland Homeless Trust\r\nAlcoholics Anonymous\r\nBarnardos\r\nCitizen Advice\r\nCreativity in Care\r\nVictim Support\r\nPrison Fellowship\r\nPoppy Scotland\r\nLow Moss\r\nBASE\r\nMomentum Skills\r\nShaw Trust\r\nOpen estate\r\nShelter\r\nTaymara\r\nSixth Circle\r\nIndependent Advocacy\r\nSamaritans\r\nSpringboard\r\nSSAFA (Armed Forces Charity)\r\nAlcoholics Anonymous\r\nDundee Discovery Games\r\nStreet Soccer\r\nEarly Years Scotland (EYS)\r\nPerth\r\nDundee Law Society\r\nFaith in Throughcare\r\nPositive steps\r\nScottish Recovery Consortium\r\nAlcoholics Anonymous\r\nCross Reach\r\n6th Circle\r\nNarcotics Anonymous\r\nScottish Drug Forum\r\nCAIR Scotland\r\nSMART Recovery\r\nFirst Fife\r\nFront Line Fife\r\nDrug & Alcohol Project Limited\r\nRestoration Fife\r\nJericho House\r\nPerth & Kinross Joint Recovery Project\r\nPerth Addiction Support Team\r\nEclips\r\nPolmont\r\nAlcoholics Anonymous\r\nAccess to Industry / Passport\r\nAdult Literacies & Numeracy\r\nAction for children\r\nArt therapist\r\nBarnardos\r\nChurch of Scotland\r\nEducation Scotland\r\nFalkirk Community Trust\r\nFalkirk Council outreach\r\nFife College\r\nImpact arts\r\nLife skills\r\nMentor UK\r\nOpen Secrets\r\nPaws for progress\r\nWise Group\r\nWomen’s Aid\r\nYouth Scotland\r\nYouth Bridges\r\nYouth Community Support Agency\r\nShotts\r\nGetting Better Together, Shotts\r\nBraveheart Industries\r\nNarcotics Anonymous\r\nCocaine Anonymous\r\nAlcoholics Anonymous\r\nChristian Fellowship\r\nSamaritans\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317544,"EventID":"S5W-03797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:52:58.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many activities and services are classed as purposeful activity in prisons.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nWithin the SPS there are in excess of 500 activities and services delivered in establishments which are considered to be Purposeful. The definition of a Purposeful Activity is contained within Prison Rules Scotland, Rule 84.\r\nThe SPS delivered over 7 million hours of Purposeful Activity last financial year across all prisons.\r\nFurther information on to Purposeful Activity is published within the SPS Annual Report and Accounts 2015 -2016, Pages 10, 18 and 19. This information can be accessed via the SPS Website at the following address:\r\nhttp://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Publications/Publication-4206.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317545,"EventID":"S5W-03804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:53:01.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total additional cost to employers will be of implementing its commitment to pay all care workers in adult social care at least the living wage. ","AnswerText":"We have made national estimates on the cost of increasing wages to the Living Wage level. This analysis has been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib number 57809).","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317546,"EventID":"S5W-03831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:53:03.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to reported comments by the First Minister on 15 October 2016, how it defines (a) hard and (b) soft Brexit.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to protecting Scotland’s relationship with the EU, following Scotland’s unequivocal vote to retain the wide range of economic and social benefits membership provides. We are considering all possible steps to ensure Scotland’s continuing relationship with the EU and will work with others to try and avoid a ‘hard brexit’ which removes the UK not just from the EU but from the single market as well. We are engaged at ministerial and official level with the UK Government to ensure the best outcome for Scotland following the EU referendum, and in the meantime continue to welcome fellow EU nationals to make Scotland their home.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317547,"EventID":"S5W-03796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:53:07.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners take part in purposeful activity each year, broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe SPS does not collect this information in the format requested. \r\nAll prisoners are both required to and take part in Purposeful Activity. This can be constrained on occasion when prisoners are subject to disciplinary awards and also through medical considerations.\r\nSome prisoners do from time to time decline to take part and when they do so this is addressed through a problem solving approach which can also, in some case, lead to internal disciplinary procedures. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317548,"EventID":"S5W-03814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:53:09.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many passengers have flown from Glasgow Prestwick Airport in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The passengers numbers as reported by the CAA between 2011 and 2015 are listed in the following table.\r\nYear\r\nPassengers\r\n(000)\r\n2011\r\n1,296\r\n2012\r\n1,067\r\n2013\r\n1,145\r\n2014\r\n912\r\n2015\r\n610\r\nSource: CAA","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317549,"EventID":"S5W-03821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:53:17.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what services are available to people coming off anti-depressants.","AnswerText":"Any prescribing is a clinical decision for a patient’s doctor and there is good evidence that GPs assess and treat depression appropriately. Decisions to use them should always involve the patient so that they understand both the potential benefits and risks in making a decision to take them.\r\nFor people coming off antidepressants help is available from a range of sources, GPs in primary care can often provide sufficient medical support in the community. For more specialised help general psychiatric services commonly manage people with a wide variety of mental health problems, including addictions. The multidisciplinary teams in specialist mental health consist of a range of professions – medical doctors, psychologists, nurses, allied health professionals that all can have a part to play in providing medical, psychological and social supports. Specialist addiction services are available for the most complex either through advice or direct service involvement and primary care, mental health and addiction specialist services are all sensitive to the stigma associated with mental health problems including addictions and do all they can to reduce this.\r\nScottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) develops evidence based clinical practice guidelines for the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland. SIGN guidelines are produced in collaboration with patients, carers and members of the public. SIGN guidelines 114 on Non-pharmaceutical management of depression in adults provides an assessment of non-pharmaceutical therapies, encompassing psychological therapies, structured exercise and lifestyle interventions, and a range of alternative and complementary treatments. These guidelines are published online and are available at http://sign.ac.uk/guidelines/fulltext/114/index.html.\r\nIn addition the Scottish Government also supports provided by Breathing Space and NHS Living Life to people experiencing depression and anxiety is a key element of wider work across Scotland to intervene early and prevent problems from becoming worse. This will be making a big difference to people and aligns well with our policy on improving prevention and intervening early, which is one area of focus for the next Mental Health Strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317550,"EventID":"S5W-03801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:53:24.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people with drug addictions have been supported to cease drug use completely in each year since the Road to Recovery strategy was launched in 2008.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to say how many people have ceased drug use completely since the publication of The Road to Recovery as this information is not held centrally. The Scottish Government is currently working closely with Information Services Division Scotland, national commissioned organisations, ADPs and services to develop a new data collection system (Drug and Alcohol Information System ) which will collect and report on drug and alcohol treatment and outcomes information, including abstinence.\r\nRecovery for some individuals is not the same as abstinence. The Road to Recovery set out the importance of developing a system of care which ensured that individuals were offered a treatment and recovery package that best met their needs and aspirations.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317551,"EventID":"S5W-03802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:53:26.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-14T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the road equivalent tariff would have on fares if the Arran ferry service was moved from Ardrossan to Troon. ","AnswerText":"We are committed to supporting our lifeline ferry services and providing the best possible service for the communities, who rely on these. We understand concerns about the affordability of ferry fares, which is why we have rolled out Road Equivalent Tariff fares across the entire Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services network.\r\nThe impact on Road Equivalent Tariff fares, were the Arran ferry service to relocate to Troon, will form part of Ministers’ considerations, along with a range of other factors.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317552,"EventID":"S5W-03816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:53:28.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Glasgow Prestwick Airport is used by the military and, if so, whether a financial contribution is made by the Ministry of Defence.","AnswerText":"Military flights that use the airport do so on a commercial basis. Glasgow Prestwick Airport’s management team will consider all potential business opportunities, including commercial opportunities connected to military aircraft, to maximise the use of the assets of the airport.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317553,"EventID":"S5W-03819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:53:36.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T09:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether 24-hour mental health crisis services are provided in every local authority area.","AnswerText":"It is responsibility of health boards and HSCPs to ensure appropriate mental health services are available for local populations. In a well-functioning mental health system, there will be a range of community, inpatient and crisis mental health services that support people with severe and enduring mental illness. Within the broad direction of change toward developing more services based in the community, we know that there are wide variations in pace of change, delivery and models of services. \r\nA Scottish mental health crisis standards guidance document and associated toolkit were both published in 2008. http://www.gov.scot/resource/doc/924/0072211.pdf\r\nA Scottish Crisis and Acute inpatient mental health network (SCAIN) has assisted Scottish Government in creation of a set of key performance indicators for crisis services as action to deliver commitment 23 of the Mental Health Strategy (2012-2015). http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00482822.pdf. These are offered to Health Boards and HSCPs as a best practice means of measuring activity and outcome for these services.\r\nAll health board areas provide 24/7 mental health emergency services. Depending on geography and rurality this may be through on call mental health staff attending acute emergency departments, through any additional crisis services or through rural general practitioners.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317554,"EventID":"S5W-03833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T13:53:43.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any ministers or officials will be attending the Conference of the Parties on the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP13) in December 2016.","AnswerText":"No Ministers or Officials will be attending.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317559,"EventID":"S5W-03841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T15:12:55.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01444 by Mark McDonald on 5 August 2016, whether it will provide details of the funding for third sector organisations involved in supporting children and young people affected by bereavement, broken down by award to each organisation.","AnswerText":"Currently, much of the funding awarded to third sector organisations providing support services for people affected by grief or bereavement is not focused specifically on children and young people; rather, it is intended to support services for anyone affected by grief or bereavement. Many third sector organisations provide grief or bereavement support as part of a range of services.\r\nThe specific funding mentioned in the answer to S5W-01444 for Richmond’s Hope (to help establish their new Glasgow Govan centre) amounted to £90,000 over the financial years 2014-15, 2015-16, and 2016-17; and for Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland (to assist their work to reintegrate children and young people into society after a loss) the award was for £43,000 in 2016-17. Additionally, in 2016-17, a grant of £100,000 was awarded to Child Bereavement UK to build the capacity of professionals and organisations to support bereaved children, young people, parents and families, and to operate a helpline and website accessible to bereaved families in Scotland. \r\nAlso, while not targeted at bereavement specifically, in December 2015 the Scottish Government announced that 118 third sector organisations supporting children, families, and adult learning had been awarded £14 million from the Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities Fund. This will benefit thousands of children, families and communities across Scotland, including children and young people who may have been affected by bereavement.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317560,"EventID":"S5W-03834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T15:12:57.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what direction it will issue to planning authorities in light of its recently announced position on underground coal gasification.","AnswerText":"A Direction issued to all Heads of Planning from the Chief Planner on 8 October 2015 required planning applications for underground coal gasification (UCG) development received by planning authorities to be sent to Scottish Ministers. The covering letter explained that this was to ensure the Government’s position on UCG is reflected through the planning decision making process. \r\nTo ensure consistency across regulatory regimes, a similar Direction was issued by Scottish Ministers on the same date to SEPA regarding any relevant new Controlled Activity Regulation (CAR) licenses.\r\nAs the Directions are still in place, there is no requirement to make changes to them, or to the Scottish Planning Policy. As I made clear in my ministerial statement, I have also written to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark, to request that the UK Government revoke existing licences for UCG activities, and undertake to not issue any further licences, to respect the decision of the Scottish Government that UCG should play no part in Scotland's future energy mix.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317561,"EventID":"S5W-03829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T15:12:59.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what revenue expenditure was allocated to the (a) NHS and (b) Scottish Ambulance Service in (i) this and (ii) each of the previous four financial years.","AnswerText":"Revenue spending allocations to the Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS Boards in total are provided in the following table.\r\n\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n203.8\r\n207.6\r\n210.0\r\n212.1\r\n223.5\r\nAll health boards\r\n8,802.1\r\n9,077.5\r\n9,335.0\r\n9,623.0\r\n10,137.3\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317562,"EventID":"S5W-03838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T15:13:03.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03360 by Keith Brown on 12 October 2016, whether it will provide the complete list of business organisations and financial institutions with which it intends to engage in order to design the Scottish Growth Scheme.","AnswerText":"This is an evolving process, for example, Scottish Financial Enterprise hosted a workshop on 14 October including the main lenders in Scotland to discuss the scheme. The list requested will be provided when our work is concluded.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317563,"EventID":"S5W-03840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T15:13:05.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01444 by Mark MacDonald on 5 August 2016, whether it has made, or plans to make, any assessment of the number of children and young people affected by bereavement.","AnswerText":"In the coming year, the Scottish Government will appoint a new national coordinator of childhood bereavement services to review and advise on next steps to improvement. Any assessment of the number of children affected by bereavement will be made as part of this review.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317564,"EventID":"S5W-03839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T15:13:07.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03360 by Keith Brown on 12 October 2016, with which business organisations and financial institutions it has met to date, and on what date each meeting was held. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03838 on 27 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317565,"EventID":"S5W-03835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T15:13:10.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes it will make to planning policy and guidance in light of its recently announced position on underground coal gasification.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03834 on 8 November 2016. All answers to parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317566,"EventID":"S5W-03836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T15:13:12.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to conduct any further research into whether the Sexual Offences (Procedure and Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2002 is protecting rape complainers in the way that it was intended.","AnswerText":"Previous research on this issue was conducted in 2007, a copy of that report can be viewed at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/197710/0052889.pdf\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently in the process of collecting and analysing data in this area to understand how the law is being utilised. This exercise will inform future consideration of the operation of the law in this area.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317567,"EventID":"S5W-03837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-17T15:13:15.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to review the Sexual Offences (Procedure and Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2002, which set the rules on the admissibility of sexual history evidence during a trial. ","AnswerText":"Sections 274 to 275B of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 were introduced in their present form by the 2002 Act to strengthen the existing provisions restricting the extent to which evidence can be led regarding the character and sexual history of the complainer. Under these provisions, such evidence can only be introduced if the court expressly permits it. If the court does not permit it, such evidence cannot be introduced.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently in the process of collecting and analysing data in this area to understand how the law is being utilised. This exercise will inform future consideration of the operation of the law in this area.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317578,"EventID":"S5W-03849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:42:24.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the health of firearms certificate holders is monitored to ensure their ongoing suitability to possess these.","AnswerText":"Decisions about the suitability of an individual to hold a firearms certificate rest with the Chief Constable. \r\nIn determining the suitability of an individual to hold a certificate, the police take into account all information available to them both at the time of the application for grant or renewal and during the period of the certificate. This information may, for example, come from home visits or other contact with the police or from third parties and it may relate to the health of the individual. In the event of concerns, the police will refuse or revoke a certificate.\r\nApplicants for grant or renewal of a firearms certificate are required to declare at application if they suffer from a relevant medical condition and it is an offence to fail to declare such a condition. Each applicant is visited by the police and interviewed by a police officer or member of police staff, during which time they are asked about their health. If necessary, referees are asked for their views on an applicant’s health.\r\nNew arrangements for the sharing of information between the police and General Practitioners (GPs) for the purposes of firearms licensing were introduced in April 2016 and set out in joint Chief Medical Officer/Police Scotland guidance http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/cmo/CMO(2016)07.pdf. The arrangements require individual health records of firearms certificate holders to be ‘flagged’. This is intended to make it clear to a GP that an individual is a certificate holder so that they can advise the police when they have concerns about relevant health changes. \r\nIt may be some time before the health records of all certificate holders are flagged because the new arrangements are only applied in cases where new applications are being made or certificates are due for renewal. A minority of GPs have also opted not to be involved in the new process following revised British Medical Association (BMA) UK guidance issued to members in July. \r\nEach certificate holder is also recorded on the Police Scotland Criminal History System (CHS). Should the police encounter the individual in circumstances that would cause some concern in respect of their health, the CHS marker would alert the police to take the necessary action to remove the certificate holder's guns.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317579,"EventID":"S5W-03850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:42:26.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that health authorities have adequate input to the suitability of individuals to be firearms certificate holders.","AnswerText":"Decisions about the suitability of an individual to hold a firearm certificate rest with the Chief Constable. The police will enquire of as many people or organisations as necessary to ensure the safety of the public prior to issuing a certificate. \r\nNew arrangements for the sharing of information between the police and General Practitioners (GPs) for the purposes of firearms licensing were introduced in April 2016. This followed lengthy discussions between the Home Office, British Medical Association (BMA) UK, Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) UK, shooting organisations, the police, Information Commissioner’s Office, and others. The sharing of appropriate clinical information helps the police to determine whether an individual should be granted a firearms certificate and thereby helps to ensure the safety of the public and the applicant.\r\nThe majority of GPs in Scotland are engaging with the licensing process. A small number have decided not to do so following revised guidance issued to members by BMA (UK) in July. BMA (Scotland) have recently reminded the 14 Local Medical Committees in the Health Boards in Scotland, who offer professional advice to those GPs who pay a levy to them, NHS bodies and Health Boards, that the guidance from the BMA UK does not prohibit GPs from taking part in the firearms licensing process if they wish to do so. GPs also have a professional duty to protect the public and individuals from harm and where there is a reasonable belief that an individual, either applying for a firearms certificate or already holding one, may represent a danger to themselves or others, the doctors should inform the police as soon as possible.\r\nFirearms legislation is largely reserved. We are liaising with the Home Office about a longer term solution to improve GP involvement in the licensing process.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317580,"EventID":"S5W-03853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:42:29.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review safety advice given to firearms certificate holders.","AnswerText":"It is the legislative responsibility of individuals to ensure that they are storing and using their firearms safely and in accordance with their firearms certificate. Advice is provided by the police at the time of grant or renewal of certificates. Safety advice is also contained within the Home Office Guide on Firearms Licensing Law which is the responsibility of the Home Office. The Guide was revised most recently in April 2016.\r\nThere is a wealth of advice available in respect of safety in a sporting shooting context. The British shooting organisations actively promote safety at all times.\r\nPublic safety is paramount and the Chief Constable revokes certificates if he is concerned about the conduct of a certificate holder.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317581,"EventID":"S5W-03868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:42:32.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-01999 by Shona Robison on 13 September 2016, whether it is taking additional action to recruit trainee GPs to the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"As well as the 100 extra places and targeted bursary scheme, other actions include:\r\nthe GP Rural Track programme operated by NES, which provides trainees with an opportunity to undertake GPST rotations in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles as well as Fort William, Oban and Caithness\r\nthe ‘Being Here’ programme launched in 2013: with Scottish Government funding NHS Highland is implementing a programme of accredited training, workshops and awareness-raising, as well as working to develop some common principles about rural NHSScotland requirements in the future. It is also working with stakeholders to enhance the image of North Highland and Argyll & Bute as a place to live and work, focussing on issues such as accommodation, transport and IT connectivity.\r\nthe new Graduate Entry programme will have a strong focus on primary care and a remote/rural component, both to encourage entry into general practice and improve experience of remote & rural working\r\nthe Scottish Government Remote & Rural Educational Development Group is developing proposals to support a 20% growth of undergraduate medical education delivered in rural and remote Scotland by 2020, helping to promote remote & rural working to prospective areas more attractive to trainees\r\nNES are reviewing the current 4 year GPST programmes to make them more attractive to trainees","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317582,"EventID":"S5W-03885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:42:35.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T13:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to reported comments by the First Minister on 15 October 2016, and in light of its proposed changes to early learning and childcare, whether it will provide details on the opt-out scheme for parents.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03855 on 3 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317583,"EventID":"S5W-03886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:42:39.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T13:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to reported comments by the First Minister on 15 October 2016, what assessment it has carried out of the (a) workforce, (b) infrastructure and (c) funding requirements prior to implementing changes to the delivery of early learning and childcare.","AnswerText":"We are currently working with stakeholders and delivery partners, including the Scottish Futures Trust and local authorities, to assess the workforce and infrastructure requirements for the expansion to 1140 hours.\r\nWe will set out more details on these requirements as part of our response to the consultation in Spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317584,"EventID":"S5W-03846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:42:43.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has not published teacher vacancy statistics since 2010.","AnswerText":"Teacher vacancy statistics have not been published since 2010 following results of a user consultation on proposals to cease a number of education data collections in order to minimise the response burden on schools and local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317585,"EventID":"S5W-03857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:42:48.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to publish (a) the findings of and (b) a response to its consultation, A Blueprint for 2020: Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland.","AnswerText":"An analysis of the consultation findings and the Scottish Government’s response will be published in Spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317586,"EventID":"S5W-03882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:42:52.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T13:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to reported comments by the First Minister on 15 October 2016, when it will provide details and clarification to the Parliament on the proposed changes to early learning and childcare.","AnswerText":"On 15 October we launched our consultation , A Blueprint for 2020: The Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, which will run until 9 January 2017. The Scottish Government will set out its response in Spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317587,"EventID":"S5W-03889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:42:55.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T13:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) practicing child and adolescent psychiatrists and (b) vacancies for child and adolescent psychiatrists there have been in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Since 2009 the overall CAMHS workforce has increased by 27.7%, to 976.1 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE). \r\nOver the next five years we will be investing £150 million in mental health innovation, including £15 million to support better access to CAMHS. \r\nInformation on: a) the number of child and adolescent psychiatrists in post and: b) the number of vacant child and adolescent psychiatrist posts for each of the last five years is published by ISD Scotland and is shown in the following tables.\r\nTable 1. Number (WTE) of child and adolescent psychiatrists in post by NHS Board each year from 30 September 2012 to 30 June 2016.\r\n\r\nSep-12\r\nSep-13\r\nSep-14\r\nSep-15\r\nJun-16\r\nNHSScotland\r\n70.7\r\n73.6\r\n91.0\r\n81.1\r\n82.2\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS).\r\nTable 2. Number (WTE) of child and adolescent consultant psychiatrists vacancies by NHS Board each year from 30 September 2012 to 30 June 2016.\r\n\r\nSep-12\r\nSep-13\r\nSep-14\r\nSep-15\r\nJun-16\r\nNHSScotland\r\n1.8\r\n2.0\r\n6.0\r\n8.1\r\n10.5\r\nSource: ISD(M)36c\r\nNotes:\r\nIn March 2014 the definition of a vacancy changed to a post which has been cleared for advert after being through the redeployment process (internal or external advert) and remains a vacancy until an individual starts in the post. Prior to this, a vacancy stopped being classified as such at the point when the post was offered to someone and accepted. The impact of this change is a significant increase in the number of reported vacancies.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317588,"EventID":"S5W-03843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:42:59.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T15:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much was paid in Education Maintenance Allowance payments in each of the last 12 years to (a) male and (b) female students.","AnswerText":"The following table details the Education Maintenance Payments (EMA) made to young people since academic year 2006-07 disaggregated by gender. The most recent EMA statistics publication is available at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/8840/downloads.\r\nThe EMA is an entitlement in Scotland and a demand led programme which means that any person who meets the eligibility criteria will receive support. Therefore, the spend will fluctuate depending on how many people qualify for the award.\r\nTable 6. EMA payment spend (£) by gender: 2006-07 to 2014-15\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNumber of Recipients\r\nTotal Payments (£)\r\nWeekly Payments (£)\r\nBonus Payments (£)\r\nAcademic Year\r\nMale\r\nFemale\r\nMale\r\nFemale\r\nMale\r\nFemale\r\nMale\r\nFemale\r\n2006-07\r\n17,245\r\n20,235\r\n14,847,315\r\n17,585,970\r\n11,663,865\r\n13,766,220\r\n3,183,450\r\n3,819,750\r\n2007-08\r\n16,955\r\n20,320\r\n15,207,780\r\n18,132,660\r\n11,864,430\r\n14,112,660\r\n3,343,350\r\n4,020,000\r\n2008-09\r\n17,870\r\n21,130\r\n16,250,880\r\n19,190,280\r\n12,636,180\r\n14,901,780\r\n3,614,700\r\n4,288,500\r\n2009-10\r\n17,385\r\n19,850\r\n15,527,450\r\n17,664,240\r\n12,545,450\r\n14,255,640\r\n2,982,000\r\n3,408,600\r\n2010-11\r\n16,660\r\n18,115\r\n12,939,870\r\n14,237,350\r\n12,939,870\r\n14,237,350\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2011-12\r\n16,730\r\n17,660\r\n13,327,560\r\n14,285,580\r\n13,327,560\r\n14,285,580\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2012-13\r\n17,400\r\n18,115\r\n13,544,105\r\n14,273,090\r\n13,544,105\r\n14,273,090\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2013-14\r\n17,175\r\n17,885\r\n13,807,980\r\n14,526,005\r\n13,807,980\r\n14,526,005\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2014-15\r\n16,300\r\n16,875\r\n12,864,120\r\n13,620,240\r\n12,864,120\r\n13,620,240\r\n0\r\n0\r\nRevision: The college EMA figures and total EMA figures for 2013-14 and 2014-15 have been revised.\r\nThe figures originally published on Wednesday 23 March 2016 were based on incomplete college EMA datasets.\r\nFigures in this table have been rounded to the nearest 5.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nInformation about EMA payments made to young people in academic years 2004-05 and 2005-06 are available through the following links –\r\n2004-05 – http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2005/06/21164517/45189\r\n2005-06 - http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2006/11/13100200/0\r\nDue to changes made to EMA eligibility criteria in the first years of roll out and improvements made to the data collection methodology in academic year 2006-07 which reduced double counting of recipients, direct comparison with later years and is not included in the table.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317589,"EventID":"S5W-03858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:01.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will determine that its good-design guidance for early learning and childcare settings that is referred to in its consultation, A Blueprint for 2020: Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, meets its commitment for it to be “leading\".","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03854 on 3 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317590,"EventID":"S5W-03875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:05.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T12:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, following the announcement by the Chancellor on 3 October 2016 regarding the continuation of European structural and investment funding beyond the 2016 Autumn Statement, whether its portion of funding for CAP Pillar 2 and other Scottish Rural Development Fund schemes will be upheld and delivered as planned up to 2020.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that uncertainty has been created as a result of the EU referendum outcome, not just around funding opportunities or investment decisions but also concerning people’s jobs. \r\nThe Chancellor made an announcement on 3 October confirming the UK Government’s position to guarantee funding for EU funded projects up to the point at which the UK departs the EU. This provides some certainty for the immediate future, but we still have significant concerns about the longer term funding position for projects in Scotland. The Scottish Government will continue to engage with the UK Government to obtain the additional clarity that our fishermen, farmers and communities across Scotland need.\r\nThe EU Referendum result does not reduce our ability – nor our desire – to protect the environment and rural economy. We will continue to work together to create a sustainable future for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317591,"EventID":"S5W-03877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:08.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-01999 by Shona Robison on 13 September 2016, how many of the five GP Specialty Training (GPST) posts in the North region have been filled and whether it remains on target to fill the remaining posts by February 2017.","AnswerText":"The North region is made up of the Caledonian and Grampian training programmes. Two posts in the Caledonian programme have filled but the three in Grampian have not. The three unfilled posts will be advertised again when recruitment opens in November for an August 2017 start date.\r\nIn addition to these new posts, 58 established GPST posts were advertised in the North region in earlier 2016 recruitment rounds, with 45 filled. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317592,"EventID":"S5W-03848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:11.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legal protection is given to the victims of sexual crime to ensure that they are not further victimised by public exposure of their sexual history.","AnswerText":"Sections 274 to 275C of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 were introduced to strengthen the existing provisions restricting the extent to which evidence can be led regarding the character and sexual history of the complainer. Under these provisions, such evidence can only be introduced if the court expressly permits it. If the court does not permit it, such evidence cannot be introduced.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently in the process of collecting and analysing data in this area to understand how the law is being utilised. This exercise will inform future consideration of the operation of the law in this area.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317593,"EventID":"S5W-03855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:14.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that early learning and childcare funding is ring-fenced for use by local authorities.","AnswerText":"Through our consultation, A Blueprint for 2020: The Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, we are seeking views on which funding model would best support our vision for high quality and flexible Early Learning and Childcare provision, which is accessible and affordable for all.\r\nWe will publish our response to the consultation in Spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317594,"EventID":"S5W-03873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:17.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T12:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing domestic legislation to ensure continued protection for protected food names in Scotland, in light of the UK’s vote to leave the EU.","AnswerText":"We are considering all possible steps to ensure Scotland’s continuing relationship with the EU and are looking at all options for ensuring the continued protection of Geographical Indications, including protected food names.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317595,"EventID":"S5W-03880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:20.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T13:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to change the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) to better reflect the personal financial circumstances of households that are living in relative levels of poverty but do not reside in SIMD poverty catchment areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation uses reliable administrative data sources to identify relative deprivation across the whole of Scotland, not just areas commonly associated with poverty. Any planned changes to SIMD are recommended by the ‘Measuring Deprivation Advisory Group’, which is a group of experts from academia, local government, NHS and other services. The income aspects of SIMD relies on benefits and tax credits data from the Department of Work and Pensions and HMRC. The current limitations on sharing data with these UK government departments means it is not possible to look more closely at households' personal financial circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317596,"EventID":"S5W-03887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:24.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T13:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to reported comments by the First Minister on 15 October 2016, how the standards for nurseries and childminders will be set. ","AnswerText":"Work is on-going to scope a learning and development pathway for childminders, to provide support and promote high quality from induction onwards. Whilst there are no plans to make training compulsory, we believe that childminders should be encouraged and supported to undertake career long learning, as do practitioners working with children within nurseries. Scottish Government is funding a post within the Care Inspectorate to scope what this might look like and to make recommendations, which will be delivered in April 2017, and which will inform the development of a quality framework for childminders later in 2017.\r\nMore broadly, we will continue to ensure that Early Learning and Childcare provision is underpinned by national quality standards which focus on delivering positive experiences for children and are directed at achieving positive outcomes. As part of this we seeking views through our consultation, A Blueprint for 2020: The Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, on how we can build on the excellent work that the Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland have undertaken in recent years to create a more streamlined and holistic system to support quality improvement in ELC.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317597,"EventID":"S5W-03770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:28.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-13T12:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all public sector tenders that it has responsibility for must comply with the REACH (registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals) regulations where there is a need for the use of protective equipment or clothing and, if not, what its position is on introducing such a requirement.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government’s public contracts are subject to all relevant legislation, including environmental law.\r\nThe Scottish public procurement Regulations which came into effect on 18 April 2016 contain provisions to enable the exclusion of a bidder from tendering for public contracts where it can be demonstrated it has breached social, environmental or labour laws.\r\nThe Regulations also permits a contract not to be awarded to a bidder where it can be shown that its bid does not comply with applicable obligations in the fields of social, environmental and labour law and to reject a bid that has been established as abnormally low because it does not comply with relevant social, environmental or labour law. \r\nFurthermore, Scottish Government’s standard Terms and Conditions have been updated to allow for contract termination in the event of the contractor’s failure to comply with such laws in the performance of a contract.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317598,"EventID":"S5W-03872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:30.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that existing mental health legislation is compatible with the UN position on forced treatment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is continuing to work to ensure the rights of people with mental health problems are protected and promoted. The recent engagement paper ‘Mental Health in Scotland – a 10 year vision’ had a broad human rights focus. We are also working with stakeholders through the implementation of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2015 to explore ways to promote rights-based practice. \r\nMost people who use mental health services receive treatment without being subject to an order or certificate under the Mental Health (Scotland) (Care and Treatment) Act 2003. For some individuals however, compulsory treatment is used to provide the person with medical treatment to alleviate suffering and for the protection of both the person and others. Compulsory treatment is only allowed under mental health legislation in Scotland in very strict circumstances. \r\nFirstly, certain criteria must be met before an order or certificate can be granted. For a 28 day short-term detention certificate (STDC), this includes that an approved medical practitioner considers it likely that the patient has a mental disorder (as defined by the 2003 Act) and that the patient’s decision making ability is significantly impaired by their disorder and without treatment the patient could be of significant risk to their own health, safety and welfare, or to the safety of others. The patient can appeal the granting of an STDC to the independent Mental Health Tribunal. A longer term order can only be granted by the Tribunal, and the application must have the support of two doctors who agree that the criteria for the order are met.\r\nSecondly, treatment under the 2003 Act is governed by a range of safeguards. For certain treatments, including medication given for more than two months, a Designated Medical Practitioner, an experienced psychiatrist appointed by the Mental Welfare Commission, must agree to the treatment. \r\nIn addition to this, the 2003 Act is based in rights and principles and contains tools to support patients in expressing their will and preferences. The principles include that any function should be carried out for the maximum benefit of the patient, with the minimum necessary restriction on the freedom of the patient and having regard to the views of the patient and of any carer. Under the 2003 Act, any service user has the right to support from an independent advocate, the right to appoint a named person to represent their interests and the right to make an advance statement setting out how what treatment they would and would not like to receive when unwell.\r\nThe measures around advance statements, independent advocacy and named persons were all strengthened by the Mental Health (Scotland) 2015 Act, which amends the 2003 Act. The 2015 Act is currently being implemented and we are looking at ways to further promote rights-based practice under the 2003 Act, including through the statutory guidance in the Code of Practice.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317599,"EventID":"S5W-03874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:38.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T12:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government on the continuation of food name protection, including Protected Designation of Origin, Protected Geographical Indicators and Traditional Speciality Guaranteed in order to retain these protections in the domestic market following the UK’s exit from the EU.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government are engaged at ministerial and official level with the UK Government to ensure the best outcome for Scotland following the EU referendum. The UK Government have confirmed that they are looking at options for when the UK formally leaves the EU, including a potential British protected food name status scheme and the Scottish Government continues to engage with Defra on options for Geographical Indications, including protected food names.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317600,"EventID":"S5W-03851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:40.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many firearms certificate holders are prescribed anti-depressants.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317601,"EventID":"S5W-03852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:43.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many firearms certificates have been revoked on the grounds of the holder’s health in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317602,"EventID":"S5W-03883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:45.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T13:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to reported comments by the First Minister on 15 October 2016, what responsibilities local authorities will have in administering changes to childcare accounts. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03855 on 3 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317603,"EventID":"S5W-03884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:50.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T13:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to reported comments by the First Minister on 15 October 2016, and in light of its proposed changes to early learning and childcare, what it defines as “purchasing a suitable place directly”, and how it will inform parents of this option.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03882 on 3 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317604,"EventID":"S5W-03845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:54.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide updates on the work of the (a) Early Learning and Childcare Strategic Evidence Group, (b) Early Learning and Childcare Strategic Forum and (c) Early Learning and Out of School Care Workforce and Quality Group since each was established.","AnswerText":"Early Learning and Childcare Strategic Forum\r\nThe Early Leaning and Childcare Strategic Forum is chaired by me and has met three times since its inception. It's remit is to help develop the strategy for a high quality and flexible early learning and childcare sector – independent with out of school care - that is affordable and accessible for all. It is scheduled to next meet on 17 November.\r\n Workforce and Quality Group\r\nThe Workforce and Quality group was established in January 2016 to consider a range of issues around ensuring quality of early learning and childcare. The group was formerly the Core Reference Group for Professor Siraj’s independent review of early learning and out of school care workforce, and since January 2016, has discussed and provided advice on issues arising from the recommendations of the review, including the training and qualifications of the workforce and the challenges around expanding the workforce significantly to deliver the 1140 hours expansion from 2020.\r\n Strategic Evidence Group\r\nThe Strategic Evidence Group has completed a mapping of the current evidence landscape to identify current evidence, research and gaps; inform future monitoring and evaluation; and, to commission further research. It has also had input to or oversight of a number of specific projects such as the Financial Review; 2 year olds research; and the ELC Census Development Advisory Group; as well as research undertaken by member organisations.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317605,"EventID":"S5W-03847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:43:58.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish teacher and head teacher vacancy statistics on a regular basis.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to publish vacancy details.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317606,"EventID":"S5W-03854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:44:02.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of its consultation, A Blueprint for 2020: Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, what good-design guidance for early learning and childcare from around the world will it use to assess whether its own guidance in 2017 meets its commitment for it to be “leading\".","AnswerText":"Developing the new good design guidance will involve looking at leading practice in Scotland and further afield. It is too early to say which specific countries will be looked at in developing the guidance, although this is likely to encompass countries both within and beyond Europe. Direct input from both the Care Inspectorate, based on latest inspection evidence, and the Scottish Futures Trust, based on their experiences of overseeing development of the ‘Scotland’s Schools of the Future’ programme, will ensure that the guidance developed is of high quality.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317607,"EventID":"S5W-03856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:44:06.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the next financial review of early learning and childcare will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government currently has no plans to publish another financial review of early learning and childcare, but will continue to monitor local authority expenditure and financial performance.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317608,"EventID":"S5W-03881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:44:10.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T13:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports people who come from SIMD (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) 20 households but do not reside in SIMD 20 areas. ","AnswerText":"In October, the Scottish Government published its Fairer Scotland Action Plan, which contains 50 concrete actions the government will take in this parliamentary term to tackle poverty and inequality. This is a cross-Scotland plan, based on 200 Fairer Scotland conversations held across the country. This plan will provide a range of support to people, no matter where they live – for example, on tackling the poverty premium, helping low income parents with a range of support, addressing discrimination in employment, and promoting flexible working.\r\nIn terms of SIMD specifically, it is an area based measure for identifying people and households that are deprived, therefore an area which is identified as in the 20% most deprived will identify those individuals and households living in that area. SIMD identifies deprivation issues across the whole country.\r\nWhilst the 20% most deprived areas for Scotland are commonly used in inequality analysis, this is only one way to look at deprivation in Scotland. Not all households experiencing deprivation live in the most deprived areas and likewise not every household living within a more deprived area experiences deprivation.\r\nTherefore, Scottish Government policies are based on a wide range of resources to identify issues associated with poverty and deprivation. The SIMD team will be delivering training to policy and research analysts across all public sector organisations, including those in the Scottish Parliament, to use the full extent of information from SIMD and other government statistics in evidence gathering.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317609,"EventID":"S5W-03888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:44:14.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T13:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to reported comments by the First Minister on 15 October 2016, when it will publish the review of the care system.","AnswerText":"We are currently making arrangements to work in close partnership with care experienced young people and all parts of the care sector to develop realistic parameters and timeframe for the review. Further details will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317610,"EventID":"S5W-03842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:44:18.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01444 by Mark McDonald on 5 August 2016, whether it will provide a breakdown, by sector, of the planned £150 million investment in mental health services over the next five years.","AnswerText":"We have been investing in mental health services for a number of years. Spending on mental health by NHS Scotland has increased under this Government, from £651.4 million in 2006-07 to £904.9 million in 2014-15 – an increase of 38.9%.\r\nWe are using the additional package of £150m to boost support for areas which are absolute priorities for us, and which will deliver the transformation in mental health services we want to achieve over the next ten years – including for children and young people. We are investing:\r\n£54.1million over four years to support further reduction in waiting times; \r\n£10million over two years to support new ways of improving mental health in primary care settings;\r\n£15million over three years in a Mental Health Innovation Fund to support better access to Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and to develop innovative approaches to delivering mental health services;\r\n£1million over three years to support people with mental health problems to become more physically active, and;\r\n£4.2million over four years to support people in crisis who turn to frontline services.\r\nOur remaining package of funding will support the priorities in our forthcoming Mental Health Strategy, to ensure we continue to improve access to services – including for children and young people. It will also focus on supporting early years and early interventions; improved support in primary care, and parity of esteem between physical and mental health so that we support people to keep well, whilst also providing treatment of the highest quality when it is necessary. We will take these decisions in conjunction with our stakeholders and partners.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317611,"EventID":"S5W-03844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:44:20.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T15:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it allocated in its budget for Education Maintenance Allowance payments in each of the last 12 years.","AnswerText":"The following table details the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) budget set out in the Draft Budget from financial year 2004-05. The budget level is set to meet the cost of making EMA payments to recipients and the administration of the programme.\r\nYear\r\nBudget (£M)\r\n2005-2006\r\n28.4\r\n2006-2007\r\n37.1\r\n2007-2008\r\n42.6\r\n2008-2009\r\n36.7\r\n2009-2010\r\n36.5\r\n2010-2011\r\n31.6\r\n2011-2012\r\n31.6\r\n2012-2013\r\n31.6\r\n2013-2014\r\n31.6\r\n2014-2015\r\n29.6\r\n2015-2016\r\n29.6\r\n2016-2017\r\n39.6\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317612,"EventID":"S5W-03876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T14:44:21.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T12:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds regarding how much students in Scotland from the rest of the EU have spent on off-campus goods and services in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317613,"EventID":"S5W-03878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T15:18:17.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T13:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Minister for Transport and Islands in the Sunday Herald on 16 October 2016 that overcrowding on ScotRail services \"will not be solved in a few months”, when it was made of aware of the current overcrowding issues.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers specify rail services and train capacity they require to see delivered by ScotRail. Abellio is now contracted to deliver these, using all available rolling stock and it is for the franchisee to decide how to manage and allocate its rolling stock fleet. \r\nThe unprecedented success of rail services in Scotland has seen patronage rise by a third since 2007. SG funding has enabled 20% more carriages to be provided since then including the class 380 fleets introduced in 2011. In addition to this the current ScotRail fleet includes an additional seven newly refurbished class 320/4s, two locomotive hauled trains, cascaded diesel trains freed up by 2012-2014 SG funded electrification schemes (Paisley Canal, Cumbernauld & Whifflet) and five subleased class 170s. Another 13 C170s [39 carriages] are now to be retained until 2025 within Scotland.\r\nAbellio's franchise commitments has already recognised the need to increase its fleet significantly to cope with growth in the coming years with another 200 extra carriages to be introduced delivering a 23% seating capacity increase across the whole Scottish fleet by 2019. This includes £370M invested in 70 new electric trains, £60M in a major refurb of 26 High Speed Trains to operate on inter-city routes plus subsequent cascades of some current diesel trains to help deliver 200 more services and 20,000 more seats per day. \r\nASR is also committed to achieving better utilisation of the current fleets and is working through changes to its rolling stock maintenance procedures and processes to deliver more trains into service on a daily basis. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317614,"EventID":"S5W-03891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T15:18:19.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out an assessment of the environmental impact on the west coast of the recent NATO exercise, Unmanned Warrior.","AnswerText":"All matters relating to the defence of the United Kingdom remain the direct responsibility of the UK Government. This includes naval exercises which fall within the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).\r\nAs the competent authority MoD have responsibility for undertaking any appropriate environmental assessments under the relevant EU Directives or UK legislation.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317615,"EventID":"S5W-03879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-18T15:18:22.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T13:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, whether it considers the comments by the Minister for Transport and Islands in the Sunday Herald on 16 October 2016 that “what I’ve been saying to [ScotRail] is...the wifi, the sockets, the nice seats, are all good. But what we need to do is get back to capacity issues, reliability, not skipping stops” is consistent with its news release of 3 October 2016, Over £3 million to improve passenger comfort and accessibility on our railways, which announced new funding for wifi, air conditioning and tables on rail services. ","AnswerText":"ScotRail recently published a Performance Improvement Plan [PIP] which outlines its commitment to increase reliability of fleets, infrastructure and operations to get back to the levels which I expect the franchisee to deliver every day. \r\nAs part of its obligations the franchisee has a significant number of front line passenger enhancements across the breadth of its services to deliver in the coming years. Amongst these it is committed to expand the current rolling stock fleet, delivering 23% more seats by 2019. Since 2007, 20% more carriages have been added with another 200 extra carriages due to be introduced to help meet increasing demand for ScotRail services, which are currently more popular than ever. \r\nThis increased patronage demonstrates the appeal of rail services and this is based on a number of factors including value for money, connectivity, integration and passenger facilities. The First Minister recognised the importance of rail travel to the wider Scottish economy in the recently announced £100M Capital Stimulus Fund which included funding of £3.1M for further rail improvements. Part of this funding will be used to install additional on train passenger counting equipment, beyond the 30% obliged in the Franchise Agreement, which will allow ScotRail to be better informed on usage and identify busier services where rolling stock can then be focussed.\r\nThis overall package will contribute towards better on train facilities being provided to support continuing growth on services and routes all across Scotland for those who use the railway for business, education and leisure purposes. Making rail travel more attractive, comfortable and accessible all helps to boost tourism and the economy.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317617,"EventID":"S5O-00241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:23:49.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with local authorities regarding equalities in their employment practices.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317618,"EventID":"S5O-00242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:23:52.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the Funeral Poverty and Funeral Payment Reference Group.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317619,"EventID":"S5O-00243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:23:53.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting town centre regeneration in South Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317620,"EventID":"S5O-00244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:23:55.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T10:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the energy efficiency of Scotland’s housing stock.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317621,"EventID":"S5O-00245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:23:57.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional support from the Council Tax Reduction scheme it will provide from April 2017 for families in the Musselburgh Jobcentre area who have migrated to universal credit. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317622,"EventID":"S5O-00246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:23:59.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met local government representatives from the Central Scotland parliamentary region. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317623,"EventID":"S5O-00247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:02.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the implementation of the National Planning Framework protects biodiversity as well as greenspaces.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317624,"EventID":"S5O-00248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5877,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:04.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to tackle claimants' abuse of the welfare powers that are being devolved.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317625,"EventID":"S5O-00249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:05.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T09:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it provides to local authorities to deal with planning and enforcement issues on unauthorised Gypsy/Traveller sites.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317626,"EventID":"S5O-00250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:08.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ring-fence funding for supported accommodation in local housing allowance when this is devolved.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317627,"EventID":"S5O-00251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:11.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making towards the full implementation of the Town Centre Action Plan.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317628,"EventID":"S5O-00252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:14.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the role of local authorities and communities directly in public service decision-making.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317629,"EventID":"S5O-00253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:16.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how proposals in its new social security bill could benefit carers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317630,"EventID":"S5O-00254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:18.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it empowers communities to have more of a say in matters that affect them.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317631,"EventID":"S5O-00255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:20.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the budget for Scotland's Energy Efficiency Programme will be committed to domestic fuel poverty and energy efficiency from 2018.","AnswerText":"The programme for Government committed half a billion pounds to Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme over the next four years, including funding to continue to tackle fuel poverty. Further information on our investment in fuel poverty and energy efficiency will be included in the draft Budget Bill which will be introduced to the Scottish Parliament later this year.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317632,"EventID":"S5O-00256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:22.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T09:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there is meaningful and inclusive community engagement in the planning system. ","AnswerText":"We are continuing with our Design Charrettes Programme and Activating Ideas Fund. Backed by funding of £300,000, they will enable people across Scotland to have their say on the long-term future of their community. We will consult on further proposals for a forthcoming Planning Bill this winter.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317633,"EventID":"S5O-00257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:24.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of response there has been to its consultation on social security in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The consultation on social security launched on 29 July and will close at the end of the month. As of today, around 120 events have been held, or are due to be held, across Scotland including Rugby Park where we held a discussion earlier this month. \r\nAs of today we have received around 175 formal responses. We will include final numbers of responses in our analysis report on the consultation. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317634,"EventID":"S5O-00258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:26.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of increased winter mortality, what action it is taking to prevent fuel poverty this winter.","AnswerText":"It is a priority for this Government to ensure everyone has access to a warm and affordable home and we are committed to tackling fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency. By 2021 we will have committed over £1 billion pounds to tackling fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency, building on the over 1 million energy efficiency measures delivered to almost 1 million Scottish households since 2008. In addition we will be carefully considering the recommendations of the Strategic Working Group and the Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force which will inform our new fuel poverty strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317635,"EventID":"S5O-00259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:28.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to attract visitors to Scotland’s town centres.","AnswerText":"Developing tourism as a key sector remains an important Government commitment and we have made clear that we will continue to work to make all of Scotland a destination of first choice for visitors from around the world.\r\nAs part of the Town Centre Action Plan we have developed the Town Centre Toolkit. This free online resource gives communities information and advice on how they can make their town centres more attractive, active and accessible. It is being hosted and promoted by Scotland's Towns Partnership through their website.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317636,"EventID":"S5O-00260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:30.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on town centre regeneration programmes on the Buchan coast.","AnswerText":"Local authorities remain responsible for local regeneration and local economic development. They are best placed to respond to local circumstances, working with their communities to develop the right vision for their town centres. \r\nThe Scottish Government is providing support to Aberdeenshire Council by providing £1m through our Regeneration Capital Grant Fund to support the Fraserburgh 2021 project that will help accelerate significant transformational change within the town. Through the same fund we are also investing £0.295m in Banff to help upgrade the museum and bring the derelict Meal House on Bridge Street back into use. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317637,"EventID":"S5O-00261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:32.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T11:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it plans to establish a permanent trade representation in Berlin.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317638,"EventID":"S5O-00262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:33.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on implementing the recommendations of the report, Chronic pain services in Scotland: Where are we now?.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317639,"EventID":"S5O-00263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:35.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to re-open rail stations at Reston and East Linton.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317640,"EventID":"S5O-00264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:38.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of the recent ministerial visit to Munich to discuss future trade with the EU.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317641,"EventID":"S5O-00265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:40.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the report, Scotland's Digital Future: A Strategy for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317642,"EventID":"S5O-00266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:42.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual value is of EU research programmes undertaken at universities in the Edinburgh area.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317643,"EventID":"S5O-00267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:43.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to tackle cybercrime in light of the challenges faced by Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317644,"EventID":"S5O-00268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:45.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports veterans.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317645,"EventID":"S5O-00269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:49.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the performance of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.","AnswerText":"Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) is required by the Transport (Scotland) act 2005 to provide a report to the Scottish Government, which SPT also publishes, on the performance of its functions at the end of each financial year.\r\nOfficials from Transport Scotland also meet regularly with SPT to discuss its performance, including in relation to major projects.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317646,"EventID":"S5O-00270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T13:24:52.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to make roads in South Scotland safer.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to achieving safer road travel on our roads through a vision of challenging casualty reduction targets, as set out in ‘Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020’. Road casualty figures for 2015 released last week are at their lowest level since records began, with a 42% reduction in fatalities since the 2004-08 baseline. However one accident is one too many and we will not be complacent.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317660,"EventID":"S5W-03862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:15.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T17:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Scottish Water's capital reserves have been in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Scottish Water’s Annual Report and Accounts are laid before Parliament each year. These contain the information requested. Scottish Water’s Annual Report and Accounts, for each year since its creation in 2002, are available on Scottish Water’s website at: http://www.scottishwater.co.uk/About-Us/Publications/Annual-Reports","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317661,"EventID":"S5W-03913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:16.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T12:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-09882 by Michael Matheson on 23 October 2012, whether it will provide an update on the figures showing annual deaths from silicosis and related diseases, setting out what those related diseases are.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the following table. For the purpose of producing statistics on causes of death, deaths registered in Scotland are classified using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), and normally counted on the basis of the underlying cause of the death.\r\nThe table gives the numbers of deaths for which the ICD-10 code for the underlying cause of the death was one of the specified codes:\r\n(a) silicosis - code \"J62\" for \"pneumoconiosis due to dust containing silica\" and code \"J65\" for \"pneumoconiosis associated with tuberculosis\", in cases where \"silicosis\" was mentioned in the text of the cause of death given in the death certificate;\r\n(b) related diseases - all other deaths coded \"J60\" to \"J65\". These cover other forms of pneumoconiosis, such as aluminosis, asbestosis, anthracosilicosis and anthracosis. \r\nDeaths registered in Scotland for which the underlying cause of death was silicosis or related diseases, 2012 to 2015\r\n\r\nYear of registration of death\r\nUnderlying cause of death\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nSilicosis1 \r\n2\r\n2\r\n0\r\n4\r\nRelated diseases2\r\n23\r\n20\r\n18\r\n24\r\nof which:\r\nJ60 Coalworker's pneumoconiosis\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\nJ61 Pneumoconiosis due to asbestos and other mineral fibres\r\n21\r\n18\r\n16\r\n23\r\nJ64 Unspecified pneumoconiosis\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nTotal silicosis and related diseases\r\n25\r\n22\r\n18\r\n28\r\n\r\n1 - ICD-10 code J62, plus any deaths coded J65 for which \"silicosis\" was mentioned in the text of the cause of death given in the death certificate.\r\n2 - ICD-10 codes J60, J61, J63 and J64, plus deaths coded J65 for which \"silicosis\" was not mentioned in the cause of death. As it happens, in the period covered by the table, there were no deaths coded (a) J63 pneumoconiosis due to other inorganic dusts or (b) J65 pneumoconiosis associated with tuberculosis, without \"silicosis\" being mentioned in the cause of death.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317662,"EventID":"S5W-03915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:22.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T12:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-09882 by Michael Matheson on 23 October 2012, what legislation there is that protects construction workers from the health risks of crystalline silica dust.","AnswerText":"Regulation of workplace health and safety is reserved to the UK Government who have responsibility for relevant legislation and statutory regulations.\r\nThe Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) addresses statutory duties in relation to crystalline silica dust.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317663,"EventID":"S5W-03807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:27.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-16T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) regarding the status of \"appointees\" to the SQA, and whether they are (a) paid at least the living wage and (b) considered to be employees of the SQA.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government is in regular contact with SQA on a range of issues. \r\nPayment of the Living Wage is a commitment the Scottish Government takes extremely seriously. The Scottish Government introduced the requirement to pay the Living Wage as an integral part of its public sector pay policy in 2011-12. We also expect all public bodies with Living Wage Accreditation to fully comply with the terms of that accreditation.\r\nMinisters have sought assurances from SQA on these issues. The SQA has confirmed that it is a Living Wage Employer and that it applies the Living Wage to all appointees, including invigilators.\r\nThe status of appointees is an operational matter for SQA. I have asked the Chief Executive of SQA to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317664,"EventID":"S5W-03864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:29.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T17:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in its publication, Delivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education: A Delivery Plan for Scotland, what progress has been made in developing a range of national programmes and further extending the reach and impact of the Scottish Attainment Challenge.","AnswerText":"On 9 June 2016, the Deputy First Minister announced that the Scottish Attainment Challenge would be extended to secondary schools, both in the seven Challenge Authority areas and the majority of secondaries associated with the primary schools in the existing Schools Programme. The announcement also indicated that two more authorities would be added to the Challenge Authorities Programme. Additional funding of £13.4 million for the two new Challenge Authorities and the additional secondary schools was confirmed in October 2016. \r\nFrom financial year 2017-18 the additional £100 million per annum that will be raised each year from our Council Tax reforms will be allocated directly to schools. It is likely that the vast majority of publicly funded schools will receive funding.\r\nWork on developing a range of national programmes is ongoing including national approaches to enhancing learning and teaching and leadership.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317665,"EventID":"S5W-03871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:30.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board has (a) requested and (b) received from the New Medicines Fund in each year since 2013-14. ","AnswerText":"The New Medicines Fund has been in operation since 2014-15. Funding is allocated by the Scottish Government – NHS Boards do not request funding. Amounts allocated to individual NHS Boards are detailed in the following table:\r\n\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n£1.330 m\r\n£6.222 m\r\nNHS Borders\r\n£1.019 m\r\n£1.856 m\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n£0.656 m\r\n£3.323 m\r\nNHS Fife\r\n£1.638 m \r\n£4.860 m\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n£0.466 m \r\n£4.439 m\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n£1.583 m \r\n£8.971 m\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n£5.424 m \r\n£20.369 m\r\nNHS Highland\r\n£0.532 m \r\n£4.949 m\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n£2.120 m \r\n£10.688 m\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n£3.021 m \r\n£11.835 m\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n£0 \r\n£0.283 m\r\nNHS Shetland \r\n£0 \r\n£0.280 m\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n£2.122 m \r\n£6.500 m\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n£0.089 m \r\n£0.426 m\r\nNHS National Services Scotland\r\n£1.500 m \r\n£0 m\r\nTOTAL\r\n£21.500 m \r\n£85.000 m\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":317666,"EventID":"S5W-03914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:32.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T12:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-09882 by Michael Matheson on 23 October 2012, what advice is available to construction companies operating in Scotland, and their workers, regarding the health dangers of crystalline silica dust.","AnswerText":"Regulation of workplace health and safety is an issue reserved to the UK Government. The Health and Safety Executive has produced a range of guidance on controlling exposure to silica dust, use of respiratory protective equipment and health surveillance for those exposed to respirable crystalline silica.\r\nThe Scottish Government funds the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives to provide information and advice to employers and employees on health, safety and wellbeing in the workplace. This includes advice on carrying out risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment and guidance on health surveillance.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317667,"EventID":"S5W-03809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:37.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-16T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what policies or guidance are in place regarding the terms and conditions of employment used by non-departmental public bodies, and how it ensures that these are adhered to.","AnswerText":"The terms and conditions of employment used by non-departmental public bodies are matters for bodies themselves, unless specified by the body’s founding legislation. Non-departmental public bodies are required to operate within the framework set by the Scottish Public Finance Manual, relevant employment and equalities legislation and the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317668,"EventID":"S5W-03860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:39.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T17:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the investment in Scottish Water infrastructure has been in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Investment is planned in regulatory periods. In the last regulatory period 2010-15, Scottish Water delivered £2.4billion of investment. The Scottish Government does not hold the investment figures by Local Authority as investment is planned according to need across Scotland. I have asked Scottish Water to write to you with this information.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317669,"EventID":"S5W-03866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:41.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T17:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in its publication, Delivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education: A Delivery Plan for Scotland, what progress has been made in extending the reach and impact of Attainment Advisors.","AnswerText":"There is an Attainment Advisor (AA) assigned to each local authority and they are having a positive impact. As the Scottish Attainment Challenge programme progresses Education Scotland is working with partners in local authorities to extend the reach and impact of Attainment Advisors in a number of ways, including: \r\nForming clusters of AAs teams to ensure greater impact by more readily making connections across the activities being progressed by local authorities. The AAs will link up local project leads who are doing similar work so that they can consider joint delivery or share their experiences and learning.\r\nMaking ever greater use of collaboration tools, including Yammer and Glow Office 365, to share ideas; to jointly develop exemplars for sharing on the National Improvement Hub; to enhance the communications between AAs and others involved in the programme whilst remaining locally based; and to gain the support and advice of other expertise in a timely manner.\r\nBringing the AAs and local authority project leads together for professional learning and knowledge exchange sessions to enable the most impactful interventions to be planned.\r\nAAs are encouraging examples of what is working to be shared across authorities to reach schools that do not receive funding through the Scottish Attainment Challenge and more exemplars are being published on the National Improvement Hub to ensure all schools and partnering organisations are able to learn from the work and make use of materials shared.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317670,"EventID":"S5W-03869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:42.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent by the New Medicines Fund in each year since 2013-14, broken down by medicine.","AnswerText":"The new medicines fund has been in operation since 2014-15. The Scottish Government allocated £21.5m to the New Medicines Fund for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015 and £85m to the New Medicines Fund for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016, with scope for further allocations of £5 million if required. We do not hold this information broken down by medicine.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":317671,"EventID":"S5W-03806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:44.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-16T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that (a) the Scottish Qualifications Authority and (b) other non-departmental public bodies pay their staff at least the living wage.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5O-00180 on 22 September 2016 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317672,"EventID":"S5W-03863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:46.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T17:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in its publication, Delivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education: A Delivery Plan for Scotland, when data will be available through the national improvement framework to identify the attainment gap at P1, P4, P7 and S3 at school and local authority level; how the gap will be measured, and when the measures will be updated.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government made clear in the Delivery Plan that new data would become available through the National Improvement Framework in October. This data has now been received, is being analysed and will be published in December. The criteria for measuring the attainment gap will be set out in the National Improvement Plan that will also be published in December. Engagement with key stakeholders will take place to discuss plans to reduce the gap, together with any possible milestones towards delivery, and will be available by the middle of next year.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317673,"EventID":"S5W-03865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:48.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T17:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in its publication, Delivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education: A Delivery Plan for Scotland, what progress has been made in focussing school inspection and self-evaluation more directly on closing the attainment gap.","AnswerText":"Good progress has been made. A new model of inspection was introduced in September 2016 following extensive consultation with stakeholders. The school inspection is based around the self-evaluation framework How Good is Our School? 4 (HGIOS?4) which sets out Quality Indicators (QI) together with associated key themes. \r\nThe QI ‘Raising attainment and achievement’ is one of four QIs being evaluated on all school inspections this academic year. In all inspections, this QI is graded on a six-point scale (excellent; very good; good; satisfactory; weak and unsatisfactory) and evaluates the extent of schools’ success in raising attainment and closing the attainment gap. The QI includes the illustration of an evaluation of Very Good: ‘we have raised the attainment of all our learners and in particular our most disadvantaged children and young people’ as an example of the ‘Equity for all learners’ theme. Discussions on this theme include a focus on how schools are using their SIMD data and what the school is doing to close the poverty-related attainment gap.\r\nEducation Scotland will continue to monitor and evaluate the reporting through HGIOS?4 on closing the attainment gap.\r\nSchools’ own self-evaluation reports form an important part of the inspection evidence. Inspectors use these reports help them make judgements on how well schools are raising attainment and achievement, and how well schools’ self-evaluate their performance across a range of QIs.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317674,"EventID":"S5W-03870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:49.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the guidance it has provided to NHS boards regarding (a) the operation of and (b) access to the New Medicines Fund.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government issued a letter to NHS boards in 2015-16 which provided New Medicines Fund guidance. The letter included details of the 2015-16 funding arrangements and purpose of the fund - to ensure that availability of funding is not a barrier to NHS Board implementation of policy intentions on increased patient access to licensed orphan, ultra-orphan and end of life medicines and that no NHS Board is better or worse off financially on the basis of clinical decisions on prescribing these medicines.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":317675,"EventID":"S5W-03808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:51.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-16T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what duties Scottish Qualifications Authority examination invigilators undertake, and how long those duties are expected to take beyond the duration of examination times.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). I have asked the Chief Executive of SQA to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317676,"EventID":"S5W-03810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:53.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-16T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, since it received its living wage accreditation, what information is has regarding any of its non-departmental public bodies paying their staff less than the living wage.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5O-00180 on 22 September 2016 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nAs detailed in the response to S5O-00180, public sector pay policy expects employers covered by the policy to pay their staff a Living Wage. Accreditation requires all directly employed staff and contracted staff to be paid the Living Wage (or for employers to at least demonstrate that they are moving towards applying the Living Wage across all contracts). Public Sector Pay Policy does not directly apply to contracted staff.\r\nIn line with the requirements for Living Wage Accreditation, the pay policy expects public bodies who take on a Modern Apprentice in a specific role to pay the Living Wage where they can afford to do so and as a minimum to pay the adult National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage rate rather than the Youth Development or Apprentice rates.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317677,"EventID":"S5W-03859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:55.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T17:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the reclassification of its funding of capital, what the impact will be of the reduction of planned loans to Scottish Water over the next five years, and which infrastructure projects might be affected by this.","AnswerText":"There has been no reclassification of Scottish Water’s funding. Loans made by the Scottish Government to Scottish Water and Interest repaid by Scottish Water to the Scottish Government score in the capital and resource budgets respectively. The Scottish Government is committed to lending up to £760million in the regulatory period 2015-21 in support of the £3.5 billion programme of improvements to water and sewerage services.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317678,"EventID":"S5W-03861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:56.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T17:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Scottish Water's budget has been in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Scottish Water’s budget, as confirmed in Spring Budget Revisions, has been as follows:\r\n2011-12\r\nOperating\r\nCapital\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\nVoted Loans\r\n£0.0\r\n£85.1\r\n£85.1\r\nInterest on Voted Loans\r\n-£92.7\r\n£0.0\r\n-£92.7\r\n\r\n-£92.7\r\n£85.1\r\n-£7.6\r\n2012-13\r\nOperating\r\nCapital\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\nHydro-Nation\r\n£1.0\r\n£0.0\r\n£1.0\r\nVoted Loans\r\n£0.0\r\n£142.1\r\n£142.1\r\nInterest on Voted Loans\r\n-£88.3\r\n£0.0\r\n-£88.3\r\n\r\n-£87.3\r\n£142.1\r\n£54.8\r\n2013-14\r\nOperating\r\nCapital\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\nHydro-Nation\r\n£1.5\r\n£0.0\r\n£1.5\r\nVoted Loans\r\n£0.0\r\n£56.8\r\n£56.8\r\nInterest on Voted Loans\r\n-£91.7\r\n£0.0\r\n-£91.7\r\n\r\n-£90.2\r\n£56.8\r\n-£33.4\r\n2014-15\r\nOperating\r\nCapital\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\nHydro-Nation\r\n£2.8\r\n£0.0\r\n£2.8\r\nVoted Loans\r\n£0.0\r\n£106.6\r\n£106.6\r\nInterest on Voted Loans\r\n-£98.0\r\n£0.0\r\n-£98.0\r\n\r\n-£95.2\r\n£106.6\r\n£11.4\r\n2015-16\r\nOperating\r\nCapital\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\nHydro-Nation\r\n£0.8\r\n£0.0\r\n£0.8\r\nExemption Scheme\r\n£2.0\r\n£0.0\r\n£2.0\r\nVoted Loans\r\n£0.0\r\n£132.5\r\n£132.5\r\nInterest on Voted Loans\r\n-£99.9\r\n£0.0\r\n-£99.9\r\n\r\n-£97.1\r\n£132.5\r\n£35.4\r\nFurther details on budgets may be found on the Scottish Government’s website at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18127/Documents","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317679,"EventID":"S5W-03867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:22:58.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-17T17:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in its publication, Delivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education: A Delivery Plan for Scotland, when a Chief Attainment Advisor will be appointed; how they will be appointed; what the salary for this post will be, and what their role and budget will be.","AnswerText":"Plans for the appointment of a new Chief Education Advisor for the Scottish Attainment Challenge are in the advanced stages of development and I expect to be able to announce further details in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317680,"EventID":"S5W-03904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:41:40.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T17:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what additional resource has been committed to SPICe to respond to enquiries following the UK decision to leave the EU.","AnswerText":"While no additional resources have been allocated to SPICe specifically as a consequence of the UK decision to leave the EU, the additional resources allocated under the Parliament-wide resourcing exercise, referred to in the answer to S5W-03903, are expected to provide SPICe with sufficient flexibility to meet the immediate increase in demand for research and enquiry services in relation to Brexit. \r\n\r\nFor example, the Academic Engagement Strategy has already delivered a number of benefits including funding a series of Breakfast Brexit Briefings for Members and their staff from senior academics from a range of Scotland’s universities.  Additionally, SPICe commissioned the Fraser of Allander Institute to conduct an analysis of the impact of the decision to leave the EU on the Scottish economy. \r\n\r\nWe will continue to keep under review the resource implications of the newly devolved powers and those still to be devolved, and of the UK decision to leave the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Wightman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317681,"EventID":"S5W-03903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T14:41:42.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T17:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what additional resource it will commit to SPICe in each year during the current parliamentary session to take account of the impact of new welfare powers that are due to be devolved.","AnswerText":"The SPCB budget is determined on an annual basis and is subject to parliamentary scrutiny and approval, so it’s not possible to state the annual resourcing for each year during the current parliamentary session.\r\n\r\nThe SPCB’s budget bid for 2016/17 reflects additional resources for a number of offices, including SPICe, in recognition of the resource implications of the devolution of further powers, including new welfare powers, to the Scottish Parliament under the Scotland Acts 2012 and 2016. \r\n\r\nSpecific staffing issues are the responsibility of the Scottish Parliamentary Service, under the direction of the Clerk/Chief Executive.\r\n\r\nAdditional resources in SPICe are: \r\n\r\nA new permanent full time post for a researcher with expertise in social welfare – the new post-holder was appointed on 26 September 2016. \r\nApproval to make permanent an existing temporary senior researcher full time post in the Financial Scrutiny Unit \r\nAn additional (0.5 FTE) Enquires Officer post in SPICe to help meet the expected increase in enquiries flowing from the new powers. \r\nAllocation of a budget to develop a comprehensive Academic Engagement Strategy aimed at developing innovative ways of accessing the expertise in our higher education institutions to support the Parliament’s ability to hold the Scottish Government to account.  ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Wightman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317682,"EventID":"S5W-03916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T15:06:48.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a draft Referendum Bill for consultation, as set out in the Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"The current Scottish Government was elected with a clear mandate that the Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold an independence referendum if there was clear and sustained evidence that independence had become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people – or if there was a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will.\r\nGiven Scotland’s strong and unequivocal vote to remain in the EU, Scotland is now faced with one of the specific scenarios in which this government pledged that the Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold an independence referendum.\r\nIn A Plan For Scotland: The Scottish Government's Programme For Scotland 2016-17, presented to Parliament in September, we said that we would publish for consultation a draft Referendum Bill so that it will be ready for introduction should we conclude that seeking the view of the Scottish people on independence is the best or only way to protect Scotland’s interests in the wake of the EU referendum.\r\nIn line with that announcement, we have today published a consultation paper and a draft Referendum Bill. The consultation paper invites views on the proposals for how the referendum will be run. These proposals are based on the Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013, which was used very successfully for the 2014 referendum. A draft bill is provided as an appendix to the consultation paper.\r\nThe Scottish Government remains willing to work with the UK Government to negotiate a future relationship with Europe that is in line with the views of the overwhelming majority of the Scottish people and which works for the United Kingdom as a whole. However, if it becomes clear that it is only through independence that Scotland’s interests can be protected, then the people of Scotland must have the ability to reconsider that question, and to do so before the UK leaves the EU.\r\nWe are consulting now so that, should it become clear this is the only or best way to protect Scotland’s vital national interests, we can introduce the Bill for consideration by the Scottish Parliament.\r\nA copy of the consultation paper and draft Bill are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib Number 58283) or can be found at https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/elections-and-constitutional-development-division/draft-referendum-bill/\r\nThe deadline for responses to the consultation is 11 January 2017 and we would welcome any comments or suggestions which members may have on the proposed Bill.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317683,"EventID":"S5W-03905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-19T15:11:22.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a national integrated ticketing/smart card system to allow ease of access between transport systems and, if so, what the timescale will be for its introduction.","AnswerText":"An inter-operator, multi-modal smart card system is being made possible. The Scottish Government is promoting one compatible system across all modes, the \"ITSO\" system. Using one compatible system means integration can be delivered as each transport mode implements its co-ordinated plans. \r\nThe Scottish Government remains committed to the vision that all journeys on Scotland’s bus, rail, ferry, subway and tram can be made using a single type of smart ticket, the saltirecard system. Good progress is being made to deliver this vision, which is summarised by transport mode below.\r\nRail - The entire ScotRail network is now equipped for saltirecard season tickets and Super off-peak tickets between Glasgow and Edinburgh, with more ticket types on saltirecards being launched throughout 2016 and 2017. The smart rail products will also be able to be loaded on to the National Entitlement saltirecard and other bus operators' saltirecards. The Multi-operator city scheme bus tickets will be able to be loaded on to the ScotRail smartcards.\r\nSubway - Smart tickets are already in use on the Glasgow Subway, and it will be possible to use the same smartcards on both the Subway and ScotRail.\r\nFerries - The Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services Contract that was awarded recently requires that saltirecard smart ticketing will be available for all foot passengers.\r\nBus – More than 1.3 million smart concessionary travel saltirecards have been issued which are used across bus operators throughout Scotland. The Scottish Government's concessionary travel schemes currently generates 35% of all bus journeys and uses the smart saltirecard.\r\nThrough partnership agreement, bus operators have committed to launch city and surrounding area multi-operator saltirecard commercial smart ticketing. Aberdeen and Dundee city schemes were launched this year, with similar schemes in Glasgow and Edinburgh being launched in 2017. Major Scottish bus operators have agreed to work to deliver the vision of compatible smart ticketing across all modes in Scotland with a programme that dovetail’s with ScotRail’s plans. They have also committed to accept a national pay-as-you-go e-Purse carried on the saltirecard, similar to some of the Oyster card functions in London.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317709,"EventID":"S5W-03896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-20T15:09:43.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T17:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in implementing the recommendation by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the UK Children’s Commissioners to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility.","AnswerText":"Recommendations from the Advisory Group on Age of Criminal Responsibility informed a public consultation earlier this year.\r\nMinisters are considering all views put forward and will respond in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317710,"EventID":"S5W-03898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-20T15:09:47.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T17:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the construction of the new central detention unit and the regional detention units for women offenders.","AnswerText":"In June 2015, I announced my vision for a new and innovative approach for the female custodial estate in Scotland. Since then a programme of work has been established in the Scottish Prison Service in partnership with the Scottish Government to deliver this vision. The programme includes: \r\nThe design and construction of a new small national facility for women on the site of HMP and YOI Cornton Vale. This facility will be run using therapeutic community principles and will incorporate gender-specific and trauma informed practice. Construction on the new national prison is expected to begin in mid-2018 subject to financial and planning approvals and;\r\nThe design and development of up to five Community Custody Units (CCUs) located across Scotland sited to ensure that women are held in facilities as close as possible to their own communities. The CCUs will focus on rehabilitation and reintegration and will ensure women are held in conditions of appropriate security.\r\nA range of work is already underway to further develop these models.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317711,"EventID":"S5W-03912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-20T15:09:50.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many players in the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) in each last five years were nationals of other EU member states.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317712,"EventID":"S5W-03901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-20T15:09:51.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T17:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it provided to projects supporting women offenders in the community, other than community justice centres, in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"In line with our commitment to improve support for women offenders, between 2013-17, the Scottish Government has provided development funding to assist local partners to enhance the delivery of community justice services for women. \r\nIn 2013-14 and 2014-15, in response to the recommendations of the Commission on Women Offenders, the Scottish Government allocated grant funding totalling £3.2 million to support the development of specific projects providing community justice services for women. These grants were made in response to proposals submitted by local community justice bodies which they considered would meet the needs of women in the local population. Of the total funding provided £1.5 million was invested in Women’s Community Justice Centres, and £1.7 million in wider community justice projects for women. A further £640k was provided in 2015-16 to a number of these projects (and Centres) which requested additional support. This included £230k for the Community Justice Centres, and £410k for the wider community justice projects. \r\nThese grants were agreed as one-off payments, where ongoing services would be sustained by local resources at the conclusion of the grant funding. \r\nThe table below provides an overview of the projects for women offenders funded directly by Scottish Government between 2013-2016 (Not including Community Justice Centres):\r\nLocation\r\nProject\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nWomen’s Services Development officer\r\n-\r\n£61,697\r\n-\r\nAngus\r\nGlen Isla outreach project\r\n£71,581\r\n£137,162\r\n£24,500\r\nAyrshire\r\nKilmarnock Court Support project\r\n-\r\n£45,500\r\n£45,500\r\nDunbartonshire\r\nWomen Offender Groupwork project\r\n-\r\n£35,529\r\n£30,000\r\nDundee\r\nCJSW Women Offenders Team\r\n£118,000\r\n£118,000\r\n-\r\nInverclyde\r\nWomen’s Services Centre\r\n-\r\n£94,278\r\n-\r\nInverness\r\nGroupwork/Outdoor work project\r\n-\r\n£23,000\r\n-\r\nFife\r\nOutreach project\r\n£65,715\r\n£131,430\r\n£22,500\r\nFalkirk & Forth Valley\r\nWomen Offender support network\r\n£26,305\r\n£48,869\r\n-\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\nCJSW Women Offenders Team\r\n£90,000\r\n£180,000\r\n£170,000\r\n\r\nNorth Strathclyde\r\n\r\nRenfrewshire CJSW Womens’ Service\r\n\r\n£23,000\r\n\r\n£46,000\r\n\r\n£30,000\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\nCJSW Women Offenders Team\r\n£59,000\r\n£118,000\r\n£32,000\r\nSouth West Scotland\r\nEarly & Effective Intervention project\r\n£35,548\r\n£71,097\r\n£35,000\r\nNorthern CJA\r\nWomen Offender services research\r\n-\r\n£50,000\r\n£20,000\r\nGlasgow\r\nEnhanced Diversion project\r\n-\r\n£60,400\r\n-\r\nIn addition to the funding listed above, a further £860k (2015-16) and £1.5 million (2016-17) has been distributed equally amongst the eight Community Justice Authorities (CJAs), to support increasing the use of diversion and supervised bail for women.\r\nIn addition, the Reducing Reoffending Change Fund, supported by the Scottish Government and other funding partners (the Scottish Government has contributed £7.5 million over 2012-17), has issued grant funding to support a third sector-led mentoring service for women with convictions, both in the community and on release from custody. The Shine PSP for women offenders received £1.1 million in 2013-14, and £1.4 million in 2014-15, 15-16 and 16-17.\r\nThe 218 Centre in Glasgow has also been funded separately from mainstream community justice budgets. The Centre opened in December 2003, and the Scottish Government has provided £1.7 million each financial year since then.\r\nThis funding is in addition to the £99.3 million p.a. which is distributed through the CJAs for the delivery of Criminal Justice Social Work (CJSW) services and programmes to reduce reoffending. Each CJA is responsible for determining what funding goes to each Local Authority or other service within their area, in order to deliver statutory CJSW services and respond to local priorities, this will include the delivery of services to support women offenders.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317713,"EventID":"S5W-03902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-20T15:09:54.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T17:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it provided to women’s community justice centres in each year since 2011-12, broken down by centre.","AnswerText":"In 2013-14 and 14-15 the Scottish Government allocated grant funding totalling £3.22 million to support the development of specific projects providing community justice services for women, in response to the recommendations of the Commission on Women Offenders (CWO). These grants were made in response to proposals submitted by local community justice bodies. Three proposals were to establish Community Justice Centres, with other projects seeking to implement the CWO’s recommendations for gender specific, holistic and multi-agency services in other forms that suited local need and resources. A further £640k was provided in 2015-16 to a number of these projects (and Centres) which requested additional support.\r\nThese grants were agreed as one-off payments, where ongoing services would be sustained by local resources at the conclusion of the grant funding. \r\nGrant funding to the three Community Justice Centre projects was as follows:\r\nLocation\r\nProject\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nEdinburgh\r\nWillow Service\r\n£305,184\r\n£298,835\r\n£154,000\r\nGlasgow\r\nTomorrow’s Women Glasgow\r\n£267,525\r\n£374,020\r\n£46,000\r\nAberdeen\r\nWomen Offenders Services\r\n£54,954\r\n£194,778\r\n£30,000\r\nNOTES: \r\nDetails of SG’s grant funding in 2013-17 to support local community justice services for women (apart from Community Justice Centres) have been reported separately, in response to your question S5W-03901 on 17 November 2016. \r\nIt is not possible to provide details on the full funding issued by Scottish Government in respect of community justice activity specifically for women. A total of £99.3m of funding is distributed annually through Community Justice Authorities (CJAs) for the delivery of Criminal Justice Social Work (CJSW) services and programmes to reduce reoffending. It is not possible to break this funding down by gender, as much of the expenditure and resources are applicable to both genders.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317714,"EventID":"S5W-03919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-20T15:09:57.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-20T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Bus Investment Fund support for the Ring of Breadalbane Explorer minibus service in Perth and Kinross is for three years only; what analysis it has carried out of demand for this service, and what its position is on extending the support.","AnswerText":"The Bus Investment Fund (BIF) ran as a challenge fund for bus related projects from 2013 to 2016 for an initial period of three years after which it would be subject to review.\r\nThe Ring of Breadalbane explorer, as part of the grant conditions, provided statistics as to the project performance. The role of the BIF was not to support projects indefinitely, rather, it gave an opportunity for new or existing projects to access a level of financial support to enable them to improve their service and to collect data. It is hoped that once funding has ended projects will either be in a stronger position to continue commercially or have enough evidence collected to enable them to bid for funding from other avenues.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317715,"EventID":"S5W-03892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-20T15:09:59.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T17:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) people and (b) full-time equivalent staff there have been working in women’s community justice centres in each year since 2010-11, also broken down by justice centre.","AnswerText":"The requested information is not held centrally. The development and staffing of community justice services is a matter for the local leadership of public services engaged in these activities – primarily from local criminal justice social work services, but where appropriate including staff from local housing, healthcare, addictions, other social work, and third sector services.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317716,"EventID":"S5W-03894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-20T15:10:02.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T17:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the survival rate was for incidents that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responded to as (a) co-responder and (b) first responder in each year since 2013-14.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317717,"EventID":"S5W-03909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-20T15:10:05.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had had with the Scottish (a) footballing authorities, (b) Rugby Union and (c) Sports Association regarding the implications of the UK exiting the EU. ","AnswerText":"Officials have had informal discussions with a range of stakeholders to understand any concerns Scottish Governing Bodies have over the UK existing the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317718,"EventID":"S5W-03911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-20T15:10:07.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-19T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many players of non-EU origin in the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) in each last five years used EU citizenship for ease of access to sign for teams.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317719,"EventID":"S5W-03895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-20T15:10:09.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T17:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the outcome of its consultation on the minimum age of criminal responsibility will be published.","AnswerText":"Consultation responses have been published and engagement activity with children and young people and victims groups continued over the summer. Ministers are considering all views put forward and will respond in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317720,"EventID":"S5W-03897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-20T15:10:12.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T17:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out a review of the provision and resourcing of services for women with borderline personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder as recommended in the final report of the Commission on Women Offenders.","AnswerText":"The National Prisoner Healthcare Network’s workstreams on female offenders, mental health and psychological therapies will provide a range of opportunities for local services to consider the provision of services for women with borderline personality disorders and PTSD. In light of this, the Scottish Government does not intend to implement a separate review of the matter.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317721,"EventID":"S5W-03899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-20T15:10:15.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T17:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what mental health training is available to (a) police officers, (b) prison officers, (c) criminal justice social workers and (d) third sector workers regarding their work with women offenders.","AnswerText":"A range of training on mental health, including suicide prevention training, is coordinated by NHS Health Scotland, and is available to a variety of groups including police officers, prison officers, criminal justice social workers and third sector workers regarding their work with women offenders. This includes Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Skills-based Training on Risk Management (STORM) and safeTALK. Further information is available at http://www.smhfa.com/about/index.aspx and http://www.chooselife.net/Training/index.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317722,"EventID":"S5W-03900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-20T15:10:18.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T17:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many in-house mental health specialists there have been working in prisons in each year since 2010-11, also broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"The number of staff with a specialist expertise in mental health who are involved in the provision of services to patients within prisons, wholly or as part of their role, is not centrally held. \r\nSpecific local information may be available from individual NHS Boards, which are responsible for recruiting and retaining the staff they need to deliver safe, high quality services.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317723,"EventID":"S5W-03918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-20T15:10:21.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-20T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides for 16 to 19-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is ambitious about its plans to increase youth employment and in our youth employment strategy we have set a target to reduce youth unemployment by 40% by 2021. Supporting 16 to 19 year olds who are not in education, employment or training to develop the skills needed to get a job is key to achieving that target and remains a priority.\r\nIn delivering the Opportunities for All commitment the Scottish Government supports 16 to 19-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training through a range of provision and funding support including:\r\nActivity Agreements;\r\nEducation Maintenance Allowance;\r\nCollege and university courses;\r\nEmployability Fund training programmes;\r\nCommunity Jobs Scotland;\r\nModern Apprenticeships; and\r\nScottish Employer Recruitment Incentive (SERI).\r\nSince 2012 we have delivered a reduction of 12,000 in the number of young people not in education, employment or training but we are more ambitious than settling for a return to pre-recession rates. The development of the Participation Measure enables national and local partners to identify young people who are not participating and to support them to take up an Opportunities for All offer of an appropriate place in education or training. The latest Participation Measure Report published in August 2016 shows that, nationally, 90.4% of 16-19 year olds were participating in learning, training or work.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317724,"EventID":"S5W-03893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-20T15:10:24.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-18T17:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many medical incidents the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has responded to as (a) co-responder and (b) first responder in each year since 2013-14.","AnswerText":"The number of medical incidents which the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has responded to as co-responder/first responder in each year since 2013-14 are set out within the SFRS Fire and Rescue Incident Statistics Scotland 2015-16. These can be accessed at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.firescotland.gov.uk/media/1009443/fire_and_rescue_statistics_scotland_2015_16.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317726,"EventID":"S5W-03921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-21T09:21:53.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-20T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide an update on the legal challenge against minimum unit pricing.","AnswerText":"The Inner House of the Court of Session will provide its judgment at 12:00 today here https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/search-judgments/court-of-session","AnswerDate":"2016-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317741,"EventID":"S5W-03922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-21T13:46:17.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the £50 million that has been made available to the Housing Infrastructure Fund for 2016-17 is reliant on the local authority strategic housing investment plans for 2017-18 to 2021-22 that are due for submission by 30 November 2016.","AnswerText":"Given the timing of the Fund relative to SHIP submissions in November 2016 and the availability of resource this financial year, Local Authorities were asked to provide initial views about priority sites to the Scottish Government ahead of formal SHIP submissions with a view to identifying projects we could support this financial year","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317742,"EventID":"S5W-03924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-21T13:46:20.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) loans and (b) grants from the Housing Infrastructure Fund have been agreed and what the total value of these are, also broken down by how much each payment will be.","AnswerText":"We have agreed one loan totalling £7.9m. The timing and amount of each drawdown payment will be reflect the completion of infrastructure works on the site by the contractor.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317743,"EventID":"S5W-03934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-21T13:46:23.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many services will be subject to timetable changes following the implementation of the ScotRail improvement plan, and how many of these changes will result in increased journey times. ","AnswerText":"As part of the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), ScotRail are undertaking a comprehensive review of timetables on the Borders, Far North, Argyle, and North Clyde routes. \r\nScotRail have not advised of any planned increases to journey times as part of PIP.\r\nIn December 2016 there will be some refinements to North Clyde & Argyle Line timetables. This takes cognisance of recent performance and forms part of the normal timetable development process.\r\nThe ScotRail Franchise Agreement protects the current journey times through the “Journey Time Metric” which incentivises ScotRail to protect and improve journey times across Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317744,"EventID":"S5W-03923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-21T13:46:24.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made to the Housing Infrastructure Fundand what the total value of these are, also broken down by how much each application was for.","AnswerText":"To date, 186 expressions of interest have been made to the Housing Infrastructure Fund. Of these, 19 proposals are at a stage of readiness to progress to a full application stage with a further one loan offer already issued.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317745,"EventID":"S5W-03937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-21T13:46:27.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T12:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03015 by John Swinney on 29 September 2016, what changes to the eligibility criteria it has introduced since 2007 to increase the availability of free school meals for children in P4 and above.","AnswerText":"The criteria to qualify for free school meals is provided for in section 53(3) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. A number of changes have been made to the criteria since 2007 to help increase the availability of free school meals for children in primary 4 and above, particularly children and young people living in low income households. \r\nThe Education (School Lunches) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 extended the eligibility criteria for a free school lunch to pupils in receipt of, and to pupils with parents in receipt of child tax credit and working tax credit (based on income not exceeding an amount specified by Regulations under the Tax Credits Act 2002 – the Tax Credits (Income Thresholds and Determination of Rates) Regulations 2002).\r\nThe Education (School Lunches) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2013 prescribed the receipt of universal credit to include pupils in receipt of, and to pupils with parents in receipt of universal credit, as an eligibility criterion for free school meals. This was an interim measure intended to protect access to free school meals during the early stages of its roll out. The Scottish Government is currently working with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to consider the eligibility criteria for free school meals under universal credit in the future. \r\nIn 2015, amendments to section 53 of the Education Act (Scotland) 1980 made via the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 gave education authorities new powers to provide school meals free of charge to pupils who satisfy such conditions as the authority thinks fit. Information about the use of this power is not held centrally.\r\nThe answer to question S5W-03014 on 29 September 2016, sets out the changes (both increases and decreases) since 2007 to income threshold for free school meal eligibility linked to the receipt of child tax credit by a parent or pupil (and not working tax credit). All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317746,"EventID":"S5W-03926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-21T13:46:29.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which (a) local authorities and (b) registered social landlords have made applications to the Housing Infrastructure Fund.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have provided 121 expressions of interest for grant support on Local Authority or RSL led sites. Details of the developing organisations have not been submitted at this time, however, expressions of interest have been received from the following local authorities:\r\nAberdeen City\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nAngus\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nCity of Edinburgh \r\nClackmannanshire\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nDundee\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\nEast Lothian\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\nFalkirk\r\nFife\r\nGlasgow City\r\nHighland\r\nInverclyde\r\nMid Lothian\r\nMoray\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\nOrkney\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\nRenfrewshire\r\nScottish Borders\r\nShetland\r\nStirling\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\nWest Lothian","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317747,"EventID":"S5W-03928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-21T13:46:32.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all of the £50 million that has been made available to the Housing Infrastructure Fund for 2016-17 will be allocated for developments by the end of that financial year and, if not, whether the unallocated funds will be carried forward to 2017-18.","AnswerText":"We will look to optimise spend up to £50m however this will be dependent on the state of readiness of projects to move forward to draw down this financial year. There are no carry forward arrangements for uncommitted funds but we will aim to manage any unallocated budgets effectively across housing or wider SG in line with normal programme management arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317748,"EventID":"S5W-03935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-21T13:46:34.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of the so-called golden train services that will be in operation following the implementation of the ScotRail improvement plan.","AnswerText":"ScotRail require flexibility to review and amend the services they stipulate internally as “Golden Trains”. Performance patterns are altered as operational circumstances change and improvement plans take effect. The purpose of classifying these services at any given time is to minimise the knock on impact any lateness can present to timetabled services later in the day.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317749,"EventID":"S5W-03936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-21T13:46:36.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T12:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many families have children who have received free school meals in each year since 2005.","AnswerText":"Information about the number of families who have received free school meals is not held centrally. Information about the number of children and young people in primary, secondary and special schools, who were registered for and taking a free school meal is collected by the Scottish Government. Table 2 in the accompanying supplementary data of the Scottish Government publication Summary statistics for attainment, leaver destinations and healthy living, No. 6: 2016 Edition provides details of the number of children and young people in primary, secondary and special school who were registered and taking free school meal on the day of the survey each year from 2006. This can be accessed at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/MealsSD/mealspesd/mealspesd2016. \r\nThe number of children and young people in primary, secondary and special schools who were registered for and took a free school meals in 2005 can be accessed from table 2 of the Scottish Government publication School Meals in Scotland 2009. This can be accessed at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2009/06/22104701/0.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317750,"EventID":"S5W-03925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-21T13:46:38.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which non-public sector organisations have made applications to the Housing Infrastructure Fund.","AnswerText":"Local Authorities have provided 42 expressions of interest for loan support on sites relating to non public organisations. Details of these organisations have not been submitted at this time. One loan has been agreed to date to the Grandhome Trust in Aberdeen.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317751,"EventID":"S5W-03927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-21T13:46:40.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many enquiries it has received from developers about the Housing Infrastructure Fund.","AnswerText":"We have received 186 expressions of interest through Local Authorities in relation to the Housing Infrastructure Fund. We do not hold information on the individual developers for each project. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317752,"EventID":"S5W-03933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-21T14:37:18.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the vacancies that have been filled each year through Community Jobs Scotland have attracted additional funding because they paid at least the living wage.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government introduced the living wage into Phase 5 of the Community Jobs Scotland (CJS) programme in 2015-16. This increased financial support has been provided as part of the overall funding commitment for 2015-16 and 2016-17 and not offered as an additional funding incentive. As a result 327 CJS third sector employers benefitted from being paid the living wage.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317753,"EventID":"S5W-03932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-21T14:37:19.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) full-time and (b) full-time equivalent vacancies have been filled each year through Community Jobs Scotland.","AnswerText":"Since 2011 Community Jobs Scotland has created more than 7,000 full time and part time job training opportunities with third sector employers across Scotland. The number of full time opportunities created in each year of the programme is as follows:\r\nFULL TIME POSITION BY PHASE\r\nPhase 1 (2011-12)\r\n1861\r\nPhase 2 (2012-13)\r\n1270\r\nPhase 3 (2013-14)\r\n1156\r\nPhase 4 (2014-15)\r\n1285\r\nPhase 5 (2015-16)\r\n1045\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317754,"EventID":"S5W-03929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-21T14:37:20.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects employers that use Community Jobs Scotland services to (a) have recognition agreements with the relevant trades unions and (b) pay at least the living wage. ","AnswerText":"We are committed to the Fair Work Framework which demonstrates its support of Trade Unions by saying that they are the primary channel of collective worker voice in Scotland and the UK. We encourage businesses to use this Framework to guide their activities in supporting the delivery of fair work in Scotland and promote positive relationships with Trade Unions as they provide a voice and a source of empowerment for employees.\r\nSince 2011 we have provided funding to support the Community Jobs Scotland programme to create paid job training opportunities for young people within the third sector. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisation, who manage the programme on behalf of the Scottish Government, ensure that CJS employees have the same terms and conditions as existing employees.\r\nSince 2015-16 we have funded Community Jobs Scotland to pay young people the living wage where the third sector employers paid this rate to existing employees or where they wanted to implement it for young people on CJS.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317755,"EventID":"S5W-03931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-21T14:37:21.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the vacancies that have been filled each year through Community Jobs Scotland have paid at least the living wage. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government introduced the living wage into Phase 5 of the Community Jobs Scotland (CJS) programme in 2015-16. The number of opportunities paid at the living wage in each year since it was introduced is as follows:\r\nPhase\r\nNumbers paid at Living Wage\r\nPhase 5 (2015-16)\r\n327\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317756,"EventID":"S5W-03959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T09:55:44.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on the Enterprise and Skills Review that was announced by First Minister on 25 May 2016 (Official Report, c. 9).","AnswerText":" The first phase of the Enterprise and Skills Review has now concluded and I can confirm that I am publishing the report and recommendations today. Copies have been lodged with SPICe and will be made available online at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy/EntandSkillsreview.\r\n The review has focused on how we will work within the framework of Scotland’s Economic Strategy to build on existing strengths and successes to further improve the enterprise and skills support system in Scotland. Its decisions cover a range of aspects that are designed to deliver on our aspirations for a more prosperous and inclusive Scotland by ensuring coherence and hence a simpler, more flexible and cost-effective system of national and local support. This will ensure a system in which all of our agencies work both hand in glove with each other and collaboratively with our business, academic and civic partners to optimise economic impact across the whole of Scotland. \r\n In phase 2 we will take forward implementation of phase 1 outcomes and explore how we work closely in partnership with local government on regional opportunities, responding to local needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317758,"EventID":"S5F-00358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T12:50:17.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317759,"EventID":"S5F-00361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T12:50:21.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T08:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317760,"EventID":"S5F-00367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T12:50:27.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the statement from the RCN that nursing in Scotland is facing \"a perfect storm\". ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317761,"EventID":"S5F-00374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T12:50:34.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether she will provide an update on discussions with the UK Government on protecting Scotland’s position within the EU.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317762,"EventID":"S5F-00381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T12:50:42.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317763,"EventID":"S5F-00392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T12:51:01.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she last met ScotRail. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317764,"EventID":"S5F-00396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T12:51:10.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government will seek to improve systems supporting children in care.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317765,"EventID":"S5F-00397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T12:51:11.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister, further to the decision by the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association to take industrial action, what steps the Scottish Government has taken to resolve the issue of teacher workloads.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317766,"EventID":"S5T-00119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T12:51:41.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T10:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will quash the convictions and cautions issued to people for now-abolished gay sexual offences and issue pardons.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317767,"EventID":"S5T-00125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T12:51:51.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it made of the reported level of support for independence ahead of the decision to bring forward the draft Referendum Bill before Article 50 has been invoked.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317768,"EventID":"S5T-00126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T12:51:52.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will take forward plans for the minimum pricing of alcohol following the decision by the Court of Session.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-10-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317795,"EventID":"S5W-03950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:41:17.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many custody and security officers Police Scotland has, and how this compares with each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not routinely collect this information.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317796,"EventID":"S5W-03953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:41:18.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service are making toward the introduction of seven-day case marking.","AnswerText":"The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) are committed to working with our Criminal Justice Partners to assess the viability of the introduction of seven day custody courts.\r\nCOPFS Officials along with Scottish Government, Police Scotland, and Scottish Courts & Tribunal Services are working together on the Seven Day Custody Working Group established under the auspices of the Justice Board to assess that viability. That assessment will include the impact on custody volumes of the new Police Investigative Liberation powers under the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016. The next meeting of the group is scheduled for 7 November 2016.\r\nA National Initial Case Processing Weekend Working Pilot has been fully scoped in anticipation of possible seven day custody courts. The Pilot was scoped in consultation with Trade Unions and proposed voluntary staff participation. The Pilot has not as yet commenced.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alison Di Rollo","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317797,"EventID":"S5W-03968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:41:20.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Scottish Development International's budget has been in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"Scottish Development International (SDI) is a tripartite arrangement between Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. SDI provides support for companies to establish and grow their businesses in Scotland and help companies to expand their international trade.\r\nA breakdown of SDI’s budget in each year since 2011-12 is provided in the following table:\r\nSDI Operational Budget\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\n\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\nTOTAL\r\n32.3\r\n38.8\r\n33.5\r\n35.5\r\n31.6\r\n30.3\r\n* Figures rounded to nearest hundred thousand","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317798,"EventID":"S5W-03942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:41:26.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T15:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the use of (a) planning policy, (b) housing legislation or (c) other measures to regulate short-term letting, such as (i) so-called party flats and (ii) via platforms such as AirBnB.","AnswerText":"Legislation exists to deal with antisocial noise and behaviour in short-term lets and the local authority may deal with these matters using existing powers contained within Part 7 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004. \r\nIn March 2011, the Scottish Government introduced further legislation to help local authorities tackle nuisance behaviour caused by occupants of short-term lets. The Antisocial Behaviour Notices (Houses Used for Holiday Purposes) (Scotland) Order 2011, enables local authorities to serve a notice on a landlord of a property where there has been antisocial behaviour by a person using a property for holiday purposes, or visitors while it is being used. Such a notice can be served on the landlord and any known person who acts for the landlord. This means that action can be taken even if the occupant is only resident for a short period of time.\r\nIn relation to the planning system, planning permission would be required for material changes in the use of flats and houses, though a limited amount of bed and breakfast activity in houses is excluded from planning control. It would be for planning authorities to consider what policies are needed locally for dealing with planning applications in this regard.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317799,"EventID":"S5W-03944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:41:29.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many operationally deployable officers Police Scotland has, and how this compares with each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. The deployment of police officers is an operational matter for Police Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317800,"EventID":"S5W-03961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:41:30.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff have been (a) directly employed and (b) employed on a consultancy basis by (i) Scottish Enterprise and (ii) Highlands and Islands Enterprise in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). I have asked the Chief Executives of both SE and HIE to contact you with the information you have requested and my understanding is that this will be with you soon.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317801,"EventID":"S5W-03955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:41:36.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will retain a rail policing specialism following the proposed transfer of responsibilities from the British Transport Police to Police Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government set out initial proposals in the consultation \"The integration of the British Transport Police in Scotland into Police Scotland\" https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/police-division/transport-police and will address key issues in the Bill and accompanying documents when they are introduced.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317802,"EventID":"S5W-03962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:41:38.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is on the board of (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise; when each appointment started and what remuneration each member receives.","AnswerText":"All information on the Board Members of Scottish Enterprise is publically available on their website and can be found here:\r\nhttps://www.scottish-enterprise.com/about-us/our-leadership/board-members?usedevice=m\r\nDetails of the remuneration of each Board Member of Scottish Enterprise can be found in their most recent Annual Report and Accounts:\r\nhttps://www.scottish-enterprise.com/knowledge-hub/articles/publication/annual-reports\r\nAll information on the Board Members of Highlands and Islands Enterprise is publically available on their website and can be found here:\r\nhttp://www.hie.co.uk/about-hie/who-we-are/board-members/\r\nDetails of the remuneration of each Board Member of Highlands and Islands Enterprise can be found in their most recent Annual Report and Accounts:\r\nhttp://www.hie.co.uk/about-hie/policies-and-publications/annual-reports.html","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317803,"EventID":"S5W-03938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:41:44.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its £2 million Community Choices Fund is equal to 1% of local council budgets.","AnswerText":"The £2 million Community Choices Fund is not equal to 1% of local council budgets. The fund was launched in June 2016 to support Community Choices (otherwise known as participatory budgeting) in 2016-17 and £1.5 million was open to applications from public authorities, community organisation and community councils. The fund will also support a capacity building programme in Scotland to assist community organisations and public authorities to engage with and deliver Community Choices. More information about community choices can be found on the PB Scotland website www.PBScotland.scot","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317804,"EventID":"S5W-03940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:41:46.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its £2 million Community Choices Fund will be an annual fund.","AnswerText":"The Community Choices Fund was established in 2016-17 as part of the Empowering Communities Fund. Future decisions about the fund will be made as part of the budget settlement for 2017-18. Community empowerment continues to build across the whole of Scotland, and the Scottish Government will continue to support a fairer Scotland and inclusive growth in the most effective ways possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317805,"EventID":"S5W-03963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:41:49.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) land and (b) assets are owned by (i) Scottish Enterprise and (ii) Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). I have asked the Chief Executives of both SE and HIE to contact you with the information you have requested and my understanding is that this will be with you soon.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317806,"EventID":"S5W-03965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:41:55.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) grant and (b) loan funds are provided by (i) Scottish Enterprise and (ii) Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and what the budget is for each fund.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). I have asked the Chief Executives of both SE and HIE to contact you with the information you have requested and my understanding is that this will be with you soon.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317807,"EventID":"S5W-03947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:01.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which police custody suites in Scotland do not meet Home Office standards and what action it is taking with each to ensure that they do.","AnswerText":"The management of the police estate, including the custody estate, is a matter for Police Scotland with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA). ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317808,"EventID":"S5W-03949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:02.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Police Scotland determines the extent to which other officers backfill for custody service officers.","AnswerText":"Decisions regarding the deployment of police officers are an operational matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317809,"EventID":"S5W-03954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:04.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which budget lines will be affected by the proposed transfer of responsibilities from the British Transport Police to Police Scotland. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03955 on 2 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317810,"EventID":"S5W-03956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:05.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether officers will be trained to police railways following the proposed transfer of responsibilities from the British Transport Police to Police Scotland. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03955 on 2 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317811,"EventID":"S5W-03941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:07.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T15:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that properties used exclusively for short-term letting via platforms, such as AirBnB, should be treated as residential properties or as businesses.","AnswerText":"It is for owners of properties used for short-term lettings to ensure that they comply with all legislation that applies to their letting. \r\nThis includes considering whether they are operating a business for tax purposes as defined by HM Revenue and Customs.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317812,"EventID":"S5W-03943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:09.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what shadowing activities Community Justice Scotland is conducting in 2016, as referred to in the Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"Creating Community Justice Scotland initially as a shadow enables the early engagement of the chair, board and chief executive in the process setting of the vision, structure and corporate plan of the body, prior to it going live. This allows individuals who will have a future role in the running of the body to contribute to decisions on its future role, responsibilities and management.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317813,"EventID":"S5W-03958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:11.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Scotland-based British Transport Police officers there are, and how many will be employed by Police Scotland following the proposed transfer of responsibilities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03955 on 2 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317814,"EventID":"S5W-03960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:13.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget has been for (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise for each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"A table containing Scottish Government grant funding for (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise is provided in the following tables:\r\nSE cash budget since 2011-12 (£m)\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\nSG Grant in aid Funding \r\n245.3\r\n235.4\r\n248.9\r\n220.1\r\n229.2\r\n229.9\r\nAdditional Income\r\n60.2\r\n57.7\r\n55.8\r\n75.8\r\n77.7\r\n81.4\r\nTotal Income\r\n305.5\r\n293.1\r\n304.7\r\n295.9\r\n306.9\r\n311.3\r\n+/- %\r\n-1.3\r\n-4.05\r\n+3.96\r\n-2.88\r\n+3.72\r\n+1.43\r\nHIE cash budget since 2011-12 (£m)\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\nSG Grant in aid Funding\r\n59.3\r\n71.3\r\n48.4\r\n58.6\r\n59.0\r\n56.2\r\nAdditional Income\r\n14.4\r\n10.8\r\n14.8\r\n15.1\r\n16.0\r\n12.3\r\nTotal Income\r\n65.2\r\n82.1\r\n63.2\r\n73.7\r\n75.0\r\n68.5\r\n+/- %\r\n-11.5\r\n+25.92\r\n-23.02\r\n+16.61\r\n+1.76\r\n-8.66\r\nNotes:\r\n(1) Data from annual accounts except for 2016-17(sourced from SG budget, SE’s Business Plan for 2015-18 and HIE’s Operating Plan 2016-19.\r\n(2) The % difference is based on the budget allocation from the previous year.\r\n(3) Above figures exclude ring-fenced DEL (non-cash).","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317815,"EventID":"S5W-03939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:19.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-21T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been provided to Inclusion Scotland to run the Access to Elected Office Fund, and whether this will run until summer 2017, as set out in its Programme For Government. ","AnswerText":"We have provided £200,000 (2016-17) to support a pilot access to elected office fund in Scotland. This includes £40,000 for administration (including assessment and support). The Fund is available to pay for practical support, covering reasonable adjustments, to support disabled people who wish to stand for selection or election in the 2017 local government elections. \r\nWe will review uptake of the fund later in the financial year to see whether this needs to be increased, and we will ensure that funds are available for the first quarter of next financial year to cover the 2017 election.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317816,"EventID":"S5W-03946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:22.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Police Scotland determines the number of operationally deployable officers it requires.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. The deployment of police officers is an operational matter for Police Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317817,"EventID":"S5W-03957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:23.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what service improvements it expects following the proposed transfer of responsibilities from the British Transport Police to Police Scotland. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03955 on 2 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317818,"EventID":"S5W-03964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:25.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which companies have received Regional Selective Assistance in each year since 2011-12; how much was awarded and how many jobs were created.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise (SE). I have asked the Chief Executive of SE to contact you with the information you have requested and my understanding is that this will be with you soon.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317819,"EventID":"S5W-03971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:31.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much additional funding will be provided to support the increase in Scottish Development International's representation in the EU that was announced by the First Minister.","AnswerText":"Detailed work is being undertaken to ensure that additional resources deliver maximum benefit for Scotland. Additional funding will be provided to reflect this. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317820,"EventID":"S5W-03951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:37.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what was the average age of the Police Scotland vehicle fleet in each year since the creation of the single police force. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. As this is an operational matter, I have alerted the Chief Executive of the Scottish Police Authority to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317821,"EventID":"S5W-03952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:39.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many so-called abstractions in Police Scotland there have been in each year since 2013.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. The deployment of police officers is an operational matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317822,"EventID":"S5W-03966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:40.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been employed by Scottish Development International in each year since 2011-12, and how many of these covered the EU.","AnswerText":"Operational delivery of SDI is provided by Scottish Enterprise, with a contribution from Highlands & Islands Enterprise. Scottish Government staff are also embedded across SDI in a range of functions and provide operational trade and investment support working alongside SE and HIE staff\r\nSDI’s workforce across the globe, including the EU, in each year since 2011-12 is provided in the following table:\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nNumber of people employed*\r\nTotal\r\n221\r\n219\r\n239\r\n264\r\n274\r\n* Calculated as full time equivalent posts and rounded up to the nearest full post.\r\nThe following table shows the SDI posts in the EU (outwith the UK)\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\nPosts\r\n15\r\n15\r\n15\r\n18\r\n18\r\n20\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317823,"EventID":"S5W-03969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:46.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement by the First Minister to increase Scottish Development International's representation in the EU, how many additional staff will be employed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government proposes an increase in the number of people working for Scottish Development International in Europe from 20 to 40 over the next two years.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317824,"EventID":"S5W-03970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T15:42:52.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of Scottish Development International's staff are based in each of the investment hubs in Dublin, London and Brussels.","AnswerText":"There are currently no Scottish Development International staff in the Innovation and Investment Hub in Dublin. When our London Hub opens in 2017, the 8 people working for Scottish Development International and the 3 people working for Scottish Enterprise in London will transfer there. \r\n\r\nThe Hub in Brussels is supporting the development of a new approach to the way Scotland deploys its resources in Brussels. This builds on the existing partnership between staff in the Scottish Government EU office and the 9 people working for Scotland Europa in Scotland House in Brussels. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317832,"EventID":"S5W-03979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:17:37.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T11:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is assisting Edinburgh City Council and the Edinburgh Mela Festival Board to ensure a successful 2017 festival.","AnswerText":"Creative Scotland, our national arts body, and the City of Edinburgh Council have held detailed and regular discussions with the Mela Board for several months and have sought assurances on governance issues. The Council and CreativeScotland are longstanding supporters of the Edinburgh Mela and the cultural benefits the event brings. The Scottish Government have been fully appraised of matters relating to the Mela and are confident and supportive of the Council and Creative Scotland’s approach. We hope the Mela’s current challenges can be addressed. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317833,"EventID":"S5W-03988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:17:39.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T14:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness of the risks to vulnerable people when the clocks change to GMT and the evenings become darker.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to work with a range of partners and with communities to support and promote community safety. This includes advice from Transport Scotland on driving in the dark and taking account the vulnerability of pedestrians – in particular children.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317834,"EventID":"S5W-03990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:17:41.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made between delays associated with procedures carried out on the NHS and the number of similar private procedures undertaken in NHS facilities.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government guidance makes clear that any private work undertaken in NHS facilities must not be to the detriment of NHS patients waiting for treatment.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317835,"EventID":"S5W-03975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:17:42.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) policies and (b) initiatives underpin its economic strategy and how are these measured.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Economic Strategy (SES) is directed towards achieving the Scottish Government’s central Purpose of creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth.\r\nThe SES sets out four priority areas for supporting sustainable economic growth:\r\nInvesting in our people and our infrastructure in a sustainable way;\r\nFostering a culture of innovation and research and development;\r\nPromoting inclusive growth and creating opportunity through a fair and inclusive jobs market and regional cohesion; and,\r\nPromoting Scotland on the international stage to boost our trade and investment, influence and networks.\r\nDetails of specific policies and initiatives that underpin these priorities are set out in Chapter two of the SES, which is available at the following address:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/03/5984/5\r\nThe Programme for Government, published on 6 September 2016, sets out the policies, actions and legislation that the Scottish Government will take forward to deliver these priorities. The Programme for Government is available at the following address: http://www.gov.scot/programme2016","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317836,"EventID":"S5W-03992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:17:49.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last assessed the operational implications of NHS facilities being used privately.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03990 on 4 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nThe operational implications are a matter for individual Boards who must ensure that services for NHS patients are not negatively impacted.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317837,"EventID":"S5W-03994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:17:51.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last assessed charging costs for NHS facilities being used privately.","AnswerText":"The charging cost of private patients being treated is a matter for local NHS Boards who are best placed to determine the cost of specific procedures being undertaken in their local hospitals. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317838,"EventID":"S5W-03972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:17:53.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Scotland exports to the (a) rest of the UK, (b) EU, (c) USA and (d) rest of the world.","AnswerText":"The latest published figures for 2014 estimate that Scottish exports to the rest of the UK are worth £48.5 billion. Scottish international exports are estimated to be worth £27.5 billion with an estimated £11.6 billion of these exports destined for the EU and £15.2 billion destined for non-EU countries. The USA is estimated to be Scotland’s largest international export market with an estimated £4.0 billion worth of exports.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently exploring all options to protect Scotland’s interests and relationship with Europe.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317839,"EventID":"S5W-03974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:17:59.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures in the National Performance Framework relate to its economic strategy.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Economic Strategy (SES) is directed towards achieving the Scottish Government’s central Purpose of creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth. Progress is measured through the National Indicators and Purpose Targets contained in the National Performance Framework (NPF). \r\nThe NPF was updated in March with additional indicators added to reflect the strategic approach of the SES. These included new measures of natural capital, access to local greenspace, underemployment, gender pay differences and payment of the Living Wage. The methodology used to monitor progress towards the Productivity and Solidarity Targets was also updated, to allow for a better assessment of progress towards the productivity and inequality ambitions contained in the SES.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317840,"EventID":"S5W-03997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:05.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recommendations in the Scottish Human Rights Commission and the Mental Welfare Commission report, Human rights in mental health care in Scotland, and whether these will be incorporated in the 10-year vision for mental health in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the report from the Mental Welfare Commission and the Scottish Human Rights Commission, commissioned through commitment 5 of the Mental Health Strategy 2012-2015 with supporting recommendations. \r\nThis was the culmination of a wide ranging piece of work engaging stakeholders across Scotland and provided a range of recommendations to progress the Human Rights Agenda across mental health services in Scotland.\r\nThe report’s findings, which illustrate positive change, will contribute to the thinking around the content of the next mental health strategy.\r\nWe want to embed a human-rights based approach across our priorities and actions. We’re using the PANEL approach (Participation, Accountability, Non-discrimination and equality, Empowerment, and Legislation) to think about actions that deliver on human rights. In particular, Non-discrimination and equality are featuring strongly.\r\nThe Scottish Parliament recently passed the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2015. The 2015 Act is currently being implemented and contains several measures which strengthen the provisions in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 that promote and protect service users’ rights. This includes giving service users more control over their representation and strengthening the position of advance statements and advocacy which help service users express their will and preferences.\r\nThe 2015 Act also ensures that service users can more clearly express their will and preferences about how they are supported and we are currently engaging with stakeholders about how the work to implement the 2015 Act can be used to further promote the rights of service users.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317841,"EventID":"S5W-03999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:06.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent Joint Civil Society's criticism of the continued legality of the \"justifiable assault\" defence in its recent report on human rights to the UN.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is opposed to the physical punishment of children. The Scottish Government does not, however, wish to see parents unnecessarily or unreasonably criminalised and we have no plans to bring forward legislation to repeal existing legal defences for parents in relation to physical punishment. There are already restrictions in this area. Section 51 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 makes it illegal to punish a child by way of a blow to the head, shaking or the use of an implement. In addition, section 51 of the 2003 Act lays down a range of factors for the courts to consider when determining whether other forms of physical punishment are lawful. As indicated in paragraphs 214 and 215 of the Policy Memorandum for the then Bill (http://www.parliament.scot/S1_Bills/Criminal%20Justice%20(Scotland)%20Bill/b50s1pm.pdf ), these factors were laid down by the European Court of Human Rights.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317842,"EventID":"S5W-03982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:09.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to tackle childhood obesity levels and for maintaining healthy child weight in each of the last five years, also broken down by NHS Board.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has provided the following funding to NHS Boards for tackling childhood obesity and child healthy weight since 2012-13.\r\nNHS Board\r\n2012-13 allocation\r\n£\r\n2013-14 allocation\r\n£\r\n2014-15 allocation\r\n£\r\n2015-16 allocation\r\n£\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n147,281\r\n147,000\r\n142,750\r\n139,790\r\nNHS Borders\r\n59,273\r\n59,000\r\n58,127\r\n57,591\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n74,705\r\n74,000\r\n72,257\r\n71,084\r\nNHS Fife\r\n138,684\r\n138,000\r\n131,603\r\n129,477\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n115,581\r\n115,000\r\n110,565\r\n109,247\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n181,460\r\n181,000\r\n178,389\r\n176,815\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n427,116\r\n427,000\r\n381,390\r\n370,003\r\nNHS Highland\r\n129,259\r\n129,00\r\n126,893\r\n125,092\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n206,325\r\n206,000\r\n219,837\r\n217,119\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n266,113\r\n266,000\r\n250,458\r\n248,158\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n32,005\r\n32,000\r\n32,963\r\n32,542\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n32,396\r\n32,000\r\n32,563\r\n32,5471\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n154,369\r\n154,000\r\n146,361\r\n143,988\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n35,434\r\n35,000\r\n35,990\r\n35,623\r\nTotal\r\n2,000,001\r\n1,995,000\r\n1,919,849\r\n1,889,000\r\nThe 2016-17 Budget introduced an Outcomes Framework, a single source of funding to NHS Boards for a number of strategic priorities such as prevention and reducing inequalities. It amalgamates a number of individual funding allocations into a single allocation with a value of £161.2 million across all NHS Boards. Funding for child healthy weigh is included in the Outcomes Framework. NHS Boards have the flexibility to meet agreed outcomes within the overall framework value with individual programmes losing their financial identity. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317843,"EventID":"S5W-03989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:11.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T14:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking (a) in conjunction with and (b) separate from the work of Police Scotland to limit anti-social behaviour, theft, misuse of fireworks and unwelcome visitors at the homes of vulnerable and older people during Halloween, Bonfire Night and as the evenings become darker.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to work with a range of partners and with communities to support and promote community safety.\r\nThe Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 provides a wide range of measures for dealing with anti-social behaviours, including Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs), which can be used to prevent persons from engaging in antisocial behaviours which cause alarm or distress to their neighbours or the general public. The Act also provides senior police officers with powers to disperse groups of two or more people whose behaviour is causing alarm or distress to members of the public within their locality.\r\nThe Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is working with local partners to highlight the dangers of fireworks and bonfires. This includes working in partnership with schools and community groups on a range of initiatives to help reduce fire related antisocial behaviour and help protect vulnerable people from harm and distress. One such initiative has seen Firefighters and Community Safety Advocates visiting schools across Scotland to present a National Bonfire presentation which aims to positively engage with and educate children in the 11 – 13 age group. This work is being supported by a television and radio campaign. \r\nPolice Scotland is currently running a number of campaigns about keeping safe during the Halloween and Bonfire Night period. This includes social media campaigns to promote personal and home safety advice across Scotland. The #DarkerNights and #ClocksGoBack social media campaigns are being promoted by Local Policing Divisions to provide advice and reassurance on home and personal safety. The campaign also provides advice to keep people safe from thieves and others who would exploit vulnerable groups. \r\nNeighbourhood Watch Scotland, which is core funded by the Scottish Government, also plays an important role in offering reassurance to local communities. By sharing alerts on potential criminal activities and offering advice on keeping safe they encourage communities to look out for one another. In advance of, and during, the Halloween and Bonfire night period, Neighbourhood Watch Scotland is issuing a series of alerts to communities highlighting the dangers of misusing fireworks, lighting bonfires and advising people how to stay safe.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317844,"EventID":"S5W-03996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:12.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the recommendations of VOX Scotland and the Mental Health Foundation report, A Review of Mental Health Services in Scotland: Perspectives and Experiences of Service Users, Carers and Professionals, will be incorporated in the 10-year vision for mental health in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the report which was delivered and published in January 2016, identifying the general direction of mental health services over the last ten years. The report provides a baseline for the status of services and the views of the services, both those providing and those recipients in the areas they focussed on. \r\nThe report’s findings, which illustrate positive change, will contribute to the thinking around the content of the next mental health strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317845,"EventID":"S5W-03983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:14.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, what discussions it has had with the UK Government on the implications for (a) seafarer training, (b) ferry services and (c) fishing vessels in Scotland of proposed changes to the fees charged for regulatory compliance in these areas.","AnswerText":"The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Andrew Jones MP, wrote to the Scottish Government on 26 November 2015 detailing a proposal to undertake a consultation on increasing the fees associated with Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations charged by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to reach full cost recovery. The then Minister for Transport and Islands, Derek Mackay MSP, replied on 7 December 2015 recognising that fees had not increased since 2006 and that industry bodies were largely supportive of the aim to improve the MCA’s regulatory functions, but cautioning that the full impact of increasing fees during this challenging period should be considered, along with requesting they kept open the option of phasing in the increases.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317846,"EventID":"S5W-03984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:16.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported comment by the General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation that Police Scotland has \"a genuine crisis coming\" concerning the state of the force's estate and facilities, and what action it is taking to improve this infrastructure.","AnswerText":"It is for the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland to allocate and manage their annual budget according to local and national needs and priorities. The £2 million allocated to Police Scotland as part of the Scottish Government stimulus package, announced in the Programme for Government will assist Police Scotland to make improvements to the police estate.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317847,"EventID":"S5W-04001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:18.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T16:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd on the provision of training berths on each new ferry scheduled to enter service on Clyde and Hebrides routes during the current contract.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04000 on 7 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317848,"EventID":"S5W-04002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:21.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T16:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many berths there will be for trainee (a) ratings and (b) officers on all CalMac Ferries vessels in each year of the current Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.","AnswerText":"The provision of berths is an operational matter for CalMac Ferries Ltd. CalMac’s successful bid for the new Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service contract included a commitment to continue to invest in Officer Cadet and Deck and Engine Rating Apprenticeships with a total of 20 engaged each year. Related information on this subject was provided to the member in response to his question S4W-27942 on \r\n29 October 2015. \r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317849,"EventID":"S5W-03973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:23.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in response to the Audit Scotland report, Supporting Scotland’s economic growth: The role of the Scottish Government and its economic development agencies.","AnswerText":"We welcomed the Audit Scotland report Supporting Scotland’s Economic Growth: The role of the Scottish Government and its Economic Development Agencies’, which formed part of the evidence base considered during phase 1 of the Enterprise and Skills review.\r\nThe Enterprise and Skills Review Phase 1 Report, published on 25 October encapsulates actions against the findings and recommendations raised in the Audit Scotland report. In addition, Phase 2 will take forward these issues over the course of its deliberations.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317850,"EventID":"S5W-03980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:30.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03318 by Kevin Stewart on 17 October 2016, whether it will provide a breakdown of the offences committed by those people who were identified as homeless when entering prison in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government holds anonymised data from homelessness applications which is not linked to the database holding information on prisoners. Information on the homelessness status of prisoners is also not held centrally by the Scottish Prison Service.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317851,"EventID":"S5W-03987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:31.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T14:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote community-led schemes that aim to prevent harm to vulnerable people during Halloween, Bonfire Night and as the evenings become darker.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to work with a range of partners and with communities to support and promote community safety.\r\nThe Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is working with local partners to highlight the dangers of fireworks and bonfires. This includes working in partnership with schools and community groups on a range of initiatives to help reduce fire related antisocial behaviour and help protect vulnerable people from harm and distress. One such initiative has seen Firefighters and Community Safety Advocates visiting schools across Scotland to present a National Bonfire presentation which aims to positively engage with and educate children in the 11 – 13 age group. This work is being supported by a television and radio campaign. \r\nNeighbourhood Watch Scotland, which is core funded by the Scottish Government, also plays an important role in offering reassurance to local communities. By sharing alerts on potential criminal activities and offering advice on keeping safe they encourage communities to look out for one another. In advance of, and during, the Halloween and Bonfire night period, Neighbourhood Watch Scotland is issuing a series of alerts to communities highlighting the dangers of misusing fireworks, lighting bonfires and advising people how to stay safe.\r\nPolice Scotland is currently running a number of campaigns about keeping safe during the Halloween and Bonfire Night period. This includes social media campaigns to promote personal and home safety advice across Scotland. The #DarkerNights and #ClocksGoBack social media campaigns are being promoted by Local Policing Divisions to provide advice and reassurance on home and personal safety. The campaign also provides advice to keep people safe from thieves and others who would exploit vulnerable groups. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317852,"EventID":"S5W-03991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:33.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the wider implications of delays associated with hip replacement operations.","AnswerText":"NHS Boards are responsible for planning and delivering services to meet the needs of their local population now and in future. The Scottish Government Health Directorate continue to actively support Boards to better project demand for NHS services and to plan for sufficient capacity to meet these demands over coming years to ensure that all patients, including those requiring hip-replacement procedures have no delay in accessing health care. \r\nTo support the increasing demands placed on the NHS the Scottish Government has already committed to invest £200 million to create five new elective centres and to expand the Golden Jubilee to meet future changing demographics over the next 10-15 years. One of the proposed centres is to be built in Inverness. These new centres will carry out procedures like hip and knee surgery and will allow people to be seen more quickly for planned surgery. This will also help the NHS to meet increasing demand from a growing elderly population, taking pressure off unplanned and emergency treatment.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317853,"EventID":"S5W-03998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:35.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00143 by Aileen Campbell on 15 September 2016 (Official Report, c. 5), what recent discussions it has had with (a) Engender, (b) Scottish Women’s Aid, (c) Barnardo’s Scotland and (d) the Trussell Trust regarding the affordability of feminine hygiene products and health challenges that can arise when women and girls do not have access to these.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is happy to meet organisations to discuss the affordability of sanitary products. One request for such a meeting has so far been received and I have agreed to a meeting in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317854,"EventID":"S5W-03976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:36.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to educate young drivers about road safety, and what plans it has to review the (a) amount and (b) quality of the information that it provides.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises driving as a lifelong activity, and our Mid-term Review of 'Scotland's Road Safety Framework to 2020' identified specific outcomes and commitments for pre drivers and drivers aged 17-25. Casualties amongst 17-25 year olds have reduced significantly since the Framework's 2004-2008 baseline with a 64% reduction in fatalities at the 2015 milestone point. \r\nHowever, the Framework contains an ultimate vision where no-one is killed on Scotland's roads and therefore, working in conjunction with a range of road safety partners, Road Safety Scotland continues to provide a range of interventions to improve attitudes and change behaviours among young drivers, including a full suite of educational sources linked to Curriculum for Excellence and targeted publicity campaigns.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317855,"EventID":"S5W-03978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:38.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will chair the November 2016 meeting of the Crofting Commission board. ","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Crofting Commission. I have asked the interim Chief Executive to write to you about this matter.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317856,"EventID":"S5W-03993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:41.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been received by each NHS board as a result of NHS facilities being used privately in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Information on how much income NHS Boards receive in relation to private patients being treated in NHS facilities is not available centrally. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317857,"EventID":"S5W-03995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:43.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make its Relationships, Sexual Health, and Parenthood education guidance a mandatory component of the curriculum.","AnswerText":"Curriculum for Excellence provides significant flexibility, within broad national guidelines, for teachers to develop lessons which best meet the needs of individual learners. This is a key characterisation of Scotland's education system. Relationships, sexual health and parenthood education remains an integral part of the health and wellbeing area of the curriculum in Scotland. The Scottish Government published statutory guidance, Conduct of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood Education in Schools, in December 2014 which applies to all local authorities in relation to education about sexual matters provided in the schools they manage.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317858,"EventID":"S5W-03967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:46.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in which countries Scottish Development International has had a permanent base in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"Details of Scottish Development International’s office locations in each year since 2011-12 to 2016-17 can be found in the following table:\r\nSDI Office Locations\r\n\r\nYear\r\n2011-12\r\n\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n\r\n2014-15\r\n\r\n2015-16\r\n\r\n2016-17\r\nField Ops - Americas\r\nBrazil\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nCanada\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\nUS\r\n5\r\n5\r\n5\r\n5\r\n5\r\n5\r\nTOTAL\r\n7\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\n\r\nField Ops – Asia Pacific\r\nAustralia & New Zealand\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nChina\r\n2\r\n4\r\n4\r\n4\r\n4\r\n4\r\nIndia\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\nJapan\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nSingapore\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nSouth Korea\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nTaiwan\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nTOTAL\r\n9\r\n11\r\n11\r\n12\r\n12\r\n12\r\n\r\nField Ops – Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)\r\nDenmark\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nFrance\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nGermany\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nGhana\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nNorway\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nRussia\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nSaudi Arabia\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nUAE\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nUK - England\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nTOTAL\r\n6\r\n8\r\n9\r\n9\r\n9\r\n9\r\nTOTAL NUMBER OF SDI OFFICES\r\n22\r\n27\r\n28\r\n29\r\n29\r\n29\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317859,"EventID":"S5W-03985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:52.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the reported 43.3% real-terms reduction in capital spending in the Scottish Police Authority budget has had on the infrastructure maintenance funding of the Police Scotland estate.","AnswerText":"It is for SPA and Police Scotland to determine the best possible use of the budget according to national and local priorities. All areas of Scotland now have more consistent access to a range of national and regional resources as a result of the creation of Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317860,"EventID":"S5W-03986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:55.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the funding allocated to the Scottish Police Authority includes adequate infrastructure investment and maintenance for the infrastructure and maintenance needs of Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"It is for SPA and Police Scotland to determine the best possible use of the budget according to national and local priorities. All areas of Scotland now have more consistent access to a range of national and regional resources as a result of the creation of Police Scotland.”","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317861,"EventID":"S5W-04000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:18:57.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T16:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the anticipated (a) passenger carrying and (b) crew capacity for each new ferry scheduled to enter service on Clyde and Hebrides routes during the current contract.","AnswerText":"The two new LNG dual fuel vessels currently under construction are being designed to carry up to 1000 passengers. The number of passengers carried will vary according to the route the vessel is deployed on and time of year, i.e. summer or winter timetables. It is anticipated that over the life of the vessel passenger carryings will continue to increase. \r\nCrewing numbers are a matter for the operator in accordance with regulatory requirements.\r\nThere will be 30 cabins for officers and crew and 2 cadet cabins on each vessel.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317862,"EventID":"S5W-04003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-24T17:19:00.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T16:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many berths will be provided for trainee (a) ratings and (b) officers on each route of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services network, for each year of the current contract.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04002 on 7 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317864,"EventID":"S5W-04008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:51:32.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the outcome of the Joint Ministerial Committee meeting on 24 October 2016.","AnswerText":"Following the Plenary Session of the Joint Ministerial Committee on 24 October 2016 the First Minister released a statement on the outcomes of that meeting and on-going Scottish Government priorities. The statement is available to view on the Scottish Government website here:\r\nhttp://news.scotland.gov.uk/news/joint-ministerial-committee-on-eu-referendum\r\nI subsequently gave a statement to Parliament on Tuesday 26 October 2016 updating members on events and discussions relevant to Scotland’s continued relationship with the European Union. In that statement, I made reference to discussions held at the Plenary Session and the creation of a new JMC sub-committee on EU Negotiations. A transcript of that statement is available as part of the Parliament’s Official Report here:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10580&i=97355\r\nWe have also written to the Conveners of the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Constitution and Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committees to report to members on the outcomes of the Plenary Session and to direct them towards the Joint Communique agreed between the 4 Administrations, available here:\r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/joint-ministerial-committee-communique-24-october-2016","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317865,"EventID":"S5W-04010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:51:36.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the £60 million from the European Regional Development Fund will be used to help small and medium-sized businesses.","AnswerText":"The £60 million of EU Funds announced on 24 October 2016 will support over 20,000 SME's to develop and grow. The funding will focus on key sectors in each of Scotland's regions, and on businesses with a demonstrable desire and potential to grow their markets and employment. \r\nSupport to the individual business may take the form of business planning, leadership development, help is making the most of digital technology and platforms, introductions to new markets and grants for investment. The partners involved in the funding, Business Gateway, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, will also be able to cross-refer businesses to each other so that every business can access the most suitable type of support for the next stage in its growth.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317866,"EventID":"S5W-04027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:51:39.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial assistance it has provided in each of the last 10 years to support suicide prevention work.","AnswerText":"The majority of funding for suicide prevention and other mental health promotion, early intervention and appropriate services and treatment for people with mental health problems, is drawn from the overall funds allocated to NHS Scotland and Local Authorities each year by the Scottish Government. \r\nScottish Government spend on a number of mental health programmes (such as improving access to psychological therapies and educating and training the workforce) will all have had an indirect impact on helping to reduce the suicide rate by 18% since 2001 but this is difficult to separate because of the diverse way in which spend is reflected across the various budgets and programmes. The following table shows some examples of Scottish Government programme funding allocated for specific initiatives over the last three years which will have had a more direct impact on reducing the suicide rate in Scotland. It would be disproportionate to research and produce this information for the seven years prior to 2013.\r\nInitiative\r\n2013-14 (£)\r\n2014-15 (£)\r\n2015-16 (£)\r\nBreathing Space helpline and web service\r\n825,000\r\n825,000\r\n825,000\r\nSG contribution to UK Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide\r\n62,160\r\n62,160\r\n64,003\r\nISD Scotland Scottish Suicide Information Database1\r\n61,280\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Commitment 4 Suicide Prevention Strategy\r\n0\r\n94,000\r\n0\r\nNHS Health Scotland Mental Health Programme\r\n585,375\r\n584,177\r\n514,000\r\nScottish Recovery Network\r\n475,000\r\n475,000\r\n475,000\r\nScottish Patient Safety Programme\r\n200,000\r\n245,100\r\n238,000\r\nSee Me (anti-stigma and discrimination programme)\r\n1,000,000\r\n1,000,000\r\n1,000,000\r\nTotal\r\n3,208,815\r\n3,285,437\r\n3,116,003\r\n\r\nNotes\r\n1. ScotSID is incorporated within wider ISD Mental Health Programme funding from 2013-14\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317867,"EventID":"S5W-04005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:51:41.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of an expanded Heathrow Airport would be on Scotland.","AnswerText":"The impact on Scotland will be determined by how airlines and passengers respond to increased capacity being available. Potentially, airports with no service or limited services to London Heathrow could benefit, with wider benefits for Scotland from improved connectivity for business and new opportunities for inbound tourism.\r\nExpansion at Heathrow offers strong incentives for all of Scotland including the creation of up to 16,000 new jobs and a minimum of £200 million construction-related spend during planning and construction. There is also the potential for the establishment of a new supply chain hub at Glasgow Prestwick Airport to support the building of the third runway.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317868,"EventID":"S5W-04012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:51:44.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of its plans to distribute baby boxes on a pilot basis.","AnswerText":"In order to test the Baby Box, its contents and the logistics around registration and delivery, we are running two pilots starting in January 2017. \r\nThe pilots will take place in Clackmannanshire and Orkney. These areas have been chosen for their geographical location and the diversity of their populations. \r\nThe first 200 babies born across both areas will receive a Baby Box, which will also allow us to gather feedback from parents on the contents of the Box, and how they have used it.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317869,"EventID":"S5W-04016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:51:47.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much will be invested by Network Rail in the Far North Line between 2014 and 2019, broken down by individual project and their related costs.","AnswerText":"As part of the Scottish Government`s wider £5 billion programme of transformative investment in Scotland`s railways over the five-year control period to March 2019, Network Rail are investing over £30 million to maintain, renew and enhance the rail infrastructure on the Far North Line. This includes over £7 million in track renewals, around £13 million on earthworks and associated remediation works, over £3 million on structures works supporting scour prevention and rectification and coastal improvements, and around £9 million to complete the roll out of next generation signalling system renewal. This investment is over and above that required through Network Rail to support the daily operation of rail services along the route.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317870,"EventID":"S5W-04023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:51:50.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many people have presented themselves at foodbanks in each of the last 10 years. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government uses the Trussell Trust data to identify the trends in food bank use in Scotland. While the TT figures only cover their own foodbanks, they are the largest provider of emergency food aid in Scotland. The TT statistics can be accessed at: http://www.trusselltrust.org/stats.\r\nThe latest figures for Scotland from 2011-12 through to 2015-16 are in the following table:\r\nFinancial Year\r\nNumber of 3 day emergency food supplies given to people in crisis\r\n2015-16\r\n133,726\r\n2014-15\r\n117,689\r\n2013-14\r\n71,428\r\n2012-13\r\n14,332\r\nHowever, those using food banks are not the only people experiencing food poverty. We heard through our Fairer Scotland conversation in summer 2015 that there are also many people who struggle to afford food but will not, for various reasons, access a foodbank. The Scottish Government has therefore taken steps to better measure the full range of food insecurity in Scotland. Three questions on food insecurity in Scotland will be included in the Scottish Health Survey 2017. Thereafter, the full United Nations food insecurity question set will be included in the Scottish Health Survey from 2018 onwards. This will allow internationally comparable baseline data on food insecurity in Scotland to be available in 2019 with further data sets available annually thereafter. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317871,"EventID":"S5W-04030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:51:52.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T12:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people with psoriatic arthritis are receiving biologics, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The treatment for psoriatic arthritis is prescribed and managed by the hospital service, information on this is not centrally held. The prescribed medication typically has multiple uses, as a result information on the number of people treated for psoriatic arthritis is not held separately.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317872,"EventID":"S5W-04006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:51:54.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that mobile coverage is available in all rural, remote and island areas.","AnswerText":"Although reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government is committed to doing everything we can, with the powers and funding available to us, to improve mobile coverage across Scotland, including rural, remote and island areas. In June 2016, we agreed an action plan with the four UK mobile operators, which sets out a range of actions aimed at extending coverage. A key part of this will be the development, by spring 2017, of a programme to help address coverage gaps. We are also working with UK Government to maximise the impact of the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317873,"EventID":"S5W-04029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:51:55.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T12:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have had psoriatic arthritis in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The number of people diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis in each NHS Board is not held centrally. The following table shows patients who have been admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis in each calendar year since 1999. However this is likely to underestimate the total number since many cases will be treated in a primary care setting only. \r\nNHS Board of Residence\r\nCalendar Year\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1999\r\n2000\r\n2001\r\n2002\r\n2003\r\n2004\r\n2005\r\n2006\r\nNHS Ayrshire & Arran\r\n7\r\n14\r\n11\r\n8\r\n10\r\n13\r\n8\r\n*\r\nNHS Borders\r\n*\r\n5\r\n5\r\n*\r\n9\r\n7\r\n6\r\n9\r\nNHS Dumfries & Galloway\r\n10\r\n11\r\n10\r\n16\r\n13\r\n15\r\n19\r\n16\r\nNHS Fife\r\n22\r\n24\r\n13\r\n10\r\n6\r\n*\r\n8\r\n5\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n25\r\n21\r\n15\r\n22\r\n26\r\n17\r\n13\r\n10\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n27\r\n36\r\n15\r\n11\r\n6\r\n11\r\n10\r\n12\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n76\r\n69\r\n61\r\n56\r\n59\r\n81\r\n64\r\n50\r\nNHS Highland\r\n29\r\n28\r\n26\r\n29\r\n37\r\n40\r\n45\r\n48\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n47\r\n46\r\n32\r\n41\r\n39\r\n22\r\n12\r\n19\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n48\r\n49\r\n32\r\n24\r\n26\r\n50\r\n38\r\n43\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n-\r\n*\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n*\r\n5\r\n-\r\n*\r\n-\r\n*\r\n6\r\n*\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n9\r\n10\r\n*\r\n8\r\n15\r\n6\r\n12\r\n16\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n*\r\n*\r\n5\r\n7\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\nOther\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n-\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n313\r\n323\r\n230\r\n239\r\n253\r\n272\r\n247\r\n241\r\n\r\nNHS Board of Residence\r\nCalendarYear\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nNHS Ayrshire & Arran\r\n9\r\n*\r\n5\r\n18\r\n21\r\n18\r\n17\r\n20\r\n21\r\nNHS Borders\r\n8\r\n8\r\n7\r\n7\r\n7\r\n5\r\n9\r\n*\r\n9\r\nNHS Dumfries & Galloway\r\n14\r\n10\r\n21\r\n15\r\n18\r\n16\r\n11\r\n12\r\n12\r\nNHS Fife\r\n7\r\n9\r\n*\r\n9\r\n17\r\n7\r\n25\r\n31\r\n12\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n7\r\n7\r\n7\r\n10\r\n11\r\n10\r\n6\r\n10\r\n14\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n18\r\n12\r\n23\r\n19\r\n38\r\n43\r\n40\r\n32\r\n49\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n55\r\n71\r\n78\r\n202\r\n163\r\n145\r\n149\r\n129\r\n156\r\nNHS Highland\r\n42\r\n52\r\n45\r\n47\r\n45\r\n51\r\n54\r\n42\r\n63\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n21\r\n19\r\n22\r\n80\r\n72\r\n52\r\n52\r\n73\r\n88\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n31\r\n26\r\n24\r\n35\r\n50\r\n42\r\n25\r\n41\r\n53\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n9\r\n5\r\n*\r\n*\r\n6\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n5\r\n7\r\n5\r\n7\r\n5\r\n7\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n18\r\n14\r\n20\r\n27\r\n27\r\n22\r\n30\r\n32\r\n32\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n*\r\n7\r\n*\r\n7\r\n5\r\n5\r\n*\r\n6\r\n*\r\nOther\r\n-\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n-\r\n*\r\n*\r\n-\r\n*\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n236\r\n248\r\n267\r\n485\r\n490\r\n428\r\n431\r\n439\r\n529\r\nSource: SMR01,ISD Scotland\r\n*Following ISD Statistical Disclosure Control Protocol, any cells with count values of 4 or less have been suppressed in order to protect the confidentiality of potentially personally identifiable information. \r\n1. A full list of the ICD10 diagnosis codes used to identify patients can be found in the attached notes.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Up to six diagnoses (one principal diagnosis and five secondary diagnoses) may be recorded per hospital episode, using the International Classification of Disease Codes, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). All six diagnostic positions were used to identify the relevant cases.\r\n2. The primary diagnosis is defined as the main condition treated or investigated during the relevant episode of healthcare. The five secondary diagnoses describe other conditions which the patient may have.\r\n3. The following paired ICD10 codes were used to identify the relevant cases 'L40.5 D' + any of the following:\r\n'M07.0 A'\r\n'M07.1 A' \r\n'M07.2 A'\r\n'M07.3 A' \r\n'M09.0 A' (Juvenile)","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317874,"EventID":"S5W-04031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:51:56.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T12:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Lothian region would benefit from (a) a dedicated psoriatic arthritis integrated clinic and (b) the provision of mobile MRI and ultrasound scanners to treat people with psoriatic arthritis.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides policies, frameworks and resources to NHS Boards to allow them to deliver services that meet the needs of their local populations.\r\nWithin this context, the actual provision of healthcare services, including (a) a dedicated psoriatic arthritis integrated clinic and (b) the provision of mobile MRI and ultrasound scanners to treat people with psoriatic arthritis in Lothian region is a matter for Lothian Health Board, taking into account national guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317875,"EventID":"S5W-04019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:51:57.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have presented themselves as homeless in each of the last 10 years, also broken down by their reason given for doing so.","AnswerText":"Local authorities supply the Scottish Government with information on homeless applications through the HL1 data-set. The following table provides the number of people who have presented as homeless over the last ten years.\r\nNumber of applications for homelessness assistance in Scotland\r\n2005-06\r\n60,568\r\n2006-07\r\n59,596\r\n2007-08\r\n57,337\r\n2008-09\r\n57,682\r\n2009-10\r\n57,217\r\n2010-11\r\n55,646\r\n2011-12\r\n45,551\r\n2012-13\r\n40,040\r\n2013-14\r\n36,824\r\n2014-15\r\n35,949\r\n2015-16\r\n34,662\r\nSource: Scottish Government HL1 dataset as at 25 May 2016\r\nSince 2007, applicants have been asked their main reason for making an application for homelessness to their local authority. The main reasons for applying as homeless remain largely unchanged. Dispute within the household/relationship breakdown is one of the main causes of homelessness applications (29% of all applications) or being asked to leave (26%). \r\nThis data is available in Table 9a of the annual publication: Homelessness in Scotland: 2015-16. Available at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/RefTables/Homelessness201516","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317876,"EventID":"S5W-04033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:00.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on Network Rail's plans for safety improvements to the Delny open level crossing in Ross-shire, and what the timescale is for any plans.","AnswerText":"Network Rail plans to upgrade Delny Automatic Open Crossing to an Automatic Barrier Crossing in 2017. Network Rail advise that this will not address the increased risk that is likely to arise as a consequence of a potential nearby development, to which they continue to object, and that they are still pursuing eventual closure of the level crossing and its replacement by a bridge.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317877,"EventID":"S5W-04034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:02.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evaluation it has made of each of its public health campaigns since 2007. ","AnswerText":"Evaluation is an important part of our campaigns and is undertaken in a variety of ways according to the scale and nature of the campaign, the target audience and has been proportionate to the budget for each campaign. Where relevant, new campaigns are tested before launch to evaluate their appeal to the target audience. At the end of campaigns, we measure the level of audience reach, awareness, understanding of campaign messages and / or behaviour change. The results of such evaluation are used to inform future campaigns.\r\nFor example, the recent ‘Eat Better, Feel Better’ campaign evaluation consisted of a survey with the target audience, analysis of digital analytics and evaluation of partnership activity. The Scottish Government Communications Plan 2016-17 contains a case study about this campaign: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00508199.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317878,"EventID":"S5W-04017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:03.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes healthy lifestyles among children in order to tackle obesity, and what action it takes to encourage them to maintain such lifestyles in adulthood.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking a wide range of actions to ensure children and as importantly their families have the knowledge and skills necessary for healthy living across the life course. This begins with the Government’s Improving Maternal and Infant Nutrition: A framework for Action and such advice continues for young families with programmes such as Eat Better Feel Better our social marketing campaign. For Schools Health and Wellbeing is one of the eight curricular areas in the Curriculum for Excellence. In addition to PE children and young people should experience daily opportunities for sport and physical activity. This is supported by the Active Schools programme which provides opportunities for children and young people to participate in sport and physical activity before, during and after school which is further supported through the Government’ support of Community Sport Hubs to date 155 are in place, 50% based in schools with 45 more to come by 2020.\r\nFor this outcome to be effective the Government is tackling the obesogenic environment through such work as Supporting Healthy Choices Framework to ensure all are able to be more active, eat less and eat better.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317879,"EventID":"S5W-04018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:04.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many people have slept rough in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government collects information on rough sleepers through the HL1 data-set. This data collection records information on homeless applications and is supplied by local authorities to the Scottish Government.\r\nSince 2002, the HL1 data-set has recorded cases where rough sleeping occurs a) the night prior to a homeless application being made and b) at least once during the three months prior to the application being made. However, it is voluntary for applicants to supply this information.\r\nFor annual figures on this, see Table 2a in the publication: Homelessness in Scotland: 2015-16 available at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/RefTables/Homelessness201516\r\nUse of the HL1 only provides information on homeless applicants who sleep rough and will not count all rough sleepers. Some rough sleepers will not necessarily want to engage with services or are particularly hard to reach.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317880,"EventID":"S5W-04035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:07.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the advertising spend on campaigns for the Scottish Government Marketing Unit in (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2015-16.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the Scottish Government website where marketing spend for 2014-15 and 2015-16 was published on 1 November 2016. Please see the following links:\r\nhttps://beta.gov.scot/publications/advertising-spend-2015-2016/\r\nhttps://beta.gov.scot/publications/advertising-spend-2014-2015/\r\nThe Scottish Government’s award-winning marketing promotes Scotland around the world as a modern, creative and dynamic nation; and helps people in Scotland make informed choices, improve their opportunities and understand the positive role of public services in their lives.\r\nOur marketing work is an integral part of our life-saving and improving campaigns. For example, our Detect Cancer Early campaign resulted in an 8% increase in early stage diagnosis of breast, lung and colorectal cancers from baseline and a 35.6% increase in proportion of lung cancers diagnosed at the earliest stage, alongside a 50% increase in women consulting their GP with breast symptoms and increased uptake of the national bowel screening programme.\r\nHowever, we continue to pursue cost-effective means of public engagement, and have cut marketing costs by 12% in the last year.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317881,"EventID":"S5W-04007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:09.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote (a) software development and coding and (b) other digital skills across the education system.","AnswerText":"Throughout education, the Government and its partner bodies are working to equip all young people with the digital skills they need to thrive in modern society and the workplace, from basic digital literacy through to more specialist computing science disciplines, including the computational thinking and technical skills required in software development and coding. \r\nLaunched in September, our new Digital Learning and Teaching Strategy seeks to embed the use of technology in learning and teaching right across the curriculum, providing a foundation for digital skills development. \r\nTo support digital skills development in line with industry needs, the Government has made £8.5 million available through the Digital Scotland Business Excellence Partnership. Achievements have included: the establishment of CodeClan which is Scotland’s first industry led skills academy; the Digital World marketing campaign which aims to raise awareness of the opportunities and benefits a career in IT can bring; and Digital Extra which provides young people with an opportunity to develop their digital skills through extra-curricular opportunities such as coding clubs and competitions. \r\nA range of new education and training initiatives are being taken forward to enhance digital skills, with a particular focus on increasing support for teachers and new opportunities for learners. The Barefoot Computing programme, for example, will give primary school teachers access to a range of on-line teaching resource materials and workshops. This will enable them to deliver computing science and assist understanding of how computational thinking can benefit learners across a range of subjects; particularly maths and science. Older pupils can benefit from access to the wider range of relevant vocational qualifications offered by SQA and pathways such as the new Foundation Apprenticeship in Software Development introduced by Skills Development Scotland.\r\nA good example of the college sector addressing digital skills shortages is the Dundee and Angus College Code Academy. The Academy aims to provide a link between college, school, university and employers by offering short “code camps”, workshops for schools, coding clubs as well as coding clubs specifically for girls.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317882,"EventID":"S5W-04014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:10.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had or plans with broadband providers regarding the (a) cost and (b) speed of connections in rural, remote and island areas compared with urban areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular dialogue with broadband providers on a range of issues, including speeds. Responsibility for overseeing the quality of service, cost, and speeds delivered by broadband providers sits with Ofcom, the UK telecoms regulator. The Scottish Government has regular dialogue with Ofcom to ensure that the UK-wide regulatory environment takes account of the specific challenges facing Scotland, particularly rural, remote and island communities.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317883,"EventID":"S5W-04021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:11.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding what the average private sector rent has been in each of the last 10 years, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have information on rents in private sector housing, broken down by local authority area. \r\nThe main source of the Scottish Government’s rent data for private sector housing is the Rent Service Scotland, Market Evidence Database. Information from this source is published annually on rent levels by 18 Broad Rental Market Areas and by five different property bedroom sizes, which are used to inform Local Housing Allowance rates in Scotland. This data source has not been designed to provide information on rent levels by 32 separate local authority areas.\r\nThe Scottish Government publishes annual statistics from this source. The latest Scottish Government Private Sector Rent Statistics, Scotland (2010 to 2015) publication, released in November 2015, is available on the Scottish Government Housing and Regeneration Statistics webpages at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration\r\nComprehensive information from this data source is not available prior to 2010.\r\nThe next set of annual private sector rent statistics, covering the period 2010 to 2016, are due to be released on 8 November 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317884,"EventID":"S5W-04032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:14.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T12:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the waiting time has been for people with suspected psoriatic arthritis to see a consultant following referral by their GP in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The specific information is not available centrally as outpatient waiting times information is collected at specialty level only. I understand that patients with suspected psoriatic arthritis are mostly likely to be referred to a dermatologist. The following tables provides information on the waiting time for a dermatology outpatient consultation for each year from June 1999 to June 2016. \r\nIt should be noted that due to data collection changes data has been provided from two different data collection systems and data from June 2009 is not directly comparable with earlier years median waits.\r\nNHSScotland: Median Waiting Time For A First Outpatient Dermatology Consultation: June 1999 to June 2003\r\nBoard\r\nJune 1999\r\nJune 2000\r\nJune 2001\r\nJune 2002\r\nJune 2003\r\n\r\nDays\r\nDays\r\nDays\r\nDays\r\nDays\r\nAyrshire & Arran\r\n42\r\n62\r\n93\r\n104\r\n91\r\nBorders\r\n66\r\n50\r\n69\r\n76\r\n91\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n39\r\n21\r\n33\r\n63\r\n41\r\nFife\r\n65\r\n68\r\n62\r\n71\r\n84\r\nForth Valley\r\n105\r\n106\r\n117\r\n109\r\n93\r\nGrampian\r\n101\r\n111\r\n125\r\n126\r\n119.5\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n54\r\n60\r\n56\r\n62\r\n56\r\nHighland\r\n59\r\n60\r\n45\r\n32\r\n50\r\nLanarkshire\r\n41\r\n52.5\r\n62\r\n98\r\n94\r\nLothian\r\n51\r\n66\r\n70\r\n66\r\n68\r\nOrkney\r\n37\r\n54\r\n41\r\n42.5\r\n169\r\nShetland\r\n43\r\n57\r\n42.5\r\n63\r\n59\r\nTayside\r\n78\r\n35\r\n27\r\n43\r\n41\r\nWestern Isles\r\n111\r\n83\r\n28\r\n26\r\n27\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n54\r\n61\r\n59\r\n68\r\n65\r\nSource ISD: SMR(00)\r\n\r\nNHSScotland: Median Waiting Time For A First Outpatient Dermatology Consultation: June 2004 to June 2008\r\nBoard\r\nJune 2004\r\nJune 2005\r\nJune 2006\r\nJune 2007\r\nJune 2008\r\n\r\nDays\r\nDays\r\nDays\r\nDays\r\nDays\r\nAyrshire & Arran\r\n82\r\n55\r\n39\r\n36\r\n43\r\nBorders\r\n83\r\n83\r\n61\r\n38\r\n29\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n25\r\n20\r\n19\r\n14\r\n18\r\nFife\r\n81\r\n75\r\n59\r\n38\r\n52\r\nForth Valley\r\n180\r\n91\r\n68\r\n51\r\n42\r\nGrampian\r\n107\r\n85\r\n43\r\n73\r\n92\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n47\r\n50\r\n47\r\n52\r\n53\r\nHighland\r\n27\r\n37\r\n73\r\n46\r\n45\r\nLanarkshire\r\n70\r\n83\r\n56\r\n58\r\n94\r\nLothian\r\n57\r\n59\r\n51\r\n46\r\n61\r\nOrkney\r\n80\r\n96\r\n74\r\n104.5\r\n100\r\nShetland\r\n153\r\n70\r\n80\r\n100\r\n63\r\nTayside\r\n48\r\n52\r\n57\r\n57\r\n52\r\nWestern Isles\r\n28\r\n32\r\n29\r\n26.5\r\n29\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n53\r\n55\r\n49\r\n49\r\n53\r\nSource ISD: SMR(00)\r\nNHSScotland: Median Waiting Time For A First Outpatient Dermatology Consultation: June 2009 to June 2012\r\nBoard\r\nJune 2009\r\nJune 2010\r\nJune 2011\r\nJune 2012\r\n\r\nDays\r\nDays\r\nDays\r\nDays\r\nAyrshire & Arran\r\n48\r\n26\r\n48\r\n62\r\nBorders\r\n55\r\n44\r\n53\r\n77\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n24\r\n26\r\n28\r\n34\r\nFife\r\n47\r\n45\r\n39\r\n40\r\nForth Valley\r\n47\r\n50\r\n62\r\n46\r\nGrampian\r\n50\r\n63\r\n71\r\n73\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n43\r\n34\r\n38\r\n35\r\nHighland\r\n46\r\n40\r\n27\r\n36\r\nLanarkshire\r\n61\r\n66\r\n65\r\n76\r\nLothian\r\n48\r\n34\r\n32\r\n33\r\nOrkney\r\n72.5\r\n58\r\n50.5\r\n46\r\nShetland\r\n50\r\n44\r\n59\r\n62\r\nTayside\r\n42\r\n37\r\n45\r\n50\r\nWestern Isles\r\n39\r\n35\r\n41\r\n42\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n47\r\n41\r\n43\r\n41\r\nSource; ISD New Ways Data Warehouse\r\nNHSScotland: Median Waiting Time For A First Outpatient Dermatology Consultation: June 2013 to June 2016\r\nBoard\r\nJune 2013\r\nJune 2014\r\nJune 2015\r\nJune 2016\r\n\r\nDays\r\nDays\r\nDays\r\nDays\r\nAyrshire & Arran\r\n74\r\n83\r\n87\r\n48\r\nBorders\r\n49\r\n36\r\n65\r\n75\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n60\r\n59.5\r\n49\r\n59\r\nFife\r\n51\r\n56\r\n67\r\n48\r\nForth Valley\r\n49\r\n50\r\n33\r\n36\r\nGrampian\r\n70\r\n75\r\n83\r\n79\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n41\r\n49\r\n59\r\n62\r\nHighland\r\n42\r\n42\r\n48\r\n52\r\nLanarkshire\r\n73\r\n64\r\n43\r\n53\r\nLothian\r\n36\r\n40\r\n45\r\n41\r\nOrkney\r\n49\r\n71.5\r\n100\r\n90\r\nShetland\r\n49\r\n85\r\n63\r\n98\r\nTayside\r\n43\r\n40\r\n42\r\n45\r\nWestern Isles\r\n26\r\n32\r\n37\r\n40\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n46\r\n50\r\n53\r\n53\r\nSource; ISD New Ways Data Warehouse","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317885,"EventID":"S5W-04009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:15.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with financial and banking industry representatives based in Scotland in light of reports that major international banks are planning to move their headquarters outside of the UK.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has maintained close contact with the financial services sector in Scotland since the EU referendum. In our discussions we have heard repeatedly of the importance of EU membership, in terms of both a market for financial services and as a source of qualified, experienced staff. \r\nWhile there has been press speculation on the potential for movement of headquarters from the UK we have not been notified of any confirmed intention to move headquarters or staff. \r\nIt is essential that the UK Government clarifies its position on membership of the single market and the needs of the financial sector. The Scottish Government will explore differential options for Scotland and is considering all possible steps to ensure Scotland's continuing relationship with the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317886,"EventID":"S5W-04011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:18.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the industrial action being taken by secondary school teachers due to concerns about their workload is having in classrooms.","AnswerText":"Industrial action is not in the interests of anyone, least of all young people. \r\nWe have recently announced concrete proposals to address workload issues. I am pleased that the Educational Institute of Scotland’s action in relation to SQA activity has been suspended in response to the changes to the National Qualifications that will reduce assessment-related workload.\r\nI am disappointed that SSTA is continuing with its action short of strike, given that we have put in place a package of measures to address unnecessary bureaucracy and liberate teachers to focus on teaching their pupils. This commenced on 24 October and SSTA initial guidance to its members advises them to adhere to school working time agreements and manage their workload within the contractual 35 hour working week.\r\nEducation Scotland will monitor the situation, liaising regularly with Local Authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317887,"EventID":"S5W-04026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:21.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many suicides have been recorded in each of the last 10 years, broken down by (a) age and (b) gender.","AnswerText":"This information is published by National Records for Scotland at: http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/vital-events/deaths/suicides","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317888,"EventID":"S5W-04028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:23.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been in fuel poverty in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The source for statistics on fuel poverty is the Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS). The most recent fuel poverty statistics were published in December 2015 and relate to 2014 (Scottish House Condition Survey: Key Findings 2014 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/8460).\r\nThe table below shows the number of fuel poor households in Scotland for each year between 2003-4 and 2014 as estimated from the SHCS.\r\n\r\nYear\r\nFuel Poor Households\r\n2003-4\r\n362,000\r\n2004-5\r\n436,000\r\n2005-6\r\n571,000\r\n2007\r\n613,000\r\n2008\r\n634,000\r\n2009\r\n805,000\r\n2010\r\n818,000\r\n2011\r\n779,000\r\n2012\r\n824,000\r\n2013\r\n860,000\r\n2014\r\n845,000\r\n\r\nNote: There have been some improvements to the methodology used to generate fuel poverty estimates over this period. Further details are provided in the SHCS publication.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317889,"EventID":"S5W-04013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:26.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many secondary schools are not receiving Scottish Attainment Challenge funding.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Attainment Challenge provides both targeted support through the Attainment Scotland Fund and universal support available right across Scotland. Up to 133 secondary schools are being supported by Scottish Attainment Challenge funding following the recent expansion of this programme, while a further 43 have received funding to support innovative projects through the Attainment Challenge Innovation Fund.\r\nFrom financial year 2017-18 the additional £100 million per annum that will be raised each year from our Council Tax reforms will be allocated directly to schools. It is likely that the vast majority of publicly funded schools will receive funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317890,"EventID":"S5W-04015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:29.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T09:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the Scottish Ambulance Service’s position is on supporting the development of additional first response teams in communities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service, in partnership with communities across the country and the wider NHS, continuously reviews opportunities to develop new Community First Responder (CFR) schemes to help improve community resilience across Scotland.\r\nThe SAS Community Resilience Team are in the process of finalising the delivery of their CFR course, which takes a consistent approach in the training of CFRs across Scotland’s remote, rural, island and urban communities. There are now 134 CFR schemes across Scotland made up of around 1,500 volunteers.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317891,"EventID":"S5W-04022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:30.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many evictions there have been in each of the last 10 years, broken down by reason for eviction.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect eviction statistics relating to the private rented sector in Scotland. A new private residential tenancy introduced by the Private Housing (Tenancies) Act 2016 will take effect from December 2017 and will give tenants in the private rented sector more security, stability, and predictability. The Act creates a modern, open ended tenancy where landlords cannot evict a tenant simply because their tenancy agreement has reached its end date. Landlords will be required to use one of the 18 new grounds for repossession which offer a modernised process for regaining possession in all reasonable circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317892,"EventID":"S5W-04024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T13:52:33.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been diagnosed with (a) malnutrition and (b) conditions associated with malnutrition in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of people diagnosed with malnutrition and associated conditions is not held centrally. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317921,"EventID":"S5W-04036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T16:59:06.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comment by the Minister for Transport and the Islands in the Sunday Herald on 16 October 2016 that he had said to ScotRail that “the wifi, the sockets, the nice seats, are all good. But what we need to do is get back to capacity issues, reliability, not skipping stops”, on what occasions he has raised these points and what response has been received.","AnswerText":"I meet regularly with senior officials from the ScotRail Alliance and have emphasised the need for the Train Operator to improve performance, most recently on 1 November 2016. At my request, ScotRail have developed a Performance Improvement Plan which sets out the actions they will take over the short, medium and longer term to improve performance and the journey experience across the rail network.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317922,"EventID":"S5W-04039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T16:59:07.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 20 October 2016, Minister welcomes ScotRail Improvement Plan, whether the Minister for Transport and the Islands has seen the full plan.","AnswerText":"I have been presented with the details of the plan and spoke to lead officials at ScotRail who lead on each of the key focus themes of Infrastructure, Train Fleet, and Operations. Discussions are ongoing with ScotRail around what further details can be made public after consideration of commercial confidentiality and sensitivities.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317923,"EventID":"S5W-04046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T16:59:09.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what roadworks, maintenance, repairs and improvements are planned for the A90 and A96 up to the end of 2017; whether these works are expected to cause traffic delays, and, if so, how long the delays are expected to last.","AnswerText":"Work to complete the Aberdeen Bypass will continue until winter 2017.\r\nDue to the extensive, and on occasion complex temporary traffic management, delays will be inevitable but Transport Scotland is working closely with Aberdeen Roads Limited (ARL), the project contractor, to minimise disruption to traffic during the works.\r\nFor roadworks associated with roads maintenance, BEAR Scotland has 63 planned schemes on the A90 between Fraserburgh and Perth, and 28 schemes on the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness, during the period from November 2016 to the end of March 2017. This represents an investment of over £5.7 million in trunk road maintenance. Schemes to be implemented in the remainder of 2017 are still in planning and design stages, however we expect approximately 60 schemes on the A90 and 30 on the A96. None of these schemes are expected to have durations longer than 5 days, the majority will be 1-2 days which will minimise the impact on road users.\r\nIn addition to the Operating Company works listed above there are also works on the network from third party developers (generally for housing developments), and utility providers (telecoms, water, gas, electricity etc.) for reactive repair and also planned improvement works. These are coordinated through the Scottish Roadworks Register and programmed following consultation with the Operating Companies, Local Authorities, emergency services and other relevant stakeholders. Early planning and co-ordination of all works is undertaken to minimise the impact on road users.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317924,"EventID":"S5W-04045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T16:59:10.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what traffic delays due to roadworks, maintenance, repairs and improvements there are on the A90 and A96, and how long the delays are expected to last.","AnswerText":"In October 2016, there were 65 sets of roadworks on the A90 between Fraserburgh and Perth, also 17 on the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness. This includes roadworks associated with major projects, planned and emergency road maintenance, private developments and utilities work. \r\nDelays to road users were not greater than 15 minutes on each occasion and for many would be substantially less.\r\nIn relation to future works, I refer the member to the answer to question S5W- 04046 on 8 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317925,"EventID":"S5W-04044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T16:59:12.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what roadworks, maintenance, repairs and improvements have been carried out on the A90 and A96 since the beginning of 2015; whether the works caused traffic delays, and, if so, how long the delays lasted.","AnswerText":"Roadworks are a necessary part of maintaining and operating a safe trunk road network. From January 2015 to October 2016 there were 1,681 sets of roadworks on the A90 between Fraserburgh and Perth, also 852 on the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness. This includes roadworks associated with major projects including the Aberdeen Bypass and works at Inveramsay Bridge, planned and emergency road maintenance, private developments and utilities work. \r\nWhere possible, roadworks are undertaken where traffic volumes are lowest, to minimise disruption. Some delays are an unavoidable consequence of essential roadworks. When delays are expected we communicate them to road users through a variety of media channels to provide them with the information that they need to make informed travel choices. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317926,"EventID":"S5W-04037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T16:59:14.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 20 October 2016, Minister welcomes ScotRail Improvement Plan, for what reason it has not published the full improvement plan.","AnswerText":"There are issues of commercial confidentiality. I have asked officials to consider what further details in support of the information already issued might be provided, having regard to commercial confidentiality.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317927,"EventID":"S5W-04041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5757,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T16:59:16.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-05254 by Alasdair Allan on 14 January 2016 (Official Report, c.1), by what date the review of the guidance on the duty to provide mainstream education will take place.","AnswerText":"It is our intention to establish a working group on the review and consult on draft refreshed guidance next year.\r\nThe draft guidance will be subject to public consultation to ensure that the contributions of a wide range of interested individuals and organisations can be made and heard.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317928,"EventID":"S5W-04004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T16:59:17.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03667 by Humza Yousaf on 24 October 2016, under what criteria in the ScotRail franchise a train can be cancelled.","AnswerText":"ScotRail expect all scheduled trains to run unless there are exceptional circumstances. There are two sorts of cancellations, planned and unplanned. A planned cancellation is one which might be required because of, for example, engineering work. Planned engineering work is advertised in advance, and is not counted against ScotRail’s performance statistics. An unplanned cancellation is defined as follows: \r\nCancellation means a Passenger Service:\r\n(a) which is included in the Applicable Timetable and which is cancelled;\r\n(b) which is included in the Applicable Timetable and which operates less than 50 per cent. of its scheduled mileage; or\r\n(c) which is omitted from the Applicable Timetable, or included in it in a modified form that does not enable the Franchisee to operate more than 50 per cent. of such Passenger Service’s scheduled mileage, without the Franchisee discharging its obligations under Schedule 1.2 (Operating Obligations) in relation thereto;\r\nAn unplanned cancellation can arise for because of a range of exceptional circumstances, including mechanical breakdowns, staff shortages, problems with the track (e.g. broken rails), network operation (e.g. a signals failure), other operators’ performance, or, on occasion, the weather.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317929,"EventID":"S5W-04038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T16:59:19.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 20 October 2016, Minister welcomes ScotRail Improvement Plan, whether it will list each of the actions and initiatives that will be monitored by Transport Scotland in relation to the plan.","AnswerText":"There are 11 key areas contained within the overall ScotRail Improvement Plan covering train fleet, infrastructure, and operations, each of which specify the key measures to be undertaken by ScotRail. As the publically available Performance Improvement Plan published by ScotRail goes into specific detail on key actions and initiatives in place, we will monitor progress with the complete plan.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317930,"EventID":"S5W-04040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-25T16:59:21.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 20 October 2016, Minister welcomes ScotRail Improvement Plan, whether any actions or initiatives in the draft plan were changed following representations by the Minister for Transport and the Islands. ","AnswerText":"The Performance Improvement Plan provided by ScotRail represents their response to the moving annual average Public Performance Measure (PPM) falling below the levels required of the Franchise Agreement. The Minister for Transport & Islands visited ScotRail and discussed the importance to passengers of a wide range of performance issues prior to the publication of the key features of the Performance Improvement Plan by ScotRail.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317931,"EventID":"S5O-00271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:54:58.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with keeping decommissioning jobs in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317932,"EventID":"S5O-00272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:54:59.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T10:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce youth unemployment.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317933,"EventID":"S5O-00273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:01.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Scotland has received from EU structural and investment funding and how many jobs this has supported.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317934,"EventID":"S5O-00274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:03.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T17:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to show that Scotland is open for business with non-EU countries.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317935,"EventID":"S5O-00275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:04.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the annual value of Scotland’s exports to the EU compares with its exports to the UK.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317936,"EventID":"S5O-00276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5598,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":139,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:05.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the UK Government's response to its proposals for employment support programmes.","AnswerText":"On 5 October 2016 I advised the Scottish Parliament that Damian Green, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions had confirmed in a letter to me that the extent to which the UK Government’s benefit conditionality and sanctions would apply to devolved employment services was a matter for the Scottish Government.\r\nSince that time and following the most recent meeting of the Joint Ministerial Group on Welfare on 11 October 2016, the Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell responded to a question in the House of Commons confirming that the UK Government would respect the desire of the Scottish Government to deliver devolved employment support on a voluntary basis.\r\nI welcome that statement and now expect the UK Government to follow through on that publically stated position.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317937,"EventID":"S5O-00277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:06.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish whether it will provide an update on female employment and unemployment figures.","AnswerText":"The latest official statistics, sourced from the Labour Force Survey and published by the Office for National Statistics on the 19 of October 2016 for June-August 2016 show that, Scotland continues to outperform the UK on female employment and unemployment rates; with an employment rate of 70.5 per cent, compared to 69.7 per cent in the UK, and an unemployment rate of 4.1 per cent compared to 4.9 per cent in the UK.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317938,"EventID":"S5O-00278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:07.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T07:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are in full- and part-time employment, and how this compares with 2007.","AnswerText":"The latest official statistics, sourced from the Labour Force Survey and published by the Office for National Statistics on the 19 of October 2016 for June-August 2016 show that there were 1,905,000 people in full-time employment in Scotland, down 35,000 since 2007, and 722,000 people in part-time employment, up by 107,000 since 2007.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317939,"EventID":"S5O-00279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5622,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:08.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what reassurances it can give people from elsewhere in the EU who are working in Scotland regarding protecting their jobs following the UK's decision to leave the EU.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made very clear that we greatly value the positive contribution that our fellow EU citizens bring to the Scottish economy and society, and that they remain welcome here. The Scottish Government is deeply concerned about the UK Government’s negative rhetoric on migration and the lack of guarantees given to other EU citizens that they will be allowed to continue to live and work here at the point the UK leaves the EU. \r\nScottish Ministers will not cease pressing the UK Government to deliver an immigration system that meets Scotland’s needs, protects the existing rights of all workers in the UK and does not undermine the crucial role that workers from the rest of the EU play in the Scottish economy. It is imperative that the Scottish Government is consulted at an early stage on any changes to freedom of movement rules following the EU Referendum and we will fight hard to ensure that Scottish interests and those of foreign workers and their families are protected”","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317940,"EventID":"S5O-00280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:09.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support veterans.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government places great importance on veterans and their families. We established a state-of-the-art National Prosthetics Service, committed over £5 million from 2015 for world-class specialist mental health services and provided almost £4 million for veterans housing. We have appointed a Scottish Veterans Commissioner – the first such position in the UK.\r\nI have published a fresh strategy, “Renewing Our Commitments” setting out priorities on healthcare, housing and jobs. Earlier this month I announced a partnership with Standard Life, bringing our Scottish Veterans Fund to total £600,000 over three years. We also want the private sector to treat veterans as an asset to bridge skills gaps; that is why I was delighted to launch the Supporting Veterans into Employment initiative with HRH The Duke of Rothesay at Dumfries House on 24 October 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317941,"EventID":"S5O-00281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:11.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Treasury and what matters were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317942,"EventID":"S5O-00282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:12.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for local authorities to be given greater fiscal autonomy to raise their own money and manage their local economies.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317943,"EventID":"S5O-00284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:15.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that its procurement policy delivers best value. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317944,"EventID":"S5O-00285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:16.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T11:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with the Scottish Public Sector Green ICT Strategy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317945,"EventID":"S5O-00286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:18.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what savings it expects the Scottish Futures Trust to achieve in delivering projects.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317946,"EventID":"S5O-00287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:20.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T12:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the prompt payment of bills relating to its public contracts has been sustained.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317947,"EventID":"S5O-00288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4982,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:21.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T08:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the link between taxation policy and small business insolvencies in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317948,"EventID":"S5O-00289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:22.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the continuity of EU funding in light of Brexit.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317949,"EventID":"S5O-00290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:24.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its consultation on a draft referendum bill.","AnswerText":"The Consultation on a Draft Referendum Bill opened on the 20 of October 2016 and closes on the 11 of January 2017. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317950,"EventID":"S5O-00291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:25.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T01:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it tackles discrimination against Gypsy/Travellers. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317951,"EventID":"S5O-00292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:26.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent figures published by SEPA suggesting that ministers did not meet their 2013 target, what action it is taking to improve household recycling rates.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317952,"EventID":"S5O-00293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:28.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity will next visit Lochaber.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317953,"EventID":"S5O-00294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:30.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to minimise antibiotic resistance in livestock.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317954,"EventID":"S5O-00295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:31.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will amend legislation to extend planning controls on changing premises into betting shops.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":317955,"EventID":"S5O-00296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:32.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is advancing the local devolution agenda.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317956,"EventID":"S5O-00297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:33.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Transport Scotland and Network Rail regarding establishing a safe pedestrian crossing on the A96 between Forres and the rail station.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland has had a number of meetings with Network Rail and its engineering consultants where crossing facilities on the A96 have been discussed. A further meeting with the Community Council, Transport Scotland and Network Rail is being held next week to discuss this issue and I understand the Member has been invited to attend.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317957,"EventID":"S5O-00298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:34.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that disabled people are treated fairly when disputing benefit payments when these are devolved.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will introduce a Scottish social security system that respects the dignity of the individual and their right to be treated fairly at every stage in the process. That means giving people the information they need, ensuring the system is genuinely accessible, basing decisions on evidence and communicating clearly. In addition we are committed to ensuring we will have a transparent and accessible appeals process and that information is in an accessible format for those who have special needs.\r\nTo support us in these aims, we will set up an independent Disability Benefits Advisory Commission, which will look at the best way to carry out assessments in Scotland and report its findings directly to Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317958,"EventID":"S5O-00299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:37.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is in place for families of missing persons.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently working with partners and stakeholders to develop a National Missing Persons framework to prevent and reduce the harm related to people going missing. Partnership working, improving current systems and information sharing will all be central elements of the framework. We work closely with Police Scotland who ensure they have a single point of contact for families of missing persons, they also consider whether a Family Liaison Officer would be appropriate to support and work with a family during a missing incident investigation.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317959,"EventID":"S5O-00300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T13:55:38.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to provide specialist training for social care staff to address the reported increase in care home residents with dementia.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to provide national funding to NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) to increase specialist dementia training and increased capability for social care staff supporting people with dementia in care homes.\r\nSpecialist dementia training offered by NES to care home workers covers areas such as stress and distress, cognitive stimulation therapy and palliative and end of life care. SSSC has developed of a network of over 1,000 Dementia Ambassadors, the majority of which work in care homes and are committed to increasing their knowledge and skills about dementia. There was a 50% rise in the number of Ambassadors in \r\n2015-16.\r\nThe SSSC will also provide appropriate support to the Care Inspectorate in their Spotlight on Dementia inspection programme – 150 dementia-focussed inspections in care homes in 2016-17, with a report to be published in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317960,"EventID":"S5W-04063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T14:09:23.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01436 by Shona Robison on 9 August 2016, how much it has cost the NHS to prescribe omeprazole in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"The Gross Ingredient Cost for the supply of omeprazole on NHS prescription is set out in the report Prescription Cost Analysis, published annually by National Services Scotland Information Division, which can be found on their website at:-\r\nwww.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Prescribing-and-Medicines/Community-Dispensing/Prescription-Cost-Analysis/","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317961,"EventID":"S5W-04053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T14:09:24.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) deaths and (b) injuries in road traffic accidents it estimates have been prevented since the drink drive limit was reduced in December 2014.","AnswerText":"The North Report of the Review of Drink and Drug Driving Law, published by the then UK Government in 2010, indicated that a drink limit of 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood would save lives. A range of studies are mentioned in the North Report and an analysis applied to England and Wales figures. Apportioning these figures to Scotland would suggest a range of between 3 and 17 fewer deaths per year would result following the introduction of a lower drink drive limit.\r\nThe Reported Road Casualties in Scotland 2015 report found that in 2015, the first full year in which the reduced limit has been in force, there was a reduction of 24 fewer fatal accidents (13% reduction), 98 fewer serious injury accidents (5% reduction) and 368 fewer slight injury accidents (4% reduction), when compared with the previous year. However, it is not possible to determine the extent to which this reduction has happened as a result of the reduced drink drive limit.\r\nThis report also includes an estimate of the number of casualty road traffic accidents involving an illegal level of blood/alcohol. As is explained in the report, these figures run one year behind, so the most recent report provides estimates of drink-drive related casualty accidents in 2014.\r\nFigures for the first full year of the reduced limit will become available next year, though given the relatively small number of serious accidents in any given year, it will be more appropriate to assess the impact once an average figure over 3-4 years has been established.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317962,"EventID":"S5W-04052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T14:09:30.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T09:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings and recommendations in the United Kingdom Lung Cancer Coalition’s report, 25 by 25: a ten-year strategy to improve lung cancer survival rates.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government shares the United Kingdom Lung Cancer Coalitions (UKLCC) ambition to raise five year survival rates for lung cancer to 25% by 2025. \r\nOur ‘Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action’ strategy and the accompanying \r\n£100 million investment over 5 years, serves as a blueprint for the future of cancer services in Scotland, improving the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and aftercare of people affected by all cancers.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317963,"EventID":"S5W-04048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T14:09:31.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the implementation of European Standard EN13724, which is for private letter boxes.","AnswerText":"There is no statutory requirement to follow the guidance laid out in this European standard, however, building regulations do not prevent its use.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317964,"EventID":"S5W-04047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T14:09:33.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it made a submission to Ofcom’s strategic review of digital communications.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government submitted a response to Ofcom’s Strategic Review of Digital Communications in November 2016 and our dialogue with Ofcom on the issues raised is ongoing. Our response is available on Ofcom’s website: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/62557/scottish_government.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317965,"EventID":"S5W-04054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T14:09:35.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) deaths and (b) injuries in road traffics accidents there have been since the drink drive limit was reduced in December 2014, and on how many occasions the driver was above the new, but below the old, limit.","AnswerText":"'Reported Road Casualties in Scotland 2015' reports that in 2015, the first full year in which the reduced limit has been in force, there were 168 fatalities and 1,596 people seriously injured in road accidents. \r\nThese figures are compiled from Police data which records whether or not a breath test was passed/failed/refused but not the blood alcohol level. Figures on how many occasions the driver was above the new but below the old limit are not available.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317992,"EventID":"S5W-04065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T16:57:22.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken on developing opportunities for decommissioning in the oil and gas sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been clear in our approach to decommissioning and the opportunities that are available within our refreshed Oil and Gas Strategy and the recently published Programme for Government. Scottish Enterprise are developing a Decommissioning Action Plan, which will be complementary to the Oil and Gas Authority’s recently published Decommissioning Strategy. We are also carrying out further work to identify potential sites for investment with a view to increasing capacity for larger decommissioned units to come ashore at out ports and harbours.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317993,"EventID":"S5W-04066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T16:57:29.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T14:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in light of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition's recommendation that everyone over four should consume 10 micrograms of vitamin D daily.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has updated its advice on vitamin D supplementation for ages 6 months and over in line with the new Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition recommendations on vitamin D. The revised guidance is set out in full at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Healthy-Living/Food-Health/vitaminD\r\nIt is important that we ensure that people are aware of the importance of vitamin D. The Scottish Government is currently considering how best to raise awareness of the new recommendations amongst the general public, particularly those most at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Healthcare professionals play an important role in raising awareness of the importance of vitamin D and we will work to ensure that they are fully aware of these new recommendations.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government will offer free vitamins, which contain the recommended daily dose of vitamin D, to all pregnant women from Spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317994,"EventID":"S5W-04067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T16:57:30.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T14:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendation by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, what progress it is making toward establishing a managed clinical network for perinatal mental health.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government accepts and welcomes the Mental Welfare Commission’s report, published on 8 September and its recommendation to establish a managed clinical network (MCN) for perinatal mental health. An application to establish a new MCN was last month unsuccessful at the National Specialist Services Committee of NHS National Services Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government remains fully committed to improving early intervention and maternal and infant mental health. We are therefore pursuing alternative routes to establishing the MCN in line with the Mental Welfare Commission’s recommendation.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317995,"EventID":"S5W-04068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T16:57:32.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on university medical schools introducing more flexible admissions policies to encourage a more diverse cohort of undergraduates.","AnswerText":"Places at Scottish medical schools are highly sought after and the selection process is very competitive with applications from well-qualified and highly motivated students.\r\nWhilst the Scottish Government sets the annual intake targets for medicine, as autonomous institutions and in line with academic freedom, the selection and recruitment of individual students admitted to study medicine in Scotland is a matter for individual Universities. The selection procedures in scoring and assessing applications do take into account factors other than academic qualifications such as personal statements and UKCAT scores.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to taking forward the recommendations of the Commission on Widening Access which commented extensively on how university admissions could be made fairer, and we are currently working closely with the sector to progress those recommendations. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317996,"EventID":"S5W-04058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T16:57:34.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long it will take to implement its proposed council tax reforms.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been working with COSLA, local authority revenue and benefits practitioners and their software suppliers since early June 2016 to ensure Councils will implement the reforms from April 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317997,"EventID":"S5W-04060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T16:57:37.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to hold a charity event, similar to the M74 Hike and Bike, prior to the opening of the Queensferry Crossing and, if so, what discussions it has had with charities such as MND Scotland regarding such a proposal.","AnswerText":"We are currently considering the full range of options available to satisfy the significant interest that we have received already in the opening of this iconic structure. Although we’ve had no discussions with MND Scotland or any other charity to date, as plans are finalised, opportunities will be provided for charities to become involved. The opening of The Queensferry Crossing will be a historic milestone for this country. We will ensure that it provides opportunities for fair and inclusive participation for individuals and organisations across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317998,"EventID":"S5W-04062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T16:57:39.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Highland Self Build Loan Fund will be expanded to Shetland.","AnswerText":"The Self Build Loan Fund was launched in February 2016 and is currently operating as a two year pilot project in the Highland Council area. We will undertake a review over the Fund period to establish if it has delivered against its objectives. This will inform the decision on whether the expand the Fund nationally.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":317999,"EventID":"S5W-04069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T16:57:42.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its proposals for national and regional workforce planning will help to achieve parity between mental and physical health.","AnswerText":"Our plans to introduce a national and regional workforce planning system across the NHS in Scotland will help to deliver the vision set out in the National Clinical Strategy. The production of a national health workforce plan in 2017 will be the first step in this process, and we will take account of the need to ensure parity between mental and physical health as we move our proposals forward. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318000,"EventID":"S5W-04070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T16:57:44.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T15:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which projects have received support from the Scottish Veterans' Fund, broken down by amount provided.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Veterans Fund was established in 2008 for the purpose of assisting groups and organisations providing support services to Scotland’s ex-Service personnel. \r\nThe Scottish Government has invested £833,316.88 to date via the Fund supporting 125 projects across the country aimed at improving the quality of life for Veterans living in Scotland.\r\nDetail on projects that have benefited to date is captured - copies have been lodged with SPICe (Bib number 58314). ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":318001,"EventID":"S5W-04059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T16:57:45.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether people on lower incomes, who live in properties in council tax bands E to H, will be able to apply for support from the Council Tax Reduction Scheme prior to the implementation of its proposed council tax reforms.","AnswerText":"The extension of the council tax reduction scheme for households on low income living in band E to H properties will come into force on 1 April 2017. Individual local authorities administer the council tax reduction scheme, so it is a matter for each Council to decide whether to accept applications before then, although the reduction in liability can only be granted from that date. I would encourage people on lower incomes to apply for Council Tax Reduction.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318002,"EventID":"S5W-04061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T16:57:48.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people aged (a) under 18, (b) 18 to 65 and (c) over 65 have (i) been diagnosed with and (ii) received hospital treatment for malnutrition in each year since 2011, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of patients who have been diagnosed with malnutrition is not held centrally. The number of people admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of malnutrition in each calendar year since 2011 by age group and NHS board is shown in the following table.\r\nPlease note that most people with malnutrition who are admitted to Scottish hospitals are suffering from some other medical condition that causes malnutrition. In addition many other cases are diagnosed and treated in a primary care setting. \r\n\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n\r\n\r\nUnder 18\r\n18-65\r\nOver 65\r\nUnder 18\r\n18-65\r\nOver 65\r\nUnder 18\r\n18-65\r\nOver 65\r\nUnder 18\r\n18-65\r\nOver 65\r\nUnder 18\r\n18-65\r\nOver 65\r\n\r\nNHS Ayrshire & Arran\r\n6\r\n14\r\n25\r\n* \r\n15\r\n15\r\n-\r\n13\r\n25\r\n-\r\n10\r\n17\r\n* \r\n23\r\n17\r\n\r\nNHS Borders\r\n-\r\n7\r\n6\r\n-\r\n12\r\n8\r\n* \r\n11\r\n12\r\n* \r\n13\r\n20\r\n-\r\n5\r\n8\r\n\r\nNHS Dumfries & Galloway\r\n* \r\n5\r\n* \r\n-\r\n9\r\n* \r\n-\r\n6\r\n4\r\n-\r\n* \r\n5\r\n* \r\n5\r\n2\r\n\r\nNHS Fife\r\n* \r\n12\r\n11\r\n* \r\n10\r\n8\r\n* \r\n15\r\n4\r\n-\r\n10\r\n13\r\n-\r\n18\r\n8\r\n\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n-\r\n6\r\n* \r\n-\r\n11\r\n* \r\n-\r\n* \r\n3\r\n-\r\n8\r\n* \r\n* \r\n9\r\n5\r\n\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n-\r\n30\r\n22\r\n-\r\n29\r\n14\r\n\r\n* \r\n18\r\n11\r\n-\r\n26\r\n11\r\n* \r\n16\r\n3\r\n\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n\r\n* \r\n\r\n40\r\n\r\n29\r\n\r\n* \r\n\r\n25\r\n\r\n15\r\n\r\n* \r\n\r\n22\r\n\r\n17\r\n\r\n-\r\n\r\n29\r\n\r\n28\r\n\r\n* \r\n\r\n32\r\n\r\n25\r\n\r\nNHS Highland\r\n* \r\n16\r\n11\r\n-\r\n18\r\n6\r\n-\r\n19\r\n13\r\n-\r\n14\r\n5\r\n-\r\n21\r\n11\r\n\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n* \r\n21\r\n14\r\n* \r\n25\r\n7\r\n* \r\n27\r\n10\r\n-\r\n13\r\n8\r\n-\r\n19\r\n7\r\n\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n-\r\n38\r\n16\r\n-\r\n41\r\n23\r\n-\r\n30\r\n21\r\n-\r\n52\r\n27\r\n* \r\n33\r\n18\r\n\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n-\r\n* \r\n* \r\n-\r\n* \r\n* \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n-\r\n* \r\n* \r\n-\r\n* \r\n* \r\n-\r\n* \r\n* \r\n-\r\n* \r\n\r\n-\r\n* \r\n-\r\n\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n-\r\n13\r\n14\r\n\r\n* \r\n14\r\n13\r\n* \r\n13\r\n8\r\n* \r\n13\r\n10\r\n-\r\n* \r\n7\r\n\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n* \r\n-\r\n* \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n* \r\n-\r\n* \r\n-\r\n\r\nNon NHS Scotland Residents\r\n-\r\n* \r\n* \r\n-\r\n* \r\n-\r\n-\r\n* \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n* \r\n-\r\n-\r\n* \r\n\r\nTreated in NHS Scotland\r\n14\r\n208\r\n156\r\n8\r\n214\r\n119\r\n8\r\n182\r\n129\r\n*\r\n194\r\n149\r\n6\r\n187\r\n112\r\n\r\n*Indicates values that have been suppressed due to the potential risk of disclosure and to help maintain patient confidentiality.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318003,"EventID":"S5W-04064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-26T16:57:49.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will review Scotland's Economic Strategy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government refreshes the economic strategy periodically, in light of changing economic circumstances. The latest version of Scotland’s Economic Strategy was published in March 2015. There are currently no plans to review the published strategy. However, while not planning a further Economic Strategy review at this stage, the Government will continue to monitor the developing economic situation post EU referendum, to ensure Scotland’s economic strategy is aligned to Scotland’s economic needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318016,"EventID":"S5W-04075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:31:32.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T17:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the regulatory approaches taken in other countries to deal with the growth of short-term letting platforms such as Airbnb.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not made a specific assessment of the regulatory approaches taken in other countries to deal with the growth of short-term letting platforms such as Airbnb.\r\nThe Scottish Government is however already working closely with the independent Regulatory Review Group. The Regulatory Review Group is currently undertaking a review of the regulatory environment within Scotland for key sectors (including tourism) affected by digital disruption. This is to ensure that it remains appropriate to encourage and support innovation while maintaining a level playing field. The Regulatory Review Group will report their findings to Scottish Ministers in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318017,"EventID":"S5W-04071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:31:35.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on (a) housing markets, (b) antisocial behaviour and (c) tourism of short-term letting platforms such as Airbnb.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold specific information and has not made a specific assessment of the impact of short-term letting platforms such as Airbnb on housing markets, anti-social behaviour or tourism.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318018,"EventID":"S5W-04082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:31:37.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 16 February 2015, Review of exotic pet trade, whether it will (a) provide an update on the progress of the review and (b) confirm what plans it has for a public consultation on the subject.","AnswerText":"The review of the exotic pet trade is part of a wider review of pet welfare, which is a substantial and on-going piece of work. Initial meetings with stakeholders have already been held on exotic pets and breeding and sale of pets and further meetings are planned to discuss what the welfare challenges are and on how animal welfare might be best assured in various situations. \r\nOnce the review is completed, proposals for changes to the current legislation and/or policies relating to pet welfare will be developed and, in due course, consulted on. It is still too early in the process to suggest what those changes might be.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318019,"EventID":"S5W-04086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:31:40.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the new Scotland-wide statutory board that will coordinate the activities of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will result in a reduction in HIE's budget.","AnswerText":"The purpose of the new Scotland-wide statutory board will be to drive stronger governance and alignment across a coherent and fully integrated enterprise and skills system which provides the support that businesses and users of the skills system require. Decisions regarding the formation, remit and funding arrangements for this board for will be taken forward during phase two of the review process which began on 1 November. It is therefore not possible to set out at this stage what future budgets may be, as they will be developed in the normal way to meet funding needs and obligations through spending review and annual budget setting processes.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318020,"EventID":"S5W-04100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:31:43.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on paying Beef Efficiency Scheme participants over the whole five-year period of the scheme, and whether this will encourage uptake of the scheme.","AnswerText":"The scheme rules on payment rates and on the payment schedule have been agreed with the European Commission and the scheme has been advertised to potential applicants as such. Currently we do not plan to change the payment rate or to extend payments to years four and fiveTo change the payment schedule would require negotiation of a programme modification with the Commission and if this were to involve any increase in overall payments the Commission would require clear justification for such a change. Furthermore, any such change would have to be externally verified. \r\nIt was also felt that it would be more helpful to front-load bigger payments to farmers in the first three years rather than spread smaller payments more thinly over the full five years.\r\nIt is also worth noting that the scheme is designed to deliver efficiencies which will increase the profitability of farms. It is important to recognise this as a core benefit of the programme. In essence, the payments received from the government in the first three years will be followed by management changes which will increase net incomes to farms year-on-year into the future. We see this as a key motivation for applying to the scheme and, in the long-term","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318021,"EventID":"S5W-04103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:31:44.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on removing the fixed reference year requirement for applications to the Beef Efficiency Scheme to open it up for expanding and new herds.","AnswerText":"The intention of the Beef Efficiency Scheme (BES) is to help the beef sector during a period of challenging transition to lower levels of support in the new CAP, and, crucially, to reduce carbon emissions from the sector. As a decoupled scheme, the European Commission has been clear that BES cannot be used to encourage increases in production, hence the need for a fixed reference year. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318022,"EventID":"S5W-04076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:31:46.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T00:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will (a) produce a public health strategy to help NHS boards focus on preventing ill health and tackle health inequalities and (b) model the cost of implementing the National Clinical Strategy, as recommended in the Audit Scotland report, NHS in Scotland 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published the report of its Review of Public Health in February this year. That Review recommended the development of a public health strategy and a set of clear priorities for public health. The Government has accepted the recommendations of the Public Health review and will publish a strategy in 2017. \r\nBy the end of this year, the Scottish Government will set out a plan for a single framework which will bring together the delivery of the National Clinical Strategy, Health and Social Care Integration and our work on Population Health. This plan will include further information on the required investment for delivery of these policies","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318023,"EventID":"S5W-04078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:31:48.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland report, Breastfeeding Statistics Scotland, Financial Year 2015/16, which suggests that breastfeeding rates have remained mostly static over the last decade and can vary because of deprivation, geographical location and maternal age. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to be committed to supporting breastfeeding. Across Scotland the proportion of babies being breastfed at their first visit has increased over the last 10 years (44.1% - 49.3%). Twenty four local authorities had increases in breastfeeding rates at 6-8 weeks, from the previous year. \r\nThe increase in overall breastfeeding rates and in the most deprived areas is mainly due to an increase in the percentage of mothers who breast and formula fed rather than exclusively breastfed. The rates varied across Scotland and were lower in more deprived areas and amongst younger mothers.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318024,"EventID":"S5W-04072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:31:49.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to local authorities to ensure that they have sufficient flexibility to tailor their approaches to dealing with the issues arising from the growth of short-term letting platforms such as Airbnb.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03942 on 2 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318025,"EventID":"S5W-04074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:31:52.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T17:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recommendation of the Scottish HIV PrEP Short Life Working Group that people at the highest risk of HIV are provided with the option of pre-exposure prophylaxis to protect them from becoming HIV positive.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that reducing HIV transmission is a public health priority. In Scotland, all medicines must be licensed before they can be made routinely available on the NHS. The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer has written to the manufacturer of the drugs used for pre-exposure prophylaxis asking them to make a submission to the Scottish Medicines Consortium, at a fair price, so its routine use in Scotland can be considered as quickly as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318026,"EventID":"S5W-04073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:31:54.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness among new mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting breastfeeding by new mothers through a range of activities which include: \r\nA number of stakeholder events and a breastfeeding summit have taken place over the last 18 months, to share information, gather views and make recommendations. We have taken significant steps to act on these recommendations, and will continue to do so.\r\nThe Scottish Government took the decision to fund a Lead Officer post from UNICEF to support the implementation of the UNICEF BFI Standards across Scotland, and this has been highly successful. \r\nThe publication of the Improving Maternal and Infant Nutrition: A Framework for Action (2011). As part of the implementation of the Framework the Scottish Government appointed a National Maternal and Infant Nutrition Co-ordinator to coordinate the breastfeeding improvement activity and to link with other partners across Scotland and the rest of the UK.\r\nThe Scottish Government launched a replacement of the previous Feedgood factor website in June 2016. http://www.feedgood.scot\r\nThe Scottish Government also provides funding to support the National Breastfeeding Helpline. http://www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk/","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318027,"EventID":"S5W-04079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:31:55.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to hold a debate on its strategy to tackle human trafficking and exploitation before the consultation period closes.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to hold such a debate while the public consultation on the draft Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy is underway. The Scottish Government encourages all those with an interest to respond to the consultation, which will inform further development of the strategy. Details of the consultation process are available at: https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/human-trafficking-team/a-human-trafficking-and-exploitation-strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318028,"EventID":"S5W-04081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:31:57.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering removing in-year redistribution for college funding.","AnswerText":"The in-year redistribution process is underway for Academic Year 2016-17 and is an on-going feature of the current annual Further Education student support funding cycle.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318029,"EventID":"S5W-04088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:32:00.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the reported increase in domestic abuse cases in Orkney between 2006-07 and 2015-16, and what steps it will take to tackle domestic abuse in Orkney.","AnswerText":"The statistics (available at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/10/2442) indicate that between 2006-07 and 2015-16, the number of recorded domestic abuse incidents in Orkney has increased from 22 per 10,000 population in 2005-06 to 64 per 10,000 population in 2015-16. This increase should be seen within the context of an increase across most local authorities in the same period and the rate per 10,000 population in Orkney in 2015-16 continuing to be well below than the national rate (64 compared to 108).\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to tackling all violence against women and provided an additional £1.85m (2015-18) to Rape Crisis Scotland to enhance specialist support for victims across Scotland and, in partnership with Orkney and Shetland Women’s Aid, open the first-ever rape crisis services in these areas. These two vital support services are working together to raise awareness of domestic abuse in these communities and support victims to have the confidence to come forward and report it. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318030,"EventID":"S5W-04083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:32:03.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will be accountable to the new Scotland-wide statutory board that will coordinate the activities of Scottish Enterprise and HIE.","AnswerText":"Decisions regarding the formation, format and remit of the new Scotland-wide statutory board will be taken forward during phase two of the review process which began on 1 November.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318031,"EventID":"S5W-04084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:32:06.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the new Scotland-wide statutory board that will coordinate the activities of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will change HIE's decision-making process, and whether it will result in a loss of HIE's decision-making powers.","AnswerText":"Highlands and Islands Enterprise will continue to exist. As part of our review of skills and enterprise, working closely with key stakeholders we will consider how the new Scotland-wide statutory board will operate. Current boards will continue to be involved as we develop our plans going forward.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318032,"EventID":"S5W-04087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:32:09.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to increase awareness of services such as Women’s Aid Orkney to encourage more women in Orkney to seek support following domestic abuse.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the vital role support services have in raising awareness of domestic abuse in these communities and supporting victims to have the confidence to come forward and report it. That is why we have provided an additional £1.85m (2015-18) to Rape Crisis Scotland to enhance specialist support for victims across Scotland and, in partnership with Orkney and Shetland Women’s Aid, open the first-ever rape crisis services in these areas. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318033,"EventID":"S5W-04101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:32:12.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage uptake of the Beef Efficiency Scheme.","AnswerText":"The application window for the Scheme was open between April and June of this year. We carried out a number of activities to publicise the scheme opening to applicants, this included an external press announcement, a short promotional video on YouTube and a mailing to all beef farmers.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318034,"EventID":"S5W-04102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:32:14.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £45 million allocated to the Beef Efficiency Scheme will be paid to farm businesses.","AnswerText":"Farm Businesses that have joined the Beef Efficiency Scheme will benefit from the overall BES budget of £45 Million, in a number of ways, including direct payments, free advisory services, including one to one's, and the genotyping tests. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318035,"EventID":"S5W-04105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T14:49:31.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T14:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme, which has been in operation for five years.","AnswerText":"As Ministers at the time promised Parliament, during the debates on the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Bill, a review of the operation and delivery of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme during the last five years will now be undertaken. We are engaging those who have used the Scheme and who have an ongoing interest in its future operation to determine the scope and terms of the review. That engagement will include a conference in Glasgow on 21 November this year, where we will formally launch the review. ","AnswerDate":"2016-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318036,"EventID":"S5W-04093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T17:13:26.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the comments in the publication, Enterprise and Skills Review: Report on Phase 1, by what date the innovation and investment hub in Berlin will be established; how many staff will be based there, and at what cost.","AnswerText":"Plans to establish an innovation and investment hub in Berlin are currently in development and details will be made available in due course. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318037,"EventID":"S5W-04095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T17:13:27.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the comments in the publication, Enterprise and Skills Review: Report on Phase 1, how many members the new Scotland-wide statutory board that is expected to deliver international activities and support will have; when its chair will be appointed; whether the Parliament will be involved with this appointment, and what salary will be offered.","AnswerText":"Detailed operational planning for the new Scotland-wide statutory board, including how many staff will be delivering international activities, the chair of the new board and the appointment process, will take place as part of phase 2 of the review.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318038,"EventID":"S5W-04092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T17:13:28.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the comments in the publication, Enterprise and Skills Review: Report on Phase 1, whether it will provide details of Scottish Development International’s (SDI) current presence in Europe, and what areas would be covered by SDI doubling this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government proposes an increase in the number of people working for Scottish Development International in Europe from 20 to 40 over the next two years. \r\nSDI currently has four European offices in Copenhagen, Düsseldorf, Paris and Stavanger. Detailed work, including location proposals, is being undertaken to ensure that additional resources deliver maximum benefit for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318039,"EventID":"S5W-04094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T17:13:29.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the comments in the publication, Enterprise and Skills Review: Report on Phase 1, how many staff the new Scotland-wide statutory board that is expected to deliver international activities and support will have; what the cost will be, and whether the staff will be new employees or assigned from its agencies.","AnswerText":"Detailed operational planning for the new Scotland-wide statutory board has yet to be taken forward. This work will take place as part of phase 2 of the review. We plan to consult with the current boards to take this forward.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318040,"EventID":"S5W-03981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T17:13:30.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-24T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the tweet by Mark McDonald on 15 October 2016 regarding the support that had been received for motion S5M-01537, whether this indicates that ministers have agreed to take the action referred to in the motion regarding allowing men who have sex with men to donate blood.","AnswerText":"Men who have sex with men (MSM) can currently donate blood under certain circumstances. Men who last had oral or anal sex with another man more than 12 months ago are able to give blood if they meet the other blood donor selection criteria.\r\nThe UK Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) advises Scottish Ministers and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) on the most appropriate ways to ensure the safety of blood for transfusion. SaBTO is currently undertaking a review of the latest scientific evidence related to donor selection criteria, including deferral criteria for MSM. It is expected to report next year. We will await SaBTO’s report and take account of any recommendations it makes before considering any changes to current donor deferral criteria.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318041,"EventID":"S5W-04089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T17:13:31.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list each (a) consultation and (b) review that it has announced since May 2016; broken down by the (i) minister in charge and (ii) title, subject and date of each announcement, and whether it will publish details of (A) where any findings can or will be found online and (B) the date the results were or will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government now runs all consultations online through its consultation hub (http://consult.scotland.gov.uk). Each consultation is listed with its title, start and end dates. Consultations can be filtered by subject (interest) and policy team (department), however there is no facility to filter or view consultations by Minister or Ministerial portfolio.\r\nIf known, a consultation will indicate the date when findings will be published. Consultation responses and findings, where published, are attached to each consultation.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318042,"EventID":"S5W-04096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T17:13:33.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the comments in the publication, Enterprise and Skills Review: Report on Phase 1, by what date the review of the (a) existing data and evaluation functions, (b) learning journey, (c) innovation support ecosystem, (d) effectiveness of investment in learning and skills and (e) role, position and governance of Scottish Development International (SDI), and its possible establishment as a distinct and separate organisation, will be completed.","AnswerText":"Phase 2 of the Enterprise and Skills Review will conclude in Spring 2017. A programme of work for implementation of the recommendations from phase 1 will be set out during phase 2. This programme will be undertaken over the lifetime of the parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318043,"EventID":"S5W-04107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T17:13:34.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what month it will introduce the (a) Limitation (Childhood Abuse), (b) Railway Policing, (c) Expenses and Funding of Civil Litigation and (d) Contract (Third Part Rights) Bill. ","AnswerText":"As set out in the Programme for Government 2016-7 these bills are part of the Scottish Government’s Year 1 legislative programme.\r\nThe Government sequences the introduction of Bills across the parliamentary year. I am currently meeting with relevant committee Conveners to discuss timings and allocations of Government Bills, including those referred to by the member. I expect the first bills from the programme to be introduced to Parliament in the coming weeks.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318044,"EventID":"S5W-04091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T17:13:36.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the comments in the publication, Enterprise and Skills Review: Report on Phase 1, how many additional trade envoys it plans to employ and at what cost, and how this compares to the number and cost of the envoys that it currently employs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting Scottish companies to access global markets and to ensuring that Scotland is open for business with Europe and the rest of the world. \r\nPlans to appoint a number of trade envoys to champion export market opportunities are currently being developed and details will be made available in due course. There are no envoys currently employed by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318045,"EventID":"S5W-04098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T17:13:37.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the comments in the publication, Enterprise and Skills Review: Report on Phase 1, what the remit will be of the review of the learning journey.","AnswerText":"The Learner Journey review will build on the solid foundations of Getting It Right For Every Child, Curriculum for Excellence and Developing the Young Workforce to further improve young people’s experience of moving through school, college, training, university or employment. \r\nThe review process, underway through the commissioning of research into the experience of young people at various points in the system, will consider 5 themes: careers information, advice and guidance; access; provision; transitions and progression; and funding. The Scottish Government will undertake a process of evidence gathering and extensive engagement with learners and those who work with them to identify improvements. We will publish more detail about that process by the end of this year.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318046,"EventID":"S5W-04097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T17:13:39.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the comments in the publication, Enterprise and Skills Review: Report on Phase 1, what its position is on whether the alignment of functions of learning and skills agencies could result in the merger of Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council.","AnswerText":"There are currently no plans to merge Scottish Funding Council and Skills Development Scotland. Plans to better align of the functions of the two agencies will be developed as part of phase 2 of the review. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318047,"EventID":"S5W-04106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-27T17:13:40.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been made ill after consuming raw milk cheese in each year since 2010, also broken down by the (a) type of illness and (b) pathogen that was identified.","AnswerText":"A number of illnesses can be caused by consuming contaminated cheese made with unpasteurised milk, for example, brucella, listeria, salmonella and shiga \r\ntoxin-producing Escherichia coli. All these diseases can be acquired through a number of routes, including contaminated food and contact with animals. Therefore it is extremely difficult to determine the source of infection in individual cases. However, where there are clusters of cases of particular pathogens or sub-types, the relevant Health Protection Teams will undertake investigations to try and establish any common links between the cases. Between 2010 and 2015 there were no outbreaks reported where the suspected vehicle was reported as either unpasteurised milk or unpasteurised cheese. In 2016, to date, there has been one outbreak of E.coli O157 associated with unpasteurised cheese, affecting 26 individuals. \r\nHealth Protection Scotland (HPS) report data on laboratory confirmed cases of illness due to a number of pathogens, including those listed above, which can be found on the pathogen specific pages of the HPS website, www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/. It should be noted that these data will only include cases of illness where the individual has sought medical attention and had samples submitted for testing.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318064,"EventID":"S5W-04169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T14:42:46.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of the independent review of its recent consultation on the UK Government’s Apprenticeship Levy.","AnswerText":"A report of an independent analysis of the responses received to our recent consultation will be published today. This will be available at:\r\nhttps://consult.scotland.gov.uk/employability-and-training/apprenticeship-levy","AnswerDate":"2016-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318082,"EventID":"S5W-04119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:17.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its announcement on 10 October 2016 of its support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, how its commitments to “The creation of up to 16,000 new jobs across Scotland from the new capacity,” will be met; where, and within what sectors those new jobs will be created, and whether it will define the term “new capacity”.","AnswerText":"Heathrow Airport has estimated that up to 16,000 new jobs will be created across Scotland reflecting the conclusions of the Airports Commission. These jobs are anticipated to come from a number of sectors relating to the introduction of new routes including tourism, exports, inward investment and at the airports themselves and from manufacturing related to construction and the logistics hub concept. The Scottish Government and Heathrow will work together to ensure that the wider terms of the Memorandum of Understanding are progressed and progress is monitored. \r\nThe Scottish Government's definition of new capacity is capacity which does not currently exist or is not currently available. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318083,"EventID":"S5W-04120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:19.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its announcement on 10 October 2016 of its support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, whether, given a prior commitment to \"£200 million of construction-related spend in Scotland during planning and construction”, it has confidence in the integrity of the procurement process associated with the building of any third runway.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will be represented on Heathrow's Procurement Strategy Forum to ensure that the construction supply chain is accessible to Scottish businesses. The Scottish Government and Heathrow will work together to ensure that the wider terms of the Memorandum of Understanding are progressed and progress is monitored including the commitment on £200 million of construction-related spend in Scotland during planning and construction.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318084,"EventID":"S5W-04116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:21.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on the UK solar power market of the proposed rise in business rates in 2017 for organisations investing in rooftop solar power for their own consumption.","AnswerText":"Non-domestic rates liabilities have not yet been finalised for 2017. The revaluation by independent Assessors will update the rateable value of non-domestic properties, in line with rental values. The Scottish Government will bring forward legislation for the 2017-18 rates poundage and any changes to reliefs in due course, having considered the revaluation effect across sectors.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318085,"EventID":"S5W-04123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:24.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration is being given to the mental health and related needs of veterans by local health and social care partnerships.","AnswerText":"The Public Bodies (Joint Working)(Scotland) Act 2014 placed a duty on Integration Authorities to develop a 'strategic plan' for integrated functions and budgets under their control.\r\nIn 2015, the year before integration went live, the Scottish Government published statutory guidance on strategic commissioning setting out that each Partnership's strategic commissioning plan should be based upon a Strategic Needs Assessment of local people's needs, including, as appropriate, the needs of veterans. Strategic commissioning plans have been published by every Partnership, and we are providing support for their on-going development. Some partnerships are undertaking more detailed needs analysis of specific care groups.\r\nThe strategic commissioning plan sets out how partnerships will plan and deliver services for their area over the medium term, using the integrated budgets under their control. Stakeholders must be fully engaged in the preparation, publication and review of the strategic commissioning plan, in order to establish a meaningful co-productive approach, to enable Integration Authorities to deliver the national outcomes for health and wellbeing, and achieve the core aims of integration.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318086,"EventID":"S5W-04130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:25.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to increase the understanding of the impact of alcohol misuse among vulnerable veterans.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Alcohol Strategy Changing Scotland’s Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action was published in March 2009 and signalled our whole population approach to tackling alcohol misuse in Scotland recognising that alcohol misuse is not a marginal problem or restricted to one sector of society.\r\nThe Framework contains 41 measures which seek to reduce consumption, support families and communities, encourage more positive attitudes and positive choices, and improve treatment and support services. We have taken steps to raise awareness of the risks associated with alcohol so that individuals have the information to allow them to make informed, responsible choices. These include running social marketing campaigns, lowering the drink drive limit, introducing alcohol brief interventions, and introducing updated safer drinking alcohol guidelines which recommend that both men and women drink no more than 14 units a week, spread out over three days or more.\r\nWe will introduce the next phase of our Alcohol Framework later this year which will build on the progress so far.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318087,"EventID":"S5W-04141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:27.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on Gaelic road signage in (a) Ayrshire and Arran, (b) the Scottish Borders, (c) Dumfries and Galloway and (d) the rest of Scotland in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"No money has been spent on Gaelic road signage on trunk roads in (a) Ayrshire and Arran, (b) the Scottish Borders, (c) Dumfries and Galloway in the last five years.\r\nFor the rest of scotland, the £5m A82 Crianlarich Bypass, opened in December 2014 included an approximate spend of £115k on signage, 44% included Gaelic text alongside the English text. bilingual direction signing has been provided on the A82 from Tarbet to Inverness and those trunk roads leading to the ports at Kennacraig, Oban, Mallaig, Uig and Ullapool. This programme, which also included the replacement of signs for maintenance reasons, was completed by Transport Scotland in 2010 at a cost of £2 million.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318088,"EventID":"S5W-04110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:28.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of reductions in local government budgets on the provision of housing for people affected by domestic abuse.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has treated local government fairly despite the cuts to the Scottish Budget from the UK Government and is providing local government with a funding settlement of over £10.3 billion in 2016-17. There are 461 refuge spaces in Scotland.\r\nThe homelessness legislation also provides a strong statutory safety net so that women and children seeking to leave an abusive perpetrator are supported into temporary accommodation immediately and then moved on to appropriate settled accommodation or, if safe, back into their original home. Housing options are continuing to develop through the Scottish Government funded local authority led housing options hubs. This work focuses on the prevention of homelessness and ensuring that people have access to good quality housing advice which should help women and children experiencing domestic abuse in accessing relevant legal mechanisms.\r\nIn March 2016 the Scottish Government published enhanced Housing Options Guidance, which recognised that those removing themselves from domestic abuse situations will have particular needs and recommended that Housing Options Services should ensure that appropriate plans, liaison and referral arrangements are in place. A national training toolkit is being developed which will cover issues of domestic abuse and how this should be addressed through housing and homelessness provision.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318089,"EventID":"S5W-04112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:31.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that every town and village has free wireless internet by 2020, as proposed by the European Commission.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the European Commission's commitment to extend free access to Wi-Fi connectivity in public spaces, and the associated 120M WiFi4EU scheme. We exploring how Scotland’s potential benefits can be maximised.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s Public Wireless Programme, established in 2015, has already delivered improved Wi-Fi coverage in Scotland. The Programme provided just under £1M of grants in 2015-16 enabling local authorities to extend, or introduce, free Wi-Fi services across a range of buildings used by the public such as libraries, community centres and sports facilities. In tandem, the Programme has created best practice guidance in collaboration with public organisations to ensure wireless broadband projects are developed sustainably and genuinely match local needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318090,"EventID":"S5W-04125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:34.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration is being given to the needs of (a) older and (b) disabled veterans by local health and social care partnerships.","AnswerText":"The Public Bodies (Joint Working)(Scotland) Act 2014 placed a duty on Integration Authorities to develop a 'strategic plan' for integrated functions and budgets under their control. \r\nIn 2015, the year before integration went live, the Scottish Government published statutory guidance on strategic commissioning setting out that each Partnership's strategic commissioning plan should be based upon a Strategic Needs Assessment of local people's needs, including, as appropriate, the needs of veterans. Strategic commissioning plans have been published by every Partnership, and we are providing support for their on-going development. Some partnerships are undertaking more detailed needs analysis of specific care groups.\r\nThe strategic commissioning plan sets out how partnerships will plan and deliver services for their area over the medium term, using the integrated budgets under their control. Stakeholders must be fully engaged in the preparation, publication and review of the strategic commissioning plan, in order to establish a meaningful co-productive approach, to enable Integration Authorities to deliver the national outcomes for health and wellbeing, and achieve the core aims of integration","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318091,"EventID":"S5W-04127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:35.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve mental health services to ensure that they meet the needs of female veterans and veterans' spouses, in light of reports that these groups are underusing available services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies – including NHS boards and local authorities – to support implementation of policy. \r\nThe management of local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local spending priorities are the responsibility of relevant local agencies. It is therefore the responsibility of NHS boards and local authorities to work with their partners and regularly review spending decisions to ensure they deliver fit for purpose services which respond to the needs of their local population. This includes ensuring the needs of female veterans and veterans spouses are assessed and responded to as appropriate.\r\nThe Scottish Government will also publish its new Mental Health Strategy later this year. That will set out our 10 year vision for transforming mental health services across Scotland, including improving access to services for all which are person-centred, effective, efficient and safe.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318092,"EventID":"S5W-04144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:36.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out to ascertain whether Gaelic road signage could be a potential hazard as drivers might take more time to read larger volumes of writing.","AnswerText":"In 2012, Transport Scotland commissioned a study which looked at whether bilingual signs have had any effect on road safety. The study report is available via the following link: https://trl.co.uk/reports/PPR589\r\nThe study concluded that bilingual signs do not result in a significant increase in crash risk and accident involvement. An analysis of accident data in Scotland, carried out as part of the study also supported the conclusions.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318093,"EventID":"S5W-04114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:37.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with BT regarding the removal of phone boxes in rural areas, and what assessment it has made of the safety implications for people in areas with poor mobile phone coverage.","AnswerText":"The removal of public phone boxes is a reserved issue for which the Scottish Government has no direct role or influence, and which is governed by Ofcom's regulations on BT.\r\nBT has indicated to the Scottish Government that it is currently consulting on the removal of 1525 boxes in Scotland but has confirmed that it won’t proceed with the proposed removal if no mobile signal can be detected near the box.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318094,"EventID":"S5W-04121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:41.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its announcement on 10 October 2016 of its support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, and the announcement of a “£10m route development fund to help support new domestic routes”, whether it will define the term “domestic routes”; who will be consulted on any new domestic routes, and when the £10 million will become available.","AnswerText":"Domestic routes refers to routes between Heathrow Airport and other UK airports. Applications for funding under Heathrow's £10 million fund will be for airlines and airports to progress and consult on. Heathrow has confirmed that the £10 million fund will commence once it has received development consent from the UK Government. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318095,"EventID":"S5W-04132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:42.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what policy guidance it has provided to NHS boards in relation to the Armed Forces Covenant.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers to questions S5W-04124 and S5W-04133 on 10 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318096,"EventID":"S5W-04139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:43.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 can be used by local authorities to ensure that their rents reflect local rental market changes. ","AnswerText":"The Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 (the 2016 Act) will enable local authorities to apply to Ministers to designate an area as a rent pressure zone where rents are rising too much, causing undue hardship to tenants and increasing the pressure on authorities to provide housing or subsidise the cost of housing. If Ministers designate a zone, rent increases for sitting tenants in that zone would be capped at a minimum of the Consumer Prices Index plus 1% for a period not exceeding 5 years per application. The 2016 Act does not contain any other rent provisions that can be used by local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318097,"EventID":"S5W-04117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:46.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it is providing for costs associated with (a) health services and (b) civil legal advice and assistance, which result from the dispersal of asylum seekers to Scotland.","AnswerText":"Asylum seekers living in Scotland can access NHS health services and civil legal advice and assistance in the same way as anyone that is ordinarily resident here. \r\nIt is for NHS Boards to provide health services that best meet the needs of their local populations from their general funding allocations.\r\nScotland has a legal aid system that is not cost limited and has a high eligibility rate. Asylum seekers can apply for publicly funded legal assistance under the same eligibility criteria as any applicant facing legal proceedings and their legal status is not a barrier.\r\nThe Scottish Refugee Council, which has received funding of £534,000 from the Scottish Government in 2016-17, works with refugees and asylum seekers and can help them to find legal representatives.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318098,"EventID":"S5W-04118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:49.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its announcement on 10 October 2016 of its support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, whether it plans to publish comprehensive details of how it will offset additional CO2 emissions resulting from the “£10m route development fund to help support new domestic routes”, and “£200m of construction-related spend in Scotland during planning and construction.”","AnswerText":"Heathrow Airport's £10m route development fund for new domestic routes will be subject to a competitive process and open to bids from all parts of the UK. Whilst we fully expect that Scotland will benefit from new services, it is for airlines and airports to progress specific proposals. \r\nIn aviation, the Scottish Government has shown global leadership by including emissions from domestic and international aviation in its emissions reduction targets. More widely, Scotland exceeded the level of our 2020 target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42%, six years early. We will also be publishing a new draft Climate Change Plan in the winter, setting out our priorities and commitments to meeting our ambitious reduction targets over the coming decades. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318099,"EventID":"S5W-04135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:51.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve access to information for veterans on public sector websites.","AnswerText":"Working with colleagues across the Scottish Government and service providers, the mygov.scot website will bring together information on the advice and support that is available to veterans and their families into one place, including: \r\n• Housing\r\n• Employment\r\n• Health\r\n• Education\r\n• Care\r\nThe website will provide easy access to information, advice and support that is required when leaving the armed forces without the need to visit many different websites. This information is in development for publication early next year and will be continually reviewed and improved with input from users.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318100,"EventID":"S5W-04136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:53.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T11:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the findings of the independent review of the Police Federation in England and Wales that was chaired by Sir David Normington, and whether it will commission a similar review of the Scottish Police Federation.","AnswerText":"The Police Federation Independent Review, chaired by Sir David Normington, was commissioned by the Police Federation of England and Wales and it would therefore be for the Scottish Police Federation to consider whether a similar review was appropriate for their organisation.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318101,"EventID":"S5W-04049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:55.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-25T17:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a member of its Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group (JHPDG) declared a conflict of interest with respect to their role as a company director in the private rented sector in relation to (a) a submission of 25 March 2015 as part of the JHPDG Draft Key Objections Suggestions Table and (b) contact made with the Scottish Government Planning and Architecture Division on 9 and 14 March 2016 when requesting assistance with a private housing development in which there may have been a personal interest and, if so, whether it supports that person continuing in their role. ","AnswerText":"(a) As explained in my answer to S5W-01782 on 24 August 2016, the Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group includes representatives from 28 national housing related organisations. The Group offers Ministers advice on national strategic policy and delivery issues relating to housing. Members of the Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group are expected to declare any conflicts of interest with respect to any topic being discussed by the Group. Specific housing developments are not discussed in the Group. \r\nThe suggested objectives offered by members to help the JHPDG in planning its work to fulfil the actions set out in the Delivery Plan were at a strategic level, not site-specific, and did not raise issues of conflicts of interest.\r\n(b) An individual, who happened to be a member of the JHPDG, contacted the Scottish Government’s Planning and Architecture Division on 9 March requesting advice in relation to a private housing development. However, this was not done in the capacity of membership of JHPDG and membership of JHPDG does not confer any particular privileges. The Scottish Government has no records of any contact being made on 14 March 2016.\r\nIt is for the organisations who are part of the Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group to nominate their own representatives for the Group.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318102,"EventID":"S5W-04113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:56.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to rural communities to install their own fibre networks when commercial and other government programmes are unable to reach their premises.","AnswerText":"The £400M Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme is delivering fibre broadband access to at least 95% of premises across Scotland by the end of next year. This is a vital first step towards our commitment to extend superfast access to 100% of premises by 2021.\r\nFor those not covered by the DSSB programme, guidance is publicly available which outlines the options available for securing financial and practical support for broadband connectivity.\r\nCommunity Broadband Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative, delivered nationally by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which provides financial and technical support for communities who wish to pursue their own connectivity solutions. Alternatively, individuals may wish to consider the Better Broadband scheme, which offers funding to help with connection costs.\r\nInformation on the Community Broadband Scotland initiative can be found at http://www.hie.co.uk/community-support/community-broadband-scotland/, and on the Better Broadband scheme at https://www.scotlandsuperfast.com/where-when/the-programme/better-broadband-scheme/.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318103,"EventID":"S5W-04115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:36:59.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how many phone boxes have been removed in rural areas where there is poor mobile phone coverage.","AnswerText":"The removal of public phone boxes is a reserved issue for which the Scottish Government has no direct role or influence, and which is governed by Ofcom's regulations on BT. The Scottish Government is not consulted on phone box removal and does not hold any relevant data.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318104,"EventID":"S5W-04122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:37:02.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that funding provided for veterans' organisations and events are being used in the most effective and efficient manner.","AnswerText":"All Scottish Government grant funding recipients are required to fully comply with the terms and conditions scheduled in a formal grant offer letter. These include setting out clear objectives and outcomes, a payment schedule (if required) and an end of project evaluation process.\r\nThe Scottish Government carries out robust and appropriate due diligence assessments on each recipient prior to issuing any grant. Grantees are required to keep Scottish Ministers fully informed as the project progresses with regular updates on expenditure, and progress towards achievement of objectives and outcomes. Any requests to revise targets or milestones are subject to the written agreement of the Scottish Ministers. Grantees also provide an end of project summary report to Scottish Ministers as evidence of how the project has met the terms of the grant offer.\r\nGrantees must also provide any other information that Scottish Ministers may reasonably require to satisfy themselves that the project is consistent with the formal grant offer letter, and are expected to provide Scottish Ministers with prompt access to any evidence they reasonably require to ensure compliance with these Conditions.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318105,"EventID":"S5W-04124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:37:04.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance and training it provides for NHS Veterans Champions to help them meet the obligations of the Armed Forces Covenant.","AnswerText":"In November 2010, the Scottish Government issued Chief Executive Letter (CEL) 39 (2010) to NHS Boards in Scotland (link: http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2010_39.pdf). This sets out our expectation that all Boards appoint a Champion for veterans’ issues and establishes the key duties of the role.\r\nIt should be noted that the list of initial Champions from 2010 at Annex A of the CEL is now out of date. The latest names and contact details can be found on the NHS inform website (link: http://www.nhsinform.co.uk/veteranshealth/useful-documents/nhs-champions/).","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318106,"EventID":"S5W-04108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:37:05.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce domestic abuse in areas that have seen a rise in such cases in recent years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking action and investing record levels of funding to tackle domestic abuse and violence against women across Scotland. In 2016/17, we have allocated £11.8million towards initiatives to tackle violence against women, including a range of front line services for women and children experiencing domestic abuse.\r\nLast year, the First Minister announced an additional £20million would be invested from the Justice Budget (over 2015-18) to tackle violence against women. We believe that in some cases, people feel more confident about reporting domestic abuse to the Police as they believe action will be taken. \r\nWe are committed to strengthening the law in this area through the introduction of a Bill creating a specific offence of domestic abuse in 2016-17. We will continue to take action to prevent and eradicate domestic abuse and all forms of violence against women and girls through the implementation of our strategy, Equally Safe.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318107,"EventID":"S5W-04129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:37:08.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to increase awareness of NHS staff so that issues relating to pre-enlistment and length of time served in the Armed Forces, and the impact of these on veterans' mental health and related health and social care needs, are taken into account when deciding on the most appropriate services to meet their needs.","AnswerText":"Health and social care professionals work together to ensure person-centred and effective care and treatment is based on a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary needs assessment with individual care plans put in place to meet that need. \r\nHealth and social care professionals are well placed to ensure pre-enlistment factors such as childhood traumatic experiences; socioeconomic adversity; previous psychiatric history; personality, and coping style are taken into account as part of a robust needs assessment process whether the individual is a veteran or not. The aim as always is to provide tailored care which meets the needs of the individual.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318108,"EventID":"S5W-04131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:37:09.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that effective partnerships exist between voluntary sector mental health services, the NHS, local authorities and the justice system to ensure that vulnerable veterans receive access to appropriate help in relation to alcohol issues.","AnswerText":"The Public Bodies (Joint Working)(Scotland) Act 2014 placed a duty on Integration Authorities to develop a 'strategic plan' for integrated functions and budgets under their control.\r\nStrategic commissioning plans have been published by every Partnership, and we are providing support for their on-going development. Some partnerships are undertaking more detailed needs analysis of specific care groups.\r\nThe strategic commissioning plan sets out how partnerships will plan and deliver services for their area over the medium term, using the integrated budgets under their control. Stakeholders must be fully engaged in the preparation, publication and review of the strategic commissioning plan, in order to establish a meaningful co-productive approach, to enable Integration Authorities to deliver the national outcomes for health and wellbeing, and achieve the core aims of integration.\r\nFor local alcohol services, it is for individual Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, featuring appropriate representation from a range of partners including; NHS Boards, local authorities and Third Sector organisations, to ensure that person-centred prevention, support and recovery services are provided to meet the needs of their resident populations (including those of Veterans).\r\nThe Scottish Government introduced a target for alcohol (and drug) treatment waiting times in 2011, to ensure clients (including veterans) received faster access to treatment. Through this target we expect that 90% of people to receive access to appropriate alcohol and/ or drug treatment within 3 weeks of referral to support their recovery. The most recent statistics, published on 27 September 2016, indicate that in April-June 2016 for alcohol treatment, 95.6% of 7,068 people waited 3 weeks or less between April-June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318109,"EventID":"S5W-04133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:37:10.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what conditions apply to veterans in terms of receiving priority NHS treatment.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government policy on priority treatment for veterans is defined in the Chief Executive Letter (CEL) 8 (2008), which you can find at the following link: http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2008_08.pdf.\r\nThis letter, sent to NHS Board Chief Executives for action, states that all veterans should receive priority treatment for health problems as a result of service to their country unless there is an emergency case or another case that demands clinical priority. The letter also makes it clear that veterans should not be given priority treatment for conditions unrelated to their service in the armed forces. In addition, the CEL notes the extension of the provision of priority treatment to all veterans with health problems as a result of service to their country (and subject to the clinical needs of all patients), even when they are not in receipt of a war pension.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318110,"EventID":"S5W-04138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:37:12.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T11:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether police officers should be allowed to vote for the chair of the Scottish Police Federation.","AnswerText":"The process for electing the chair of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) is a matter for that organisation. The chair, and all other members of the joint central committee, are elected in accordance with the internal rules of the SPF.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318111,"EventID":"S5W-04140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:37:14.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what mechanism is in place to ensure that mid-market rent landlords respond to Office for National Statistics data showing a fall in private rental prices in the 12 months to September 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government wishes to ensure that mid-market rent levels remain affordable to households on low to modest incomes. Landlords which have received Scottish Government support in recent years – whether in the form of grant funding, loan finance or financial guarantees – are not permitted to set rents above the mid-point of local private sector rent levels, which are generally based on Broad Rental Market Area data collected and published by the Scottish Government. These landlords will therefore be obliged to take account of any recent fluctuations in private rental prices when setting rents for the next year.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318112,"EventID":"S5W-04109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:37:16.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to work with community groups and charities to encourage people affected by (a) forced marriage and (b) domestic abuse to seek help and advice.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government works collaboratively with a range of third sector and community based organisations who provide support and advice to people affected by domestic abuse and or forced marriage. Along with our partners in the Scottish Government facilitated forced marriage network, we have developed and distributed a range of printed and web based information and awareness raising materials which include information and contact details for a range of support organisations. All materials are available in English and in community languages. This ensures that those affected are aware of and understand the protection available and are able to access advice and support as required.\r\nThe Scottish Government also funds the Scottish Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage helpline, over £350K for 2016-2017, which is available 24 hours a day to anyone affected by forced marriage or domestic abuse. In October 2016, the Scottish Government announced an extra £665K to expand advice and support services for victims of gender based violence, through the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318113,"EventID":"S5W-04111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:37:20.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of the UK’s decision to leave the EU on Erasmus+ funding for Scotland’s young people.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s participation in Erasmus+, the EU’s 2014-2020 Education, Training, Youth and Sport Programme, is in line with our aims to promote Scotland as a learning nation and to increase student and staff mobility, and brings strong educational, employability, cultural and economic benefits. Erasmus+ also enables students from Scotland to access commercial loans on favourable terms in order to study postgraduate courses in other member states. Scotland’s preference would be to continue full participation.\r\nErasmus+ 2014-2020 is delivered by the British Council with Ecorys under contract to the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) with and on behalf of the four nations of the UK. The Scottish Government has received assurances that the EU Referendum result has no immediate effect on learners, staff or volunteers from Scotland currently abroad under the Erasmus+ scheme or anyone applying for 2016-17. Payments will be made in the usual way. The Scottish Government continues to seek assurances covering the medium and longer term.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s starting point is to protect our relationship with, and place in, the European Union. The Scottish Government will publish proposals over the coming weeks that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU, even if the rest of the UK is intending to leave.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318114,"EventID":"S5W-04128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:37:23.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote a better understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to help improve the assessment of veterans.","AnswerText":"Health and social care professional are well placed to deliver care and support and promote a better understanding of PTSD to help improve the assessment of veterans.\r\nThe Scottish Government funds the provision of specialist mental health services for veterans resident in Scotland at £1.2m per year, through arrangements with Combat Stress and NHS Scotland. This includes delivery of an intensive PTSD treatment programme at the Combat Stress facility in Ayr. In delivering effective interventions that meet the needs of veterans, the service ensures Veterans have access to a range of information to allow them to progress effectively along the recovery pathway.\r\nThe Veterans First Point Scotland Network which provides a range of drop in and other services across the Country for Veterans, no matter what their need may be also works using peer support to provide access to information and to promote better a understanding of the issues affecting veterans to help them and their families maximise their opportunities. \r\nThe Scottish Government is also working with it's partners to increase access to psychological therapies as an evidence based treatment for a range of mental health conditions, including PTSD. With NHS Education for Scotland, we have published the Matrix guide to planning and delivering evidence-based Psychological Therapies within NHS Boards in Scotland. It provides a summary of the information on the current evidence base for various therapeutic approaches, guidance on well functioning psychological therapies services, and advice on important governance issues. This includes the evidence base for the prevention and treatment of PTSD.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318115,"EventID":"S5W-04143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-28T15:37:24.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many native Gaelic speakers there are in (a) Ayrshire and Arran, (b) the Scottish Borders, (c) Dumfries and Galloway and (d) the rest of Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The information can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/documents/analytical_reports/Report_%20part_1.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318121,"EventID":"S5T-00143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T13:03:55.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the introduction of an injecting facility for drug users in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318122,"EventID":"S5T-00146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T13:03:58.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will take following the recent report on the performance of the Borders Railway.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318123,"EventID":"S5T-00150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T13:04:05.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to address the financial deficit that is reported to be facing 16 out of 20 colleges in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318124,"EventID":"S5F-00400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T13:02:28.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-30T20:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318125,"EventID":"S5F-00407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T13:02:36.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318126,"EventID":"S5F-00411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T13:02:41.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the new living wage rate.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318127,"EventID":"S5F-00415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T13:02:53.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318128,"EventID":"S5F-00424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T13:03:09.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister, further to ScotRail being fined £483,000 for failing to meet performance standards, when services will improve.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318129,"EventID":"S5F-00429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5809,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T13:03:16.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the University of Strathclyde paper, Brexit and the Scottish Financial Services Sector. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318130,"EventID":"S5F-00430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5598,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":139,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T13:03:17.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what analysis the Scottish Government has conducted into the contribution that migrants make to Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318131,"EventID":"S5W-04157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:13:56.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many bidders are being considered by Rio Tinto to buy some or all of the company’s Highland estate and assets and whether it has information regarding what the status is of any talks between the company and the bidders.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and Rio Tinto’s Lochaber workforce were informed on 21 October 2016 that as an outcome of the strategic review the Rio Tinto Board had agreed to consider a sale of its Lochaber assets and that discussions with a potential buyer would begin.\r\nThe Government understands that a sale of the assets is not automatic and confidential commercial negotiations are on-going.\r\nWhile the commercial process continues all parties are bound to respect strict boundaries of commercial confidentiality.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318132,"EventID":"S5W-04171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:13:59.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken since October 2014 to establish a public sector operator of last resort for ScotRail passenger services.","AnswerText":"As part of our routine contingency planning, Scottish Ministers have shelf companies ready to fulfil the role of operator in the event of an Operator of Last Resort. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318133,"EventID":"S5W-04182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:00.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-29T08:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will recruit the 2,000 volunteers to advise it on the new Scottish social security system.","AnswerText":"Social security Experience Panels will ensure that those in receipt of the benefits to be devolved are involved in designing the social security system in a meaningful way. People with recent experience of receiving these benefits will be recruited to the panels in two ways – by direct invitation mailed to a representative sample of current benefit recipients and by an open invitation, publicly asking for volunteers. \r\nAn accessible recruitment, including alternative formats, will be launched after the New Year. In advance of recruitment launching, those interested in taking part can email the Scottish Government researchers who are setting up the panels at socialsecurityexperience@gov.scot. Those interested will be re-contacted with more information about how to get involved when recruitment begins.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318134,"EventID":"S5W-04153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:02.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage more lenders to support the Help to Buy (Scotland) Affordable New Build Scheme and other shared equity schemes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government meets regularly with our scheme partner the Council of Mortgage Lenders to consider a number of issues related to the Help to Buy (Scotland) schemes, including encouraging new lenders to participate in the scheme and provision of mortgage products. We would encourage any lender considering offering products to do so. \r\nOfficials have also met directly with lenders, including new market entrants, during the scheme's operation and are willing to meet any prospective lender with an interest in providing support or mortgages for shared equity homes.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318135,"EventID":"S5W-04185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:03.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the Texas Instruments Taskforce that has been established by Inverclyde Council and whether the Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy will attend the meeting of the taskforce on 7 November 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to working as a key partner in the Texas Instruments Taskforce. Close partnership working with all partners is essential to ensuring successful outcomes. Through our enterprise agency, Scottish Enterprise, we are working with the company at a local and corporate level to identify potential investment opportunities; to support development opportunities; and also developing a potential project with the company to reduce energy consumption. Through our skills agency, Skills Development Scotland, we will support individuals affected by the proposals to close the plant as part of the PACE response and to date 250 individuals have attended PACE events. \r\nI attended the meeting of the Texas Instruments Taskforce on 5 September and was very struck by the positive tone of the meeting with everyone working together to secure the best possible future for the site and am aware of a number of interested parties that are exploring potential to acquire the site and Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International stand ready to support any investment in the plant. I was not able to attend the meeting on 7 November, due to a prior commitment, but was represented by senior officials.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318136,"EventID":"S5W-04217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:04.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether candidates for the 2017 elections to the Crofting Commission will be asked to complete an enhanced disclosure check.","AnswerText":"Neither the existing Crofting Commission (Elections) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 or the draft Crofting Commission (Elections) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2016, which are currently laid before Parliament, require disclosure checks to be undertaken on candidates.\r\nRegulation 10(1)(e) of the principal 2011 Regulations does however provide that a person is disqualified from standing as a candidate where that person has been convicted of a criminal offence in the period of 5 years preceding the day on which the election notice is published, in relation to which the candidate has been sentenced to imprisonment for a period of 3 months or more.\r\nFurthermore, regulation 60(2) and (3) provide that it is an offence for a person to make a false statement in any document giving consent to nomination that to the best of his or her knowledge and belief he or she is not disqualified for being elected.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318137,"EventID":"S5W-04172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:07.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland remained the operator of last resort for passenger rail services when the current ScotRail franchise agreement started.","AnswerText":"Yes. Scottish Ministers are the relevant franchising authority for the rail passenger services provided under the ScotRail Franchise Agreement. If that agreement ended without a further franchise agreement having been entered into, Scottish Ministers would be under a duty to provide or secure the provision of those services. That duty, is set out in section 30 of the UK Government Railways Act 1993.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318138,"EventID":"S5W-04174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:09.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the Rail Delivery Group, and what aspects of passenger rail operations were discussed.","AnswerText":"Regular meetings take place between Scottish Government officials and the Rail Delivery Group. These include four-weekly meetings to discuss regulatory issues relating to the Office of Rail and Road’s 2018 Periodic Review progress - the last of these meetings was on 10 October 2016. The Scottish Government has representation on a number of Rail Delivery Group working groups and also meets with the Rail Delivery Group executive team as appropriate. These engagements cover a broad range of regulatory, rail passenger, and rail freight related topics.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318139,"EventID":"S5W-04154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:11.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which (a) ministers and (b) officials have attended the meetings of the Regional Economic Development Joint Working Group set up by Rio Tinto to examine economic development opportunities in the Fort William area; whether it has been given sight of the group’s minutes; when the group last met, and what information it has regarding whether the group is providing input into the company’s review of its Highland estate and assets.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, through is agencies Highlands and Island Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland, has been represented at the meetings of the Regional Economic Development Joint Working Group set up by Rio Tinto, to examine economic development opportunities in the Fort William area. Minutes of the meetings are shared with members of the Joint Working Group, the group last met on the 6 September 2016 and is due to meet again on the 6 December.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318140,"EventID":"S5W-04158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:13.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity last spoke with officials of Rio Tinto regarding the sale of some or all of the company’s Highland estate and assets.","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity met with senior representatives of Rio Tinto regarding the company’s Lochaber strategic review on 4 October 2016. Subsequently on 21 October, Rio Tinto announced to its Lochaber workforce that the company’s Board had agreed to consider a sale of its Lochaber assets.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318141,"EventID":"S5W-04181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:16.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many classes have had both national 4 and 5 students in each of the last five years, broken down by the average number of students in each year group.","AnswerText":"We do not collect data on classes in secondary schools so this information is not available.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318142,"EventID":"S5W-04188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:17.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it did not agree to the Labour Party amendment to introduce the living wage for contracted workers involved in public escort contracts when drafting the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"The amendment sought to impose a requirement on contractors to pay the Scottish Living Wage under public contracts. As we explained at the time, the amendment was not compatible with our obligations under EU law. The European Commission has confirmed in writing that any requirement on contractors, as part of a public procurement process or public contract, to pay their employees a living wage set at a higher rate than the UK’s National Minimum Wage is unlikely to be compatible with EU law. \r\nThe Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 took every opportunity to tackle Living Wage through procurement. Under powers provided for by the Act we published statutory guidance on “Addressing Fair Work Practices, including the Living Wage” in October 2015 and public bodies’ procurement strategies must include a statement of their general policy on the payment of the Living Wage to those involved in delivering public contracts.\r\nSo we are using the limited powers we currently have to full effect, and as a result, Scotland has the highest proportion of employees - around 80% - paid the Living Wage of all the four countries of the UK.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318143,"EventID":"S5W-04170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:19.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01092 by Humza Yousaf on 21 July 2016, in what year of the franchise agreement the break clause cn be activated and what period of notice must be given to the (a) franchisee and (b) potential bidders before activating it.","AnswerText":"No later than 6 months prior to the fifth anniversary of the contract (by 30 September 2019), either party (i.e. ScotRail or Scottish Ministers) can serve a formal notice stating their intention to not continue the contract beyond the 7th anniversary of the contract (31 March 2022).\r\nUnder the terms of the Franchise Agreement, there is no period of notice stated in relation to any potential bidders for a future franchise.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318144,"EventID":"S5W-04184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:20.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has sent observers to the 68th Session of the Nordic Council and what plans it has to engage with the council at future sessions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have observer status, though we remain committed to deepening links with those countries represented at the Nordic Council, as outlined in our Nordic Baltic Policy Statement, and will continue to engage with those nations to strengthen diplomatic relations and promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest.\r\nLast month the First Minister visited Reykjavik for the Arctic Circle Assembly where she met representatives of the Icelandic and Finnish Governments to discuss existing links and explore opportunities for future collaboration. Scottish Ministers have also had regular contact with Ambassadors of the Nordic countries based in London, most recently on 8 November when the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs met with the Ambassador to Denmark.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318145,"EventID":"S5W-04269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:22.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it would consider amending the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 so that Kemnay would be considered a Potentially Vulnerable Area (PVA) before the 2019 review. ","AnswerText":"There are no plans to amend the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. The Act created a new framework for the assessment and management of flood risk to reduce the risk of flooding from all sources, as far as is reasonable, taking full account of environmental, economic and social priorities. As part of this new approach, the Act requires SEPA to carry out a National Flood Risk Assessment (NFRA) every 6 years, and from this identify Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs) where a significant flood risk exists. The decision not to include Kemnay as a PVA was taken by SEPA based on the best evidence available at that time, including flood maps, historical flood data held for the area, and public consultation. \r\nSEPA is now starting the process for reviewing the NFRA and the designation of PVAs as part of the next cycle of flood risk management planning and will be considering new evidence and information. It should be noted that whilst the PVAs are the primary focus for flood risk management actions by public authorities, areas outwith them can also be subject to flood assessment and management at the discretion of the local authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318146,"EventID":"S5W-04159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:23.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who it has met from Rio Tinto in connection with the sale of some or all of the company’s Highland estate and assets, and whether it has offered the company (a) financial and (b) other support.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has met with a range of representatives of Rio Tinto, both from the Lochaber business (Rio Tinto Alcan) and from the parent company. In discussions with Rio Tinto the Government has signalled its willingness to explore options of assistance in the maintenance and creation of employment in Lochaber in the context of promoting sustainable economic growth.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318147,"EventID":"S5W-04176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:26.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01092 by Humza Yousaf on 21 July 2016, what stage it has breached with the preparatory work and whether it will publish regular updates on the progress of this.","AnswerText":"Officials are currently determining the steps required to ensure a public sector body can bid for future Scottish rail franchises. The Scottish Government will not be providing a running commentary on the progress of this work but will provide updates where appropriate. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318148,"EventID":"S5W-04178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:27.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01092 by Humza Yousaf on 21 July 2016, whether it has established a subsidiary company to make a public sector bid.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04176 on 14 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318149,"EventID":"S5W-04278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:28.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its response to Lord Gill's recommendations in the Scottish Civil Courts Review for a multi-party action procedure.","AnswerText":"The First Minister announced in the Scottish Government's Programme for Government, in September 2016, that the Expenses and Funding of Civil Litigation Bill will be introduced in this Parliamentary year. The Bill will include provisions to allow for the introduction of a multi-party action procedure in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318150,"EventID":"S5W-04162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:30","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Rio Tinto has provided it with information regarding its consultation with (a) stakeholders of and (b) staff at Kinlochleven power station.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) have maintained dialogue with Rio Tinto throughout the Lochaber strategic review and continue to engage with a range of stakeholders and staff representatives, including the Joint Working Group which last met on 06 September 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318151,"EventID":"S5W-04175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:32.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which Abellio representatives are on the Rail Delivery Group.","AnswerText":"Details of the Rail Delivery Group’s Board and Members are available on the Rail Delivery Group’s website: http://www.raildeliverygroup.com","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318152,"EventID":"S5W-04177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:34.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01092 by Humza Yousaf on 21 July 2016, whether it will consult the public regarding the preparatory work on the public sector bid that it is conducting.","AnswerText":"A decision has not yet been made regarding the extent and scope of any public consultation on the work.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318153,"EventID":"S5W-04179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:35.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01092 by Humza Yousaf on 21 July 2016, whether Transport Scotland will assess all bids for the franchise if there is a public sector bid.","AnswerText":"The legislation, recently amended by the Scotland Act 2016, enables bids to be made by the private and the public sector for the provision of Scottish rail passenger services. The Scottish Government is legally bound to properly assess all valid bids received.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318154,"EventID":"S5W-04166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:37.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has been consulted by Rio Tinto regarding the sale of the Lochaber smelter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have maintained dialogue with Rio Tinto throughout the Lochaber strategic review with a view to securing the best outcome for the workers and local community. \r\nWe are hopeful that Lochaber smelter will be sold as a going concern and that aluminium production at Fort William, which begun in 1929, will continue for many generations to come.\r\nAll efforts of Government and our agencies are directed towards that end.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318155,"EventID":"S5W-04173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:39.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the ScotRail franchise allows Transport Scotland to recover operator of last resort costs from the franchisee, and what estimate it has made of what the cost would be of activating this.","AnswerText":"In the event of early termination of the ScotRail Franchise Agreement, a Performance Bond provision is in place designed to cover circumstances where Scottish Ministers have incurred or expect to incur additional costs in connection with early termination of the Franchise Agreement. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318156,"EventID":"S5W-04180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T15:14:41.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01092 by Humza Yousaf on 21 July 2016, whether it has sought external advice on the preparatory work that it has conducted regarding a public sector bid.","AnswerText":"I have had discussions with trade unions and other key stakeholders on plans to ensure that a public sector body can bid for future Scottish rail franchises. These discussions will continue as the work progresses.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318185,"EventID":"S5W-04145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:07.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03241 by Shona Robison on 26 October 2016, whether it will provide a breakdown of how the primary care fund budget for 2016-17 will be allocated.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's outline allocation of the 2016-17 Primary Care Fund is provided in the following table.\r\nPrimary Care Fund\r\nBudget 2016-17\r\nGeneral practice support and Clusters\r\n11.4\r\nOut of Hours Review\r\n10.0\r\nPrimary Care Transformation\r\n9.5\r\nPharmacy in General Practice\r\n6.6\r\nDigital Fund\r\n4.0\r\nGP Recruitment and Retention\r\n1.6\r\nLeadership in Integration & School of Primary Care\r\n1.0\r\nOther\r\n0.9\r\nTotal Primary Care Fund Budget\r\n45.0 \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318186,"EventID":"S5W-04343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:08.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Natural Heritage review of gamebird hunting will include recommendations on next steps for introducing a system of licensing for gamebird hunting. ","AnswerText":"Recommendations were not sought from the authors of the report. The remit was to conduct desk-based research to study licensing and game bird hunting legislation in countries that were comparable to Scotland in terms of huntable species and traditions.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318187,"EventID":"S5W-04345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:09.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the 18 marine protected areas that the Programme for Government states will be designated by the end of 2017.","AnswerText":"Three of these sites have already been designated. The Inner Hebrides and Minches Special Area of Conservation, the Iona I Historic Marine Protected Area, and the Fair Isle Demonstration and Research Marine Protected Area. The other fifteen are the proposed Special Protection Areas which are presently subject to public consultation and analysis processes. A decision on whether these sites meet the scientific criteria for designation will be taken in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318188,"EventID":"S5W-04148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:11.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03243 by Shona Robison on 26 October 2016, what percentage of NHS funding will be spent on general practice in each of the next five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to increasing spending on primary care services to 11% of the frontline NHS budget by 2021-22. The breakdown of spending on General Practice (Primary Medical Services) for 2017-18 and subsequent years will be agreed as part of the Spending Review and Budget Bill processes for those years, which will be subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318189,"EventID":"S5W-04305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:12.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that access to physical activity is available to all, irrespective of background or personal circumstance.","AnswerText":"Our vision is of a Scotland where more people are more active, more often. The Active Scotland Outcomes Framework sets out our ambitions for a more active Scotland, and is underpinned by our commitment to equality in everything we do. \r\nA range of actions are in place to support participation in physical activity by all of the people of Scotland. These include:\r\nThe National Walking Strategy Action Plan which was launched by our partner, Paths for All, on 3 March 2016. Walking is particularly important in our approach to getting more people more active, more often, as it can be done by anyone, anywhere. The 2015 Scottish Household Survey showed an increase of 5 percentage points from the previous year (64% to 69%) in the number of people walking recreationally;\r\na commitment of over £137 million in active travel since 2011, with a further commitment of £38.3 million in 2016-17;\r\na massive investment in school sport which has seen an increase in children doing two hours or periods of P.E. a week from less than 10% in 2004/5 to 98% in 2016. This is backed up by £50 million invested in Active Schools between 2015-19 to increase the number of opportunities available to children to participate in sport and physical activity, before school, during lunch, and after school;\r\nsupporting Scotland to become the first ‘Daily Mile Nation’, building on the success seen in primary schools to encourage physical activity in other educational institutions and workplaces;\r\nproviding more and better places to be active, including investing in Community Sport Hubs. To date, a total of 155 Community Sport Hubs are in place, with 45 more to come by 2020.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318190,"EventID":"S5W-04341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:13.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on inviting the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee to consider the Scottish Natural Heritage review of gamebird hunting and its implications for helping to develop more sustainable and better regulated systems of gamebird hunting and reduce wildlife crime, and to consider conducting an inquiry into how such a system might operate.","AnswerText":"The report of the desk-based review of game bird hunting in selected other countries will be considered by the Scottish Government when it is formally submitted by Scottish Natural Heritage. Any decisions on next steps will be taken in the light of that consideration. It is a matter for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee to decide whether to consider the report of the review as part of its programme of work.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318191,"EventID":"S5W-04146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:14.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 15 October 2016, Increased investment in primary care, whether it will provide a breakdown of how much money will be allocated each year and what this will be spent on.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to increasing spending on primary care services to 11% of the frontline NHS budget by 2021-22. The breakdown of spending on primary care services for 2017-18 and subsequent years will be agreed as part of the Spending Review and Budget Bill processes for those years, which will be subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318192,"EventID":"S5W-04350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:15.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00255 by Angela Constance on 26 October 2016, what consideration it has made of the request from Energy Action Scotland for ministers to reset the target to eliminate fuel poverty.","AnswerText":"It is important that we do not rush into setting a new target before developing a strategy that takes account of the findings of the reports by the Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group and Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force published on 24 October 2016.\r\nOver 100 recommendations were made, many of which are complex and have wider implications that must be considered alongside other policies. The Housing Minister will be attending the next meeting of the Fuel Poverty Forum on 15 December to discuss the issues in more detail. \r\nWe will work closely with the Fuel Poverty Forum to take forward the recommendations from these reports, which are the first step in the development of our new fuel poverty strategy and will inform our approach to tackling fuel poverty and improving the energy efficiency of people’s homes wherever they live in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318193,"EventID":"S5W-04104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:16.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T12:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03324 by Fergus Ewing on 27 October 2016, whether it would implement the policies outlined in paragraphs three and four if agricultural subsidy rules were its responsibility.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been calling for full engagement with the UK Government on the EU exit negotiations and process. Agriculture is fully devolved and we must retain our powers to manage it appropriately and set future policy. How we organise agricultural subsidies in a post-EU scenario will then depend very much on the type of deal the UK Government reaches with the EU, compliance with World Trade Organisation rules and consultation with our stakeholders. For the moment, however, we are already using the flexibilities we have within the current EU CAP rules to help address slipper farming.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318194,"EventID":"S5W-04338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:18.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish in full the report by Dr Brian Montgomery into the work of the Scottish Medicines Consortium; when it will announce the outcomes of the review, and whether it will implement in full the recommendations.","AnswerText":"I have received Dr Montgomery’s independent review into Access to New Medicines and am currently considering his recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318195,"EventID":"S5W-04342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:19.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Natural Heritage review of gamebird licensing systems in other European countries will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government commissioned Scottish Natural Heritage to carry out a review of game bird hunting in selected other countries. This is currently being finalised for submission to Scottish Ministers and we anticipate that it will be published shortly.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318196,"EventID":"S5W-04150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:21.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 15 October 2016, Increased investment in primary care, what areas of treatment it defines as primary care.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to increasing spending on primary care services to 11% of the frontline NHS budget by 2021-22. The increased investment in primary care will support the development of a multi-disciplinary approach to primary care, with increased staffing as well as investment in GP services and health centres. It reflects the Scottish Government’s commitment to shift the balance of care away from hospitals and towards primary and community settings. \r\nPrimary Care is wider than GPs and covers the wider primary care team. Examples of wider primary care services include home visits by district nurses or community link workers.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318197,"EventID":"S5W-04149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:22.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-28T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 15 October 2016, Increased investment in primary care, whether it will provide a breakdown of how it will increase spending on primary care services each year until this reaches 11% of the frontline NHS budget.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to increasing spending on primary care services to 11% of the frontline NHS budget by 2021-22. The breakdown of spending on primary care services for 2017-18 and subsequent years will be agreed as part of the Spending Review and Budget Bill processes for those years, which will be subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318198,"EventID":"S5W-04347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:23.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T14:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to re-advertise the post of chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), what the period of appointment will be and whether an HIE board will be constituted.","AnswerText":"Following the announcement of an Enterprise and Skills Review by the First Minister on 25 May 2016 Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) appointed an interim Chief Executive. This followed the departure of Alex Paterson and was agreed pending the outcome of the review. The interim Chief Executive was appointed on 26 August. \r\nThe phase 1 report of the Enterprise and Skills review published on 25 October confirmed that we will maintain dedicated support which is locally based, managed and directed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. We are engaging with Highlands and Islands Enterprise to agree the appropriate time to commence recruitment and the approach to the recruitment process. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318199,"EventID":"S5W-04295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:25.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in its bid for the ScotRail franchise, by what date Abellio indicated that it would introduce refurbished IC125 trains on inter-city rail routes in Scotland; whether that date is expected to be met and, if not, by what date the trains will be in service and whether a financial penalty would be applied to Abellio if it did not improve services in the event of a delay in introducing improved trains.","AnswerText":"All of the information related to Abellio’s commitments to introduce new and refurbished rolling stock is within the Franchise Agreement, Schedule 1.6, Part 1. This is the formal contract between Scottish Ministers and ScotRail and has been available since 20 February 2016 on the Transport Scotland website.\r\nOn potential penalties I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24870 on 23 March 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318200,"EventID":"S5W-04344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:27.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the process for reassessing existing data for the previous Harbour Porpoise Special Areas of Conservation in the Outer Moray Firth and Celtic Sea will be initiated and under what timeframe re-analysis and consultation will occur.","AnswerText":"There are no current plans for re-analysis of existing data for these specific locations. Neither of these locations met the scientific criteria for designation under the EU Habitats Directive which is why they were not taken forward.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318201,"EventID":"S5W-04346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-10-31T17:11:28.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date nature conservation marine protected areas for (a) the Sea of Hebrides, (b) North East Lewis, (c) Shiant East Bank and (d) Southern Trench will be designated, and for what reason their designation has been delayed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01496 on 27 July 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318265,"EventID":"S5W-04192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:45:58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a summary report of the work undertaken by the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe, which it decided not to publish in full, and for what reason it did so.","AnswerText":"I and other Scottish Ministers have given regular updates to the Scottish Parliament on the work the Scottish Government is undertaking in response to the result of the EU referendum.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318266,"EventID":"S5W-04194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:03.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe has commissioned.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently undertaking an extensive analysis to understand the potential implications of the UK exiting the EU, and the impact on Scotland. In all its work the Scottish Government is exploring ways to protect Scotland’s national interests. This work draws on evidence from a wide range of sources, including in-house analysis, stakeholder feedback, and advice from the Standing Council on Europe. Some of this analysis has been published in the reports I referred to in answer to question S5W-04193 on 15 November 2016. The First Minister has also announced that proposals for maintaining membership of the Single Market for Scotland, even if the rest of the UK leaves, will be published in the next few weeks. \r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318267,"EventID":"S5W-04226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:05.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested to increase the number of health visitor posts in each year since 2014-15, and how much will be invested in 2017-18. ","AnswerText":"Funding of £2 million was allocated in 2014-15 and £6.8 million in 2015-16. Further funding was included in the Outcomes Framework funding that was issued to Health Boards for 2016-17. Our planned funding levels should allow us to meet the manifesto commitment by 2018 but the final 2017-18 budget value is subject to the Spending Review and will be published in the 2017-18 Draft Budget on 15 December 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318268,"EventID":"S5W-04228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:07.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will begin providing the Best Start Grant. ","AnswerText":"The timescales for delivering the Best Start Grant and the other social security benefits that are being devolved are yet to be finalised. Our consultation on the future of social security closed last week and we will use this and the information gathered from the many events we held, to help inform our decisions.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318269,"EventID":"S5W-04260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:08.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will meet financial penalties imposed by the EU for not spending Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) funds if guarantees for that funding are not forthcoming at the end of the year.","AnswerText":"The UK Government has recently revised its position on EU funding guarantees to cover in full the payment of all EU funding contracts for SRDP projects that are entered into before the UK proposes to leave the EU. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution has confirmed that these guarantees will be passed on in full to Scottish stakeholders to provide stability and certainty for the rural economy.\r\nThe UK Government’s position on EU Funding Guarantees demonstrates in the starkest possible terms that there are absolutely no guarantees or clarity on what will replace current European Union funding streams after the date that the UK proposes to leave the EU. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318270,"EventID":"S5W-04262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:11.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide for farming after 2020, in light of the UK's decision to leave the EU.","AnswerText":"Our vision for the future is an agriculture industry in Scotland that is innovative, profitable, sustainable and supporting economic growth. We will work closely with industry to develop the next steps to help realise that vision, and this will help inform our deliberations on what future support measures may be appropriate for the industry. The Scottish Government will negotiate with the UK Government to ensure that future support for agriculture and rural development is allocated on a fair and equitable basis across the UK.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318271,"EventID":"S5W-04219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:13.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it began preparing its proposals for allowing Scotland to stay in the single market.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government began preparing its proposals for protecting Scotland’s interest and to stay in the single market immediately after the EU Referendum vote. This is being informed by the Standing Council on Europe, which was established by the First Minister to provide the Scottish Government with independent, expert advice on how Scotland’s interests can best be protected following the EU referendum. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318272,"EventID":"S5W-04220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:16.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans it is preparing in the event that the UK leaves the single market.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is exploring all options and will table specific proposals in the coming weeks to protect Scotland’s interests and keep us in the Single Market, even if the rest of the UK decides to leave.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318273,"EventID":"S5W-04270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:19.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland would continue to have access to Europol's data and resources if the UK Government opted out of a new European policing co-operation framework.","AnswerText":"No. Should the UK Government take the decision not to opt in to Regulation (EU) 2016/974 of the European Parliament and of the Council, the UK's membership of Europol would cease from 1 May 2017. At that point Police Scotland would no longer be able to benefit from the significant support and resources available through Europol membership which could impact on ongoing live operations.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318274,"EventID":"S5W-04319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:21.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of employees in the food and drink sector in Scotland are (a) UK citizens, (b) EU citizens and (c) from elsewhere. ","AnswerText":"We estimate that there are 116,000 people employed in the food and drink sector in Scotland. By applying ONS estimates which determine that approximately 30% of the wider UK food and drink sector are other EU citizens then we estimate that a figure of around 35,000 of those are other EU Citizens working in the sector. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318275,"EventID":"S5W-04320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:27.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what immigration advice it has provided since the EU referendum result to people from the rest of the EU who are resident in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not provide immigration advice. Immigration advice is available from immigration advisers regulated by and under the supervision of the immigration advice regulator (OISC). A list of registered immigration advisors registered with the OISC on their website: http://home.oisc.gov.uk/adviser_finder/finder.aspx. Immigration guidance and support is available from Scottish Enterprise (since April 2013) through the TalentScotland project funded by the Scottish Government. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318276,"EventID":"S5W-04334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:30.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether mutual recognition of medical qualifications across the EU will continue post-Brexit.","AnswerText":"Parity of professional qualifications underpins the system of mutual recognition that currently facilitates professional mobility between EU Member States. The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2016 were laid by the Department of Health with my agreement on 28 October and will come into force on 18 November. This will transpose into UK law the updated health and social care provisions of the EU Directive on Recognition of Professional Qualifications, maintaining minimum standards for professional qualifications eligible for automatic recognition. \r\nWe are facing many uncertainties but, given the recent UK legislation, it is my understanding that the current mutual recognition arrangements will remain unchanged until the EU Directive is amended significantly or its provisions are specifically removed from the UK statute books. However, I recognise fully the understandable anxiety among doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, as well as other health and social care staff who have come to work here from other parts of the European Economic Area. To this end, I wrote on 13 September to Philip Dunne, Minister of State for Health, urging him to examine every possible option for maintaining an effective system for mutual recognition of professional qualifications going forward, whatever the outcome of negotiations.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318277,"EventID":"S5W-04056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:34.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its latest estimate is of the cost of improvement works to Ardrossan Harbour to accommodate new ferries on the Ardrossan-Brodick route operated by CalMac Ferries.","AnswerText":"As the scope of any works to be carried out at Ardrossan has not yet been determined no estimate has been made by Scottish Government.\r\nI have asked Transport Scotland to commission a STAG-style study to assess the options for the mainland port for the Arran service. \r\nThis study will look at potential work to improve Ardrossan Harbour, as well as the proposal from Associated British Ports to use an upgraded facility at Troon.\r\nWe will engage closely with all relevant stakeholders in analysing the various berthing options on the mainland as well as wider socio-economic factors. I will travel to Arran to speak to the local community and hear their views on the service. I will also meet with both local councils and representatives of the local communities in Ayrshire, as well as Peel Ports and Associated British Ports.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318278,"EventID":"S5W-04190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:36.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial resource will be allocated to the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe for 2016-17 to support his work.","AnswerText":"The Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe for 2016-17 does not have a specific budget allocated to him. However, the Scottish Government Europe and External Affairs budget supports the promotion of Scotland as well as its interests and identity at home and abroad. Further details on this budget can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/9056/15.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318279,"EventID":"S5W-04222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:39.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the impact of tuition fees on people from disadvantaged backgrounds being able to enter university.","AnswerText":"Our consideration of relevant statistical information indicates that there has been clear progress on access since the reintroduction of free tuition in 2008. In 2014-15 14.0% of Scottish domiciled, full-time first degree entrants to Scottish universities were from the 20% most deprived areas, up from 11.3% in 2008/09.\r\nWe recognise there is more to do. That is why we have accepted the recommendations of the Commission on Widening Access, including the target that, by 2030, students from the 20% most deprived communities should represent 20% of entrants to University.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318280,"EventID":"S5W-04224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:40.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what projection it made in 2012-13 of the (a) mean, (b) median and (c) total student debt for each year from 2012-13 to 2017-18; how this compares with the actual figures for each year up to 2015-16, and what projection it has made for each of the next five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not make student debt projections.\r\nHowever, the Student Loans Company publishes data on total student debt and average student debt:\r\nhttp://www.slc.co.uk/official-statistics/student-loans-debt-and-repayment/scotland.aspx\r\nTable 1: Total amount owed by borrowers who received loans as Scottish domiciled students studying in the UK, or as EU domiciled students studying in Scotland\r\nAmount of Loan Balance in £ millions\r\nAs at end of tax year\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nAll ICR borrowers with a Loan Balance\r\n2,314.6\r\n2,519.5\r\n2,809.7\r\nSource: Student Loans Company\r\nTable 2: Average Loan Balance for borrowers who received loans as Scottish domiciled students studying in the UK, or as EU domiciled students studying in Scotland\r\nAverage Loan Balance in £\r\nAs at end of tax year\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nAll ICR borrowers with a Loan Balance\r\n7,230.0\r\n7,460.0\r\n7,870.0\r\nSource: Student Loans Company","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318281,"EventID":"S5W-04256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:42.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has regarding future arrangements for managing Scotland's fishing resources after Brexit.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has devolved responsibility for fisheries management and will continue to do so in the event that we leave the European Union. We will continue to work closely with the fishing industry and other stakeholders to ensure that resources are harvested sustainably and that the fishing industry and associated communities are able to thrive in the long-term. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318282,"EventID":"S5W-04258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:47.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding access for EU fleets to Scottish fishing waters.","AnswerText":"Under the current Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) the principle of equal access is applied, whereby all vessels registered in the EU fishing fleet register have equal access to all EU waters managed under the CFP. There are some exceptions to this, predominantly that national waters out to 12 nautical miles can be limited to vessels from that country, and those with pre-existing historical rights. Currently there 12 non Scottish nations who fish in Scottish waters, being Spain, France, Germany, Netherlands, Faroes, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Polish, Belgium, Ireland, and other UK (Northern Irish, Welsh, English and Isle of Man)","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318283,"EventID":"S5W-04277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:49.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it procures its legal advice.","AnswerText":"Legal advice is procured via a Collaborative Framework which commenced on 1August 2015. The Scottish Government Legal Directorate (SGLD) provides the Scottish Ministers with their legal advice. In respect of legal advice which is procured, Scottish Procurement and Commercial Directorate manages the overarching Framework and SGLD manages the contracts it lets under it. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"James Wolffe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318284,"EventID":"S5W-04279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:52.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made of the impact of Brexit on family incomes.","AnswerText":"Analysis published by the Scottish Government (“Potential Implications of the UK Leaving the EU on Scotland’s Long Run Economic Performance”) on 23 August 2016 summarises the impact that leaving the EU could have on the Scottish economy.\r\nThe analysis shows that both Scottish GDP and tax revenues are likely to be lower in future years than if Scotland remained in the EU. This would reduce household prosperity and the funding available for the public services upon which households rely.\r\nAnalysis by the Fraser of Allander Institute confirms the risk of leaving the EU poses to Scottish households. Their report “Long-term Economic Implications of Brexit” estimates that after ten years, leaving the EU could result in average wages being £2,000 a year lower, and the number of jobs being 80,000 lower, than if Scotland remained in the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318285,"EventID":"S5W-04328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:54.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much EU legislation it will convert into Scots Law in advance of the UK Government's Great Repeal Bill.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04327 on 15 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318286,"EventID":"S5W-04377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:46:57.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated cost would be of terminating the time charter with Seatruck for MV Helliar and MV Hildasay before April 2018.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not charter the Seatruck vessels MV Hildasay and MV Helliar – these vessels are chartered by Serco Northlink Ferries. As such the cost of any possible termination of the time charter for the use of the MV Helliar and MV Hildasay on the Northern Isles Ferries Services are a matter for Seatruck and Serco Northlink Ferries.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318287,"EventID":"S5W-04379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:02.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the number of qualified seafarers and maritime officers that there have been in each financial year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318288,"EventID":"S5W-04394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:05.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the rates of pay for seafarers who are EU nationals on ferry services between Cairnryan and (a) Belfast and (b) Larne.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers wrote to UK Ministers on 4 November 2016, asking the UK Government to investigate the applicability of National Minimum Wage legislation in the maritime sector, specifically regarding seafarers working exclusively in UK waters. This would include sailings to and from Cairnryan.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318289,"EventID":"S5W-04055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:07.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide updated estimates for the cost of each new ferry to be provided on Clyde and Hebrides ferry services up to 2025, which are set out in the Vessel Replacement Programme in Appendix 1 of the Scottish Ferry Services - Ferries Plan (2013 - 2022).","AnswerText":"The estimated cost of a new small ferry is approximately £10m - £12m per vessel and for a new major ferry the estimated cost is approximately £45m - £50m per vessel. These reflect the prices of recently procured vessels.\r\nThe Scottish Ferry Services: Ferries Plan (2013-2022) sets out the indicative programme of vessel replacement. The Ferries Plan stated that projects would be taken forward when resources were available and funding prioritised according to need.\r\nSince the publication of the Ferries Plan the following vessels have been delivered into the Clyde and Hebrides fleet;\r\nMV Hallaig - August 2013 - £11.750m\r\nMV Lochinvar - May 2014 - £11.750m\r\nMV Loch Seaforth - November 2014 - £42m\r\nMV Catriona - September 2016 - £12.3m\r\nIn addition, two large vessels are currently under construction by Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd in Port Glasgow for delivery in 2018.\r\nBuilding on the Ferries Plan, a Vessel Replacement and Deployment Plan (VRDP) 2014 was published in October 2015 which considered historical and projected customer demand and the on-going provision of capacity to meet that demand. The VRDP indicates future priorities with additional vessels to replace vessels reaching the end of their working life. An updated VRDP is due to be published shortly.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318290,"EventID":"S5W-04191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:08.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a dedicated website recording the work undertaken in relation to Scotland’s place in Europe including (a) meeting notes, (b) correspondence, (c) details of ministerial meetings and (d) and other information that it deems to be publishable.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government website has a dedicated section on Europe, including information on the implications of the EU Referendum, which can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Europe. We have published information here, including the First Minister’s letter to EU citizens in Scotland and minutes of Standing Council meetings. We are currently considering how best to use this to share information about Scottish Government activity that is taking place in relation to Scotland’s place in Europe.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318291,"EventID":"S5W-04198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:11.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has commissioned a risk register considering the impact of the EU referendum result on Scotland's (a) employment, (b) value of goods and services, (c) businesses, (d) public services, (e) imports and (f) exports.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish proposals over the coming weeks that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU, even if the rest of the UK is intending to leave the single market. As part of this, the Scottish Government is considering the potential risks and implications of the UK leaving the EU across a range of sectors.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318292,"EventID":"S5W-04223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:14.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the report, Higher Education Student Support in Scotland 2015-16, whether replacing grants with loans for higher education students since 2012-13 was carried out with \"the aim of protecting free tuition”. ","AnswerText":"No. The recently published Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) statistical publication contained an inaccurate statement. We apologise for this inaccuracy and will revise the relevant entry in the report. \r\nThe reason for introducing a simplified higher education student support package in academic year 2013-14 was to increase the amount of support available to students and deliver a minimum income guarantee of £7,250 per year for students from the poorest households. We worked with stakeholders, including NUS Scotland, to achieve this, putting more money in the pockets of students to support their living costs during their period of free higher education study. The introduction of the new support package was welcomed at the time by these stakeholders.\r\nThe Scottish Government has not replaced grants with loans. Eligible students remain entitled to apply for a mixture of both. This is in contrast to the UK Government, which abolished maintenance grants entirely for new students in England from academic year 2016-17. The Scottish Government increased the maximum bursary for the poorest household to £1,875 last year and, effective from the current academic year, increased the household income threshold for award of the maximum bursary (£1,875) from £17,000 to £19,000.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318293,"EventID":"S5W-04230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:15.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the findings of the publication, A Blueprint for 2020: the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, when it will publish its findings regarding the extent of the onsite provision of early learning and childcare in higher and further education campuses.","AnswerText":"We are working with partners to explore the extent of on-site provision and will set out more information in the Scottish Government’s response to the consultation in Spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318294,"EventID":"S5W-04266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:16.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe on 27 September 2016 (Official Report, c. 8), what proposals it has developed regarding European Economic Area (EEA) membership and its potential impact on the common (a) agricultural and (b) fisheries policy.","AnswerText":"The best way to protect all our interests, including those most important to rural areas, is by protecting Scotland’s place in Europe, maintaining membership of the single market and access to the free movement of labour. \r\nThe Scottish Government is currently exploring a range of options to protect Scotland's relationship and place in the EU with all its economic and social benefits and specific proposals will be published shortly.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318295,"EventID":"S5W-04273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:19.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01163 by Fiona Hyslop on 29 July 2016, in light of the cabinet secretary's comment that \"the Scottish Government has committed to being as open and as frank as possible – with the Scottish people, as well as with the Scottish Parliament – as it explores all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU\", what information it can provide regarding the legal advice that it has (a) commissioned and (b) received regarding the Brexit process.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government receives legal advice on this and other EU matters on an on-going basis and will continue to do so as appropriate as it explores all options to protect Scotland’s interests and relationship with the EU. \r\nThe Scottish Ministerial code is clear that Ministers must not divulge either the source or content of legal advice. However, this will not undermine Scottish Government commitment to provide regular updates to the Scottish Parliament on the work undertaken in response to the result of the EU referendum.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"James Wolffe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318296,"EventID":"S5W-04280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:22.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made of the impact of Brexit on business revenues in key sectors.","AnswerText":"Analysis published by the Scottish Government (“Potential Implications of the UK Leaving the EU on Scotland’s Long Run Economic Performance”) on 23 August 2016 summarises the impact that leaving the EU could have on the Scottish economy based on a range of recent studies covering different trading relationships that the UK could adopt. \r\nThe analysis shows that the potential cost to Scottish GDP of leaving the European Union could be up to £11.2 billion per year by 2030 than under a scenario where the UK remains a member. The analysis also indicates that leaving the EU could result in a reduction in Scottish tax revenues of up to £3.7 billion a year by 2030.\r\nEvidence published by the European and External Relations Committee based on analysis by the Fraser of Allander Institute confirms the risks Brexit poses to Scotland’s economy. The Fraser of Allander Institute forecast that leaving the EU could result in the number of people in employment being up to 80,000 lower after ten years.\r\nThe Scottish Government is pursuing all options to retain our relationship with Europe, access to the single market, and all the advantages that brings.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318297,"EventID":"S5W-04316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:25.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Minister for the UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe has had with the UK Government regarding people from the rest of the EU who live in Scotland having the right to remain in the country post-Brexit.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04214 on 23 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318298,"EventID":"S5W-04323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:27.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made or plans to carry out an assessment of the viability of Scotland having a bespoke migration system and, if so, whether it will publish this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have consistently lobbied the UK Government for a flexible approach to immigration across the UK. \r\nWith an ageing population and demand for skilled workers outstripping the local workforce in some sectors, our demographic and workforce needs are different to those in the rest of the UK. Migration is key to supporting sustainable population growth and any move to limit migration, whether from within or beyond the EU, has the potential to seriously harm our economy. Growth in the working age population plays a key role in underpinning sustainable economic growth and most of Scotland’s population growth comes from inward migration.\r\nThe Scottish Government will publish proposals over the coming weeks that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU, even if the rest of the UK is intending to leave.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318299,"EventID":"S5W-04396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:30.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the rates of pay for seafarers working on all ferry services between (a) Aberdeen and the Orkney and Shetland Islands and (b) Scrabster and Stromness. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04393 on 14 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318300,"EventID":"S5W-04337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:32.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of Brexit would be on professional sport in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government greatly values the contribution that EU migrants bring to our economy and society. We also value the freedom of movement including the right to live, study and work in all EU countries and benefit from their healthcare and social security systems.\r\nIn relation to professional sport, while the impacts of Brexit are primarily for Sporting Governing Bodies and other sporting authorities to consider, we are committed to working with them on any issues that may arise. We maintain regular contact with sporting authorities on a number of issues.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318301,"EventID":"S5W-04351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:34.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the survey in the Action on Hearing Loss Scotland report, Time to raise the standards, which recorded that (a) 85% of respondents did not have an individual management plan and (b) 51% of respondents said that when they had their hearing assessed by an audiologist they were not asked how their hearing loss was affecting everyday life. ","AnswerText":"The monitoring and governance of the national audiology quality standards sits with NHS Boards. The Scottish Government is committed to improving the services, support and care available to people with hearing loss through its national strategy ‘See Hear’. Delivering person centred care and empowering people to be at the centre of their care is a strategic priority for the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318302,"EventID":"S5W-04352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:36.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03411 by Maureen Watt on 26 October 2016, what its position is on whether people with mental health problems should have the same right to refuse treatment as people with physical health conditions.","AnswerText":"Most people who use mental health services receive treatment without being subject to an order or certificate under the Mental Health (Scotland) (Care and Treatment) Act 2003. For some individuals however, compulsory treatment is used to provide the person with medical treatment to alleviate suffering and for the protection of both the person and others. Compulsory treatment is only allowed under mental health legislation in Scotland in very strict circumstances. \r\nFirstly, certain criteria must be met before an order or certificate can be granted. For a 28 day short-term detention certificate (STDC), this includes that an approved medical practitioner considers it likely that the patient has a mental disorder (as defined by the 2003 Act) and that the patient’s decision making ability is significantly impaired by their disorder and without treatment the patient could be of significant risk to their own health, safety and welfare, or to the safety of others. The patient can appeal the granting of an STDC to the independent Mental Health Tribunal. A longer term order can only be granted by the Tribunal, and the application must have the support of two doctors who agree that the criteria for the order are met.\r\nSecondly, treatment under the 2003 Act is governed by a range of safeguards. For certain treatments, including medication given for more than two months, a Designated Medical Practitioner, an experienced psychiatrist appointed by the Mental Welfare Commission, must agree to the treatment.\r\nIn addition to this, the 2003 Act is based in rights and principles and contains tools to support patients in expressing their will and preferences. The principles include that any function should be carried out for the maximum benefit of the patient, with the minimum necessary restriction on the freedom of the patient and having regard to the views of the patient and of any carer. Under the 2003 Act, any service user has the right to support from an independent advocate, the right to appoint a named person to represent their interests and the right to make an advance statement setting out how what treatment they would and would not like to receive when unwell","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318303,"EventID":"S5W-04369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:37.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will monitor the phased-in landing obligation requirements (a) overall and (b) for North Sea cod in 2017 to ensure that no illegal discarding or high grading is occurring, also broken down by the amount of (i) observer and (ii) electronic monitoring coverage it plans.","AnswerText":"In Scottish waters responsibility for ensuring compliance with the Landing Obligation (LO) rests with Marine Scotland, working with Defra and the UK’s other Devolved Administrations to ensure compliance across the UK. After an advisory period, and for the vessels for which it is responsible, Marine Scotland will seek to ensure that fishing vessels comply with LO requirements while working at sea and on landing through inspections.\r\nFishing vessels are selected for inspection at sea using a risk-based and intelligence-led approach. Any illegal discarding or high grading discovered is dealt with in line with Marine Scotland’s compliance strategy. Marine Scotland Fishery Officers have received guidance and instruction on the LO, covering both pelagic and demersal fisheries. This guidance is updated in line with regulatory changes every year, and Fishery Officers monitor fish markets and landings.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318304,"EventID":"S5W-04384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:40.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) port staff and (b) seafarers were employed by companies operating from Rosyth Port in each year since 2009-10.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318305,"EventID":"S5W-04281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:45.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made of the impact of Brexit on employment levels.","AnswerText":"Analysis published by the Scottish Government (“Potential Implications of the UK Leaving the EU on Scotland’s Long Run Economic Performance”) on 23 August 2016 summarises the impact that leaving the EU could have on the Scottish economy based on a range of recent studies covering different trading relationships that the UK could adopt. \r\nThe analysis shows that the potential cost to Scottish GDP of leaving the European Union could be up to £11.2 billion per year by 2030 than under a scenario where the UK remains a member. The analysis also indicates that leaving the EU could result in a reduction in Scottish tax revenues of up to £3.7 billion a year by 2030.\r\nEvidence published by the European and External Relations Committee based on analysis by the Fraser of Allander Institute confirms the risks Brexit poses to Scotland’s economy. The Fraser of Allander Institute forecast that leaving the EU could result in the number of people in employment being up to 80,000 lower after 10 years.\r\nThe Scottish Government is pursuing all options to retain our relationship with Europe, access to the single market, and all the advantages that brings.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318306,"EventID":"S5W-04283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:47.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many firms have indicated to it and its agencies that they are pausing or reviewing investment decisions since the Brexit vote.","AnswerText":"Our discussions with the enterprise agencies, including Scottish Development International, have indicated that the majority of companies consider it too early to gauge the specific impact of Brexit on their business or decisions to invest. In the meantime, we are working closely with the enterprise agencies, as well as public, academic and industry partners to ensure there is a strong package of support for Scottish businesses and potential overseas investors. We also continue to engage directly with businesses following the EU referendum to listen to concerns, provide reassurance and reiterate that Scotland remains open for business.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318307,"EventID":"S5W-04315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:50.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the EU regarding Scottish independence. ","AnswerText":"Since the EU referendum result, Ministers have undertaken a number of engagements with EU partners. These engagements are to ensure there is awareness of the vote in Scotland for Remain in the referendum, and to explain that the First Minister has said the government is exploring all options to protect Scotland’s interests and our relationship with, and place in, the European Union.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318308,"EventID":"S5W-04381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:53.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list all of the (a) waterborne freight and (b) freight facilities grants that have been given to Forth Ports for the development of freight services at Rosyth Port in each year since 2009-10.","AnswerText":"There have been no Scottish Government waterborne freight or freight facilities grants given to Forth Ports for the development of freight services at Rosyth Port since 2009-10. Norfolkline Shipping BV were awarded 2 million in 2009 for the movement of containers or road freight units between Rosyth and Zeebrugge. Tables of all freight grants are published on the Freight Grants webpage which can be viewed using the following link http://www.transport.gov.scot/road/freight/freight-grants","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318309,"EventID":"S5W-04383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:47:55.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its memorandum of understanding (MoU) with DFDS and Forth Ports for maritime freight services between Rosyth and Zeebrugge remains binding on all parties, and whether it will publish the MoU.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government signed an MoU with DFDS and Forth Ports to continue to work together to secure the future of the service for both those employed on the route and its many customers. The MoU remains confidential at this time as it contains commercially sensitive information.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318310,"EventID":"S5W-04330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:00.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of the impact of State Aid restrictions on its ability to intervene to support particular industries or regions (a) following the outcome of the EU referendum, (b) after Article 50 is triggered and (c) post-Brexit.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to protecting Scotland’s relationship with the EU, including state aid rules, following Scotland’s unequivocal vote to retain the wide range of economic and social benefits membership provides. We are considering all possible steps to ensure Scotland’s continuing relationship with the EU and are engaged at ministerial and official level with the UK Government to ensure the best outcome for Scotland following the EU referendum. This will help us to shape policy going forward after Article 50 is triggered and post-Brexit.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318311,"EventID":"S5W-04380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:03.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what payments it has made to operators of maritime freight services on the Rosyth-Zeebrugge route since December 2014.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government paid 200,000 in January 2015 to DFDS, in support of the company’s operation of the Rosyth-Zeebrugge freight ferry service. The Scottish Government is committed to securing the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry service on an environmentally and economically sustainable basis. We strongly believe this is in the best interests of the freight industry and businesses. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318312,"EventID":"S5W-04057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:07.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-26T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Ardrossan Harbour Taskforce will next meet, and whether it will publish the terms of reference for the taskforce’s work.","AnswerText":"No date has yet been set for the next meeting of the Ardrossan Harbour Taskforce pending the outcome of the STAG-style study currently being commissioned by Transport Scotland on the options for the mainland port for the Arran service. \r\nThis study will look at potential work to improve Ardrossan Harbour, as well as the proposal from Associated British Ports to use an upgraded facility at Troon.\r\nWe will engage closely with all relevant stakeholders in analysing the various berthing options on the mainland as well as wider socio-economic factors. I will travel to Arran to speak to the local community and hear their views on the service. I will also meet with both local councils and representatives of the local communities as well as Peel Ports and Associated British Ports\r\nThe terms of reference of the task force were published following the first meeting and can be found on the Transport Scotland website. http://www.transport.gov.scot/water/ardrossan-harbour-taskforce","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318313,"EventID":"S5W-04189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:09.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff have been allocated to the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe. ","AnswerText":"Staff across the Scottish Government Directorates are working in support of Ministers and Cabinet Secretaries on Scotland’s place in Europe.\r\nIn addition to Private Office staff, there are currently 58 staff working in the Directorate for External Affairs in Scotland, which is the main Directorate supporting the work of the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe. This number does not include the staff in our offices overseas who support the work of all Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318314,"EventID":"S5W-04221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:11.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will implement each of the recommendations of the report by the Commission on Widening Access, A Blueprint for Fairness; how much this will cost and how it will measure whether each recommendation has been fulfilled.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for implementing the Commission's 34 recommendations is distributed across a number of education sectors and organisations. For those recommendations that are directly for Government we remain focussed on delivering within the timescales set out by the Commission. \r\nMany of the recommendations involve systemic change and do not entail an additional cost. The Commission also argued that a significant sum is already invested in access and that it is important to ensure this resource delivers maximum impact. We are committed to working with delivery partners to ensure this happens. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318315,"EventID":"S5W-04257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:13.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether funding for the fishing sector through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund will be maintained.","AnswerText":"EU funding contracts that are agreed before the UK proposes to leave the EU will be paid in full. This guarantee covers the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318316,"EventID":"S5W-04264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:15.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made of the potential impact of Brexit on farm exports and incomes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that uncertainty has been created as a result of the EU referendum outcome, including on exports, and farm incomes where EU funding is an important factor. That is why my Ministerial colleagues and I have all pressed the UK Government on various fronts following the EU referendum on the issue of continuity of funding for the vitally important industries that rely on EU funds. We now have guarantees for CAP Pillar 1 until 2020, and for CAP Pillar 2 funding agreements that are entered into in the period between now and the point that the UK proposes to leave the EU. Derek Mackay, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution has confirmed that these guarantees are being passed on in full to Scottish stakeholders on EU funding. \r\nFurther to this, the Scottish Government has commissioned the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) to undertake economic modelling on the potential impact of different trade and farm payment scenarios on Scottish agriculture. I expect findings will be available early next year and will add to the existing evidence base that includes a number of published studies on the impact of Brexit on UK farming sectors. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318317,"EventID":"S5W-04271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:18.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland would continue to have access to the European Arrest Warrant system post-Brexit.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is clear that, if we leave the EU without putting successor arrangements in place for the European Arrest Warrant, the advantages of speed and the streamlined process that the European Arrest Warrant provides and which benefit all parties will be lost. \r\nAs I outlined in Parliament on 1 November, there is no current clarity on this matter. Arrangements relating to the European Arrest Warrant are reserved so it is a matter for the UK Government to ensure appropriate arrangements continue post-Brexit for Scotland as well as the rest of the UK.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318318,"EventID":"S5W-04193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:21.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe has published.","AnswerText":"No information has been published by the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe.\r\nHowever, a number of reports have been published by the Scottish Government following the EU referendum, including:\r\n‘Potential Implications of the UK Leaving the EU on Scotland's Long Run Economic Performance’ (August 2016) http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00504615.pdf\r\n‘The impacts of migrants and migration into Scotland’ (October 2016) http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/10/5974 and ‘Characteristics of migrants in Scotland: Analysis of the 2011 Census’ (October 2016) http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/10/6840\r\n‘State of the Economy’ (October 2016) http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00508901.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318319,"EventID":"S5W-04195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:23.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe has defined Scotland's negotiating position; whether this will be provided to the Parliament and how it will do so.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish proposals over the coming weeks that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU, even if the rest of the UK is intending to leave the single market. The Scottish Government has met with the UK Government to discuss negotiations and will update the Scottish Parliaments as negotiations unfold.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318320,"EventID":"S5W-04227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:26.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its publication, A Blueprint for 2020: the expansion of early learning and childcare in Scotland, what estimate it has made of the total hourly (a) term-time, (b) holiday day-time and (c) yearly capacity of the early learning and childcare sector and what impact (i) demographic changes and (ii) the expansion of funded provision will have on this.","AnswerText":"We are currently in the process of gathering detailed information on the available capacity within the early learning and childcare sector.\r\nIn line with National Records of Scotland 2014-based population projections, we do not expect any significant demographical changes in terms of eligible children by 2020.\r\nIn order to ensure that the expansion of funded entitlement will support the delivery of more flexible provision, the Scottish Government is committed to substantially increase the number of qualified early years practitioners and invest in early learning and childcare infrastructure.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318321,"EventID":"S5W-04229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:27.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the findings of the publication, A Blueprint for 2020: the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, what its position is on the provision of out of school care.","AnswerText":"We are currently working closely with the Scottish Out of School Care Network to develop a new policy framework for out of school care. The framework will be developed under the auspices of the Early Learning and Childcare Strategic Forum, whose remit is to develop and drive a strategic vision for high quality, flexible early learning and childcare in Scotland - integrated with an out of school care system - that is affordable and accessible for all.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318322,"EventID":"S5W-04259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:28.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of employees in Scotland's fishing fleet are (a) UK citizens, (b) EU citizens and (c) from elsewhere.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government 2015 Sea Fisheries Employment Report estimates that:\r\n73 per cent of employees working in the Scottish fleet are UK citizens;\r\n8 per cent are citizens of European Economic Area countries; and,\r\n19 per cent are citizens of countries outside the European Economic Area.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318323,"EventID":"S5W-04276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:31.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent under each Lot of its Legal Services Framework since May 2016.","AnswerText":"Where the Scottish Government Legal Directorate (SGLD) does not provide legal advice to the Scottish Government then the Scottish Government procures its legal advice from existing legacy contracts awarded under SGLD Frameworks (e.g. the SGLD Legal Services Framework 2007 and 2011) as well as the Scottish Government Collaborative Framework Agreement for Legal Services 2015 (the SG Collaborative Framework). The spend under each Lot since May 2016 shows the spend under existing legacy contracts as well as the Scottish Government spend under the SG Collaborative Framework. \r\nFramework 2015\r\nLot 1 – Contract, commercial and corporate\r\n£62032\r\nLot 2 – Debt Recovery\r\n£56874\r\nLot 3 – Litigation, Reparation, Employment and Inquiries\r\n£43261\r\nLot 4 – Major Projects\r\n£0\r\nLot 5 – Property and related matters\r\n£212255\r\nLot 6 – One Stop Shop\r\n£68559\r\nFramework 2011\r\nLot 1 – Contract, commercial and corporate\r\n£147832\r\nLot 2 – Debt recovery\r\n0\r\nLot 3 – Litigation, Inquiries and Employment\r\n£230348*\r\nLot 4 – Major Projects\r\n£9324\r\nLot 5 – Property\r\n£79886\r\n*AIB contract included within Lot 3 although was contracted under Lot 3 and 5.\r\nFramework 2007\r\nContract 8: Property Services\r\n£2398\r\nContract 9: Accountant in Bankruptcy\r\n£8248\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"James Wolffe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318324,"EventID":"S5W-04197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:34.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the EU referendum result on the sectors that are most heavily dependent on EU migrant workers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government research published on 28 October 2016 contains a breakdown of Scotland's population by sector of employment. This includes a breakdown of recent EEA migrants and established EEA migrants. This research is cited in answer to question S5W-04192 on 16 November 2016.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318325,"EventID":"S5W-04199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:36.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-02182 by Michael Matheson on 14 September 2016, which other public bodies are formally considering the implications of the EU referendum result.","AnswerText":"It is for individual public bodies to determine their approaches to consideration of the implications ofthe EU referendum result, in the context of wider business planning and risk management. The Scottish Government has discussed this issue with Chief Executives of these bodies.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318326,"EventID":"S5W-04231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:39.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which (a) universities, (b) colleges and (c) hospitals have had onsite provision for early learning and childcare in each of the last five years; how many places have been made available, and what the take-up rate has been.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04230 on 11 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318327,"EventID":"S5W-04263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:40.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will guarantee the £360 million of EU funding for fishing, farming and food if it is not secured by the date of the Autumn Statement.","AnswerText":"The UK Government has recently revised its position on EU funding guarantees to cover in full the payment of all EU funding contracts for fishing, farming and food projects that are entered into before the UK proposes to leave the EU. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution has confirmed that these guarantees will be passed on in full to Scottish stakeholders to provide stability and certainty for these key sectors of the rural economy.\r\nThe UK Government’s position on EU Funding Guarantees demonstrates in the starkest possible terms that there are absolutely no guarantees or clarity on what will replace current European Union funding streams after the date that the UK proposes to leave the EU. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318328,"EventID":"S5W-04265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:43.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe on 27 September 2016 (Official Report, c. 8), what proposals it has developed regarding how funding provided under the common agricultural policy could be replaced.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that agriculture is one of the mainstays of Scotland's rural economy and that the CAP plays an important role in helping farmers stabilise their incomes.\r\nOur vision for the future is an agriculture industry in Scotland that is innovative, profitable, sustainable and supporting economic growth. We will work closely with industry to develop the next steps to help realise that vision, and this will help inform our deliberations on what future support measures may be appropriate for the industry.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318329,"EventID":"S5W-04331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:45.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has received from the UK Government regarding its Great Repeal Bill in order to assess any impacts on Scotland, and whether it will publish this. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not yet received any information from the UK Government regarding its Great Repeal Bill. While giving evidence at the European and External Relations Committee of the Scottish Parliament, the Secretary of State for Scotland confirmed that this process would be taken forward on the basis of close co-operation between the two governments. The Scottish Government has a distinct role in protecting Scotland’s interests, and must be treated as an equal partner and be centrally involved in developing the UK position.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318330,"EventID":"S5W-04218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:48.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its proposals for allowing Scotland to stay in the single market.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will table specific proposals in the coming weeks to protect Scotland’s interests and keep us in the Single Market, even if the rest of the UK decides to leave. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318331,"EventID":"S5W-04267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:50.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will guarantee the £20 million of funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for digital connectivity in the Highlands and Islands if contracts cannot be secured by the date of the Autumn Statement.","AnswerText":"Derek Mackay, Scottish Government’s Finance Secretary has announced that he will be passing on the UK Government’s guarantee on European funding in full. Following the Chancellor’s statement on 3 October, that guarantee now extends to all projects formally approved prior to the UK leaving the EU. The £20 million of ERDF for digital connectivity in the Highlands and Islands is being assessed for approval by the end of this year, and is therefore expected to be covered in full by the guarantee.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318332,"EventID":"S5W-04268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:53.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that the operating and administrative costs incurred by LEADER local action groups will be met throughout the lifetime of funded projects.","AnswerText":"The UK Government has recently revised its position on EU funding guarantees to cover in full the payment of all EU funding contracts for SRDP projects that are entered into before the UK proposes to leave the EU. The guarantee covers all payments for CAP Pillar 2 (SRDP) schemes, where LEADER sits, amongst others. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution has confirmed that these guarantees will be passed on in full to Scottish stakeholders to provide stability and certainty for the rural economy. \r\nThe UK Government’s position on EU Funding Guarantees demonstrates in the starkest possible terms that there are absolutely no guarantees or clarity on what will replace current European Union funding streams after the date that the UK proposes to leave the EU. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318333,"EventID":"S5W-04317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:56.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Minister for the UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe has had with the UK Government regarding whether people from Scotland will need to apply for visas to travel to the EU post-Brexit. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04214 on 23 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318334,"EventID":"S5W-04318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:48:58.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe has discussed with the Prime Minister proposals to reassure EU nationals about their residency status post-Brexit.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has repeatedly requested assurances from the UK Government that immigration status and rights of EU nationals currently living in Scotland will not change in the future. The First Minister and I attended the Joint Ministerial Committee (plenary), chaired by the Prime Minister, on 24 October, where we again raised this important issue.\r\nI have also raised this issue - and will continue to do so - in my discussions with David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318335,"EventID":"S5W-04321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:01.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) public, (b) private and (c) third sector providers of immigration advice in Scotland since the EU referendum result, and what assessment it has made of their capacity to provide such advice.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has met with the CoSLA Strategic Migration Partnership, the Scottish Migrant Network, Glasgow Refugee, Asylum and Migration Network (GRAMnet), Migrant Voice, Feniks, PKAVS Minority Communities Hub and Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) since the EU Referendum results about their general support of and work with migrants but not specifically about their capacity to provide advice services in future years post a UK Brexit.\r\nScottish Government officials have discussed with TalentScotland the impact the result of the EU referendum has had on the volume of queries received by their Immigration and Visa Support Service.\r\nThe Scottish Government fund this service with the aim of helping growing businesses access, attract, recruit and retain skilled, experienced and internationally mobile talent. The service provides business immigration support to Scottish-based business, prospective entrepreneurs, inward investors and individuals with a job offer.\r\nThe discussion did not identify any immediate capacity issues.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318336,"EventID":"S5W-04327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:03.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of which EU laws can be converted into Scots Law in advance of the UK Government's Great Repeal Bill. ","AnswerText":"Consideration of the impact on Scots law is a key element of the Scottish Government’s work on the options for Scotland’s future relationship with the EU and the rest of the UK following the EU referendum. The Scottish Government recognises that the potential impact is substantial. We will seek to use whatever influence we have to protect Scotland’s interests and shape the UK position. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318337,"EventID":"S5W-04329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:06.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which EU laws it will convert into Scots Law in advance of the UK Government's Great Repeal Bill. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04327 on 15 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318338,"EventID":"S5W-04376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:09.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that all seafarers who work on freight vessels that it time charters for Northern Isles ferry services from May 2018 are employed by companies that have Living Wage Employer accreditation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ministers are currently considering all available options to promote fair work practices, including payment of the National Minimum Wage and, where possible, the Scottish Living Wage in their contracts. Under the current devolution settlement, responsibility for matters relating to employment rights and duties, including the National Minimum Wage, are reserved to the UK Government. The Minister has written to the UK Government to urge them to take action on the National Minimum Wage in respect of seafarers rates of pay.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318339,"EventID":"S5W-04378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:12.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many qualified seafarers and maritime officers were employed on MV Helliar and MV Hildasay in each year since the start of the current time charter for these vessels.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nSerco Northlink Ferries do however advise that the MV Helliar and MV Hildasay require to operate with 17 crew aboard each vessel. Crews work a six week on, six week off rotation on each of the vessels. The current time charter came into affect on 5 July 2012. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318340,"EventID":"S5W-04393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:15.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the number of seafarers who are resident in Scotland that are employed on ferry services between (a) Aberdeen and the Orkney and Shetland Islands and (b) Scrabster and Stromness.","AnswerText":"In May 2014 the then Transport Minister in the Scottish Government, Keith Brown MSP, wrote to the UK Government’s Shipping Minister in relation to the application of the National Minimum Wage to seafarers employed in provision of lifeline ferry services to Scotland’s remote and island communities. I again wrote to the UK Government on this reserved matter on 4 November 2016. The Scottish Government asks the UK Government to explore the feasibility of extending National Minimum Wage legislation to include seafarers where vessels are operating solely in UK waters, to ensure all employees in the maritime sector working in Scottish waters are protected by the same employment legislation as other sectors.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318341,"EventID":"S5W-04395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:17.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the number of seafarers who are resident in Scotland that are employed on ferry services between Cairnryan and (a) Belfast and (b) Larne.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with the UK Government regarding the number of seafarers who are resident in Scotland and employed on ferry services between Cairnryan and (a) Belfast and (b) Larne. These services are operated by Stena and P&O respectively, both of which are privately owned companies.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318342,"EventID":"S5W-04275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:18.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which Lot of its Legal Services Framework it uses to obtain legal advice relating to Scotland's place in Europe.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not outsourced legal advice relating to Scotland’s place in Europe under the Legal Services Framework. If it considers that it is necessary to do so it will consider how best to source that requirement, including which, if any, lot it falls under.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"James Wolffe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318343,"EventID":"S5W-04282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:21.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the estimates made by the Fraser of Allander Institute in its report to the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee regarding the economic implications of Brexit for Scotland. ","AnswerText":"Evidence published by the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee based on analysis by the Fraser of Allander Institute confirms the risks that leaving the EU poses to Scotland’s economy.\r\nThe analysis forecasts that GDP could be more than 5% (£8 billion in 2015-16 terms) lower than would otherwise be the case after 10 years. The report also indicates that exports could be more than 11% lower, and that there could be 80,000 fewer jobs, compared to a scenario where the UK remains a member of the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318344,"EventID":"S5W-04332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:23.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of NHS employees in Scotland are (a) UK citizens, (b) EU citizens and (c) from other countries.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government assures EU and non-EU citizens working in Scotland that we want them here, we value their contribution, and we will be doing everything we can to make sure they can continue with us without detriment.\r\nInformation on how many NHS staff are Scottish, non-EU and EU citizens is not held centrally. We have previously estimated on the basis of information from ONS that around 5% of the NHS Scotland workforce are from the rest of the EU. However a SPICE Briefing paper published (via ONS) on 3rd November 2016 ‘EU Nationals living in Scotland’, available at the link belowhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/101937.aspx records that the health and social work sector in Scotland employs 12,000 EU nationals, accounting for 3% of total employment in this sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318345,"EventID":"S5W-04375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:26.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T17:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when its time charter of the Seatruck vessels MV Hildasay and MV Helliar for services on publicly subsidised Northern Isles ferry routes is due to expire.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not charter the Seatruck vessels MV Hildasay and MV Helliar – these vessels are chartered by Serco Northlink Ferries.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318346,"EventID":"S5W-04382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:29.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what total maritime freight volumes were handled at Rosyth Port in each year since 2009-10.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318347,"EventID":"S5W-04333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:31.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of Brexit will be on the recruitment and retention of NHS staff in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The impact of Brexit on the NHSScotland workforce will depend on the precise form of withdrawal from the EU. The free movement of people from the EU/EEA allows skilled and experienced health professionals to work in our NHS. \r\nThe Scottish Government is committed and fully supports the free movement of workers within the EU.\r\nWe greatly value our non-UK EU citizens and their wider contribution to our society, we will be working to see that their rights and place in our nation are protected.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318348,"EventID":"S5W-04367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:34.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of fishing (i) trips and (ii) hauls in each year since 2014 were (A) electronically monitored by cameras and (B) accompanied by fisheries observers.","AnswerText":"The number of vessels that have participated in the remote electronic monitoring (REM) fully documented fisheries schemes operated by Marine Scotland across the years 2014 to 2016 are shown in the following table.\r\nYear\r\nVessels\r\nTrips\r\n2014\r\n32\r\n1123\r\n2015\r\n21\r\n786\r\n2016\r\n22\r\n709\r\nThe Marine Scotland Science (MSS) and the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) observer schemes cover a random sample of all Scottish demersal and nephrops vessels. The at sea coverage for the period 2014 to 2016 (to 18 October) is shown in the following table. The bracketed values indicate the percentage of all trips covered by the observer programme, while the SFF trips also cover those trips dedicated to other projects.\r\nYear\r\nNumber of MSS observer trips\r\nNumber of SFF observer trips\r\n2014\r\n71 (0.27%)\r\n144 (0.56%)\r\n2015\r\n80 (0.33%)\r\n135 (0.56%)\r\n2016\r\n95\r\n133\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318349,"EventID":"S5W-04335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:36.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Scotland would continue to participate in EU-wide health initiatives post-Brexit. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03158 on 7 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nTo continue to participate in the EU health initiatives post-Brexit, which extend to European Economic Area countries, Scotland must remain a member of the single market. The Scottish Government will do everything in its power to retain its membership of the single market and the considerable benefits this brings.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318350,"EventID":"S5W-04336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:39.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Scotland would continue to adhere to EU-wide medicines regulation post-Brexit. ","AnswerText":"Regulation for the licensing, safety and efficacy of medicines is currently reserved to the UK Government and is the responsibility of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) who operate on a UK wide basis. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318351,"EventID":"S5W-04353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:42.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03411 by Maureen Watt on 26 October 2016, how it ensures that mental health tribunals offer sufficient guarantees to ensure that they are seen to be impartial. ","AnswerText":"I refer to my previous answer to question S5W-03039 on 30 September 2016 and add that as an independent organisation, Mental Health Tribunal Service for Scotland (MHTS) provides assurance to Scottish Ministers on the discharge of its functions. \r\nMHTS was established by the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 to make decisions on the care and treatment of people who are subject to the Act. The rules under which the Tribunal operates are set out in the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland (Practice and Procedure) Rules 2005. Scottish Ministers receive an annual report on the performance of the Tribunals functions which is also laid before the Scottish Parliament.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318352,"EventID":"S5W-04368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-01T17:49:43.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) at-sea boardings and (b) port inspections in each year since 2014 were carried out in order to meet its landing obligation monitoring requirements, and how many infringements were detected.","AnswerText":"All inspections carried out with regard to pelagic species (from 2015 onwards) and with regard to pelagic and demersal species (2016 onwards) are undertaken with a view to detecting infringements, including landing obligation infringements. \r\nThe figures for the years requested are as follows:\r\nYear\r\nAt Sea\r\nAshore\r\nDetails\r\n\r\nPelagic\r\nDemersal\r\nPelagic\r\nDemersal\r\n\r\n2014\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNo landing obligation\r\n2015\r\n97\r\n\r\n240\r\n\r\nOnly a pelagic landing obligation in place\r\n2016*\r\n73\r\n199\r\n216\r\n683\r\n\r\n*2016 is an incomplete year \r\nTo date there have been three infringements of the landing obligation detected where officers referred the case to Marine Scotland Compliance Enforcement Branch for consideration of enforcement action.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318356,"EventID":"S5W-04288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:33:26.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made of the impact of Brexit on GDP in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04281 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318357,"EventID":"S5W-04290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:33:29.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made of the impact of Brexit on exports from Scotland.","AnswerText":"Analysis published by the Scottish Government (“Potential Implications of the UK Leaving the EU on Scotland’s Long Run Economic Performance”) on 23 August 2016 summarises the impact that leaving the EU could have on the Scottish economy based on a range of recent studies covering different trading relationships that the UK could adopt. Evidence published by the European and External Relations Committee based on analysis by the Fraser of Allander Institute confirms the risks Brexit poses to Scotland’s economy. The Fraser of Allander Institute analysis includes estimates of the impact on exports based on a number of potential trading relationships. The Scottish Government is therefore well aware of the potential impact of Brexit on exports from Scotland and we are pursuing all options to retain our relationship with Europe, access to the single market and all the advantages that brings. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318358,"EventID":"S5W-04324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:33:31.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that universities continue to have access to EU funding post-Brexit. ","AnswerText":"Scotland is an active and valued partner in European research collaborations. Higher Education Institutions in Scotland have secured a total of 185 million and Research Institutions secured 18 million under Horizon 2020 (up to July 2016) based on our world-class research.\r\nThe UK Government’s guarantee on European funding, including Horizon 2020, is welcome as far as it goes. However, the guarantee fails to take account of the impact of uncertainty on potential collaborations and it does not take account of the longer-term funding and other benefits that we otherwise would have received through continuing membership of the EU—including through future framework programmes.\r\nThe Scottish Government will publish proposals over the coming weeks that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU, even if the rest of the UK is intending to leave.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318359,"EventID":"S5W-04388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:33:34.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Glasgow Regional Colleges Board has not yet assumed responsibility for the distribution of funds for the college sector in Glasgow, and when it expects it to do so.","AnswerText":"The Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board (GCRB) has not yet assumed responsibility for funding Glasgow’s three colleges as the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) is not yet fully satisfied that all suitable arrangements are in place. The SFC confirmed to GCRB in September 2016 that the Board has made significant and effective progress in operating effectively as a regional strategic body, and is fulfilling its statutory role to secure coherent provision of high quality further and higher education in Glasgow. GCRB, with help from SFC, is now developing a detailed transition plan, covering matters such as funding, monitoring, and financial arrangements, which SFC and GCRB expect will be implemented in the current financial year.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318360,"EventID":"S5W-04390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:33:36.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Glasgow Regional Colleges Board has cost to run and operate in each financial year since it was established, and whether these costs are top-sliced from the funding allocation to the three Glasgow colleges.","AnswerText":"From information we have received from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), I can advise that: \r\nin 2014-15, the total operating costs for the Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board (GCRB) were £287,617 of which £125,415 was deducted from the SFC funding allocation of £103,240,231 made to the Glasgow college region.\r\nin 2015-16, the total operating costs for GCRB were £270,020 which was deducted from the SFC funding allocation of £101,766,237 made to the Glasgow college region.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318361,"EventID":"S5W-04392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:33:38.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much in (a) total and (b) the current financial year, college (i) chairs and (ii) board members of individual (A) colleges and (B) regional boards are paid, and how this compares with the last financial year prior to regionalisation and merger reforms in the college sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ministers have set the daily rate of remuneration for the chairs of regional colleges and of the Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board as follows: \r\nRegional College/Board\r\nDaily rate (7.5 hours)\r\nMaximum Days (in any given financial year)\r\nMaximum total fee\r\nBorders\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nForth Valley\r\nWest Lothian\r\n£200\r\n104\r\n£20,800\r\nAyrshire\r\nDundee and Angus\r\nFife\r\nNew College Lanarkshire\r\nNorth East Scotland\r\nWest College Scotland\r\n265\r\n104\r\n£27,560\r\nEdinburgh\r\nGlasgow\r\n330\r\n104\r\n£34,320\r\nThe Scottish Ministers may, exceptionally, approve additional remuneration; no such request or approval has been received or given.\r\nRemuneration is paid by the regional college or the Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board. The Scottish Government does not hold information on the total or individual amounts paid.\r\nThe non-executive board members of incorporated colleges, whether regional or not, are not remunerated. The non-executive board members of the Glasgow Colleges' Regional Board are not remunerated.\r\nChairs and non-executive board members of incorporated colleges and of the Glasgow Colleges' Regional Board may receive expenses and allowances. The Scottish Government does not hold information on the total or individual amounts paid.\r\nBefore the colleges were designated regional colleges, the chairs of the colleges were not remunerated. The chairs of other incorporated colleges are not remunerated. All regional colleges, except New College Lanarkshire, were designated as such on 3 March 2014. New College Lanarkshire was designated a regional college on 1 October 2014. The Glasgow Colleges' Regional Board was established on 1 May 2014.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318362,"EventID":"S5W-04284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:33:40.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how multinational companies with bases and operations in Scotland will be supported by it to maintain them without incurring costs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to protecting Scotland's relationship with the EU, including state aid rules, following Scotland's unequivocal vote to retain the wide range of economic and social benefits membership provides. We are considering all possible steps to ensure Scotland's continuing relationship with the EU and are engaged at ministerial and official level with the UK Government to ensure the best outcome for Scotland following the EU referendum.\r\nThis means that we will continue to provide appropriate support to businesses within the state aid rules as we do for activities such as skills and training, and Research Development and Innovation.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318363,"EventID":"S5W-04287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:33:43.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the impact of Brexit on tax revenues in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04281 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318364,"EventID":"S5W-04301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:33:45.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guarantees it can give on replacing EU structural funding that will be lost as a result of Brexit. ","AnswerText":"The UK Government has recently revised its position on EU funding guarantees to cover, in full, the payment of all EU funding contracts for structural funds projects that are entered into before the date that the UK proposes to leave the EU. The Scottish Government has confirmed that these guarantees will be passed on in full to Scottish stakeholders to provide stability and certainty for the Scottish economy.\r\nThe Scottish Government will negotiate with the UK Government to ensure that future financial support for the economic development, skills, low carbon, digital and poverty initiatives currently supported by structural funds is allocated on a fair and equitable basis across the UK post Brexit. We will work closely with the local authorities, enterprise and skills agencies, digital partners and the third sector to shape future measures taken to help grow the economy and support individuals and communities.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318365,"EventID":"S5W-04370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:33:49.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to matching all European structural funding that supports projects that assist disabled people in Scotland if the UK leaves the EU.","AnswerText":"The UK Government has recently offered guarantees on EU funding to cover, in full, the payment of all EU funding contracts for structural funds projects that are entered into before the date that the UK proposes to leave the EU. \r\nThe Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution has confirmed that these guarantees will be passed on in full to Scottish stakeholders to provide stability and certainty for the Scottish economy.\r\nThe Scottish Government will negotiate with the UK Government to ensure that future financial support for the range of economic and social development initiatives currently supported by structural funds is allocated on a fair and equitable basis across the UK post Brexit.\r\nWe will work closely with the local authorities, enterprise and skills agencies, digital partners and the third sector to shape future measures taken to help grow the economy and support individuals and communities. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318366,"EventID":"S5W-04401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:33:52.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which countries have been the largest investors in Scotland in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"The Ernst & Young (EY) Attractiveness Surveys provide data on the number of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects by country of origin. Table 1 provides detail on the top 5 countries in terms of the number of FDI projects into Scotland for 2012 to 2015.\r\nTable 1: Top 5 countries of origin for FDI projects into Scotland, 2012 to 2015\r\nRank\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nCountry\r\nProject\r\nShare\r\nCountry\r\nProject\r\nShare\r\nCountry\r\nProject\r\nShare\r\nCountry\r\nProject\r\nShare\r\n1\r\nUSA\r\n41%\r\nUSA\r\n33%\r\nUSA\r\n47%\r\nUSA\r\n43%\r\n2\r\nFrance\r\n11%\r\nFrance\r\n11%\r\nFrance\r\n6%\r\nFrance\r\n14%\r\n3\r\nGermany\r\n9%\r\nAustralia\r\n9%\r\nJapan\r\n5%\r\nGermany\r\n8%\r\n4\r\nJapan\r\n7%\r\nGermany\r\n9%\r\nSwitzerland\r\n5%\r\nNorway\r\n6%\r\n5\r\nNorway\r\n7%\r\nCanada\r\n6%\r\nNorway\r\n4%\r\nCanada\r\n5%\r\nSource: Ernst & Young Attractiveness Surveys","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318367,"EventID":"S5W-04402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:33:58.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which sectors have seen the highest levels of direct foreign investment in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"The Ernst & Young (EY) Attractiveness Surveys provide data on the number of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects by sector. \r\nTable 1 provides detail on the top sectors in terms of the number of FDI projects into Scotland for 2012 to 2015. Information is provided for all sectors that had 5 or more projects in the year.\r\nTable 1: Top sectors for FDI projects into Scotland, 2012 to 2015\r\nRank\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nSector\r\nProjects\r\nProject\r\nShare\r\nSector\r\nProjects\r\nProject\r\nShare\r\nSector\r\nProjects\r\nProject\r\nShare\r\nSector\r\nProjects\r\nProject\r\nShare\r\n1\r\nBusiness Services\r\n15\r\n20%\r\nSoftware\r\n18\r\n22%\r\nMachinery & Equipment\r\n15\r\n19%\r\nSoftware\r\n19\r\n16%\r\n2\r\nMachinery & Equipment\r\n12\r\n16%\r\nBusiness Services\r\n12\r\n15%\r\nSoftware\r\n7\r\n9%\r\nBusiness Services\r\n12\r\n10%\r\n3\r\nSoftware\r\n6\r\n8%\r\nMachinery & Equipment\r\n7\r\n9%\r\nElectrical\r\n5\r\n6%\r\nUtility supply\r\n10\r\n8%\r\n4\r\nOther Transport Services\r\n5\r\n7%\r\nElectrical\r\n6\r\n7%\r\nFinancial Intermediation\r\n5\r\n6%\r\nScientific Research\r\n9\r\n8%\r\n5\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nScientific Research\r\n5\r\n6%\r\nFinancial Intermediation\r\n7\r\n6%\r\n6\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nElectronics\r\n6\r\n5%\r\n7\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMachinery & Equipment\r\n6\r\n5%\r\n8\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nElectrical\r\n5\r\n4%\r\nSource: Ernst & Young Attractiveness Surveys","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318368,"EventID":"S5W-04285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:04.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many investment in Scotland proposals it is aware of that have not gone ahead since the Brexit vote. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04283 on 10 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318369,"EventID":"S5W-04286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:07.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made of the impact of Brexit on passporting for financial services in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"Analysis published by the Scottish Government (“Potential Implications of the UK Leaving the EU on Scotland’s Long Run Economic Performance”) on 23 August 2016 summarises the impact that leaving the EU could have on the Scottish economy based on a range of recent studies covering different trading relationships that the UK could adopt.\r\nThe analysis shows that the potential cost to Scottish GDP of leaving the European Union could be up to £11.2 billion per year by 2030 than under a scenario where the UK remains a member. The analysis also indicates that leaving the EU could result in a reduction in Scottish tax revenues of up to £3.7 billion a year by 2030.\r\nEvidence published by the European and External Relations Committee based on analysis by the Fraser of Allander Institute confirms the risks Brexit poses to Scotland’s economy. The Fraser of Allander Institute forecast that leaving the EU could result in the number of people in employment being up to 80,000 lower after \r\n10 years.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318370,"EventID":"S5W-04304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:09.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of Brexit on (a) it and (b) other public bodies paying at least the living wage.","AnswerText":"No specific assessment has been made in relation to the living wage.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318371,"EventID":"S5W-04371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:12.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to fund all academic research in Scotland into disability that is reliant on EU funding if the UK leaves the EU.","AnswerText":"Scotland is an active and valued partner in European research collaborations and while the UK Government’s guarantee on Horizon 2020 funding is welcome as far as it goes, it fails to recognise what we would otherwise have received as continuing members of the EU. \r\nThe Scottish Government will publish proposals over the coming weeks that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU, even if the rest of the UK is intending to leave.\r\nThrough the core research budget for higher education, the Scottish Government continues to support high-impact, world-class research in Scotland’s Universities. However as autonomous institutions, the funding of specific areas of research, including disability research, is a decision for each individual university.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318372,"EventID":"S5W-04403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:15.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional staff and resources it has provided to Scottish Development International to help increase the level of exports to the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"Our trade and investment strategy published in March this year set out a comprehensive action plan to boost Scotland’s export activity and to make it clear that Scotland is open for business, including with the rest of the UK. Scottish Development International currently has sufficient resource within the UK to deliver that. The opening of an innovation and investment hub in London will play a crucial role in promoting Scottish goods and services to existing and new customers and markets in London and beyond.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318373,"EventID":"S5W-04404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:21.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that proximity is a key driver of exporting levels and, if so, what action it is taking to increase exports to the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"The latest published figures for 2014 estimate that Scottish exports to the rest of the UK are worth £48.5 billion making it Scotland’s largest export market. We are therefore well aware of the importance of this market to the Scottish economy. Our trade and investment strategy published in March this year set out a comprehensive action plan to boost Scotland’s export activity and to make it clear that Scotland is open forbusiness, including with the rest of the UK. The opening of an innovation and investment hub in London, for example, will play a crucial role in promoting Scottish goods and services to existing and new customers and markets in London and beyond.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318374,"EventID":"S5W-04293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:27.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made regarding whether (a) businesses and (b) residential premises in Scotland will lose out on the EU pledge to introduce free wifi into major EU cities by 2020.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working to avoid a situation where Scottish projects lose out on support from the WiFi4EU initiative. As the associated funding will be available from 2017, there is likely to be a window of opportunity for Scottish projects to benefit.\r\nThe EC initiative mirrors our Public Wireless Programme, which seeks to ensure publicly accessible buildings and spaces provide freely accessible wireless broadband. The Programme aims to ensure any wireless broadband solutions are sustainable and are designed to meet local needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318375,"EventID":"S5W-04412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:30.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many pharmacists are based in GP surgeries, broken down by NHS board. ","AnswerText":"The information as requested is not readily available.\r\nAs at September 2015 (the most recent figures available), there were 262.2 Whole Time Equivalent health board primary care pharmacist posts in NHS Scotland. These posts include a range of support activities for GP practices from prescribing support to undertaking clinics, and treating patients with common uncomplicated conditions. The following table shows a breakdown of the number of these posts by NHS board.\r\nHealth Board\r\nNumber of NHS Board\r\nPrimary care pharmacists(WTE) posts\r\n– Sept 2015\r\n\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n\r\n26.4\r\nBorders\r\n\r\n4.6\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n8.8\r\nFife\r\n\r\n23.8\r\nForth Valley\r\n\r\n15.1\r\nGrampian\r\n\r\n18.3\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n76\r\nHighland\r\n\r\n16.4\r\nLanarkshire\r\n\r\n24.9\r\nLothian\r\n\r\n17.1\r\nOrkney\r\n\r\n1.9\r\nShetland\r\n\r\n2\r\nTayside\r\n\r\n27.3\r\nWestern Isles\r\n\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n262.6\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government has allocated £16.2 million to NHS Boards over three years through our programme of transformational change in primary care, to take forward our commitment to recruiting up to 140 pharmacists with advanced clinical skills to GP practices. The commitment as set out in the Programme for Government, is that all GP practices will have access to a pharmacist with these skills by the end of this Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318376,"EventID":"S5W-04427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:31.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T08:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the full costs are of replacing all National Entitlement Cards with Saltire cards.","AnswerText":"The OneScotland branded National Entitlement Card (NEC) was introduced in 2006 to deliver the Scottish Government's concessionary travel scheme. In 2014 the NEC design was amended and the OneScotland brand was replaced with the mygovscot brand card. The roll out of digitally enabled services contributed to the decision to make this change and the technology within the card was upgraded to reflect these developments. There was no requirement to replace cards as both versions were compatible with the bus industry technical infrastructure. \r\nRecent advances in smart card technology informed the decision to further enhance the technology within cards by introducing an e-purse into the NEC. To allow cardholders and transport operators to be able to easily identify whether a card is \r\ne-purse ready for the future, the external design was altered by introducing the saltirecard logo. The saltirecard brand was introduced in September 2016. The cost associated with the change of branding and encoding amounted to £5346.10.\r\nBoth the mygovscot and saltirecard branded NECs are far more technologically capable and are valid for concessionary travel and compatible with other emerging smart ticketing opportunities. Not all NECs require to be replaced - the replacement only applies to the OneScotland branded cards which would have been due to expire in December 2016 and would be required to be replaced naturally. For this reason, no extra costs have been incurred.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318377,"EventID":"S5W-04419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:33.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what response it has made to the seven councils, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Fife, Dundee, Falkirk, Highland and West Dunbartonshire, which have passed motions calling on the Scottish Government to take action on Frank’s Law.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government received correspondence from Falkirk Council in September 2016 on the extension of free personal care to under 65s with a diagnosis of dementia, and responded outlining the work being undertaken by the Scottish Government to review the fairness of the charging system.\r\nIn the Programme for Government, we set out our intention to conduct a feasibility study to consider the possibility of extending free personal and nursing care to those under the age of 65 with a diagnosis of dementia.\r\nLocal authorities have the ability to exercise discretion in the application of charges for social care, and are able to reduce or fully waive charges for social care based on the individual circumstances of the service user.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318378,"EventID":"S5W-04420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:35.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what response it has made to plans by (a) Perth and Kinross, (b) The Highland and (c) Dumfries and Galloway Council to reduce their applicable income allowance for people under 65 who have to pay social care charges, following its provision of funding to each council to raise the basic income allowance.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is seeking clarification from The Highland Council and Dumfries and Galloway Council on the use of funding provided in the 2016-17 local government financial settlement to allow local authorities to increase income allowance thresholds for people who pay social care charges. Perth and Kinross Council has raised its charging thresholds in 2016-17 from £177 to £195 per week.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318379,"EventID":"S5W-04415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:38.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs do not have access to the ALISS (A Local Information System for Scotland) mental health system.","AnswerText":"ALISS is available online at www.aliss.org so is accessible by all GPs. The service includes sources of support in the community across the full range of health and care services not just for mental health.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318380,"EventID":"S5W-04422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:39.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that 13,900 or more people who use social care services have been supported by its proposals to increase their applicable income allowance for care charges, as indicated in the letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport to the Public Petitions Committee of 24 February 2016. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provided £6 million to local authorities in 2016-17 to enable them to increase the minimum income allowance threshold from 16.5% to 25%.\r\nThe Scottish Government estimated that increasing charging thresholds from 16.5% to 25% would benefit around 13,000 people through reduced charges and take around 900 people out of charging altogether.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318381,"EventID":"S5W-04424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:41.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T17:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review allowing local authorities to charge people a fee for Blue Badge scheme applications.","AnswerText":"The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007 gave local authorities the discretion to charge a fee not exceeding £20 for the issue or re-issue of a blue badge. A charge may only be made only when an application is successful and a blue badge is issued. We have no plans to review this grant of discretion to local authorities. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318382,"EventID":"S5W-04421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:43.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to recover the money that it provided to (a) Perth and Kinross, (b) The Highland and (c) Dumfries and Galloway Council to cover the costs of raising the income allowance.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04420 on 15 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318383,"EventID":"S5W-04297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:45.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made of the impact of Brexit on skills in the construction sector. ","AnswerText":"The construction sector and associated supply chains are a vital part of the Scottish economy and partly depend on labour from across the EU. It is estimated that in 2015 some seven thousand employees in the construction sector were from EU member states (non UK). Our priority is to protect all of Scotland’s interests and we are considering all possible steps to ensure Scotland’s continuing relationship with the EU. The UK Government has yet to set out its preferred model to underpin the UK’s future relationship with the EU and, indeed, appears to be all at sea amidst internal wrangling over what, if any, strategy to take. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318384,"EventID":"S5W-04299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:48.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made of the impact of Brexit on the ability of the construction industry to secure loans for building new homes. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member the answer to question S5W-04297 on 15th November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318385,"EventID":"S5W-04306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:51.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many sound-proofing barriers have been constructed on the (a) M8, (b) M74 and (c) A725 as part of the M8 M73 M74 Improvement Plan.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04307 on 10 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318386,"EventID":"S5W-04308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:52.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) length and (b) cost was of the sound-proofing barriers that were constructed on the (i) M8, (ii) M74 and (iii) A725 as part of the M8 M73 M74 Improvement Plan.","AnswerText":"The £500m M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project is a DBFO contract awarded using the Non-Profit Distributing model and as such the cost of providing individual items of infrastructure - such as acoustic barriers - are not identified within the contract for the project.\r\nPlease refer to the answer to question S5W-04307 on 10 November 2016 regarding the length of soundproofing barriers. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318387,"EventID":"S5W-04372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:53.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to tackle the reported shortage of accessible housing.","AnswerText":"As part of our promise to build a fairer Scotland, the Scottish Government is committed to increasing the number of accessible homes across all tenures. Local authorities are required by law to prepare a local housing strategy supported by an assessment of housing need and demand. The strategy has to set out the current need for specialist provision across all housing tenures that will help to support people to live independently; the likely requirement for this provision over the next five years; how current needs are being met; and what more is planned to meet future need. \r\nAffordable Housing Supply Programme funding decisions are therefore based on priorities identified in Local Housing Strategies and local authority Strategic Housing Investment Plans. Housing for social rent which is delivered through the grant-funded Affordable Housing Supply Programme already has to meet accessibility standards, but funding is also available for specialist housing – for example, helping disabled people with more complex needs to live independently in their own homes.\r\nWe are also working with Disabled People’s Organisations, local authorities and the housing sector to develop appropriate solutions. Our Disability Delivery Plan, which will be published later this year, will set out the further actions we will take to achieve this.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318388,"EventID":"S5W-04374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:56.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to take to reduce the number of people living in fuel poverty.","AnswerText":"Tackling fuel poverty has always been a priority for this Government and we are using all the powers within our control to achieve this. \r\nWe have allocated over £650 million since 2009 and we will make available half a billion pounds over the next four years to tackle fuel poverty and make our homes and building warmer and cheaper to heat.\r\nThis year we are making available £113 million to improve the energy efficiency of Scotland’s homes building on the 1 million energy efficiency measures delivered through a range of UK and Scottish Government programmes to almost 1 million homes since 2008.\r\nOur spending on domestic energy efficiency has already made hundreds of thousands of homes warmer and cheaper to heat and, as the Scottish House Condition Survey shows, has helped to mitigate the rise in fuel poverty.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318389,"EventID":"S5W-04292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:34:59.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the removal of the EU regulations on food and plant safety. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will do all it can to protect Scotland’s interests; I met Angela Leadsom on 3 November in Edinburgh and George Eustace on 8 November in Cardiff to emphasise the importance of maintaining appropriate regulations that bring benefits including product value and trade access.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318390,"EventID":"S5W-04294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:02.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether Scottish businesses will be able to roll out 5G by 2025 post-Brexit.","AnswerText":"5G is the next generation of mobile technology which is currently being developed by the mobile industry - on a global basis - and which is expected to be rolled out commercially by the mobile operators in the UK from around 2020. A key aim of our World Class digital infrastructure policy development is to ensure that Scotland has the underlying connectivity infrastructure that can support the future evolution of digital technologies such as 5G. The implications of Brexit on the mobile operators' investment plans for Scotland are not yet known.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318391,"EventID":"S5W-04296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:05.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which Scottish foods have protected geographical indication under EU law, and what estimates it has made of the revenue impact should this protected status be lost.","AnswerText":"Scotland currently has 14 products that are registered under the EU Protected Food Name Scheme:-\r\nTraditional Ayrshire Dunlop Cheese\r\nOrkney Scottish Island Cheddar\r\nStornoway Black Pudding\r\nScottish Wild Salmon\r\nShetland Lamb\r\nOrkney Beef\r\nOrkney Lamb\r\nScottish Farmed Salmon\r\nScotch Lamb\r\nScotch Beef\r\nArbroath Smokie\r\nNative Shetland Wool\r\nTeviotdale Cheese\r\nBonchester Cheese\r\nWe are looking at all options for ensuring the continued protection of Geographical Indications, including protected food names, and are in discussion with the current holders to determine the potential impact of any change to their status.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318392,"EventID":"S5W-04326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:08.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that students from Scotland will continue to be able to participate in the Erasmus programme post-Brexit. ","AnswerText":"Scotland’s participation in Erasmus+, the EU’s 2014-2020 Education, Training, Youth and Sport Programme, is in line with our aims to promote Scotland as a learning nation and to increase student and staff mobility, and brings strong educational, employability, cultural and economic benefits. Scotland’s preference would be to continue full participation in Erasmus+.\r\nErasmus+ 2014-2020 is delivered by the British Council with Ecorys under contract to the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) with and on behalf of the four nations of the UK. The Scottish Government has received assurances that the EU Referendum result has no immediate effect on learners, staff or volunteers from Scotland. The Scottish Government continues to seek assurances covering the medium and longer term.\r\nThe verdict from Scotland’s universities and from the UK’s research bodies could not be clearer – leaving the EU would have potentially devastating effects for Scotland’s higher education sector. The Scottish Government’s starting point is to protect our relationship with, and place in, the European Union. The Scottish Government will publish proposals over the coming weeks that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU, even if the rest of the UK is intending to leave.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318393,"EventID":"S5W-04409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:11.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prevent the import or sale of shark products, including shark fins.","AnswerText":"The trade in shark products is not illegal, however the importing of products of animal origin into the UK is subject to certain international controls (https://www.gov.uk/animal-products-import-and-export and, in the case of individuals, personal allowances (https://www.gov.uk/personal-food-plant-and-animal-product-imports.\r\nSince 2009 the Scottish Government has banned the removal of shark fins at sea without exemption. The practice of shark finning is extremely wasteful and without the full carcass it is difficult to identify the species the fins have come from increasing the risk of endangered or prohibited species being targeted. Following lobbying from Member States, including the Scottish Government, the EU agreed in 2013 to cease issuing shark finning exemptions known as Special Fishing Permits.\r\nIn 2012, the Scottish Government extended protection for a number of shark, skate and ray species to prevent landing a number of species by recreational sea anglers also. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2012/63/made.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318394,"EventID":"S5W-04411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:12.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many repeat prescriptions have been issued in each year since 1999, and what time it estimates it has taken GPs to produce these.","AnswerText":"This information is not readily available from the NHS Scotland prescribing information system.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318395,"EventID":"S5W-04196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:14.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that there is cross-party representation on the Joint Ministerial Sub-Committee to ensure represention from across the Parliament.","AnswerText":"The Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations (JMC(EN)) is part of the formal inter-governmental machinery between the four Administrations of the United Kingdom. The Scottish Government represents Scotland’s interests in that forum. \r\nThe Scottish Government has committed, in our Written Agreement with the Scottish Parliament, to ensure members have opportunity to scrutinise formal inter-governmental engagement. I alerted the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee in advance of the JMC(EN), which took place on 9 November 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318396,"EventID":"S5W-04289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:17.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made of the impact of Brexit on productivity in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04281 on 16 November 2016. \r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318397,"EventID":"S5W-04307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:19.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the locations on the (a) M8, (b) M74 and (c) A725 where sound-proofing barriers have been constructed as part of the M8 M73 M74 Improvement Plan.","AnswerText":"The locations of the 24 soundproofing barriers constructed on the M8 and A725 as part of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project are shown in the following table. No sound-proofing barriers have been constructed on the M74.\r\nLocation of Barrier\r\nLength\r\nLength\r\n(by location)\r\nA89 to M8 westbound slip road, NE of Swinton\r\n550m\r\n550m\r\nNorth side of new A8 APR, south of Bargeddie/Coatbridge (1)\r\n160m\r\nNorth side of new A8 APR, south of Bargeddie/Coatbridge (2)\r\n60m\r\nNorth side of new A8 APR, south of Bargeddie/Coatbridge (3)\r\n200m\r\nNorth side of new A8 APR, south of Bargeddie/Coatbridge (4)\r\n370m\r\n790m\r\nNorth side of new M8, south of Bargeddie/Coatbridge\r\n350m\r\nNorth side of new M8, south of Bargeddie/Coatbridge *\r\n965m\r\n1315m\r\nSouth side of new M8, south of Bargeddie/Coatbridge (1)\r\n550m\r\nSouth side of new M8, south of Bargeddie/Coatbridge (2)\r\n200m\r\nSouth side of new M8, south of Bargeddie/Coatbridge* (3)\r\n250m\r\n1000m\r\nNorth side of new M8, south of Coatbridge\r\n225m\r\n\r\nEast side of A725, west of north Bellshill (Carnbroe Mains Farm)\r\n260m\r\n\r\nSouth side of new M8, north of Bellshill\r\n210m\r\n\r\nNorth side of new M8, north of Bellshill\r\n480m\r\n\r\nNorth side of new A8 APR, north of Eurocentral/south of Woodhall*\r\n1240m\r\n\r\nSouth side of new A8 APR, north of Eurocentral west\r\n410m\r\n\r\nSouth side of new A8 APR, north of Eurocentral east\r\n590m\r\n\r\nSouth side of new A8 APR, north of Honeywell\r\n290m\r\n\r\nNorth side of new A8 APR, south of Chapelhall\r\n200m\r\nNorth side of new A8 APR, south of Chapelhall *\r\n1185m\r\n1385m\r\nEast side of A725, west of Bellshill/Orbiston (1)\r\n555m\r\nEast side of A725, west of Bellshill/Orbiston (2)\r\n115m\r\nEast side of A725, west of Bellshill/Orbiston (3)\r\n170m\r\nEast side of A725, west of Bellshill/Orbiston (4)\r\n160m\r\n1000m\r\n* Barriers at these locations are partially replaced by earth bunds.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318398,"EventID":"S5W-04325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:21.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T13:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how academics living and working in Scotland will be supported to travel to EU countries and higher education institutions to participate in learning and research opportunities post-Brexit.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s starting point is to protect our relationship with, and place in, the European Union. We are considering all possible options and we will work with others across the political divide to try to save the UK as a whole from the fate of a hard Brexit. \r\nIn light of the EU Referendum result and the potential impact this will have on free movement, we are strengthening our calls on the UK Government to deliver an immigration system that meets Scotland’s needs.\r\nThe Scottish Government will publish proposals over the coming weeks that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU, even if the rest of the UK is intending to leave.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318399,"EventID":"S5W-04400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:24.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much direct foreign investment there has been (a) in each year since 2011-12 and (b) since April 2016. ","AnswerText":"The Ernst & Young (EY) Attractiveness Surveys provide data on the number of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects and associated planned jobs, note that the investment value is not reported. Table 1 provides the FDI projects and planned jobs figures for 2011 to 2015. The latest published figures are for the 2015 calendar year.\r\nTable 1: Number of FDI projects and planned jobs, Scotland, 2011 to 2015\r\nYear\r\nProjects\r\n\r\n2011\r\n51\r\n\r\n2012\r\n76\r\n\r\n2013\r\n82\r\n\r\n2014\r\n79\r\n\r\n2015\r\n119\r\n\r\nSource: Ernst & Young Attractiveness Surveys","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318400,"EventID":"S5W-04414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:30.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the ALISS (A Local Information System for Scotland) mental health system.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government funds the ALISS Programme through the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE). The service includes sources of support in the community across the full range of health and care services not just for mental health. \r\nThe Minister for Public Health and the Chief Medical Officer launched two reports covering progress and activity to date at an event on 17 March 2016. These are available online with ALISS Report 1 2009-2013 available at http://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/download/library/lib_56ea957220720/ and ALISS Report 2 \r\n2013-2016 available at http://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/download/library/lib_56ea95a6f09fa/","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318401,"EventID":"S5W-04291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:32.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of investor confidence in the energy market following the Brexit vote.","AnswerText":"Since the EU referendum, we have been engaging regularly with energy stakeholders to understand the implications of the vote, including the impact on investor confidence. \r\nThe Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy has had a series of one-to-one meetings with senior representatives of the energy sector to understand their concerns, and he and the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe jointly hosted an event in Edinburgh for energy stakeholders on 21 September 2016 to hear the sector's views on the challenges, opportunities and way forward following the EU referendum.\r\nAt the 17th meeting of the National Economic Forum on 26 October 2016, the First Minister spoke to around 150 business and public sector leaders - including representatives from the energy sector - about the impact of Brexit on Scottish businesses.\r\nEnergy stakeholders have highlighted that investor confidence was already low in the renewable energy sector as a result of recent UK Government policy changes, and prolonged uncertainty may see existing or planned energy investments stall. EY's latest Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index, published in October 2016, saw the UK fall to 14th place - its lowest position yet in the rankings.\r\nWe are determined to do everything we can to mitigate the impact of Brexit on the energy industry in Scotland and we will use all the powers and influence available to us to provide the stability that the industry and consumers need.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318402,"EventID":"S5W-04298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:35.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the introduction of tariffs on raw construction materials following the Brexit vote, and what impact this would have on public infrastructure projects, including housing. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not estimated the specific impact of the introduction of tariffs on raw construction materials following the Brexit vote. As the UK Government has not yet set out its approach to trade post Brexit, it is not possible to make any meaningful estimate. However, whilst there may be some import substitution, it is clear that any increase in tariffs on raw materials from the EU or the rest of the world will push up costs for public infrastructure projects, including housing.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318403,"EventID":"S5W-04373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:37.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage universities to make their facilities more accessible to disabled people.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all students with a disability, long term medical condition or additional support needs are able to access higher education and are fully supported throughout their studies. Universities have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to ensure that students with disabilities which affect their studies are not placed at a disadvantage. In addition to this, universities receive funding from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) in the form of the Disabled Students Premium, which enables them to make their institution and course provision more inclusive through reasonable adjustments for students with additional needs. A total of £2.8m was allocated to universities in academic year 2016-17. \r\nWe continue to work closely with the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), the sector and through the Disabled Students Advisory Group (DSAG) which comprises a wide range of experts in the field of support for disabled students, to review inclusive practices which Scottish universities have in place to support disabled students and identify where improvements can be made. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318404,"EventID":"S5W-04391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:40.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Lanarkshire Regional Colleges Board has cost to run and operate in each financial year since it was established, and whether these costs are top-sliced from the funding allocation to the two Lanarkshire colleges.","AnswerText":"There is no organisation named ‘Lanarkshire Regional Colleges Board’. One of the two colleges in the Lanarkshire region, New College Lanarkshire, was designated both a regional college and a regional strategic body on 1 October 2014. On the same date the other college in the region, South Lanarkshire College, was assigned to it.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318405,"EventID":"S5W-04398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:42.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many companies that export goods or services are owned outwith Scotland.","AnswerText":"Data on the number of companies owned outwith Scotland that export goods or services is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318406,"EventID":"S5W-04423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:48.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T17:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines it produces for local authorities when they are assessing individuals for the Blue Badge scheme.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland provides general, non-statutory guidance to local authorities about how they can go about administering the blue badge scheme. It is for local authorities, however, to ensure that they are adhering to the statutory criteria for obtaining a blue badge.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318407,"EventID":"S5W-04397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:51.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding (a) how many and (b) which companies in Scotland export goods or services.","AnswerText":"The Office of National Statistics estimate that in 2015 there were 11,500 companies in Scotland exporting goods or services.\r\nScotland’s Global Connections Survey and other survey and administrative sources provide the Scottish Government with information on companies in Scotland that export goods or services. However, specific company details and any data where it may be possible to identify an individual company is not published.\r\nOur enterprise agency Scottish Development International (SDI) is continually working with Scottish companies to help them achieve their international growth ambitions. SDI has a network of 29 global offices and over 200 professionals on hand to help facilitate business opportunities for our companies in overseas markets.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318408,"EventID":"S5W-04399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:35:57.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value of exports has been (a) in each year since 2011-12 and (b) since April 2016. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government produces a National Statistics publication, Export Statistics Scotland, which estimates the nominal value of Scottish exports for calendar years. The latest data is for 2014. Estimates of Scottish international and rest of UK exports for 2011 to 2014 are shown in the following table.\r\nYear\r\nExports (£ billions)\r\nInternational\r\nRest of UK\r\nTotal\r\n2011\r\n26.5\r\n44.3\r\n70.8\r\n2012\r\n26.9\r\n45.5\r\n72.3\r\n2013\r\n28.4\r\n47.0\r\n75.5\r\n2014\r\n27.5\r\n48.5\r\n76.0\r\nSource: Export Statistics Scotland, 2014","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318409,"EventID":"S5W-04408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:36:03.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T14:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03436 by Annabelle Ewing on 21 October 2016, how many arrests were made in relation to the Rangers versus Celtic match of 23 October 2016, and how many of these were in relation to (a) the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 and (b) various offences directly related to the match.","AnswerText":"At the Celtic versus Rangers match on 23 October 2016, there were 16 arrests in total.  6 of these came under Section 1 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318410,"EventID":"S5W-04413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:36:07.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the minor ailment service. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not directly commissioned or undertaken an assessment of the Minor Ailment Service (MAS). However, studies have been conducted by other bodies and in particular the MINA Study undertaken by the University of Aberdeen in collaboration with NHS Grampian and the University of East Anglia, published in January 2014. The final report is available at:- http://www.pharmacyresearchuk.org/waterway/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/MINA-Study-Final-Report.pdf\r\nThe planned extended MAS pilot in Inverclyde will help to further expand the existing evidence base for MAS and inform the future design of the service.\r\nThe pilot, will involve the current MAS being extended to all patients registered with a GP practice in the Inverclyde area and augmented to include treatments for the most common, uncomplicated conditions normally requiring a GP prescription.\r\nThe pilot is scheduled to commence from January 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318411,"EventID":"S5W-04426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:36:08.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T08:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to NHS boards on the use of taxis to deliver appointment letters and other correspondence to patients. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04425 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318412,"EventID":"S5W-04425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T10:36:10.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T08:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times NHS boards have used taxis to deliver appointment letters and other correspondence to patients since 1999, broken down by (a) board and (b) cost.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government. The issue raised is a matter for Health Boards, which are required to ensure best value in the use of public funds in line with the guidance set out in the Scottish Public Finance Manual.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318413,"EventID":"S5O-00302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:34:53.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the rail unions.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318414,"EventID":"S5O-00303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:34:55.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to third sector organisations that seek to build a case for the reopening of rail lines and stations.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318415,"EventID":"S5O-00304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:34:56.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a timetable for the installation of superfast broadband indicating when the service will be available in each area.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318416,"EventID":"S5O-00305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:34:58.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to extend access to high-speed fibre broadband across the country. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318417,"EventID":"S5O-00306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:34:59.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to address the reported concerns of farmers and industry representatives regarding new rules on linked holdings.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":318418,"EventID":"S5O-00307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:00.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many homes have exchange-only lines and no access to superfast broadband.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318419,"EventID":"S5O-00308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:01.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect employment in the agricultural sector.","AnswerText":"We are acting decisively to protect employment in the agricultural sector. We have put in place the 2016 CAP Basic Payment loan scheme to pump up to £300 million into farm businesses and indirectly, the wider rural economy this winter. When I launched this scheme I made clear my desire to see businesses use this funding to settle accounts, buy essential resources and plan investments, all of which will help to keep people in work right across the farming and food sectors. \r\nWe have announced that we will pass on in full to Scottish farmers and crofters and also Scottish stakeholders all of the funding guaranteed by the UK Government for projects and investment entered into before the UK leaves the EU. \r\nThis is on top of significant existing investment in excess of £16 million this year to develop agricultural businesses through a diverse range of support measures including advice, start-up, skills, training and innovation.\r\nWe are doing everything we can in this Government to provide clarity and certainty to protect jobs not just in the agricultural sector, but right across the rural economy. Work that has been made necessary and urgent by the UK Government planning in proposing to drag Scotland out of the EU against the democratic will of the Scottish people, out of the single market, putting at risk tens of thousands of livelihoods and jobs in the rural economy, including those of EU nationals who fulfil essential roles right across this country on farms and in food processing.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318420,"EventID":"S5O-00309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5757,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:02.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect bus services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of the bus sector through the provision of £50m funding through the Bus Service Operators Grant. This substantial funding helps keep fares at affordable levels and helps enable operators to safe-guard bus services which otherwise may not be commercially viable. The Scottish Government also provides the funding for local authorities to deliver nearly £60m a year to support their local bus services.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318421,"EventID":"S5O-00310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:03.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Director of ScotRail and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"I, along with my officials, last spoke with the Director of ScotRail on Wednesday 2 November. The meeting discussed ScotRail’s performance over the last week and an update was provided on the initiatives being progressed within the Performance Improvement Plan. In addition, I have engaged with ScotRail weekly to get an update on how performance is trending.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318422,"EventID":"S5O-00311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:04.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all crew working on vessels that operate on its contracts or receive support from its subsidies are paid at least the national minimum wage.","AnswerText":"As the member is aware, following recent media coverage, National Minimum Wage is not currently being paid to the crew on freighters operating the freight service to and from the Northern Isles. These freighters are leased, with crew, from Seatruck to the operator of the Northern Isles Ferry Service, Serco Northlink Ferries.\r\nEmployment law is a reserved matter and the European Commission has confirmed that any requirement on contractors, as part of a public procurement process or public contract, to pay their employees a living wage set at a higher rate than the UK’s National Minimum Wage, is unlikely to be compatible with EU law.\r\nI find the current situation unacceptable and have sought further legal advice on the issue. I have also again written to the UK Government, as my predecessor, Keith Brown MSP did in 2014, seeking their intervention in what is a reserved matter given National Minimum Wage legislation.\r\nI have also arranged for a meeting with Seatruck’s CEO tomorrow morning to discuss the matter further. \r\nCrew directly employed by David MacBrayne Ltd, Serco NorthLink Ferries Ltd and Marine Scotland are paid above the National Minimum Wage. I can confirm that David MacBrayne Ltd are a Living Wage employer.\r\nThe Scottish Ministers are currently considering all available options to promote fair work practices, including collective bargaining and payment of the National Minimum Wage and, where possible, the Scottish Living Wage in their contracts.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318423,"EventID":"S5O-00312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:07.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it will offer the new National Marine Centre being developed at North Berwick.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318424,"EventID":"S5O-00313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:08.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T09:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much carbon dioxide was released as a result of Ineos importing shale gas from the United States.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318425,"EventID":"S5O-00314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:09.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle the threat to woodland from invasive rhododendron.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318426,"EventID":"S5O-00315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:10.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what lessons can be learned from the Central Scotland Green Network in relation to biodiversity.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318427,"EventID":"S5O-00316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:12.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that Scottish Water maintains the highest standards of water quality.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318428,"EventID":"S5O-00317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5587,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:13.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made implementing its Circular Economy Strategy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318429,"EventID":"S5O-00318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:14.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Ministry of Defence in the last year regarding the environment. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318430,"EventID":"S5O-00319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5868,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:16.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce carbon emissions.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318431,"EventID":"S5O-00320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:17.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T08:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the review of the exemption from the requirement for food waste collections in rural areas, as set out in its strategy, Making Things Last.","AnswerText":"We want every household in Scotland to have access to a food waste service and 80% of Scottish households now do so. \r\nWe will continue to discuss with local authorities on how best to achieve a 100% outcome. For towns in rural areas which don’t yet have a service, this might include a kerbside service, or for more remote communities, that might include community composting facilities. \r\nSimilarly with businesses in rural areas, we will be working with them to develop actions that will allow them to contribute effectively towards achieving our food waste targets.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318432,"EventID":"S5O-00321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:18.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many community right to buy cases have been approved since April 2016 and how many are under consideration.","AnswerText":"Since 15 April 2016, when the revised legislation came into effect, there have been seven Community Right to Buy applications to register a community interest in land. \r\nOf those applications to register a community interest in land, four have been approved (registered), one rejected, one withdrawn and one is under consideration.\r\nTwo registrations are currently proceeding through the right to buy stage. These are at an early stage and will be considered for approval by me in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318433,"EventID":"S5O-00322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5877,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:20.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T14:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage school pupils to study medicine at university.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318434,"EventID":"S5O-00323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:21.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T11:27:55.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde regarding plans to close the children's ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and the birthing unit at Inverclyde Royal Hospital. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318435,"EventID":"S5O-00324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:23.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T14:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with its Nordic Baltic strategy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318436,"EventID":"S5O-00325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:25.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Fife Council.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318437,"EventID":"S5O-00326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:26.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported £42.7 million funding gap in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318438,"EventID":"S5O-00327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:27.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to tackle any age discrimination against 17-and-18-year-olds. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318439,"EventID":"S5O-00328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:29.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met representatives of NHS Borders and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318440,"EventID":"S5O-00329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5781,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:31.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities regarding the transport of looked after children.","AnswerText":"There are a variety of different guidance documents in force which include reference to transport of children for a range of different scenarios. Local Authorities are responsible for these arrangements and develop appropriate protocols to ensure their duties in this regard are met. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318441,"EventID":"S5O-00330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:32.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T09:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to mark the 70th anniversary of the Edinburgh festivals.","AnswerText":"Enhancement of the Expo Fund for the Edinburgh Festivals is a Scottish Government manifesto commitment. The Scottish Draft Budget 2017-18 will be published on 15 December. Decisions on specific budget allocations will not be available before that date. \r\nThe Scottish Government and the Edinburgh International Festival are presenting an event in Scotland House, Brussels on Wednesday \r\n23 November 2016 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the EIF in 2017. There will be an exhibition on the photographic history of 70 years of the Edinburgh International Festival and the Director of the EIF, Fergus Linehan, will give a talk on Entrances and Exits - what next for Europe's Festivals? ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318442,"EventID":"S5O-00331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T13:35:33.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318443,"EventID":"S5W-04235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:16.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children in each of the last five years have been (a) identified at birth as being disabled and (b) recognised as having additional learning support needs, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information about how many children have been identified at birth as being disabled. The data that is available is from the 2011 Census, which relates to people with a long-term health problem or disability which limits their day-to-day activities. This data, broken down by age and sex, can be accessed here: www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/standard-outputs.html\r\nPeople with a long-term disability or health problem may have responded in their census questionnaire that their day-to-day activities were not (or, in the case of under 5 year olds, likely judged by their parent/ carer not to be) limited as a result of their disability or health problem. \r\nUnder the Education(Additional Support for Learning) Scotland Act 2004 education authorities are required to provide appropriate additional support for certain disabled children under school age (generally children under 3 years of age) belonging to their area who have been brought to the attention of the authority as having additional support needs arising from their disability. \r\nThe number of children attending publically funded schools who are reported as having additional support needs is published each year as part of the pupil census. This information is available from Table 1.6 of the pupil census supplementary datasets: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/dspupcensus Note that those recorded as having Additional Support Needs includes a broad range of reasons for additional support, from ‘learning disability’ and ‘autistic spectrum disorder’ to ‘bereavement’ and ‘more able pupil’. See Table 1.8 of the supplementary tables for a full list of Reasons for Support.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318444,"EventID":"S5W-04236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:18.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the publication, A Blueprint for 2020: the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, when it will publish the revised statutory guidance on the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004.","AnswerText":"The statutory guidance is being revised in light of the amendments to the Additional Support for Learning Act which were brought forward through the Education (Scotland) Act 2016. The statutory guidance will be published for consultation, alongside non-statutory guidance and draft regulations in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318445,"EventID":"S5W-04385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:19.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T17:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements it has put in place for the review of the water and sewerage charges exemption scheme that is due to take place in 2017. ","AnswerText":"The Government expects to review the Water and Sewerage Exemption Scheme for Charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs in mid-2017. The review will involve representatives from the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and will take account of the representations made to date by the sector to the Government and representative bodies.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318446,"EventID":"S5W-04386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:22.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T11:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-03847 by John Swinney on 31 October 2016, whether it keeps data on head teacher vacancies and if so, for what reason it has no plans to publish this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect formal statistics on teacher vacancies. However, to strengthen the annual teacher workforce planning exercise with local intelligence, local authorities were asked to provide teacher vacancy numbers as at 21 September 2016. Head teacher vacancies are not shown separately in the information provided. \r\nThis local information was collected solely for the purpose of informing the annual teacher workforce planning exercise and we have no plans to publish it. Teacher and head teacher vacancy information is available from individual local authorities or at www.myjobscotland.gov.uk.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318447,"EventID":"S5W-04435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:26.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of compliance with the Fair Work Convention of its vessel procurement policies for the (a) Northern Isles and (b) Clyde and Hebrides ferry service contracts.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04436 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":318448,"EventID":"S5W-04436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:28.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that its ferry procurement policy includes an obligation to charter vessels from ship owners that recognise (a) officer and (b) ratings unions in Scotland for collective bargaining purposes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ministers are currently considering all available options to promote fair work practices, including collective bargaining and payment of the National Minimum Wage and, where possible, the Scottish Living Wage in their contracts.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":318449,"EventID":"S5W-04242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:30.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the publication, A Blueprint for 2020: the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, when it will publish the skills investment plan for the sector. ","AnswerText":"A draft of the Skills Investment Plan for the Early Learning and Childcare sector will be produced by January 2017 and shared with partners. The final version of the Plan will be published in spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318450,"EventID":"S5W-04446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4982,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:31.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which (a) ministers and (b) officials have met the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service regarding the proposed new Highland Prison since 1 August 2016, and what information it has regarding what meetings the chief executive has had with other stakeholders.","AnswerText":"I have monthly meetings with the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to discuss a range of operational issues. Our last meeting took place on 3 November 2016. \r\nSince 1 August 2016, no Ministers or Scottish Government officials have met the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service specifically to discuss proposals for HMP Highland. The Scottish Government has no information on any meetings that the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service has had with other stakeholders regarding HMP Highland within this timeframe.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318451,"EventID":"S5W-04234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:32.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much capital investment for early learning and childcare has been provided in each of the last five years by (a) the Scottish Futures Trust and (b) local authorities.","AnswerText":"Scottish government provided significant additional capital funding to local authorities to support implementation of the early learning and childcare elements of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014: £71 million in 2014-15, £69 million in 2015-16 and £30 million in 2016-17. \r\nLocal authority capital expenditure on pre-primary education for financial years \r\n2010-11 to 2014-15 (most recent data available) is shown in the following table.\r\nScottish Futures Trust have not provided any funding for capital investment during the last five years.\r\n\r\nLocal Authority Capital Expenditure – Pre-primary education, £’000s\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal Gross Capital Expenditure\r\n2010-11\r\n4,280\r\n2011-12\r\n5,707\r\n2012-13\r\n4,926\r\n2013-14\r\n3,873\r\n2014-15\r\n16,927\r\n\r\nSource: Local Financial Returns\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318452,"EventID":"S5W-04237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:33.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of its staff have (i) had the opportunity to access and (ii) taken-up flexible working arrangements in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting all staff to have a healthy work-life balance. The Flexible Working Policy is a key part of this and in line with the Scottish Government vision for the future. Flexible working is one way we can adapt to the challenges of being more open, responsive and capable.\r\nThe majority of Scottish Government staff have informal flexible working arrangements that are agreed by individual staff and managers to respond to the changing needs of the organisation. All Staff except those working shift patterns can apply to work flexibly. The different types of flexible working available are detailed in the following table.\r\nAs at end June 2016 we had 5,416 directly employed staff in the core SG. This number is consistent with our published headcount, which can be found in table C1 here: http://www.gov.scot/About/Information/workforce-information/workforce-information-q2-2016\r\nOf those, the staff who are less likely to have access to flexible working arrangements include:\r\nOffshore marine staff (161)\r\nHouse Teams (91)\r\nMotor Services (27 staff) \r\nThese three groups of staff comprise 5.2% of our directly employed staffing complement.\r\nTypes of flexible working\r\nDescription\r\nFlexi online\r\nAdjusting working time to suit individual circumstances.\r\nCompressed hours\r\nWorking agreed hours over fewer days.\r\nJob sharing\r\nSharing a job designed for one person with another member of staff. \r\nPart year\r\nWorking less than 52 weeks a year to meet personal or domestic situations.\r\nHome working\r\nWorking part or all of the week from home\r\nAgile Working \r\nAbility to work from different locations.\r\nPartial retirement\r\nStaff can draw some or all of their Civil Service pension and stay in work on a part time capacity. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318453,"EventID":"S5W-04387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:34.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00150 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 1 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 3), what the impact on students and staff will be of the reports that more than three quarters of colleges are in deficit.","AnswerText":"College deficits are largely due to technical matters (e.g. use of depreciation funds) or one-off items (e.g. college restructuring costs, property asset valuation reductions).\r\nThe number of colleges recording and forecasting operating deficits each year is fairly constant.\r\nThe Scottish Funding Council works closely with colleges and regional strategic bodies to ensure that deficits are kept to a minimum and operational activity, including any impact on Students and Staff is not adversely affected.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318454,"EventID":"S5W-04434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:38.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding nationality-based pay discrimination against seafarers working in the shipping industry in Scotland.","AnswerText":"In May 2014 Scottish Ministers wrote to the relevant UK Government Minister to clarify the position on the National Minimum Wage with regard to seafarers. The response from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport indicated that the UK has to ensure that it operates within international law as set down in UNCLOS (United Nations Laws of the Sea), and it is clearly stated that a sovereign State cannot interfere with the internal economies of a vessel sailing under a foreign flag when it is in its waters.\r\nScottish Ministers wrote again to UK Ministers on 4 November 2016, asking the UK Government to investigate the applicability of National Minimum Wage legislation in the maritime sector, specifically regarding seafarers working exclusively in UK waters.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":318455,"EventID":"S5W-04437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:40.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the payment of the living wage in the Scottish ferries sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that those employed in the Scottish ferry sectors are paid the Living Wage.\r\nCrew directly employed by David MacBrayne Ltd, Serco NorthLink Ferries Ltd and Marine Scotland are paid above the National Minimum Wage. I can confirm that David MacBrayne Ltd are a Living Wage employer.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":318456,"EventID":"S5W-04349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:42.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment by the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe on 27 September 2016 (Official Report, c. 62), that he did not recognise figures from the Treasury suggesting that there is a £1,600 \"bonus\" per-person in Scotland as a result of living in the UK, and its use of Treasury figures in its publication, Potential Implications of the UK Leaving the EU on Scotland's Long Run Economic Performance, what basis it uses to reject or accept figures published by the Treasury","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published analysis on 23 August 2016 summarising the potential impact that leaving the EU could have on Scotland’s GDP. This analysis was based on a range of recent studies by the Centre for Economic Performance, HM Treasury, National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR), the OECD, PWC and the CBI. \r\nThere is a clear consensus among forecasters that leaving the European Union will damage the UK economy. The analysis highlights the potential costs of leaving the EU and implies that by 2030 output in the Scottish economy could be up to £11.2 billion lower compared to forecast GDP in the absence of Brexit. \r\nSubsequent analysis by the Fraser of Allander Institute confirms the risks Brexit poses to Scotland’s economy, predicting that after ten years, GDP could be over 5% (£8 billion in 2015-16 terms) lower after leaving the EU than would otherwise be the case.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318457,"EventID":"S5W-04447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:45.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04013 by John Swinney on 2 November 2016, whether it will provide a breakdown of the secondary schools that are being supported through the Scottish Attainment Challenge, also broken down by how much each will receive. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Attainment Challenge provides both targeted support through the Attainment Scotland Fund and universal support available right across Scotland. Up to 133 secondary schools are being supported by Scottish Attainment Challenge funding following the recent expansion of this programme, while a further 45 have received funding to support innovative projects through the Attainment Challenge Innovation Fund, including some benefitting as part of projects delivered across school clusters.\r\nThe first table below shows the funding to individual schools from the Scottish Attainment Challenge and the Innovation Fund. The second table below shows the allocations for the secondary school programme across the 9 Challenge Authorities.\r\nFrom financial year 2017-18 the additional £100 million per annum that will be raised each year from our Council Tax reforms will be allocated directly to schools. It is likely that the vast majority of publicly funded schools will receive funding.\r\n2016-17 Attainment Challenge Innovation Fund and Schools Programme Funding\r\nLocal Authority\r\nSchool Name\r\nInnovation Fund\r\nSchool Programme Funding\r\nAberdeen City\r\nNorthfield Academy\r\n\r\n£49,428\r\nAberdeen City\r\nSt Machar Academy\r\n\r\n£79,206\r\nAberdeen City\r\nTorry Academy\r\n\r\n£64,658\r\nAberdeen City\r\nAberdeen Grammar School\r\n£15,362*\r\n\r\nAberdeen City\r\nBridge of Don Academy\r\n£1,500\r\n\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nPeterhead Academy\r\n£2,000\r\n\r\nAngus\r\nArbroath Academy\r\n£5,500\r\n\r\nClackmannanshire\r\nAlloa Academy\r\n£10,000\r\n\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\nSanquhar Academy\r\n£7,153\r\n£56,000\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\nCumnock Academy\r\n£10,000\r\n\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\nDoon Academy\r\n£10,000\r\n\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\nSt Joseph’s Academy\r\n£10,000\r\n\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\nKirkintilloch High School\r\n£9,150\r\n\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\nSt Ninian’s High School\r\n£7,700\r\n\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\nWoodfarm High School\r\n£5,270\r\n\r\nEdinburgh\r\nCastlebrae Community High\r\n£20,000*\r\n£73,262\r\nEdinburgh\r\nCraigroyston Community High\r\n\r\n£99,650\r\nEdinburgh\r\nHoly Rood RC High\r\n\r\n£81,880\r\nEdinburgh\r\nWester Hailes Education Centre\r\n\r\n£74,650\r\nEdinburgh City\r\nBroughton High School\r\n£7,300\r\n\r\nEdinburgh City\r\nCurrie Community High School\r\n£6,650\r\n\r\nEdinburgh City\r\nPortobello High School\r\n£5,100\r\n\r\nEdinburgh City\r\nGracemount High School\r\n£5,900\r\n\r\nEdinburgh City\r\nTynecastle High School\r\n£8,330\r\n\r\nNa h-Eileanan Siar\r\nCastlebay School\r\n£2,800\r\n\r\nNa h-Eileanan Siar\r\nSgoil Lionacleit\r\n£5,810\r\n\r\nFalkirk\r\nFalkirk High School\r\n£7,700\r\n£85,463\r\nFife\r\nSt Columba's High School\r\n\r\n£74,913\r\nFife\r\nGlenwood High School\r\n£9,953\r\n£87,472\r\nFife\r\nViewforth High School\r\n£17,550\r\n£72,525\r\nFife\r\nGlenrothes High School\r\n£14,100\r\n\r\nFife\r\nInverkeithing High School\r\n£9,932\r\n\r\nFife\r\nLochgelly High School\r\n£10,000\r\n\r\nFife\r\nQueen Anne High School\r\n£9,991\r\n\r\nGlasgow City\r\nCastlemilk High School\r\n£7,000\r\n\r\nGlasgow City\r\nSpringburn Academy\r\n£7,672\r\n\r\nGlasgow City\r\nWhitehill Secondary School\r\n£6,700\r\n\r\nHighland\r\nInvergordon Academy\r\n\r\n£71,576\r\nHighland\r\nWick High School\r\n£9,720 \r\n£86,102\r\nHighland\r\nAlness Academy\r\n\r\n£73,731\r\nHighland\r\nInverness High\r\n£43,968*\r\n£80,035\r\nHighland\r\nGolspie High School\r\n£18,600*\r\n\r\nHighland\r\nGrantown Grammar School\r\n£10,000*\r\n\r\nHighland\r\nKingussie High School\r\n£12,500*\r\n\r\nHighland\r\nKinlochleven High School\r\n£10,000\r\n\r\nHighland\r\nNairn Academy\r\n£8,520 \r\n\r\nHighland\r\nPortree High School\r\n£10,000 \r\n\r\nMidlothian\r\nNewbattle High School\r\n£10,000 \r\n\r\nMoray\r\nLossiemouth High School\r\n£5,000 \r\n\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\nArdrossan Academy\r\n£12,796 \r\n\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\nArran High School\r\n£10,000\r\n\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\nGarnock Academy\r\n£8,000 \r\n\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\nGreenwood Academy\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\nIrvine Royal Academy\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\nKilwinning Academy\r\n£34,200*\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\nLargs Academy\r\n£10,000\r\n\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\nChryston High School\r\n£10,000 \r\n\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\nDalziel High School\r\n£7,000 \r\n\r\nOrkney Islands\r\nKirkwall Grammar School\r\n£28,400*\r\n\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\nPerth Academy\r\n£10,000 \r\n\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\nSt John’s RC Academy\r\n£10,000 \r\n\r\nScottish Borders\r\nHawick High Sch","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318458,"EventID":"S5W-04449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:48.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T16:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to consult on proposals to expand the provisions in the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to include housing associations.","AnswerText":"Consultation on proposals to extend the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to housing associations will commence in due course. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318459,"EventID":"S5W-04243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:50.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the publication, A Blueprint for 2020: the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, (a) where and (b) when each delivery model trial will (i) take place and (ii) conclude; how much funding will be provided; what the focus of each trial will be, and which early learning and childcare settings will be involved. ","AnswerText":"On 15 November I set out details for three delivery trials to be progressed from January 2017, located in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders. A news release which provides further details on the individual trials can be found at: http://news.gov.scot/news/making-free-childcare-more-flexible\r\nWe will make a further announcement on the Programme of trials in December.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318460,"EventID":"S5W-04428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:51.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T09:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the chair of the Independent Review of Transvaginal Mesh Implants has resigned; who will replace her and when the review's final report will be published.","AnswerText":"The Chair of the Independent Review recently notified the Chief Medical Officer of her decision to resign as a result of a change in her availability. A replacement is presently being sought, and the Independent Review plans to publish its Final Report late this year or early in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318461,"EventID":"S5W-04239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:53.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the publication, A Blueprint for 2020: the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, when it will publish its strategic plan for its programme of infrastructure development.","AnswerText":"We will set out more details on our programme of infrastructure development in Spring 2017 as part of the Scottish Government’s response to the consultation.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318462,"EventID":"S5W-04407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:55.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T14:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the statement by the First Minister on 6 September 2016 (Official Report, c.17) that \"over the next few weeks we will confirm the appointment of an independent widening access commissioner\"; what progress is being made with this appointment, and by what date it expects the post to be filled.","AnswerText":"This is an important appointment and it is right that we take the time necessary to identify the right candidate. The Commission on Widening Access recommended that an appointment be made by the end of the year and we are working to progress this as a matter of priority.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318463,"EventID":"S5W-04432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:21:58.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how socio-economic inequalities in oral health are taken into account when allocating funding for Childsmile programmes in each NHS board area.","AnswerText":"The Childsmile Programme follows the principle of ‘proportionate universalism’ in that all children will receive oral health promoting interventions but those in the most deprived communities will receive additional interventions in order to reduce inequalities.\r\nFor example, a child at nursery or primary school in the most deprived areas (i.e. SIMD 1) is able to receive fluoride varnish applications four times per year. All other children are eligible for two applications per year.\r\nNHS Boards receive Childsmile funding to deliver the universal activities available to all children but those NHS Board areas with the greatest proportion of deprived communities will receive additional funding to deliver the priority interventions.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318464,"EventID":"S5W-04439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:22:00.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to recognise CalMac Ferries’ status as the Scotland region winner of the Living Wage Champion Awards.","AnswerText":"I welcome the success of CalMac Ferries Ltd in becoming the Scottish Living Wage Champion for 2016. CalMac is an operating subsidiary of David MacBrayne Ltd, a company wholly owned by the Scottish Ministers. Since 2011, the requirement for employers to pay the living wage to all their employees has been a key strand of Scottish Ministers' public sector pay policy. \r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to extending the Living Wage in Scotland and fully supports the Living Wage campaign.\r\nThe Living Wage commitment formed part of CalMac’s bid for the new Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract, and so is now a contractual obligation. Ministers are considering all available options to promote fair work practices, including payment of the National Minimum Wage and, where possible, the Scottish Living Wage in their contracts.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":318465,"EventID":"S5W-04241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:22:02.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the publication, A Blueprint for 2020: the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, how it will ensure that people working in childcare settings are covered by (a) the living wage and (b) all other fair work practices. ","AnswerText":"Through our consultation, A Blueprint for 2020: The Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, we are seeking views as to how payment of the Living Wage and wider Fair Work practises can be encouraged across the Early Learning and Childcare sector.\r\nWe will publish our response to the consultation in Spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318466,"EventID":"S5W-04441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:22:03.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T13:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many adverse events have taken place in the NHS since 1999, broken down by (a) NHS board, (b) category and (c) type of event.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally as individual NHS Boards are responsible and accountable for managing their own clinical governance processes. \r\nAdverse event reviews are carried out to determine whether there are learning points to improve the service. Boards then need to implement any improvements identified to support a greater level of safety for all the people involved in its care system. Significant adverse event review reports should be shared with everyone involved and a one-page learning summary completed and published in order to disseminate key learning points.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318467,"EventID":"S5W-04238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:22:05.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the publication, A Blueprint for 2020: the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, when it will publish the Flexible Jobs Index for Scotland. ","AnswerText":"We will commission a Flexible Jobs Index for Scotland, which will determine the availability of flexible jobs in Scotland, by the end of 2016 and we will seek to publish as soon as practicable thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318468,"EventID":"S5W-04240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:22:06.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many early learning and childcare settings have been inspected by Education Scotland in each of the last five years, broken down by type of setting.","AnswerText":"ELC inspection numbers - Financial year April to March - All published April 2011 to March 2016\r\nInspection types\r\nFigures\r\nFull\r\nFull inspection resulting in QI evaluations\r\nTry out\r\nTry out inspections not resulting in QI evaluations\r\nOther\r\n2 day notice inspections resulting in QI evaluations\r\n\r\nSector\r\nFigures\r\nPre-school\r\nLocal authority & grant-aided Primary School, All Through Nursery Classes and Early Learning and Childcare centres\r\nPSNC\r\nLocal Authority Primary School Nursery classes and All Through Nursery Classes\r\nELC\r\nPrivate, Voluntary, Other LA/Family centre, LA Nursery class-special, LA Nursery school-not special\r\nIndependent School Nursery\r\nIndependent-in-partnership-with-LA Nurseries & Independent-not-in-partnership-with-LA Nursery\r\n\r\n\r\nInspection type\r\n2011-12\r\nInspection type\r\n2012-13\r\nInspection type\r\n2013-14\r\nInspection type\r\n2014-15\r\nInspection type\r\n\r\n\r\n2015-16\r\nSector\r\nFull\r\nTotal\r\nFull\r\nTotal\r\nFull\r\nTotal\r\nFull\r\nTotal\r\nFull\r\nTry out\r\nOther\r\nTotal\r\nPre-school (PSNC + ELC)\r\n199\r\n199\r\n162\r\n162\r\n194\r\n194\r\n130\r\n130\r\n130\r\n4\r\n0\r\n134\r\nPSNC\r\n92\r\n92\r\n65\r\n65\r\n90\r\n90\r\n64\r\n64\r\n60\r\n4\r\n0\r\n64\r\nLA Nursery Class\r\n87\r\n87\r\n62\r\n62\r\n87\r\n87\r\n63\r\n63\r\n58\r\n4\r\n0\r\n62\r\nLA Nursery Class (All through)\r\n5\r\n5\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nELC\r\n107\r\n107\r\n97\r\n97\r\n104\r\n104\r\n66\r\n66\r\n70\r\n0\r\n0\r\n70\r\nLA Nursery Class - Special\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\n4\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nLA Nursery School - Special\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nLA Nursery School - Not Special\r\n15\r\n15\r\n20\r\n20\r\n21\r\n21\r\n11\r\n11\r\n8\r\n0\r\n0\r\n8\r\nOther LA/Family Centre\r\n4\r\n4\r\n3\r\n3\r\n4\r\n4\r\n4\r\n4\r\n7\r\n0\r\n0\r\n7\r\nPrivate\r\n59\r\n59\r\n49\r\n49\r\n50\r\n50\r\n29\r\n29\r\n38\r\n0\r\n0\r\n38\r\nVoluntary\r\n28\r\n28\r\n23\r\n23\r\n27\r\n27\r\n18\r\n18\r\n16\r\n0\r\n0\r\n16\r\nGrant Aided\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nIndependent School Nursery\r\n2\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nIn partnership\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nNot in partnership\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nGrand total (PSNC, ELC & Independent)\r\n201\r\n201\r\n162\r\n162\r\n194\r\n194\r\n131\r\n131\r\n131\r\n4\r\n0\r\n135\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318469,"EventID":"S5W-04406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:22:07.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T14:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is engaging with the UK Government to extend the post-study work visa pilot scheme to universities in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Tier 4 student visa pilot scheme falls far short of our calls for a post study work visa, and we remain concerned that the scheme was introduced without any consultation with the Scottish Government or Scottish higher education institutions. \r\nThe Minister for International Development and Europe and I jointly wrote to the UK Immigration Minister on 5 August, asking that he reconsider widening the scope of the pilot to include Scottish higher education institutions.\r\nThe UK Government's current post study work offer is not adequate for Scotland and we have pressed the UK Government for a number of months to meet with us and discuss this issue further. The Minister for International Development and Europe has requested a meeting with the UK Immigration Minister to discuss both post study work opportunities and the scope of the Tier 4 Pilot, and I understand that a date for that meeting has now been agreed.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318470,"EventID":"S5W-04431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:22:11.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T09:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02017 by Aileen Campbell on 7 September 2016, by what date it will make an announcement on the future of the Edinburgh cleft lip and palate surgical service and what the reason is for the delay. ","AnswerText":"As I confirmed in my statement to parliament on 2 November 2016, which is available at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10595&mode=pdf, I have met the clinical teams in Glasgow and Edinburgh and, in the light of those discussions and full consideration of the evidence, I expect to make a decision before the end of the year.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318471,"EventID":"S5W-04433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-02T17:22:12.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Action on Hearing Loss Scotland's recommendation that the Audiology Services Advisory Group should be reconvened to provide strategic oversight of the quality standards for adult audiology services. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently considering this finding from Action on Hearing Loss Scotland's 'Time to raise the standards' report.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318496,"EventID":"S5O-00332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T09:58:49.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what steps it is taking to prevent illegal camps being set up on the Parliament estate.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318497,"EventID":"S5O-00334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":4982,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T09:59:00.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what assessment has been made of the drainage on the roof of the Garden Lobby.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318498,"EventID":"S5O-00333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T09:59:13.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will consider installing additional boiling water dispensers in the building, in light of health and safety concerns.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318499,"EventID":"S5O-00301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T09:59:23.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-27T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what it does with unsold food from eating facilities in the building.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318515,"EventID":"S5W-04200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:27.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis of the European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) and its impact on Scotland it has commissioned since the EU referendum result. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is exploring all options to secure Scotland’s interests, and to protect its relationship with the EU and our place in the single market.\r\nAs part of this, the Scottish Government is currently undertaking a range of analyses to understand the potential implications of the UK exiting the EU across various policy areas and scenarios. These draw on Scottish Government in-house work, analysis commissioned by others and advice by its expert Standing Council on Europe.\r\nIn the coming weeks the Scottish Government will table specific proposals that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318516,"EventID":"S5W-04203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:30.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis of a unilateral free trade policy and its impact on Scotland it has commissioned since the EU referendum result.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is exploring all options to secure Scotland’s interests, and to protect its relationship with the EU and our place in the single market.\r\nAs part of this, the Scottish Government is currently undertaking a range of analyses to understand the potential implications of the UK exiting the EU across various policy areas and scenarios. These draw on Scottish Government in-house work, analysis commissioned by others and advice by its expert Standing Council on Europe.\r\nIn the coming weeks the Scottish Government will table specific proposals that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318517,"EventID":"S5W-04204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:33.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis of reverting to World Trade Organization rules and its impact on Scotland it has commissioned since the EU referendum result.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is exploring all options to secure Scotland’s interests, and to protect its relationship with the EU and our place in the single market.\r\nAs part of this, the Scottish Government is currently undertaking a range of analyses to understand the potential implications of the UK exiting the EU across various policy areas and scenarios. These draw on Scottish Government in-house work, analysis commissioned by others and advice by its expert Standing Council on Europe.\r\nIn the coming weeks the Scottish Government will table specific proposals that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318518,"EventID":"S5W-04253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:36.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what maximum level of (a) bursary and (b) loan has been available to higher education students in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the maximum amount of bursary available in the last five academic years.\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nYoung Students' Bursary\r\n£2,640\r\n£2,640\r\n£1,750\r\n£1,750\r\n£1,875\r\nIndependent Students' Bursary\r\n£1,000\r\n£1,000\r\n£750\r\n£750\r\n£875\r\nStudents' Outside Scotland Bursary \r\n£2,150\r\n£2,150\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nThe following table shows the maximum amount of living cost loan available in the last three academic years.\r\nAnalysis for 2011-12 and 2012-13 is not available because there were a large number of fluctuations on the maximum loan available, with amounts being based on the actual term length of each course and the location of study for students.\r\nMaximum loan level\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nYoung students\r\n£5,500\r\n£5,750\r\n£5,750\r\nIndependent students\r\n£6,500\r\n£6,750\r\n£6,750\r\nSource: SAAS","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318519,"EventID":"S5W-04254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:37.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students from poor backgrounds were eligible for the additional £125 payment in 2015-16; how many claimed it, broken down by (a) income and (b) Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile, and what plans it has to incorporate similar payments in the future through bursaries or grants, rather than on an ad-hoc basis.","AnswerText":"A total of 37,820 students received the additional £125 bursary in 2015-16. The bursary was payable to eligible students who were already in receipt of a bursary and were from a household with an income below £24,000. 30,930 students who received the bursary were from households with an annual income below £16,999.\r\nThe £125 additional bursary was embedded in the student support rates for 2016-17 which means all eligible students will receive this additional payment going forward.\r\nThe following table shows the students who received the additional bursary in 2015-16 by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2012.\r\nSIMD 2012\r\nBURSARY RECIPIENTS\r\n1 - 20% most deprived\r\n10,520\r\n2\r\n8,560\r\n3\r\n7,430\r\n4\r\n6,205\r\n5 - 20% least deprived\r\n4,790\r\nTOTAL\r\n37,820\r\nSource: Student Awards Agency Scotland\r\nNote: SIMD 2012 identifies small area concentrations of multiple deprivation across all of Scotland in a consistent way. The SIMD ranks small areas (called datazones) from most deprived (ranked 1) to least deprived (ranked 6,505). Analysis here is based on quintiles which split the ranks in to five equal sized groups, such as the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318520,"EventID":"S5W-04354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:38.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the extent to which rents for support accommodation may be higher than when compared with other accommodation types and, if no assessment has been made, whether it will consider doing so and in what timescale.","AnswerText":"Rents in supported accommodation generally exceed rents in other accommodation types, due to high management and other associated costs.\r\nNo assessment has been made on the extent to which rents in supported accommodation may be higher compared to rents for other accommodation. The Scottish Government does not currently collect data on people in supported accommodation, however Scottish Government are currently in the process of implementing a data collection which will provide some data on this. \r\nThe UK Government has undertaken a substantial body of research on the provision of supported accommodation across Great Britain which we understand will shortly be published along with a consultation paper. When it is published we will consider this research carefully, and consider whether the Scottish Government needs to undertake further research or analysis.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318521,"EventID":"S5W-04213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:40.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the likely impact of Brexit on Scotland’s food and drink exports (a) to the EU and (b) through EU free trade agreements.","AnswerText":"Food and Drink Exports from Scotland were valued at £4.9 billion in 2015, with 40% going to the EU. We are working closely with stakeholders across the food and drink industry, including the industry leadership body, Scotland Food and Drink, to establish the impact of Brexit on Scotland’s trade within the EU and through wider free trade agreement. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318522,"EventID":"S5W-04215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:43.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had or plans with the Japanese Government regarding the impact on Scotland of the findings of the report, Japan’s Message to the United Kingdom and the European Union.","AnswerText":"On 28 September, along with Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe, I met with the Japanese Consul General and a range of Japanese businesses based in Scotland to discuss the impact of the EU Referendum.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318523,"EventID":"S5W-04247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:46.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the publication, A Blueprint for 2020: the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, how the estimated average saving of £2,000 per child was calculated; when it will be fully delivered, and whether it will publish regular updates on progress with this.","AnswerText":"It is estimated that by almost doubling the number of free hours of Early Learning and Childcare entitlement from current levels (600 hours) to 1140 hours by 2020 will result in an average saving of £2,000 per child.\r\nThis has been calculated as the additional number of funded hours multiplied by the hourly price of early learning and childcare using the latest figures estimated by the Family and Childcare Trust for privately purchasing early learning and childcare for children over age 2 (estimated to be £4.16 per hour). \r\nThe Scottish Government will provide updates on progress toward delivery of 1,140 hours.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318524,"EventID":"S5W-04249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:47.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) mean and (b) median debt for students on completion of a (a) first full-time undergraduate degree and (b) full-time postgraduate degree was in each of the last five years, broken down by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile.","AnswerText":"Information on student loan debt is held and published by the Student Loans Company (SLC). \r\nhttp://www.slc.co.uk/official-statistics/student-loans-debt-and-repayment/scotland.aspx\r\nThe latest publication, covering financial year 2015-16, showed that the average student loan debt for the 2016 cohort, which just entered repayment, was £10,500. The publication does not contain the other information requested.\r\nAverage Loan Balance on entry into repayment by repayment cohort\r\n\r\nAverage balance on entry to repayment (£)\r\n\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nScotland\r\n6,470\r\n6,860\r\n7,440\r\n9,410\r\n10,500\r\nSource: Student Loans Company\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318525,"EventID":"S5W-04356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:48.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people reside in supported accommodation and would be affected by the planned cap on local housing allowance for supported accommodation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not currently collect data on people in supported accommodation, however Scottish Government are currently in the process of implementing a data collection which will provide some data on this. As rents in supported accommodation generally exceed local housing allowance rates we would expect a significant number of those in supported accommodation receiving support for housing costs to be affected.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318526,"EventID":"S5W-04358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:50.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average rent is for people receiving local housing allowance and what the average shortfall in rent is when compared to local housing allowance, broken down by accommodation type.","AnswerText":"The Department for Work and Pensions are responsible for collecting and publishing data on housing benefit and local housing allowance (LHA). LHA rates are published at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/privaterent/tenants/Local-Housing-Allowance/figures. The Scottish Government has not made any assessment on the current shortfall between awards of LHA and rents. LHA rates currently only apply to the private sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318527,"EventID":"S5W-04206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:51.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of what engagement it has had or plans with the (a) Norwegian, (b) Swiss, (c) Canadian and (d) US Government since the EU referendum result regarding future trade arrangements with Scotland.","AnswerText":"Powers to make trade agreements are not currently held by the Scottish Government but are held by the UK which is not able to make any trade agreements whilst it remains a member of the European Union. The Scottish Government’s priority at present is to protect our relationship with Europe and ensure Scotland and the UK remain members of the single market. We are engaging directly with the UK government to achieve those objectives and to protect Scotland's interests. In the meantime, our trade and investment strategy published in March this year set out a comprehensive action plan to boost Scotland’s export activity and to make it clear that Scotland is open for business with Europe and with the rest of the world. Following the Brexit result, engagement has taken place with a number of countries, including Switzerland, Canada, US and Norway to discuss the implications of the result on Scotland on trade and other matters.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318528,"EventID":"S5W-04363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:53.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many supported accommodation places (a) were (i) available and (ii) taken up in each of the last five years and (b) it anticipates being (A) available and (B) taken up in each of the next 10 years, broken down by accommodation type.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The Scottish Government does not currently collect data on people in supported accommodation, however Scottish Government are currently in the process of implementing a data collection which will provide some data on this.\r\nThe supported accommodation sector is complex and encompasses a range of different forms of accommodation, with different providers and meeting different needs. The UK Government has undertaken a substantial body of research on the provision of supported accommodation across Great Britain which we understand will shortly be published along with a consultation paper. When it is published we will consider this research carefully, and consider whether the Scottish Government needs to undertake further research or analysis.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318529,"EventID":"S5W-04365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:55.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the 50,000 affordable homes that it plans to build during the current parliamentary session will be supported accommodation.","AnswerText":"Local Authority Strategic Housing Investment Plans (SHIPs) are produced every two years by local authorities. These are the key documents which identify the strategic housing projects to assist the achievement of the 50,000 target. SHIPs will be directly informed by the councils Local Housing Strategy and developed in consultation with key stakeholders.\r\nFunding decisions are therefore based on the priorities of local authorities as identified in their Housing Need and Demand Assessments, Local Housing Strategies and Strategic Housing Investment Plans.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318530,"EventID":"S5W-04440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:56.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T13:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, following the comment \"All I have to do is look at my Twitter feed to see that people are complaining largely about capacity issues during peak hours\" by the Minister for Transport for the Islands at the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee on 26 October 2016 (Official Report, c.16), to what extent it uses Twitter as a means of developing policy, and what steps it takes to ensure that ministers’ Twitter feeds are able to be accessed equitably by passengers from across Scotland.","AnswerText":"In line with changing media consumption habits, and our ambitions for more open and accessible government, Scottish Ministers place increasing value on the importance of communicating and engaging with the public via social media, as well as continuing to engage through more traditional means. The Twitter system works such that all Twitter feeds are publicly available. \r\nIn terms of access to passengers, the Transport Minister regularly meets and engages with transport groups, most recently at the Cycling Scotland Conference in Perth on 8 November. Transport Scotland also receives passenger feedback on public transport performance, including ScotRail capacity issues, via email, letters, and telephone.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318531,"EventID":"S5W-04472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:28:58.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent labour market statistics suggesting that there has been a rise in economic inactivity, particularly among women.","AnswerText":"Scotland has lower female inactivity and unemployment rates and a higher female employment rate than the UK as a whole. However, we recognise more can be done.\r\nThrough our Labour Market Strategy we are continuing to support and encourage people into the labour market, to reduce unemployment and increase employment. Our approach is to create an economy that supports a sustainable working population and that can retain and attract new talent, to meet our wider economic and social ambitions.\r\nAlongside this, the Scottish Government has set out new commitments to; establish a Council for Women and Girls, deliver a programme for women returning to work following a career break and supporting the newly created working group to look at pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace. On top of this we have announced a funding package of £200,000 which will enable organisations like Women’s Enterprise Scotland, Investing Women and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce to tackle the gender gap within enterprise growth. This is very much in line with The Scottish Government’s committed to promoting a can do culture of entrepreneurship across all of society.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318532,"EventID":"S5W-04474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:04.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage an increase in exports to the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04404 on 10 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318533,"EventID":"S5W-04205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:12.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe has sought from the UK Government regarding the impact of each product tariff on manufacturers under World Trade Organization rules, and whether it plans its own assessment of this.","AnswerText":"The manufacturing sector remains a vital part of the Scottish economy. The Scottish Government is well aware of its importance and the implications that Brexit will have on the sector, its associated industries and their supply chains. Our priority is to protect all of Scotland’s interests and we are considering all possible steps to ensure Scotland’s continuing relationship with the EU. The UK Government has yet to set out its preferred model to underpin the UK’s future relationship with the EU. Other member states are also yet to collectively set out the relationship that they would wish the EU to have with the UK in the future.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318534,"EventID":"S5W-04216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:15.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Minister for the UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe has sought or is seeking guarantees about Japanese investment in Scotland and, if so, what these are.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with its enterprise agencies to ensure that Scotland remains an attractive place for inward investment.\r\nFollowing his statement to the UK Parliament on 31 October, I have written to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy asking that he share the details of the reassurances he has given to Nissan on tariff free access to European markets.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318535,"EventID":"S5W-04248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:17.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average annual cost of childcare has been for parents and carers in each of the last five years, and how it calculates this.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government does not collect data on annual costs of childcare on a regular basis and has not calculated the average annual cost to parents of childcare. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318536,"EventID":"S5W-04255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:18.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people claimed (a) the maximum and (b) below the maximum level of higher education student (i) bursary and (ii) loan in each of the last five years, also broken down by how many claims were approved, and what information it has regarding how many eligible people did not claim.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of students, who received the maximum amount of bursary in the last five academic years, and the number who received less than the maximum. \r\nNumber of Students Receiving Bursary\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal\r\n51,275\r\n50,055\r\n50,465\r\n49,230\r\n46,560\r\nMaximum\r\n32,470\r\n32,065\r\n30,550\r\n30,180\r\n29,020\r\nLess than maximum\r\n18,805\r\n17,990\r\n19,915\r\n19,050\r\n17,540\r\nThe following table shows the number of students that were assessed by Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for the maximum loan available and those that were assessed for an amount less than the maximum.\r\nThis information is only available for the last three academic years. Analysis for 2011-12 and 2012-13 is not available because there were a large number of fluctuations on the maximum loan available, with amounts being based on the actual term dates for each course.\r\nNumber of Students Receiving Loan\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal\r\n85,655\r\n88,985\r\n92,005\r\nMaximum\r\n37,405\r\n37,230\r\n35,690\r\nLess than maximum\r\n48,250\r\n51,755\r\n56,315\r\nSource: SAAS\r\nNote: Analysis is based on those receiving the exact maximum amounts – there may be some who initially would have been entitled to the maximum, though what they actually received may have been adjusted to account for issues such as overpayments from previous sessions being recovered. Loans are based on what SAAS authorised, what the student actually took out through the Student Loans Company (SLC) may be different. The analysis does not cover those who “claimed”, only those who received support. We do not hold information on those who “claimed” a loan but did not receive one.\r\nInformation on the number of eligible students who did not apply for a loan or bursary is not available.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318537,"EventID":"S5W-04355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:20.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what planning it has undertaken in anticipation of the introduction of the planned cap on local housing allowance for supported accommodation in 2019.","AnswerText":"We expect the UK Government to publish research on the provision of supported accommodation and a consultation paper with more detail on their proposed approach shortly, it would be premature to make any plans without this information.\r\nThe Scottish Government intends to use devolved funding to ensure that the supported accommodation sector is put onto a secure and sustainable footing and we will work with a broad range of stakeholders to achieve this.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318538,"EventID":"S5W-04416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:21.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T15:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of (a) how many and (b) what percentage of jobs are susceptible to be lost to automation or computerisation, broken down by (i) type of job and (ii) sector.","AnswerText":"There is no analysis undertaken as the data is not gathered or held centrally. As digital transformation plans are developed, a full assessment of the impact at all levels including equality, business and people, will be undertaken. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318539,"EventID":"S5W-04245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students (a) began and (b) completed a Childhood Practice (BA) degree in each of the last five years, broken down by institution.","AnswerText":"ADMISSIONS\r\nInstitution\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nTotal\r\nAberdeen University\r\n15\r\n28\r\n25\r\n19\r\n47\r\n134\r\nAyrshire College\r\n10\r\n10\r\nDundee University\r\n82\r\n56\r\n39\r\n35\r\n67\r\n279\r\nEdinburgh College\r\n24\r\n0\r\n48\r\n72\r\nEdinburgh University\r\n24\r\n24\r\n24\r\n24\r\n25\r\n121\r\nExperiential Play\r\n4\r\n4\r\nGlasgow Clyde College\r\n20\r\n14\r\n12\r\n46\r\nGlasgow University \r\n56\r\n60\r\n88\r\n97\r\n131\r\n432\r\nHamilton School\r\n0\r\n0\r\n12\r\n12\r\nNorth East Scotland College\r\n8\r\n8\r\nStirling Council\r\n14\r\n15\r\n35\r\n64\r\nStrathclyde University\r\n46\r\n24\r\n33\r\n33\r\n33\r\n169\r\nUniversity of the Highlands & Islands\r\n18\r\n29\r\n43\r\n140\r\n140\r\n370\r\nUniversity of the West of Scotland (UWS)\r\n61\r\n26\r\n26\r\n30\r\n5\r\n148\r\nWest Lothian College\r\n14\r\n3\r\n17\r\nTOTAL\r\n302\r\n247\r\n362\r\n424\r\n551\r\n1886\r\nCOMPLETIONS\r\nInstitution\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nTotal\r\nAberdeen University\r\n23\r\n2\r\n6\r\n15\r\n16\r\n62\r\nAyrshire College\r\n13\r\n13\r\nDundee University\r\n17\r\n57\r\n39\r\n51\r\n32\r\n196\r\nEdinburgh College\r\n20\r\n23\r\n43\r\nEdinburgh University\r\n18\r\n19\r\n20\r\n20\r\n20\r\n97\r\nExperiential Play\r\n4\r\n4\r\nGlasgow Clyde College\r\n18\r\n18\r\nGlasgow University \r\n63\r\n48\r\n31\r\n46\r\n121\r\n309\r\nHamilton School\r\n0\r\nNorth East Scotland College\r\n0\r\nStirling Council\r\n12\r\n12\r\nStrathclyde University\r\n44\r\n84\r\n40\r\n37\r\n205\r\nUniversity of the Highlands & Islands\r\n36\r\n55\r\n91\r\nUniversity of the West of Scotland (UWS)\r\n45\r\n70\r\n9\r\n9\r\n15\r\n148\r\nWest Lothian College\r\n9\r\n9\r\nTOTAL\r\n210\r\n280\r\n154\r\n283\r\n280\r\n1207","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318540,"EventID":"S5W-04360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:24.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with housing providers regarding the planned cap on local housing allowance for supported accommodation. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government meets with housing providers and other stakeholders with an interest in supported accommodation through the temporary accommodation and supported accommodation sub group, which has met since 2013. This group has discussed the plans to extend local housing allowance (LHA) to the social sector, and its members, including Scottish Women’s Aid have been among those groups calling on the UK Government to take a different approach for supported accommodation.\r\nThis group last met on 19 September, and discussed the Secretary of State for Work and Pension’s written statement on applying LHA to the social rented sector, and the funding for supported accommodation. The group agreed to meet again shortly after the DWP research and consultation had been published.\r\nThis group also consulted with the Scottish Housing Best Value Network (Now known as the Scottish Housing Network) on guidance to support landlords and local authority housing benefit teams in defining supported exempt accommodation for the purpose of ensuring unintended consequences of UK Government welfare reform were avoided and to prepare for any measures to localise support for this sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318541,"EventID":"S5W-04362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:25.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether the planned cap on local housing allowance for supported accommodation would (a) deter investment in this area prior to its implementation, and (b) reduce the supply thereafter, and, if no assessment has been made, whether it will consider doing so and in what timescale.","AnswerText":"No assessment has been made on the impact of local housing allowance changes to investment. The Scottish Government made clear it was concerned about the potential impact, and welcomed the announcement that funding for supported accommodation would be maintained at current levels.\r\nThe Scottish Government intends to use devolved funding to ensure that the supported accommodation sector is put onto a secure and sustainable footing. We will work with a broad range of stakeholders to achieve this.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318542,"EventID":"S5W-04460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:26.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the charter parties for MS (a) Helliar and (b) Hildasay.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04456 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318543,"EventID":"S5W-04462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:29.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd on the provision of publicly owned vessels to meet (a) passenger and (b) freight capacity requirements for Northern Isles ferry services.","AnswerText":"A comprehensive study of the Northern Isles Ferry Services is currently being conducted. This study will inform the specification for the next contract and includes consideration of passenger and freight vessel requirements.\r\nOn 4 November Transport Scotland asked Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd to conduct a search on the worldwide maritime market to assess the scale of suitable and available freight vessels. The outcome of this search will inform freight vessel options and the specification for the procurement of the next Northern Isles Ferry Services contract.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318544,"EventID":"S5W-04477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:32.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions it has had with The Highland Council and (b) financial support will be available in relation to the development of Ashaig airfield on Skye to create an operational airport.","AnswerText":"Highland Council, HITRANS and Transport Scotland have regular discussions on Highlands and Islands air services, including the studies that have been carried out in relation to Skye. We recognise the aspirations of bodies and individuals in the Highlands and Islands to expand air services and we are happy to discuss them. However the future development of the airstrip at Broadford remains a matter for Highland Council as owners of the site.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318545,"EventID":"S5W-04201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:35.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis of a customs union with the EU and its impact on Scotland it has commissioned since the EU referendum result. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is exploring all options to secure Scotland’s interests, and to protect its relationship with the EU and our place in the single market.\r\nAs part of this, the Scottish Government is currently undertaking a range of analyses to understand the potential implications of the UK exiting the EU across various policy areas and scenarios. These draw on Scottish Government in-house work, analysis commissioned by others and advice by its expert Standing Council on Europe.\r\nIn the coming weeks the Scottish Government will table specific proposals that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318546,"EventID":"S5W-04202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:37.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis of a bespoke, bilateral free trade deal with the EU and its impact on Scotland it has commissioned since the EU referendum result. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is exploring all options to secure Scotland’s interests, and to protect its relationship with the EU and our place in the single market.\r\nAs part of this, the Scottish Government is currently undertaking a range of analyses to understand the potential implications of the UK exiting the EU across various policy areas and scenarios. These draw on Scottish Government in-house work, analysis commissioned by others and advice by its expert Standing Council on Europe.\r\nIn the coming weeks the Scottish Government will table specific proposals that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318547,"EventID":"S5W-04251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:40.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total accumulated level of higher education-student debt has been in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"Information on student loan debt is held and published by the Student Loans Company (SLC). \r\nhttp://www.slc.co.uk/official-statistics/student-loans-debt-and-repayment/scotland.aspx\r\nThe latest publication, covering financial year 2015-16, showed that the total balance outstanding (including loans not yet due for repayment) was £4.0 billion.\r\nTotal loan balance at the end of financial years 2011-12 to 2015-16\r\n\r\nOutstanding Student Loans Debt (£ billions)\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nScotland\r\n2.6\r\n2.7\r\n3.1\r\n3.5\r\n4.0\r\nSource: Student Loans Company","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318548,"EventID":"S5W-04252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:42.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the publication of Higher Education Student Support in Scotland 2015-16, what the reason is for the reduction in the number of bursary recipients (a) since 2014-15 and (b) over the longer term. ","AnswerText":"The publication does not identify a reason for the reduction in the number of students accessing bursaries. However, the Scottish Government will investigate this further, in consultation with stakeholders, as part of the recently announced review of student support. \r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to doing more to ensure support is equitable and fair for all students, particularly the most vulnerable, which is why we have announced a comprehensive review of student support with an independent chair. The review will examine a range of issues including the current split between bursaries and loans.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318549,"EventID":"S5W-04451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:43.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the vessel charter payments to Serco NorthLink Ferries since July 2012 was for the cost of chartering MS (a) Helliar and (b) Hildasay from Seatruck.","AnswerText":"The vessel charter payments by Serco NorthLink Ferries to Seatruck in respect of MV Helliar and MV Hildasay is a commercially confidential matter for those companies.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318550,"EventID":"S5W-04452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:46.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on the time charters for MS (a) Helliar and (b) Hildasay since 2010.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Serco Northlink Ferries charter the MV Helliar and the MV Hildasay from Seatruck and the costs of their charters are commercially confidential.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318551,"EventID":"S5W-04456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:49.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed the terms of the time charters for MS (a) Helliar and (b) Hildasay with Seatruck.","AnswerText":"The time charters for the MV Helliar and MV Hildasay are currently a commercial arrangement between Serco Northlink Ferries and Seatruck. The Minister for Transport and the Islands, has however met with the CEO of Seatruck on 10 November 2016, to discuss the issues around staff pay on the freight vessels. Following a constructive meeting, further work will be undertaken by Seatruck and Transport Scotland to try and resolve the current situation.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318552,"EventID":"S5W-04458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:52.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances payments for chartering MS (a) Helliar and (b) Hildasay from Seatruck can be withheld under the current contract.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04456 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318553,"EventID":"S5W-04481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:55.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding resettling child refugees from the Calais refugee camp.","AnswerText":"I met with the Immigration Minister on 11 October 2016 to discuss issues relating to refugees and asylum. During the meeting, I raised the plight of unaccompanied child refugees and made clear that Scotland was willing to play its part in helping to facilitate the transfer of such children. \r\nI have also written to the Immigration Minister on a number of occasions to raise matters of concern in relation to the asylum system and refugees. On 22 August 2016, I wrote to him about the circumstances of unaccompanied child refugees across Europe to urge him to increase the speed of response to the crisis.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318554,"EventID":"S5W-04418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:29:58.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T15:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the estimate in Deloitte report, State of the State 2016-17, which suggests that one-in-six jobs in the public sector could be lost to automation. ","AnswerText":"We’re committed to ensuring the public sector workforce is fit-for-purpose and can deliver on our digital transformation ambitions. This includes ensuring the resources we have are invested in front-line services. \r\nDigital transformation in itself requires the employment of a range of professions as we design digital services, standardise our processes across the public sector and simplify processes for the user. Potential effects of ‘automation’, are problematic to quantify, as there are often unforeseen developments in any given labour market with technological advances.\r\nHowever, the report by Deloitte also indicated that Brexit was an important threat to Scotland’s economy, jobs and long-term prosperity.\r\nAnalysis shows that the potential cost of leaving the European Union to the Scottish economy is up to £11.2 billion per year by 2030. And the independent Fraser of Allander Institute has forecast that Brexit could cost Scotland up to 80,000 jobs over the next decade.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318555,"EventID":"S5W-04453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:00.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many charter agreements it has entered into for additional (a) freight and (b) passenger vessels on Northern Isles ferry routes since 1 July 1999.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not entered into any charter agreements for additional freight vessels on the Northern Isles route since 1999. The current passenger vessels on the Northern Isles ferry routes have been on lease to the Scottish Government from the Royal Bank of Scotland since their introduction into the service in 2002.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318556,"EventID":"S5W-04454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:02.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many bids for the 2012-18 Northern Isles ferry services contract contained proposals to use alternative freight vessels to MS Helliar and MS Hildasay.","AnswerText":"This information is commercially confidential. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318557,"EventID":"S5W-04471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:05.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T18:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) midwives and (b) health visitors have had training in perinatal mental health, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Data on the training of midwives and health visitors in NHS Scotland is not collated or held centrally. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318558,"EventID":"S5W-04455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:07.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings there have been between Seatruck and (a) ministers and (b) Transport Scotland officials since 1 July 1999.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Transport and the Islands met with the CEO of Seatruck on 10 November 2016, to discuss the issues around staff pay on the freight vessels currently operating on the Northern Isles ferry service. Transport Scotland officials were in attendance. Following a constructive meeting, further work will be undertaken by Seatruck and Transport Scotland to try and resolve the current situation.\r\nTransport Scotland officials have met three times with Seatruck officials on other occasions.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318559,"EventID":"S5W-04466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:10.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T17:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the figure recorded by the General Teaching Council for Scotland in its publication, Annual Report and Accounts 2015-2016, suggesting that, between 2012-13 and 2015-16, the number of official complaints submitted by parents against teachers increased by more than 65%.","AnswerText":"The management of local authority schools and the employment of teachers for those schools are matters for local authorities. Therefore issues relating to teacher conduct and competence are first and foremost matters for them as employers to deal with and be satisfied with the conduct of their employees. \r\nThe General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) is the independent, regulatory body for teachers in Scotland and they are responsible for considering any complaints which are raised relating to the conduct or competence of a registered teacher. The vast majority of teachers in Scotland are doing a great job - they are a highly skilled and highly professional workforce and the Scottish Government works with the GTCS to ensure that these high levels of teacher professional standards are maintained. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318560,"EventID":"S5W-04480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:13.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many social care worker vacancies there are in each health and social care partnership area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318561,"EventID":"S5W-04214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:14.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Minister for the UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe has had with the UK Government regarding people from Scotland who live elsewhere in the EU having the right to remain in the country that they are living in post-Brexit.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is firm in its belief that the rights of Scots living in the EU should be maintained. I have raised this issue in my discussions with the UK Government, both through bi-lateral meetings with David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, and during the first Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) which took place earlier this month. I have, and will continue, to make clear that membership of the single market and the benefits that flow from it, including free movement of labour, is essential for the economic prosperity of Scotland.\r\nDr Allan, Minister for International Development and Europe is due to meet with the UK Minister of State for Immigration Mr Goodwill on 1 December and will raise issues relating to freedom of movement during that discussion. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318562,"EventID":"S5W-04246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:17.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) teachers and (b) graduates have worked in nurseries in the most deprived areas in the country in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"The then Scottish Executive repealed the Schools Code in 2002, which had previously required all local authorities to employ a full-time teacher in every nursery. Local authorities were therefore given the flexibility to decide how best to involve teachers in the delivery of early learning and childcare, and this remains their responsibility. \r\nThe table sets out the number of Full-Time Equivalent teachers working in Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) centres situated in the 20% most deprived areas of Scotland. In each year over the period 2011 to 2015 FTE teachers working in ELC centres in the 20% most deprived areas have accounted for around 20% of all FTE teachers employed in ELC centres. \r\nFTE of teachers working in ELC centres situated in the 20% most deprived areas\r\n\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n\r\n2014(1)\r\n2015(1)\r\nFTE in Decile 1 and 2\r\n295\r\n306\r\n265\r\n\r\n193\r\n179\r\n(1) Excludes centrally employed teachers.\r\nA small number of teachers could not be allocated to an SIMD area.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWith regards to the numbers of graduates; the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) hold some information on the qualifications of staff working in early learning and childcare settings. However, the qualifications of a significant number of staff is unknown.\r\nAs part of the Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) data transformation project, the Scottish Government is working with the Care Inspectorate and the Scottish Social Services Council to improve the data available on those working within the ELC sector, ensuring each of the statistical collections have a specific and clear purpose, and gather appropriate information to meet user needs. The project aims to reduce duplication and minimise burden on data providers, whilst ensuring the quality of the data available is of an appropriate standard.\r\nIn October 2015, the First Minister committed to ensuring that nurseries in the most disadvantaged areas will benefit from an additional teacher or graduate from 2018, which will bolster the level of support from highly qualified learning professionals for those children who we know will benefit most.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318563,"EventID":"S5W-04250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:19.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students (a) began and (b) completed childcare courses at SVQ level (i) 2 and (ii) 3 in each of the last five years, broken down by institution.","AnswerText":"The information requested is presented in tables. The format of the tables is such that they have been put in a separate document and placed in SPICe (Bib number 58475).","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318564,"EventID":"S5W-04357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:21.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the extent to which recipients of local housing allowance residing in supported accommodation may be worse off (a) in total, and (b) on average should the planned cap be introduced and, if no assessment has been made, whether it will consider doing so and in what timescale.","AnswerText":"No assessment has been made on the impact of local housing allowance changes to groups of recipients in supported accommodation. The UK Government has undertaken a substantial body of research on the provision of supported accommodation across Great Britain which we understand will shortly be published along with a consultation paper. When it is published we will consider this research carefully, and consider whether the Scottish Government needs to undertake further research or analysis.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not currently collect data on people in supported accommodation, however Scottish Government are currently in the process of implementing a data collection which will provide some data on this.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318565,"EventID":"S5W-04364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:22.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the growth in demand for supported accommodation and, if no assessment has been made, whether it will consider doing so and in what timescale.","AnswerText":"No assessment has been made by the Scottish Government on the likely growth in demand for supported accommodation. The UK Government has undertaken a substantial body of research on the provision of supported accommodation across Great Britain which we understand will shortly be published along with a consultation paper. When it is published we will consider this research carefully, and consider whether the Scottish Government needs to undertake further research or analysis.\r\nLocal authorities are required by law to prepare a local housing strategy (LHS) supported by an assessment of housing need and demand. SG guidance on the LHS http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0045/00458185.pdf notes that the strategy has to clearly set out: the current need for specialist provision (accommodation and care/support services) that will help to support people to live independently; the likely requirement for this provision over the next 5 years; how current needs are being met using a range of accommodation types and what more is planned to meet future need.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318566,"EventID":"S5W-04450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:24.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much was paid in public grants to Serco NorthLink Ferries in each service year of the Northern Isles ferry service contract since 5 July 2012, and how much of the public grants accounted for the aggregate Charter Portions in each service year.","AnswerText":"The following table details the public grants to Serco NorthLink Ferries paid by the Scottish Government for the Northern Isles Ferry Service since 5 July 2012 in each contract year.\r\n\r\n\r\nGrant Paid\r\nContract Year 1\r\nJuly 2012 - June 2013\r\n£ 41,104,316\r\nContract Year 2\r\nJuly 2013 - June 2014\r\n£ 35,920,670\r\nContract Year 3\r\nJuly 2014 - June 2015\r\n£ 40,423,146\r\nContract Year 4\r\nJuly 2015 - June 2016\r\n£ 41,250,780\r\nThe element within the grant attributable to vessel charter is part of contractual agreements with third parties; the Royal Bank of Scotland and Seatruck. The financial arrangements within these agreements are commercially confidential matters for those companies.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318567,"EventID":"S5W-04210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:27.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of what engagement it has had or plans with the (a) European Free Trade Association (EFTA), (b) European Economic Area (EEA) and (c) EU and its institutions since the EU referendum result regarding future trade arrangements with Scotland.","AnswerText":"Powers to make trade agreements are not currently held by the Scottish Government but are held by the UK which is not able to make any trade agreements whilst it remains a member of the European Union. \r\nThe Scottish Government’s priority at present is to protect our relationship with Europe and ensure Scotland and the UK remain members of the single market. We are engaging directly with the UK government to achieve those objectives and to protect Scotland's interests. In the meantime, our trade and investment strategy published in March this year set out a comprehensive action plan to boost Scotland’s export activity and to make it clear that Scotland is open for business with Europe and with the rest of the world. \r\nFollowing the Brexit result, engagement has taken place with countries within EFTA, EEA, and EU and its institutions to discuss the implications of the result for Scotland on trade and other matters. Scottish Ministers will continue to update the Scottish Parliament on their meetings and engagement plans.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318568,"EventID":"S5W-04244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:30.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students (a) began and (b) completed an undergraduate degree in primary school teaching in each of the last five years, broken down by university. ","AnswerText":"The number of a) entrants and b) qualifiers to first-degree primary education courses at Scottish Higher Education Institutions is included in the following tables:\r\nEntrants in degree-level Primary Education courses in Scottish HEIs by institution\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2010-2011\r\n2011-2012\r\n2012-2013\r\n2013-2014\r\n2014-2015\r\nAll\r\n760\r\n775\r\n745\r\n795\r\n750\r\nUniversity of Aberdeen\r\n155\r\n150\r\n110\r\n110\r\n110\r\nUniversity of Dundee\r\n65\r\n70\r\n70\r\n70\r\n70\r\nUniversity of Edinburgh\r\n130\r\n120\r\n120\r\n120\r\n115\r\nUniversity of Glasgow\r\n150\r\n165\r\n155\r\n220\r\n180\r\nUniversity of Stirling\r\n30\r\n45\r\n50\r\n45\r\n45\r\nUniversity of Strathclyde\r\n150\r\n155\r\n165\r\n155\r\n150\r\nUniversity of the West of Scotland\r\n85\r\n75\r\n80\r\n90\r\n75\r\n\r\nQualifiers in degree-level Primary Education courses in Scottish HEIs by institution\r\n\r\n2010-2011\r\n2011-2012\r\n2012-2013\r\n2013-2014\r\n2014-2015\r\nAll\r\n615\r\n705\r\n785\r\n655\r\n675\r\nUniversity of Aberdeen\r\n80\r\n110\r\n115\r\n115\r\n125\r\nUniversity of Dundee\r\n60\r\n75\r\n70\r\n65\r\n70\r\nUniversity of Edinburgh\r\n115\r\n155\r\n150\r\n120\r\n115\r\nUniversity of Glasgow\r\n150\r\n125\r\n170\r\n150\r\n165\r\nUniversity of Stirling\r\n0\r\n15\r\n45\r\n35\r\n40\r\nUniversity of Strathclyde\r\n145\r\n150\r\n165\r\n115\r\n105\r\nUniversity of the West of Scotland\r\n60\r\n70\r\n75\r\n50\r\n60\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSource: Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNotes:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNumbers have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 5. Values of 0,1,2 are all rounded to zero.\r\nTotals may not add up due to rounding.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFigures are not weighted for Full-Person-Equivalent (FPE) - that is, individuals studying combined degrees of which a Primary education course is only a part of, are counted equally to those studying a Primary education course only.\r\nPrimary Education courses are defined in HESA data as those assigned JACS 3.0 code 'X120 - Training teachers - primary'.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318569,"EventID":"S5W-04359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:31.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received any indication from the UK Government of how much funding it will receive for costs above the level of the local authority housing allowance rate cap, and how this will be calculated.","AnswerText":"The UK Government has not begun discussions with the Scottish Government on the calculation of funding which will be devolved. We expect the UK Government to provide overall funding sufficient to fund supported accommodation at current levels, and we will work with the sector to ensure that the devolved funding reflects this.\r\nSuch discussions will be informed by the DWPs own research. When it is published we will consider this research carefully, and consider whether the Scottish Government needs to undertake further research or analysis to support our discussions with the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318570,"EventID":"S5W-04361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:33.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-10-31T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact a local authority housing allowance rate cap will have on people at risk of requiring supported accommodation.","AnswerText":"No assessment has been made on the impact of local housing allowance changes to groups of recipients in supported accommodation. The Scottish Government made clear it was concerned about the potential impact, and welcomed the announcement that funding for supported accommodation would be maintained at current levels. The Scottish Government does not currently collect data on people in supported accommodation, however Scottish Government are currently in the process of implementing a data collection which will provide some data on this.\r\nThe Scottish Government intends to protect the wide variety of tenants in supported accommodation and to use devolved funding to ensure that the supported accommodation sector is put onto a secure and sustainable footing. We will work with a broad range of stakeholders to achieve this.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318571,"EventID":"S5W-04459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:34.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the charter agreements with Seatruck for MS (a) Helliar and (b) Hildasay.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04456 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318572,"EventID":"S5W-04461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:37.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that the next contract for Northern Isles ferry services includes a requirement for the provider of chartered freight or passenger vessels to be a living wage employer.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04436 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318573,"EventID":"S5W-04463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:40.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T17:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on exempting microgeneration from business rates on a permanent basis in order to support the development of small-scale renewables.","AnswerText":"Plant and machinery for micro-generation (as defined in the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006) has since 2009 been exempted from rating valuation in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318574,"EventID":"S5W-04476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:41.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of its winter preparedness plans.","AnswerText":"The variability in Scotland’s weather means that we must be prepared to manage the impacts of a variety of severe weather conditions throughout the year. In the face of such changeability, the Scottish Government works closely with local authorities and key resilience stakeholders to ensure robust resilience arrangements are in place all year round. \r\nThere are 3 Regional Resilience Partnerships in Scotland, covering the East, West and North of the country. Together they build strong and mutually supportive relationships between the emergency services and responder community, including utility companies and the voluntary sector, which enable them to prepare for and respond to emergencies in a co-ordinated way. These arrangements come to the fore during any period of severe weather. They proved extremely beneficial in terms of information sharing and co-ordination at the start of the year when storms Abigail, Desmond, Frank and others brought repeated and prolonged challenges to communities across much of the country. Each partnership has made extensive preparations for the winter period, to ensure adequate arrangements are in place.\r\nThis work is supported by Scotland’s national resilience marketing campaign, which launched earlier this month. The campaign focusses on raising awareness of the measures that the public can take to be risk aware, to be well prepared, and to be a good neighbour to people around them who might find coping with wintry conditions particularly challenging. Just like Scotland’s broader resilience arrangements, it is delivered in close partnership with a wide range of organisations, in the public, private and third sectors. Key partners include Scotland’s local authorities, other emergency responders, and, of course the Met Office. This year the name of the campaign has been changed from “Ready for Winter” to “Ready Scotland”, in order to better reflect the need for year-round preparedness. I would encourage the public to go to ReadyScotland.org for advice about how best to prepare for and cope with severe weather conditions over the coming months.\r\nTransport Scotland’s Multi-Agency Response Team arrangements enable a strategic overview of event and incident handling for severe weather and other challenges to the country’s transport infrastructure. This is a joint process with Police Scotland and includes trunk road operating companies, rail operators, the Met Office and others, as well as seconded personnel from Police Scotland and the Met Office to enhance closer partnership working.\r\nI would also encourage people to sign up to tools such as Floodline and consult the Traffic Scotland website when planning to travel.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318575,"EventID":"S5W-04457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:44.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the time charter agreements for MS (a) Helliar and (b) Hildasay were agreed with (i) Seatruck and (ii) Serco NorthLink Ferries.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04456 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318576,"EventID":"S5W-04464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T14:30:47.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T17:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is classifying solar cell and panels as plant and machinery to allow them to be exempt from business rates on a permanent basis in order to support growth in the sector, and what discussions it has had or plans with the UK Government regarding this.","AnswerText":"Plant and machinery for any power generation is already excluded from rating valuation where the power is mainly for distribution for sale to consumers. Notwithstanding that, plant and machinery for micro-generation relying on a solar power source has since 2009 been excluded from rating valuation. The Scottish Government has had no recent discussions with the UK Government on this matter.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318577,"EventID":"S5W-04507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T15:14:40.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T15:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take as a result of the responses to two recent consultations on Stop and Search.","AnswerText":"Analysis of the responses to two recent consultations on Stop and Search has been published today at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/Recent. One consultation was on a draft Code of Practice and the other was on police powers to search children for alcohol. On the Code of Practice, Scottish Government officials are working with the independent Stop and Search Advisory Group to revise the Code to respond to issues raised in the consultation in preparation for laying before Parliament by 12 January 2017 as required by the Criminal Justice Act. On police powers to search children for alcohol, the Scottish Government does not believe there is sufficient evidence to support creating such a power at this time. However, the situation will be re-assessed after the Code has been in force for 12 months (with an interim assessment after 6 months), during which time a range of further evidence will be gathered.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318578,"EventID":"S5W-04487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:03.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to farmers with fallen stock and what plans it has to review this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not provide direct support to farmers to help with their fallen stock. Unfortunately dealing with fallen stock is a consequence of keeping livestock, and the disposal costs are therefore one part of the production costs for livestock businesses.\r\nHowever, in the past, Scottish Government have taken a number of measures to assist farmers with mitigating the costs of collection and disposal and we continue to work with them to keep the situation under review.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318579,"EventID":"S5W-04488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:05.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review its agricultural environmental schemes. ","AnswerText":"The principal agricultural environmental schemes in Scotland are the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) and the Environmental Co-operation Action Fund (ECAF) under the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP), supported through ‘Pillar 2’ of the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). \r\nWe are currently seeking EU approval to introduce changes to the detailed prescriptions for management options under the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme which will improve the accuracy of payment rate calculations and/or improve the clarity or effectiveness of management requirements. We also intend to introduce minor changes to improve the accuracy of targeting maps for certain management options. We intend to implement these changes in time for the 2017 application round. During 2017, we intend to review the scoring criteria against which applications are assessed, to ensure these are as effective as possible in identifying good quality applications. \r\nThe Environmental Co-operation Action Fund was launched in 2015. We are currently reviewing the design of the Environmental Co-operation Action Fund and any improvements will be implemented in time for the 2017 Environmental Co-operation Action Fund application round. \r\n‘Pillar 1’ Greening was introduced in 2015. The basic framework for Greening is set out in the EU Regulation, but certain detailed rules were subject to national discretion. The Scottish Government has not announced any plans to review the national decisions regarding the implementation of Greening in Scotland, although we are engaging with stakeholders to discuss their views on the effectiveness of Greening.\r\nOur vision for the future is an agriculture industry in Scotland that is innovative, profitable, sustainable and supporting economic growth. We will work closely with industry to develop the next steps to help realise that vision, and this will help inform our deliberations on what future support measures, for the period after the UK leaves the EU, may be appropriate for the industry. The Scottish Government will negotiate with the UK Government to ensure that future support for agriculture and rural development is allocated on a fair and equitable basis across the UK.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318580,"EventID":"S5W-04482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:06.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to stop the spread of amoebic gill disease from farmed salmon to wild fish.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government, through Marine Scotland’s Fish Health Inspectorate, encourages best practice and ensures regulatory conformity with respect to biosecurity measures within aquaculture in order to prevent or minimise the spread of any diseases and to reduce any potential impacts.\r\nAmoebic Gill Disease (AGD) is caused by Neoparamoeba perurans - a free living parasite which is ubiquitous within the marine environment. Understanding of the factors which influence the development and spread of AGD are currently limited. Until the modes of transfer of the disease are better understood then specific actions to prevent spread or potential spread are difficult to define.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318581,"EventID":"S5W-04489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:07.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03223 by Keith Brown on 1 November 2016, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding what action it is taking to improve the availability of its data on (a) the balance of trade and (b) (i) primary and (ii) secondary incomes.","AnswerText":"The development of Scottish Government economic statistics is reviewed and discussed with users at the annual meeting of the Scottish Economic Statistics Consultation Group (SESCG). The latest meeting was on 19 May 2016 and focussed on plans for the year 2016-17. Minutes of SESCG meetings are published online at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/ScotStat/Meetings. \r\nAs discussed at SESCG, the Scottish Government is continuing to develop statistics relating to the offshore oil and gas industry and its contribution to various aspects of the Scottish economy, including the balance of trade. In addition, the Scottish Government is engaging with the Office for National Statistics and HM Revenue and Customs on the use of administrative data sources to improve the accuracy and reliability of statistics for UK countries and regions. We await forthcoming developments to HMRC Regional Trade Statistics and will review how changes to this data source can be used to improve export and import statistics for Scotland. There was also discussion at SESCG that the Scottish Government plans to continue research into the development of sector income accounts and Gross National Income statistics next year.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318582,"EventID":"S5W-04493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:09.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to a permanent business rates exemption for microgeneration projects using rooftop solar cells and panels.","AnswerText":"In contrast to England, where the corresponding plant and machinery exemption only applies temporarily, plant and machinery for any micro-generation relying on a solar power source has since 2009 been permanently excluded from rating valuation in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318583,"EventID":"S5W-04495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:12.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote the Access to Work scheme to (a) employers and (b) disabled people.","AnswerText":"While we are critical of the decision of the UK Government not to devolve Access to Work to Scotland, it is an important scheme among others to support disabled people into and to sustain employment. We are actively promoting Access to Work to both employers and disabled people as often and as much we can to ensure a higher uptake and use of the scheme - for example through Fit for Work Scotland and Healthy Working Lives, as well as our other partners including organisations supporting disabled people. \r\nFor devolved services from 2017 providers will need to ensure that disabled people are supported to claim and receive the Access to Work funding they are entitled to so that they can sustain employment.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318584,"EventID":"S5W-04483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:14.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what economic modelling it is aware of on the impact of amoebic gill disease on farmed salmon stocks.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government is not aware of any economic modelling associated with farmed salmon stocks in Scotland in relation to impacts of Amoebic Gill Disease.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318585,"EventID":"S5W-04490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:15.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has done on the likely impact of business rate increases on the (a) number of rooftop solar cell and panel projects and (b) amount of energy produced by rooftop solar cells and panels.","AnswerText":"Non-domestic rates liabilities have not yet been finalised for 2017. The revaluation by independent Assessors will update the rateable value of non-domestic properties, in line with rental values. The Scottish Government will bring forward legislation for the 2017-18 rates poundage and any changes to reliefs in due course, having considered the revaluation effect across sectors.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318586,"EventID":"S5W-04492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:18.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to exempting rooftop solar cells and panels from business rates through its business rate processes.","AnswerText":"Plant and machinery for any power generation is already excluded from rating valuation where the power is mainly for distribution for sale to consumers. Notwithstanding that, plant and machinery for micro-generation relying on a solar power source has since 2009 been excluded from rating valuation.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318587,"EventID":"S5W-04494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:21.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the number of (a) internships and (b) apprenticeships for young disabled people in each (i) of its directorates and (ii) NHS board, and how it will encourage local authorities to do so.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, through Developing the Young Workforce is encouraging all public sector employers, (Scottish Government included), to support the ambitions of our Youth Employment Strategy which aims to increase the employment rate for young disabled people to the population average by 2021. \r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to increasing the diversity of staff across the whole organisation. We recently signed up to the Disability Confident scheme which recognises our commitment to our disabled staff and to increasing the number of applications we receive from disabled people. \r\nWe continue to work with internal and external applicants, including young people applying for Modern Apprenticeships and Student Placements (internships), to ensure that no part of the process inadvertently impacts disparately on them. This includes specific support during the recruitment process for the applicant, adjustments to particular parts of the process or the scoring mechanism and specialist training for those undertaking the recruitment process. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318588,"EventID":"S5W-04496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:23.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes the contribution that disabled people can make to communities.","AnswerText":"Protecting and promoting disabled people’s human rights is central to our approach to social justice.\r\nThe Disability Delivery Plan, which we will publish in December, is part of our programme for a fairer Scotland. It will set out our ambitions, alongside a range of actions we will take over this parliamentary term, to tackle barriers to independent living, and will drive change to advance equality of opportunity for disabled people, and in doing so will promote and support the contribution that they can make in their communities.\r\nThis builds on the firm foundations of work already underway such as investing in accessible transport solutions, opening up access to Scotland for disabled tourists, supporting the Supported Business Framework and the £200,000 Access to Elected Office Fund in Scotland (2016-17) to help disabled people who wish to stand for selection or election in the 2017 local government elections.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318589,"EventID":"S5W-04497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:25.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will launch or support a national campaign to raise awareness of disability and tackle the associated stigma.","AnswerText":"We recognise that disabled people in Scotland continue to face negative attitudes, stigma and discrimination. We will raise awareness of disability and disabling barriers through the next phase of the One Scotland Campaign - which we will launch in 2017. This will focus on the barriers to inclusion that disabled people face.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318590,"EventID":"S5W-04499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:28.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many supported factories and businesses have registered contracts.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03738 on 1 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318591,"EventID":"S5W-04506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:30.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to encourage voluntary restraint by estates on large scale culls of mountain hare.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has developed a joint position statement on the subject of hare culling following consultation with key stakeholders representing moorland managers, namely Scottish Land & Estates and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust.\r\nThe statement, which was issued in December 2014, calls for voluntary restraint on the culling of mountain hares. SNH is also working with key stakeholders to improve transparency and understanding about the reasons why some moorland managers continue to wish to cull mountain hares.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318592,"EventID":"S5W-04508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:32.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00648 by Shona Robison on 23 June 2016, whether the expert group to lead the review of national NHS targets is now in place and, if so, who its members are; on what dates it has met; when the full terms of the review will be published, and how stakeholders can feed into it.","AnswerText":"The expert group met for the first time on 7 November 2016. The group is made up of experts from the organisations listed in the following table. The group considered its remit which is based on the News Release of 9 September 2016 http://news.gov.scot/news/national-review-chair-appointed and are being asked to provide final comments on it by 18 November 2016. The group is also considering how it will engage with stakeholders and draw out the relevant key messages from the recent Healthier and Fairer Conversations. \r\nHealth and Social Care Alliance\r\nService Users (Scottish Health Council)\r\nBritish Medical Association\r\nSocial Work Scotland\r\nAssociation of Local Authority Housing Representatives\r\nSociety of Local Authority Chief Executives\r\nIntegration Authority Chairs and Vice Chairs Network\r\nThird Sector Health and Social Care Collaborative\r\nIntegration Authority Chief Officers\r\nNHS National Services Scotland, Public Health and Intelligence\r\nNHS Chairs\r\nGlasgow Centre for Population Health\r\nNHS Chief Executives\r\nCare Inspectorate\r\nRoyal College of Emergency Medicine\r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland\r\nRoyal College of Nursing\r\nScottish Government\r\nRoyal College of Physicians of Edinburgh\r\nCOSLA\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318593,"EventID":"S5W-04448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:34.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will outline the average Housing Association Grant (HAG) subsidy levels approved for housing association new development tender approval activity in Edinburgh and Glasgow over the last five years, broken down by type of tenure.","AnswerText":"The following table sets out the average grant subsidy levels approved for housing association developments in Edinburgh and Glasgow over the last five years, broken down by tenure. The line for Mid-Market Rent covers all ‘other rented’ schemes. These units will have been provided by a range of suppliers including Registered Social landlords subsidiaries. \r\nGrant per Unit\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGlasgow\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHA Rent\r\n£44,934\r\n£53,369\r\n£63,651\r\n£66,221\r\n£63,031\r\n\r\nHA Low Cost Home Ownership\r\n£30,107\r\n£63,163\r\n£45,400\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n\r\nOther Rent (Mid-Market Rent)\r\n£19,419\r\n£27,036\r\n£38,281\r\n£33,713\r\n£49,367\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEdinburgh\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHA Rent\r\n£41,986\r\n£44,931\r\n£55,526\r\n£59,066\r\n£59,063\r\n\r\nHA Low Cost Home Ownership\r\n£26,714\r\n£0\r\n£30,000\r\n£29,558\r\n£47,174\r\n\r\nOther Rent (Mid-Market Rent)\r\n£28,870\r\n£31,708\r\n£31,820\r\n£33,070\r\n£39,882\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318594,"EventID":"S5W-04484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:35.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the culling of farmed fish stocks that are affected by amoebic gill disease.","AnswerText":"AGD is not a notifiable disease under EU fish health legislation. Statutory powers available under aquatic animal health legislation in relation to notifiable diseases are therefore not applicable to the culling of fish farm stocks affected by Amoebic Gill Disease.\r\nThe aquaculture industry is responsible for managing Amoebic Gill Disease through the use of treatments, including freshwater baths or hydrogen peroxide, or by humane culling where such treatments are either inappropriate or ineffective. Statutory powers in relation to the culling of fish farm stock on welfare grounds may be exercised if required.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318595,"EventID":"S5W-04491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:36.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the possibility of exempting rooftop solar cells and panels from business rates through secondary legislation.","AnswerText":"Plant and machinery for any power generation is already excluded from rating valuation where the power is mainly for distribution for sale to consumers. Notwithstanding that, plant and machinery for micro-generation relying on a solar power source has since 2009 been excluded from rating valuation. The Scottish Government has had no recent discussions with the UK Government on this matter.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318596,"EventID":"S5W-04498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:39.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many supported factories and businesses there are.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold details of all supported factories and businesses that meet the definition within the Public Procurement Directive given effect into scots law by the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. \r\nWork is currently on-going to get a better overview of businesses that qualify under the new definition of supported businesses. Using our Developing Markets for Third Sector Providers contract, Ready for Business are progressing a survey with suppliers, asking third sector organisations and social enterprises to self-declare whether they meet the revised definition. The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Supportedbusinesses.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318597,"EventID":"S5W-04505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:41.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the extent of mountain hare culls and the occurrence of large-scale culls of mountain hare between 1 August 2015 and 31 March 2016.","AnswerText":"No such assessment has been made as there is no legal requirement for estates to provide cull return data to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) outside the close season. SNH is working with key stakeholders to improve transparency on the scale and reasons for mountain hare culls.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318598,"EventID":"S5W-04485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:44.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage fish farms to report incidences of amoebic gill disease.","AnswerText":"Fish farmers are required, under the Aquatic Animal Health (Scotland) Regulations 2009 to report increased fish mortality to either the Competent Authority (the Fish Health Inspectorate acting on behalf of Scottish Ministers) or to a veterinarian. In addition, the industry’s Code of Good Practice includes agreed specific thresholds above which mortality should be notified to Marine Scotland’s Fish Health Inspectorate. Mortality reports should include the reason for the mortality, if known. These requirements therefore include situations involving incidences of AGD, where mortality levels breach the agreed thresholds.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318599,"EventID":"S5W-04486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:45.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage the use of (a) soil analytical technology and (b) other similar approaches in order to protect the (i) land and (ii) environment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government announced the introduction of compulsory soil testing in June 2015 and we have been working on the detail with a range of scientific, environmental and industry stakeholders. We are considering options for compulsory soil testing to be part of the package of measures to reduce emissions from agriculture in the Climate Change Plan, the third report on policies and proposals, which will be published in draft in January next year. \r\nThe Knowledge Transfer Innovation Fund (KTIF), is also taking forward a number of projects, for example, the Soil Association Scotland's 'Future Farming Scotland' and 'Farming with Nature' initiatives (as well as a future project 'Farming for the Future'), and Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society's (SAOS) Precision Farming project which enable co-ops to provide farmers with open and transparent data and analytical services, with the benefit of collective investment and risk sharing. \r\nThe Farm Advisory Service (FAS) will be taking forward and is responsible for the delivery of the Soil Nutrient Network in relation to soil management.\r\nThrough the recently relaunched Scotland's Soils Website (http://soils.environment.gov.scot/) soils data is made publicly available, supporting informed decisions about the management of Scotland's soils and the benefits they provide. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318600,"EventID":"S5W-04504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-03T16:50:46.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the effectiveness of mountain hare culling as a management technique for louping ill in red grouse, and what advice is given to land managers in this regard.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that mountain hares may need to be controlled for land management purposes, but does not support large-scale culls of mountain hares. \r\nThe advice from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to land managers is that large-scale culls of mountain hares to reduce tick loads and therefore the incidence of Louping Ill, in order to benefit grouse and other bird survival, are ineffective except in the highly unlikely circumstance that all other tick hosts are absent. SNH aims to work with land managers to put in place effective and sustainable management of mountain hares that is consistent with the species’ status on Annex V of the EC Habitats Directive.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318610,"EventID":"S5W-04509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:58:32.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T17:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04062 by Kevin Stewart on 3 November 2016, when it will carry out the review of the Highland Self Build Loan Fund. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government in conjunction with scheme administrators, the Highland Small Communities Housing Trust, plan to undertake an interim review of the pilot scheme in April 2017 followed by a final report in June 2018.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318611,"EventID":"S5W-04516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:58:35.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and (b) other support (i) it, (ii) Scottish Enterprise, (iii) Highland and Islands Enterprise and (iv) the other public bodies that it has responsibility for has provided to Diageo plc in each of the last five years, and for what purposes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continually engages with Diageo as an important Scottish employer. We have provided the following support to Diageo Scotland Plc over the past five years, through our enterprise and skills bodies.\r\nOver the past five years, Scottish Enterprise (SE) has provided £157,318 in financial support to Diageo Scotland Plc. Of this funding, £47,952 supported Manufacturing Excellence projects across Diageo’s Scottish operations. £6,900 of the funding provided support towards an HR development project. The remaining £102,466 of the funding was provided towards 13 Graduate projects across Edinburgh Park, Menstrie and Shieldhall. SE’s Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service has also undertaken eight process reviews and delivered eight project days at the company’s sites in Shieldhall, Renfrew and Leven to deliver efficiency savings on site. Diageo has paid the full rate for the SMAS services provided. \r\nOver the past five years, Highlands and Islands Enterprise have not provided any financial support to Diageo Scotland Plc. However, Highlands and Islands Enterprise are actively engaged with the company on improving broadband connectivity in remote areas, and rural where Diageo’s distilleries are based, as part of its broader support for investment in digital connectivity in those areas.\r\nSkills Development Scotland have not provided any financial support to Diageo in the last five years. They have however worked closely with the Diageo team in driving forward their Youth Strategy through improving their ability to recruit more Modern Apprentices, streamlining their training provider relationships; advising them on how to get maximum value out of their provider contracts and supporting them in potentially becoming a provider themselves.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318612,"EventID":"S5W-04523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:58:37.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of multi-modal harbours on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network, and what plans it has to integrate public transport services across the ferries network.","AnswerText":"Caledonian MacBrayne, the ferry operator for the Clyde and Hebrides network, provide multi-modal transport information for each of the harbours on their website: www.calmac.co.uk/interactivemap.\r\nUnder the new Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service contract, CalMac’s recently appointed Transport Integration Manager will support and promote integrated ferry travel with other transport modes.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318613,"EventID":"S5W-04500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:58:38.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for species licences to use snares to capture mountain hare have been made since 2006; how many have been (a) granted and (b) revoked and for what reasons licences were not granted or revoked.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government received one application in 2006 and a further application in 2007 for a licence to snare mountain hares for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease (Louping ill). The applications were refused on the basis that there was insufficient information about the impact on mountain hare populations.\r\nThe species licensing function, was transferred from Scottish Government to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in July 2011.\r\nSNH received one application in 2011 for the snaring of mountain hares, in order to protect new woodland. This was granted for a two year period between 2012 and 2014. Applications were received to make minor amendments to this licence in 2012 and 2013 and in each case amended licences were granted.\r\nIn 2014, SNH received two applications seeking permission to snare and shoot mountain hares. Licences were granted in both cases but did not permit snaring (i.e. they only permitted shooting). The reason for not permitting snaring is that SNH had received information by this point to suggest that the snaring of mountain hares could not be carried out without significant welfare concerns and the exposure of operators to the risk of committing offences in relation to the use of snares.\r\nNo snaring licences were revoked during this period.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318614,"EventID":"S5W-04514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:58:40.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times the National Implementation and Advisory Group for the Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative Care has met since the publication of the framework in December 2015, and when it will next meet.","AnswerText":"The National Implementation and Advisory Group (NIAG) for the Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative Care (SFA) has met once since the publication of the Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care was published in December 2015. Sub-groups of the NIAG have continued to meet throughout the year to progress the SFA.\r\nThe group was scheduled to meet on 26 September 2016, but due to the number of apologies received this meeting was postponed until 14 December 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318615,"EventID":"S5W-04525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:58:42.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that subcontractors on the Northern Isles Seatruck ferry services are being paid £3.66 per hour, which is less than the national minimum or living wage, and, in light of this being a public contract, what action it is taking.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Transport and the Islands recently met with the CEO of Seatruck to discuss the issues around staff pay on the freight vessels currently operating on the Northern Isles ferry service. Following a constructive meeting, further work will be undertaken by Seatruck and Transport Scotland to try and resolve the current situation.\r\nThe Minister has also written to the UK Government to ask them to take action on the National Minimum Wage and seafarers. Scottish Ministers are currently considering all available options and legal implications to promote fair work practices, including collective bargaining and payment of the National Minimum Wage and, where possible, the Scottish Living Wage in their contracts.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318616,"EventID":"S5W-04479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:58:48.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it did not participate in the recent case in the High Court of Justice between ClientEarth (No.2) and the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to promoting good air quality and meeting our EU obligations. The Scottish Government did not participate in the recent High Court case as the Scottish Government was not identified as a defendant by ClientEarth.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318617,"EventID":"S5W-04513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:58:51.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to update and/or reissue the Chief Executive Letter, CEL 12, to each integration joint board and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04512 on 17 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318618,"EventID":"S5W-04526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:58:52.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that all staff engaged in public contracts, including those employed by subcontractors, are paid at least the living wage.","AnswerText":"We have published statutory guidance “Addressing Fair Work Practices, including the Living Wage, in Procurement” which sets out how public bodies should encourage contractors to adopt fair work practices, including the Living Wage for workers engaged on delivering public contracts. Individual public bodies are responsible for their own procurement activity and effective contract management and monitoring should be undertaken to ensure that fair work practices, including the Living Wage, continue to be applied throughout the duration of contracts. \r\nThe Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 requires public bodies with an annual regulated procurement spend of £5m or more to produce a procurement strategy setting out, amongst other things, a statement of their general policy on the payment of a living wage to people involved in delivering public contracts. These bodies will be required to produce a report at the end of their financial year 2017-18 outlining whether their procurement activities complied with the strategy, and where they did not, how they intend to ensure compliance in the future.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318619,"EventID":"S5W-04410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:58:58.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-01T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent to date on all legal and court action costs related to the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012. ","AnswerText":"The legal and court action costs incurred by the Scottish Government in relation to the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012 to date total £434,100.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318620,"EventID":"S5W-04478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:59:00.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent ruling in the High Court of Justice in the case between ClientEarth (No.2) and the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to promoting good air quality and meeting our EU obligations. The Scottish Government is currently considering the High Court judgement and will discuss its implications with other UK Governments.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318621,"EventID":"S5W-04510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:59:01.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the NHS has spent on (a) adult independent hospices services and (b) services provided by third sector organisations in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not centrally held in the form requested.\r\nInformation on NHS board expenditure is published by NHS Information Services Division (ISD) on an annual basis in the Scottish Health Service Costs Report (often referred to as the ‘Cost Book’). Expenditure on treatments provided by third sector organisations over the past five years broken down by NHS board is set out in the following table.\r\nThis information only relates to treatment and may not reflect the full spectrum of support and care that voluntary organisations provide to NHS boards.\r\nExpenditure for treatments provided by Voluntary Organisations (£000)1: 2010-11-2014-15\r\nNHS Board\r\nFinancial Year\r\n2014-15\r\n2013-14\r\n2012-13\r\n2011-12\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n5,489\r\n5,370\r\n5,224\r\n4,380\r\n1,424\r\nNHS Borders\r\n142\r\n146\r\n-\r\n488\r\n377\r\nNHS Fife\r\n5,460\r\n4,049\r\n4,025\r\n3,849\r\n4,277\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n22,611\r\n23,522\r\n19,787\r\n19,539\r\n18,131\r\nNHS Highland\r\n6,456\r\n6,419\r\n5,790\r\n4,920\r\n5,048\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n8,609\r\n7,977\r\n7,305\r\n8,141\r\n8,975\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n3,845\r\n5,406\r\n3,520\r\n4,027\r\n4,854\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n70\r\n79\r\n23\r\n56\r\n55\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n9,738\r\n9,461\r\n9,359\r\n16,193\r\n15,271\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n4,425\r\n4,338\r\n4,252\r\n3,616\r\n4,187\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n3,827\r\n2,799\r\n3,254\r\n3,536\r\n3,577\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n410\r\n413\r\n412\r\n254\r\n-\r\nNHS Dumfries & Galloway\r\n1,093\r\n997\r\n840\r\n472\r\n682\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n26\r\n3\r\n140\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n72,174\r\n70,976\r\n63,819\r\n69,475\r\n66,997\r\n1. Expenditure for treatments provided by Voluntary Organisations as recorded in Costs Book (SFR 24.0, Line Number 471). ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318622,"EventID":"S5W-04512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:59:03.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Chief Executive Letter, CEL 12, which relates to hospice funding, will apply to new integration joint boards","AnswerText":"In 2015, the year before integration went live, the Scottish Government published statutory guidance on strategic commissioning setting out that each Partnership's strategic commissioning plan should be based upon a Strategic Needs Assessment of local people, including those with palliative and end of life care needs.\r\nThe strategic commissioning plan sets out how Partnerships will plan and deliver services for their area over the medium term, using the integrated budgets under their control. This includes palliative and end of life care services.\r\nWithin this wider context NHS boards remain responsible for the procurement of palliative and end of life services, including those provided by Hospices. Therefore the procurement arrangements set out CEL 12 (2012), remain relevant and applicable. There are therefore no plans to update and/or reissue the Chief Executive Letter, CEL 12 (2012).","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318623,"EventID":"S5W-04527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:59:04.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings ministers have had or plan with the RMT union regarding reports of staff on Northern Isles Seatruck ferry services being paid less than the national minimum or living wage.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Transport and the Islands most recently met with STUC and a number of transport unions, including the RMT, on Thursday 10 November 2016, where the issue was discussed. Work is being taken forward to try and resolve the current situation.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318624,"EventID":"S5W-04501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:59:10.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to ensure that estates adhere to voluntary restraint on large culls of mountain hare, as called for by the joint position taken by Scottish Natural Heritage, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust and Scottish Land and Estates on large-scale culls of mountain hare to reduce louping ill, and what measures it is taking to monitor compliance with this policy.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage is working with key stakeholders to improve transparency and understanding about the reasons why some moorland managers continue to wish to cull mountain hares and the numbers involved.\r\nIf evidence emerges that large-scale culls are continuing, the Scottish Government will consider the case for tightening regulation of this issue.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318625,"EventID":"S5W-04502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:59:12.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to end large-scale culls of mountain hare in national parks.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that mountain hares may need to be controlled for land management purposes, but is opposed to large-scale culls of the species.\r\nScottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is working with key stakeholders to improve transparency and understanding about the reasons why some moorland managers continue to wish to cull mountain hares. SNH aims to work with land managers to put in place effective and sustainable management of mountain hares that is consistent with the species’ status on Annex V of the EC Habitats Directive.\r\nTo help achieve this, SNH met with Scottish Land & Estates, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, the Cairngorms National Park Authority and several Donside estates in April 2016 at Edinglassie estate to discuss the cull of mountain hares. Since then, a subgroup of the Moorland Forum has been charged with producing guidance for land managers on mountain hare management. In addition, the Cairngorm National Park Authority is advising land managers to count hares alongside annual grouse counts, share information on counts and cull numbers and set out the reason for culling hares in any given case.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318626,"EventID":"S5W-04519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:59:17.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what maritime infrastructure projects it has discussed with representatives of private owners of ports in Scotland since January 2015.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland officials have discussed maritime infrastructure proposals at various stages of consideration with representatives of a number of privately operated ports in Scotland since January 2015. There is no definitive list of these meetings available, partly due to the commercially sensitive nature of these discussions.\r\nPorts policy is market driven in Scotland and it is the responsibility of individual ports to consider the requirement for infrastructure improvements, including the business case and funding to support this and an assessment of any consents that may be required.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318627,"EventID":"S5W-04520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:59:18.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve port and harbour infrastructure on the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry route operated by CalMac Ferries.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04522 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318628,"EventID":"S5W-04522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:59:20.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the resilience of (a) passenger and (b) freight ferry services on Clyde and Hebrides ferry routes operated by CalMac Ferries.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is continuing to invest in new vessels and ferry infrastructure for the Clyde and Hebrides network, introducing newer and more resilient vessels.\r\nTwo new vessels have been procured at a cost of £97m, with the vessels due for delivery in the second half of 2018. These two vessels are initially earmarked for deployment on the Arran service and on the Uig Triangle routes.\r\nCaledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), the Scottish Government's ferry assets owning company, is currently undertaking a major redevelopment of Brodick harbour on Arran which is due to be completed in 2017. The project is being funded by CMAL with financial contributions from the Scottish Government, North Ayrshire Council, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and the Coastal Communities Fund.\r\nI announced on 3 November 2016 that I have asked Transport Scotland to commission a STAG-style study to assess the options for the mainland port for the Arran service. This study will look at potential work to improve Ardrossan Harbour, as well as the proposal from Associated British Ports to use an upgraded facility at Troon. The output from the study will help inform the scale and timing of the works at the selected mainland port.\r\nScottish Ministers have tasked CalMac Ferries Ltd and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd with seeking potential additional tonnage to improve operational resilience on Clyde and Hebrides ferry routes.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318629,"EventID":"S5W-04524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:59:22.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when Transport Scotland officials last met representatives of (a) Associated British Ports and (b) P&O Ferries.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland officials last met formally with representatives of Associated British Ports on 13 September 2016 and P&O Ferries on 9 June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318630,"EventID":"S5W-04503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:59:24.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the use of a nature conservation order to end large-scale culls of mountain hare in national parks.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is not planning to use Nature Conservation Orders (NCOs) for this purpose at present. If we are advised by Scottish Natural Heritage that culls are threatening the conservation status of mountain hare, then we will consider whether NCOs or other regulatory mechanisms should be put in place.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318631,"EventID":"S5W-04521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-04T15:59:26.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the resilience of (a) passenger and (b) freight ferry services on the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry route operated by CalMac Ferries. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04522 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318654,"EventID":"S5T-00176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T13:06:12.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T11:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact “justifiable assault” has on children.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318655,"EventID":"S5T-00181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5622,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T13:06:17.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported Police Scotland estate review and how it will ensure the outcome has no adverse impact on service delivery.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318656,"EventID":"S5F-00435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T13:04:34.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T17:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318657,"EventID":"S5F-00438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T13:04:37.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T08:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether optional religious observance in schools for 16- to 18-year-olds will support the values of a diverse outward-looking Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318658,"EventID":"S5F-00445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T13:04:45.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318659,"EventID":"S5F-00450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T13:04:51.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the impact on Scotland of the outcome of the US Presidential election.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318660,"EventID":"S5F-00452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T13:04:54.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what lessons have been learnt following two Chinese companies withdrawing from a memorandum of understanding with the Scottish Government.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318661,"EventID":"S5F-00462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T13:05:07.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318662,"EventID":"S5F-00470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T13:05:17.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to reduce the number of children in temporary accommodation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318663,"EventID":"S5W-04540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T15:20:43.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T08:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs are registered but not practising.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government: \r\nBetween the GMC and the health board performers list it would be possible to gather some information on who is registered with the GMC but not on a performers list. It would be very difficult to collect accurate data as a GP could be on the performers list but not actually working or they might have allowed their GMC registration to lapse.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318664,"EventID":"S5W-04542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T15:20:45.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T08:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many school janitor posts in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools have been lost in the last five academic years.","AnswerText":"We do not collect this information.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318665,"EventID":"S5W-04528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T15:20:46.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made toward introducing a VOICES survey, as set out by the Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health in a member's business debate on 12 May 2015 (Offical Report, c.80).","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with NHS Lothian to test approaches to identify how best to capture feedback from bereaved families, including the VOICES survey. Subject to the necessary ethics approval, this work will commence in Spring 2017. This is expected to support local service improvement and provide data to inform local strategy and policy development.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318666,"EventID":"S5W-04551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T15:20:47.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that gas production from the Alder field has started, and what information it has regarding how many jobs this will bring.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is highly encouraged by this development, which helps to demonstrate that the industry can have a bright future. This is also excellent news for the workers and their families.\r\nOil and Gas UK have stated that there are up to 20 billion boe (barrel of oil equivalent) still to be extracted in the UKCS and, as a mature basin, recovery of some of this is going to be technically challenging. However, developments like Alder demonstrate that great strides are being made in reducing operating costs and developing the innovative technologies required to maximise economic recovery from the North Sea. Our enterprise agencies also provide a programme of support to businesses who are looking to invest in innovation and R&D to benefit from the significant opportunities still available.\r\nThe Scottish Government understands that more than 70% of the Alder field development work was carried out by UK-based businesses, supporting several hundred jobs in the Aberdeen and Invergordon, as well as Leeds and Newcastle.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318667,"EventID":"S5W-04539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T15:20:48.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-06T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a minimum level of school clothing grant and whether parents will be involved in the process of developing this.","AnswerText":"The Education (Scotland) Act introduced a provision to allow Scottish Ministers to make regulations to require local authorities to pay a minimum amount of school clothing grants to families or young people. The detail of the amount of grant and the eligibility criteria would be set out in regulations. \r\nScottish Ministers continue to discuss the provision of school clothing grants and appropriate timescales for implementation with COSLA. We intend to achieve this in partnership with COSLA rather than by imposing regulations, in the same way that we have successfully implemented universal free school meals for Primary 1-3. However, the regulation-making power provides an alternative route should this not prove possible. \r\nWe will engage with relevant stakeholders, including parents, as we develop this policy.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318668,"EventID":"S5W-04517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T15:20:50.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03783 by Mark McDonald on 3 November 2016, in light of the requested information not being held centrally, what the evidence is for its claim in the report, Financial Review of early learning and childcare in Scotland: the current landscape, that there was \"likely to be some overlap of children who are registered with more than one provider (estimated at around 2 per cent)\". ","AnswerText":"We do not routinely collect information on the number of children who are registered with more than one provider. We contacted local authorities in June 2015 to ask them to provide data which would allow us to estimate the double count of registrations for 3 and 4 year olds. From the information received, we estimated that around 2 per cent of children are registered with more than one provider.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318669,"EventID":"S5W-04518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T15:20:51.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03782 by Mark McDonald on 3 November 2016, in light of the data in the response providing the information for children who are registered for the funding only, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding the number who are entitled to it.","AnswerText":"As reported in the Financial Review, we estimate that there were around 16,000 two year olds entitled to free early learning and childcare in Scotland in 2015 under the terms of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. This does not include those children receiving free ELC under the terms of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 or those children who receive free ELC based on local priorities. Our Scotland-level estimate is based on information from various sources most of which are not disaggregated to local authority level.\r\na) Looked after children (including children formally looked after in kinship care but not those subject to a Kinship Care Order) - The table below contains a breakdown of looked after 2 year olds entitled to free ELC by local authority. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Some of these children may also qualify under other criteria eg because their parents receive qualifying benefits.\r\nb) Kinship Care Orders / Guardianship - We do not collect data on 2 year olds eligible for free ELC through kinship care orders or guardianship. As explained in the Financial Review, to derive the estimate of overall two year old eligibility, we estimated that looked after children, children under kinship care orders and children in guardianship combined were around 3 per cent of the population and that the total population is around 60,000. Some of these children may also qualify under other criteria eg because their parents receive qualifying benefits. We estimate that this applies to 70 per cent.\r\nc) Qualifying benefits – Information on households in receipt of qualifying benefits is held by Department for Work and Pensions and by HMRC. They do not provide the relevant information on two year olds to Scottish Government at a local authority level. For Scotland as a whole, we estimate that around 15,200 two-year olds are eligible for free ELC because they live in a household in receipt of qualifying benefits.\r\nd) In need / local priorities - Scottish Government does not collect data on the number of children entitled to free ELC under the terms of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 or those children who receive free ELC based on local priorities.\r\nNumber of looked after two year olds, 2015\r\n\r\nLAC\r\nAberdeen City\r\n30\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n20\r\nAngus\r\n20\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n10\r\nClackmannanshire\r\nless than 10\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n30\r\nDundee City\r\n30\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n20\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\nless than 10\r\nEast Lothian\r\n10\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n10\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n50\r\nEilean Siar\r\nless than 10\r\nFalkirk\r\n20\r\nFife\r\n60\r\nGlasgow City\r\n100\r\nHighland\r\n20\r\nInverclyde\r\n10\r\nMidlothian\r\n10\r\nMoray\r\n10\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n40\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n30\r\nOrkney Islands\r\nless than 10\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n10\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n30\r\nScottish Borders\r\nless than 10\r\nShetland Islands\r\nless than 10\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n10\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n20\r\nStirling\r\nless than 10\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n20\r\nWest Lothian\r\n20\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318670,"EventID":"S5W-04553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T15:20:52.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T12:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what resilience planning it has carried out to ensure safety on the roads in Aberdeenshire over the winter.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is responsible for preventing snow and ice endangering the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles on trunk roads in Aberdeenshire. Significant planning is undertaken in advance of winter to ensure that the trunk road operating companies are prepared and to share lessons learned from previous years. BEAR Scotland, the Operating Company for the Aberdeenshire area, has an annual Winter Service Plan, which is available online at: \r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/system/files/documents/tsc-basic-pages/Road/North-East-Unit-Winter-Service-Plan-2016-17.pdf\r\nThe delivery and resilience of current winter communication procedures across the north of Scotland were tested during a one-day event on Thursday 20 October 2016, the principle being to share best practice. This involved representatives from our Operating Company (BEAR Scotland) that covers the north-units, Transport Scotland, Traffic Scotland, Police Scotland, Aberdeen Roads Limited (Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO), Contract Provider, for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route), Aberdeen City Council and Transport Scotland’s Performance Audit Group (PAG). Aberdeenshire Council did not take up the invitation to attend.\r\nWinter service on local roads in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire is a matter for the local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318671,"EventID":"S5W-04554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5591,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T15:20:53.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T12:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle the incidence of dog attacks on farm livestock.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is supportive of responsible dog ownership and there are a range of measures in place in relation to protection of farm livestock from dogs.\r\nSection 1 of The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 provides specific protection for livestock from dogs. The Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 places general responsibilities on dog owners to keep their dogs under control including on agricultural land. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 restricts access to land where someone is not exercising proper control of their dogs (and any other animals). The Scottish Outdoor Access Code includes provision advising how best to approach control of dogs when near livestock.\r\nData on the number of convictions under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 is as follows.\r\n\r\nNumber of people convicted under section 1 of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 1\r\n\r\nYear\r\n\r\n\r\nNumber of convictions\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n10\r\n2011-12\r\n10\r\n2012-13\r\n11\r\n2013-14\r\n10\r\n2014-15\r\n10\r\n\r\n\r\n1. Where main charge\r\nSource – Scottish Government criminal proceedings database\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318672,"EventID":"S5W-04550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T15:21:03.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the oil and gas industry with the development of technologies to help bring hard-to-reach fields onstream. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that new and innovative technologies will be required to ensure we sustainably maximise the economic recovery of oil & gas from the North Sea.\r\nIn February, the First Minister announced £12.5 million through our enterprise agencies to support innovation and business resilience, which included £10 million of SE funding to help firms reduce risks associated with carrying out research & development, with around 70 innovation projects with a total project value of round £16 million having benefitted from £7 million of Scottish Government support, so far.\r\nWe have also funded the Oil and Gas Innovation Centre (OGIC), which was established in 2014 and focuses on technology themes where Scotland has competitive advantage, or where Scotland has the ability to develop it e.g. Subsea, Enhanced Oil Recovery and Deepwater and High Pressure Temperature (HPHT) drilling. OGIC has engaged with around 100 companies, to date, and direct financial assistance is available to incentivise investment in R&D and to test the feasibility of new ideas.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government and the UK Government have committed to investing on a 50:50 basis to support the development of an Oil & Gas Technology Centre (OGTC) through the £250 million Aberdeen City Region Deal. This will be a new, world class centre to support innovation of the oil and gas industry in the North East, the rest of Scotland and across the whole of the UK. The first £4 million of funding for the OGTC was approved on Monday 20th November.\r\nHowever, it remains the position that the key fiscal levers to support the industry are reserved to the UK Government and we recognise that they must optimised to incentivise continued investment in the basin. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for Investment Allowance reforms in the Autumn Statement in order to ensure the full potential of the North Sea is realised.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318673,"EventID":"S5W-04538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T15:21:04.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-06T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent representations it has made to (a) Police Scotland and (b) the Scottish Police Authority regarding police charging for events. ","AnswerText":"I have made no representations to Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority regarding police charging for events.\r\nPolice Scotland follows the standard approach to setting charges for public services as set out in the Scottish Government's Scottish Public Finance Manual - which is based on full cost recovery.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318700,"EventID":"S5W-04530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:31.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to review and evaluate the impact of health and social care integration on people using care services.","AnswerText":"Each of the Health and Social Care Partnerships will publish an annual Performance Report for 2016-17 by the end of July 2017. These reports will set out an assessment of performance in relation to the National Health and Wellbeing Outcomes, which focus on the experiences and quality of services for people using those services, carers and their families. The Scottish Government will work closely with Partnerships to learn from the findings of these reports and how this can be shared more widely.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318701,"EventID":"S5W-04545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:32.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners have been (a) tested and (b) treated for hepatitis C since 2013.","AnswerText":"Health Protection Scotland collects data on Hepatitis C tests from the West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, East of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Department of Medical Microbiology at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital and Medical School. These specialist laboratories receive positive samples from the 14 Hepatitis C testing laboratories in Scotland in order to carry out PCR testing for confirmation. Negative tests are generally not sent to these specialist laboratories. Therefore, for accuracy, the testing database only includes tests from Boards where there is complete data (negative and positive samples). This means that Hepatitis C test data is only available for prisons within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Grampian, Lothian and Tayside board areas. Between 2013-2015, 3,964 people were tested for hepatitis C antibody in the prison setting in these four board areas.\r\nYear\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nHepatitis C treatment initiates from a prison setting\r\n117\r\n141\r\n141\r\n128 (provisional)\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318702,"EventID":"S5W-04562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:34.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of business rates on rooftop solar cells and panels, particularly self-supply. ","AnswerText":"Plant and machinery for generation relying on a solar power source is excluded from rating valuation where the power is mainly for distribution for sale to consumers or where the generation comprises micro-generation (as defined in the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006). Subject to that, as with all rateable property, valuation is for the independent Assessors and the applicable rates poundage is set at a competitive and sustainable level by Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318703,"EventID":"S5W-04529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:36.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T15:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness of people's legal right to challenge decisions about their care if they deem the quality unacceptable.","AnswerText":"The Care Inspectorate, on behalf of Scottish Ministers, operates a formal complaints procedure for anyone who is unhappy about a registered care service. This procedure explains people's right to receipt of high quality services and what steps they can take if they feel this is not being met. Details of how people can register a complaint is well publicised on the Care Inspectorate's website.http://www.careinspectorate.com/images/documents/82/Procedure%20for%20handling%20complaints%20-%20Jul%2014.pdf\r\nAdditionally National Care Standards stipulate that service providers must make available to service users and their families details of their complaint handling procedures. This information is provided to everyone receiving a registered care service and ensures they are fully familiar with their rights and expectations from the outset. \r\nTogether these easily accessible information ensures service users are made aware of what to do should they wish to complain about a care service, or challenge the findings of any such investigations.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318704,"EventID":"S5W-04544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:37.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to identify people who are infected with hepatitis C but who remain undiagnosed.","AnswerText":"Through the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus networks, the Scottish Government has regular discussions with Health Protection Scotland, NHS boards and Hepatitis Scotland to help promote best practice and information sharing in relation to identifying people who remain undiagnosed.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318705,"EventID":"S5W-04546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:38.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which prisons have an opt-out approach to blood-borne virus testing.","AnswerText":"Opt-out blood borne virus testing for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV is available for all new prisoners at HMP Castle Huntly, Cornton Vale, Glenochil, Grampian, Kilmarnock, Perth, Polmont and Shotts, while Barlinne, Greenock and Low Moss have an opt-out approach for Hepatitis C and HIV. We are working with NHS boards to deliver the service in the remaining prisons.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318706,"EventID":"S5W-04563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:39.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T16:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the UK Government's revised benefit cap on (a) poverty and (b) child poverty in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has serious concerns about the significant increase in the number of households affected by the revised benefit cap particularly since this is yet another cut from the UK Government which will impact hardest on low income families with children. We do not have access to accurate data on the types of households affected so we cannot fully assess the impact of this change but note DWP estimates that around 5,000 Scottish households will be affected, a more than 6 fold increase on current numbers. The average amount of reduction per week is around £60. The recent Chartered Institute of Housing report put the number of Scottish households affected at 6,700 containing 20,000 children. We will continue to monitor this closely as the policy is implemented over the next few months.\r\nOur ability to respond to this is hampered by the reduction in the Scottish Government’s Fiscal DEL budget between 2010-11 and 2019-20 of £3.3 bn, 10.6% in real terms. In 2016/17 we are maintaining our commitment to support people in Scotland affected by the UK Government’s welfare cuts, via the Scottish Welfare Fund (£38m), mitigating the Bedroom Tax (£35m) and through our council tax reduction scheme (£23m). This money would be better spent tackling poverty.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318707,"EventID":"S5W-04531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:40.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address child dental health inequality, in light of the results in the National Dental Inspection Programme (NDIP) 2016.","AnswerText":"The NDIP 2016 Report shows a reduction in oral health inequalities in primary 1 children across a range of inequality measures. \r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to continuing to tackle oral health inequalities in children. This is why in the recently published Fairer Scotland Action Plan, we have included a commitment to extend supervised toothbrushing and fluoride varnish application for nursery and primary 1 and 2 children in even more comparatively deprived communities. Currently this preventive treatment is available under our flagship Childsmile programme to the 20 per cent most deprived communities within each NHS Board area. This will now be extended to those communities who fall within the most 20 per cent deprived measured on a Scotland-wide basis.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318708,"EventID":"S5W-04533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:41.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase public awareness of hearing loss.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving the services, support and care available to people with hearing loss through its long term strategy ‘See Hear’. Awareness raising and training were identified as one of the recommendations in the strategy. The strategy was jointly endorsed by COSLA and is being implemented through local partnerships. Local leads have been identified to drive progress across priority areas.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318709,"EventID":"S5W-04565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:42.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there has been a delay in establishing the Scottish Centre for Deep Brain Stimulation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03333 on 27 October 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nAs previously advised in that answer, the service is expected to be up and running by Spring 2017. I can confirm that the recruitment process for the specialist clinical posts, including relevant neurosurgeons, is currently underway, as is equipment procurement.\r\nI can also confirm that, pending the start of the new service, we continue to ensure that everyone in Scotland who is considered clinically suitable for Deep Brain Stimulation has access to it.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318710,"EventID":"S5W-04537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:43.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of lipreading classes across Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving the services, support and care available to people with hearing loss through its national strategy ‘See Hear’. The strategy was jointly endorsed by COSLA and the Scottish Government allocated £2 million of funding, over two years, to support its implementation. The strategy is being delivered through local partnerships. Local leads are in place to identify priority areas and drive progress locally. In addition, the Scottish Government allocated a further £200,000 to the Scottish Lip Reading Strategy Group, between 2012-2015, to improve access to lip reading classes for adults with hearing loss in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318711,"EventID":"S5W-04555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:44.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training in end of life care is given to mental health practitioners.","AnswerText":"All health professionals are expected to demonstrate through both work based learning and self-directed learning, the knowledge and skills in end of life care to satisfy the core competencies of their profession.\r\nThe requirements and content of training curricula is a matter for the Royal Colleges and is approved by the General Medical Council as regulator of the medical profession.\r\nAll Healthcare professionals including mental health practitioners are expected to assess and address their learning needs to deliver the high quality services required by their local population; this includes end of life/palliative considerations. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318712,"EventID":"S5W-04473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:46.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, what its response is to the comment by Dr Fabian Zuleeg of the European Policy Centre, and a member of the First Minister’s Standing Council on Europe, to the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee on 1 November 2016 (Official Report, c.43) that “if the UK leaves the single market, I think that it is highly unlikely that any part of the UK will get a special deal to remain in the single market”.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is exploring all options and will table specific proposals in the coming weeks to protect Scotland’s interests and keep us in the Single Market, even if the rest of the UK decides to leave.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318713,"EventID":"S5W-04534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:48.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to establish a lipreading working group.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving the services, support and care available to people with hearing loss through its national strategy ‘See Hear’. A Lip Reading Strategy Group is in place and is chaired by Action on Hearing Loss Scotland. The Group will next meet on the 6 February 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318714,"EventID":"S5W-04535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:49.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage young people who are deaf or have hearing loss to take up modern apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"The Equalities Action Plan (EAP) for Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland, published in December 2015, outlines the challenges to be addressed and the actions Skills Development Skills (SDS) will undertake with partners to improve the participation of under-represented groups within the MA programme. The plan can be found at: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/40691/2869_sds_equalities_action_plan_digital_v7.pdf\r\nSDS will publish the first annual report on the EAP progress shortly. The report will identify the activity that SDS has been undertaking to attract disabled people to MAs; to support them in applying for MA vacancies; and to support Training Providers in optimising success for young disabled MAs. Specifically in relation to young people with hearing impairments, SDS has:-\r\ndelivered deaf awareness training to Training Providers in partnership with the Academy of British Sign Language (BSL);\r\ncreated a number of support resources, including the Equalities Toolkit, which identify how an employer / Training Provider can take positive action in recruiting young deaf people;\r\nraised awareness of the additional funding that is available to young people taking up an MA opportunity through Access to Work Funds and the MA Access Fund. These can be used, for example, to pay for a BSL interpreter for an apprentice.\r\nAdditionally, SDS has developed Regional Resource Guides which signpost where training providers, employers and partners can access support for young deaf people locally (deaf organisations such as NDCS, Action on Hearing Loss and Deaf Action are listed).","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318715,"EventID":"S5W-04536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:50.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its Audiology Services Advisory Group has not met since 2012 and when it will next meet.","AnswerText":"The Audiology Services Advisory Group (ASAG) was established by the Scottish Government in 2003 to take forward the audiology modernisation programme. Following the successful completion of the work in December 2011, it was agreed that the Group’s functions would be best served operationally at NHS board level through the Heads of Audiology Services Group, which meets quarterly and is due to next meet in February 2017. The Scottish Government is currently considering the recommendation from Action on Hearing Loss Scotland’s report, 'Time to raise the standards', on reconvening ASAG - see the answer to question S5W-04433 on 9 November 2016. \r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318716,"EventID":"S5W-04556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:51.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the mental health requirements of people with terminal illnesses.","AnswerText":"We expect that mental health care and treatment will be delivered in a person-centred manner to meet each individual’s needs. That includes cases where the individual has a terminal illness.\r\nOn 18 December 2015, the Scottish Government published our Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care. One of the main aims in the Strategic Framework is to ensure that people with palliative and end of life care needs are supported by health professionals who are appropriately skilled to do so.\r\nWe are working with NHS Education for Scotland and the Scottish Social Services Council to develop a new palliative and end of life care Educational Framework. This Framework will address the needs of the health and social care workforce, and will be focused on fostering an integrated and collaborative approach to educational provision.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318717,"EventID":"S5W-04558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:52.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the mental health requirements of children who have experienced the death of a parent or close relative.","AnswerText":"We expect that mental health care and treatment will be delivered in a person-centred manner to meet each individual’s needs. This includes in circumstances where a child has experienced the death of a parent or close relative, and is subsequently experiencing mental health issues.\r\nFor more information about what general action the Scottish Government is taking to support children and young people affected by bereavement, I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01444 on 5 August 2016.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318718,"EventID":"S5W-04475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:54.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-03T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, what its response is to the comment by Professor Graeme Roy of the Fraser of Allander Institute to the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee on 1 November 2016 (Official Report, c.45) that “although trade deals and access to the single market are important, proximity is one of the most important things. One of the big focuses for the Scottish Government in future policy rounds should be integration into the rUK market and what it can do to support expansion into it”.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to S5W-04404 on 10 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318719,"EventID":"S5W-04532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:56.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-04T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to establish a hearing screening pilot for all people aged 65 and over, as recommended by Action on Hearing Loss Scotland.","AnswerText":"On screening issues we are advised by the UK National Screening Committee (NSC), an independent expert advisory group which advises Ministers and the NHS in the four UK countries about all aspects of screening.\r\nIn January 2016, following a review of the evidence against strict criteria, the Committee concluded that a screening programme for hearing loss in older adults should not be introduced.\r\nMore information about the Committee's recommendation can be found at: http://legacy.screening.nhs.uk/hearing-adult\r\nThe UK NSC regularly reviews its recommendations on screening in light of new research evidence becoming available and we will give careful consideration to any change to the recommendation.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318720,"EventID":"S5W-04557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:57.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the mental health requirements of the carers of people with terminal illnesses.","AnswerText":"We expect that mental health care and treatment will be delivered in a person-centred manner to meet each individual’s needs. That includes cases where the individual is a carer for someone who has a terminal illness.\r\nOn 18 December 2015, the Scottish Government published our Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care. One of the main aims in the Strategic Framework is to ensure that people with palliative and end of life care needs are supported by health professionals who are appropriately skilled to do so.\r\nWe are working with NHS Education for Scotland and the Scottish Social Services Council to develop a new palliative and end of life care Educational Framework. This Framework will address the needs of the health and social care workforce, and will be focused on fostering an integrated and collaborative approach to educational provision.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318721,"EventID":"S5W-04564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-07T17:15:58.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to measures to mitigate the impact of the UK Government's revised benefit cap.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04563 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318722,"EventID":"S5W-04568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:02:48.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of research by the British Heart Foundation and the University of Edinburgh suggesting that there is a correlation between air pollution and cardiovascular disease, whether it will provide an update on what progress it is making with the introduction of low-emission zones.","AnswerText":"The implementation of low-emission zones is being taken forward as set out in the Programme for Government. The Scottish Government are preparing the National Low Emission Framework to offer guidelines for LEZ implementation, and are engaging with local authorities and other key stakeholders to help identify early adopters for Scotland’s first low-emission zone to be put in place by 2018. The most recent stakeholder meeting was the Cleaner Air for Scotland governance group which met on the 21 November in Dundee.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318723,"EventID":"S5W-04571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:02:50.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been made available for treatments for the hepatitis C virus in 2016-17, and how much was made available in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"In 2016-17 the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework was funded as part of the £161 million Outcomes Framework budget. This gives individual Boards flexibility to allocate funding for Sexual Health and Blood Borne virus activity. The Scottish Government has not ring-fenced specific funding for hepatitis C, however boards are expected to continue to meet the Framework target of at least 1,500 people per year initiated onto antiviral therapy.\r\n£28 million was provided to NHS boards in 2015-16 to support the implementation of the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework (breakdown in the following table). NHS Boards determined how best to use this funding, however, under the Framework Boards are set an annual treatment target for Hepatitis C. \r\nNHS Board\r\nAmount\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n1,741,857\r\nBorders\r\n401,456\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n636,685\r\nFife\r\n1,302,657\r\nForth Valley\r\n1,418,319\r\nGrampian\r\n2,659,315\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n7,223,593\r\nHighland\r\n1,138,530\r\nLanarkshire\r\n2,501,571\r\nLothian\r\n5,129,215\r\nOrkney\r\n101,718\r\nShetland\r\n127,139\r\nTayside\r\n2,241,327\r\nWestern Isles\r\n115,109\r\nNSS HPS\r\n770,597\r\nNSS ISD\r\n51,000\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318724,"EventID":"S5W-04585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:02:51.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the ending of the Erasmus exchange programme would have in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"Scotland’s participation in Erasmus+, the EU’s 2014-2020 Education, Training, Youth and Sport Programme, is in line with our aims to promote Scotland as a learning nation and to increase student and staff mobility, and brings strong educational, employability, cultural and economic benefits. Erasmus+ also enables students from Scotland to access commercial loans on favourable terms in order to study postgraduate courses in other member states. Scotland’s preference would be to continue with full participation.\r\nErasmus+ 2014-2020 is delivered by the British Council with Ecorys under contract to the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) with and on behalf of the four nations of the UK. The Scottish Government has received assurances that the EU Referendum result has no immediate effect on learners, staff or volunteers from Scotland currently abroad under the Erasmus+ scheme or anyone applying for 20160-17. Payments will be made in the usual way. The Scottish Government continues to seek assurances covering the medium and longer term.\r\nThe verdict from Scotland’s universities and from the UK’s research bodies could not be clearer – leaving the EU would have potentially devastating effects for Scotland’s higher education sector. The Scottish Government’s starting point is to protect our relationship with, and place in, the European Union. The Scottish Government will publish proposals over the coming weeks that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU, even if the rest of the UK is intending to leave.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318725,"EventID":"S5W-04561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:02:53.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to exempt rooftop solar cells and panels, particularly self-supply, from business rates.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to change the existing plant and machinery exemptions relating to power generation relying on a solar power source.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318726,"EventID":"S5W-04576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:02:55.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what factors (a) Police Scotland and (b) the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland take into account when deciding how to take forward complaints made by mental health patients alleging ill-treatment in hospital.","AnswerText":"Any report of harm, ill-treatment or neglect by a person in a position of trust in hospital, or elsewhere, should be acted upon and passed to the relevant local authority’s health and social care services, as well as the police if criminality is suspected.\r\nAny subsequent police investigation will be undertaken considering the capacity of the victim and their communication needs. On occasions this may include the requirement for a mental health assessment and the services of an appropriate adult. Following investigation, if there is a sufficiency of evidence, a standard prosecution report will be submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for consideration of prosecution. In addition, a case conference may be convened to raise or review an adult protection care plan.\r\nWhen the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland receives a complaint of ill-treatment or neglect of a mental health service user, it generally advises that this be pursued through the local complaints procedure and also advises the individual of their right to contact the police in relation to serious allegations, such as assault. \r\nSection 11 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 gives the Commission the power to carry out investigations in a number of specific circumstances, including where a service user might have been subjected to ill-treatment; neglect; or some other deficiency in care or treatment.\r\nSome of the factors the Commission takes into account when considering whether to carry out such an investigation include: whether there is prima facie evidence of any of the matters which may be the subject of a Commission investigation (such as unlawful detention or deficiency in care); the extent to which any potential failings have been, or will be, investigated locally or by other agencies; and whether the case has significant implications for policy and practice on a wider level.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318727,"EventID":"S5W-04578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:02:56.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, when a person appeals to revoke a short-term detention in hospital certificate, for what reason a mental health tribunal is required to determine whether the conditions that led to the detention continue to be met. ","AnswerText":"The purpose of section 50 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 is to give the patient or the patient's named person the right to apply to the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland to revoke a short-term detention certificate or extension certificate. This could be because the patient or named person did not think a short-term detention certificate was necessary, or because the patient or named person is of the view that the patient's condition has improved sufficiently that it is no longer necessary. This is in keeping with other provisions in the 2003 Act which require that orders and certificates should be kept under review and revoked or varied as appropriate, to support the principles of least restriction and maximum benefit which underpin the 2003 Act. \r\nSection 50 sets out that the Tribunal shall revoke the certificate if not satisfied that the following conditions continue to be met:\r\nthat the patient has a mental disorder;\r\nthat, because of the mental disorder, the patient's ability to make decisions about the provision of medical treatment is significantly impaired;\r\nthat if the patient were not detained in hospital there would be a significant risk to the health, safety or welfare of the patient or to the safety of any other person;\r\nand if the Tribunal is not satisfied that it continues to be necessary for the patient to be detained in hospital as authorised by the certificate.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318728,"EventID":"S5W-04569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5669,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:02:57.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T20:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential economic and social impact, what its response is to reports that Fort George Barracks is under threat of closure.","AnswerText":"On 7 November 2016, the Defence Secretary announced eight sites for disposal in Scotland, including plans for the Army to vacate Fort George. No consultation took place with the Scottish Government ahead of this announcement, even in the case of Fort George where Scottish Ministers have a direct interest in operation of the site. The scale of the Ministry of Defence’s cuts will have significant economic and social impacts. \r\nAs I said in my statement to the Chamber on 9 November, the Scottish Government met Highland Council and other Local Authorities the day after the Defence Basing Announcement to consider local impacts, and I plan to meet with those most affected to discuss next steps.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318729,"EventID":"S5W-04570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:02:58.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be on Scotland of reports that, following the Brexit vote, the UK has experienced its first decrease in capital financing in five years.","AnswerText":"Reports that UK businesses have experienced their first decrease in capital financing in five years following the EU Referendum indicates that the heightened uncertainty facing the UK economy is weighing on investment intentions.\r\nThe economic uncertainty caused by the UK Government’s response to the EU referendum result will clearly have a negative impact on investment and our economy. Until the negotiations are concluded, it is essential that businesses are provided with certainty and guidance to ensure that investment and job creation is not impeded. The biggest boost the UK Government can provide to businesses across the UK is to provide assurance that it will seek continued membership of the single market in its negotiations with the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318730,"EventID":"S5W-04559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:03:00.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-03922 and S5W-03923 by Kevin Stewart on 3 November 2016, how many of the expressions of interest were regarded as priority sites ahead of the formal SHIP submissions.","AnswerText":"Local authorities were invited as part of the development of their Strategic Housing Investment Plans to identify priority housing sites that could, with support from the Fund, be unlocked to bring forward housing within the next five years. All expressions of interest to the Fund are therefore deemed to be priorities for the Local Authority. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318731,"EventID":"S5W-04566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:03:01.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter by Mark McDonald to the Education and Skills Committee on 27 October 2016, in which the minister estimated \"that up to 20,000\" additional workers would be required for the expansion of early learning and childcare, the comment by John Swinney to the committee on 2 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 40) that “the number that I have in front of me is 14,000. I am not nit-picking—it is just a little bit different from 20,000”, and the comment by Mr McDonald on 3 November 2016 in the answer to question S5W-03886 that “we are currently working with stakeholders and delivery partners…to assess the workforce and infrastructure requirements for the expansion\" and that the government would “provide more details on the workforce requirements…in spring 2017\", whether it will clarify what its position is, and by what date it will provide its final estimate of the workforce requirements.","AnswerText":"As stated in the answer to S5W-03886, the Scottish Government is working with a range of delivery partners to assess the workforce requirement for the expansion to 1,140 hours. We will set out more details on these requirements as part of our response to the consultation in spring 2017.\r\nThe workforce requirements will be determined by the approaches taken in response to the consultation on the Early Learning and Childcare blueprint but we recognise that a significant expansion will take place and work is ongoing to prepare for this.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318732,"EventID":"S5W-04573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:03:03.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02561 by Paul Wheelhouse on 21 September 2016, whether it will provide an update on the progress that it is making on establishing the ministerial trade board; what the board’s (a) budget, (b) remit and (c) membership will be, and when it will first meet.","AnswerText":"Plans to establish a ministerial trade board are currently being developed and details will be made available in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318733,"EventID":"S5W-04560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:03:06.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government on the exemption from business rates of rooftop solar cells and panels, particularly self-supply and what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no recent discussions with the UK Government on the existing plant and machinery exemptions relating to power generation relying on a solar power source.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318734,"EventID":"S5W-04577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:03:08.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been (a) charged with and (b) convicted of ill-treatment of a hospital patient with mental health problems in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"Information on subjects reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) with charges under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 Section 315 and Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 S105(1)a & (3) is presented below.The numbers of people convicted in the Scottish Courts of these charges is presented in the second table. \r\nPlease be aware that the criminal proceedings statistics on convictions only measure the main charge in a case and there may be secondary charges in some cases relating to the legislation that are not counted.\r\nSubjects Reported to COPFS with charge(s) under Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 Section 315 and Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 S105(1)a & (3)\r\nCharge\r\nMental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 S315\r\nMental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 S105(1)(a)&(3)\r\n2006-07\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2007-08\r\n2\r\n-\r\n2008-09\r\n3\r\n-\r\n2009-10\r\n4\r\n-\r\n2010-11\r\n5\r\n-\r\n2011-12\r\n10\r\n-\r\n2012-13\r\n11\r\n-\r\n2013-14\r\n14\r\n-\r\n2014-15\r\n13\r\n-\r\n2015-16\r\n3\r\n-\r\nSource: Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service\r\nPeople with a main charge proved under Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 Section 315 and Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 S105(1)a & (3)\r\nCharge\r\nMental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 S315\r\nMental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 S105(1)(a)&(3)\r\n2006-07\r\n-\r\n1\r\n2007-08\r\n1\r\n-\r\n2008-09\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2009-10\r\n2\r\n-\r\n2010-11\r\n1\r\n-\r\n2011-12\r\n2\r\n-\r\n2012-13\r\n4\r\n-\r\n2013-14\r\n1\r\n-\r\n2014-15\r\n3\r\n-\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings database","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318735,"EventID":"S5W-04575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:03:09.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be of the new UK Government benefit cap on people in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has serious concerns about the significant increase in the number of households affected by the benefit cap, a six fold increase on numbers affected by the previous cap. This is yet another cut from the UK Government which will impact hardest on low income families with children. The recent Chartered Institute of Housing report estimated that 6,700 households containing 20,000 children would be affected by the new cap. The cumulative impact of changes to benefits and tax credits over the last few years is a considerable burden on those least able to afford it and continues to push more and more people into poverty at the very time we want to lift people out of poverty.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318736,"EventID":"S5W-04567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:03:10.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the High Court ruling in favour of ClientEarth against the UK Government in relation to tackling air pollution, what action it is taking to improve air quality in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking forward a range of actions to improve air quality in Scotland, working closely with Transport Scotland, SEPA and other partner organisations. These actions are set out in 'Cleaner Air for Scotland - The Road to a Healthier Future' - Scotland's first separate air quality strategy which was published in November 2015. The Programme for Government commitment to have Scotland's first low emission zone in place by 2018 will make a major contribution to this work.\r\nAdditionally we are working in partnership with local authorities, with financial and practical support for implementing their local air quality action plans; and we also provide advice and information through the Scottish Air Quality Website and Scotland’s Environment Web.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318737,"EventID":"S5W-04572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:03:12.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its support for the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030, what consideration it has given to procurement mechanisms for medicines such as the state-by-state capping mechanism adopted in Australia, which is reported to have resulted in many more people being treated for the hepatitis C virus.","AnswerText":"NHS National Procurement is responsible for co-ordinating the procurement of medicines on behalf of all Scottish Health boards and there are established Framework Agreements in place for the supply of Hepatitis C medicines. A therapy level treatment cost cap is one of a number of approaches that has been explored however given that prices of hepatitis C medicines are expected to reduce further, there is a significant risk that this approach would result in higher costs for the NHS over the long-term. National Procurement continues to monitor the market to ensure the procurement approach delivers best value.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318738,"EventID":"S5W-04574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T14:03:13.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is marking Inter Faith Week 2016. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is pleased to support Scottish Interfaith Week and is providing £145,000 to Interfaith Scotland in 2016-17 to help support its work to develop interfaith dialogue.\r\nThe First Minister hosted the second Interfaith Summit on 8 November 2016. The Summit brought together faith leaders and interfaith workers to discuss how interfaith work can help to build good relations, understanding and co-operation between different faith communities. This year the discussion had a particular focus on interfaith work by young people; support by faith communities for refugees and asylum seekers; and community support following the EU Referendum. \r\nAs well as attending the Interfaith Summit, I will also be speaking at the launch of the Food for Justice Declaration at the Interfaith Food Justice Network on 17 November.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318785,"EventID":"S5W-04442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T17:03:59.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the slip road exits from the A8/M8 to Maxim Park Eurocentral are closed, and when they will reopen.","AnswerText":"The A8 eastbound exit and entry slip roads at Eurocentral are closed to facilitate the safe construction of significant improvement works forming the £500m M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project. The westbound exit slip remains open with the westbound entry slip to the A8 closed due to facilitate the A8 to A725 link road.\r\nScottish Roads Partnership, the project contractor, has confirmed that the slip roads at Eurocentral Junction will remain closed until Spring 2017, however, this will be reviewed as construction progresses. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318786,"EventID":"S5W-04579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T17:04:00.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport on 2 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 65) that \"at least half of front-line NHS spending is being invested outwith acute hospitals\", whether it will provide the front-line spending figures to which she was referring.","AnswerText":"Front-line NHS spending represents investment in NHS Territorial Boards, and Special Boards which deliver front-line services. It is the Scottish Government's assessment that, by 2021-22, half of this spending will be incurred in the community and outwith acute hospitals. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318787,"EventID":"S5W-04444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T17:04:01.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-02T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Newhouse (a) off ramp and (b) on ramp on the A8/M8 will reopen.","AnswerText":"Although the eastbound exit and entry slip roads remain open, the westbound exit slip road from the A8 to Newhouse is closed to facilitate the safe construction of the significant improvement works forming the £500m M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project. This slip road is currently planned to open in mid-December.\r\nThe westbound entry slip from Newhouse to the newly constructed A8 All-Purpose Road was opened on Monday 14 November 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318788,"EventID":"S5W-04580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T17:04:02.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage employers to pay at least the living wage.","AnswerText":"On 12 March 2016, the First Minister set a new target of 1,000 Living Wage Accredited employers by Autumn 2017, we are supporting this by increasing funding for the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative to £300,000 and are working with the Poverty Alliance to support them in meeting this target. \r\nFollowing on from Living Wage Week which began on 31 October the number of Living Wage Accredited employers in Scotland rose to 650. Scotland remains the best performing of all four UK countries with the highest proportion of employees paid the Living Wage or more (79.9%).","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318789,"EventID":"S5W-04584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T17:04:03.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the impact of the £20 million that it announced in March 2015 to tackle violence against women, and whether it will publish the findings.","AnswerText":"Funding decisions from the additional £20m Violence Against Women and Girls Justice Budget (2015-18) are made in line with the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackle all forms of violence against women and girls, to deliver a stronger justice response and are aligned to meet the ambitions of the Scottish Government and COSLA’s joint Equally Safe Strategy, Scotland’s Strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls. \r\nThe Scottish Government will bring forward delivery plans for Equally Safe in 2016/17 and this will include a framework of outcomes and indicators to assist in measuring progress against the Strategy’s objectives.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government monitors awards of funding from the £20m Violence Against Women and Girls Justice Budget, against the key targets and milestones provided for each proposal. This information is received through progress and financial reports which are submitted by those organisations in receipt of funding. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318790,"EventID":"S5W-04591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T17:04:05.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in reducing bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) to negligible risk status.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government submitted an application for BSE Negligible Risk status to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in October 2016 and an outcome can be expected in May 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318791,"EventID":"S5W-04582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T17:04:06.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Violence Against Women and Girls Joint Strategic Board last met and what matters were discussed. ","AnswerText":"The Violence against Women and Girls Joint Strategic Board last met on 10 November 2016. The Board discussed an early draft of a delivery plan for Equally Safe, and received a presentation from David Mandel of the Safe and Together Institute on domestic abuse and child protection.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318792,"EventID":"S5W-04581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T17:04:07.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the evidence by the Director General Economy to the Public Audit Committee on 29 September 2016 (Official Report, c. 28) that, “we will not be sending out letters before 15 October”, when letters to applicants detailing payments made under the Basic Payment Scheme will be sent by the Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID).","AnswerText":"Letters detailing payments under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme will start to be issued from late November and will go out in batches over the following weeks. \r\nAll customers can register to use the online portal through which they can access information about their claims and payments. For those who need help getting online, equipment is available for use in areas offices where appointments can be booked with staff.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318793,"EventID":"S5W-04583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-08T17:04:09.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which organisations have received support from the £20 million that it announced in March 2015 to tackle violence against women, broken down by the amount awarded.","AnswerText":"A breakdown of the awards to date from the £20 million additional Scottish Government Violence Against Women and Girls Justice funding is set out in the following table. Remaining funding allocations from the £20m will be made during the current year and 2017-18. \r\nAwards of funding from the £20m Violence Against Women and Girls Justice Budget\r\nOrganisation\r\nAmount Awarded\r\nPurpose\r\nASSIST\r\n\r\n£3.000m\r\nFunding of specialist advocacy service for victims of domestic abuse.\r\nCaledonian System\r\n£0.360m\r\nImprovement of specialist court mandated perpetrator programme for men and associated women’s and children’s service and increasing capacity of programmes in existing areas.\r\nEdinburgh Domestic Abuse Court Service\r\n\r\n£0.441m\r\nFunding of specialist advocacy service for victims of domestic abuse.\r\nIndependent National Scoping Exercise of Advocacy Services Across Scotland\r\n\r\n£0.042m\r\nIndependent scoping exercise of the availability, provision of and risk assessment standards of specialist advocacy services for victims of gender based violence across Scotland.\r\nNational Specialist and Screening Services Directorate\r\n£0.080m\r\nNHS National Services Scotland – short term appointment to work with Health Boards and assess services currently in place for forensic examinations of victims of rape and sexual assault.\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n£0.046m\r\nSpecialist trauma services for female victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.\r\nPolice Scotland (Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse)\r\n£0.080m\r\nContribution towards publicity costs for Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse (‘Clare’s law’)\r\nRape Crisis Scotland\r\n\r\n£1.850m\r\nFunding of specialist advocacy service for victims of sexual offences, including new provision in Orkney and Shetland.\r\nScottish Courts & Tribunals Service and COPFS\r\n\r\n£7.200m\r\nAdditional resources for Courts and Crown to prioritise the processing of domestic abuse and sexual offences cases through the courts, reducing trauma and distress for victims and families.\r\nScottish Women’s Rights Centre\r\n\r\n£0.665m\r\nExpanded funding to extend the capacity and geographical reach of specialist independent legal advice service for victims of gender based violence.\r\nScottish Women’s Aid\r\n\r\n£0.190m\r\nPilot service to assist women survivors of domestic abuse into fair employment.\r\nThe University of Strathclyde (Equally Safe in Higher Education)\r\n\r\n£0.300m\r\nFunding for the development of a ‘toolkit’ to embed Equally Safe in HEIs to tackle stalking, harassment, domestic abuse and sexual violence and to pilot this approach.\r\nViolence Reduction Unit (Programmes: Mentors in Violence Prevention/Medics Against Violence)\r\n£0.565m\r\nExpanded programme in schools training a further 1,860 young mentors in an additional 93 secondary schools across Scotland to safely challenge and speak out against bullying, abuse and violence. Plus, expand programme delivered to healthcare students; NHS staff, allied health professionals and non-health care professions (e.g. hairdressing, beauticians, vets etc.) to spot and document the signs of potential abuse.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318794,"EventID":"S5O-00335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:06.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet the Department for International Development in East Kilbride.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318795,"EventID":"S5O-00337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:08.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T08:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet the UK Government regarding the result of the EU referendum.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318796,"EventID":"S5O-00338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:10.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how important tourism is to the economy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318797,"EventID":"S5O-00339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:12.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to VisitScotland and The Highland Council to encourage tourists to the Highlands and Islands, including by ensuring that the North Coast 500 route is fully maintained.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318798,"EventID":"S5O-00340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5587,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:14.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with the UK Government regarding Brexit.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318799,"EventID":"S5O-00341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:16.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T10:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out regarding what representation an independent Scotland could have in the European Parliament and on the European Council.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318800,"EventID":"S5O-00342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:17.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T12:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board and similar bodies in promoting the country's public spaces.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318801,"EventID":"S5O-00343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5877,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:18.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on how the proposal by Edinburgh City Council to introduce a tourist tax could impact on the number of visitors to the city.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a tourist tax. The Scottish tourism industry currently subject to UK Government VAT rates which are the seconds largest in the EU. However we are open to discussions with any local authorities that are interested, recognising that potential impacts and implications would need to be carefully considered. \r\nMore widely we continue to engage with COSLA around making local taxation fairer and ensuring local authorities continue to be properly funded while becoming more accountable.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318802,"EventID":"S5O-00344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:18.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site status, and the built heritage within it, has on visitor numbers to the city.","AnswerText":"Edinburgh’s built heritage is world-renowned and is a remarkable asset for the city. While the information requested is not routinely collected or held by the Scottish Government, a survey of visitors to Edinburgh conducted in 2012 on behalf of the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group found that 15% of visitors were motivated to visit by the city’s World Heritage status. The same survey found that over two thirds of visitors were motivated to visit the city by its history.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318803,"EventID":"S5O-00345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:19.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact is on Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service of having to make VAT payments. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318804,"EventID":"S5O-00346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5621,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:21.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T05:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to people from Scotland who are engaged in legal proceedings in jurisdictions outside Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318805,"EventID":"S5O-00347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:22.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the number of women being given custodial sentences and how it supports those who have been involved in offending.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318806,"EventID":"S5O-00348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:24.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to resolve the reported backlog of cases in the Scottish courts.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318807,"EventID":"S5O-00349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:25.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice last met the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318808,"EventID":"S5O-00351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:26.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the implications on the justice system are of leaving the EU.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318809,"EventID":"S5O-00352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:27.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T09:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on Police Scotland's standard operating procedures for unauthorised sites used by Gypsy/Travellers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318810,"EventID":"S5O-00354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:28.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Police Scotland's latest Your View Counts survey.","AnswerText":"This Government has made clear that we wish to see the community focus of policing strengthened and so we welcome the efforts being made by Police Scotland to involve local communities in the setting of operational priorities.\r\nMoving forward, we would expect Police Scotland to take account of the feedback they receive when planning and delivering services across the country.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318811,"EventID":"S5O-00355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:29.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is tackling poverty, including fuel poverty, in the Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley constituency.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318812,"EventID":"S5O-00356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:30.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it will take forward plans to establish a national manufacturing institute.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318813,"EventID":"S5O-00358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:31.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T18:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met South Lanarkshire Council and what issues were discussed. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318814,"EventID":"S5O-00359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:33.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with tenant farmers and their representatives.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318815,"EventID":"S5O-00360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:34.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to tackle traffic congestion in the west of Edinburgh.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318816,"EventID":"S5O-00361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:35.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T18:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of its and its agencies' staff earn below the Scottish Living Wage.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and its agencies are covered by the Scottish Government’s public sector pay policy and as such are required to pay their employees the Scottish Living Wage as part of their annual pay settlements. This requirement has been an integral part of our public sector pay policy since 2011. The policy covers the Scottish Government, its agencies, and the non-departmental public bodies for which we are responsible. It also covers the subsidiaries of these bodies.\r\nThere may be a small number of staff in public bodies subject to Minister’s pay policy still to benefit from the 2016 Scottish Living Wage increase, but this is due to the fact that these bodies are still to conclude pay negotiations with members of staff and their unions this year and Scottish Ministers cannot intervene while these negotiations continue.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318817,"EventID":"S5O-00362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:36.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of Dyslexia Scotland.","AnswerText":"My officials meet regularly with Dyslexia Scotland through the ‘Dyslexia Making Sense’ and the ‘Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit’ Working Groups. They last met on 4 October and due to meet again on 13 December.\r\nI met with and Sir Jackie Stewart and Cathy Magee of Dyslexia Scotland just yesterday.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318818,"EventID":"S5O-00363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:37.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Edinburgh City Region Deal.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal and we have been working closely with the city region partners for the past year to understand their ambitions and how their proposals can significantly improve the region’s prosperity and fairness.\r\nOur work with Edinburgh builds on the substantial commitments that we have already made to deals for Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness and we are committed to working with all our cities, including Stirling, Perth, and Dundee.\r\nI call upon the UK Government to make an explicit commitment to working with us to deliver ambitious City Deals for Stirling and for the Tay Cities in next week’s Autumn Statement.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318819,"EventID":"S5O-00364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T13:39:39.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to prevent local authorities from overcharging disabled people for care services. ","AnswerText":"Local authorities have the ability to make charges for care services provided, but those charges must not be more than the cost of providing the service. In addition, local authorities are able to waive or reduce charges for social care, according to individual circumstances, taking into account financial hardship.\r\nCOSLA's Charging Guidance sets out the framework under which local authorities should charge for social care services.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318820,"EventID":"S5W-04593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T14:07:41.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Thermolicer is licensed for use in Scotland and, if not, what information it has regarding whether Marine Harvest had a Home Office licence to carry out experiments using the device.","AnswerText":"The Thermolicer is a commercially available treatment system for sea lice control. The use of the Thermolicer is not part of an experiment and as such does not require a Home Office Licence for operation.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318821,"EventID":"S5W-04589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T14:07:42.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what NHS24’s procedure is in situations where its helpline receives a call from someone resident in another part of the UK or abroad on behalf of someone living in Scotland who is in urgent need of medical advice from NHS Scotland.","AnswerText":"If a caller in England or Wales dials 111, they will be automatically be connected to the local English 111 service, based on the caller's location at the time of the call. If it is determined they are calling for a relative / friend resident in Scotland, the caller will be transferred to NHS 24 using a pre-set telephony process. NHS 24 then capture the patients details and manage the call in the normal way. Once the call is completed, NHS 24 will attempt to contact the Scottish patient if contact details are available.\r\nIn life-threatening emergency situations, if a caller called 111 from anywhere in the UK on behalf of someone in Scotland, they would get appropriate assistance from the local Ambulance Service who would pass their call to colleagues in Scotland.\r\nCallers from outside the UK or from Northern Ireland do not have direct access to 111 – any call would have to be made through a third party living in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318822,"EventID":"S5W-04599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T14:07:44.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the impact of the Dundee Academy of Sport; what support it offers the academy, and whether it is considering providing it with additional capital funding.","AnswerText":"Through the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), the Dundee Academy of Sport has been awarded investment totalling £2.7 million. \r\nA full evaluation of the project, carried out by the Academy, was published earlier this year (see: http://www.dundeeacademyofsport.com/aboutus/). The evaluation showed that considerable progress had been made in addressing challenges around educational attainment and achievement.\r\nDecisions on budget allocations to the Further Education and Higher Education sectors for 2017-18 will be made as part of overall budget preparations.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318823,"EventID":"S5W-04601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T14:07:45.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the provision of disability-friendly housing stock (a) in Dumfries and Galloway and (b) across Scotland.","AnswerText":"As part of our promise to build a fairer Scotland, the Scottish Government is committed to increasing the number of accessible homes. All local authorities, including Dumfries and Galloway, are required by law to prepare a local housing strategy supported by an assessment of housing need and demand. The strategy has to set out the current need for specialist provision across all housing tenures that will help to support people to live independently; the likely requirement for this provision over the next five years; how current needs are being met; and what more is planned to meet future need. \r\nAffordable Housing Supply Programme funding decisions are therefore based on priorities identified in Local Housing Strategies and local authority Strategic Housing Investment Plans. Housing for social rent which is delivered through the grant-funded Affordable Housing Supply Programme already has to meet accessibility standards, but funding is also available for specialist housing – for example, helping disabled people with more complex needs to live independently in their own homes.\r\nThe minimum standards and guidance for accessibility of new homes, introduced in 2007 to Scottish building regulations, are the best in the UK. Every new home built has to meet these standards, thereby increasing the number of disability-friendly homes, not only in Dumfries and Galloway, but also across Scotland. This benefits not only those with a disability but also the general population as it ages. \r\nWe are also working with Disabled People’s Organisations, local authorities and the housing sector to develop appropriate solutions. Our Disability Delivery Plan, which will be published later this year, will set out the further actions we will take to achieve this.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318824,"EventID":"S5W-04590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T14:07:46.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what procedures are in place for situations when a person from Scotland phones the NHS24 helpline from another part of the UK or abroad to seek urgent medical advice from NHS Scotland.","AnswerText":"It is not routinely possible for a Scottish resident outwith Scotland to contact NHS 24 as the caller protocols are set to only accept calls from within Scotland. If the Scottish patient requires urgent care in England or Wales, they would call 111 and be triaged by the local NHS trust. \r\nIf it is a life-threatening emergency, the call would be transferred from the 111 service to the appropriate ambulance service.\r\nIf the Scottish patient is abroad or in Northern Ireland and in need or urgent care, they would need to contact the local health service. If the patient is only looking for advice, they can visit NHS Inform at www.nhsinform.scot.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318825,"EventID":"S5W-04592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T14:07:47.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted a safety and welfare review of use of the Thermolicer device in salmon farms.","AnswerText":"No safety and welfare review of the use of the Thermolicer has been carried out by Scottish Government. The aquaculture industry is responsible for overseeing the use of treatments for disease and/ or parasites. The health and welfare of the fish on site are primarily the responsibility of the operator of the fish farm.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318826,"EventID":"S5W-04588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T14:07:49.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T14:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many street lights on the A77 between the Bankfield Roundabout and Fenwick are out of order, and when the repairs will be carried out.","AnswerText":"There are currently 16 dark lamp repairs identified on the A77 trunk road between Bankfield Roundabout and Fenwick. All outstanding repairs are programmed to be carried out during week commencing 21 November 2016 with the exception of the six dark lamps between Bogend and Symington. These six outstanding repairs are currently being investigated by the Contractor responsible for the A77 Bogend to Symington Project, due to the identification of underlying electrical issues.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318827,"EventID":"S5W-04602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T14:07:50.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the review of the NHS resource allocation formula for general practice.","AnswerText":"Tackling health inequalities is one of our primary care outcomes, as recently published in a joint memorandum with BMA [ http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/11/7258 ]. Adjusting the Scottish Allocation Formula (SAF), which weights general practice funding by various factors that affect workload, including deprivation, rurality and age, is one way that could help deliver that outcome. The formula has been reviewed, and we are currently considering the potential impact of implementing the review findings at individual GP practice level. We also need to look beyond the GP contract to other interventions and ways of supporting general practice in areas of high deprivation.\r\nThe Scottish Government and the BMA’s Scottish General Practitioners Committee agree, in principle, that we need better information and evidence to inform both accurate recompense of expenses and options for the long term overall development of GP pay in Scotland. To this end, we have agreed jointly to commission a review of general practice funding, pay and expenses to provide a proper, robust evidence base for improved decision making. This will take place in 2017, and inform options from 2018.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318828,"EventID":"S5W-04586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T14:07:51.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of concerns about antisocial behaviour, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding introducing a ban on fireworks unless used by a professional licensed company, and what action it can take to control the supply of fireworks.","AnswerText":"The UK Government regulates the sale and supply of fireworks. In response to concerns about the antisocial use of fireworks, the Scottish Government introduced the Fireworks (Scotland) Regulations 2004 which restrict when fireworks can be set off. We have no plans at present to review existing regulations but we will continue to monitor complaints. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318829,"EventID":"S5W-04594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T14:07:52.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what precautions are taken to ensure that there is no leakage of disease contaminated waste into bodies of water containing wild fish when salmon that have been killed by disease are transported from the Highlands and Islands for incineration in England.","AnswerText":"Transporters of animal by-products are required to register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). When transporting Animal By-Products (ABPs) transporters must ensure that they;\r\nUse vehicles and containers that are covered and leak-proof\r\nClean, disinfect, and dry vehicles and containers before and after every use\r\nKeep different categories of ABPs in separate containers and separate parts of the vehicle\r\nOnly move animal protein in a vehicle designed for that purpose alone\r\nAny leakage of ABPs may result in prosecution by Local Authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318830,"EventID":"S5W-04598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T14:07:53.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of its Public Wireless Programme investment by local authority area. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government launched its Public Wireless Programme in August 2015 with a remit to engage and collaborate with Scottish public bodies to develop best practice guidance on deploying wireless connectivity as well as making investment available for new infrastructure in the form of grants.\r\nDuring 2015-16, just under £1 million in grants were committed. This enabled local authorities across Scotland to modernise and extend existing Wi-Fi provision in public places like libraries but also to introduce services in other publicly accessible buildings such as sports facilities and community centres. Applicants were asked to demonstrate how proposals would underpin digital participation initiatives. All 32 local authorities were invited to bid.\r\nThe following table summarises the successful applications.\r\nLOCAL AUTHORITY\r\nGRANT AWARDED (£)\r\nAberdeen City\r\n57000\r\nAberdeenshire \r\n39781 \r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\n267611\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n4500\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n81244\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n3700\r\nFalkirk\r\n27603\r\nFife\r\n8600\r\nGlasgow\r\n92736\r\nMidlothian\r\n30300\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n40000\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n40000\r\nOrkney\r\n6000\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n45805\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n68873\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n38000\r\nStirling\r\n37336\r\nWest Lothian\r\n39768\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318857,"EventID":"S5W-04607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T17:10:47.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the provisions in the ScotRail franchise that would allow it to terminate the agreement prior to 2020.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to Schedule 10.2 of the ScotRail franchise agreement.\r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/rail/scotrail-franchise/public-register","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318858,"EventID":"S5W-04617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T17:10:48.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T15:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00181 by Michael Matheson on 8 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 3), what action it is taking to ensure that the Police Scotland review of its estate will take account of any concerns raised by communities about the impact of the closure of stations on public safety.","AnswerText":"Governance of the Police Service of Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority, as established in the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012. Changes to the police estate require the approval of the SPA. The SPA have made clear that proposed changes will take account of responses to local engagement and consultation activity. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318859,"EventID":"S5W-04606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T17:10:49.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact on the ScotRail franchise would be of the implementation of the EU fourth railway package if the UK (a) remained in and (b) left the European Economic Area post-Brexit.","AnswerText":"The final process for agreeing and implementing the EU Fourth Railway Package has not yet been concluded. Understanding the implications of EU exit is a work in progress, and we currently continue to have all of the rights and obligations that membership brings. The Scottish Government is exploring all options to protect Scotland from a hard Brexit that economists say will cost 80,000 Scottish jobs. Our five key interests are democracy, economic prosperity, social protection, solidarity, and influence.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":318860,"EventID":"S5W-04608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T17:10:51.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Abellio (a) is or (b) has been in breach of the ScotRail franchise agreement and, if so, whether it will publish details of this.","AnswerText":"The circumstances which would give rise to consideration of Breach can be found in Schedule 7.1 of the Franchise Agreement There is and has been no Breach of the franchise by Abellio ScotRail.\r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/rail/scotrail-franchise/public-register","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":318861,"EventID":"S5W-04609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T17:10:52.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances Network Rail would be able to bid to take over the ScotRail franchise and whether it has discussed this matter with Network Rail.","AnswerText":"Network Rail is required to comply with a number of existing statutory, contractual and regulatory obligations, both domestically and in terms of requirements from European legislation. The Scotland Act 2016 removes the restriction on public sector operators from being franchisees, but these broader statutory, contractual and regulatory obligations – either current or planned - would still apply and Network Rail would therefore need to satisfy themselves that they could comply with all relevant domestic and EU law before a bid could be made.\r\nIn the meantime the Scottish Government is taking forward the manifesto commitment to facilitate a public sector bid for future ScotRail franchise contracts, engaging appropriate stakeholders such as Network Rail in this process.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":318862,"EventID":"S5W-04610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T17:10:54.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it taking to establish a public body to be a potential operator of last resort for the ScotRail Franchise, and by what date such a body could be in place.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has put in place measures to ensure we are fulfilling our Railways Act obligation of securing on-going rail functions, as the operator of last resort, should a franchise terminate early, for any reason, and not be replaced.\r\nIt is worth noting that this matter is entirely separate from establishing a public sector body that would be able to bid for future franchises.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318863,"EventID":"S5W-04612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T17:10:55.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T14:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03831 by Michael Russell on 7 November 2016, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding how it defines (a) hard and (b) soft Brexit.","AnswerText":"As answered on 7 November 2016, a ‘hard brexit’ would remove the UK not just from the EU but from the single market as well. The Scottish Government is committed to protecting Scotland’s interests and considers that this means remaining in the single market. The Scottish Government will publish proposals over the coming weeks for an alternative to a “hard Brexit” that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve key aspects of our relationship with the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318864,"EventID":"S5W-04605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T17:10:57.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action VisitScotland has taken to encourage applications from community groups to purchase the Clock Tower in Helensburgh.","AnswerText":"The Helensburgh Clock Tower was put on the market at the beginning of August 2016.\r\nWhilst not within the scope of the Community Empowerment Act (Scotland) 2015 VisitScotland has already been engaging with a number of relevant community groups and Councillors regarding the requirement to dispose of the Helensburgh Clock Tower. This was undertaken as part of the discussion of options for the ongoing provision of visitor information in Helensburgh, such as through the VisitScotland Information Partner programme. \r\nA closing date of 25 November was set to allow all interested parties to submit their bids and proposals for the property.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318865,"EventID":"S5W-04619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T17:11:00.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure that the Scottish Medicines Consortium adopts a pro-innovation outlook so that cancer patients can benefit from new and promising classes of therapy. ","AnswerText":"In recent years, the Scottish Government have made significant reforms and investment to improve access to newly licensed medicines. However, I do think that more can be done to build on the progress made to date which is why I asked Dr Brian Montgomery to conduct an independent review. I have received his report and I am considering his recommendations.\r\nIn Scotland, we have a clear and consistent route for new drugs to be appraised through the long standing independent Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC). There are a number of medicines which have been accepted by the SMC for routine use within the NHS in Scotland for the treatment of cancer.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318866,"EventID":"S5W-04603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T17:11:01.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to expediting the roll-out of superfast broadband to residents in areas with a commercial presence but whose individual premises are considered not commercially viable for delivery due to being too far from cabinets, and whether such residents can expect interim support prior to the implementation of the new Open Market Review.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to extending superfast broadband access to all premises in Scotland that will not be served commercially. The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme is currently delivering investment to improve coverage in non-commercial areas. In parallel, we continue to encourage suppliers to invest more commercially in order to push coverage further.\r\nThe forthcoming Open Market Review is a consultation with broadband suppliers to determine their commercial investment plans over the next 3 years. This is a key state aid requirement ahead of any large-scale public investment programme in broadband. This will help Scottish Government determine a new intervention area, ahead of new procurement activity to begin next year.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318867,"EventID":"S5W-04604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T17:11:04.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial assistance is available to support community groups that are interested in purchasing the Clock Tower in Helensburgh.","AnswerText":"The Community Ownership Support Service (COSS) is being funded by the Scottish Government to support community-based groups in Scotland considering taking ownership of land or buildings.\r\nThis adviser-based service is being delivered Scotland-wide and aims to provide individual community groups and public bodies with a bespoke support service, including:\r\nExpert advice on all aspects of asset transfer\r\nTraining courses on the asset transfer and asset development process\r\nSign-posting to other support agencies\r\nWeb access to information on good practice, toolkits and case studies.\r\nCommunities are also able to link into Development Trusts Association Scotland’s wider network to explore the wide range of business models being adopted by other communities throughout Scotland and across the UK.\r\nOther options that community groups might wish to explore include the Scottish Land Fund and BIG Lottery Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318868,"EventID":"S5W-04618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-09T17:11:06.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that patients with advanced kidney cancer, who are not suitable for a TKI (tyrosine kinase inhibitor) therapy, or everolimus, can receive active treatment for their disease.","AnswerText":"In Scotland we have a clear route for new drugs to be appraised through the long standing Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC). \r\nWhere SMC accept medicines for routine use in Scotland Health Boards are expected to make the medicine or its equivalent available to patients. Following an SMC decision not to accept a medicine, NHS Boards have systems in place which can provide access to newly licensed medicines on an individual patient basis and where the patient’s clinician considers this to be appropriate.\r\nDecisions on whether to prescribe a medicine is a matter for the clinical judgement of the patient’s doctor, in consultation with the patient, informed by advice and guidance about the drug.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318869,"EventID":"S5W-04595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:00:57.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03844 by John Swinney on 1 November 2016, for what reason the Education Maintenance Allowance budget has reduced from £42.6 million in 2007-08 to £39.6 million.","AnswerText":"Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is an entitlement in Scotland which means that any applicant who meets the eligibility criteria will receive EMA support. The budget level is set in line with recent spending trends. We increased the EMA budget to £39.6 million for 2016-17 from its previous year’s budget of £29.6 million to accommodate any increase in the number of EMA recipients resulting from the amended eligibility criteria introduced in January 2016. We have also provided additional support to Local Authorities to promote the EMA funding and to inform parents and student about the changes to the eligibility criteria.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318870,"EventID":"S5W-04597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:00:58.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03843 by John Swinney on 1 November 2016, what analysis it has carried out to ascertain the reason for the reduction in the average payment made to (a) male and (b) female recipients of Education Maintenance Allowance over this period.","AnswerText":"Since piloting the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) programme in 2005 there has been a number of changes to the EMA eligibility criteria. These include the removal, following the consultation into ‘16-Plus Learning Choices – First Step Activity and Financial Support (2008)’, of the bonus payment and tiered payment structure in 2009 and the revised household income thresholds in 2016.\r\nThese changes mean that it is difficult to make any accurate comparisons and draw conclusions about average EMA payments across different years.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318871,"EventID":"S5W-04614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:00:59.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Skills Development Scotland has spent £7.6 million on its offices since April 2016; what discussions it has had with the agency regarding this, and what its position is on whether this expenditure constitutes value-for-money.","AnswerText":"The figure quoted is for spend for 2016-17, and this related to a spend on a mix of customer facing centres and back office facilities. \r\nTo perform their functions Skills Development Scotland require a regional network of offices to deliver all-age career and employability services direct to the public, careers support for those unemployed, employability and PACE workshops, access to their online careers web service (My World of Work) and drop in advice. \r\nSDS receive Guidance each year from Scottish Ministers which details ministerial priorities and associated budget. SDS budgets are monitored as set out in the Framework Document between Scottish Government and SDS, and this is also in line with Scottish Ministers guidance that is provided in the Scottish Public Finance Manual. Since their formation in 2008, SDS have show their commitment to delivering value for money by reducing their estates costs by a third. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318872,"EventID":"S5W-04625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5591,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:01.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which services on the (a) Far North and (b) Kyle of Lochalsh Line will be considered as \"golden trains\" following the implementation of the ScotRail improvement plan, and when this status will come into force.","AnswerText":"ScotRail continually review and amended the services they stipulate internally as \"Golden Trains\". Performance patterns are altered as operational circumstances change and improvement plans take effect. The purpose of classifying these services at any given time is to minimise the knock on impact any lateness can present to timetabled services later in the day.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318873,"EventID":"S5W-04632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:02.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much financial support it provides to (a) food banks and (b) the Trussell Trust.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s £1 million per annum Fair Food Fund supports community based responses that help to reduce reliance on emergency food provision and a move to sustainable, dignified solutions to food poverty that give people opportunities to access fresh and healthy food, share a meal in a community setting, or develop new skills. On 5 September we announced that 21 projects, seven of which are foodbanks, will benefit from over £900,000 of Scottish Government funding through the Fair Food Transformation Fund across 2016-17 and 2017-18.\r\nFinancial support is not currently provided directly to the Trussell Trust but to Trussell Trust foodbanks which have received funding through the Emergency Food Fund over 2014-16. Through this Fund, the Scottish Government invested over £500,000 to support 26 emergency food aid projects in 17 local authority areas, including 11 Trussell Trust foodbanks, to respond to immediate demands and help address the underlying causes of food poverty.\r\nIn addition, we are working in partnership with Nourish and the Poverty Truth Commission to provide support to the unsuccessful foodbank applications from the Fair Food Transformation Fund, 14 of which are Trussell Trust foodbanks, to assist them in making another application to the Fund with a focus on activity that transitions away from charitable models of emergency food provision to more dignified and sustainable models as advised by the Independent Short-Life Working Group on Food Poverty (http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00502395.pdf).","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318874,"EventID":"S5W-04639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:04.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T13:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish details of any business deals that it has with Qatari companies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no business deals with Qatari companies.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318875,"EventID":"S5W-04548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:05.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, by the end of the year, how many people it estimates will have been treated for hepatitis C in 2016.","AnswerText":"It is estimated 1,871 people will have been treated for hepatitis C in the financial year 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318876,"EventID":"S5W-04616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:07.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the concerns raised by Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce in evidence to the Education and Skills Committee that Skills Development Scotland has a \"one-size-fits all, centralised approach [that] is not working\".","AnswerText":"The Chief Executive Officer and senior representatives from Skills Development Scotland met with the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce earlier this month to discuss their concerns.\r\nSkills Development Scotland and the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce have agreed further positive dialogue to ensure a continued positive working relationship. \r\nSkills Development Scotland operate at a local and national level. SDS have worked with local authorities and other partners to create a number of Regional Skills Assessments. These have been produced to provide a high quality and consistent source of evidence about economic and skills performance and delivery at a regional level. SDS also engage widely at local levels to deliver their core services such as Careers Information Advice and Guidance and PACE. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318877,"EventID":"S5W-04623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:09.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03813 by Keith Brown on 9 November 2016, what information it has on how many Ryanair passenger flights have there been per day in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information broken down by day. However, since the Scottish Government took ownership of the airport in November 2013, the yearly figures for the number of scheduled Ryanair flights are:\r\nNovember – December 2013: 809\r\n2014: 5,815 \r\n2015: 3,434","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318878,"EventID":"S5W-04634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:15.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which projects that seek to address food poverty it supports.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s main response to food poverty is through the £1 million per annum Fair Food Fund. The Fund is intended to reduce reliance on emergency food provision by supporting projects that give people opportunities to access fresh and healthy food, share a meal, or develop new skills. It has two elements:\r\n1. Discrete funding for innovative projects that are helping people access affordable food, such as Centrestage Communities in Ayrshire, and continuing support for FareShare which redistributes surplus food to projects and charities, such as the Vennie in Livingston which engages with children and young people, especially those who are socially excluded. It has a community garden that opened in August 2015.FareShare also delivers food to the Cyrenians farm in Kirknewton, which provides a range of opportunities for vulnerable young people, aged 16-30, to develop skills in growing and cooking, moving towards a settled lifestyle whilst improving their health and well-being.\r\n2. The Fair Food Transformation Fund which is supporting community projects to develop services that exemplify the dignified food principles identified in the Independent Short Life Working Group’s report Dignity – Ending Hunger Together in Scotland. In particular, we are seeking to support emergency food providers to transition away from traditional charitable approaches to emergency food provision.\r\nIn addition, the Good Food Nation Fund, which supports the Good Food Nation vision and objectives provides around £97,000 support to six food poverty projects, as part of a wider portfolio of projects. Existing Community Food Networks in Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire and Aberdeen are supported with £75,000 grant funding, along with £10,000 provided to develop a network in Glasgow.\r\nBoth the Good Food Nation Fund and the Climate Challenge Fund support Beechbrae Community Garden with around £94,000 in total. The Garden provides the community with a growing space, training to show people better ways of using the land to grow food, and activities to reduce food waste.\r\nWe are also providing around £1.3 million this financial year through the People and Communities Fund to support 19 projects which have food poverty amongst the focus of their activities.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318879,"EventID":"S5W-04635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:17.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T11:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03990 by Shona Robison on 4 November 2016, on how many occasions each NHS board has not followed its guidance \"that any private work undertaken in NHS facilities must not be to the detriment of NHS patients waiting for treatment\", and what subsequent action was taken.","AnswerText":"There is no indication that NHS Boards are not following Scottish Government guidance. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318880,"EventID":"S5W-04636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:21.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T11:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03993 by Shona Robison on 4 November 2016, if the information regarding how much income NHS boards receive in relation to private patients being treated in their facilities is not available centrally, how it can make an accurate assessment of each board's financial state.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government assesses Health Boards’ financial positions through formal Annual and Mid-Year Reviews, and through review of financial plans including annual Local Delivery Plans. Health Boards also provide monthly financial returns to Scottish Government, which include income and expenditure projections. Furthermore, there is regular ongoing engagement between officials and Health Board managers as appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318881,"EventID":"S5W-04596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:22.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-08T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03843 by John Swinney on 1 November 2016, what analysis it has carried out to ascertain the reason for the reduction in the number of (a) male and (b) female recipients of Education Maintenance Allowance over this period.","AnswerText":"The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is an entitlement and a demand led programme. Any young person who has reached the age of 16 can apply and if they satisfy the eligibility criteria they will receive the award. We do not collect data on the number of school pupils or college students who could be eligible for EMA. The recent edition of the EMA statistical publication shows fluctuations in the number of EMA recipients over the years. There is likely to be several reasons why the number are fluctuating, including the numbers of young people at college and school. Changes to the number of recipients does not necessarily indicate the rate of uptake has decreased. Since piloting the programme in 2005 there has been changes to the EMA eligibility criteria. This has had an impact on the numbers of young people who are eligible to apply for the support, which makes it difficult to draw a direct comparison between each year of the programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318882,"EventID":"S5W-04613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:23.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Skills Development Scotland has spent £8.2 million on industry and employer engagement since April 2016; what discussions it has had with the agency regarding this, and what its position is on whether this expenditure constitutes value-for-money.","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland receive Guidance each year from Scottish Ministers which details ministerial priorities, and associated budget. SDS budgets are monitored as set out in the Framework Document between Scottish Government and SDS, and this is also in line with Scottish Ministers guidance that is provided in the Scottish Public Finance Manual. \r\nThe SDS Board is responsible for decisions on how SDS will allocate funding to meet these priorities. The SDS budget for industry and employer engagement for the entirety of 2016-17 is £8.2m and is distributed across several key areas of work including:\r\nThe Transition Training Fund (this fund aims to support individuals who lose their job into alternative employment within the wider Energy, Manufacturing and Engineering sectors, through retraining, upskilling and the relevant certification & accreditation necessary to secure employment)\r\nSector development activity including Skills Investment Plans, Regional SIPs and Regional Skills Assessments in support of Scotland’s Industry Leadership Groups\r\nPACE employer services\r\nEmployer services Skills for Growth, workforce and workplace innovation\r\nDigital skills initiatives to implement the ICT & Digital Technology Skills Investment Plan\r\nWe are content that this activity is in line with our guidance and recognises the fact that engaging with industry and employers is a central part of the role that SDS play particularly in delivering the Skills Planning Model. The importance of such engagement has been a crucial aspect of our policy in this area, for example through the Labour Market Strategy and Developing the Young Workforce. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318883,"EventID":"S5W-04620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:25.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03816 by Keith Brown on 9 November 2016, what financial contribution is made by (a) the MoD and (b) other countries in respect of military flights from other countries.","AnswerText":"Glasgow Prestwick Airport operates on a wholly commercial basis and at arm’s length from the Scottish Government. As with any commercial airport, contracts and agreements between Prestwick Airport and the aircraft operators are commercially sensitive.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318884,"EventID":"S5W-04637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:27.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T11:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03990 by Shona Robison on 4 November 2016, who is responsible for ensuring that NHS boards comply with its guidance \"that any private work undertaken in NHS facilities must not be to the detriment of NHS patients waiting for treatment\".","AnswerText":"I expect Scottish Government officials as part of their regular waiting time support meetings to ensure that NHS Boards are not undertaking any private work in their hospitals that would be detrimental to NHS patients on the waiting list.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318885,"EventID":"S5W-04638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:29.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T13:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the details of any discussions that it has had with the Qatari Government.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is keen to strengthen diplomatic, economic, educational and cultural ties with other countries including Qatar. Disclosing the details of discussions with the Qatari Government, particularly without their consent, is likely to undermine their trust in the Scottish Government and other Scottish partners which could inhibit progress in developing these relationships.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318886,"EventID":"S5W-04547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:30.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been treated for hepatitis C since 2013, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Details are as follows:\r\nNHS Board\r\nNumber commencing therapy in 2012-2013\r\nNumber commencing therapy in 2013-2014\r\nNumber commencing therapy in 2014-2015\r\nNumber commencing therapy in 2015-2016\r\nAyrshire & Arran\r\n48\r\n38\r\n64\r\n101\r\nBorders\r\n9\r\n11\r\n7\r\n17\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n28\r\n26\r\n39\r\n40\r\nFife\r\n37\r\n33\r\n50\r\n50\r\nForth Valley\r\n97\r\n76\r\n66\r\n82\r\nGrampian\r\n113\r\n129\r\n154\r\n195\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n361\r\n328\r\n454\r\n701\r\nHighland\r\n33\r\n22\r\n39\r\n36\r\nLanarkshire\r\n94\r\n86\r\n75\r\n111\r\nLothian\r\n121\r\n135\r\n168\r\n224\r\nOrkney\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nShetland\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nTayside\r\n107\r\n118\r\n157\r\n161\r\nWestern Isles\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nScotland\r\n1048\r\n1002\r\n1273\r\n1724\r\nThere is no data for NHS Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles because there are no specialist Hepatitis C services available in these Board areas. It is also worth noting that treatment initiations in 2015-16 are based on the NHS board where treatment was administered. In the years 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15, treatment initiations are based on the patient’s NHS board of residence where known.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318887,"EventID":"S5W-04549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:31.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-07T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been diagnosed with hepatitis C in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The data in the following table is taken from Health Protection Scotland’s website at: http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/bbvsti/wrdetail.aspx?id=68846&wrtype=6#images\r\nYear\r\nNumber of people reported to be Hepatitis C antibody positive\r\n2013\r\n1,941\r\n2014\r\n2,024\r\n2015\r\n1,821\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318888,"EventID":"S5W-04615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T14:01:34.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Skills Development Scotland has spent £64.5 million on staff costs since April 2016 compared with £116.7 million on national training programmes; what discussions it has had with the agency regarding this, and what its position is on whether this constitutes the best balance of its expenditure.","AnswerText":"The staffing budget for 2016-17 is based on a budgeted FTE of 1480 staff, with over 1,110 staff delivering a customer facing service such as careers advice or direct employer services. \r\nThe role of the Skills Development Scotland Board is to promote the efficient, economic and effective use of staff and other resources by SDS consistent with the principles of Best Value, including, where appropriate, participation in shared services arrangements and ensuring that effective arrangements are in place so that SDS acts corporately in accordance with the priorities set out in the SG’s statement of corporate expectations. \r\nThe Scottish Government approves the SDS pay remit, ensuring it is in line with Public Sector Pay Policy. \r\nSkills Development Scotland receive Guidance each year from Scottish Ministers which details ministerial priorities and associated budget. SDS budgets are monitored as set out in the Framework Document between Scottish Government and SDS, and this is also in line with Scottish Ministers guidance that is provided in the Scottish Public Finance Manual. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318901,"EventID":"S5W-04627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:13.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T18:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase (a) employment opportunities and (b) the provision of specialist mental health care for veterans.","AnswerText":"There are a number of initiatives across the Scottish Government relating to employment opportunities for veterans. These include encouraging the private sector Scotland-wide to consider employing Service leavers and veterans; help for Early Service leavers; and assistance to veterans to establish their own businesses.\r\nThe Supporting Veterans into Employment initiative which I launched on 24 October, encourages businesses of all sizes and sectors proactively to recruit and benefit from employing veterans in the civilian workforce and will be delivered by Business in the Community, with funding from the Scottish Government.\r\nThe Scottish Government has provided funding up to £6.1m in 2016-17 to support 700 Community Jobs Scotland (CJS) jobs lasting up to 12 months for vulnerable 16-29 year olds, including disabled people and armed forces early service leavers. Early service leavers and veterans, as well as the partners of current or former armed forces personnel, who are aged between 16-29, are also amongst the eligible groups for support through Scotland’s Employer Recruitment Incentive (SERI).\r\nThe Scottish Government also continues to work with a number of organisations including, Scottish Business Resilience Centre, the Federation of Small Businesses and CAN DO Places to develop the Veteran portfolio by promoting and developing CAN DO spaces that can assist veterans and their spouses in becoming entrepreneurs in a supportive environment.\r\nIn relation to specialist mental health care for veterans, the Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies to support implementation of policy.\r\nThe management of local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local service provision and spending priorities are the responsibility of relevant local agencies. It is therefore the responsibility of Integration Authorities, NHS Boards and Local Authorities to work with their partners and regularly review spending decisions to ensure they deliver fit for purpose services which respond to the needs of their local population. This includes ensuring the specialist mental health needs of veterans are assessed and met as appropriate. \r\nThe Scottish Government continues to fund the provision of specialist mental health services for veterans resident in Scotland at £1.2m per year, through arrangements with Combat Stress and NHS Scotland; and intends to publish its new Mental Health Strategy later this year. That will set out a 10 year vision for transforming and improving mental health services across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318902,"EventID":"S5W-04629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:14.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T18:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is addressing (a) sectarian behaviour and (b) hate crime.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to preventing and eradicating prejudice and discrimination, doing so through direct community engagement which is focussed on prevention, education and changing attitudes. Coupled with a strong Justice response to supporting victims, this provides a robust basis for tackling sectarianism and hate crime more broadly. \r\nThe Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act 2009 strengthened the law around hate crime, while The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 is helping to tackle abusive and offensive behaviour, sending a clear message that such behaviour has no place in our society.\r\nOur approach is supported by a significant financial investment, with over \r\n£195 million invested to promote equality and tackle discrimination since 2007 and an additional £12.5 million invested since 2012 specifically supporting work to tackle sectarianism, more than any administration before us. This funding continues to deliver community-based work and support work through a range of key organisations including BEMIS; CEMVO; Equality Network; Inclusion Scotland; Interfaith Scotland; LGBT Youth Scotland; Scottish Refugee Council; Scottish Transgender Alliance; Stonewall Scotland; Sense Over Sectarianism; and Nil by Mouth.\r\nWe have commissioned an independent review of the implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland. We have accepted the recommendations of the Independent Advisory Group on Hate Crime, Prejudice and Community Cohesion and will use these to build an inclusive and far-reaching programme of work in this area.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318903,"EventID":"S5W-04644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:15.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the (a) personal, (b) social and (c) economic impact of helping older people to move into accommodation that is better suited to their needs.","AnswerText":"Having an appropriately adapted home in the right place, with the right support enables older people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. We will publish a refresh of Age, Home and Community our older people’s housing strategy in Spring 2017, which will consider the impact of housing on wider health and wellbeing issues. We are also considering options for a Help to Buy-style product suited to the needs of older people. Evidence including potential impact of any new scheme will be considered as part of this work.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318904,"EventID":"S5W-04646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:17.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which agency is erecting and paying for the acoustic barrier fences on the M8/A725/M74.","AnswerText":"The contract for the Design, Build, Finance and Operation of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project was awarded to Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP) in February 2014. As such, SRP is responsible for the funding of the project construction, which will be delivered on behalf of Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318905,"EventID":"S5W-04655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:18.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03425 by Michael Matheson on 26 October 2016, how many of those convicted were given a custodial sentence each year of (a) less than three, (b) between three and six, (c) between six and nine and (d) between nine and 12 months. ","AnswerText":"The available information is contained in the following table.\r\nPeople receiving custodial sentence of 1 year or less for an offence with a domestic aggravator recorded, 2010-11 to 2014-15\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nUp to 3 months\r\n444\r\n381\r\n441\r\n487\r\n501\r\nOver 3 months to 6 months\r\n377\r\n491\r\n513\r\n658\r\n667\r\nOver 6 months to 9 months\r\n63\r\n73\r\n87\r\n107\r\n108\r\nOver 9 months to 1 year\r\n57\r\n54\r\n76\r\n94\r\n100\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings database ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318906,"EventID":"S5W-04650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:20.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the recommendation in the Audit Scotland report, NHS in Scotland 2016, that it should ensure that people who access health services “are involved in making decisions and receive better information about potential treatments”, how it supports co-production in health and social care.","AnswerText":"Health and Social Care integration takes a person centred approach to developing local services with the involvement of the people who use those services. The Scottish Government is currently considering the strategic way forward on co-production including how we support health and social care partnerships to extend this approach. This will build upon work delivered through the Scottish Co-Production Network, the Health and Social Care Alliance’s People Powered Health and Wellbeing programme, and the many good examples highlighted through the recent Co-Production Week.\r\nEnsuring that people to have sufficient knowledge, understanding, confidence and skills to cope with the complex demands of modern health care is key to delivering person-centred care. Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer used her 2014-15 annual report to start a conversation with doctors about Realistic Medicine and how to support people in making decisions about their care. A conversation with the public about Realistic Medicine will begin next year. CMO’s next annual report to be published in 2017 will provide an update on progress in realising Realistic Medicine.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318907,"EventID":"S5W-04631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:21.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T18:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) improve stability and (b) encourage exports in the livestock sector.","AnswerText":"There is no instability in the exports of red meat, however Quality meat Scotland are still carrying out promotional activities in Benelux, the Nordics and Germany.\r\nWe continue to work on emerging markets out with the EU, including USA and China, where we are at the forefront among EU countries in terms of beef negotiations. Quality Meat Scotland are also supporting the Scottish red meat industry in diversifying their export portfolio outside the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318908,"EventID":"S5W-04640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:22.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T13:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the change in Scottish Water (a) domestic and (b) business charges will be for 2017-18.","AnswerText":"On the 20 November 2014, the Water Industry Commission for Scotland announced, in its Final Determination of Charges 2015-21, that for 2017-18:\r\nDefault (maximum) business water and sewerage charges will remain frozen; and\r\nHousehold water and sewerage charges will rise by 1.6%.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318909,"EventID":"S5W-04642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:24.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the (a) housing needs of older people and (b) demand for retirement housing. ","AnswerText":"The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 places a responsibility on Local Authorities to prepare a Local Housing Strategy (LHS) supported by an assessment of housing need and demand and the provision of related services. Housing Need and Demand Assessments (HNDA) include an assessment of the housing needs of older people. The Scottish Government has provided local authorities with guidance on this. \r\nThe housing needs that are covered in HNDAs and which are most relevant to older people include: accessible and adapted housing, wheelchair housing, supported provision and care & support services for independent living at home. The Scottish Government appraise HNDAs to ensure they are robust and credible. HNDAs are undertaken every five years and authorities are encouraged to monitor and update HNDAs annually. The Scottish Government also asks authorities to publish completed HNDAs on their websites.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318910,"EventID":"S5W-04641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:26.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its forthcoming white paper on planning will take account of the housing needs of older people.","AnswerText":"Our forthcoming consultation on proposals for planning reform will set out improvements that aim to deliver more high quality homes that meet the needs of all of Scotland's people. We will consider the interface between planning and our commitment to the refresh of the national housing strategy for older people as we define the priorities for change.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318911,"EventID":"S5W-04648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:27.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how representatives of service users on integration joint boards and joint monitoring committees are able to represent the range of user experiences.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has issued guidance on the appointment of stakeholder members, including service users, on Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) which is applicable to Integration Joint Monitoring Committees (IJMC). This guidance states that stakeholder members must be able to demonstrate the appropriate experience and skills to reflect the breadth and diversity of views and situations of the individuals or groups that they represent. The ways in which stakeholder members are identified and appointed to these positions will vary due to the local circumstances of each IJB and IJMC.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318912,"EventID":"S5W-04630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:28.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T18:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent consideration it has made of whether there is a need to modernise schools in rural areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving Scotland’s school estate. However, the 1980 Education (Scotland) Act places a statutory responsibility on local authorities to provide and maintain the school estate in their respective areas.\r\nUnder the Scotland’s Schools for the Future Programme, which is part funded by the Scottish Government, 11 rural schools will benefit from being refurbished or rebuilt. The focus of this programme has been to increase the proportion of children educated in schools which have been classified as ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318913,"EventID":"S5W-04643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:29.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage the provision of more (a) private and (b) public sector housing for older people.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with the many organisations involved in the provision of housing for older people. These include local authorities who have strategic responsibility for identifying local housing need and demand, housing associations, as well as private sector providers. We are undertaking a mid-point review of Age, Home and Community, the national strategy for housing for Scotland’s older people and intend to publish the review in Spring 2017. We will continue to work closely with public and private sector housing providers to ensure the needs and choices of older people are met enabling them to live safely and independently at home for as long as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318914,"EventID":"S5W-04645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:31.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on Police Scotland plans to offer speed awareness courses to people caught driving just above the speed limit, instead of imposing fines or penalty points.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the general principle of driver education as an alternative to prosecution, where this is appropriate and is committed through Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 to consider if a Speed Awareness Course would make an effective contribution to road safety measures in Scotland.\r\nPolice Scotland are currently working with key road safety partners to develop potential options for the introduction of these courses. Partners include the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service as the approval of the Lord Advocate would be required before a speed awareness course could be introduced in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318915,"EventID":"S5W-04647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:32.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that representatives of service users on integration joint boards and joint monitoring committees are reflective of the local population.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has issued guidance on the Roles, Responsibilities and Membership of the Integration Joint Board (IJB) which is also applicable to Integration Joint Monitoring Committees (IJMC). The guidance contains the principles which should be considered in appointing stakeholder members, including service users, who should reflect the views of the groups they represent. The ways in which stakeholder members are identified and appointed to these positions will vary due to the local circumstances of each IJB and IJMC.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318916,"EventID":"S5W-04622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:33.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03813 by Keith Brown on 9 November 2016, how many cargo flights have there been per day in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information broken down by day. However, since the Scottish Government took ownership of the airport in November 2013, the yearly figures for scheduled cargo, non-scheduled cargo and any freight diversions are:\r\nNovember – December 2013: 54\r\n2014: 460\r\n2015: 450","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318917,"EventID":"S5W-04624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:37.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the actions of Laing O’Rourke, which is contracted to build the new acute hospital in Dumfries and Galloway, in light of claims by the construction union, UCATT, that it has been refused access to the site, and what its position is on how such actions support fair work and the role of trade unions.","AnswerText":"We have continually shown our commitment to promoting positive relationships with Trade Unions as they provide a voice and a source of empowerment to those that might otherwise go unheard.\r\nThere is clear evidence that unionised workplaces have more engaged staff, have a higher level of staff training and a progressive approach to staff wellbeing.\r\nTrade unions have a crucial role to play both in distributing the ‘returns’ from work and in contributing to making workplaces more effective and prosperous for all.\r\nIndustrial Relations in Scotland are strong and we will continue to work closely with Trade Unions to promote the benefits of Trade Unions to employers.\r\nWe would encourage Laing O’Rourke and UCATT to work together to seek a resolution which best supports their workforce.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318918,"EventID":"S5W-04626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:39.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T18:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the process for (a) identifying and (b) investigating the use of dirty or damaged equipment in hospitals.","AnswerText":"The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) carries out safety and cleanliness inspections across NHSScotland hospitals and services and they will undertake announced and unannounced inspections to each acute hospital in NHSScotland at least once every 3 years. By inspecting care HEI help to ensure that healthcare services are meeting the required standards of care, that good practice is identified and areas for improvement are addressed.\r\nHEI inspectors undertake announced and unannounced inspections of healthcare services. These will involve physical inspection of the clinical areas, and interviews with staff and patients. HEI publish a written report 8 weeks after the inspection.\r\nAnnounced inspection: the service provider will be given at least 4 weeks’ notice of the inspection by letter or email.\r\nUnannounced inspection: the service provider will not be given any advance warning of the inspection.\r\nFollow-up inspection: the NHS board and hospital may or may not be given advance notice of the inspection. A safety and cleanliness follow-up inspection will take place no later than 26 weeks from the publication of the initial report.\r\nHEI's focus is to reduce the Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) risk to patients through a rigorous inspection framework which:\r\nprovides public assurance and protection, to restore public trust and confidence\r\ncontributes to the prevention and control of HAI\r\ncontributes to improvement in the healthcare environment including infection control, cleanliness and hygiene and the broader quality improvement agenda across NHSScotland.\r\nBy looking at the findings, HEI have built up a picture of the quality of infection control, hygiene and cleanliness in the hospitals we inspected across Scotland. HEI have highlighted a number of positive findings and make recommendations about how NHS boards, hospitals and services can improve.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318919,"EventID":"S5W-04649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:40.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how representatives of service users on integration joint boards and joint monitoring committees are supported to effectively deliver their roles.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has issued guidance on the Roles, Responsibilities and Membership of the Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) which is applicable to Integration Joint Monitoring Committees (IJMC). The guidance states that the IJB's and IJMC must ensure that appointed stakeholder members, including service users, are given specific training and supported to contribute effectively, where such training is required. This is takes place locally in a range of ways, for example through one-to-one mentoring sessions as well as wider Board development events.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318920,"EventID":"S5W-04651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:41.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T15:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce legislation to make it an offence to park on pavements.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to bringing forward a Transport Bill which will include provisions to enforce responsible parking in Scotland. To ensure that any legislation is fit for purpose and will command public confidence and support, we agreed to undertake a full review and stakeholder consultation. \r\nTo assist in the development of our review and stakeholder consultation paper, we created a Stakeholder Working Group, which includes representatives from a range of organisations, including disability groups, active travel and motoring organisations. The purpose of the Group is to understand the main issues, challenges and opportunities affecting the implementation and enforcement of responsible parking. The first meeting of the group took place on Wednesday, 24 August and since then, officials have been in discussion with the Group on shaping the consultation paper, which we are seeking to publish in December 2016. Once the consultation is complete and the responses are analysed it is our general intention to legislate in the current Parliamentary session.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318921,"EventID":"S5W-04653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:44.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many road traffic accidents there have been in Moray (a) in each of the last five years and (b) since January 2016, broken down by the (i) category of accident and (ii) number of (A) injuries and (B) fatalities.","AnswerText":"The following tables show the number of injury road traffic accidents in Moray and casualties involved. The figures for 2016 are still being processed and those in the table are only for the period from January to June 2016. Provisional figures for the whole of 2016 will be published in Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland in June 2017.\r\nInjury road accidents in Moray council area by severity\r\n\r\nFatal\r\nSerious\r\nSlight\r\nTotal\r\n2011\r\n4\r\n22\r\n111\r\n137\r\n2012\r\n3\r\n36\r\n90\r\n129\r\n2013\r\n3\r\n39\r\n81\r\n123\r\n2014\r\n2\r\n42\r\n50\r\n94\r\n2015\r\n2\r\n32\r\n48\r\n82\r\n2016*\r\n2\r\n14\r\n20\r\n36\r\n* Figures for 2016 are provisional and cover January to June\r\nCasualties involved in injury road accidents in Moray council area by severity\r\n\r\nKilled\r\nSerious\r\nSlight\r\nTotal\r\n2011\r\n4\r\n24\r\n136\r\n164\r\n2012\r\n3\r\n44\r\n122\r\n169\r\n2013\r\n3\r\n47\r\n106\r\n156\r\n2014\r\n2\r\n47\r\n75\r\n124\r\n2015\r\n2\r\n35\r\n58\r\n95\r\n2016*\r\n3\r\n19\r\n30\r\n52\r\n* Figures for 2016 are provisional and cover January to June","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318922,"EventID":"S5W-04654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-10T17:16:46.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are plans to reduce or has been a reduction in the provision of services at the NHS Centre for Integrative Care and, if so, what analysis it has made of the impact of this on people from Moray with chronic pain problems.","AnswerText":"The Centre for Integrative Care, and the provision of services at the facility, is the responsibility of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318931,"EventID":"S5W-04621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:25.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-09T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03816 by Keith Brown on 9 November 2016, how many military flights from (a) the UK and (b) other countries to Glasgow Prestwick Airport there have been per day in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information broken down by day. However, since the Scottish Government took ownership of the airport in November 2013, the yearly figures for inbound military flights are:\r\n(a) from the UK\r\nNovember – December 2013: 200\r\n2014: 1,651\r\n2015: 1,931\r\n(b) from other countries\r\nNovember – December 2013: 62\r\n2014: 377\r\n2015: 374","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318932,"EventID":"S5W-04668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:28.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposed dual carriageway upgrade on the A723.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318933,"EventID":"S5W-04671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:30.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, with reference to its enterprise and skills review, what the position will be of the chief executives of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council by the end of the current parliamentary session. ","AnswerText":"The bodies involved in the Enterprise and Skills Review will retain their separate legal status and, in turn, the Chief Executives of the Agencies will retain their status. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318934,"EventID":"S5W-04672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:31.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what involvement Highlands and Islands Enterprise will have on the statutory board that has been proposed in its enterprise and skills review.","AnswerText":"Detailed operational planning for the new Scotland-wide statutory board is being taken forward as part of phase two of the review, which is due to last six months. We plan to consult with the current boards, including Highlands and Islands Enterprise, in taking this forward.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318935,"EventID":"S5W-04661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:32.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a policy of automatic compensation for passengers experiencing delays on the ScotRail network.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to running a rail network that focuses on delivering good customer service and value for money to the public. As part of the recent franchise agreement, Transport Scotland secured a clear and straightforward Delay Repay process, currently in use, whereby passengers on Scotland’s railways can claim compensation in the event that their service is subject to any delay lasting over 30 minutes. As is normal in any long term service contract, through discussion with ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper we will investigate altering delay repay processes to refund affected passengers.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318936,"EventID":"S5W-04663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:33.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much will be spent on railway policing following the proposed transfer of responsibilities from the British Transport Police to Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government set out initial proposals in the consultation \"The integration of the British Transport Police in Scotland into Police Scotland\" https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/police-division/transport-police and will address key issues in the Bill and accompanying documents when they are introduced.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318937,"EventID":"S5W-04659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:34.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with ScotRail about the (a) efficacy and (b) uptake of the delay repay compensation scheme.","AnswerText":"As part of Transport Scotland’s 4 weekly performance meeting with ScotRail, the Delay Repay compensation scheme is discussed including, for example, the key incidents resulting in Delay Repay claims, the total number and value of claims, and the amount repaid.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318938,"EventID":"S5W-04666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:36.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the noise level measurements were (a) before and (b) after the erection of steel sound acoustic fencing on the M74 extension.","AnswerText":"Acoustic barriers (mainly aluminium with some clear acrylic on the bridges) were installed as part of the M74 Completion project following an assessment of the potential noise impacts of the scheme.\r\nAnticipated noise levels before the erection of acoustic fencing were derived from a model which predicted the traffic noise generated by the proposed motorway. As part of the modelling, baseline noise monitoring surveys were undertaken in 2002/03 at 34 locations. Post construction monitoring was undertaken in 2016 as part of the post-construction evaluation. Two of these locations (Toryglen and Rutherglen) are relevant to acoustic barrier locations.\r\nMeasurements are summarised in the following table:\r\nLocation\r\nPre-Construction (2002) 18 hour LA10 dB\r\nPost-Construction (2016) 18 hour LA10 dB\r\n86 Crossbank Ave, Toryglen\r\n51.3\r\n48.7\r\n14 Carlyle Terrace, Rutherglen\r\n58.7\r\n58.1\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318939,"EventID":"S5W-04673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:37.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council will remain as non-departmental public bodies following its enterprise and skills review.","AnswerText":"The bodies involved in the Enterprise and Skills Review will each retain their separate legal status.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318940,"EventID":"S5W-04664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:38.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason steel sound acoustic fencing has been erected on the M74 extension in recent years.","AnswerText":"The environmental assessment undertaken as part of the development of the M74 Completion project considered the change in traffic noise level expected as a result of the project and consequently any requirement for noise mitigation measures.\r\nWhere these assessments found that the predicted change in noise levels (as a consequence of the project) was greater than one decibel, in accordance with relevant national road design standards and legislation, mitigation in the form of acoustic fencing (mainly aluminium with some clear acrylic on the bridges) was provided.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318941,"EventID":"S5W-04652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:39.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to participate in mediation with tenant farmers and landowners who face eviction as a result of the outcome of the Salvesen v Riddell case.","AnswerText":"The service established and funded by the Scottish Government provides for mediation between those tenant farmers and landlords affected by the outcome of the Salvesen v Riddell case and who are presently involved in litigation. \r\nMediation is a private matter between parties and is an entirely confidential process. While the Scottish Government will pay for the costs of the parties, up to set limits, it is neither a party to the mediation nor privy to it, therefore will not have any knowledge of the details of any mediation, including any outcome.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318942,"EventID":"S5W-04669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:41.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) trades union and (b) business representatives will sit on the statutory board that has been proposed in its enterprise and skills review.","AnswerText":"Such detail will be worked out as part of the in-depth operational planning for the new Scotland-wide statutory board that is being taken forward as part of phase two of the review and is due to last six months.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318943,"EventID":"S5W-04670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the boards of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council will be abolished as part of its enterprise and skills review. ","AnswerText":"There will be a new single, strategic Scotland-wide statutory board to co-ordinate the activities of SE and HIE, SDS and the SFC, in order to bring greater integration and focus to the delivery of our enterprise and skills support. This will focus on fully aligning and coordinating activity across the agencies to maximise their collective impact.\r\nOur intention is that, once established, this overarching board will assume the key functions and roles of the existing agency boards whilst each of the bodies will remain in its own right. Consideration of how board functions will be distributed between levels, and what supporting infrastructure will be required to support the operation of the new board and of the existing bodies will be taken forward during phase two of the review. Existing boards will be fully involved in this, and will continue to perform their current roles during the transition process to the new arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318944,"EventID":"S5W-04665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:43.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which agency paid for and erected the steel sound acoustic fencing on the M74 extension.\r\n","AnswerText":"The M74 Completion project was funded by Transport Scotland with contributions from Glasgow City Council, South Lanarkshire Council and Renfrewshire Council. The works were paid for by Glasgow City Council, acting on behalf of the four funding partners and the project, including all acoustic fencing (mainly aluminium with some clear acrylic on the bridges), was delivered by Interlink M74 Joint Venture.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318945,"EventID":"S5W-04667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:44.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the on and off ramps on the M8 at Eurocentral will be re-opened.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04442 on 21 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318946,"EventID":"S5W-04674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:45.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what savings it anticipates will be made as a consequence of its enterprise and skills review; whether the assets of the enterprise companies will transfer to the proposed statutory board once it is established, and which respondents to the consultation proposed or supported a statutory board.","AnswerText":"The phase one report identified that we should optimise what can be achieved by seamlessly working across the enterprise and skills bodies with a focus on agreed priorities and objectives, as well as the need to deal with the perceptions of a cluttered landscape by simplifying service delivery with a ‘no wrong door’ approach. Any savings which might be secured will be identified through the work being taken forward in phase two and beyond. \r\nThe agencies involved in this review are only one part of the overall enterprise and skills systems in Scotland, but they are an important one. As indicated in our Call for Evidence -Summary Analysis (see \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00505877.pdf), respondents overall felt that a refreshed strategic focus with a single vision, goals and shared ownership could foster more effective collaboration. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318947,"EventID":"S5W-04660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T13:47:46.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Office of Rail and Road regarding improvements to the compensation system on ScotRail services.","AnswerText":"Officials from Transport Scotland met with ORR on 18 November 2016 to discuss a range of topics including compensation arrangements offered by ScotRail.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318962,"EventID":"S5W-04676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T15:54:48.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T13:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time equivalent police civilian staff jobs there have been in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"Data on the number of Full Time Equivalent civilian staff in the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland is published by the SPA on a quarterly basis.\r\nFor ease, the information you have requested is provided in the table below.\r\nPolice Staff Quarterly Strength Statistics (Full-Time Equivalent), Scotland1, from 31 March 2007 to 31 March 2016\r\nDate\r\nScotland\r\nQ1 2007\r\n7,350\r\nQ1 2008\r\n7,528\r\nQ1 2009\r\n7,713\r\nQ1 2010\r\n7,891\r\nQ1 2011\r\n7,447\r\nQ1 2012\r\n6,947\r\nQ1 2013\r\n6,790\r\nQ1 2014\r\n5,987\r\nQ1 2015\r\n5,542\r\nQ1 2016\r\n5,505\r\n1. Q1 represents the 31 March\r\nThe data provides a snapshot of police staff at the end of the quarter.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318963,"EventID":"S5W-04677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T15:54:49.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T13:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00181 by Michael Matheson on 8 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 3), what powers it has to ask Police Scotland to suspend or cancel the review of its estate.","AnswerText":"Governance of the Police Service of Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority, as established in the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 with cross-party support.\r\nThe Scottish Government has no current plans to use its powers to direct the Scottish Police Authority under Section 5 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act in relation to this matter. The Scottish Government would encourage all members to participate in local engagement activity being led by Divisional Commanders in relevant areas.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318964,"EventID":"S5W-04679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T15:54:50.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T13:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00181 by Michael Matheson on 8 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 3), on what date ministers were advised by Police Scotland that it was seeking approval from the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) to review its estate, and when the SPA advised ministers that this had been approved.","AnswerText":"Governance of the Police Service of Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), as established in the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 with cross-party support. \r\nThe SPA approved the Police Scotland Estate Strategy on 24 June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318965,"EventID":"S5W-04675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T15:54:51.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the number of people rough sleeping in Glasgow, and what information it has regarding the number of rough sleepers there have been in the city in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s strong housing rights for homeless households mean that nobody should have to sleep rough. Glasgow City Council have the duty to provide housing and homelessness services in their area.\r\nHomelessness statistics indicate that the number of homeless applicants to Glasgow City Council in 2015-16 reporting that they had slept rough before applying has decreased year on year over the past five years. We know, however, that only rough sleepers who approach local authorities are recorded. This is why the Scottish Government has been working with stakeholders such as the Glasgow Homelessness Network to get more robust data on the figures of those rough sleeping in Glasgow and to assess the needs of those involved.\r\nThe Scottish Government recognises that some rough sleeping will result from more complex needs and cannot always be addressed by simply providing accommodation. We are working with our partners in health and social services to ensure we have better information on rough sleepers and their needs to help address this issue.\r\nInformation on the number of HL1 (homelessness) applicants sleeping rough in Glasgow City\r\n\r\nFinancial year of application\r\n\r\n2011-2012\r\n2012-2013\r\n2013-2014\r\n2014-2015\r\n2015-2016\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe number of applicants who slept rough the night before their application\r\n535\r\n475\r\n452\r\n466\r\n370\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe number of applicants who slept rough during the three months preceding their application\r\n640\r\n613\r\n545\r\n518\r\n427\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318966,"EventID":"S5W-04678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-11T15:54:52.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T13:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00181 by Michael Matheson on 8 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 3), what powers it will have to reject any of the findings of the Police Scotland review of its estate.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04677 on 24 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318974,"EventID":"S5T-00189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T13:05:19.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to research carried out by Heriot-Watt University regarding ways to reduce income and other inequalities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318975,"EventID":"S5T-00194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T13:05:24.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether powers will be removed from councils by its local government review and, if so, which.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":318976,"EventID":"S5T-00202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T13:05:33.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when powers over social security benefits will be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318977,"EventID":"S5F-00472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T13:03:34.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318978,"EventID":"S5F-00477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T13:03:39.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T08:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to tackle cyber-bullying.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318979,"EventID":"S5F-00485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T13:03:54.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318980,"EventID":"S5F-00487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T13:03:58.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Auditor General for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318981,"EventID":"S5F-00492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T13:04:05.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318982,"EventID":"S5F-00496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T13:04:09.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that people with diabetes receive regular monitoring of their condition.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318983,"EventID":"S5F-00498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T13:04:10.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the recent survey by Nielsen that indicates that 69% of spirits sold in Scotland fall below a minimum unit price of 50p.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318984,"EventID":"S5W-04680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T15:02:44.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03798 by Michael Matheson on 11 November 2016, what happens to the income generated through Scottish Prison Service industries.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe income generated from Scottish Prison Service industries is a contribution to the cost of producing (e.g. raw materials, transportation), providing and selling the products and services.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318985,"EventID":"S5W-04697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T15:02:46.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the Scottish Medicines Consortium's decision not to recommend nivolumab for use by patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04618 on 21 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318986,"EventID":"S5W-04657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T15:02:47.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02025 by Shona Robison on 15 September 2016, what financial provisions each NHS board has made to deal with any increase in demand on services that might result from patients being made aware of their rights regarding choice of treatment following the outcome of the case.","AnswerText":"Informed consent is a matter for NHS Board clinicians and their patients. Any associated costs are contained in the overall NHS Healthcare budget.\r\nAs I outlined in my answer to question S5W-02025, I expect all NHS Boards and their clinicians to adhere to the long established guidance produced by the General Medical Council (GMC) and to have robust clinical governance arrangements in place to ensure that the principles and framework contained in the guidance are applied by all doctors when seeking informed consent to treatment from patients.\r\nIt is paramount that patients are given all of the information in terms of what the treatment involves, including the benefits and risks, whether there are reasonable alternative treatments and what will happen if treatment doesn't go ahead. Obtaining informed consent can only be achieved through partnership and joint decision making between clinicians and their patients.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318987,"EventID":"S5W-04689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5757,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T15:02:48.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-12T14:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out on the economic impact on coastal communities of a decline in the inshore whitefish catch.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government commissioned research into the impact of change in sea fishing on the social well-being of Scotland’s fishing communities in 2013. The report titled ‘The impact of sea fishing on social well-being in Scottish fishing communities’ is available on the Scottish Government website.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318988,"EventID":"S5W-04658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T15:02:49.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-10T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of the impact of the care in the community strategy on people being treated for substance misuse. ","AnswerText":"“Care in the Community” is not the name of any explicit strategy of the Scottish Government and therefore no discrete analysis of it exists. \r\nHealth and Social Care Partnerships are an important locus of community based care. The Partnerships have been designed explicitly to deliver a shift in the balance of care towards localised and community focussed interventions, where appropriate. In relation to adult health and social care, drug and alcohol services fall within the Partnerships’ remit. \r\nDelivering improved outcomes through enhanced integration of service delivery is monitored and assessed via the National Health and Wellbeing Outcomes. Additionally, each of the Partnerships will publish an Annual Performance Report for the year 2016-17, by the end of July 2017. Though the outcomes and associated national indicators do not explicitly cover substance misuse, Partnerships will report progress in this area via appropriate local measures. \r\nMore specifically, the Scottish Government has developed annual reporting arrangements for Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) to demonstrate their contribution to local outcomes. Community Planning Partnerships (CPPs) exercise an accountability and oversight function of ADPs and use this information to inform local strategies. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318989,"EventID":"S5W-04681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T15:02:50.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-03798 by Michael Matheson on 11 November 2016, for what reason Scottish Prison Service industries income has reduced at HMP (a) Barlinnie, (b) YOI Cornton Vale, (c) Dumfries, (d) Glenochil and (e) Shotts.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nIn response to the information previously provided in the answer to PQ S5W-03798, the reduction in external income from the external sales of products and services in the following establishments is as follows:-\r\n(a) HMP Barlinnie – this is as a result of the closure of the Concrete Workparty in 2009. This workparty manufactured numerous precast concrete products such as road kerbs, slabs and other precast products to a single source supplier, and the contract was not renewed.\r\n(b) HMP & YOI Cornton Vale – this is a result of the closure of the Arts & Crafts workparty in 2012 and the subsequent reduction in sales of Cards and other Arts & Craft items that were handmade in that area and sold to both internal and external customers.\r\n(c) HMP Dumfries – this reduction in income is as a result of the loss of a contract with an external supplier in 2009 and the closure of the packaging workparty.\r\n(d) HMP Glenochil – the reduction of income generated from external sales was as a result of the closure of the workparty within the establishment when the contract was not renewed in 2014. This workparty provided cleaning, repair and maintenance to the plant and equipment that was hired out and returned across a number of the contractors’ premises. A number of other local manufacturing contracts with external companies during this period were also not renewed.\r\n(e) HMP Shotts – over the 10 year period, external income at HMP Shotts has increased, however the reduction in income for the financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13 was as a direct result of the rebuild of HMP Shotts, and the closure and transfer of those workparties to the newly built premises, and the subsequent loss of manufacturing income during this transitional period.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":318990,"EventID":"S5W-04698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T15:02:51.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Scottish Medicines Consortium's decision not to recommend nivolumab for use by patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma, what options it is considering to make this treatment available.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04618 on 21 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319012,"EventID":"S5W-04683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T17:16:05.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04386 by John Swinney on 10 November 2016, for what reason it has no plans to publish the local information that was requested.","AnswerText":"The local information requested on teacher vacancies is not formal statistics. The information was collected solely for the internal purpose of informing the annual teacher workforce planning exercise with other local intellegence and therefore we have no plans to publish it. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319013,"EventID":"S5W-04685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T17:16:07.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00692 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 22 June 2016, what progress it is making with its consideration of the findings of the report; by what date it will publish its full response, and what action it is taking to implement each of the recommendations.","AnswerText":"We have considered all of the recommendations made in Professor MacGregor's final report in detail.\r\nThe Programme for Government 2016 made clear that an updated package of support would be available to eligible taught postgraduate students in academic year 2017-18, and Ministers will announce further details of this soon.\r\nIn addition, consideration of the implementation of recommendations made by the review will involve all key stakeholders in the higher education sector in Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319014,"EventID":"S5W-04686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T17:16:09.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01973 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 2 September 2016, (a) what support it has provided to part-time college students and (b) how many part-time students completed their course in each year since 2013-14.","AnswerText":"Part-time further education (FE) students at college can benefit from access to record levels of support, with this year’s (2016-17) budget of £106.2 million in college bursaries, childcare and discretionary funds representing a real-terms increase of 30% since 2006-07.\r\nIn 2013-14 the FE student support budget was £102.8 million, rising to just over £104 million in 2014-15, and £105.3 million in 2015-16.\r\nFurthermore, the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) programme eligibility criteria was extended in January 2016 to include part-time FE college courses.\r\nThe Scottish Funding Council (SFC) publish the data requested on the completion rates for part-time college students in their annual ‘College Performance Indicators’ publication. Academic Year 2014-15 is the latest year for which the SFC hold data.\r\nCollege completion rates for student enrolments on part-time recognised qualifications 2013-14 to 2014-15\r\n\r\nFurther Education (FE)\r\nHigher Education (HE)\r\nAcademic Year\r\nCompletions\r\nAll\r\nCompletion Rate\r\nCompletions\r\nAll\r\nCompletion Rate\r\n2013-14\r\n94,357\r\n103,683\r\n91.0%\r\n10,907\r\n11,906\r\n91.6%\r\n2014-15\r\n101,141\r\n110,108\r\n91.9%\r\n11,216\r\n12,157\r\n92.3%\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council, ‘College Performance Indicators’\r\nNote: Completions include Completed Successfully and Partial Success","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319015,"EventID":"S5W-04704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T17:16:11.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many undergraduate (a) pre-clinical and (b) clinical places were funded at each of the five Scottish medical schools by the Scottish Funding Council in each academic year from 2006-07 for students from (i) Scotland and (ii) the EU.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of funded places allocated to each medical school from 2006-07 to 2016-17. \r\nFunded places are not allocated separately for Scottish and EU students. The places can be used for Scottish, rest of UK (RUK) and other EU students. Since 2012-13, rest of UK students pay the deregulated tuition fees.\r\nAs the deregulated fees were phased in, i.e. only applicable to RUK students who started from 2012-13 onwards, there has been a phased reduction in the funded places to reflect the levels of RUK students at each medical school.\r\nThe funded places will continue to be revised to reflect the latest information on levels of RUK students in the actual intakes and to reflect updated information on course year-to-year progression rates, which are used to derive funded places for the second and later years of the course.\r\nFunded Places for Undergraduate Medicine for the Scottish Medical Schools for 2006-07 to 2016-17\r\n\r\nAcademic Session\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\n\r\nNote\r\n\r\n\r\n(I)\r\n(I)\r\n(I)\r\n(I)\r\n(I)\r\n(I,II,III)\r\n(I,II,III)\r\n(I,II,III)\r\n(I,II,III)\r\n(I,II,III)\r\nAberdeen, University of\r\nPre-clinical\r\nFTE\r\n321.0 \r\n321.0 \r\n321.0 \r\n321.0 \r\n321.0 \r\n321.0 \r\n259.3 \r\n204.6 \r\n216.5 \r\n236.1 \r\n243.7 \r\nClinical\r\nFTE\r\n478.0 \r\n478.0 \r\n478.0 \r\n478.0 \r\n484.0 \r\n490.0 \r\n496.0 \r\n496.0 \r\n447.2 \r\n411.6 \r\n382.9 \r\nTotal\r\nFTE\r\n799.0 \r\n799.0 \r\n799.0 \r\n799.0 \r\n805.0 \r\n811.0 \r\n755.3 \r\n700.6 \r\n663.7 \r\n647.7 \r\n626.6 \r\nDundee, University of\r\nPre-clinical\r\nFTE\r\n283.0 \r\n283.0 \r\n283.0 \r\n283.0 \r\n283.0 \r\n283.0 \r\n247.0 \r\n215.0 \r\n189.4 \r\n201.4 \r\n207.3 \r\nClinical\r\nFTE\r\n406.0 \r\n406.0 \r\n406.0 \r\n406.0 \r\n412.0 \r\n418.0 \r\n424.0 \r\n424.0 \r\n423.0 \r\n372.3 \r\n342.5 \r\nTotal\r\nFTE\r\n689.0 \r\n689.0 \r\n689.0 \r\n689.0 \r\n695.0 \r\n701.0 \r\n671.0 \r\n639.0 \r\n612.4 \r\n573.7 \r\n549.8 \r\nEdinburgh, University of\r\nPre-clinical\r\nFTE\r\n399.0 \r\n399.0 \r\n399.0 \r\n399.0 \r\n399.0 \r\n399.0 \r\n302.1 \r\n215.5 \r\n220.5 \r\n215.7 \r\n222.3 \r\nClinical\r\nFTE\r\n604.0 \r\n604.0 \r\n604.0 \r\n604.0 \r\n620.0 \r\n636.0 \r\n649.2 \r\n649.2 \r\n559.3 \r\n475.4 \r\n393.8 \r\nTotal\r\nFTE\r\n1,003.0 \r\n1,003.0 \r\n1,003.0 \r\n1,003.0 \r\n1,019.0 \r\n1,035.0 \r\n951.3 \r\n864.7 \r\n779.8 \r\n691.1 \r\n616.1 \r\nGlasgow, University of\r\nPre-clinical\r\nFTE\r\n442.0 \r\n442.0 \r\n442.0 \r\n442.0 \r\n442.0 \r\n442.0 \r\n349.5 \r\n290.0 \r\n293.2 \r\n288.0 \r\n311.9 \r\nClinical\r\nFTE\r\n658.0 \r\n658.0 \r\n658.0 \r\n658.0 \r\n685.0 \r\n712.0 \r\n739.0 \r\n739.0 \r\n676.7 \r\n618.4 \r\n565.4 \r\nTotal\r\nFTE\r\n1,100.0 \r\n1,100.0 \r\n1,100.0 \r\n1,100.0 \r\n1,127.0 \r\n1,154.0 \r\n1,088.5 \r\n1,029.0 \r\n969.9 \r\n906.4 \r\n877.3 \r\nSt Andrews, University of\r\nPre-clinical\r\nFTE\r\n313.0 \r\n368.0 \r\n368.0 \r\n368.0 \r\n313.0 \r\n313.0 \r\n268.9 \r\n231.0 \r\n192.2 \r\n179.5 \r\n186.2 \r\nClinical\r\nFTE\r\n- \r\n- \r\n- \r\n- \r\n- \r\n- \r\n- \r\n- \r\n- \r\n- \r\n- \r\nTotal\r\nFTE\r\n313.0 \r\n368.0 \r\n368.0 \r\n368.0 \r\n313.0 \r\n313.0 \r\n268.9 \r\n231.0 \r\n192.2 \r\n179.5 \r\n186.2 \r\nTotal\r\nPre-clinical\r\nFTE\r\n1,758.0 \r\n1,813.0 \r\n1,813.0 \r\n1,813.0 \r\n1,758.0 \r\n1,758.0 \r\n1,426.8 \r\n1,156.1 \r\n1,111.8 \r\n1,120.7 \r\n1,171.4 \r\nClinical\r\nFTE\r\n2,146.0 \r\n2,146.0 \r\n2,146.0 \r\n2,146.0 \r\n2,201.0 \r\n2,256.0 \r\n2,308.2 \r\n2,308.2 \r\n2,106.2 \r\n1,877.7 \r\n1,684.6 \r\nTotal\r\nFTE\r\n3,904.0 \r\n3,959.0 \r\n3,959.0 \r\n3,959.0 \r\n3,959.0 \r\n4,014.0 \r\n3,735.0 \r\n3,464.3 \r\n3,218.0 \r\n2,998.4 \r\n2,856.0 \r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council (SFC)\r\nNumbers are Full-time equivalent (FTE)\r\nNotes \r\n(I) In 2007-08 in response to the Calman review of medical education the Scottish Government funded an additional 55 places at the University of St Andrews. The Scottish Government continued to fund these additional places at St Andrews in 2008-09 and 2009-10 as the cohort progressed to years 2 and 3 of the programme. In AY 2010-11 the Scottish Government continued to provide funding for the 55 student places as the cohort progressed from St Andrews to complete their clinical training at one of the other Scottish medical schools. In AY 2011-12 in addition to this initial cohort of 55 FTEs the Scottish Government funded a second cohort of 55 FTEs as they entered their clinical years at one of t","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319016,"EventID":"S5W-04684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T17:16:12.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00408 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 June 2016, in light of the chief executive of the Scottish Funding Council not providing a substantive response, whether the minister will now provide the information that was requested regarding what the budget for each college has been in (a) cash and (b) real terms in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Funding Council has already responded to the question, providing the information requested.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319017,"EventID":"S5W-04682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T17:16:14.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances the Student Awards Agency for Scotland can reject applications for support from people who have declared that they have dyslexia.","AnswerText":"The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) administer the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) which is a needs led funding award based on demand. DSA helps support equality of access to higher education for individual students. \r\nTo be eligible for DSA, students must meet the eligibility conditions as set out in the Students’ Allowances (Scotland) Regulations 2007 (as amended).\r\nThe reason an application for DSA may be rejected will be due to a combination of factors. These include:\r\nNot meeting the residence conditions as set out in the above regulations.\r\nUndertaking an ineligible course.\r\nUndertaking a course at a private training provider which has not been designated as eligible for support from SAAS.\r\nUndertaking less than 50% of a full time course.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319018,"EventID":"S5W-04700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T17:16:17.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a mental health patient who has passed the recognised test of capacity has the right to refuse treatment.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04352 on 9 November 2016 and add that the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 sets out when and how people can be treated if they have a mental disorder. The Act is underpinned by a set of guiding principles which includes safeguards to ensure peoples rights are protected.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319019,"EventID":"S5W-04687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T17:16:18.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01979 by Mark McDonald on 8 September 2016, what action it has taken to (a) match the supply to the demand for and (b) address the underfunding of private nurseries. ","AnswerText":"It is for individual local authorities to set their own early learning and childcare policy, including admissions policy and set partner provider rates.\r\nThe Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 requires local authorities to consult at least every 2 years on meeting parents needs through a range of choices. Our recently published report ‘Implementing Early Learning and Childcare under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014: Progress Update’, indicates that local authorities have, and are continuing to consult, and reconfigure services accordingly, including increasing partner provider places.\r\nOn 7 October 2016 we published a ‘Financial Review of early learning and childcare in Scotland; the current landscape’ which outlines substantive issues for our partners in local government and in the private and third sectors: both about how the current entitlement is delivered and funded, and around how we take forward our ambitious plans for the expansion of the free entitlement.\r\nBuilding on this, within our current consultation ‘A Blueprint for 2020: The expansion of early learning and childcare in Scotland’ we have asked the specific question “How can ELC providers, particularly private and third sector providers, be encouraged to expand capacity.”","AnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319020,"EventID":"S5W-04688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-14T17:16:20.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-11T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03029 by John Swinney on 29 September 2016, whether it will provide an update on what progress is being made by the working group, and by what date its recommendations will be published.","AnswerText":"The Working Group on Headteacher Recruitment met for the first time on 25 October 2016 and is scheduled to meet again on 30 November 2016 at which point the group intend to discuss possible actions further to the recommendations of the ADES Report. The Working Group has agreed to produce a shared action plan by June 2017. Going forward the Working Group will be jointly chaired by the Scottish Government and COSLA.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319028,"EventID":"S5W-04716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T14:49:16.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made of the likely impact of providing the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to boys as well as girls.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is advised on all vaccination matters by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). \r\nThe JCVI recognises the importance of ongoing assessment of HPV vaccination for boys and agreed that further work was required to consider the vaccination of adolescent boys against HPV. Modelling work to look at the impact and cost effectiveness of such a programme is currently being undertaken by Public Health England and is expected to report in early 2017. Following this, and once all the necessary evidence is available, the JCVI will begin its deliberations on extending the HPV vaccination programme to adolescent boys.\r\nThe Scottish Government will of course carefully consider any future recommendations made by the JCVI on HPV vaccination.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319029,"EventID":"S5W-04705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T14:49:17.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T23:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether air weapons that are attached to stalls at funfairs will be exempt from the provisions of the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015.","AnswerText":"If the air weapon or weapons can fire a missile with a muzzle energy above 1 joule but below 12 foot pounds (or 6 foot pounds for an air pistol) they are not exempt. The person who is in charge of the guns must have an air weapon certificate, and the event organiser must have a permit for the particular event. If both are in place, then any person can use the guns at the event. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":319030,"EventID":"S5W-04720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5809,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T14:49:18.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T14:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the large business rates supplement has been in each of the last 10 years, also broken down by how much tax revenue this has generated.","AnswerText":"The large business supplement to the non-domestic rate in each of the last ten years is set out in the following table, along with the estimated associated revenue.\r\nYear\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nLarge business supplement (pence)\r\n\r\n0.4\r\n0.3\r\n0.4\r\n0.4\r\n0.7\r\n0.7\r\n0.8\r\n0.9\r\n1.1\r\n1.3\r\nEstimated revenue (£m)*\r\n14.4 \r\n11.0\r\n15.0 \r\n16.1 \r\n33.2 \r\n32.4 \r\n38.3 \r\n42.9 \r\n53.5 \r\n63.7 \r\n* Different data sources covering this period are not directly comparable. Figures from 2011-12 are audited gross revenue. Figures up to 2010-11 are net revenue estimates. Revaluation took effect on 1 April 2010.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319031,"EventID":"S5W-04717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T14:49:19.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to be in a position to implement a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme for boys.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04716 on 23 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319032,"EventID":"S5W-04703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T14:49:20.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether legislative reform is required to bring its mental health and incapacity legislation into line with human rights law.","AnswerText":"Scottish mental health and incapacity legislation is based on rights and principles.\r\nThe Scottish Government is working with partners including the Mental Welfare Commission, the Office of the Public Guardian and professional and human rights bodies to develop changes to the Adults with Incapacity Act, in relation to deprivation of liberty, and to assess compliance with UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by 2018.\r\nThe most recent reform of mental health legislation was through the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2015, which was passed by the Scottish Parliament last year. The 2015 Act strengthened measures in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003 that promote support for decision making, including those for independent advocacy, advance statements and named persons. The 2015 Act is currently being implemented and we are looking at ways to further promote rights-based practice under the 2003 Act, including when updating the statutory guidance in the Code of Practice. Alongside this, we are committed to a review which will consider whether the provisions in the 2003 Act fulfil the needs of people with Learning Disabilities and Autism.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319033,"EventID":"S5W-04710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T14:49:21.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting charities assisting homeless people from Scotland in London.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not routinely received requests from charities supporting homeless Scots in London so no support is currently being provided. However a charity called Borderline have applied for funding in 2017-18 through the Scottish Government's Housing Voluntary Grant Scheme. Their application will be considered in line with our usual appraisal processes, the result of which will be known by 31 December 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319034,"EventID":"S5W-04699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T14:49:22.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to encourage qualified nurses to practice midwifery, and what courses are available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's Nursing and Midwifery Student Intake Planning Group is considering options to increase access to conversion programmes for registered nurses. As part of its deliberations it will be considering whether the 18 month conversion programme previously run in Scotland should be reinstated, along with consideration of which Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) could provide that training given the desire to increase access for nurses based in the Highlands and Islands. The group is also considering the level at which registered nurses should be paid whilst undertaking conversion courses.\r\nAdditionally, we are encouraging those who trained or worked in NHS Scotland to return and work in the health service through our Return to Practice programme. A key focus of the programme is to bring experienced staff directly back into the workforce, so NHS Education for Scotland, the HEIs and NHS Board nursing leads that provide the practice placement experiences are looking at innovative ways to link returnees directly to employment.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319035,"EventID":"S5W-04701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T14:49:24.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reported concerns that the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 does not require psychiatrists to use the capacity test approved by the European Court of Human Rights and that subsequently (a) patients are being deprived of their legal capacity and (b) this legislation does not comply with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.","AnswerText":"As noted in the response to S5W-03040 on 30 September 2016, a patient’s capacity to consent to treatment is assessed by experienced, specialist clinicians subject to the safeguards in Part 16 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, and having regard to guidance issued by the Mental Welfare Commission. \r\nOur view is that the 2003 Act is fully compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The 2003 Act has never been found, in part or in whole, by the European Court of Human Rights to be not compliant with ECHR.\r\nThere are several provisions in the 2003 Act which promote support for decision making and to help service users exercise their legal capacity. Anyone discharging a function under the 2003 Act must have regard to the present and past wishes and feelings of the patient, have regard to the importance of the patient participating as fully as possible in the discharge of the function and to the importance of providing the information and support necessary to the patient to participate.\r\nIn addition, all service users have the right to support from an independent advocate, to make an advance statement setting out what treatment they would and would not like to receive, to be represented by a solicitor at Tribunal hearings and the right to a named person (often a carer or relative) who can represent their interests. Provisions that promote support for decision making were strengthened by the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2015, including by includes service users more control over who their named person is and strengthening the position of advance statements and advocacy which help service users express their will and preferences.\r\nI also refer the member to the answer to question S4W-04703 on 23 November 2016 which sets out further information on the action the Scottish Government is taking to enhance rights-based practice under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319036,"EventID":"S5W-04708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T14:49:25.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 13 July 2016, 1,000 new paramedics to be trained, whether it will set out how the training will be delivered, and what its response is to reported concerns that the trainees will (a) receive less training than ambulance technicians and (b) not be trained (i) in lifesaving procedures and (ii) on how to interpret ECG results.","AnswerText":"Through additional funding from the Scottish Government, the Scottish Ambulance Service are training an additional 1000 Paramedics over the next five years to provide frontline care in Scotland. This year’s recruitment plan will see 200 candidates undertake a higher education diploma in paramedic practice in the first phase of a 5 year programme that will enhance the clinical skills mix of staff and introduce new ways of working to best meet the needs of patients in all communities. \r\nThe Higher Education Diploma in Paramedic Practice is a 12 month course undertaken at the Scottish Ambulance Service Academy at Glasgow Caledonian University and includes 750 hours of practice placement as well a 5 week placement in hospital. 183 candidates have started this course so far in 2016 with 18 further candidates awaiting interview.\r\nThe new Paramedics are being trained from the current cohort of around 1,100 qualified Ambulance Technicians, who have already had training in lifesaving procedures and how to interpret ECG results as part of the curriculum for their current qualification. This will be supported by a recruitment drive to backfill those who are moving into the paramedic roles with over 200 new ambulance technicians.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319037,"EventID":"S5W-04707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T14:49:26.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 to take account of Article 17 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-04703 on 23 November 2016 which sets out the work the Scottish Government is currently undertaking to enhance rights-based practice under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319038,"EventID":"S5W-04714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T14:49:27.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in light of the recent reports that young people referred to child and adolescent mental health services in NHS Forth Valley are waiting longer than anywhere else to start treatment.","AnswerText":"We have announced a £54.1 million package of support over 5 years to improve access to mental health services. This includes £24.7 million to improve capacity to see more people more quickly, £24.6 million to improve workforce supply and train existing staff and £4.8 million through Healthcare Improvement Scotland for a Mental Health Access Improvement Support Team who will provide a comprehensive package of support to work in partnership with Boards to improve access to mental health services.\r\nThrough our investment programme, the mental health access improvement support team is working with Boards that are facing particular pressures to deliver sustained improvements, and ensure services are designed and delivered in the most efficient way. NHS Forth Valley are one of the first Boards to be working with the improvement team.\r\nThe £54 million comprehensive package of support to improve access to mental health services also provides funding for additional staff, for workforce development and for in-depth improvement support to local services. This strand of work is being undertaken by NHS Education for Scotland who have met and discussed need within each Board in Scotland before offering a tailored package of support.\r\nFor NHS Forth Valley this offer includes CAMHS staff with three full time MSc PTPC Graduates, early psychological intervention practice support for Children’s Services as well as Clinical Psychology Posts in Older People’s Services, in response to demand in this area.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319039,"EventID":"S5W-04718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T14:49:28.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the costs would be for introducing a gender-neutral human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to know what the costs of a gender neutral HPV vaccination programme would be until the JCVI has made its final recommendation, as this will determine the eligibility group to be vaccinated, and potentially the vaccine product to be used.\r\nModelling work to look at the impact and cost effectiveness of such a programme is currently being undertaken by Public Health England and is expected to report in early 2017. Following this, and once all the necessary evidence is available, the JCVI will begin its deliberations on extending the HPV vaccination programme to adolescent boys.\r\nThe Scottish Government will of course carefully consider any future recommendations made by the JCVI on HPV vaccination.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319052,"EventID":"S5W-04721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5591,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T15:03:18.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of how interested parties can inform Scotland’s future rail infrastructure strategy.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s railways are a national asset, providing a vital public service to people and communities across the country, and enabling businesses to move goods and materials to markets.\r\nThe recent refresh of our National Transport Strategy confirmed our key strategic outcomes: to improve journey times and connection, reduce emissions and improve the quality, accessibility and affordability of the transport network in Scotland. These aims have been embedded in the ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper franchise contracts and will continue to drive our approach.\r\nHowever we realise that our work doesn’t stop there, and that’s why Transport Scotland is now consulting on our general approach to the way we specify and fund our overall requirements for Scotland’s railways from 2019. \r\nI can confirm that tomorrow we will launch the Consultation on Transport Scotland’s rail infrastructure strategy from 2019 on the Citizen Space website at: https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/rail-policy/rail-infrastructure-strategy-from-2019\r\nThe results from this consultation will help to inform the Scottish Ministers’ High Level Output Specification (HLOS) for Control Period 6, covering the five-year period to March 2024. The HLOS, due to be submitted to the Office of Rail and Road by June 2017, will set out the Scottish Government’s commitment to improving performance, reducing journey times and increasing the capacity and capability of the Scottish rail network.\r\nThis consultation is a real opportunity for interested parties to help shape our approach to the specification and funding of future rail investment priorities, outputs, targets and key performance indicators, and I welcome views on our proposed approach.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319053,"EventID":"S5W-04712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T16:59:00.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the national treatment target for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) remained the same for 2016-17 when the cost of HCV medicines has reportdly reduced due to savings made in the tendering process.","AnswerText":"The treatment target is based on advice from the Treatment and Therapies sub-group. This group includes representatives from Health Protection Scotland, NHS Boards, National Procurement and patient representatives. Targets for 2016-17 were considered at a point when the treatment landscape was developing rapidly and during a period of high treatment demand. The group felt that in this context maintaining the target for a further year would provide the most stability to NHS Boards, but that the target should reviewed again for 2017-18. The national treatment target is a minimum target only and treatment numbers in 2016-17 are currently forecast to be 1871. This compares with 1724 treatments in 2015-16. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319054,"EventID":"S5W-04735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T16:59:01.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04441 by Shona Robison on 14 November 2016 and, in light of the information not being held centrally, whether it plans to begin collating this information centrally, given that information on equivalent events in NHS England is readily available. ","AnswerText":"Following a detailed review of NHS Ayrshire& Arran’s adverse event management in the spring of 2012, the then Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy instructed Healthcare Improvement Scotland to develop a national framework and a programme of reviews. In September 2013, following extensive consultation, a National Framework for managing adverse events was published and then refreshed in April 2015. \r\nDuring Autumn of 2015, Healthcare Improvement Scotland held a series of progress meetings with NHS Boards to understand how they are continuing to implement the national framework. Healthcare Improvement Scotland published their report ‘Learning from Adverse Events’ in May 2016. This report outlined the ways mechanisms for identifying local actionable learning are improving and described the steady increases in the number of national learning summaries shared through the Community of Practice website.\r\nThe provisions within the Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016 for an organisational duty of candour across organisations providing health and social care in Scotland include the publication of annual reports that will provide details of the number and nature of incidents to which the duty has applied and the changes implemented as a result of incidents to which the duty has applied. This will provide a further mechanism for identifying and acting on themes from local learning that are identified in this way. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319055,"EventID":"S5W-04732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T16:59:02.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the company, SinoFortone, asked it for an advisory team to be established to assist its investment planning in Scotland, but it did not do so.","AnswerText":"The memorandum of understanding between the Scottish Government and SinoFortone focused on building a relationship to explore potential investment opportunities. The Scottish Government was not asked to establish an advisory team.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319056,"EventID":"S5W-04734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T16:59:04.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to statistics published in the Scottish Grocers Federation's report, The Scottish Crime Report 2016, which indicate that 40% of convenience store staff experience at least one incident of violence per year and that 82% experience at least one incident of abuse.","AnswerText":"No incident of abuse experienced by convenience store staff, physical or verbal, should be tolerated. Alongside the Scottish Crime Report 2016, the Scottish Grocers’ Federation in partnership with the Scottish Business Resilience Centre has published helpful and useful guidance for its members on a range of crime prevention measures.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319057,"EventID":"S5W-04719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T16:59:05.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it promotes the use of anonymous marking in universities and colleges as part of the equality agenda.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for individual colleges and universities to determine. However these institutions are required to give due regard to the Equality Act 2010. The Scottish Funding Council monitors and supports colleges and universities to deliver and embed equality outcomes in line with the requirements of the Act.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319058,"EventID":"S5W-04731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T16:59:07.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T15:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the additional £500 million of spending on primary care services, committed to by 2020, will be invested in rural and remote general practice in NHS (a) Western Isles and (b) Highland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to increasing spending on primary care services to 11% of the frontline NHS budget by 2021-22. The breakdown of spending on primary care services for 2017-18 and subsequent years will be agreed as part of the Spending Review and Budget Bill processes for those years, which will be subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319059,"EventID":"S5W-04733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T16:59:08.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of Police Scotland's approach to dealing with shop theft, in light of a recent survey by the Scottish Grocers Federation, which reported that 52% of convenience retailers experience daily or weekly shop theft.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland is developing a preventative approach to acquisitive crime including shop theft. This approach, which will involve working in partnership with the Federation and the Scottish Business Resilience Centre, will also seek to involve as many stakeholders from the retail sector as possible and is an approach that I welcome.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319060,"EventID":"S5W-04715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T16:59:10.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that NHS boards optimise the savings from discounted medicines to treat more people who have the hepatitis C virus.","AnswerText":"The national treatment target is a minimum target and is based on reducing hepatitis C related serious liver disease and working towards the eradication of hepatitis C as a serious public health concern within Scotland. NHS Boards are responsible for ensuring that they optimise treatment availability for their local population within their local budgets.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319061,"EventID":"S5W-04713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T16:59:11.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason some NHS boards are treating people who have the hepatitis C virus according to national treatment targets while others are treating within a medicine budget.","AnswerText":"NHS Boards are responsible for the clinical care of their local population and for making decisions on the use of their allocated budgets. It is for NHS Boards to assess the needs of their local population and deliver services accordingly. In the case of hepatitis C the incidence and prevalence of the disease varies across Scotland as does the distribution of genotypes of the disease. This means the scale and nature of hepatitis C infection in different Boards can necessitate a different response. The treatment target set by Scottish Government is a national target, and this target that has been met or exceeded each year. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319062,"EventID":"S5W-04728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-15T16:59:12.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a substantive answer to question S5W-04347, which received a holding response on 14 November 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04347 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319077,"EventID":"S5W-04747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T12:23:27.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T12:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it can provide regarding the Minister for International Development and Europe’s visit to Malawi in October 2016.","AnswerText":"I visited Malawi from 7-12 October to deepen the close relationship and partnership between Scotland and Malawi, including reaffirming ties with the Government of Malawi as part of the Programme for Government commitment to renew our historic Cooperation Agreement, and to promote Scotland’s role as a good global citizen through our contribution to international development.\r\nI spoke at the closing session of the Malawi Investment Forum 2016 in Lilongwe where I announced £1 million of Scottish Government funding for investment in Malawian businesses, which will be match funded by private investors, providing £2 million in total to invest in Malawi. This funding marks a new chapter in the Scotland-Malawi relationship and is an opportunity to show how responsible investment can make a fair profit, create jobs, grow the economy and reduce aid dependence.\r\nIn Lilongwe I met with the Government of Malawi, Minister of Foreign Affairs to discuss continuing to work together to strengthen the relationship between our two governments, to the benefit of both countries, following the consultation on the Scottish Government’s future international development policy. In particular we discussed signing an updated Cooperation Agreement. I also met the Minister for Natural Resources, Energy and Mining to discuss energy in Malawi and reinforce the Scottish Government’s commitment to continuing to support Malawi’s energy access efforts through Scotland’s expertise in renewable energy.\r\nA roundtable event was held for me to meet some of the key representatives working on renewable energy programmes in Malawi, including some involved in Scottish Government funded activity.\r\nAt a networking event for Scottish Government funded projects and others hosted by the Malawi Scotland Partnership, the Malawi-led sister organisation of the Scotland Malawi Partnership, which has been funded by the Scottish Government since 2012, I announced further funding for an organisation supporting community-level energy access; Community Energy Malawi to continue, in partnership with University of Strathclyde, their support for Scottish Government funded community energy installations across Malawi.\r\nIn Lilongwe, Blantyre and Balaka District I visited a number of projects currently or previously funded by the Scottish Government ranging across health, education, economic development, civic governance and renewable energy themes. This included speaking at a ceremony at the Fistula Care Centre at Bwaila Hospital in Lilongwe; officially opening the Chance for Change residential youth facility in Lilongwe, which aims to reduce youth reoffending; in Balaka District hearing first-hand about the impact of the current drought and food insecurity crisis in Malawi in a village Christian Aid delivers a project; visiting Mary’s Meals office in Blantyre for a porridge breakfast to coincide with World Porridge Day 2016 and attending the University of Malawi’s College of Medicine in Blantyre to receive the College of Medicine’s Shield of Honour on behalf of the People of Scotland. Scottish Government funding via the Universities of St Andrews, Edinburgh and Strathclyde has supported building capacity and strengthening teaching and learning at the College, helping to increase the number of medical graduates annually in Malawi from 16 to nearly 100.\r\nVisiting Liwonde National Park, I met with the Country Director for African Parks, an organisation that manage Malawi’s national parks in partnership with the Government of Malawi. They maintain a strong focus on economic development and poverty alleviation of surrounding communities in order to ensure that each park is ecologically, socially, and financially sustainable for the long term. The discussion covered the African Parks' model of social investment in tourism, sustainable livelihoods and conservation and the contribution responsible tourism can make to the wider economy.\r\nOverall the visit strengthened diplomatic relations with Mala","AnswerDate":"2016-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319078,"EventID":"S5O-00366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:50:38.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the reported reduction to revenue grants from the Scottish Funding Council has had on the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319079,"EventID":"S5O-00367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:50:41.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it provides to Moray College UHI.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319080,"EventID":"S5O-00368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:50:43.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has introduced to assist the college sector in responding to the needs of employers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319081,"EventID":"S5O-00369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:50:44.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met the EIS and what matters were discussed. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319082,"EventID":"S5O-00370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:50:46.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to disband the board of the Scottish Funding Council.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319083,"EventID":"S5O-00371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:50:47.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T17:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many specialist primary school  PE teachers there are.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319084,"EventID":"S5O-00372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:50:48.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with South Lanarkshire Council regarding the building of secondary schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319085,"EventID":"S5O-00373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5591,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:50:49.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the EU referendum has led to an increase in hate speech in schools and, if so, what action its education directorate is taking to tackle this.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319086,"EventID":"S5O-00374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5781,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:50:50.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that gifted and talented pupils in all schools are properly supported.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319087,"EventID":"S5O-00375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:50:51.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training opportunities are available for people over the age of 25.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319088,"EventID":"S5O-00376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:50:53.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will issue guidance to schools regarding how the money raised through its council tax reforms can be spent to raise attainment levels. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319089,"EventID":"S5O-00377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:50:54.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to review the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319090,"EventID":"S5O-00379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:50:56.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T11:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what effect it anticipates leaving the EU will have on university student numbers studying in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319091,"EventID":"S5O-00380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:50:58.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that every eligible child has access to their entitlement to 1,140 hours of free childcare provision.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319092,"EventID":"S5O-00381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:50:59.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total value is of the Attainment Scotland Fund and what proportion of this has been allocated to schools in Dumfries and Galloway. ","AnswerText":"We will allocate £750m through the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the course of this Parliament. This year, Dumfries and Galloway has been allocated up to £267,786 - £151,253 through the Attainment Challenge Innovation Fund and £116,533 for the two schools which are in the Attainment Scotland Fund Schools Programme - Kelloholm Primary and Sanquhar Academy.\r\nFrom next April, schools in Dumfries and Galloway will benefit from the £100m which will be allocated direct to schools on the basis of the number of children in each primary school and the first three years of secondary school that meet the national eligibility criteria for free school meals.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":319093,"EventID":"S5O-00382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:51:00.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to promote apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"We will again support Scottish Apprenticeship Week in March 2017. This will be the 7th annual campaign to promote the benefits of apprenticeships to employer and young people delivered in partnerships with employers, apprentices, colleges, councils and training providers.\r\nIn addition Skills Development Scotland promote Modern Apprenticeships in a number of ways including its new Apprenticeship.scot website and My World of Work. It is also widening the reach of the programme through its equality action plan and as part of its regular engagement with businesses across Scotland.\r\nThese are important means to help with the Scottish Government's ambitious plans to grow and enhance the Modern Apprenticeship programme to 30,000 new starts a year by 2020.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319094,"EventID":"S5O-00383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:51:01.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T13:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to ensure that, where schools offer a cashless catering service, P1-P3 pupils who do not take the free meal option are unable to substitute this with sweets and other general tuck.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not require schools to operate a cashless catering system to deliver free school meals to P1-P3 pupils, which is a universal provision for all children in those year groups and has been fully funded by this Government. The P1-P3 policy is designed to ensure that our youngest pupils are offered a balanced and nutritious lunch each school day. This is what was agreed with local government and we expect all education authorities to take necessary steps to ensure that this happens. The opportunity to substitute a lunch for an alternative offering was not part of that agreement.\r\nAll food and drink served in schools must meet strict nutritional standards set out in the school food Regulations. In particular these standards prevent confectionary being offered at any time of the day and do not allow savoury snacks such as crisps to be provided at lunchtime. Compliance with the Regulations is monitored by Education Health and Nutrition Inspectors. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319095,"EventID":"S5O-00384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:51:02.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports local councils in promoting education in schools.","AnswerText":"Closing the attainment gap is the Scottish Government's priority and we are taking a range of actions to ensure that local authorities, schools and others have the guidance and the support that they need to meet the needs of our children and young people. On 28 June 2016 I launched 'Delivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education - A Delivery Plan for Scotland', which sets our plan for achieving that aim.\r\nAs part of that plan, the Government has committed £750 million over the next five years through the Attainment Scotland Fund to tackle the attainment gap, targeting resources at the children, schools and communities which most need them. Through the Governance Review that I launched in 13 September, we are also inviting views from all of those with a stake in our education system, including from local authorities, teachers, parents and pupils, on the role that every part of that system plays in supporting the learner journey and improving outcomes for our children and young people. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319096,"EventID":"S5O-00385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:51:04.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it calculates the level of homelessness.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319097,"EventID":"S5O-00386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:51:05.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its review of the Police Scotland estate, what impact the potential closure of stations will have on public confidence in the police.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319098,"EventID":"S5O-00387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:51:06.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact leaving the EU will have on local government.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319099,"EventID":"S5O-00388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:51:07.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the Autumn Statement on the oil and gas sector in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319100,"EventID":"S5O-00389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:51:08.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met industry and consumer stakeholders to discuss the regulation of private car parks.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319101,"EventID":"S5O-00390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:51:10.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent UN report on the impact of welfare reforms on disabled people in the UK.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319102,"EventID":"S5O-00391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:51:11.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on the North Ayrshire economy of moving the Arran ferry service from Ardrossan to Troon.","AnswerText":"I announced on 3 November that Transport Scotland has commissioned a STAG style study to consider potential mainland berthing options for the Arran ferry service.\r\nThe study will look at the options objectively, taking into account the local social and economic benefits and the impact on public spending, but principally the needs of ferry users. I will be meeting all key stakeholders to hear their views before any decisions are taken.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319103,"EventID":"S5O-00392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:51:12.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many FoI requests have been made to Transport Scotland in the last 12 months and, of that number, how many have been fully answered on time.","AnswerText":"From 1 October 2015 through 31 October 2016, Transport Scotland has received 469 Freedom of Information requests. 90% of the cases responded to were answered on time.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319104,"EventID":"S5O-00393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:51:13.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport will meet campaigners and elected members in the Dumbarton constituency to discuss proposed reductions to NHS services.","AnswerText":"As I have said before in this Chamber, no final decisions have been made about these proposals. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is now engaging with the local communities, staff and other stakeholders so they can carefully consider their views. It is important not to pre-judge this, as the proposals may change or not be pursued at all, as a result.\r\nGiven the formal role that Ministers have in the major service change process, it would have been inappropriate for me to accept an invitation to meet with campaigners at this stage. I have, however, been clear that I'd be happy to meet with local campaigners and their representatives to help inform my final decision on any proposals that may come to me, once the engagement and formal consultation period has concluded.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319105,"EventID":"S5O-00394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:51:16.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the future of the Kilcreggan to Gourock ferry route.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319115,"EventID":"S5W-04725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:54:53.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date (a) payments and (b) reimbursements under the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme are expected to start, and when all eligible farmers will receive their final payment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government plans to make the vast majority of payments under the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme within the regulatory window which is from 1 December 2017 – 30 June 2018. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319116,"EventID":"S5W-04739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:54:55.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has issued to trust ports regarding the conflict that might arise between their obligation to manage the assets of ports for the benefit of (a) service users, (b) employees, (c) local communities, (d) public authorities and (e) other stakeholders and any direct interest they have in a limited company.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not issued specific guidance to trust ports on this matter. Ports must act in accordance with the functions conferred upon them in their local legislation.\r\nTrust Ports are expected to take account of guidance in ‘Modern Trust Ports For Scotland’ published in 2012 which includes considering the varying and potentially competing needs of all of its stakeholders, considering the interests of the port as a whole. A copy of Modern Trust Ports for Scotland is available at: http://www.transport.gov.scot/report/j249946-00.htm","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319117,"EventID":"S5W-04737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:54:56.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role it plays in reviewing the work of trust ports.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no specified role in reviewing the work of trust ports. All ports are required to operate within the terms of their local harbour legislation.\r\nThe Scottish Government engages with the wider port industry at a variety of levels, including meeting with the industry bodies and individual ports on particular issues if required.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319118,"EventID":"S5W-04738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:54:58.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a trust port can operate a limited company.","AnswerText":"A trust port must act in accordance with the powers in its local legislation and in some cases that may include power to operate subsidiaries. It is the responsibility of individual Harbour Authorities to ensure they are operating within their established powers.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319119,"EventID":"S5W-04722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:54:59.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provisions it has in place to manage traffic should the opening of the Forth Replacement Crossing be delayed.","AnswerText":"The Forth Road Bridge will be open for traffic until the Queensferry Crossing opens, while existing traffic arrangements will remain in place until the new Crossing is open to traffic.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319120,"EventID":"S5W-04736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:55:00.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will engage with stakeholders regarding the impact of the Harbours (Scotland) Act 2015, and what action it will take to gauge the success of the legislation in meeting its aims.","AnswerText":"We have already engaged with affected ports and the Office for National Statistics on the impact of the 2015 Act, in particular its provisions relating to the repeal of the Scottish Ministers’ power to require a trust port to privatise. \r\nONS has recently agreed that removal of this provision by the 2015 Act has allowed them to reclassify affected Scottish trust ports as Private Non-Financial Corporations.\r\nThe 2015 Act’s requirement for Harbour Order applicants to only submit one copy of an order and supporting documents is already in effect and the industry has been made aware of this.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319121,"EventID":"S5W-04724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:55:01.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date the IT system for common agricultural policy (CAP) payments will be fully operational.","AnswerText":"The Rural Payments & Services system is delivered in phases. The next major phase is early in the new year for enabling the processing of applications for the 2016 scheme year payments.\r\nAs with any large IT system, there will always be further development and enhancements, in line with business and regulatory changes.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319122,"EventID":"S5W-04726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:55:03.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to commemorate the opening of the Forth Replacement Crossing; when the commemorations will take place and how much they will cost.","AnswerText":"We are currently considering the full range of options available to commemorate the opening of the Queensferry Crossing.\r\nFurther information will become available from early 2017, as plans are finalised, ahead of the Queensferry Crossing opening in May 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319123,"EventID":"S5W-04727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:55:04.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date the A90 Laurencekirk grade separated junction upgrade will be completed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01462 on 11 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319124,"EventID":"S5W-04729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T13:55:06.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-15T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Welsh Government regarding the number of fire incidents in Wales since legislation requiring fire suppression systems to be installed in all new and converted residential accommodation came into force; whether it plans to introduce similar legislation, and, if so, whether this will include houses of multiple occupation and halls of residence.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the Welsh Government regarding the Domestic Fire Safety (Wales) Measure 2011. The Welsh Government has been monitoring the design and installation of fire suppression systems and their was published on 4 November 2016. This highlights a range of issues including costs, water supplies and maintenance. \r\nIt is still too early to assess the effectiveness of fire suppression systems installed in Wales since the legislation came into force. Therefore the Scottish Government has no immediate plans to introduce similar requirements for fire suppression systems beyond that already covered in building regulations, we will however keep the scope of sprinkler coverage under review.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319125,"EventID":"S5W-04748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T17:00:20.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T12:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04406 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 16 November 2016, on what date the meeting will take place. ","AnswerText":"The meeting between the Minister for International Development and Europe and the UK Immigration Minister is scheduled to take place on 7 December 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319126,"EventID":"S5W-04749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T17:00:22.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02033 by Aileen Campbell on 11 November 2016, how much funding it will provide to each alcohol and drug partnership in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Funding for alcohol and drug treatment services is directed through NHS territorial boards, who determine the final allocation to ADPs from all the funds provided to them by the Scottish Government. Health Secretary Shona Robison set out to boards at the start of this year our expectation for boards to maintain support to ADPs in 2016-17 in order to provide the same level of services delivered in 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319127,"EventID":"S5W-04744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T17:00:23.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the vision set out by Scottish Water in its report, Delivery Plan 2015 to 2021, that it should be “trusted to care for the water on which Scotland depends”, what discussions it has had with the company regarding the delay in completing the repairs to the public sewer in Hawick that was damaged by a storm in December 2015, and what its position is on the (a) delay and (b) reports that, until the work is completed, the majority of the town’s sewage will be pumped overland.","AnswerText":"The storms of December 2015 caused significant damage to Hawick’s wastewater infrastructure. The Scottish Government was kept fully informed of the scale of the damage. It expected Scottish Water to focus on restoring services as quickly as possible and to take all necessary measures to ensure that sewage did not pollute the River Tweed. It accepts that this meant that temporary arrangements had to be put in place whilst permanent and durable repairs are undertaken.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319128,"EventID":"S5W-04743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T17:00:25.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date Scottish Water will complete the repairs to the public sewer in Hawick that was damaged by a storm in December 2015, and what the reason has been for the delay.","AnswerText":"In order to ensure the safety of its contractors, Scottish Water has had to re-evaluate how the new sewer is installed under the river Tweed following the discovery of an unexpected obstruction within the river bank. It is working closely with SEPA and the contractor on these revised plans. It expects Mansfield Road to be open to vehicular access by the end of November 2016 and, weather permitting, to complete all works shortly.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319129,"EventID":"S5W-04750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-16T17:00:26.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04538 by Michael Matheson on 16 November 2016, whether any other minister has made representations to (a) Police Scotland and (b) the Scottish Police Authority regarding police charging for events.","AnswerText":"Fergus Ewing, then Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism met with Police Scotland on 21 May 2015 to discuss issues in relation to the policing of events. The meeting was also attended by representatives of VisitScotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319170,"EventID":"S5W-04740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5877,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T14:16:31.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which sites have been identified as possible locations for a national film studio.","AnswerText":"There are a number of facilities which Creative Scotland actively promote for film production in Scotland – the current list of available premises is set out in the following table:\r\nStudio Space\r\nLocation\r\nBBC Studios\r\nDumbarton\r\nBBC Studios\r\nPacific Quay\r\n100 Borron Street\r\nGlasgow\r\nBuchanan Business Park\r\nGlasgow\r\nDrampac\r\nBellshill\r\nEdinburgh Film Studios\r\nEdinburgh\r\nFilm City\r\nGlasgow\r\nFilm Services Ltd.\r\nLivingston\r\nPelamis\r\nEdinburgh\r\nPyramids Business Park\r\nBathgate\r\nScottish Opera\r\nGlasgow\r\nThe Shed\r\nGlasgow\r\nSkyespace\r\nIsle of Skye\r\nSugar Sheds\r\nGreenock\r\nSWG3\r\nGlasgow\r\nTCU Studio and Office Facilities\r\nGlasgow\r\nWestway\r\nRenfrew, Glasgow\r\nOur intention to support the expansion of the existing facilities at Wardpark, Cumbernauld, currently home to the successful drama series, Outlander, was announced on 9 March 2016.\r\nThe Film Studio Delivery Group (Scottish Government, Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise) published a feasibility study and options appraisal for film studios in 2014. The study was refreshed in 2015.\r\nThe Scottish Government and its partners remain committed to supporting further private sector-led investment in additional studio developments, as appropriate, to meet the needs of the market.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319171,"EventID":"S5W-04742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5877,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T14:16:32.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it (a) has had and (b) plans to have with (i) Heriot-Watt University and (ii) other third parties regarding (A) the creation of and (B) providing finance and support for a national film studio.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular meetings, as a member of the Film Studio Delivery Group, to discuss how to support and finance enhanced film studio infrastructure for Scotland. \r\nAs representatives of the Film Studio Delivery Group, Scottish Enterprise are in discussion with potential investors Guardhouse Productions Ltd. regarding their interest to develop studio facilities in Scotland at Heriot-Watt University.\r\nThe Scottish Government has, to date, had no discussions with Heriot-Watt University regarding the creation of, or support for, enhanced film studio infrastructure in Scotland. The Scottish Government remains open to discussions regarding proposals.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319172,"EventID":"S5W-04774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T14:16:33.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of the targets and indicators that are included in the national review of health and social care targets and indicators.","AnswerText":"The national review of targets and indicators for health and social care includes the 20 Local Delivery Plan Standards for the NHS in Scotland which can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Quality-Improvment-Performance/NHS-Performance-Targets and the core suite of indicators for Health and Social Care which can be found at:http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00473516.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319173,"EventID":"S5W-04776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T14:16:34.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how members of the public and other stakeholders can contribute to the national review of health and social care targets and indicators.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04508 on 15 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, and the search facility can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319174,"EventID":"S5W-04775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T14:16:36.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on combining the dualling of the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness and the Blackhillock to Kintore grid reinforcement infrastructure projects.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has given a commitment to dual the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen by 2030. Transport Scotland has completed preliminary engineering and environmental assessment work on the dualling programme.\r\nAs for all Transport Scotland’s major infrastructure projects, consultation is an integral part of the design process. As part of this consultation Transport Scotland will consult with key stakeholders, including Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks to discuss their proposed Blackhillock to Kintore Reinforcement project and any potential interface there may be between it and the A96 Dualling.\r\nIt should be noted however that the Scottish Government has no direct involvement in the Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks project until consent under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 is sought after a preferred option is identified.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319175,"EventID":"S5W-04751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T14:16:37.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T17:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01305 by Maureen Watt on 22 July 2016, whether it now has the information available for 2016, and, if so, whether it will publish this.","AnswerText":"The report Prescribing Statistics - Medicines used in Mental Health and the accompanying data sets are published by ISD. ISD have indicated that they are planning on publishing the 2015-16 anti-depressant figures in mid-December.\r\nThe data will be published online at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Publications/ .","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319176,"EventID":"S5W-04756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T14:16:38.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T09:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04408 by Annabelle Ewing on 16 November 2016, whether it will provide a breakdown of how these offences were dealt with by the Procurator Fiscal.","AnswerText":"12 of the 16 people arrested were subsequently reported to the procurator fiscal for consideration of prosecution.\r\nCourt proceedings have been raised by the procurator fiscal in respect of 5 of the cases submitted and in each case the accused pled not guilty and a trial diet is now scheduled. The other 7 cases are still being considered for prosecution.\r\nReports for the four remaining cases have been prepared for submission by Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319177,"EventID":"S5W-04779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T14:16:39.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T11:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that changes to health and social care targets and indicators that result from the national review will support the delivery of the draft health and social care standards, which are due to be implemented in Spring 2018.","AnswerText":"The relationship with the National Health and Care Standards will be considered as part of the national review of health and social care targets and indicators. The Scottish Government will respond to the review once it has considered the initial report, which is due in March 2017. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319178,"EventID":"S5W-04778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T14:16:40.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) remit and (b) membership is of the national review of health and social care targets and indicators.","AnswerText":"Further to my answer to question S5W-04508 on 15 November 2016. The final remit has been circulated to the group for agreement by 2 December 2016. The chair has also invited the Coalition of Carers for Scotland to nominate a representative to join the group.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319179,"EventID":"S5W-04752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T14:16:42.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-16T17:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of alcohol licence applications being lodged by online distributors that can distribute across the UK, what its position is on how locally-led licensing regimes can respond to online sales.","AnswerText":"The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 makes provision for the licensing of premises in Scotland where alcohol is sold remotely, for example, by means of telephone, fax or internet and despatched from Scottish premises.\r\nFor internet sales a premises licence is required for the premises from which alcohol is specifically selected for and despatched to the purchaser, such as a warehouse. \r\nThe application for a licence is made to the appropriate licensing board where the premises is located. It is therefore for individual licensing boards to consider any applications for a new licence whether relating to online sales or not, in line with the existing legislation.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319180,"EventID":"S5W-04755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T14:16:43.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) protect fathers' rights and (b) promote a greater recognition of shared parenting. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that both parents should be fully involved in their child's upbringing as long as that is in the interests of their child. \r\nOur National Parenting Strategy included several commitments to support fathers. To deliver on these commitments, we work in partnership with a wide range of organisations who support dads. This includes jointly chairing the National Fathers Advisory board, bringing together around 20 organisations to shape policy, share knowledge and collaborate on work.\r\nThe current key policy activity is \"Year of the Dad\", a national campaign running throughout 2016. Year of the Dad celebrates the difference a great dad can make, in particular to child development. Fathers Network Scotland is leading the campaign, with Scottish Government support and funding. We are supporting the campaign because we know that involved dads benefit children and families, and because the campaign fits with the Scottish Government's aims around equality and fairness.\r\nWhere parents can't agree, they can ask the court to decide matters. The court's paramount consideration is the welfare of the child.\r\nWe intend to review the law in this area - the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 - to ensure the interests of children and their need to form and maintain relationships with key adults in their lives – parents, step-parents, grandparents and other family members – are at the heart of any new statutory measures.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319181,"EventID":"S5W-04773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T14:16:45.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what agreement has been reached with the chair of the national review of health and social care targets and indicators regarding a timetable and outputs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has asked the chair of the national review of health and social care targets and indicators to provide initial recommendations to Ministers by the end of March 2017. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319182,"EventID":"S5W-04753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T14:16:46.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on promoting the teaching of the Japanese language in (a) schools, (b) colleges and (c) universities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the value of language learning to young people and the opportunities it can open up for them as they make their way through learning and life. As stated in the Programme for Government, we are committed to strengthen and deepen our engagement with Japan in particular in education, culture and business.\r\nOur ‘1 + 2 language policy’ will enable children to learn a first additional language (L2) from Primary one and a second (L3) from Primary five. This policy provides the opportunity for Japanese to become part of the range of options available on offer as part of the second additional language.\r\nHowever the Scottish Government does not encourage one language over another. We expect that a rich and diverse landscape will develop as the policy becomes established, particularly around the second additional language.\r\nThe Scottish Funding Council’s Outcome Agreement guidance encourages Scotland’s universities and colleges to grow the number of students developing their foreign language skills, and demonstrate commitment to English for Speakers of Other Languages provision, whether as part of a formal course of study or as complementary learning. This is intended to support the Scottish Government’s ambition for all school pupils to acquire two languages in addition to their mother tongue.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319183,"EventID":"S5W-04754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T14:16:46.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on developing an engagement strategy with Japan.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is very pleased with the long and positive relationship we have built with Japan, which has been an important trading partner for Scotland for many years. As stated in the Programme for Government, published on 6 September 2016, we are committed to strengthening and deepening our engagement with Japan in particular in education, culture and business. We are actively working to take this forward. In 2014, Scottish exports to Japan were valued at £370 million. Today we have 80 Japanese companies in Scotland employing approximately 5,700 people in a range of sectors. \r\nSince 2009, there have been five Scottish Ministerial visits to Japan – the last being by myself in 2015. On this visit, I undertook a wide programme of meetings and engagements which were built around a number of key themes; trade and investment, golf, food and drink, culture and renewable energy. \r\nWe are committed to delivering maximum value for Scotland through our overseas engagement which is guided by our International Framework, published on 20 March 2015. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319184,"EventID":"S5W-04761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:16:49.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it can provide to specialist frontline services that support women and children affected by domestic abuse that they will be protected from budget reductions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to providing support for specialist services that support women and children affected by domestic abuse. We will continue to work with the third sector local authorities and partners to ensure that such support is provided.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319185,"EventID":"S5W-04780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:16:51.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with local authorities regarding increasing the number of bin collections for larger homes.","AnswerText":"The frequency of bin collection is for local authorities to decide. It is for each council to determine how they deliver local services and what is the most appropriate collection system for their area.\r\nHowever, the Scottish Government will continue to work closely with councils on waste and recycling and in particular with regard to the joint Scottish Government-COSLA Household Recycling Charter which will provide more consistency in the way councils meet their recycling obligations.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319186,"EventID":"S5W-04795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:16:52.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish proposals on increasing the share of community ownership in renewable energy schemes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) offers a wide range of support including free advice and access to funding to support community ownership of renewable energy schemes. The support available under CARES has led to our target for 500 MW of installed capacity of community and locally owned renewable generation by 2020 being reached 5 years early. \r\nWe have made a commitment in our Programme for Government to continue with CARES and are currently in the process of retendering for a suitably qualified and experienced service provider to undertake the delivery of CARES up to 2020.\r\nOur draft Energy Strategy which will be published for consultation early in the new year, will reaffirm our support for community and locally owned energy with new targets of 1 GW by 2020 and 2 GW by 2030 and a commitment for at least half of newly consented renewable energy projects to have an element of shared ownership.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319187,"EventID":"S5W-04760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:16:53.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with local authorities regarding moving to competitive tendering processes for specialist frontline services that support women and children affected by domestic abuse.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not discussed this specific issue with local authorities. CoSLA are a co-partner in the Equally Safe strategy to prevent and eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls. In relation to the work they are taking forward with Scottish Women's Aid to develop guidance for local authorities in commissioning domestic abuse services, Scottish Government officials have had sight of an early draft and offered factual comments on that.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319188,"EventID":"S5W-04794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:16:54.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to local authorities to support kerbside recycling systems in each year since 2011, also broken down by local authority area. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides funding to local authorities to support recycling services through its delivery body Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS). \r\nLocal Authorities have received funding from Zero Waste Scotland to support implementation of food waste and kerbside collection services. The following table indicates the level of funding awarded since 2011 to each council in this respect.\r\nLocal Authority\r\nZWS Funding received since 2011 for food waste\r\nAberdeen \r\n£1,429,517\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n£1,590,467\r\nAngus\r\n£203,367\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n0\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n£347,831\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n£1,653,283\r\nDundee\r\n£213,791\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n£1,006,675\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n£806,673\r\nEast Lothian\r\n£221,840\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n0\r\nEdinburgh\r\n£2,477,961\r\nFalkirk\r\n£776,280\r\nFife\r\n£556,645\r\nGlasgow\r\n£3,243,470\r\nHighland\r\n£957,541\r\nInverclyde\r\n£685,000\r\nMidlothian\r\n£537,816\r\nMoray\r\n0\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n£886,370\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n£1,400,000\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n0\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n£1,733,383\r\nScottish Borders\r\n£113,583\r\nShetland\r\n0\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n£1,031,269\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n£708,649\r\nStirling\r\n£268,000\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n£370,060\r\nWest Lothian\r\n£1,084,462\r\nWestern Isles\r\n0\r\nTOTAL\r\n£24,303,933\r\nFunding was awarded following applications by Councils to Zero Waste Scotland. The Councils that received no funding, either did not apply or did not meet the necessary criteria.\r\nThe Scottish Government is also supporting Councils with implementation of the Household Recycling Charter. 20 Councils have already signed the Charter, and an award of just over £2 million was made to East Ayrshire Council in October 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319189,"EventID":"S5W-04796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:16:56.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to achieve its target to reduce food waste by a third by 2025, and what assessment it has made of how effective these are. ","AnswerText":"We will shortly commence a series of wide-ranging stakeholder workshops to discuss what measures should be taken to achieve this ambitious target and to assess which options will be the most effective. These meetings will allow us to draw on the breadth of expertise and experience available across all of the involved parties, from consumers to food producers. As a first step, I announced last week the 2013 baseline for all food waste arisings in Scotland, the first time this has been calculated.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319190,"EventID":"S5W-04799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:16:57.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that betting shops frequently bypass current rules on the maximum number of fixed-odds betting terminals per shop by opening a number of shops close to each other. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government intends to lay changes to planning legislation regarding betting offices before the Scottish Parliament by the end of the year. The proposed changes will remove the current exemption from planning control that applies when certain premises change to betting shops.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319191,"EventID":"S5W-04801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:16:58.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to limit the maximum bet on fixed-odds betting terminals once it has the powers to do so. ","AnswerText":"The power to legislate on the maximum bet permitted on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals remains reserved to the UK Government.\r\nThe Scotland Act 2016 only included a limited power in respect of setting the number of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals in new betting shops.\r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03497 on 27 October 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319192,"EventID":"S5W-04758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:16:59.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce earmarked funding for the provision of local and specialist services to tackle domestic abuse to ensure that such support remains a budget priority.","AnswerText":"In 2016-17, the Scottish Government has invested in direct support for front line services through the Violence against Women and Girls (3.36 million) and Children Services (3.47 million) Funds. Details of the Budget for future years will be published in December, and allocations from the Equality Budget will be made in 2017. We have no plans to introduce earmarked funding within local authority budget settlements for the provision of these services.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319193,"EventID":"S5W-04781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:00.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussion it has had with the UK Government regarding introducing legislation to update the Computer Misuse Act 1990.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government (SG) had discussions with the UK Government during 2014-15 regarding amendments to the Computer Misuse Act 1990 (CMA 1990) which were introduced under the UK Government’s Serious Crime Act 2015.\r\nSG liaised with the UK Home Office on the development of the draft clauses for the amendments to the CMA 1990, as it was proposed for such amendments to extend to Scotland and so the discussions were to ensure there would be no unintended implications for Scotland. \r\nOn 6 January 2015, the Scottish Parliament agreed to Legislative Consent Motion S4M-11986 for the Serious Crime Bill, the Bill which became the Serious Crime Act 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319194,"EventID":"S5W-04783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:02.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03129 by Michael Matheson on 5 October 2016, whether it will provide (a) a breakdown of the funds that Police Scotland is investing and (b) further information on the progress of the hubs it is introducing in to tackle cybercrime. ","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Police Scotland and I have asked the Chief Constable to write to the member with the information requested.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319195,"EventID":"S5W-04790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:03.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T15:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 and what its position is on the immediate inclusion of settlements that have been flooded, but are not currently determined to be potentially vulnerable areas (PVAs), on the list of PVAs without having to wait until the end of the five-year review period.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04269 on 8 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary are available on the parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nThe process and timescales for identification of Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs) is set out in the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 and in the Flood Risk Management (Flood Protection Schemes, Potentially Vulnerable Areas and Local Plan Districts) (Scotland) Regulations 2010. The Regulations require that SEPA must review, update where appropriate, and submit to the Scottish Ministers the document identifying the PVAs by 22 September 2018. There are no plans to change this date.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319196,"EventID":"S5W-04759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:04.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on moving to competitive tendering processes for specialist frontline services that support women and children affected by domestic abuse.","AnswerText":"It is for local authorities and partners to determine the most appropriate approach in ensuring that women and children affected by domestic abuse received the right support. Scottish Women's Aid and CoSLA are developing guidance for local authorities on the commissioning of domestic abuse services, and we understand this will be published imminently. The Scottish Government has published guidance for public bodies in deciding whether a grant or a procured contract is appropriate for a particular service. This can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/spfm/GuidanceNotes/FGN2015-11.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319197,"EventID":"S5W-04784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:05.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) cyber-enabled crimes (fraud and theft) and (b) cybercrimes have been reported in each year since 2010-11. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally although the Scottish Government recognises that work is required to improve the evidence base on cybercrime and we are working with Police Scotland on how best to clearly define, record and report on cyber-related and cyber-enabled crime.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319198,"EventID":"S5W-04791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:07.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to commission the Met Office to conduct a weather radar network review.","AnswerText":"Over the past two years the Met Office, through the Public Weather Service Customer Group, has made a significant investment in the weather radar network for Scotland, with £1.368 million spent so far. This includes the main upgrade elements to the Hill of Dudwick in Aberdeenshire and Holehead in Stirlingshire. There are also plans for the upgrade to Munduff Hill in Kinross and to the Isle of Lewis facility\r\nFurthermore, my officials are giving ongoing consideration to the capabilities requirements for Scotland, including the radar infrastructure, as part of regular discussions and relationship with the Met Office.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319199,"EventID":"S5W-04798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:09.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the rules governing the use of fixed-odds betting terminals.","AnswerText":"The rules governing the use of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals are reserved to the UK Government.\r\nThe Scottish Government argued in the Smith Commission for the full devolution of gambling policy to Scotland on the grounds that this would enable problem gambling in Scotland to be tackled more effectively.\r\nThe UK Government is currently undertaking a wide ranging review of gaming machines. The review covers a number of areas including maximum gaming machines stakes and prizes, allocations of gaming machines in licensed premises, and social responsibility measures to minimise the risk of gambling related harm. \r\nThe Scotland Act 2016 included only a limited power in respect of the number of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals in new betting shops. This does not include any powers in respect of existing premises, or those found in premises other than betting shops. The Scottish Government will consider the outcome of the UK consultation before taking a view on what use of the limited powers available in Scotland might be proposed.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319200,"EventID":"S5W-04757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:10.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether local, specialist services are best-placed to support women and children affected by domestic abuse.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises and values the significant contribution that local, specialist services make to supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse. We are committed to working with Scottish Women's Aid, CoSLA and key partners to ensure that women and children experiencing domestic abuse receive support.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319201,"EventID":"S5W-04782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:11.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02697 by Kevin Stewart on 21 September 2016, whether it will provide a breakdown of the amount provided each year expressed in real terms. ","AnswerText":"A full breakdown of Scottish Government Equality Budget funding for violence against women is available online at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Equality/violence-women/VAWFund2012-15 (for years 2012-15)\r\nhttps://beta.gov.scot/publications/vaw-funding-15-16/ (for years 2015-16)\r\nhttps://beta.gov.scot/publications/equality-funding-2016-17-violence-women-and-girls-fund/ (for years 2016-17)","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319202,"EventID":"S5W-04800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:13.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to people who are addicted to betting (a) on fixed-odds betting terminals and (b) in general. ","AnswerText":"In common with other behaviours that cause difficulties in people’s lives and contribute to their ill health, problem gambling is addressed as part of wider health issues that a person may be experiencing including mental health problems and substance misuse problems. Where a person is referred to a service for treatment, the clinical team will work with the person to identify the issues or problems that are important to support their recovery in a holistic person-centred way. Specialist psychological skills and competencies used in the management of alcohol and drug misuse have some applicability to some problem gamblers as do problem solving counselling skills. \r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to delivering faster access to psychological therapies for people with mental illness or disorders, including those who have problems with gambling which is recognised as a type of impulse-control disorder. The delivery of psychological therapies is a core part of NHS activity. NHS boards have made good progress in recent years in improving access to many psychological therapies. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319203,"EventID":"S5W-04785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:14.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions for (i) cyber-enabled crimes (fraud and theft) and (ii) cybercrimes there have been in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04784 on 29 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319204,"EventID":"S5W-04786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:16.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Scotland have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted each year under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.","AnswerText":"The number of people prosecuted and convicted in Scotland under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 is shown in the following table\r\nPeople prosecuted under Computer Misuse Act 1990¹, 2007-08 to 2014-15\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nCOMPUTER MISUSE ACT 1990 SECTION 3\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n1\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\nCOMPUTER MISUSE ACT 1990 SECTION 1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nAll\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n1. Where main offence.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPeople convicted under Computer Misuse Act 1990¹, 2010-11 to 2014-15\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nCOMPUTER MISUSE ACT 1990 SECTION 3\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n1\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\nCOMPUTER MISUSE ACT 1990 SECTION 1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nAll\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n1. Where main offence.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319205,"EventID":"S5W-04789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:17.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all the revenue raised by the Apprenticeship Levy will be invested in learning and training infrastructure and initiatives.","AnswerText":"Ultimately, as with all areas of devolved responsibility, it will be for Scottish Ministers to decide how to use Levy funding as part of the wider Scottish block grant. \r\nWe have committed to developing a distinctly Scottish approach to apprenticeships and wider skills development and to drive closer engagement with industry in our efforts to enhance productivity and inclusive economic growth.\r\nFollowing our recent consultation we are finalising plans for responding to the introduction of the UK Apprenticeship Levy as part of the forthcoming Scottish Budget.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319206,"EventID":"S5W-04803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:19.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on trunk road improvements in the Scottish Borders since 2007, broken down by (a) year and (b) road.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has invested over £10 million on trunk road improvement activities in the Scottish Borders since 2007. The figures provided are for the whole length of the route mentioned because it is not possible to separate the expenditure for the discrete parts of the route(s) falling within Scottish Borders local authority boundary.\r\nSpend per Financial Year on Trunk Road Improvements\r\nRoute\r\nA1\r\nA6091\r\nA68\r\nA702\r\nA7\r\nTotal\r\n2007-08\r\n£374,906\r\n£3,946\r\n£131,160\r\n£461,381\r\n£58,175\r\n£1,029,569\r\n2008-09\r\n£152,882\r\n£12,041\r\n£375,100\r\n£825,608\r\n£161,805\r\n£1,527,435\r\n2009-10\r\n£256,588\r\n£45,421\r\n£614,217\r\n£432,248\r\n£1,271,991\r\n£2,620,465\r\n2010-11\r\n£540,062\r\n£164,849\r\n£248,510\r\n£403,838\r\n£0\r\n£1,357,259\r\n2011-12\r\n£272,649\r\n£20,256\r\n£273,294\r\n£208,639\r\n£240,887\r\n£1,015,725\r\n2012-13\r\n£134,263\r\n£0\r\n£221,161\r\n£98,908\r\n£134,938\r\n£589,270\r\n2013-14\r\n£67,429\r\n£0\r\n£293,273\r\n£54,103\r\n£146,436\r\n£561,241\r\n2014-15\r\n£64,900\r\n£0\r\n£86,354\r\n£71,044\r\n£199,752\r\n£422,050\r\n2015-16\r\n£505,807\r\n£8,463\r\n£159,738\r\n£313,865\r\n£214,167\r\n£1,202,040\r\nTotal\r\n£2,369,487\r\n£254,976\r\n£2,402,806\r\n£2,869,633\r\n£2,428,151\r\n£10,325,053\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government has spent a further £85 million in the maintenance and operation of these routes over the same nine year period. Furthermore the Scottish Government has invested £48 million on the Dalkeith bypass improvement scheme for the A68 route between Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders. Although this scheme lies within the Midlothian local authority area, it generates significant benefits for the Scottish Borders area.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319207,"EventID":"S5W-04804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:21.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask The Scottish Government whether it has any plans to change the Scottish Parliament elections voting system.","AnswerText":"The Scotland Act 2016 gives the Scottish Parliament additional powers over the conduct of Scottish Parliamentary elections and electoral registration. In 2016-17 we will take forward a consultation exercise to find out what electoral reforms Scottish citizens would like to see taken forward in future legislation.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319208,"EventID":"S5W-04788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:22.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce how much money employers will receive from the revenue raised by the Apprenticeship Levy.","AnswerText":"This Government is acutely aware of the concern that business is facing around the lack of clarity on this issue and the need for them to prepare around their own workforce planning needs.\r\nFollowing our recent consultation we are finalising plans for responding to the introduction of the UK Apprenticeship Levy as part of the forthcoming Scottish Budget.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319209,"EventID":"S5W-04802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:24.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what types of jobs its circular economy strategy will deliver, and how many jobs have been delivered to date. ","AnswerText":"‘Making Things Last’ sets out our ambition and priorities to move Scotland towards a more circular economy, where products and materials are kept in high value use for as long as possible. These types of approaches can lead to economic benefits across a wide range of activities such as manufacturing, retail, transport, construction and repair. The strategy identifies the potential economic and environmental opportunities underpinning the prioritisation of our actions. We would expect the employment benefits of these interventions to become clearer as implementation proceeds.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319210,"EventID":"S5W-04805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-17T17:17:25.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting town centre regeneration in the Scottish Borders.","AnswerText":"The Town Centre First Principle that was agreed by the Scottish cabinet and COSLA leaders, together with the measures set out in the Town Centre Action Plan, sets the conditions and supports activity across the wider public, private and community sectors to tackle the key issues in town centres across Scotland. We also deliver the most competitive business tax environment in the UK, with two in five properties in Scotland paying zero or reduced rates under the Scottish Government’s Small Business Bonus Scheme and relief also available under Fresh Start. Many of these businesses are within town centres. \r\nLocal authorities remain responsible for local regeneration and local economic development. They are best placed to respond to local circumstances, working with their communities to develop the right vision for their town centres.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319248,"EventID":"S5W-04809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:26.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the information provided on its website in relation to car journeys by ministers, how many times the First Minister has travelled in that capacity by train betwen the Glasgow Southside constituency and Edinburgh since taking office.","AnswerText":"The latest information about Ministerial domestic travel can be found on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttps://beta.gov.scot/publications/?term=ministerial&publicationTypes=transparency_data","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319249,"EventID":"S5W-04816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:27.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to curb the posting online of \"hate tweets\" in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to doing all that we can to prevent and eradicate hate crime and prejudice, and build community cohesion.\r\nWe are clear that any form of hate crime is totally unacceptable and we are committed to tackling all forms of crime motivated by prejudice.\r\nUnder Section 6 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 an offence is committed when a person communicates material which contains, or implies, a threat of serious violence or death against another person and the material communicated would cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm. An offence is also committed if the material is intended to stir up religiously-motivated hatred. The material communicated does not have to relate to football and applies to text, images, video and sound, communicated by any means (e.g. by post, the internet, leaflets). Unlike elsewhere in the UK, prior to the introduction of the legislation there was no specific offence in Scots law criminalising threats made with the intent of inciting religious hatred. This was an obvious gap and it was clear that legislation was required to address it.\r\nPolice Scotland will review and fully investigate all reports of hate incidents, including those that refer to online posting of “hate tweets” via social media platforms. Where a post is found to meet the criteria of being ‘grossly offensive’ in terms of Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 all efforts are made to trace the perpetrator with a view to bring them to justice, this would be recorded as a hate crime regardless of whether the perpetrator was identified or not. Where an incident is investigated and the post does not meet the criteria required under legislation the report would be recorded as a hate incident.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319250,"EventID":"S5W-04823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:28.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T08:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will take forward each of the priorities for its new mental health strategy that have been suggested by the Mental Welfare Commission in its 2015-16 annual report.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the Mental Welfare Commission’s 2015-16 Annual Report, published 8 September 2016. We have noted the six priorities suggested by the Mental Welfare Commission, which are as follows:\r\nTo set a new target to reduce the huge disparity in life expectancy between people with mental health issues and the general population.\r\nA call for more to be done for children and young people.\r\nTo end the unequal provision of care for people with mental ill health as opposed to physical ill health.\r\nThe new mental health strategy to be built around a rights-based approach.\r\nTo see services responding better to those who do not fit current health or care approach.\r\nA new approach to workforce development, with a revised set of skills to deliver a modern mental health service.\r\nThese priorities were reflected in the Mental Welfare Commission’s written response to our engagement paper “Mental Health in Scotland – a ten Year Vision”. We are considering the Mental Welfare Commission’s views, as expressed in both that written response and in their Annual Report, very carefully ahead of the forthcoming publication of the ten-year Strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319251,"EventID":"S5W-04834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:30","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on an independent review being undertaken into the cancellation of the Police Scotland i6 project.","AnswerText":"The results of the independent review being undertaken by Audit Scotland into the cancellation of the Police Scotland i6 project will be a matter for the Scottish Police Authority.\r\nIt is important that the Scottish Police Authority carefully considers how best to deliver cost effective, efficient and fit for purpose systems for Police Scotland to ensure that our police officers have access to modern technology to support the important work that they do.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319252,"EventID":"S5W-04841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:31.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have type (a) 1 and (b) 2 diabetes, broken down by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) ranking of where they live.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Diabetes Survey (2015) shows that in Scotland there are 30,356 people living with Type 1 diabetes, and 250,881 with Type 2.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not hold centrally this data broken down by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) ranking.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319253,"EventID":"S5W-04848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:32.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) companies in Scotland are signatories to the Prompt Payment Code (PPC) and (b) signatories there have been in each year since the PPC was introduced.","AnswerText":"The Prompt Payment Code is administered by the Chartered Institute of Credit Management on behalf of the UK Government. The voluntary Code covers businesses throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK. The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested, but Code signatories and details of the Code standards can be found here: http://www.promptpaymentcode.org.uk/\r\nThe Scottish Parliament approved a legislative consent motion earlier this year \r\n(9 February 2016) to extend the provisions of the UK-wide Small Business Commissioner to businesses in Scotland. The Commissioner will aim to offer small businesses access to a simpler and more cost-effective route to redress the challenges of contractual late payment. We continue to work with the UK government to develop the Small Business Commissioner’s function and ensure it meets the needs of businesses in Scotland.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government encourages individual companies to change their approach and practices – through, for example, the Scottish Business Pledge which remains focused on boosting business success, growth and productivity and is an important part of the Scottish Government’s approach to working with business to make Scotland a more productive and fairer country.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319254,"EventID":"S5W-04793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:35.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it will provide for road improvements.","AnswerText":"The funding for Road Improvements referred to in the budget document covers strategic road safety and Traffic Scotland (including maintenance of Intelligent Transport Systems infrastructure) and is expected to be maintained at the current annual level of £16 million in the next financial year subject to Parliamentary approval. However we also anticipate funding on-going and committed further improvements including completion of the Forth Replacement Crossing, the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and the M8/73/74 motorway improvements as well as progressing dualling of the A9 and A96, the A737 Dalry Bypass, Haudagain roundabout in Aberdeen and the A90 Laurencekirk junction, which in total are currently projected to be in the order of £470 million in 2017-18.\r\nThis is in addition to the funding we plan to allocate for routine and winter maintenance of £85 million, Network Strengthening of £42 million and structural repairs of £28 million for 2017-18.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319255,"EventID":"S5W-04807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:36.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the information provided on its website in relation to car journeys by ministers, how many times the First Minister has travelled in that capacity on ScotRail services since taking office. ","AnswerText":"The latest information about Ministerial domestic travel can be found on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttps://beta.gov.scot/publications/?term=ministerial&publicationTypes=transparency_data","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319256,"EventID":"S5W-04825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:37.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has made or is giving to allowing schools to opt-out of local authority control.","AnswerText":"The Government remains committed to publicly funded comprehensive school education that delivers excellence and equity for all children and young people. The current Governance Review, which commenced on 13 September 2016, seeks views on how best to achieve this.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319257,"EventID":"S5W-04832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:39.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that all people with suspected psoriatic arthritis are referred to a rheumatologist. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides policies, frameworks and resources to NHS Boards to allow them to deliver services that meet the needs of their local populations. The Scottish Government expects healthcare professionals to follow locally agreed and national clinical guidelines in the management of suspected psoriatic arthritis.\r\nThe Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), who are part of Health Improvement Scotland, have produced guidelines on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (guide 121). The guideline provides clinicians with evidence based recommendations on the diagnosis and management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It also provides a clear care pathway for clinicians to follow in terms of when to refer patients for specialist assessment and/or treatment.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319258,"EventID":"S5W-04850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:40.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of undisputed invoices to each (a) of its directorates, (b) of its agencies and (c) non-departmental public body was paid within five days in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information broken down by directorate or agency, nor do we hold this information for non-departmental public bodies. However, we have provided in the following table, combined figures for The Scottish Government and bodies who share its finance system.\r\nFinancial Year\r\nNumber of undisputed invoices paid within five days\r\n2011-12\r\n81.3%\r\n2012-13\r\n79.9%\r\n2013-14\r\n80.3%\r\n2014-15\r\n77.8%\r\n2015-16\r\n79.6%\r\n2016-17 (April-October)\r\n79.2%\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319259,"EventID":"S5W-04857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:43.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03581 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 4 November 2016, whether it will provide an update on what progress it is making to appoint a commissioner for fair access, and what the deadline for this is.","AnswerText":"We are continuing work to identify the right candidate. The Commission on Widening Access recommended that an appointment be made by the end of the year and we are working to progress this as a matter of priority.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319260,"EventID":"S5W-04792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:44.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the reliability of Scotland's transmission network.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have formal responsibility for electricity networks which is reserved to the UK Government and overseen by the independent regulator Ofgem.\r\nHowever, Scottish Ministers and officials meet regularly with the Scottish transmission network operators Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission and Scottish Power Transmission, the GB system operator National Grid, and Ofgem to review current and future plans for network upgrades.\r\nIn addition the Scottish Government works closely with the electricity industry, UK Government and local emergency responders to ensure that: all available resources are effectively deployed in response to electricity failures; lessons are learned from any incidents which occur; and where proportionate, mitigation put in place to avoid further impacts or improve response.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319261,"EventID":"S5W-04815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:45.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T17:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many road accidents involving (a) trucks and (b) other heavy goods vehicles have been recorded in the Lothian parliamentary region in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The accident data collected does not differentiate between trucks and heavy goods vehicles. However, the following table shows the number of injury road accidents reported to the police involving heavy goods vehicles in the Lothian Parliamentary Region over the last ten years.\r\n\r\nFatal\r\nSerious\r\nSlight\r\nTotal\r\n2006\r\n1\r\n13\r\n78\r\n92\r\n2007\r\n0\r\n14\r\n53\r\n67\r\n2008\r\n4\r\n7\r\n42\r\n53\r\n2009\r\n1\r\n7\r\n36\r\n44\r\n2010\r\n1\r\n6\r\n46\r\n53\r\n2011\r\n1\r\n3\r\n29\r\n33\r\n2012\r\n4\r\n5\r\n40\r\n49\r\n2013\r\n3\r\n7\r\n27\r\n37\r\n2014\r\n3\r\n3\r\n44\r\n50\r\n2015\r\n1\r\n8\r\n42\r\n51\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319262,"EventID":"S5W-04817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:45.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T17:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many electrical fires have been recorded in the Lothian parliamentary region in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). The information requested is not held centrally. The SFRS produces its own statistics, which are available on the SFRS website: http://www.firescotland.gov.uk/about-us/fire-and-rescue-statistics.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319263,"EventID":"S5W-04824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:46.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T09:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Director-General Economy to the Public Audit Committee on 29 September 2016 (Official Report, c. 31) that the Scottish Government aimed to fulfil all outstanding and partly outstanding payments under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme \"by the middle of October\", when the payments were completed.","AnswerText":"99.9% of payments are now complete and the Scottish Government have essentially met the extended EU compliance deadline. The “tail” of remaining payments is now at a level similar to any year.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319264,"EventID":"S5W-04826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:48.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what mechanism is in place to report safety concerns on core paths, and to whom these concerns should be reported.","AnswerText":"Safety concerns should be reported to the relevant local authority or national park authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319265,"EventID":"S5W-04849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:49.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of suppliers to each (a) of its directorates, (b) of its agencies and (c) non-departmental public body is a signatory to the Prompt Payment Code.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold centrally records of suppliers who are signatories to the prompt payment code for its Directorates, Agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies. It is a standard condition of Scottish Government contracts that suppliers are paid within 30 days. Where relevant, it is also a standard condition that any sub-contract must contain a clause which requires payment of invoices to sub contractors within 30 days.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319266,"EventID":"S5W-04797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:52.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to raise awareness of the new ratable values that will be introduced in April 2017.","AnswerText":"Rating valuation is for the Assessors, who will publish provisional 2017 revaluations online at www.saa.gov.uk in due course, ahead of posting final valuation notices to properties from March 2017. The Scottish Government will promote awareness via the Scottish Ratepayers Forum and other channels.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319267,"EventID":"S5W-04810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:53.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the introduction of speed awareness courses in Scotland, similar to those that operate in the rest of the UK, and what steps would require to be taken to introduce these. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the general principle of driver education as an alternative to prosecution, where this is appropriate and is committed through Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 to consider if a Speed Awareness Course would make an effective contribution to road safety measures in Scotland.\r\nPolice Scotland are currently working with key road safety partners to develop potential options for the introduction of these courses. Partners include the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service as the approval of the Lord Advocate would be required before a speed awareness course could be introduced in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319268,"EventID":"S5W-04812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:54.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Road Safety Strategic Partnership Board and what issues were discussed. ","AnswerText":"The Strategic Partnership Board, chaired by Transport Scotland, and comprising individuals from both within and outside the Scottish Government, last met on 28 September 2016 to discuss a variety of road safety issues with a particular focus on activity following the Road Safety Framework mid-term review.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319269,"EventID":"S5W-04827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:56.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what responsibility local authorities have for the upkeep of core paths.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have no statutory obligation for the upkeep of core paths but under Section 19 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 they have the power to do anything that they consider appropriate for the purpose of maintaining a core path or keeping a core path free from obstruction or encroachment.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319270,"EventID":"S5W-04829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:57.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment to the Minister for Immigration on 1 June 2012, whether it will provide an update on how many crew members in the commercial fishing sector in (a) North East Scotland and (b) the rest of the country (i) have earned and (ii) are studying for qualifications relevant to their employment, broken down by nationality.","AnswerText":"Marine Scotland recently published the 2015 Scottish Sea Fisheries Employment Survey report, which presents fishing related qualifications for crew on a sample of vessels. The report estimates that for all of Scotland:\r\n99.9% of the crew had at least the minimum qualification (or Basic Safety Training) for working on fishing vessels; \r\n0.1% of the crew were enrolled on the Basic Safety Training course and 0.3% on training for other qualifications. All of them were Scottish;\r\n43.9% of Scottish crew were qualified above the Basic Safety Training, and mainly hold skipper and engineering qualifications; and,\r\nOnly 8.2% of crew employed on Scottish vessels from the European Economic Area (EEA) countries and 1.4% from non-EEA countries were qualified above the Basic Safety Training.\r\nIt is not possible to disaggregate the survey data by region. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319271,"EventID":"S5W-04811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:39:58.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many first-time speeding offenders were given penalty points in 2015.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. The enforcement of speed limits is an operational matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319272,"EventID":"S5W-04813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:00.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Lord Advocate to discuss the introduction of speed awareness courses, and what the outcome of the meeting was.","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for Justice regularly meets with the Lord Advocate to discuss a wide range of justice issues.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319273,"EventID":"S5W-04828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:01.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which organisation is responsible for the health and safety of walkers on core paths.","AnswerText":"Health and safety is a complex area of law and is not the responsibility of any one organisation alone. Land managers owe a duty of care to people entering onto their land whether or not this is a core path and may, for example, restrict access when machinery is being used. Members of the public also have a duty of care to land managers and to other people, for example by not riding or cycling too fast.\r\nThe Scottish Outdoor Access Code (http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/) sets out the access rights and responsibilities of the public and land managers. Scottish Natural Heritage has also published \"A Brief Guide to Occupiers' Legal Liabilities in Scotland in Relation to Public Outdoor Access\" (http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/heritagemanagement/occupiers.pdf) and \"A Brief Guide to Laws Relevant to Outdoor Access In Scotland\" (http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/heritagemanagement/lawsrelevanttosoac.pdf).","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319274,"EventID":"S5W-04830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:02.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on allowing new applicants to join the Beef Efficiency Scheme.","AnswerText":"No decision has been taken at this time as to whether the scheme will re-open to new applications next year. The application window was open from the 28 April until the 15 June this year.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":319275,"EventID":"S5W-04847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:03.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff (a) it and (b) its agencies have employed in Glasgow in each year since 2007, and what information it has regarding other public sector staff.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the full-time equivalent count of directly-employed staff working within the core directorates of the Scottish Government, its executive agencies, and non-departmental public bodies & other bodies within Glasgow City Council area as at 31 March each year.\r\n\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nSG Core\r\n349\r\n614\r\n724\r\n589\r\n557\r\n559\r\n565\r\n603\r\n639\r\n678\r\nExecutive agencies\r\n361\r\n435\r\n354\r\n556\r\n547\r\n601\r\n568\r\n624\r\n703\r\n736\r\nNDPBs & other bodies\r\n271\r\n390\r\n475\r\n429\r\n71\r\n49\r\n42\r\n52\r\n55\r\n58\r\nTotal\r\n981\r\n1438\r\n1552\r\n1574\r\n1174\r\n1209\r\n1175\r\n1280\r\n1398\r\n1471\r\nThis information relates to public sector staff held on the Scottish Government HR system. The executive agencies with a presence in Glasgow which are included in the table are Accountant in Bankruptcy, Communities Scotland, Disclosure Scotland, Education Scotland, HM Inspectorate of Education, Social Work Inspection Agency and Transport Scotland. The non-departmental and other public bodies with a presence in Glasgow which are included in the table are Additional Support Needs Tribunals, Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland, Police Investigations & Review Commission, Private Rented Housing Panel, Risk Management Authority, Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission and Scottish Housing Regulator.\r\nInformation on Public Sector Employment overall in Scotland is available from the Scottish Government’s National Statistics Publication Quarterly Public Sector Employment in Scotland. The latest information is for Q2 2016 and can be located at the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/PublicSectorEmployment. The statistics in this release are based on administrative records and surveys of individual public sector bodies carried out by the Scottish Government and the Office for National Statistics. Although the number of staff working across Glasgow in all public sector organisations is not included in this publication information on local government employment by council area is provided in Web-Table 9.\r\nThe Scottish Government, along with other public bodies, also collates staff headcount information annually for the Business Register & Employment Survey. This survey does contain geographic information and is published by the Office for National Statistics on the NOMIS website for labour market statistics.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319276,"EventID":"S5W-04836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:04.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to minimise the number of police officers and civilian staff experiencing mental ill-health.","AnswerText":"The wellbeing of police officers and staff is a matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority. Police Scotland are currently embarking on the delivery of its largest ever training programme for police officers and police staff which will be focused on how they can better assist members of the public, as well as colleagues and partners who may be suffering from mental ill health. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319277,"EventID":"S5W-04839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:06.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the finding in the National Dental Inspection Programme Report 2016, that there is a significant difference in the levels of tooth decay between primary 1 children in the least and most deprived areas, and what action it is taking to address this.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04531 on 21 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319278,"EventID":"S5W-04853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:07.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the number of businesses that have been bankrupted as a result of the late payment of invoices in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The Accountant in Bankruptcy has a statutory function to maintain a Register of Insolvencies that contains particulars of those subject to personal insolvency proceedings and business associations subject to receivership and winding up procedures in Scotland. Information concerning the particular reason for a business insolvency is not collected or recorded. Corporate insolvency procedures in relation to Administration and Company Voluntary Arrangement are reserved to UK Government and information regarding Scottish companies subject to these procedures is recorded on Companies House web-site. While I recognise the value in having greater insight into the reasons underlying and insolvency, and sympathise with the member's interests in driving out bad practice, it is unfortunately not currently possible to extract the reasons for insolvency from the information available on the Companies House web-site to inform our understanding of the impact of late payments.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319279,"EventID":"S5W-04854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:09.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of late payments in publicly-funded subcontract chains and the impact of these.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold details of every contract awarded by every public body in Scotland. We have taken steps, however, to reduce the impact of late payment in public contracts. In 2009, we introduced a standard clause into our contracts which requires valid invoices to be paid within 30 days of receipt at all stages of both the prime contract and sub-contract chain. We encourage other public bodies to adopt a similar clause.\r\nThe Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 requires contracting authorities to set out how they intend to ensure that payments down the sub-contract chain are made within 30 days of a valid invoice being presented.\r\nWe published guidance on the use of Project Bank Accounts (PBAs) in construction contracts in September 2016. PBAs ensure that payments for supply chain firms in both tiers immediately below the main contractor are made promptly and protected from upstream insolvency. Scottish Government bodies must include a PBA in tenders with an estimated value of at least £4.1m for building projects, or £10m for civil engineering projects. We encourage other public bodies to also use PBAs.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319280,"EventID":"S5W-04856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:12.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T14:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to answer to question S5W-03759 by Paul Wheelhouse on 31 October 2016, whether it will publish the 44 performance measures for Scottish Enterprise. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise is responsible for setting and publishing the performance measures that monitor the contribution it makes in terms of its economic impact. Their performance measures are set out in their Business Plan. SE’s 2015-18 Business Plan can be found at: https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/about-us/what-we-do/business-plan","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319281,"EventID":"S5W-04858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:15.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to digitise (a) airgun, (b) firearm and (c) shotgun certificates to allow online completion.","AnswerText":"The majority of firearms legislation is reserved to Westminster. This includes the Firearms Rules 1998 which make provision for applying for firearm and shotgun certificates. The Rules currently require that applications are signed in ink. The idea of online applications has recently been raised with Scottish Government officials by the Home Office, but there are no immediate plans for change.\r\nNo specific provision was made for electronic applications for air weapons certificates under Part 1 of the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015. The aim has been to provide an air weapons regime in Scotland which is broadly parallel to the process for other firearms. We will, however, keep the position under review.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319282,"EventID":"S5W-04787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:16.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03222 by Derek Mackay on 19 October 2016, in light of the cabinet secretary's comment that the government was \"fully committed to working with all interested parties at local, national and UK level, including the trades unions, to mitigate the impact of HMRC office closures and job losses in Scotland\", whether it will provide an update on what discussions it has had regarding the proposed closure of HMRC offices across Scotland, and what support it can provide to the communities affected.","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work wrote to David Gauke, MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 27 October 2016 seeking a meeting to discuss HMRC’s transformation programme in detail and explore what can be done to mitigate its impact in Scotland. \r\nOnce this meeting has taken place we will be in a better position to decide what support is required.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319283,"EventID":"S5W-04820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:17.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the objectives of the Political Declaration on Energy Cooperation between the North Seas Countries; what involvement it will have in delivering its aims; what contribution it is making to its work programme, and whether it is taking action to ensure that the declaration will (a) take account of ecological impacts and (b) support research and development in offshore renewable technologies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the objectives of the Political Declaration on Energy Cooperation between the North Sea Countries – to roll out a regionally optimised North Sea Grid that will enable electricity trading and the integration of offshore renewables in the most cost effective manner.\r\nThe work plan for the Declaration has created four sub-groups attended by North Sea Country officials. Prior to the UK Government signing the declaration on Monday 21 November 2016, Scottish Government officials attended an inception meeting and the first meeting of Support Group one as observers. Now the declaration has been signed, Scottish Government officials will be able to participate fully in the groups and work with UKG officials to ensure that Scottish views are considered when representing the UK. Regrettably, Scotland cannot present its views or negotiate as a nation state in our own right, while current constitutional arrangements persist. \r\nThe Declaration will work within the confines of the European Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats Directives to take account of ecological impacts. The Declaration will support the further development of offshore renewable technologies by ensuring cost-efficient offshore and onshore grid development and, clearly, believe Scotland has a key role to play in supporting developing those existing technologies.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319284,"EventID":"S5W-04837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:19.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact “justifiable assault” has on children.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319285,"EventID":"S5W-04838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:20.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many civilian jobs it expects to be lost as a result of Police Scotland's budget for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\nThe Policing 2026 project being led by the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland is looking to identify the future demands of Scottish policing, as well as the shape and size of the workforce needed to meet the challenges of the next 10 years.\r\nThey are committed to ensuring that the right people - with the right skills and experience are in the right place to deliver a flexible, modern and sustainable police service.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319286,"EventID":"S5W-04852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:22.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of each of its directorate's invoices for goods and services supplied by (a) private companies and (b) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is paid on time, and what proportion of the (i) number and (ii) value of contracts between each directorate and private companies is held by SMEs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information broken down by supplier type. However, we have provided in the following table, the most recent figures available (October 2016) of our ten day payment performance, by Directorate General. We do not hold the information by Directorate.\r\nScottish Government Directorates\r\nNumber of invoices paid within ten days\r\nDG Communities\r\n98%\r\nDG Economy\r\n99%\r\nDG Finance\r\n98%\r\nDG Health & Social Care\r\n99%\r\nDG Learning and Justice\r\n98%\r\nDG Strategy and Operations\r\n99%\r\nAccording to figures obtained from the Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) advertising portal the numbers of SMEs winning awards by each Scottish Government directorate for 2014 and 2015 are recorded in the table below. \r\nAs many contracts are multi supplier frameworks we can only provide information on the percentage of suppliers winning awards. \r\nUntil 18 April 2016, there was no legal requirement to record contract values and therefore the PCS portal is not able to provide accurate figures at this time for the value of the contracts awarded. \r\n\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n\r\nTotal\r\nSuppliers Awarded Contracts\r\nSMEs Awarded Contracts\r\n% SME\r\nTotal Suppliers Awarded contracts\r\nSMEs\r\nAwarded Contracts\r\n% SME\r\nBuilt Environment Directorate\r\n44\r\n25\r\n56.8\r\n44\r\n26\r\n59.1\r\nChief Information Officer\r\n45\r\n23\r\n51.1\r\n46\r\n27\r\n58.7\r\nDigital Directorate\r\n64\r\n39\r\n60.9\r\n60\r\n37\r\n61.7\r\nDirectorate For Business\r\n43\r\n25\r\n58.1\r\n46\r\n27\r\n58.7\r\nDirectorate For Chief Medical Officer, Public Health And Sport\r\n39\r\n21\r\n53.8\r\n66\r\n45\r\n68.2\r\nDirectorate For Chief Nursing Officer, Patients, Public And Health Professions\r\n42\r\n24\r\n57.1\r\n44\r\n26\r\n59.1\r\nDirectorate For Children And Families\r\n39\r\n21\r\n53.8\r\n49\r\n30\r\n61.2\r\nDirectorate For Education Analytical Services\r\n40\r\n22\r\n55.0\r\n45\r\n26\r\n57.8\r\nDirectorate For Employability, Skills And Lifelong Learning\r\n39\r\n20\r\n51.3\r\n45\r\n27\r\n60.0\r\nDirectorate For Energy And Climate Change\r\n47\r\n28\r\n59.6\r\n59\r\n36\r\n61.0\r\nDirectorate For Health And Healthcare Improvement\r\n40\r\n22\r\n55.0\r\n61\r\n41\r\n67.2\r\nDirectorate For Health And Social Care Integration\r\n76\r\n45\r\n59.2\r\n49\r\n28\r\n57.1\r\nDirectorate For Health Workforce And Performance\r\n41\r\n22\r\n53.7\r\n44\r\n26\r\n59.1\r\nDirectorate For Hr And Organisational Development\r\n43\r\n22\r\n51.2\r\n46\r\n27\r\n58.7\r\nDirectorate For Justice\r\n76\r\n53\r\n69.7\r\n50\r\n32\r\n64.0\r\nDirectorate For Learning\r\n44\r\n25\r\n56.8\r\n53\r\n33\r\n62.3\r\nDirectorate For Legal Services (Solicitor To The Scottish Government)\r\n38\r\n20\r\n52.6\r\n44\r\n26\r\n59.1\r\nDirectorate For Marine Scotland\r\n115\r\n87\r\n75.7\r\n98\r\n73\r\n74.5\r\nDirectorate For Office Of The Chief Scientific Adviser\r\n38\r\n20\r\n52.6\r\n45\r\n27\r\n60.0\r\nDirectorate For Safer Communities\r\n43\r\n22\r\n51.2\r\n52\r\n33\r\n63.5\r\nDirectorate For The Inspectorate Of Prosecution In Scotland\r\n38\r\n20\r\n52.6\r\n44\r\n26\r\n59.1\r\nDirectorate for Agriculture, Food and Rural Communities\r\n112\r\n67\r\n59.8\r\n101\r\n57\r\n56.4\r\nDirectorate for Chief Economist\r\n49\r\n27\r\n55.1\r\n48\r\n29\r\n60.4\r\nDirectorate for Communications and Ministerial Support\r\n10\r\n5\r\n50.0\r\n58\r\n37\r\n63.8\r\nDirectorate for Culture and Heritage\r\n39\r\n20\r\n51.3\r\n44\r\n26\r\n59.1\r\nDirectorate for Environment and Forestry\r\n74\r\n46\r\n62.2\r\n50\r\n31\r\n62.0\r\nDirectorate for External Affairs\r\n41\r\n22\r\n53.7\r\n47\r\n29\r\n61.7\r\nDirectorate for Finance, eHealth and Pharmaceuticals\r\n40\r\n22\r\n55.0\r\n52\r\n31\r\n59.6\r\nDirectorate for Housing, Regeneration, the Commonwealth Games and Sport\r\n75\r\n43\r\n57.3\r\n58\r\n36\r\n62.1\r\nDirectorate for Local Government and Communities\r\n45\r\n26\r\n57.8\r\n57\r\n35\r\n61.4\r\nDirectorate for Strategy and Constitution\r\n41\r\n22\r\n53.7\r\n47\r\n27\r\n57.4\r\nDirectorate for the Health Quality Unit\r\n12\r\n5\r\n41.7\r\n49\r\n31\r\n63.3\r\nFinance Directorate\r\n46\r\n27\r\n58.7\r\n52\r\n30\r\n57.7\r\nOffice Of The Scottish Parliamentary Counsel\r\n38\r\n20\r\n52.6\r\n44\r\n26\r\n59.1\r\nScottish Procurement And Commercial Directorate\r\n51\r\n28\r\n54.9\r\n121\r\n79\r\n65.3\r\nTOTAL\r\n1707\r\n986\r\n57.8\r\n1918\r\n1183\r\n61.7\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319287,"EventID":"S5W-04855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:24.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of late payments of bills on businesses.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of a range of survey evidence on the issue of late payment. For example, the Small Business Survey Scotland (SBS) 2015 did not quantify the impact of late payment in financial terms, but found that late payment seemed to be less of an issue for medium-sized businesses (47 per cent reported ‘no problem’), while micro businesses seemed to experience the greatest problems (although 33 per cent reported ‘no problem’). The survey also found that late payment was in the median of top ten obstacles to business success.\r\nThe Scottish Government takes the issue of late payment very seriously. It is being actively tackled through legislation, policy and practice. The current legislation aims to create an environment where paying on time is the norm in the business community. Paying (undisputed) invoices on time not only benefits all suppliers, but is ethical and fair.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319288,"EventID":"S5W-04806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:27.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the information provided on its website in relation to car journeys by ministers, how many times the Minister for Transport and the Islands has used a ministerial car since his appointment. ","AnswerText":"The latest information about Ministerial car journeys can be found on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttps://beta.gov.scot/publications/?term=ministerial&publicationTypes=transparency_data","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319289,"EventID":"S5W-04808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:28.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the information provided on its website in relation to car journeys by ministers, how many times the Minister for Transport and the Islands has travelled in that capacity by train between the Glasgow Pollok constituency and Edinburgh since his appointment.","AnswerText":"The latest information about Ministerial domestic travel can be found on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttps://beta.gov.scot/publications/?term=ministerial&publicationTypes=transparency_data","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319290,"EventID":"S5W-04833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:30.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that all people with psoriatic arthritis receive an annual GP check. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides policies, frameworks and resources to NHS Boards to allow them to deliver services that meet the needs of their local populations. It is the responsibility of NHS Boards to ensure that they follow locally agreed and national clinical guidelines on the management of patients with psoriatic arthritis.\r\nThe Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), who are part of Health Improvement Scotland, have produced guidelines on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (guide 121). The guideline makes clear the importance of annual reviews to ensure that the condition is monitored, and to detect signs of progression. This management may be delivered as shared care between primary care and specialist rheumatology care, involving members of multi-disciplinary teams as needed.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319291,"EventID":"S5W-04835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:31.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is being provided to civilian staff working in Police Scotland control rooms, in light of reports that a third of them took long-term sick leave during 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The overall absence rate for all civilian staff, as reported to the SPA Board in August 2016, was 4.8%, which is a 0.1% reduction in comparison with quarter one last year.\r\nThe welfare of police staff and police officers is taken very seriously by Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority and they provide a range of support to help manage their health and wellbeing in the workplace.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319292,"EventID":"S5W-04840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:33.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that communities in Lochaber receive support from the Inverness City Region deal.","AnswerText":"In March 2016 the Scottish Government signed a Heads of Terms Agreement with the UK Government and the Highland Council jointly committing £315 million over a period of up to ten years to support and grow the regional economy. The proposals in the Heads of Terms were identified and developed by regional partners who are confident that their proposals will have benefits across the Highland Region.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319293,"EventID":"S5W-04842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-18T16:40:34.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated to road repairs in (a) Argyll and Bute, (b) the Highlands and (c) the Western Isles in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"2006-07\r\n£35,291,626\r\n2007-08\r\n£51,377,623\r\n2008-09\r\n£38,962,457\r\n2009-10\r\n£52,989,317\r\n2010-11\r\n£47,839,035\r\n2011-12\r\n£33,057,115\r\n2012-13\r\n£47,468,588\r\n2013-14\r\n£44,088,487\r\n2014-15\r\n£47,421,959\r\n2015-16\r\n£42,178,448\r\n2016-17*\r\n£14,202,768\r\ntotal\r\n£454,877,423\r\n* up to 30 August 2016","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319295,"EventID":"S5W-04867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:44:44.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have been removed from school education in the last two years, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) age.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319296,"EventID":"S5W-04777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:44:45.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients are classified as delayed discharge, code 9 (awaiting completion of complex care arrangements in order to live in their own home), and how many there have been in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is shown in the following table. The 'reason for delay code' which you asked about was introduced in May 2012. A change in data definitions and reporting in July 2016 means that figures in the period July to September 2016 are not comparable with earlier census points.\r\nTable 1: Number of people delayed awaiting completion of complex care arrangements in order to live in their own home reported at each monthly census point1,2; Scotland\r\n\r\nMay-12\r\nJun-12\r\nJul-12\r\nAug-12\r\nSep-12\r\nOct-12\r\nNov-12\r\nDec-12\r\nJan-13\r\nFeb-13\r\nMar-13\r\n\r\n3\r\n3\r\n7\r\n9\r\n9\r\n8\r\n8\r\n5\r\n6\r\n11\r\n9\r\nApr-13\r\nMay-13\r\nJun-13\r\nJul-13\r\nAug-13\r\nSep-13\r\nOct-13\r\nNov-13\r\nDec-13\r\nJan-14\r\nFeb-14\r\nMar-14\r\n7\r\n18\r\n18\r\n20\r\n17\r\n19\r\n17\r\n20\r\n20\r\n21\r\n27\r\n24\r\nApr-14\r\nMay-14\r\nJun-14\r\nJul-14\r\nAug-14\r\nSep-14\r\nOct-14\r\nNov-14\r\nDec-14\r\nJan-15\r\nFeb-15\r\nMar-15\r\n28\r\n35\r\n26\r\n28\r\n28\r\n24\r\n31\r\n25\r\n29\r\n29\r\n22\r\n23\r\nApr-15\r\nMay-15\r\nJun-15\r\nJul-15\r\nAug-15\r\nSep-15\r\nOct-15\r\nNov-15\r\nDec-15\r\nJan-16\r\nFeb-16\r\nMar-16\r\n21\r\n15\r\n19\r\n17\r\n18\r\n24\r\n25\r\n28\r\n28\r\n23\r\n20\r\n24\r\nApr-16\r\nMay-16\r\nJun-16\r\nJul-16\r\nAug-16\r\nSep-16\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n30\r\n26\r\n27\r\n17\r\n21\r\n36\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1 Figures in the above tables are as at a monthly census point and it is therefore not possible or appropriate to derive any monthly or annual totals from these.\r\n2 Data recording and reporting definitions changed with effect from 1st July 2016. Consequently figures from July 2016 onwards are not comparable with data up to June 2016. Link to summary of changes.\r\nSource: ISD Scotland\r\nRef: IR2016_02402","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319297,"EventID":"S5W-04845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:44:46.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many reports of the suspected mislabelling of beef products have been made to the Scottish Food Crimes and Incidents Unit, and how many have led to official investigations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit is the investigations and intelligence gathering arm of Food Standards Scotland (FSS). The Unit has a dedicated intelligence office which analyses, develops and deals with information received from members of the public, food business operators and industry whistle-blowers. In order to maintain trust in the integrity of the intelligence gathering function, FSS does not publish a breakdown or detail of reports received.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319298,"EventID":"S5W-04862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:44:48.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the street value of cannabis seizures in the Lothian parliamentary region was in each of the last 10 years. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The Scottish Government publishes annual statistics on drug seizures by Police Scotland, however this data is only available at the Scotland level. We also do not hold information on the total monetary value of any specific type of drug seized.\r\nPolice Scotland may be able to provide further information (http://www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us/contact-us-form)","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319299,"EventID":"S5W-04814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:44:49.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many whole-time equivalent human resources staff have been employed by each NHS board in each year since 2010-11, and how many there currently are.","AnswerText":"Table 1 shows the whole-time equivalent (WTE) of human resources staff presented at 31 March of each year and for the latest published figures as at 30 June 2016.\r\n\r\nMar-11\r\nMar-12\r\nMar-13\r\nMar-14\r\nMar-15\r\nMar-16\r\nJun-\r\n16\r\nNHSScotland\r\n1087.3\r\n1006.2\r\n987.7\r\n1025.8\r\n1039.1\r\n1030.5\r\n1047.4\r\nNHS Ayrshire & Arran\r\n49.9\r\n45.3\r\n44.3\r\n56.5\r\n58.2\r\n52.1\r\n51.5\r\nNHS Borders\r\n17.5\r\n15.1\r\n12.9\r\n15.4\r\n16.1\r\n16.9\r\n16.4\r\nNHS Dumfries & Galloway\r\n22.2\r\n24.1\r\n25.4\r\n29.9\r\n34.5\r\n35.0\r\n34.5\r\nNHS Fife\r\n46.9\r\n42.1\r\n43.6\r\n37.0\r\n37.2\r\n37.5\r\n41.9\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n52.2\r\n46.8\r\n43.6\r\n48.8\r\n47.3\r\n50.5\r\n46.7\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n201.1\r\n184.4\r\n188.2\r\n190.3\r\n191.5\r\n187.4\r\n191.9\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n99.4\r\n96.8\r\n93.5\r\n105.1\r\n107.7\r\n104.2\r\n103.8\r\nNHS Highland\r\n99.9\r\n90.7\r\n87.2\r\n94.7\r\n99.0\r\n107.0\r\n111.0\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n54.5\r\n50.1\r\n53.6\r\n58.5\r\n54.6\r\n56.2\r\n55.4\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n111.4\r\n97.0\r\n97.4\r\n99.3\r\n97.7\r\n97.9\r\n96.4\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n10.4\r\n7.0\r\n6.0\r\n8.0\r\n6.7\r\n7.2\r\n6.7\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n8.5\r\n5.8\r\n8.5\r\n9.5\r\n7.9\r\n7.9\r\n7.7\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n80.7\r\n75.0\r\n73.0\r\n76.3\r\n78.8\r\n71.5\r\n76.4\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n15.3\r\n18.0\r\n16.4\r\n16.0\r\n15.4\r\n15.0\r\n11.7\r\nState Hospital\r\n8.0\r\n6.0\r\n6.5\r\n7.5\r\n5.5\r\n6.5\r\n5.5\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre\r\n12.5\r\n12.4\r\n12.4\r\n12.3\r\n12.1\r\n12.1\r\n14.1\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n43.5\r\n42.8\r\n41.8\r\n42.9\r\n40.7\r\n38.6\r\n38.9\r\nNHS 24\r\n39.7\r\n34.5\r\n36.8\r\n31.2\r\n35.2\r\n33.9\r\n30.1\r\nNHS National Services Scotland\r\n58.7\r\n59.8\r\n49.8\r\n41.0\r\n47.4\r\n53.1\r\n69.3\r\nNHS Education for Scotland\r\n29.6\r\n29.8\r\n25.4\r\n25.7\r\n27.3\r\n25.7\r\n23.5\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n13.9\r\n12.1\r\n8.4\r\n7.4\r\n6.7\r\n5.0\r\n4.8\r\nNHS Healthcare Improvement Scotland\r\n11.4\r\n10.6\r\n12.9\r\n12.4\r\n11.4\r\n9.4\r\n9.4\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS).\r\n\r\n\r\nTable1: Number (whole time equivalent) of Human Resources staff in post, by NHS Boards, presented as at 31 March each year.\r\nFurther notes:\r\nFurther information on the statistics, including information on how the data are collected and notes to aid interpretation, is given in the 'FAQs' section of the Workforce Statistics website at http://www.isdscotland.org/workforce/","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319300,"EventID":"S5W-04844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:44:50.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there is (a) consistent and (b) accurate labelling of beef products. ","AnswerText":"Labelling for Beef produces have strict guidelines within regulation EU1760/2000. Information must be provided on country of birth, rearing and slaughtering at Member State level.\r\nOur meat inspectors do spot check visits at abattoirs and cutting plants to ensure that all the required information is included in the labelling, and that full traceability is satisfactory.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319301,"EventID":"S5W-04861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:44:51.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many instances of vehicle vandalism have occurred in the Lothian parliamentary region in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The Scottish Government publishes annual statistics on crimes of vandalism recorded by the police, however this data is not broken down into the specific types of property that has been vandalised, or for geographies other than the national or local authority level.\r\nPolice Scotland may be able to provide further information through their contact us form (http://www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us/contact-us-form).","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319302,"EventID":"S5W-04863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:44:52.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to respond to the Medact report, The Recruitment of Children by the UK Armed Forces.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the Armed Forces and the contribution they make to our communities. We would also expect that the MoD fully complies with the provisions of the Armed Forces Act and the “Policy on the Care of Service Personnel under the Age of 18” and other policies designed to provide safeguards for the care of those personnel. \r\nThe Scottish Government has no plans to respond to the Medact report. Matters of defence, including recruitment to the Armed Forces, are reserved to the UK Government and it is therefore a matter for them to respond to the report’s conclusions. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319303,"EventID":"S5W-04843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:44:54.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many reports have been made to the Food Standards Scotland Scottish Food Crime Hotline, also broken down by how many referred to the suspected mislabelling of beef products.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Food Crime Hotline, launched by Food Standards Scotland in partnership with Crimestoppers, is a free telephone number where members of the public or those working within the food and drink sector can contact Food Standards Scotland’s Scottish Food Crime and Incident Unit (SFCIU) anonymously if they have any information or suspicions about potential food-related crime. Information can also be submitted using a non-traceable online form. Food Standards Scotland and the SFCIU also receive information from a range of other sources.\r\nThe Scottish Food Crime Hotline is intended give members of the public and industry a trusted point of contact to report any concerns or suspicions of food crime in complete anonymity. Callers have an expectation that everything possible will be done to protect their identity, and releasing figures and details of reports could potentially compromise that protection. Therefore, in order to maintain trust in the confidentiality of the system, Food Standards Scotland does not publish a breakdown or detail of reports received from specific sources.\r\nSince April 2016 to-date there have been 119 intelligence logs recorded on the SFCIU intelligence system from all sources.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319304,"EventID":"S5W-04868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:44:56.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-20T21:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners assessed with brain injury were given release conditional on attending neuropsychological rehabilitation in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe Parole Unit database for the release of prisoners on compassionate grounds shows that there were no prisoners released on those grounds to attend neuropsychological rehabilitation in the last 5 years.\r\nThis information is available on the Scottish Government Website.\r\nAny information on prisoners who attended a neuropsychological rehabilitation service as an out-patient would be held by the individual NHS Health Board.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319305,"EventID":"S5W-04871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:44:57.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the impact of the named person scheme in Aberdeenshire.","AnswerText":"Under Part 4 (Provision of Named Persons) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act), the duty to provide a Named Person service sits with health boards, local authorities, independent or grant-aided schools, secure accommodation services and the Scottish Prison Service, depending on the circumstances of the child. Part 4 (Provision of Named Persons) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act) has not yet commenced.\r\nThe Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) approach has been national policy since 2010 and as part of their existing work, public authorities in many parts of Scotland already operate a “named person” approach on a non-statutory basis. As part of their local decision making, this may include public authorities considering the impact of the GIRFEC approach in their local area.\r\nAs the Scottish Government works towards commencement of Part 4 of the Act, named person service providers, including local authorities, health boards, and partners, will continue to progress the GIRFEC approach and to develop and deliver named person services.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319306,"EventID":"S5W-04872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:44:58.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T10:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to deal with coastal erosion at Montrose.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is responsible for national coast protection policy. We are working with Scottish Natural Heritage and other stakeholders to complete a National Coastal Change Assessment. This work will help identify our most vulnerable coastlines and inform local strategic plans, such as shoreline management plans.\r\nIn Scotland, the local authorities are the coast protection authorities and have discretionary powers under the Coast Protection Act 1949 to carry out any coast protection work in their area; however, landowners are ultimately responsible for coast erosion to their land. \r\nThe coastline of Angus is subject to erosion and accretion from natural processes. The impacts of these natural processes are being managed by Angus Council though the Shoreline Management Plan and the Montrose Beach Management Plan.\r\nThe Tay Estuary and Montrose Basin Local Flood Risk Management Plan includes an action for the Council to carry out a flood protection study for Montrose. This study will consider measures to manage and reduce flood risk and manage coastal protection. The flood protection schemes/works (which may include works for coastal protection) identified in the study will go forward for prioritisation for Scottish Government funding in the second six-year flood risk management planning cycle from 2022.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319307,"EventID":"S5W-04859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:44:59.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has used to encourage cycling in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides grant funding to Sustrans, Paths for All and Cycling Scotland to implement measures across all local authorities to encourage cycling. \r\nSince 2014-15, Glasgow City Council has received £3.5 million from Sustrans for Community Links projects which fund extensions and improvements to shared use paths across the city. And in August I announced the winner of the first Community Links PLUS design competition which will see Glasgow receive an additional £3.25 million for a Community Links PLUS project called the South City Way – a fully segregated, on–road cycle path, that will provide a link from Queens Park along Victoria Road to the Merchant City. \r\nThrough the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme, managed by Paths for All, the Council has received just over £1 million over the last two years for various behaviour change projects which encourage people to use walking and cycling and public transport rather than private car for everyday journeys. \r\nFunding from Cycling Scotland for Bikeability Scotland cycle training in schools across Glasgow has enabled 34% of primary schools to deliver on-road cycle training to P6 and P7 pupils. And the first ever Cycle Friendly Campus Award in Scotland was given to Glasgow Caledonian Cowcaddens Campus following a small grant from Cycling Scotland to enable the university to increase cycle parking, training, maintenance classes and personalised travel plans to encourage its students to cycle to and from its campuses. \r\nFinally, since 2014-15 the Council has received £3.5 million through the Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets element of the local government settlement to deliver improvements to paths and road safety improvements across the city to further encourage more people to cycle.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319308,"EventID":"S5W-04866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:45:00.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will complete the full business case review on a new hospital to replace St Brendan's Hospital in Barra.","AnswerText":"NHS Western Isles are in the process of finalising the outline business case and will shortly meet with Scottish Government to discuss the proposal. Once the business case is finalised, then it will be submitted to the NHS Capital Investment Group for review.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319309,"EventID":"S5W-04873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:45:01.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T10:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to dual the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to dualling the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen by 2030. This significant undertaking requires careful, in-depth planning and design so we deliver the right scheme and help tackle congestion, make journey times more reliable and, crucially, improve road safety for all along the route.\r\nTransport Scotland has completed packages of preliminary engineering and strategic environmental assessment work along the route between east of Nairn and Aberdeen and presented the outcome of this work at a series of exhibitions in 2015. This is the first step in developing a robust plan to improve connectivity along the whole route.\r\nThe next stage of design, which is the route options assessment, for the Western Section between Hardmuir and Fochabers commenced earlier this year. This work is expected to take approximately two years to complete. Route options assessment on the Eastern Section between east of Huntly and Aberdeen is planned to start following the procurement of design consultants early next year with the Central Section between east of Fochabers and east of Huntly to follow in 2019.\r\nTransport Scotland has also completed the development and assessment of the preferred option for the 31km Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) section and published draft Orders for the scheme on 29 November 2016 for formal comment. Progress on the scheme will depend on the level and nature of comments and/or objections received to the publication of draft Orders.\r\nThe overall timetable for the dualling programme is set by the Scottish Government’s commitment to complete the dualling between Inverness and Aberdeen by 2030. The phasing for individual elements will take shape during the future stages of design and development work being progressed.\r\nFurther details on the A96 Dualling Programme can be found on the Transport Scotland website at www.transport.gov.scot/a96dualling.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319310,"EventID":"S5W-04860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:45:02.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it takes to discourage food waste. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that reducing food waste is a moral, environmental and economic imperative. This is why we have introduced the Scottish Food Waste Reduction Target, to reduce Scotland's food waste by 33% by 2025, to focus attention on the issue across sectors. We will shortly commence a series of wide-ranging stakeholder workshops to discuss what measures should be taken to achieve this ambitious target and to assess which options will be the most effective. Zero Waste Scotland published figures last week that showed that, between 2009 and 2014, household food waste has reduced by 5.7%. Our action to reduce food waste has included:\r\nSupporting the Love Food, Hate Waste campaign through Zero Waste Scotland, which helps householders get the most out of the food they buy.\r\nSupporting the Courtauld Commitment, which is a UK-wide voluntary agreement between retailers, manufacturers and the hospitality sector to reduce the environmental impact of their activities, including through the reduction of food waste both in store and by helping their customers waste less.\r\nSupporting Resource Efficient Scotland to work with Small and Medium Enterprises to help prevent food waste\r\nThree Scottish Government marketing campaigns to encourage people not to 'feed their bin' and help reduce emissions. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319311,"EventID":"S5W-04869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:45:03.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-20T21:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average length of time is for patients leaving brain injury rehabilitation wards to wait for outpatient neuropsychological rehabilitation in each NHS board area in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not collected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319312,"EventID":"S5W-04870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T14:45:04.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-20T21:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners assessed with brain injury were provided with outpatient neuropsychological rehabilitation, and how long they waited for treatment, in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. NHS Boards are responsible for the provision of healthcare in prisons, in line with national guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319313,"EventID":"S5T-00214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T13:08:19.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the GMB union on North Sea decommissioning costs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319314,"EventID":"S5T-00215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T13:08:20.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider holding a public inquiry into deaths in childbirth in NHS Ayrshire and Arran.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319315,"EventID":"S5T-00217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T13:08:22.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that the Chinese company, SinoFortone, is willing to reopen investment discussions, what steps it will take to ensure that any investment is transparent.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319339,"EventID":"S5F-00513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T13:06:51.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking in light of recent reports that Scotland’s children are some of the least active in the world.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319340,"EventID":"S5F-00514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T13:06:52.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-20T23:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319341,"EventID":"S5F-00517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T13:06:55.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T09:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister, following the recent call by Save the Children, what action the Scottish Government will take to increase the number of teachers and other staff working in nurseries with specialist training in speech and language development.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319342,"EventID":"S5F-00531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T13:07:12.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319343,"EventID":"S5F-00534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T13:07:16.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to tackle the problem of nuisance calls.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319344,"EventID":"S5F-00552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T13:07:41.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the Autumn Statement. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319345,"EventID":"S5F-00554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T13:07:44.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the week.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319360,"EventID":"S5W-04878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:20:51.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many care home places there (a) are and (b) have been in each year since 2007 in the West Scotland parliamentary region, broken down by local authority area and whether the places are or were in private or public sector homes.","AnswerText":"The West of Scotland has 7 local authorities. There are three wholly within the boundary: East Renfrewshire; West Renfrewshire; Inverclyde; and four partly within the boundary: Argyll & Bute, East Dunbartonshire, North Ayrshire & Renfrewshire. The numbers of care home places for adults in these seven local authorities are presented in Table 1a and Table 1b: \r\nTable 1a: Number of private sector care home places for adults in West Scotland parliamentary region, by local authority, 31 March 2007 - 31 March 2016.\r\n\r\nYear as at 31 March\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n532\r\n538\r\n538\r\n437\r\n506\r\n520\r\n480\r\n479\r\n436\r\n436\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n516\r\n514\r\n548\r\n583\r\n586\r\n672\r\n728\r\n810\r\n812\r\n828\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n310\r\n310\r\n310\r\n397\r\n392\r\n382\r\n373\r\n377\r\n490\r\n540\r\nInverclyde\r\n481\r\n501\r\n591\r\n577\r\n577\r\n573\r\n582\r\n552\r\n548\r\n560\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n992\r\n995\r\n1010\r\n1065\r\n1161\r\n1151\r\n1152\r\n1139\r\n1102\r\n1047\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n936\r\n1022\r\n1022\r\n1036\r\n1270\r\n1270\r\n1006\r\n996\r\n1040\r\n950\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n419\r\n405\r\n405\r\n414\r\n415\r\n393\r\n393\r\n368\r\n368\r\n433\r\nSource: ISD Scotland\r\nTable 1b: Number of public sector care home places for adults in West Scotland parliamentary region, by local authority, 31 March 2007 - 31 March 2016.\r\n\r\nYear as at 31 March\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n118\r\n113\r\n113\r\n109\r\n106\r\n106\r\n91\r\n91\r\n91\r\n91\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n0\r\n11\r\n11\r\n11\r\n11\r\n11\r\n11\r\n11\r\n11\r\n11\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n34\r\n34\r\n34\r\n34\r\n34\r\n34\r\n34\r\n34\r\n34\r\n34\r\nInverclyde\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n4\r\n4\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n86\r\n77\r\n77\r\n73\r\n48\r\n50\r\n50\r\n40\r\n34\r\n34\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n215\r\n206\r\n206\r\n220\r\n190\r\n190\r\n190\r\n190\r\n190\r\n190\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n193\r\n190\r\n190\r\n196\r\n199\r\n199\r\n199\r\n199\r\n199\r\n195\r\nSource: ISD Scotland","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319361,"EventID":"S5W-04880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:20:52.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and (b) other resources it is planning to make available to the reported 30% of schools that are not participating in the First Minister’s Reading Challenge. ","AnswerText":"A Scottish Book Trust Outreach Coordinator provides dedicated support to all schools to engage with the Challenge and to share good practice between schools across the country. Case studies are currently being gathered and will be shared with those schools who are not participating in the Challenge in this initial year, as well as with participating schools.\r\nScottish Book Trust provides a range of free resources, outreach and advice to all schools on reading for pleasure. This includes support to schools who are not signed up to the Challenge. General advice and support, as well as various materials on reading for pleasure and parental engagement, are available to schools through the Scottish Book Trust and Education Scotland websites.\r\nThrough the Scottish Attainment Challenge Fund, the Scottish Government is allocating £750 million during the course of this Parliament to tackle the attainment gap, targeting resources at the children, schools and communities most in need. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319362,"EventID":"S5W-04895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:20:54.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its timeline of 1,000 years of the Scottish constitution in chapter 4 of its document, Scotland: A European Nation, does not make reference to the (a) 1975 EEC referendum and the positions taken by Scotland's political parties at that time and (b) A Claim of Right for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published, Scotland: A European Nation, on 21 November, to outline Scotland’s extensive historic engagement with Europe, and its present democratic and constitutional position in relation to the UK. The document also aims to increase understanding of our unique political and legal position in relation to the outcome of the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union.\r\nThe Scottish Government recognises Scotland’s rich and diverse history, and acknowledges that it would not be possible to highlight this in one single document. We believe that the timeline, as published, is a reasonable attempt to reflect our history to a European audience.\r\nThe document was submitted to the clerks of the of the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee on the day of publication.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319363,"EventID":"S5W-04897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:20:56.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether its document, Scotland: A European Nation, accurately reflects the diverse character of the country’s political history.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to S5W-04895 on 1 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319364,"EventID":"S5W-04912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:20:58.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent research by Save the Children suggesting that primary school teachers want to see more investment made in the early years to support children’s speech and language skills.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5F-00517 on 24 November 2016. All answers to First Minster’s Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the official report can be viewed at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10644&i=97844","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319365,"EventID":"S5W-04914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:00.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the number of teachers in early years schools and nurseries is sufficient. ","AnswerText":"Decisions regarding how teachers are involved in the delivery of early learning and childcare (ELC) is the responsibility of local authorities.\r\nHowever, it is a requirement of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) that every manager/lead practitioner of a daycare of children service must hold a relevant teaching qualification that meets the General Teaching Council (Scotland) regulatory requirements or must hold, or be working towards, a relevant degree level Childhood Practice award.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to going further and will ensure that nurseries in the most deprived areas will have an additional teacher or graduate from 2018.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319366,"EventID":"S5W-04865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:01.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its report, Renewing Our Commitments, and the establishment of a fund for specialist mental health services for veterans, what action it is taking to help young recruits who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).","AnswerText":"The Ministry of Defence is responsible for the healthcare of serving personnel through the Defence Medical Services (DMS). The primary role of the DMS is to promote, protect and restore the health of service personnel to ensure that they are ready and medically fit to serve.\r\nFor those individuals who leave the Armed Forces and have a mental health problem, arrangements will be put in place while the transition to civilian life is made to ensure mental health needs are met. NHS Scotland provides a range of mental health care, support and treatment for those who need it, including for PTSD.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319367,"EventID":"S5W-04876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:03.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many care home places it estimates will be required in the West Scotland parliamentary region in each of the next three decades, broken down by local authority area and whether they will be in private or public sector homes.","AnswerText":"Each Health and Social Care Partnership is required by the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 to put in place a strategic commissioning plan for the integrated functions and budgets that they control.\r\nBefore undertaking the strategic commissioning plan, Partnerships are required to undertake a strategic needs assessment which considers: needs; population dynamics and projections; service activity; supply and demand; and gaps in provision. This informs their strategic commissioning plan and shapes services and support to deliver better outcomes. \r\nIt will be for Partnerships to determine the need for care home places in their localities and to work collaboratively with others, including providers, to meet that need. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319368,"EventID":"S5W-04899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:04.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, whether its document, Scotland: A European Nation, will be submitted to the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee as part of its inquiry on the EU referendum and its implications for Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04895 on 1 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319369,"EventID":"S5W-04908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:05.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many incidences of short-term sick leave (under five working days) have been reported by Abellio ScotRail staff from 1 April 2015, broken down by month. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on Abellio ScotRail staff sick leave at that level of detail. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319370,"EventID":"S5W-04910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:07.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many incidences of long-term sick leave (over five working days) due to work related stress have been reported by Abellio ScotRail staff from 1 April 2015, broken down by month. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on Abellio ScotRail staff sick leave due to work related stress at that level of detail. At an organisational level, there were 68 cases of sick leave due to work related stress reported to us in the first year of the Abellio ScotRail Franchise (1 April 2015 – 31 March 2016). For the current franchise year up to Period 7 (2016 -2017) there have been 29 cases of sick leave due to work related stress reported.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319371,"EventID":"S5W-04887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:08.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time for treatment at a chronic pain clinic has been in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Data is collected quarterly from all Boards for waiting times for a first appointment/assessment at the pain clinic/service and waiting times for a first pain psychology services appointment. These data (both adjusted and unadjusted) are reported quarterly by NHS National Services Scotland’s Information Services Division and is available at https://www.isdscotland.org/. The data published so far is from the quarter ending 31 December 2015. It is important to note that these data are Non-Official Statistics and remain caveated as developmental.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319372,"EventID":"S5W-04888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:09.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase the number of staff working in its Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to increase the number of posts in this Directorate. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319373,"EventID":"S5W-04906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:10.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on offering air quality monitors to all schools in order to encourage modal change and identify pollution hot spots.","AnswerText":"We have no specific plans to offer air quality monitors to all schools. However the Learn About Air education package which is operated by SEPA includes amongst its resources ten mobile air quality sensors which are loaned to schools. The sensors are sited to provide information about air pollution levels during drop off and pick up times, illustrating the impacts of parked and idling vehicles outside schools. \r\nFurther information on Learn About Air can be found at www.Learnaboutair.com","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319374,"EventID":"S5W-04919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:11.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in light of the reports that cities in Scotland have the highest rates of nuisance calls in the UK.","AnswerText":"Following Which? research from November 2015 that showed people in Scotland receive more nuisance calls than the rest of the UK, the Scottish Government held a successful Nuisance Calls Summit on 29 June 2016 with regulators, industry and consumer groups. Three key themes were identified that will be explored in more detail at a short life Nuisance Calls Commission which first met on 30 November 2016. It aims to find practical solutions to the problem of unwanted calls which make long term differences and reduce their impact on people’s lives.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319375,"EventID":"S5W-04884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:12.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual (a) salary is of the National Chronic Pain Co-ordinator and (b) running cost is of (i) the office of the National Chronic Pain Co-ordinator and (ii) its other chronic pain groups. ","AnswerText":"The incumbent National Chronic Pain Co-ordinator is employed by NHS Fife. The Scottish Government provides reimbursement to the Board for protected work time via a Service Level Agreement (SLA). To deliver this service, NHS Fife provides a member of staff at Band 8a for 0.4 Whole Time Equivalent.\r\nFor the operating costs of the national chronic pain groups, I would refer the member to the answers to questions S5W-01879 and S5W-01880 on 7 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319376,"EventID":"S5W-04891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:14.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase the number of staff employed in communications, media and marketing roles in (a) the Scottish Government and (b) public bodies under its direction.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to increase the number of posts in the SG core Communications Division. \r\nInformation on Public Bodies is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319377,"EventID":"S5W-04898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:16.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which (a) historians, (b) academics, (c) experts and (d) other stakeholders it consulted when drafting its document, Scotland: A European Nation; whether they advised that the draft document omitted key information and, if so, (i) what this information was and (ii) whether it chose to subsequently (A) include and (B) exclude this when drafting the final version, and for what reason.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04895 on 1 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319378,"EventID":"S5W-04909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:18.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many incidences of long-term sick leave (over five working days) have been reported by Abellio ScotRail staff from 1 April 2015, broken down by month. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on Abellio ScotRail staff sick leave at that level of detail. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319379,"EventID":"S5W-04881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:19.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which schools are not yet participating in the First Minister’s Reading Challenge, broken down by local authority. ","AnswerText":"Schools in all 32 local authorities have now signed up for the Reading challenge.\r\nTable 1 shows the percentage of schools signed up to the Reading Challenge, broken down by Local Authority.\r\nTable 1\r\nLocal Authority\r\n% Registered\r\nLocal Authority\r\n% Registered\r\nAberdeen City\r\n58%\r\nHighlands\r\n68%\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n46%\r\nInverclyde\r\n70%\r\nAngus\r\n53%\r\nMidlothian\r\n83%\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n51%\r\nMoray\r\n34%\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n100%\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n100%\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n57%\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n60%\r\nDundee\r\n64%\r\nOrkney\r\n72%\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n67%\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n73%\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n75%\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n78%\r\nEast Lothian\r\n68%\r\nScottish Borders\r\n63%\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n87%\r\nShetland\r\n74%\r\nEdinburgh\r\n76%\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n73%\r\nEilean Siar\r\n69%\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n91%\r\nFalkirk\r\n72%\r\nStirling\r\n72%\r\nFife\r\n76%\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n55%\r\nGlasgow\r\n74%\r\nWest Lothian\r\n84%\r\nThe list of schools is changing on a daily basis and the data is not shared on a routine basis with Scottish Government. This means that it is not possible to provide details of individual schools as part of this answer. If you would like to find out more information about schools that have signed up to the Reading Challenge please contact the Scottish Book Trust at:\r\nFirst Minister’s Reading Challenge\r\nScottish Book Trust\r\nSandeman House\r\nTrunk’s Close\r\n55 High Street\r\nEdinburgh\r\nEH1 1SR \r\nreadingchallenge@scottishbooktrust.com\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319380,"EventID":"S5W-04883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:21.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that 30% of schools are not participating in the First Minister’s Reading Challenge, and what number this represents.","AnswerText":"At 29 November 2016 the sign up rate stood at 71% of primary schools [1,487 primary schools]. This means that 631 schools (29% of schools) had yet to sign up to the Challenge.\r\nThis is an encouraging sign up rate for a voluntary initiative, launched into schools for the first time in August this year. The Scottish Government and Scottish Book Trust will continue to take steps to encourage even more schools to take part. Scottish Book Trust will carry out further promotion to schools early in the new term. The Book Trust will also provide support to any further schools who choose to sign up between now and the spring term, helping them to take part during the remainder of the first year of the challenge. Finally, Scottish Book Trust will evaluate the first year of the Challenge. This will include efforts to seek feedback from schools who decided not to participate in the initial year, as well as those who did. All schools and local authorities will be contacted in the lead-up to “Year two” of the Challenge in order to invite them to participate in academic year 2017-18.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319381,"EventID":"S5W-04885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:22.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what input (a) MSPs and (b) other stakeholders will have into the (i) remit and (ii) membership of the proposed National Advisory Committee on Chronic Pain.","AnswerText":"It is envisaged that the National Advisory Committee for Chronic Pain (NACCP) will maintain continuity and consistency of stakeholder involvement through cross membership from the National Chronic Pain Improvement Group (which came to its natural end, based on its role and remit, in March 2016) and the Ministerial Steering Group on Chronic Pain.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319382,"EventID":"S5W-04890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:23.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time equivalent staff are employed in communications, media and marketing roles in (a) its directorates and (b) other public bodies under its direction. ","AnswerText":"There are currently 85.19 FTE staff employed in specialist Communications roles with the SG core Directorates. These individuals are either directly employed by the Scottish Government or employed in a temporary capacity via other organisations.\r\nInformation on Public Bodies is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319383,"EventID":"S5W-04892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:25.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to publish its next declaration of ministerial car journeys, under the terms of the Scottish Ministerial Code. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published the latest information about Ministerial car journeys on the 29th of November 2016. This information can be found on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttps://beta.gov.scot/publications/?term=ministerial&publicationTypes=transparency_data","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319384,"EventID":"S5W-04864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:26.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-18T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings of the Medact report, The Recruitment of Children by the UK Armed Forces, what representations it will make to the UK Government regarding the implementation of recommendations in relation to young recruits.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the Armed Forces and the contribution they make to our communities. We would also expect that the MoD fully complies with the provisions of the Armed Forces Act and the “Policy on the Care of Service Personnel under the Age of 18” and other policies designed to provide safeguards for the care of those personnel.\r\nMatters of defence, including recruitment to the Armed Forces, are reserved to the UK Government and it is therefore a matter for them to respond to the report’s conclusions. The Scottish Government is examining the Medact report and will ensure that its conclusions are communicated to the Ministry of Defence.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319385,"EventID":"S5W-04877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:27.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent in the West Scotland parliamentary region on the provision of residential care homes in each year since 2007, broken down by local authority area and whether it was for private or public sector homes.","AnswerText":"The statutory responsibility for delivering or commissioning services at a local level, including care home provision, lies with NHS boards, local authorities and integrated health & social care partnerships. It is for individual councils to decide how their funding is allocated ensuring that local needs and statutory obligations have been fulfilled. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319386,"EventID":"S5W-04879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:28.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the shingles vaccine is not made available on the NHS to people aged 80 and over, and whether there are exceptions to this position.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, like all other UK Health Departments, takes advice on immunisation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The JCVI reviewed medical, epidemiological, and economic evidence as well as vaccine safety and efficacy data relevant to a universal herpes zoster (shingles) vaccination programme in 2010. \r\nBased on this evidence, a shingles vaccination programme for adults aged 70 years up to and including 79 years was recommended, provided a cost effective vaccine for licence in the UK could be found. At the time the JCVI advised that efficacy of the vaccine declines with age so it was not recommended for people aged 80 years or older. \r\nIn light of this, a vaccination programme was introduced in 2013 in Scotland, offering vaccination to those aged 70 as part of the 'routine' programme, and to those aged 71-79 as part of the phased in 'catch up' programme.\r\nThe Immunisation against Infectious Disease 2006 (“the Green Book”) contains clinical advice for health professionals on contraindications and states that:\r\nAdministration after 80 years of age is less cost-effective due to the limited effectiveness of the vaccine in older individuals\r\nThis can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/503773/2905109_Green_Book_Chapter_28a_v3_0W.PDF\r\nAs such the national programme defines eligibility as individuals aged up to 79 years.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319387,"EventID":"S5W-04894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:30.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the proposal for a new bridge connecting Renfrew and Clydebank as part of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal.","AnswerText":"The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrewshire Riverside Project, which includes a proposal for a new bridge over the River Clyde between Renfrew and Yoker is being taken forward by Renfrewshire Council as part of the Glasgow City Region Deal. \r\nThis Government is fully committed to supporting projects which form part of the overall £1.13bn City Deal agreement, where they have a robust business case, ensuring that public funds are directed to those projects which deliver most benefit. The City Deal encourages Local Authorities to operate strategically at the regional level to focus on the priorities required to deliver Scotland’s Economic Strategy. As such, the Glasgow City Region Deal Cabinet will determine the projects and the programme for investment in those projects, in line with the Government approved assurance framework.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319388,"EventID":"S5W-04896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:31.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it used to develop the timeline on page 13 of its document, Scotland: A European Nation. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to S5W-04895 on 1 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319389,"EventID":"S5W-04911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:32.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average nursery class size has been in each year since 2010-11, broken down by local authority. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect information on class size for nursery schools. Mandatory staff:child ratios, set through the National Care Standards, are applied across all nursery settings and ensure that all children receive an appropriate level of care and support.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319390,"EventID":"S5W-04886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:34.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many service improvement groups on chronic pain there are in each NHS board, and how much each costs to run.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nThe primary aim of the Service Improvement Groups (SIGs) was to bring pain services across Scotland in line with the Scottish Service Model for Chronic Pain. Scottish Government funding was made available to NHS Boards from 2012, totalling £1.3 million, each for two-year periods. All 14 territorial Boards submitted applications based upon their respective local pain services, and these were accepted following a thorough assessment process. The central funding for the SIGs, therefore, was time-limited.\r\nBeyond this additional funding period, it was (and is) a matter for NHS Boards to determine the most appropriate configuration and delivery of chronic pain services to meet the assessed needs of their resident populations.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319391,"EventID":"S5W-04889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:35.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time equivalent staff have been employed in its Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Directorate for Communications and Ministerial Support was formed in December 2013. It is therefore not possible to provide earlier figures. The Directorate currently contains 4 Divisions; Communications, Ministerial Private Office, Facilities Services (which includes Security, Reception, Health and Safety staff) and Smarter Workplaces. The Directorate currently has 384 staff. It is not possible to draw an annual comparison on the staffing numbers because the composition of the Directorate has changed since it was established.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319392,"EventID":"S5W-04882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:37.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and (b) other type of resources have been provided to the schools that (i) are and (ii) are not participating in the First Minister’s Reading Challenge.","AnswerText":"The First Minister’s Reading Challenge is designed to complement and support the investment already going into schools. This means that schools participating in the Challenge do not receive dedicated Reading Challenge funding. Those schools who sign up to the Challenge receive a free teachers pack which includes copies of the “100 places to start your reading journey” booklet. They can also order “Reading Passports” for their classes via the Reading Challenge website, which are also provided free of charge to the school. To date, a total of 190,560 Reading Passport” have been ordered, as well as 2,032 Gaelic Medium Education Reading Passports.\r\nWithin the Challenge, there is also a project called ‘Inspiring Classrooms’. This allows registered schools to apply to secure a small grant to pay for an author to visit their school and to buy books for the children taking part.\r\nLibrarians who register for the Reading Challenge are supplied with promotion materials and literature. To date, a total of 183 librarians have registered via the website. Librarians are encouraged to make links with their local schools, with the aim to further widen access to books. This complements a range of wider investment and support provided to public libraries alongside the Reading Challenge initiative. This includes the Public Library Improvement Fund (£450,000 in 2016-17). It also includes the partnership between the Scottish Government’s Read, Write, Count campaign and public libraries. In February 2016 300 Scottish libraries shared an allocation of £90,000 to pay for new book P1-P3 stock and to supplement existing displays. A further £108,000 was invested to provide Read, Write, Count book packs and stands to libraries in more deprived areas.\r\nScottish Book Trust provide free resources, outreach and advice to all schools on reading for pleasure. This includes support to those schools who are not signed up to the Challenge. General advice and support, as well as various materials on reading for pleasure and parental engagement, are available to schools through the Scottish Book Trust and Education Scotland websites.\r\nThe Scottish Government is allocating £750 million during the course of this Parliament, through the Attainment Scotland Fund, to tackle the attainment gap. This funding, provided to schools signed up to the FM Reading Challenge as well as schools yet to sign up, target resources at the children, schools and communities most in need. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319393,"EventID":"S5W-04893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:38.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with East Dunbartonshire Council regarding the completion of Phase 2 of the Bears Way cycle path, and what information it has on alternative cycle ways that have been considered.","AnswerText":"As The Bears Way project and related voting on Phase two, is a matter for East Dunbartonshire Council and its residents, the Scottish Government has had no direct discussions with East Dunbartonshire Council regarding the completion of this project.\r\nHowever, discussions were held with Sustrans Scotland, Cycling Scotland and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport(SPT) who all contributed to the project. In addition, public meetings were held to try to find a way forward.\r\nAt the second annual Active Travel Summit on 2 November 2016, I announced my intention to establish a Task Force to look at how we might tackle the barriers to the delivery of ambitious cycling and walking projects in Scotland, following publication of the refresh of the Cycling Action Plan.\r\nIn the meantime, Sustrans Scotland will continue to work closely with East Dunbartonshire Council to explore a local solution to this issue.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319394,"EventID":"S5W-04907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:39.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many incidences of short-term sick leave (under five working days) due to work related stress have been reported by Abellio ScotRail staff from 1 April 2015, broken down by month. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on Abellio ScotRail staff sick leave due to work related stress at that level of detail. At an organisational level, there were 68 cases of sick leave due to work related stress reported to us in the first year of the Abellio ScotRail Franchise (1 April 2015 – 31 March 2016). For the current franchise year up to Period 7 (2016 -2017) there have been 29 cases of sick leave due to work related stress reported.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319395,"EventID":"S5W-04913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-21T17:21:41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent research by Save the Children suggesting that 88% of teachers surveyed said that children who start P1 with delayed speech and language skills fall behind others in their learning, find it hard to express thoughts or ideas, and struggle to learn to read.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04912 on 1 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319396,"EventID":"S5W-04765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:06:45.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provisions it has put in place for farm businesses that find themselves in financial difficulties after the application deadline passes for the common agricultural policy (CAP) payment loan scheme.","AnswerText":"The 2016 National Basic Payment Loan Scheme was designed to provide certainty for farmers and crofters over winter 2016 and seek to inject up to £300 million into the rural economy. Farmers and crofters have been able to apply for a loan of 80% of their CAP Basic Payment and Greening 2016 entitlement, up to a maximum of 150,000.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319397,"EventID":"S5W-04767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:06:46.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ask the UK Government to extend the fuel derogation scheme to other rural communities in Scotland if the UK is no longer subject to EU competition law.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of the importance of our rural communities and the implications Brexit will have on them. Our priority is to protect all of Scotland’s interests and we are considering all possible steps to ensure Scotland’s continuing relationship with the EU. The UK Government has yet to set out its preferred model to underpin the UK’s future relationship with the EU.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319398,"EventID":"S5W-04940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:06:48.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the use of so-called pothole filling in Aberdeenshire instead of full road repairs.","AnswerText":"The Transport Scotland Road Asset Management Plan sets out how Scotland's trunk road network is maintained strategically and efficiently in order to protect our assets and ensure we get maximum value for money from our available budgets. In addition to our programmed works regular safety inspections are undertaken to identify hazardous defects like potholes, which are then repaired by the trunk road operating companies within the strict timescales set-out in their contracts. \r\nThe Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places the statutory responsibility for local roads improvement, maintenance and repair with local road authorities. We are committed to working with local government to help improve the condition of roads and pavements throughout the country. Primarily we do this through our participation in the Road Collaboration Programme, which is supporting all councils in Scotland to explore opportunities to share services. A number of regional partnerships have now been established including the Northern Roads Collaboration Forum, which includes Aberdeenshire Council and Aberdeen City Council.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319399,"EventID":"S5W-04903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:06:49.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the review of the Police Scotland estate, what action it is taking with Police Scotland to ensure that local stations are protected.","AnswerText":"Governance of the Police Service of Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority, as established in the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 with cross-party support. The Scottish Government would encourage all members to participate in local engagement activity being led by Divisional Commanders in relevant areas. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319400,"EventID":"S5W-04904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:06:50.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police officers there (a) are and (b) have been in each of the last five years in North Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect information on police officer statistics at local authority level. Police Scotland publish sub-national officer numbers at divisional level on a quarterly basis. http://www.scotland.police.uk/about-us/police-scotland/212598/","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319401,"EventID":"S5W-04921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:06:51.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce illegal puppy trafficking from taking place at Cairnryan.","AnswerText":"Unfortunately the movement of puppies originating from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland via Cairnyan is only part of a wider long-running issue of national concern including the illegal or irresponsible breeding and sale of puppies and other pet animals in Great Britain as well as imports from elsewhere in Europe. The Scottish Government supports the excellent work that has been done by the Scottish SPCA and local authorities in conjunction with other enforcement bodies in intercepting illegal consignments at Cairnryan, as well as enforcing existing legislation on licensing of commercial puppy breeders and dealers in Scotland by prosecuting those found to be selling animals illegally elsewhere.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently considering the issues of advertising, movement and sale of pet animals in an ongoing review of pet animal welfare as well as the possibility of amending the maximum penalties available for animal cruelty offences. The Scottish Government is also working closely with key animal welfare stakeholders to explore what more can be done to address the need for greater public awareness of the risks of buying illegally bred or imported puppies and the most effective way to reinforce the vital message that puppies should only be purchased from reputable breeders and always seen with their mother at the breeder’s premises before sale.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319402,"EventID":"S5W-04770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:06:52.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, whether it plans to centralise control of all roads from local authorities to Transport Scotland and, if so, (a) what measures it will introduce to ensure that distinct local and regional public transport priorities are met and (b) how it will to ensure that the public will continue to have direct links with institutions that assess and provide (i) local non-trunk road maintenance and (ii) public transport.","AnswerText":"There are currently no plans to centralise control of all roads from local authorities to Transport Scotland. \r\nThe Scottish Government is fully supportive of current local authority efforts to form regional partnerships to explore how their resources can be combined to best manage the condition and safety of their networks. \r\nThe Road Collaboration Programme is jointly funded by national and local government and demonstrates the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensuring integrated service delivery and the provision of efficient public services.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to delivering more efficient and resilient road maintenance services, against a backdrop of reducing public sector budgets. Only through improving the level and nature of collaborative working between road authorities, including Transport Scotland, can this be achieved. We are currently developing the next generation of our Trunk Road Operating Company contracts and will continue to engage with local authorities to explore opportunities for council involvement.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319403,"EventID":"S5W-04902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:06:53.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage the development of empty units above shops into residential accommodation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is keen to encourage owners of empty properties to bring them back into use to increase the supply of housing in Scotland. We are tackling the problem through legislative changes, provision of funding, and practical advice and assistance.\r\nWe are providing £2.6 million through the Town Centre Housing Fund to bring vacant and derelict town centre buildings back into use as affordable housing. We have made up to £4 million available through the Town Centre Empty Homes Fund to bring empty properties back into use as affordable housing. In addition the \r\n£4.5 million Empty Homes Loan Fund provides loans to owners to help them renovate empty homes and make them available as affordable housing.\r\nWe are also funding the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, which has been managed by Shelter Scotland since 2010. The Partnership provides practical assistance to councils and others to help owners bring their empty properties back into use.\r\nAt local authority level, the Local Government Finance (Unoccupied Properties etc.) (Scotland) Act 2012 and its subsequent regulations allow councils to both remove the discount on certain types of unoccupied homes and to increase the level of council tax payable on these properties. 20 Councils are currently applying the vacant dwelling council tax powers with 17 applying the full 100% increase.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319404,"EventID":"S5W-04905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:06:54.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote investment in town centres.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is promoting investment in town centres through the Town Centre Action Plan (TCAP). The plan is a cross-government response to the recommendations of the national review of town centres and includes actions designed to support their revitalisation and to assist local action towards achieving this.\r\nThe Town Centre First Principle (TCFP) which underpins the action plan was jointly developed by Scottish Government and COSLA. The principle is about adopting an approach to decisions that considers the vibrancy of town centres as a starting point. It asks that the health of town centres features in decision making processes. The principle is about open, measured and transparent decision making that takes account of medium to longer term impacts on town centres. \r\nMore information on TCAP and TCFP can be found at the Scottish Government town centre regeneration website:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/regeneration/town-centres\r\nWe encourage businesses to invest in town centres by delivering the most competitive business tax environment in the UK, with two in five properties in Scotland paying zero or reduced rates under the Scottish Government’s Small Business Bonus Scheme and relief also available under Fresh Start. \r\nWe have introduced a substantial power under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 which gives councils more control over business rates and an opportunity to tailor them to their local area and circumstance. It could be applied in order to attract new investment into our town centres.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319405,"EventID":"S5W-04920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:06:55.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage tourism from Northern Ireland.","AnswerText":"VisitScotland is actively engaged in promoting Scotland to visitors from Northern Ireland and undertakes a range of marketing activities.\r\nIn April and May 2016, VisitScotland ran a destination campaign encouraging Northern Irish visitors to come to Scotland by ferry, promoting the Larne to Cairnryan route and the ease of access that this gives to Ayrshire and Arran as a short break destination.\r\nIn May and June, VisitScotland engaged directly with commuters in Belfast to promote weekend breaks in Scotland.\r\nMore recently, VisitScotland, along with Stena Line and Stranraer Development attended a familiarisation trip in November to see the tourism product on offer on the Cairnryan to Belfast ferry route, and to explore opportunities to engage with visitors arriving at Cairnryan from Northern Ireland.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319406,"EventID":"S5W-04937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:06:55.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T09:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the impact of the named person scheme in (a) Aberdeen City, (b) Angus and (c) Dundee.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04871 on 1 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319407,"EventID":"S5W-04763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:06:56.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when applications will close for the common agricultural policy (CAP) payment loan scheme.","AnswerText":"Applications for the 2016 National Basic Payment Support Scheme will remain open until 14 December 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319408,"EventID":"S5W-04927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:06:58.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to warn consumers about the dangers of buying counterfeit electrical goods in the run-up to the festive season.","AnswerText":"As a member of the Consumer Protection Partnership, the Scottish Government supports National Consumer Week which ran from 28 November to 2 December. The theme of this year's campaign is 'Switched On' and aims to alert the public to potential problems with electrical goods, including counterfeit goods. \r\nPolice Scotland has also run a Festive Safety campaign on the dangers of counterfeit goods. These campaigns offer sound, practical advice to the general public. It is essential that the public understands the potential for disaster with over half of all accidental house fires, caused by electricity and of those, nine out of ten are caused by electrical products.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319409,"EventID":"S5W-04929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:06:59.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had any discussions with the UK Government on the fire risk from faulty white goods and, if so, what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"Regulations concerning the safety of products are reserved and, while there is no discussion between Scottish Government and UK Government on this, we welcome the UK Government’s recent action in establishing a working group to improve the safety of white goods.\r\nIn Scotland there is an information sharing protocol between the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and its network of partnership agencies which allows the sharing of information about fire-related product safety issues. ","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319410,"EventID":"S5W-04931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:07:01.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether electrical safety is taught in primary schools as part of the curriculum for excellence.","AnswerText":"The safe use of electricity is part of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), from the early years onwards. The experiences and outcomes for the Sciences within CfE state that ‘The learner’s knowledge about electricity begins with knowing how to use it safely and this aspect is reinforced throughout their learning’. The broader health and wellbeing experiences and outcomes within CfE include the statement ‘I know and can demonstrate how to keep myself and others safe and how to respond in a range of emergency situations.’ It is up to early learning establishments, schools and local authorities to decide what measures to take and what resources to put in place to take this learning forward. Advice, guidance and further support for teachers in the safe use of electricity in the classroom is available from the Scottish Schools Education Research Centre.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319411,"EventID":"S5W-04764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:07:02.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provisions it has put in place for farm businesses that miss the application deadline for the common agricultural policy (CAP) payment loan scheme. ","AnswerText":"The deadline for farmers and crofters to opt into the 2016 National Basic Payment Support Scheme was extended to 14 December 2016 to ensure every eligible business has the opportunity to consider this option and respond.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319412,"EventID":"S5W-04768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:07:04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00390 by Fergus Ewing on 15 June 2016, what the basis was for the cabinet secretary's assertion that the \"IT functionality for the recording of entitlement transfers will be available in the autumn\".","AnswerText":"The following response provided to S5W-00390 in June 2016 - the IT functionality for the recording of entitlement transfers will be available in the autumn. There is, however, no reason for farmers and crofters to delay informing the entitlement transfer unit in Stornoway of their transfer arrangements.\r\nThe IT functionality for the recording of entitlement transfers is expected to be available in early 2017; this date has been impacted by the delivery of other essential IT functionality. In the meantime the Entitlement Transfer Unit have been carrying out the necessary manual assessment of all cases.\r\nThere are 485 applications for the 2016 scheme year.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319413,"EventID":"S5W-04925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:07:05.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its baby box will contain any electrical safety information to help protect families and children from electrical hazards in the home. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish baby box will provide a range of baby clothing, equipment and simple, consistent information for new parents.\r\nThis will not include specific electrical safety information, but will contain a link to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents website, where such information is readily available.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319414,"EventID":"S5W-04943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:07:06.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T13:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry will complete its work.","AnswerText":"The Edinburgh Tram Inquiry is independent of Scottish Government.\r\nLord Hardie and his team are determined to conduct a thorough and wide-ranging investigation into the reasons behind the Edinburgh Tram Project delays and cost escalations and to deliver a report and recommendations to ensure lessons are learned for future major infrastructure projects.\r\nIt will take as long as is necessary to get the answers the public wants in relation to the issues surrounding the Edinburgh Trams Project. However, to date, good progress has been made including identifying, retrieving and reviewing more than six million documents and the ongoing gathering of statements from witnesses of interest.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319415,"EventID":"S5W-04917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:07:07.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether ocular melanoma patients can be offered MRI scans with contrast to detect metastasis and, if so, who is responsible for deciding whether to offer this.","AnswerText":"These are individual clinical decisions made following discussion between clinicians and patients. \r\nCurrent guidance suggests that there is currently insufficient evidence on the benefits of the use of MRI scanning for the detection and treatment of metastatic disease in people with ocular melanoma.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319416,"EventID":"S5W-04924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:07:08.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the economic impact of agriculture in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"The economic impact of agriculture in Dumfries and Galloway is assessed annually in the Economic Report on Scottish Agriculture. This publication includes information for Dumfries and Galloway on agricultural labour, agricultural holdings, standard labour requirements, standard outputs and the sectoral composition of agricultural production. The latest issue was published June 14, 2016 and can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/06/5559/0.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319417,"EventID":"S5W-04926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:07:09.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any recent assessment being undertaken of the extent of the sale of counterfeit electrical goods in Scotland and the (a) cost to the Scottish economy of such sales, (b) amounts of such goods being imported and (c) the extent of the sale of such goods.","AnswerText":"Scotland's Serious Organised Crime Strategy 2016 Annual Report noted that an estimated £6.8 million of counterfeit goods and products had been forfeited through the activity of the Scottish Anti-illicit Trade Group (SAITG) following the launch of Scotland's refreshed Serious organised crime strategy in June 2015.\r\nAs part of its ongoing work, the SAITG are working with Police Scotland to develop a mechanism to highlight which illicit products represent a threat to Scotland and develop the most appropriate consumer advice.\r\nRegulations concerning counterfeit goods are reserved to the UK Government and the UK-wide Intellectual Property Office works with law enforcement and industry partners across Scotland to help reduce the availability and impact of all counterfeit goods, including electrical goods. The IP Crime Report for 2015-16 which was published in September 2016 highlights current and emerging threats surrounding counterfeiting and piracy, including those conducted via the internet. A copy of the report can be found at:\r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/annual-ip-crime-report-2015-to-2016.”","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319418,"EventID":"S5W-04766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:07:11.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has examined the options regarding the new system of fishing licensing and quotas in Scotland that would be required if the UK leaves the EU.","AnswerText":"The licensing of fishing vessels in Scotland is undertaken under the provisions of the Sea Fish Conservation Act 1967. Systems for the allocation and management of fish quotas in Scotland and the UK are administrative and not statutory. Neither system relies upon EU law.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319419,"EventID":"S5W-04916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:07:12.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason trees, which have acted as a natural sound barrier at residential properties along the M74 embankment, are being felled.","AnswerText":"Trees can provide some visual screening from a road. Although felling is necessary in certain locations along the M74 to allow the construction of an additional lane on the upgraded route, new planting will be provided to mitigate the loss of those trees as part of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319420,"EventID":"S5W-04923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:07:14.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T16:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many planning appeals in respect of wind turbine applications in Dumfries and Galloway have been received in the last three years, and how many were successful.","AnswerText":"The number of planning appeals received in respect of wind turbine applications in Dumfries and Galloway in the last three years* are set out in the following table:\r\n\r\nAppeals Received\r\nAppeals Allowed (planning permission granted)\r\nAppeals Dismissed (Planning Permission refused)\r\nAppeals still under consideration\r\nAppeals Withdrawn\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n\r\n13\r\n6\r\n5\r\n2\r\n0\r\n*Figures shown relate to the period 23-11-13 to 23-11-2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319421,"EventID":"S5W-04941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:07:15.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it offers local authorities to introduce supported bus services where commercial network changes have left a social need for a service.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides local authorities with block funding through the local government finance settlement. For 2016-17 this amounts to over £10.3 billion with each local authority receiving a share of this total sum. \r\nIt is the responsibility of each local authority to manage their own budget and to allocate the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, including any funding for supporting socially necessary local bus services.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319422,"EventID":"S5W-04762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:07:17.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-17T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when applications will close for the 2016-17 round of common agricultural policy (CAP) payments.","AnswerText":"Applications for the 2016 Single Applications forms closed on 15 June 2016. The regulatory payment window is from 1 December 2016 – 30 June 2017 for 2016 CAP Payments.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319423,"EventID":"S5W-04928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:07:18.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government on provisions in the UK Digital Economy Bill to protect consumers in Scotland from counterfeit electrical goods being sold online.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had a number of discussions with the UK Government on aspects of the Digital Economy Bill but we have not had any specific discussions over the online sale of counterfeit electrical goods.\r\nRegulations over counterfeit goods are reserved to the UK Government and it would be incumbent on them to take every appropriate opportunity available to enhance the protection of consumers across the UK from the sale of counterfeit goods online.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319424,"EventID":"S5W-04930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T14:07:20.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the average cost to the Scottish economy of a domestic house fire in the latest period for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"This information for Scotland is not held centrally. A methodology for estimating costs for England was developed in 2008 by the UK Department for Communities and Local Government, using data available at that time, and published in its Fire Research Report 3/2011. The report is available online here; http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121108165934/http:/www.communities.gov.uk/documents/corporate/pdf/1838338.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319465,"EventID":"S5W-04935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:11.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T08:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many defendents represented themselves at sheriff courts in each of the last five years, also broken down by sheriffdom.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319466,"EventID":"S5W-04942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:12.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T12:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Michael Russell on 15 November 2016 (Official Report c. 67) that it is possible for Scotland to make a deal with Europe “that is both political and legal”, what arrangements with the EU it is considering that meet those conditions. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is exploring all options to secure Scotland’s interests, and to protect its relationship with the EU and our place in the single market. Specific proposals will be tabled in the coming weeks.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319467,"EventID":"S5W-04967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:14.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what preparations it is making for icy conditions on the (a) road and (b) rail network over the forthcoming winter.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is responsible for preventing snow and ice endangering the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles on trunk roads in Scotland. Significant planning is undertaken in advance of winter to ensure that the trunk road operating companies are prepared and to share lessons learned from previous years. The trunk road Operating Companies each have a Winter Service Plan, which is available online at: \r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/road/winter-service-ready-winter-and-severe-weather\r\nThe delivery and resilience of current winter communication procedures across Scotland were tested during one-day events on 18 and 20 October 2016, the principle being to share best practice. This involved representatives from our Operating Companies, Transport Scotland, Traffic Scotland, Police Scotland, local authorities and Transport Scotland’s Performance Audit Group (PAG).\r\nLocal authorities are responsible for winter service operations on local roads.\r\nThe ScotRail Alliance has confirmed that winter plans have been introduced and that they have access to sufficient stocks of salt. As in previous years, The Alliance will be running a series of winter roadshow events, commencing on 5 December 2016, at key stations to engage with the public.\r\nContingency plans are available in the event of stations not being treated when required, as required in their Franchise Agreement.\r\nFurther information is available online at: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/winter .","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319468,"EventID":"S5W-04936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:16.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T08:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many defendents represented themselves at justice of the peace courts in each of the last five years, also broken down by sheriffdom.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319469,"EventID":"S5W-04953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:17.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what procurement process is being used by Abellio ScotRail to purchase new rolling stock from Hitachi.","AnswerText":"The new fleet of class 385s are being manufactured by Hitachi with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, trading as Caledonian Rail Leasing, [CRL] funding the 70 trains in a deal worth around £370M.\r\nAbellio ScotRail followed an OJEU (Official Journal of the EU) procurement exercise during its bidding process and entered into a commercial arrangement with [CRL] to lease the 234 new carriages until the end of its franchise term. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319470,"EventID":"S5W-04954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:19.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress Abellio ScotRail is making with its plans to purchase rolling stock from Great Western Railway.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29965 on 4 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319471,"EventID":"S5W-04957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:21.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will address the reported poor punctuality at rural railway stations.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the recently published Performance Improvement Plan on the ScotRail website. In the rural area the actions include signalling equipment performance, track renewals, fleet improvements and detailed operational planning reviews.\r\nThe Scottish Government has put in place a process to monitor the delivery of ScotRail's Performance Improvement Plan. This includes challenge to ScotRail on the progress made towards delivering the initiatives, assurance reviews and an analysis of progress reports provided.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319472,"EventID":"S5W-04934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:23.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T08:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many defendents represented themselves at the high courts in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319473,"EventID":"S5W-04948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:25.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what performance criteria Abellio must meet to retain the ScotRail franchise.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to Appendix 1 to Schedule 7.1, Appendix 2 to Schedule 7.1 and Appendix 3 to Schedule 7.1 of the ScotRail Franchise Agreement.\r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/rail/scotrail-franchise/public-register","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319474,"EventID":"S5W-04959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:26.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the revenue threshold is at which Abellio ScotRail is required to pay back 50% of its profits.","AnswerText":"The Profit Threshold at which Abellio ScotRail Limited is required to pay back 50% of its profits is thirty million pounds.\r\nThe concept of a profit cap was introduced by the Scottish Government in 2008, a UK first for Rail Franchises, and was tightened considerably - by £9 million when the new Abellio franchise was let.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319475,"EventID":"S5W-04966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:28.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the service delays of 17 November 2016 has had on how it monitors the delivery of improvements pledged by Abellio ScotRail, and what improvements it plans to reduce the likelihood of similar delays in the future.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has put in place a process to monitor the delivery of ScotRail's Performance Improvement Plan and this includes challenging them on the progress being made towards delivering the initiatives set out in the plan to improve performance. As part of the monitoring process, Transport Scotland officials challenged ScotRail on the incident which occurred on 17 November to understand the root cause and lessons to be learned following the incident.\r\nThe incident blocked all lines outside Edinburgh Waverley during the busy morning peak. Since the incident ScotRail have taken measures to avoid the practice of trains crossing over all lines to reduce the possibility of such an incident occurring again. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319476,"EventID":"S5W-04947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:30.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the contract with Abellio to run the ScotRail franchise can be terminated early if it fails to meet performance criteria, and under what circumstances.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04948 on 5 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319477,"EventID":"S5W-04962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:32.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints Abellio Scotland has received each month, broken down by category of complaint, and how this compares with the each of the 12 months prior to Abellio taking over the franchise.","AnswerText":"The number of complaints Abellio ScotRail receives each month, broken down by category of complaint is not held by the Scottish Government. As part of ScotRail’s four weekly Franchise Performance Report, details of ScotRail complaints per 100,000 passenger journeys has been provided covering Rail Industry Period 1 to 7 (2016-17). At Period 7, the Moving Annual Average (MAA) is 28.2 per 100,000 passenger journeys (0.03%).","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319478,"EventID":"S5W-04949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:34.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what public performance measure (PPM) targets have been set out in the contract with Abello ScotRail for (a) 2016-17 and and (b) 2017-18, and at what PPM level action will be taken, broken down by the what types of action are available.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the following table, which sets out the relevant Performance Levels. Schedule 7.1 (Paragraph 3.2 – Consequences for Poor Performance) sets out the consequences of the Franchisee failing to equal or exceed these Levels.\r\n{http://www.transport.gov.scot/rail/scotrail-franchise/public-register}\r\nColumn 1\r\nColumn 2\r\nColumn 3\r\nColumn 4\r\nColumn 5\r\n\r\nTarget Performance Level (%)\r\nImprovement Plan Performance Level (%)\r\nBreach Performance Level (%)\r\nDefault Performance Level (%)\r\n2016-17 (Yr 2)\r\n91.3%\r\n90.3%\r\n87.3%\r\n84.3%\r\n2017-18 (Yr 3)\r\n91.7%\r\n90.7%\r\n87.7%\r\n84.7%\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319479,"EventID":"S5W-04951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:35.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the new Abellio ScotRail rolling stock will come into operation on the Edinburgh – Glasgow line and what plans there are to introduce new rolling stock on other services, broken down by (a) date of introduction and (b) cost.","AnswerText":"ScotRail is committed to gradually introduce the new c385 trains on services operating between Edinburgh - Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High from September 2017 with all of the services on this route to be fully operated by the new fleet from December 2017. \r\nDuring 2018 these will be rolled out onto services such as Dunblane/ Alloa/ Stirling, North Berwick/ Dunbar, south Glasgow suburban lines and Edinburgh - Glasgow via Shotts and by January 2019 the full fleet of 70 trains (46 three car and 24 four cars) will have been delivered. More detailed information is contained on the Abellio ScotRail website https://www.scotrail.co.uk/about-scotrail/new-trains\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319480,"EventID":"S5W-04958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:37.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to monitor the delivery of the network performance improvement plan that was submitted by Abellio ScotRail in September 2016; which services will be prioritised, and how the cost of the improvement plan will be met.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has put in place a process to monitor the delivery of ScotRail's Performance Improvement Plan. This includes challenge to ScotRail on the progress made towards delivering the initiatives, assurance reviews and an analysis of progress reports provided.\r\nThe Performance Improvement Plan is set out into three key themes - Infrastructure, Fleet and Operations - with actions identified for these themes across all regions of Scotland. The plan contains the completion date for each of the actions and is not based on prioritising services.\r\nScotRail have accelerated £8m this year and committed an additional £8m post April 2017 to deliver the initiatives contained in the Performance Improvement Plan, along with £14m to improve Class 158 train reliability and upgrades to on-train facilities, at no additional cost to the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319481,"EventID":"S5W-04960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:39.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what profit has been made each month by Abellio Scotland.","AnswerText":"Abellio ScotRail’s financial information is commercially sensitive and can only be publicly released by Abellio ScotRail Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319482,"EventID":"S5W-04969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:41.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which parts of the (a) road and (b) rail network will be given priority if there is not sufficient grit or salt for the entire network over the forthcoming winter.","AnswerText":"We do not envisage a shortage of salt for winter service in 2016-2017. Salt stocks were increased for 2011-12 and 2012-13 and have since been maintained to improve Scotland’s resilience should another severe winter arrive. Meanwhile, the Scottish Salt Group has been monitoring the restocking process throughout the summer, including liaising with suppliers to confirm there is adequate salt production to meet the demand and that restocking targets for Scotland are being met.\r\nLocal authorities are responsible for winter service operations on local roads. The ScotRail Alliance has confirmed that winter plans have been introduced and that they have access to sufficient stocks of salt. Contingency plans are available in the event of stations not being treated when required, as required in their Franchise Agreement.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319483,"EventID":"S5W-04970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:42.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it procures grit and salt for winter resilience.","AnswerText":"Each trunk road Operating Company has the responsibility for all aspects of winter service provision, including the procurement of salt for their operational use to treat our trunk roads. A strategic salt supply was established for the first time in Scotland in 2010/11 and should further provisions of strategic salt require to be procured, Transport Scotland will facilitate via Scotland Excel as members. Scotland Excel manages the procurement of high value, high risk goods and services that are commonly used by all local authorities. A range of other commodities can also be procured directly by local authorities or through national contracts managed by the Scottish Government.\r\nLocal authorities are responsible for winter service operations on local roads. The ScotRail Alliance has confirmed that winter plans have been introduced and that they have access to sufficient stocks of salt. Contingency plans are available in the event of stations not being treated when required, as required in their Franchise Agreement.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319484,"EventID":"S5W-04944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:44.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports concerning the strip-searching of children and young people by Police Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The general principles for carrying out searches, including strip-searches, are covered in Police Scotland's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). SOPs are an operational matter for Police Scotland and fall within the responsibilities of the Chief Constable. Where issues arise that concern the wider policy and legislative framework that Ministers are responsible for, then the Scottish Government would give due consideration to those.\r\nPolice Scotland's procedures require that officers will only ask a child or young person to remove clothing where this is absolutely necessary and there are strict rules in place about how this should be done. Police Scotland is rolling out a new national custody recording system in the next few months which will allow information on strip-searches of children and young people to be collected. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319485,"EventID":"S5W-04961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:45.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the improvement plan submitted by Abellio ScotRail to improve performance on the Borders Railway.","AnswerText":"Since September, the overall performance for the Borders Railway (as measured by the moving annual average PPM) has steadily improved, with latest figures showing an increase of 0.4% (now up to 85.8% PPM moving annual average).\r\nBorders Railway specific performance improvement plan initiatives are currently underway with the plan to further bolster performance.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319486,"EventID":"S5W-04963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-22T17:23:47.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the petition organised by 38 Degrees, which calls for Abellio to no longer have control of the ScotRail franchise.","AnswerText":"I met with representatives of the 38 degrees group on 19 October 2016, where they presented the petition, raised concerns about ScotRail's performance and shared their experiences of using the rail network in Scotland.\r\nI acknowledged the specific issues they raised by group members and my officials at Transport Scotland will pursue such issues in their monitoring of the ScotRail Improvement Plan.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319487,"EventID":"S5W-04976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5621,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T10:26:15.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the outcome of Rio Tinto's strategic review of the Lochaber assets.","AnswerText":"Rio Tinto informed its workforce and the Stock Exchange this morning (Wednesday 23 November 2016) that it had reached agreement to sell its shareholding in Alcan Aluminium UK. This comprises the aluminium smelter at Fort William, two hydroelectric facilities as well as all associated land. The announcement marks the culmination of the strategic review announced in January 2016.\r\nThe last ten months have been an anxious wait for the workforce and all those whose livelihoods in the Lochaber community depend on the business. The sale to the GFG Alliance (SIMEC and Liberty House) is great news for the local community and especially for the workers at the Fort William smelter. Subject to final agreement which is expected next month, this deal safeguards over 150 jobs and has the potential to create hundreds more.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319488,"EventID":"S5W-04978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T12:34:26.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T12:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will reach a decision on the future of beavers in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers decided on 22 November 2016 that they are minded that the beaver populations in Knapdale in Argyll and in the Tay and Earn catchments can remain in Scotland. The decision is subject to satisfactory completion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and a Habitats Regulations Assessment which can now be undertaken. The intention is that beavers in Scotland will be given protection under the law as a European Protected Species as soon as is practicable after completion of the Assessment processes.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319489,"EventID":"S5W-04987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:09.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its forthcoming mental health strategy will make any recommendations in relation to perinatal mental health.","AnswerText":"Our engagement paper “Mental Health in Scotland – a 10 Year Vision” made clear that one of the key proposed early actions in the next Strategy is perinatal Mental Health. We are currently finalising the Strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319490,"EventID":"S5W-04988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:10.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether psychological services should be a part of perinatal mental health provision.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects psychological therapies to be provided across the whole breadth of mental health services whenever appropriate, including perinatal mental health services.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319491,"EventID":"S5W-04946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:11.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what reassurances it can provide to parents of children at schools in the Maryhill area of Glasgow regarding ending the janitorial dispute, in light of reported health and safety concerns.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04945 on 5 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319492,"EventID":"S5W-04980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:12.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T12:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out on whether charging for community alarms or telecare services acts as a disincentive to the take-up of these services.","AnswerText":"The decision on whether to charge for a non-residential social care service is a matter for local government, and is subject to charging guidelines issued by the Convention for Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). See http://www.cosla.gov.uk/about/how-we-work/health-and-social-care/charging/care-home.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319493,"EventID":"S5W-04971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:13.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide specific policy advice for planning authorities to assist in considering planning applications for crematoria.","AnswerText":"Following the report of an Independent Panel earlier this year, we will publish a consultation paper on potential changes to the planning system in Scotland in the next few weeks. Following that consultation we will bring forward proposed changes to the planning system, including a Planning Bill. This will be supported by updated planning policy in due course, and planning policy on crematoria will be considered in the next iteration of Scottish Planning Policy.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319494,"EventID":"S5W-04972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:14.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to enable prisoners to participate in outdoor education programmes, such as the John Muir Award. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nSPS delivers an outdoor education programme in conjunction with the John Muir Trust at HMP Open Estate, Castle Huntly. Over the last 5 years, SPS has supported prisoners to attend the John Muir Trust on 19 separate occasions. This has resulted in 133 prisoners attaining Award status with the John Muir Trust.\r\nSPS also delivers the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Bronze Award and part of the Silver Award in partnership with Barnardos at HM YOI Polmont. This initiative has been delivered on a continuous basis since 2011 with 150 young men participating. To date, 115 young men have achieved sectional Bronze Awards and the remaining 35 have completed the full Bronze Award and sectional Silver Awards.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319495,"EventID":"S5W-04986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:16.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have been looked after by neonatal units in each NHS board in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The number of babies that required specialist neonatal care by NHS Board of residence in each of the last three years is presented in the following table. The data includes live singleton and multiple births; stillbirths are excluded. Babies in Intensive Care, High Dependency Unit, Special Care and Transitional Care are included in the total of babies requiring specialist neonatal care.\r\nLive births requiring specialist neonatal care, by NHS Board of residence, 2013-14 to 2015-16\r\nNHS Board of residence\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAyrshire & Arran\r\n\r\n376\r\n368\r\n403\r\nBorders\r\n\r\n243\r\n231\r\n263\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n\r\n150\r\n174\r\n178\r\nFife\r\n\r\n390\r\n426\r\n389\r\nForth Valley\r\n\r\n256\r\n274\r\n209\r\nGrampian\r\n\r\n764\r\n744\r\n804\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n\r\n1,140\r\n1,053\r\n1,294\r\nHighland\r\n\r\n349\r\n346\r\n405\r\nLanarkshire\r\n\r\n1,140\r\n1,099\r\n1,334\r\nLothian\r\n\r\n992\r\n927\r\n874\r\nOrkney\r\n\r\n17\r\n13\r\n22\r\nShetland\r\n\r\n28\r\n28\r\n19\r\nTayside\r\n\r\n361\r\n416\r\n423\r\nWestern Isles\r\n\r\n24\r\n9\r\n14\r\nUnknown\r\n\r\n49\r\n98\r\n65\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n6,279\r\n6,206\r\n6,696\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319496,"EventID":"S5W-04933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:17.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T17:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will publish the findings of Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland's review of how homicides involving persons with a mental illness are dealt with.","AnswerText":"In 2015, the Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, asked the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland to review how homicides, by people who are users of mental health or learning disability services, are investigated.\r\nA final report was submitted by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland in November of this year. The report proposes building on the existing systems of review of investigations undertaken by both Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland. Ministers are currently considering the report and will engage with stakeholders as part of this process.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319497,"EventID":"S5W-04974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:18.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T17:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to figures in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, calculated by Cancer Research UK, which show that 11 to 18-year-olds eat and drink three times the recommended amount of added sugar, with sugary drinks being the main source of this.","AnswerText":"There are clear health benefits associated with reducing sugar consumption as part of a healthy diet. While we welcome the creation of a sugary drinks levy, it cannot in isolation address the levels of obesity in the country.\r\nWe support the work of Public Health England in setting sugar reduction targets across a range of food categories and are inputting to this through Food Standards Scotland.\r\nWe have announced our intention to set out and consult on the development of our new Diet and Obesity Strategy in 2017, building on our wide range of activity to make it easier for people – including children and their families – to be more active, eat less, and eat better.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319498,"EventID":"S5W-04945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:19.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Glasgow City Council regarding ending the janitorial pay dispute.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers regret that this dispute has not been resolved and would urge all parties to come together to reach a negotiated settlement. However, the operation of Cordia is between Glasgow Council and the organisation and not a matter for the Scottish Government.\r\nGlasgow Council is responsible for ensuring that adequate and appropriate health and safety arrangements are in operation at all times for the local authority schools in its area.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319499,"EventID":"S5W-04979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:20.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T12:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any evidence that community alarms and telecare services can reduce the demand on other health and social care services by providing a preventative service. ","AnswerText":"Community alarms and/or telecare have been in use in their most basic form for over 40 years, with the latest Scottish Government statistics showing that over 126,000 people are being supported at home with telecare. In 2006, following the well-documented benefits of the use of more enhanced telecare as a preventative service in West Lothian, the Scottish Government launched the Telecare Development Programme to spread the approach across Scotland.\r\nThis ran until 2011, and independent evaluation carried out by the York Health Economics Forum showed that, overall, almost 44,000 people began a telecare service through the Programme. Around 2,500 hospital discharges were expedited as a result of national funding, whilst at the same time around 8,700 unplanned hospital admissions and over 3,800 care home admissions were also avoided.\r\nBy achieving the above outcomes, partnerships saved around:\r\n546,000 care home bed days; \r\nThe average number of care home bed days saved per care home admission avoided was 143 (or roughly 20 weeks).\r\n109,000 hospital bed days through facilitated discharges and unplanned admissions avoided;\r\nThe average number of hospital bed days saved per reduced delayed discharge was 11.\r\nThe average number of hospital bed days saved per unplanned hospital admission avoided was 9.\r\n48,000 nights of sleepover/wakened night care;\r\n444,000 home check visits.\r\nSee http://www.jitscotland.org.uk/action-areas/telehealth-and-telecare/ for more. Further embedding of telecare as a preventative measure is now being progressed by the Scottish Government through the Technology Enabled Care Programme. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319500,"EventID":"S5W-04981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:22.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T12:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether community alarms or telecare services will be included in its forthcoming feasibility study on the introduction of free personal care for some people under the age of 65.","AnswerText":"We have committed to undertaking a feasibility study in 2017 into the extension of free personal care to those people under the age of 65 with a diagnosis of dementia. Although community alarms do not count as personal care, no decision has been made as to the scope of the feasibility study.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319501,"EventID":"S5W-04977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:23.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T11:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on improvements to each trunk road in the West Scotland parliamentary region in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has spend £682 million on trunk road improvements in the West Scotland parliamentary region since 2007. This comprises £628 million on the M74 completion in June 2011, £16 million on the Symington and Bog End Toll Improvement project completed in May 2014 and £38 million on Minor Improvement and Strategic Road Safety broken down over the following roads in each year.\r\nRoute\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nA78\r\n£70,057\r\n£59,749\r\n£220,249\r\n£486,640\r\n£135,301\r\nA738\r\n£901\r\n£4,019\r\n£5,969\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\nA737\r\n£1,811,292\r\n£500,655\r\n£122,099\r\n£153,793\r\n£267,397\r\nA83\r\n£242,431\r\n£319,279\r\n£997,712\r\n£734,642\r\n£246,439\r\nA82 \r\n£971,468\r\n£1,450,362\r\n£1,651,641\r\n£478,030\r\n£519,762\r\nA8\r\n£505\r\n£40,361\r\n£273,754\r\n£34,065\r\n£87,904\r\nM8\r\n£83,933\r\n£298,048\r\n£844,780\r\n£910,191\r\n£399,604\r\nA898\r\n£140,276\r\n£21,785\r\n£292,033\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\nM898\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£12,648\r\n£0\r\nM77\r\n£3,927\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£1,545\r\nTotal\r\n£3,324,789\r\n£2,694,258\r\n£4,408,236\r\n£2,810,008\r\n£1,657,951\r\n\r\nRoute\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal\r\nA78\r\n£81,937\r\n£111,902\r\n£133,703\r\n£127,193\r\n£1,426,730\r\nA738\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£10,888\r\nA737\r\n£98,278\r\n£31,066\r\n£112,990\r\n£47,313\r\n£3,144,883\r\nA83\r\n£3,828,532\r\n£3,553,166\r\n£6,515,430\r\n£3,026,173\r\n£19,463,803\r\nA82 \r\n£719,418\r\n£679,030\r\n£1,354,882\r\n£1,630,147\r\n£9,454,739\r\nA8\r\n£2,293\r\n£16,773\r\n£28,671\r\n£163,925\r\n£648,250\r\nM8\r\n£0\r\n£56,379\r\n£98,342\r\n£1,017,734\r\n£3,709,011\r\nA898\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£1,129\r\n£455,223\r\nM898\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£12,648\r\nM77\r\n£12,090\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£6,621\r\n£24,183\r\nTotal\r\n£4,742,548\r\n£4,448,316\r\n£8,244,019\r\n£6,020,234\r\n£38,350,359\r\nThe figures provided are for the whole length of the route mentioned because it is not possible to separate the expenditure for the discrete parts of the route(s) falling within the region.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government has spent a further £260 million in the maintenance and operation of these routes over the same nine year period.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319502,"EventID":"S5W-04984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:24.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken a review into the appropriateness of perinatal mental health services and, if so, what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not undertaken a review into the appropriateness of perinatal mental health services. However, we have taken note of recent reports by the NSPCC (“Getting It Right”, published in April 2015) and the Mental Welfare Commission (“Perinatal Themed Visit Report: Keeping Mothers and Babies In Mind”, published in June 2016). Both of these reports examine perinatal mental health services in Scotland. We are thinking carefully about the best way to improve perinatal mental health services in Scotland, and will lay out more details on how we propose to do that in the forthcoming 10-year Mental Health Strategy, including funding a managed clinical network.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319503,"EventID":"S5W-04983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:25.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the perinatal mental health curricular framework will be updated.","AnswerText":"NHS Education For Scotland aim to publish the revised framework in April 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319504,"EventID":"S5W-04985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:26.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many perinatal clinical psychologists have been employed by each NHS board in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. We expect that mental health care and treatment will be delivered by all NHS Boards in a person-centred manner to meet each individual’s needs. That includes the appropriate provision of clinical psychologists to meet local circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319505,"EventID":"S5W-04932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:27.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02025 by Shona Robison on 15 September 2016, what steps it has introduced to reduce the risk of future similar litigation regarding informed consent procedures.","AnswerText":"The case in question resulted from a medical procedure that was carried out in 1999 and it is recognised that medical practice has advanced significantly in this time. Patients are now better informed and advised of the risks and complications regarding their medical treatment.\r\nAs I outlined in my answer to questions S5W-02025 and S5W-04657 on 25 November 2016, I expect all NHS boards and their clinicians to adhere to the long established General Medical Council guidance and to have robust clinical governance arrangements in place to ensure that the principles and framework contained in the guidance are applied by all doctors when seeking informed consent to treatment from patients.\r\nThe guidance advocates an approach of patients and doctors making decisions together, an approach which was endorsed by the court ruling in 2015.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319506,"EventID":"S5W-04982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:58:28.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the updated perinatal mental health curricular framework will make reference to improved psychological input for parents.","AnswerText":"The revised perinatal mental health curricular framework, to be published by NHS Education For Scotland, will focus on the educational needs of practitioners who support families in the perinatal period - defined as pregnancy and the twelve months following the birth of a child. The revised framework will emphasise the importance of addressing the psychological needs of women, their partners, and infants, including supporting parent-infant relationships, during this period.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319507,"EventID":"S5O-00396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5809,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:17.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T10:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to lower outpatient waiting times.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319508,"EventID":"S5O-00397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:18.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long it would take to make a decision on the future of Lightburn Hospital if this was to come to ministers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319509,"EventID":"S5O-00398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:20.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Ayrshire and Arran and what matters were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319510,"EventID":"S5O-00399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:21.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T17:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding the implementation of the mental health strategy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319511,"EventID":"S5O-00400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:22.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the establishment of a respiratory task force to help tackle lung disease.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319512,"EventID":"S5O-00401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:23.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it carries out to ascertain which groups are most vulnerable to seasonal health risks.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319513,"EventID":"S5O-00402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:24.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T09:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs have been recruited in Dumfries and Galloway through the bursary incentive, and how many posts remain vacant.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319514,"EventID":"S5O-00403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:25.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T23:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of health services in the Moray area.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319515,"EventID":"S5O-00404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:26.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T10:42:43.77","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what improvements it considers necessary to the provision of abortion in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319516,"EventID":"S5O-00405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:28.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reported sharp rise in social care charges for disabled people under 65 in Dumfries and Galloway, and whether it considers this a consequence of COSLA recommending an applicable income allowance of £132 per week.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319517,"EventID":"S5O-00406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:29.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase the roll-out of automated external defibrillators.","AnswerText":"Our Out-of-Hospital Cardiac (OHCA) Arrest Strategy, launched in March 2015 recognises the importance of increasing the accessibility of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) or public access defibrillators (PADs) to reduce the number of OHCA deaths in Scotland. Our OHCA Strategy Review 2015 - 2016 report, published on 23 November; http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/11/7733 provides information on work our key partners are engaged in to get a defibrillator as rapidly as possible to a person experiencing an OHCA.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319518,"EventID":"S5O-00407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:30.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent BBC Scotland investigation into maternity hospitals.","AnswerText":"The safety of expectant mothers and their babies is of paramount importance and will remain so and we are working to ensure that Scotland is as safe a place as possible for mothers to give birth. To achieve this, Healthcare Improvement Scotland has led in the development of a national approach to learning from adverse events and is driving implementation through the Scottish Patient Safety Programme. There is also a range of activity underway in maternity and neonatal services aimed at continuous improvement in services, including our Maternal and Children's Quality Improvement Collaborative, part of the Scottish Patient Safety Programme, and the Scottish Government’s Stillbirth and Bereavement Group. The impact of this activity, and the hard work of maternity, neonatal and paediatric staff, has seen the number of stillbirths reduced by 18% in four years - that is 88 more babies saved through preventing stillbirth in 2015 compared to 2011, we have also seen reductions in neonatal and maternal deaths over the same period. However we are not complacent, and I expect to receive shortly the report of the Review of Maternity and Neonatal Services. The review will make recommendations on further improvements that can be made to ensure we have a model of care that delivers high quality and safe services.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319519,"EventID":"S5O-00408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:32.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage more blood donations over the festive period.","AnswerText":"Each year the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service – (SNBTS) - makes robust plans to raise awareness of the need for blood donations during the festive season and maintain supplies of blood across Scotland. \r\nTo ensure they maintain support from blood donors, SNBTS employs various strategies to boost the public response. For example:\r\nThroughout the period, SNBTS will be contacting existing donors to build supplies of each of the eight major blood groups to maintain their target stock levels. \r\nAs O Negative is the only blood group that can be given to everyone in an emergency, donors of this blood group will receive special letters asking them to make an extra special effort to give blood.\r\nA television campaign commenced on 28 November 2016, supported by a digital campaign. This aims to boost attendances and recruit new donors. \r\nSNBTS is also working with gyms in the central belt to encourage people to make giving blood their New Year resolution and promote giving blood as part of healthy living.\r\nI would like to thank all donors for their support. New, committed donors are obviously important to safeguard blood supplies and I would encourage everyone who can to participate.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319520,"EventID":"S5O-00409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:33.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce the impact of air pollution on health inequalities in Mid Scotland and Fife.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports a number of measures, both local and national, to successfully tackle air pollution and its impacts on health. These measures include the promotion of active travel and modal shift to low and zero emission transport, supporting the development of renewable energy, providing grant funding for local authority action plans, and providing advice and information through the Scottish Air Quality Website and Scotland’s Environment Web.\r\nThese initiatives will continue to be taken forward in the context of 'Cleaner Air for Scotland - The Road to a Healthier Future' - Scotland's first separate air quality strategy which was published in 2015. The strategy sets out six key policy objectives, including one for health which is for 'A Scotland which protects its citizens from the harmful effects of air pollution, reducing health inequalities'.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319521,"EventID":"S5O-00410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:34.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce obesity levels.","AnswerText":"We are committed to addressing Scotland's excess weight and in line with the evidence we are maintaining activity across the whole of society that makes it easier for people to be more active, to eat less and to eat better.\r\nWe are investing in a range of areas from healthy weight interventions such as Football Fans In Training to programmes which encourage healthy eating including the Healthy Living Award, Healthy Living Programme and Community Food and Health Scotland. As well as delivering a range of initiatives to encourage people to be more physically active, including 157 Community Sports Hubs with funding to create a total 200 Hubs by 2020.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319522,"EventID":"S5O-00411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:35.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with South Lanarkshire Council regarding autism services in East Kilbride.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that the needs of people with autism are met through the Scottish Strategy for Autism.\r\nWhilst the Scottish Government have not had direct discussions with South Lanarkshire in recent months the government funded National Autism Team based at Strathclyde University have, at the request of Scottish Government and South Lanarkshire, continued to support South Lanarkshire in their remodelled Autism Services. \r\nWe are aware that there is much good work taking place in East Kilbride and across South Lanarkshire in autism services both in the third and statutory sectors. I hope South Lanarkshire continues to improve local services for people with autism and their families.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319523,"EventID":"S5O-00412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:37.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has received from the Scottish Medicines Consortium regarding the use of stem cell treatment for people with MS.","AnswerText":"The role of the Scottish Medicines Consortium is to provide advice to the NHS in Scotland about the clinical and cost effectiveness of new medicines.\r\nThe SMC carry out their role independently of Ministers and Parliament and do not provide advice for the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319524,"EventID":"S5O-00413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:39.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent child obesity figures, whether it will commit to establishing a specific children's food policy, as highlighted by the work of the Food Commission.","AnswerText":"The establishment of a children’s food policy was one element considered in the ‘Becoming a Good Food Nation’ discussion document. That same document called for the Food Commission to identify areas where further work is required. We await recommendations from the Food Commission on this point.\r\nThis government believes obesity affects society as a whole and that a whole society approach is where the solutions lie, especially in our communities and families. Our approach must therefore be on a population wide basis which is why we were disappointed that the UK Government recently announced plan to tackle childhood obesity failed to heed our call and follow the evidence for further restrictions on junk food advertising before the watershed.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319525,"EventID":"S5O-00414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4982,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:40.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to look after the health and wellbeing of primary school-age children in the Highlands, including ensuring that they receive an equitable amount of physical education compared with those across the rest of Scotland.","AnswerText":"This Government is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of all children and young people in Scotland, no matter what local authority they live in. Health and wellbeing is one of the eight curricular areas in Curriculum for Excellence. Its substantial importance is reflected in its position at the centre of the curriculum and at the heart of children’s learning – as well as a central focus of the Scottish Attainment Challenge and the National Improvement Framework for Education. Along with literacy and numeracy it is one of the three core areas that are the responsibility of all staff in the school. It is also central to the implementation of Getting it Right For Every Child\r\nThere are a wide range of initiatives in place in the Highlands looking after the health and wellbeing of primary school-age children. I am delighted to tell the member this year's Healthy Living Survey shows all primary schools in the Highland Council area have met this Government's target of two hours of PE a week.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319526,"EventID":"S5O-00415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:41.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that sportscotland delivers on its challenge to increase the levels of sporting activity among children.","AnswerText":"As Minister for Sport, I routinely meet with the Chair and Chief Executive of sportscotland where we discuss a range of issues. The Scottish Government issues sportscotland with an annual strategic guidance letter highlighting key areas on which we want sportscotland to focus. I also hold an annual review with the Chair and Chief Executive to discuss progress on these areas and officials have regular meetings with sportscotland counterparts.\r\nsportscotland play a significant role in ensuring that 98% of children have access to two hours or two periods of physical education per week and also in providing the Active Schools programme which has seen over six million opportunities for children to take part in sport and physical activity. \r\nIn addition, the School Sport Awards, a national initiative designed to encourage schools to continuously improve the quality and quantity of physical education (PE) and school sport opportunities, currently supports 158 Gold School Sport Award schools, 281 Silver schools and 92 Bronze.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319527,"EventID":"S5O-00416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:42.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Minister for Transport and the Islands last met ScotRail and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319528,"EventID":"S5O-00417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:43.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what steps it is taking to improve the performance of ScotRail.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319529,"EventID":"S5O-00418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:45.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its priorities are for public transport. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319530,"EventID":"S5O-00419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:46.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish details of the proposed single national board to oversee economic development and skills funding. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319531,"EventID":"S5O-00420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:47.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when construction will start on the A90 grade-separated junction at Laurencekirk.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319532,"EventID":"S5O-00421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:49.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met the president of COSLA to discuss the spending review and the local government settlement. ","AnswerText":"I last met with the President of COSLA, along with COSLA Group Leaders, on 24 November as part of the on-going series of meetings held to discuss the spending review and details of the forthcoming 2017-18 local government finance settlement.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":319533,"EventID":"S5O-00422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5868,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:50.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the impact of the US Presidential election on Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no discussions with the UK Government regarding the impact of the US Presidential election on Scotland. We will fully assess the implications for Scotland once the President-elect forms the new administration and its priorities are made clear.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319534,"EventID":"S5O-00423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:51.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is being developed for schools in light of the additional £100 million from 2017-18 for the Scottish Attainment Challenge.","AnswerText":"Later this month we will launch a new framework of fully evidenced and proven educational interventions and strategies to help tackle the poverty related attainment gap. The framework will inform the decisions schools make to spend the additional funds and we will monitor the impact on improving children’s progress.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319535,"EventID":"S5O-00424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:52.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-22T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide additional support to help develop innovation in the tidal and wave energy sectors.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has a long and proud history of supporting the development of marine energy technologies and we remain strongly committed to the wave and tidal energy sectors.\r\nIn a year when the marine energy sector has made outstanding progress, it is extremely disappointing that no budget has been ring-fenced for marine energy projects by the UK Government in the next Contracts for Difference allocation round.\r\nThe Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy and his officials are having discussions with the UK Government to consider what additional support can be provided to the industry. He is also convening a round table of representatives from the marine energy sector in December to understand their priorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319536,"EventID":"S5O-00425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T13:59:54.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-21T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legislation it plans to amend or introduce to prevent cases of alleged domestic abuse being treated as family matters within the civil courts.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to reviewing the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 which makes provision about family matters, such as contact and residence, which are dealt with in the civil courts. That review will consider if further measures need to be taken to protect vulnerable parties in cases where domestic abuse is alleged.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319551,"EventID":"S5W-04990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5781,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T17:12:30.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T14:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00329 by John Swinney on 10 November 2016, what its response is to concerns that, because of reductions to local authority budgets, some looked-after children are being asked to use taxis unescorted; what guidance it provides to councils regarding this and, in light of the findings of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham, what action it takes to ensure that (a) no child is put at risk and (b) the taxi drivers are subject to full disclosure checks.","AnswerText":"Local authorities must use resources as efficiently as possible and deliver services effectively to ensure taxpayers get the best possible value. How this is done is a matter for each council - councils are autonomous bodies, responsible for managing their own day to day business and answerable to their electorates. Local Government has been treated very fairly under the SNP administration. The funding package for 2016-17 amounting to over £10.3 billion, was accepted by all 32 councils, and will be strengthened by our joint working to improve outcomes for local people through health and social care integration and by improving educational attainment. Taking into account the addition of the £250 million to support the integration of health and social care, the overall reduction in funding in 2016-17 compared to 2015-16 equates to less than 1% of Local Government’s total estimated expenditure in 2016-17.\r\nAs clearly stated in the reply to S5O-00329 each local authority develops bespoke guidance for the transport of all children. The safety of all Scotland's children is a top priority and we are committed to taking action to address all child sexual abuse. The Jay report into cases of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham recognised the role that taxi drivers, hotel workers, bar staff and other night-time economy workers\r\ncan play in protecting children and vulnerable adults. A number of local authorities have already taken forward work to raise awareness within the night-time economy, through community briefings and outreach work which strengthens links between statutory and voluntary services and the community.\r\nDisclosure Scotland carry out Scottish Ministers’ functions under the Police Act 1997 and the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (PVG). These criminal record checks are one part of good recruitment practice. The licensing of taxi drivers and private hire drivers by local councils under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 is carried out independently of Disclosure Scotland as neither the 1997 Act nor the 2007 Act checks can be used lawfully for that licensing purpose. However, these drivers can and do carry out transport functions for local councils and health boards with regard to children. \r\nIn cases where a local authority or a health board contracts with a taxi company to transport children to school, or to a hospital appointment in the absence of a parent of carer, then any driver providing that transport service can be asked to apply to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme because the driver will be doing regulated work with children. As long as the PVG check does not show information that suggests the applicant might be unsuitable to work with children, then he or she will become a scheme member. With the permission of the subject of the check, information about the outcome of the PVG check can be shared with the contracting local council or health board.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319552,"EventID":"S5W-04995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T17:12:31.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the information provided on its website in relation to ministerial engagements not including details of means of travel, whether it will list the official engagements that (a) the First Minister and each (b) (i) cabinet secretary and (ii) minister has made since May 2016, broken down by means of travel.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published the latest information about Ministerial engagements and travel on 29 November 2016. This information can be found on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttps://beta.gov.scot/publications/?term=Ministerial&publicationTypes=transparency_data","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319553,"EventID":"S5W-04997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T17:12:32.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding devolving the power to re-classify cannabis.","AnswerText":"To date there have been no discussions with the UK Government regarding devolving the power to re-classify cannabis. Officials from the Scottish Government and Home Office are in regular contact about a range of topics, including drugs classification.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319554,"EventID":"S5W-04994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T17:12:34.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with its plans to increase the presence of Scottish Development International in Europe.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government proposes an increase in the number of people working for Scottish Development International in Europe from 20 to 40 over the next two years. Detailed work, including location proposals, is currently being undertaken to ensure that additional resources deliver maximum benefit for Scotland and further details will be made available in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319555,"EventID":"S5W-04996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-23T17:12:36.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with medical professionals regarding the use of cannabis for medical purposes.","AnswerText":"Regulation for the licensing, safety and efficacy of medicines is currently reserved to the UK Government and is the responsibility of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Officials from the Scottish Government and the MHRA are in regular contact about a range of topics including the licensing of drugs for medical purposes.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319572,"EventID":"S5W-05014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T11:39:52.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it can provide regarding the First Minister’s visit to Iceland in October 2016.","AnswerText":"The First Minister visited Reykjavik in Iceland from 6-8 October to participate in the Arctic Circle Assembly at the invitation of former Icelandic President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson.\r\nThe First Minister gave a keynote speech at the Assembly, which was attended by around 2000 delegates from Arctic Circle countries and the wider international community. In her speech the First Minister highlighted Scotland’s achievements in tackling climate change and its commitment to international cooperation on Arctic issues. She also announced £1m of funding for the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency.\r\nOther plenary speakers included the Premier of Quebec, the US Special Representative for the Arctic, and the Swiss Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, all of whom the First Minister had the opportunity to meet on the margins of the conference. The First Minister also had a bilateral meeting with the Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs to discuss the outcome of the EU Referendum and emphasise the importance the Scottish Government places on working to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU.\r\nThe First Minister spoke at the launch event of the Prospect North exhibition, which was displayed for the duration of the conference. The immersive exhibition, created by Scottish architecture and design firms and supported by the Scottish Government, examined Scotland’s position in the northern region and how design and technology can play a role in shaping the future of communities across the Arctic and beyond.\r\nThis was the subject of a break-out session at the Assembly which was chaired by the Scottish Government’s Chief Architect and involved participants from a wide range of countries. The Chief Scientific Adviser for Rural Affairs and the Environment also attended and chaired a break-out session on international Arctic science research.\r\nOutwith the Assembly the First Minister participated in a number of engagements to strengthen the relationship between Scotland and Iceland, including meetings with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to discuss existing links, explore opportunities for future collaboration and to explain Scotland’s position following the EU referendum. She also attended a dinner hosted by the President of Iceland, along with Icelandic party leaders and academics.\r\nTo promote trade and investment links, the First Minister addressed a reception at the UK Ambassador’s residence, attended by Icelandic business leaders and the Icelandic Tourism Minister. There she witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Visit Scotland and the Icelandic Tourism Agency on exchanging best practice and information in areas of strategic benefit to both organisations; a prime example of the positive existing collaboration between Scotland and Iceland.\r\nThe First Minister, along with representatives of Scottish Development International also visited Össur, the Icelandic company which recently acquired Touch Bionics, based in Livingston, to discuss their investment in Scotland and their future plans.\r\nOverall the visit served to deepen diplomatic ties with Iceland and countries represented at the Assembly; promote trade and investment links; showcase Scotland’s expertise in areas such as climate change, research, and architecture and design; and communicate to a large international audience Scotland’s ambitions to work with international partners and play a positive role in the world.\r\nMore information about the Assembly and a video of the First Minister’s speech can be found at: http://www.arcticcircle.org/assemblies/2016","AnswerDate":"2016-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319573,"EventID":"S5W-05012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T14:24:41.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the units that are proposed in the Strategic Housing Investment Plans that were submitted to its More Homes Division will require agreement and grant funding by the end of the financial year, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Strategic Housing Investment Plans cover a five year period starting from April 2017. Programmes are already in place for this financial year.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319574,"EventID":"S5W-05008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T14:24:42.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the Strategic Housing Investment Plans that were submitted to its More Homes Division.","AnswerText":"Strategic Housing Investment Plans are local authority documents and Councils have responsibility for publishing these.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319575,"EventID":"S5W-05010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T14:24:44.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many units were proposed in the Strategic Housing Investment Plans that were submitted to its More Homes Division (a) in total and (b) from each local authority.","AnswerText":"Strategic Housing Investment Plans were due to be submitted to Scottish Government on 30 November and therefore we do not currently hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319576,"EventID":"S5W-05005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T14:24:46.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00370 by John Swinney on 23 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), what impact the abolition of the board of (a) Highlands and Islands Enterprise, (b) Scottish Enterprise, (c) Skills Development Scotland and (d) the Scottish Funding Council will have on its current remit and responsibilities. ","AnswerText":"As part of Phase 2 of the Enterprise and Skills Review which began on 1 November 2016 we will focus on developing and implementing the Phase 1 decision to bring greater integration and focus to the delivery of our enterprise and skills support by creating a new, single, strategic Scotland-wide statutory board to co-ordinate the activities of SEn and HIE, Scottish Development International, SDS and the SFC.\r\nWe have already confirmed that each body will retain its separate legal status once the new statutory board is in place and current boards will continue to perform their duties in line with their existing remits and legislative requirements until the new single board is established and transition arrangements are put in place.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319577,"EventID":"S5W-05011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T14:24:47.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many units were proposed in the Strategic Housing Investment Plans that were submitted to its More Homes Division for each of the next five years.","AnswerText":"Strategic Housing Investment Plans were due to be submitted to Scottish Government on 30 November and therefore we do not currently hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319578,"EventID":"S5W-05013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T14:24:49.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports Doric language and culture in the North East Scotland parliamentary region.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is a strong supporter of the Scots language in all its regional and local variants, including Doric. We have taken a number of steps to promote Scots throughout the country including the development of our Scots language policy which underlines our commitment to the language. As part of this, we encourage relevant stakeholder groups to develop and implement Scots language policies where appropriate. In addition, we have funded a number of Scots language initiatives which are supporting Doric in the north east and Scots in other areas.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319579,"EventID":"S5W-05003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T14:24:50.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00370 by John Swinney on 23 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), what action it will take to insure that academic independence will remain unchanged under the new overarching board’s remit of managing the responsibilities of the Scottish Funding Council.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to the autonomy of Scotland’s universities and no action is required to affirm it as a result of the Enterprise and Skills Review and the establishment of a strategic board for overseeing the work of the SFC and that of other bodies. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319580,"EventID":"S5W-05004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T14:24:52.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00370 by John Swinney on 23 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), by what date it will provide full details of the planned changes to the boards of the skills and enterprise organisations. ","AnswerText":"Phase 2 of the Enterprise and Skills Review will consider the implementation of Phase 1 recommendations. This includes the recommendation to create a Scotland wide Statutory Board for Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and the Scottish Funding Council. Phase 2 commenced on 1 November 2016 and is expected to report back in six months' time. Ministers will then consider Phase 2 recommendations and announce details of the implementation of the Review to Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319581,"EventID":"S5W-04998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T14:24:54.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04594 by Fergus Ewing on 17 November 2016, where and by whom containers of diseased salmon morts are checked for biosecurity compliance during their journey from farm to final disposal, and how many such journeys have taken place in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Vehicles used for transporting salmon morts to a disposal site must be approved or registered under the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2013 (ABPR). The operators of these vehicles must ensure that salmon morts be collected and transported in sealed new packaging or covered leak-proof containers. Transporters approved or registered under the ABPR are inspected on a risk-based basis by the Animal and Plant Health Agency and any issues would be an enforcement matter for local authorities. Information on the number of journeys made from farm to final disposal in each of the last three years is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319582,"EventID":"S5W-05002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T14:24:55.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T16:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03842 by Maureen Watt on 2 November 2016, whether it will provide (a) a breakdown of how the £54.1 million over four years to reduce waiting times in mental health services will be spent and (b) details of how each area of investment will be evaluated. ","AnswerText":"The First Minister announced £54.1 million of funding over 4 years from 2016-17 to improve access to mental health services on 12 January, 2016. Following that announcement this letter provides further information on that package of support and the allocations to NHS Boards.\r\nThis package of funding represents the initial announcement of support from within the £150 million awarded to mental health by the Scottish Government to 2015-20. It comprises three specific elements which total £54.1 million over four years and is intended to support the delivery of the LDP access standards for both CAMHS and psychological therapies. The package includes:\r\nAn allocation to NHS Boards to increase capacity to deliver services (24.7m);\r\nSupport for the development of the mental health workforce to enhance supply and training of workforce to deliver evidence-based therapies, delivered by NHS Education for Scotland (£24.6m);\r\nThe delivery of a Mental Health Access Improvement Support Programme, delivered by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (£4.8m).\r\nThis package of support has been structured to focus on improving access to mental health services and support for NHS Boards to:\r\nDeliver reductions in waiting times and the achievement of the LDP standard for CAMHS and Psychological Therapies.\r\nImprove access to mental health services in response to the local need identified within the LDP.\r\nDeliver a workforce development plan for mental health workforce.\r\nNational published data on access to service and workforce will be used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the investment.\r\nA summary of the funding can be seen in the following table:\r\n\r\nInitiative\r\n2016-17\r\n2017-18\r\n2018-19\r\n2019-20\r\nTotal\r\nBuilding Capacity\r\n\r\n4,300,000\r\n6,800,000\r\n6,800,000\r\n6,800,000\r\n24,700,000\r\nWorkforce Development \r\n(CAMHS/PT)\r\n4,500,000\r\n6,100,000\r\n7,000,000\r\n7,000,000\r\n24,600,000\r\nImprovement Support\r\n(MHAIST)\r\n1,200,000\r\n1,200,000\r\n1,200,000\r\n1,200,000\r\n4,800,000\r\nTotal\r\n10,000,000\r\n14,100,000\r\n15,000,000\r\n15,000,000\r\n54,100,000\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319583,"EventID":"S5W-05009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T14:24:56.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will notify local authorities of whether the Strategic Housing Investment Plans that were submitted to its More Homes Division have been agreed, and whether the notification will detail the level of funding that it will provide for the plans.","AnswerText":"Strategic Housing Investment Plans (SHIPs) are part of the Local Housing Strategy process and set out local authorities’ view of housing development priorities. Scottish Government does not formally agree SHIPs but will use them as the basis for the development of Strategic Local Programme Agreements between local authorities and the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319584,"EventID":"S5W-05015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T14:24:58.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T11:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00311 by Humza Yousaf on 9 November 2016, what the outcomes were of the ministerial meeting on 10 November 2016 with the chief executive of Seatruck.","AnswerText":"I can confirm that I met with the CEO of Seatruck Limited on 10 November 2016 to discuss the issues around staff pay on the current freight vessels operating on the Northern Isles ferry service. Following a constructive meeting, further work will be undertaken by Seatruck and Transport Scotland to try and resolve the current situation.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319585,"EventID":"S5W-05000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T14:24:59.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-23T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the withdrawal of Scottish Enterprise from its satellite office in Paisley; whether it was consulted in advance about this decision, and whether Scottish Enterprise plans other office closures.","AnswerText":"SE has a specific remit to support economic growth across Scotland and part of that requires that they periodically review their property portfolio to ensure that this continues support their operations.\r\nWhile the current SE office will close in 2017 that does not mean that SE’s presence in Paisley will end. SE is consulting with staff and is investigating the full range of options available to it to maintain presence in Paisley. Arrangements will be put in place before its current Paisley office closes ensuring continuity of delivery of services without effect or detriment.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319586,"EventID":"S5W-05007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T14:25:03.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will allow Housing Infrastructure Fund loans to be used from 2017-18 to support the provision of community infrastructure, such as schools, that is required as a result of new housing development.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government has published guidance on the operation of the Housing Infrastructure Fund. This notes that the fund will not support the provision of community infrastructure required as a consequence of new housing development, for example, funding for schools. We will continue to keep the operation of the fund under review.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319614,"EventID":"S5W-05017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T17:25:12.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to promote and support local newspapers. ","AnswerText":"Local newspapers and magazines are at the heart of communities throughout Scotland and are a vital element of our democracy. They reflect a unique and important perspective on local issues that the national press often cannot represent.\r\nThe Scottish Government supports the health of the industry in a number of ways. Some local publications can access the Small Business Bonus Scheme. This removes or reduces rates for more than 100,000 properties and will be expanded from 2017 to lift 100,000 properties out of rates altogether. The Scottish Government and public bodies also use local media, including newspapers, to promote initiatives such as public health campaigns.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319615,"EventID":"S5W-05026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T17:25:14.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-04683 by John Swinney on 22 November 2016, what is meant by \"local intelligence\".","AnswerText":"Local intelligence is information gathered informally from local authorities to inform the teacher workforce planning exercise which does not form part of any Scottish Government formal statistical collection. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319616,"EventID":"S5W-05020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T17:25:16.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T14:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported concerns of residents in Ellon regarding speeding and the potential for accidents on the section of the A948 that passes through the town and, in light of these, what its position is on reclassifying this section from a rural to an urban area road.","AnswerText":"Every life lost on our roads is one too many and the recent tragic fatality on the A948 is a reminder that we still have a way to go before our vision of a Scotland where there are no deaths on Scotland’s roads is realised. This vision, set out in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 is underpinned by challenging casualty reduction targets as we aim to make Scotland’s road safer. Speed was identified as a priority focus area for activity through to 2020 in the mid-term review of the Framework which was conducted in 2015-16.\r\nResponsibility for both local road safety and road classification rests with the relevant Local Authority. It is not for Ministers to intervene in a Local Authority's day-to-day performance of these particular duties.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319617,"EventID":"S5W-05023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T17:25:17.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Glasgow City Council regarding the closure of the Hewden Plant Hire depot in Queenslie, and what action (i) it and (ii) its agencies can take to support the people who have lost their jobs and to help them in finding training or alternative employment.","AnswerText":"The announcement of 50 job losses at Hewden Plant Hire depots across Scotland, including 26 in Glasgow, is obviously extremely disappointing and this will be a particularly anxious time for employees and their families. \r\nMinisters and officials regularly meet local authorities across Scotland to discuss a range of issues, including local economic development and job creation, as do our enterprise agencies. The Scottish Government have discussed this matter with Scottish Enterprise and officials have contacted the administrators, Ernst Young, and offered to meet with them to discuss appropriate support for Hewden's Scottish operations.\r\nPartnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) is the Scottish Government’s initiative dedicated to helping individuals and employers with the advice and support they need when faced with redundancy. Jobs for 27 employees, 9 of which were based in Glasgow, have been rescued following the sale of part of the business to Ashtead Plant Hire Company Ltd. All employees who have been made redundant have been sent a PACE Facing Redundancy Guide and encouraged to engage with PACE support on a one-to-one basis and we will continue to work with Scottish Enterprise and local agencies to identify redeployment opportunities for those affected.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319618,"EventID":"S5W-05021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T17:25:18.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that Glasgow will receive less than one quarter of the current funding allocation for rehabilitation services under the new Community Justice Scotland model.","AnswerText":"The new Criminal Justice Social Work (CJSW) funding formula was approved by COSLA Leaders in August 2016, following recommendations from an expert group to replace the current funding formula. This new formula will be used from 2017-18 to distribute funding for CJSW services. Whilst it is true that the new CJSW funding formula will see a redistribution of existing funding, any changes to funding available will be phased in over a period of 5 years. Safeguards have been put in place to ensure no local authority will lose any more than 5% in the first year. This is predicated on the same overall settlement for Section 27 funding for CJSW being available post the spending review. \r\nUnder the new formula, greater flexibility than ever before will be afforded to Local Authorities in their use of CJSW funding. \r\nThe specific funding that will be distributed to Glasgow will not be confirmed until after the Spending Review. There is currently no indication however that Glasgow will receive less than a quarter of its current funding for rehabilitation services. \r\nGlasgow also received additional funding in 2016-17 specifically for women offender services and community sentences. \r\nIt will be for each local authority, in collaboration with other community justice partners, to determine how their available resources – including the overall funding for CJSW - is used, to prevent and reduce further offending. Local funding flexibility allows the targeting of available resources to meet local priorities and common outcomes, working to the aims of the new National Strategy for Community Justice.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319619,"EventID":"S5W-05022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T17:25:19.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T14:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question SF5-00534 by the First Minister on 24 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 25), and in light of a recent study that suggested that Glasgow has the highest rate of nuisance calls in the UK, how it will update the public about the work of the nuisance calls commission.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has created a page for the Nuisance Calls Commission, which can be found at: https://beta.gov.scot/groups/nuisance-calls-commission/. Full details of the Commission’s membership and remit are already available here. The agendas and minutes of the Commission will also be published on the Scottish Government website. \r\nPrior to summer recess 2017, the Scottish Government will publish a report setting out the progress we have made with stakeholders to reduce the impact of nuisance calls, as well as detailing what further steps will be taken in the longer term.","AnswerDate":"2016-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319620,"EventID":"S5W-05018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T17:25:20.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much was spent on child and adolescent mental health in 2015-16, also broken down by NHS board, and what percentage of (a) the overall (i) NHS and (ii) mental health budget and (b) each NHS board's budget this represents.","AnswerText":"Scottish Health Service Costs is published annually by ISD Scotland with the support of the Scottish Government. Published costs information for NHSScotland, including for child and adolescent mental health expenditure (Report R04LSX and SFR 8.3); mental health expenditure (Report R340) and total NHS expenditure (Report R300) can be found at: https://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Finance/Costs/.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319621,"EventID":"S5W-05025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T17:25:21.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that A&E waiting times at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital are the worst in the country.","AnswerText":"There are a number of reasons why performance against the four hour A&E target at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) has been challenging, including the level of attendances. Attendances across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have increased by almost 5% over the last four weeks (up to 20 November), compared to the equivalent period last year, with the QEUH seeing the biggest increase of over 7%.\r\nThe site has and continues to implement a number of measures to support improvements across the emergency department and assessment units, with a focus on escalation and discharge particularly in the evening and weekend period. The one key change that has made a significant difference is the electronic monitoring system in the IAU; this has supported a number of improvements for patient care, for example, all patents are triaged within a very short period of time of arrival and assessed within the hour, enhancing patient experience.\r\nHowever, the Scottish Government recognises that more needs to be done and through the national team we are supporting the local team to implement various key measures, including a telephone triage processes for GP referred patients; enhanced escalation model and Ambulatory Emergency Care pathways in order to minimise delays and improve performance on a sustainable basis.\r\nAdditionally, I recently visited the site to meet staff in the emergency department and assessment units and learn more about the various actions underway.\r\nFor more information on the published A&E waiting times at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in comparison to other sites across Scotland please visit Information Services Division Scotland website: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Emergency-Care/Publications/index.asp.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319622,"EventID":"S5W-05029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T17:25:22.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T15:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for continuing investment in the public social partnership model to promote early intervention approaches that reduce youth offending.","AnswerText":"Future Scottish Government funding for offender mentoring services will be dependent on the outcome of the 2017-18 Spending Review.\r\nThe Scottish Government has given an indication that, subject to budget being available, it plans to provide further funding to the Public Social Partnership projects which have previously been funded via the Reducing Reoffending Change Fund (supporting prolific young male offenders (18-25yo), and female offenders) in 2017-18. However, two offender mentoring projects (Includem PSP, and VASLan PSP) have already been advised that SG will not provide funding to replace the RRCF grant allocation beyond March 2017, and they should look to local funding bodies for sustainable funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319623,"EventID":"S5W-05016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T17:25:23.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing business rates relief for local newspapers.","AnswerText":"We keep all our business rate reliefs under active review. The Small Business Bonus Scheme now removes or substantially reduces rates for over 100,000 properties, including local newspaper premises, and will be expanded further from 2017 to lift 100,000 properties out of rates altogether.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319624,"EventID":"S5W-05027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T17:25:25.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it can do to ensure that people waiting to attend A&E at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow are seen and admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05025 on 8 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319625,"EventID":"S5W-05028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T17:25:26.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T15:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the public social partnership on reducing youth reoffending. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government commissioned an independent evaluation of the six Public Social Partnership projects established under the Reducing Reoffending Change Fund (RRCF), which was conducted by Ipsos Mori, and whose report was published on 12 February 2016. The RRCF has funded six PSP projects across 2013-2017, which provide assistance to young prolific male offenders (aged 18-25), and women with convictions.\r\nThe report concluded that the mentoring services delivered by these projects is an effective approach which helps individuals to learn and implement constructive, non-criminal ways of addressing problems in their lives, and to reduce risk factors associated with offending behaviour. \r\nThe report is available at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/02/9184.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319626,"EventID":"S5W-05030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-24T17:25:27.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T15:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support young offenders to find sustainable employment opportunities to assist them in their journey to stop reoffending.","AnswerText":"As part of a preventative approach to reducing offending, the Scottish Government is working with a range of partners to enable young people who have been involved in offending to develop the skills and capacity to find and sustain employment.\r\nThis includes specific support through Skills Development Scotland, Scotland’s Employer Recruitment Incentive and the Open Consortium which provides specialist in-work support to 16-29 year olds to help them sustain employment. Investment in Community Jobs Scotland since 2014 has ensured a focus on young people with an offending history, supporting over 3000 paid job training opportunities for young people including those with convictions.\r\nThe Scottish Government is working with employers through Developing the Young Workforce regional groups to create employment opportunities for all young people including those young people being released from custody.\r\nDedicated work is being delivered within HM Young Offenders Institution Polmont to create a joined up approach to through-care for young people in custody as part of the Scottish Prison Services Vision for Young People in Custody.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319682,"EventID":"S5W-05078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:40:12.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T13:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to move its staff and departments away from the major cities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no current plans to relocate its staff and departments away from the major cities.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319700,"EventID":"S5W-05037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:42.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00314 by Roseanna Cunningham on 9 November 2016, what responsibilities lie with landowners in the absence of a species control order.","AnswerText":"There is no legal duty placed on landowners to clear their land of invasive non-native species.\r\nThe Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence for a person to deliberately or accidently release any animal, or cause to allow any plant to grow in the wild, at a place outwith their native range. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319701,"EventID":"S5W-05038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:43.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T16:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many speeding enforcement (a) warnings and (b) penalty notices have been issued for speeding offences (i) in towns and (ii) nationally in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. The enforcement of speed limits is an operational matter for Police Scotland and the administration of fines is the responsibility of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319702,"EventID":"S5W-05055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:45.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has provided to integration joint boards regarding charging for community alarms.","AnswerText":"Charging guidelines for integration joint boards remain those issued by COSLA, as per S5W-04980 answered on 8 December 2016. These guidelines cover charging for non-residential social care services, which includes community alarms as a chargeable service.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319703,"EventID":"S5W-05056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:47.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support prisoners to access housing, employment and benefits ahead of being released.","AnswerText":"SPS has a long standing relationship with the DWP who have placed JCP staff in all prisons either on a full time or part time basis. Partnership working is ongoing to ensure that access to employment support and benefit advice is continually improving.\r\nSPS continues to work in collaboration with Scottish Government, third sector organisations and employers to provide Community Placements (release on temporary license) and post-liberation employment.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319704,"EventID":"S5W-05069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:49.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on each of the recommendations of the report by the Scottish Veterans Commissioner, The Veterans Community - Employability, Skills and Learning.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the Scottish Veterans Commissioner’s report \"The Veterans Community - Employability, Skills and Learning\".\r\nThe Scottish Government will consider fully the report’s findings and recommendations. I welcome and accept the Commissioner’s recommendation that I should report to Parliament on implementation of his findings on an annual basis.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319705,"EventID":"S5W-05070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:50.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T12:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with its initiatives to increase the number of people graduating in STEM subjects.","AnswerText":"STEM education and training is vital for meeting the demands and challenges of our economy and for building the society we want to see now and in the future. The Scottish Government have a comprehensive and ambitious plan for improving Scotland’s STEM talent and capability. For the first time we have published a plan that coordinates all of the work underway to promote STEM skills and capability across all age ranges and settings in one strategy, and we are outlining the Scottish Government’s future plans for improving the STEM talent pipeline. The consultation was launched on 8 November 2016 and will run until 31 January 2017. We will publish a final version of the Strategy next Spring. We will set ambitious targets for Government and its agencies to drive delivery.\r\nUniversities are committed to improving take up of STEM degree courses. The number of entrants to first degree courses in STEM subjects at Scottish universities has increased by 15 per cent, up 3,155, from 21,125 in 2006-07 to 24,280 in 2014-15. The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) funded a total of 1,200 additional university places for STEM subjects over the four-year period 2012-13 to 2015-16, and, between 2013-14 and 2016-17 the SFC is funding nearly 1,200 additional places for undergraduates in key skills, including STEM.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319706,"EventID":"S5W-05062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:15.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many outcomes of surgery are only benchmarked against other outcomes within the NHS in Scotland, broken down by type of surgery.","AnswerText":"We take a broad approach to measuring the quality of care within our health service. Individual surgical units conduct morbidity and mortality meetings regularly, NSS Discovery allows appropriate benchmarking within and across Boards. \r\nOur surgeons participate in a broad range of audits which are published and used to improve care. Some of these audits publish UK wide level consultant mortality data. In Scotland, we have seen surgical mortality fall by 24% in the last three years - partly as a result of the Scottish Patient Safety Programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319707,"EventID":"S5W-05073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:40:01.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T12:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to increase the number of computer science teachers.","AnswerText":"We have increased student teacher intake targets for the fifth year in a row and are setting targets to train teachers in the subjects where they are needed most.\r\nWe delivered a successful #inspiringteachers campaign focusing on STEM subjects which has resulted in 41 students studying Computing initial teacher education courses in 2016, compared to 20 students in 2015 which is an improvement of 105%. We will be running a further teacher recruitment campaign, which includes a focus on the STEM subjects, in the coming months. \r\nOn 30 November we announced that eleven new routes into teaching will be developed by Scottish universities to help address recruitment difficulties in the hard to fill subjects. Included in these new routes, the Universities of Dundee and Strathclyde will be offering an accelerated route for STEM graduates. It is expected that the new routes will be ready for student intake in August 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319708,"EventID":"S5W-05036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:21.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of the review of the number, structure and regulation of NHS boards.","AnswerText":"This Government is committed to reviewing the number, structure and regulation of both territorial and special health boards and their relationships with local councils. The detail of this work has yet to be finalised but will form part of our broader transformational change delivery plan that will be set out for Parliament before the end of this year.\r\nI want our NHS Board structure to support the new, integrated, health and social care landscape and better support the provision of excellent hospital and specialist care for Scotland’s population. That means a structure that will lead NHSScotland forward while ensuring the focus is on patients rather than on structures and bureaucracy and which maximises the opportunities for a ‘Once for Scotland’ where that creates efficiencies and reduces duplication.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319709,"EventID":"S5W-05053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:23.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been collected in care charges for people under 65 in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The Local Government Financial Return (LFR3) collects information on income from client contributions for adults under 65 receiving Social Care services. This information is published in tables 4A and 4B of spreadsheet for the “Expenditure on Adult Social Care Services,\r\nScotland, 2003-04 to 2013-14” publication which can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/03/5885/downloads.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319710,"EventID":"S5W-05054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:24.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have paid for their community alarm in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"This information is not currently collected by the Scottish Government. The total number of people, broken down by age and by local authority, in receipt of telecare has been collected since 2011. See http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Health/Data/HomeCare/HSCDHomecare.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319711,"EventID":"S5W-05071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:25.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T12:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage more women to have careers in the digital sector, and what proportion of the digital workforce is female.","AnswerText":"Recent figures show that women make up only 18% of those in technology roles across Scotland’s economy. The Scottish Government is working with key partners from the public sector, academia and industry to address this imbalance.\r\nThrough the ICT and Digital Technologies Skills Investment Plan (SIP), we have established a Gender Action Group to tackle the gender gap in both ICT careers and the relevant academic subjects. Based on research commissioned from Napier University, this group is developing a Gender Action Plan focusing on young women in education and those already in, or looking to return to the labour market.\r\nThere are other initiatives which can have a positive effect on the number of women in digital and other STEM roles. For example, the Digital World marketing campaign, aimed at young people and women in particular, and which raises awareness about the careers and opportunities that digital skills and qualifications can create. \r\nMeanwhile, the Scottish Government has recently announced new funding of almost £50,000 for the Women Returners Project, building upon a successful pilot by Equate Scotland which took place earlier this year. This will help support more women with STEM qualifications to return to work the STEM sector after periods of absence from paid employment.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319712,"EventID":"S5W-05072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:26.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T12:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will work with the UK Government to ensure that the spending on digital infrastructure projects that was outlined in the Autumn Statement is aligned with its own plans.","AnswerText":"The UK Government’s announcement of planned investment in digital infrastructure could potentially help to deliver the Scottish Government’s world class ambitions and our commitment to deliver 100% superfast broadband access by 2021.\r\nAlthough the Scottish Government was not consulted on the proposals prior to their announcement, we will work closely with the UK Government to ensure that Scotland benefits from this new funding, given the unique challenges that we face in deploying telecoms networks.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319713,"EventID":"S5W-05031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:08.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made a comparison of fish farm regulations, in terms of environmental conditions, between Scotland and Norway. ","AnswerText":"The environmental impacts of fish farms on the water environment are regulated through the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011. The Scottish Government has not made any comparison of these Regulations with regulations in Norway.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319714,"EventID":"S5W-05046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:09.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04549 by Aileen Campbell on 22 November 2016, what analysis it has carried out to determine the reason for the fall in the number of hepatitis C diagnoses in 2015; what estimate it has made of the current number of undiagnosed cases, and what steps it is taking to ensure that each NHS board has the capacity to exceed its treatment target for the condition.","AnswerText":"Health Protection Scotland have investigated the reduction in the number of diagnosis in 2015 but has not identified a particular trend to explain this. HPS has specifically examined whether or not there has been a reduction in the volume of testing undertaken, but based on an analysis of the four largest NHS boards, this appears not to be the case. Rather this has demonstrated a 40% increase in hepatitis C tests carried out during 2015 compared to the annual average for the 2010-2014 period. Over 65,000 people were tested in 2015 compared with an average of 46,546 tests per year over the prior five years).\r\nIt is estimated that the number of people chronically infected with hepatitis C in Scotland is 35,900 of which 21,500 (60%) have been diagnosed. This equates to a 50% increase in the proportion of infected people being diagnosed since the launch of the Hepatitis C Action plan in 2008. The proportion of the infected population being diagnosed is continuing to increase each year.\r\nThe annual treatment target is a national minimum target. Each NHS Board is responsible for managing its own population and the disease within its locality. NHS Boards are currently on track to exceed the national target for 2015-16 of 1,500.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319715,"EventID":"S5W-05048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:11.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its efforts to assess the potential effectiveness of a population-based case finding approach to hepatitis C. ","AnswerText":"Health Protection Scotland are working with Glasgow Caledonian University to undertake work to ascertain the cost-effectiveness of performing birth cohort hepatitis C screening among the population of Scotland. A report will be prepared and submitted to Scottish Government in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319716,"EventID":"S5W-05061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:12.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the NHS computer systems, and which operating system does the NHS currently use.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government in partnership with boards is constantly evaluating current national and local systems to ensure they are still fit for purpose and resilient. For example in 2016 there has been a board level gap analysis of the critical controls needed to mitigate cyber-attacks.\r\nDetails of specific operating systems covered on a board by board bases are not held centrally and it would be the responsibility of individual health boards to provide this information. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319717,"EventID":"S5W-05063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:13.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00934 by Shona Robison on 1 July 2016, how much each local authority received from the £6 million, and how many people this has helped in each local authority.","AnswerText":"As part of the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2016-17, £250m was provided from the Health budget to integration authorities for social care, of which £125m was provided to support additional spend on expanding social care, including through making progress on charging thresholds for all non-residential services to address poverty.\r\nDetails of the allocations were provided in response to question S4W-30141 answered on 26 February 2016.\r\nThe Scottish Government estimated that increasing charging thresholds from 16.5% to 25% would benefit around 13,000 people through reduced charges and take around 900 people out of charging altogether.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319718,"EventID":"S5W-05049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:16.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many referrals for child and adolescent mental health services have been made by (a) GPs, (b) schools or school nurses and (c) named persons in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"Data on the number of referrals made by GP’s, schools or school nurses and named persons to child and adolescent mental health service is not held centrally ISD receives aggregated referral data from NHS Boards. It is not possible to identify the source of the referral.\r\nData on the number of referrals received and number of referrals rejected is collected and published on the ISD website (http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Waiting-Times/Child-and-Adolescent-Mental-Health/). Referrals rejected are referrals that do not meet the criteria for CAMHS intervention.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319719,"EventID":"S5W-05051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:17.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been refused treatment from mental health services due to also having an alcohol or drug dependency issue in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"Data on how many people have been refused treatment from mental health services due to also having an alcohol or drug dependency issue is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319720,"EventID":"S5W-05058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:18.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many oral cancer screenings have taken place in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"There is no national screening programme for oral cancer and no centrally held data on how many oral cancer screenings that have taken place in NHS Scotland.\r\nIn January 2016, the UK National Screening Committee, which advises Ministers and the NHS about all aspects of screening policy recommended not to introduce national screening for oral cancer because a reliable test has not yet been identified and there is not enough evidence to determine how well existing tests would perform in a national programme.\r\nIn 2015-16 just over three million adults received an NHS dental check-up in Scotland. Dentists examining the mouth look for any oral abnormality, including oral cancer. NHS dental check-ups are free in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319721,"EventID":"S5W-05060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:20.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many young people have been refused treatment from child and adolescent mental health services in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"Data on how many young people have been refused treatment from child and adolescent mental health services is not held centrally.\r\nData on the number of referrals received and number of referrals rejected is collected and published on the ISD website (http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Waiting-Times/Child-and-Adolescent-Mental-Health/). Referrals rejected are referrals that do not meet the criteria for CAMHS intervention.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319722,"EventID":"S5W-05033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:51.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of statistics published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), which show that the number of fish farms that rated poor rose from 42 in 2014 to 58 in 2015, what action it will take to address this.","AnswerText":"Environmental regulation and compliance are matters for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The Scottish Government is, however, committed to supporting ongoing dialogue between SEPA and stakeholders to encourage the sustainable growth of the aquaculture sector and to identify improved regulatory approaches where possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319723,"EventID":"S5W-05035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:52.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what obligations public authorities have to collect waste on privately owned land that is present as a result of illegal fly-tipping.","AnswerText":"Private land owners are responsible for the removal of waste from their land.\r\nSection 179 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 enables a local planning authority to require the owner and occupier of land to take specific steps to remedy the land’s condition, if they consider that it adversely affects the local area. Section 59 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 gives local authorities and Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) powers to require occupiers of land to remove unlawfully deposited waste.\r\nGuidance produced by the Scottish Flytipping Forum ('Flytipping in Scotland: A Guide to Prevention and Enforcement') for local authority and SEPA waste enforcement officers recognises that the owners of flytipped land are the victims of crime. It encourages local authorities and/or SEPA to investigate flytipping on public and private land and to offer assistance. This may be in the form of advice to prevent the problem in the future or help to uplift or dispose of waste if local circumstances allow.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319724,"EventID":"S5W-05040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:54.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what matters were discussed at its EU justice summit on 24 November 2016; what new information from experts it obtained, and whether it will publish the minutes.","AnswerText":"The discussion followed 4 high level themes of Law Enforcement and Criminal Law; Civil Law and its impact on participation in the Single Market; EU law and the Role of the Court of Justice of the EU; and engagement with the UK government.\r\nContributions were welcomed from the wide range of experts in attendance from both a civil and criminal perspective, including Police Scotland, The Faculty of Advocates, the Law Society of Scotland, the Crown Office and the Scottish Human Rights Commission. It was suggested that losing access to the European Arrest Warrant and law enforcement co-operation measures would require the Scotland’s justice system to fall back on international agreements from the late 1950s. There was uncertainty about whether such arrangements could be effective in modern times. Arrangements for the mutual recognition of judgments, provisions to prevent multiple cases in different countries, and other civil law arrangements are currently vital to the effective operation of the Single Market. There was discussion of the need to maintain security and stability in the law and consistent concerns about the risk of Scotland’s justice system being ‘left behind’ across all of the themes.\r\nA summary of the discussion will be produced and published later this month.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319725,"EventID":"S5W-05074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:56.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T12:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on using the TV whitespace spectrum to broadcast internet to island and rural areas.","AnswerText":"TV White Space technology could potentially be used to deliver broadband services to rural areas in future. The Scottish Government has provided approximately £410,000 of funding to the University of Strathclyde's Centre for White Space Communications to trial the use of TV white space technology through two pilot projects in Glasgow and Orkney that are being delivered in conjunction with industry partners. The learning from these projects will help determine the viability of using the technology as an alternative means of delivering connectivity in remote areas.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319726,"EventID":"S5W-05076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:59.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T12:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will work with the UK Government to ensure that the rollout of UK-wide 5G technology compliments its ambitions for greater mobile coverage and faster connections.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is keen to work with UKG to ensure that the investment announced in last week’s Autumn Statement supports 5G trials and deployment in Scotland. On 25 October 2016 I wrote to Matt Hancock MP, Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, seeking a meeting to progress a range of digital issues, including 5G, to ensure UKG’s plans align with our ambitious digital agenda. I am awaiting a response from the Minister.\r\nWe are already working to ensure that Scotland possesses the underlying infrastructure needed to support the future evolution of digital technologies such as 5G. With our partners Scottish Futures Trust, we are already engaged with the 5G Innovation Centre at the University of Surrey and are working with Ofcom on a range of issues relating to mobile coverage to ensure Scotland's needs are recognised and addressed by the regulator. This is a platform to build greater collaboration in future to ensure that Scotland is at the forefront of 5G development and deployment.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319727,"EventID":"S5W-05034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:28.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the final report by the European Commission’s Agricultural Markets Task Force.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has welcomed the final report by the European Commission's Agricultural Markets Taskforce as a further attempt to strengthen farmers' position in the food supply chain. We will now consider the recommendations in detail and discuss their relevance with stakeholders. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319728,"EventID":"S5W-05041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:30.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what risks for Scotland's (a) legal system, (b) police service and (c) (i) role in international and judicial cooperation and (ii) intelligence sharing post-Brexit were identified at its EU justice summit on 24 November 2016.","AnswerText":"The Summit focused discussion around 4 high level themes of Law Enforcement and Criminal Law; Civil Law and its impact on participation in the Single Market; EU law and the Role of the Court of Justice of the EU; and engagement with the UK government as opposed to risks in any particular area. It was clear that ‘Brexit’ poses risks that Scotland’s justice systems, police service and ability to help justice systems in other countries could be hindered. Contributions were welcomed from the wide range of experts in attendance from both a civil and criminal perspective, including Police Scotland, The Faculty of Advocates, the Law Society of Scotland, the Crown Office and the Scottish Human Rights Commission. It was highlighted that 80% of the UK contacts through the European Judicial Network on criminal matters are from Scotland. Loss of access to this network poses a considerable risk to our intelligence sharing capacity. There is also a risk that Scotland may be ‘left behind’ by not participating in the on-going process of improvements in justice co-operation across the EU.\r\nA summary of the discussion will be produced and published online later this month.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319729,"EventID":"S5W-05052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:32.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of people requiring personal care.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have a duty under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to assess a person’s community care needs and decide whether to arrange any required services. \r\nApproximately 77,000 people in Scotland benefit from Free Personal Care, with more than 30,000 people in Care Homes and nearly 47,000 people living in their own home.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319730,"EventID":"S5W-05059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:34.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time has been for oral cancer screenings in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"There is no national oral cancer screening programme in NHS Scotland or centrally held data on average waits for oral cancer screening.\r\nHowever, validated data for Cancer Waiting Times Standards are published by NHS ISD quarterly. Data for median waits from referral to treatment and decision to treat to treatment for head and neck cancers (including oral cancers) can be accessed through the ISD website: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Waiting-Times/Publications/index.asp","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319731,"EventID":"S5W-05077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:35.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03390 by Maureen Watt on 31 October 2016, what the outcome was of the assessment on reducing waiting time for diagnosing children, and whether it will consider setting a waiting times target for this.","AnswerText":"NHS Boards are responsible for providing diagnostic services for people with autism in line with their statutory obligations and Scottish Government policy.\r\nReducing diagnostic waiting times for children and adults is a priority for the Scottish Strategy for Autism. However, we are not considering a waiting times target for autism. You may be aware that the Scottish Government is currently taking forward a review of national NHS targets. \r\nYou can find out more about Autism ACHIEVE Alliance's report on their investigation into waiting times for autism diagnosis at the following link;http://www.autismstrategyscotland.org.uk/strategy/key-documents.html. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319732,"EventID":"S5W-05032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:37.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-24T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what account has been taken of the effects on the marine environment in moving toward the 2020 target of a 50% increase in fish exports.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the aquaculture industry’s sustainable growth including production targets of 210,000 tonnes marine (whole wet) finfish and 13,000 tonnes shellfish by 2020 as outlined in the UK Multi Annual National Plan for Aquaculture and Scotland’s National Marine Plan.\r\nAny increased production will result from either a modification to an existing development or a new development. In both cases the application will be assessed (by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency - SEPA) on an individual basis taking into account any potential impacts on Scotland’s water environment out to a distance of 3 nautical miles in accordance with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319733,"EventID":"S5W-05050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:38.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been supported by the alcohol and drug partnerships in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The requested information can only be provided for 2011-2015 as data captured prior to this is not comparable.\r\nAs such I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02037 on 13 September 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319734,"EventID":"S5W-05057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:39.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average age of mental health nurses is in Scotland, and what assessment it has been made of the option for mental health nurses to retire at 55.","AnswerText":"The average age of Mental Health Nurses working in NHSScotland as at 30 September 2016 is 45. \r\nMental Health Officer (MHO) status, which allows members of the NHS Pension Scheme to retire with an unreduced pension from age 55 onwards (where the member has the necessary MHO service and is working as an MHO immediately before retiring) was discontinued for new members of the NHS Pension Scheme from 1 April 1995. Staff with MHO status at that point have the right to retain it, providing they do not have a break in NHS pensionable employment of five years or more and continue to work in an employment which attracts MHO status. It cannot be presumed, however, that all staff with MHO status who reach the age of 55 will retire at that point, as retirement is discretionary. \r\nUnder this Government, the number of Mental Health Nurses working in NHSScotland have increased by 2,158.5 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE), or 29.8 per cent, to 9,404.3 WTE. We have committed to introducing a national and regional workforce planning system across NHSScotland which will help deliver the vision set out in the National Clinical Strategy. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319735,"EventID":"S5W-05068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:40.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many empty (a) private and (b) public sector residential properties there have been in each local authority area in the West Scotland parliamentary region in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Information on the total number of long term empty properties, second homes, and unoccupied exemptions in Scotland in each local authority area as at September each year is published as part of the Housing Statistics for Scotland web tables available at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/HSfS/LTemptysecondhomes/EmptySecondhometables. Information is available for the years 2005 to 2015 for long term empty properties and second homes, and for the years 1996 to 2015 for unoccupied exemptions. \r\nThese web tables are due to be updated with 2016 data on 13 December 2016.\r\nInformation on the number of vacant local authority properties in Scotland by each local authority area as at March each year from 1998 to 2016 is published as part of the Housing Statistics for Scotland web tables, available at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/HSfS/StockManagement.\r\nInformation is not collected centrally on the number of vacant housing association properties by local authority area. The Scottish Housing Regulator collects information through the Charter Data Collection on the number of vacant normal dwelling stock properties for each registered social landlord, for both local authorities and housing associations. Indicator C20 provides information on the number of self-contained properties void at the year end and of those the number that have been void for more than six months, and data for 2013-14 to 2015-16 is available from the Charter Datasets at https://www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk/find-and-compare-landlords/statistical-information. However this information is only available at a landlord level and not at a local authority area level.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319736,"EventID":"S5W-05075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T14:39:41.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T12:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support job growth in the digital sector in island and rural areas.","AnswerText":"We believe that the adoption and use of digital technologies by business will assist growth in all sectors in areas across Scotland. This is why we are so determined to ensure that all of our businesses have access to the connectivity which will enable them to reach new customers and markets, to innovate and to grow.\r\nOur commitment to deliver 100% superfast broadband coverage by 2021 will play a vital important role in improving the productivity of businesses, especially those in remote and rural areas.\r\nOur refreshed Digital Strategy, which we expect to publish early 2017, will set out these plans in more detail.\r\nIt will also reflect on the steps which our investment of over £15 million since 2013 has taken to help grow Scotland’s digital economy and capability. These include funding for #HelloDigital in Inverness, led and operated by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. This centre offers a diverse range of showcases, master classes and events bringing together industry experts, academic leaders and the business community.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319737,"EventID":"S5W-05084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T16:11:55.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the finding in the Family and Childcare Trust’s Older People’s Care Survey 2016, which suggests that the average period of time it takes a self-funder to use up savings on care across the UK is seven years and seven months, compared with four years and 10 months in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Family and Childcare Trust's publication shows that the average weekly cost of residential care in Scotland is broadly in line with the UK average, taking into account the difference in average house prices.\r\nFurthermore, around 10,000 self-funders in residential care in Scotland receive free personal care payments of £171 per week.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319738,"EventID":"S5W-05082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T16:11:56.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the finding in the Information Services Division report, Cancer Mortality in Scotland (2015), that “the most deprived areas have incidence rates that are 31% higher than the least deprived areas [and] mortality rates for all cancers combined are 64% higher in the most deprived areas compared with the least deprived”.","AnswerText":"Our £100m cancer strategy ‘Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action’ includes a commitment to invest up to £5 million over the next 5 years in new activity targeted to improve outcomes by addressing health inequalities, including in screening.\r\nIn addition our Detect Cancer Early programme, which has seen investment of £41m since 2012 focuses on reducing inequalities and has seen a significant increase of 16.3% in stage I diagnoses in the most deprived areas of Scotland. This includes a 44.1% increase in stage I lung cancer diagnoses in people from the most deprived areas","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319739,"EventID":"S5W-05083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T16:11:57.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much VisitScotland has spent on promoting the Highlands and Islands (a) in and (b) outwith Scotland in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Highlands and Islands are actively promoted by VisitScotland as part of its national and international marketing campaigns, as well as through other marketing activities including its consumer website, visitscotland.com, social media and through the 31 iCentres across the area, as well as elsewhere.\r\nVisitScotland does not keep records for the total spend for promotional activity within the Highlands and Islands as its marketing spend is recorded by campaign, rather than by region, and these may feature a number of areas from across Scotland. \r\nIn addition to direct marketing, VisitScotland provides grant support through its Growth Fund (and predecessor Challenge Fund (2007-2010)) to organisations to assist the marketing of their areas. Funding within the Highlands and Islands each year since 2007 is given in the following table: \r\nYear\r\nAmount (£)\r\n2008\r\n40,278\r\n2009\r\n16,714\r\n2010\r\nNo awards\r\n2011\r\n314,246\r\n2012\r\n91,379.61\r\n2013\r\n67,500\r\n2014\r\n72,202\r\n2015\r\n65,000\r\n2016\r\n70,000\r\nVisitScotland also provides financial support for and organisation of trade familiarisation trips for the travel trade. Support provided for the Highlands and Islands each year since 2007 is set out in the following table:\r\nYear\r\nAmount (£)\r\n2008\r\n40,198\r\n2009\r\n26,766\r\n2010\r\n23,375\r\n2011\r\n25,265\r\n2012\r\n19,955\r\n2013\r\n38,717\r\n2014\r\n26,764\r\n2015\r\n23,112\r\n2016\r\n22,950\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":319740,"EventID":"S5W-05085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T16:11:58.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T13:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in the Highlands and Islands region have been employed in the public sector in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The estimated number of people employed in the public sector in the Highlands and Islands region, from 2007 to 2015, sourced from the Annual Population Survey (Jan-Dec) is shown in the following table:\r\nNumber of people employed in the public sector in the Highland and Islands Regions, 2007 to 2015\r\nYear\r\nNumber of people employed\r\n2007\r\n70,000\r\n2008\r\n74,500\r\n2009\r\n74,500\r\n2010\r\n70,200\r\n2011\r\n67,300\r\n2012\r\n59,100\r\n2013\r\n58,400\r\n2014\r\n61,700\r\n2015\r\n64,100\r\nSource: Annual Population Survey, ONS (Jan-Dec in each year)\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Information has been sourced from the Annual Population Survey, ONS (Office for National Statistics) obtained from www.nomisweb.co.uk\r\n2. Highlands and Islands geographic area has been defined based on the Highland and Islands NUTS 2010 Level 2 geographic area.\r\n3. Estimates are based on the survey respondents self-report of working in the public sector. This is not entirely consistent with classification based on an ONS National Accounts definition.\r\nThe preferred source of public sector employment for Scotland is the Scottish Government’s National Statistics Publication Quarterly Public Sector Employment in Scotland. The latest information is for Q2 2016 located at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/PublicSectorEmployment\r\nThis source is based on administrative records collected through the Scottish Government and the Office for National Statistics survey of individual public sector bodies (based on National Accounts Definitions). This publication does not provide estimates for number of people employed in the public sector in the Highlands and Islands region, however information on local government employment by council area is provided in Web-Table 9: Local Government by Local Authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319741,"EventID":"S5W-05087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T16:11:59.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many college places have been made available in the North East Scotland region in each year since 2005, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"FTEs (Full-Time Equivalents) at North East Scotland College by Local Authority of residence\r\nLA\r\nAberdeen\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nAngus\r\nDundee\r\nOther\r\nTotal\r\n2005-06\r\n3,988\r\n4,599\r\n127\r\n57\r\n1,312\r\n10,083\r\n2006-07\r\n4,260\r\n4,678\r\n149\r\n49\r\n1,660\r\n10,795\r\n2007-08\r\n4,273\r\n4,857\r\n130\r\n104\r\n1,534\r\n10,897\r\n2008-09\r\n4,055\r\n4,653\r\n138\r\n64\r\n1,341\r\n10,252\r\n2009-10\r\n4,111\r\n4,699\r\n141\r\n63\r\n1,561\r\n10,575\r\n2010-11\r\n4,247\r\n4,688\r\n126\r\n27\r\n1,245\r\n10,334\r\n2011-12\r\n3,919\r\n4,622\r\n147\r\n43\r\n1,306\r\n10,038\r\n2012-13\r\n3,554\r\n4,381\r\n132\r\n38\r\n1,105\r\n9,210\r\n2013-14\r\n3,707\r\n4,345\r\n178\r\n53\r\n1,327\r\n9,610\r\n2014-15\r\n3,942\r\n4,354\r\n198\r\n39\r\n899\r\n9,431\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council (SFC)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFTE includes SFC and ESF (European Social Fund) funded places. \r\nLA is based on students postcode prior to study\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFTEs (Full-Time Equivalents) at Dundee and Angus College by Local Authority of residence\r\nLA\r\nAberdeen\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nAngus\r\nDundee\r\nOther\r\nTotal\r\n2005-06\r\n35\r\n144\r\n2,631\r\n3,704\r\n1,155\r\n7,668\r\n2006-07\r\n38\r\n147\r\n2,597\r\n3,870\r\n1,087\r\n7,739\r\n2007-08\r\n41\r\n139\r\n2,698\r\n3,861\r\n1,037\r\n7,777\r\n2008-09\r\n53\r\n155\r\n2,763\r\n3,943\r\n1,100\r\n8,015\r\n2009-10\r\n25\r\n140\r\n2,843\r\n4,004\r\n1,164\r\n8,176\r\n2010-11\r\n34\r\n171\r\n2,843\r\n4,086\r\n1,140\r\n8,273\r\n2011-12\r\n34\r\n139\r\n2,830\r\n3,711\r\n1,220\r\n7,934\r\n2012-13\r\n37\r\n143\r\n2,634\r\n3,647\r\n1,052\r\n7,513\r\n2013-14\r\n36\r\n129\r\n2,709\r\n3,664\r\n1,013\r\n7,552\r\n2014-15\r\n66\r\n162\r\n2,627\r\n3,925\r\n968\r\n7,748\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council (SFC)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFTE includes SFC and ESF (European Social Fund) funded places. \r\nLA is based on students postcode prior to study\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319742,"EventID":"S5W-05086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T16:12:00.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had or plans with the T in the Park organisers regarding the future of the event, including its possible relocation to Glasgow.","AnswerText":"Immediately following the media speculation of 20 November 2016 suggesting that T in the Park might not take place in 2017, my officials contacted DF Concerts to seek clarification on its future plans for the event. At that point DF Concerts stated it was not in a position to confirm anything with regard to the recent media reporting. My officials reminded DF Concerts that the Scottish Government grant of £150,000, made in 2015 to support operational costs associated with the move of T in the Park to its new site at Strathallan, had a condition attached to it stipulating that the sum of £50,000 should be repaid to Scottish Ministers by DF Concerts for each and any year up to and including 2017 that the event does not take place at Strathallan. \r\nFollowing DF Concerts’ announcement on 24 November 2016 that it would not be staging the T in the Park event in 2017, I have written to DF Concerts’ Chief Executive requesting that he meet with me to discuss the organisers’ future plans for the event. My letter also highlights the claw-back condition attached to the 2015 grant and confirms that arrangements are being made for a DF Concerts to make a repayment of £50,000 to Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319743,"EventID":"S5W-05080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T16:12:01.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to safeguard the pensions of workers at the Clydebridge and Dalzell steel plants, and how much this has cost.","AnswerText":"I understand that the accrued pension benefits of those workers at the Clydebridge and Dalzell steel plants, assuming they had elected to join the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS), have not been affected. All those workers will remain members of the BSPS and may take their accrued benefits at a time which they judge most appropriate to their circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319744,"EventID":"S5W-05064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T16:12:02.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provisions are in place to ensure that health information is provided in accessible formats, and what information it has regarding how many different formats have been offered by each NHS board.","AnswerText":"The Patient Charter clearly sets out patients’ rights and responsibilities and what patients can expect when they use NHS Scotland Services and receive care; that includes the right to be given the information they need in a format or language they can understand.\r\nAlthough information is not held centrally on the range of different formats offered by NHS Boards in providing accessible information, under the Equality Act 2010, all Boards are required, to provide translation & interpreting services and written material wherever possible and reasonable. All Boards have a published accessibility policy and arrangements in place to support such needs.\r\nA new service from NHS inform, Scotland’s national health information service, further enhances accessibility through the introduction of a new accessibility tool. “Browsealoud” is now available on NHSinform.scot, allowing content to be read aloud, simplified, converted to MP3, magnified, highlighted, or translated into alternative languages.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319745,"EventID":"S5W-05081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-25T16:12:04.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its purchase and sale of the Clydebridge and Dalzell steel plants will impact on the pension arrangements of (a) current and (b) future pensioners.","AnswerText":"The purchase and sale of the plants by Scottish Government in no way affected workers pension arrangements. The workers at the Clydebridge and Dalzell steel plants were made redundant by Tata Steel. I understand that at the point they were made redundant, those employees who had elected to join the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) would have ceased to be contributing members of the BSPS although their accrued benefits would not be affected. Liberty Steel will be offering all of their new employees an appropriate pension scheme.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319757,"EventID":"S5T-00231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T12:54:35.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect children involved in football from sexual abuse.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319758,"EventID":"S5T-00232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T12:54:35.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Children's Services Coalition warning that Scotland faces a \"lost generation\" of children with additional support needs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-11-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319759,"EventID":"S5F-00558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T12:53:17.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T17:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319760,"EventID":"S5F-00561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T12:53:20.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T01:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319761,"EventID":"S5F-00563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T12:53:22.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T09:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the ability of the education agencies to deliver the curriculum for excellence.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319762,"EventID":"S5F-00565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T12:53:25.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the week.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319763,"EventID":"S5F-00569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T12:53:30.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister, in light of comments by the Secretary of State for Scotland, what commitments the Scottish Government has received from the UK Government regarding the devolution of further powers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319764,"EventID":"S5F-00580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T12:53:41.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to address workforce issues in the NHS. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319765,"EventID":"S5F-00581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T12:53:42.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether she will provide an update following her visit to Dublin. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319777,"EventID":"S5W-05093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:50:53.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of funding for mental health services in NHS Grampian.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies, including NHS boards and local authorities, to support implementation of policy.\r\nThe management of local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local spending priorities are the responsibility of relevant local agencies. It is therefore the responsibility of local Integration Authorities, NHS boards and local authorities to work together with their partners and regularly review spending decisions to ensure they deliver fit for purpose services which respond to the needs of their local population.\r\nFunding on mental health promotion, early intervention and appropriate services and treatment for people with mental health problems will continue to be drawn from the overall funds allocated to NHS Scotland and Local Authorities by the Scottish Government.\r\nIn addition, direct funding from the Scottish Government to support mental health improvement in NHS Grampian this year is expected to include:\r\n£798,500 to support delivery of the provisions of the Mental Health Act, specialist child and adolescent mental health services, and increase capacity in the specialist child and adolescent mental health psychology workforce.\r\n£427,219 to support NHS Boards to increase capacity to deliver improved access to mental health services and meet the requirements of mental health waiting times standards within the Local Delivery Plan (LDP) Guidance for 2016-17.\r\n£395,259 to support better access to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and to develop innovative approaches to delivering mental health services.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319778,"EventID":"S5W-05100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:50:54.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been awarded each year under the Study in Europe Portability Pilot; what the average award has been, and how many applications have been (a) received and (b) accepted.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of applications received and accepted by Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) from students undertaking a course as part of the European Portability Pilot.\r\nThe table also shows the total amount of funding awarded by SAAS and the average funding per student.\r\n\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17*\r\nTotal cost of funding\r\n£40,000\r\n£70,000\r\n£70,000\r\nAverage funding per student\r\n£4,400\r\n£4,500\r\n£4,700\r\nTotal number of student applications received\r\n15\r\n15\r\n15\r\nTotal number of student applications accepted\r\n10\r\n15\r\n15\r\nSource: SAAS\r\nNote: Numbers are rounded to the nearest 5.\r\n* Provisional figures for 2016-17 are subject to revision, such as the addition of new or unprocessed applications.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319779,"EventID":"S5W-05132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:50:56.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what allowance it has made for overpayment of CAP payments for (a) 2015 and (b) 2016.","AnswerText":"The EC regulations require the Scottish Government, through the Paying Agency, to recover any overpayments made in relation to CAP payments.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":319780,"EventID":"S5W-04691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:50:57.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04307 by Keith Brown on 10 November 2016, for what reason acoustic barrier fencing is not being erected on the upgraded sections of the M74.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03724 on 31 October 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319781,"EventID":"S5W-05066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:50:59.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cancelled ScotRail services there have been since 1 January 2016, and what the impact would have been on fares if there had been a 1% reduction in price for each cancellation.","AnswerText":"On the period 1 January 2016 to 12 November 2016 we calculate there have been 7,453 cancellations reported to Transport Scotland on ScotRail services, out of approximately 642,800 trains booked to run during this period (1.16%). The ScotRail Franchise contains a Delay Repay scheme which compensates passengers delayed by longer than 30 minutes, including in the event their service is cancelled, resulting in a delay to their journey over this time band. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319782,"EventID":"S5W-05102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:00.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that adequate funding is allocated to (a) develop and (b) deploy effective transport measures to tackle air pollution. ","AnswerText":"Transport measures to improve Scotland’s air quality are set out in our Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy. Many initiatives are already in place to develop and deploy effective transport measures to tackle air pollution. The Scottish Government is continuing to explore with Transport Scotland and other partners how these can be developed and built on to ensure successful delivery of all the actions contained in the Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319783,"EventID":"S5W-04692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:02.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04307 by Keith Brown on 10 November 2016, what other sections of the M8 will have acoustic barrier fencing erected on them.","AnswerText":"The Transportation Noise Action Plan identifies six candidate noise management areas (CNMAs) on the M8, at Livingston, Blackburn, Whitburn, East Whitburn and Kirk O’Shotts. Each CNMA will be reviewed to determine if it should become a Noise Management Area (NMA) with this review due to be completed at the start of 2017. NMAs are locations where noise management interventions (including, but not limited to acoustic barrier fencing) could be applied on a prioritised basis during existing maintenance and improvement programmes, where reasonably practicable.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319784,"EventID":"S5W-05094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:03.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03842 by Maureen Watt on 2 November 2016, whether it will introduce guidance to encourage those that receive funding from the mental health innovation fund to work on a public-social partnership basis.","AnswerText":"Guidance for the mental health innovation fund was provided in the letter requesting proposals which was sent to range of stakeholders, including NHS boards, on 20 March 2015. The priority areas for this fund are CAMHS, and to develop innovative approaches to delivering mental health services.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319785,"EventID":"S5W-05119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:04.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) guidance and (b) support it provides to military service leavers who are considering settling in Scotland.","AnswerText":"'Renewing our Commitments' published in February this year, sets out the Scottish Government's aim that our Armed Forces community receive the best possible support both while serving and when they move to civilian life.\r\nLast month I announced that total funding available from the Scottish Veterans Fund will rise to £600,000 over three years. This investment will enable charities and other organisations to provide even more support to people leaving the Armed Forces and settling in Scotland each year. The Fund will also target measures and initiatives to support employment of veterans and their families.\r\nThe Scottish Government has produced a tailored housing guide for Service leavers, veterans and support organisations which provides advice and support to veterans and service leavers to help them understand their housing options. Housing options guidance, published earlier this year, also highlights the importance of taking into account the particular needs of people leaving the Armed Forces in delivery of local authorities’ housing options services.\r\nA wide range of help and support is available to Service leavers who are seeking accommodation. Through its affordable housing supply programme, the Scottish Government provides grant funding to veterans’ organisations to build homes to support ex-service personnel. Priority access is also provided to service leavers who are looking to buy a home with assistance from the Scottish Government’s low-cost initiative for first-time buyers’ schemes.\r\nSkills Development Scotland (SDS) and the Career Transitions Partnership (CTP), which holds the Ministry of Defence contract for resettlement services have agreed to work more closely and are also developing links to online information for service leavers and veterans. SDS is also working closely with the armed forces community and has formed strong links with Veterans Scotland.\r\nI also refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04627 on 21 November 2016 for further information about employment and employability, available on the Parliament's website at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nIn consultation with Schools, Education Scotland and the National Transitions Officer (NTO) published a professional learning resource to help practitioners respond to the needs of Service families and their children revised a Parentzone website to make it relevant for Service families. The Scottish Service Children's Strategic Working Group (SSCSWG) helped develop a factsheet covering Higher Education funding for members of the Armed Forces, published by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319786,"EventID":"S5W-04694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:05.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T10:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason acoustic fencing is not being erected on the M74 next to residential housing.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03724 on 31 October 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319787,"EventID":"S5W-04696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:06.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T10:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the acoustic barrier fencing on the M8 and A725 cost.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04308 on 10 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319788,"EventID":"S5W-05096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:07.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03842 by Maureen Watt on 2 November 2016, who will be responsible for allocating funding from the mental health innovation fund.","AnswerText":"Over five years the Scottish Government will be investing £150 million to improve mental health. The funding from the majority of the mental health innovation fund (£4.2 million in each year) is allocated by the Scottish Government to the NHS boards. NHS boards will be expected to work with their partners in local government and the third sector to develop and deliver the proposals.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319789,"EventID":"S5W-05098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:09.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-03842 by Maureen Watt on 2 November 2016, what proportion of the mental health innovation fund will be allocated to (a) supporting better access to child and adolescent mental health services and (b) developing innovative approaches to delivering mental health services.","AnswerText":"The majority of the mental health innovation fund (£4.2 million in each year) will be allocated to NHS boards. NHS boards will be expected to work with their partners in local government and the third sector to develop and deliver the proposals. The indicative split between access to CAMHS and innovation is 50/50. However, NHS boards and partners have discretion to alter this in line with demonstrable local priorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319790,"EventID":"S5W-05103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:10.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-27T21:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Dumfries and Galloway Council, (b) Police Scotland, (c) port authorities, (d) the Scottish SPCA and (e) other stakeholders regarding the illegal trade in puppies from Ireland to Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the action being taken by the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Police Scotland and local citizens regarding the illegal introduction to Scotland of puppies. Scottish Government officials have been attending meetings of the group convened in Cairnryan to discuss the issues with all of these bodies and to report back to Scottish Ministers. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319791,"EventID":"S5W-05104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:11.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-27T21:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the licensing system for animal rehoming agencies.","AnswerText":"The possible need for licensing of animal rehoming agencies will be considered as part of an ongoing review of pet welfare. The Scottish Government has already held a number of meetings with stakeholders around that ongoing review; and will invite further participation from them.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319792,"EventID":"S5W-05121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:12.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it does with (a) the UK Government and (b) local authorities to ensure that online advice and briefings regarding housing (i) policy and (ii) provision take account of the needs of military service leavers considering settling in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government works with a range of partners to ensure that online advice and briefings regarding housing policy and provision take account of the needs of military Service leavers considering settling in Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government has produced a tailored housing guide for Service leavers and ex-Service personnel and for support organisations that provide advice and support to veterans to help them to understand the housing possibilities open to them.\r\nHousing options guidance, published earlier this year, also highlights the importance of taking into account the particular needs of people leaving the armed forces in the delivery of local authorities’ housing options services.\r\nScottish Government guidance on allocations provides advice to social landlords, including local authorities, to consider and address the needs of ex-Service personnel as part of their housing allocations policies and procedures and ensure they are not disadvantaged. It includes practice examples that highlight approaches used by social landlords to respond to the housing needs of Service leavers and the wider veterans' community.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319793,"EventID":"S5W-05122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:13.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it engages with employers to promote hiring military service leavers.","AnswerText":"As set out in “Renewing Our Commitments” published in February 2016, the Scottish Government is working to build up relationships with employers in Scotland, particularly in the private sector, to promote Service leavers as an asset. I have met a number of supportive employers over the course of the past year personally and welcome their active involvement. The Scottish Government supports a number of initiatives to promote veterans employment, including an online careers fair developed by SaluteMyJob and employability work led by Veterans Scotland.\r\nAt an Employability summit on 24 October this year, I launched the \"Supporting Veterans into Employment\" initiative, supported by Business in the Community and funded by the Scottish Government. This initiative has established a private sector-led network of employers to promote best practice in recruiting and employing veterans in the civilian workforce.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319794,"EventID":"S5W-04693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:14.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the traffic noise levels at Burnacre Gardens in Uddingston (a) are and (b) were prior to works being undertaken.","AnswerText":"The findings for the noise assessments undertaken at Burnacre Gardens as part of the pre-construction Ambient Noise Survey are as follows: \r\nLocation\r\nDate\r\nPeriod\r\nFree Field or façade\r\nTime\r\nMeasured Sound Level at façade (where free-field 3dB have been added to the measurement results)\r\n\r\nLAeq(T)\r\nLAeq,(T) (rounded to the neared 5dB under criteria BS 5228-1:2009+A1:2014 Table E.1)\r\n\r\nLAeq(T)\r\nPermissable Construction noise level (Morning: LAeq,12h,09:00-19:00 Workday/\r\nLAeq,5h,08:00-13:00 Saturday.\r\nEvening: LAeq,3h,19:00-22:00)\r\n\r\nLAeq(T)\r\nPermissaible Construction Noise Level (LAmax(fast))\r\n\r\nLAmax\r\nLoc 27\r\n18 Burnacre Gardens, Uddingston\r\n16/05/14\r\nMorning\r\nFaçade\r\n2h\r\n73.0\r\n75\r\n80\r\n101\r\n15/05/14\r\nEvening\r\nFaçade\r\n2h\r\n71.2\r\n70\r\n80\r\n90\r\nNoise monitoring will be undertaken 12 months after the opening of the new road. The results of this noise monitoring will determine whether noise levels predicted in the Environmental Statement have been met or not and will also form the basis for consideration of claims under relevant legislation. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319795,"EventID":"S5W-04695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:16.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-14T10:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government from which budget the provision of acoustic barrier fencing on roads is funded.","AnswerText":"If an Environmental Statement for a major road construction scheme identified noise as a potentially significant environmental issue, a noise management solution such as an acoustic barrier fence would be provided by the major road scheme.\r\nThe Transportation Noise Action Plan identifies Candidate Noise Management areas (CNMAs) across the existing major road asset. Each CNMA will be reviewed to determine if it should become a Noise Management Area (NMA). NMAs are locations where noise management interventions could be applied on a prioritised basis during existing maintenance and improvement programmes, where reasonably practicable. Budget provision would come from the maintenance and improvement programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319796,"EventID":"S5W-05095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:17.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03842 by Maureen Watt on 2 November 2016, what criteria will be used to  determine whether a child and adolescent mental health service can access the mental health innovation fund.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319797,"EventID":"S5W-05097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:18.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03842 by Maureen Watt on 2 November 2016, which services and organisations will have access to the mental health innovation fund.","AnswerText":"The majority of the mental health innovation fund (£4.2 million in each year) will be allocated to NHS boards. NHS boards will be expected to work with their partners in local government and the third sector to develop and deliver the proposals.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319798,"EventID":"S5W-05131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:19.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will clarify the laws on disabled parking bays, and what efforts are being made to deter road users who are not disabled from using these bays.","AnswerText":"The law relating to parking, including disabled parking is primarily governed by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, which specifies what type of parking places can be created by local authorities. Local authorities also have duties under the Disabled Persons’ Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009, which complements the legislative framework mentioned above, and places responsibility on all local authorities to promote the proper use of disabled parking places. It aims to make all disabled parking bays enforceable via a traffic regulation order, which local authorities can enforce if they have Decriminalised Parking Enforcement powers or by Police Scotland. \r\nThe Scottish Government has no current plans to amend the 2009 Act, however, Transport Scotland officials who are examining issues surrounding responsible parking will consider concerns raised in relation to enforcement of disabled parking bays as part of their public consultation and via a stakeholder group with all local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319799,"EventID":"S5W-05120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:20.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes modern apprenticeships to military service leavers.","AnswerText":"Prior to leaving military service the Career Transitions Partnership (CTP) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) are working more closely to improve the careers advice available to military personnel. If a Modern Apprenticeship is an appropriate route for the service leaver to take, SDS Careers Information and Guidance (CIAG) Staff will work to ensure they are supported on this pathway. This applies to all SDS customers supported by CIAG staff.\r\nSDS are a partner in the Scottish Veterans Employment and Training Service (SVETS). This is a collaborative initiative between employers, veterans organisations and others in Scotland that links former Service men and women with a wide range of small and medium-sized enterprises. It is designed to enable employers to access ex-military talent, address skills shortages, and develop training, graduate and apprenticeship programmes for veterans. It is delivered by a range of partners, including SaluteMyJob, Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, Veterans Scotland, Jobcentre Plus, and Business in the Community. SVETS will be launching a new toolkit for employers in early 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319800,"EventID":"S5W-05067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:21.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a 1% reduction in rail fares each time a ScotRail service is cancelled.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05066 on 13 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319801,"EventID":"S5W-05099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T14:51:22.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the uptake of the National Loan Scheme for (a) farmers and (b) crofters for common agricultural policy (CAP) payments.","AnswerText":"At 5 December, 12,863 businesses had applied to the 2016 National Basic Payment Support Scheme, with a total value of £263,850,097.75","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":319802,"EventID":"S5W-05135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:58:45.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the introduction of the apprenticeship levy will have on the (a) total money available in the block grant for apprenticeships, (b) cost of paying the levy by the public sector and (c) the net impact on its resource DEL, in each of the next three years.","AnswerText":" a) Funding allocated to the Scottish Government as a result of the introduction of the UK Government Apprenticeship Levy will form part of the Scottish block grant. Barnett consequentials accrued to the Scottish Government are added to or, if comparable UK budgets have been reduced rather than increased, are deducted from the total available funding available to Scottish Ministers. It is then for Scottish Ministers to decide how all the resources available to them should be allocated. \r\nb) The cost to the Scottish public sector contribution to the UK Government Apprenticeship Levy is estimated at £73 million per annum.\r\nc) Given the direct financial impact on public sector employers, between 2017-18 and 2019-20, we estimate that the Scottish Government’s net spending power will be £63 million lower than it would have been in the absence of the Levy.\r\nOverall, the Scottish Government’s Spending Review discretionary resource DEL allocation, as amended in the March UK Budget and UK Autumn Statement, faces the equivalent of a real terms cut of 3.1% over the period relative to the 2016-17 budget.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319803,"EventID":"S5W-05129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:58:46.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T10:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the winter plans submitted by NHS boards are based on previous years' events or worst case scenarios.","AnswerText":"NHS boards and local partners are asked to plan capacity and demand levels for this winter, including a review of activity levels and improvements in patient flow. boards were asked to consider trends over the last three to five years and to take variation in demand into account. Boards also have business continuity and contingency arrangements to deal with greater demands and disruptions. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting NHS boards.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319804,"EventID":"S5W-05123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:58:47.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards attended the national unscheduled care event on 8 September 2016.","AnswerText":"The following table lists the NHS Health boards and representatives that attended the 'Six Essential Actions to Improving Unscheduled Care Programme Learning Workshop 4 (Partnership and Winter Planning)' national event held in Stirling on 8 September 2016:\r\nTerritorial Health Boards\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\nBorders\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nFife\r\nForth Valley\r\nGrampian\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\nHighland\r\nLanarkshire\r\nLothian\r\nOrkney\r\nShetland\r\nTayside\r\nWestern Isles\r\nSpecial Health Boards\r\nGolden Jubilee Foundation\r\nNational Services Scotland\r\nNHS24\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\nStakeholders\r\nHealth and Social Care Alliance Scotland\r\nHealth and Social Care Partnerships\r\nLocal Authorities\r\nRoyal College of Nursing\r\nRoyal College of Physicians (Edinburgh)\r\nUniversity of the West of Scotland\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319805,"EventID":"S5W-05137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:58:49.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times electric charging points for vehicles were classed as out of order in (a) 2015 and (b) 2016.","AnswerText":"The responsibility for the maintenance of electric vehicle charge points on the ChargePlace Scotland network rests with the charge point host. We do not hold historic information on charge points that are out of order. However, as part of a new system, we receive snapshots of the status of the network. As of 6 December 2016, 93 per cent of the charge points on the ChargePlace Scotland network were operating, and of the around 150 rapid charge points, 95 per cent were operating. \r\nWe are working closely with partners to improve the reliability of the network, in areas such as communications, and we have recently appointed a new Operator for the ChargePlace Scotland network to improve the network further. They will also be undertaking a full audit and branding exercise of the network.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to the ChargePlace Scotland network which now comprises over 1,200 charging bays (equating to over 600 charge points) across Scotland. Usage has doubled from August 2015 to August 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319806,"EventID":"S5W-05138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:58:50.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to offset the loss of retail jobs, in light of recent figures from the Scottish Retail Consortium, which show that 4,630 retail workers have lost their jobs since 2014. ","AnswerText":"The retail sector remains a very significant part of Scotland’s economy employing over 240,000 people in 2015, 9.6% of total employment in Scotland. The reduction in retail workforce since 2014 equates to less than 2% of total sector employment.\r\nWe recognise that the retail sector in Scotland is transforming in response to, among other things, changes to shopping habits and through new technology. The proportion of retail businesses in the UK (with 10 or more employees) making e-commerce sales has increased from 25.8% in 2009 to 39.8% in 2015 and this trend is likely to continue.\r\nThe latest Office for National Statistics Retail Sales Inquiry statistics show that the value of on-line sales in Great Britain increased by 26.8% between October 2015 and October 2016, and that online sales took a 15.2% market share in October 2016, compared with 12.7% in October 2015.\r\nThis shift to on-line shopping, coupled with UK Government austerity measures, which served to curtail consumer confidence, has had an impact on the sector.\r\nMinisters and officials regularly engage with the Scottish Retail Consortium and other key stakeholders in the retail sector to discuss policy priorities and to better understand the challenges and opportunities that transformational change in the sector will present. \r\nWe are using all available levers to create the economic conditions to enable Scotland’s economy to thrive, working closely with delivery partners, including local authorities, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and Skills Development Scotland, to ensure that businesses of all sizes and sectors can access the support they require. This year Ministers and partners across Scotland supported the Small Business Saturday campaign to celebrate the success of businesses and to encourage people to ‘shop local’. \r\nWe continue to support the retail sector through the small business bonus scheme and other business rate reliefs. It is estimated that the Small Business Bonus Scheme helped just over 31,000 shops in 2015, more than half the shops in Scotland.\r\nWe are promoting investment and economic growth in town centres through the Town Centre Action Plan, designed to support their revitalisation and to assist local action towards achieving this. The Town Centre First Principle that underpins the action plan is about adopting an approach to decisions that consider the vibrancy of town centres as a starting point. The principle is about open, measured and transparent decision making that takes account of medium to longer term impacts on town centres. \r\nIn the 12 months to March 2016, 2,031 people started a retail modern apprenticeship in Scotland, all of whom are in employed posts while undertaking their apprenticeship.\r\nIn addition, more than 50,000 training places, across all sectors, have been delivered through the Employability Fund since its launch in 2013 supporting people to find employment: a further 11,650 opportunities are on track to be delivered in 2016-17. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319807,"EventID":"S5W-05128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:58:51.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T10:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board has allocated from its budget to support winter resilience for the 2016-17 season.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides baseline funding to NHS Boards to deliver services that meet the needs of their local population. Within this context, it is for Boards to determine how best to utilise resources including their application towards winter resilience.\r\nHowever, in addition to baseline funding, the Scottish Government specifically allocated £3 million to NHS Boards during 2016-17 to help ease pressure on Scotland's NHS across the winter months. In addition, other funding allocated during 2016-17 to assist with winter pressures will include:\r\n£9 million investment during 2016-17 from the Unscheduled Care Fund which boards are using to continue to implement the SixEssential Actions Programme to improving unscheduled care. £30 million investment specifically to reduce delayed discharges in 2016-17.Over £10 million will be allocated to health boards during 2016-17 to support improvements in first outpatient waiting times. The investment will allow the NHS to see thousands of patients that are waiting for an appointment more quickly, as well as helping to build additional capacity into the system ahead of winter. It will fund an estimated 40,000 additional outpatient appointments across Scotland over the next few months, in areas such as orthopedics, ophthalmology and gastroenterology.\r\nThis brings the total investment by the Scottish Government for winter resilience to around £52 million in 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319808,"EventID":"S5W-05130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:58:52.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T10:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage the use of NHS 24 during the winter months.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has encouraged the public to use NHS 24 during the winter months by supporting NHS 24's annual winter health 'Be Healthwise This Winter Campaign', launched this year by Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing on 25 November 2016. This multi-media campaign highlights to the public the importance of looking after their own and their families' health, taking a few simple steps in preparation for winter.\r\nThe campaign, which runs from end November to early January, focuses on the delivery of phased messaging around key themes, using advertising and PR to remind people to:\r\nStock up on over the counter medicines\r\nCheck any repeat prescriptions and order only what is needed, picking up in plenty of time before the festive break\r\nKnow your GP and local pharmacist opening hours over the festive holidays.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319809,"EventID":"S5W-05136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:58:53.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total payroll cost is for each public body in 2016-17 and what estimate it has made of these costs for the next three years. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on total payroll costs centrally. This would be a matter for individual public bodies. \r\nHowever, we do collect projected and actual paybill costs for those employees within public bodies covered by the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy for Staff Pay Remits. The total projected paybill (salary plus on-costs: National Insurance Contributions, pensions, allowances, etc.) for these employees is estimated to be £1.4 billion for 2016-17. This estimate excludes the paybill costs for senior appointments such as the Chief Executive, non-executive directors and all Senior Civil Service appointments because they are not covered by the Pay Policy for Staff Pay Remits.\r\nA list of those public bodies covered by the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy is available at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/public-sector-pay/staff-pay/public-bodies-covered.\r\nEstimates of these costs for future years are dependent upon the Pay Policy in place at the time; decisions taken on National Insurance Contributions and employers’ pension contributions by the UK Government; decisions on recruitment and workforce planning taken by individual public bodies; and decisions individual bodies take on their annual pay remits, following engagement with trade unions. The 2017-18 Public Sector Pay Policy will be announced alongside the draft budget statement on 15 December.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319810,"EventID":"S5W-05139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:58:54.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T13:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review national scenic areas in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"There are no current plans to review National Scenic Areas in the Highlands and Islands or any other part of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319811,"EventID":"S5W-05140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:58:56.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T13:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what liability local authority providers of building control have in cases where faults are found with new-build homes.","AnswerText":"The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 sets out the duties of a local authority in their role as a verifier and as the enforcement authority. It is the responsibility of the ‘relevant person’, generally the owner or developer, to ensure that a building has been constructed in accordance with the building regulations. The Act includes provisions for offences and liabilities and any civil or criminal proceedings will depend on the individual circumstances of the case.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319812,"EventID":"S5W-05125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:58:57.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T10:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it spent on winter resilience for the 2015-16 season.","AnswerText":"Scotland is well known for its changeable weather, and we need to be resilient all year, not just in Winter. The Ready for Winter Campaign which ran in 2015 to raise awareness of the risks from all kinds of severe weather cost £155,000. This is just one part of the work we do to build resilience into every aspect of life in Scotland, throughout the year.\r\nTransport Scotland have confirmed that their total spend on winter maintenance service during 2015-16 was £12.9m.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319813,"EventID":"S5W-05127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:58:58.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T10:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board allocated from its budget to support winter resilience for the 2015-16 season.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides baseline funding to NHS boards to deliver services that meet the needs of their local population. Within this context, it is for boards to determine how best to utilise resources including their application towards winter resilience.\r\nHowever, in addition to baseline funding, the Scottish Government specifically allocated £9.8 million to NHS boards during 2015-16 to help ease pressure on Scotland's NHS across the winter months. In addition, other funding allocated during 2015-16 assisted with winter pressures, including:\r\nmore than £30 million from the £100 million investment over three years to tackle delays in patients being discharged from hospital.\r\n£9 million from the £50 million Unscheduled Care Fund which boards are using to implement the Six Essential Actions Programme to improving unscheduled care. \r\n£5 million to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to support resilience and capacity over the first winter (2015-16) following the opening of the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and other linked acute services changes.\r\nThis brings the total investment by the Scottish Government for winter resilience to around £54 million for 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319814,"EventID":"S5W-05134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:58:59.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which public bodies it estimates will pay the apprenticeship levy in Spring 2017 and how much it estimates each will pay. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government estimates that the majority of public bodies in Scotland will pay the UK Government's Apprenticeship Levy. Overall we estimate that Scottish public bodies will pay £73 million in 2016-17.\r\nExact details of each body’s contribution will not be known until the employers start to pay Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs when the UK Government's Levy comes in to force in April 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319815,"EventID":"S5W-05141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:59:00.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T13:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to ensure that the highest level of consumer protection is available to buyers of new-build homes.","AnswerText":"The regulation of consumer protection is reserved to the UK government. However, under the Scotland Act 2016 the Scottish Government has taken on responsibility for consumer advice and advocacy and in terms of Building Standards, local authorities are responsible for their own geographic area and undertake independent checks of building at design stage and construction stage. Following construction of new build homes the independent National House Building Council provide warranties and insurance for new homes and currently provide warranties for over seven million homes.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319816,"EventID":"S5W-05124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:59:02.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on which date each NHS board submitted, or will submit, its finalised winter plan for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"All territorial NHS boards, NHS 24, NHS National Services Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service lodged their winter plans with the Scottish Government during October and November 2016, as set out in the following table. NHS boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships keep these plans under review throughout the winter period. \r\nNHS Board\r\nWinter Plan lodged with the Scottish Government\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n25-11-2016\r\nBorders\r\n31-10-2016\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n04-10-2016\r\nFife\r\n08-11-2016\r\nForth Valley\r\n31-10-2016\r\nGrampian\r\n07-11-2016\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n15-11-2016\r\nHighland\r\n24-11-2016\r\nLanarkshire\r\n02-11-2016\r\nLothian\r\n17-11-2016\r\nOrkney\r\n14-11-2016\r\nShetland\r\n20-10-2016\r\nTayside\r\n31-10-2016\r\nWestern Isles\r\n04-11-2016\r\nNHS 24\r\n10-11-2016\r\nNHS National Services Scotland\r\n27-10-2016\r\nSAS\r\n31-10-2016\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319817,"EventID":"S5W-05126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:59:03.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T10:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it plans to spend on winter resilience for the 2016-17 season.","AnswerText":"Scotland is well known for its changeable weather conditions the cost of dealing with these conditions can vary depending on the severity of the weather experienced. The Scottish Government keeps in close contact with the emergency services, Transport Scotland and utility providers to ensure preparations for winter weather are in place well in advance.\r\nAs with previous years, we are again running the annual winter preparedness campaign – Ready Scotland, which launched on 7 November at a cost of £110,000. The campaign has a wider, all-year-round message and raises awareness of the risks from all kinds of severe weather, and the simple steps people can take to prepare themselves and their communities. By encouraging people to prepare for the consequences of severe weather, they will be prepared for a whole range of emergency situations.\r\nTransport Scotland expect spend on their winter maintenance service across the four Trunk Road Operating Contracts and the Forth Bridge Operating Contract during the winter of 2016-17 to be broadly similar to the £12.9 million spent during the 2015-16 season.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319818,"EventID":"S5W-05151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-28T16:59:04.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T14:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much additional tax revenue it expects will be generated in each local authority area by the doubling of the large business rates supplement for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319831,"EventID":"S5W-05156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T12:21:54.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, in light of all exhibition spaces being booked out and it not being until April 2017 that applications can be made for the September-December 2017 period, whether it will consider opening an additional space in the Garden Lobby for exhibition purposes. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliament Corporate Body can confirm that, apart from the existing spaces, there are no other suitable spaces or resources available to support an additional Member-sponsored exhibition space.\r\n\r\nMember-sponsored exhibitions are very popular. When the Member-sponsored exhibition programme is full a number of organisations have elected to hold a Member-sponsored event instead; using this opportunity organisations are able to exhibit their displays and at the same time network with Members. If the Member thinks this is something that would be of interest for the organisers the Events and Exhibitions Team would be more than happy to explore options.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Liam McArthur ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319832,"EventID":"S5W-05157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T12:21:57.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body when it decided to reduce the number of exhibition spaces to three, and for what reason.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliament Corporate Body can confirm that there have only ever been two spaces for Member-sponsored exhibitions – one in the Garden Lobby and one in the Members’ Lobby.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Liam McArthur ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319833,"EventID":"S5W-05165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T13:50:57.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04775 by Keith Brown on 25 November 2016, in light of SSE now having identified a preferred option, whether it will provide an update on its position on combining the dualling of the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness and the Blackhillock to Kintore grid reinforcement infrastructure projects.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04775 on 25 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nThe answer to question S5W-04775 was prepared after Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) had announced their preferred corridor for the Blackhillock to Kintore grid reinforcement infrastructure project and as such the answer previously given took this into account.\r\nThe Scottish Government has no direct involvement in the SSEN project until consent under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 is sought however, Transport Scotland will consult with key stakeholders, including SSEN, regarding any potential interface there may be with the A96 Dualling Inverness to Aberdeen programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319834,"EventID":"S5W-05167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T13:50:58.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T12:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with local authorities regarding supporting outdoor learning that aims to improve (a) educational attainment and (b) health and wellbeing.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government wants to see all children and young people having positive outdoor learning experiences in a variety of settings. Education Scotland’s Development Officer for Outdoor Learning and Health and Wellbeing Team support educational establishments and practitioners across all 32 local authorities to incorporate outdoor learning into learning and teaching. As part of the Scottish Attainment Challenge, a number of local authorities are using outdoor learning to raise the attainment of young people from deprived areas.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319835,"EventID":"S5W-05152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T13:51:00.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T16:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual outturn has been for its Opportunities for All initiative, and how many people have received support from it each year.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02564 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319836,"EventID":"S5W-05166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T13:51:03.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T12:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to (a) community groups and (b) social enterprises to promote outdoor learning in nursery and school settings.","AnswerText":"Outdoor Learning is a key component in the delivery of Curriculum of Excellence. The outdoor environment has massive potential for learning and we are keen to see all of our children and young people having positive learning experiences in a variety of settings. Community groups and social enterprises have a clear role in helping to deliver this.\r\n(a) The People and Communities Fund, £10.775 million in 2016-17, provides support for community-led regeneration. Current examples which promote outdoor learning include:\r\nThe promotion of confidence, self-esteem and resilience for children and young people by providing activities to engage with the natural world, whilst offering challenge in a calm and therapeutic environment.\r\nCommunity gardening programmes offering training and skills development support for local school-children, young adults with learning difficulties or mental health issues, adults and older people.\r\nPartnership working with local schools to deliver bike maintenance and proficiency training and out-of-school sporting activities for secondary school-aged pupils to encourage positive lifestyle changes.\r\nThe Scottish Government also supports community groups within the youth work sector to promote outdoor learning through a range of sources.\r\nThe Children and Young People Early Intervention Fund provides core and project funding for youth work organisations, including those who provide outdoor learning opportunities for example uniformed organisations, the John Muir Award and the Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award.\r\nThe National Support Fund for National Voluntary Organisations, administered by YouthLink Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, supports development and training and has supported youth work organisations such as the Ocean Youth Trust and Scripture Union Scotland to develop new services including a teacher training modules.\r\nAdditionally, funding to support Outdoor Learning has been given to a number of Outdoor providers under the Youth Work programme and through Education Scotland’s support for social studies and learning for sustainability within Curriculum for Excellence.\r\n(b) In the coming weeks, the Scottish Government will launch a new ten-year Social Enterprise Strategy for Scotland. Co-produced with the sector with wide consultation, including ten thematic roundtable discussions, over 200 written submissions, an online consultation (receiving more than 3,000 votes) and rural and minority ethnic community focus groups, this publication capitalises on the sector’s energy and passion and sets strategic direction for the next decade.\r\nOver the last decade, sustained investment and strong leadership has helped establish Scotland’s internationally recognised ‘eco-system of support’ for social enterprise. This year, the Scottish Government has maintained direct investment of £24.5m in the Third Sector, which includes support for social enterprise.\r\nA range of support is available to social enterprises, including those involved in outdoor learning in nursery and school settings, through for example the Social Entrepreneurs Fund, Just Enterprise, and the Developing Markets Programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319855,"EventID":"S5W-05133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:48:49.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in light of recent Information Services Division (ISD) figures, which show that nurse and midwife vacancies have risen by 200% across Tayside and Fife.","AnswerText":"While the Scottish Government works in close partnership with all NHS boards to provide the policies, frameworks and resources for high quality healthcare in Scotland, it is the responsibility of each board to plan their workforce to deliver high quality, safe and sustainable services to meet the needs of its population.\r\nIn NHS Tayside, Nursing and Midwifery vacancies have increased from 1.4% in September 2007 to 5.0% in September 2016. However, the Nursing and Midwifery Establishment increased by 8.5% during the same period, to 5,499.7 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE).\r\nIn NHS Fife, Nursing and Midwifery vacancies have decreased from 4.2% in September 2007 to 2.2% in September 2016. The overall Nursing and Midwifery Establishment increased by 2.7% during the same period, to 3,603.1 WTE.\r\nFluctuations in Nursing and Midwifery vacancies reflect the creation of new posts in NHS boards, mainly as a result of information from our innovative workload and workforce planning tools which help boards plan for the number of staff they require.\r\nIn order to reduce the reliance on agency staff, the Scottish Government and NHS National Services Scotland have launched a nationally coordinated programme for the effective management of all temporary staffing. The team are working with NHS Tayside to establish Regional and National Staff Banks to allow boards access to a high quality, flexible, workforce of appropriately qualified, experienced and competent staff when required, who work on NHS contracts and provide better value for money than alternative methods of filling the gaps.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319856,"EventID":"S5W-05169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:48:51.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T14:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will conduct a review of potentially vulnerable areas (PVAs), in light of floods in 2016 when areas not currently designated as PVAs were severely flooded.","AnswerText":"The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 requires SEPA to carry out a National Flood Risk Assessment (NFRA) every 6 years, and from this identify Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs) where a significant flood risk exists. SEPA is now starting the process for reviewing the NFRA and the designation of PVAs as part of the next cycle of flood risk management planning and will be considering new evidence and information that has emerged since the last cycle of planning was completed.\r\nI also refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04790 on 29 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary are available on the parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319857,"EventID":"S5W-05159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:48:52.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T10:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board has spent on insulin pumps in each year since 2007, also broken down by the age groups of the recipients.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.\r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05158 on 14 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319858,"EventID":"S5W-05153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:48:53.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T09:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what methodology it uses to analyse how the performance of Scotland’s (a) primary and (b) S1 - S3 school pupils compares with others internationally, and whether it will publish the most recent findings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government participates in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The programme runs every three years across all OECD members and a variety of partner countries, and aims to evaluate education systems worldwide by testing the skills and knowledge of 15-year-old students, with a particular focus on maths, reading and science. Scotland has participated in all six surveys since the first wave of testing in 2000. \r\nThe OECD published the results of the 2015 survey on 6 December 2016 and, on the same date, the Scottish Government published a report focussing on the Scottish results and how they compare internationally http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/12/7252. The next survey will take place in 2018, with the results available in December 2019.\r\nWe do not carry out an international comparison of the performance of primary school pupils. We took the decision in 2010 to limit our participation in international surveys to PISA in order to reduce the bureaucratic burden on teachers and pupils, and because we felt PISA provides an effective indicator of how the whole Scottish education system is performing relative to other countries. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319859,"EventID":"S5W-05171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:48:54.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) briefing, SB 16-94 The Living Wage: Facts and Figures, which shows that Dumfries and Galloway as the highest proportion of employees earning below the living wage.","AnswerText":"The SPICe publication showed that Scotland remained the best performing of all four UK countries with the highest proportion of employees paid the Living Wage or more (79.9%). Whilst this is welcome news, there remains more to do and the figure for Dumfries and Galloway reflects that. The Scottish Government is willing to work with other local MSPs and the Poverty Alliance to help promote the Living Wage locally and to encourage more employers to pay it.\r\nWe continue to fully support the Poverty Alliance to run the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative, having this year increased funding to £300,000, and continue to work closely with them to meet the target of 1,000 Living Wage Accredited employers across Scotland by Autumn 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319860,"EventID":"S5W-05172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:48:56.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the dualled section of A96 between Inverurie and Bucksburn complies with being a category 7A all-purpose dual carriageway as set out in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB).","AnswerText":"The current characteristics of the section of the A96 between Inverurie and Bucksburn are in line with a Category 5 dual all-purpose carriageway, which is generally kerbed or has a 1m hardstrip, has gaps in the central reserve and allows at-grade roundabouts. Grade separation can also be a feature of Category 5 roads.\r\nThe Scottish Government, through the Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP) published in 2011, has committed to completing the dualling of the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen by 2030. This is an ambitious target, but one that underlines our commitment to connecting Scotland’s cities with a high quality transport system that will generate economic growth. \r\nThe project will deliver a consistent, safe and high standard of route between Inverness and Aberdeen. As the project progresses, the developing solutions will be fully reviewed at the appropriate stage to ensure that they provide a value for money solution and that they achieve the best possible outcomes in return for the significant investment which will be required.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319861,"EventID":"S5W-05146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:48:57.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the recent report it commissioned from Pye Tait Consulting, Evaluation of the Performance of local authorities in their role as building standards verifiers.","AnswerText":"I welcomed the publication of the report in March 2016 and have noted its findings. The conclusions drawn from the report are presently being considered in relation to the next appointment of verifiers.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319862,"EventID":"S5W-05148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:48:59.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it measures the performance of building standards verifiers.","AnswerText":"Verifiers are subject to regular monitoring under a performance framework introduced in May 2012. Local authorities are committed to the verification performance framework and information on the framework can be found at:http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/verification/2011-17","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319863,"EventID":"S5W-05155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:49:01.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T09:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what methodology it uses to analyse how the performance of Scotland’s school pupils in mathematics compares with others internationally, and whether it will publish the most recent findings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes international scrutiny of the education system, and participates in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The programme runs every three years across all OECD members and a variety of partner countries, and aims to evaluate education systems worldwide by testing the skills and knowledge of 15-year-old students, with a particular focus on maths, reading and science. Scotland has participated in all six surveys since the first wave of testing in 2000.\r\nThe OECD published the results of the 2015 survey on 6 December 2016 and, on the same date, the Scottish Government published a report focussing on the Scottish results and how they compare internationally http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/12/7252. The next survey will take place in 2018, with the results available in December 2019.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319864,"EventID":"S5W-05170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:49:02.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many schools in (a) Argyll and Bute, (b) East Dunbartonshire, (c) Renfrewshire and (d) West Dunbartonshire are receiving assistance from the Attainment Fund Scotland, which schools they are and what the value is of the assistance they are receiving.","AnswerText":"Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire are part of the Challenge Authorities programme. This year Renfrewshire has been allocated £1,711,919 and West Dunbartonshire has been allocated £1,850,410 to deliver local improvement plans - focused on improving literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing - across their respective primary and secondary schools.\r\nThis year funding has also been provided to schools in Argyll and Bute, East Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire from the Attainment Challenge Innovation Fund. Argyll & Bute has also been allocated funding from the Attainment Scotland Fund Schools Programme.\r\nAdditionally from next April, schools in Argyll and Bute, East Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire will benefit from funding which will be allocated direct to schools on the basis of the number of children in each primary school and the first three years of secondary school that meet the national eligibility criteria for free school meals. It is likely that the vast majority of publicly funded schools will receive funding.\r\n2016-17\r\nLocal Authority\r\nSchool Name\r\nAttainment Challenge Innovation Fund\r\nAttainment Scotland Fund Schools Programme\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\nRhunahaorine Primary School\r\n£8,000\r\n\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\nArinagour Primary School\r\nTiree Primary School\r\n£4,452*\r\n\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\nKilchattan Primary School\r\n£4,196\r\n\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\nIslay and Small Isles Cluster\r\n£10,018*\r\n\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\nSouth Kintyre Cluster\r\n£8,970\r\n\r\nArgyll & Bute \r\nNorth Bute Primary School\r\nRothesay Primary School\r\nSt Andrew’s Primary School\r\n\r\n£10,493*\r\n\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\nJohn Logie Baird Primary School - Helensburgh\r\n£7,390 \r\n\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\nCastlehill Primary School\r\nDalintober Primary School\r\n£17,760*\r\n\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\nRoseneath Primary School\r\n\r\n£19,944\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\nKirkintilloch High School\r\n£9,150\r\n\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\nOxgang Primary School\r\n£20,700*\r\n\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\nMerkland School\r\n£10,000\r\n\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\nHarestanes Primary School\r\n£5,000\r\n\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\nColquhoun Park Primary School\r\n£5,500\r\n\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\nSt. Flannan’s Primary School\r\n£5,850\r\n\r\nRenfrewshire\r\nLearning Together in Renfrewshire project (this project aims to reach approximately half of primary schools and the Additional Support Needs schools in the local authority)\r\n£220,000\r\n\r\nRenfrewshire\r\nLiteracy project (this is targeted across secondary schools in the authority)\r\n£55,000\r\n\r\nWest Dunbartonshire \r\nKilpatrick School\r\n£14,000\r\n\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\nVale of Leven Academy \r\n£10,000 \r\n\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\nClydebank High School\r\n£10,000\r\n\r\n*funding provided for a project managed by a cluster of schools ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319865,"EventID":"S5W-05149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:49:03.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether local authorities have improved the quality of the building standards verification service since 2011.","AnswerText":"Independent research undertaken for Scottish Government by Pye Tait Consulting and published in March 2016 concluded that:\r\n“In summary, whilst there has been substantial progress and investment in delivering a high quality and customer-focused building standards service since the last re-appointment of local authorities in 2011, there is still work to do to create the conditions for strong performance across all 32 Councils”.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319866,"EventID":"S5W-05158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:49:05.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T10:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that insulin pumps are available for people in all age groups with Type 1 diabetes.","AnswerText":"In February 2012, the Chief Executive Letter (CEL 04 (2012)) required Health boards to increase insulin pump therapy in line with national clinical guidance. \r\nThe commitment to provide insulin pump therapy to 25% of under 18s and for people of all ages with type one diabetes to more than 2,000 was met by 1 April 2015 supported by £7.5 million of Scottish Government funding.\r\nSince the CEL, the number of people with insulin pumps has increased to over 3,200.\r\nOver the course of this Parliament, the Scottish Government will invest almost £10 million to further increase the provision of life changing technology including insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors to all those who would clinically benefit from them.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319867,"EventID":"S5W-05160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:49:06.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Developing the Young Workforce regional groups will be established, and how many are currently operational.","AnswerText":"The Developing the Young Workforce National Group, chaired by Rob Woodward, Chief Executive of STV, is identifying and working with key individuals and business organisations across Scotland to establish up to 21 Developing the Young Workforce Regional Groups. \r\nCurrently, 17 industry led Developing the Young Workforce Regional Groups have been established in regions across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319868,"EventID":"S5W-05143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:49:07.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total funding was for stock and rabbit fencing under all (a) rural priority and (b) land management options applications required under the Scottish Rural Development Programme, in each year from 2007 to 2013. ","AnswerText":"The total funding was for stock and rabbit fencing under the Rural Priorities Scheme applications required under the Scottish Rural Development Programme, in each year from 2007 to 2013: \r\nItem\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\nRabbit proofing fencing Total\r\n\r\n£847,352\r\n£1,475,565\r\n£1,567,488\r\n£585,325\r\n£498,345\r\nStock fencing Total\r\n£174,890\r\n£6,241,183\r\n£8,546,409\r\n£8,582,754\r\n£4,519,691\r\n£3,867,097\r\nTotal\r\n£174,890\r\n£7,088,535\r\n£10,021,974\r\n£10,150,242\r\n£5,105,016\r\n£4,365,442\r\nThe amounts above show the value of the commitments contained on Rural Priorities contracts.\r\nThe total funding was for stock and rabbit fencing under the Land Managers Options applications required under the Scottish Rural Development Programme, in each year from 2007 to 2013.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319869,"EventID":"S5W-05150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:49:08.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of delays in obtaining building control consent on (a) the industry and (b) its housing targets.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government has not made such an assessment but knows that delays may be due to local authority processing, the quality of the submitted plans, or delays in applicants submitted revised details. We are aware that Local Authority Building Standards Scotland who represent local authority building standards services in Scotland have examined this issue and provided the following information: \r\nMore than 330 housing development applications were submitted immediately before the October 2015 change in energy standards. As of 1 Dec 2017, 41% of these applications remain unapproved and are sitting with the housebuilder for action.\r\nFor the time taken to gain approval for housing applications, the verifier typically works on the application for 30% of the time; the remaining 70% of the time is down to the housebuilder producing essential information to allow approval.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319870,"EventID":"S5W-05168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:49:10.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it engages with local communities when implementing the Scottish Safety Camera Programme.","AnswerText":"Local governance and scrutiny of Scottish Safety Camera Programme activity and operations is realised through existing Community Planning structures, associated Community Safety Partnerships, or other relevant bodies (e.g. Local Authority-led Road Safety Forums) as agreed at a local level with partners in the Local Authority area. Police Scotland is responsible for the operational delivery of the Programme, through Units in three enforcement Areas.\r\nLocal policing plans ensure that policing activity across Scotland is directed at local issues and reflects the needs of the community. In their meetings to discuss these plans with Local Authority Chief Executives, Police Scotland Commanders may address any concerns regarding local safety camera activity. Area Safety Camera Managers must liaise with their Police Scotland colleagues and address emerging concerns as they arise.\r\nArea Safety Camera Managers must also be available to address any specific concerns raised by partners with a road safety interest regarding the activity and operation of the Programme in their area.\r\nInformation is provided proactively about safety cameras, including their deployment and performance, as part of the wider approach to road safety-related communications. Information about sites is updated on relevant web pages and through social media and press releases.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319871,"EventID":"S5W-05175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:49:11.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T15:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what methodology it uses to analyse how the literacy skills of Scotland’s school pupils compare with others internationally, and whether it will publish the most recent findings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes international scrutiny of the education system, and the Scottish Government participates in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The programme runs every three years across all OECD members and a variety of partner countries. Scotland has participated in all six surveys since the first wave of testing in 2000. PISA aims to evaluate education systems worldwide by testing the skills and knowledge of 15-year-old students, with a particular focus on maths, reading and science.\r\nThe OECD published the results of the 2015 survey on 6 December 2016 and, on the same date, the Scottish Government published a report focussing on the Scottish results and how they compare internationally http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/12/7252. The next survey will take place in 2018, with the results available in December 2019.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319872,"EventID":"S5W-05145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:49:12.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) when and (b) how it will consult on the appointment of building standards verifiers.","AnswerText":"The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 allows Scottish Ministers to appoint verifiers on such terms or limitations as they feel appropriate. It also allows any appointment to be made, varied or terminated at any time. Local authorities are appointed as verifiers until end the end of April 2017. I am currently reviewing the appointment process for verifiers from May 2017 onwards, however there are no plans for wider consultation on the matter.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319873,"EventID":"S5W-05147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:49:14.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether local authorities are sufficiently resourced to provide the building standards verification service.","AnswerText":"Each of the 32 local authorities is responsible for resourcing their building standards services appropriately. \r\nI have become aware that since the economic downturn of 2008 there have been situations where experienced Building Standards Managers and staff have either retired or taken voluntary exit arrangements from local authorities. At the same time there appears to have been little corresponding intake of trainee or apprentice Building Standards Officers in many areas of Scotland. I understand that as the volume of building projects has been increasing some local authorities have had difficulty in recruiting and replacing staff. The Scottish Government is currently consulting on Building Warrant Fees which includes a proposal to increase fees to provide additional funding to local authorities. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319874,"EventID":"S5W-05162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:49:16.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will cost to operate the Developing the Young Workforce regional groups each year, also broken down by how much each group will be allocated.","AnswerText":"The annual cost when all groups are fully operational will be up to £4.2m. The DYW Regional Groups that have been established are supported with Scottish Government funding over a 3 year period. The following table provides the indicative 3 year budget for each group that has already been established.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAllocation\r\nREGION\r\n£000\r\nAyrshire\r\n748\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n580\r\nDundee & Angus\r\n685\r\nEdinburgh & Lothian\r\n954\r\nFife\r\n456\r\nForth Valley\r\n760\r\nGlasgow\r\n969\r\nInverness\r\n750\r\nLanarkshire\r\n1003\r\nMoray\r\n378\r\nNorth East\r\n600\r\nNorth Highland\r\n465\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n495\r\nScottish Borders\r\n450\r\nWest\r\n723\r\nWest Highland\r\n480\r\nWest Lothian\r\n633\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319875,"EventID":"S5W-05164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-29T17:49:17.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Developing the Young Workforce programme will seek to address gender imbalances in modern apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"In response to Developing the Young Workforce recommendations, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) published the Equalities Action Plan for Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland in December 2015. The five year plan outlines the challenges to be addressed and the actions SDS will undertake with partners to improve the participation of under-represented groups within the MA programme. Apprenticeship areas where there are gender imbalances, for example females in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and males in childcare related apprenticeships, will be tackled by the plan. An annual report detailing progress against the plan will be published by SDS early in the new year.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319908,"EventID":"S5W-05227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T12:24:01.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T12:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04449 by Joe FitzPatrick on 11 November 2016, whether it will provide an update on what plans it has to consult on extending coverage of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to registered social landlords.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to confirm that in line with my commitment to consult on extending coverage of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to registered social landlords, today marks the start of this consultation. The consultation paper is available on the Scottish Government website.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that Scotland’s internationally recognised Freedom of Information legislation remains robust and effective. This latest consultation follows earlier orders extending coverage to a wide range of bodies including local authority arm’s length trusts and private prison contractors.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319909,"EventID":"S5W-05173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:01.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04978 by Roseanna Cunningham on 24 November 2016, by what date it will complete the (a) Strategic Environmental and (b) Habitats Regulations Assessment, and how it will protect the welfare of the beavers while this is being carried out.","AnswerText":"The Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) of our proposed plan to allow beavers to remain in Scotland is expected to be completed in January 2017. We are also required to consider whether a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is required. The approach to the SEA and its timing depends on what issues are highlighted by the HRA. \r\nIt is not illegal to shoot a beaver at present, provided it is done humanely and in accordance with the laws on use of firearms. However, we continue to strongly discourage this as an option other than as a last resort. Land managers should work with Scottish Natural Heritage on practical long-term management solutions that will continue to work if it is confirmed that beavers become a protected species in Scotland. We have previously said that if evidence emerges that beavers are being culled in unacceptable circumstances we will consider the use of Nature Conservation Orders to prohibit their killing on specified areas of land.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319910,"EventID":"S5W-05187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:02.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) when and (b) what visits have been undertaken by the (i) First Minister, (ii) Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe, (iii) Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work and (iv) Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs in relation to Brexit; how many (A) civil servants and (B) advisers accompanied them, and what the total cost for all travel and accommodation was for (1) ministers and (2) staff for each visit.","AnswerText":"The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate costs.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319911,"EventID":"S5W-05188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:05.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution and (b) Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work has had with inward investors; (i) when and (ii) where these meetings were held, and who was present.","AnswerText":"Ministers meet and engage with potential investors on a regular basis to discuss a broad range of opportunities. It would be inappropriate to provide more detail as these meetings are private, often discussing commercially sensitive matters.\r\nDetails of Ministerial meetings/events can be found on the Scottish Government website:https://beta.gov.scot/publications/?term=Ministerial&publicationTypes=transparency_data\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319912,"EventID":"S5W-05205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:08.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T18:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding Dumfries and Galloway has received from the Schools for the Future programme.","AnswerText":"Through the Scotland's Schools for the Future Programme, the Scottish Government has awarded Dumfries and Galloway Council with funding of £24.5 million towards three school projects.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319913,"EventID":"S5W-05206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:09.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T18:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many schools in Dumfries and Galloway have received assistance from the Schools for the Future programme. ","AnswerText":"Through the Scotland's Schools for the Future Programme, Dumfries and Galloway Council have been awarded with funding towards three school projects. The schools to be redeveloped are: Dalbeattie High School, Maxwelltown High School and St Joseph's College.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319914,"EventID":"S5W-05220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:10.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of the recent report by National Records of Scotland, Life Expectancy in Scottish Areas, which found that life expectancy in Scotland is lower than anywhere else in the UK, and that Glasgow has the lowest life expectancy rate of the whole UK.","AnswerText":"Life expectancy in Scotland is increasing. The gap between life expectancy for men and for women is Scotland is continuing to narrow. \r\nReducing health inequalities is one of the biggest challenges we face. To tackle this we recognise that the root of health inequalities can be found in income inequalities. We’re taking action focused on addressing the underlying causes of ending poverty, fair wages, supporting families, and improving our physical and social environments.\r\nIn Glasgow, the Scottish Government is funding the pilot Links Worker pilot programmes, which is right on the front line of the battle against health inequalities. The Link Worker programme sees a dedicated individual working in GP surgeries, helping patients on a one-to-one basis with non-medical problems that are making them feel unwell. We are committed to increasing the number of community Links Workers in disadvantaged areas to 250 over the next five years, with 40 to be recruited by September 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319915,"EventID":"S5W-05186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:11.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution and (b) Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work has had with potential investors about infrastructure projects; (i) when and (ii) where these meetings were held, and who was present.","AnswerText":"Ministers meet and engage with potential investors on a regular basis to discuss a broad range of opportunities. It would be inappropriate to provide more detail as these meetings are private, often discussing commercially sensitive matters.\r\nDetails of Ministerial meetings/events can be found on the Scottish Government website:https://beta.gov.scot/publications/?term=Ministerial&publicationTypes=transparency_data\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319916,"EventID":"S5W-05189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:14.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of all (a) demersal, (b) pelagic and (c) shellfish landings into Troon Harbour in each year from 2011 to 2015 inclusive.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government publishes annually the quantity and value of total demersal, pelagic and shellfish for each district in the Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics report. Landings into Troon Harbour are reported with landings into the district of Ayr. The 2016 report includes data from 2011 to 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319917,"EventID":"S5W-05190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:15.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total (a) tonnage and (b) value of whitefish catches was from within the Scottish inshore waters area in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government publishes annually the quantity and value of fish landings for individual International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) statistical rectangles on its website. This follows the annual publication of each Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics report. Data is available going back to 2001.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319918,"EventID":"S5W-05203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5669,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:16.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T18:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s consistently supportive approach to renewable energy has been a key factor in maintaining investor confidence and enabling the growth of the sector. This support is provided in a variety of ways, including ambitious renewable energy targets; funding to support renewable energy projects and technology development; a planning policy which strikes a careful balance between utilising Scotland's significant renewable energy resources whilst protecting our finest scenic landscapes, natural heritage and residential amenity; and a well-developed structure of partnership with the Scottish agencies, the private sector and academia.\r\nThe impact of this support can be seen in a number of ways. For example, provisional figures show that 56.7% of gross electricity consumption came from renewable sources in Scotland in 2015, and we reached our 2020 target for community and locally owned renewables five years early. \r\nOffshore renewables represent a huge opportunity for Scotland, nowhere more so than in the Highlands and Islands where, for example, the development of the £2.6 billion Beatrice Offshore Wind farm by SSE and its partners will bring huge benefit to the Moray Firth and beyond. The project is expected to bring a total of £6 million in Community Benefits and secure around 100 direct and indirect jobs as well as associated supply chain opportunities.\r\nFinally, in January the Scottish Government will publish a new Climate Change Plan, which together with our new Energy Strategy and forthcoming Climate Change Bill, will set out an ambitious long-term framework for a truly integrated approach to delivering Scotland’s future energy system and reaffirm our commitment to supplying clean energy from renewable sources. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319919,"EventID":"S5W-05204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5669,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:17.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T18:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact BP’s acquisition of two new prospects off the coast of Shetland will have on jobs and skills capacity throughout the (a) exploration and drilling phase and (b) lifetime production of the fields.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to the oil and gas industry; it has been a true success story and we are working to ensure that it will continue to be so. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319920,"EventID":"S5W-05221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:18.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on trunk road improvements in each year since 2007, broken down by (a) road and (b) local authority area.","AnswerText":"We are committed to the largest road investment programme that Scotland has ever seen. By the end of this financial year (2016-17), we will have spent over £8 billion on our Motorways and Trunk Road Network since 2007, to ensure the strategic road network is safe, available for use, efficient, well maintained and allows effective movement of people, goods and services around and to and from Scotland.\r\nOn-Going Schemes\r\nSince 2007, the Scottish Government has invested in a number of major roads projects, including:\r\nProject\r\nInvestment\r\nMain Local Authority\r\nForth Replacement Crossing\r\n£1.325 to £1.35 billion\r\nFife, City of Edinburgh and West Lothian\r\nAberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty\r\n£745 million\r\nAberdeen City, Aberdeenshire\r\nM8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project\r\n£500 million\r\nNorth Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow City\r\nA9 Dualling\r\n£3 billion\r\nPerth and Kinross and Highlands and Islands\r\nA96 Dualling\r\n£3 billion\r\nHighland, Moray, Aberdeenshire & Aberdeen City\r\nA737 Dalry Bypass\r\n£34 – 38 million\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government continues to progress the design and development of a number of schemes including the A90/A937 Laurencekirk Junction Improvement (Aberdeenshire) and the A90/A96 Haudagain Junction Improvement (Aberdeen City).\r\nA breakdown by road and local authority area is not possible for incomplete schemes as some of the investments are of a national nature (e.g. Forth Replacement Crossing) and others span a number of local authority areas. However, analysis of spend by year, since 2007-08 can be seen in the following table.\r\nYear\r\nAnnual Motorways And Trunk Road Budget\r\n2007-08\r\n£895.1m\r\n2008-09\r\n£929.6m\r\n2009-10\r\n£1,081.6m\r\n2010-11\r\n£1,167.5m\r\n2011-12\r\n£553.9m\r\n2012-13\r\n£651.7m\r\n2013-14\r\n£711.8m\r\n2014-15\r\n£677.7m\r\n2015-16\r\n£734.4m\r\nSub Total 2007-08 to 2015-16\r\n£7,403.3m\r\n2016-09-2717 Draft Budget Note 1\r\n£820.3m\r\nTOTAL\r\n£8,223.6m\r\nFigures from 2011-12 onwards exclude Cost of Capital which was abolished. Cost of Capital Figures from 2007-08 to 2010-11 are £517.8m, £546.5m, £595.5m and £649.1m respectively.\r\n[1] Figures taken from respective January Scottish Budget Bills.\r\nCompleted Schemes\r\nScheme\r\nContract Value\r\nMain Local Authority\r\nA75 Overtaking Opportunities (Including A75 Newton Stewart, A75 Planting End to Drumflower, A75 Barfil to Bettyknowes)\r\n\r\n£9.2m (A75 Overtaking Opportunities)\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council\r\nA9 Ballinluig\r\n\r\n£12.5m\r\nPerth and Kinross Council\r\nA9 Helmsdale\r\n\r\n£5.5m\r\nThe Highland Council\r\nA68 Dalkeith Bypass\r\n\r\n£30m\r\nMidlothian Council\r\nA876 Clackmannanshire Bridge\r\n\r\n£101.5m\r\nClackmannanshire, Falkirk and Fife Councils\r\nA77 Haggstone and Glen App\r\n\r\n£18.7m\r\nSouth Ayrshire Council\r\nA76 Glenairlie \r\n\r\n£4.9m\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council\r\nA830 Arisaig to Loch nan Uamh\r\n\r\n£22.8m\r\nThe Highland Council\r\nA7 Auchenrivock\r\n\r\n£7.4m\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council\r\nA9 Bankfoot\r\n\r\n£2.7m\r\nPerth and Kinross Council\r\nA75 Cairntop to Barlae\r\n\r\n£6.4m\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council\r\nA77 Park End to Bennane\r\n\r\n£5.5m\r\nSouth Ayrshire Council\r\nM80 Stepps to Haggs\r\n\r\n£320m\r\nNorth Lanarkshire, Falkirk, Glasgow City\r\nM74 Completion\r\n\r\n£445m\r\nGlasgow City, East Renfrewshire\r\nA9 Crubenmore \r\n\r\n£10.39m\r\nThe Highland Council\r\nA96 Fochabers to Mosstodloch\r\n\r\n£31.5m\r\nMoray Council\r\nA75 Hardgrove to Kinmount\r\n\r\n£8.97m\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council\r\nA77 Symington to Bogend Toll\r\n\r\n£10.6m\r\nSouth Ayrshire Council\r\nA82 Pulpit Rock\r\n\r\n£9.2m\r\nArgyll and Bute Council\r\nA82 Crianlarich Bypass\r\n\r\n£5m\r\nStirling Council, Argyll and Bute Council\r\nA75 Dunragit Bypass\r\n\r\n£17.1m\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council\r\nA96 Inveramsay Bridge\r\n£10.2m\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nThe expenditure on minor improvement and strategic road safety schemes can be broken down as follows.\r\nRoute\r\n2007-08\r\n£\r\n2008-09\r\n£\r\n2009-10\r\n£\r\n2010-11\r\n£\r\n2011-12\r\n£\r\nA1\r\n417,180\r\n244,699\r\n356,671\r\n578,224\r\n320,367\r\nA6091\r\n7,274\r\n20,608\r\n56,325\r\n178,994\r\n22,446\r\nA68\r\n172,928\r\n461,839\r\n765,063\r\n253,526\r\n326,825\r\nA7\r\n93,603\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319921,"EventID":"S5W-05182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:20.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in light of Brexit, it will review (a) its trade and investment strategy and (b) Scotland’s Economic Strategy, given that both were published before Brexit.","AnswerText":"I refer to my comments on these points in evidence to the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee on 29 November 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319922,"EventID":"S5W-05193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:23.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs have been supported (a) directly and (b) indirectly by fishing for (i) shellfish and (ii) whitefish in Scottish inshore waters in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government publishes annually the total number of fishermen employed on Scottish registered vessels in the Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics report. Data is also reported for each Scottish district and region. The 2016 report includes data from 2011 to 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319923,"EventID":"S5W-05200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:24.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00370 by John Swinney on 23 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), what will happen to the functions of Highlands and Islands Enterprise's (HIE) (a) Remuneration Committee and (b) Risk and Assurance Committee following the abolition of the HIE board.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05194 on 15 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319924,"EventID":"S5W-05207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:25.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T23:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total value of output of the 23 licensed red meat abattoirs was in 2014.","AnswerText":"This is not information that the Scottish Government holds. However this information can be found in the Quality Meat Scotland report 'An Assessment of the Economic Contribution of Scotland’s Red Meat Supply Chain' the information can be found at the following web page http://www.qmscotland.co.uk/news/report-highlights-economic-importance-scottish-red-meat-industry-0.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319925,"EventID":"S5W-05218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:27.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T09:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04737 by Humza Yousaf on 30 November 2016, what \"local harbour legislation\" Cromarty Firth Port Authority/Port of Cromarty Firth operates within.","AnswerText":"The Port Authority operates within a number of pieces of local harbour legislation referred to collectively as The Cromarty Firth Port Authority Orders 1973 to 2003, the most recent of which are available on legislation.gov.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319926,"EventID":"S5W-05177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:28.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role the Mental Health First Aid Training Programme is playing in its aim to deliver improved mental health, and what analysis it has carried out of the programme's effectiveness.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Mental Health First Aid Training Programme is part of a suite of evidenced informed resources that supports awareness of mental health and wellbeing and focuses on prevention and early intervention. Between 2005 and 2016, the 12 hour course has been delivered to 23,506 individuals with 589 individuals being trained as trainers (this figure covers all trainers - currently only 402 are active).\r\nNHS Health Scotland is currently undertaking a review of the effectiveness of the Scottish Mental Health First Aid Training Programme training resource. Interviews have been held by those providing the courses as well as with course participants. This review will be completed in early 2017 and will make recommendations to Scottish Government on the way forward.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319927,"EventID":"S5W-05184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:29.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of Scottish exports is attributable to foreign-owned companies.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04398 on 10 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319928,"EventID":"S5W-05202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:32.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T17:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to figures published by the National Records of Scotland, which show that life expectancy at birth in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde board area is 75.3 years for males and 80.1 years for females, which for both sexes is the lowest of any NHS board in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05220 on 15 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319929,"EventID":"S5W-05209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:33.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T23:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total (a) livestock throughput and (b) turnover value was in livestock auction marts in (a) 2014 and (b) 2015. ","AnswerText":"This is not information that the Scottish Government hold centrally. However the information can be found for 2014 in the Quality Meat Scotland(QMS) report 'An Assessment of the Economic Contribution of Scotland’s Red Meat Supply Chain' the information can be found at the following web page:http://www.qmscotland.co.uk/news/report-highlights-economic-importance-scottish-red-meat-industry-0 QMS do not have the data for 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319930,"EventID":"S5W-05216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:34.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T09:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the criteria are for designating proposals as major service changes that are determined by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing.","AnswerText":"In such cases I take full account of the views of the Scottish Health Council and Health board before coming to a final decision.\r\nThe Scottish Health Council published guidance entitled ‘identifying major service change’ (February 2010) to help inform the Health board view. This poses questions about the proposals under nine key areas: impact on patients and carers, changes in the accessibility of services, whether emergency or unscheduled care is involved, the level of public and political concern, any conflict with national policy, the level of change in the method of service delivery, related change in recent years, the financial implications, and consequences for other services. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319931,"EventID":"S5W-05179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:37.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) repeated and (b) new inward investment has been achieved in each year from 2011-12 to 2015-16.","AnswerText":"Details of foreign direct investment activity supported by Scottish Development International is set out in the following tables:\r\nFDI Company projects supported by SDI\r\n\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\nExpansion\r\n40\r\n\r\nNew\r\n23\r\n\r\nSafeguarding\r\n6\r\n2012-13\r\nExpansion\r\n42\r\n\r\nNew\r\n34\r\n\r\nSafeguarding\r\n7\r\n2013-14\r\nExpansion\r\n47\r\n\r\nNew\r\n23\r\n\r\nSafeguarding\r\n14\r\n2014-15\r\nExpansion\r\n52\r\n\r\nNew\r\n30\r\n\r\nSafeguarding\r\n9\r\n2015-16\r\nExpansion\r\n52\r\n\r\nNew\r\n36\r\n\r\nSafeguarding\r\n8\r\nTotal FDI Jobs supported by SDI\r\n\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\nExpansion\r\n5,615\r\n\r\nNew\r\n1,221\r\n\r\nSafeguarding\r\n558\r\n2012-13\r\nExpansion\r\n3,788\r\n\r\nNew\r\n2,770\r\n\r\nSafeguarding\r\n581\r\n2013-14\r\nExpansion\r\n4,481\r\n\r\nNew\r\n1,621\r\n\r\nSafeguarding\r\n1,344\r\n2014-15\r\nExpansion\r\n4,131\r\n\r\nNew\r\n1,771\r\n\r\nSafeguarding\r\n3,757\r\n2015-16\r\nExpansion\r\n5,155\r\n\r\nNew\r\n962\r\n\r\nSafeguarding\r\n973\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319932,"EventID":"S5W-05181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:40.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff are employed by Scottish Development International in the (a) Dublin, (b) Brussels, (c) Berlin and (d) London hub, and how many will be employed in future as a result of the First Minister's announcement to double staffing.","AnswerText":"There are currently no Scottish Development International staff employed in the Dublin, Brussels or Berlin hubs. When our London Hub opens in 2017, the eight people working for Scottish Development International in London will transfer there. SDI is currently considering how the additional staff resources can be most effectively deployed across Europe according to market opportunities.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319933,"EventID":"S5W-05196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:43.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00370 by John Swinney on 23 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), to what body the senior management of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will report following the abolition of the HIE board.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05194 on 15 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319934,"EventID":"S5W-05198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:44.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00370 by John Swinney on 23 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), how Highlands and Islands Enterprise's (HIE) operating plan will be approved following the abolition of the HIE board.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05194 on 15 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319935,"EventID":"S5W-05223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:46.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting town centre regeneration in (a) Argyll and Bute, (b) East Dunbartonshire, (c) East Renfrewshire, (d) Inverclyde, (e) North Ayrshire, (f) Renfrewshire and (g) West Dunbartonshire.","AnswerText":"The Town Centre First Principle (TCFP) agreed by the Scottish cabinet and all Council Leaders asks that all investment decisions consider the impact on the town centre as a starting point. Furthermore, the measures set out in the Town Centre Action Plan (TCAP) set the conditions and supports activity across the wider public, private and community sectors to tackle the key issues in town centres across Scotland. More information on TCAP and TCFP can be found at the Scottish Government town centre regeneration website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/regeneration/town-centres\r\nThe Scottish Government funds Scotland’s Towns Partnership to support town centre projects and to share and promote learning from activity happening at a local level. \r\nLocal authorities remain responsible for local regeneration and local economic development. They are best placed to respond to local circumstances, working with their communities to develop the right vision for their town centres. Specific Scottish Government funding from regeneration budgets has supported the following town centre activity:\r\nRegeneration Capital Grant Fund\r\n\r\nFunding\r\nLocal Authority\r\nProject\r\n£625k\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nRedevelopment of Rothesay Pavilion\r\n£600k\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\nKirkintilloch Town Centre regeneration\r\n£738k\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\nGlasgow Road Corridor transformation\r\n£852k\r\nInverclyde\r\nRiverside Inverclyde Urban Regeneration Company, Port Glasgow to transform Lower Town Quarter\r\n£965k\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\nIrvine Community Enterprise & Leisure Hub\r\n£2m\r\nRenfrewshire\r\nRestoration of Russell Institute, Paisley\r\n£1m\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\nClydebank Community Sports Hub\r\nTown Centre Communities Capital Fund\r\n\r\n£145k\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n‘Heroes Centre’ community facility, Helensburgh\r\n£88k\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\nTrinity Church Community Hub, Irvine\r\n£164\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n‘Beith Craft’ town centre renovation project\r\nTown Centre Housing Fund\r\n\r\n£200k\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n85-87 Townhead, Kirkintilloch – to provide 15 units for social rent\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319936,"EventID":"S5W-05183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:47.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many companies are generating (a) 100% and (b) 50% of Scotland's exports.","AnswerText":"The Exports Statistics Scotland publication estimated that 50% of international exports were attributable to around 70 businesses in 2014. Due to the methodology used, we are unable to say how many businesses account for all international exports.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319937,"EventID":"S5W-05185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:50.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to attract more new inward investment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, working closely with our Scottish Development International and our enterprise agencies, undertakes a broad range of activity to help attract investment to Scotland. Our trade and investment strategy published in March this year set out a comprehensive action plan to boost Scotland’s international trade activity, including stimulating inward investment opportunities, and to make it clear that Scotland is open for business. The four point plan, announced by the First Minister in October, also set out actions which will play an important role in promoting Scotland and raising its global profile to potential investors.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319938,"EventID":"S5W-05192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:53.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the EU derogation being sought, whether the opening of a razor clam fishery would only take place following a full stock assessment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not to date sought a derogation from the EU prohibition on fishing with electricity. A public consultation about whether such a derogation should be sought closed on 30 September 2016, and Ministers are considering views offered through the consultation.\r\nIn the event that a regulated razor clam fishery, by means of electrofishing, were permitted, it would be subject to the provisions of domestic and EU legislation. The Government would also consider necessary preparatory steps, including the possibility of an area based stock assessment of razor clam biomass.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319939,"EventID":"S5W-05194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:54.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00370 by John Swinney on 23 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), whether Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will retain its strengthening communities remit and, if so, what action it will take to ensure that HIE will continue to exercise this function. ","AnswerText":"This Government has made it clear that we will maintain the dedicated support including HIE’s strengthening communities remit which is locally based, managed and directed by HIE and protects the unique services that HIE delivers for our Highlands and Islands economy.\r\nHIE will retain its Chief Executive based at its headquarters in Inverness, staff will also continue to operate from the Headquarters in Inverness and HIE’s area-based locations across the area from Lerwick to Lochgilphead.\r\nBusinesses and communities will continue to access services across the Highlands and Islands area.\r\nSimilarly HIE will continue to engage with local authorities and Business Gateway to deliver effective support to businesses.\r\nAs part of the work being taken forward in Phase two of the Enterprise and Skills Review we will consider the formation, format and remit of the new Scotland-wide Statutory board. This will include what needs to be put in place in relation to budgets, appraisal, monitoring and evaluation of a range of areas including performance measures of HIE and their operational plans to ensure that HIE continues to be able to deliver an excellent service to the Highlands and Islands.\r\nIn addition we will consider areas including remuneration, risk and assurance currently carried out by current Board committees.\r\nHIE senior management will continue to work in the same way as they do now but will benefit from the coordination provided by the new Scotland-wide Statutory board.\r\nThis Government wants to see the strongest possible links between the work of HIE, Skills Development Scotland and the Funding Council to ensure that the support we are providing to train our young people, improve the skills of our workforce, support our businesses and communities is aligned with the economic needs of the Highlands and Islands and of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319940,"EventID":"S5W-05219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:56.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact has been of its investment to reduce IVF waiting times.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s target that by March 2015 eligible patients will start IVF treatment at one of Scotland’s four NHS IVF facilities within 12 months of referral was delivered ahead of time.\r\nTo support the IVF target, the Scottish Government has invested nearly £18 million over four financial years to 2015-16, specifically to reduce and maintain waiting times, with further investment during 2016-17. The funding has had a dramatic effect with figures from the recently published Information Service Division IVF publication: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Waiting-Times/IVF-Waiting-Times/Publications/2016-11-29/ showing that 100% of eligible patients were screened for IVF treatment within 365 days across Scotland within 12 months of being referred, during the quarter ending September 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319941,"EventID":"S5W-05222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:57.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03842 by Maureen Watt on 2 November 2016, what percentage of the £65.7 million remaining package to support the mental health strategy will be allocated to children and young people’s services.","AnswerText":"Decisions on the remaining funding will be taken in due course. It remains that the balance funding will support the priorities in our forthcoming Mental Health Strategy, to ensure we continue to improve access to services – including for children and young people – but also increase support for early intervention and prevention, to support people to keep well. This will include investment in early years; primary care, and parity of esteem between physical and mental health. We will take such future decisions in conjunction with our stakeholders and partners.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319942,"EventID":"S5W-05180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:20:58.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional resource will be provided to Scottish Development International to cover the increased cost of doubling staffing in its European offices, and what the source is of the funding.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will provide additional resource to Scottish Development International to cover the cost of increasing the number of people it has working in Europe. The precise costs are currently being determined by SDI.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319943,"EventID":"S5W-05195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:21:01.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00370 by John Swinney on 23 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), what impact the abolition of the board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will have on (a) businesses, (b) Business Gateway, (c) local authorities, (d) local HIE offices, (e) HIE staff, (f) social enterprises, (g) grant arrangements, (h) community leaders and (i) other stakeholders. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05194 on 15 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319944,"EventID":"S5W-05197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:21:03.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00370 by John Swinney on 23 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), what impact the abolition of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) board will have on HIE's budget, and whether savings will be made. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05194 on 15 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319945,"EventID":"S5W-05176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:21:05.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated to the Mental Health First Aid Training Programme in each of the last three years, and how much it plans to allocate in each of the next three years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides funding to NHS Health Scotland to deliver a number of mental health programmes including the Mental Health First Aid Training Programme for adults and young people. NHS Health Scotland’s costs to deliver training for trainer to adults and young people is as follows, and includes costs for print and distribution of materials:\r\n2014-15 Total: £91,000\r\n2015-16 Total: £97,630\r\n2016-17 Total: £44,800\r\nPlans for future spend are currently unavailable and will be developed to support priorities in the next Mental Health Strategy due for publication in January 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319946,"EventID":"S5W-05199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:21:06.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00370 by John Swinney on 23 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), who will be responsible for appraising, monitoring and evaluating a range of performance measures of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) following the abolition of the HIE board.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05194 on 15 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319947,"EventID":"S5W-05201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:21:07.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T17:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to figures published by the National Records of Scotland, which show that life expectancy in Scotland is two years lower for males and 1.7 years lower for females than the UK average.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05220 on 15 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319948,"EventID":"S5W-05208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:21:08.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T23:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Scottish red meat industry contributes to Scotland's gross domestic product. ","AnswerText":"This information can be found in the Quality Meat Scotland report “An Assessment of the Economic Contribution of Scotland’s Red Meat Supply Chain”, the information can be found at the following web page: http://www.qmscotland.co.uk/news/report-highlights-economic-importance-scottish-red-meat-industry-0.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319949,"EventID":"S5W-05210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T13:21:10.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T08:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent comments by the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether it has had any notification of a further transfer of powers to the Scottish Parliament following Brexit.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not received any notification from the UK Government regarding a further transfer of powers to the Scottish Parliament. Leaving the EU will however fundamentally change the nature of the United Kingdom’s constitution, and the implications for Scottish devolution will need to be carefully considered.\r\nRegarding the process for repatriating EU competencies, there can be no attempt to reserve current devolved powers, and we therefore welcome the Secretary of State for Scotland’s assurance that “whatever the circumstances, no powers will be re-reserved to Westminster.” Beyond this lies the need for substantial further devolution, to ensure that current protections provided by EU law, in areas such as employment, can be continued , should the Scottish Parliament choose.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319950,"EventID":"S5O-00429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5877,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:23.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to support a national campaign to raise awareness of disability and reduce stigma, in light of the recent report by Disability Agenda Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319951,"EventID":"S5O-00430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:24.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T09:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the Audit Scotland report, Local government in Scotland: Financial overview 2015/16.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319952,"EventID":"S5O-00431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4982,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:25.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met COSLA.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319953,"EventID":"S5O-00432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:26.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last received an update from COSLA or the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers regarding the enforcement of minimum standards for Gypsy/Traveller sites.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319954,"EventID":"S5O-00433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:28.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to amending the descriptors for the activity, moving around, which are used to assess personal independence payments.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319955,"EventID":"S5O-00434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:29.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Glasgow City Council regarding the hostel for homeless men, the Bellgrove Hotel.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319956,"EventID":"S5O-00435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:30.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will set a new target to eradicate fuel poverty.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319957,"EventID":"S5O-00436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:33.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the money raised by local authorities should be kept in their areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319958,"EventID":"S5O-00437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:34.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Scotland it estimates would be impacted by the UK Government reducing employment and support allowance to claimants placed in the work-related activity group.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319959,"EventID":"S5O-00438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5781,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:35.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking in response to the findings of the Independent Review of the Scottish Planning System.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319960,"EventID":"S5O-00439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:36.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the reduction in the benefit cap will have on disabled people and households in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319961,"EventID":"S5O-00440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:37.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that benefit claimants in Scotland with mental health issues will be fully supported.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will introduce a Scottish social security system that respects the dignity of the individual and their fundamental human right to be treated fairly. This means ensuring that the system is genuinely accessible to people with mental health issues by providing them with the information they need and developing processes to ensure that they are based on evidence and best practice. In addition we are committed to ensuring we will have a transparent and accessible appeals process and that information is in an accessible format for those who have special needs.\r\nTo support us in these aims, we will set up an independent Disability and Carers’ Benefits Expert Advisory Group, that we plan to establish in the New Year to provide recommendations and guidance on how often assessments should be, what conditions should be given an automatic or lifetime awards, and on eligibility criteria.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319962,"EventID":"S5O-00441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:39.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed changes to the local housing allowance will have on vulnerable groups.","AnswerText":"The application of the local housing allowance to the social rented sector will have an impact on tenants in a variety of circumstances including vulnerable groups in general needs accommodation as well as those in temporary, or supported accommodation. \r\nWorryingly, shortly before the autumn statement, the DWP announced all social housing tenants on Universal Credit will be affected by the Local Housing Allowance cap rather than only those starting a tenancy after April 2016, as was the original proposal. As has become usual practice from the Tory UK government, this was with no notice or consultation. This recent announcement means that the cuts from the LHA cap will potentially impact many more people from 2019 than was originally proposed. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319963,"EventID":"S5O-00442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:40.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report by Disability Agenda Scotland, Equal? Still not, why not?.","AnswerText":"I welcome the publication of Disability Agenda Scotland’s report which highlights the impact of UKG welfare cuts, barriers to employment, and the stigma and discrimination experienced by disabled people. Last week I published A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People which has five overarching aims to address these issues and achieve a transformational change for disabled people in Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government also continues to make representations to the UKG on the welfare cuts that negatively impact on people across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319964,"EventID":"S5O-00443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:41.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T10:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has access to the information and systems that are needed to exercise its powers to top-up reserved benefits. ","AnswerText":"We have made a number of commitments to using our new powers including abolishing the bedroom tax, reinstating housing support for 18-21 year olds, introducing a top up to the Carer’s Allowance to the same rate as the Jobseeker’s Allowance, introducing a new Job Grant for young people, extending eligibility for Winter Fuel payments to families with severely disabled children and a new benefit, the Best Start Grant which will see support for all children being increased and substantially helping families on low incomes.\r\nThe Scottish Government has published a Memorandum of Understanding with the DWP on joint working arrangements to implement the Scotland Act 2016, which describes the way in which the Scottish Government can access information and systems that belong to DWP to plan for the exercise of the devolved powers.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319965,"EventID":"S5O-00444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:42.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that the UK Government has informed local authorities that, from 1 December 2016, people who apply for, or renew, a taxi driver licence must provide proof of their right to work in the UK, even if they were born here.","AnswerText":"The UK Government’s 2016 Immigration Act introduced a wide range of new duties including embedding checks into the licensing of taxis and private hire cars across the UK from 1 December 2016. Immigration control is reserved to Westminster despite when there is a clear impact on devolved matters. \r\nThe Scottish Government is concerned at the burdensome checks Scottish local authorities now must perform and we have made this case to the Home Office over the past year. We have also pressed them to provide guidance and support to local authorities on the new checks that they are to perform. The Home Office have taken some steps to reduce the impact on trade, and provided guidance and training for local authority staff.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319966,"EventID":"S5O-00445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:45.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has with local authorities regarding equalities issues.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government values its relationship with Local Government and engages with it in a variety of ways with regard to equalities issues.\r\nCoSLA is represented on the Equality Budget Advisory Group and Cllr Mary Montague, along with myself, co-chairs the Joint Strategic Board on Violence. COSLA and the Scottish Councils Equality Network are both represented on the BSL National Advisory Group.\r\nIn addition the Scottish Government has regular discussions with local authorities and with CoSLA about reducing poverty and inequality and these will be built upon as we take forward the Child Poverty Bill next year.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319967,"EventID":"S5O-00446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:46.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T17:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support town centre regeneration projects in the Highlands and Islands region.","AnswerText":"The Town Centre First Principle agreed by the Scottish cabinet and all Council Leaders asks that all investment decisions consider the impact on the town centre as a starting point. Furthermore, the measures set out in the Town Centre Action Plan set the conditions and support activity across the wider public, private and community sectors to tackle the key issues in town centres across Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government funds Scotland’s Towns Partnership to support town centre projects and to share and promote learning from activity happening at a local level. Scotland’s Towns Partnership hosts a dedicated Small Towns Scotland group which recognises the unique role, function and pressures of small, island, rural and peripheral towns and ensures that they have a strong voice influencing policy and delivery.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319968,"EventID":"S5O-00447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:47.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its public information campaign to maximise incomes and benefit take-up will target the estimated 53,000 carers who do not claim carer's allowance.","AnswerText":"We want to see incomes maximised for people to receive all the benefits to which they are entitled. There are many benefits reserved to the UK Government, including Carer’s Allowance, where take up could be improved. We plan to run a take-up campaign in 2017-18 to encourage all those entitled to benefits to access them. In the meantime we will continue to run public information activity to ensure people know what benefits are being devolved and when, and are carrying out work to understand what the barriers to take-up are, including user experience panels.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319969,"EventID":"S5O-00448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:48.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role the regional equality councils will play in taking forward its racial equality framework.","AnswerText":"A pioneering programme of engagement activities was used to ensure that a wide range of organisations and individuals, from grassroots community organisations, to practitioners working the public sector and academia, had an active role in the Race Equality Framework.\r\nWe are determined to show leadership in advancing race equality in Scotland, and we will continue to work closely with public and third sector organisations, including regional equality councils, in undertaking a wide-range of actions to address inequalities through our Race Equality Framework.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319970,"EventID":"S5O-00449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:50.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether decisions regarding Highlands and Islands Enterprise economic development and social support spending will be made locally by people who live and work in the area.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319971,"EventID":"S5O-00450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:52.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to concerns regarding the future of the Jim Clark Rally.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319972,"EventID":"S5O-00451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:54.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the NHS has sufficient stocks of blood for the winter period.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319973,"EventID":"S5O-00452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:55.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to assist sites in Scotland that are preparing to apply for licences to operate as spaceports.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319974,"EventID":"S5O-00453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:57.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact it expects its tax policies to have on inequality of wealth and income.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319975,"EventID":"S5O-00454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5622,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:49:59.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider making Scottish history a priority subject on the school curriculum.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319976,"EventID":"S5O-00455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:50:01.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce personal physical literacy programmes, such as the STEP programme, in schools as part of its obesity strategy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319977,"EventID":"S5O-00456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5591,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:50:02.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for its strategic environmental and habitats regulations assessments of the beaver population.","AnswerText":"We are required to carry out a Habitats Regulations Assessment of our proposed plan to allow beavers to remain in Scotland. Work is already underway on this Assessment and I expect it to be completed early in 2017. We are also required to consider whether a Strategic Environmental Assessment is required. The approach to the SEA and its timing depends on what issues are highlighted by the HRA. I am hopeful that the processes required before we can bring forward secondary legislation to add beavers to Schedule 2 of the 1994 Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations will be completed by spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319978,"EventID":"S5O-00457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:50:03.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-28T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for improvements at the Sheriffhall Roundabout.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03083 on 6 October 2016.\r\nThe options under consideration were presented at two public exhibitions on 6 and 7 December.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319979,"EventID":"S5O-00458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T15:50:04.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-29T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the impact on Scotland's economy of the Institute for Fiscal Studies findings that suggest that Brexit could result in 13 years without growth in real wages. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government was disappointed by the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement and lack of measures to help households given the deterioration in the economic and fiscal outlook, primarily due to the UK Government's decision to leave the EU.\r\nAs the Institute for Fiscal Studies highlights, this will result in lower nominal wage growth and higher inflation resulting in a weaker outlook for real wages and living standards compared to March.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319981,"EventID":"S5W-05238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:20:54.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many vehicles it expects to use the Edinburgh City bypass over each of the next five years, broken down by vehicle type, and what long-term projection it has made for the next 25 years.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland maintain a range of traffic forecasts on all trunk roads in Scotland using the national transport model, the Transport Model for Scotland. It has a base year of 2014 and produces forecasts for a number of future years through to 2037. Future forecasts of demand are based upon a range of assumptions including population growth, fuel prices, economic activity and land-use changes. There is uncertainty associated with these assumptions which increases over time.As levels of uncertainty are greater than typical annual growth (see Scottish Transport Statistics Table 5.7(b)), forecasts are created at five yearly intervals.\r\nDetails of forecast traffic flows on the A720 Edinburgh Bypass are shown in the following table. As flows vary considerably around the bypass, the forecasts provided are for the west of Dreghorn junction which was selected to match the location of observed data reported in Scottish Transport Statistics Tables 5.7(a) and (b). \r\n\r\nA720 Edinburgh Bypass – West of Dreghorn\r\n(All Flows are Vehicles per day)\r\nYear\r\nTotal Number of Vehicles\r\n% Heavy Goods Vehicles\r\n2014\r\n78,000\r\n12%\r\n2017\r\n83,000\r\n12%\r\n2022\r\n88,000\r\n13%\r\n2027\r\n93,000\r\n13%\r\n2032\r\n98,000\r\n13%\r\n2037\r\n102,000\r\n14%\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319982,"EventID":"S5W-05213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:20:55.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T09:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made towards its aim of securing equal representation for women on listed private sector boards by 2020.","AnswerText":"On 25 June 2015 the First Minister launched the Partnership for Change 50/50 by 2020 campaign, inviting private sector companies, voluntary sector organisations and public bodies to sign up to a voluntary commitment to work towards 50/50 gender balance on their boards by 2020. At the time of writing, the Partnership for Change has 191 signatories, including 36 private sector companies.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319983,"EventID":"S5W-05215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:20:59.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T09:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it met with the Scottish Health Council to discuss whether the proposals from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde regarding the maternity units at the Vale of Leven and Inverclyde Royal hospitals, the Centre for Integrative Care and Lightburn Hospital should be designated as major service changes.","AnswerText":"The SHC come to their own view as to whether Health board proposals are major or not. Ministers make the final determination on designation where necessary (Health boards often decide that proposals are major themselves and follow the appropriate process without the need to ask Ministers), as informed by the views of the particular Health board and SHC.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319984,"EventID":"S5W-05228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:02.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T13:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00393 by Shona Robison on 24 November 2016, whether the cabinet secretary will meet local councillors and hospital campaigners in West Dunbartonshire following the conclusion of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s engagement period on 9 December 2016 and, if so, whether this will take place before her decision on the designation of proposed service changes at the Vale of Leven Hospital.","AnswerText":"It is important not to pre-judge the outcome of the current engagement process as the proposals may change or not be pursued at all.\r\nShould NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde decide to proceed with their proposals, I will carefully consider their view and that of the independent Scottish Health Council in coming to a determination on whether the proposals should be designated major. If that is case then the proposals would be subject to formal public consultation and, ultimately, Ministerial approval. \r\nI have been consistently clear that I'd be happy to meet with local campaigners and their representatives to help inform my final decision on any major service change proposals, once the engagements and formal consultation period has concluded.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319985,"EventID":"S5W-05230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:05.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has with the Farr Institute of Health Informatics Research and whether this includes collaborative work regarding the use of \"big data” and “machine learning”.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government engages with the UK Farr Institute of Health Informatics Research through the Innovative Healthcare Delivery Programme and the Scottish Informatics and Linkage Collaboration and to utilise the Institute’s infrastructure in Scotland in support of research and analyses using large administrative datasets (“big data”). There are several hundred projects that use the infrastructure. These include several using methods such as machine learning. The Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office is one of the ten funders of the UK-wide Institute.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319986,"EventID":"S5W-05217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:07.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T09:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will designate the proposal to transfer birthing services away from the Vale of Leven Hospital as a major service change.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05560 on 14 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319987,"EventID":"S5W-05226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:11.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will support NHS boards to manage anticipated high levels of staff absences resulting from sickness during the winter months.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will support NHS boards and their partners throughout the winter.\r\nWinter Guidance was issued to NHS boards early, to ensure early action is taken to minimise disruption to patients during the winter period. In line with the guidance, NHS boards and their partners are working to increase the number of patients being discharged earlier in day, increase the number of discharges at weekends and public holidays, and strengthen community capacity to reduce delayed discharges. All Health boards have robust business continuity plans and processes in place to ensure that they can continue to provide services in the event of major disruptions.\r\nThe Chief Medical Officer for Scotland strongly recommends that all health and social care staff consider the flu vaccine. Vaccination of health and social care staff remains voluntary, although NHS employers are encouraged to offer the vaccine to staff, and to make it easy for those who wish to take up the offer of the vaccine to do so.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319988,"EventID":"S5W-05239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:12.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the research by Inrix Roadway Analytics that suggests that four of the UK's worst traffic bottlenecks are on the Edinburgh city bypass.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the important role that Edinburgh and its region plays in the national economy and that the A720 plays in the strategic transport network. Transport Scotland is continuing to invest in work to identify how best to mitigate congestion on the A720. \r\nI refer the Member to the answers provided for S5W-03082 and S5W-03084 on 6 October 2016 for further information on Transport Scotland’s on-going investment in localised improvements on this route in 2016/17.\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/motions-questions-and-answers.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319989,"EventID":"S5W-05240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:13.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking and plans to take to (a) increase capacity and (b) reduce congestion on the Edinburgh City bypass.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is continuing with work to identify how best to mitigate congestion on the A720, and how a potential increase in capacity would contribute. As the work is currently underway it would not be appropriate to prejudge the outcome.\r\nI refer the member to the answers provided for S5W-03082 on 6 October 2016 and S5W-03084 on 4 October 2016 for further information on Transport Scotland’s on-going investment in localised improvements on this route in 2016-17, and work being undertaken to determine requirements in future. \r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319990,"EventID":"S5W-05211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:14.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T09:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of members of listed private sector boards have been women in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not gather data on women’s representation on listed private sector boards in Scotland. However, since 1999, the Cranfield School of Management has published an annual female FTSE benchmarking report providing a regular measure of the number of women executive on the corporate boards of the UK’s top 100 companies. \r\nThe Cranfield School of Management’s Female FTSE Board Report 2016 provides statistics on women’s representation on the boards of FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and FTSE 350 boards in the UK. The report shows that in 2016 women held 26% of directorships on FTSE 100 boards, an increase of 11% since 2012. In March 2016, women held 20.4% of directorships on FTSE 250 boards and 22.4% on FTSE 350 boards.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319991,"EventID":"S5W-05225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:17.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will support NHS boards during the winter months, in light of (a) reports that there has been a reduction in the number of hospital beds and (b) Information Services Division (ISD) figures that suggest that the number of delayed discharges has been rising since April 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will support NHS boards and their partners throughout the winter.\r\nWinter Guidance was issued to NHS boards early, to ensure early action is taken to minimise disruption to patients during the winter period. In line with the guidance, NHS boards and their partners are working to increase the number of patients being discharged earlier in day, increase the number of discharges at weekends and public holidays, and strengthen community capacity to reduce delayed discharges.\r\nThe Scottish Government has invested an additional £3 million in 2016 to support unscheduled care over the winter. Funding of £9 million for unscheduled care essential actions was also announced by the First Minister in September.\r\nIn addition, we are investing £30 million a year to help health and social care partnerships tackle delayed discharges. This money has been used to open intermediate care beds, assess people in more appropriate settings and to focus on caring for people at home by investing in home care, reablement and new technology.\r\nIntegration is introducing new ways of working which will drive longer term improvements, with single accountability and joint budgets making better use of resources and improve outcomes for people by reducing unnecessary stays in hospital beds. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319992,"EventID":"S5W-05232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:18.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of applied behavioural analysis to assist children who have been diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is not prescriptive in the use of particular autism interventions. The Scottish Strategy for Autism’s publication the Menu of Interventions was published in 2013 link: http://www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk/menu-of-interventions/. It provides a guide to interventions and the supports required by people diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder.\r\nThe Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network develops evidence based clinical practice guidelines for the National Health Service in Scotland. SIGN guidelines are derived from a systematic review of the scientific literature and are designed as a vehicle for accelerating the translation of new knowledge into action to meet our aim of reducing variations in practice, and improving patient-important outcomes. The SIGN 145 Assessment, diagnosis and interventions for autism spectrum disorders guideline can be viewed using the following link:\r\nhttp://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/fulltext/145/index.html. Ultimately, NHS and local council care services are free to implement behavioural approaches depending on circumstances and needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319993,"EventID":"S5W-05236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:19.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason applied behavioural analysis (ABA) to assist children who have been diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder is not recognised by (a) the NHS in Scotland and (b) local authorities and, in light of reports that ABA is being used by the NHS in other parts of the UK and internationally, whether it will ask for this to be reconsidered.","AnswerText":"The key to providing appropriate support, is to take a person-centred approach and to use the range of tools and strategies which will ultimately result in the best outcomes for that individual. The use of interventions based on ABA is identified both in the SIGN 145 Assessment, diagnosis and interventions for autism spectrum disorders guideline (http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/fulltext/145/index.html) and in the NHS Education for Scotland Matrix of psychological interventions for children and young people with autismhttp://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-discipline/psychology/the-matrix-(2015)-a-guide-to-delivering-evidence-based-psychological-therapies-in-scotland.aspxas being recommended in response to particular behaviours or needs. \r\nNHS Education for Scotland also have a learning resource on Positive Behavioural Support \r\n(http://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-theme-initiative/mental-health-and-learning-disabilities/publications-and-resources/publications-repository/positive-behavioural-support-a-learning-resource.aspx). \r\nAdditionally, within the CAMHS workstream in NHS Education for Scotland there have been recent Masterclass events on Applied Behavioural Analysis. \r\nHowever, whilst the Government sets national policy direction to local authorities and health boards, ultimately it is the responsibility of local authorities and NHS and their integrated local planning partnerships to deliver services and allocate resources according to local priorities and considerations. Ultimately, NHS and local council care services are free to implement behavioural approaches depending on circumstances and needs.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319994,"EventID":"S5W-05212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:20.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T09:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken towards its aim of securing equal representation for women on listed private sector boards by 2020.","AnswerText":"On 25 June 2015 the First Minister launched the Partnership for Change 50/50 by 2020 campaign, inviting private sector companies, voluntary sector organisations and public bodies to sign up to a voluntary commitment to work towards 50/50 gender balance on their boards by 2020. At the time of writing, the Partnership for Change has 191 signatories, including 36 private sector companies. Improving gender diversity on boards and in the workforce is also one of the nine components of the Scottish Business Pledge.\r\nIn the New Year the First Minister will open a Business Pledge conference for the private sector in Scotland. Business speakers will focus on the business benefits of diverse boards and delegates will have an opportunity to attend practical workshops designed to offer advice and support on improving board diversity.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319995,"EventID":"S5W-05214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:23.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T09:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposals from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde regarding the maternity units at the Vale of Leven and Inverclyde Royal hospitals, the Centre for Integrative Care and Lightburn Hospital will be designated as major service changes prior to the meeting on 20 December 2016 and, if so, when this will be announced.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05560 on 14 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319996,"EventID":"S5W-05229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:27.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a pay weighting allowance for (a) its and (b) its agencies' staff who work in areas with a high cost of living.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to introduce such payments. Flexibilities already exist in our public sector pay policy to address labour market issues, such as recruitment and retention challenges within particular locations.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319997,"EventID":"S5W-05231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:28.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which of the 249 actions set out in the ScotRail Alliance Performance Improvement Plan would have been carried out through regular maintenance, regardless of the publication of the plan. ","AnswerText":"The Improvement Plan sets out initiatives and actions which focus on improving train performance in an integrated way across track, train and operations.\r\nEach of the initiatives contained in the Performance Improvement Plan, whether of a type ordinarily used in maintenance and operations, or new, is targeted to contribute to improved performance.\r\nScotRail have accelerated £8million this year to deliver the improvements contained within the Improvement Plan.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319998,"EventID":"S5W-05241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4982,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:29.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is entitled to travel allowance in the NHS Highland area when receiving treatment, and how much can be claimed per mile.","AnswerText":"The Highlands and Islands Patient Travel Scheme reimburses reasonable travel costs for all patients in the Highlands and Islands area that are required to travel 30 miles or more to a hospital for treatment, less the first £10, with the exception of those in receipt of qualifying benefits, or who hold an NHS low income certificate.\r\nNHS Highland sets its mileage payments according to HMRC advisory rates. The current paid by NHS Highland is 13 pence per mile.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":319999,"EventID":"S5W-05233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:30.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that some local authorities refuse to fund applied behavioural analysis to assist children who have been diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, including through self-directed support.","AnswerText":"A supported person’s needs and outcomes will not always respect the traditional boundaries between healthcare services and social care services. The Statutory Guidance accompanying the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 encourages the respective professionals and organisations to work together, to conduct assessments based on personal outcomes. An individual’s allocated budget may then be spent in anyway, provided that it meets the outcomes within the support plan.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320000,"EventID":"S5W-05235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-11-30T17:21:31.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that there are no education opportunities in Scotland to become a practitioner in applied behavioural analysis to assist children who have been diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder.","AnswerText":"Universities are autonomous bodies and as such they have responsibility for their own staffing, admission, subject provision, curriculum, degree awarding and research. Course provision is therefore a matter for each individual institution.\r\nThe Scottish Government expects each agency (health, education and social care) to consider their staff training and competence. It is important that services maintain staff competences in line with the SIGN Guidance and evidence. The published Autism Training Framework allows services to target their training to the needs of the individuals they are supporting. \r\nThe framework is available from the following link: http://elearning.scot.nhs.uk:8080/intralibrary/open_virtual_file_path/i1923n4027869t/NESD0350ASDTrainingFramework-WEB.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320041,"EventID":"S5W-05245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:21.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00215 by Shona Robison on 22 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), what the timescale of the inquiry is; what its (a) parameters, (b) objectives and (c) scope will be, and whether the families affected by the issue will be consulted from the outset.","AnswerText":"The terms of reference for the review are now published on the Healthcare Improvement Scotland website: http://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/our_work/governance_and_assurance/programme_resources/ayrshire_maternity_unit_review.aspx and it is expected that it will be completed within 3-6 months. \r\nAny family affected will have the opportunity to speak with the HIS review team and some have already made contact. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320042,"EventID":"S5W-05262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:22.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on support being made available to increase food and drink exports and develop new international markets.","AnswerText":"The Scotland Food & Drink partnership has developed an Export Plan which was launched in March 2014 to help the industry achieve export growth and build Scotland’s international reputation as a “Land of Food and Drink” by targeting specific market opportunities across the globe. The partnership has identified 15 priority markets for Scotland, including ‘top prospect’ markets where we have dedicated Food & Drink specialists to open doors with customers, provide market insights and make connections with Scottish suppliers. The Scottish Government is committed to contributing to funding of the £4.5m plan until March 2019.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320043,"EventID":"S5W-05264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:24.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-04688 by John Swinney on 17 November 2016, whether it will provide the minutes of each meeting and the actions that were discussed at these.","AnswerText":"The Working Group on Headteacher Recruitment is co-chaired with COSLA and its membership includes trade unions, Headteacher associations, Association of directors of education in scotland , the Scottish College for Educational Leadership and the Scottish Catholic Education Service. The group next meets on 9 February 2017 and it will discuss publishing minutes and actions then. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320044,"EventID":"S5W-05263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:26.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03845 by Mark McDonald on 3 November 2016, whether it will provide the minutes of the meeting of the Early Learning and Childcare Strategic Forum of 17 November 2016.","AnswerText":"Minutes of ELC Strategic Forum meetings are currently shared among member organisations only, however we are reviewing this approach with a view to publishing future minutes online, subject to the agreement of Forum members.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320045,"EventID":"S5W-05265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:27.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Medicines Consortium will publish guidance regarding the use of botulinum toxin for the treatment of chronic migraine.","AnswerText":"www.scottishmedicines.org.uk.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320046,"EventID":"S5W-05243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:29.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00215 by Shona Robison on 22 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), in light of Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) carrying out the investigation into NHS Ayrshire and Arran in 2012 and its subsequent comments in December 2013 regarding the progress with this, what its position is on reported concerns that HIS is not the appropriate body to carry out the new inquiry.","AnswerText":"I refer to the answer given in S5W-05242 on 16 December 2016. Because of their role as a national scrutiny and improvement body, I have complete confidence in Healthcare Improvement Scotland, and their ability to carry out such a review. \r\nThe National Framework for Adverse Events supports NHS boards to standardise processes. It includes a national definition of an adverse event, guidance on reporting, accountability, responsibilities and learning, and principles for an open, just and positive safety culture. HIS has supported all NHS boards to assess their processes and make improvements and reports progress quarterly to the Adverse Events Programme board.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320047,"EventID":"S5W-05250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:30.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Scottish Natural Heritage refresh of its corporate plan to cover 2017 to 2022 will cover access to assets in decline and not conservation of these assets.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Natural Heritage and I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the Member to provide further details.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320048,"EventID":"S5W-05261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:32.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of any assessments it has made of the economic opportunities of increasing food and drink exports.","AnswerText":"The Scottish food and drink industry has set itself an ambitious target of reaching £7.1billionn in Exports by 2017. The Scotland Food and Drink Partnership is in the process of developing the next industry food and drink growth strategy, which will cover the period 2017-2030. The strategy is expected to be published in early 2017 and will include further detail on export opportunities for the sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320049,"EventID":"S5W-05259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:33.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body under what circumstances it employs staff on agency contracts rather than fixed-term or permanent contracts.","AnswerText":"Permanent or fixed term contract opportunities with the SPCB are, with very limited exceptions, advertised through fair and open competition, either internally or externally.  Subject to the SPCB’s normal approval process for filling vacancies, the majority of permanent vacancies are recruited to on a permanent basis as they arise. For temporary requirements the decision on how they are filled is made on a case by case basis depending on the following factors:\r\n\r\nThe predicted length of assignment, with longer term vacancies being more suited to a fixed term recruitment exercise\r\nHow urgently the vacancy needs to be filled, and whether there is time to carry out a fixed term recruitment exercise\r\nThe skills and experience required for the post, and whether the requirement would best met by engaging specialist agencies or through an SPCB recruitment exercise\r\nThe need to cover vacancies whilst permanent or fixed term recruitment exercises are undertaken\r\nThe need to increase capability quickly by bringing in experienced practitioners whilst our own staff are developed\r\nA requirement to flex capacity in response to demand\r\nWhere there is a requirement specialist skills that cannot be accommodated in the SPCB’s pay and grading structure, for instance where the market value is higher\r\nWhether the requirement is foreseen to be long term and predictable or more irregular\r\nWhether the requirement can be met internally\r\nWhether there are any organisational factors that need to be taken into account, for instance an office or service review that makes committing to an SPCB contract undesirable\r\n\r\nFrom 2016 staff on the SPCB’s Apprenticeship Programme have filled temporary vacancies upon qualification, prior to them securing permanent employment with the SPCB, as an alternative to using agency staff.  In addition as part of the SPCB’s temporary resourcing strategy, the organisation is reducing its use of agency workers through a variety of measures, including advertising fixed term appointments which would previously have been filled on an agency basis, the creation of an SPCB temporary resourcing pool of candidates who may be offered fixed term contracts, internal staff transfers and more use of interchange and secondments with other organisations.\r\n\r\nProvision has also been made for investment in our in-house IT capacity, the cost of which will be partially offset by a reduction in the use of IT agency staff within projects.  A number of these new posts have been filled on a permanent basis in the current financial year, with further posts proposed (subject to approval on the basis of a robust business case).","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320050,"EventID":"S5W-05266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:35.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its role with the National Advisory and Advocacy Group for the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives, what discussions it has had with (a) the Health and Safety Executive and (b) other stakeholders regarding (i) the effectiveness of and (ii) improving the Primary Authority Scheme.","AnswerText":"Regulation of occupational health and safety is an issue reserved to the UK Government.\r\nThe Scottish Government has not had any discussions in relation to Primary Authority Schemes in regard to occupational health and safety.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320051,"EventID":"S5W-05242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:37.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on establishing an independent investigations body, similar to the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch in NHS England and Wales, to examine incidents in the NHS.","AnswerText":"Healthcare Improvement Scotland is responsible for scrutinising healthcare providers in Scotland to provide public assurance about the quality and safety of the care being delivered and for supporting those organisations to deliver high quality, evidence based, safe, effective and person-centred care. The Scottish Government does not consider there is a need to change these arrangements at this time.\r\nIn collaboration with NHS boards, HIS has led on the development of the national approach to learning from adverse events and is driving implementation through an improvement support programme. However, individual care providers are responsible and accountable for effectively managing adverse events. All organisations should have a management system for reporting, reviewing and learning from all types of adverse events. This includes clinical events involving patients, families, staff and carers (including health and safety, accidents or incidents) and non-clinical events (including information governance, health and safety at work and finance). This is a developing process and is under constant review.\r\nThe Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) was established by the UK Government to investigate the most serious risks to patient safety across the NHS in England. HSIB is part of NHS Improvement and has a similar status and, when fully operational, will carry out a similar role to the investigations and inspections undertaken by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS).","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320052,"EventID":"S5W-05244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:38.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00215 by Shona Robison on 22 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), whether it considers that Healthcare Improvement Scotland has the required skills and expertise to ensure the credibility and competency of the inquiry, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"I refer to the answer given to S5W-05242 on 16 December 2016. HIS has a cohort of 53 clinical advisers who support and advise on its work, and for each review will co-opt individuals to provide clinical and other expertise and advise to support each particular piece of work. \r\nDr Tracey Johnston, Consultant Obstetrician, Birmingham Women’s Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust has been appointed as the chair of the NHS Ayrshire and Annan Review group.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320053,"EventID":"S5W-05256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:39.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which nature conservation projects have been funded through EU-schemes in each of the last five years, broken down by the (a) name of the scheme and (b) contribution Scottish Natural Heritage made toward this.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Natural Heritage and I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the Member to provide further details.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320054,"EventID":"S5W-05270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:41.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent in each year since 2007 on flood prevention in the West Scotland region, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Flooding capital grant - Funding Allocations for Flood Protection Schemes since 2007 (£,000s)\r\n\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\nInverclyde\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\nRenfrewshire\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n2007-08\r\n\r\n221\r\n\r\n862\r\n687\r\n\r\n2008-09\r\n160\r\n\r\n\r\n880\r\n907\r\n533\r\n2009-10\r\n160\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n907\r\n533\r\n2010-11\r\n160\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n907\r\n533\r\n2011-12\r\n160\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n907\r\n533\r\n2012-13\r\n160\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n907\r\n533\r\n2013-14\r\n160\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n907\r\n533\r\n2014-15\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2015-16\r\n\r\n\r\n1,743\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2016-17\r\n80\r\n80\r\n372\r\n1,680\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320055,"EventID":"S5W-05249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:42.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Scottish Natural Heritage is refreshing its corporate plan to cover 2017 to 2022.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) are reviewing their Corporate Plan 2015-2018 to ensure alignment with the Scottish Government’s latest Programme for Government and to take account of their budget allocation for 2017-18 when this is confirmed. Separately, SNH will be undertaking preparatory work on developing a new corporate plan covering the period 2018-2022.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320056,"EventID":"S5W-05251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:43.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for the review of the revised structure of the governance of the Scottish biodiversity and land use strategy; when the review’s guidance, advisory and delivery support groups will meet; when the revised structure will be adopted, and how it will ensure that the stakeholders' group that is expected to be established by the review will take into account the views of all interested parties.","AnswerText":"The governance review of biodiversity and land use was completed but not considered by Ministers before the Scottish Parliament election in May 2016. The review concluded that the previous arrangements should be replaced with arrangements under the Rural Affairs, Food and Environment (RAFE) Delivery Board, a grouping of chief executives or equivalents from public sector environmental and agricultural organisations under the joint chairmanship of the then Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment (Richard Lochhead MSP) and then Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Dr Aileen McLeod MSP). \r\nSince May 2016, the RAFE Delivery Board has continued to meet informally at official level to work on issues of common interest, including preparation for the Budget 2016-17, the potential impact of the EU referendum and the Scottish Government’s draft Climate Change Plan. Ministers have yet to consider what formal arrangements they wish to see in place of the RAFE Delivery Board – and also how they wish to deal with biodiversity and land use governance. \r\nIn the meantime, on biodiversity, the delivery support groups in the form of the working groups and the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Co-ordination Group (which is chaired by Scottish Natural Heritage) have continued to meet regularly and to support and coordinate the delivery of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and ‘Scotland’s Biodiversity – a Route Map to 2020’. \r\nOn stakeholder engagement, a RAFE ‘Leading Together’ stakeholder event held by Mr Lochhead in March 2016 under the auspices of the RAFE Delivery Board drew together leaders from public bodies and key stakeholders to discuss the portfolio’s outcomes and priorities. A further meeting was held on 28 July 2016 specifically to consider follow-up to the EU referendum on the range of environmental and climate change issues. The Scottish Government’s Standing Council on Europe has set up a Roundtable on Environment and Climate Change under the chairmanship of Professor Dame Anne Glover, which has met several times since October 2016.\r\nOfficials expect to arrange further stakeholder meetings on biodiversity and land use in the course of this year.","AnswerDate":"2017-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320057,"EventID":"S5W-05258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:45.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how many contracts for agency staff that it employed in the last five years were for (a) less than one month, (b) one to six months, (c) between six months and two years and (d) over two years.","AnswerText":"Non-IT Agency Staff\r\nInformation about non-IT agency assignments is only held for current and previous calendar years, and therefore no detailed data on agency staffing prior to 2015 is available.  Since the beginning of 2015, the lengths of assignment undertaken were:\r\n\r\n2015 – 2016 (to date)\r\nAs at 7 December 2016\r\n(a) less than one month\r\n4\r\n-\r\n(b) one to six months\r\n27\r\n6\r\n(c) between six months and two years\r\n45\r\n11\r\n(d) over two years\r\n11\r\n-\r\nTotal\r\n87\r\n17\r\n\r\nIT Agency Staff\r\nSince the beginning of 2011, the lengths of assignment undertaken were:\r\n\r\n2011 – 2016 (to date)\r\nAs at 7 December 2016\r\n(a) less than one month\r\n4\r\n-\r\n(b) one to six months\r\n8\r\n2\r\n(c) between six months and two years\r\n32\r\n6\r\n(d) over two years\r\n5\r\n1\r\nTotal\r\n49\r\n9\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320058,"EventID":"S5W-05260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:46.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how much it has paid to employment agencies to provide staff in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17 projected outturn\r\nNot-IT staff: charges excluding VAT\r\n1,002,428\r\n\r\n886,377\r\n895,122\r\n1,109,348\r\n1,217,312\r\n414,635\r\nNon-IT staff: non-recoverable VAT\r\n-\r\n\r\n-\r\n-\r\n214,410\r\n229,429\r\n78,607\r\nIT staff: charges excluding VAT\r\n386,867\r\n\r\n292,241\r\n438,590\r\n1,111,898\r\n1,157,378\r\n622,928\r\nIT staff: non-recoverable VAT\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n222,380\r\n231,476\r\n124,586\r\n\r\nTotal charges excluding VAT\r\n1,389,295\r\n\r\n1,178,618\r\n1,333,712\r\n2,221,246\r\n2,374,690\r\n1,037,563\r\nTotal non-recoverable VAT\r\n-\r\n\r\n-\r\n-\r\n436,790\r\n460,905\r\n203,193\r\nTotal\r\n1,389,295\r\n\r\n1,178,618\r\n1,333,712\r\n2,658,036\r\n2,835,595\r\n1,240,756\r\nNotes: Until 31 March 2014, VAT was recovered on agency invoices.  From 1 April 2014 VAT has only been recovered on agency invoices by exception (charges for £37,299 in 2014-15, £70,167 in 2015-16 and £21,598 in 2016-17 were VAT recoverable). Projected outturn for 2016-17 is based on actual costs to end November and projected spend to year end.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320059,"EventID":"S5W-05254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:48.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has received in each of the last five years, and how much of this SNH allocated to its biodiversity strategy priorities each year.","AnswerText":"The funding, in terms of cash Grant-in-Aid, that Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has received from the Scottish Government in each of the last five years is set out in the table below. I have asked SNH’s Chief Executive to write to the Member to provide details on how much of this funding the organisation has allocated to its biodiversity strategy priorities in each year as this is an operational matter. \r\nYear\r\nTotal cash funding received1\r\n2011-12\r\n£ 57.169m\r\n2012-13\r\n£ 53.270m\r\n2013-14\r\n£ 50.998m\r\n2014-15\r\n£ 53.071m\r\n2015-16\r\n£ 50.486m\r\n2016-17 (Planned)\r\n£ 45.470m\r\n1 Figures take into account in-year budget transfers and spend profile adjustments.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320060,"EventID":"S5W-05257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T14:16:49.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how many staff it has employed on agency contracts in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The SPCB does not contract directly with agency workers, but goes through employment agencies, who then place workers on assignment with the SPCB.  IT and non-IT agency staffing arrangements are managed separately, and the information is therefore split in to the two categories below.\r\n\r\nNon-IT Agency Workers\r\nInformation about non-IT agency assignments is only held for current and previous calendar years, and therefore no detailed data on agency staffing prior to 2015 is available.  The average number of non-IT agency workers on assignment has, however, been published in the SPCB annual accounts since 2013-14:\r\nFY 2013-14\r\nFY 2014-15\r\nFY 2015-16\r\nFY 2016-17 (to end November)\r\n31\r\n35\r\n33\r\n14\r\n(Average of full time equivalent agency staff on assignment at the end of each month in the reporting period.)\r\n\r\nIT Agency Staff\r\nThe information we hold on IT agency staff is based on the number of assignments worked, rather than the number of workers.  Information on the number of assignments worked between 2011 and 2016 is shown below. This includes assignments which began before 2011 but continued into, or ended in, later years; assignments that started and ended during years (reflecting the higher turnover of agency staff); assignments by workers who had more than one assignment in a year or over the period; and part time assignments. \r\nYear\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016 (to date)\r\nNumber of assignments undertaken during year\r\n5\r\n8\r\n18\r\n25\r\n28\r\n28\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320074,"EventID":"S5W-05271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:01.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken in each year since 2008 to reduce journey times on each service on the Highland Main Line.","AnswerText":"Since 2008 the Scottish Government has taken action to deliver, and continues to develop, rail enhancements on the Inverness to Glasgow and Edinburgh route with the Rail Industry. These enhancements included journey time and frequency improvements in December 2011. Additionally, we will introduce new early morning services from Sunday 11 December 2016 to further enhance connectivity.\r\nIn the current control period we have allowed for funding for Network Rail to implement infrastructure enhancements designed to facilitate our commitment to “Revolution in Rail”. These along with the introduction of High Speed Trains will see significant service improvements introduced including an average 10 minute journey time saving and an hourly service. Details of our Revolution in Rail can be found at the following link; http://news.gov.scot/news/rail-revolution-announced\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":320075,"EventID":"S5W-05272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:03.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T13:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support local authorities with the reported increase in the volume of building warrant applications that they are receiving.","AnswerText":"Each of the 32 local authorities is responsible for resourcing their building standards services appropriately. \r\nI have become aware that since the economic downturn of 2008 there have been situations where experienced Building Standards Managers and staff have either retired or taken voluntary exit arrangements from local authorities. At the same time there appears to have been little corresponding intake of trainee or apprentice Building Standards Officers in many areas of Scotland. I understand that as the volume of building projects has been increasing some local authorities have had difficulty in recruiting and replacing staff. The Scottish Government is currently consulting on Building Warrant Fees which includes a proposal to increase fees to provide additional funding to local authorities. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320076,"EventID":"S5W-05289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:04.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 supports participatory planning for coastal communities in relation to the development of fish farms, and what impact the proposals in the Islands Bill would have. ","AnswerText":"Each new fish farm site is dealt with on its merits by local authorities under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, taking account of advice from statutory consultees plus any representations from other interested parties, including the general public.\r\nThe Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 does not affect how the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 works in practice but will improve outcomes for communities by improving the process of community planning, ensuring that local service providers work together even more closely with communities to meet the needs of the people who use their services.\r\nThe Islands Bill will include provision for island proofing, which is about considering the particular needs and circumstances of island communities and taking account of island characteristics when the Scottish Government and other relevant public authorities are exercising their functions and making decisions.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320077,"EventID":"S5W-05290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:05.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of its initial assessment of the implications of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), and what impact the agreement will have on jobs creation in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05292 on 13 December 2016. \r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320078,"EventID":"S5W-05279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:06.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost to local authorities of hiring external experts to plug in-house gaps in building standards services. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not made any assessment as each of the 32 local authorities is responsible for resourcing their building standards services appropriately. Where they do not have the necessary staff or specialisms in-house to undertake their verification functions, they should resource them externally.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently consulting on Building Warrant Fees which includes a proposal to increase fees to provide additional funding to local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320079,"EventID":"S5W-05281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:07.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much weight will be given to current customer satisfaction levels of each independent local authority when consulting on the appointment of building standards verifiers. ","AnswerText":"I am currently reviewing the appointment process for verifiers from May 2017 onwards, however there are no plans for wider consultation on the matter. The review includes consideration of the results of the Scottish Government national customer survey under KPO5 of the verification performance framework. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320080,"EventID":"S5W-05296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:08.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many teachers trained through the planned fast-tracked process are expected to work in the north east, and whether there will be an incentive for new recruits to work in (a) Aberdeen City, (b) Aberdeenshire and (c) Angus.","AnswerText":"It is not yet possible to say how many teachers will work in each local authority. Given the expansion of distance learning routes we expect to see an increase in the number of students entering teacher education on the basis that they will ultimately work locally. Whether to offer incentives in order to recruit teachers is a decision for each local authority as their employer.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":320081,"EventID":"S5W-05298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:09.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on it reinstating the direct rail link between Perth and Edinburgh, and what impact such a service would have on journey times on the Highland Main Line.","AnswerText":"Reinstatement of the direct rail link between Perth and Edinburgh does not feature in the Scottish Government’s current £5 billion investment programme to 2019. However, we are committed to on-going improvements to rail services and connectivity and will consider projects subject to the Scottish Government’s investment priorities for the strategic transport network, a robust business case, affordability and other competing proposals. The first step for promoters of this scheme is to contact the Regional Transport Partnership (RTP), SEStran, to establish if the proposal fits with their local and regional transport strategies. Any impact on Highland Main Line journey times would need to be determined by detailed timetable analysis should the proposal emerge from a multi-modal transport appraisal.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":320082,"EventID":"S5W-05277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:11.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the move toward e-building standards by local authorities and how this has impacted the delivery of building standards warrants.","AnswerText":"Building Standards went live in August 2016. All local authorities are our partners in the eDevelopment programme and have received online applications through the eBuildingStandards.scot.\r\nEach local authority has their own business processes and their own level of digitisation of services. The introduction of electronic applications has involved substantial business transformation and modernisation of building standards services. For most authorities, this has required process change and some skills development to support the transition from largely paper-based processes to digital application handling.\r\nWe are monitoring uptake by service users, both nationally and by each local authority area, on an on-going basis. To date uptake had been far higher than anticipated with over 11,000 forms and applications being submitted through the service during the first three months. \r\nWe have noted that there has been a short-term dip in performance standards during the transition within some local authority areas, however performance is expected to improve with increasing familiarity with the new processes.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320083,"EventID":"S5W-05284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:12.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T13:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost of the e-building standards roll-out among local authorities. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05282 on 13 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320084,"EventID":"S5W-05291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:13.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03348 by Keith Brown on 16 November 2016, whether it has received a response from the UK Government regarding the request for NHS Scotland to be listed as exempt from the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and, if so, whether it will publish the response.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05292 on 13 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320085,"EventID":"S5W-05278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:14.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is helping local authorities with the recruitment of qualified building standards staff. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05272 on 13 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320086,"EventID":"S5W-05280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:15.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the latest key performance outcomes in respect of (a) KPO1 and (b) KPO2 are for the local authority building verification process.","AnswerText":"The latest figures for Quarter 1 (April – June) of reporting year 2016-17 show that KPO1 ‘Average time to grant a building warrant’ for all categories is 66 working days. For KPO2 ‘The % of CCNPs for accepted completion certificates fully achieved by relevant person and verifier’ is 47%.\r\nThe performance figures for both these KPOs rely on others such as applicants and agents to respond timeously and appropriately. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320087,"EventID":"S5W-05282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:16.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much local authorities have invested in technology specifically in advance of the e-building standards portal roll out. ","AnswerText":"The eDevelopment Programme finance model involves costs being shared, with the Scottish Government funding the capital investment in the technology and local authorities paying annual support and maintenance costs. Local authorities collectively will pay £71,000 during the current financial year for support and maintenance in relation to the eBuildingStandards.scot service.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not hold information about any other investment or costs to local authorities, in relation to their preparation for implementation of the service.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320088,"EventID":"S5W-05295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:17.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many teacher vacancies in (a) Aberdeen City, (b) Aberdeenshire and (c) Angus are expected to be filled as a result of the £1 million allocation from the Attainment Scotland Fund to recruit new teachers.","AnswerText":"We expect that at least 200 student teachers will be recruited through the new routes. However, the employment of teachers is a matter for local authorities and its not possible for the Scottish Government to determine how many vacancies in individual authorities will be filled as a result of this initiative.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":320089,"EventID":"S5W-05297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:18.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what incentives it is providing to fill long-term teacher vacancies in (a) Aberdeen City, (b) Aberdeenshire and (c) Angus.","AnswerText":"Whether to offer incentives in order to recruit teachers is a decision for each local authority as their employer. The Scottish Government is supporting teacher recruitment by increasing student intake targets, by supporting the creation of new routes to teaching and by working with the General Teaching Council for Scotland to allow teachers from outwith the country to more easily register and work in Scottish schools.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":320090,"EventID":"S5W-05283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:19.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T13:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the uptake by local authorities of e-building standards.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05277 on 13 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320091,"EventID":"S5W-05285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:20.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T13:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the performance of local councils acting as building standards verifiers as a result of the key performance outcomes framework. ","AnswerText":"Local authorities are committed to the verification performance framework that was introduced in 2012 and are subject to regular monitoring by Scottish Government. \r\nScottish Government commissioned Pye Tait Consulting to undertake an ‘Evaluation of the performance of local authorities in their role as verifiers’ and their report was published in March 2016. The independent research concluded that:\r\n“In summary, whilst there has been substantial progress and investment in delivering a high quality and customer-focused building standards service since the last re-appointment of local authorities in 2011, there is still work to do to create the conditions for strong performance across all 32 Councils.”","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320092,"EventID":"S5W-05292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:21.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03348 by Keith Brown on 16 November 2016, what measures it will take, in addition to writing to the Secretary of State for International Trade, to ensure that NHS Scotland is listed as exempt from the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).","AnswerText":"As indicated in response to S5W-00972 on 12 July 2016 and S5W-03348 on 16 November 2016, the Scottish Government carried out an initial assessment of the Section D provisions of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and considered it unlikely that these would, to any appreciable extent, restrict the legislation which the Scottish Parliament can pass in the interest of the public and the environment. Section D covers the Investment Protection and does not specifically cover the impact on jobs creation.\r\nAs indicated in response to S5W-003348, I wrote to the Secretary of State for International Trade re-emphasising that our ability to regulate, and our ability to determine, how the NHS in Scotland should operate should in no way be compromised by trade agreements. I have not yet received any response to this letter.\r\nRegulation of international trade is currently a reserved matter under the Scotland Act 1998 and trade negotiations are led by the European Commission on behalf of the European Union's 28 Member States. The Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament do not therefore have a direct say in, or direct influence on, negotiations or the ratification of any agreement \r\nInformation on the ongoing work between the EU Commission and Canada regarding the parameters of the Investor Court System in CETA can be found on the European Commission website http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/in-focus/ceta/\r\nThe UK Government response of 28 October 2015 regarding why it has not put forward any Protected Food Names for inclusion in CETA has been placed in SPICe (Bib number 58399).\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320093,"EventID":"S5W-05294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:23.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03348 by Keith Brown on 16 November 2016, whether it will publish the response from the UK Government regarding why it has not put forward any Protected Food Names for inclusion in the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) to give Scottish producers protection in Canada.","AnswerText":"refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05292 on 13 December 2016. \r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320094,"EventID":"S5W-05274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:24.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T13:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the overall timeliness performance of local authorities in granting building warrants. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Government is aware that delays may be due to local authority processing, the quality of the submitted plans, or delays in applicants submitting revised details. A revised Performance Framework with agreed measurable targets will be introduced as part of the future appointment of verifiers. These targets will be regularly monitored and verifiers will be subject to periodic inspection and will be required to address any areas of concern.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320095,"EventID":"S5W-05276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:25.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it aims to reduce inconsistencies across local authorities in the delivery of building standards verification. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers to questions S5W-05274 and S5W-05275 on 12 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320096,"EventID":"S5W-05299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:27.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T15:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contribution it will make to the UK Government's Race Disparity Audit and to what extent information on devolved issues that are the responsibility of the Scottish Government will be included in this audit.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is deeply concerned about the rise in inequality and racism across the UK and we welcome the focus the UK Government is placing on race at this time.\r\nWe would want to establish how the audit might relate to Scottish Government strategy and policy development, in particular the Equality Evidence website and the actions in the Race Equality Framework outlining data and research work.\r\nWe have therefore entered into dialogue at both Ministerial and official level to assess if the Race Disparity Audit is the right approach for Scotland, alongside engagement with our key race equality stakeholders.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320097,"EventID":"S5W-05273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:28.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T13:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of recent research carried out by Pye Consulting on its behalf in its report, Evaluation of the performance of local authorities in their role as building standards verifiers, which shows large variances in the overall performance of local authorities in allocating building warrants.","AnswerText":"I welcomed the publication of the report in March 2016 and have noted its findings. The conclusions drawn from the report are presently being considered in relation to the next appointment of verifiers from May 2017 onwards.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320098,"EventID":"S5W-05287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5587,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:29.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00420 by Humza Yousaf on 1 December 2016 (Official Report, c. 8), what processes will be required to deliver the grade separated junction at Laurencekirk, and what the timescales of these will be.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is currently taking forward the options assessment process with a preferred option expected to be identified in 2018. This will be followed by the development and assessment of the preferred junction option leading to publication of draft Orders in 2019 for formal comment.\r\nProgress thereafter is dependent on the level and nature of representation received in response to the published draft Orders. If objections are received and are unable to be resolved an approach may be required to the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division to appoint an independent Reporter to conduct a Public Local Inquiry. Following Inquiry and consideration of the Reporter’s recommendations the Scottish Minister’s would thereafter decide whether the Scheme should proceed.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320099,"EventID":"S5W-05288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:31.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that new fish farms do not undermine the conservation objectives of the marine protected area network.","AnswerText":"There is a duty on all public authorities to comply with section 83 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 when making decisions on whether to permit activities that could affect a nature conservation Marine Protected Area within Scottish territorial Waters. The provisions are designed to ensure that there is no significant risk of the activity hindering the achievement of the conservation objectives of the protected features before consent is given.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320100,"EventID":"S5W-05275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:32.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to implement national criteria or minimum standards relating to the appointment of building standards verifiers. ","AnswerText":"The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 allows Scottish Ministers to appoint verifiers on such terms or limitations as they feel appropriate. They must have regard to qualifications; competency; accountability to the public; and impartiality before making an appointment.\r\nI am currently reviewing the appointment process of verifiers from May 2017 onwards and propose to introduce an operating framework for verifiers. This will set out the key verification functions and cover integrity and operational resilience; building warrant and completion certificate processing; and maintaining records.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320101,"EventID":"S5W-05286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:33.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T13:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government was assessment it has made of budget pressures impacting building standards services. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has commissioned a number of research projects to consider the building standards fees structure and cost of verification by local authorities and has published the reports on the Scottish Government website.\r\n1. Review the current Building Standards Fee Structure and Future Requirements (2011-12) Phase 1 report (March 2012); Phase 2 report (April 2012)\r\n2. Review the current Building Standards Fee Structure and Future Requirements (2014-15) Final Report (March 2015)\r\n3. Consider Proposed Changes to the Building Standards Fees Regulations and their Impacts (2015-16)Final Report (March 2016)\r\n4. Model Changes to the Building Standards Fees Final Report (September 2016)\r\nEach of the 32 local authorities is responsible for resourcing their building standards services appropriately. They are subject to regular monitoring by Scottish Government which includes local authorities reporting the relationship between verification fee income and verification staff costs through KPO6 of the verification performance framework.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently consulting on Building Warrant Fees which includes a proposal to increase fees to provide additional funding to local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320102,"EventID":"S5W-05293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:34.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03348 by Keith Brown on 16 November 2016, what information it has on the outcome of the work between the EU Commission and Canada regarding the parameters of the Investor Court System in the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), and what changes to the original system have resulted from that work.","AnswerText":"refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05292 on 13 December 2016. \r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320103,"EventID":"S5W-05300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5809,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-01T17:13:35.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many projects Community Broadband Scotland has supported in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"As of 30 November 2016, Community Broadband Scotland has responded to 800 enquiries across Scotland. It is actively supporting over 100 community organisations through its three-stage project development process, and has approved grant funding - totalling over £2.5 million - to 82 of those projects, including over £400,000 for project planning. 16 of those projects are either completed or in build phase, covering over 4,200 premises.\r\nThe breakdown of project support per year is as follows:\r\n2012-13: Nil\r\n2013-14: 24 (includes 5 capital projects)\r\n2014-15: 20 (includes 4 capital projects)\r\n2015-16: 23 (includes 5 capital projects)\r\n2016-17: 15 (includes 2 capital projects)","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320106,"EventID":"S5T-00242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T12:51:49.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to reduce the number of “near misses” that are being recorded by police control rooms.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320107,"EventID":"S5T-00246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5669,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T12:51:55.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the expected impact on health will be from the ban on smoking in cars with children present.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320108,"EventID":"S5F-00605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T12:50:54.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320109,"EventID":"S5F-00608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T12:50:59.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the recent growth forecast by the EY Scottish ITEM Club.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320110,"EventID":"S5F-00610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T12:51:03.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the week. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320111,"EventID":"S5F-00612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5781,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T12:51:05.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on increasing the sentences imposed for causing death by dangerous driving.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320112,"EventID":"S5F-00616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T12:51:09.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320113,"EventID":"S5F-00617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T12:51:11.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320114,"EventID":"S5F-00622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5621,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T12:51:19.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how much the Scottish Government has allocated to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency in this parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320115,"EventID":"S5F-00631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T12:51:27.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government can take in light of Age Scotland’s campaign to tackle loneliness during the festive season.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320116,"EventID":"S5W-05247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T14:16:42.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it estimates local authorities will provide for social services in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have set a net revenue budget of £3.09 billion for social work in 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":320117,"EventID":"S5W-05303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T14:16:43.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-02T11:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the merits of extending registered medical practitioners to include psychologists.","AnswerText":"I met with representatives of the British Psychological Society (BPS) on 8 September this year to discuss among other matters the merits of extending registered medical practitioners for the purposes of section 47 of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. A further meeting between Scottish Government officials and BPS representatives took place on 10th October and officials are awaiting further information from the BPS about the training clinical psychologists receive in respect of assessing capacity of patients before deciding the most appropriate way to proceed with this matter. In any event the merits of extending registered medical practitioners to include clinical psychologists will be considered within the consultation on Adults with Incapacity legislation in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320118,"EventID":"S5W-05304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T14:16:44.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-02T11:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for consultation on adults with incapacity legislation, and whether extending registered medical practitioners to include psychologists will be part of the consultation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will be consulting on adults with incapacity legislation in the course of 2017 and consideration of whether extending registered medical practitioners to include clinical psychologists for the purposes of the AWI legislation will be part of that consultation.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320119,"EventID":"S5W-05307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T14:16:45.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-02T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the 200 new trainee teachers announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills on 30 November 2016 will undertake (a) distance learning and (b) conventional courses.","AnswerText":"It is not currently possible to definitively state the number of student teachers that will be recruited to each course. These figures are currently being refined by the universities that provide initial teacher education.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320120,"EventID":"S5W-05305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T14:16:47.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-02T11:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long it takes for third-party approval for a Section 47 certificate of incapacity under Part 5 of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.","AnswerText":"The Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 provides a framework for safeguarding the welfare and managing the finances of adults (people aged 16 or over) who lack capacity due to mental illness, learning disability or a related condition, or an inability to communicate.\r\nSome people are not able to give consent, either permanently or temporarily. \r\nPart five of the Act gives a general authority to treat a patient who is incapable of consenting to the treatment in question, on the issuing of a certificate of incapacity (section 47 certificate). Doctors can issue certificates for a range of medical treatments. Dentists, optometrists and registered nurses, who have specialist training can also issue certificates for treatment related to their speciality.\r\nSection 47 (1A)(a) allows the medical practitioner primarily responsible for the medical treatment of the adult to certify that an adult lacks capacity in relation to medical treatment, and to carry out that medical treatment. Part five defines \"medical treatment\" to include any procedure or treatment designed to safeguard or promote physical or mental health. If there is a welfare attorney or guardian with the power to consent to treatment then their authority must be sought unless it is impracticable to do so. \r\nThere are no official statistics which record the length of time taken to secure authority from a persons relevant attorney or welfare guardian. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320121,"EventID":"S5W-05306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T14:16:48.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-02T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills of 30 November 2016, how many of the new trainee teachers undertaking conventional courses will be based at universities or campuses (a) in Aberdeen and UHI in Highland, Moray, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles and (b) elsewhere in Scotland.","AnswerText":"It is not currently possible to definitively state the number of student teachers that will be recruited to each course. These figures are currently being refined by the universities that provide initial teacher education.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320122,"EventID":"S5W-05302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T14:16:50.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of the (a) level of existing rents and (b) length of tenure in the private rented sector and whether the data can be broken down by (i) urban area, (ii) rural area and (iii) places with a population of less than 1,000.","AnswerText":"Information on average private sector rent levels by Broad Rental Market Area and size of property is published annually by the Scottish Government. The most recent publication ‘Private Sector Rent Statistics Scotland, 2010 to 2016’, released in November 2016, is available at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/11/3295.\r\nThis publication uses data from the Rent Service Scotland market evidence database which is used to determine annual Local Housing Allowance and Local Reference Rents. The data is collected to be representative at each Broad Rental Market Area level only, and therefore is not suitable for analysis by specific urban or rural categories, or by areas with a population of less than 1,000.\r\nInformation on the average length of tenure in the private rented sector, as measured by the length of time that an adult has been living at their current address at the point of interview, is available in Table 3.4 of the ‘Scottish Household Survey: Annual Report 2015’ at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/09/7673. This shows that in the year 2015 adults in the private rented sector had been at their address for an average of 2.6 years at the time of being interviewed. Further analysis of this data using the Scottish Government Urban Rural Classification shows that adults in private rented properties in rural areas had been living at their address for an average of 5.4 years. This compares to an average length of 2.2 years for adults living in private rented properties in urban areas. Table 1 provides further details on the percentage of adults in the Private Rented Sector by time period categories, and the estimated number of adults that these percentages relate to.\r\nTable 1: Length of time at current address in the Private Rented Sector, by urban and rural areas (%)\r\nLength of time at current address\r\nUrban\r\nRural\r\nAll\r\nLess than one year\r\n46\r\n22\r\n43\r\n1 - 2 years\r\n29\r\n25\r\n28\r\n3 - 4 years\r\n12\r\n24\r\n14\r\n5 - 10 years\r\n9\r\n13\r\n10\r\n11 to 20 years\r\n2\r\n10\r\n4\r\nMore than 20 years\r\n1\r\n6\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAverage time at current address\r\n2.2\r\n5.4\r\n2.6\r\nAll\r\n100\r\n100\r\n100\r\nBase\r\n990\r\n210\r\n1200\r\nThere are approximately 350,000 Private Rented Sector households in Scotland, of which 289,000 are in urban areas and 61,000 are in rural areas. Based on the Scottish Government urban / rural classification, an urban area is defined as a settlement of 3,000 or more people, and a rural area is a settlement of less than 3,000 people.\r\nIt is not possible to provide a figure for properties in areas of less than 1,000 people as this is not a standard rural classification used in the survey.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320123,"EventID":"S5W-05309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T14:16:51.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-03T19:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Heritage Lottery Fund has spent on nature conservation in Scotland in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320124,"EventID":"S5W-05311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5757,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T14:16:52.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce its decision regarding the result of the bids by Troon and Ardrossan for the Arran ferry service.","AnswerText":"We expect the study announced on 3 November to report in February/March and a decision will be announced as soon as possible thereafter. Peter Brett Associates have now been appointed to carry out the study.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320125,"EventID":"S5W-05246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T14:16:54.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding local authorities provided for social services in each year since 2007-08, also expressed in real terms.","AnswerText":"The information requested is in the following table:\r\nLocal Authority Net Revenue Expenditure on Social Work, 2007-08 to 2014-15, £thousands\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n£thousands\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nCash terms\r\n2,367,738\r\n2,683,607\r\n2,825,132\r\n2,860,752\r\n2,887,331\r\n2,977,559\r\n3,036,154\r\n3,115,779\r\nReal terms - 2014-15 prices\r\n2,681,176\r\n2,958,472\r\n3,072,208\r\n3,055,084\r\n3,041,223\r\n3,071,753\r\n3,081,403\r\n3,115,779\r\nSource: Local Financial Returns (LFR 03) to the Scottish Government, HMT GDP Deflator\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":320126,"EventID":"S5W-05248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T14:16:55.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-30T16:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of police hours that are spent handling offences by people under the age of 18 that involve (a) antisocial behaviour, (b) vandalism, (c) violence, (d) alcohol or (e) other domestic issues.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. The deployment of police officers is the responsibility of the Chief Constable of Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320127,"EventID":"S5W-05301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T14:16:56.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-01T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the rate of successful Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) grant applicants with dyslexia has been compared with other forms of disability in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the rate of successful Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) applications for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) with the declared disability type of dyslexia, compared to other disability types since 2011-12. The data for 2010-11 is not comparable as the disability types were changed a year later.\r\nThe data provided in the table shows that a small number of DSA applications made to SAAS each year, do not result in a DSA award being made. The reasons for this will include:\r\nStudent withdraws early from course;\r\nStudent never attends the course;\r\nStudent withdraws their DSA application as they may be getting sufficient support through their institution;\r\nApplication reject as student is ineligible (residency, course not eligible, etc);\r\nSupporting diagnostic or needs assessment evidence not submitted.\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17*\r\nAll\r\n98%\r\n90%\r\n86%\r\n84%\r\n84%\r\n73%\r\nAutistic spectrum disorder\r\n100%\r\n91%\r\n85%\r\n90%\r\n90%\r\n73%\r\nDeafblind\r\n97%\r\n-\r\n100%\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nDyslexia\r\n98%\r\n92%\r\n90%\r\n89%\r\n89%\r\n80%\r\nHearing impairment\r\n98%\r\n89%\r\n84%\r\n81%\r\n77%\r\n71%\r\nLearning disability\r\n97%\r\n96%\r\n83%\r\n80%\r\n92%\r\n-\r\nMental health problem\r\n97%\r\n86%\r\n79%\r\n80%\r\n82%\r\n64%\r\nMultiple disabilities\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n68%\r\n71%\r\n63%\r\nOther\r\n96%\r\n86%\r\n79%\r\n77%\r\n79%\r\n57%\r\nModerate learning difficulties\r\n100%\r\n88%\r\n83%\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nSpecific learning difficulties\r\n90%\r\n100%\r\n-\r\n78%\r\n90%\r\n84%\r\nPhysical health problem\r\n96%\r\n87%\r\n84%\r\n72%\r\n69%\r\n94%\r\nMotor impairment\r\n98%\r\n80%\r\n79%\r\n76%\r\n68%\r\n77%\r\nSocial and behavioural difficulties\r\n100%\r\n91%\r\n-\r\n78%\r\n83%\r\n-\r\nUnseen disability\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n82%\r\n89%\r\n84%\r\nVisual impairment\r\n98%\r\n90%\r\n77%\r\n80%\r\n74%\r\n75%\r\nSource: SAAS\r\nNote: - signifies that either no applications were received, no DSA support was provided, or that numbers are too low to be disclosed.\r\n* Provisional figures are subject to revision, such as the addition of new or unprocessed applications.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320128,"EventID":"S5W-05308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T14:16:58.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-03T19:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding national nature reserves have received in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The ownership and management of Scotland's network of National Nature Reserves (NNRs) is shared between a range of public, third sector and private interests and there is no centrally-held record of funding. \r\nScottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is directly involved in the management of 30 of Scotland’s 41 NNRs. Of these, SNH is the sole manager of 24 NNRs and manages 6 in partnership with an None Governmental Organisations (NGO) and/or a public body or private landowner. NGOs and other public bodies manage 11 NNRs.\r\nSNH does not hold information on its expenditure on NNRs but its overall land management expenditure (the majority of which is on NNRs) is provided in the following table.\r\n2013-14\r\n(actual)\r\n2014-15\r\n(actual)\r\n2015-16\r\n(actual)\r\n2016-17 (allocation)\r\n£2,160,620\r\n£1,575,491\r\n£1,556,568\r\n£1,379,236\r\nApproved funding for NNRs from Forestry Commission Scotland forestry grants in each of the last five years is provided in the following table.\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n£92,000\r\nnil\r\n£426,000\r\n£439,000\r\n£40,000\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320129,"EventID":"S5W-05310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T14:16:59.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T08:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04885 by Aileen Campbell on 1 December 2016, when it will publish the remit and membership of the new National Advisory Committee for Chronic Pain; how it will report to the Parliament, and whether the length of waiting times at NHS chronic pain clinics will be a priority for it.","AnswerText":"The membership and remit of the planned National Advisory Committee for Chronic Pain are not yet finalised.\r\nThe Ministerial Steering Group on Chronic Pain continues to monitor chronic pain waiting times data published quarterly by NHS National Services Scotland’s Information Services Division. These Non-Official Statistics remain developmental, as noted in the information accompanying each release.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320146,"EventID":"S5W-05341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T15:53:14.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its study on the pub sector.","AnswerText":"The independent study by CGA Strategy into the pub sector in Scotland has been published today on the Scottish Government Website http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/12/8494\r\nThe Scottish Government will now engage with pub sector interests to discuss the findings of this research and how we can work together to create a more successful sector moving forward.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320147,"EventID":"S5W-05342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T17:02:12.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is investigating the awarding of planning permission on the Altnaharra estate, in light of a petition backed by people outwith Sutherland.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers granted consent for the Creag Riabhach Wind Farm located on Altnaharra Estate on 17 October 2016. Consents granted by Scottish Ministers on applications submitted under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 are subject only to challenge in the courts. The decision letter sets out in full the grounds for this decision and while I recognise the strongly held views of others, I believe the decision taken was correct, in light of the evidence presented to me on the nature of points made in support or objection to the project and based on my own visit to the site. The decision letter also includes a summary of consultation responses and representations by members of the public and highlights that the Highland Council raised no objection and strong support was received from Bettyhill, Strathnaver and Altnaharra Community Council, Durness Community Council and Kinlochbervie Community Council. A copy of the decision letter and associated documents can be viewed on the Scottish Government's Energy Consents website.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320148,"EventID":"S5W-05339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":74,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T17:02:13.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will investigate claims that some staff affected by the restructuring plans of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have been advised by NHS management that they should not speak to MSPs, MPs or councillors regarding these proposals without first advising the NHS board that they are doing so.","AnswerText":"NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has provided assurances that no such advice has been issued to staff. The Scottish Government is clear that all stakeholders, including staff and elected representatives, should be fully engaged and involved in NHS service change proposals.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320149,"EventID":"S5W-05327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T17:02:15.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action the NHS takes to ensure that the pharmaceutical companies from which it procures antibiotics do not have manufacturing practices that are considered to be contributing to the reported rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria; whether it no longer uses any companies as a result of this and, if so, how many.","AnswerText":"The safety and efficacy of medicines in the UK is a reserved matter and is the responsibility of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The MHRA also has responsibility for investigating any suggestions of poor manufacturing practice by pharmaceutical companies.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320150,"EventID":"S5W-05326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T17:02:16.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action the NHS is taking to tackle the reported rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria.","AnswerText":"Tackling and reducing antimicrobial resistance remains a key priority for NHS Boards in Scotland.\r\nNHS Boards are working with the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group and National Services Scotland to reduce inappropriate use of antibiotics and ensure that antibiotic use follows national and local evidence-based polices to combat the emergence of resistant organisms.\r\nNHS Boards are required to implement surveillance of antimicrobial use as described by the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group Local Surveillance of Antimicrobial Use guidance for both Primary and Secondary Care. In addition, NHS Boards are required to adopt and implement mandatory healthcare associated infection and antimicrobial resistance policy requirements as set out in the recent Scottish Government Director’s Letter (2015) 19 issued to all Chief Executives and distributed to the infection prevention and control disciplines within NHS Boards. The Scottish Government also funds Antimicrobial Team Pharmacists within NHS Boards who play a key role ensuring prudent prescribing and active stewardship of antibiotics. \r\nThe Controlling Antimicrobial Resistance in Scotland (CARS) expert group, chaired by Scotland's Chief Medical Officer continues to oversee Scotland's antimicrobial resistance strategy and supports delivery of the UK 5 Year AMR Strategy.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320151,"EventID":"S5W-05343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-05T17:02:17.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04942 by Michael Russell on 1 December 2016, by what date it will publish each specific proposal.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects to publish proposals to protect Scotland’s place in Europe and keep us in the single market before the end of 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320166,"EventID":"S5W-05362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T11:07:19.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment in its Programme for Government to appoint a race equality framework adviser to help implement the actions in the Race Equality Framework.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that the Scottish Government has today confirmed the appointment of Kaliani Lyle as the independent Race Equality Framework Adviser.\r\nMs Lyle stepped down as Scotland’s Commissioner for Equality Human Rights Commission (EHRC) earlier this year and is a former member of the Christie Commission.\r\nMs Lyle’s role will be to provide strategic independent expertise, insight, and advice to the Scottish Government as we implement the actions in the Race Equality Framework.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320179,"EventID":"S5W-05317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:28.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a failure by a mental health tribunal to test the evidence that a patient lacked the ability to make a decision about their treatment could provide grounds for appeal to the sheriff principal.","AnswerText":"The Mental Health Tribunal Scotland is an independent organisation and was established by the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 to make decisions on the care and treatment of people who are subject to the Act. The aim of the Tribunal is to provide a responsive, accessible, independent and impartial service when making decisions on the compulsory care and treatment of people with mental disorders. \r\nThe rules under which the Tribunal operates are set out in the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland (Practice and Procedure) Rules 2005.\r\nThere is a right under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 to appeal to the Sheriff Principal (with a further appeal right to the Court of Session). Sections 320 - 322 make such provisions and detail the time limits for bringing in an appeal and the grounds on which an appeal may be brought. The majority of appeals against decisions of the Tribunal are made to the Sheriff Principal under section 320(2). However complex cases, where an appeal is made under section 320(2), may be remitted by the sheriff principal, or on the motion of any party to the appeal, to the Court of Session.\r\nIt would be for the sheriff principal and then the Court of Session to review a decision made by the Tribunal. The Court may set aside the decision of the Tribunal and can also substitute its own decision.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320180,"EventID":"S5W-05319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:30.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, Five Years On; Royal College of Nursing Scotland Review of the Transfer of Prison Health Care from the Scottish Prison Service to NHS Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government notes the finding of the report 'Five Years On; Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland Review of the Transfer of Prison Health Care from the Scottish Prison Service to NHS Scotland'.\r\nThe report highlights a number of important areas of improvement and innovation in health care for the prison population and welcomes the improvement in access to wider clinical expertise and clearly demonstrates the commitment of nursing staff working with people in prison. However, it is only right and proper to acknowledge that it also details a number of challenges facing Health Boards in the delivery of service for this vulnerable group. \r\nWhile it remains the responsibility of individual Health Boards to provide appropriate healthcare for its population, including prisons, the Scottish Government will support Health Boards, the Prison Service and their partners, to fully implement the aspirations to reduce health inequalities, integrate prison health care into the wider NHS system without discrimination, increase continuity of care and improve sustainability.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320181,"EventID":"S5W-05324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:31.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-22551 by Kenny MacAskill on 2 October 2014, for what reason the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) stated in the answer that “SPS does not recognise that LDDs [learning difficulties and disabilities] are a significant issue amongst the prisoner population and is committed to improving our assessment process and provision of services. We are currently testing a number of approaches including piloting. This is a comprehensive screening tool providing a ‘red flag’ indicator across the spectrum of LDD conditions…” but, according to the report, Five Years On; Royal College of Nursing Scotland Review of the Transfer of Prison Health Care from the Scottish Prison Service to NHS Scotland, there is still no routine screening in prisons for LDDs.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe previous response to question S4W-22551 clearly stated SPS’s recognition that LDD was a significant issue within the prison population. The reference within current question S5W-05324 stating that “SPS does not recognise that LDDs are a significant issue” is a typographical error.\r\nIt is still the case that there is no routine screening for learning difficulties/disabilities (LDD) for those entering custody or who are part of the Scottish prison population. However, SPS has now concluded an LDD screening pilot project initiated at three prisons in partnership with Forth Valley NHS, New College Lanarkshire and Fife College.\r\nAn evaluation of the project was subsequently undertaken and the key findings of this will be considered in 2017, which will determine the way forward for SPS in this area of intervention.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320182,"EventID":"S5W-05349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:32.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will tackle the reported shortage of mental health beds in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The number and provision of mental health beds is a matter for each board to determine in terms of its service design.\r\nWe have been working with Health boards, to introduce the Inpatient Bed Census for mental health, addictions and learning disability. Undertaken in 2014 and 2016 the census has provided detailed data that identifies the status of bed usage across Scotland and provides a basis for planning and development of future mental health services. The census shows a continuing reduction in the number of psychiatric inpatients, with more people being treated in a community setting or while living at home. This reflects the longer term shift in the provision of care from hospital based to community based and that bed occupancy was 85% - achieving the best practice figure set by the Royal College of Psychiatrists for provision in meeting need across Scotland.\r\nIn addition we are allocating £30 million a year to health and social care partnerships to help them tackle delayed discharges. In addition we announced a further £3 million in November to support NHS boards prepare for winter. One of the key ways of ensuring hospitals have sufficient capacity is to reduce the number of people inappropriately delayed, and we fully expect that to happen over the coming months. Glasgow City received £3.99 million of this funding\r\nThe Glasgow City Partnership have seen significant improvement in performance following the introduction of discharge to assess, which aims to ensure patients are discharged within 72 hours of being medically fit. This, alongside the increase in step-down Intermediate Care beds, commissioned from private sector care homes, has resulted in significant reduction in delays over winter.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320183,"EventID":"S5W-05351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:33.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comment made by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work on 1 December 2016 (Official Report, c.7) regarding the future of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) board, how HIE’s board members will be involved and “lead” discussions about future governance arrangements.","AnswerText":"This Government has made it clear that we will maintain the dedicated support including HIE’s strengthening communities remit which is locally based, managed and directed by HIE and protects the unique services that HIE delivers for our Highlands and Islands economy.\r\nHIE will retain its Chief Executive based at its headquarters in Inverness, staff will also continue to operate from the Headquarters in Inverness and HIE’s area-based locations across the area from Lerwick to Lochgilphead. Businesses and communities will continue to access services across the Highlands and Islands area.\r\nSimilarly HIE will continue to engage with local authorities and Business Gateway to deliver effective support to businesses.\r\nAs part of the work being taken forward in Phase two of the Enterprise and Skills Review we will consider the formation, format and remit of the new Scotland-wide Statutory Board. This will include what needs to be put in place in relation to budgets, appraisal, monitoring and evaluation of a range of areas including performance measures of HIE and their operational plans to ensure that HIE continues to be able to deliver an excellent service to the Highlands and Islands.\r\nIn addition we will consider areas including remuneration, risk and assurance currently carried out by current Board committees.\r\nHIE senior management will continue to work in the same way as they do now but will benefit from the coordination provided by the new Scotland-wide Statutory Board.\r\nThis Government wants to see the strongest possible links between the work of HIE, Skills Development Scotland and the Funding Council to ensure that the support we are providing to train our young people, improve the skills of our workforce, support our businesses and communities is aligned with the economic needs of the Highlands and Islands and of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320184,"EventID":"S5W-05315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:35.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on adults who have the capacity to make a treatment decision having an absolute right to refuse any treatment.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04352 on 9 November 2016 and also S5W-04700 on 23 November 2016.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320185,"EventID":"S5W-05364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:36.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T12:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of the recent meeting between the First Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5O-00462 on 14 December 2016. All answers to Oral parliamentary questions are available at:\r\nhttp://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10691&i=98173","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320186,"EventID":"S5W-05320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:37.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason prisons are not included in the national HEAT standard that NHS boards are required to meet regarding waiting times for psychological therapies.","AnswerText":"The health care of prisoners transferred to the NHS as of November 2011. The national HEAT standard (now an LDP standard) for psychological therapies waiting times was approved in November 2010 for inclusion in HEAT from April 2011, before the NHS was responsible for the Scottish Prison Service.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320187,"EventID":"S5W-05323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:38.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will encourage the Scottish Prison Service and the NHS to extend their memorandum of understanding from nine to all 14 NHS boards in order to improve through care.","AnswerText":"The nine NHS Boards that have signed the memorandum of understanding, each has at least one prison within its territorial boundary. The other five Boards do not. However, going forward, if a prison is to be built within the boundary of any of these five Boards, it is expected that they would sign and implement the memorandum of understanding. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320188,"EventID":"S5W-05355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:39.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been convicted of (a) dangerous and (b) careless driving in each year since 1999, broken down by area.","AnswerText":"Tables ‘People convicted in Scottish Courts for dangerous driving, by Local Authority Area, 1999-2000 to 2014-15’ and ‘People convicted in Scottish Courts for careless driving, by Local Authority Area, 1999-2000 to 2014-15’ are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (BiB number 58429).","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320189,"EventID":"S5W-05356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:41.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to concerns that too many drivers who may have caused death or serious injury are being convicted of careless driving rather than dangerous driving. ","AnswerText":"In any given case, decisions about prosecution are a matter for the Lord Advocate and decisions about conviction are a matter for the court. The Scottish Government does not comment on such matters. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320190,"EventID":"S5W-05318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:42.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04933 by Maureen Watt on 5 December 2016, when it will publish (a) the Mental Welfare Commission’s review of the process for investigating homicides by individuals who had previous contact with mental health services and its proposal for a revised process and (b) its response to this review.","AnswerText":"The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland submitted a final version of its review report to the Scottish Government in November 2016. The report includes a review of the existing process of investigation of homicides by people who are users of mental health services, as well as a proposal for changes to the existing system. Ministers are currently considering the report and it will be published in early 2017 as part of a consultation exercise on the proposal for changes to the current system.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320191,"EventID":"S5W-05325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:43.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to reverse the trends shown in Table 2 of the report, Five Years On; Royal College of Nursing Scotland Review of the Transfer of Prison Health Care from the Scottish Prison Service to NHS Scotland, which show that the percentage of respondents who (a) agree/strongly agree that criminal justice nursing is a rewarding career fell from 90% in 2011 to 63% in 2016, (b) agree/strongly agree that they feel satisfied with their present job fell from 76% in 2011 to 53% in 2016 and (c) think that they will be doing the same job or a similar job in criminal justice nursing in two years’ time fell from 90% in 2011 to 59% in 2016. ","AnswerText":"The National Nurse Advisor of the National Prisoner Healthcare Network will be liaising with the Scottish Executive Nurse Directors (SEND) Group in early 2017 to consider how best to respond to, and potentially address, the matters raised in the RCN Report. The report has also been viewed by NHS Prison Board Operational Leads and they now aim to consider local responses to the matters identified.\r\nNursing staff working in prisoner healthcare are NHS employees and as such benefit from a number of workforce approaches that support staff including the online integrated toolkit for the Knowledge and Skills Framework (eksf) and iMatter which are both intended to provide staff with an opportunity to have their views heard and acted on with the aim of enhancing their skill set and their employment experience.\r\nIn addition, the Chief Nursing Officer has launched an engagement process to develop a 2030 Nursing Vision; this is an opportunity for nurses in all settings to contribute to the discussion about what skills and experience they will need to progress their career through knowledge, education and practice.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320192,"EventID":"S5W-05350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:45.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met the board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise to discuss the restructuring of the board. ","AnswerText":"Fergus Ewing MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity, met with the Chair and Board of Highlands and Island Enterprise on 2 December 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320193,"EventID":"S5W-05361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:47.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T09:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5O-00060 and S5W-02672 by Jeane Freeman on 16 June and 29 September 2016 respectively, whether it will take the Consumer Price Index as a starting point for uprating (a) cold weather payments, (b) funeral payments, (c) winter fuel payments and (d) Sure Start maternity grants.","AnswerText":"Cold weather payments, funeral payments, winter fuel payments and sure start maternity grants are not automatically uprated by U.K. Government at present. The uprating of successor benefits is being considered in the light of responses to our recent consultation on Social Security and no decision has yet been made.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320194,"EventID":"S5W-05353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:48.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of all operational police stations and facilities in the West Scotland parliamentary region.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The Scottish Police Authority has responsibility for the police estate. The Chief Executive, John Foley, can be contacted at The Scottish Police Authority, 1 Pacific Quay, Glasgow, G51 1DZ.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320195,"EventID":"S5W-05358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:49.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the views of family members and friends of people who have been killed or seriously injured by careless or dangerous driving are taken into account in (a) the justice system and (b) sentencing policy for those convicted of careless and dangerous driving.","AnswerText":"The investigation and prosecution of crime are operational matters for Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service respectively. Sentencing is a matter for the court.\r\nIn considering the public interest, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service advise that they take a number of factors into account, including the interests of the victim, the accused and the wider community. They advise this can involve competing interests and will vary with every case.\r\nVictims (or relatives of victims if the victim is deceased) can make victim statements in certain cases involving serious crime and this includes careless driving or dangerous driving. In determining the sentence to impose on an offender, the court must have regard those parts of the statement it considers to be relevant to the offence.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320196,"EventID":"S5W-05360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:50.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T17:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04777 by Shona Robison on 5 December 2016, whether it will provide a breakdown by NHS board of the figures provided for patients in the last five years who have been classified as delayed discharge, code 9 (awaiting completion of complex care arrangements in order to live in their own home).","AnswerText":"The information requested can be found at http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Health-and-Social-Community-Care/Publications/data-tables.asp?id=1814#1814","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320197,"EventID":"S5W-05321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:51.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in light of the report, Five Years On; Royal College of Nursing Scotland Review of the Transfer of Prison Health Care from the Scottish Prison Service to NHS Scotland, what action it will take to ensure that every prisoner leaving custody is registered with a general practice.","AnswerText":"Health boards advise that all prisoners in Scotland with sentences of less than six months retain any registration they hold with their community General Practice and are registered as temporary residents with the prison healthcare centre.\r\nPrisoners with a sentence of six months or more are registered permanently with the prison health centre. Upon release these prisoners are required to re-register with their community General Practice to ensure continuity of care.\r\nThe process of re-registration is encouraged and assisted by prison healthcare staff and others involved in the prisoner’s liberation and throughcare planning. Guidance has been issued by Practitioner Services Division, National Services Scotland to General Practices on the re-registration of liberated prisoners.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320198,"EventID":"S5W-05322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:52.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in light of the report, Five Years On; Royal College of Nursing Scotland Review of the Transfer of Prison Health Care from the Scottish Prison Service to NHS Scotland, what action it will take to amend or improve the escort/transport contract with G4S to ensure that more prisoners are able to keep hospital appointments.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nSPS does not find acceptable the late arrival of any prisoner at, or cancellation of, any appointment, and is very conscious of the potential impact on both the prisoner and partners. The contract has in place a rigorous contract monitoring regime undertaken by a team of Escort Monitors whose role it is to keep the services under review, and challenge the contractor when a failure in meeting performance measure has arisen. Where relevant, contractual remedies such as improvement plans or direct monetary reductions are applied to failures to provide the required level of service. \r\nThe escort contract contains a varied specification and there are a number of different service requirements, with an escort to a hospital appointment, being classed as a non-core service movement. In 2016, to 31 October, 29 out of 14,603 non-core movements (which include 7,884 hospital appointments) have had a performance measure applied because of the late arrival to scheduled appointments, and 40 appointments have been cancelled. There has however been a service improvement from the period referred to and this level of service is currently being sustained. \r\nThe escort contract is currently due for renewal and SPS and partners will ensure that any lessons learned are considered and reflected in the drafting of any new contract. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320199,"EventID":"S5W-05354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:53.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the number of people being convicted of death by careless driving is reportedly increasing as the number being convicted of death by dangerous driving is decreasing.","AnswerText":"The investigation and prosecution of crime are operational matters for Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service respectively.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320200,"EventID":"S5W-05357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:55.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that drivers who are convicted of careless and dangerous driving receive sentences that are appropriate to the severity of the crimes committed.","AnswerText":"In any given case, sentencing is a matter for the court within the overall legal framework.\r\nThe law in relation to careless driving and dangerous driving is not devolved to Scotland and the UK Government has recently published a consultation seeking views on enhancing the powers of the court when sentencing for serious driving offences.\r\nThe Scottish Sentencing Council has included within its recently published business plan their intention to consider dangerous driving. The Council's business plan period runs until October 2018.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320201,"EventID":"S5W-05314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:56.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many psychiatric patients have been registered in each year since 2004, also broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"ISD publish a quarterly report on the number of people who have started treatment for Psychological Therapies as well as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, this data is provided by the NHS in Scotland and is published online at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Publications/. This information has been published quarterly since August 2013 and includes a breakdown by boards as well as Scotland wide figure. Latest published figures for the quarter ending September 2016 show that a total of 11,138 people started treatment for Psychological Therapies in Scotland in Quarter 3 of 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320202,"EventID":"S5W-05348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:57.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role further education institutions will play in the allocation of the Apprenticeship Levy.","AnswerText":"Colleges already deliver a proportion of our Modern Apprenticeships starts each year. Colleges Scotland are members of the Frameworks and Standards Group and the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory board.\r\nOur spending plans on apprenticeships, skills, employability and training will be set out in the Budget on 15 December 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320203,"EventID":"S5W-05352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:32:59.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) which police stations and facilities have been closed in the West Scotland parliamentary region since 2007 and what the reason was for each of the closures.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The Scottish Police Authority has responsibility for the police estate. The SPA’s Chief Executive, John Foley, can be contacted at The Scottish Police Authority, 1 Pacific Quay, Glasgow, G51 1DZ.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320204,"EventID":"S5W-05359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:33:00.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to concerns that too few of people convicted of dangerous driving receive custodial sentences. ","AnswerText":"In any given case, sentencing is a matter for the court within the overall legal framework.\r\nThe law in relation to careless driving and dangerous driving is not devolved to Scotland and the UK Government has recently published a consultation seeking views on enhancing the powers of the court when sentencing for serious driving offences.\r\nThe Scottish Sentencing Council has included within its recently published business plan their intention to consider dangerous driving. The Council's business plan period runs until October 2018.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320205,"EventID":"S5W-05344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T13:33:01.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T16:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its policies on animal welfare, what its position is on a complete ban on trade in ivory products being introduced and whether it has discussed this with the UK Government; what information it has regarding trade involving ivory in Scotland over the last 10 years, and whether it has received representations regarding the UK ministers' decision to ban the trade in pre-1947 ivory products.","AnswerText":"The trade in endangered species, including ivory and ivory products, is controlled under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES). CITES aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Although matters relating to the environment are largely devolved, CITES is reserved.\r\nThe UK Government has proposed a ban on sales of worked ivory less than 70 years old. This will complement the existing UK ban on the trade in raw ivory of any age. The UK Government intends to consult on their proposal early in 2017.\r\nThe closure of domestic ivory markets was discussed at the Conference of Parties to CITES that took place in Johannesburg from 24 September to 5 October 2016. This was attended by Thérèse Coffey MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Environment and Rural Life Opportunities. The issue has also been discussed at a number of EU-level CITES meetings. We understand that Thérèse Coffey’s predecessor, Rory Stewart MP, and his officials held discussions with representatives of the arts and antique sectors to discuss issues surrounding the sale of ivory in the UK.\r\nAs regards information on the trade in ivory in Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has considered 4 cases relating to the trade of ivory in the past ten years. No action was taken in one case due to the absence of sufficient evidence, two cases are under investigation and, most recently, a South Lanarkshire auction house was convicted and fined £1,500. Police Scotland have confirmed that since 2012 there has been a significant quantity of intelligence related to the online trade in ivory. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320206,"EventID":"S5W-05367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T14:21:10.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the outcome of the recent summit meeting of the British-Irish Council.","AnswerText":"On 25 November 2016, the Welsh Government hosted a summit meeting of the British-Irish Council in Cardiff. The meeting was attended by Ministers from all eight Member Administrations and was chaired by the Welsh First Minister. The Scottish Government was represented by the First Minister, the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe, Minister for Childcare and Early Years and myself.\r\n\r\nDiscussion at the meeting focussed on the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union. The First Minister voiced the concerns felt by many regarding the real life implications for Scotland of being removed from the EU. She emphasised the importance and benefits of the single market for the United Kingdom and the ability to trade freely across the United Kingdom.\r\n\r\nThe Council also discussed the importance of Early Years to children’s life chances. The First Minister outlined the Scottish Government’s approach and aim of transforming the lives of children and young people by giving them the best possible start in life. \r\n\r\nThe Communiqué that was issued by the British-Irish Council, after the meeting, can be found on the website at:\r\nhttps://www.britishirishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/communiqu%C3%A9s/9%20%20Communique%20FINAL_0.pdf","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320207,"EventID":"S5W-05379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T16:19:33.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of the Beef Efficiency Scheme.","AnswerText":"An important milestone has been reached this week with BES scheme members being notified of the animals that have been selected for genotyping analysis. As of today the animals selected will be visible for the applicants to see on the BES data base. Following on from that the first tissue sample kits will go out to applicants by the end of next week, with all applicants receiving the kits by the end of 2016.\r\n\r\nWe have also issued an email directly to scheme members informing them that the selection process has taken place, and reminding them that there will be no penalties for famers who have already sold their animals.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320208,"EventID":"S5W-05380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5591,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T16:33:41.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking in response to the highly-pathogenic strain of avian influenza that is affecting wild birds and poultry in Europe.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone on 6 December 2016 to help prevent potential infection from wild birds into captive birds and poultry. This precautionary step has been taken in response to multiple reports of a strain of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N8 causing high mortality in wild birds and poultry in mainland Europe, mostly affecting waterfowl. There have been no cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 detected in the UK since November 2014. The zone covers all of Scotland and will be kept under review. The zone will remain in place initially for 30 days. Poultry and captive bird keepers are now required to keep their birds indoors or take appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds. Bird keepers must also apply heightened biosecurity measures where practical.\r\n\r\nThe Highly pathogenic H5N8 is a strain of avian influenza that can cause severe disease in poultry. The risk to public health is very low.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320209,"EventID":"S5W-05371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T17:03:27.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times people on the sex offenders register in each of the last five years have failed to notify the police that they plan to (a) leave the UK and (b) be away from their usual home address, and what sentence was imposed for such failure.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government holds information on the number of convictions for failure, by people on the sex offenders register, to notify the police of travel outside the UK. The available information is given in the following table.\r\nInformation on failure to notify of being away from their usual home address is not held centrally.\r\nPeople on the sexual offenders register in Scotland convicted for failure to notify the police of travel outside the UK 1, 2010-11 to 2014-15\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nCustody\r\n- \r\n- \r\n1\r\n- \r\n- \r\nCommunity sentence\r\n- \r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\nMonetary\r\n8\r\n4\r\n3\r\n- \r\n3\r\nOther\r\n- \r\n- \r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\nTotal\r\n8 \r\n5 \r\n6 \r\n3 \r\n7 \r\nSource: Criminal proceedings database\r\n1- Where main offence","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320210,"EventID":"S5W-05368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T17:03:28.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many buildings within the justice estate are not in use on a day-to-day basis, broken down by (a) police stations, (b) courts, (c) young offenders institutions and (d) offices. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320211,"EventID":"S5W-05375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T17:03:30.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications it received for its National Basic Payment Support Scheme, and how many of these were successful.","AnswerText":"As of 12 December 2016, 13,008 applications have been received for the 2016 National Basic Payment Support Scheme, of which only 11 were unsuccessful. Eligible businesses that apply by 14 December 2016 will receive a payment by the end of 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320212,"EventID":"S5W-05365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T17:03:31.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T12:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it advised local authorities of its plan to abolish the board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerText":"The report on Phase 1 of the Scottish Government's Enterprise and Skills Review, which outlined Ministers' decisions to create closer alignment between enterprise and skills support services was published on 25 October.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320213,"EventID":"S5W-05366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4982,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T17:03:33.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T13:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00699 by Derek Mackay on 23 June 2016, whether it will provide an update regarding how much additional tax revenue it expects will be generated in each local authority area by the doubling of the large business rates supplement for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Updated estimates of 2016-17 business rates income generated by the Large Business Supplement will be available in due course once updated data from local authorities has been verified and processed.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320214,"EventID":"S5W-05377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T17:03:34.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made each year in meeting its target of reducing food waste by 33% by 2025, and what its position is on whether it expects the target to be achieved.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government established a target to reduce food waste by 33% by 2025 earlier this year. In November 2016 we announced that the baseline for the target would be the 1.35m tonnes of food wasted in Scotland in 2013. This is the first time that total food waste arisings have been calculated for Scotland. \r\nZero Waste Scotland has estimated that, between 2009 and 2014, household food waste in Scotland decreased by 37,000 tonnes per year, a 5.7% reduction saving households £92 million per year.\r\nTo identify a package of actions to meet the 2025 target, the Scottish Government has launched a series of stakeholder meetings to generate options. It is important that all sectors contribute and work together to achieve this ambitious target.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320215,"EventID":"S5W-05369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T17:03:36.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value of property is within the justice estate that is not in use on a day-to-day basis.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320216,"EventID":"S5W-05374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T17:03:37.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses eligible for payments through the National Basic Payment Support Scheme did not (a) apply and (b) receive loans.","AnswerText":"As of 12 December, 4,814 eligible businesses who have been made an offer under the 2016 National BPS Support Scheme are yet to apply. Any eligible business that applies by 14 December 2016 will receive payment by the end of 2016 and we would encourage those yet to apply to do so as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320217,"EventID":"S5W-05376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T17:03:38.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been paid out in loans through its National Basic Payment Support Scheme, and how much funding set aside for the scheme remains unused.","AnswerText":"On 13 September 2016, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity announced that up to £300 million would be made available for the 2016 National Basic Payment Support Scheme. As of 12 December 2016, loans valued at circa £256million have been paid.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320218,"EventID":"S5W-05370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T17:03:40.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people on the sex offenders register are listed as missing or whereabouts unknown.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland's National Offender Management Unit is responsible for collating and publishing statistics in respect of Registered Sex Offenders and includes statistics on missing registered sex offenders. The details of which are found on the Police Scotland website: http://www.scotland.police.uk/about-us/police-scotland/specialistcrime-division/national-offender-management-unit/","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320219,"EventID":"S5W-05373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-06T17:03:41.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T14:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to notifications of personal details, how many people on the sex offenders register in each of the last five years have failed to (a) make an annual notification to the police, (b) notify the police three days after their release from prison and (c) notify police of a change.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government holds information on the number of convictions for failure to notify by people on the sex offenders register as offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and Sex Offenders Act 1997. The available information is given in the following table. Information on the exact circumstances of the failure to notify is not held centrally.\r\nPeople on the sexual offenders register convicted for offences relating to notification1, 2010-11 to 2014-15\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nCustody\r\n53\r\n44\r\n54\r\n54\r\n54\r\nCommunity sentence\r\n14\r\n13\r\n14\r\n27\r\n20\r\nMonetary\r\n44\r\n42\r\n41\r\n60\r\n69\r\nOther\r\n31\r\n42\r\n47\r\n57\r\n50\r\nTotal\r\n142\r\n141\r\n156\r\n198\r\n193\r\nSource: Criminal proceedings database\r\n1- Where main offence\r\nStatistics on those who failed to notify of travel outside the United Kingdom are not included in this answer but can be seen in the answer to question S5W-05371 on \r\n16 December 2016.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320238,"EventID":"S5W-05402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T11:18:00.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has commissioned from the Committee on Climate Change on a new Climate Change Bill.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has commissioned advice from the Committee on Climate Change on the appropriate levels, forms and mechanisms for future Scottish greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The Committee will be issuing a call for evidence in relation to this advice in due course.\r\nThe Committee on Climate Change’s advice will help inform the development of a Climate Change Bill that keeps Scotland at the forefront of global climate ambition, by responding to the UNFCCC Paris Agreement with new, evidence-based, statutory targets. The Bill will provide the strategic direction for Scotland’s future climate action. It will be complemented by a range of other measures, both legislative and non-legislative and including the Scottish Government’s new Climate Change Plan and Energy Strategy, to deliver a low-carbon transition that promotes social inclusion and sustainable economic growth.\r\nThe Scottish Government will update Parliament on its proposals for the Bill once the Committee on Climate Change has published its advice.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320239,"EventID":"S5W-05400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T13:40:59.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has achieved its target of increasing exports by 50% by 2017 and, if not, what levels have been achieved.","AnswerText":"Since 2010, international exports have increased by 17.3%, from £23.4 billion in 2010 to £27.5 billion in 2014. Data for 2017 will not be available until January 2019.\r\nWhile there are substantial challenges for Scottish exports as a result of difficult global economic and market conditions, our Trade and Investment Strategy, alongside the four point plan announced in October by the First Minister, sets out a clear and comprehensive plan for helping more companies export more goods and services to more markets.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320240,"EventID":"S5W-05381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T13:41:02.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04911 by Mark McDonald on 1 December 2016, what the compliance rates are for mandatory staff to child ratios in nursery schools, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government does not collect information on rates of compliance for mandatory staff: child ratios in early learning and childcare settings.\r\nThe Care Inspectorate regulates and inspects care services in Scotland to make sure that they meet the right standards. They expect day care of children services to comply with the staff: child ratios in the National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16 years. In addition, the Care Inspectorate would expect there to be enough skilled, knowledgeable and qualified staff to meet the needs of the children.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320241,"EventID":"S5W-05396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T13:41:04.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional senior management staff will be required for the proposed statutory board that will oversee skills and enterprise agencies.","AnswerText":"This will be considered as part of the detail that will be developed and consulted on as part of the in-depth operational planning for the new Scotland-wide statutory board that is being taken forward as part of phase two of the review and is due to last six months.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320242,"EventID":"S5W-05398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T13:41:07.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans for there to be four chief executives covering each of the skills and enterprise agencies following the implementation of the recommendations of its enterprise review.","AnswerText":"Our intention is that the bodies involved in enterprise and skills delivery will each retain their separate legal status and chief executive. We will consult on potential governance options as part of taking forward phase two.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320243,"EventID":"S5W-05383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5757,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T13:41:10.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T17:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the members of the Review of Student Support group and how it plans to consult students and other stakeholders. ","AnswerText":"Membership of the Further and Higher Education Student Support Review Working Group is published on the Scottish Government website at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Education/UniversitiesColleges/studentsupportreview.\r\nThe Scottish Government is keen to hear the views of students and other stakeholders and the review process will offer a variety of ways to do this including social media, focus groups and surveys. Further information will be available on this soon. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320244,"EventID":"S5W-05394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T13:41:11.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce statutory protection of the freshwater pearl mussel population in the unnamed water, \"river x\".","AnswerText":"Further to the answer to question S4W-28305 on 19 November 2015, Scottish Natural Heritage's advice on the Scottish suite of Special Areas of Conservation for freshwater pearl mussel remains in preparation following the recent discovery of a previously unrecorded population in south west Scotland.\r\nThat analysis notwithstanding, the freshwater pearl mussel is protected under Section 9 (via its listing on Schedule 5) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which means that it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly:\r\nkill, injure or take a freshwater pearl mussel;\r\ndamage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place which freshwater pearl mussels use for shelter or protection; or\r\ndisturb a freshwater pearl mussel when it is occupying a structure or place for that purpose\r\nIt is also an offence to possess or control, sell, offer for sale or possess or transport for the purpose of sale any live or dead freshwater pearl mussel or any derivative of a freshwater pearl mussel.\r\nKnowingly causing or permitting any of the above acts to be carried out is also an offence.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320245,"EventID":"S5W-05401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T13:41:11.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has achieved its target of being in the top quartile of OECD countries for productivity by 2017 and, if not, what level has been achieved.","AnswerText":"Performance against the Productivity Purpose Target is reported on Scotland Performs. The most recent internationally comparable data on Scotland’s productivity performance covers the years up to and including 2014. In 2014, Scotland would have ranked 19th of 35 OECD countries while the UK would have ranked 18th. \r\nData on progress toward the productivity purpose target is available at:http://www.gov.scot/About/Performance/scotPerforms/purposetargets/productivity","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320246,"EventID":"S5W-05382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T13:41:14.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the bidders for the next Gourock to Dunoon ferry contract; when it expects to announce the preferred bidder, and when it will place the full procurement timetable for this contract on the Transport Scotland website.","AnswerText":"I will shortly announce the way forward, ensuring the continued provision of the Gourock-Dunoon ferry services from 30 June 2017. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320247,"EventID":"S5W-05395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T13:41:16.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T10:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the recent survey by the National Centre for Social Research regarding how the Scottish electorate voted in the EU referendum.","AnswerText":"In the EU referendum, Scotland voted clearly and decisively to remain within the EU, with majorities in every local authority area. The Scottish Government is working to ensure that the vote is respected.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320248,"EventID":"S5W-05397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T13:41:16.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to fill the vacancy of chief executive of (a) Highlands and Islands Enterprise and (b) the Scottish Funding Council.","AnswerText":"Highlands and Islands Enterprise will proceed to recruit a permanent Chief Executive as soon as is practicable in the New Year. A decision on the recruitment of the Scottish Funding Council's Chief Executive will be taken as phase 2 of the Enterprise and Skills review progresses.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320249,"EventID":"S5W-05399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T13:41:19.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase productivity at a regional level.","AnswerText":"Improving productivity and competitiveness across Scotland is an important part of Scotland’s Economic Strategy. The Programme for Government 2016-17 sets out a range of initiatives including investment in transport and digital infrastructure, which will support productivity across Scotland. The Programme for Government can be found online here: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00505260.pdf\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government is working with local authorities through our City Deals which take long-term strategic approaches to improving regional economies. Regional partnership discussions take the same approach to non-city regions. \r\nPhase 1 of the Enterprise and Skills Review set out a number of actions intended to strengthen our regional approach to enterprise and skills support, which will further improve the contributions our agencies make to supporting regional productivity. These include the commitment to retain Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and to establish a new vehicle to meet the enterprise and skills needs of the South of Scotland. We will also look to work with COSLA and local government to build on their existing and emerging local economic partnerships.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320262,"EventID":"S5O-00459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:29.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its budget will take account of promoting regional policy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320263,"EventID":"S5O-00460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:31.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what was discussed at the last meeting between the finance secretary and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320264,"EventID":"S5O-00461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:32.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact its forthcoming budget will have on Ayrshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320265,"EventID":"S5O-00462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:34.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what was discussed at the recent meeting between the finance secretary and the chancellor.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320266,"EventID":"S5O-00463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:35.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there is constitutional stability.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320267,"EventID":"S5O-00464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:36.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Futures Trust regarding school rebuilding in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320268,"EventID":"S5O-00465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:37.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T17:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its bill on a replacement for air passenger duty. ","AnswerText":"As announced in the programme for Government, the Bill on a replacement for air passenger duty will be introduced in the first year of the current Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320269,"EventID":"S5O-00466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:38.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with UK Treasury ministers regarding the Autumn Statement prior to the statement being made.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and other devolved administrations met the Chief Secretary to the Treasury at a Quadrilateral on 24 October 2016. At that meeting the Devolved Administrations sought insights from the Chief Secretary on the prospects for the Autumn Statement. However, no definitive indication of announcements or consequentials was provided by the Chief Secretary as relevant economic data was still fluid.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320270,"EventID":"S5O-00467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:40.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to assist local authorities in overcoming forecasted funding gaps.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has treated local government very fairly despite the cuts to the Scottish Budget from the UK Government.\r\nI will set out details of the 2017-18 local government finance settlement tomorrow as part of my announcement on the Scottish Government's 2017-18 Draft Budget.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320271,"EventID":"S5O-00469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:41.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to remove the barriers to employment for disabled people.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320272,"EventID":"S5O-00470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:42.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T15:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of the impact on the Scottish economy of the UK Government's Brexit strategy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320273,"EventID":"S5O-00471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:43.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it provides to employers regarding apprenticeship accreditation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320274,"EventID":"S5O-00472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5587,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:45.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T09:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the Aberdeen City Region Deal.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320275,"EventID":"S5O-00473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:46.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs are directly and indirectly linked to the pub sector. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320276,"EventID":"S5O-00474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:47.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to grow the economy.","AnswerText":"We are taking a number of actions to support and strengthen Scotland’s economy, in keeping with the priorities identified in our Economic Strategy.\r\nWe’ve taken action to support the economy’s resilience following the EU referendum result, including through our Capital Acceleration Programme. The Scottish Growth Scheme will help to support investment in Scotland. We’re taking forward a number of actions to improve our innovation performance, and our expansion of childcare will help parents to participate in the economy, supporting inclusive growth. We are promoting Scotland on the international stage through our Innovation and Investment Hubs in Dublin, London, Brussels and Berlin.\r\nOur Enterprise and Skills Review will bring even greater integration and focus to the delivery of our enterprise and skills support, to help ensure we maximise the contribution our agencies make to improving Scotland’s economic performance.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320277,"EventID":"S5O-00475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:50.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to provide a skilled workforce that meets the needs of the labour market.","AnswerText":"In August, the Scottish Government published 'Scotland's Labour Market Strategy' to set out how a strong labour market will help drive inclusive growth. The strategy demonstrates the action we are taking to ensure that every person, regardless of background, has the opportunity to develop the skills required to participate successfully in the labour market. \r\nThrough implementing Developing the Young Workforce and developing our labour market intelligence and skills planning through Skills Development Scotland, we are making sure these opportunities are matched to local and sectoral skill demands so Scotland's workforce has the right skills and attributes to meet the needs of our evolving labour market.\r\nWe deliver on ensuring the provision of a skilled workforce through a variety of means including by rolling out Developing the Young Workforce and supporting 233,000 places in higher education, 227,000 places in college and 26,000 modern apprenticeship starts in 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320278,"EventID":"S5O-00476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:51.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the Ayrshire regional growth deal bid.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to finding ways to support regional economies to thrive in Scotland. I met the three Ayrshire Council Leaders on 30 November 2016 to hear an update on their proposals and I am fully supportive of their ambitions to secure a deal that will improve the Ayrshire economy. They are working closely with Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and Scottish Futures Trust and we will continue to support development of their proposals in the coming weeks and months.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320279,"EventID":"S5O-00477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5877,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:52.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T10:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it assesses Scotland’s economic performance in comparison with other countries.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government uses the National Performance Framework and Scotland Performs to help monitor and assess Scotland’s overall economic performance.\r\nThese contain indicators that assess Scotland’s performance across a number of dimensions of economic performance. They also include several indicators that compare Scotland against our international competitors.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to improving Scotland’s economic performance in comparison to our international counterparts. Scotland’s Economic Strategy sets out our framework for doing so, based on the twin objectives of boosting competitiveness whilst tackling inequality. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320280,"EventID":"S5O-00478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:53.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T08:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Press and Journal campaign, Keep Highlands and Islands Enterprise Local.","AnswerText":"I have repeatedly given assurances in this chamber since 25 October 2016 that Highlands and Islands Enterprise will be in a position to continue to carry out its functions and provide its excellent services to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320281,"EventID":"S5O-00479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:54.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many eligible farmers and crofters have received a letter explaining their entitlements under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320282,"EventID":"S5O-00481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5622,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:56.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding Scotland's role in supporting refugees entering the UK.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320283,"EventID":"S5O-00482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:57.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T17:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it can give to customers who signed Solar Energy Green Deal agreements with Home Energy and Lifestyle Management Systems, which ceased trading in April 2016, in light of reports that some have found their energy bills increasing by up to three times and the value of their homes being adversely affected.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320284,"EventID":"S5O-00483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:16:58.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure the continued viability of rural care homes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320285,"EventID":"S5O-00484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:17:00.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to ensure that water meters are placed in accessible locations.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320286,"EventID":"S5O-00485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5809,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:17:01.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that pupils with disorders on the autism spectrum have equal opportunities in school.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320287,"EventID":"S5O-00486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:17:02.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding proposals to pay for access to the single market.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not received any information of this sort from the UK Government. We have made clear in our engagement with the UK Government, including at the Joint Ministerial Committee on European Negotiations which met for the second time on 7 December 2016, that protecting our social and economic interests means staying in the single market. We will present a proposition for discussion with the UK Government shortly, which will be focused on keeping us in the single market even if the rest of the UK decides to leave. The next meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) will be January 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320288,"EventID":"S5O-00487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:17:04.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T13:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the establishment of a new national park would have on tourism and conservation. ","AnswerText":"While the Scottish Government recognises the important contribution our existing National Parks make to tourism, conservation and the wider Scottish economy, any new national parks would incur significant costs. At a time of pressures on public finances, we do not believe that it is right to raise expectations regarding the designation of new national parks. We will therefore continue to focus our support on our existing Parks so that they can continue their track record of success.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320289,"EventID":"S5O-00488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T14:17:04.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the screen sector spends on production in Scotland.","AnswerText":"As I announced on 8 December 2016, data collated by Creative Scotland tells us that the screen sector spent a record £52.7 million on film and television production in Scotland in 2015. This is an increase of almost £7 million on what was spent in 2014, and more than double the £23 million spent in 2007. With the additional backing that Scottish Government and Creative Scotland have been providing to the screen sector since 2015, we expect that spend to increase even further in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320290,"EventID":"S5W-05385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T17:06:09.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in establishing the victim surcharge fund, and when it expects the fund to (a) be operational and (b) issue its first payment.","AnswerText":"Work continues to finalise arrangements for the establishment and administration of the victim surcharge fund. This work has included further detailed consideration of viable options for delivery and the potential role of third sector or other organisations in this process.\r\nIt is the Scottish Government’s intention to establish the fund in 2017 and to initially impose the surcharge on offenders given a court fine. Further details of how the fund will operate will be set out in subordinate legislation, which will be subject to parliamentary approval in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320291,"EventID":"S5W-05392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T17:06:11.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T09:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its decision to double the large business rates supplement considered \"the vibrancy of town centres as a starting point\", as set out in its Town Centre First Principle.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s business rates policies reflect the full range of its strategic priorities, including the importance of support for town centres.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320292,"EventID":"S5W-05432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T17:06:12.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that school pupils with learning difficulties receive adequate support.","AnswerText":"The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 was put in place to ensure that all children and young people with additional support needs receive the support they require to achieve their potential.\r\nThe Act places strict duties on local authorities to meet the additional support needs for all children for whose school education they are responsible, and to tailor provision according to their individual needs. The \"Supporting Children’s Learning\" code of practice explains these duties, providing guidance to local authorities on the Act's provisions as well as on the supporting framework of secondary legislation.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government is currently reviewing the guidance on the presumption of mainstream education. The review is being undertaken in partnership with key stakeholders and will be published for consultation early in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320293,"EventID":"S5W-05386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T17:06:13.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered using alternative providers for the victim surcharge fund.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05385 on 16 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320294,"EventID":"S5W-05393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T17:06:15.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T09:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many local authorities have taken advantage of the opportunity under the Community Empowerment Act 2015 to reduce business rates.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of one local authority applying the power stemming from the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 to reduce non-domestic rates in its area.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320295,"EventID":"S5W-05387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T17:06:16.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) criminal offences, (b) circumstances and (c) descriptions of offender it anticipates will cause a victim surcharge to be imposed.","AnswerText":" I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05385 on 16 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320296,"EventID":"S5W-05388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T17:06:18.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-27438, S4W-29576 and S5W-00415 by Michael Matheson on 22 September 2015, 10 February 2016 and 14 June 2016 respectively, whether it will provide an update on the progress of developing guidance on the use of restorative justice, and when the guidance will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to publishing guidance relating to restorative justice as soon as possible. We are developing this guidance in collaboration with restorative justice experts and those with expertise in dealing with victims issues to ensure that the interests of all those participating in the restorative justice process are reflected.\r\nA revised draft of the guidance was circulated to the Scottish Restorative Justice Forum (whose membership includes Sacro, Rape Crisis Scotland, Victim Support Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid) prior to its recent meeting in December 2016. The latest comments from that meeting are currently being considered.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320297,"EventID":"S5W-05423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T17:06:20.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T12:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a substantive answer to question S5W-04749, which received a holding response on 30 November 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04749 on 22 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320298,"EventID":"S5W-05424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T17:06:21.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T13:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) where vacant and derelict town centre buildings have been brought back into use as affordable housing through the Town Centre Housing Fund.","AnswerText":"Through the Town Centre Housing Fund, £2.55 million was awarded to six projects, bringing vacant and derelict town centre buildings back into use and providing 75 units for affordable housing across six local authority areas – Angus, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, Fife, Clackmannanshire and Perth and Kinross.\r\nRecipient\r\nFunding\r\nProject\r\nUnits\r\nAngus Council\r\n£200k\r\nCommonwealth House, Carnoustie\r\n4 (social rent)\r\nClackmannanshire Council\r\n£782k\r\nAnn Street, Tillicoultry\r\n17 (social rent)\r\nEast Dunbartonshire Council\r\n£200k\r\n85-85 Townhead\r\n15 (social rent)\r\nCastlerock Edinvar Housing Association\r\n£350k\r\n22-24 Bridge Street, Tranent\r\n7 (social rent)\r\nFife Council\r\n£764k\r\nCounty Buildings, Cupar\r\n18 (14 social rent/4 intermediate rent)\r\nKingdom Housing Association\r\n£255k\r\nFormer Crown Hotel, Crieff\r\n14 (social rent)\r\nTown Centre Housing Fund promotes town centre living, a key theme of our Town Centre Action Plan (TCAP) through the provision of quality, affordable housing. The measures set out in the TCAP set the conditions and support activity across the wider public, private and community sectors to tackle the key issues in town centres across Scotland. \r\nThe Town Centre First Principle agreed by the Scottish cabinet and all Council Leaders asks that all investment decisions consider the impact on the town centre as a starting point.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320299,"EventID":"S5W-05403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T17:06:22.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Scottish Police Authority and its committees carry out their functions in ways that are proportionate, accountable and transparent and consistent with principles of good governance, as required by the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (‘the 2012 Act’) requires the SPA to ‘try to carry out its functions in a way which is proportionate, accountable and transparent and which is consistent with any principle of good governance which appears to it to constitute best practice’ (Section 2(2)(3) of the 2012 Act). It is for the SPA regulate its own procedures and to demonstrate compliance with the principles and requirements set out in the 2012 Act.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320300,"EventID":"S5W-05433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T17:06:23.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that local authorities can deal effectively with emergency cases of homelessness outwith office hours and in a way that does not rely on the person having access to the internet or a phone line. ","AnswerText":"Local authorities have the duty to deliver homelessness services in their area including providing appropriate out of hours services in case of emergency. It is for the local authority to determine what form this should take.\r\nThis is supported by the statutory Code of Guidance on Homelessness from the Scottish Government which makes it clear that homelessness advice and assistance must be available and accessible to everybody that requires it.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320301,"EventID":"S5W-05389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T17:06:24.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) charges and (b) prosecutions there have been in Scotland for offences of forced marriage under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, broken down by year, including the current year to date, and how this compares with the use of forced marriage protection orders.","AnswerText":"No charges have been reported to COPFS under s122 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and there has therefore been no prosecutions.\r\nPolice Scotland has advised that since 28 March 2012 there have been 16 applications for Forced Marriage Protection Orders. There have been no prosecutions for breach of an order. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320302,"EventID":"S5W-05390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T17:06:26.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of how effectively Section 122 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, regarding forced marriage, is operating.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that everyone in Scotland who can marry or enter into a civil partnership has the right to do so freely and without coercion and the legislation in Scotland is there to ensure choice, safety and protection. \r\nSection 122 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 is providing an additional layer of protection to people who may be affected by forced marriage. There have been no prosecutions under the Act. The 2014 legislation does not replace the Forced Marriage etc (Protection and Jurisdiction) (Scotland) Act 2011 but sits alongside it. The protection provided by and FMPO continues to exist alongside a new criminal offence. This means that a person could choose to take the civil route, or to go to the police (as they can now). \r\nNote that if a person chooses to go to the police, and the police refer the case to COPFS, it will then be for the COPFS to decide whether or not to take any criminal proceedings against those involved in forcing a person into marriage.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320303,"EventID":"S5W-05384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T17:06:28.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the recommendation in its publication, Enterprise and Skills Review: Report on Phase 1, which states that “it may be reasonable to seek certain attributions or contributions from companies seeking and receiving public sector [enterprise] support”, what attributes and contributions it is considering, and whether these include the company paying (a) its staff at least the living wage and (b) a fair level of tax.","AnswerText":"These issues will be considered as part of phase two of the review, and as part of this process we will consider how our aspirations for inclusive growth are best supported.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320304,"EventID":"S5W-05391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-07T17:06:29.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-06T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the statement in the Council of Economic Advisers: Annual Report 2015-16 that the Scottish Government could do more to incentivise greater participation in the Scottish Business Pledge.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the advice from the Council of Economic Advisers. A Plan For Scotland: The Scottish Government's Programme For Scotland 2016-17 makes clear that in the year ahead we will continue to raise awareness of the Pledge, and encourage more and more businesses to choose this route to higher productivity and business growth. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320326,"EventID":"S5W-05438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T09:13:00.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T09:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the appointment of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland will be announced.","AnswerText":"I can confirm that Her Majesty The Queen has approved the re-appointment of Derek Penman as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland for a further three years, until 30 January 2020.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320370,"EventID":"S5W-05404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:07.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to work with the UK Government to with regard to the recently announced investment in 5G technology to ensure that Scotland benefits from this.","AnswerText":"Regulation of mobile telephony is reserved to the UK Government. Nevertheless, the Scottish Government is seeking to engage with the UK Government at the earliest opportunity to ensure that the investment announced in the Autumn Statement supports early 5G trials and deployment in Scotland. On 25 October 2016, I wrote to Matt Hancock MP, Minister for State at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, on 25 October seeking a meeting to progress a range of digital issues, including 5G.\r\nA key aim of our digital infrastructure programmes is to ensure that Scotland has the underlying connectivity infrastructure that can support the future evolution of digital technologies such as 5G. We are already collaborating with other key partners, including the 5G Innovation Centre at the University of Surrey and Ofcom, who will help create the regulatory environment governing 5G. Our aim is to ensure that Scotland is at the forefront of 5G development and deployment.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320371,"EventID":"S5W-05407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:08.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to turn any Scottish cities into \"smart cities\" in the future.","AnswerText":"In February 2015 I announced that £10 million had been allocated within the Scottish European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme for 2014-2020 for collaborative projects to make all of Scotland’s cities smarter. The £10 million in ERDF grant (which is matched with funding from the cities) is part of the ‘Scotland’s 8th City – the Smart City’ Strategic Intervention. \r\nThe Scottish Government is working with the cities via the Scottish Cities Alliance (the unique collaboration of Scotland’s seven cities and the Scottish Government) to deliver a number of projects funded via this intervention.\r\nOur shared ambition is to make a step change in the use of smart technology for integrated city management across the seven cities, not just individually but collectively, so creating the 8th city.\r\nThe first phase of smart projects was announced by the Scottish Cities Alliance on 13 December see: http://www.scottishcities.org.uk/media/press-releases/alliance-launches-smart-cities-projects","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320372,"EventID":"S5W-05421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:10.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T12:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01773 by Mark McDonald on 22 August 2016, what its position is on the baby box containing (a) sanitary pads and (b) maternity pads.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Baby Box will contain essentials for babies and for parents. We have engaged with health professionals, third sector stakeholders and parents to discuss the development of the policy and the contents of the Box. Parents have told us that maternity pads are essential items and these will be included in the Box. Sanitary pads will be not included.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320373,"EventID":"S5W-05422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:11.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T12:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01773 by Mark McDonald on 22 August 2016, what its position is on the baby box containing aids to support breastfeeding, including breast pads and pumps.","AnswerText":"The Baby Box will include materials which promote attachment and which help parents prepare for the arrival of their baby. There will also be a strong focus on joining up core public health messages around things like safe-sleep. At present we do not plan to include direct aids to support breastfeeding, but we will signpost parents to the new feedgood.scot website so that they can access up-to-date information which will help them make the right feeding choices for their babies.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320374,"EventID":"S5W-05439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:12.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01498 by Maureen Watt on 22 July 2016, whether it will provide an update on its timetable for the publication of the updated mental health strategy.","AnswerText":"I gave evidence to the Health and Sport Committee on 29 November 2016 as part of the Committee's Inquiry into mental health. During that session, the Committee requested that publication of the new Mental Health Strategy be withheld to allow Committee's report on the issue to be taken into account. I indicated to the convener that I was sympathetic to that request, and on that basis, the Scottish Government has agreed to withhold publication of the next Mental Health Strategy until early 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320375,"EventID":"S5W-05440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:13.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authority areas will be covered by the remit of the proposed South Scotland Enterprise Agency.","AnswerText":"Phase One of the Enterprise and Skills Review announced that we will create a new vehicle to meet the enterprise and skills needs of the South of Scotland. As part of the current Phase Two implementation, we will engage with stakeholders to explore how best to create the new vehicle, including clarifying its boundaries and the locally-based support it will deliver.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320376,"EventID":"S5W-05337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:14.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value of stolen medical equipment has been in each year since 2007, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320377,"EventID":"S5W-05338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:16.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the Scottish Ambulance Service emergency response time has been in each year since 2007, broken down by regional operational division.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. Information on emergency ambulance response times, broken down by Board area can be found in the Scottish Ambulance Service annual reports, via the following link:\r\nhttp://www.scottishambulance.com/TheService/annualreport.aspx\r\nFor emergency response times broken down by regional division I would suggest contacting the Scottish Ambulance Service Directly.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320378,"EventID":"S5W-05405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:17.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Government’s announcement to assist start-up broadband providers through funding and tax reductions, how it plans to ensure that these incentives are offered to companies in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is engaging with UK Government to obtain more detailed information on the Autumn Budget statement announcements and to seek opportunities for collaboration. We will work closely with the UK Government to ensure that Scotland benefits from this new funding, given the unique challenges that we face in deploying telecoms networks.\r\nAs business rates are devolved to the Scottish Government, we will examine the UK Government’s announcement regarding 100% Business Rates Relief for new \r\nfull-fibre infrastructure and consider Scotland’s position.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320379,"EventID":"S5W-05406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:18.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the UK Government’s announcement in the Autumn Statement of a £1 billion digital infrastructure investment.","AnswerText":"While further investment in digital infrastructure is to be welcomed, it is important that Scotland benefits from this new funding to reflect the greater challenges associated with delivering telecoms here.\r\nThe Scottish Government is engaging with UK Government to obtain more information on the Autumn Budget statement announcements and to highlight opportunities for collaboration, particularly around 5G trials and delivery of our 100% superfast broadband commitment. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320380,"EventID":"S5W-05420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:19.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T12:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01773 by Mark McDonald on 22 August 2016, whether it will provide an update on what (a) progress it is making in identifying the items that will be included in the baby boxes and (b) discussions it has had with (i) parents' groups, (ii) women’s groups and (iii) other stakeholders regarding what items should be included.","AnswerText":"Collaboration is a key part of this policy. We have been working closely with a range of stakeholders including midwives, health visitors, other health professionals and our third sector partners. We have also commissioned research with parents themselves to better understand what they would find most useful about the Baby Box and which items they’d like to see included. This research will allow us to provide an update following the pilot phase which will be completed in March 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320381,"EventID":"S5W-05437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:20.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T08:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the reported number of secondary appliances taken “off the run” due to staffing shortages in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service provides a vital service in keeping\r\ncommunities across Scotland safe. Through the Fire and Rescue Framework\r\nfor Scotland 2016, the Scottish Government sets out its expectations\r\nof the SFRS, including prioritising its use of resources to ensure an\r\nappropriate response to incidents across Scotland to support improved outcomes\r\nfor communities.\r\n \r\nDecisions on resource allocation, including staff and fire appliances\r\nare operational matters for the SFRS.\r\n \r\nThe SFRS has worked closely with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) to\r\nachieve the right level of staffing across the service to meet the needs of a\r\nmodern Fire and Rescue Service. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320382,"EventID":"S5W-05336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:21.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board is spending on psychiatric care, also broken down by the amount spent in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Scottish Health Service Costs is published annually by ISD Scotland with the support of the Scottish Government. Published costs information for NHSScotland, including for general psychiatric services, can be found at: https://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Finance/Costs/.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320383,"EventID":"S5W-05411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:22.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many mothers have been separated from their babies in the course of receiving mental health treatment in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Mental Welfare Commission report “Perinatal Themed Visit Report – Keeping Mothers and Babies in Mind” published 29 June 2016 contains a survey of all 43 Scottish General adult acute wards, 11 IPCUs and both mother and baby units from July to September 2015. 16 out of 44 mothers admitted during the survey did not receive care with their baby in one of the specialist mother and baby units. Data on how many mothers have been separated from babies in the course of receiving mental health treatment is not routinely collected in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320384,"EventID":"S5W-05418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:23.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the finding in the Scottish Consumer Insight Report 2016 from Which?, that 44% of households experienced broadband service problems in the last two years, and that two in five said that they took no action to try to resolve these.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to using its new powers on consumer advocacy and advice to ensure the interests of Scotland's consumers are protected, and we welcome Which's continued work to champion and protect those interests.\r\nEarlier this year, Ofcom - which has responsibility for telecoms regulation in the UK - announced a range of measures designed to ensure that telecoms providers provide a quality of service that customers rightfully expect. These measures include automatic compensation when things go wrong, tougher performance rules for Openreach, and the introduction of performance tables on quality of service.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to engage with Ofcom on the detail of how they test user experience in Scotland, across both mobile and fixed broadband, and we are currently developing options for how this can be enhanced. Ofcom is also currently conducting research which asks consumers if they have had reason to complain to their supplier in the last 12 months, with the results expected in March.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320385,"EventID":"S5W-05425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:25.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T15:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which of the projects reviewed by the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services in its report, Evaluation of Sixteen Women’s Community Justice Services in Scotland, have been mainstreamed.","AnswerText":"Over 201314 and 201415 the Scottish Government provided a total of £3.1m grant funding to projects providing community-based services to women who offend, to support the creation or development of services in line with the recommendations of the Commission on Women Offenders (CWO). These were the sixteen projects reviewed in the IRISS report, which was funded by the Scottish Government.\r\nThe CWO report indicated that improved services could be delivered utilising existing resources, and need not require additional central funding. These grants were offered as one-off payments, made in response to improvement proposals presented by local justice stakeholders. It was made clear to both the projects and their local partners that this funding would be non-recurring, and that they would be responsible for securing funding beyond the scope of the initial grants. The projects were encouraged to seek a level of funding that they anticipated to be able to sustain at the conclusion of the grant period. To provide additional assistance, a further £640,000 was distributed by the Scottish Government in 2015-16 to twelve of the projects, to sustain them for a further year whilst they demonstrated their impact, and engaged with local funding providers.\r\nThere was no suggestion that the Scottish Government would provide ongoing funding, and any decisions on mainstreaming were and are the responsibility of local community justice bodies, with their partner organisations.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320386,"EventID":"S5W-05436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:26.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T08:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the sustainability of rural fire stations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a statutory duty to ensure that\r\nthere are adequate arrangements in place for the carrying out of its functions\r\nin each local authority area.\r\n \r\nThe Scottish Government’s Fire and Rescue Framework\r\nfor Scotland 2016, calls for community fire stations to be used by\r\nthe SFRS and other public services as locations where the development of\r\ncommunity skills and capacities can be supported in order to help those in\r\ncommunities become more resilient and self-supporting in the future. \r\n \r\nLocal plans set out how the SFRS intends to discharge its duties,\r\ndemonstrating that its operational arrangements for each area are adequate and\r\nproportionate to the local risk profile. \r\n \r\nThe SFRS has an ongoing campaign to recruit retained duty system\r\nfirefighters.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320387,"EventID":"S5W-05443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:27.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the standards set out in its (a) Domestic Handbook 2016 and (b) Non-domestic Handbook 2016 regarding the design of tapered staircase treads.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to review the standards set for tapered treads in either of the Technical Handbooks.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320388,"EventID":"S5W-05334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:28.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people aged 26 and under with a mental health problem are being treated in adult services, broken down by age group.","AnswerText":"Data on the number of people receiving treatment across Scotland and at individual NHS Health board level is available is published online on a quarterly basis by ISD and is available at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Publications/ The age range of 0 – 26 falls within both publications with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Waiting Times in NHSScotland covering people up to the age of 18, with some areas providing service up to 16 only while others offer services up to 18 years. The psychological therapies report covering the total number of people of all ages receiving treatment.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320389,"EventID":"S5W-05409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:29.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the mother and baby inpatient units at (a) St John's and (b) Leverndale Hospital have had to turn people away in each year since 2011 and, if so, for what reasons.","AnswerText":"We expect that health boards and health and social care partnerships (HSCPs) will deliver mental health care and treatment in a person-centred manner to meet each individual’s needs. This would include mother and baby units at hospitals. The Scottish Government does not hold data on whether the mother and baby units at St John's and Leverndale Hospital have had to turn people away.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320390,"EventID":"S5W-05434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:30.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it would consider directing NHS boards to standardise and simplify the way that they respond to Freedom of Information requests on waiting times, so that comparisons between each NHS board can be made in relation to each speciality.","AnswerText":"It is for individual Scottish public authorities to comply with their statutory obligations under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. One public authority cannot seek to direct how another public authority responds to Freedom of Information requests.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320391,"EventID":"S5W-05441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:32.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports businesses in building international links.","AnswerText":"Our Trade and Investment Strategy, published in March this year, sets out a clear and comprehensive plan for helping more companies export more goods and services to more markets. Alongside this, in October the First Minister announced a four-point plan to boost Scotland's export performance. This includes doubling the number of people working for Scottish Development International (SDI) in Europe from 20 to 40 and the creation of an additional innovation and investment hub in Berlin as well as those in London, Dublin and Brussels. Most recently, we announced grant funding of up to £400,000 to the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, to support new business-led trade missions and forge new trading alliances between Chambers both here and abroad. This will complement the work of SDI and contribute to our shared efforts to increase business exports and internationalisation activity.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320392,"EventID":"S5W-05445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:33.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T12:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Cancer Research UK's call for school children to have their weight checked regularly as a means of addressing problems with obesity.","AnswerText":"As part of the Programme for Government 2016 the First Minister announced our intention to set out and consult on the development of our new Diet and Obesity Strategy in 2017. That will provide an opportunity to consider if the current measurement programmes are sufficient.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320393,"EventID":"S5W-05335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:34.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many psychiatric care units there are, broken down by NHS board. ","AnswerText":"The Inpatient Bed Census for mental health, addictions and learning disability identifies 95 NHS Scotland facilities containing wards covered by the census. Anyone with a mental illness can be treated in these wards.\r\nUndertaken in 2014 and 2016 the Inpatient Bed Census has provided detailed data that identifies the status of bed usage across Scotland and provides a basis for planning and development of future mental health services. The census shows a continuing reduction in the number of psychiatric inpatients, with more people being treated in a community setting or while living at home. This reflects the longer term shift in the provision of care from hospital based to community based and that bed occupancy was 85% - achieving the best practice figure set by the Royal College of Psychiatrists for provision in meeting need across Scotland.\r\nNHS Board\r\nHospital\r\nNHS Ayrshire & Arran\r\nAyrshire Central Hospital\r\n\r\nCrosshouse Hospital\r\n\r\nAilsa Hospital\r\n\r\nArrol Park Resource Centre\r\n\r\nEast Ayrshire Community Hospital\r\nNHS Borders\r\nGalavale Hospital\r\n\r\nBorders General Hospital\r\n\r\nMelburn Lodge\r\nNHS Dumfries & Galloway\r\nAllanbank\r\n\r\nDarataigh\r\n\r\nMidpark Hospital\r\nNHS Fife\r\nWhytemans Brae Hospital\r\n\r\nStratheden Hospital\r\n\r\nQueen Margaret Hospital\r\n\r\nLynebank Hospital\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\nFalkirk Community Hospital\r\n\r\nBo’ness Hospital\r\n\r\nBellsdyke Hospital\r\n\r\nStirling Community Hospital\r\n\r\nLochview Hospital\r\n\r\nClackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre\r\n\r\nForth Valley Royal Hospital\r\nNHS Grampian\r\nBennachie View Care Home\r\n\r\nGlen O’ Dee Hospital\r\n\r\nRoyal Cornhill Hospital\r\n\r\nInverurie Hospital\r\n\r\nFraserburgh Hospital\r\n\r\nSeafield Hospital\r\n\r\nRehabilitation Hospital\r\n\r\nPluscarden Clinic\r\n\r\n375 Great Western Lodge\r\n\r\nElmwood\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde\r\nDumbarton Joint Hospital\r\n\r\nVale of Leven Hospital\r\n\r\nRavenscraig Hospital\r\n\r\nInverclyde Royal Hospital\r\n\r\nDykebar Hospital\r\n\r\nRoyal Alexandra Hospital\r\n\r\nLarkfield Unit\r\n\r\nBlythswood House\r\n\r\nRoyal Hospital for Sick Children\r\n\r\nParkhead Hospital\r\n\r\nStobhill Hospital\r\n\r\nLeverndale Hospital\r\n\r\nMansionhouse Unit\r\n\r\nRowantree Nursing Home\r\n\r\nDarnley Court Nursing Home\r\n\r\nGartnavel Royal Hospital\r\n\r\nBirdston Nursing Home\r\n\r\nWaterloo Close\r\n\r\nNetherton\r\n\r\nRowanbank\r\n\r\nSkye House\r\nNHS Highland\r\nArgyll & Bute Hospital\r\n\r\nMigdale Hospital\r\n\r\nSt Vincent’s Hospital\r\n\r\nNew Craigs Hospital Inverness\r\n\r\nMid-Argyll Community Hospital\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\nCoathill Hospital\r\n\r\nMonklands Hospital\r\n\r\nCumbernauld Care Home\r\n\r\nCleland Hospital\r\n\r\nHatton Lea Care Home\r\n\r\nKirklands Hospital\r\n\r\nAirbles Road Centre\r\n\r\nHairmyres Hospital\r\n\r\nUdston Hospital\r\n\r\nCaird House\r\n\r\nWishaw General Hospital\r\nNHS Lothian\r\nHerdmanflat Hospital\r\n\r\nRoyal Edinburgh Hospital\r\n\r\nTippethill Hospital\r\n\r\nSt John’s Hospital\r\n\r\nFerryfield House\r\n\r\nPrimrose Lodge\r\n\r\nGlen Lomond\r\n\r\nCamus Tigh\r\n\r\nDunedin\r\n\r\nCraigshill Care Home\r\n\r\nEllen’s Glen House\r\n\r\nFindlay House\r\n\r\nMidlothian Community Hospital\r\n\r\nMurraypark Nursing Home\r\nNHS Tayside\r\nStrathmartine Hospital\r\n\r\nDudhope House\r\n\r\nDiscovery Unit, Clement Park Care Home\r\n\r\nMurray Royal Hospital\r\n\r\nArbroath Infirmary\r\n\r\nStracathro Hospital\r\n\r\nWhitehills Hospital\r\n\r\nCrieff Community Hospital\r\n\r\nCarseview Centre\r\n\r\nKingsway Care Centre\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\nWestern Isles Hospital\r\nState Hospital\r\nState Hospital, Carstairs\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320394,"EventID":"S5W-05408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:35.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to address the roll-out of high speed broadband to the last 5% of homes and businesses, including how it will manage the tender for public funds to provide this, and whether it will consider the widest possible range of technologies in reaching remainder households and premises.","AnswerText":"We expect delivery of our 100% superfast broadband commitment to involve a number of different interventions, utilising a range of technologies and commercial solutions. Further details will be provided during 2017 once we have analysed the results of the recently launched Open Market Review – a consultation with broadband suppliers to determine their commercial investment plans over the next 3 years, and undertaken further market engagement.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320395,"EventID":"S5W-05410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:36.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many mothers in each NHS board area have received mental health support outside of their board area in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"Data on the number of mothers that have received mental health support outside of their board area is not held by the Scottish Government. However, the Scottish Government expect that health boards and health and social care partnerships (HSCPs) will deliver mental health care and treatment in a person-centred manner to meet each individual’s needs.\r\nIn its Perinatal Themed Visit report in 2016, the Mental Welfare Commission made 13 recommendations to improve the recognition and treatment of perinatal mental health issues. One of these, to establish a national Managed Clinical Network, was for the Scottish Government, which we have agreed to. We will therefore fund the introduction of a Managed Clinical Network (MCN) to improve the recognition and treatment of mental health problems in the perinatal period.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320396,"EventID":"S5W-05442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:37.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action has been taken to prepare Aberdeenshire for the possibility of winter flooding, and what lessons have been learned from the floods of winter 2015-16.","AnswerText":"It is key that all partner organisations are prepared for any potential severe weather and/or flooding over the winter months. Resilience Partner organisations in the North of Scotland have been preparing for the winter period over the past few months to ensure they are adequately prepared to deal with any potential issues.\r\nDuring the winter of 2015-16, Resilience Partnerships and Community Resilience Groups across Scotland managed widespread impacts and disruption brought about by Storms Desmond and Frank which resulted in significant flooding and brief periods of power outages. Numerous incidents occurring over multiple geographic areas within a relatively short timescale tested activation and mobilisation of local resources and national assets.\r\nLessons from these and previous similar events have been incorporated into table top scenarios that delegates from across the resilience community are challenged with during Scottish Government-run Crisis Management courses. Local Resilience Partnerships (LRP) continue to run a number of table top and live play scenarios within their own areas based on severe weather to test on-going preparedness. \r\nGrampian LRP multi-agency Flood Group met during the course of the year to further define responsibilities and escalation arrangements in event of severe weather over the coming winter season. On 24 October 2016, the Flood Group held a table top exercise in Inverurie, attended by all category 1 responders, which considered a range of relevant scenarios in order to ensure effective preparation and timely response to episodes of severe weather.\r\nFollowing the numerous debriefs carried out to review the winter storms by Resilience Partnerships and Community Resilience Groups, a special Quarterly Lessons Report was published focussing on the lessons and good practice identified specifically in relation to these weather incidents. This report has been shared across Scotland and is being utilised to help develop and encourage preparedness within Resilience partnerships. This is in keeping with the already established National Debriefing and Lesson Protocol we have in place across Scotland which enables us to identify, share and learn lessons from major incidents. \r\nIt is crucial that members of the public also understand flood risk and take the necessary actions to protect themselves, their property or their businesses. People should check their flood risk and prepare for flooding by monitoring SEPA’s Floodline website and signing up to get Floodline warnings direct to a mobile phone. The new Flood Re initiative also offers and promotes affordable flooding insurance for households. More information about Flood Re is available at: http://www.floodre.co.uk/. In addition, the Scottish Government’s annual preparedness campaign, Ready Scotland, provides the public with a range of advice and information on preparing for winter weather. Further information is available at www.readyscotland.org. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320397,"EventID":"S5W-05444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:38.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T12:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to receive the final report on the consultation carried out by Peter Brett Associates on ferry fares between the Scottish mainland and Orkney and Shetland.","AnswerText":"The recent consultation exercises carried out by consultants PBA were held to give those who use the services a voice, and an opportunity to feed into the process.\r\nPeter Brett Associates (PBA) have now completed the Fares Consultation on ferry fares for Northern Isles Ferry Services (NIFS) and analysed almost 2000 responses.\r\nTheir draft Consultation Report is currently being finalised. The Scottish Government expects to receive it soon.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320398,"EventID":"S5W-05331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:41.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many district nurses each NHS board employs, also broken down by how many have been employed in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"\r\nSep-15\r\nSep-16\r\nNHSScotland\r\n1,054.0\r\n1,051.4\r\nNHS Ayrshire & Arran\r\n51.7\r\n50.6\r\nNHS Borders\r\n29.2\r\n26.7\r\nNHS Dumfries & Galloway\r\n22.6\r\n22.9\r\nNHS Fife\r\n87.5\r\n88.5\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n45.2\r\n52.3\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n110.5\r\n104.8\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n242.2\r\n233.4\r\nNHS Highland\r\n88.8\r\n96.8\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n116.3\r\n127.4\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n138.5\r\n132.9\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n10.4\r\n10.4\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n18.4\r\n15.6\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n85.3\r\n81.4\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n7.6\r\n7.8\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS).\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Includes district nursing staff on Agenda for Change band 6 and above only.\r\nFor completeness, Table 2 shows the reported number of District Nurses employed by NHS Board from 2007 to 2014. This data is not comparable with data from 2015 onwards.\r\nTable 2. Number (whole time equivalent) of district nurses in post as at 30 September each year from 2007 to 2014\r\n\r\nSep-07\r\nSep-08\r\nSep-09\r\nSep-10\r\nSep-11\r\nSep-12\r\nSep-13\r\nSep-14\r\nNHSScotland\r\n443.4\r\n445.1\r\n515.1\r\n652.9\r\n677.4\r\n712.5\r\n706.7\r\n716.9\r\nNHS Ayrshire & Arran\r\n52.4\r\n48.0\r\n50.6\r\n53.4\r\n51.2\r\n53.2\r\n61.0\r\n57.3\r\nNHS Borders\r\n32.4\r\n31.7\r\n29.2\r\n25.3\r\n22.9\r\n22.7\r\n21.2\r\n20.8\r\nNHS Dumfries & Galloway\r\n30.7\r\n29.5\r\n22.9\r\n20.2\r\n17.3\r\n20.1\r\n20.9\r\n17.6\r\nNHS Fife\r\n2.0\r\n5.5\r\n10.0\r\n10.0\r\n57.4\r\n62.9\r\n66.1\r\n83.2\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n58.2\r\n60.1\r\n57.4\r\n54.2\r\n49.3\r\n47.3\r\n52.8\r\n51.9\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n43.4\r\n38.5\r\n36.7\r\n38.7\r\n36.5\r\n86.5\r\n83.1\r\n88.0\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n20.7\r\n28.7\r\n27.0\r\n169.4\r\n160.7\r\n152.2\r\n153.0\r\n142.7\r\nNHS Highland\r\n28.8\r\n28.0\r\n28.7\r\n30.1\r\n32.7\r\n28.9\r\n23.3\r\n23.5\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n94.0\r\n82.9\r\n95.2\r\n94.0\r\n85.5\r\n85.7\r\n84.6\r\n81.2\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n12.2\r\n20.8\r\n77.8\r\n83.7\r\n81.6\r\n79.6\r\n74.8\r\n77.6\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n1.0\r\n3.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n\r\n0.6\r\n0.6\r\n0.7\r\n1.0\r\n10.2\r\n10.6\r\n14.1\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n56.6\r\n52.4\r\n63.5\r\n59.6\r\n68.4\r\n52.0\r\n44.8\r\n50.7\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n11.0\r\n15.4\r\n13.6\r\n11.8\r\n10.6\r\n9.2\r\n8.6\r\n7.4\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS).\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Includes district nursing staff on Agenda for Change band 6 and above only.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320399,"EventID":"S5W-05412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:42.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what maternal mental health targets it has, and which NHS boards are meeting these.","AnswerText":"Scotland was first nation to introduce a waiting time target for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) services in the world, and was the first country in the UK to introduce a waiting time target for psychological therapies - this is an indication of how seriously we take this issue. All people in Scotland are included in these targets, so that would include maternal mental health. We expect that health boards and health and social care partnerships will deliver mental health care and treatment, this includes maternal mental health, in a person-centred manner to meet each individual’s needs. \r\nIn its Perinatal Themed Visit report in 2016, the Mental Welfare Commission made 13 recommendations to improve the recognition and treatment of perinatal mental health issues. One of these, to establish a national Managed Clinical Network, was for the Scottish Government, which we have agreed to. We will therefore fund the introduction of a Managed Clinical Network (MCN) to improve the recognition and treatment of mental health problems in the perinatal period.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320400,"EventID":"S5W-05414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:43.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government at what capacity mother and baby inpatient units at (a) St John's and (b) Leverndale Hospital have been operating in each year since 2011, from which NHS board areas people were admitted during that period, and how many. ","AnswerText":"Data on the capacity of mother and baby inpatient units at St John’s and Leverndale Hospital, and the NHS boards from which people were admitted, is not held by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government expect that health boards and health and social care partnerships (HSCPs) will deliver mental health care and treatment in a person-centred manner to meet each individual’s needs. \r\nIn its Perinatal Themed Visit report in 2016, the Mental Welfare Commission made 13 recommendations to improve the recognition and treatment of perinatal mental health issues. One of these, to establish a national Managed Clinical Network, was for the Scottish Government, which we have agreed to. We will therefore fund the introduction of a Managed Clinical Network (MCN) to improve the recognition and treatment of mental health problems in the perinatal period.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320401,"EventID":"S5W-05429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:44.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T15:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it is providing to develop bail supervision as an alternative to remand. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s commitment to reducing reoffending includes an emphasis on reducing the use of short-term imprisonment, both in sentencing and remand. \r\nThis includes exploring the use of Bail Supervision as a direct alternative to remand.\r\nThe Scottish Government provides an annual funding allocation to local authorities for the delivery of Criminal Justice Social Work (CJSW) services and programmes to reduce reoffending. It is for each local area to allocate this funding in order to deliver statutory CJSW services and respond to local priorities. Under this funding formula, an indicative amount is provided for Bail Information and Bail Supervision services. It is for local authorities to determine how much they allocate to bail supervision, depending on local needs and priorities, and they can also vire funding between lines if needed.\r\nIn addition to this central allocation, a further £860k (2015-16) and £1.5 million (2016-17) has been distributed equally amongst the eight Community Justice Authorities, to support increasing the use of early and effective intervention and supervised bail for women.\r\nThe Scottish Government is also exploring further ways to reduce the use of remand. This includes an improvement project, based in three pathfinder sites, which is testing ways to reduce the use of remand by making better use of bail options.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320402,"EventID":"S5W-05431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:45.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T15:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps are in place to ensure that the family of a person who dies in prison is informed of the cause of death in a timely manner.","AnswerText":"Following a death in custody Police Scotland will submit a report, known as a Sudden Death Report, to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. The Sudden Death Report will set out the circumstances of the death and will also contain details of the next of kin of the deceased so far as is known to the Scottish Prison Service.\r\nA post mortem examination will be arranged to establish the cause of death and the next of kin will be advised of this and the outcome of the examination.\r\nOnce the death certificate is issued confirming the cause of death, the next of kin will be advised, told the cause of death and informed that the remains can be uplifted by the family’s undertaker. The undertaker will get the death certificate to allow registration of the death.\r\nIf the cause of death is undetermined pending further tests, these tests will be carried out and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service will be advised of any amended cause of death. Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service will then write and advise both the Registers and the next of kin.\r\nA Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory in the case of a death in custody.\r\nFurther information on this process and the timescales involved is publicly available in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service's Family Liaison Charter.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"James Wolffe QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320403,"EventID":"S5W-05446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:47.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T15:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many urban foxes there have been in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\nThe Urban Fox Populations in Scottish Towns and Cities (2006) report is the most recent survey to have been carried out.\r\nThe full report can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/06/22104748/0","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320404,"EventID":"S5W-05330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:48.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board is spending on social care, also broken down by the amount spent in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"NHS Board accounts do not separately identify spending on social care, which prior to April 2016 was a function of Local Government. Since April 2016, NHS and Local Government have been jointly responsible for the delivery of health and care through Health and Social Care Partnerships. \r\nTotal NHS investment in integration amounts to £380 million in 2016-17 and, as set out in the Draft Budget for 2017-18, will increase to £487 million next year.\r\nIn 2016-17, NHS Territorial Boards contributed £250 million to Health and Social Care Partnerships to support the delivery of improved outcomes in social care and deliver the Living Wage for social care workers. This is set out in the following table for each Territorial Board.\r\nTerritorial Boards\r\n£000\r\nAyrshire & Arran \r\n19,331\r\nBorders \r\n5,267\r\nDumfries & Galloway \r\n7,597\r\nFife \r\n16,832\r\nForth Valley \r\n13,259\r\nGrampian \r\n23,030\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde \r\n59,354\r\nHighland \r\n15,279\r\nLanarkshire \r\n31,493\r\nLothian \r\n35,281\r\nOrkney \r\n1,073\r\nShetland \r\n1,024\r\nTayside \r\n19,536\r\nWestern Isles \r\n1,644\r\nTotal\r\n250,000\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320405,"EventID":"S5W-05332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:49.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consultants each NHS board employs on a 9:1 contract, also broken down by how many were employed on this basis in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Specific local information may be available from NHSScotland Health Boards.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320406,"EventID":"S5W-05413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:50.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of maternal mortality has been recorded as suicide since 2011, broken down by NHS board. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320407,"EventID":"S5W-05430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:51.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T15:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many deaths in prisons there have been in each of the last five years, and in how many cases the cause of death has been recorded as “undetermined”.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nInformation relating to death in custody is published on the SPS website. A link to the website is provided here: \r\nhttp://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Information/PrisonerDeaths.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320408,"EventID":"S5W-05447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:53.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in (a) Dumfries and Galloway and (b) the rest of Scotland have been (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted for offences related to electro-fishing in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Marine Scotland Compliance records show that across Scotland, during the years 2014 - 16 inclusive, there were five convictions for offences related to electro fishing. Four of these convictions were in 2016 and the remaining one was in 2015. Of the five convictions, one was in the Dumfries and Galloway region.\r\nThose records also show that there are a further 4 cases related to electro-fishing currently with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) for consideration of prosecution. Of these cases, three are within the Dumfries and Galloway region.\r\nIn addition to this, prosecution of one case was marked for no further proceedings by the COPFS in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320409,"EventID":"S5W-05417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:55.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the finding in the Scottish Consumer Insight Report 2016 from Which? that 21% of consumers do not take action with their energy provider when they experience problems.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believe that consumers must be empowered to take action when things go wrong and that is why we are committed to using new powers on consumer advocacy and advice to ensure the interests of Scotland’s consumers are protected, including in the energy market. It is vital that we create a system of consumer protection, competition and regulation in Scotland that is fully aligned with the needs of our citizens and businesses and which improves people’s lives. Although our powers are limited, we will use these to maximum effect. \r\nWe published our policy statement Delivering better outcomes for consumers and businesses in Scotland on 13 December and it can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/12/5688 The statement outlines a number of current and planned activities along with a set of principles which will guide our work.\r\nThe Scottish Government are fully supportive of energy market reforms that will promote a market that works equally well for all Scottish energy consumers regardless of geographical location and meter type. We are actively encouraging suppliers to move forward with implementation and will monitor the impact within the Scottish context. This was discussed at the Scottish Government's Energy Summit held on 14 December in Edinburgh.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320410,"EventID":"S5W-05419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:56.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in the last six months to protect and enhance Scottish consumers’ interests, and what progress it has made in establishing a new statutory organisation that will act on behalf of, and support, consumers in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"It is vital that we create a system of consumer protection, competition and regulation in Scotland that is fully aligned with the needs of our citizens and businesses and which improves people's lives. We have newly devolved, although limited, consumer and competition powers and are using these to maximum effect. Since taking on new powers in May our actions have included establishing a Nuisance Calls Commission and developing a coherent overarching strategy for how the Scottish Government supports advice services. Details are in our recently published policy statement Delivering better outcomes for consumers and businesses in Scotland which also includes our future work programme. It can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/12/5688. During the coming months the Scottish Government will examine in detail the best way to deliver our Manifesto commitment on a unified consumer body. We have also published a Consumer Rights page on mygov.scot as part of our activity for National Consumers Week 2016, which can be found at https://www.mygov.scot/consumer-rights/.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320411,"EventID":"S5W-05426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:58.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T15:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on its senior (a) civil service and (b) agency posts being filled on an interim basis by staff hired through agencies or third-party employers; how many positions are currently filled in this manner, and have been in each of the last five years, broken down by the (i) position filled and (ii) name of the agency or third party-employer; what criteria are used to determine whether such an appointment is necessary; what role its (A) Director-General, Finance and (B) finance directorate have in the process, and whether the final decision on each is subject to ministerial approval and if so, whether it will provide details of which ministers have approved these.","AnswerText":"Senior Civil Service posts in Scottish Government core departments and agencies are filled though a variety of recruitment methods including permanent recruitment, fixed term appointments, inward secondment arrangements and service level agreements. However in July 2015 the Deputy Director, Internal Audit role was filled on a temporary, part time basis, following a tendering process using the UK Crown Commercial Service ConsultancyOne contract for internal audit services. The contract included the delivery of a strategic review of Internal Audit services and was concluded in June. The senior roles in Internal Audit have now been filled following internal promotion exercises.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320412,"EventID":"S5W-05428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-08T17:19:59.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T15:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many community payback orders in each of the last five years have included a requirement for the treatment of alcohol problems.","AnswerText":"The number of Community Payback Orders (CPOs) including an alcohol treatment requirement that have been imposed since 2011-12 can be found in the Criminal Justice Social Work Statistics in Scotland, 2014-15 Statistical Bulletin (Table 10).\r\nThis publication is available online on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00497837.pdf This is the most up to date information currently available. Data for 2015-16 is expected to be published in February 2017.\r\nIt is important to note that alcohol treatment requirements are not the only mechanism for individuals to receive support for alcohol problems under a CPO. The CPO annual reports received from local authorities highlight that alcohol misuse issues are often addressed under the supervision or conduct requirements or as part of the ‘other activity’ aspect of the unpaid work or other activity requirement.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320431,"EventID":"S5W-05455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-09T15:59:53.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Review of Scottish Public Sector Procurement in Construction, which was published on 22 October 2013, and the issue of payments, how it will ensure that the whole supply chain is paid within 30 days.","AnswerText":"Please refer to part (b) of the answer to S5W-05454 on 20 December 2016\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320432,"EventID":"S5W-05448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-09T15:59:55.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that continuous glucose monitoring is provided to all people with diabetes who need it.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government works closely with the Scottish Diabetes Group, our national advisory group, to oversee and drive implementation of our Diabetes Improvement Plan (2014) to improve care and treatment for people living with diabetes in Scotland. The Plan includes a range of actions that aim to support improvements in glycaemic control, including the development of a national approach to the provision of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). \r\nOur national approach has been developed taking account of the clinical evidence which recommends the use of CGM devices for a small number of people with diabetes as an aid to improve glycaemic control, but does not recommend CGM for routine use. Clinicians are best placed to provide specific advice and support to individuals, based on their circumstances, which can include the provision of CGM where a clinical need for one is identified. The national approach will support clinicians in the provision of this technology and ensure that those who would clinically benefit from it can receive it. \r\nTo support this, we are investing over £10m over the term of the Parliament, to increase the provision of insulin pump therapy and CGM.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320433,"EventID":"S5W-05415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-09T15:59:56.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the rationale was for the decision by regional valuation boards to send out forms on land valuation and shooting rights, and when the decision was taken to issue these.","AnswerText":"The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 ends the exclusion of shootings and deer forests from valuation rolls as of 1 April 2017. Rating valuation is for assessors appointed by local authorities or valuation joint boards, with associated processes and timetables in line with the relevant legislation.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320434,"EventID":"S5W-05449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-09T15:59:57.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost benefits of using continuous glucose monitoring, and how much it estimates this technology saves the NHS by preventing, for example, eye disease, amputations and other health problems that can result from diabetes.","AnswerText":"Diabetes accounts for around 10% of the health budget and it is estimated that 80% of these costs are for treating complications associated with diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy, foot ulcers (which can lead to amputation) and renal failure. Attaining good glycaemic control significantly reduces the risk of developing complications.\r\nThe Scottish Diabetes Group’s national approach to CGM has been developed taking account of clinical evidence and all the costs associated with the treatment and management of diabetes. It is estimated that for those who would clinically benefit from CGM, the technology can support a reduction in cost to NHS Scotland of around £3,000 per person in relation to short term complications and will contribute towards reducing the costs in relation to longer term complications.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320435,"EventID":"S5W-05451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-09T15:59:58.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T17:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the proposal by the StepChange Debt Charity and others to extend the Debt Arrangement Scheme to help people who have undergone an income shock.","AnswerText":"I recognise the extreme difficulty and distress that an income shock can cause individuals and their families. The Scottish Government has fought to provide a supportive framework to help individuals to address their indebtedness and reassure a positive path in terms of their personal finances.\r\nScotland has lead the way in implementing a moratorium, being the only part of the UK which has a moratorium in place at this time. The current 6 week moratorium period was extended to cover all our statutory debt management and debt relief products as part of the Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act 2014, and will be reviewed when we look at the impact of all the changes introduced in that legislation during the coming year.\r\nThe Scottish Government, through Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB), is currently carrying out a policy review of DAS legislation. This includes analysing the effectiveness of payment breaks which provide flexibility to those who suffer a short term income shock while they are in a DAS Debt Payment Programme. A consultation was carried out as part of this review and will help to inform our future policy. AiB is currently finalising its response to this consultation.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320436,"EventID":"S5W-05453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-09T15:59:59.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Review of Scottish Public Sector Procurement in Construction, which was published on 22 October 2013, what it can do to assist SMEs with retention payments, and whether the model used under the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011 can be used as an alternative to cash retentions.","AnswerText":"As part of the implementation of the recommendations of the Review of Scottish Public Sector Procurement in Construction, we are developing guidance for contracting authorities. This will help them make the right decisions regarding the appropriate use of project assurance, including retention and the alternatives to it. We will review the feasibility of a scheme similar to the model used for Tenancy Deposit Schemes.\r\nThe baseline position of the guidance will be that, whatever project assurance tool is used, it must be appropriate, proportionate and not overly onerous for contractors and their supply chain. This guidance will be published in the Scottish Construction Procurement Manual.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320437,"EventID":"S5W-05460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-09T16:00:00.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-09T10:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs in the Central Scotland parliamentary region declared that they are no longer taking on new patients since the beginning of 2016.","AnswerText":"The following number of practices by constituency in the Central Scotland parliamentary region have closed their patient lists under the GMS contract since the beginning of 2016. Patient lists are closed as an interim measure to allow Boards to working closely with the practices concerned to find solutions to maintain the delivery of high quality primary medial services in those communities.\r\nConstituency\r\nNumber of Closed practices\r\nAirdrie and Shotts\r\n0\r\nCoatbridge and Chryston\r\n0\r\nCumbernauld and Kilsyth\r\n0\r\nEast Kilbride\r\n1*\r\nFalkirk East\r\n0\r\nFalkirk West\r\n0\r\nHamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse\r\n0\r\nMotherwell and Wishaw\r\n4**\r\nUddingston and Bellshill\r\n0\r\nCircumstances will arise where a practice experiences capacity issues and is unable to routinely accept new patients onto its list. We expect Health Boards to work with practices as constructively and as flexibly as is appropriate to help manage the situation and ensure that all patients have access to GP services.\r\n* Now open\r\n** One now open","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320438,"EventID":"S5W-05450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-09T16:00:02.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns that some people with diabetes are unable to access continuous glucose monitoring through the NHS.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government works closely with the Scottish Diabetes Group, our national advisory group, to oversee and drive implementation of our Diabetes Improvement Plan (2014) to improve care and treatment for people living with diabetes in Scotland. The Plan includes a range of actions that aim to support improvements in glycaemic control, including the development of a national approach to the provision of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM).\r\nOur national approach has been developed taking account of the clinical evidence which recommends the use of CGM devices for a small number of people with diabetes as an aid to improve glycaemic control, but does not recommend CGM for routine use. Clinicians are best placed to provide specific advice and support to individuals, based on their circumstances, which can include the provision of CGM where a clinical need for one is identified. The national approach will support clinicians in the provision of this technology and ensure that those who would clinically benefit from it can receive it. \r\nTo support this, we are investing over £10m over the term of the Parliament, to increase the provision of insulin pump therapy and CGM.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320439,"EventID":"S5W-05461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-09T16:00:04.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-09T10:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have been sent to Wishaw and Hairmyres hospitals from Monklands District General Hospital since the process to remove orthopaedic and trauma services commenced on 1 November 2016.","AnswerText":"NHS Lanarkshire confirm that for the month of November (no validated data is available as yet for December) 42 patients have been sent to Wishaw and Hairmyres Hospitals as a result of the interim measures. The Health Board had predicted that an average of 117 patients a month would be transferred under the interim measures; they will continue to carefully monitor activity.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320440,"EventID":"S5W-05452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-09T16:00:05.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T17:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the minimum suggested level of physical education each week in primary and secondary schools is two hours or two periods.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's 2011 manifesto commitment was to deliver at least two hours of PE in primary schools and at least two periods of PE in secondary schools for pupils in S1-S4.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320441,"EventID":"S5W-05459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-09T16:00:06.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-09T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many ambulances, on arrival at Monklands District General Hospital, since the process to remove orthopaedic and trauma services commenced on 1 November 2016, were sent to another hospital.","AnswerText":"NHS Lanarkshire advise that for the month of November (no validated data available for December as yet) there were no such diverts.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320442,"EventID":"S5W-05454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-09T16:00:08.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-08T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Review of Scottish Public Sector Procurement in Construction, which was published on 22 October 2013, (a) what the timeline is for completion of the review's recommendations, (b) how any payment schemes will be policed and reported on and (c) how much retention money in total is being held by public authorities and, of this total, how much in sterling is over 12 months old.","AnswerText":"In answer to the three parts of the question:\r\n(a) Implementation of the majority of recommendations is expected to be completed by mid-2017.\r\n(b) The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 requires that Contracting Authorities prepare a procurement strategy. Within this, they must set out how they intend to ensure the following payments are made, no later than 30 days after the invoice (or similar claim), relating to the payment is presented:\r\n(i) Payments due by the authority to a contractor,\r\n(ii) Payments due by a contractor to a sub-contractor, \r\n(iii) Payments due by a sub-contractor to a sub-contractor,\r\nContracting Authorities are required, under Section 18 of the Act, to prepare an annual procurement report on their regulated procurement activities, which must include a review of whether those procurements complied with the authority's procurement strategy. If any regulated procurements did not comply, the authority must produce a statement of how they will ensure that future regulated procurements will comply.\r\n(c) Information regarding how much retention money is being by held public authorities is not held centrally and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320452,"EventID":"S5W-05471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T14:08:30.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-09T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what mental health support is available to people with diabetes.","AnswerText":"We expect that health boards and HSCPs will deliver mental health care and treatment in a person-centred manner to meet each individual’s needs. This includes people with diabetes. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320453,"EventID":"S5W-05472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T14:08:31.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-09T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the success of the Diabetes - think, check, act initiative.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government works closely with the Scottish Diabetes Group (SDG), our national advisory group, to oversee and drive implementation of our Diabetes Improvement Plan (2014) to improve care and treatment for people living with diabetes in Scotland. The Plan includes Inpatient Diabetes as a priority. Supporting this priority, the development of “Diabetes - Think, Check, Act” has been led by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. \r\nThe Scottish Government and SDG have followed progress closely. Monitoring of the project across pilot sites in NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has demonstrated success with a reduction in the rate of hypoglycaemia and an increase in the rate of hypoglycaemia resolution. This has led to reductions in length of stay, improved patient experience and safer care.\r\nBased on this success, completion of the project is ongoing, with development of a toolkit which includes a range of resources, including e-learning modules for healthcare professionals, to be used to spread the initiative across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320454,"EventID":"S5W-05462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T14:08:32.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-09T15:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been assessed for deep brain stimulation surgery at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in 2016.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320455,"EventID":"S5W-05464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T14:08:33.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-09T15:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have been referred for assessment for deep brain stimulation surgery to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital from NHS boards outwith the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area since April 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05462 on 22 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320456,"EventID":"S5W-05467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T14:08:34.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-09T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress there has been in implementing an early glycaemic intensification strategy for people with diabetes, as outlined in its 2014 Diabetes Improvement Plan.","AnswerText":"Our Type 1 subgroup of the Scottish Diabetes Group (SDG) has reviewed early intensification strategies and evaluated the outcomes. \r\nA national curriculum is being developed, outlining what patients newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes should understand at set checkpoints. This will include lesson plans and support materials. This will link with the creation of a ‘national expectations of care’ document which will include the setting of early glycaemic targets.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320457,"EventID":"S5W-05469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T14:08:35.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-09T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether people with diabetes are accessing structured education at 12 months post-diagnosis, as outlined in the 2014 Diabetes Improvement Plan and, if so, how this is measured. ","AnswerText":"People with diabetes access structured education through NHS Health Boards. \r\nOur Diabetes Improvement Plan 2014 supports people with diabetes to self-manage their condition through the provision of timely information and advice. We continue to build on this work by funding a range of high quality person-centred structured education programmes delivered by appropriately trained healthcare professionals within 12 months for those diagnosed with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.\r\nWe have recently introduced quarterly reporting that NHS Boards use for monitoring the timely delivery of structured education.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320458,"EventID":"S5W-05468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T14:08:36.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-09T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress there has been in implementing a national improvement programme to increase the proportion of people with type 1 diabetes with optimal glycaemic control, as outlined in its 2014 Diabetes Improvement Plan.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Diabetes Group (SDG), our national advisory group and its subgroups have agreed national glycaemic levels and have been holding quality improvement meetings to promote and share good practice throughout our diabetes communities in order to achieve these.\r\nFurther to this, work is progressing to develop early intensification strategies and new national structured education packages for people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.\r\nThe Scottish Government has increased the number of insulin pumps to over 3,200 since 2010 supported by funding of £7.5m. This represents an almost fourfold increase against the baseline figure of 696 in December 2010.\r\nThe First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP recently announced that the Scottish Government would invest £10m during the lifetime of this Parliament, to further increase the provision of insulin pump therapy and Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM).","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320459,"EventID":"S5W-05486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T14:08:37.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet the leaders of Stirling and Clackmannanshire councils to discuss the City Deal bid.","AnswerText":"I recently responded to a letter from Stirling Council and Clackmannanshire Council and I am keen to meet with them at the earliest opportunity to discuss their City Region Deal proposals.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":320460,"EventID":"S5W-05485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T14:08:39.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the implementation of the living wage for private sector care workers delivering services for local authorities can be sustained beyond 2017-18.","AnswerText":"As part of the 2017-18 draft budget, we have shown our commitment to the social care sector by announcing a further £100 million to be made available to Integration Authorities to support sustainability in the sector and continued delivery of the Living Wage to adult care workers. Within this settlement we have included a number of assumptions such as employer costs and assumed no provider contribution in 2017-18, this will support partnerships and private and voluntary sector providers to be able to implement this commitment sustainably. This was based on a one year Spending Review. Further support for delivering the Living Wage will be discussed as part of next years budget.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":320461,"EventID":"S5W-05466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T14:08:40.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-09T15:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place for providing long-term support to people resident in Scotland who have previously received deep brain stimulation surgery in (a) Dundee, (b) Edinburgh and (c) centres in England. ","AnswerText":"The receiving centres of excellence in England are responsible for the surgical care of patients referred from Scotland for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. Otherwise, the referring NHS Board remain responsible for the healthcare of their local population, including those who require DBS (as clinically-determined).","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320462,"EventID":"S5W-05470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T14:08:41.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-09T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that people with diabetes who require an insulin pump have timely and appropriate access to them, as outlined in the 2014 Diabetes Improvement Plan. ","AnswerText":"In February 2012, the Chief Executive Letter (CEL 04 (2012)) required Health Boards to increase insulin pump therapy in line with national clinical guidance. \r\nThe commitment to provide insulin pump therapy to 25% of under 18s and for people of all ages with type 1 diabetes to more than 2,000 was met by 1st April 2015 supported by £7.5m of Scottish Government funding.\r\nSince the CEL, the number of people with insulin pumps has increased to over 3,200.\r\nFollowing the achievement of CEL 04 (2012) the Minister for Public Health, Maureen Watt, wrote individually to all NHS Boards in June 2015.\r\nThe letter highlighted the importance of consistent delivery of insulin pump therapy as part of diabetes management. It also asked NHS Boards to make sure that people who are clinically suitable are identified and initiated onto pump therapy at the earliest opportunity.\r\nThe additional investment of £10m recently announced will support NHS Boards in meeting those expectations.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320463,"EventID":"S5W-05463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T14:08:42.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-09T15:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many deep brain stimulation procedures have been performed at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05462 on 22 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320464,"EventID":"S5W-05465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T14:08:43.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-09T15:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people residing in Scotland have received deep brain stimulation surgery in hospitals in (a) Dundee, (b) Edinburgh and (c) centres in England since 2011.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05462 on 22 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320465,"EventID":"S5T-00254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T12:41:18.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T08:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the latest BMA GP survey.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320466,"EventID":"S5T-00259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T12:41:44.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of \"intolerable\" working conditions at Amazon’s Fife warehouse.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320467,"EventID":"S5F-00636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T12:41:17.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T08:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320468,"EventID":"S5F-00640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T12:41:22.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T09:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister, in light of recently reported issues, what action the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that farmers can have confidence in the National Basic Payment Support Scheme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":320469,"EventID":"S5F-00643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T12:41:31.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the week.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320470,"EventID":"S5F-00648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T12:41:37.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to figures released by the Care Inspectorate that show that 70% of four-year-olds were recorded as receiving funded childcare.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320471,"EventID":"S5F-00651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T12:41:42.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T10:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320472,"EventID":"S5F-00664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5587,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T12:42:07.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the oil and gas industry in light of recovering oil prices.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320473,"EventID":"S5W-05435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:01:47.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-07T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) inpatients and (b) day case patients have received ophthalmology treatment in the last 12 months, broken down by (i) national total and (ii) NHS board; out of those patients, how many were (a) seen by a consultant within 12 weeks and (B) given treatment within 18 weeks in each NHS board area, and what the average waiting time was for ophthalmology during the last 12 months in each NHS board area, set out in (1) weeks and (2) days.","AnswerText":"The information on inpatient and day case ophthalmology waits is provided in the following table. \r\nNUMBER OF INPATIENTS AND DAY CASES TREATED (COMPLETED WAITS) AND NUMBERS WHO WAITED 12 WEEKS OR LESS, NUMBER OVER 12 WEEKS AND MEDIAN WAITS IN WEEKS AND DAYS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2015-16 BY NHS BOARD\r\nBoard\r\nNumber Seen\r\n<=12 Weeks\r\n>12 Weeks\r\nMedian (Weeks)\r\nMedian (Days)\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n4,100\r\n4,020\r\n80\r\n3.9\r\n27\r\nBorders\r\n990\r\n989\r\n1\r\n5.3\r\n37\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n2,070\r\n2,032\r\n38\r\n7.7\r\n54\r\nFife\r\n268*\r\n265\r\n3\r\n6.9\r\n48\r\nForth Valley\r\n2,020\r\n2,017\r\n3\r\n9.0\r\n63\r\nGrampian\r\n3,727\r\n3,144\r\n583\r\n8.7\r\n61\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n11,379\r\n11,379\r\n0\r\n5.7\r\n40\r\nHighland\r\n2,070\r\n1,839\r\n231\r\n8.3\r\n58\r\nLanarkshire\r\n3,966\r\n3,093\r\n873\r\n10.7\r\n75\r\nLothian\r\n7,693\r\n7,532\r\n161\r\n6.0\r\n42\r\nOrkney\r\n170\r\n152\r\n18\r\n5.1\r\n36\r\nShetland\r\n99\r\n99\r\n0\r\n9.9\r\n69\r\nTayside\r\n4,008\r\n3,956\r\n52\r\n6.3\r\n44\r\nWestern Isles\r\n463\r\n463\r\n0\r\n4.9\r\n34\r\nNHSScotland\r\n43,023\r\n40,980\r\n2,043\r\n6.9\r\n48\r\nSource: ISD Waiting Times Data Warehouse\r\n* In 2015-16 cataract patients had been classified as review outpatients. The Board have advised that in 2015-16 a total of 2,281 cataracts were undertaken.\r\nThe Golden Jubilee is expanding its ophthalmology capacity by 2,500 procedure in 2017-18 to support Boards across the whole of Scotland reduce waits. The Scottish Government has already committed to invest £200 million to create five new elective centres and to expand the Golden Jubilee to meet future changing demographics over the next 10-15 years. These new centres will carry out procedures such as cataract operation and will allow people to be seen more quickly for planned surgery. This will also help the NHS to meet increasing demand from a growing elderly population, taking pressure off unplanned and emergency treatment.","AnswerDate":"2017-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320474,"EventID":"S5W-05476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:01:48.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-11T18:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out to identify communities in the West Scotland region that may be underserved by existing public transport options.","AnswerText":"Identification of communities with no or inadequate public transport in the West of Scotland is under the responsibility of the local authorities and SPT who, through their Regional Transport Strategy, must take account of the differing strategic needs in the area and look opportunities to make improvements. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320475,"EventID":"S5W-05478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:01:49.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-11T18:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to catalogue and measure biodiversity changes resulting from the spread of beaver populations.","AnswerText":"A range of detailed studies were undertaken at Knapdale, Argyll as part of the Scottish Beaver Trial. Monitoring took place from 2009-2014, and reporting was concluded in 2015. The independent monitoring programme was coordinated by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and involved a number of partner organisations. Beaver interactions with species and habitats, such as aquatic macrophytes, woodland habitat (including Atlantic hazel woodland), river habitat, otter, fish, and odonata were monitored. Individual monitoring reports can be found at www.snh.gov.uk/beavers-in-scotland and a summary is provided in the SNH ‘Beavers in Scotland’ report published in 2015. \r\nMeasures of biodiversity change have not been monitored in the Tayside area to any significant extent at the catchment scale, partly because the presence of beavers there was unplanned and limited baseline information is available.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320476,"EventID":"S5W-05492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:01:50.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on each of the 22 recommendations in the Enable Scotland report, #IncludED in the Main?!, and how it will implement them.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will consider the recommendations of the Enable Scotland Report #Included In the Main?! In conjunction with the Advisory Group for Additional Support for Learning and other key stakeholders. \r\nThe Scottish Government is in the process of developing revised guidance for education authorities and schools on the presumption of mainstream education. This guidance is being developed in partnership with key stakeholders including Enable Scotland and will be published for public consultation early in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320477,"EventID":"S5W-05313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:01:53.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that pharmacies are correctly auditing their couriers on a routine basis to ensure that they are fit for purpose, as specified in UK Government guidelines.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05312 on 9 January 2017. All answers to Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320478,"EventID":"S5W-05479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:01:54.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-11T18:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice and support is being offered to farmers, land owners and other relevant stakeholders regarding mitigating potential damage caused by beavers, and what steps it is taking to engage with these groups.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has a dedicated web page and advisory service in place to give farmers one-on-one advice and help on the ground. Farmers can get more information at: http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/beavers/beaver-management-advice\r\nAdvice to farmers and others was formalised with the creation of the Tayside Beaver Study Group in 2012 when the field officer provided a bespoke service. This service has been carried forward to the present with a specialist contractor working for SNH. SNH will continue to work with stakeholders to seek to develop solutions and mitigation measures which will underpin further advice to those landowners that are affected by beaver activity.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320479,"EventID":"S5W-05496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:01:55.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent analysis by the Chartered Management Institute, which indicates that the gender-pay gap in Scotland for managerial positions is the highest in the UK, what action it will take to bring the gender-pay gap for these positions in line with that of the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"The official source for UK earnings estimates is the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) published by Office for National Statistics. The latest information for 2016 was published on 26 October 2016. The long-term trends in relation to the gender pay gap in Scotland are positive. \r\nThe most recent estimates of gender pay gap sourced from the ASHE data (based on full-time median hourly earnings excluding overtime) show that the gender pay gap in Scotland has decreased from 7.7% in 2015 to 6.2% in 2016. The gap in the UK stands at 9.4%. However, there is clearly still more to do, particularly for Managers, Directors and Senior Officials in Scotland where the gender pay gap, for full-time median hourly earnings excluding overtime stands at 19.8% (based on the ASHE).\r\nWe are working hard to address the complex drivers and causes of the pay gap. We continue to fund the 'Close the Gap' partnership to encourage and work with employers to enable actions to address the gender pay gap. Under the Programme for Government we have committed to almost double the level of free childcare for three and four year olds by 2020; we know that women are disproportionately likely to be in low paid jobs so we actively promote the living wage and currently have 690 employers signed up for accreditation with a target of 1,000 by Autumn 2017. We have brought more transparency to pay issues by lowering the threshold for public authorities in Scotland to publish their pay gap. We also support fair work practices, including flexible working, which can be crucial in helping women and men combine career development with family responsibilities. We have also established a Returner’s Project, initially in the Science sector, so that women can get help updating skills and knowledge and assistance in entering a traditionally male job and so employers can retain skilled staff after a career break.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320480,"EventID":"S5W-05477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:01:56.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-11T18:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with animal charities regarding gifting animals at Christmas, and what action it is taking to educate the public on this issue.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has discussed animal welfare with stakeholder organisations throughout 2016, but there have been no specific discussions on the gifting of animals at Christmas. Independent animal charities, such as the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Dogs Trust, have issued a seasonal reminder that pets are not suitable gifts.\r\nThe Scottish Government endorses the view that owning an animal entails a lifetime welfare commitment and that all animals should go to permanent, loving homes. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320481,"EventID":"S5W-05484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:01:57.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-04565 by Shona Robison on 22 November 2016, whether everyone who is considered clinically suitable for this treatment will have access to it at facilities in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04565 on 21 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320482,"EventID":"S5W-05491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:01:59.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of children with learning disabilities are being taught in special schools, also broken down by each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The percentage of children with learning disabilities being taught in special schools broken down by each year since 2007 is as follows.\r\nPupils in Scotland with a Learning Disability - 2007-2016\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLearning Disability\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nSpecial Schools\r\n3388\r\n4134\r\n4097\r\n4126\r\n4266\r\n4421\r\n4604\r\n4601\r\n4569\r\n4311\r\nAll Schools\r\n7399\r\n8956\r\n9232\r\n11534\r\n14673\r\n15979\r\n15859\r\n15600\r\n15324\r\n14608\r\nPercentage Special\r\n46%\r\n46%\r\n44%\r\n36%\r\n29%\r\n28%\r\n29%\r\n29%\r\n30%\r\n30%\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll pupils with an ASN\r\n36,510\r\n38,716\r\n44,176\r\n69,587\r\n98,523\r\n118,034\r\n131,621\r\n140,542\r\n153,192\r\n170,329\r\nof which special school pupils\r\n6,709\r\n6,756\r\n6,673\r\n6,800\r\n6,973\r\n6,976\r\n6,984\r\n6,981\r\n6,920\r\n6,735\r\nof which mainstream school pupils\r\n29,801\r\n31,960\r\n37,503\r\n62,787\r\n91,550\r\n111,058\r\n124,637\r\n133,561\r\n146,272\r\n163,594\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll special school pupils\r\n6,709\r\n6,756\r\n6,673\r\n6,800\r\n6,973\r\n6,976\r\n6,984\r\n6,981\r\n6,920\r\n6,735\r\nAll mainstream school pupils\r\n685,506\r\n674,817\r\n670,067\r\n666,333\r\n663,538\r\n664,242\r\n666,546\r\n669,974\r\n673,087\r\n677,680\r\nAll pupils\r\n692,215\r\n681,573\r\n676,740\r\n673,133\r\n670,511\r\n671,218\r\n673,530\r\n676,955\r\n680,007\r\n684,415\r\nPercentage ASN\r\n5%\r\n6%\r\n7%\r\n10%\r\n15%\r\n18%\r\n20%\r\n21%\r\n23%\r\n25%\r\nPercentage of ASN pupils that are at Special schools\r\n18%\r\n17%\r\n15%\r\n10%\r\n7%\r\n6%\r\n5%\r\n5%\r\n5%\r\n4%\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPercentage of Special school pupils with a Learning Disability\r\n50%\r\n61%\r\n61%\r\n61%\r\n61%\r\n63%\r\n66%\r\n66%\r\n66%\r\n64%\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320483,"EventID":"S5W-05475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:02:02.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-11T18:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with countries that have successfully reintroduced species when considering whether to allow the reintroduction of beavers to Scotland.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has had extensive and wide ranging discussions with numerous beaver specialists and managers, country agency staff and academics over the 21 years since it started investigating beaver reintroduction issues.\r\nThis has resulted in the development of a wide network of specialists from across North America and Europe that the Scottish Government can now draw on for advice. Much of the advice provided so far has been incorporated within a range of publications produced by SNH, which can be viewed at www.snh.gov.uk/beavers-in-scotland. This includes the substantial ‘Beavers in Scotland’ report published by SNH in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320484,"EventID":"S5W-05493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:02:03.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many additional support for learning teachers there are, also broken down by each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05579 on 30 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320485,"EventID":"S5W-05473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:02:06.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-11T18:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the original coverage area of native Caledonian woodland it considers is the optimum to be restored.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking action on improving the condition of Scotland’s Native Woodlands including Caledonian woodland through its commitments in the Scottish Biodiversity 2020 Route Map. There is not a specific target or stated optimum level of native Caledonian woodland restoration.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320486,"EventID":"S5W-05474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:02:07.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-11T18:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to carry out a full and unified survey of all marine birds on land and within Scottish waters.","AnswerText":"The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), Scottish Natural Heritage, and other partners are presently developing a proposal to undertake a full census of breeding seabirds. In addition, the JNCC are developing a UK wide marine biodiversity monitoring strategy for consideration by the Scottish Government and other UK administrations. This will include the monitoring of marine birds.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320487,"EventID":"S5W-05487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:02:08.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the key criteria are for Scottish Futures Trust growth accelerator projects.","AnswerText":"The key objective of the Growth Accelerator funding mechanism is the delivery of public sector enabling infrastructure which stimulates private sector investment and the wider economy. The model establishes a payment-by-results approach based on achieving key measures relating to economic, financial and social impacts. These will be determined on a project by project basis, reflecting the project’s key, identifiable outcomes which will be included within the Growth Accelerator agreement.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320488,"EventID":"S5W-05488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:02:10.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00356 by Keith Brown on 17 November 2016, (Official Report, c. 2), when the agencies involved in developing the business case for the national manufacturing institute (a) have met and (b) will publish the case; what locations are being considered for the institute, and by what date it will be established.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working closely with Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Funding Council, Skills Development Scotland and Highlands & Islands Enterprise to develop the business case for the national manufacturing institute for Scotland. Officials meet regularly to take this forward, including work to better understand the private sector needs and demand and how best to maximise the economic impact of the institute, including possible locations. Wherever the institute is located, it will serve the whole of Scotland.\r\nThis is a significant proposal with the potential to support step-changes in the efficiency and productivity of Scotland’s manufacturing sector. Decisions on its establishment and location(s) will depend on the business case, which will be published later this year.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320489,"EventID":"S5W-05312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:02:13.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what safeguards are in place to ensure that the security measures specified by the UK Government for the transportation of controlled drugs are adhered to by (a) NHS boards and (b) private and independent pharmacies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government issued guidance to NHS Scotland following the introduction of the Health Act 2006 by the UK Parliament and the governance arrangements for controlled drugs which the Act and subsequent relevant Regulations put in place:-\r\nwww.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2007_14.pdf\r\nwww.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2008_07.pdf\r\nThe legislation requires all healthcare organisations holding stocks of controlled drugs to appoint Accountable Officers responsible for the safe, appropriate and effective management and use of controlled drugs.\r\nIn NHS Scotland, Controlled Drugs Accountable Officers (CDAOs) are responsible for ensuring the safe management and use of controlled drugs within their organisation. CDAOs should ensure that their own organisation, and those providing services to their organisation, have adequate and up-to-date Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in relation to controlled drugs. The CDAO Network publishes and updates guidance on good practice in the management of controlled drugs in primary care, including monitoring, auditing and reporting:-\r\nwww.knowledge.scot.nhs.uk/media/CLT/ResourceUploads/4055959/Primary_Care_Guide_Scotland_v.2.0_171114.pdf\r\nIn addition, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), the pharmacy regulator in Great Britain, sets standards for all registered pharmacies which includes requirements for medicines to be stored securely and supplied safely to patients, and for each pharmacy to identify and manage risks associated with the service they provide. GPhC inspections cover the full range of services a pharmacy provides, including any medicine delivery services.\r\nThe GPhC also shares intelligence and works collaboratively with various regulatory bodies and organisations across Great Britain, such as the Home Office, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and local Controlled Drug Accountable Officer Networks to help achieve collective patient safety and public protection aims.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320490,"EventID":"S5W-05482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-12T17:02:14.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the possible impact on jobs in Scotland, what its position is on the proposed takeover of Sky by Fox News and whether it considers that there should be an inquiry into the proposal by OFCOM and the competition authorities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to media plurality. A flourishing democracy needs diverse and independent voices across all media and a wide range of media outlets is vital to this. Processes that could have an impact on the diversity of voices in our media therefore should be very carefully looked at by the appropriate bodies. Such decisions can also affect the skills base and staffing levels within the media and can therefore impact on the quality of journalism. The Scottish Government would welcome scrutiny into the proposed takeover of Sky by 21st Century Fox by Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320509,"EventID":"S5W-05523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T12:11:28.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in reducing youth unemployment through the Developing the Young Workforce Programme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320510,"EventID":"S5W-05533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T12:59:34.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in reducing youth unemployment through the Developing the Young Workforce Programme.","AnswerText":"The second Developing the Young Workforce annual progress report (Developing the Young Workforce Scotland's Youth Employment Strategy 2nd Annual Report 2015/2016), covering academic year 2015-16, was published on 14 December 2016. The report highlights significant progress made to date. This includes 17 regional DYW employer groups in place working with schools and colleges across the country; expanded vocational provision for young people in the senior phase, including a significant expansion of foundation apprenticeships; exceeding the increased target for modern apprenticeships; investing in the introduction of careers advice earlier in schools and creating new standards for careers education and for work placements in schools and colleges.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320511,"EventID":"S5W-05515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:39:59.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the reported increase in the number of planned operation cancellations by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde due to capacity or non-clinical reasons.","AnswerText":"Published information by ISD Scotland shows that the number of patients\r\nwhose operations were cancelled by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde due to\r\ncapacity or non-clinical reasons was 113 for the month of November 2016. This\r\ncompares with 111 in October 2016 and 115 in November 2015.\r\n \r\nThe Scottish Government continues to work to support health boards to\r\nmanage their capacity planning to keep cancelled operations to a minimum.\r\nDecisions to cancel a patient's operation is never taken lightly, any postponed\r\noperations will be rescheduled at the earliest opportunity. The Scottish\r\nGovernment has also already announced a £200 million investment to create six\r\nnew elective treatment centres which will carry out procedures like hip, knee\r\nand cataracts operations. These centres will allow people to be treated more\r\nquickly for planned surgery to help the NHS meet increasing demand from a\r\ngrowing elderly population and reduce the number of operations cancelled.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320512,"EventID":"S5W-05505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:00.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it can provide that the UK's decision to leave the EU will not result in the erosion or weakening of existing legal protection of bats in Scotland.","AnswerText":"All bat species in Scotland are given protection under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 as a European Protected Species.\r\nThe Scottish Government remains determined to protect and conserve bats in Scotland. Our membership of the European Union has driven up environmental standards and the Scottish Government is not prepared to see these benefits lost as a result of the UK Government's decision to leave the EU.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320513,"EventID":"S5W-05495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:01.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T13:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long an appointment with a GP should take.","AnswerText":"GP appointment and consultation arrangements are not regulated and are for each individual practice to determine but in general most practices book patients at 10 minute intervals. The actual length of a consultation will vary depending on the healthcare needs of the individual patient and will be a matter of professional judgement for the GP. Where patients are required to have a longer consultation the GP may request that the patient attend for a double appointment.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320514,"EventID":"S5W-05502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:02.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out or plans on the effect would of driverless cars being allowed on roads. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports and encourages research, testing and development of autonomous vehicles in Scotland, subject to ensuring the safety of road users.\r\nMost of the relevant legislation is reserved to the UK Government and Transport Scotland is working closely with the Department for Transport and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles in this area.\r\nTransport Scotland is also liaising with other roads authorities across Europe on the introduction of driverless vehicles, in order to ensure that road authorities and operators are in a position to make informed decisions on facilitating automated driving as and when the technology develops.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320515,"EventID":"S5W-05500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:03.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that all (a) households and (b) commercial premises that currently do not have the opportunity to access high-speed broadband will be included in its plans for 100% coverage.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to delivering 100% superfast broadband coverage by 2021. We are currently conducting an Open Market Review. This is a formal consultation with broadband suppliers to determine their commercial investment plans over the next 3 years. This will allow us to define an intervention area ahead of new procurement activity to be initialized later this year.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320516,"EventID":"S5W-05518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:04.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what review it has carried out or plans on the impact of the introduction of personal independence payments on disabled people in Scotland who need support for costs associated with their disability.","AnswerText":"The Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Act 2012 places an obligation on Scottish Ministers to report annually to the Scottish Parliament until 2017 on the impact that the UK Welfare Reform Act 2012 is likely to have on the people of Scotland. These reports, which contain information relating to Personal Independence Payments, have been laid in Parliament annually since 2013. They are also available on the Scottish Government website at\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/fairerscotland/annualreport . ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320517,"EventID":"S5W-05494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:05.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T13:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported shortage of GPs in north east Scotland that has resulted in waiting times of up to four weeks for a routine appointment, when extra GPs will be recruited in the region.","AnswerText":"I shall reply to the member as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320518,"EventID":"S5W-05517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:06.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on expanding Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) loans to cover masters degrees.","AnswerText":"I announced on the 19 December that from next academic year, we are making postgraduate study more affordable for students domiciled in Scotland by increasing the maximum level of available loan support to £10,000 and greatly widening the range of eligible taught post graduate courses up to full masters level.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320519,"EventID":"S5W-05519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:07.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what quality assurance processes will be in place to monitor the quality of support offered by the (a) Work First and (b) Work Able Scotland programme.","AnswerText":"For Work First Scotland (WFS) the Scottish Government have designed a robust performance management framework to ensure that key performance indicators (KPIs) are met, providing quality of support to all customer. Key products and tools have been developed to assist in the performance management activity. WFS Service Providers will be subject to monthly random sampling of customer case files, observation visits and deep dives to ensure that the KPIs are being achieved and that the service is delivered consistently across the programme for all Customers. Any areas requiring to be addressed will be monitored through performance management reviews and improvement activities.\r\nFor Work Able Scotland (WAS) Skills Development Scotland, who are contract managing WAS on behalf of the Scottish Government, have a set of quality standards which are designed to help assess the extent to which Service Providers deliver quality provider services which are focused on the needs of Customers and employers. The Service Provider is required to meet minimum standards and take action as set out in the SDS Quality Management Framework to achieve improvements over the contract period. This framework supports Skills Investment Advisors in their contract management role to review and analyse monthly performance information and discuss in detail with the Service Provider any concerns they have regarding performance, gaining an understanding of what has been successful in progressing Customers into a positive destination and identifying what is not working in terms of negative destinations.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320520,"EventID":"S5W-05501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:09.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to encourage more job opportunities in the digital sector.","AnswerText":"Scotland has a thriving tech community with home grown digital technology companies like Skyscanner and Rockstar North achieving global success – we want more of them to do so. We are trialling new methods of supporting business innovation, including a digital sector pilot project in Edinburgh, which is being developed by members of the Scotland CAN DO Innovation Forum.\r\nWe also know that right now in Scotland we need several thousand new entrants a year into digital professions to meet both replacement and growth demand – a need that our labour market cannot currently meet. We are therefore working with partners to deliver the ICT & Digital Technologies Skills Investment Plan – a range of projects that aims to meet the immediate needs of industry and broaden the future talent pool.\r\nWe believe that the adoption and use of digital technologies by business will assist growth across all sectors. We want to ensure that all of our businesses have access to the skills and connectivity which will enable them to reach new customers and markets, to innovate and grow and importantly create more highly paid, highly skilled, job opportunities.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320521,"EventID":"S5W-05503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:10.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to encourage parity in the cost of access to broadband and other digital services across rural and urban areas. ","AnswerText":"Pricing of telecoms services is a reserved matter which falls within the remit of Ofcom, the UK telecoms regulator. Whilst telecoms providers in the UK do not differentiate pricing on a geographic basis, we accept that there is generally less competition in rural areas, which can adversely affect consumers.\r\nWe have asked Ofcom to assess telecoms markets at a more granular level to uncover differences in the way they operate across the UK, and to consider regulatory remedies to take account of, and address, market failure in any areas where there is limited competition at both the infrastructure or services layers.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320522,"EventID":"S5W-05497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:11.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T14:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comment in the letter by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work to the Convener of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee of 9 December 2016 that the delivery of the Balmedie to Tipperty section of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) project had been revised to winter 2017-18; what the cost of this delay will be; what impact it will have on the budget of the overall project, and when the full AWPR will be completed. ","AnswerText":"The project contractor does not receive payment for sections of the project until they are available and open to traffic, and this principle applies to the B-T section of the contract. Consequently the budget has not been affected.\r\nThe AWPR/B-T project is currently scheduled to open to traffic in the winter period of 2017-18.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320523,"EventID":"S5W-05499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:13.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the money allocated to support the roll-out of fibre cable broadband has been future-proofed to deal with any increase in demand or speed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and our partners are investing over £400 million in the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband Programme, which is delivering new fibre-enabled infrastructure that can be built upon as technology advances.\r\nThe predominant technology used in the programme is Fibre to the Cabinet. The programme is also delivering more full Fibre to the Premises connections to harder to reach communities, capable of delivering 10 times the speed of standard superfast connections.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320524,"EventID":"S5W-05514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:14.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T09:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to reports that private rents in Scotland are increasing at a faster rate than in central London.","AnswerText":"The latest monthly figures from the Office of National Statistics on the changes in prices of renting residential property from private landlords in Great Britain, published on 24 November 2016, show that private rents in Scotland fell by 0.2% in the year to October 2016, whilst rents in the Region of London increased by 2.6% across the same time period, available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/indexofprivatehousingrentalprices/oct2016.\r\nThe Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016, passed by the Parliament earlier this year, will provide rent stability and predictability for tenants in the private rented sector as rents can only rise once in 12 months and tenants will be given 3 month notice of changes to enable them to budget accordingly. In addition, councils will have the power to apply to Ministers for a cap on rent increases in their area for up to 5 years where rent increases are causing undue hardship to tenants.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320525,"EventID":"S5W-05516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:15.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many young people have (a) requested and (b) been provided with continuing care in each year since 2014, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"We do not yet have detailed information on the number of young people who have requested continuing care but I understand that initial uptake has been less than the anticipated 74 per annum. The entitlement to Continuing care came into force on 1 April 2015 so we will shortly embark on a check across all Scotland’s local authorities to clarify numbers in the year post implementation.\r\nThe first full year of data on Continuing Care will be collected in 2017-18 and depending on data quality, published from 2019 in the annual National Statistics publication Children’s Social Work Statistics.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320526,"EventID":"S5W-05504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:16.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to support the video games industry.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise have worked extensively with the games industry for a long period. In the last 4 years (to the end of 2015-2016) Scottish Enterprise has invested nearly £10 million (£9.8 million) in 38 video games companies of which more than half (£5.5 million) was through the Scottish Investment Bank and the remainder largely split between innovation grants and regional selective assistance.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320527,"EventID":"S5W-05521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:17.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated economic cost is of empty commercial properties in the West Scotland parliamentary region.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold estimates of the economic cost of empty commercial properties in the West Scotland parliamentary region.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320528,"EventID":"S5W-05522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T13:40:18.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many empty commercial properties there have been in each local authority in the West Scotland parliamentary region in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The number of empty non-domestic rateable properties in each local authority in the West Scotland parliamentary region in each year since 2007, is shown in the following table. The figures are as reported on the Scottish Assessors’ Valuation Roll at 1 April each year.\r\nNumber of Empty Rateable Properties on the Valuation Roll as at 1st April\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nArgyll and Bute 1\r\n573\r\n564\r\n561\r\n581\r\n553\r\n539\r\n534\r\n532\r\n563\r\n572\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n151\r\n154\r\n174\r\n179\r\n199\r\n202\r\n181\r\n177\r\n158\r\n169\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n154\r\n154\r\n150\r\n170\r\n185\r\n181\r\n178\r\n189\r\n179\r\n189\r\nInverclyde\r\n242\r\n223\r\n238\r\n242\r\n242\r\n242\r\n235\r\n249\r\n228\r\n279\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n545\r\n542\r\n542\r\n579\r\n567\r\n579\r\n592\r\n578\r\n580\r\n579\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n911\r\n912\r\n923\r\n918\r\n1,084\r\n1,129\r\n1,114\r\n1,063\r\n991\r\n1,043\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n265\r\n281\r\n301\r\n323\r\n295\r\n277\r\n277\r\n296\r\n310\r\n332\r\nAll\r\n2,841\r\n2,830\r\n2,889\r\n2,992\r\n3,125\r\n3,149\r\n3,111\r\n3,084\r\n3,009\r\n3,163\r\n1. Only part of Argyll and Bute is in the West Scotland Parliamentary Constituency; separate figures for part of the LA are not available.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320555,"EventID":"S5W-05556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T16:27:00.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T15:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to motion S5M-01677 on Protect Local NHS Services, and now that the NHS board engagement process has concluded, when it will come to a decision on the designation of service change proposals submitted by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, in respect of the local reviews of Clyde birthing services, inpatient care at the Centre for Integrative Care, and services at Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320556,"EventID":"S5W-05506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:10.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T15:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the £649,000 grant from the European Social Fund for social inclusion and to tackle discrimination, poverty and other health issues in the Highland Council area was allocated.","AnswerText":"The grant formally offered to Highland Council by the Managing Authority (Scottish Government) on 20 October 2016 is based on population with some\r\nadjustment to reflect the local circumstances. The basis for allocation of\r\nEuropean Social Funds was developed by the Scottish Government and agreed with\r\nCoSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities).","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320557,"EventID":"S5W-05524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:12.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on each of the 24 recommendations in the Scottish Human Rights Commission report, Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights, and what progress it is making in implementing these. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government participates actively in international human rights monitoring mechanisms, including the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and welcomes the engagement of both national human rights institutions and civil society organisations. \r\nThe Scottish Human Rights Commission plays a formal part in these mechanisms and the Scottish Government’s position on the matters raised in the context of the UPR will be made public in due course. The United Nations Human Rights Council is expected to hold an interactive dialogue in Geneva in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320558,"EventID":"S5W-05537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:14.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the comment by the Lord Advocate on 9 December 2016 that \"there continue to be systemic aspects of the criminal justice system, which cause difficulties for victims.\"","AnswerText":"The support and protection of victims and witnesses is a key priority for the criminal justice system in Scotland and must always be balanced with the protection of the fundamental rights of the accused.\r\nThe Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is committed to working with other agencies in the criminal justice system to improve the service which is provided across the system to all those who come into contact with the criminal courts, whether as victims, witnesses or accused persons.\r\nThe Scottish Government has already implemented a number of changes which increase the engagement of all parts of the system with victims, including the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014, the Victim’s Rights (Scotland) Regulations 2015 and the commitments in the Standards of Service for Victims and Witnesses and the Victims’ Code for Scotland, and further work is in hand to address some of the systemic issues which have been identified such as churn in the summary criminal courts and the adversarial nature of the trial process.\r\nThe Evidence and Procedure Review aims to improve the experience of those who come into contact with the criminal justice system by reducing the impact of churn in the summary courts and changing the way in which the evidence of children and other vulnerable witnesses is dealt with in court through the increased use of pre-recorded evidence.\r\nA report by the former Solicitor General for Scotland, Lesley Thomson QC, who has carried out a review into the needs of victims, will be published shortly and the recommendations will be considered by all parts of the criminal justice system through the work of the Justice Board.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320559,"EventID":"S5W-05538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:15.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04917 by Shona Robison on 7 December 2016, whether it will publish the guidance that suggests there is insufficient evidence regarding the use of MRI scans to detect metastatic disease in these cases, and what its response is to this practice being made available in England.","AnswerText":"In matters relating to ocular melanoma, the Scottish Government relies on the clinical expert advice of the National Specialist Scottish Ophthalmic Oncology service, whose advice is that there is currently insufficient evidence on the benefits of the use of MRI scanning for the detection and treatment of metastatic disease in people with ocular melanoma.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320560,"EventID":"S5W-05541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:16.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that NHS Dumfries and Galloway expects to make a spending reduction of £19 million over the next year.","AnswerText":"NHS Dumfries and Galloway presented a draft Financial Plan for 2017-18 at their Board meeting on 5th December 2016. This included £19 million of efficiency savings as part of an overall plan to deliver financial balance.\r\nThese savings are not about a reduction in spending, as all savings are retained locally for reinvestment in frontline services. Following the Draft Budget announced in Parliament on 15th December 2016, NHS Dumfries and Galloway has an indicative allocation of £284.9m for 2017-18, an increase of £5.5m which includes a £4.2m (1.5%) increase to baseline funding.\r\nBoards are rightly required to continually assess their expenditure of public funds to ensure the delivery of best value and make the most effective use of funding for the benefit of patients. The combination of increases in funding and retention of savings will ensure that priorities are safeguarded.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320561,"EventID":"S5W-05555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:17.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what improvements have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot disease since 2013.","AnswerText":"Our Diabetes Improvement Plan (2014) through the Scottish Diabetes Foot Action Group (SDFAG) aims to improve the awareness of foot care to reduce the number of people developing avoidable ulcers and prevent the risk of limb amputation.\r\nOur SDFAG is leading on a number of work streams to achieve the aims such as, putting greater emphasis on preventative care by campaigning to reduce the incidence of new diabetic foot ulcers developing in hospital, and education programmes for staff.\r\nFurthermore, a new antibiotic guidance has been developed and the National Diabetic Foot Risk Stratification and Triage system updated.\r\nIncidence of foot ulcers are included within NHS Boards quarterly reporting and recent updates to SCI-Diabetes will support improved monitoring of diabetes foot disease.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320562,"EventID":"S5W-05540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:18.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the A76 will be fully re-opened.","AnswerText":"At Auchensell Pool, Scotland TranServ commenced remedial works on 28 November and these were completed on 23 December 2016, allowing the removal of the temporary traffic lights.\r\nAt Enterkinfoot, the embankment failure is much more complex. This requires more detailed ground investigation, which will then feed into the design of a preferred solution, followed by construction.\r\nThe ground investigation works at Enterkinfoot are ongoing and are scheduled to continue until March 2017. Design and construction works will follow the ground investigation and until these investigations and designs progress further, a timescale for full re-opening of the A76 cannot be provided.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320563,"EventID":"S5W-05554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:20.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of the ENABLE Scotland report, #IncludED in the Main?!.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will consider the recommendations of the Enable Scotland Report #Included In the Main?! in conjunction with the Advisory Group for Additional Support for Learning and other key stakeholders. \r\nThe Scottish Government is in the process of developing revised guidance for education authorities and schools on the presumption of mainstream education. This guidance is being developed in partnership with key stakeholders including Enable Scotland and will be published for public consultation early in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320564,"EventID":"S5W-05557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:21.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the 200 new paramedics announced in July 2016 will be (a) trained and (b) employed in the Grampian area.","AnswerText":"Through an additional £5m funding from the Scottish Government the Scottish Ambulance Service are training an additional 200 Paramedics for frontline care in Scotland. This year’s recruitment plan is the first phase of a 5 year programme that will enhance the clinical skills mix of staff and introduce new ways of working to best meet the needs of patients in all communities.\r\nThe new Paramedics will be trained from the current cohort of around 1,100 qualified Ambulance Technicians, supported by a recruitment drive to backfill those who are moving into the Paramedic roles with over 200 new Technicians.\r\nThese new paramedics are undertaking a Higher Education Diploma in Paramedic Practice. This is a 12 month course undertaken at the Scottish Ambulance Service Academy at Glasgow Caledonian University and includes 750 hours of practice placement as well as 5 weeks placement in hospital.\r\nOf the 200 paramedics being trained this year 32 are to be based in the Grampian area.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320565,"EventID":"S5W-05527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:23.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to establish a national independent commission on social care funding.","AnswerText":"Our draft Budget for 2017-18 provides for an additional £107m, bringing the total support available from the NHS through Integration Authorities to protect social care to £357m. In addition, we have committed to work with local authorities, providers, disabled people and other partners to deliver reform to adult social care, beginning with work to reform the National Care Home Contract, and looking at the funding and delivery of Care at Home.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320566,"EventID":"S5W-05545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:25.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many farmers it has asked to repay overpayments in each year since 2011, also broken down by Parliamentary constituency.","AnswerText":"Information regarding overpayments is not available as Parliamentary constituency. The number of businesses that have been asked to repay overpayments is broken down per calendar year in the following table.\r\nCalendar Year\r\nNumber of businesses\r\n2012\r\n86\r\n2013\r\n66\r\n2014\r\n651\r\n2015\r\n20\r\n2016\r\n320\r\nTotal\r\n1143\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320567,"EventID":"S5W-05552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:26.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it requires recipients of (a) Regional Selective Assistance and (b) other grants to (i) adopt fair work practices and (ii) pay the living wage.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise (SE). I have asked the Chief Executive of SE to contact you with the information you have requested and my understanding is that this will be with you soon.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320568,"EventID":"S5W-05529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:29.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to strengthen (a) monitoring, (b) data collection, (c) reporting and (d) staff training with regard to (i) human trafficking and (ii) hate crime.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy will be published by 31 May 2017 as required by the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015. This will set out the Scottish Government’s plans to address human trafficking in Scotland, including monitoring, data collection, reporting and staff training. The Scottish Government’s draft proposals in these areas are set out in the draft strategy (available at https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/human-trafficking-team/a-human-trafficking-and-exploitation-strategy/) a public consultation on which recently closed.\r\nIn relation to hate crime, we accept the recommendations of the report of the Independent Advisory Group on Hate Crime, Prejudice and Community Cohesion, and will set out how we intend to take these forward in early 2017. This will include monitoring, data collection, reporting and staff training.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320569,"EventID":"S5W-05531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:30.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to (a) increase and (b) promote the use of alternatives to (i) detention, (ii) rehabilitation and (iii) reintegration of offenders.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to reducing reoffending in Scotland which has significant costs to individuals, families and our communities. Delivery of this commitment includes a focus on reducing the use of imprisonment, in particular short-term imprisonment, in favour of robust community sentences. The delivery of Community Payback Orders (CPOs), as the main community sentence in Scotland, are a critical element of this vision.\r\nFeedback received from both beneficiaries of unpaid work projects and the individuals on CPOs makes clear that these orders are delivering positive outcomes and are helping people to move away from offending behaviour. The evidence supports this; individuals released from a custodial sentence of 6 months or less are reconvicted more than twice as often as those given a CPO and reconviction rates in Scotland are at a 17 year low. We are working with local authority Criminal Justice Social Work departments to continue to raise the profile of these orders and the benefits they are bringing to local communities. To support this, we have protected the funding for community justice services in the draft 2017-18 Scottish Budget.\r\nFor those individuals for whom a prison sentence is necessary, there is a clear emphasis on supporting their rehabilitation and reintegration as a way of preventing further offending. The Scottish Prison Service delivers a range of rehabilitation programmes which includes access to learning, skills and employability support. \r\nWe also recognise that it is vital that support is in place to enable individuals to reintegrate successfully into their communities when they leave prison. The Ministerial Group on Offender Reintegration has helped inform a range of ongoing cross-cutting work to improve access to key services and we are working with a range of partners across the public and third sector to deliver on the Group’s recommendations. This has an initial focus on developing better co-ordination of housing and health provision for people leaving custody, and to help improve their prospects for employment.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320570,"EventID":"S5W-05548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:32.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T14:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what rights to support (a) Work First Scotland and (b) Work Able Scotland will have, and how these rights will be ensured.","AnswerText":"Both Work First and Work Able have eligibility criteria, and key indicators and standards will determine the level of service every customer should receive, such as integrated skills and health support according to individual needs. These will be underpinned by the quality assurance processes set out in detail in the response to Parliamentary question S5W-05519 on 20 December 2016.\r\nThe groups set out below will be eligible for Work First and Work Able support.\r\nWork First customers must:-\r\nbe of working age;\r\nhave a recognised disability (as defined by the Equalities Act 2010) that means they find it hard to get or keep a job;\r\ncannot be helped through other existing DWP provision;\r\nrequire support in work as well as help with finding work;\r\nhave in work support requirements which cannot be overcome through workplace adjustments required under the Equality Act and/or Access to Work support; and\r\nbe assessed by the JCP Work Coach as being able to enter work for a minimum of 16 hours within 26 weeks with the possibility of extending this to 34 weeks in some cases.\r\nWork Able customers should be:-\r\n18 years and over;\r\nnot in employment;\r\nin receipt of Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit equivalent; and\r\nbe assessed as capable of progressing into work within a 12 month period and want to work.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320571,"EventID":"S5W-05525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:34.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to strengthen the Scottish National Action Plan on Human Rights and how it ensures that international human rights treaties are enforced in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights (SNAP) is a co-produced initiative which pursues the shared vision of a Scotland where everyone is able to live with human dignity. SNAP was launched jointly in 2013 by the Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC), the then Deputy First Minister and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights.\r\nThe Scottish Government contributes to the work of SNAP in a variety of ways and values the potential which it offers for enhanced collaboration between SNAP partners, including the SHRC, public sector institutions, the private sector, the third sector, and contributors from across the whole of Scottish civil society. The Scottish Government commented on proposals for the future of SNAP which were prepared by the SHRC and presented to a meeting of SNAP partners held on 31 October 2016. The Scottish Government has also offered to assist the SHRC in taking an Improvement approach to SNAP, with a view to supporting practical delivery and enabling progress to be measured.\r\nThe Scottish Government is directly accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the action it takes to give effect to human rights obligations in Scotland. It also participates actively in international human rights monitoring mechanisms run by both the United Nations and the Council of Europe. \r\nExaminations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the UN Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) were held during 2016. Scotland’s record will be further examined at the United Nations in 2017 under the Universal Periodic Review. An examination under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is expected later in the year. State party reports under the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) will also be submitted in 2017.\r\nRecent Scottish Government-led activity designed to achieve the further and better implementation of human rights in Scotland has included: a Disability Delivery Plan linked to the UNCRPD; a Race Equality Framework which reflects CERD obligations; implementation of Equally Safe, Scotland’s strategy to prevent and eradicate violence against women and girls, in keeping with both CEDAW and the Istanbul Convention; use of Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment to support implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC); a Fairer Scotland Action Plan which addresses a wide range of economic and social rights; action to embed dignity and respect at the heart of social security provision in Scotland; and the robust defence of civil and political rights in the face of UK Government threats to the Human Rights Act. The Scottish Government is also committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is working to integrate both human rights and the SDGs into Scotland’s National Performance Framework.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320572,"EventID":"S5W-05543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:36.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of hospital waiting times in NHS Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government regularly assesses all waiting time performance\r\nacross all Boards, including in NHS Dumfries and Galloway. In the current year\r\nwe have made available an additional £565,000 to address waiting times in\r\nDumfries and Galloway. The recent Draft Budget announced in Parliament on 15\r\nDecember 2016, shows that NHS Dumfries and Galloway has an indicative\r\nallocation of £284.9 million for 2017-18, an increase of £5.5 million which includes a £4.2 million (1.5%)\r\nincrease to baseline funding.\r\n \r\nOn 29 November I announced a plan to deliver a major shift in the way\r\noutpatient care is delivered, giving patients faster and more local access to\r\ncare, has been published The Modern Outpatient: A Collaborative Approach\r\n2017-2020 sets out a new strategy for responding to rising demand and aims\r\nto free up 400,000 hospital outpatient appointments by 2020. The strategy\r\nproposes that some patients, particularly those who are waiting for a routine\r\ncheck-up or test results, would be seen closer to home by a team of community\r\nhealthcare professionals with close links to hospital departments. The NHS will\r\nalso make better use of e-consultations and action will be taken to reduce the\r\nnumber of unnecessary referrals.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320573,"EventID":"S5W-05550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:37.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers Work First Scotland to be a supported employment scheme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed to providing continuity of service for disabled people in the transition to devolved services in a transitional year from April 2017, and in advance of a full programme beginning in April 2018. To do that, on 6 September this year, Scottish Ministers announced 1 year contracts with the existing providers of DWP’s Work Choice programme to deliver Work First Scotland.\r\nSupported employment outcomes will be recognised and rewarded as job outcomes in Work First Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320574,"EventID":"S5W-05526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:38.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what safeguards are in place to ensure that places of detention provide adequate mental health services and comply with international human rights laws.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects that places of detention will ensure that mental health care and treatment is delivered in a person-centred manner to meet each individual’s needs. Scotland has a robust model of inspection and participation in international measures which contribute to an assurance that human rights are realised and that adequate services are provided.\r\nThe Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, along with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland, as well as other organisations, are members of the UK National Preventive Mechanism, which ensures that the UK fulfils its obligations under UN treaties to monitor places where people are detained, prevent ill-treatment, and ensure detention is consistent with international standards.\r\nThe Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland carries out local visits to places of detention and mental health services across Scotland. The Commission looks at facilities to check that the care and treatment provided meets the needs and respects the rights of the individuals using these services. The Commission also undertakes thematic reviews jointly with partners such as the Care Inspectorate to ensure a joined up approach to checking that the care provided in different settings is appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320575,"EventID":"S5W-05528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:40.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to introduce new models of supporting mental health in primary care.","AnswerText":"On 18 February 2016, the Cabinet Secretary announced the creation of the Primary Care Mental Health Fund alongside the Primary Care Transformation Fund, which Boards – working with their partners, which may include third sector organisations – can submit proposals to support this transformative change.\r\nThrough the fund, £10 million will be invested in primary care mental health services over 2016-17 and 2017-18 to encourage the development of new models of care to ensure that people with mental health challenges are provided with the most appropriate treatment, as quickly as possible, in the most appropriate setting.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320576,"EventID":"S5W-05551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:41.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been paid to Amazon in (a) Regional Selective Assistance and (b) other grants for each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise (SE). I have asked the Chief Executive of SE to contact you with the information you have requested and my understanding is that this will be with you soon.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320577,"EventID":"S5W-05553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:44.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which companies in receipt of Regional Selective Assistance do not pay their employees the living wage.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise (SE). I have asked the Chief Executive of SE to contact you with the information you have requested and my understanding is that this will be with you soon. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320578,"EventID":"S5W-05547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:46.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many additional miles of road it has built in Dumfries and Galloway in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has invested over £65 million in major trunk road improvements in Dumfries & Galloway since 2007, of which 10.6 miles are newly constructed road and 2.0 miles have been significantly improved or widened. A breakdown by year is provided in the following table.\r\nYear – Road Scheme Opened\r\nLength of new trunk road (miles)\r\nLength of existing trunk road which has been improved (miles)\r\n2007\r\n\r\n\r\n2008\r\n\r\n1.7\r\n2009\r\n3.6\r\n0.3\r\n2010\r\n1.5\r\n\r\n2011\r\n\r\n\r\n2012\r\n\r\n\r\n2013\r\n\r\n\r\n2014\r\n5.5\r\n\r\n2015\r\n\r\n\r\n2016\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n10.6\r\n2.0\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320579,"EventID":"S5W-05549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:47.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it anticipates the per-head spending will be on the (a) Work First Scotland and (b) Work Able Scotland programme, and how this compares to per-head spending on the same types of participants on the UK Work Programme and Work Choice schemes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government are committed to delivering value for money within both the Work First Scotland and Work Able Scotland programmes.\r\nActual spend per head on individuals engaging on both programmes will be based on a range of factors once both programmes commence in April 2017. However the anticipated spend per–head for those supported through Work First Scotland will be £4,231.20. Contracts have not yet been awarded for Work Able Scotland but the pricing model offers a maximum unit cost of £3,250 (£3,500 in rural areas).\r\nDirect comparisons between Work First Scotland and Work Able Scotland and previous DWP employment programmes are not possible due to the different structure, payment model and client groups within the transitional Scottish Programmes.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320580,"EventID":"S5W-05542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:48.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the use of locum consultants in NHS Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"Under the Scottish Government the number of Medical and Dental Consultants in NHS Dumfries and Galloway has increased by 18.5% from 89.0 to 105.5 WTE.\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway are being supported in their efforts to market the NHS Board as an employer of choice for medical and dental staff through an active social media campaign and targeted recruitment. They are also actively encouraging any medical locums to take up substantive posts within NHS Dumfries and Galloway and this has resulted in appointments to previously hard to fill posts in Radiology and Haematology.\r\nIn order to reduce the reliance on temporary agency staff, the Scottish Government and NHS National Services Scotland have launched a nationally coordinated programme for the effective management of all temporary staffing. The team are working to establish Regional and National Staff Banks to allow boards access to a high quality, flexible, workforce of appropriately qualified, experienced and competent staff when required, who work on NHS contracts and provide better value for money than alternative methods of filling the gaps.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320581,"EventID":"S5W-05544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T17:10:50.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent consideration it has given to dualling the A75.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to questions S5W-00209 on 7 June 2016 and S5W-02818 on 22 September 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nThe forthcoming review of the Strategic Transport Projects Review will assess recommendations for strategic transport infrastructure priorities in Dumfries and Galloway and the rest of Scotland. Within the review options for the A75 corridor between Gretna and Stranraer will be considered.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320608,"EventID":"S5W-05560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-13T18:00:09.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T17:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, now that the NHS board engagement process has concluded, what its response is to the recommendations from the Scottish Health Council on the designation of service change proposals submitted by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, in respect of the local reviews of Clyde birthing services, inpatient care at the Centre for Integrative Care, and services at Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":" We understand that the Scottish Health Council (SHC) has come to a view on the designation of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s recent service change proposals. The Scottish Government supports the SHC views.\r\nThe SHC views the proposals relating to Clyde birthing services and Lightburn Hospital as major service changes. It does not view the proposals relating to inpatient care at the Centre for Integrative Care as major service change. Full details are available via the SHC website at the following link: http://www.scottishhealthcouncil.org/publications/service_change_updates.aspx#.WE-rZlJDTcs\r\nThe board of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will consider the next steps at its meeting on 20 December, as informed by the responses to its recent public engagement activity and the SHC views. On considering all the available information, Health Boards can, and frequently do, designate service change proposals as major themselves, without having to ask Ministers. This was the case with the same Board’s proposals relating to Royal Alexandra Hospital inpatient and day case paediatrics in October 2016.\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has confirmed that the terms of any further process around the Clyde birthing services proposals will take full account of the recommendations of the National Review of Maternity and Neonatal Services, which we expect to be published in 2017.\r\nThe board has the opportunity to revisit and revise proposals, which could see the scope of change proposed reduced substantially, or maintained in line with their original proposal.\r\nAny proposals that are designated as major must follow the established process of being subject to at least three months of formal public consultation, and are ultimately subject to Ministerial approval. In all such cases, Ministers take full account of all the available information and representations before coming to a final decision.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320610,"EventID":"S5O-00489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:32:57.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T18:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to protect the marine environment.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320611,"EventID":"S5O-00491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5638,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:32:58.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to amend the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002, in light of the review by Lord Bonomy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320612,"EventID":"S5O-00492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:32:59.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle air pollution.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320613,"EventID":"S5O-00493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:00.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T10:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its proposed new climate change targets will take account of the Paris Agreement's goal of pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320614,"EventID":"S5O-00494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:02.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to monitor and improve air quality in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320615,"EventID":"S5O-00495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:03.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will compensate for the reported 60,000 tonnes of additional emissions that could be caused by it introducing a 50% reduction in air passenger duty.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320616,"EventID":"S5O-00496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:04.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to prevent the spread of diseases that affect woodland and forests.","AnswerText":"Tackling Tree Health threats remains a top priority for the Scottish Government and its approach to preventing the spread of diseases that affect woodlands is set out in the Scottish Plant Health Strategy. This focusses on risk based decision making to reduce the likelihood of pests arriving in the UK, and the early detection and response should they do so. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320617,"EventID":"S5O-00497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:05.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is available from Scottish Water for first-time connections.","AnswerText":"Where new water infrastructure is installed to connect new or existing properties to public supplies, Scottish Water will pay a Reasonable Cost Contribution in respect of the infrastructure that it adopts. The maximum contribution, some £1500 per household, is stipulated in Regulations.\r\nFor most new developments, the reasonable cost contribution covers the full cost of providing extensions to water infrastructure necessary to connect new properties.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320618,"EventID":"S5O-00498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:08.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of the UK Government’s energy policies will be on Scotland's efforts to tackle climate change.","AnswerText":"This issue was debated earlier in December and found support in the chamber for Scotland’s renewables. Climate change is a global challenge and other countries must step up to match Scotland’s levels of ambition and action. In the area of energy, where many key levers remain reserved, recent UK Government policies have often hampered, rather than supported, Scotland’s drive to renewables and Carbon Capture and Storage.\r\nThis includes recent announcements on the Contracts for Difference mechanism which created further uncertainty in areas we thought were secure, our remote island wind projects, and wave and tidal technologies.\r\nFurther to this the cancellation of the UK Government’s flagship CCS Commercialisation Competition in November 2015 was both surprising and disappointing and yet the need for CCS as an important part of future low-carbon infrastructure strategies remains.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320619,"EventID":"S5O-00499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:11.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to provide access to fibre broadband in areas where there is an insufficiency of hardware to meet demand.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320620,"EventID":"S5O-00500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:12.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the IT system for common agricultural policy payments.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320621,"EventID":"S5O-00501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:13.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will improve access to rail for residents of Monifieth.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320622,"EventID":"S5O-00502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:14.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether Scotland has good bus services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320623,"EventID":"S5O-00504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:16.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed transport issues in Fife with ScotRail.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320624,"EventID":"S5O-00505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:17.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its common agricultural policy IT system is fully compliant with EU regulations.","AnswerText":"The CAP IT system is used to administer subsidies under the new EU Common Agricultural Policy and is an EU requirement. This system will provide the capability required to be CAP compliant, supplemented by some functionality from legacy IT systems and some additional manual processes.\r\nAs a result of the complexity of the new CAP, it would have been impossible to deliver CAP compliance on schemes configured to Scotland’s needs without a bespoke IT system.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320625,"EventID":"S5O-00506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:18.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the roll-out of superfast broadband.","AnswerText":"We are making excellent progress in extending access to superfast broadband across Scotland and remain on track to deliver 95% fibre coverage by the end of 2017. \r\nThat progress is supported by findings from Ofcom's Connected Nations 2016 report which indicates that superfast broadband coverage in Scotland has increased from 73% in 2015 to 83% in 2016 - the greatest increase across the UK, with a year-on-year rise of almost 14%, compared to an average of around 7% for the other nations.\r\nOur £400 million investment through the Digital Scotland Superfast Programme is having a significant impact across Scotland, with around 679,000 homes and businesses connected so far.\r\nAnd we will go further. We are committed to delivering 100% superfast coverage by 2021. Last week’s Budget confirmed an initial £51 million to support the first phase of activity to deliver that commitment, with further funding available in future years.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320626,"EventID":"S5O-00507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:21.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding projects in Scotland have received through the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation grant scheme.","AnswerText":"Since the 2014 - 2020 Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation grants scheme was launched in May 2015 the Scottish Government has awarded a total of £19.4 million of grant support to 47 capital projects.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320627,"EventID":"S5O-00508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:22.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme in meeting its target of delivering access to fibre broadband to at least 95% of premises by the end of 2017.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Digital Scotland Superfast Programme met its interim target of 85% coverage six months early and continues to make good progress to meeting its overall target of 95% fibre broadband coverage by the end of 2017. \r\nAs at 30 November 2016, the programme had connected around 679,000 homes and businesses; over 90% of which are able to receive superfast speeds. Around 746,000 premises will be connected by the end of the programme.\r\nThe impact of this investment has been recognised by Ofcom. Their Connected Nations 2016 Report, published last week, highlighted that superfast broadband availability in Scotland has increased at a faster rate – 14% year on year – than any of the other UK nations.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320628,"EventID":"S5O-00509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:23.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support hotel businesses. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":320629,"EventID":"S5O-00510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:24.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to argue the case that Scotland's concerns are taken into account in relation to the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320630,"EventID":"S5O-00511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:25.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its budget will affect the people of Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320631,"EventID":"S5O-00512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5877,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:26.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T14:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to implement the recommendations of the ENABLE Scotland report, #IncludED in the Main?!.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320632,"EventID":"S5O-00513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5781,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:27.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to attract more higher-rate taxpayers to Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320633,"EventID":"S5O-00514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5612,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:28.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T11:45:45.133","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Glasgow City Council and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320634,"EventID":"S5O-00515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:29.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its disability delivery plan will assist people with learning disabilities and autism into employment.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320635,"EventID":"S5O-00516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:30.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320636,"EventID":"S5O-00517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:31.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed closure of Jobcentre Plus offices in Glasgow will have on vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the city.","AnswerText":"In advance of the conclusion of the DWP’s consultation on this issue, we don’t yet know the impact of the UK Governments proposed closures will have on vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Glasgow. However, we are particularly concerned that the Department for Work and Pensions has not given sufficient consideration to this matter.\r\nWe believe it could be more difficult for people to access Jobcentre Plus services in the city and travel costs for those required to register unemployed on a weekly or fortnightly basis could increase. Disabled people and those without access to internet services could be particularly disadvantaged by the changes. \r\nGiven the challenges Glasgow faces in terms of unemployment levels – particularly in its most deprived areas, I am pressing UK Ministers to reconsider these proposals, and to consult properly, not just in Glasgow, but across the whole of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320637,"EventID":"S5O-00518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:33:33.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent deaths from drowning.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government takes this issue very seriously, and has provided £104,000 this year to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents to continue to deliver its annual Home and Water Safety programme.\r\nRoSPA’s Water Safety Scotland group engages with partners to develop a consistent approach to the prevention of drowning, water related deaths and unintentional injuries in and around water.\r\nThe Scottish Government supports the aims of this group and has arrangements in place to share its messages on water safety via our social media channels.\r\nWater Safety Scotland is currently developing a Scotland-specific response to the National Water Safety Forum's \"UK National Drowning Prevention Strategy\", which aims to reduce accidental drowning rates in the UK by 50%.\r\nI understand that Water Safety Scotland plans to consult on its “Scottish Response” in March 2017. The Scottish Government will consider this document carefully when it has been finalised after the consultation period.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320638,"EventID":"S5W-05564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:48:43.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T08:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many school support staff each local authority has employed in each year since 2010, broken down by category of employment.","AnswerText":"Children and young people with additional support needs receive support in school from teaching and support staff. The following information provided provides a picture of the support staff employed to support all pupils, including those with additional support needs. The figures provided are based on FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) and have been rounded to the nearest 1 FTE. Because of this the local authority total may not be equal to the sum of local authority figures. \r\nTotal\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nAberdeen City\r\n1,011\r\n776\r\n779\r\n798\r\n841\r\n828\r\n947\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n1,412\r\n1,333\r\n1,290\r\n1,223\r\n1,210\r\n1,222\r\n1,183\r\nAngus\r\n519\r\n474\r\n467\r\n455\r\n451\r\n442\r\n450\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n477\r\n503\r\n576\r\n490\r\n532\r\n542\r\n549\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n279\r\n269\r\n258\r\n264\r\n368\r\n248\r\n248\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n756\r\n689\r\n638\r\n614\r\n607\r\n593\r\n548\r\nDundee City\r\n761\r\n1,426\r\n628\r\n1,027\r\n615\r\n666\r\n653\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n486\r\n466\r\n461\r\n483\r\n472\r\n431\r\n470\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n694\r\n555\r\n568\r\n564\r\n527\r\n520\r\n514\r\nEast Lothian\r\n382\r\n431\r\n404\r\n400\r\n422\r\n396\r\n416\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n491\r\n823\r\n537\r\n490\r\n461\r\n479\r\n457\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n1,460\r\n1,423\r\n1,365\r\n1,481\r\n1,458\r\n1,241\r\n1,424\r\nNa h-Eileanan Siar\r\n171\r\n184\r\n166\r\n179\r\n156\r\n139\r\n137\r\nFalkirk\r\n768\r\n731\r\n733\r\n721\r\n702\r\n676\r\n633\r\nFife\r\n1,706\r\n1,646\r\n1,578\r\n1,594\r\n1,544\r\n1,549\r\n1,483\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGlasgow City\r\n2,132\r\n2,000\r\n2,838\r\n2,037\r\n2,135\r\n2,074\r\n2,116\r\nHighland\r\n1,318\r\n1,288\r\n1,229\r\n1,227\r\n1,112\r\n1,134\r\n1,093\r\nInverclyde\r\n474\r\n452\r\n432\r\n368\r\n375\r\n361\r\n352\r\nMidlothian\r\n398\r\n421\r\n427\r\n373\r\n368\r\n414\r\n443\r\nMoray\r\n509\r\n555\r\n753\r\n864\r\n868\r\n506\r\n486\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n656\r\n655\r\n613\r\n624\r\n621\r\n624\r\n611\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n1,690\r\n1,685\r\n1,668\r\n1,595\r\n1,649\r\n1,558\r\n1,653\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n130\r\n113\r\n119\r\n130\r\n129\r\n130\r\n131\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n574\r\n579\r\n579\r\n618\r\n612\r\n610\r\n669\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n717\r\n624\r\n615\r\n651\r\n628\r\n544\r\n645\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nScottish Borders\r\n438\r\n457\r\n432\r\n430\r\n407\r\n404\r\n356\r\nShetland Islands\r\n209\r\n202\r\n198\r\n174\r\n168\r\n165\r\n170\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n456\r\n424\r\n444\r\n448\r\n449\r\n445\r\n436\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n977\r\n1,101\r\n997\r\n1,007\r\n1,000\r\n1,011\r\n1,024\r\nStirling\r\n424\r\n696\r\n592\r\n397\r\n385\r\n368\r\n366\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n525\r\n489\r\n490\r\n427\r\n445\r\n446\r\n445\r\nWest Lothian\r\n915\r\n844\r\n875\r\n904\r\n945\r\n900\r\n829\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll Local Authorities\r\n23,907\r\n24,300\r\n23,734\r\n23,048\r\n22,654\r\n21,661\r\n21,935\r\n\r\nPrimary\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nAberdeen City\r\n538\r\n353\r\n352\r\n368\r\n387\r\n421\r\n503\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n770\r\n736\r\n734\r\n671\r\n677\r\n665\r\n665\r\nAngus\r\n268\r\n250\r\n233\r\n231\r\n238\r\n245\r\n242\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n231\r\n257\r\n344\r\n272\r\n295\r\n275\r\n265\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n152\r\n144\r\n128\r\n128\r\n252\r\n122\r\n129\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n355\r\n360\r\n316\r\n296\r\n294\r\n303\r\n272\r\nDundee City\r\n387\r\n404\r\n280\r\n601\r\n257\r\n262\r\n266\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n206\r\n204\r\n177\r\n186\r\n187\r\n178\r\n180\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n317\r\n276\r\n285\r\n274\r\n257\r\n253\r\n248\r\nEast Lothian\r\n247\r\n242\r\n238\r\n236\r\n252\r\n252\r\n281\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n211\r\n217\r\n217\r\n207\r\n185\r\n197\r\n200\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n771\r\n728\r\n712\r\n775\r\n800\r\n715\r\n827\r\nNa h-Eileanan Siar\r\n107\r\n87\r\n91\r\n97\r\n88\r\n75\r\n77\r\nFalkirk\r\n342\r\n348\r\n358\r\n347\r\n345\r\n334\r\n300\r\nFife\r\n839\r\n815\r\n778\r\n761\r\n747\r\n705\r\n785\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGlasgow City\r\n1,026\r\n993\r\n1,463\r\n1,172\r\n1,115\r\n1,137\r\n1,114\r\nHighland\r\n760\r\n669\r\n644\r\n637\r\n550\r\n550\r\n550\r\nInverclyde\r\n207\r\n208\r\n191\r\n187\r\n193\r\n188\r\n195\r\nMidlothian\r\n168\r\n183\r\n195\r\n190\r\n176\r\n205\r\n238\r\nMoray\r\n278\r\n288\r\n498\r\n616\r\n625\r\n286\r\n273\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n349\r\n349\r\n288\r\n298\r\n290\r\n306\r\n308\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n832\r\n833\r\n835\r\n810\r\n846\r\n815\r\n841\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n77\r\n66\r\n69\r\n79\r\n80\r\n78\r\n79\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n334\r\n328\r\n322\r\n348\r\n339\r\n333\r\n412\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n325\r\n253\r\n248\r\n272\r\n267\r\n262\r\n296\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nScottish Borders\r\n219\r\n268\r\n227\r\n226\r\n215\r\n208\r\n189\r\nShetland Islands\r\n114\r\n109\r\n107\r\n97\r\n92\r\n91\r\n90\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n203\r\n204\r\n221\r\n221\r\n222\r\n212\r\n216\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n507\r\n632\r\n520\r\n538\r\n543\r\n556\r\n553\r\nStirli","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320639,"EventID":"S5W-05566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:48:45.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses Highlands and Islands Enterprise has supported in each of the last 10 years, broken down by the (a) amount of support provided and (b) percentage still operating.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). I have asked the Interim Chief Executive of HIE to contact you with the information you have requested and my understanding is that this will be with you soon.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320640,"EventID":"S5W-05558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:48:46.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T17:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will continue to promote awareness of mental health issues within sport. ","AnswerText":"Through its high performance lifestyle programme, sportscotland, the national agency for sport, provides a tailored coaching and mentoring service that supports performance athletes to manage the changes, challenges and choices that enable them to focus on performance sportand also prepare them for life after sport. Working with clinical specialists, mental health is a key strand of work within the programme.In addition, the athletes benefit from sessions on resilience, including Mental and Physical Health, in conferences and personal development sessions.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320641,"EventID":"S5W-05562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:48:49.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T18:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to Highlands and Islands Enterprise in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"Since 2006-2007 Highlands and Islands Enterprise draft budget has been made available on SPICe and full details of income and expenditure are included in HIE’s Annual Report and Accounts, published on HIE’s website. Scottish Government funding and activities to support business has evolved and changed over time, most notably with funding transferred from the enterprise bodies to create SDS and Business Gateway in 2008-09. Further developments to the business support landscape have also taken place in more recent years such as the establishment of four Enterprise Zones spread over 14 sites and the introduction of City Deals. \r\nThe Scottish Government has invested heavily in projects in the Highlands and Islands, either directly or indirectly (through our economic development agency, Highlands and Islands Enterprise), that have supported and progressed economic, social and community benefits to the region.\r\nThese include:\r\na clear commitment to our ferry services to support our island communities with an investment of a record of over £1 billion in port infrastructure, vessels and services in the Clyde and Hebrides and to the Northern Isles since 2007;\r\ninvestment in new vessels including the MV Loch Seaforth at a cost of £41.8m; two new 100m duel fuel vessels at a cost of £97m; three hybrid vessels, the latest of which, the MV Catriona, cost £12.3m;\r\ncommitting to dualling the A9 from Perth to Inverness by 2025, with construction now underway, and to complete the dualling of the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen by 2030;\r\ninvestment in the Inverness to Perth and the Inverness to Aberdeen train lines;\r\ninvestment in national initiatives such as Wave Energy Scotland which has awarded £15m to 51 projects and worked with 129 separate organisations since formation, across five different countries;\r\ndigital connectivity. The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme which is delivering over £400m of investment to extend fibre broadband access to areas where the market would not otherwise go. DSSB is progressing as two separate, but interlinked, projects: one led by HIE covering the Highlands and Islands, with SG leading the Rest of Scotland programme. Scottish Government investment in the £145.8m HIE contract to boost connectivity going ahead in the Highlands and Islands. HIE is also delivering SG funding of £7.5m through Community Broadband Scotland (CBS), an initiative designed to support the most hard-to-reach communities across Scotland to deliver innovative broadband solutions.\r\ncommitment to delivering 100 per cent superfast broadband access by the end of 2021. HIE have been a key player in delivering broadband projects to date and are helping to shape future delivery plans. However, they don’t yet have an agreed formal role in R100 delivery and are therefore not in receipt of any funding to deliver anything beyond DSSB and CBS. SG recently announced an additional £51 million in the 2017-18 budget as the starting point for delivering the 100% commitment, forming part of a wider £112 million investment in digital infrastructure that will support the final phases of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme and enable new activity to begin on the Reaching 100% programme (as well as mobile infill).\r\nthe new SLF, launched in April 2016, has an annual budget of £10m. Communities across the whole of Scotland (including the islands) can apply for assistance towards the purchase of land and building assets;\r\nthe Small Business Bonus alone has saved Highland and Eilean Siar ratepayers around £90m since it was established in 2008 and almost 11,000 properties in Highland and Eilean Siar benefit this year from up to 100% business rates relief under the Small Business Bonus Scheme;\r\nthe £1.8bn Schools for the Future Programme which will deliver will deliver 112 new or refurbished schools by end of March 2020 and which includes 22 schools within the Highlands and Islands region;\r\nthe £75m Orkney New Hospital and ","AnswerDate":"2017-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320642,"EventID":"S5W-05563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:48:50.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T08:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00665 by John Swinney on 16 June 2016, whether it will provide the information for 2016.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320643,"EventID":"S5W-05565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:48:52.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Quintiles regarding the possible relocation of jobs from Livingston.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise (SE), has an account management relationship with Quintiles. As part of that engagement process, SE is aware that the company is currently in consultation with staff on potential changes to its Scottish operation. SE is engaging with Quintiles to explore all possible options for supporting the business and its workforce.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320644,"EventID":"S5W-05534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:48:53.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T13:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what will happen to air gun owners who want to apply for a certificate now that the deadline of 31 October 2016 has passed.","AnswerText":"People who want to use, possess, purchase or acquire air weapons in Scotland from 31 December 2016 will be required to hold a valid air weapon certificate, unless they are exempt under the provisions of Part 1 of the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2016.\r\nPeople who apply for a certificate between 1 November and 31 December 2016 will have their application determined as early as possible in 2017. Until they receive a decision, they should ensure that they are not breaking the law by making alternative arrangements to store their weapons safely. This can be done by placing their air weapon with someone who already holds an air weapon certificate or firearms licence, or by lodging it with a registered firearms dealer.\r\nSimilarly, anyone applying for a certificate from 31 December onwards must ensure that they comply fully with the requirements of the new legislation before using, possessing, purchasing or acquiring an air weapon.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320645,"EventID":"S5W-05559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:48:55.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T17:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that funding from its Legacy Fund will continue to support schemes initiated by the Scottish Professional Football League Trust regarding (a) mental health, (b) obesity and (c) employability.","AnswerText":"The SPFL Trust’s Legacy 2014 Supporting Communities Programme was supported in 2013-14 by £500,000 of Scottish Government funding and demonstrated the power of football to reach out to people and change lives. Whilst funding for the programme ended in March 2014, one of the key developments within the programme has been the establishment of a dedicated SPFL Trust website at http://spfltrust.org.uk from which people across Scotland can find out what is going on at a club in their community and how they can get involved. In addition we continue to work closely with the Trust and member clubs to discuss shared priorities, including mental health, obesity and employability. This has included the development of, and support for, the successful Football Fans in Training programme since 2010.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320646,"EventID":"S5W-05535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:48:57.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T13:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps were taken to ensure that all air gun owners applied for a certificate before the deadline of 31 October 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has, alongside Police Scotland, undertaken a wide-ranging public information campaign to advise people about the new legislation. A dedicated website was launched on 23 March 2016. This is at www.airweapon.scot . The website summarises the legislation, offers a check tool for those unclear about whether they might need a certificate, and has an extensive FAQ section. The 31 October deadline was clearly publicised on the website. To date, the website has had more than 101,000 visits from 73,000 visitors. \r\nWe also provided a detailed “toolkit” for main stakeholders informing them of the new legislation and seeking their help in disseminating the information. This was picked up by a number of the main shooting organisations.\r\nA wider public information campaign launched on Monday 16 May under the heading “No Licence – No Air Gun”. This included a country-wide poster campaign and radio advertising. Further targeted media events have taken place over the past six months, including news events in early September to remind people of the “50 days to go” for applications to be with Police Scotland by the 31 October deadline.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320647,"EventID":"S5W-05536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:48:59.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T13:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to avoid criminalising air gun owners who have applied for a certificate after the deadline of 31 October 2016 but before the new law comes into force on 31 December 2016.","AnswerText":"Both the Scottish Government and Police Scotland have undertaken extensive media and public information campaigns to advise air weapon owners and users to apply for an air weapon certificate by 31 October 2016. Those applying by that deadline should receive a decision on their application prior to the new law coming into force on 31 December, and may continue to possess their air weapons until they receive that determination.\r\nAnyone applying for a certificate from 1 November 2016 should ensure that they are not breaking the law by making alternative arrangements to store their weapons safely if no determination has been made by 31 December. Alternative arrangements could include placing the air weapon with someone who already holds an air weapon certificate or firearms licence, or lodging it with a registered firearms dealer.\r\nA Scottish Government news release highlighting this advice issued on \r\n19 December. In addition, Police Scotland have placed detailed information on the air weapons licensing page of their website and are contacting as many applicants as possible directly to provide similar advice. People can still surrender unwanted air weapons to the police until 31 December 2016.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320648,"EventID":"S5W-05561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T13:49:00.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-13T18:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to address the reported problems with waiting times in NHS Ayrshire and Arran.","AnswerText":"As announced in the Draft Budget for 2017-18 in Parliament on 15 December 2016, the baseline allocation for NHS Ayrshire and Arran will increase to a total of £682.1 million. In addition to this increase, the Board can also expect to receive an additional £1.5 million of recurring NRAC parity funding.\r\nIn the current year the Scottish Government has made available £3.7 million to address waiting times in Ayrshire and Arran, This includes £2.2 million from the additional £10 million announced on 21 November to address outpatient waiting times.\r\nYou will also be aware that on 29 November the Scottish Government announced a plan to deliver a major shift in the way outpatient care is delivered, giving patients faster and more local access to care, has been published The Modern Outpatient: A Collaborative Approach 2017-2020 sets out a new strategy for responding to rising demand and aims to free up 400,000 hospital outpatient appointments by 2020. The strategy proposes that some patients, particularly those who are waiting for a routine check-up or test results, would be seen closer to home by a team of community healthcare professionals with close links to hospital departments. The NHS will also make better use of e-consultations and action will be taken to reduce the number of unnecessary referrals.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320665,"EventID":"S5W-05088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T16:57:55.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T14:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) high and (b) sheriff court criminal prosecutions there have been in each of the last 10 years, broken down by type of crime, and how many led to a conviction.","AnswerText":"Table titled 'Number of people proceeded and convicted in High Courts, Sheriff Solemn Courts and Sheriff Summary Courts, by crime type, 2005-06 to 2014-15' is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre – BiB number 58466.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320666,"EventID":"S5W-05574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T16:57:56.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-05398 by Keith Brown on 14 December 2016, when the vacancy will be advertised for the position of chief executive of (a) Highlands and Islands Enterprise and (b) the Scottish Funding Council.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05397 on 19 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320667,"EventID":"S5W-05091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T16:57:58.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many state schools have offered courses in (a) Mandarin and (b) other non-European languages in each of the last five years, and what the take-up rate has been.","AnswerText":"Schools provide language learning opportunities to pupils in many flexible and innovative ways, including non-certificated courses, clubs and master classes. The Scottish Government’s 1+2 languages policy is supporting this in both primary and secondary contexts. However, decisions on which languages to offer in which schools rests with each individual school and local authority, taking account of local circumstances.\r\nThe Scottish Government provides annual grant funding to the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools, based at the University of Strathclyde, provide strategic leadership of Scotland’s Confucius Classroom network. There are currently 21 Confucius Classrooms based in Scottish local authorities, a further 21 Confucius Classrooms based within primary schools will be established in the coming years. This further provision will provide the opportunity for more pupils to experience learning about China, it’s language and culture.\r\nEntries to Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) National Qualification courses in Chinese languages (Cantonese, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional)) have increased over the past five years, while entries to SQA Urdu courses have remained largely static during this time. There are currently no other SQA National Qualification courses in non-European languages. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320668,"EventID":"S5W-05570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T16:57:59.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average time in Scotland is for diagnosis of a brain tumour, and how this compares with the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320669,"EventID":"S5W-05089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T16:58:01.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many 999 calls have been made to the (a) police, (b) fire and (c) ambulance service in each of the last 10 years, and how many were hoax calls.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320670,"EventID":"S5W-05571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T16:58:02.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is carrying out with the Brain Tumour Charity with regard to developing new assessments for the benefits system after social security is devolved.","AnswerText":"We have carried out an extensive consultation exercise to which the Brain tumour Charity responded to help inform our approach to social security in Scotland and we will be publishing a report on the consultation responses early in 2017. This will help to inform the work of the Disability and Carers' Benefits Expert Advisory Group which will be established in 2017 to provide recommendations and guidance on issues including assessment for benefits in Scotland. We will also continue engagement through our stakeholder groups and the establishment of ‘Experience Panels’ involving at least 2,000 people, with recent experience of applying for or receiving benefits, to help us design, build and improve the new system, and support our work on a longer-term basis.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320671,"EventID":"S5W-05567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T16:58:04.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure that markers of Geography SQA exams are appropriately qualified.","AnswerText":"The recruitment of markers is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). I have asked the Chief Executive of SQA to write to you outlining the robust processes in place to ensure that markers are appropriately qualified.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320672,"EventID":"S5W-05569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T16:58:05.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how often the cancer patient experience survey is carried out and what plans it has to increase the frequency of this. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05568 on 22 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320673,"EventID":"S5W-05578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T16:58:06.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on vulnerable people, what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding its proposals to close Jobcentre Plus offices in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"Given the level of concern I have about this matter, I have now written to Damian Green, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on two occasions: once on 7 December when the announcement was made public and then again on 9 December seeking clarification of DWP’s consultation and proposals within its estates review. Mr Green replied on 8 December setting out the UKG’s rationale for a proposed rationalisation of the Jobcentre Plus estate based on both cost and operational effectiveness. The consultation on the proposed Glasgow closures closes on 31 January, and I will engage directly with Damian Green again on this matter. \r\nAs we believe that this announcement on Glasgow is likely to be an initial element of a much wider process which could impact in areas across Scotland, I have asked that it is discussed when I next meet DWP Ministers at the next Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare on 30 January 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320674,"EventID":"S5W-05090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T16:58:08.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-11-25T14:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many sheriff court civil actions have been brought in each of the last 10 years, broken down by (a) sheriffdom and (b) court, and how many were (i) successful, (ii) dismissed or absolvitor granted and (iii) abandoned.","AnswerText":"Tables ‘[Table 1 of 2: Sheriff Courts - Initiated Cases]’ and ‘[Table 2 of 2: Sheriff Courts - Disposed Cases]’ are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre – BiB number 58465.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320675,"EventID":"S5W-05579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T16:58:09.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T14:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00665 by John Swinney on 16 June 2016, whether it will provide (a) a breakdown of how many of the teachers were (i) centrally employed and (ii) worked in (A) primary, (B) secondary and (C) special schools and (b) the information for 2016.","AnswerText":"Children and young people receive support in school from teaching and support staff. The information provided in the following tables relates to those teachers whose main subject is Additional Support for Learning only and therefore does not reflect the full picture of the support provided to pupils in schools, which is the role of every teacher.\r\nTeachers with additional support needs for learning as their main subject, 2007 to 2016\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nAberdeen City\r\n191\r\n184\r\n192\r\n174\r\n161\r\n167\r\n147\r\n116\r\n115\r\n127\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n209\r\n227\r\n279\r\n292\r\n286\r\n277\r\n265\r\n242\r\n263\r\n262\r\nAngus\r\n94\r\n105\r\n97\r\n97\r\n102\r\n93\r\n82\r\n79\r\n82\r\n82\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n29\r\n36\r\n41\r\n42\r\n42\r\n43\r\n41\r\n40\r\n45\r\n46\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n29\r\n33\r\n35\r\n30\r\n30\r\n26\r\n24\r\n30\r\n30\r\n30\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n83\r\n125\r\n121\r\n130\r\n124\r\n132\r\n124\r\n120\r\n104\r\n100\r\nDundee City\r\n182\r\n169\r\n159\r\n159\r\n148\r\n148\r\n137\r\n138\r\n131\r\n121\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n55\r\n64\r\n115\r\n110\r\n109\r\n111\r\n111\r\n107\r\n107\r\n112\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n46\r\n66\r\n55\r\n53\r\n50\r\n58\r\n60\r\n53\r\n58\r\n69\r\nEast Lothian\r\n41\r\n44\r\n60\r\n56\r\n58\r\n55\r\n49\r\n50\r\n46\r\n43\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n43\r\n46\r\n43\r\n36\r\n34\r\n43\r\n42\r\n42\r\n41\r\n45\r\nEdinburgh City\r\n166\r\n176\r\n169\r\n168\r\n165\r\n153\r\n150\r\n138\r\n125\r\n120\r\nEilean Siar\r\n15\r\n19\r\n25\r\n22\r\n22\r\n21\r\n23\r\n15\r\n14\r\n23\r\nFalkirk\r\n112\r\n122\r\n148\r\n131\r\n133\r\n124\r\n124\r\n116\r\n108\r\n102\r\nFife\r\n233\r\n235\r\n248\r\n236\r\n209\r\n208\r\n211\r\n173\r\n194\r\n199\r\nGlasgow City\r\n235\r\n240\r\n214\r\n245\r\n236\r\n260\r\n245\r\n220\r\n194\r\n167\r\nHighland\r\n225\r\n208\r\n216\r\n190\r\n171\r\n163\r\n150\r\n129\r\n161\r\n161\r\nInverclyde\r\n49\r\n55\r\n53\r\n47\r\n43\r\n47\r\n46\r\n36\r\n40\r\n46\r\nMidlothian\r\n44\r\n40\r\n43\r\n40\r\n38\r\n40\r\n60\r\n57\r\n51\r\n52\r\nMoray\r\n79\r\n96\r\n98\r\n99\r\n99\r\n100\r\n92\r\n87\r\n87\r\n78\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n104\r\n117\r\n118\r\n116\r\n121\r\n119\r\n125\r\n124\r\n126\r\n116\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n186\r\n200\r\n189\r\n185\r\n175\r\n162\r\n140\r\n147\r\n130\r\n163\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n19\r\n22\r\n20\r\n22\r\n26\r\n27\r\n32\r\n29\r\n29\r\n28\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n39\r\n79\r\n70\r\n73\r\n61\r\n68\r\n83\r\n90\r\n89\r\n88\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n85\r\n78\r\n62\r\n53\r\n57\r\n54\r\n57\r\n52\r\n49\r\n42\r\nScottish Borders\r\n78\r\n80\r\n80\r\n65\r\n88\r\n87\r\n81\r\n86\r\n83\r\n76\r\nShetland Islands\r\n40\r\n45\r\n52\r\n50\r\n44\r\n41\r\n41\r\n37\r\n41\r\n39\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n83\r\n76\r\n77\r\n106\r\n101\r\n109\r\n106\r\n103\r\n100\r\n94\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n119\r\n146\r\n151\r\n156\r\n158\r\n152\r\n150\r\n137\r\n130\r\n115\r\nStirling\r\n27\r\n34\r\n35\r\n43\r\n40\r\n36\r\n38\r\n41\r\n42\r\n38\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n28\r\n45\r\n52\r\n48\r\n51\r\n50\r\n48\r\n60\r\n55\r\n47\r\nWest Lothian\r\n92\r\n90\r\n87\r\n88\r\n76\r\n76\r\n73\r\n71\r\n66\r\n62\r\nScotland\r\n3,062\r\n3,301\r\n3,402\r\n3,363\r\n3,258\r\n3,249\r\n3,157\r\n2,963\r\n2,936\r\n2,896\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1. This includes teachers in primary, secondary, special schools, and centrally employed teachers, with their main subject recorded as: Learning Support Secondary; Learning Support, Primary; SEN (primary) non-recorded pupils; SEN (recorded pupils); SEN (Secondary) non-recorded pupils; SEN Behavioural Support; SEN Learning Difficulties; SEN Physical Disabilities; Hearing Impairment; or Visual Impairment.\r\n\r\n2. Data for 2007 does not include centrally employed teachers as the main subject of these teachers could not be identified. Therefore data for 2007 is not directly comparable with other years. Across all subjects, there were 964 centrally employed teachers in 2007.\r\n\r\n3. Scotland total includes teachers at grant aided schools.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCentrally Employed Teachers with additional support needs for learning as their main subject, 2007 to 2016\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nAberdeen City\r\n\r\n4\r\n7\r\n9\r\n10\r\n6\r\n5\r\n5\r\n4\r\n4\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n\r\n12\r\n5\r\n3\r\n2\r\n11\r\n16\r\n14\r\n12\r\n16\r\nAngus\r\n\r\n11\r\n7\r\n8\r\n19\r\n19\r\n14\r\n13\r\n13\r\n16\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n\r\n2\r\n6\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n\r\n46\r\n97\r\n39\r\n50\r\n72\r\n67\r\n69\r\n49\r\n46\r\nDundee City\r\n\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n11\r\n11\r\n11\r\n19\r\n25\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n\r\n7\r\n6\r\n6\r\n5\r\n4\r\n5\r\n4\r\n4\r\n4\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n\r\n21\r\n17\r\n17\r\n14\r\n14\r\n13\r\n9\r\n15\r\n29\r\nEast Lothian\r\n\r\n1\r\n5\r\n4\r\n4\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n\r\n4\r\n4\r\n3\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0","AnswerDate":"2016-12-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320676,"EventID":"S5W-05581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T16:58:10.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Scottish renewable energy firms are now active in more than 40 countries. ","AnswerText":"The results of this research by Scottish Renewables shows the considerable global reach of renewable energy businesses in Scotland.\r\nThe figures reinforce the growing importance of renewable energy businesses, to the Scottish economy and vindicates the Scottish Government’s support for the sector and the increasingly crucial role it plays within our energy mix and the wider economy.\r\nClearly, it is a significant boost, to the economic benefits of Scotland making an early, sustained transition to a decarbonised model of electricity generation, that as we see great expansion in renewable generation in Scotland, across a range of technologies. This equips us with expertise that helps Scottish businesses to generate significant export earnings in overseas markets. This mirrors Scotland’s success as a knowledge hub in the oil and gas industry.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320677,"EventID":"S5W-05580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T16:58:11.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Court of Session civil actions have been brought in each of the last 10 years, broken down by type of action, and how many were (a) successful, (b) dismissed or absolvitor granted and (c) abandoned.","AnswerText":"Tables ‘[Table 1 of 2: Court of Session - Initiated Cases]’ and ‘[Table 2 of 2: Court of Session - Disposed Cases]’ are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre – BiB number 58464.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320678,"EventID":"S5W-05582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T16:58:12.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the lives of disabled people and break down barriers to opportunity.","AnswerText":"On 2 December 2016 we launched A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People: Our Delivery Plan to 2021 for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Plan has five long term ambitions: support services that meet disabled people’s needs; decent incomes and fairer working lives; places that are accessible to everyone; protected rights; and active participation. The ambitions have 93 actions to help make a positive difference to the lives of disabled people.\r\nWe will ensure that there is opportunity for disabled people to hold us to account on progress with this plan. We will lay a progress report before Parliament in early 2021 to determine where we need to focus our efforts in the next parliamentary session.\r\nThrough engagement with stakeholders, principles underpinning our approach to Social Security in Scotland were developed which include placing dignity and respect at the heart of all we do. In addition, we have carried out an extensive consultation to help inform our approach and will be publishing a report on the consultation responses early this year. This will help to inform the work of the Disability and Carers' Benefits Expert Advisory Group which will also be established early this year to provide recommendations and guidance on issues including assessment for benefits in Scotland.\r\nWe will continue engagement through our stakeholder groups and the establishment of ‘Experience Panels’ involving at least 2,000 people, with recent experience of applying for or receiving benefits, to help us design, build and improve the new system, and support our work on a longer-term basis.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jeane Freeman","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320679,"EventID":"S5W-05568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-14T16:58:13.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the next cancer patient experience survey will be carried out.","AnswerText":"Our cancer strategy, Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action, contains a commitment to support and fund a National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, keeping under review how best to measure what matters to people with cancer and ensuring appropriate action is taken on results.\r\nThe timing of the next cancer patient experience survey will be confirmed in due course.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320692,"EventID":"S5W-05664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T16:14:44.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04857 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 5 December 2016, whether it will provide an update on what progress there has been on the appointment of a Commissioner for Fair Access. ","AnswerText":"I am pleased to report that Professor Peter Scott, a former university principal, distinguished academic and experienced journalist, will take up the role in January 2017.\r\nProfessor Scott brings an exceptional range of skills and expertise as well as a strong personal commitment to widening access. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320717,"EventID":"S5W-05576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:19.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T12:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the implementation of the Named Person scheme will be funded.","AnswerText":"The resources required for implementation of Part 4 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act), relating to Named Person duties, including the costs to bodies required to implement the duties, is set out in the financial memorandum to the Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill. This can be accessed at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_Bills/Children%20and%20Young%20People%20(Scotland)%20Bill/b27s4-introd-en.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320718,"EventID":"S5W-05603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:20.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value is of all non-profit distribution model-funded projects, also broken down by the cumulative (a) capital cost of these and (b) amount to be paid in interest over their lifetime.","AnswerText":"Information on the non-profit distributing projects, including the capital value, is available from the following link:\r\nwww.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/12308/NPDhubPipelinepayments\r\nA breakdown of the amount of interest to be paid by each project is not, however, held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320719,"EventID":"S5W-05608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:22.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the hourly rate of pay is for an NHS (a) joiner and (b) electrician.","AnswerText":"There is no specific hourly rate for joiners or electricians in NHSScotland. Their rate would depend on the pay band a particular post had been placed on under the Agenda for Change job evaluation system and on the increment the individual is on within that band.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320720,"EventID":"S5W-05610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:24.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list all of the investors in the (a) Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, (b) new Dumfries hospital, (c) new Royal Edinburgh Hospital and (d) new Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service headquarters project, also broken down by the level of investment.","AnswerText":"Information on the investors and their share of the debt share in the (a) Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, (b) Dumfries and Galloway Royal Hospital, (c) Royal Edinburgh Hospital and (d) Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service headquarters project is available on the Scottish Government website from the following link:\r\nwww.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/12308/NPDhubPipelinepayments.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320721,"EventID":"S5W-05612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:26.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T09:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding who is responsible for advising the DVLA when an HGV licence-holder is convicted of a so-called road-rage offence.","AnswerText":"The conditions attached to the gaining and retention of drivers' licences is regulated by the Road Traffic Act 1988 and is a reserved matter for the UK Government.\r\nIn the event an HGV driver is convicted of an endorsable offence, the Court will notify DVLA of the conviction. Where a conviction does not result in an endorsement (e.g. common assault), the holder of the Operator's Licence (the employer, or the individual in circumstances where the driver is self-employed), would be expected to notify the Traffic Commissioner.\r\nThe Traffic Commissioner would expect to be informed of such a conviction given their responsibility for ensuring HGV drivers remain \"fit by reason of conduct\" to retain their HGV licence.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320722,"EventID":"S5W-05635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:27.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its report, Research on the Pub Sector in Scotland - Phase 1 Scoping Study, when it will engage in discussions between the relevant trade bodies and other interested parties to help reverse the reported decline in the public sector.","AnswerText":"I intend to meet with a wide range of relevant stakeholder interests in the early part of 2017 to discuss the research findings and to listen to those within the Pub industry’s views of their aspirations for the future and the role that Scottish Government can play to help create a more successful sector moving forward.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":320723,"EventID":"S5W-05597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:28.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms are in place to monitor the actions of construction employment supply chains on major public sector infrastructure projects and to ensure that fair work practices are implemented, in light of problems reported in this regard relating to the Forth Replacement Crossing project. ","AnswerText":"Each public body is responsible for putting in place effective contract management and monitoring arrangements for its construction projects to ensure that contract terms continue to be applied through the duration of a contract. This is reflected in the Statutory Guidance on Addressing Fair Work Practices, including the Living Wage, in Procurement where fair work practices have been included and we have been assured that the Forth Replacement Crossing project is compliant.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320724,"EventID":"S5W-05614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:30.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-05180 by Keith Brown on 13 December 2016, when Scottish Development International will be in a position to advise what additional costs are required.","AnswerText":"SDI are currently working on delivery of the proposals to expand its presence in Europe and will provide details, including costs, as early as possible in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320725,"EventID":"S5W-05616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:33.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when there will be an expansion of hubs to encourage exporting beyond Europe.","AnswerText":"Scottish Development International already provides a range of products and services to Scottish companies seeking to export through its existing global network of 29 field offices and over 200 exporting professionals. In response to global trade and investment opportunities, since 2012 SDI has expanded its presence to new locations in Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Canada, Brazil, China and India. Most recently, we announced grant funding of up to £400,000 to the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, to support new business-led trade missions and forge new trading alliances between Chambers both here and abroad. This will complement the work of SDI and contribute to our shared efforts to increase business exports and internationalisation activity.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320726,"EventID":"S5W-05646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:35.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to ensure that nurseries in the most deprived areas benefit from an additional qualified teacher or graduate by 2018.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that children must have access to highly qualified staff with expertise in early childhood learning and development – and that this is particularly vital for those facing particular disadvantages. That is why we are committed to ensuring that nurseries in the most deprived areas will have an additional teacher or graduate from 2018.\r\nWe will set out further details as to how this commitment will be delivered later this month.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320727,"EventID":"S5W-05648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:37.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T12:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its funding arrangements for grant-aided special schools make provision for teaching staff, including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.","AnswerText":"Grant-aided special schools receive funding from the Scottish Government. This funding is provided to enable delivery of specialist provision for children and young people with complex additional support needs to overcome barriers to learning and realise their potential. This targeted support will be tailored to the needs of the child and may include speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320728,"EventID":"S5W-05663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:40.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its draft budget statement on 15 December 2016, whether it will provide a breakdown of its estimate that a freeze on regulated rail fares will cost £58 million.","AnswerText":"The cost impact of any franchise contract variation must be assessed through the financial modelling suite associated with the franchise contract. This takes into account a range of factors including forecast levels of revenue and inflation. A one-year freeze would create a gap in franchise revenue that would be maintained and compounded each year thereafter, even after returning to the current fares policy for future years. Cost estimates in accordance with the financial model for a one-year freeze on all fares, which were validated by the independent financial advisers Ernst and Young LLP, predicted a gap in revenue until the first break point in the contract of up to £58 million. This revenue gap would need to be met by the Scottish Government. Of course this gap in ScotRail revenues would continue to grow beyond the end the franchise contract, whoever operates the ScotRail services.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320729,"EventID":"S5W-05572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:42.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support The Moray Council with the recruitment of teachers.","AnswerText":"While it is ultimately the responsibility of local authorities, we are taking a number of actions to help recruit teachers. These include the delivery of our teacher recruitment campaign to encourage more people into the profession, increasing student teacher intake targets for the fifth year in a row and the setting of targets to train teachers in the subjects where they are needed most. To support this we are spending £88 million this year and next to make sure every school has access to the right number of teachers. In addition we have: \r\nSupported the University of Aberdeen’s distance learning primary initial teacher education which enables partner local authorities, including Moray Council, to develop existing staff as teachers\r\nSupported the University of the Highlands and Islands who are offering initial teacher education in secondary subjects at Moray College\r\nEncouraged innovative approaches to initial teacher education. and on the 30th of November I announced a package of new and innovative routes to teaching, supported by £1 million from the Scottish Government. Students will be recruited to the new routes in 2017.\r\nWorked with the General Teaching Council for Scotland to make the registration process easier for teachers who have qualified outside Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320730,"EventID":"S5W-05589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:44.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of complaints of sexual exploitation by police officers has been (a) reviewed and (b) investigated by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner in each year since 2013-14.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320731,"EventID":"S5W-05590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:46.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints of sexual exploitation have been made against Police Scotland in each year since 2013-14.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold the requested information.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320732,"EventID":"S5W-05607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:48.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the private consortium building the new Dumfries hospital is charging an interest rate of 11.3%, and what its position is on whether this represents value for money.","AnswerText":"The interest rate that applies to subordinated debt for Non Profit Distribution (NPD) projects is commercially sensitive and covered by a confidentiality agreement until 2 years after construction handover, however all NPD contracts were competitively tendered. Typically subordinated debt is approximately 10% of the total finance and this is generally the investment that is most at risk. The remaining 90% of the project investment requirement on this project is sourced from 'senior lenders', such as the European Investment Bank and an institutional funder which lend at much lower rates.\r\nThe capped return for NPD projects are much lower than National Audit Office published information* from 2012 which showed an average tendered uncapped base-case return for PFI models of around 14% to the equity investors.\r\n*Reference for info:\r\nThe National Audit Office undertook a study entitled “Equity Investment in Privately Financed Projects” published in February 2012. In relation to the higher risk project investment requirement, it shows an average tendered base-case return of around 14% to the equity investors; under PFI this is an uncapped return.\r\nhttp://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/10121792.pdf","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320733,"EventID":"S5W-05621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:50.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the establishment and running costs of a single Scotland-wide board for enterprise and skills come from (a) the budgets of existing agencies or (b) a new funding source. ","AnswerText":"In our report on phase one of the Enterprise and Skills Review we have committed to work with agencies and other partners to strengthen our enterprise and skills system by consulting on the strategic board, including the best distribution of functions between the agencies underneath it and the associated legislative requirements.\r\nAs part of this work, we will also consider what running costs would be required for this and how these costs will best be met.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320734,"EventID":"S5W-05622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:52.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Highlands and Islands Enterprise will continue to decide the strategic priorities for its investment and social development in the Highlands and Islands following the establishment of the single Scotland-wide board for enterprise and skills. ","AnswerText":"HIE will retain its Chief Executive based at its headquarters in Inverness, staff will also continue to operate from the Headquarters in Inverness and HIE’s area-based locations across the area from Lerwick to Lochgilphead. HIE senior management will continue to work in the same way as they do now but will benefit from the coordination provided by the new Scotland-wide Statutory Board.\r\nBusinesses and communities will continue to access services across the Highlands and Islands area.\r\nAs part of the work being taken forward in Phase two of the Enterprise and Skills Review we will consider the formation, format and remit of the new Scotland-wide Statutory Board. This will include ensuring that HIE continues to deliver an excellent service identifying and prioritising investment within the Highlands and Islands.\r\nWe would expect that there will be strong Highlands and Islands representation on the new single board, and there is no commitment to a single geographic HQ for the Board.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320735,"EventID":"S5W-05577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5788,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:54.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T13:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of social rent households is fuel poor, and what action it is taking to reduce this level.","AnswerText":"The Scottish House Condition Survey indicates that around 33% of households in the social housing sector were fuel poor in 2015. This equates to around 199,000 households and is around 47,000 fewer households than in 2014.\r\nThe Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) aims to improve the energy efficiency of the social housing stock in Scotland. Achievement of the EESSH 2020 milestone by social landlords, will help to reduce energy consumption and to tackle fuel poverty potentially saving social tenants an estimated average of around £210 per year on their energy bills. Social landlords are making good progress with the Scottish Housing Regulator reporting that 69% of social housing met the standard at April 2016. A review of EESSH will begin early next year to consider how best to maximise progress towards the current target and any further milestones.\r\nWe have also allocated nearly £4.3 million to 10 projects through the HEEPS: Loan scheme for Registered Social Landlords 2016-17 to help RSLs improve the energy efficiency of their housing stock.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320736,"EventID":"S5W-05595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:55.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of information provided by the UCATT trade union concerning the actions of employers on flagship public infrastructure projects, including denial of trade union access to speak freely to workers and wage exploitation of migrant workers, what its position is on the effectiveness of its fair work policy.","AnswerText":"We share the vision of the Fair Work Convention that 'by 2025, people in Scotland will have a world-leading working life where fair work drives success, wellbeing and prosperity for individuals, businesses, organisations and society.’ We would undoubtedly be better able to realise this vision more easily if we had the full set of powers around employment law, as the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has called for. So in the absence of such powers we will continue to utilise all the levers at our disposal to make the case to employers in the public, private and third sectors of the benefits of fair work. We already have 299 employers signed up to the Business Pledge, 694 Scottish Living Wage accredited companies and the highest proportion of employees paid the Living Wage or more of all four UK countries.\r\nAnd while there is progress we recognise that there remains challenges for business and employers. We will therefore continue to support the work of the Fair Work Convention in promoting their Fair Work Framework, and through our public contracts we will continue to encourage public bodies to promote fair working practices for those who work on public contracts through our statutory guidance on 'Addressing Fair Work Practices, including Living Wage, in Procurement'. \r\nFinally, we fully recognise the benefits to employees and to business of strong, effective and modern industrial relations. We have committed £2.2 million to support trade unions in accessing skills and lifelong learning opportunities that contribute to collective prosperity, fairness and equality for workers across Scotland and a further £250,000 to help to support Trade Unions to mitigate the negative impacts of the UK Trade Union Act and to help unions to embed the Fair Work Framework in workplaces across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320737,"EventID":"S5W-05609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:57.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what hourly rate of pay will be charged by the contractor that will run maintenance services at the new Royal Edinburgh Hospital for a (a) joiner and (b) electrician.","AnswerText":"This would be a matter for NHS Lothian to address as part of their delegated responsibility for the provision of NHS services in the region.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320738,"EventID":"S5W-05620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:28:59.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial savings it expects to be made by a single Scotland-wide board for enterprise and skills compared with retaining the existing separate boards. ","AnswerText":"In our report on phase one of the Enterprise and Skills Review we have committed to work with agencies and other partners to strengthen our enterprise and skills system by consulting on the strategic board, including the best distribution of functions between the agencies underneath it and the associated legislative requirements. Any savings that might arise would be consequential to that commitment.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320739,"EventID":"S5W-05634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5769,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:00.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is considering to reverse the reported decline in the pub sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published its research findings on 6 December and I intend to meet with relevant interests to discuss these findings and how we can work together to create a more successful pub sector, reflecting the particular make-up of the sector in Scotland.\r\nMore widely, as you will be aware, the Scottish Government has commissioned a review of Scottish rates under Ken Barclay, and we are encouraging all stakeholders including those in the sales trade to engage with the review to ensure that their views are taken into account.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":320740,"EventID":"S5W-05645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:01.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the finding in the 2016 End of Cycle Report by UCAS that university places will need to rise to meet demand, what (a) action it is taking and (b) discussions it has had with Scottish universities to address this.","AnswerText":"We can see no finding in the UCAS 2016 End of Cycle Report which states that ‘university places will need to rise to meet demand’. However, the report does show an all-time record high number of Scottish domiciled students gaining a place at our universities through UCAS, as well as recording the highest ever entry rate to our universities for 18 year olds from Scotland’s 20% most deprived areas.\r\nThis record has been achieved as a result of substantial Scottish Government investment in Scotland’s higher education sector – with more than £1 billion invested each year for the past five years, and a further investment of more than £1 billion allocated in the 2017-18 draft budget. It has also been achieved whilst maintaining the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensure that access to university is based on the ability to learn and not the ability to pay.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320741,"EventID":"S5W-05583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:03.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings it has had with the (a) Consul General of China, (b) Chinese Government and (c) Communist Party of China since 20 November 2014; what future meetings are planned, and, in light of its international obligations, whether it has raised or will raise the issue of reported human rights abuses in China, including allegations of (i) forced organ harvesting and (ii) the persecution of prisoners of conscience, including people who practice Falun Gong.","AnswerText":"I had a meeting with the Consul General at the Chinese Consulate on 14 September 2016, during which they discussed the strengthening relationship between Scotland and China. Scottish Government Ministers and officials meet regularly with the Consul General and other Consulate officials in order to further develop Sino-Scottish relations. There are currently no future meetings planned.\r\nThe First Minister held a courtesy meeting with Vice President Song Jinwu, Vice President of the China Friendship Association - a branch of the Chinese Ministry for Foreign Affairs - during a visit he made to Scotland on 21 September 2016. Since 20 November 2014, there have been 11 other courtesy meetings which Ministers have held with members of the Chinese administration, including 4 by the First Minister during her visit to China in July 2015. Details of these meetings are described in the answer to the question S4W-27306 on 4 September 2015. In addition, Scottish Government officials based in Scotland and in the Scottish Affairs Office in Beijing, China, have regular courtesy meetings with various Chinese Government organisations, including the Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Office, the Shandong Foreign Affairs Office and the Ministry of Culture.\r\nThe Scottish Government condemns human rights abuses wherever they take place. We are committed to engaging with the Chinese Government on human rights – an issue critical to China’s long term prosperity and social stability – as part of our overall engagement. Respect for human rights and the rule of law is one of the four guiding principles that we set out upfront in the Scottish Government’s China Strategy and these underpin all of Scotland’s dealings with China. Where appropriate the Scottish Government will always raise the issue of human rights in meetings. \r\nBefore the First Minister’s visit to China in July 2015, she met with officials from Amnesty International and the Scottish Human Rights Commission – an approach which the Scottish Government has taken for previous Ministerial visits to China. In Beijing she delivered a keynote address on equal rights for women, which had been developed to build on the themes she had discussed with Amnesty and the Commission. In the address she outlined why gender equality – as well as being a fundamental issue of human rights - is also one of the great economic opportunities of the 21st century. The First Minister recognised that like all societies – including Scotland – there is more that China can do. Amnesty International’s Programme Director in Scotland, Naomi McAuliffe, called the speech a “significant statement of support for equality and human rights in Beijing.” \r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320742,"EventID":"S5W-05587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:04.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the report published by the Scottish Affairs Committee following its inquiry into the demography of Scotland and the implications for devolution, how its forthcoming White Paper on planning will (a) address the links between the health and housing needs of the country’s ageing population, (b) ensure that the housing needs of the country’s ageing population, including the need for more retirement housing, will be met across all local authorities and (c) take account of the country’s ageing population.","AnswerText":"Planning has an important role in promoting strong, resilient and inclusive communities. We want Scotland’s planning system to help deliver more high quality homes and create better places where people can live healthy lives and developers are inspired to invest. Scottish Planning Policy already highlights Ministers’ expectation that local authorities should consider and address any need for specialist housing provision, including for elderly people.\r\nThe consultation paper recognises that health and improved quality of life is supported by well designed, functional places. The paper contains our proposals to support the delivery of the homes that people need, now and in the future.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320743,"EventID":"S5W-05592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:05.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police officers have been removed from duty as a result of an accusation of sexual exploitation since 2013-14. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320744,"EventID":"S5W-05594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:07.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, what actions it has taken to investigate concerns raised by the UCATT trade union relating to reports of wage exploitation of migrant construction workers on the Forth Replacement Crossing project.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05593 on 22 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320745,"EventID":"S5W-05617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:09.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will report on its review of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2003 in relation to people with learning disabilities and autism.","AnswerText":"This Government is committed to undertake a review which will focus on whether the provisions in the 2003 Act fulfil the needs of people with learning disability and autism.\r\nThe work to identify a Chairperson is underway. An initial scoping exercise has now concluded which made clear that this role will be key to the success of the review. It’s also important that the Chairperson is supported by a core group of people who can include all perspectives equally for an inclusive and credible review.\r\nA remit for the review will be agreed with the Chairperson and informed by the scoping exercise report. It will be for the Chairperson to decide on an engagement strategy which will include gathering evidence for the review in a variety of ways. We have been clear from the outset that we have no wish to impose an unrealistic timeline in which the review should operate, and there was no consensus from the scoping exercise on a suitable timeline. It is, therefore, sensible for the Chairperson to determine the length of time they need to complete a comprehensive review. An official report will be published following its conclusion.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320746,"EventID":"S5W-05619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:12.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost was of the trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court that resulted in six men being cleared of rioting at HMP Grampian on 13 May 2014.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and COPFS do not routinely collate the total cost involved in prosecuting a case at court. \r\nThe Scottish Government does though publish the estimated costs of criminal proceedings in Scotland on its website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Publications/costcrimjustscot/costcrimjustdataset\r\nTable 2 within the published data contains estimated costs of court procedures, including trials, and provides estimated prosecution, court and legal assistance costs.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"James Wolffe QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320747,"EventID":"S5W-05637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5669,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:14.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the fifth supplementary to question SF5-00643 by the First Minister on 15 December 2016 (Official Report, c. 15), whether it will provide an update on discussions that it has had with the UK Government regarding plans to conduct ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Cromarty Firth.","AnswerText":"In October Scottish Ministers wrote to the Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to reiterate that the Scottish Government should be formally consulted on all applications for Oil Transfer Licences in Scottish Waters. In addition Scottish Ministers have written to the Secretary of State for Transport requesting devolution of the responsibility for ship to ship oil transfer licensing. As a result of this correspondence, an initial meeting between officials of Marine Scotland and MCA took place on 13 December 2016 to discuss how the Scottish Government should be consulted on a revised Cromarty Firth application.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320748,"EventID":"S5W-05642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:15.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there has been a 65% increase in the number of requests for paper remarking or checks by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.","AnswerText":"The number of requests to the SQA’s Post Results Service in 2016 needs to be seen in the context of the introduction of a new service from 2014.\r\nWhilst the 13,908 requests made in 2016 represents a 64.6% increase on the 8,448 requests made in 2014, it is a much smaller increase of 15.2% on the 12,077 requests made in 2015. Furthermore, in 2013, the final year of the previous Appeals system, the number of appeals lodged was 66,204 (or 6.5% of entries).\r\nIt is not unexpected that the number of review requests since 2014 should increase as schools and colleges become more familiar with the service.\r\nThe number of Post Results Service requests made in 2016 is a very small proportion of the total number of entries at 2.7%. Grades only changed for 0.5% of all eligible entries as a result of marking reviews.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320749,"EventID":"S5W-05644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:17.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the finding in the 2016 End of Cycle Report by UCAS that the cap on Scottish university funded places is negatively affecting Scottish applicants.","AnswerText":"At no point does the UCAS 2016 End of Cycle Report state that a cap on Scottish university funded places is affecting Scottish applicants.\r\nThe report shows an all-time record high number of Scottish domiciled students gaining a place at our universities through UCAS, as well as recording the highest ever entry rate to our universities for 18 year olds from Scotland’s 20% most deprived areas. Since 2006, the rate has increased by 3.7 percentage points to 10.9%.\r\nThe report also underlines that these figures do not include the many students who enter Scotland’s universities direct from college.\r\nThis has been achieved while maintaining the Government’s commitment to ensure that access to university is based on the ability to learn and not the ability to pay.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320750,"EventID":"S5W-05639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:19.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported comments by the Scottish Local Government Partnership that “massive failings” have been exposed in the Scottish Government's education plans, and that pupils have been let down.","AnswerText":"Through the Scottish Attainment Challenge the Scottish Government is focused on achieving equity in the educational outcomes of children and young people, with a particular focus on closing the poverty-related attainment gap.\r\nFrom April, £120 million will be allocated directly to schools on the basis of the numbers of children and young people in P1-S3 known to be eligible and registered for free school meals. This is on top of the existing £50 million that will continue to provide targeted support for those authorities and schools supporting children and young people in greatest need. These two funding streams, which total £170 million for 2017-18, contribute to our commitment to allocate £750 million during the course of this Parliament through the Attainment Scotland Fund.\r\nOur funding to date has already supported the recruitment of 160 full time teachers across the Scottish Attainment Challenge Local Authorities and Schools Programme.\r\nOur commitment to increase free early learning and childcare to 1140 hours by 2020 is this government’s most transformative infrastructure project. Work has already started to plan for this expansion and we will continue to work with our partners as we take forward our ambitious pledge. This is being supported with additional resource with the Scottish Draft Budget 2017-18 allocating over £60 million in new investment to support the expansion of Early Learning and Childcare entitlement.\r\nWe are in regular dialogue with all local authorities, and their representative bodies including COSLA and the Scottish Local Government Partnership, as part of our commitment to taking forward our key education priorities. We have been proactively engaging through existing forums and created new groups to allow for direct and regular engagement.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320751,"EventID":"S5W-05640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:20.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported comments by the Scottish Local Government Partnership that councils have “not had one single piece of information on what the capital investment” for extending childcare to 1,140 hours will be.","AnswerText":"The Draft Scottish Budget announced on 15 December allocated £30 million of capital investment for new, expanded or enhanced early learning and childcare settings in preparation for delivery of 1140 hours from 2020. We are working closely with the Scottish Futures Trust to ensure that we invest in innovative infrastructure solutions that meet local needs. The Scottish Futures Trust has been engaging with local authorities on our behalf throughout this year to help them develop their infrastructure plans. We are also engaging directly with local authorities through our various networks and forums, including the Senior Leaders Forum which will meet again in early 2017. Scottish Government officials are engaging with local government representative bodies to consider how to deploy this funding and target it to the most appropriate schemes.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320752,"EventID":"S5W-05658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:22.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what independent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the small business bonus in creating jobs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not commissioned independent assessment. Policy-making in respect of the Small Business Bonus Scheme is informed by objective internal analysis and wide-ranging stakeholder engagement. For example, the Federation of Small Business recently said that, having surveyed almost 1,000 business? owners to ask what would happen if the support through the Small Business Bonus Scheme was abolished:-\r\n\" About a fifth of small firms (18.9%) reported they would close the business, with similar proportions arguing that they would have to cancel investments (19.9%) and amend their plans for growth (18.3%).\"","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320753,"EventID":"S5W-05659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:24.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the share of the costs of decommissioning oil and gas platforms in the North Sea that are attributed to (a) capping and plugging wells, (b) removing offshore infrastructure and (c) dismantling of infrastructure and equipment that has been brought onshore.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise published a Decommissioning Action Plan, on behalf of Scottish Government, on 21 December 2016 and this sets out a vision of how the Scottish supply chain can maximise the value that is obtained from the forecast spend of £17.6 billion on decommissioning between 2016 and 2025. \r\nFigures for the costs of decommissioning activities are taken from the Oil & Gas UK Decommissioning Insights Report 2016. The OGUK report states that for ‘all UK continental shelf projects’ the share of costs is, a) Well Plugging and Abandonment – around 47% b) Removals – around 19% c) Onshore Dismantling and Disposal – around 1%.\r\nThe OGUK report can be found at http://oilandgasuk.co.uk/decommissioninginsight.cfm.\r\nIt is estimated that decommissioning activity in Scotland over the next 10 years could be valued at between £8.3 billion and £11.3 billion. Further detail on the estimated Scottish share of delivery by activity and location can be obtained by accessing the Decommissioning Action Plan at https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/knowledge-hub/articles/publication/oil-gas-decommissioning-action-plan.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320754,"EventID":"S5W-05653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:26.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates in the last 12 months (a) ministers and (b) officials met Transport Scotland regarding the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, broken down by attendees.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is part of the Scottish Government and meetings with Ministers occur regularly in the course of normal business. Transport Scotland Directors attend monthly meetings with Ministers to discuss issues including progress of major infrastructure projects, including the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty project.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320755,"EventID":"S5W-05660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:27.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential decommissioning business for Scottish companies in each of the sub-sectors (a) capping and plugging wells, (b) removing offshore infrastructure, and (c) dismantling of infrastructure and equipment that has been brought onshore.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05659 on 11 January 2017. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320756,"EventID":"S5W-05593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:29.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will immediately implement the pay audit called for by the UCATT trade union in relation to the Forth Replacement Crossing, in light of the reports concerning a subcontractor engaging migrant workers.","AnswerText":"There is no evidence to support the UCATT allegations regarding low pay. However, I have offered to ask ACAS to undertake further work in conjunction with Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC), Transport Scotland and UCATT to examine this and related issues.\r\nI have received confirmation from UCATT that they are supportive of my proposal and they have undertaken to write to me regarding the remit of this work.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320757,"EventID":"S5W-05611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:30.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T09:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the dualled section of A96 between Inverurie and Bucksburn complies with being a category 7A all-purpose dual carriageway as set out in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320758,"EventID":"S5W-05618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:31.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03494 by Fergus Ewing on 26 October 2016, whether rural properties with broadband services that cannot benefit from connection to fibre, as they are more than 1,200 metres from the fibre connection box, are included in the total number of homes that now have access to superfast broadband as a result of its Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government generally expresses measurements of progress in delivering the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband Programme in terms of enabling connection to fibre broadband, with around 679,000 homes and businesses now able to access fibre broadband services as a result of the Programme.\r\nOver 90% of these premises are able to receive superfast speeds. Those premises served by a fibre-enabled cabinet delivered by the Programme, but which are located too far from it to receive superfast speeds, will still benefit from more basic broadband services - and service may previously have been poor or non-existent. Such premises are not, of course, counted in the 90% figure quoted.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to delivering 100% superfast coverage by 2021. This will include any and all premises currently unable to achieve superfast speeds.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320759,"EventID":"S5W-05636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:33.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with The Highland Council regarding future financial support for the Corran Ferry.","AnswerText":"The Ferries Plan (2013 – 2022) indicated that the Scottish Government is willing to assume responsibility for all lifeline ferry services in Scotland, including those operated by local authorities. Any such transfer of responsibility would be subject to Transport Scotland and the relevant authority reaching mutual agreement on the terms of a transfer.\r\nThere was discussion in 2015 between The Highland Council and Transport Scotland regarding responsibility for the Corran Ferry. The Highland Council confirmed that they did not wish seek a transfer of responsibility at that time.\r\nTransport Scotland remain open and willing to discuss a potential transfer of responsibility for the Corran Ferry with The Highland Council.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320760,"EventID":"S5W-05643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:35.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported decrease in the number of children in pre-school education settings who have access to a GTC-registered teacher, from 75.4% to 73.2%, what plans it has to address this issue.","AnswerText":"Decisions regarding how teachers are involved in the delivery of early learning and childcare (ELC) are the responsibility of local authorities.\r\nHowever, it is a requirement of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) that every manager/lead practitioner of a daycare of children service must hold a relevant teaching qualification that meets the General Teaching Council (Scotland) regulatory requirements or must hold, or be working towards, a relevant degree level Childhood Practice award.\r\nThe BA Childhood Practice, which was launched in 2009, has been designed to ensure that practitioners have the specialist early years expertise and knowledge to support young children’s learning and to enable them to add value in early learning environments. There is now a greater mix of teachers and graduates across the ELC sector.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to going further and will ensure that nurseries in the most deprived areas will have an additional teacher or graduate from 2018.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320761,"EventID":"S5W-05650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:37.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date (a) ministers and (b) officials were informed of recently-announced delays to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and by whom.","AnswerText":"The project contractor advised Transport Scotland on the rescheduled plans for the opening of the Balmedie to Tipperty section of the project on 9 November 2016.\r\nTransport Scotland worked with the contractor to establish the facts of the situation, provide initial challenge to the revised timescale and to ensure that no other solution could be found to keep the Balmedie to Tipperty element of the project on time.\r\nI was briefed by Transport Scotland on this issue on 17 November 2016 and subsequently instructed Transport Scotland and their advisers to interrogate and challenge the contractor’s programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320762,"EventID":"S5W-05573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:38.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many teaching posts are vacant in each local authority area, listed by ranking, and also broken down by what percentage of (a) primary and (b) secondary school posts this represents.","AnswerText":"The following tables show primary and secondary teacher vacancies at September 2016 in each local authority area, listed by ranking:\r\nPrimary Teacher Vacancies - at September 2016\r\nLocal Authorities\r\nTotal Primary Vacancies*\r\n\r\n\r\nAberdeen City\r\n45\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n36\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n30.57\r\nFife\r\n28\r\nEast Lothian\r\n25\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n22.22\r\nGlasgow\r\n21.7\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n21\r\nWest Lothian\r\n18.65\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n18.2\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n16.2\r\nDundee\r\n14.9\r\nStirling\r\n12.2\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n11.6\r\nHighland\r\n10\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n8\r\nScottish Borders\r\n7\r\nAngus\r\n6.8\r\nEdinburgh\r\n6.13\r\nMoray\r\n6\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n5\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n5\r\nMidlothian\r\n4.55\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n4.4\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n4\r\nShetland\r\n3.3\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n3\r\nFalkirk\r\n3\r\nInverclyde\r\n3\r\nOrkney\r\n1.96\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n1\r\nEilean Siar\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n404.38\r\n*Full-time, part-time and temporary vacancies excluding Headteacher and Deputes\r\nSecondary Teacher Vacancies - at September 2016\r\nLocal Authorities\r\nTotal Secondary Vacancies*\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n51\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n42.1\r\nFife\r\n39\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n29.2\r\nGlasgow\r\n27.8\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n27.6\r\nAberdeen City\r\n27.5\r\nEast Lothian\r\n27\r\nFalkirk\r\n26\r\nWest Lothian\r\n25\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n24\r\nStirling\r\n24\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n23\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n23\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n20.8\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n20.6\r\nEdinburgh\r\n18.95\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n17\r\nDundee\r\n17\r\nHighland\r\n17\r\nInverclyde\r\n11\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n9.4\r\nShetland\r\n8.1\r\nMoray\r\n8\r\nOrkney\r\n7.4\r\nAngus\r\n6\r\nMidlothian\r\n5.66\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n5\r\nEilean Siar\r\n4\r\nScottish Borders\r\n3\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n1\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n0\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n596.11\r\n*Full-time, part-time and temporary vacancies, excluding Headteachers and Deputes.\r\nThis information is taken from a survey of the vacancy situation as at September 2016 undertaken by COSLA and the Scottish Government to inform the teacher workforce planning process and does does not form part of the formal national stat\r\nThe overall vacancy position for primary and secondary teachers represents 2% of the total teaching workforce, a breakdown of which is:\r\nPrimary 0.8%\r\nSecondary 1.2%","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320763,"EventID":"S5W-05591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:40.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-14T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints of sexual exploitation against Police Scotland have been (a) reviewed and (b) investigated by (i) the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner and (ii) the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in each year since 2013-14. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. Any complaint should be referred to the Chief Constable in the first instance. If there are allegations of a criminal nature then the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service may direct the PIRC to investigate.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320764,"EventID":"S5W-05606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:42.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what rate of interest is charged by the Public Works Loan Board.","AnswerText":"The interest rates charged by the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) vary depending on the type and length of the loan and are reviewed on a daily basis.\r\nInformation on current and historical interest rates can be found on the UK Debt Management Office website at the following link: PWLB interest rates\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320765,"EventID":"S5W-05623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:44.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Crown and Procurator Fiscal Service is satisfied that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute the six men who were cleared of rioting at HMP Grampian on 13 May 2014.","AnswerText":"The case was carefully considered for a sufficiency of evidence by experienced prosecutors and ultimately Crown Counsel prior to criminal proceedings being raised on indictment.\r\nThe question of sufficiency of evidence is one which falls to be assessed by prosecutors and is distinct from a determination of guilt which, in a case prosecuted on indictment, is for the jury to decide upon.\r\nFour out of the six accused who were prosecuted, and whose case proceeded to trial, ultimately pled guilty to another offence, namely a breach of the peace. In respect of the remaining two accused the prosecutor in court accepted a plea of not guilty on the basis of evidence adduced at trial.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"James Wolffe QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320766,"EventID":"S5W-05638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:45.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of (a) nurseries and (b) children have had access to a GTC-registered teacher on a (i) full- and (ii) part-time basis in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) census does not separate out nurseries from other settings providing the funded ELC entitlement that are covered by the census. Although information is not collected on childminders, the collection does include playgroups and childcare centres, and both local authority and partnership provider centres. Teacher access is not defined as full or part time, but by if it is a regular or non-regular support that is received. All information is based on the situation as at census week which, since 2010 has been September, and prior to this it was January.\r\nTable 1 shows the percentage of centres that had regular or non-regular arrangements in place for teacher access from 2008 to 2016, and Table 2 shows the percentage of children who received access to a GTCS registered teacher during census week only, and does not include those who are under a regular arrangement with a GTCS registered teacher but they were not present in their centre at census week. Percentages are calculated based on the total number of children of all ages registered with early learning and childcare providers at census week, although some local authorities only ensure access for 3 and 4 year olds. Information on teacher access was not published prior to 2008.\r\n'Regular arrangement' includes those receiving access from centre-based teachers or centrally employed teachers on a scheduled basis. 'Non-regular' refers to support received only on an occasional or ad hoc basis. Centres had difficulty recording centrally employed staff in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and often recorded them as 'non regular support'. In 2015 data on centrally employed teachers was collected directly from local authorities, leading to an balance between regular and non-regular support that is closer to that seen in 2011.\r\nTable 1: Percentage of early learning and childcare centres with access to a GTCS registered teacher during census week 2008-2016\r\n\r\nPercentage of centres with access to a GTCS registered teacher\r\n\r\nunder a regular arrangement\r\nonly non-regular support from external teachers\r\n2008\r\n66\r\nn/a\r\n2009\r\n68\r\n9\r\n2010\r\n70\r\n10\r\n2011\r\n66\r\n15\r\n2012\r\n64\r\n19\r\n2013\r\n61\r\n21\r\n2014\r\n60\r\n27\r\n2015\r\n83\r\n8\r\n2016\r\n85\r\n5\r\nTable 2: Percentage of all children at early learning and childcare centres with access to a GTCS registered teacher during census week 2008-2016\r\n\r\nPercentage of children in centres\r\nunder a regular arrangement with GTCS registered teacher(s)\r\nwith only non-regular support from external teachers\r\nTotal\r\nJanuary 2008\r\n64\r\n2\r\n66\r\nJanuary 2009\r\n69\r\n1\r\n70\r\nJanuary 2010\r\n73\r\n1\r\n74\r\nSeptember 2010\r\n74\r\n1\r\n74\r\nSeptember 2011\r\n71\r\n4\r\n75\r\nSeptember 2012\r\n66\r\n10\r\n75\r\nSeptember 2013\r\n61\r\n11\r\n73\r\nSeptember 2014\r\n60\r\n14\r\n74\r\nSeptember 2015\r\n70\r\n3\r\n73\r\nSeptember 2016\r\n71\r\n0\r\n71\r\nThis information is publicly available within various additional tables released alongside the 'Summary statistics for schools in Scotland' statistical bulletin.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320767,"EventID":"S5W-05641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:47.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) guidance it has given to and (b) information it has exchanged with local authorities regarding (i) reducing the attainment gap and (ii) implementing the 1,140 hours of early learning and childcare.","AnswerText":"Reducing the attainment gap\r\nOn 13 December 2016, the Scottish Government published the 2017 National Improvement Framework and Improvement Plan for Scottish education, as well as the National Improvement Framework evidence report for 2016. The Framework is central to the Scottish Government’s commitment to raising attainment for all, and closing the poverty-related attainment gap.\r\nThe Improvement Plan brings together, in one place, all of the improvement activity from both the Delivery Plan and the Curriculum for Excellence Implementation Plan, and also incorporates the national improvement plan on parental and family engagement. From now on, it will serve as the single, definitive plan for securing educational improvement.\r\nA suite of Interventions for Equity has been designed and developed to support schools in the process of selecting interventions and approaches which can contribute to closing the attainment gap between our most and least disadvantaged children. This initial framework to support the introduction of the Scottish Attainment Challenge - Pupil Equity Funding will continue be developed. Operational guidance to support the use of Pupil Equity Funding will be issued to all headteachers in January.\r\nFor the Scottish Attainment Challenge Schools Programme guidance was issued to all participating schools and their local authorities in May. This included a template for submitting improvement plans, a template for mid-year and end-year reporting and a Frequently Asked Questions section. Schools are required to submit improvement plans each year, as well as mid-year and end year reports, detailing their spend.\r\nChallenge Authorities are required to submit Improvement Plans each year, as well as quarterly reports detailing spend and more detailed mid-year and end-year reports.\r\nImplementing 1140 hours of early learning and childcare\r\nThe Scottish Government has engaged pro-actively with local authorities throughout the last year on the expansion of early learning and childcare (ELC). This engagement has been maintained through various channels - including local authority network meetings, the ELC Strategic Forum, the ELC National Summit held in February 2016, plus more recently through the creation of the ELC Managers Forum and Senior Leaders Forum, both of which met for the first time in November 2016 and will meet again in January 2017.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320768,"EventID":"S5W-05661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:49.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T15:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether it is (a) practically and legally possible and (b) compliant with international obligations, for tax reliefs assigned to oil and gas decommissioning to be invested instead in renewable energy development.","AnswerText":"The fiscal regime for oil & gas is reserved to the UK Parliament and therefore this would be a matter for UK Government to consider and determine.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320769,"EventID":"S5W-05668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:51.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on high-visibility jackets or should straps being made mandatory for cyclists. jackets or shoulder straps being made mandatory for cyclists.","AnswerText":"At present the wearing of high visibility clothing for cyclists is not mandatory and there are currently no plans to review or change this.\r\nHowever, high visibility clothing can play a role in preventing accidents, which is why we continue to work through Road Safety Scotland to promote the advice in the Highway Code on safe cycling, including encouraging cyclists to ensure that they are visible to other road users and take steps to safeguard themselves by wearing appropriate clothing.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320770,"EventID":"S5W-05596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:52.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recent incidents that have been reported involving construction workers on the Forth Replacement Crossing, including the arrest of workers brought to Scotland illegally and the underpayment of migrant workers by a subcontractor on the project.","AnswerText":"The individuals referred to were not employed directly by Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) but through a second tier labour only sub-contractor. The Home Office confirmed that the investigation was not directed at FCBC but related to a specific named subcontractor which was of interest to them. I wrote to the Home Office Immigration Minister on 23 November 2016 requesting assurances on what actions the Home Office were taking to address the issue of illegal foreign workers. I also had a follow up call regarding my concerns.\r\nI also refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05593 on 22 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320771,"EventID":"S5W-05598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:54.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who was responsible for the error in interpreting EU rules relating to the accounting procedures for the non-profit distribution model of financing public projects; when it was alerted about this error and by whom, and what the implications of the error are for (a) investment in public services and (b) the (i) number and (ii) value of projects that can be completed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has always been very clear about the impact of classification on the NPD programme, which arose as a result of changes that were made in September 2014 to relevant Eurostat guidance, 18 months after the contract for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) project was published in the OJEU in January 2013 and after the winning bidder was announced on 11 June 2014.\r\nThe Scottish Futures Trust became aware in November 2014 that the Office of National Statistics (ONS) had considered the revised guidance and had identified potential issues in relation to the classification of privately financed projects within the UK. The ONS classified the AWPR to the public sector in July 2015.\r\nAs set out in successive Scottish budgets, provision has been made in capital budgets to reflect the classification of the AWPR and three other NPD projects that had been in advanced procurement at the time of the changes to the Eurostat guidance. The capital provision that has been made amounts to £398 million in 2016-17 and £234 million in 2017-18 and the expected cost of future revenue payments has been reduced accordingly.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s approach has ensured that classification has had no impact on the delivery timetable or cost of these projects. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320772,"EventID":"S5W-05613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:56.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many phone calls have been received by the Home Energy Scotland advice line in each week since 2 October 2016.","AnswerText":"The following table details the number of phone calls received by the Home Energy Scotland Advice line each week since 2 October 2016.\r\nWeek commencing\r\nTotal number of phone calls\r\n3 October 2016\r\n1719\r\n10 October 2016\r\n1752\r\n17 October 2016\r\n2010\r\n24 October 2016\r\n2523\r\n31 October 2016\r\n2819\r\n7 November 2016\r\n2869\r\n14 November 2016\r\n2790\r\n21 November 2016\r\n3156\r\n28 November 2016\r\n2338\r\n5 December 2016\r\n1993\r\n12 December 2016\r\n1436\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320773,"EventID":"S5W-05615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:29:57.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it spends on encouraging exports through its network of hubs in (a) the UK, (b) Europe and (c) the rest of the world.","AnswerText":"Through its existing global network, Scottish Development International (SDI) provides a range of products and services to attract inward investment to Scotland and to support companies in Scotland seeking access international markets. As set out in answer S5W-03968 on 16 November 2016, SDI has allocated £30.3 million in 2016-17 to support these trade and investment activities in its UK, European and international locations. \r\nTo complement the work being led by SDI, the Scottish Government has allocated £3.5m in 2016-17 for the development of the Innovation and Investment Hub programme. These hubs will play a critical role in attracting investment to Scotland, helping businesses to trade internationally, raising Scotland’s international profile and, crucially, protecting Scotland’s relationship with the EU.\r\nThe Dublin Hub opened in January 2016 and is in its first full year of operating. It provides dedicated support to enhancing high-value economic, academic and innovation partnerships between Scotland and Ireland.\r\nThe London Hub, which will open early in 2017, will bring together the Scottish Government, our enterprise agencies and VisitScotland under one roof and provide a ‘touch down’ and meeting space for Scotland’s businesses and other organisations.\r\nPlans for the Brussels Hub are being taken forward as part of wider post referendum planning. Plans to establish a Berlin Hub are currently in development and details will be made available in due course. \r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320774,"EventID":"S5W-05647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:30:00.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its commitment on this issue, which nurseries are eligible to receive an additional qualified teacher or graduate by 2018.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will set out further details later this month as to how the commitment that nurseries in the most deprived areas will have an additional teacher or graduate from 2018 will be delivered.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320775,"EventID":"S5W-05649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:30:02.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T12:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how arrangements for teacher salaries are determined for grant-aided special schools and whether they are covered by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) sets out the pay and conditions of service for teachers and associated professionals employed by Scottish Councils. As grant-aided special schools are independent of Scottish Councils and the Scottish Government, pay and conditions set by the SNCT do not automatically apply. It is for each grant-aided special school and its Board of Governors to decide if they wish to apply the SNCT pay and conditions to their teachers as part of their role as employers.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320776,"EventID":"S5W-05655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-15T17:30:05.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work to the Convener of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee of 9 December 2016, for what reason Transport Scotland did not make public that the contractor advised it on 9 November 2016 that there would be delays to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project and, in light of this information being known by the agency at that time, for what reason it did not inform the Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee about this when giving evidence on 24 November 2016, and what its position is on whether this constitutes information being knowingly withheld from members.","AnswerText":"The Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee asked about the overall costs and timeline and officials confirmed that “we are where we expected to be on costs, and winter 2017 is still achievable for the overall programme”. Given that Transport Scotland was still in the process of challenging and verifying the contractors information, it would have been inappropriate to provide information until the facts had been fully established.\r\nI have been fully transparent on this matter and informed the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee of the rescheduled plans for the opening of the Balmedie to Tipperty section by letter on 9 December 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320789,"EventID":"S5W-05677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5618,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:55:58.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-16T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its NHS delivery plan.","AnswerText":"Our Health and Social Care Delivery plan has been published today. The plan can be found at http://www.gov.scot/healthandsocialcaredeliveryplan","AnswerDate":"2016-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320790,"EventID":"S5W-05626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:07.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Office for National Statistics about the classification of universities as a result of its enterprise and skills review.","AnswerText":"There has been no discussions with the Office of National Statistics regarding the classification of universities as a result of the enterprise and skills review.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320791,"EventID":"S5W-05667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:10.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the evidence that it has received from stakeholders that supports the abolition of the Scottish Funding Council board. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government undertook a public call for evidence in relation to the Enterprise and Skills Review and all responses from organisations and, where individuals gave permission, have been published online at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy/EntandSkillsreview/callforevidenceresponses","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320792,"EventID":"S5W-05669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:12.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a survey of school estates in Dumfries and Galloway (a) was last and (b) will next be conducted, and which schools were considered fit to deliver the curriculum for excellence at the last survey.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government do not hold this information. While the Scottish Government published guidance on the reporting of the condition and suitability of the school estate, it is the responsibility of each local authority to make arrangements to undertake such surveys in their area.\r\nI would suggest you contact Dumfries & Galloway Council directly to request this information.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320793,"EventID":"S5W-05625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:13.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what increase in pay for its civil servants has been set out in its pay policy for 2017.","AnswerText":"The 2017-18 pay policy allows for the following increases in pay:\r\nan overall 1 per cent cap on the cost of the increase in the baseline paybill for those earning more than the low pay threshold of £22,000\r\nan increase of £400 for all staff with a full-time equivalent salary of less than the low pay threshold\r\na commitment to paying at least the Scottish Living Wage\r\nallow individual employers to reach their own decisions about pay progression where staff are eligible to move towards the maximum rate for the job\r\nFull details of the 2017-18 pay policy are available at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/public-sector-pay\r\nThis link also contains a list of the public bodies that are directly covered by the Scottish Government’s pay policy.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320794,"EventID":"S5W-05627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:15.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) what the remit was and (b) who the members were of its Strategic Forum, previously chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03752 on 10 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320795,"EventID":"S5W-05670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:18.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Budget statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution on 15 December 2016, in what month it now expects the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) to be completed and open to traffic.","AnswerText":"When announcing the commencement of the project in 2012, the former First Minister announced that “this long awaited project would be underway in 2014 and complete by the Spring of 2018”. We remain committed to that date.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320796,"EventID":"S5W-05629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:20.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what strategy and monitoring framework was in place for the Strategic Forum, previously chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth.","AnswerText":"The Strategic Forum discussed a range of strategic economic issues and encouraged and promoted collaborative actions by our agencies. Scotland's Economic Strategy sets out the overall economic aims of the Scottish Government. Individual agency activities align with those priorities. The National Performance Framework\r\n(http://www.gov.scot/About/Performance/scotPerforms)\r\nmeasures progress and the individual agencies have their own monitoring systems that are scrutinised by Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320797,"EventID":"S5W-05631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:23.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the outcome of its enterprise and skills review, what it considers the advantages to be of a statutory board compared with a non-statutory Strategic Forum. ","AnswerText":"Our agencies and their staff already carry out excellent work and as Audit Scotland have noted, they have been successful in their respective roles, with clear strategies and good governance. However, we need to step up our performance to achieve our ambitions to rank in the top quartile of Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development countries for productivity, equality, wellbeing and sustainability.\r\nTo achieve this aim, we believe that we need to increase coherence and focus by creating a single board which is able to facilitate greater alignment between the various agencies and simplify the system for the user while also enhancing and measuring the collective activity of these bodies against a set of shared outcomes.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320798,"EventID":"S5W-05633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:25.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that (a) Scottish Enterprise, (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise, (c) the Scottish Funding Council and (d) Skills Development Scotland has a legal personality distinct from ministers and from any new statutory board.","AnswerText":"In our report on phase one of the Enterprise and Skills Review we have committed to work with agencies and other partners to strengthen our enterprise and skills system by consulting on the strategic board, including the best distribution of functions between the agencies underneath it and the associated legislative requirements.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320799,"EventID":"S5W-05665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:28.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the minutes of each meeting that it had with (a) Universities Scotland, (b) Colleges Scotland and (c) the Scottish Funding Council regarding the enterprise and skills review (i) prior to and (ii) after the announcement of the review.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government meets regularly with Universities Scotland, Colleges Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council to discuss a range of matters, including the Enterprise and Skills Review. The published record of the responses to the call for evidence of the Enterprise and Skills review can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy/EntandSkillsreview/callforevidenceresponses.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320800,"EventID":"S5W-05671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:30.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-16T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial assistance is available to support National Galleries Scotland touring programmes to promote access to national arts collections in communities throughout Scotland in and beyond 2017.","AnswerText":"The National Galleries receives £12.9m per annum from the Scottish Government in support of its operating costs. While none of this is ring-fenced for touring programmes, I expect the Galleries, and all of the national bodies in receipt of public funding, to provide access to art and culture right across Scotland. The Galleries have an excellent track record of this, particularly through GENERATION which exhibited in over 60 venues across Scotland and Artists Rooms which has exhibited over 24 venues. Local venues taking part in touring programmes need to have adequate environmental and security conditions to house works of art.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320801,"EventID":"S5W-05672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:32.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-16T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Minor Injuries Unit and Medical Assessment Centre at the Vale of Leven Hospital will continue to function as normal over the winter months.","AnswerText":"While management of Minor injuries Units and Medical Assessment Centres are operational matters for NHS Health Boards, the Scottish Government has received reassurance from NHS GG&C that the Minor Injuries Unit and Medical Assessment Centre at the Vale of Leven Hospital will continue to function as normal over the winter months. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320802,"EventID":"S5W-05624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:35.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been a real terms reduction in the pay of its civil servants from 2011 to date.","AnswerText":"The answer to this question varies depending on the grade of staff. For Scottish Government staff in lower paid grades, there have been real term increases in average salary between 2011 and 2016. This reflects specific measures put in place by Scottish Ministers in their Public Sector Pay Policy to support lower paid staff at a time of continued real term reductions in public sector budgets for Scotland flowing from the UK Spending Round. For staff in higher paid grades, there have in some cases been real term decreases in average salaries between 2011 and 2016. The position for the majority of Scottish Government staff is that there has been a real term increase in average median salary between 2011 and 2016 ranging between 2.7% and 3.9% depending on grade.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320803,"EventID":"S5W-05673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:37.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-16T09:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Istanbul Convention on gender-based violence and what (a) action it is taking to implement the obligations and (b) discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding ratifying it.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government strongly supports the principles of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women. We have called upon the UK Government to set out a clear timetable for ratifying the Convention, and to engage with the devolved administrations on this. We welcome the UK Government's support for Eilidh Whiteford MP's private members Bill on ratifying the Convention, and are pleased that this has progressed to a second reading following the first reading on 16 December 2016. Officials have had contact with counterparts in recent weeks on the implications of ratification for Scotland and we expect the UK Government to write to Ministers about this soon. We will continue to engage with the UK Government on this matter.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320804,"EventID":"S5W-05674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:39.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-16T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to engage further with pupils in secondary schools to provide more education regarding psychoactive substances.","AnswerText":"The recent SALSUS report (published 25 October 2016) shows that drug taking among young people in Scotland remains low.\r\nEducation and prevention is a key strand of Scotland’s drug strategy, the ‘Road to Recovery’, and is integral to our approach to reducing the number of people with problem drug use in Scotland. Our ambitious substance misuse education programme already ensures that all young people have credible and accessible information and advice, and through our ‘Know the Score’ website and ‘Choices for Life’ secondary school education programme we have expanded our education campaign to include new psychoactive substances (NPS). \r\nWe are now assessing current education and prevention activity across Scotland, including the findings from our recently published literature review, to understand what interventions are most effective. This will help us develop advice and guidance on effective substance misuse education and prevention activity for our stakeholders, practitioners and policy makers. We also commissioned the Scottish Drugs Forum to undertake research aimed at furthering our understanding around the prevalence, motivations and harms associated with NPS use amongst vulnerable groups within Scotland, including young people, and we are currently working with stakeholders to take forward recommendations from the report.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320805,"EventID":"S5W-05630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:40.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed new Scotland-wide board arising from its enterprise and skills review will have (a) a chief executive and (b) other support staff and, if so, what the estimated cost is.","AnswerText":"In our report on phase one of the Enterprise and Skills Review we have committed to work with agencies and other partners to strengthen our enterprise and skills system by consulting on the strategic board, including the best distribution of functions between the agencies underneath it and the associated legislative requirements.\r\nAs part of this work, we will also consider what support staff are required to properly support the new board to deliver its functions.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320806,"EventID":"S5W-05632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:43.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether one of its ministers will chair the statutory board arising from its enterprise and skills review and, if so, who.","AnswerText":"In our report on phase one of the Enterprise and Skills Review we have committed to work with agencies and other partners to strengthen our enterprise and skills system by consulting on the strategic board, including the best distribution of functions between the agencies underneath it and the associated legislative requirements.\r\nAs part of this work, we will also consider who should chair the board.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320807,"EventID":"S5W-05666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T13:57:46.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-15T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with (a) Universities Scotland and (b) Colleges Scotland regarding the abolition of the Scottish Funding Council board in advance of the publication of the report, Enterprise and Skills Review: Report on Phase 1. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government meets regularly with both Universities Scotland and Colleges Scotland to discuss a range of matters, including the Enterprise and Skills Review. Most recently, SG officials discussed the conclusions of Phase one and preparations for Phase two of the Review at the Colleges Scotland Principals’ Group on 5 December 2016 and with Universities Scotland on 7 December 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320808,"EventID":"S5W-05678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-16T15:32:07.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-16T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in response to recent figures released under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, which show that 22 bladed weapons have been recovered from prisoners by staff at Perth prison since April 2016.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe figures highlighted under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 request reflect the continued vigilance of staff in detecting improvised weapons in HMP Perth.\r\nThe safety and well-being of prisoners and staff is and will continue to be a key concern for the Scottish Prison Service. In order to ensure prisons are safe for all, SPS will continue to invest in staff training and technology to aid staff in their duties.\r\nAll establishments will continue to undertake robust searching of prisoners and areas which supports the identification and recovery of illicit or unauthorised articles, including weapons. Any individual found in possession of such weapons will be reported to Police Scotland and prison managers will put in place an appropriate management plan for the individuals involved.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320813,"EventID":"S5W-05703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T13:41:22.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its Draft Budget will support its commitment to an enhanced Education Maintenance Allowance programme.","AnswerText":"The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is an entitlement in Scotland. This means that any applicant who meets the eligibility criteria will be entitled to receive EMA support. The budget change will therefore not impact on those who are about to apply nor on those who currently receive EMA support. In the event the EMA budget is exceeded the Scottish Government will ensure the additional cost is met. The new EMA budget reflects the anticipated spend on EMA and ensures we make the best use of the resources available to support young people.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to the EMA programme, unlike in England where the programme has been abolished. We want young people to have a choice to stay on in learning and that is why we launched a national promotional campaign making young people aware of the support available.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320818,"EventID":"S5W-05688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T14:27:57.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it first consulted Scottish Development International on the First Minister's announcement in the Programme for Government on increasing its presence in Berlin.","AnswerText":"The September 2016 Programme for Government indicated that we would take further action to boost exports, maintain and attract investment and actively demonstrate that Scotland is open for business. This was reflected in the four point plan to boost Scotland’s export performance, including plans to establish an Innovation and Investment Hub in Berlin, announced by the First Minister on 15 October 2016. We have regular dialogue with Scottish Development International on operational activities to deliver our trade and investment objectives. The Berlin Hub formed part of continuing discussions about increasing our presence in Europe following the outcome of the EU Referendum.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320819,"EventID":"S5W-05512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T14:28:00.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T17:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Deloitte has been commissioned to undertake a report on NHS general practice and, if so, (a) when it was commissioned, (b) at what cost and (c) when it will be published.","AnswerText":"Deloitte were commissioned to undertake an Analysis of General Practice Systems and Processes, to inform the work carried out under the Primary Care Digital Services Delivery Fund for prioritisation of funding for digital services and infrastructure, both locally and nationally. The work was commissioned on 16 June 2016 and the funds payable to Deloitte for the work they undertook was £148,202 (excluding VAT). \r\nDeloitte were also commissioned to undertake a review of the Scottish Allocation Formula (SAF), which weights general practice funding by various factors that affect workload, including deprivation, rurality and age. The work was commissioned in two parts, the first on 18 December 2015 and the funds payable to Deloitte for the work they undertook was £41,450, and the second on 14 April 2016 and the funds payable to Deloitte for the work they undertook was £36,450 (excluding VAT). \r\nThe relevant information will be published at an appropriate time following the successful conclusion of General Medical Services (GMS) contract negotiations.","AnswerDate":"2017-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320820,"EventID":"S5W-05697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T14:28:01.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of people with shingles between the ages of (a) 50 and 69, (b) 70 and 79 and (b) 80 and 100 have been reported in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Shingles (or Herpes Zoster) is not a notifiable disease under the Public Health etc (Scotland) Act 2008. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320821,"EventID":"S5W-05685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T14:28:02.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-18T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will resource its ambition that by 2020 Scotland will be an international leader in the management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.","AnswerText":"The Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) Strategy for Scotland (the Strategy) was produced through collaboration between, the Scottish Ambulance Service; Scottish Fire and Rescue Service; Police Scotland; British Heart Foundation; Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland; Resuscitation Research Group; University of Edinburgh and Scottish Government. \r\nThe Strategy sets out the commitment to improve outcomes after OHCA, with the ambition that by 2020 Scotland will be an international leader in the management of OHCA. This is underpinned by the two main aims of the Strategy, which are to increase survival rates by 10% across the country and to equip an additional 500,000 people with CPR skills by 2020. Success will depend on the commitment and action of many individuals and organisations. Achieving the ambition will involve optimising the elements in the system of care or the “chain of survival” i.e. readiness to intervene in OHCA; early recognition and call for help; CPR; early defibrillation; pre-hospital resuscitation; post resuscitation care; and aftercare. The actions and improvements in the chain of survival are being delivered by a wide range of public and voluntary organisations working in collaboration and together with communities. These utilise and build on the existing work by public services, communities and individuals.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320822,"EventID":"S5W-05513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T14:28:03.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T17:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of A&E (a) admissions and (b) waiting times in 2016, broken down by (i) age profile and (ii) NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information is provided on the number of attendances by NHS Board and age group, and the performance against the 4 hour A&E waiting times standard by NHS Board and age group.\r\nThe tables are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. Number 58476).","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320823,"EventID":"S5W-05679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T14:28:05.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-16T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has with stakeholders to determine whether its human rights legislation and monitoring is effective.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular discussions with stakeholders from across the whole of Scottish civil society. Those discussions address the full spectrum of international human rights obligations – civil, political, economic, social and cultural – as well as specific obligations set out in treaties concerning, for example, the rights of disabled people, the rights of children, the elimination of racial discrimination, the elimination of discrimination against women, the prevention of torture and inhuman treatment, the rights of national minorities, and obligations in relation to regional and minority languages. Recent meetings with stakeholders have included a roundtable event to support civil society engagement with the Universal Periodic Review process, under which Scotland’s record will be examined by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2017.\r\nThe effectiveness of human rights legislation in Scotland is assessed in a variety of ways, including in reports submitted to the United Nations and the Council of Europe and through the work of UN Special Rapporteurs and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. The Scottish Government is committed to integrating both human rights and the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the National Performance Framework. The Scottish Parliament itself plays a central role in monitoring and evaluating compliance with relevant obligations. Scotland’s courts act as the ultimate forum in which the effectiveness of human rights legislation can be definitively tested.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320824,"EventID":"S5W-05681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T14:28:07.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-16T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors human rights protection and its implementation through the National Performance Framework.","AnswerText":"The National Performance Framework (NPF) uses broad measures of national wellbeing to reflect how Scotland performs against a range of economic, social, health and environmental indicators.\r\nExisting NPF outcomes include matters of direct relevance to the realisation of internationally-recognised human rights - for example: tackling inequality; building strong, resilient communities; delivering better employment opportunities; confronting crime; supporting successful learning and education; improving life chances for children; and enabling people in Scotland to live longer, healthier lives. In reporting against these (and other) outcomes and indicators the NPF contributes to ensuring that human rights are protected and implemented in Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to further enhancing the NPF. Both human rights and the UN Sustainable Development Goals are central to that work. A review of the National Outcomes is currently underway.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320825,"EventID":"S5W-05683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T14:28:08.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-16T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making toward implementing the Scottish National Action Plan for Human Rights, and what resources it has provided for this.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05525 on 9 January 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320826,"EventID":"S5W-05511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T14:28:10.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T17:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many private audit reports have been commissioned by NHS Scotland in each year since 2010, broken down by (a) cost per report and (b) NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2017-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320827,"EventID":"S5W-05686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5815,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T14:28:12.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-18T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that schools provide training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), in line with its commitment to improving survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.","AnswerText":"We are committed to improving survival rates from Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) and are working in partnership with a range of public and voluntary organisations to deliver the aims in Scotland's strategy for OHCA, published in March 2015. The Strategy aims to have 500,000 people in Scotland trained in the use of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and increase survival rates by 10% across the country by 2020. Learning CPR is important in increasing bystander CPR, which in turn is essential to improving survival rates. \r\n'Save a Life for Scotland' (SALFS) is the public-facing campaign to increase the number of people CPR trained and comprises a partnership of public and voluntary organisations.\r\nMany schools already deliver CPR training and it is for schools and local authorities to decide if and how they want to take this learning forward. A priority for SALFS is working with schools to support CPR education. SALFS aims to link up schools seeking help with those providing CPR training in their area. SALFS have also worked with Education Scotland to create a pack for schools outlining CPR resources available from partner organisations. This will be a central starting point for schools and youth groups seeking CPR training. These resources are available on the Education Scotland GLOW website and via the SALFS website (www.savealife.scot).","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320828,"EventID":"S5W-05509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T14:28:13.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T17:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many reports have been commissioned from Deloitte by NHS Scotland in each year since 2010 and at what cost, also broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2017-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320829,"EventID":"S5W-05684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T14:28:14.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-16T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in incorporating the UN Sustainable Development Goals initiative into the National Performance Framework.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s aims and ambitions– such as tackling inequality, ensuring access to high quality education, and healthcare – are already a key part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through the National Outcomes, these aims and ambitions are enshrined in the National Performance Framework (NPF). The NPF and Scotland's National Action Plan for Human Rights will be the means by which progress towards the SDGs is measured in Scotland. This is one of the Open Government Partnership Commitments made by the Scottish Government. A review of the National Outcomes is currently underway and is being overseen by the cross- party Round Table on the NPF. This provides a further opportunity to ensure that the SDGs continue to be reflected in the NPF.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320830,"EventID":"S5W-05508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T14:28:16.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T17:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether patients admitted into acute assessment units are counted as admissions.","AnswerText":"Patients accessing these units will have been assessed by a senior clinician, either GP or hospital doctor, before being referred to the unit.\r\nThese units carry out a wide range of clinical tests and observations, with clinical decisions being taken throughout the pathway of care. For example, for some patients it will be clear from the start that they will require admission to a downstream inpatient bed, while for others it will be clear that they will require admitted to the unit for a short time for ambulatory assessment care before returning home, for other patients’ clinical decisions on admission to an downstream inpatient bed would follow observation and tests.\r\nUnder the current statistical definitions patients in these units can be categorised as inpatients, outpatients and ward attenders. Clinicians and data analysts are considering the improvements that need to be made to existing definitions and their application. They will report to the Unscheduled Care Advisory board and Sir Harry Burns’ national review of targets and indicators if required.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320831,"EventID":"S5W-05510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T14:28:17.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T17:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many private consultancy reports have been commissioned by NHS Scotland in each year since 2010, broken down by (a) cost per report and (b) NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. ","AnswerDate":"2017-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320832,"EventID":"S5W-05507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T14:28:18.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-12T17:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have accessed acute assessment units in each NHS board in each year since 2010, also broken down by hospital.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05508 on 31 January 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320833,"EventID":"S5W-05689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5596,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T14:28:19.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how recently published draft regulations that require a Standard of Headship for new headteachers will help drive attainment through school leadership.","AnswerText":"We know that effective school leadership is key to ensuring successful outcomes for learners and will help achieve excellence and equity for all. The Standard for Headship awarded by the General Teaching Council for Scotland outlines the skills and knowledge headteachers must demonstrate if they are to successfully lead a school and accordingly the draft regulations, which are the subject of the current consultation, will require that all teachers appointed to their first headteacher post must hold the Standard for Headship. This is part of the overall strategy to strengthen the quality of the teaching profession and close the attainment gap. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320834,"EventID":"S5T-00274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T13:05:07.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many women have had transvaginal mesh implants since it requested NHS boards to suspend their use in June 2014.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320835,"EventID":"S5T-00277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T13:05:11.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has downgraded its forecast of revenues from the residential element of Lands and Buildings Transaction Tax.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320836,"EventID":"S5F-00670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T13:03:38.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320837,"EventID":"S5F-00680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T13:03:56.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the call by the Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland for the extension of powers to headteachers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320838,"EventID":"S5F-00681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T13:03:57.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320839,"EventID":"S5F-00688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T13:04:07.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the week.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320840,"EventID":"S5F-00691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4982,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T13:04:11.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to support the Christmas tree industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320841,"EventID":"S5F-00693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T13:04:13.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the number of destitute people sleeping on Scotland’s streets this Christmas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320842,"EventID":"S5F-00706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T13:04:30.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding the proposal by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government that holders of public office should swear an oath to uphold \"British values\".","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320843,"EventID":"S5W-05737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T15:30:29.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T15:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce its decision on the recommendation to consolidate the national cleft surgery service on a single site.","AnswerText":"Having considered the evidence, and stakeholders views, I am approving the recommendation to consolidate cleft surgery on a single site at the Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow, subject to strong conditions being met. My decision is founded on the need to provide a safe and sustainable cleft surgery for all patients across Scotland.\r\nThe Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Glasgow, both support consolidation of cleft surgery on a single site due to concern that a single surgeon service, as currently exists in Edinburgh, is not sustainable in the long term.\r\nThere are about 100 new cleft cases each year in Scotland. Expert guidance recommends that each surgeon should complete a minimum of 40 new cases each year to get the best outcomes. Therefore we only need a maximum of 3 surgeons in Scotland and the caseload should be distributed evenly between them to get the best outcomes for patients. Consolidating cleft surgery on the single site will ensure the even distribution of cases across all three surgeons.\r\nThis will ensure that patients receive the treatment they need, when they need it. The single team will enable them to work together more closely, sharing best practice and learning from and supporting each other, to continue to improve and provide equity in outcomes for all cleft patients wherever they happen to live.\r\nGlasgow has the additional services needed to deal with complex cleft surgery such as paediatric cardiac surgery and complex airways management co-located on one site, whereas Edinburgh does not.\r\nMy decision relates to cleft surgery only.\r\nThe wider teams involved in cleft care - including speech and language therapy, orthodontists, ENT surgeons, and paediatric dentistry - will continue to be delivered locally as they are now, across Scotland.\r\nConcerns about supporting the recommendation to consolidate cleft surgery in Glasgow have been strongly expressed by some MSPs and families, particularly from the east of Scotland. They were concerned that the loss of local cleft services and outreach clinics and in particular, the loss of the Edinburgh surgeon if the recommendation is supported. I am acutely aware of the strength of feeling on both sides, and I have given all views careful consideration. Therefore, in approving the recommendation to consolidate cleft surgery in Glasgow, I have set out a number of conditions that aim to address stakeholders’ concerns. The conditions attached to the decision follow:\r\nThere will be a transition period of 6 months after which progress towards achieving the single surgical team will be reviewed.\r\nDuring the transition period, the Edinburgh surgeon will be expected to operate in Glasgow no more than the equivalent of one day per week. Although this could increase, if all parties felt it helpful to the development of clinical care as part of a single national service, with outreach clinics continuing to be undertaken locally.\r\nCleft surgery service data collection and audit must be more robust and more complete. Scotland will participate more actively in UK Cleft Audit to inform and drive improvement in patient outcomes.\r\nThe Edinburgh surgeon will remain an NHS Lothian employee contract during the transition period and will have an honorary contract with GGC.\r\nThe surgical team will ensure a consistent approach to outreach clinics across Scotland, with no deterioration in service.\r\nLocal multidisciplinary outreach clinics will be supported by the national cleft surgery service and will be scheduled in discussion with local clinicians to ensure that each patient has all the necessary care and assessment carried out locally, prior to their surgery and follow up thereafter. The aim is to be as person centred as possible and ensure that the patient is seen by all the necessary clinical staff - at one visit - and not be required to have multi-visits.\r\nThe number of local outreach clinics will not reduce in number and will very m","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320844,"EventID":"S5W-05740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T16:13:34.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its proposals to protect Scotland’s place in Europe.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has always made clear that our preferred option would be to remain in membership of the European Union. However, we acknowledge that the outcome of the EU Referendum was that England and Wales voted to leave.\r\nThe Scottish Government, following the mandate given to us by Parliament on the 28June, is today publishing a paper with regard to Scotland's Place in Europe. The paper sets out our proposals for mitigating the risks of Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will.\r\nThe document sets out three proposals for protecting Scotland’s place in Europe and mitigating the impact of Brexit.\r\n-Firstly, to ask the UK Government to stay in the European Single Market for the UK as a whole\r\n-Secondly, if this is not possible, to work with the UK Government to find a solution which would preserve Scotland’s membership of the European Single Market, even if the remainder of the UK chooses to leave.\r\n-Thirdly to work with the UK Government to ensure that in light of the removal of the rights and protections provided by EU law - and whatever the outcome of the Brexit negotiations - that the powers of the Scottish Parliament be fundamentally revisited and enhanced to continue to protect Scotland’s interests within the UK.\r\nCopies of the document will be provided today to the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU and the Secretary of State for Scotland as well to the other Devolved Administrations. Electronic copies are being provided to each MSP.\r\nThe Scottish Government intends to table the document for discussion at the next Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations in January 2017, and has invited the UK Government to hold that meeting in Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government hopes that the publication of this document will lead to detailed discussion with the UK Government as the UK prepares its negotiating position and the Article 50 letter. \r\nThe document is available via the following link Scotland’s Place in Europe ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320860,"EventID":"S5W-05691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:11.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce waiting times in NHS Ayrshire and Arran to meet targets.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05561 on 11 January 2017. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320861,"EventID":"S5W-05705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:12.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the sixth supplementary to question S5F-00643 by the First Minister on 15 December 2016 (Official Report, c. 16), how many women have been transferred for treatment outwith (a) their NHS board area and (b) Scotland due to a lack of neonatal facilities in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Although data on pregnant women treated outwith their NHS board area are collected locally the specific reason for this are not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320862,"EventID":"S5W-05706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:15.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the sixth supplementary to question S5F-00643 by the First Minister on 15 December 2016 (Official Report, c. 16), how many neonatal cots have been available in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) hospital and (b) NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information to answer the question can be found in the following table.\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nUniversity Hospital Crosshouse \r\n20\r\n20\r\n20\r\n20\r\n20\r\nNHS Ayrshire & Arran\r\n20\r\n20\r\n20\r\n20\r\n20\r\nBorders General Hospital \r\n7\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\nNHS Borders\r\n7\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\nDumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary\r\n10\r\n9\r\n9\r\n9\r\n9\r\nNHS Dumfries & Galloway\r\n10\r\n9\r\n9\r\n9\r\n9\r\nVictoria Maternity Unit \r\n20\r\n20\r\n20\r\n20\r\n20\r\nNHS Fife\r\n20\r\n20\r\n20\r\n20\r\n20\r\nStirling Community Hospital \r\n6\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nForth Valley Royal Hospital \r\n17\r\n21\r\n21\r\n21\r\n20\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n23\r\n21\r\n21\r\n21\r\n20\r\nAberdeen Maternity Hospital \r\n38\r\n38\r\n38\r\n38\r\n38\r\nDr Gray's Hospital \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2\r\n4\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n38\r\n38\r\n38\r\n40\r\n42\r\nQueen Elizabeth University Hospital\r\n24\r\n28\r\n33\r\n28\r\n6\r\nRoyal Hospital for Children \r\n13\r\n12\r\n16\r\n18\r\n47\r\nThe Princess Royal Maternity Unit \r\n44\r\n29\r\n34\r\n36\r\n40\r\nRoyal Alexandra Hospital \r\n19\r\n19\r\n18\r\n18\r\n19\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n100\r\n88\r\n101\r\n99\r\n112\r\nRaigmore Hospital \r\n13\r\n13\r\n13\r\n13\r\n13\r\nNHS Highland\r\n13\r\n13\r\n13\r\n13\r\n13\r\nWishaw General Hospital \r\n34\r\n34\r\n29\r\n29\r\n29\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n34\r\n34\r\n29\r\n29\r\n29\r\nRoyal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France \r\n44\r\n44\r\n44\r\n44\r\n44\r\nSt John's Hospital \r\n10\r\n10\r\n10\r\n9\r\n10\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n54\r\n54\r\n54\r\n53\r\n54\r\nNinewells Hospital \r\n22\r\n23\r\n24\r\n21\r\n21\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n22\r\n23\r\n24\r\n21\r\n21\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n341\r\n327\r\n337\r\n334\r\n349\r\nSource: ISD Scotland ISD(S)1\r\nNotes\r\n1. ISD(S)1 provides routine quarterly aggregate information for monitoring activity in hospitals, and activity carried out in health centres and clinics in NHSScotland.\r\n2. An available staffed bed is a bed which is resourced for inpatient or day case care.\r\n3. Average Available Staffed Beds reflect the average number available in that specialty and significant facility over the whole year. \r\n4. Numbers are shown rounded to the nearest whole number for ease of interpretation but may in fact be fractions, thus totals may not match for the constituent NHS Boards.\r\n5. Where beds figures are unavailable due to data submission issues, data has been estimated using the last 3 data submissions from the relevant NHS Board. Please note this method is different to the estimation process within the publication. Please note the following caveats on data submission and data estimation:\r\nNHS Board of Treatment\r\nSpecialty\r\nTime period affected quarters\r\nReason for imputation/estimation\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNHS Highland\r\nAll specialties\r\nMar-14 to Sep-15\r\nData submissions issues following the implementation of a new patient management system in March 2014.\r\nNHS Grampian\r\nAll Specialties\r\nSep-12 to Jun-14\r\nNo data submission due to the implementation of a new patient management system (TrakCare) in November 2011.\r\nThe codes used to define specialties are as follows: \r\nPaediatrics - AF \r\nPaediatric Surgery - CA","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320863,"EventID":"S5W-05723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:17.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what costs were associated with roundabout upgrades on the A75 and A76 in Dumfries and Galloway for wind turbine movement, how these costs were met and by whom.","AnswerText":"Costs related to such trunk road roundabout alterations are borne by the wind farm developer and as such we do not hold any information relating to this.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320864,"EventID":"S5W-05724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:19.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what costs were associated with roundabout upgrades in Scotland for wind turbine movement, how these costs were met and by whom.","AnswerText":"Costs related to trunk road roundabout alterations to accommodate wind turbine movements are borne by the wind farm developers and as such we do not hold any information relating to this.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320865,"EventID":"S5W-05738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:20.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T15:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-05069 by Keith Brown on 7 December 2016, when it will publish its response to the recommendations in the Veterans Commissioner's report.","AnswerText":"I warmly welcome the Scottish Veterans Commissioner’s report, “The Veterans Community – Employability, Skills and Learning”. This is an important subject and I am keen that we can respond positively to his recommendations. The report contained a wide-ranging set of 19 recommendations and work is underway to examine these in depth.\r\nIn November 2016, I informed the Commissioner formally that I welcome and accept his recommendation to update Parliament on progress on all his recommendations on an annual basis. A response on the full set of recommendations contained in the report will be published before the next cross-party working group on the Armed Forces and Veterans in early-March 2017.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320866,"EventID":"S5W-05693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:23.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its progress in delivering superfast broadband in the north east, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and our partners are investing over £400 million in the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband Programme to deliver superfast broadband coverage to at least 95% of all premises across Scotland. Progress in the North East Region, to 30 November 2016, is outlined in the following table:\r\n\r\nAnticipated number of premises connected to fibre broadband without DSSB intervention\r\nCurrent number of premises connected to fibre broadband by DSSB plus commercial deployment\r\nAberdeen City\r\n72.40%\r\n92.80%\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n25.10%\r\n75.80%\r\nAngus\r\n69.70%\r\n79.50%\r\nDundee City\r\n95.00%\r\n97.60%\r\nMoray\r\n28.00%\r\n87.70%\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320867,"EventID":"S5W-05704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:24.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Skills Development Scotland was given prior notification of the proposals by the Department for Work and Pensions to close eight job centres in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland advise they had no prior notification of the job centre closures in Glasgow proposed by Jobcentre Plus. ","AnswerDate":"2016-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320868,"EventID":"S5W-05711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:25.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) revenue cost was in 2015-16 and (b) is in 2016-17 of repaying its borrowing.","AnswerText":"There was no revenue cost for borrowing in 2015-16 as the Scottish Government had no powers to borrow in 2014-15.\r\nIn 2016-17 there is no revenue cost as although notional expenditure was set against the Scottish Government’s borrowing cap in 2015-16, no borrowing occurred in that year.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320869,"EventID":"S5W-05718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:28.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many passengers have flown from Glasgow Prestwick Airport in 2016.","AnswerText":"The airport have recorded a total of 647,813 passengers using the airport between January 2016 and November 2016. These are the latest figures available at this time.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320870,"EventID":"S5W-05725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:31.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what key performance indicators are stipulated in the escort/transport contract with G4S and the Scottish Prison Service.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nI would advise that the information which answers the member’s question is accessible on the SPS website in Schedule D of the Court Custody and Prisoner Escort Services (CCPES) contract, held at http://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Publications/Contracts7.aspx","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320871,"EventID":"S5W-05729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:32.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS Scotland currently procures any pharmaceuticals, such as antibiotics, from Aurobindo's UK subsidiary, Milpharm Ltd, and, if so, what the value of these is.","AnswerText":"Central procurement of drugs and medicines on behalf of NHS Scotland is the responsibility of National Services Scotland National Procurement.\r\nMilPharm Ltd (the UK subsidiary of Aurobindo) supply a number of medicines to NHS Scotland under the NHS Scotland Antibiotics and Genito Urinary medicines framework and the NHS Scotland HIV Generic Medicines framework. These were tendered through formal public procurement processes, in compliance with EU public procurement law.\r\nThe total value of MilPharm medicines under these frameworks is approximately £460,000 per annum.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320872,"EventID":"S5W-05714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:33.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much income has been achieved by Glasgow Prestwick Airport in each year since November 2013, and what profit or loss was made.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information by calendar year. However, since the Scottish Government took ownership, the income achieved, along with the operating loss, as reported in the Statement of Profit and Loss in the TS Prestwick Holdco Limited annual report and financial statements are:\r\nYear\r\nTurnover (income) £m\r\nOperating loss £m\r\nFor the 17 month period ended 31 March 2015\r\n15.6\r\n8.4\r\nFor the 12 month period ended 31 March 2016\r\n11.5\r\n8.7\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320873,"EventID":"S5W-05716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:36.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04621 by Keith Brown on 29 November 2016, which countries sent military flights to Glasgow Prestwick Airport in (a) November – December 2013, (b) 2014, (c) 2015 and (d) 2016.","AnswerText":"Glasgow Prestwick Airport operates on a wholly commercial basis and at arm’s length from the Scottish Government. The airport offers aviation services to a wide variety of customers through its in-house Fixed Base Operation (FBO), including military customers. As with any commercial FBO, contracts and agreements between Glasgow Prestwick Airport FBO and the customers who use this service are commercially sensitive.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320874,"EventID":"S5W-05731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:38.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-05179 by Keith Brown on 13 December 2016, what the value is of the inward investment for expansion, new and safeguarding projects from 2011-12 up to and including 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The inward investment data collated by Scottish Development International relates to the number of jobs and projects. This information has been provided in the response to S5W-05179.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320875,"EventID":"S5W-05733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:42.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to smaller farmers and crofters affected by the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has supported all bird keepers by providing information and guidance (including Frequently Asked Questions) about the requirements of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone on its website, within emails to stakeholders, societies and their members, and shared via social media. \r\nAs laid out by the declaration of declarations of 6 December 2016 and 6 January 2017, all poultry and captive bird keepers in Scotland are required to keep their birds indoors or take appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds and apply heightened biosecurity measures. Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are also available to offer further advice and support if bird keepers have any specific questions about complying.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320876,"EventID":"S5W-05690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:44.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many officials in Transport Scotland use an electric vehicle in carrying out their duties.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland operates two electric vehicles (a Renault Fluence and a Nissan Leaf) which represent 50% of its own fleet. The vehicles are available to all officials when carrying out their duties.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320877,"EventID":"S5W-05707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:46.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the capital borrowing repayment of £30 million at table 5.06 of the draft budget is for; whether this recurs every year and, if so, (a) for how long it has been paid and (b) when the payments will be completed.","AnswerText":"The £30 million represents estimated repayments from 2017-18 for planned borrowing in 2016-17. To date, no borrowing has been undertaken in 2016-17, but the Scottish Government has indicated that it plans to borrow up to the full amount available this year and it is prudent to budget now for future borrowing repayments. Decisions about actual required borrowing in 2016-17 will be taken nearer the end of the financial year. The estimated borrowing repayments in 2017-18 have been modelled on the basis of a 10 year repayment period, with repayments in equal instalments.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320878,"EventID":"S5W-05708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:49.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has been able to borrow in each year since 2015-16 and will be able to borrow until 2019-20, and from what source.","AnswerText":"In 2015-16 and 2016-17 capital borrowing was limited by the Scotland Act 2012 to up to 10% of the Scottish Government's Capital DEL budget and a total of £2.2 billion over ten years. This provided borrowing limits of £312 million in 2015-16 and will equate to £322 million in 2016-17.\r\nFrom 2017-18, under the Scotland Act 2016, the aggregate borrowing cap will increase to £3 billion, with an annual limit of 15% of the overall borrowing cap, which amounts to £450 million.\r\nFor the purposes of budgeting to date, the Scottish Government has modelled borrowing from the National Loans Fund, but the terms of the Scotland Act 2016 mean that the Government can consider a range of options to maximise borrowing flexibility, including issuing bonds.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320879,"EventID":"S5W-05721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:51.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many roundabout upgrades have taken place to allow for wind turbine movement.","AnswerText":"In the last year sixteen roundabouts on the trunk road network have been altered to accommodate wind turbine movements. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320880,"EventID":"S5W-05722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:52.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consultation has taken place with local authorities on roundabout upgrades for wind turbine movement.","AnswerText":"Consultation regarding abnormal load movements is the responsibility of the wind farm developer or the logistics company employed to move the abnormal load. They may be required to liaise with a number of stakeholders including the Police, Transport Scotland (if trunk roads are affected) and local authorities (if local roads are affected).\r\nFor wind farm developments, which have secured the necessary planning consents, the Scottish Government through Transport Scotland works with wind farm developers, hauliers and local authorities across Scotland to manage the impacts of abnormal load movements. Our objective is to ensure the needs of industry are met while minimising the risk to road safety and delays to other road users, and also safeguarding bridges from damage by overweight or over-height vehicles.\r\nFor example, Transport Scotland has had regular discussions with hauliers and Dumfries and Galloway Council during 2016 regarding wind turbine movements and the associated requirement for any trunk road network roundabout alterations.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320881,"EventID":"S5W-05695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:53.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding NHS Ayrshire and Arran will receive in 2017 and whether it considers that this will be sufficient to address current issues.","AnswerText":"The Draft Budget 2017/18, announced in Parliament on 15 December 2016, indicated that the baseline allocation for NHS Ayrshire and Arran will increase to a total of £682.1 million. Subject to parliamentary approval, the Budget (Scotland) Bill 2017/18 will confirm the baseline budget for boards; including each board’s share of NRAC parity funding.\r\nNHS boards are expected to remain within their financial resource limits, ensuring they are spent in a way that improves the health and wellbeing of the community whilst delivering best value for taxpayers.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320882,"EventID":"S5W-05709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:54.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it (a) borrowed in 2015-16, (b) is borrowing in 2016-17 and (c) plans to borrow in 2017-18 and for what purpose.","AnswerText":"£283 million was set against the Scottish Government’s borrowing cap in 2015-16. We would expect to take decisions about borrowing in 2016-17 and 2017-18 respectively late in each financial year, on the basis that it is prudent to only draw down borrowing late in any financial year, based on an up to date assessment of programme requirements. As noted in the Draft Budget 2016-17 and Draft Budget 2017-18, the Government has indicated that it will borrow up to the full amounts available in order to support the overall capital programme.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320883,"EventID":"S5W-05720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5782,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:57.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consultation took place with Dumfries and Galloway Council prior to roundabout upgrades on the A75 and A76 for wind turbine movement.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland held quarterly liaison meetings and exchanged regular emails with Dumfries and Galloway Council during 2016 regarding wind turbine movements and the requirement for associated roundabout alterations on the A75 and A76 trunk roads.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320884,"EventID":"S5W-05727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:58.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether statistics on the performance of G4S regarding the Scottish Prison Service escort/transport contact are kept centrally and, if so, whether these will be published.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nStatistics on performance within the Court Custody and Prisoner Escort Services (CCPES) contract are held by SPS. A subset of the data is available on the SPS website, held at:\r\nhttp://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Information/Prisoner-Escorts.aspx","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320885,"EventID":"S5W-05734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:08:59.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider an exemption to the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone for smaller farmers and crofters with smaller numbers of birds.","AnswerText":"Smaller-scale farmers' and crofters' flocks are subject to the same risk from Avian Influenza circulating in wild birds as the larger, commercial flocks, therefore any exemption for certain keepers to the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone may reduce its effectiveness.\r\nAs laid out by the declaration of 6 December 2016 and the declaration of 6 January 2017, all poultry and captive bird keepers in Scotland are required to keep their birds indoors or, as this may not be practical for some smaller scale keepers, they should take appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds and apply heightened biosecurity measures.\r\nWe would encourage smaller farmers and crofters to speak with their private vets, or their local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office, if they have any specific questions about complying with these requirements.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320886,"EventID":"S5W-05710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:09:01.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) capital borrowing it used in 2015-16 and (b) is using in 2016-17 to guarantee non-profit distributing (NPD) projects.","AnswerText":"£283 million was set against the Scottish Government’s borrowing cap in 2015-16. This meant that the budget cover available from the borrowing facility was utilised to cover non-cash costs without having to draw down funds and incur the interest costs normally associated with borrowing.\r\nThere is no guarantee required for NPD projects. The provision set out in the \r\n2016-17 Draft Budget published last December to reflect the budgeting treatment of the capital costs of NPD projects is £398 million. No decision has been taken yet on borrowing requirements in 2016-17.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320887,"EventID":"S5W-05735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:09:04.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it anticipates decreases to the partnership funding for each child if (a) there is an expansion to partnership-provided nursery places and (b) if the cap to partnership-provided nursery places is lifted across Scotland.","AnswerText":"Private and voluntary sector partner providers are an important part of early learning and childcare (ELC) provision and will continue to make a valuable contribution as the free entitlement is extended to 1,140 hours a year. Delivering greater choice for parents requires effective and sustainable partnerships between public sector providers and partner providers in the private and third sectors. \r\nPartner provider funding is determined by individual local authorities. The Scottish Government consultation \"A Blueprint for 2020: The Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland\" considers how we can ensure fair and sustainable funding for all providers offering ELC entitlement. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320888,"EventID":"S5W-05736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:09:05.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the written submission from Fair Funding for Our Kids to the Education and Skills Committee as part of its overview sessions on early learning and childcare, whether the 10% deduction from each child's partnerhip funding after the lifting of the cap on partnership places by Glasgow City Council is legal, and what discussions it has had with (a) parents, (b) public nurseries, (c) partnership nurseries and (d) Fair Funding for Our Kids in relation to this issue. ","AnswerText":"The proposed 10% deduction is an individual arrangement discussed between the nursery and parents, which has now been rejected by the nursery in question. Local authorities are legally obliged to provide the mandatory amount of early learning and childcare free of charge. We expect nurseries to pass on the full entitlement of their partnership provider funding to parents. We have identified partner provider funding and parent charges as an area that could usefully be clarified through updating the statutory guidance on early learning and childcare, which will be carried out in 2017. Officials have spoken with Glasgow City Council who have confirmed that the issue with the nursery in question is resolved. My officials have also written to Fair Funding for our Kids to confirm this and to indicate that we will consider this issue when we update the statutory guidance to provide further clarity for all local authorities and partner provider nurseries.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320889,"EventID":"S5W-05692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:09:07.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address issues relating to concerns regarding NHS Ayrshire and Arran's performance, which include being over budget, understaffed, subject to a BBC investigation and with the highest waiting times in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Government remains in close contact with all Health Boards, including NHS Ayrshire & Arran, to scrutinise and support their performance, in line with the commitments to national standards set out in Local Delivery Plans and reiterated at Annual Reviews.\r\nIn terms of the financial resources provided under this Government, NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s resource budget has increased by £172.1 million from £496.9 million to £669.0 million; a cumulative cash increase of 34.6%, and a cumulative real terms increase of £82.2m (14.0%). In 2016-17, the Board’s annual resource budget increased by 5.3% to £669.0 million; an above inflation increase, having previously increased by 2.7% in 2015-16. As announced in the Draft Budget for 2017-18 in Parliament on 15 December 2016, the baseline allocation for NHS Ayrshire and Arran will increase to a total of £682.1 million. In addition to this increase, the Board can also expect to receive an additional £1.5 million of recurring NRAC parity funding. NHS Ayrshire and Arran are currently projecting a deficit of £13.3 million for 2016-17. The Board has prepared plans for transformational change with the intention of returning to recurring financial balance over the coming three years. The additional funding announced in the draft budget will contribute towards the Board's planned recovery. The Scottish Government will continue to support and assist NHS Ayrshire and Arran in returning to financial balance.\r\nOn staffing, it should also be recognised that, under this Government, the number of all staff in NHS Ayrshire & Arran has risen 6.3% or 507.3 WTE (from 8,114.1 to 8,621.4); with medical and dental consultants up 59.5% or 107.7 WTE (from 180.9 to 288.6), and emergency medicine consultants up 143.0% or 9.0 WTE (from 7.0 to 17.0). \r\nAs relates to the BBC investigation, I have been clear that the safety of expectant mothers and their babies is of paramount importance; I want to ensure that Scotland is as safe a place as possible for mothers to give birth. That is why I have asked Healthcare improvement Scotland (HIS) to review the quality of care and processes for managing adverse events within maternity services in NHS Ayrshire and Arran. The terms of reference for the review are published on the HIS website. HIS will report back in March 2017, after which I have offered to discuss those findings with the families concerned. Our national Maternity and Neonatal Services Review will also be published in the New Year; it will make recommendations on how services can be further improved, ensuring models of care that continue to deliver high quality, safe services.\r\nIn terms of waiting times I have been consistently clear that this Government remains wholly committed to ensuring all patients have swift and safe access to the full range of services from NHS Scotland; long waits for any patient are completely unacceptable. In the current year the Government has made available £3.7 million to address waiting times in Ayrshire and Arran; this includes £2.2 million from the additional £10 million announced on 21 November to address outpatient waiting times. On 29 November I announced a plan to deliver a major shift in the way outpatient care is delivered, giving patients faster and more local access to care. The Modern Outpatient: A Collaborative Approach 2017-2020 sets out a new strategy for responding to rising demand and aims to free up 400,000 hospital outpatient appointments by 2020. The strategy proposes that some patients, particularly those who are waiting for a routine check-up or test results, would be seen closer to home by a team of community healthcare professionals with close links to hospital departments. The NHS will also make better use of e-consultations and action will be taken to reduce the number of unnecessary referrals. Furthermore, I have also announced that the Scottish Government is providing an additional £10 million to address outpatient waiting times; this includes £2.2 million to ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320890,"EventID":"S5W-05694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:09:08.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of concerns regarding NHS Ayrshire and Arran's performance, whether it will set out a timetable to address these and to restore confidence in its services.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05692 on 12 January 2017. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320891,"EventID":"S5W-05717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:09:09.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04621 by Keith Brown on 29 November 2016, how many inbound militiary flights arrived at Prestwick Airport in 2016.","AnswerText":"There have been 1,659 inbound military flights to Glasgow Prestwick Airport between January 2016 and November 2016. These are the latest figures available at this time. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320892,"EventID":"S5W-05719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:09:12.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what volume of freight has been transported from Prestwick Airport in 2016.","AnswerText":"Between January 2016 and November 2016 a total of 10,313 tonnes of freight was transported through Glasgow Prestwick Airport. These are the latest figures available at this time.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320893,"EventID":"S5W-05726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:09:15.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any sanctions for non-performance stipulated in the escort/transport contract between G4S and the Scottish Prison Service and, if so, what they are.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nI would advise that the information which answers the member’s question is accessible on the SPS website in Schedule D of the Court Custody and Prisoner Escort Services (CCPES) contract and Section 14 of the Minute of Agreement, held at:\r\nhttp://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Publications/Contracts7.aspx","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320894,"EventID":"S5W-05728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:09:16.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many \"did not attends\" (DNAs) there have been from the Scottish Prison Service to NHS appointments in each year since May 2011, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"Information on did not attends does not specifically identify appointments missed from the prison service and therefore is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320895,"EventID":"S5W-05715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:09:17.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04621 by Keith Brown on 29 November 2016, how much income was generated by inbound military flights to Glasgow Prestwick Airport in (a) November – December 2013, (b) 2014, (c) 2015 and (d) 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information by calendar year. However, the gross revenue generated from all military flights by financial year is:\r\n2013-14 - £796,657\r\n2014-15 - £966,822\r\n2015-16 - £1,058,727","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320896,"EventID":"S5W-05730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:09:20.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T12:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of summary criminal cases were dealt with from caution and charge to verdict within the 26 week target in each sheriff court in month since April 2015.","AnswerText":"The available information is contained in the table titled 'Percentage of summary criminal cases concluded within 26 weeks (caution and charge to verdict) - All Sheriff courts Apr 15 – Oct 16' which is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. Number 58450).","AnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320897,"EventID":"S5W-05732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5757,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-19T17:09:21.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last provided guidance on what constitutes \"access to a teacher\" for pre-school children and whether it plans to review or strengthen this during the current parliamentary session. ","AnswerText":"Guidance on Pre-school Teacher Deployment was last published in May 2009.\r\nThe Scottish Government believes that children must have access to highly qualified staff with expertise in early childhood learning and development – and that this is particularly vital for those facing particular disadvantages. That is why we are committed to ensuring that nurseries in the most deprived areas will have an additional teacher or graduate from 2018 and we will set out more details as to how this commitment will be delivered later this month.\r\nWe have also sought views on a wide range of policy areas as part of our consultation on the expansion of early learning and childcare in Scotland, A Blueprint for 2020. The consultation closed on 9 January 2017 and the Scottish Government will set out its response in the Spring.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320899,"EventID":"S5W-05806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T10:21:39.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T09:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of its new International Development Strategy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has produced a refreshed international development strategy after extensive consultation with stakeholders. The strategy embraces and seeks to deliver on our commitment to the UN Global Goals and is in line with good development practice.\r\nThe strategy will better target and focus our International Development Fund and other related work where we can make a real difference and the most impact in relation to our budget whilst ensuring that the refreshed strategy preserves and builds on the best elements of our current international development work and partnerships.\r\nThe new strategy will see us partner with Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda and Pakistan in our international development work. We will retain a wide range of themes in which to invest our efforts, rather than narrowing these or being overly prescriptive. Our work will be led by the needs and priorities of these countries. We will also continue to progress the Beyond Aid agenda and Policy Coherence for Development.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320916,"EventID":"S5W-05701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:13:41.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in the interest of transparency, it will ensure that all core participants in the Pitchford inquiry have complete access to their police files held in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Access to police files is a matter for the Police Service of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320917,"EventID":"S5W-05778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:13:43.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to lower the age for breast cancer screening.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no current plans to lower the age for breast cancer screening in Scotland. \r\nOver the next few years, Public Health England (PHE) will be carrying out a randomised controlled trial in the English Breast Screening Programme screening women from the age of 47 and up to 73 years with some screening centres screening the younger and some the older age group. The purpose is to provide evidence of the effectiveness (or otherwise) of breast screening in the under 50s and over 70s. \r\nThe UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) will consider any evidence from this trial. The Scottish Government would then take any advice or recommendations stemming from the UK NSC to the Scottish Screening Committee for consideration.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320918,"EventID":"S5W-05801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:13:44.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00231 by Mark McDonald on 29 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 3), whether it will provide additional resources to Police Scotland to deal with the claims of child sex abuse in football.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to protecting the police revenue budget in real terms for the entirety of this Parliament, delivering an additional £100 million of investment over the next five years, in addition to £55 million of reform funding in 2016-17. It is for the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland to determine the best possible use of its budget according to national and local priorities.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320919,"EventID":"S5W-05803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:13:45.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding any deficiencies in legislation regarding the cross-border recognition of orders relating to the custody and care of children in Scotland and those in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"The placing of children from England in Scottish secure units under orders from an English court is essentially a matter for local authorities in England and for the Scottish secure care providers.\r\nHowever, following the 12 September 2016 High Court judgment impacting on those discrete arrangements, Scottish Government officials have worked alongside UK colleagues with a view to stabilising the current and forward positions for vulnerable young people from England and for the Scottish secure care providers.\r\nEdward Timpson MP, Minister for Vulnerable Children and Families, wrote to me on 27 October 2016 seeking our ‘in principle’ agreement to progress a Legislative Consent Motion on an amendment to the current UK Children and Social Work Bill. That amendment will address a gap in law relating to the placement of young people from England and Wales in Scottish secure accommodation.\r\nOn 2 November 2016 I responded, giving our agreement in principle to progress the Legislative Consent Motion. That agreement stems from our concern for the welfare of the young people affected and from our interest in supporting the work of the secure care providers in Scotland. Our agreement is also contingent on the right safeguards being put in place for Scottish young people and Scottish secure care providers.\r\nScottish Government officials have since continued to work closely with UK counterparts to progress the proposed amendment to the Children and Social Work Bill.\r\nFinal consent of the Scottish Parliament will be required, and the Legislative Consent Motion is now being considered by the Education and Skills Committee.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320920,"EventID":"S5W-05810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:13:46.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional support it will provide to nurseries in the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland to expand childcare flexibility and availability.","AnswerText":"In late 2016 we set out our programme of ELC expansion trials, which will test a variety of different delivery models across Scotland.\r\nThe programme covers 14 different trials, with ten of these located in deprived areas (the trials in Aberdeen, Dundee, East Ayrshire, Edinburgh, Eilean Siar, Midlothian, Glasgow, North Ayrshire, Scottish Borders, South Lanarkshire). The trials form part of the Scottish Government’s wider drive to increase the quality and flexibility of provision as work towards delivery of 1140 hours of early learning and childcare by 2020 continues.\r\nWe are committed to ensuring that nurseries in the most deprived areas will have an additional teacher or graduate from 2018 and we will set out more details as to how this commitment will be delivered later in January.\r\nWe have also sought views on a wide range of policy areas as part of our consultation on the expansion of early learning and childcare in Scotland, A Blueprint for 2020. The consultation closed on 9 January 2017 and the Scottish Government will set out its response in the Spring.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320921,"EventID":"S5W-05812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:13:48.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T10:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much planned investment it has to further develop wind farms across the north east.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have any plans to directly invest in wind farms anywhere in Scotland. Our draft Energy Strategy is due for publication shortly and will outline our aspirations for onshore wind in Scotland.\r\nThrough Local Energy Scotland, the Scottish Government offers start-up grants and pre-planning loans for community and locally owned projects. Due to unwelcome reductions in UK support for renewable energy technologies, as many as 14 previously viable projects are no longerviable, therefore in the North East we currently estimate that five onshore wind projects are likely to progress and will require a total of £220,000 of future investment.”","AnswerDate":"2017-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320922,"EventID":"S5W-05789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:13:49.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on mental health provision being part of inspections by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Schools. ","AnswerText":"In Scotland’s schools, mental health is considered as part of a broad spectrum under health and wellbeing, for example, as part of the responsibilities of all staff under Curriculum for Excellence, or as targeted interventions to provide more personalised support to meet the requirements of various legislation.\r\nEducation Scotland through Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HM Inspectors) inspect, review and report on the provision made by schools and education authorities across Scotland. Where appropriate, HM Inspectors will comment on the impact of any mental health provision in helping to support the learning needs of children and young people. HM Inspectors also review and publish reports on specific aspects of education, including approaches to improving health and wellbeing.\r\nHow Good is Our School 4 and How Good is Our Early Learning and Childcare include Quality Indicator (QI) 3:1 Ensuring Wellbeing, Equality and Inclusion. This QI evaluates the impact of the school’s approach to wellbeing which underpins young people’s ability to achieve success. It highlights the need for policies and practices to be well grounded in current legislation and a shared understanding of the value of every individual, including those with mental health concerns where appropriate. Since August 2016, all inspections of early learning and childcare establishments, primary, secondary, special and independent schools inspections have included evaluation of this QI.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320923,"EventID":"S5W-05790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:13:50.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on a move to pre-primary school eye screening. ","AnswerText":"NHSScotland provides comprehensive orthoptic, or orthoptic-led, pre-school vision screening at four-five years as recommended in Health for all children 4: Guidance on Implementation in Scotland. \r\nIn addition in Scotland, children are entitled to a free NHS eye examination annually, which provides a full eye health assessment tailored to meet the needs of the patient. Children are also entitled to optical vouchers to help with the cost of glasses.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320924,"EventID":"S5W-05807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:13:51.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many interpreters each local authority has had in each year since 2007-08, and for which languages.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320925,"EventID":"S5W-05808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:13:53.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each local authority paid to another local authority for nursery partnership places' reimbursement in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government does not collect information on financial arrangements between local authorities concerning cross-boundary early learning and childcare placements.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320926,"EventID":"S5W-05822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:13:55.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board has spent on services in the (a) independent and (b) private sector in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"NHS Territorial Boards make limited use of the independent and private sector for health care services, with the amount incurred in 2015-16 comprising 0.7% of total resource spending. Boards report this spending in their annual accounts as private sector spending. The Scottish Government holds figures for each Board between 2006-07 and 2015-16. These are set out in the following table:\r\nBoard\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\nAyrshire & Arran\r\n4,627\r\n5,091\r\n5,930\r\n5,654\r\n5,265\r\n3,390\r\n4,576\r\n4,646\r\n5,681\r\n4,689\r\nBorders\r\n2,898\r\n3,029\r\n3,491\r\n3,151\r\n4,207\r\n3,799\r\n3,453\r\n3,274\r\n3,457\r\n3,211\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n5,196\r\n7,893\r\n4,780\r\n3,985\r\n3,946\r\n6,941\r\n6,774\r\n6,109\r\n6,188\r\n4,394\r\nFife\r\n1,040\r\n1,527\r\n1,802\r\n2,026\r\n3,664\r\n3,606\r\n5,299\r\n2,736\r\n2,385\r\n2,090\r\nForth Valley\r\n1,743\r\n2,039\r\n2,777\r\n3,157\r\n2,878\r\n2,868\r\n4,712\r\n3,983\r\n4,658\r\n3,296\r\nGrampian\r\n5,291\r\n2,905\r\n2,931\r\n1,626\r\n1,356\r\n2,509\r\n6,331\r\n4,922\r\n6,680\r\n7,886\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n19,426\r\n20,061\r\n20,716\r\n19,383\r\n17,930\r\n19,659\r\n15,451\r\n13,829\r\n12,494\r\n17,146\r\nHighland\r\n2,480\r\n2,997\r\n3,567\r\n2,991\r\n3,022\r\n3,037\r\n2,671\r\n3,748\r\n4,855\r\n3,536\r\nLanarkshire\r\n7,444\r\n8,582\r\n8,755\r\n8,567\r\n7,823\r\n7,672\r\n7,748\r\n7,607\r\n9,707\r\n10,234\r\nLothian\r\n4,230\r\n1,780\r\n2,426\r\n2,545\r\n5,940\r\n5,375\r\n14,840\r\n16,626\r\n17,845\r\n12,192\r\nOrkney\r\n403\r\n392\r\n647\r\n543\r\n444\r\n664\r\n563\r\n445\r\n416\r\n330\r\nShetland\r\n93\r\n88\r\n197\r\n122\r\n140\r\n- \r\n116\r\n186\r\n243\r\n288\r\nTayside\r\n3,539\r\n4,713\r\n4,634\r\n4,106\r\n4,991\r\n5,414\r\n7,190\r\n7,239\r\n7,324\r\n8,474\r\nWestern Isles\r\n260\r\n249\r\n87\r\n229\r\n167\r\n551\r\n540\r\n547\r\n598\r\n736\r\nTotal\r\n58,670\r\n61,346\r\n62,740\r\n58,085\r\n61,773\r\n65,485\r\n80,264\r\n75,897\r\n82,531\r\n78,502\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320927,"EventID":"S5W-05825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:13:56.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much in (a) capital and (b) additional costs of non-profit distributing projects has been paid upfront by the organisations operating them.","AnswerText":"The estimated total value of capital investment made in each NPD project is detailed in Annex B of the Draft Budget 2017-18. The costs are as agreed in the relevant commercial contractual arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320928,"EventID":"S5W-05777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:13:58.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place with stakeholders in relation to proposals for a tidal barrage on the River Forth at Stirling and the potential impact on designated local Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) interests. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware that Stirling is considering a tidal barrage on the River Forth at Stirling as part of its City Deal proposals. Consideration of the City Deal proposals is at an early state and to date, no formal or statutory stakeholder consultation has taken place with regard to any potential impacts on local designated areas from a tidal barrage development.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":320929,"EventID":"S5W-05784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:13:59.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many operations have been cancelled due to bed unavailability in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The specific information requested is not held centrally by ISD Scotland. Information is however published monthly on the number of operations cancelled each month. Latest published figures for November 2017 indicated that NHSScotland scheduled 31,730 operations in the month of November of which 665 were cancelled due to capacity or non-clinical reason this gave a rate of 2.1% same as October 2016 and slightly higher than the 1.8% in November 2015.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to work to support health boards to manage their capacity planning to keep cancelled operations to a minimum. Decisions to cancel a patient's operation is never taken lightly, any postponed operations will be rescheduled at the earliest opportunity. The Scottish Government has also already announced a £200 million investment to create six new elective treatment centres which will carry out procedures like hip, knee and cataracts operations. These centres will allow people to be treated more quickly for planned surgery to help the NHS meet increasing demand from a growing elderly population and reduce the number of operations cancelled.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320930,"EventID":"S5W-05795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:01.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the numbers of deaths and injuries on roads due to winter driving conditions.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is responsible for preventing snow and ice endangering the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles on trunk roads in Scotland. Significant planning is undertaken in advance of winter to ensure that the trunk road operating companies are prepared and to share lessons learned from previous years. The trunk road Operating Companies each have a Winter Service Plan, which is available online at:\r\nhttp://www.transport.gov.scot/road/winter-service-ready-winter-and-severe-weather.\r\nWe work with our partners, including Police Scotland and the Met Office, in our state of the art control centre to keep Scotland moving across the winter months and we continue to use the best available technology to give road users the most up to date information about the roads when they require it.\r\nThe Transport Scotland website also provides advice on safe winter driving, including the leaflet “Driving in Bad Weather”, which is available at: http://www.transport.gov.scot/system/files/documents/tsc-basic-pages/Road/Driving%20in%20Bad%20Weather_new.pdf.\r\nLocal authorities are responsible for winter service operations on local roads.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320931,"EventID":"S5W-05802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:02.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish court orders in each of the last 10 years under the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 have placed children in secure accommodation in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"There have been no Scottish court orders in each of the last 10 years under the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 that have placed children from Scotland in secure accommodation in England and Wales.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320932,"EventID":"S5W-05809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:03.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average number of children has been in (a) public, (b) private and (c) other types of nurseries in each year since 2010-11, also broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"We do not hold information on the average number of children in nurseries over the course of a year. We do however have data on the number of registrations for funded Early Learning and Childcare as collected through the Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) census in September each year. Given that this data is collected in term one and registrations increase throughout the year as more children become eligible for funded provision, then we would expect the average number to be higher than the figures presented below. Although these figures are based on the number of registrations not the number of children, and children registered at more than one centre may be double counted, the amount of double counting will be less than the number of additional children that register after September.\r\nThe Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) census does not separate out nurseries from other settings providing the funded ELC entitlement that are covered by the census. However information is separated into local authority and partnership provider settings, and for 2015 and 2016 partnership settings can be separated into private partnerships and other partnerships. Local authority and partnership providers will include a range of settings such as nurseries, playgroups, and family centres. Data is not currently collected on funded provision with childminders.\r\nFor 2015 and 2016 registration data split by local authority and partnership settings are publicly available in the supplementary tables released alongside the ‘Summary statistics for schools in Scotland’ publication which includes data from the ELC census. Registrations data by local authority or partnership centre for 2010 to 2014 is available from the ELC census, but this breakdown was not published for these years. Breakdowns for all years have been collated and are provided in tables (a) and (b). A further breakdown into private and other partnerships is not published, but is available for 2015 and 2016 as outlined in table (c).\r\nTable (a) – Number of registrations for funded ELC in local authority centres\r\n\r\nLocal authority centres\r\n\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nAberdeen City\r\n2,443\r\n2,409\r\n2,435\r\n2,574\r\n2,527\r\n2,276\r\n2,833\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n2,988\r\n3,129\r\n3,234\r\n3,356\r\n3,322\r\n3,454\r\n3,504\r\nAngus\r\n1,391\r\n1,481\r\n1,487\r\n1,429\r\n1,360\r\n1,315\r\n1,407\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n724\r\n716\r\n834\r\n831\r\n793\r\n777\r\n795\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n846\r\n1,012\r\n946\r\n927\r\n934\r\n818\r\n1,001\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n1,670\r\n1,742\r\n1,746\r\n1,684\r\n1,608\r\n1,487\r\n1,561\r\nDundee City\r\n1,802\r\n1,906\r\n2,065\r\n2,067\r\n2,149\r\n2,214\r\n2,225\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n1,819\r\n1,756\r\n2,038\r\n2,067\r\n2,040\r\n2,032\r\n2,108\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n1,011\r\n1,050\r\n1,070\r\n1,042\r\n1,078\r\n1,077\r\n1,141\r\nEast Lothian\r\n1,585\r\n1,547\r\n1,707\r\n1,649\r\n1,659\r\n1,596\r\n1,568\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n1,316\r\n1,336\r\n1,358\r\n1,547\r\n1,574\r\n1,548\r\n1,623\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n4,785\r\n4,995\r\n5,180\r\n5,408\r\n5,423\r\n5,190\r\n5,750\r\nNa h-Eileanan Siar\r\n304\r\n283\r\n422\r\n357\r\n366\r\n372\r\n419\r\nFalkirk\r\n2,396\r\n2,677\r\n2,470\r\n2,746\r\n2,724\r\n2,794\r\n2,695\r\nFife\r\n5,781\r\n5,884\r\n5,725\r\n6,204\r\n6,159\r\n6,066\r\n5,999\r\nGlasgow City\r\n7,319\r\n7,444\r\n7,698\r\n8,517\r\n9,004\r\n7,604\r\n7,704\r\nHighland\r\n2,808\r\n2,961\r\n2,991\r\n3,005\r\n2,941\r\n2,897\r\n3,064\r\nInverclyde\r\n1,119\r\n1,198\r\n1,226\r\n1,225\r\n1,216\r\n1,265\r\n1,243\r\nMidlothian\r\n1,228\r\n1,355\r\n1,343\r\n1,445\r\n1,518\r\n1,535\r\n1,506\r\nMoray\r\n689\r\n689\r\n737\r\n646\r\n695\r\n685\r\n629\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n1,724\r\n1,731\r\n1,809\r\n1,884\r\n1,791\r\n1,949\r\n1,880\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n4,883\r\n5,342\r\n5,405\r\n5,736\r\n5,645\r\n5,377\r\n5,301\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n329\r\n317\r\n323\r\n345\r\n354\r\n346\r\n336\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n1,650\r\n1,680\r\n1,695\r\n1,736\r\n1,764\r\n1,872\r\n1,807\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n1,974\r\n2,230\r\n2,222\r\n2,280\r\n2,227\r\n2,134\r\n2,290\r\nScottish Borders\r\n1,351\r\n1,318\r\n1,373\r\n1,393\r\n1,351\r\n1,354\r\n1,299\r\nShetland Islands\r\n359\r\n349\r\n410\r\n379\r\n355\r\n389\r\n392\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n1,451\r\n1,459\r\n1,485\r\n1,585\r\n1,608\r\n1,539\r\n1,601\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n3,929\r\n4,166\r\n4,179\r\n4,118\r\n4,266\r\n4,315\r\n3,898\r\nStirling\r\n1,349\r\n1,246\r\n1,392\r\n1,423\r\n1,288\r\n1,320\r\n1,247\r\nWest Dun","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320933,"EventID":"S5W-05827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:05.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) designing and (b) implementing the National Basic Payment Support Scheme has had any impact on the ability of area offices to (i) calculate and (ii) deliver full common agricultural policy (CAP) payments.","AnswerText":"The design and implementation of the National Basic Payment Support Scheme has had no impact on the ability of area offices to calculate and deliver Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments as this work was carried out by a centralised team based in Saughton House in Edinburgh.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":320934,"EventID":"S5W-05788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:06.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the recording of eye health data in the NHS.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government are currently working with National Services Scotland Practitioner Services Division to develop an ophthalmic data warehouse which will be available from Spring 2017. This warehouse will allow us to gather more detailed data on eye care as we continue to improve services in Scotland through our Review of community eyecare services and our wider transformation of primary care.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320935,"EventID":"S5W-05791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:07.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the NHS buildings estate and when it envisages all buildings to be classified as being in a good condition. ","AnswerText":"Each year the Scottish Government publishes the Annual State of NHSScotland Assets and Facilities Report which provides details on the condition of the NHS Estate. The 2015 report can be accessed at http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00503969.pdf and we intend to publish the 2016 report in the Spring of 2017.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320936,"EventID":"S5W-05823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:08.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the full (a) capital and (b) lifetime (i) borrowing and (ii) maintenance cost will be of the (A) Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie Tipperty, (B) Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service National Centre, (C) Royal Hospital for Sick Children/Department of Clinical Neurosciences, (D) Dumfries acute services redevelopment and (E) new Orkney hospital and healthcare facilities project; how the costs will be accommodated in its (1) budget and (2) capital borrowing allocation, and whether extra costs, including long-term debt and interest repayments, will be incurred by the organisation that will operate the completed project.","AnswerText":"Information on these projects, including the overall capital investment value, is contained within the Infrastructure Investment Plan Project Pipeline report available from the following link:\r\nwww.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/IIP/IIPProjectPipelineSep2016.\r\nFurther information on the non-profit distributing projects, including unitary charge payments, is published annually and is available from the following link: www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/12308/NPDhubPipelinepayments.\r\nIn relation to the new Orkney Hospital details of the project will be published (on the same basis as other NPD projects) when the project has reached financial close.\r\nBorrowing and maintenance cost information is contained within the contracts held by the procuring authorities. This information, which was subject to competition during the procurement process, is subject to confidentiality provisions in the contracts for a time limited period of typically two years.\r\nThe capital costs have been accommodated in the Draft Budget 2016-17 and Draft Budget 2017-18.\r\nWe would expect to take decisions about borrowing in 2016-17 later in the year on the basis that it is more cost effective. The Draft Budget 2017-18 sets out our intention to make full use of borrowing powers in 2017-18 but final decisions are expected be taken late in 2017-18.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320937,"EventID":"S5W-05824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:10.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding what profits will be made by each company involved with the (a) Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie Tipperty, (b) Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service National Centre, (c) Royal Hospital for Sick Children/Department of Clinical Neurosciences, (d) Dumfries acute services redevelopment and (e) new Orkney hospital and healthcare facilities project, including from long-term (i) interest and (ii) fees.","AnswerText":"As these projects were procured under the Non Profit Distributing model, there are no profits distributed to the private sector investors in the project companies that have been set up and which hold the contracts with the procuring authorities.\r\nInformation on interest and fees is included in the financial models which underpin the contracts This information, which was subject to competition during the procurement process, is subject to confidentiality provisions in the contracts for a time limited period of typically two years. Information on the profit levels of sub-contracting companies, such as the construction contractor, is not held.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320938,"EventID":"S5W-05785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:11.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been referred to residential rehabilitation projects for alcohol and drug addiction in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold a breakdown of information on how many people have been referred to residential rehabilitation projects for alcohol and drug addiction since 1999. Services are made locally, and it would be for individual Health Boards or Alcohol and Drug Partnerships to provide a complete breakdown of this information.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320939,"EventID":"S5W-05787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:13.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the merits of single budgeting for integration joint boards. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring the success of the integration of health and social care, as required under the Public Bodies (Joint Working) Scotland Act 2014, and is working with Integration Joint Boards, Health Boards and Local Authorities to monitor the effectiveness of all aspects of implementation, including budgetary arrangements, in local systems. Changes to Integration Joint Boards’ current funding arrangements to permit direct allocations from the Scottish Government, rather than allocations via Health Boards and Local Authorities, would require legislative change along with careful consideration of the implications of the VAT Act (1994), and development of equitable allocation methods given local variation in integrated services. The Scottish Government will continue to keep the position under review and will give further consideration to the potential opportunities and implications of making any changes.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320940,"EventID":"S5W-05792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:14.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of NHS buildings that have been rated poor/in need of maintenance, broken down by NHS board. ","AnswerText":"Details of the condition of the NHS Estate can be found in the Annual State of NHSScotland Assets and Facilities Report which can be accessed at http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00503969.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320941,"EventID":"S5W-05794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:15.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children in Edinburgh (a) are eligible for and (b) receive free school meals. ","AnswerText":"The eligibility criteria to qualify for free school meals is provided for in section 53 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. A summary of the criteria can be accessed from the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Education/Schools/HLivi/schoolmeals/FreeSchoolMeals. In addition, on 5 January 2015, free school meals were extended to all primary 1 to 3 children in local authority schools across Scotland to help ensure every child has the best possible start in life and gets every chance to succeed at school. The policy has had a huge uptake with latest figures showing that over 134,500 primary 1 to 3 children (81.7%) across Scotland now taking a nutritious free school lunch, saving families around £380 a year for each eligible child.\r\nLocal authorities must promote the uptake of free school meals amongst those currently eligible. Data on the numbers of children eligible for free school meals (outwith P1-3) is not held centrally.\r\nThe latest statistics on free school meals were published on 22 June 2016 in the Scottish Government Statistics Publication - Summary statistics for attainment, leaver destinations and healthy living, No. 6: 2016 Edition. Tables 7, 13 and 19 in the supplementary tables outline the number of children and young people in primary, secondary and special schools, respectively, registered and taking free school meals on census day by local authority level. The supplementary data tables can be accessed at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/MealsSD/mealspesd/mealspesd2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-12-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320942,"EventID":"S5W-05817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:17.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has a national strategy for the eradication of rough sleeping.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s strong housing rights for homeless households mean that nobody should have to sleep rough. Local Authorities have the statutory duty for the delivery of housing and homelessness in their area. This includes addressing rough sleeping, taking account of local circumstances and priorities.\r\nHomelessness statistics indicate that the number and proportion of homeless applicants in Scotland reporting that they had slept rough before applying has decreased year on year over the past five years. However, we recognise that some rough sleeping will result from more complex needs and we are working with partners in Health and the Third Sector to ensure we have better information on rough sleepers and their needs to help address this issue.\r\nAddressing homelessness amongst those with multiple and complex needs is a key priority for the national Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group, which oversees homelessness in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320943,"EventID":"S5W-05819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:19.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that there is a minimum number of places available for emergency accommodation for rough sleepers in each local authority.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s strong housing rights for homeless households mean that nobody should have to sleep rough. Local Authorities have the statutory duty for the delivery of housing and homelessness services in their area. This includes the provision of emergency accommodation for those sleeping rough, taking account of local circumstances and priorities.\r\nHomelessness statistics indicate that the number and proportion of homeless applicants in Scotland reporting that they had slept rough before applying has decreased year on year over the past five years. However, we recognise that some rough sleeping will result from more complex needs and we are working with partners in Health and the Third Sector to ensure we have better information on rough sleepers and their needs to help address this issue.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320944,"EventID":"S5W-05821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5700,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:20.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many college places have been made available in the West Scotland parliamentary region in each year since 2005, broken down by (a) college and (b) local authority area.","AnswerText":"Data for West College Scotland, Ayrshire College and New College Lanarkshire are included in the following tables as New College Lanarkshire has a campus in Kirkintilloch and Ayrshire College has campuses in Irvine and Kilwinning.\r\nFTEs (Full-Time Equivalents) at West College Scotland by Local Authority of residence\r\n\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n2,992\r\n2,926\r\n2,978\r\n3,010\r\n3,121\r\n3,154\r\n3,047\r\n2,784\r\n2,709\r\n3,026\r\nInverclyde\r\n2,521\r\n2,329\r\n2,273\r\n2,416\r\n2,328\r\n2,340\r\n2,129\r\n2,108\r\n2,233\r\n2,195\r\nGlasgow\r\n1,732\r\n1,734\r\n1,657\r\n1,724\r\n1,781\r\n1,935\r\n2,040\r\n1,851\r\n1,856\r\n1,923\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n1,332\r\n1,475\r\n1,494\r\n1,479\r\n1,510\r\n1,564\r\n1,513\r\n1,324\r\n1,384\r\n1,622\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n760\r\n730\r\n673\r\n673\r\n707\r\n655\r\n691\r\n569\r\n585\r\n521\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n738\r\n612\r\n672\r\n587\r\n536\r\n578\r\n574\r\n494\r\n471\r\n461\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n399\r\n388\r\n378\r\n371\r\n341\r\n369\r\n332\r\n343\r\n349\r\n335\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n204\r\n234\r\n222\r\n213\r\n238\r\n236\r\n236\r\n192\r\n191\r\n245\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n187\r\n173\r\n190\r\n149\r\n151\r\n161\r\n159\r\n167\r\n194\r\n226\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n164\r\n126\r\n140\r\n115\r\n109\r\n134\r\n138\r\n178\r\n213\r\n219\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n83\r\n87\r\n72\r\n64\r\n68\r\n85\r\n94\r\n78\r\n83\r\n107\r\nEdinburgh\r\n47\r\n29\r\n26\r\n23\r\n39\r\n31\r\n30\r\n47\r\n63\r\n88\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n63\r\n59\r\n76\r\n68\r\n76\r\n74\r\n70\r\n61\r\n72\r\n77\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n26\r\n36\r\n52\r\n47\r\n57\r\n43\r\n47\r\n54\r\n93\r\n52\r\nFife\r\n20\r\n14\r\n21\r\n26\r\n33\r\n43\r\n52\r\n57\r\n101\r\n51\r\nHighlands\r\n31\r\n45\r\n52\r\n42\r\n75\r\n58\r\n67\r\n60\r\n78\r\n51\r\nFalkirk\r\n30\r\n29\r\n32\r\n31\r\n30\r\n33\r\n32\r\n28\r\n62\r\n46\r\nStirling\r\n23\r\n36\r\n41\r\n43\r\n47\r\n41\r\n46\r\n43\r\n51\r\n36\r\nWest Lothian\r\n19\r\n13\r\n13\r\n16\r\n24\r\n36\r\n31\r\n17\r\n25\r\n35\r\nDundee\r\n4\r\n6\r\n10\r\n14\r\n15\r\n33\r\n28\r\n18\r\n21\r\n27\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n28\r\n16\r\n17\r\n25\r\n28\r\n23\r\n27\r\n26\r\n54\r\n25\r\nEast Lothian\r\n17\r\n10\r\n10\r\n10\r\n19\r\n12\r\n14\r\n19\r\n22\r\n23\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n15\r\n13\r\n13\r\n24\r\n22\r\n23\r\n20\r\n22\r\n29\r\n23\r\nAberdeen\r\n19\r\n15\r\n20\r\n16\r\n20\r\n18\r\n15\r\n13\r\n19\r\n17\r\nAngus\r\n6\r\n15\r\n20\r\n24\r\n29\r\n34\r\n49\r\n33\r\n65\r\n17\r\nOther\r\n122\r\n74\r\n154\r\n137\r\n186\r\n164\r\n90\r\n109\r\n130\r\n61\r\nTotal\r\n11,579\r\n11,223\r\n11,309\r\n11,345\r\n11,591\r\n11,875\r\n11,571\r\n10,697\r\n11,151\r\n11,510\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council (SFC)\r\nFTE includes SFC and ESF (European Social Fund) funded places.\r\nLA is based on students postcode prior to study\r\nFTEs (Full-Time Equivalents) at New College Lanarkshire by Local Authority of residence\r\n\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n4,488\r\n4,861\r\n5,226\r\n5,271\r\n5,340\r\n5,503\r\n5,503\r\n5,266\r\n5,656\r\n5,781\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n1,677\r\n1,931\r\n1,987\r\n1,924\r\n2,013\r\n1,979\r\n1,836\r\n1,874\r\n2,050\r\n1,954\r\nGlasgow\r\n309\r\n422\r\n501\r\n457\r\n414\r\n472\r\n500\r\n533\r\n563\r\n583\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n265\r\n298\r\n367\r\n341\r\n339\r\n304\r\n310\r\n325\r\n289\r\n309\r\nFalkirk\r\n72\r\n96\r\n101\r\n119\r\n167\r\n151\r\n184\r\n185\r\n244\r\n260\r\nWest Lothian\r\n35\r\n39\r\n45\r\n36\r\n44\r\n46\r\n65\r\n80\r\n81\r\n105\r\nStirling\r\n18\r\n16\r\n21\r\n23\r\n31\r\n25\r\n28\r\n32\r\n38\r\n37\r\nEdinburgh\r\n13\r\n10\r\n25\r\n13\r\n10\r\n8\r\n11\r\n24\r\n32\r\n36\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n34\r\n16\r\n24\r\n24\r\n19\r\n17\r\n11\r\n29\r\n26\r\n35\r\nFife\r\n11\r\n8\r\n7\r\n11\r\n16\r\n14\r\n5\r\n10\r\n19\r\n34\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n24\r\n26\r\n31\r\n26\r\n20\r\n22\r\n21\r\n31\r\n35\r\n29\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n29\r\n34\r\n30\r\n18\r\n12\r\n22\r\n15\r\n13\r\n19\r\n22\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n41\r\n55\r\n24\r\n14\r\n15\r\n11\r\n10\r\n26\r\n22\r\n20\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n38\r\n45\r\n21\r\n16\r\n10\r\n15\r\n13\r\n20\r\n19\r\n19\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n12\r\n13\r\n15\r\n12\r\n12\r\n15\r\n10\r\n10\r\n17\r\n18\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n8\r\n6\r\n13\r\n10\r\n15\r\n10\r\n7\r\n12\r\n19\r\n16\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n4\r\n5\r\n5\r\n6\r\n7\r\n8\r\n9\r\n12\r\n14\r\n16\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n4\r\n7\r\n13\r\n19\r\n13\r\n13\r\n6\r\n15\r\n15\r\n16\r\nOther\r\n87\r\n82\r\n158\r\n101\r\n99\r\n42\r\n60\r\n88\r\n99\r\n65\r\nTotal\r\n7,171\r\n7,969\r\n8,613\r\n8,439\r\n8,596\r\n8,675\r\n8,604\r\n8,584\r\n9,257\r\n9,354\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council (SFC)\r\nFTE includes SFC and ESF (European Social Fund) funded places.\r\nLA is based on students postcode prior to study\r\nNew College Lanarkshire has a campus in Kirkintilloch\r\nFTEs (Full-Time Equivalents) at Ayrshire College by Local Authority of residence\r\n\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nEas","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320945,"EventID":"S5W-05699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:21.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the core participants in the Pitchford inquiry were targeted in Scotland by UK undercover police or by undercover Scottish police officers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320946,"EventID":"S5W-05780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:23.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish details regarding the NHS bonding scheme, how much this will be and how many medical professionals it envisages it will be made available to. ","AnswerText":"It was announced on 14 June 2016 that Scotland’s first Graduate Entry Medical Programme (Scotgem) would have an element of bonding. The Scotgem Programme will commence in autumn 2018 and will have capacity for approximately 40 students. Details of the proposed bonding scheme are currently subject to analysis and informal consultation. It is envisaged that headline details of the proposed scheme will be available by spring this year and well in advance of commencement of Scotgem in 2018. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320947,"EventID":"S5W-05782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:24.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many respite care breaks have been provided to carers in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has published information on respite weeks for the years 2007-08 to 2014-15. Information prior to 2007-08 is not held centrally. There is an estimated real terms increase in respite care provision between 2007-08 and 2014-15 of between 3,620 and 8,210 weeks.\r\nInformation for each year from 2007-08 to 2014-15 is provided in the following table:\r\nYear\r\nTotal respite weeks provided\r\n2007-08\r\n172,730\r\n2008-09\r\n174,030\r\n2009-10\r\n203,570\r\n2010-11\r\n211,210\r\n2011-12\r\n205,070\r\n2012-13\r\n205,800\r\n2013-14\r\n202,690\r\n2014-15\r\n196,060\r\nRespite Care Scotland 2015 (http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/6824)\r\nCollecting data about respite provision provided or purchased by local authorities is challenging. In 2014-15 it is estimated that, in addition to the provision of 196,060 respite weeks, a further 7,160 weeks were provided through direct payments. There was also an unknown number of weeks provided through other forms of Self-directed Support.\r\nThis data is no longer being collected centrally. We are currently consulting on a new dataset to monitor support to carers more generally.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320948,"EventID":"S5W-05797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:26.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of exports from Scotland to outside of the EU in each of the last 10 years has been to India.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government produce estimates of international exports in the Exports Statistics Scotland publication. The latest published figures show Scottish exports to India were worth £205 million in 2014. This is equal to 1.4% of total exports to non-EU countries. The following table shows these figures for the last 10 years.\r\nScottish Exports (£ million) to India and non-EU Countries, 2005 to 2014\r\n\r\n2005\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nExports to India\r\n120\r\n145\r\n190\r\n240\r\n235\r\n215\r\n220\r\n235\r\n220\r\n205\r\nExports to non-EU Countries\r\n8,845\r\n9,280\r\n10,260\r\n11,105\r\n11,125\r\n11,995\r\n13,110\r\n14,045\r\n15,110\r\n15,170\r\n% of non-EU exports to India\r\n1.4%\r\n1.6%\r\n1.9%\r\n2.2%\r\n2.1%\r\n1.8%\r\n1.7%\r\n1.7%\r\n1.5%\r\n1.4%\r\nSource: Export Statistics Scotland 2014","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320949,"EventID":"S5W-05814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:27.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which (a) local authorities and (b) other organisations it has met to discuss the issue of rough sleeping.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government meets regularly with local authorities through meetings with the Housing Options Hubs. The Housing Options Hubs look at ways of preventing homelessness and enabling access to people’s widest housing options. Meetings concentrate on a range of areas, including the issue of rough sleeping. All 32 local authorities are a member of one of the Hubs.\r\nThe Scottish Government engages with other through the Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group (HPSG), COSLA, ALACHO, NHS Health Scotland, SOLACE, Shelter and Homeless Action Scotland are members of this group. Rough sleeping is discussed at these meetings as part of the HPSG workplan for 2016-17.\r\nThe Scottish Government is also working with its partners in areas such as Health and Social Services and with third sector organisations, including Glasgow Homelessness Network, to improve outcomes for homeless people who may need more support to access and stay in housing and to stop them becoming homeless again. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320950,"EventID":"S5W-05816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:28.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which organisations it has met to discuss the issue of rough sleeping in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has met with Glasgow City Council, the Glasgow Homelessness Network, Glasgow City Mission and the Simon Community Scotland and others to discuss issues around homelessness and rough sleeping in Glasgow.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320951,"EventID":"S5W-05826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3985,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:30.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to alleviate any negative impact to businesses in (a) North East Scotland and (b) the rest of the country arising from the increase in business taxes.","AnswerText":"In my Draft Budget 2017-18 announcement to Parliament on 15 December I set out a comprehensive package of action in light of the revaluation to deliver a highly competitive business rates regime that will benefit businesses in the North East and across Scotland.\r\nThe package includes expansion of the Small Business Bonus Scheme from April 2017 to lift 100,000 properties out of rates completely, 8,000 business properties will no longer pay the Large Business Supplement and the overall business rates poundage will be cut by 3.7% to 46.6p.\r\nIn addition an external review led by Ken Barclay is exploring how business rates can better reflect economic conditions and support growth. We will respond quickly when the review concludes in the summer of 2017.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320952,"EventID":"S5W-05781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:31.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to provide additional radiotherapy machines across Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's Cancer Plan which sets out our ambitions on improving the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and after care for people affected by cancer. A key part of that strategy embeds our actions on detecting cancer early, not least through screening programmes which is part of the additional £100 million over five years to help make this strategy a reality.\r\nThe national equipment replacement programme oversees the replacement of radiotherapy equipment with leading edge technology to deliver the best available treatment for all cancer patients across Scotland. The capital replacement programme covers the five cancer care centres in Scotland (Lothian, Glasgow, Highland, Tayside and Grampian) and is funded centrally by the Scottish Government. The capital requirement varies on a year to year basis as it depends on when replacement equipment is required, but in 2016-17 capital funding of £5.2 million was allocated to this area.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320953,"EventID":"S5W-05783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:33.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many health visitors have been employed in the NHS in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of Health Visitors employed by NHSScotland Health Board in each year since 1999 is published by ISD Scotland and can be found at the following links:-\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Historic-Data/WFE01_HB_REG.xls=\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2012-11-27/Nursing_and_Midwifery_SIP_S2012.xls?52391154\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2016-12-06/Non-Medical_Trend_S2016.xls\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2016-12-06/Health_Visitors_S2016.xls","AnswerDate":"2017-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320954,"EventID":"S5W-05796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:34.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to reduce the costs of work carried out to conserve historic (a) buildings, (b) monuments and (c) tenements.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of the owners of historic buildings, monuments and tenements to ensure the conservation and repair of their properties. The cost of conservation work is usually determined by the scale of the problem needing rectified. In view of this, the Scottish Government and Historic Environment Scotland advocate the regular inspection and maintenance of buildings to identify and rectify issues before they become problems, thereby reducing the risk of urgent and expensive repairs at a later date. Advice for owners of historic properties is available from Historic Environment Scotland. \r\nWith specific reference to tenements, the Scottish Government online guide, Common Repair, Common Sense, on the management of tenements in Scotland: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0041/00417200.pdf also notes that “Regular inspections followed by prompt remedial action will reduce the costs of minor and major repairs.” In September 2016, the Under One Roof web resource http://www.underoneroof.scot/ was launched as part of the Year of Architecture, Innovation and Design. This free, impartial resource provides advice for the owners and occupiers of tenements and flats in Scotland.\r\nSome owners may be eligible for grant support towards repairs. Scottish Government funding for the historic environment is channelled via the Historic Environment Scotland grant schemes. The level of these grant schemes has been maintained over recent years, despite economic pressures. Grant programmes in Scotland's Cities are administered by local City Heritage Trusts, who can advise on grant eligibility and also provide advice to property owners.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320955,"EventID":"S5W-05798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:35.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of (a) its and (b) its agencies' staff work on trade relations with India, broken down by (i) directorate and (ii) agency.","AnswerText":"Scotland's trade and investment work in India is led by Scottish Development International (SDI). SDI currently have a team of 6 FTEs and 1 contractor based across offices in Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. SDI are in the process of recruiting a further 3 FTEs in India. In Scotland, SDI employ 1 FTE in their High Growth Market Unit. In addition to the trade and investment staff working for SDI in India, many of SDI’s staff based in Scotland spend a proportion of their time supporting the development of trade and investment opportunities in this important market.\r\nScottish Government staff work closely with SDI on trade and investment matters. This includes implementing the First Minister's four point plan, elements of the Programme for Government and the Scottish Government's Trade and Investment Strategy.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320956,"EventID":"S5W-05800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:36.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it made any submissions to the UK Government regarding Scotland's future trade relations with India ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to the country in November 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government was not afforded an opportunity to make such a submission. Scotland’s trade and investment work in India is led by Scottish Development International (SDI) which has three offices in India and works with a number of partners to support Scottish businesses to operate and expand in India, as well as promoting investment into Scotland. In pursuing this agenda, SDI works closely with the UK government and its agencies.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320957,"EventID":"S5W-05813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:37.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a budget allocation to assist rough sleepers.","AnswerText":"There is no specific budget allocated to assist rough sleepers. Local Authorities have the statutory responsibility for the delivery of housing and homelessness services in their area, including allocating budgets.\r\nThe local government finance settlement for 2016-17 amounts to over £10.3 billion. The vast majority of the revenue funding is provided by means of a block grant from the Scottish Government. It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320958,"EventID":"S5W-05700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:39.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T09:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the review by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, what it can do to ensure that all core participants in the Pitchford inquiry have full access to justice, irrespective of where they live now or have lived at the time of undercover police operations against them.","AnswerText":"As stated in my previous answer to S4W-29540 on 10 February 2016, the options available to any individual will depend on the facts and circumstances of their case. Depending on the particular circumstances, individuals may seek redress via the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, which has jurisdiction to consider certain proceedings for actions which concern the use of investigatory powers, and additionally may seek redress through the courts, subject to the rules which determine the jurisdiction of the courts.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320959,"EventID":"S5W-05779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:41.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to provide women who have a history of breast cancer in their family the opportunity to self-refer to the breast screening programme. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to provide women who have a history of breast cancer in the family the opportunity to self refer to the breast screening programme. However, a GP can refer such women on to genetics/family history service but this service is not part of the national screening programme. These women would still be invited for screening as part of the breast screening programme once every three years if they are in the eligible age range of 50-70 and have not been screened within the previous six months.\r\nIn Scotland there are guidelines for the referral of women with a familial risk of breast cancer and this is the most effective, direct route for assessment and management of these women. Guidance for referral to regional genetics centres for those with a family history of breast cancer is available at http://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/our_work/cancer_care_improvement/programme_resources/familial_breast_cancer_report.aspx","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320960,"EventID":"S5W-05786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:42.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have accessed drugs via patient access schemes in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, Patient Access Schemes offering discounts by companies to list prices of medicines are considered by the Patient Access Scheme Advisory Group (PASAG) and are commercial-in-confidence. Therefore this information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320961,"EventID":"S5W-05793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4987,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:43.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hospital beds do not have access to a (a) television, (b) radio or (c) telephone line.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320962,"EventID":"S5W-05804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2015,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:44.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many air weapon licence applications have been submitted since 1 November 2016, and how long it should take to process these.","AnswerText":"As at 31 December 2016, there had been 5,436 air weapon certificate applications submitted since 1 November 2016. Police Scotland are processing these applications as quickly as possible.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320963,"EventID":"S5W-05811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:46.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any local authorities have made changes to the definition of \"Additional Support Needs\" since 2010.","AnswerText":"The definition of Additional Support Needs is provided by the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (as amended). It has not been amended since 2005. The definition is explained in detail within the Statutory Code of Practice 'Supporting Children's Learning' which is available from http://www.gov.scot/resource/doc/348208/0116022.pdf","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320964,"EventID":"S5W-05818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T13:14:48.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the number of people who have been sleeping rough in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government collect information on homeless households from Local Authorities. Local authorities ask homelessness applicants whether they have slept rough in the previous 3 months and if they slept rough the night before approaching the Council and this is recorded and published.\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nAll applications for homelessness\r\n36,824\r\n35,949\r\n34,662\r\nwhere slept rough: at least once during the last 3 months\r\n2,728\r\n2,558\r\n2,378\r\n% of all applications\r\n7%\r\n7%\r\n7%\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nwhere slept rough the night before\r\n1,515\r\n1,436\r\n1,352\r\n% of all applications\r\n4%\r\n4%\r\n4%\r\nSource: HL1 dataset as at 25/05/16 \r\n(http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/RefTables/Homelessness201516)","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320965,"EventID":"S5W-05746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:28.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who has responsibility for the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US.","AnswerText":"The UK Government owns the nuclear material currently stored at Dounreay and is responsible for any movements of that material. The regulation of any such movements is a reserved matter.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320966,"EventID":"S5W-05748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:29.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish any risk assessments associated with the use of Wick Airport for the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320967,"EventID":"S5W-05750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:31.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how communities close to Wick Airport were consulted regarding it being used for the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US.","AnswerText":"Prior to any movements of nuclear materials from the Dounreay site, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority consults widely with stakeholders and local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320968,"EventID":"S5W-05745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:32.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what factors were considered prior to the decision to allow Wick Airport to be used for the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US.","AnswerText":"The UK Government owns the nuclear materials currently stored at Dounreay and is responsible for any movements of that material. Any transfers to the United States are covered by an agreement for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy between the European Atomic Energy Community and the United States of America. This agreement rules out the military use of any material transferred under its terms. The Highlands and Islands Airports Limited board are responsible for operational decisions, and for the safe operation of Wick Airport.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320969,"EventID":"S5W-05752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:33.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it has received that the highly enriched uranium transported from Dounreay to the US will not be used to arm nuclear warheads.","AnswerText":"The UK Government is responsible for any transfers of nuclear materials from Dounreay. Any transfers to the United States are covered by an agreement for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy between the European Atomic Energy Community and the United States of America. This agreement rules out the military use of any material transferred under its terms.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320970,"EventID":"S5W-05834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:35.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many interpreters the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service employed in each year since 2007-08, broken down by the language interpreted.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320971,"EventID":"S5W-05741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:37.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take action to stop Wick Airport being used for the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US pending an independent assessment of the safety of such activity.","AnswerText":"There will be on-going regular dialogue between the Scottish Government and the UK Government on the programme of movements of nuclear materials from Dounreay. The Scottish Government will continue to seek assurances on the safety and security of any movements.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320972,"EventID":"S5W-05755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:38.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that the runway at Wick Airport is unsuitable for use by C-17 US Aircraft, whether it or Highlands and Islands Airports Limited have met the Health and Safety Executive to discuss this issue.","AnswerText":"The safe operation of Wick Airport is the responsibility of the Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) board, and fulfilling this responsibility is an operational matter for HIAL.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320973,"EventID":"S5W-05756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:40.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 and other (a) health and safety and (b) aviation legislation applies to Wick Airport being used for the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US.","AnswerText":"These Regulations are reserved, so this question is not within the responsibilities of the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320974,"EventID":"S5W-05838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:41.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement of £120 million of funding for schools, which will be passed on to head teachers, whether the funding will (a) include a review of the devolved school management system and (b) be tied to staff costs under the devolved school management system.","AnswerText":"In 2017-18, £120 million Pupil Equity Funding will be targeted to help children and young people overcome the barriers to learning associated with poverty. It will extend the reach of the Scottish Attainment Challenge to around 95% of Scotland’s schools and it will be a matter for schools to use the funding for additional staffing or resources that they consider will help raise attainment.\r\nPupil Equity Funding will be paid by means of specific grant to local authorities, indicating the allocations for individual schools. Pupil Equity Funding will be additional to core education funding and therefore separate to any funding provided under the devolved school management system.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320975,"EventID":"S5W-05751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:43.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the Highland and Orkney Islands councils regarding Wick Airport being used for the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US.","AnswerText":"The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has made contact with these local authorities with respect to the programme of movements of nuclear materials from the Dounreay site, including the option of an air route from Wick Airport.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320976,"EventID":"S5W-05753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:44.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it sought assurances, and from whom, that the use of Wick Airport by C-17 US Aircraft complies with all regulations that relate to the specifications of the airport runway and hard standing areas, and that the airport's use by this type of aircraft was safe, and what responses it received.","AnswerText":"The UK Government owns the nuclear materials currently stored at Dounreay and is responsible for any movements of that material. The Scottish Government has been kept informed on the programme of movements, and has sought and received assurances about the safety and security of any movements.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320977,"EventID":"S5W-05828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:46.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T12:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the overall quayside construction costs of Global Energy's Nigg yard was met by its award of £6.5 million. ","AnswerText":"Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) awarded £6,532,226 towards project costs of £40,481,212, which represents 16.1% of the total.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320978,"EventID":"S5W-05742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:48.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which minister is responsible for airports that it or the Scottish Ministers own, either directly or through Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Transport and the Islands is responsible for Highlands and Islands Airports Limited. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work has portfolio responsibility for Glasgow Prestwick Airport.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320979,"EventID":"S5W-05744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:49.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who was consulted regarding the use of Wick Airport for the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US.","AnswerText":"Prior to any movements of nuclear materials from the Dounreay site, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority consults widely with stakeholders and local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320980,"EventID":"S5W-05835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:51.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which academic or research studies it considered prior to the publication of the review of school governance.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to taking an evidence-led approach to the reform of Scottish education. The Education Governance Review is underpinned by current evidence on the performance of Scottish education and best practice internationally of the effective governance of education systems.\r\nThe key sources and documents used to inform our approach to the review are set out in chapter 10 (“Evidence and Reference Materials”) on page 20 of “Empowering teachers, parents and communities to achieve excellence and equity in education: A governance review”, which is available on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/09/1251.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320981,"EventID":"S5W-05837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:52.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the proposal by the Royal Society of Edinburgh to establish \"a dedicated centre for the study of economics in education\".","AnswerText":"The proposal by the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) to establish a dedicated centre for the study of economics in education forms part of its response to the Government’s consultation on “Empowering Teachers, Parents and Communities to Achieve Excellence and Equity in Education, a Governance Review”. The RSE’s paper will be considered alongside all other responses to the consultation which closed on 6 January 2017.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320982,"EventID":"S5W-05743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:54.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on the Wick Airport site in each of the last five years, and how the money was spent.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides funding to Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) to meet the operating costs and to fund the capital investment programme at its 11 airports. Funding is not broken down by individual airport. The total funding provided to HIAL in each of the last five years is outlined in the following table.\r\nYear\r\nSubsidy Provided (£)\r\n2011-12\r\n26,714,000\r\n2012-13\r\n22,333,000\r\n2013-14\r\n21,788,074\r\n2014-15\r\n34,093,946\r\n2015-16\r\n38,434,150\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320983,"EventID":"S5W-05754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:55.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that the runway at Wick Airport is unsuitable for use by C-17 US Aircraft, whether Highlands and Islands Airports Limited has discussed its license to operate with the Civil Aviation Authority.","AnswerText":"The safe operation of Wick Airport is the responsibility of the Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) board, and fulfilling this responsibility is an operational matter for HIAL.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320984,"EventID":"S5W-05829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:57.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent decision by the UK Government to do so, whether it will adopt the definition of anti-Semitism that has been designated by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.","AnswerText":"There is no excuse for any form of hate crime; it is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. The definition of anti-Semitism designated by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance will be considered by the Scottish Government. Officials will also meet with the Scottish Council for Jewish Communities in early 2017 to discuss the definition.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320985,"EventID":"S5W-05836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:16:58.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-05026 by John Swinney on 6 December 2016, whether it will confirm that local authorities hold teacher vacancy data.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not normally collate information on teacher vacancies. However, I can confirm that local authorities as employers do hold teacher vacancy data. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320986,"EventID":"S5W-05747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:17:00.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the person or organisation that has responsibility for the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US.","AnswerText":"The UK Government owns the nuclear materials currently stored at Dounreay and is responsible for any movements of that material. There is regular official contact between the Scottish Government and the UK Government, and Ministerial correspondence on significant matters.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320987,"EventID":"S5W-05749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:17:01.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional costs Police Scotland will incur as a result of the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US.","AnswerText":"The Police Scotland policy for commercial organisations requesting policing services is one of full cost recovery in line with section 86 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320988,"EventID":"S5W-05832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:17:03.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T13:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-05382 by Humza Yousaf on 20 December 2016, for what reason it did not provide the information that was requested, and whether it will now do so.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the Statement I made in Parliament on 2 February 2017. Full details of my Statement are available on the Scottish Parliament website http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10768\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320989,"EventID":"S5W-05757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:17:04.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) terms of reference and (b) parameters are of the health and social care targets review; whether the review will consider the key performance indicators of the integrated health boards; what its timeline is; who the members of the review team are; by what date the findings will be published; whether it will publish the review in full, and when it will be in a position to implement the recommendations.","AnswerText":"The review will look at how targets and indicators support the Government's strategies for the improvement of health, the future of the NHS and social care services, and support best use of public resources to ensure that we have a clearly understood and improved national measurement framework across the whole health and social care system and a focus on the outcomes to be achieved. The review will consider the 20 Local Delivery Plan Standards for the NHS in Scotland and the core suite of indicators for Health and Social Care. \r\nThe Scottish Government has asked the chair of the national review of health and social care targets and indicators to provide initial recommendations to Ministers by the end of March 2017 and will publish the report along with its response once it has had an opportunity to consider the recommendations.\r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04778 on 30 November 2016 which sets out a list of the organisations invited to nominate a representative to join the Expert Group. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2017-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":320990,"EventID":"S5W-05839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-20T17:17:05.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-05382 by Humza Yousaf on 20 December 2016, in light of the minister’s comment that he would “shortly announce the way forward”, what its definition is of the term “shortly” and whether it will confirm by what date the announcement will be made.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the Statement I made in Parliament on 2 February 2017. Full details of my Statement are available on the Scottish Parliament website http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10768\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321010,"EventID":"S5W-05771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:07.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the current stock of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service equipment will become obsolete.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is significantly increasing SFRS’s capital budget from £10.8m this year to £32.5m next year which recognises the need for continued renewal of fleet, equipment, properties and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The provision and renewal of firefighting appliances and equipment is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.\r\nThe SFRS Board agrees the Capital programme for investment in fleet, equipment, property and ICT on an annual basis, and within this programme the SFRS prioritises its equipment investment. The 2016-17 programme is outlined here:\r\nhttp://www.firescotland.gov.uk/media/925408/12_capital_budget_2016_17_combined.pdf","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321011,"EventID":"S5W-05772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:08.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many fire engines have been removed from service due to staff unavailability in the last year; what review it has carried out of this, and how it plans to reduce the number.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a statutory duty to ensure adequate arrangements for fire and rescue services in all 32 of Scotland’s local authority areas and, as required by the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (as amended), SFRS’s local plans will set out how the service intends to discharge its duties at a local level. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321012,"EventID":"S5W-05775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:09.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to close any fire stations.","AnswerText":"No. The allocation of resources, including the number and location of fire stations, is a matter for the SFRS. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321013,"EventID":"S5W-05840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:11.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to (a) improve pedestrian safety and (b) deter parking on pavements.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving pedestrian safety through a number of initiatives highlighted in Scotland's Road Safety Framework to 2020. Following a mid-term review of the Framework held earlier this year it was identified that vulnerable road users, including pedestrians would be a priority focus. An outcome to reduce the number of pedestrian casualties through good design, appropriate speed management, high awareness of and compliance with, road traffic laws and safe practices by all road users was agreed. We are now working with local authorities and key stakeholders to implement a range of initiatives to positively influence casualty reduction and improve driver and pedestrian behaviours.\r\nFurthermore, we are also committed to bringing forward legislation, which aims to improve accessibility for all pedestrians by protecting their rights and safety by prohibiting parking on pavements and, at dropped kerbs as well as double parking. To ensure that any legislation is fit for purpose and will command public confidence and support, we have set up a Stakeholder Working Group to undertake a full review and public consultation. The consultation is due to be published in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321014,"EventID":"S5W-05857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:12.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many retailers in Scotland have been found to be selling illicit tobacco in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The numbers of people found to be selling illicit tobacco in shops, markets, pubs and online over each of the last five years are\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\n\r\n37\r\n28\r\n31\r\n36\r\n42\r\nThis information has been provided by Local Authority Trading Standards Officers.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321015,"EventID":"S5W-05858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:13.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what volumes of cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco were sold in Scotland, which together generate the tobacco duty incomes set out in the GERS report, in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Information on the volumes of cigarettes or hand-rolling tobacco sold in Scotland is not collected by the Scottish Government, and is not used in estimating tobacco duty in Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland (GERS), which uses data on household expenditure on tobacco to apportion a share of UK wide revenue from tobacco duty to Scotland. \r\nA review of sales estimates, which includes estimates of the volume of cigarettes sold in Scotland from 2008 to 2013, was published in November 2015 by NHS Health Scotland and is available at the link below:\r\nhttp://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/26537-Validity%20and%20reliability%20of%20cigarette%20sales%20data.pdf","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321016,"EventID":"S5W-05851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:15.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T10:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address drug driving and, in light of the reported increase of this in England and Wales, what the trend is in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The investigation and prosecution of crime are operational matters for Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service respectively. The Scottish Government fully supports the police, prosecutors and the courts in using their powers to hold drug drivers to account through the long-standing offence of driving while impaired through the use of drugs.\r\nData on the number of convictions for motor vehicle offences relating to being unfit through alcohol or drugs is contained in the following table. Please note that data is not held separately in relation to these offences between offences involving drugs and offences involving alcohol.\r\nNumber of convictions for motor vehicles offences relating to being unfit due to alcohol or drugs (where main charge)\r\nYear\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nDriving motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs\r\n339\r\n336\r\n262\r\n266\r\n220\r\n176\r\n244\r\n242\r\n203\r\n203\r\nIn charge of motor vehicle while unfit through drink/drugs\r\n37\r\n44\r\n39\r\n56\r\n29\r\n27\r\n24\r\n30\r\n14\r\n26\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321017,"EventID":"S5W-05853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:18.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much tax revenue it expects will be generated by the large business rates supplement in 2017-18, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's estimate of non-domestic rates income attributable to the large business supplement for 2017-18 by local authority area is set out in the following table.\r\nLocal authority\r\nEstimated income\r\n(£ million)\r\nAberdeen City\r\n11.0\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n4.4\r\nAngus\r\n1.1\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n1.5\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n0.7\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n1.6\r\nDundee City\r\n3.0\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n1.1\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n1.0\r\nEast Lothian\r\n1.1\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n0.5\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n16.3\r\nEilean Siar\r\n0.3\r\nFalkirk\r\n3.0\r\nFife\r\n7.1\r\nGlasgow City\r\n16.9\r\nHighland\r\n5.4\r\nInverclyde\r\n0.8\r\nMidlothian\r\n1.3\r\nMoray\r\n1.7\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n1.6\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n4.5\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n0.3\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n2.2\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n5.9\r\nScottish Borders\r\n1.2\r\nShetland Islands\r\n0.9\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n1.7\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n19.2\r\nStirling\r\n1.8\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n3.6\r\nWest Lothian\r\n3.3\r\nTOTAL\r\n126.0\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321018,"EventID":"S5W-05860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:19.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the national maternity and neonatal review will publish its report.","AnswerText":"The Chair of the Review, Jane Grant, has submitted her report to Scottish Ministers, and we intend publishing it shortly.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321019,"EventID":"S5W-05767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:26.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking in response to reports of low morale among criminal justice nurses.","AnswerText":"The National Nurse Advisor of the National Prisoner Healthcare Network will be liaising with the Scottish Executive Nurse Directors (SEND) Group in early 2017 to consider how best to respond to, and address, the matters raised in the Royal College of Nursing Scotland Review of the Transfer of Prison Health Care from the Scottish Prison Service to NHS Scotland. The report has also been viewed by NHS board Prison board Operational Leads and they now aim to consider local responses to the matters identified.\r\nNursing staff working in the criminal justice system are NHS employees and as such benefit from a number of workforce approaches that support staff including the online toolkit for the Knowledge and Skills Framework (eksf) and iMatter which are both intended to provide staff with an opportunity to have their views heard and acted on with the aim of enhancing their skill set and their employment experience.\r\nThe Scottish Government intends to refresh its approach to Staff Governance Standard Monitoring to ensure that the process is adding value and driving improvement. We are currently working in Partnership to develop proposals to ensure that a mechanism is in place which remains fit for purpose and which provides meaningful and relevant information both nationally and locally.\r\nIn addition, the Chief Nursing Officer has launched an engagement process to develop a 2030 Nursing Vision; this is an opportunity for nurses in all settings to contribute to the discussion about what skills and experience they will need to progress their career through knowledge, education and practice.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321020,"EventID":"S5W-05769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:27.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the reconviction rate is among prisoners diagnosed with mental health conditions.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. The reconviction rate for people getting custodial sentences is routinely available from administrative data sources. Information on the mental health status of people in prison is held separately by health boards in a way which does not allow routine linkage to the reconviction data.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321021,"EventID":"S5W-05842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:28.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T17:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Marine Scotland spends each year on (a) marine mammal bycatch and (b) (i) monitoring and (ii) the mitigation of the Scottish fleet, broken down by fishery.","AnswerText":"Since April 2011, Marine Scotland has provided funding of £30,000 annually to a UK wide monitoring programme which aims to determine levels of marine mammal (cetacean) bycatch in commercial fisheries. Funding is committed under the current programme up to the end of March 2017.\r\nThis work has focused on monitoring the effectiveness of acoustic deterrent devices in reducing bycatch, and on monitoring a range of fisheries, including some for which monitoring is not required under Council Regulation 812/2004. This project is carried out under contract by the Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews, who provide an annual report on the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) 812/2004.\r\nUK Annual Reports can be obtained through the attached link:\r\nhttp://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Menu=Menu&Module=More&Location=None&ProjectID=18535","AnswerDate":"2017-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321022,"EventID":"S5W-05844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:31.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T09:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding Dungavel House immigration removal centre since November 2016 when the Planning and Property Policy Board of Renfrewshire Council refused permission to build an immigration removal centre next to Glasgow Airport.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with the UK Government about Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre since November 2016. However, I did seek guarantees about the safety and wellbeing of detainees and assurances that anyone moved to England will be guaranteed suitable legal representation, during my meeting with the Immigration Minister, Robert Goodwill MP on 11 October 2016.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321023,"EventID":"S5W-05846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:35.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T09:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it uses for-profit private organisations to deliver its international development programmes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government funds through a range of Scottish based organisations, such as registered charities, universities, local authorities, NHS Boards, private sector companies and social enterprises, with a strong emphasis on respectful partnership. The Scottish Government is clear in seeking applications to its funding rounds that it would not expect a private sector organisation to profit from a development project, and private companies in receipt of a grant under the International Development Fund will act on a not for profit basis.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321024,"EventID":"S5W-05766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:38.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce the amount of administrative work carried out by police officers.","AnswerText":"The deployment of Police Officers is a matter for the Chief Constable.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321025,"EventID":"S5W-05847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:40.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T09:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-05040 by Michael Matheson on 8 December 2016, on what date it will provide a summary of the discussion. ","AnswerText":"A summary of the discussion held at the EU Justice summit on 24 November 2016 is now available at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0051/00512728.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321026,"EventID":"S5W-05849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:43.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the use of the drug, Ibrutinib, as a second-line therapy treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.","AnswerText":"In Scotland we have a clear route for new drugs to be appraised through the long standing Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC).\r\nSMC will consider a resubmission for the use of ibrutinib (Imbruvica®) in adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (without genetic changes known as 17p deletion or TP53 mutation) who have received at least one prior therapy and for whom fludarabine-based regimens are inappropriate at their meeting on 7 March 2017 and expect to publish their advice on 10 April 2017.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321027,"EventID":"S5W-05768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:44.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will undertake a review of healthcare in prisons.","AnswerText":"The National Prisoner Healthcare Network is undertaking a range of activity in order to improve health outcomes for individuals in the custody of the Scottish Prison Service. This includes workstreams on female offenders, substance misuse, throughcare, alcohol and drugs and mental health. The workstream reports are available at the National Prisoner Healthcare Network website at: http://www.nphn.scot.nhs.uk/published-reports/","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321028,"EventID":"S5W-05843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:45.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T07:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve cancer survival rates, in light of reports that Scotland's are the worst in western Europe.","AnswerText":"Our ‘Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action’ strategy and the accompanying £100 million investment over five years, serves as a blueprint for the future of cancer services in Scotland, improving the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, aftercare and ultimately the survival, of people affected by all cancers. The strategy contains a specific aim to close the gap in survival rates between Scotland and the best performing countries in Europe.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321029,"EventID":"S5W-05854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:47.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent in each of the last five years on (a) modern apprenticeships, (b) national occupation standards, (c) graduate level apprenticeships, (d) foundation apprenticeships, (e) workforce development and (f) pre-employment support.","AnswerText":"(a) Modern Apprenticeships,\r\nSG spent the following on modern apprenticeships in the last five years\r\n\r\nProgramme\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\nProjected Figures\r\n\r\n\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\na\r\nModern Apprenticeships\r\n74,988\r\n74,536\r\n73,714\r\n75,394\r\n76,271\r\n(b) National Occupation Standards,\r\nSG spent the following on National Occupational Standards in the last five years\r\n\r\nProgramme\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17 Projected Figures\r\n\r\n\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\nb\r\nNational Occupational Standards\r\n500\r\n500\r\n500\r\n500\r\n500\r\n(c) Graduate Level Apprenticeships,\r\nSG spent the following on Graduate Level Apprenticeships in the last five years\r\n\r\nProgramme\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17 Projected Figures\r\n\r\n\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\nc\r\nGraduate Level Apprenticeships\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n200\r\n1,372\r\n(d) Foundation Apprenticeships,\r\nSG spent the following on Foundation apprenticeships in the last five years\r\n\r\nProgramme\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17 Projected Figures\r\n\r\n\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\nd\r\nFoundation Apprenticeships\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n294\r\n1,528\r\n1,926\r\ne) Workforce Development\r\nSG spent the following on Workforce Development in the last five years\r\n\r\nProgramme\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17 Projected Figures\r\n\r\n\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\ne\r\nWorkforce Development\r\n23,414*\r\n26,000*\r\n23,964*\r\n34,932*\r\n30,360*\r\n* Employment focussed College provision figures are not available as they are not held centrally within SG.\r\n(f) Pre-employment support\r\nSG spent the following on pre -employment support in the last five years\r\n\r\nProgramme\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17 Projected Figures\r\n\r\n\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\n£'000\r\nf\r\npre-Employment support\r\n42,408\r\n41,496\r\n34,384\r\n33,890\r\n24,113\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321030,"EventID":"S5W-05861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:48.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to provide training on moving and handling for people who care for a relative, friend or neighbour.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has provided nearly £39 million from 2008-09 – 2016-17 for NHS Board Carer Information Strategies. This is for direct support to Carers Centres, Young Carers Projects and voluntary sector programmes, including the provision of training for carers.\r\nThe Scottish Manual Handling Passport Scheme is an initiative designed to improve the standard and consistency of manual handling training, education and the systems that underpin it within Health Boards and local authorities in Scotland. This includes the involvement of unpaid carers. This guidance was endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive and COSLA, and published by the Scottish Government on 8 August 2014.\r\nThe Carers (Scotland) Act will be commenced on 1st April 2018. The Adult Carer Support Plan and Young Carer Statement must contain information about the extent to which the carer is able and willing to provide care for the cared-for person, and information about the support available to the carer and cared-for person in the local authority area. This may include any training that the carer requires, including on moving and handling.\r\nThe Act also places a duty on each local authority to establish and maintain an information and advice service which must provide information and advice about, amongst other things, education and training for carers.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321031,"EventID":"S5W-05770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:54.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out a review of what links there are between mental health conditions and reoffending.","AnswerText":"There is evidence from a wide range of sources that the prevalence of mental health conditions is higher among people in prison compared to the general population, and that such issues are likely to contribute to the underlying causes of offending. The international evidence base on mental health and offending was recently reviewed as part of an evidence review published by Scottish Government. This is available on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/05/2480/3.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321032,"EventID":"S5W-05845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:55.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T09:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has been informed by the UK Government of the timetable for the closure of Dungavel House immigration removal centre.","AnswerText":"The UK Government has not informed the Scottish Government of its timetable for the closure of Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321033,"EventID":"S5W-05852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":96,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:06:58.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are plans to provide financial assistance to rural schools that incur additional transportation costs for pupils that attend after-school activities, and to what extent local authorities are obliged to take such needs into account.","AnswerText":"In Scotland local authorities have a duty under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 to make such arrangements as they consider necessary for the transport between home and school of pupils residing and attending schools, in their area. In considering these arrangements, authorities are required to have regard to the safety of the pupil. \r\nThe distribution formula used to allocate individual local authority funding allocations from the Scottish Government takes into account various measurements of need. The main indicator used in the formula in respect of school transport is the population aged 5 to 15 but in recognition that it costs more to provide school transport in more rural areas, a secondary indicator is used which is based on the dispersion of the population. The impact of this secondary indicator is to increase rural local authorities’ allocations at the expense of the more urban communities.\r\nAny decision on specific travel arrangements including the provision of free school transport for pupils out of school hours would be for the local authorities to determine and it and it would not be appropriate for Scottish Ministers to comment. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321034,"EventID":"S5W-05859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:07:02.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for (a) NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's public consultation on maternity services and (b) the ministerial decision on the birthing unit at the Vale of Leven Hospital.","AnswerText":"This is yet to be decided as the board of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has been clear that they first need to take full account of the recommendations of the National Review of Maternity and Neonatal Services, which we expect to be published in 2017. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321035,"EventID":"S5W-05841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:07:07.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the impact of online alcohol sales on overall (a) availability and (b) consumption in Scotland at a (i) national and (ii) local level; what data it uses to inform this and how it will ensure that sufficient data is gathered.","AnswerText":"As part of the Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland’s Alcohol Strategy (MESAS) programme undertaken by NHS Health Scotland, retail alcohol sales data are used to estimate per adult consumption of alcohol at a national level. NHS Health Scotland assessed the validity and reliability of retail alcohol sales data in 2012 (report is available at http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/25959-MESAS%20validity%20reliability%20update%20-%20Aug%202015.pdf) and estimated that online sales leads to a 0.1 litre underestimate in overall adult consumption of alcohol from retail sales data. This represents less than 1% of the estimated 10.8 litres of pure alcohol sold per adult in 2015. We will be introducing a refreshed Alcohol Framework shortly and will be considering on-going monitoring arrangements, including for online sales.\r\nAs regards availability of alcohol, the provision or overprovision of licensed premises within a local area is a matter for local licensing boards to consider. In assessing the extent of any overprovision in a locality, the licensing board will have regard to the number and capacity of existing premises rather than sales volume.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":321036,"EventID":"S5W-05855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:07:09.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent in each of the last five years on (a) Developing the Young Workforce regional groups, (b) the Flexible Workforce Development Fund, (c) digital economy skills and business support, (d) the Voluntary Sector Development Fund, (e) early years recruitment and training, (f) the Transition Training Fund, (g) teacher training, (h) individual learning accounts, (i) support to employers to help disadvantaged young people access and sustain employment and (j) other workforce development programmes.","AnswerText":"Funding has increased 34% from 2012-13 to 2016-17 (estimated spend) on the specific programmes listed below where figures have been provided.\r\nThe following tables shows the amount spent on the specific programmes requested.\r\na) Developing Young Workforce (regional groups)\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17 (estimated)\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£0.1m\r\n£1.4m\r\n£3.7m\r\nb) The Flexible Workforce Development Fund is a new fund and funding is expected to be available in Autumn 2017.\r\nc) Digital economy and skills and business support\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17 (estimated)\r\nn/a\r\n£5.0m\r\n£3.7m\r\n£4.9m\r\n£1.9m\r\nThrough the Digital Scotland Business Excellence Partnership the Scottish Government has made £15.5 million available over the past four years to both; help tackle digital skills shortages; and help Scottish businesses increase their digital capability.\r\nd) Voluntary Sector Development Fund\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17 (estimated)\r\n£1.1m\r\n£1.0m\r\n£1.0m\r\n£1.1m\r\n£0.9m\r\n2016-17 figures on basis that not all acceptances have been received.\r\ne) Early years recruitment and training\r\nLocal authorities are responsible for recruitment and training in their early learning and childcare settings; and, can support partner providers with training and continuing professional development (CPD). It is for local authorities to fund this through their own allocations from the Scottish Government block grant. Local authorities have received an additional £329 million revenue since 2014 to implement the additional hours of Early Learning and Childcare, flexibility, and 2 year old children. However, the exact amount of the funding settlement which is used for recruitment and training within each local authority is not held centrally.\r\nf) Transition Training Fund\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17 (estimated)\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£6.1m\r\n£6.0m\r\ng) Teacher Training\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17 (estimated)\r\n£0.5m\r\n£1.5m\r\n£2.2m\r\n£2.5m\r\n£2.5m\r\nThis includes only the element of teacher training covering workforce development. It covers the Into Headship provision and the Scottish College for Educational Leadership.\r\nh) Individual Learning Accounts\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17 (estimated)\r\n£7.9m\r\n£5.8m\r\n£4.5m\r\n£3.9m\r\n£4.0m\r\ni) Support to employers to help disadvantaged young people access and sustain employment\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17 (estimated)\r\n£9.0m\r\n£7.3m\r\n£7.1m\r\n£10.1m\r\n£9.4m\r\nIncludes projects such as Community Jobs Scotland and Scotland’s Employer Recruitment Incentive.\r\nj) Other workforce development programmes\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17 (estimated)\r\n£2.9m\r\n£2.4m\r\n£3.0m\r\n£2.0m\r\n£0.2m\r\nIncludes Flexible Training Opportunities, Low Carbon Fund and Employer Support and Innovation Fund. The Flexible Training Opportunities programme ceased in 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321037,"EventID":"S5W-05856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5604,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:07:10.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many commercial properties the large business rates supplement will apply to in 2017-18, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) business sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's estimate of the numbers of properties liable for the large business supplement for 2017-18, broken down by local authority area and by Assessors’ property classification, is set out in the following tables.\r\nLocal authority\r\nEstimated number of properties\r\nAberdeen City\r\n2,068\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n937\r\nAngus\r\n281\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n274\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n112\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n391\r\nDundee City\r\n687\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n279\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n201\r\nEast Lothian\r\n257\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n131\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n3,098\r\nEilean Siar\r\n89\r\nFalkirk\r\n476\r\nFife\r\n1,042\r\nGlasgow City\r\n3,390\r\nHighland\r\n1,058\r\nInverclyde\r\n181\r\nMidlothian\r\n306\r\nMoray\r\n310\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n352\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n1,055\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n70\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n537\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n721\r\nScottish Borders\r\n306\r\nShetland Islands\r\n108\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n384\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n1,039\r\nStirling\r\n408\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n265\r\nWest Lothian\r\n765\r\nTOTAL\r\n21,578\r\n\r\nClass\r\nEstimated number of properties\r\nAdvertising\r\n19\r\nCare Facilities\r\n802\r\nCommunications\r\n78\r\nCultural\r\n159\r\nEducation and Training\r\n2,077\r\nGarages and Petrol Stations\r\n331\r\nHealth and Medical\r\n579\r\nHotels\r\n938\r\nIndustrial Subjects\r\n4,552\r\nLeisure, Entertainment, Caravans etc.\r\n909\r\nOffices\r\n3,421\r\nOther\r\n314\r\nPetrochemical\r\n78\r\nPublic Houses\r\n643\r\nPublic Service Subjects\r\n1,043\r\nQuarries, Mines, etc.\r\n96\r\nReligious\r\n92\r\nShops\r\n5,077\r\nSporting Subjects\r\n32\r\nStatutory Undertaking\r\n338\r\nTotal\r\n21,578\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321038,"EventID":"S5W-05763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:07:11.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hours of police time has been lost due to duplicated IT systems, and what review it has conducted of this.","AnswerText":"The provision of police IT systems is a matter for Police Scotland and the SPA. The Scottish Government does not hold the requested information.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321039,"EventID":"S5W-05765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:07:12.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the reported problems with Police Scotland’s payroll IT system will be resolved.","AnswerText":"The provision of police IT systems is a matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321040,"EventID":"S5W-05833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:07:13.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on approving access to the drug, Ibrutinib, for people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, in light of the recent decision to allow access to this in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"In Scotland we have a clear route for new drugs to be appraised through the long standing Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC).\r\nWhere SMC accept medicines for routine use in Scotland, Health boards are expected to make the medicine or its equivalent available to patients. SMC published ‘accepted for restricted use’ advice on 8 August 2016 for ibrutinib(Imbruvica®) for treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), who have received at least one prior therapy, or in first line therapy in the presence of 17p deletion or TP53 mutation who are unsuitable for chemo-immunotherapy. This advice is line with the recent NICE decision for access to ibrutinib(Imbruvica®) in England and Wales.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321041,"EventID":"S5W-05850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:07:14.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T10:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set drug-driving limits and, if so, whether it will equip the police with the so-called drugalyser devices that are in use in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"This is a very complex area with individual limits proposed for 17 different drug types. While no specific timescale has been set, we understand there is likely to be an evaluation of the new drug driving limits introduced in England and Wales that is due to be published in 2017. This evaluation will likely prove helpful in understanding the full practical implications of setting drug driving limits and whether the potential benefits of drug driving limits have been realised in England and Wales since their introduction in 2015.\r\nThis will help inform our own consideration of whether drug driving limits should be introduced in Scotland including what implications this may have for the equipment used by Police Scotland to detect drug drivers.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321042,"EventID":"S5O-00520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5679,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:07:59.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions Police Scotland has had with local authorities regarding the management of unauthorised camping by Gypsy/Travellers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321043,"EventID":"S5O-00521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5783,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:01.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T10:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the air weapons licensing scheme. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321044,"EventID":"S5O-00522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5621,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:04.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its consideration of the proposal to introduce travelling domestic abuse courts in the Highlands.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321045,"EventID":"S5O-00523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:06.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice last met Scottish Women's Aid and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321046,"EventID":"S5O-00524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:08.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that victims in Scotland of unethical undercover policing have access to justice. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321047,"EventID":"S5O-00527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:12.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what response it has received to its consultation on the integration of the British Transport Police in Scotland into Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321048,"EventID":"S5O-00528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:14.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet the Chief Constable. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Government Ministers and officials meet regularly with representatives of Police Scotland to discuss a range of issues. My next scheduled meeting with the Chief Constable is on 17 January.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321049,"EventID":"S5O-00529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4982,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:20.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how important it considers superfast broadband is to tourism in the Highlands.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321050,"EventID":"S5O-00530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:23.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is promoting culture in towns and cities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321051,"EventID":"S5O-00531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:24.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T08:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the tourism sector in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321052,"EventID":"S5O-00532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5608,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:25.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any communication it has had with the UK Government regarding the publication of Scotland’s Place in Europe.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321053,"EventID":"S5O-00533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5809,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:27.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is implementing the strategy, Tourism Scotland 2020.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321054,"EventID":"S5O-00534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:28.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the implications are for Creative Europe-funded projects in light of the EU referendum result.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321055,"EventID":"S5O-00535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:31.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what response it has received to the publication of Scotland’s Place in Europe.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has received a range of positive responses from across business, education, environment, health and legal sectors to the publication of Scotland’s Place in Europe on 20 December. They recognise that our proposals represent a serious and a genuine attempt to build consensus and to unify the country around a clear plan to protect Scotland’s interests. \r\nIndeed, Professor Sir David Edward, former Judge of the Court of Justice of the European Communities highlighted upon publication that:\r\n“I believe that the Scottish Government is right to urge the UK Government to maintain the UK’s position within the Single Market, the Customs Union and the various forms of security and police co-operation. That is the primary proposal and I believe it merits the widest support across the political spectrum.”\r\n“..I urge everyone who cares for the future of Scotland to read the Scottish Government’s paper with an open mind.” ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321056,"EventID":"S5O-00536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5793,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:32.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages access to art, drama and music by all children, irrespective of background.","AnswerText":"Through the Youth Music Initiative, Cashback for Creativity programme and Sistema Scotland we are ensuring that no young person’s background is a barrier to taking part in the arts.\r\nCreative Scotland continue to work with a range of partners to ensure young people have the opportunity to engage in cultural activity. Scotland's five National Performing Companies too are committed to creating and performing their work across the whole of Scotland and make a significant contribution to cultural life both in Scotland and internationally. Their performances and outreach programmes continue to be of the highest quality with the Theatre for Schools Scotland initiative, which I helped launch in June, aiming to ensure every child in Scotland receives a minimum of one performing arts production, per year, as part of their education.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321057,"EventID":"S5O-00537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:33.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when the scaffolding will be removed from Dumbarton Castle.","AnswerText":"Historic Environment Scotland are responsible for operations at Dumbarton Castle and at Scotland's other historic properties in care. I understand that Historic Environment Scotland wrote to the member on 22nd December detailing their forward plans for Dumbarton Castle, including the removal of scaffolding from the Governor’s House.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321058,"EventID":"S5O-00538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:40.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to the Morayvia project to allow it to move to alternative accommodation. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports non-national museums and galleries through Museums Galleries Scotland, the National Development body which supports the museum sector across Scotland through the provision of services and the operation of grant schemes.\r\nMuseums Galleries Scotland would welcome discussions with the Nimrod Heritage Group to help develop the project and to support them through the process of becoming an accredited museum.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321059,"EventID":"S5O-00539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:42.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what further consideration it has given to how it will address the affordability and accessibility of sanitary products.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321060,"EventID":"S5O-00540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5591,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:43.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it encourages the enterprise agencies to consider alternative routes to superfast broadband in rural areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321061,"EventID":"S5O-00541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5669,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:44.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will take forward the recommendations of the Review of Access to New Medicines. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":321062,"EventID":"S5O-00542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5598,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":139,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:45.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of its Equally Safe strategy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321063,"EventID":"S5O-00543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5613,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":113,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:46.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T09:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet Fife Council. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321064,"EventID":"S5O-00544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:47.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what allocation of its budget has been given to local government for capital spending.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321065,"EventID":"S5O-00545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:49.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the steps that it is taking to tackle diabetes.","AnswerText":"Our Diabetes Improvement Plan published in November 2014 sets out our vision to improve the lives of people living with diabetes in Scotland.\r\nThe Plan focuses on eight priority areas for action, through which considerable progress is being made, for example:\r\na pregnancy workstream has been established to address the challenges of diabetes during pregnancy;\r\nour Type1 diabetes group have developed a national glycaemic guidance for people newly diagnosed, and launched the second diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) campaign;\r\nthe inpatient project has been successfully completed with work being planned for 2017 to spread the learning across Scotland;\r\nwe have developed and implemented a new reporting system with improvement in the numbers of people receiving essential healthcare checks;\r\ninsulin pump provision has exceeded the numbers set and new investment of £10m will support further increase in life changing technologies;\r\na new group has been established to lead the development of a prevention framework, looking at both the prevention of type 2 diabetes and the prevention of complications for people living with all types of diabetes.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321066,"EventID":"S5O-00546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:51.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-19T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports public transport in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"In 2016-17 the Scottish Government is providing around £17 million grant funding to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) to support public transport in their area. It is for SPT to determine how that funding is utilised, in line with its Regional Transport Strategy.\r\nThe Scottish Government is also a full partner in the Glasgow City Deal, now in its delivery stage, and will contribute £500 million over 20 years. The city partners are considering a range of transport projects which improve public transport infrastructure.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government is committed to invest in rail infrastructure and services to better connect our communities and support sustainable economic growth and jobs across the country. Glasgow will benefit from key projects such as the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvements Programme (EGIP) - £795 million - and at Stirling/Alloa/Dunblane - £159.5 million - and Shotts - £160 million.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321067,"EventID":"S5O-00547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:52.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on vulnerable people in Scotland, what its position is on the UK Government's decision to abolish the Child Poverty Unit.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to tackling child poverty. That's why we fundamentally disagreed with the UK Government's decision to scrap the Child Poverty Act 2010 targets. It is regrettable but not surprising that the decision to abolish the Child Poverty Unit has followed. \r\nAs we made clear when the UK Government abandoned the 2010 Act targets, the Scottish Government will take a different approach and will continue to treat child poverty as a priority. We will bring forward a Child Poverty Bill early in the new year, setting stretching targets for 2030 and placing Scottish Ministers under a duty to publish Delivery Plans and report on progress. We will continue to work closely with our Ministerial Advisory Group on Child Poverty, Independent Advisor on Poverty and Inequality, and other stakeholders to deliver our ultimate ambition to eradicate child poverty.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321068,"EventID":"S5O-00548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5866,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T14:08:54","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the reported real-terms reduction in revenue allocations for local authorities in the draft budget will have on the provision of services.","AnswerText":"Taking next year's local government finance settlement plus the other sources of income available through potential increases in council tax, and Health and Social Care Integration, the overall increase in spending power to support local authority services amounts to £241 million (2.3 per cent in cash terms) or over £91 million (0.9 per cent in real terms). ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321069,"EventID":"S5W-05862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T16:43:42.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report by the University of Aberdeen on the outcome of pelvic organ prolapse repairs reinforced by non-absorbable synthetic mesh or biological grafts compared with standard native tissue repairs, and what action it will take in light of these findings.","AnswerText":"This report helps to highlight the wealth of research expertise in Scotland, and is welcomed by the Scottish Government. The report will be carefully considered by the Independent Review of Transvaginal Mesh, which will publish its final report early in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321070,"EventID":"S5W-05869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5605,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T16:43:45.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its income tax proposals will change the tax bills for taxpayers in each of the tax bands.","AnswerText":"We set out our income tax proposals in the Draft Budget 2017-18 and they are as follows.\r\nProposed rates and bands\r\nScottish income tax rates\r\n\r\nScottish bands\r\nScottish basic rate 20%\r\n\r\nAbove £11,500* up to £43,430\r\nScottish Higher rate 40%\r\n\r\nAbove £43,430 up to £150,000\r\nScottish Additional rate 45%\r\n\r\nAbove £150,000**\r\n* Assumes person is in receipt of the Standard UK Personal Allowance.\r\n** Personal Allowance is reduced by £1 for every £2 earned over £100,000.\r\nThese proposals protect low and middle income taxpayers - but generate extra revenue in every year of the rest of the Parliamentary term which we will invest in key public services, by asking higher rate taxpayers to forego a tax cut.\r\nOverall 99% of adults would pay no more tax, given their current level of income, than in 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321071,"EventID":"S5W-05871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T16:43:46.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what public sector contracts (a) it and (b) its agencies have awarded to (i) the Pennon Group and (ii) its subsidiary company, Viridor.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and its agencies have spent sums with the Pennon Group through its subsidiary Viridor as detailed in the following table.\r\nAuthority Name\r\nFinancial Year\r\nNo. of Transactions\r\nValue\r\nType of Service\r\nScottish Government\r\n2013-14\r\n1\r\n£55.00\r\n\r\nHistoric Environment Scotland\r\n2014-15\r\n1\r\n£1,530\r\nWaste disposal\r\nScottish Government\r\n2015-16\r\n2\r\n£400\r\n\r\nHistoric Environment Scotland\r\n2015-16\r\n1\r\n£480\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321072,"EventID":"S5W-05876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T16:43:49.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what response it has made to CrossCountry's consultation on proposed changes to its future timetable.","AnswerText":"We submitted a formal response to the CrossCountry consultation on 21 December 2016, copied to relevant Regional Transport Partnerships in Scotland, that set out our position on the proposed December 2017 timetable changes. We continue to support the retention of cross-border operator services and expect to be fully consulted on this matter by the Department for Transport.\r\nOur analysis of the proposals identified a number of issues, and we have therefore been unable to support CrossCountry's new timetable proposals. We have asked CrossCountry to provide further information and clarification in respect of funding and provision of services specified in their franchise agreement.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321073,"EventID":"S5W-05878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5578,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T16:43:50.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to tackle domestic abuse.","AnswerText":"Domestic abuse and violence against women is a fundamental violation of human rights, and we are investing significant levels of funding as well as bringing forward new legislation to tackle it. it is completely unacceptable, and we believe that a zero tolerance approach to it is the right approach for Scotland to take.\r\nWe are investing £24 million over 2015-17 from the Equalities portfolio to support a range of projects and initiatives – this continues to support a range of front line specialist services working with women and children who have experienced domestic abuse. In 2015, we announced an additional dedicated £20 million over 2015-18 from Justice budgets to be invested in a range of measures to tackle all forms of this type of violence. \r\nWe are implementing Equally Safe, Scotland’s strategy to tackle all forms of violence against women and girls. This aims to prevent violence from occurring in the first place, build the capability and capacity of mainstream and specialist services to support survivors and those at risk, and strengthen the Justice response to victims and perpetrators. As outlined in the Programme for Government, we will bring forward delivery plans for Equally Safe in 2017. The Violence against Women and Girls Joint Strategic Board, which is co-chaired by the Equalities Secretary, met on 10 November 2016.\r\nThe Programme for Government in September announced that we will introduce legislation in this Parliamentary year to create a specific offence of domestic abuse that will cover not just physical abuse but also other forms of psychological abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour that cannot easily be prosecuted using the existing criminal law. Creation of this new offence will bring clarity for victims so they can see explicitly that what their partner or ex-partner has done to them is wrong and can be dealt with under the law. Justice agencies are already showing strong leadership in this area; Police Scotland have established a National Domestic Abuse Taskforce to target the most prolific perpetrators, and the Crown Office have a dedicated National Prosecutor for Domestic Abuse.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321074,"EventID":"S5W-05316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T16:43:52.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-05T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider repealing section 242 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 on the grounds that it may deprive an adult with capacity the right to refuse treatment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is not currently considering repealing section 242 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (‘the 2003 Act’).\r\nSection 242 sets out the circumstances and safeguards for the giving of certain treatment to a person where the giving of medical treatment is authorised by virtue of other sections of the 2003 Act or by the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. The section sets out the giving of relevant treatment both to persons who are capable of consenting (including where the person consents) and those who are not capable of consenting.\r\nWhilst not the only criterion, significant impairment of decision-making ability because of mental disorder (as defined by the 2003 Act) is taken into account when treatment is authorised by the 2003 Act. Significantly-impaired decision making ability is used rather than incapacity as it was recommended as one of the criteria in Chapter 2 of the 2001 report by the Millan Committee which forms the basis of the 2003 Act.\r\nAlongside the requirements and safeguards in section 242 for the giving of treatment, any function carried out under the 2003 Act must be in line with the principles set out in section 1, including the present and past wishes and feelings of the patient; the importance of the patient participating as fully as possible; and the importance of providing maximum benefit to the patient.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to ensuring Scotland's mental health law continues to build on the 2003 Act. The recent Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2015 was the outcome of the McManus review and strengthened measures in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003 that promote support for decision making. The 2015 Act is currently being implemented and we are looking at ways to further promote rights-based practice under the 2003 Act in areas such as treatment, including when updating the statutory guidance in the Code of Practice.\r\nAn upcoming review which will consider whether the provisions in the 2003 Act fulfil the needs of people with learning disabilities and autism, which may include the giving of treatment under the Act to persons with learning disabilities and autism.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321075,"EventID":"S5W-05877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T16:43:53.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with other train operators regarding replacing the CrossCountry trains services that are proposed to be withdrawn in December 2017.","AnswerText":"We have contacted ScotRail about the implications of replacing the services that CrossCountry are proposing to cut in the North East of Scotland. ScotRail have confirmed that they would be unable to take on these services in December 2017 due to operational reasons and a lack of rolling stock. \r\nAccordingly, we have made representation to CrossCountry seeking clarification on whether the Department for Transport has cut funding for these services. We also made clear that we would expect CrossCountry to secure and fund an alternate provider for these services should they be in receipt of DfT funding, under the Franchise agreement, to provide these services.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321076,"EventID":"S5W-05865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T16:43:54.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that child abuse survivors who were abused in communities have the same access to support as survivors who were abused in institutions.","AnswerText":"The provision of support services for survivors of child abuse is the responsibility of local Health and Social Care Partnerships.\r\nTo support improved access and the integration of services for survivors across statutory and third sector the Scottish Government has since 2007, invested £9 million in third and voluntary sector organisations enabling a wide range of local services to support all survivors of abuse across Scotland.\r\nAdditionally In September 2015, the Scottish Government announced that an additional £1.85 million would be invested in providing support for victims of sex crimes across Scotland, including survivors, through the services provided by Rape Crisis Scotland. The 14 rape crisis centres in Scotland will each receive £40,000 in 2016 and 2017. The additional funding will also be used to support the development of new local services in Orkney and Shetland and to expand the local service in West Lothian. In December 2015 twenty organisations that provide services for all survivors received grant funding of £1 million in total under the Survivor Support Innovation and Development Fund.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321077,"EventID":"S5W-05867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5580,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T16:43:57.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-05094 by Maureen Watt on 12 December 2016, whether it will update the guidance for the mental health innovation fund, and when this will be published on its website.","AnswerText":"The Guidance for the Mental Health Innovation Fund provided parameters for how NHS boards and their partners were to use £15 million additional funding, with £5 million being allocated in each of 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18. The Guidance is therefore specific to this tranche of additional funding and, as all the funding has now been allocated, it is not necessary to update or publish it.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321078,"EventID":"S5W-05868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5579,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T16:43:58.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in facilitating the transfer of administrative responsibilities for reserved tribunals, including employment tribunals.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is progressing the transfer of reserved tribunals to Scotland. I met with the Senior President of Tribunals in November 2016 and will be meeting the president of the Employment Tribunal (Scotland) later this month.\r\nThe draft Order in Council for the devolution of Employment Tribunals is still in the course of being finalised and discussions with stakeholders on its terms are \r\non-going.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321079,"EventID":"S5W-05872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T16:43:59.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) contractor, Interserve, and (b) operator, Viridor, regarding the locking-out of staff at the Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Plant, and whether it will refer the matter to the Fair Work Convention.","AnswerText":"Viridor has provided regular updates to the Scottish Government on the circumstances at the Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre (GRREC) Project in Polmadie, Glasgow.\r\nOn, 15 November, Viridor advised Scottish Government that it was terminating its contract with Interserve due to repeated failures on the part of the contractor to meet project milestones. Viridor advises that Interserve was notified of this decision on \r\n15 November, although the Scottish Government was not advised on whether Interserve subsequently notified its subcontractors. The First Minister spoke with senior management at Viridor on 15 November and was advised that the project will recommence as soon as possible, and that Viridor will look to retain employment opportunities in the local area.\r\nPartnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) support has been offered to those affected. Viridor has stated that it expects most of the affected employees will be subject to a TUPE transfer to a new contractor early in 2017.\r\nThe Fair Work Convention is an independent advisory group and does not have a formal investigatory role or remit.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321080,"EventID":"S5W-05875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T16:44:01.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the future ScotRail high speed trains on routes to north east Scotland will be able to absorb additional passengers that might be displaced by the withdrawal of CrossCountry services, as set out on page 16 of CrossCountry's consultation on its future timetable.","AnswerText":"ScotRail is developing timetables for both the introduction of high speed trains and its Revolution in Rail enhancements which will deliver significant capacity improvements. We are confident that these new timetables and the planned delivery of additional trains would be capable of filling any shortfall in capacity, from December 2018, caused by the potential removal of CrossCountry services.\r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04295 on 14 November 2016 for further information relating to Abellio’s commitments to introduce new and refurbished rolling stock.\r\nSince we have no confirmation, as yet, of the service plans for the new CrossCountry franchise we will continue to support the retention of all cross-border operator services and expect to be fully consulted on this matter by the Department For Transport.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321081,"EventID":"S5W-05864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T16:44:03.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times the words or phrases, “inequality”, “inequalities” and “inverse care law”, appear in its new Health and Social Care Delivery Plan.","AnswerText":"Of the three words and phrases, the word \"inequalities\" occurs three times in the Health and Social Care Delivery Plan. For example, in paragraph six of the Delivery Plan, one of the aims of the Delivery Plan is to \"improve everyone’s health and wellbeing by promoting and supporting healthier lives from the earliest years, reducing health inequalities and adopting an approach based on anticipation, prevention and self-management\".","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321082,"EventID":"S5W-05866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-21T16:44:06.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is expected to cost.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is at too early a stage to provide an estimate of the overall cost of the Inquiry. The Inquiry proactively publishes its spend on a quarterly basis https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321089,"EventID":"S5W-05889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:12.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that children with autism who display violent behaviour have access to locally-based support.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to meeting the needs of children with autism. We want all children and young people to reach their full potential. It is imperative that children who are displaying violent behaviours, whether it be in a school or social settings, are provided with access to locally based support. \r\nChildren and young people should feel happy, safe, respected and included in the learning environment and all staff should be proactive in promoting positive relationships and behaviour in the classroom, playground, and wider learning community. There are a range of strategies and programmes which schools can and do use to improve relationships and behaviour including good behaviour management and behaviour support teams; solution oriented approaches and restorative approaches; and nurture approaches and programmes to help develop social, emotional and behavioural skills.\r\nEducation authorities and other agencies have duties under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 (as amended) to identify, provide for and keep under review the additional support needs of their pupils, including children and young people with autism. This would include strategies for management of behaviour.\r\nChildren with mental health issues have access to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services; where violent behaviours indicate a mental health problem then CAMHS support may be appropriate. Under Integration Authorities’ arrangements it is the responsibility of NHS Boards and Local Authorities to ensure they meet the needs of their local population, including considering access to locally-based support to children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321090,"EventID":"S5W-05890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:14.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review its unacceptable actions policy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government Unacceptable Actions Policy is in line with current guidance made available by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, however, a review is currently in progress as part of a process of continuous improvement.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321091,"EventID":"S5W-05907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:16.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS boards must follow the guidance in the Treasury's Green Book when carrying out an options appraisal of infrastructure investment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Capital Investment Manual (SCIM) provides guidance in a NHS context on the sector-specific processes and techniques to be applied in the development of infrastructure and investment programmes and projects within NHSScotland.\r\nWithin the SCIM, the Option Appraisal Guide builds on the HM Treasury Green Book guidance and specific Scottish Government guidance issued on assessing Value for Money. The guidance is mandatory for all NHSScotland Bodies taking forward infrastructure investment proposals. The Option Appraisal Guide is the primary guide for information regarding investment appraisal in NHSScotland and it should be read in conjunction with both the Green Book, which remains an authoritative guide to the principles of appraisal and evaluation, and the SCIM Business Case Guide.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321092,"EventID":"S5W-05908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:17.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the review of the Scottish Capital Investment Manual.","AnswerText":"A consultation on the refreshed Scottish Capital Investment Manual was completed last month and the Scottish Government is in the process of reviewing the comments. Once that review is complete, it will then be ratified by the Project board and formally launched by the end of the financial year.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321093,"EventID":"S5W-05885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:18.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that digitised \"one-size-fits-all\" exams are being introduced in many higher education humanities subjects.","AnswerText":"As autonomous institutions, universities are responsible for their own course content and examinations. However, under the UK Quality Code they are expected to operate equitable, valid and reliable processes of assessment, which enable every student to demonstrate the extent to which they have achieved the intended learning outcomes for the credit or qualification being sought.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321094,"EventID":"S5W-05887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:20.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on having a proactive approach to introducing road safety features and not relying primarily on accident statistics.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 contains an ultimate vision of a future where no-one is killed on Scotland’s roads and is underpinned by challenging casualty reduction targets.\r\nWhile accident and casualty reduction is our key driver, the recent mid-term Review of the Framework saw partners formally adopt a Safe System approach which recognises that road users make mistakes and requires that the road system is designed to take account of human error and vulnerability. This approach requires us to undertake measures across the 3 road safety E's of engineering, education and enforcement to ensure we have safer roads and roadsides, safer speeds and safer road users.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321095,"EventID":"S5W-05894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:21.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of non-exempted households it anticipates will have access to a separate food waste collection service by 2021.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's ambition is for every household in Scotland to have access to a food waste service. However, it is for local authorities to work towards compliance with the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012, by continuing to roll out household food waste collection services in their local areas. The rate of increase from the present figure of 80% will be dependent on that work.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321096,"EventID":"S5W-05896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:22.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for a consultation on the review of the exemption for a food waste collection service for rural households.","AnswerText":"During 2017, we intend to work with local authorities to develop viable options that may have the potential to achieve the aim of giving every household in Scotland access to a food waste service. That will include consideration of whether a realistic and cost-effective alternative to the present rural exemption is possible.\r\nAny consequent changes to legislation would of course be subject to consultation, and I will ensure that the member is updated on the timescale of any such work.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321097,"EventID":"S5W-05881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:23.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all NHS boards have policies on dealing with requests from patients to combine NHS and private healthcare.","AnswerText":"NHS boards are expected to have a clear policy in place to deal with situations which may result in a patient requesting combined NHS and private healthcare including a medicine which is not available in the NHS as set out in the guidance published in CMO letter 2009/03.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321098,"EventID":"S5W-05883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:24.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to minimise reliance on prescription anti-depressant drugs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government funds the NHS in Scotland to make available both antidepressants and psychological therapies to people who are depressed, in keeping with contemporary treatment of depression.\r\nPrescribing of anti-depressants is a clinical decision for a patient’s doctor and there is evidence that GPs in Scotland assess and treat depression appropriately in line with good clinical and prescribing practice (http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/07/5712).\r\nClinicians are encouraged to review a patient’s medications regularly to ensure their continued clinical appropriateness, and to achieve the best possible health benefit from the prescribed medicines, thus minimising unnecessary reliance.\r\nPsychological therapies should not be seen simply as an ‘alternative’ to antidepressant medication. There is a great deal of evidence to support the use of different forms of psychological therapies for the treatment of depression – both alone and in combination with medication. A useful evidence source is the Matrix of Psychological Therapies produced by NHS Education Scotland (http://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/media/20137/Psychology%20Matrix%202013.pdf).","AnswerDate":"2017-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321099,"EventID":"S5W-05898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:25.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the report, Higher Education Student Support in Scotland 2015-16, by the Student Awards Agency Scotland, what assessment it has made of the reason why the number of students receiving non-repayable bursaries and grants decreased by 4.8% in 2015-16 compared with the previous year. ","AnswerText":"In October 2016, I announced an independent Review of Further and Higher Education Student Support. The review will consider all relevant data and assess the effectiveness of the current system, making recommendations for beneficial change to ensure all students have access to a fair and effective package of appropriate support. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321100,"EventID":"S5W-05900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:34.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has provided to each local authority for its 1+2 languages policy in each year since 2012, and whether this amount was ring-fenced. ","AnswerText":"£m\r\nAberdeen City\r\n0.131\r\n0.164\r\n0.240\r\n0.167\r\n0.702\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n0.208\r\n0.260\r\n0.381\r\n0.264\r\n1.113\r\nAngus\r\n0.091\r\n0.114\r\n0.162\r\n0.112\r\n0.479\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n0.062\r\n0.077\r\n0.109\r\n0.075\r\n0.323\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n0.041\r\n0.051\r\n0.072\r\n0.050\r\n0.214\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n0.113\r\n0.141\r\n0.200\r\n0.138\r\n0.592\r\nDundee City\r\n0.104\r\n0.130\r\n0.190\r\n0.134\r\n0.558\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n0.096\r\n0.120\r\n0.170\r\n0.117\r\n0.503\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n0.092\r\n0.115\r\n0.167\r\n0.117\r\n0.491\r\nEast Lothian\r\n0.081\r\n0.102\r\n0.148\r\n0.103\r\n0.434\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n0.092\r\n0.115\r\n0.167\r\n0.117\r\n0.491\r\nEdinburgh City\r\n0.271\r\n0.340\r\n0.509\r\n0.357\r\n1.477\r\nEilean Siar\r\n0.021\r\n0.026\r\n0.035\r\n0.024\r\n0.106\r\nFalkirk\r\n0.125\r\n0.156\r\n0.229\r\n0.158\r\n0.668\r\nFife\r\n0.290\r\n0.362\r\n0.523\r\n0.364\r\n1.539\r\nGlasgow City\r\n0.391\r\n0.489\r\n0.707\r\n0.494\r\n2.081\r\nHighland\r\n0.182\r\n0.227\r\n0.323\r\n0.224\r\n0.956\r\nInverclyde\r\n0.060\r\n0.075\r\n0.104\r\n0.071\r\n0.310\r\nMidlothian\r\n0.071\r\n0.089\r\n0.128\r\n0.090\r\n0.378\r\nMoray\r\n0.070\r\n0.088\r\n0.128\r\n0.088\r\n0.374\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n0.110\r\n0.137\r\n0.193\r\n0.133\r\n0.573\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n0.291\r\n0.363\r\n0.519\r\n0.358\r\n1.531\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n0.015\r\n0.019\r\n0.028\r\n0.020\r\n0.082\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n0.106\r\n0.133\r\n0.190\r\n0.131\r\n0.560\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n0.137\r\n0.171\r\n0.243\r\n0.168\r\n0.719\r\nScottish Borders\r\n0.088\r\n0.110\r\n0.155\r\n0.106\r\n0.459\r\nShetland Islands\r\n0.019\r\n0.024\r\n0.034\r\n0.024\r\n0.101\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n0.083\r\n0.104\r\n0.146\r\n0.102\r\n0.435\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n0.257\r\n0.321\r\n0.457\r\n0.318\r\n1.353\r\nStirling\r\n0.072\r\n0.090\r\n0.128\r\n0.088\r\n0.378\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n0.073\r\n0.091\r\n0.131\r\n0.091\r\n0.386\r\nWest Lothian\r\n0.157\r\n0.196\r\n0.284\r\n0.197\r\n0.834\r\nScotland\r\n4.000\r\n5.000\r\n7.200\r\n5.000\r\n21.200","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321101,"EventID":"S5W-05884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:39.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support people who experience withdrawal symptoms caused by so-called over-the-counter drugs.","AnswerText":"It is for NHS boards, local authorities and Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) to assess the need for, the design and delivery of local services, including for those facing problems caused by prescribed or over the counter medication.\r\nAt a national level the Scottish Government have contributed to the recent report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs looking at the ‘Diversion and Illicit Supply of Medicines’, and are currently considering the recommendations from the report. Scottish Government have also supported the development of the ‘Clinical Guidelines on Drug Misuse and Dependence’ which set out best practice for those providing pharmacological interventions for drug misusers, ensuring Scottish representation on the expert review group and leading on consultation with those with key interests in Scotland. The updated guidelines will be promoted across Scotland once published.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321102,"EventID":"S5W-05895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:42.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many commercial and residential businesses have access to superfast broadband; where superfast is defined by its targets on speed, and what percentage of total potential premises this equates to.","AnswerText":"Ofcom’s Connected Nations 2016 report, published in December 2016, indicates that superfast broadband coverage has reached 83% of all homes and businesses in Scotland. This includes both commercial coverage by BT and other providers, and that delivered through the rollout of the Scottish Government’s £400 million investment through the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) Programme.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321103,"EventID":"S5W-05902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:43.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on vulnerable people, what analysis it has carried of the concerns expressed about so-called doorstep lending and payday loans; what powers it has to (a) regulate these practices and (b) censure firms that exhibit poor practice, and what action it takes to promote credit unions as alternative means of finance.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the impact and distress that doorstep lending and payday loans can have on vulnerable people. The regulation of all firms and individuals offering, promoting or selling financial services is fully reserved to the UK Government with the responsibility for action against poor practice falling to the Financial Conduct Authority. The Scottish Government continues to do all that it can, with the powers available, to limit the proliferation of high street payday lending and promote access to affordable credit including credit unions. \r\nThe Fairer Scotland Action Plan includes a range of ambitions and actions to tackle poverty and inequality in Scotland, including promoting access to affordable credit. Many of the policy levers here are of course reserved, and we continue to work with the Treasury, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Money Advice Service and others to make sure their work takes full account of the situation in Scotland. \r\nThe Town and Country Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments and Transitional Saving Provision) (Scotland) Order 2016, which was laid in Parliament on 15 December 2016, increases planning controls in relation to new payday lending businesses to help address concerns about the overprovision and clustering of these premises on the high street.\r\nScotland has a proportionately higher level of credit union membership than England and Wales. According to the Bank of England’s most recent quarterly statistics, there were 99 credit unions in Scotland at the end of June 2016, with acombined membership of almost 388,000. This means approximately 7.2 per cent of the Scottish population are enrolled in a credit union, compared with only 1.5 per cent in England, and 2.6 per cent in Wales.\r\nThe Scottish Government is working with credit unions to grow the movement in Scotland by implementing the recommendations from the recent Credit Union Working Group report “Scotland’s Credit Unions: Investing in Our Future”, which was published on 10 February 2016 (http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00493888.pdf). Following a key recommendation from the report, the Scottish Government has announced funding of over £300,000 to support the development of Junior Savers Schemes run by credit unions in partnership with schools across Scotland. The Scottish Government promotes credit unions through Scotland’s Financial Health Service website. This contains information on credit unions in Scotland and can help direct people to the credit union appropriate to them. The website also provides guidance on debt, managing money and other forms of ethical lending.\r\nThe Scottish Government welcomes the work of others in this area, including the Carnegie UK Trust which published ‘Gateway to Affordable Credit – The Report of the Affordable Credit Action Group’ in 2016. The report sets out recommendations to help grow not-for-profit alternative finance providers, including credit unions. The Scottish Government is working with the Trust on the implementation of the recommendations from this report.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321104,"EventID":"S5W-05909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:45.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases there have been in each of the last five years, where the charge of assaulting an emergency worker under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 have been dropped by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.","AnswerText":"The following table relates to charges under sections 1(1) and 2(1) of the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005. There will frequently be more than one charge arising from a single incident and multiple charges under the same legislation may feature in a single case.\r\nFinancial Year\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal Charges reported to COPFS\r\n481\r\n412\r\n410\r\n492\r\n407\r\nCharges proceeded with\r\n364\r\n326\r\n327\r\n392\r\n296\r\nCharges where proceedings were commenced in Court and then No Further Action taken\r\n39\r\n31\r\n31\r\n54\r\n39\r\nIn a significant number of cases where charges were discontinued, this was related to the mental or physical health of the accused. Included in this number were accused who died or became incapacitated after the case was reported to COPFS and accused who were made subject to Compulsion Orders, detained in hospital or engaged with treatment or other services.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"James Wolffe QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321105,"EventID":"S5W-05888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:46.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions in each of the last five years its unacceptable actions policy has been used and for what reasons, also broken down by directorate. ","AnswerText":"The Unacceptable Actions Policy was introduced by the Scottish Government in 2013 and is in line with guidance available from the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman. The Policy is used to address three main areas, aggressive or threatening behaviour, unreasonable demands and unreasonable persistence. It offers guidance, support and clarity to people coming in to contact with the Scottish Government and Scottish Government staff themselves on the appropriate way to handle unacceptable behaviour. There is no requirement to record when it has been adopted other than when it has been decided to restrict contact with the person. In these instances the record is retained only the minimum period required. These records are not centrally collated.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321106,"EventID":"S5W-05892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:48.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of its decisions to invoke its unacceptable actions policy in each of the last five years resulted in appeals to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, and what the outcome of each appeal was.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government are not aware of any complaints arising from application of the Unacceptable Actions Policy being escalated to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321107,"EventID":"S5W-05905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:49.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T09:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 16 December 2016, New Group to focus on improving Far North Line, (a) who the members of the review group will be, broken down by the organisation that they will represent and (b) whether it will publish its remit.","AnswerText":"The Far North Line Review Team will be chaired by the Rail Director, Transport Scotland and will comprise representatives of Network Rail, ScotRail, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Hitrans Regional Transport Partnership, Transport Scotland, Highland Council and Friends of the Far North Line. The Team will hold an inception meeting early in the new year at which the remit will be confirmed and subsequently published.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":321108,"EventID":"S5W-05906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5677,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:52.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has produced on the options appraisal process used by NHS boards to analyse infrastructure investment.","AnswerText":"The refreshed Scottish Capital Investment Manual (SCIM) will be published in the New Year following a six week consultation period with NHS boards. The SCIM has a specific section dedicated to the option appraisal and can be accessed at the following website:http://www.pcpd.scot.nhs.uk/capital/scimpilot.htm","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321109,"EventID":"S5W-05879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:54.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been a review, or an update provided, of the Arrangements for NHS Patients Receiving Healthcare Services Through Private Healthcare Arrangements guidance, since it was issued on 25 March 2009.","AnswerText":"The guidance issued in the CMO letter 2009/03 to all Health boards on 25 March 2009 remains extant. All guidance remains under general review to ensure it remains applicable.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321110,"EventID":"S5W-05886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:55.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the risk of human error arising from the digitised scanning of exam papers.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). I have asked the Chief Executive of SQA to write to you. ","AnswerDate":"2017-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321111,"EventID":"S5W-05893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5698,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:56.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any residential or commercial premises that are currently unable to access superfast broadband are, or have been, included in any positive statistical metrics or target measurements that imply they do have access.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s £400 million investment through the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband Programme is having a significant impact across Scotland with around 679,000 homes and businesses now able to access fibre broadband services. Over 90% of these are able to receive superfast speeds. \r\nMeasurements of progress in delivering the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband Programme are generally expressed in terms of enabling connection to fibre broadband. As has been made clear, this will provide superfast broadband access for the great majority of, but not all, premises connected.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to delivering 100% superfast coverage by 2021. This will include any and all premises currently unable to achieve superfast speeds.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321112,"EventID":"S5W-05831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:57.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-20T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the guidance that it provides to Ministers to ensure that written answers to parliamentary questions fully address the issues they raise and provide the information requested.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that members receive prompt, accurate response to their questions. The guidance on answering Scottish Parliamentary Questions has recently been updated and a copy has been placed in SPICe (Bib. number 58488).","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321113,"EventID":"S5W-05880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5651,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:58:59.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has produced on the interface between NHS and private health treatment, and whether it will publish this.","AnswerText":"Published guidance is contained within CMO letter 2009/03. The key purpose of the guidance is to provide a framework to support local decisions concerning the possible combination of elements of NHS and private care for individual patients. Decisions regarding the provision of NHS services remain matters for NHS boards; and clinicians remain responsible for clinical decisions regarding the care of individual patients.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321114,"EventID":"S5W-05882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5665,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:59:00.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Student Awards Agency For Scotland (SAAS) loans are based on parental income and what criteria SAAS used to set the current bands.","AnswerText":"The level of loan support a student can access is dependent on their household, rather than parental, income. The persons' whose household income SAAS can take into account is laid out in legislation and is comprised of the student and (if appropriate) their parents/step-parents or spouse/partner.\r\nHousehold income brackets were introduced as part of the simplification review of the student support package in 2013-2014 to enable the Scottish Government to focus support on the lowest income households via the minimum income guarantee of £7,000 (now £7,625). \r\nBefore implementing the new system, the Government consulted widely and took views on design from a number of key partners and stakeholders including the NUS Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321115,"EventID":"S5W-05897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:59:01.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils have studied a foreign language in each year since 2010-11 at each level in (a) primary and (b) secondary school. ","AnswerText":"The specific information sought is not held centrally.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s 1+2 languages policy is supporting increased provision in both primary and secondary contexts, all pupils will learn two languages in addition to their own during the Broad General Education. Information provided by local authorities in 2015 indicated that, by June 2016, 21 of 32 authorities would be providing language learning to all Primary one children. We expect this trend to continue and provision to grow throughout primary and into secondary as schools move to full implementation of the Scottish Government’s 1+2 languages policy by 2021. \r\nWithin the senior phase, National Qualifications are just one of the many ways in which courses in modern languages are being offered to pupils.\r\nWe expect to see a continued trend of secondary schools providing diverse opportunities for language learning both in broad general education and in the senior phase. Flexible and innovative ways of learning are increasing, including non-certificated courses, clubs and master classes as well as participation in courses which lead to national qualifications.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321116,"EventID":"S5W-05899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:59:05.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether the 4.8% reduction in the number of students receiving non-repayable bursaries and grants disadvantages students who are not financially able to undertake higher education.","AnswerText":"In October 2016, I announced an independent Review of Further and Higher Education Student Support. The review will consider all relevant data and assess the effectiveness of the current system, making recommendations for beneficial change to ensure all students have access to a fair and effective package of appropriate support.\r\nProfessor Scott, the newly appointed Commissioner for Fair Access to Higher Education in Scotland, will be consulted as part of the review process.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shirley-Anne Somerville","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321117,"EventID":"S5W-05901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:59:08.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-21T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many foreign language teachers have been employed by local authorities in each year since 2010-11, broken down by (a) headcount and (b) full-time equivalent. ","AnswerText":"The data provide includes only teachers whose 'main subject taught' is recorded as a foreign language in the teacher census, conducted annually in September.\r\nSecondary school teachers whose main subject taught1 is a foreign language2 - Headcount\r\n\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nAberdeen City\r\n42\r\n42\r\n41\r\n42\r\n39\r\n40\r\n32\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n81\r\n81\r\n80\r\n77\r\n83\r\n77\r\n74\r\nAngus\r\n39\r\n39\r\n34\r\n33\r\n30\r\n32\r\n30\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n27\r\n26\r\n28\r\n27\r\n25\r\n25\r\n25\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n12\r\n11\r\n11\r\n11\r\n11\r\n10\r\n10\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n49\r\n47\r\n43\r\n42\r\n43\r\n44\r\n41\r\nDundee City\r\n44\r\n41\r\n39\r\n32\r\n33\r\n33\r\n33\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n39\r\n37\r\n37\r\n34\r\n34\r\n34\r\n30\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n49\r\n48\r\n48\r\n49\r\n44\r\n45\r\n44\r\nEast Lothian\r\n31\r\n30\r\n29\r\n33\r\n31\r\n32\r\n30\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n47\r\n45\r\n52\r\n53\r\n52\r\n50\r\n52\r\nEdinburgh City\r\n117\r\n116\r\n116\r\n110\r\n109\r\n104\r\n101\r\nEilean Siar\r\n12\r\n12\r\n11\r\n8\r\n7\r\n7\r\n6\r\nFalkirk\r\n45\r\n45\r\n43\r\n40\r\n42\r\n41\r\n44\r\nFife\r\n108\r\n103\r\n100\r\n91\r\n86\r\n90\r\n91\r\nGlasgow City\r\n152\r\n146\r\n145\r\n136\r\n131\r\n123\r\n121\r\nGrant aided\r\n6\r\n6\r\n5\r\n6\r\n5\r\n6\r\n6\r\nHighland\r\n72\r\n71\r\n72\r\n68\r\n67\r\n65\r\n60\r\nInverclyde\r\n33\r\n29\r\n25\r\n27\r\n27\r\n27\r\n25\r\nMidlothian\r\n30\r\n29\r\n28\r\n28\r\n29\r\n25\r\n24\r\nMoray\r\n30\r\n30\r\n29\r\n26\r\n24\r\n23\r\n22\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n51\r\n47\r\n45\r\n42\r\n42\r\n40\r\n36\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n104\r\n96\r\n93\r\n90\r\n96\r\n91\r\n100\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n11\r\n8\r\n8\r\n9\r\n9\r\n8\r\n8\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n42\r\n40\r\n38\r\n40\r\n44\r\n42\r\n42\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n52\r\n54\r\n53\r\n44\r\n45\r\n39\r\n40\r\nScottish Borders\r\n35\r\n31\r\n31\r\n31\r\n29\r\n30\r\n29\r\nShetland Islands\r\n16\r\n14\r\n13\r\n14\r\n13\r\n14\r\n12\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n30\r\n28\r\n27\r\n29\r\n26\r\n23\r\n28\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n104\r\n97\r\n94\r\n89\r\n89\r\n85\r\n87\r\nStirling\r\n36\r\n35\r\n32\r\n34\r\n34\r\n35\r\n35\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n32\r\n29\r\n29\r\n29\r\n27\r\n25\r\n28\r\nWest Lothian\r\n57\r\n58\r\n59\r\n57\r\n59\r\n56\r\n56\r\nScotland\r\n1635\r\n1571\r\n1538\r\n1481\r\n1465\r\n1421\r\n1402\r\n1. Excludes head teachers and depute head teachers.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2. Foreign language includes teachers whose main subject taught is recorded as either French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Mandarin, Community Languages or Other Modern Languages.\r\nSecondary school teachers whose main subject taught1 is a foreign language2 - Full Time Equivalent\r\n\r\n\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n2016\r\nAberdeen City\r\n36.56\r\n37.01\r\n36.13\r\n35.46\r\n34.07\r\n35.3\r\n27.72\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n74.63\r\n73.91\r\n72.5\r\n66.79\r\n70.9\r\n65.22\r\n66.71\r\nAngus\r\n37.3\r\n36.3\r\n32.9\r\n30.74\r\n29\r\n30.2\r\n29.4\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n25.3\r\n25.1\r\n26.11\r\n25.51\r\n24.4\r\n23.7\r\n22.83\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n10.6\r\n9.4\r\n9.2\r\n9.8\r\n10.1\r\n9\r\n8.8\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n45.8\r\n43.1\r\n40.6\r\n40.6\r\n40.8\r\n40.6\r\n38.4\r\nDundee City\r\n41.53\r\n38.93\r\n37.51\r\n30.7\r\n31.17\r\n31.8\r\n31.8\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n34.7\r\n33.9\r\n34.3\r\n31.9\r\n32.1\r\n32.4\r\n28.1\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n42.6\r\n40.72\r\n41.59\r\n43\r\n41.88\r\n41.1\r\n39.9\r\nEast Lothian\r\n26.86\r\n26.05\r\n25.38\r\n28.82\r\n25.5\r\n27.66\r\n26.17\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n40.52\r\n40.48\r\n44.28\r\n45.48\r\n44.18\r\n42.2\r\n44.32\r\nEdinburgh City\r\n105.26\r\n104.4\r\n102.96\r\n98.73\r\n97.32\r\n93.49\r\n89.6\r\nEilean Siar\r\n10.98\r\n10.9\r\n10.55\r\n7.8\r\n6.6\r\n6.6\r\n5.6\r\nFalkirk\r\n43.4\r\n42.8\r\n40.6\r\n37.2\r\n38.6\r\n37.6\r\n42.2\r\nFife\r\n101.03\r\n97.43\r\n91.53\r\n85.43\r\n79.4\r\n82.3\r\n83.75\r\nGlasgow City\r\n138.07\r\n130.9\r\n133.9\r\n122.67\r\n113.87\r\n109.7\r\n110.7\r\nGrant aided\r\n4.8\r\n5.05\r\n4.25\r\n5.05\r\n4.65\r\n5.25\r\n5.05\r\nHighland\r\n65.64\r\n65.18\r\n65.48\r\n60.88\r\n62.09\r\n59.42\r\n54.23\r\nInverclyde\r\n29.8\r\n25.8\r\n22.3\r\n23.5\r\n24.1\r\n23.7\r\n21.6\r\nMidlothian\r\n25.9\r\n23.83\r\n23.25\r\n24.38\r\n24.87\r\n21.67\r\n20.96\r\nMoray\r\n26.05\r\n26.14\r\n26.58\r\n23.87\r\n20\r\n18.96\r\n18.5\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n45.84\r\n42.15\r\n40.64\r\n38.1\r\n38.7\r\n35.3\r\n32.5\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n94.8\r\n87.4\r\n84.3\r\n82.8\r\n83.1\r\n81.4\r\n88.8\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n10.1\r\n8\r\n7.19\r\n9\r\n9\r\n7.46\r\n7.24\r\nPerth & Kinross\r\n38.72\r\n37.52\r\n36.12\r\n37.1\r\n40.53\r\n38.92\r\n37.96\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n46.04\r\n46.93\r\n47.14\r\n38.92\r\n39.8\r\n37\r\n36.7\r\nScottish Borders\r\n33.15\r\n29.25\r\n29.89\r\n30.06\r\n27.25\r\n29.14\r\n27.7\r\nShetland Islands\r\n15.06\r\n13.06\r\n12.83\r\n13.16\r\n12.77\r\n12.1\r\n11.5\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n27.4\r\n24.3\r\n24.3\r\n25.8\r\n22.2\r\n20.9\r\n21.4\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n97.9\r\n92.7\r\n88.2\r\n82.8\r\n81.4\r\n79\r\n80.5\r\nStirling\r\n33.5\r\n31.6\r\n29.31\r\n32.11\r\n32.51\r\n33\r\n32.4\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n28.4\r\n25.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321118,"EventID":"S5W-05910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4981,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T10:59:11.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases in each of the last five years, where the charge of assaulting an emergency worker under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005, have been dropped to pursue a charge relating to the same incident.","AnswerText":"Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) Management Information Database records data on the basis of charges not “incidents”. One “incident” can involve multiple charges and multiple accused, sometimes reported and prosecuted under separate cases. From the statistical data held by COPFS, it is not possible to isolate this information. The number of charges under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 in which no further action has been taken in the last five years was provided in the answer to question S5W-05909 on 11 January 2017.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"James Wolffe QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321119,"EventID":"S5W-05913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:54:41.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a Scottish Minister last met the National Crime Agency and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"I met with Lynne Owens, Director General of the National Crime Agency, on 8 February 2016, shortly after she took up post. We discussed a range of issues including the relationship between the NCA and Scottish Government and the collaborative work on tackling serious organised crime supported through the Scottish Crime Campus.\r\nThe National Crime Agency are also key partners on the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and play an important role in supporting Police Scotland and other partners to reduce the harm to our communities from serious organised crime. The Taskforce last met on 3 October 2016.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321120,"EventID":"S5W-05915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:54:42.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a Scottish Minister last met the Ministry of Defence and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"On 18 August 2016, the Deputy First Minister met in Edinburgh with the Rt Hon Mike Penning, MP, Minister for the Armed Forces, to discuss responsibilities for resilience. This was an introductory meeting following Mr Penning’s appointment in July 2016. \r\nThe Scottish Government has repeatedly requested meetings with Ministry of Defence Ministers to discuss their plans to close military bases in Scotland; however the Ministry of Defence has failed to agree arrangements for these said meetings or indeed to have them at all.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321121,"EventID":"S5W-05917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:54:44.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a Scottish Minister last met the UK Visas and Immigration and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"I met the UK Minister of State for Immigration, Mr Robert Goodwill, on 7 December 2016 to discuss immigration issues. We discussed the potential impact of exiting the EU, post study work visas, the Tier 4 student visa pilot, and the upcoming UK Government consultation on the UK points based system.\r\nI raised the concerns relayed to me by a number of EU nationals in Scotland, and again asked for the UK Government to allay their fears, and to guarantee their rights to live and work in the UK post-Brexit. I also highlighted Scotland’s differential demographic needs and reiterated the very strong cross party and cross sector support for the return of a post study work route for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321122,"EventID":"S5W-05930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5695,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:54:46.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the recipients of financial contributions from VisitScotland to the strategy, Game for Growth Strategy - Country Sports Tourism in Scotland 2016; what information it has regarding how each recipient will use this; what action it has taken to ensure that no money was provided to the owners or managers of landholdings on which crimes against wildlife have been committed; whether it will publish the strategy on its website, and what aspects of this it is supporting or plans to support with public money.","AnswerText":"VisitScotland has approved a grant of £17,925 to the Scottish Country Sports Tourism Group to promote Scotland as the destination of choice for all country sports. The Group will use this to develop content and supporting digital activity to attract visitors from across the UK and Scandinavia. As this money is for a specific project, no funding will be provided to individual estates or land owners. There is no intention to publish the strategy on VisitScotland's website and so there will be no funding support for this.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321123,"EventID":"S5W-05914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:54:47.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last assessed the model of managing trunk road maintenance and what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"The model for managing the Scottish Trunk Road Network was assessed as part of the procurement strategy in 2012 for the current 4th Generation (4G) Trunk Road Maintenance Contracts. The strategy resulted in the current 5 unit model, with the contracts commencing in April 2013 for the North West and South West units; August 2014 for the North East and South East units; and June 2015 for the Forth Bridges unit. \r\nThe procurement strategy for the next generation (5G) contracts will be prepared during 2017.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321124,"EventID":"S5W-05916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:54:49.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a Scottish Minister last met the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform met the Chair of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on 25 October 2016. The discussion covered NDA’s corporate plans and activities, especially in relation to its sites in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321125,"EventID":"S5W-05911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:54:50.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T10:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it will use when reviewing the appointment process for building control verifiers from May 2017 onward.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answers to questions S5W-05274 and S5W-05275 on 13 December 2016. In assessing the appointment of verifiers from May 2017 I intend to use the criteria set out in the Operational Framework and underpinned by the revised Performance Framework.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321126,"EventID":"S5W-05918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:54:51.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a Scottish Minister last met the UK Border Force and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"I met with UK Border Force on 9 March 2016 to discuss the Force's work, including its footprint in Scotland, its operational priorities and the role of the border as a unique point of intervention.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321127,"EventID":"S5W-05929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5709,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:54:53.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T13:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made for air weapon certificates under the new licencing scheme, and what assessment it has made of the level.","AnswerText":"As at 31 December 2016, Police Scotland had received a total of 12,384 applications for an air weapon certificate. This is broadly consistent with the estimates for the first 5 year licensing round, set out in the Financial Memorandum which accompanied the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill when it was first introduced.\r\n\r\nFrom 31 December 2016, those who already hold a firearm or shot gun certificate may, when applying to renew that licence, apply for a \"co-terminous\" air weapon certificate. It is expected that the majority of the 51,076 * current certificate holders will also hold air weapons.\r\n\r\n[* Source: Police Service of Scotland Management Information published \r\n29 November 2016 - Number of Certificates on issue at 15 November 2016]","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321128,"EventID":"S5W-05919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5757,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:54:55.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authority areas are covered by its committment in the 2017-18 draft budget to develop the south of Scotland as a tourism destination.","AnswerText":"The scope of this work has yet to be agreed, but will be subject to engagement with a range of public, private and third sector stakeholders.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321129,"EventID":"S5W-05921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:54:56.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T11:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will be providing funding to the UK Pollinator Monitoring and Research Partnership and, if so, how much.","AnswerText":"We are currently in discussions with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding potential funding for this project. I will ensure that the Member is updated once a decision has been made.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321130,"EventID":"S5W-05926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:54:58.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much will be allocated to each local authority involved with the second round of the programme of trials for the expansion of early learning and childcare expansion, and what information it has regarding how this will be used by each area.","AnswerText":"The funding allocated by Scottish Government for each local authority in the second tranche of early learning and childcare (ELC) trials is as follows:\r\nLocal authority\r\nFunding award for ELC trial\r\nAngus\r\n£22,000\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n£98,342\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n£116,346\r\nDundee City\r\n£15,876\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n£46,499\r\nEilean Siar\r\n£48,750\r\nGlasgow City\r\n£147,740\r\nMidlothian\r\n£92,000\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n£150,000\r\nShetland Islands\r\n£51,661\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n£34,500\r\nFurther information on the trials can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Young-People/early-years/ELCTrials/ELCTrials","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321131,"EventID":"S5W-05928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5757,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:55:01.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the death of a cyclist at the Erskine Bridge on 18 December 2016, what action it is taking to improve cyclist safety.","AnswerText":"Scotland's Road Safety Framework envisages a future where no one is killed on Scotland's roads, and the injury rate is much reduced. We remain committed to implementing the Framework and a mid-term review in 2016 identified cyclists and pedestrians as priorities for further consideration.\r\nThe Scottish Government funds a number of road safety initiatives for cyclists, including:\r\nCycling Scotland's \"Give Everyone Cycle Space\" campaign, which is run annually and nationally both on TV and radio, which asks all drivers to be aware of cyclists on the roads at all times and to give cyclists as much space as you would another vehicle;\r\nadult cycle training sessions, which are available across the country from cycle retailers, and a downloadable APP from Cycling Scotland, which take you through various road safety exercises, including road positioning;\r\nthe Big Bike Revival run by Cycling UK, which has held over 500 community-led sessions since September 2016 and will continue in 2017, together with free Dr Bike maintenance checks, cycle training and community led rides;\r\nSustrans' Workplace Champions' programme, which is currently delivered in Edinburgh and Glasgow and engages with workplaces to deliver cycle training to those who wish to cycle to work; \r\nfunding support to local authorities to deliver the three levels of the UK national standard Bikeability Scotland cycle training in schools;\r\nsupport for the implementation of 20mph streets/zones in communities across Scotland to improve road safety; and\r\nSustrans' Community Links and Community Links PLUS programmes, which offer matched funding for on-road and fully segregated cycle paths to improve safety for cyclists.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321132,"EventID":"S5W-05922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:55:02.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T11:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it assesses the status of wild pollinators. ","AnswerText":"Bumblebees, butterflies and moths are subject to regular, structured monitoring in Scotland. This monitoring is undertaken by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation and the Light Trap Network (Rothamsted) respectively.\r\nUse is also made of the UK indicator D1c Status of pollinating insects: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-6851 and the Scottish indicator Terrestrial insect abundance: Butterflies http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/B424909.pdf\r\nThe Centre for Ecology and Hydrology has recently been awarded a three year contract by DEFRA to develop a pollinator monitoring scheme. The contract has a GB/UK scope and will make use of existing volunteer networks.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321133,"EventID":"S5W-05925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:55:04.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason funding for the European Strategy Fund has been reduced by a reported 45.3%, and where this money will be reallocated. ","AnswerText":"As I explained in response to the same question at the budget session of the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee you attended in December, the European Strategy line has this year been separated out to establish a new Brussels Office line. The Brussels Office line of £1.139 million added together with the European Strategy line combine to make a total of £2.049 million which is focussed on Europe and our broader engagement activity. This total includes an additional £245,000 which we have added to the European Strategy line this year in recognition of the importance of Europe and in line with our key objective of influencing the world around us on the issues that matter most in helping Scotland flourish. This combined total is therefore 23% higher than the discrete European Strategy line for 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321134,"EventID":"S5W-05920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:55:08.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its pollinator strategy and action plan.","AnswerText":"The Pollinator Strategy for Scotland 2017–2026 and associated Implementation Plan are currently being finalised by SNH, in conjunction with key organisations linked to pollinator conservation. The objective is to have the Strategy and Implementation Plan published in Spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321135,"EventID":"S5W-05912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3994,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:55:10.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the conclusions of its consultation on building warrant fees will be published.","AnswerText":"It is intended that the conclusions of the consultation on building warrant fees will be published in early Spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kevin Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321136,"EventID":"S5W-05923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:55:11.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many members of staff each of the locations for the second round of the programme of trials for the expansion of early learning and childcare expansion require, and how many have been recruited. ","AnswerText":"Trial area\r\nProjected additional staff, including childminders (FTE)\r\nNumber recruited to date\r\nAngus1,3\r\n2.0\r\n0.0\r\nArgyll and Bute1,3\r\n10.0\r\n0.0\r\nDumfries and Galloway1,3\r\n4.0\r\n0.0\r\nDundee2\r\n-\r\n-\r\nEast Ayrshire2\r\n-\r\n-\r\nEilean Siar1, 3\r\n1.9\r\n0.0\r\nGlasgow\r\n6.1\r\n5.6\r\nMidlothian3\r\n1.0\r\n0.0\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\nShetland1\r\nTBC\r\n0.0\r\nSouth Lanarkshire3\r\n3.0\r\n0.0\r\nNotes\r\nLocal consultation is underway on the design of these trial services, including desired patterns of delivery, which will determine the final staffing model. Recruitment will commence following this period of consultation. These trials are currently on track to admit children on time.\r\nThese trials focus on redesigning existing services with registered childminders.\r\nThese trials are seeking to recruit new registered childminders.\r\nAdditional staff include local authority employed staff and registered childminders.\r\nMore information on each of the approved trials can be found at:http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Young-People/early-years/ELCTrials/ELCTrials","AnswerDate":"2017-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mark McDonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321137,"EventID":"S5W-05924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T14:55:15.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting its commitment to protect Scotland's relationship with Europe, and what the impact on this will be of the reported 45.3% reduction in the European Strategy Fund.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to protecting Scotland’s relationship with Europe and we are exploring all options available to achieve this. Last month we published a detailed set of proposals in “Scotland’s Place in Europe”. We have been engaging consistently, and in good faith, with the UK Government through the new JMC(EN) forum - the next meeting of which will be this Thursday [19th January] where we will discuss the proposals in ‘Scotland’s Place in Europe’. Scottish Government Ministers have furthermore been working closely with Ministers in Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as meeting with heads of administration from Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. There has also been a programme of engagement with other EU member states and institutional partners to raise awareness of the way Scotland voted and our determination to retain our relationship with Europe. Ministers have also undertaken a number of community engagements to meet with other EU nationals, hear their concerns and (as far as possible) offer reassurance and Official-level engagements continue. \r\nThis work is currently resourced by the Culture, Tourism and External Affairs portfolio and the new combined total of the European Strategy line and the Brussels Office line is 2.049 million. I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05925 on 19 January 2016 for further budget explanation and to the official report of the EEAC Committee of 22 December 2016.\r\nAll answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321152,"EventID":"S5W-05934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-22T16:30:41.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-22T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many legal challenges regarding (a) third party rights, (b) intellectual property rights and (c) copyrights it has been involved in, in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have had no involvement in any legal proceedings regarding third party rights or intellectual property rights (which includes copyright) during the period between 2007 to date. Seven claims relating to intellectual property rights were made by correspondence to the Scottish Ministers over the period referred to: one claim in 2011, two claims in 2012, two claims in 2013 and two claims in 2016. In each case, the claim was resolved through correspondence between the parties.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321153,"EventID":"S5W-05935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-12-23T11:32:15.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-23T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards have instructed GPs to stop prescribing Triiodothyronine/Liothyronine (T3) to current and future patients. ","AnswerText":"Local formulary decisions are a matter for NHS boards in accordance with local and national priorities. Ultimately, the decision on whether or not to prescribe a particular therapeutic is entirely a matter for the prescribing clinician, based on an assessment they have made of the patient’s condition and the benefits and expected outcomes of prescribing a particular drug for that patient. \r\nLevothyroxine (T4) is the usual first choice form of thyroxine to use for patients with hypothyroidism. The advantage of T4 is that it is well tolerated by most patients, available in multiple licensed forms and provides a stable level of thyroxine. It is recognised that a small proportion of patients do not tolerate T4 and Liothyronine (T3) use is available as an option, and where the clinician is satisfied that this is the safest and most clinically effective treatment option for the individual patient concerned.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321177,"EventID":"S5W-05938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2017-01-05T15:47:49.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-23T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Scottish Natural Heritage and other partners to publish a proposal to undertake a full census of breeding seabirds.","AnswerText":"The Joint Nature Conservation Committee has advised that they intend to submit the proposal to the UK Government and the devolved administrations by summer 2017.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321178,"EventID":"S5W-05945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2017-01-05T15:47:50.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-31T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research has been commissioned regarding the commercialisation of hydrogen technology.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, Transport Scotland and Scottish Enterprise, along with the UK Government, were among the lead organisations in a consortium which, in January 2016, commissioned an independent strategy for hydrogen and fuel cells to play a greater role in the UK’s energy mix. The report, Hydrogen and Fuel Cells: Opportunities for Growth: A Roadmap for the UK, was published in November 2016 and is available at http://www.e4tech.com/reports/hydrogen-and-fuel-cells-opportunities-for-growth-a-roadmap-for-the-uk/\r\nThe Scottish Government has supported a number of hydrogen gas and hydrogen fuel cell demonstration projects, including the Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project and the Levenmouth Community Energy Project and 'Surf 'n' Turf' in the Orkney Islands. These projects showcase the role hydrogen gas and hydrogen fuel cells can play in the deployment of low carbon energy systems, as well as supporting the commercialisation of the technology.\r\nPolicies for the further development and deployment of a range of energy solutions, including hydrogen, will be considered as part of the Scottish Government’s draft Energy Strategy, which was published for consultation on 24 January 2017.","AnswerDate":"2017-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321183,"EventID":"S5W-05941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2017-01-05T15:47:58.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-23T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which stakeholders it has held discussions with regarding a review of animal welfare legislation, and whether it will provide details of discussions it has had involving the possibility of licensing animal rehoming agencies.","AnswerText":"My officials held meetings with stakeholders on 23 November 2015 and 3 June 2016 in connection with the ongoing review of pet welfare. Discussion at those meeting covered a range of issues, including that of licensing animal rehoming agencies. Officials have also discussed that issue at meetings with individual stakeholders.\r\nThe minutes of the meetings of November 2015 and June 2016, with participants listed, are available on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/animal-welfare/AnimalWelfare/companion/welfarestakeholder. Representatives from the pet industry, animal welfare, local government and veterinary organisations presented their views.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321184,"EventID":"S5W-05942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2017-01-05T15:47:59.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-23T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce the amount of carpet material being sent to landfill.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working to divert a wide range of materials, including carpets, from landfill through increasing the rate of recycling, and where appropriate remanufacture and re-use. These measures include supporting the Recycle for Scotland website, which has advice on recycling many materials; the Re-use Line which helps people pass products on; and Revolve accreditation which is a re-use quality standard that is held, for instance, by Spruce Carpets in Glasgow which takes unwanted carpet and prepares it for sale.\r\nFurthermore, in 'Making Things Last - A Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland', we have committed to examining how producer responsibility can increase recycling, remanufacture and re-use for a number of materials that are difficult to deal with.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321196,"EventID":"S5W-05936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2017-01-05T15:48:15.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-23T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been allocated for the funding of the major trauma network in the 2017-18 Draft Budget and, of that amount, how much has been allocated to each of the four trauma networks with their major trauma centres at (a) Aberdeen, (b) Dundee, (c) Edinburgh and (d) Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is investing an extra £5 million in 2017-18 to begin to deliver an enhanced national trauma network. \r\nDecisions on where further investment in the network will be taken by the Scottish Trauma Network Steering Group and will be informed by the four regional trauma networks' implementation plans, expected to be ready in October 2017.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321197,"EventID":"S5W-05943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2017-01-05T15:48:18.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-23T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much carpet material has been sent to landfill in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"This information is not available.\r\nLocal authority waste data held by SEPA does not include specific information about how much carpet material has been sent to landfill over the last five years. It is likely that carpet material is included within the categories of ‘textile wastes’ and ‘household and similar wastes’. This information, including breakdown by local authority and waste management is available via the Discover Data tools on the SEPA website at:\r\nhttps://www.sepa.org.uk/environment/waste/waste-data/waste-data-reporting/waste-data-for-scotland/","AnswerDate":"2017-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321201,"EventID":"S5W-05937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2017-01-05T15:48:24.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-23T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment given by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport on 15 June 2016 that the establishment of the National Trauma Network Implementation Group “will ensure that we have the necessary preparation work for the four major trauma centres and the trauma network completed by the end of the year”, whether the necessary preparation work has now been completed, and when the planned new arrangements will be put in place.","AnswerText":"The preparatory work for the Scottish Trauma Network has been completed. The Chief Medical Officer's report 'Saving Lives. Giving Life Back', launched on 11 January 2017, is available at www.traumacare.scot.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321209,"EventID":"S5W-05939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2017-01-05T15:48:37.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-23T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what benefit has been derived from lowering the rate of non-hazardous soil treatment of recyclable soils.","AnswerText":"The introduction of Scottish Landfill Tax in April 2015 did not result in any changes to the liability of soils for the purposes of Landfill Tax. From 1996 to 2008 contaminated land had a blanket exemption under UK Landfill Tax. Since 2008, soils removed from hazardous and non-hazardous contaminated land and disposed of to landfill have been taxed at the standard rate under both the UK and Scottish landfill tax systems. Sub-soils qualify at the lower rate of Scottish Landfill Tax.\r\nThe Scottish Government is not currently aware of any evidence to suggest that the amount of soil being treated has changed.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321210,"EventID":"S5W-05940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3983,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2017-01-05T15:48:39.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-23T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its circular economy strategy is on course to deliver 5,700 remanufacturing jobs by 2020, as outlined in its Making Things Last report.","AnswerText":"‘Making Things Last’ sets out our ambition and priorities to move Scotland towards a more circular economy, where products and materials are kept in high value use for as long as possible. The strategy does not include job creation targets but identifies the potential economic and environmental opportunities underpinning the prioritisation of our actions, including those noted for remanufacturing. We would expect the employment benefits of these interventions to become clearer as implementation proceeds.","AnswerDate":"2017-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":321253,"EventID":"S5W-05944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5586,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2017-01-09T16:42:00.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2016-12-23T12:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consultants each NHS board has employed on a 8:2 contract in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"As specified in the answer to Mr Sarwar’s previous question S5W-05332 on 22 December 2016, information relating to consultants’ specific job plan ratios is not held centrally. Specific local information may be available from NHSScotland Health boards.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2017-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2017-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false}]